bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency Services Utilization in Jakarta (Indonesia): A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients Attending Hospital Emergency Departments
Authors: Brice Syaribah Noor , Boutilier Justin James , Gartner Daniel , Harper Paul , Knight Vincent , Lloyd Jen , Pusponegoro Aryono Djuned , Rini Asti Puspita , Turnbull-Ross Jonathan , Tuson Mark
Published: September 2021

Background

Pre-hospital and emergency services in Indonesia are still developing. Despite recent improvements in the Indonesian healthcare system, issues with the provision of pre-hospital and emergency services persist. The demand for pre-hospital and emergency services has not been the subject of previous research and, therefore, has not been fully understood. Our research explored the characteristics of patients attending hospital emergency departments in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Methods

The study used a cross-sectional survey design involving five general hospitals (four government-funded and one private). The patients’ demographic profile, medical conditions, time to treatment based on different medical conditions, and methods of transport to reach the hospitals were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare groups and the result was considered significant if the p-value < 0.05.
Results

A total of 1,964 patients was surveyed. The median age of patients was 44 years with an interquartile range (IQR) of 26 to 58 years. IQR describes the range of the middle 50% of values in the data when it is ordered from lowest to highest. Life-threatening conditions such as trauma and cardiovascular diseases were found in 8.6% and 6.6% of patients respectively, the general medical category accounted for 63%. The majority of patients with trauma travelled to the hospital using a motorcycle or car (59.8%). Ambulance was used by 9.3% of the patients, 38% of patients were not aware of the availability of ambulances. The median travel time by ambulances to the hospital was 42 minutes (IQR: 12 to 54 minutes). The median time to treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease was 102 minutes (IQR: 66 to 300 minutes).
Conclusion

Investing resources in pre-hospital and emergency services in Indonesia and in particular the provision of ambulance services, would create real benefits for the population and result in a significant reduction in deaths following heart disease and stroke.
Capital Expenditure and Operating Efficiency from Vertical Integration in the Global Semiconductor Industry
Authors: Qiao Guangshun
Published: September 2021

This paper uses a nonparametric production frontier approach to investigate the operating efficiency differences by the impacts of business model and capital expenditure in the global semiconductor industry. Handling the impact of capital expenditure as fixed input by the directional distance estimator, this study compares the operating efficiencies between the integrated device manufacturers and the fabless and foundry firms in the global semiconductor industry over 1999–2018. The estimation results indicate that vertically integrated manufacturers dominate the semiconductor industry, and the capital-intensive companies operate more efficiently than the asset-light fabless firms on average.
Acceptability And Feasibility of a Gamified Digital Eating Disorder Selective Prevention Program (AcceptME) Based On Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Authors: Nikolaou Patrisia , Merwin Rhonda M. , Karekla Maria
Published: September 2021

Background: Digital prevention programs for a variety of psychological conditions, including eating disorders (EDs) are increasing. Yet, none to date have leveraged gamification and vicarious learning components grounded in empirically-supported therapeutic approaches to engage young people at risk for developing EDs in behavior change. The current paper describes the development and preliminary acceptability and feasibility testing of AcceptME, a novel self-directed, gamified digital ED selective prevention program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). AcceptME helps women and girls identified at risk for an ED relate differently to their thoughts and feelings, such that these experiences do not have undue influence over their behavior and actions can instead be guided by personal values. Methods: Users learned skills of psychological flexibility by helping a third-person avatar (a main character in a storyline) navigate situations that elicit distressing thoughts/feelings, and via interactive exercises, practiced applying these skills to their own experiences. Young women and girls in the Republic of Cyprus with high weight concern scores (N=58, Mage=15.27, SD=2.25) completed six 30-minute digital sessions and reported on session and intervention acceptability.Results: Attrition was 35.42%. The majority of participants were either “Very” (40%) or “Mostly” (57%) Satisfied with the program. Fifty-two percent reported that the program “Helped a lot,” and 48% said it “Helped a bit.” Conclusion: Digital technology and gamification have advantages for engagement and delivery. The current study suggests a promising direction for early ED interventions to reach at risk youth and preliminary data to guide development.
Preparation and characterization of highly blue emitting fluorescent carbon nano-dots using Pongammia pinnata fresh leaves
Authors: K Govindaraju , Anand K. Vijai , Muthamilselvan S. , Kannan M. , Elanchezhiyan M.
Published: September 2021

In this study, a simple environmental benign approach have been adopted for the preparation of highly luminescent (blue emitting) water soluble carbon nano-dots using Pongammia pinnata (Pp) leaves via hydrothermal technique. The prepared Pp-carbon nano- dots were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The Pp-carbon nano-dots are spherical in shape with an average size of 32 nm.
A High-Throughput Screening Method for Endophytic Bacteria With Antagonistic Activity Against Magnaporthe Oryzae in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Seeds
Authors: Wang Zhishan , Wu Xianyu , Li Ni , Wang Weiping , Liu Yang
Published: September 2021

Screening for microorganisms with antagonistic activity against pathogens in crops is of great significance for the preparation of microbial antagonists, the control of crop diseases, and the sustainable development of agriculture. Through the experiment, a rapid, efficient, and one-step high-throughput method for screening endophytic bacteria with antagonistic activity against Magnaporthe oryzae in rice seeds was successfully established, and the experimental results showed that the endophytic bacteria with antagonistic activity of Magnaporthe oryzae ACCC 36020 could be directly screened from six groups of experimental samples by this method. The establishment of this method can achieve simultaneous screening and purification, one-step high-throughput screening of antagonistic bacteria in rice seeds, and greatly save time.
Changes in Cross-sectional Areas of Posterior Extensor Muscles in Thoracic Spine: A 10-year Longitudinal MRI Study
Authors: Umezawa Hitoshi , Daimon Kenshi , Fujiwara Hirokazu , Nishiwaki Yuji , Michikawa Takehiro , Okada Eijiro , Nojiri Kenya , Watanabe Masahiko , Katoh Hiroyuki , Shimizu Kentaro , Ishihama Hiroko , Fujita Nobuyuki , Tsuji Takashi , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio , Watanabe Kota
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to examine changes in the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of posterior extensor muscles in the thoracic spine over 10 years and identify related factors. The subjects of this study were 85 volunteers (mean age: 44.8 ± 11.5) and the average follow-up period was about 10 years. The CSAs of the transversospinalis muscles, erector spinae muscles, and total CSAs of the extensor muscles from T1/2 to T11/12 were measured on MRI. The extent of muscle fat infiltration was assessed by the signal intensity (luminance) of the extensor muscles’ total cross section compared to a section of pure muscle. Associations of age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle, back pain, neck pain, neck stiffness, and intervertebral disc degeneration with the 10-year CSAs changes and muscle fat infiltration were examined by Poisson regression analysis. The mean CSAs of all index muscles increased significantly. Exercise habit was associated with increased CSAs of the erector spinae muscles and the total area of the extensor muscles. The cross-section mean luminance increased significantly from baseline, indicating a significant increase of fat infiltration in the posterior extensor muscles. Progression of disc degeneration was negatively associated with the increase of fat infiltration in the total extensor muscles.
A vicious cycle of helminth infections: Current sanitation status and practices that led to continued STH transmission in rural communities in the Philippines
Authors: Lorenzo Pauline Joy , Berte Charmaine Joy , Cortel Dazzle Kane , Manzanilla Duane Raphael , Luna Christian Anthony , Luchavez Jennifer , Palasi Winston
Published: September 2021

BackgroundHelminth infections among children remains a public health concern despite continued deworming activities conducted in all public schools nationwide. Access to improved sanitation facilities not only leads to continued practice of open defecation predispose children to this intestinal parasitic infection. This study aim to characterize the sanitation situation and practices among households as well as their deworming practices and associate it with the prevalence in two rural communities in San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines. MethodsA survey of 234 randomly selected households from the two barangays was conducted followed by stool screening using Kato-Katz method from 586 children and adolescents below 18 years old was done in June 2019. ResultsThe survey showed that 33.28% of households do not have access to sanitary toilet and open defecation was practiced by 53.92% of surveyed households. More than half of the households (60.75%) surveyed also reported “poso” as their source of drinking water. The survey also revealed that households have high scores in the knowledge, attitude, and practices or KAP section of the survey. The over-all cumulative prevalence rate was at 41.6% moderate to light intensity infection rate. ConclusionAmong the variables tested, only the source of drinking water, attitude scores, and MDA participation showed association with having helminth infection among children. The study highlights the importance of advocating multi-sectoral approach in addressing persistent public health issues like the intestinal parasitic infections among children. Moreover, this study provides valuable information needed to support strategies like community-led total sanitation or CLTS as a potential strategy addressing both sanitation and public health dilemma.
A Novel Integration between Service Oriented IoT based Monitoring with Open Architecture of CNC System Monitoring
Authors: AHMAD MAZNAH BINTI ILIYAS , Yusof Yusri , Mustapa Mohammad Sukri , Daud Md Elias , Latif Kamran , Kadir Aini Zuhra Abdul , Saif Yazid , Adam Anbia , Hatem Noor
Published: September 2021

Smart factories are focusing on bridging the gap between physical to cyber-physical systems through software applications. This article proposed an efficient and sufficient data acquisition, storing and processing real-time monitoring information, response, and feedback in milling process monitoring. A methodology to enable integration between service oriented IoT based monitoring with interpreted information for open Architecture CNC system was presented. The proposed system comprises four main layers: the perception layer, communication layer, application layer, and CNC machine. The developed system was validated through two case studies. First, the developed system successfully enabled data flow through the validation, from CNC machine back to CNC machine. Secondly, the reading of temperature, vibration and electric current monitoring is higher for the worn cutting tool than the new cutting tool. Third, the percentage difference between new and worn cutting tools for temperature monitoring is up to 3.38 %, and for vibration monitoring, it is up to 78.93 %. Fourth, the electric current reading is proportional to cutting force as the reading of electric current on cutting insert is higher than reading before cutting tool insert with percentage differences more than 8.33% up to 20%. Based on the findings, it was summarized that the developed integrated monitoring system is feasible enough based on the performance and highly sensitive to any changes that occurred during the machining process, specifically on the cutting tool condition. In the future, this integrated monitoring system could be applied to other Open CNC machine-based plug and play.
The Establishment of Prediction Model for Soil Liquefaction Based on the Seismic Energy Using the Neural Network
Authors: zhang yan , chu wenhui , Ahmad Mahmood
Published: September 2021

In the development of the prediction model for soil liquefaction, compared to the stress-based method, the energy-based methods proposed and developed in recent years are closer to the essence of soil liquefaction which is about the energy dissipation. Therefore, considering the weak nonlinear relationship found by the previous research, the fuzzy neural network (FNN) and BP neural network (BPNN) were adopted to try to obtain a prediction model which is the most proper to this nonlinear relationship. Firstly, the database including 284 cases obtained from laboratory test was divided into three separate groups denoted as training, validation set and testing sets by the ratio of 5:1:1; then, the FNN model and BPNN model were iterated to determine the model parameter by referring to the variation of fitness value and relative error of validation set; at the same time, the optimization algorithm of genetic algorithm (GA) was adopted to BPNN to find the best coefficients; besides, the parameter of \({C}_{c}\) and \({D}_{50}\) was respectively excluded from the database to test their influence degree according to the prediction error; finally, 6 prediction results of FNN and genetic algorithm BP neural network (GABP) were compared with the previously proposed models. The results showed that the relationship of capacity energy to the influencing parameters could not be fitted as a fully linear relationship; the FNN model can learn the role of \({C}_{c}\) in affecting the capacity energy while the GABP model needs not to take it into account; the FNN and GABP model all fitted a good weakly nonlinear relationship for the capacity energy, and the GABP model is a better prediction model for capacity energy so far.
Health and Access to Healthcare in Homeless People: Protocol for a Mixed-methods Study
Authors: Pérez Miguel A. Bedmar , Bennasar-Veny Miquel , Lelong Berta Artigas , Mut Francisca Salvà , Bordoy Joan Pou , Capitán Laura , García-Toro Mauro , Yáñez Aina M.
Published: September 2021

BackgroundHomelessness is a more complex problem than the simple lack of a place to live. Homeless people (HP) often suffer from poor health and premature death due to their limited access healthcare, and are also deprived of basic human and social rights. The study protocol described here aims to evaluate the complex relationship between homelessness and health, and identify the barriers and facilitators that impact access to healthcare by HP.MethodsThis is a mixed-methods study that uses an explanatory sequential design. The first phase will consist of a cross-sectional study of 300 HP. Specific health questionnaires will be used to obtain information on health status, challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, self-reported use of healthcare, diagnoses and pharmacologic treatments, substance abuse (DAST-10), diet quality (IASE), depression (PHQ-9), and human basic needs and social support (SSQ-6). The second phase will be a qualitative study of HP using the “life story” technique with purposive sampling. We will determine the effects of different personal, family, and structural factors on the life and health status of participants. The interviews will be structured and defined using Nussbaum's capability approach. DiscussionIt is well-known that HP experience poor health and premature death, but more information is needed about the influence of the different specific social determinants of these outcomes and about the barriers and facilitators that affect the access of HP to healthcare. The results of this mixed methods study will help to develop global health strategies that improve the health and access to healthcare in HP.
Effect of Bovine Asprosin on Gluconeogenic Gene Expression and Glucose Production in Primary Bovine Hepatocytes
Authors: Lin Miao , Jiang Maocheng , Yang Tianyu , Ma Xiaoyu , Zhao Guoqi , zhan kang
Published: September 2021

BackgroundIn postpartum dairy cows, dry matter intake (DMI) was dramatically decreased, resulting in the decreased plasma glucose, a negative energy balance (NEB), and negative nutrient balance. Asprosin, which is a fasting-induced glucogenic protein hormone secreted by adipose tissue, promotes plasma glucose level. However, effect of asprosin on the hepatic glucose output in primary bovine hepatocytes and plasma asprosin level in postpartum dairy cows remain not reported. ResultsOur results demonstrated that fibrillin 1 (FBN1) showed much higher mRNA expression in mammary gland and adipose tissue compared with heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. The recombinant bovine His-asprosin was not found in supernatant of E. coli lysate, but present in the inclusion bodies in E. coli. The bovine His-asprosin proteins were > 90 % pure by Coomassie Blue-stained SDS-PAGE gel analysis. Asprosin enhanced (P = 0.031) the mRNA expression of PCK2 in primary bovine hepatocyte compared with control group, and FBP1 tended (P = 0.086) to be upregulated in primary bovine hepatocyte treated by Asprosin. Remarkably, glucose output was increased (P = 0.03) in primary bovine hepatocytes exposed to asprosin than control group. In addition, Asprosin can promote PKA activity in primary bovine hepatocytes, but not AKT. Asprosin was observed to be present in bovine plasma at consistent nanomolar levels. The postpartum cows exhibited (P = 0.003) much higher level of circulating asprosin compared with mid-lactation dairy cows. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that asprosin should be further considered for use as a novel therapy strategy for NEB and negative nutrient balance in postpartum period.
Impact of Visceral Fat On The Prognosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Ogata Hiroaki , Mori Masahiro , Jingushi Yujiro , Matsuzaki Hiroshi , Katahira Katsuyuki , Ishimatsu Akiko , Enokizu-Ogawa Aimi , Taguchi Kazuhito , Moriwaki Atsushi , Yoshida Makoto
Published: September 2021

Background
Clarification of the risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity is strongly warranted for global health. Recent studies have indicated that elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with unfavorable progression of COVID-19. This is assumed to be due to excessive deposition of visceral adipose tissue (VAT); however, the evidence investigating the association between intra-abdominal fat and COVID-19 prognosis is sparse. We therefore investigated whether measuring the amount of intra-abdominal fat is useful to predict the prognosis of COVID-19.
Methods
The present study enrolled 53 consecutive cases of COVID-19 patients aged ≥ 20 years with chest computed tomography (CT) scans. The VAT area, total adipose tissue (TAT) area, and VAT/TAT ratio were estimated using axial CT images at the level of the upper pole of the right kidney. Severe COVID-19 was defined as death or acute respiratory failure demanding oxygen at ≥ 6 liters per minute, a high-flow nasal cannula, or mechanical ventilation. The association of VAT/TAT with the incidence of progression to a severe state was estimated as a hazard ratio (HR) using Cox regression analysis. To compare the prediction ability for COVID-19 disease progression between BMI and VAT/TAT, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of each was assessed.
Results
A total of 15 cases (28.3% of the whole study subjects) progressed to severe stages. The incidence of developing severe COVID-19 increased significantly with VAT/TAT (HR per 1% increase = 1.040 (95% CI 1.008–1.074), P = 0.01). After adjustment for potential confounders, the positive association of VAT/TAT with COVID-19 aggravation remained significant (multivariable-adjusted HR = 1.055 (95% CI 1.000–1.112) per 1% increase, P = 0.049). The predictive ability of VAT/TAT for COVID-19 becoming severe was significantly better than that of BMI (AUC of 0.73 for VAT/TAT and 0.50 for BMI; P = 0.0495 for the difference).
Conclusions
A higher ratio of VAT/TAT was an independent risk factor for disease progression among COVID-19 patients. VAT/TAT was superior to BMI in predicting COVID-19 morbidity. COVID-19 patients with high VAT/TAT levels should be carefully observed as high-risk individuals for morbidity and mortality.
Antioxidant, Antifungal and Aphicidal Activity of Triterpenoids Spinasterol, 22,23-Dihydrospinasterol From Colocynthis (Citrullus Colocynthis L.) Leaves
Authors: Ahmed Maqsood , Sajid Allah Rakha , Ahsan Taswar , Hussain Dilbar , Mateen Abdul , Li Xiuwei , Qin Peiwen , Ji Mingshan
Published: September 2021

Terpenoids from natural plants resources are valuable for diverse biological activities which exhibited important part in medical and agrochemicals industry. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant, antifungal and aphicidal activity of a mixture of Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol from Citrullus colocynthis leaves. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to assess the antioxidant activity whereas, antifungal activity was tested by mycelium growth inhibition assay on three pathogenic fungi Magnaporthe grisea, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora infestans. Aphicidal activity against adults of Myzus persicae was also determined via In-vitro and In-vivo assays. The outcome of the study exposed that Spinasterol, 22, 23-dihydrospinasterol afforded moderate antioxidant activity even at lower concentrations i.e. 19.98, 31.52, 36.61 and 49.76% at 0.78, 3.0, 12.5 and 50µgmL− 1 respectively. However, reasonable fungicidal activity of Spinasterol, 22; 23-dihydrospinasterol was recorded as being EC50 values 129.5 and 206.1µgmL− 1 against R. solani and M. grisea respectively. On the other hand, Boscalid and Carbendazim being a positive control proved highly effective against all fungi except for M. grisea and P. infestans with EC50 values 868 and 272109µgmL− 1 respectively. The significant insecticidal activity was afforded via residual as well as greenhouse assay being LC50 values as 42.46, 54.86, 180.9 µgmL− 1 and 32.71, 42.46 and 173.8µgmL− 1 at 72, 48 and 24 h respectively. Moreover, antioxidant activity of Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol presented strong positive correlation versus antifungal and insecticidal activity. Spinasterol, 22,23-dihydrospinasterol possess good antioxidant and aphicidal activity with moderate fungicidal activity which could be a suitable candidate as an alternative to synthetic pesticidal agents.
Cost-Effectiveness of The Healthy Options Group Psychosocial Intervention for Perinatal Women Living with HIV and Depression in Tanzania
Authors: Saronga Happiness Pius , Kaaya Sylvia , Fawzi Mary C. Smith
Published: September 2021

BackgroundHealthy Options (HO) is a psychosocial support group intervention facilitated by community-based health workers (CBHWs) to treat depression in perinatal women living with HIV in Tanzania. The objective of this study was to determine incremental cost-effectiveness of HO in treating perinatal depression in HIV positive women in comparison to enhanced standard of mental health care delivered by nurse midwives.MethodsThis study is a cost-effectiveness analysis of HO, a pair-matched cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in Tanzania. The primary outcome for this study was the level of depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes included antiretroviral therapy adherence, safe disclosure of HIV status to partner, and food security, among others. This study applied an ingredients approach to cost all resources used in the HO intervention. We estimated total cost, unit cost and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio from a health care provider perspective. We used 3 year time horizon, univariate sensitivity analysis, and adjusted costs to 2017 value.ResultsHO demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms among pregnant women with HIV in Tanzania. Mean reduction in depressive symptoms was observed at 6 weeks and 9 months postpartum with statistical significance. HO costs $849 USD per woman treated (equivalent to $889 in 2017 value). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio at 6 weeks postpartum is $81,091 per mean decrease in depressive symptoms (equivalent to $84,878 in 2017 value), and at 9 months postpartum is $280,277 per mean decrease in depressive symptoms (equivalent to $293,363 in 2017 value). With sensitivity analysis, results at 6 weeks postpartum ranged from $79,309 to $84,576 (equivalent to $83,012 to $88,525 in 2017 value), and at 9 months ranged from $ 194,001 to $1,139,546 (equivalent to $203,067 to $1,192,753 in 2017 value).ConclusionsBenefits of HO are significantly sustained through 9 months postpartum and intervention unit costs are within range of similar interventions. Human resources composed the largest share of HO total cost. Although uncertainty in the cost-effectiveness ratio of this intervention varied widely, since mental health specialists are scarce in Tanzania, working with CBHWs is likely to offer effective treatment that is more feasible and is a less costly alternative to the usual care.Trial registration: The trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02039973).
Additive Effects of Evaluating Micro-Surface and Microvascular Patterns Using Magnifying Endoscopy with Narrow-Band Imaging for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Horiuchi Yusuke , Hirasawa Toshiaki , Ishizuka Naoki , Tokura Junki , Ishioka Mitsuaki , Tokai Yoshitaka , Namikawa Ken , Yoshimizu Shoichi , Ishiyama Akiyoshi , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Fujisaki Junko
Published: September 2021

No studies have compared the performance of microvascular and micro-surface patterns alone with their combination in magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging for diagnosing gastric cancer. This study aimed to clarify the difference in diagnostic performance between these methods. Thirty-three participating endoscopists underwent specialized training in magnifying endoscopy evaluated microvascular and micro-surface patterns for images of 106 cancerous and 106 non-cancerous cases. If classified as “irregular”, the lesion was diagnosed as cancerous. To evaluate diagnostic performance, we compared the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity among the methods. Performance-related items did not significantly differ between the microvascular and micro-surface patterns. However, the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were significantly higher when using the combination of these methods than when using the microvascular pattern alone (percentage [95% confidence interval]: 82.1% [76.4–86.7] vs. 76.4% [70.3–81.6], P = 0.0005; and 69.8% [60.5–77.8] vs. 63.2% [53.7–71.8], P = 0.0082, respectively). The additive effects on diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were 5.7% and 6.6%, respectively. The combination of micro-surface and microvascular patterns has superior diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity for diagnosing gastric cancer than the evaluation method using microvascular pattern alone. Our results may contribute to improving the diagnosis of gastric cancers.
Heartburn As a Marker of the Success of Acid Suppression Therapy in Chronic Cough.
Authors: Badri Huda , Satia Imran , Bansal Vikas , Mangi Muhammad Asif , Tangaroonsanti Anupong , DeVault Kenneth R , Lee A. S. , Houghton Lesley A , Smith Jacky A
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is commonly thought to play an important role in chronic cough and patients are often empirically treated with acid suppression therapy. We sought to investigate the response rate to acid suppression treatment in patients with and without heartburn attending two specialist cough clinics. Methods: A retrospective review of 558 consecutive patients referred to two specialist cough clinics was performed (UK and US). Patients who were treated with acid suppression were included and their documented response to treatment collected. Binary logistic regression was used to ascertain the value of reported heartburn in predicting the response of chronic cough to acid suppression therapy. Results: Of 558 consecutive referrals, 238 patients were excluded due to missing data or cough duration of <8weeks. The remaining 320 patients were predominantly female (76%), mean age 61yrs (±13), 96.8% non-smokers, with chronic cough for 36 (18-117) months. Of 72 patients with heartburn, 20 (28%) noted improvement in their cough with acid suppression, whereas of 248 without heartburn, only 35 (14%) responded. Patients reporting heartburn were 2.7 (95% C.I. 1.3-5.6) times more likely to respond to acid suppression therapy (p=0.007).Conclusion: In specialist cough clinics, few patients report a response of their chronic cough to acid suppression therapy. Nonetheless, heartburn is a useful predictor substantially increasing the likelihood of benefit.
Chaos is not rare in natural ecosystems
Authors: Rogers Tanya , Johnson Bethany , Munch Stephan
Published: September 2021

Chaotic dynamics are thought to be rare in natural populations, but this may be due to methodological and data limitations, rather than the inherent stability of ecosystems. Following extensive simulation testing, we applied multiple chaos detection methods to a global database of 175 population time series and found evidence for chaos in >30%. In contrast, fitting traditional one-dimensional models identified <10% as chaotic. Chaos was most prevalent among plankton and insects and least among birds and mammals. Lyapunov exponents declined with generation time and scaled as the -1/6 power of mass among chaotic populations. These results demonstrate that chaos is not rare in natural populations, indicating that there may be intrinsic limits to ecological forecasting and cautioning against the use of steady-state approaches to conservation and management.
Relationship between the high-amplitude magnetic anomalies and serpentinized fore-arc mantle in the Cascadia subduction zone
Authors: Doo Wen-Bin
Published: September 2021

A zone of significant high-amplitude magnetic anomalies is observed without a comparable gravity high along the Cascadia margin and is spatially correlated with the low-velocity fore-arc mantle wedge, which is understood to be serpentinized fore-arc mantle and is further considered to be the main source of the high-amplitude magnetic anomalies. To test this hypothesis, the magnetization-density ratio (MDR) is estimated along the Cascadia margin to highlight the physical characteristics of serpentinization (reduced density and increased magnetization). Interestingly, high MDR values are found only in central Oregon, where slab dehydration and fore-arc mantle serpentinization (50%-60% serpentinization) are inferred in conjunction with sparse seismicity. This result may indicate either poorly serpentinized fore-arc mantle (low degree of serpentinization) or that the fore-arc mantle is deeper than the Curie temperature isotherm for magnetite in northern and southern Cascadia. I thus propose that serpentinized fore-arc mantle may not be the major contributor to the high-amplitude magnetic anomalies in these segments. This finding means that magnetic anomaly highs and serpentinized fore-arc mantle may not be completely positively related in subduction zones. On the other hand, the MDR pattern reveals the segmentation of the Cascadia subduction zone, which is consistent with several previous observations.
Study on the regulatory mechanism of EAF2 in the microenvironment of cervical cancer
Authors: Guo Fan , Kong Wei na , Zhao Gang , Lv Jie , Fan Jia hui , Wang Yue , Ma Cai ling , Ma Xiu min
Published: September 2021

Objective

EAF2 plays an important role in transcription elongation and the regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells. EAF2’s depletion has been demonstrated to enhance cell proliferation and greatly increase the risk of cancer. Even so, its expression and prognostic role in cervical cancer (CC) remains controversial.
Methods

To solve this issue, we comprehensively investigated the role of EAF2 in CC through various databases including ONCOMINE, UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and TIMER.
Results

In all, we found that the EAF2 was highly expressed in CC tissue and was significantly correlated with better patient survival. Among the CNAs, amplification was the dominant alteration. Then the co-expression profile and enrichment analysis of EAF2 were related to the potential signaling pathways. The function of genes such as Kinase LYN, mi-RNA133A-133B and transcription factor OCT1 were also enriched in CC. The positively relation EAF2 expression to 6 immune cells revealed that EAF2 expression may affect development of patients with CC partially due to immune infiltration.
Conclusions

Taken together, our data suggest that EAF2 might be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for CC patients.
How to Make the Best Use of the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs Method in Determining the Proportion of Time Spent in Each of the Workload Components and Its Implication in Decision Making: the Experience of the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: ELFAKI NAZAR , Al-Lawati Nahida
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe Ministry of Health in the Sultanate of Oman decided to have better distribution of the health workforce among all health facilities through evidenced-based staffing norms. Four directorates worked together to develop the staffing norms through making use of the workload indicators of staffing needs (WISN) method. The aim of this study is to describe the process of applying the WISN method in Primary Health Care institutions and how to make the best use of method in determining the proportion of time spent in each of the workload components and its implication in decision making. MethodsThe WISN was applied for five priority categories namely doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and radiology technicians at PHC institutions. The WISN ratio has been translated into workload pressure as a percentage through applying the formula [workload pressure as % (in case of shortage) = (1 - WISN ratio) x 100%]. While the proportion of time spent in each of the workload components was calculated through making use of the category allowance standard, the individual allowance standard to determine the time spent in support and additional activities. The sum is subtracted from 100% to give the time spent in the health service activities.ResultsDetermining the workload pressure as a percent and its interpretation is based on the fact that one cadre or as a group can bear up to 10% of extra workload. Thus, managers can undertake sensible short-term arrangements or decisions in redistributing the cadres among the health facilities on expectation of deploying more staff. DiscussionCareful and detailed analysis of the proportion of time spent in each of the workload components will allow to have better understanding of the context and dynamics of work. ConclusionDecision makers and planners can undertake rational short-term decisions in redistributing the cadres among the health facilities based on the workload pressure. In addition, they can as well as easily decide on the optimal proportions of time for each staff category, and hence choose what activities and tasks to be shifted or delegated to other staff category.
PRL1 promotes glioblastoma invasion and tumorigenesis via activating USP36-mediated Snail2 deubiquitination
Authors: Qiu Wenjin , Cai Xiaomin , Xu Kaya , Song Shibin , Xiao Zumu , Hou Yunan , Qi Xiaolan , Chen Yimin , Yang Hua , Chu Liangzhao , Liu Jian
Published: September 2021

Background
Regenerating liver phosphatase 1 (PRL1) is an established oncogene in various cancers, although its biological functions and the underlying mechanisms in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remain unclear.
Methods
PRL1 expression levels were analyzed in glioma tissues and cell lines. Multiple glioma cell lines were transfected with PRL1-overexpressing and shRNA constructs. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assays were conducted. Western blot and ubiquitylation assays were performed for molecular and mechanistic analyses. PRL1 expression levels were correlated with downstream ubiquitin pathway and clinical parameters using archival GBM samples.
Results
PRL1 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines, and positively correlated with the tumor grade. Ectopic expression of PRL1 in glioma cell lines significantly enhanced their tumorgenicity and invasion both in vitro and in vivo by promoting EMT. Conversely, knocking down PRL1 blocked EMT in the GBM cells, and inhibited their invasion, migration and tumorigenic growth. PRL1 also stabilized Snail2 through deubiquitination by activating USP36. Snail2 was identified as a crucial mediator of the oncogenic effects of PRL1 in GBM. Finally, PRL1 protein levels were positively correlated with that of Snail2 and predicted poor outcome of GBMs.
Conclusions
PRL1 promotes GBM progression by activating USP36-mediated Snail2 deubiquitination. This novel PRL1/USP36/Snail2 axis may be a promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma.
Hydroxychloroquine Attenuated Motor Impairment and Oxidative Stress in a Rat 6-hydroxydopamine Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Athari Seyed Zanyar , Farajdokht Fereshteh , Eteghad Saeed Sadigh , Mohajeri Daryoush , Nourazar Mir Alireza , Mohaddes Gisou
Published: September 2021

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has the capability to cross the blood-brain barrier and promote a neuroprotective potential. This study evaluated the effects of HCQ on the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD model in rats.Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, PD, PD+levodopa, and PD+HCQ groups. The PD model was induced by a stereotactic administration of 6-OHDA into the left SN pars compacta (SNpc) and confirmed by rotation and the Murprogo’s tests. HCQ (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and levodopa (12 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered once a day for 21 days. Three weeks after surgery, the behavioral tests were performed. Brain lipid peroxidation index (MDA), glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, and α-synuclein protein expression in the SN were also measured. Results: The behavioral tests demonstrated that induction of PD increased the muscle rigidity and the number of rotations, which were reversed by HCQ treatment. Also, induction of PD was associated with an increase in α-synuclein protein levels and MDA and decreased TAC levels and GPx activity. However, HCQ decreased α-synuclein and MDA levels while increased TAC levels and GPx activity. Additionally, histopathological data showed that HCQ protects dopaminergic neurons against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity.Conclusion: According to the results, HCQ has a beneficial effect in improving PD-related pathophysiology, in part, by mitigating oxidative stress and protecting the dopaminergic neurons in the SN.
A ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on UiO-66-CdTe@ZIF-8 core-shell nanocomposites for the highly selective detection of NO
Authors: Shi Hailan , Zhang Li
Published: September 2021

In this work, a ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on UiO-66-CdTe@ZIF-8 core-shell nanocomposites (CSNCPs) was developed for the highly selective detection of NO. The yellow-emitting UiO-66-NH2 core was synthesised using the solvothermal method and then coated with red-emitting CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The resulting core UiO-66-CdTe nanocomposites served as the signal-displaying unit (UiO-66-CdTe). Next, the UiO-66-CdTe nanocomposite was encapsulated in a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), whereas large molecules such as substrate and oxidase have very little effect on its fluorescence. A detectable signal was obtained by monitoring the NO quenching fluorescence of UiO-66-NH2, and the CdTe QDs served as the reference signal. The fluorescence quenching ratio I442/I574 was proportional to the logarithm of NO concentration concentration in the range of 0-0.10 nM with the detection limit of 0.11 nM. The results demonstrate that the proposed UiO-66-CdTe@ZIF-8 CSNCPs-based sensor is suitable for quantitative purposes in various environmental and biological applications.
High-mobility group box1 peptide ameliorates bronchopulmonary dysplasia via suppressing inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model
Authors: Hara Takeya , Shimbo Takashi , Masuda Tatsuo , Kitayama Tomomi , Nishida Mami , Fujii Makoto , Hanawa Morifumi , Yokota Kazuha , Endo Masayuki , Tomimatsu Takuji , Kimura Tadashi , Tamai Katsuto
Published: September 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disorder that affect approximately 40% of preterm infants, with no established curative therapy. The administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to BPD patients has shown promising outcomes. Previously, we demonstrated that a synthesized peptide originating from high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) induces a regenerative cascade through activating endogenous MSCs. Here, we tested whether the HMGB1 peptide can ameliorate BPD-related lung injury. In a mouse BPD model established via hyperoxia exposure, three shots of HMGB1 peptide significantly improved survival and suppressed inflammation and fibrosis in the lung. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of the lung further showed that the peptide significantly suppressed a hyperoxia-induced inflammatory signature in macrophages and fibrotic signature in fibroblasts. These changes in the transcriptome were also confirmed at the protein level. Taken together, our data show that treatment with the HMGB1 peptide suppressed inflammation and fibrosis, thus preventing BPD progression. This study serves as a foundation for the development of new effective therapies for BPD.
The role of Pentraxin3 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in COPD patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: He Qian , Zhang Ming , Feng Chunlai
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND
The use of galactomannan testing in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) has improved diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA) in COPD patients; However, the high false positive rate leads to overdiagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of PTX3 in COPD patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
METHODS
A total of 165 patients initially suspected of COPD with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were included in the study. Among these, 35 cases were proven or probable to be invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (35 plasma samples and 28 BALF samples). The remaining 130 cases were non-aspergillosis controls(130 plasma samples and 83 BALF samples). PTX3 levels and GM were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Median plasma and BLAF PTX3 level was significantly higher in COPD patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis compared with non-aspergillosis patients (3.74 [2.57–5.61]ng/ml vs 1.29[0.62–2.88] ng/ml,P < 0.001; 3.88[2.28–8.29]ng/ml vs 1.58[0.85–2.13]ng/ml, P < 0.001). When the plasma GM/PTX3 and BALF GM/PTX3 assays were used for patients included in the study, the sensitivity/specificity value were 60%/77.1%/78.6%/89.3%, 73.8%/69.2%/80.7%/77.1%, respectively. Thus, The sensitivity of PTX3 in plasma and BLAF was higher than that of GM. However, There was no significant difference in the specificity of PTX3 and GM between the IPA group and non-aspergillosis group. When PTX3 and GM were both positive in plasma or BLAF, the specificity for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis can reach more than 90%.
Conclusions
BALF and plasma PTX3 measurements were significantly higher among patients with IPA. The sensitivity of PTX3 was superior to GM in the diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients. The combination of GM and PTX3 is beneficial to the diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients.
Dach1-Variant 4 Plays an Oncogenic Role and Promotes Radioresistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Giordani Ilenia , Scornajenghi Carlo M. , Marampon Francesco , Stoppacciaro Antonella , Agostino Silvia Di , De Nunzio Cosimo , Tubaro Andrea , Li Zhiping , Pestell Richard G. , De Cesaris Paola , Riccioli Anna , Filippini Antonio
Published: September 2021

Background: Human Dachshund homologue 1 (DACH1) is involved in carcinogenesis with opposite roles reported in different tumor types. Four alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different DACH1 isoforms were described but their specific role in human cancers is still unknown. Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease with a very wide variability, so there is yet a relevant need to find new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers to make a safe clinical evaluation. It is well known that the differential expression of protein isoforms can induce distinct transcriptional programs with opposing effects on tumor progression and therapy. Thus, in this study we aimed to correlate the functional role of DACH1 with its splicing variants expression in PCa.Methods: The expression and functional role of DACH1 splicing variants in PCa were investigated using tumor (PC3) and normal (RWPE-1) cell lines, patient biopsies and TCGA dataset. Flow-cytometry, western blots and RT-qPCR were used for in vitro molecular characterization; invasion, adhesion, clonogenic assays and cell cycle analysis for functional characterization. Immunohystochemistry and western blot were performed on human PCa biopsies.Results: RT-qPCR and Western Blot revealed that DACH1-positive PC3 cells predominantly expressed DACH1 variant 4 (DACH1-v4), whereas RWPE-1 cells mostly expressed DACH1 variant 3. Stable DACH1-v4 overexpression enhanced the transformed phenotype of PC3 cells by inducing proliferation, colony formation, invasion ability, epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Given its intrinsic radioresistance, PCa frequently recurs after radiotherapy. Of note, DACH1-v4-overexpressing PC3 cells displayed higher radioresistant behavior. Overexpression of DACH1-v4 also transformed RWPE-1 cells to oncogenic phenotype, suggesting a pro-oncogenic role for this specific isoform. PCa biopsies analysis showed DACH1 nuclear staining enhanced throughout the increase of the tumor grade. Remarkably, tumor glands were found to express a long DACH1 variant, while normal prostate tissue expressed the short DACH1 isoform, in line with data from TCGA-PRAD analysis and our data in RWPE-1 cells. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the oncogenic role of DACH1-v4 in PCa and suggest that the longer DACH1 variants could be associated to pro-tumor function, while the shortest DACH1 variant would perform tumor suppression. The expression of specific DACH1 isoforms could represent a novel diagnostic/prognostic marker in PCa.