bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prognostic value of the controlling nutritional status score in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: QIAN Jin , WANG Jing , CHENG feng , GUO hong-feng , XIA jun , ZHOU Xin
Published: April 2022

Purpose
To evaluate the prognostic value of the controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Methods
The clinical data of 81 newly diagnosed MDS patients treated with decitabine in the hematology ward of our hospital from October 2009 to September 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the ROC curve of overall survival (OS), the best cut-off value of CONUT was obtained. MDS patients were divided into high CONUT score group and low CONUT score group according to the best cut-off value, and their clinical characteristics and survival were analyzed.
Results
Among the 81 patients with MDS, there were 32 cases in the high CONUT score group and 49 cases in low CONUT score group. Compared with the low CONUT group, the high CONUT group had lower levels of hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, albumin and total cholesterol (P = 0.037, < 0.001,0.009, < 0.001). The median OS of low and high CONUT groups were 11.0 and 17.2 months (P = 0.017). According to the results of univariate and multivariate survival analysis of OS, thrombocytopenia, high CONUT score,medium and high risk IPSS-R score were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusion
High CONUT score is associated with low hemoglobin in patients with MDS. High CONUT score indicates poor OS and it is an independent prognostic factor in patients with MDS.
A double-layer of stable coral-like PSi@C(N) anodes for lithium-ion Batteries synthesized from microsilica
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Xi Fengshuo , Chen Xiuhua , Li shaoyuan , Ma Wenhui , Lei Yu , Ding Zhao , Qu Tao , Dai Yongnian , Deng Rong
Published: April 2022

With the development of silicon smelting industry, increasing industrial waste (Microsilica) has become a serious concern. From the point of view of environment, it is an important problem how to treat and recycle these microsilica. Silicon (Si) is a promising material for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries anode. Yet, the severe expansion, poor capacity retention or harsh processing technic impede its commercialization path. Herein, a spherical porous silicon were firstly prepared through a magnesiothermic reduction of microsilica, waste powder from photovoltaic silicon production industry. The porous silicon (PSi) was further coated with nitrogen-doped carbon (C(N)) to build a Jellyfish-like PSi@C(N) structure. The PSi@C(N) with uniform interconnected pore channels and nitrogen-doped carbon layer, not only enhances the Li+ ions transport, but also accommodates extreme volumetric changes of Si during the charge/discharge. The PSi@C(N) electrodes delivered a reversible capacity of 803.92 mAh g-1 after 300 cycles at 1000 mA g-1 and exhibited 18.6% expansion rate. This study not only provides the rational design of a high-performance porous silicon anode, but also adds a new perspective for the high-value usage of microsilica in semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.
Determinants of Telemedicine Adoption among Financially Distressed Patients with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from a Nationwide Survey
Authors: Hassan Abbas M , Chu Carrie K. , Liu Jun , Angove Rebekah , Rocque Gabrielle , Gallagher Kathleen D. , Momoh Adeyiza O. , Caston Nicole E. , Williams Courtney , Wheeler Stephanie , Butler Charles E , Offodile Anaeze
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic among financially distressed patients with cancer, with respect to the determinants of adoption and patterns of utilization, has yet to be delineated. We sought to systematically characterize telemedicine utilization in financially distressed patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationwide survey data assessing telemedicine use in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic collected by Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) in December 2020. Primary study outcome was telemedicine utilization during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes were telemedicine utilization volume and modality preferences. Multivariable and Poisson regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with telemedicine use.Results: A convenience sample of 627 patients with cancer responded to the PAF survey. Telemedicine adoption during the pandemic was reported by 67% of patients, with most (63%) preferring video visits. Younger age (19-35 age compared to ≥ 75 age) (OR, 6.07; 95% CI, 1.47-25.1), and more comorbidities (≥ 3 comorbidities compared to cancer only) (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.13-2.65) were factors associated with telemedicine adoption. Younger age (19-35 yrs.) (incidence rate ratios [IRR], 1.78; 95%CI, 24-115%) and higher comorbidities (≥3) (IRR; 1.36; 95%CI, 20-55%) were factors associated with higher utilization volume. As area deprivation index increased by 10 units, the number of visits decreased by 3% (IRR 1.03, 95%CI, 1.03-1.05).Conclusions: The rapid adoption of telemedicine may exacerbate existing inequities, particularly among vulnerable financially financially-distressed patients with cancer. Policy-level interventions are needed for the equitable and efficient provision of this service.
Molecular detection and genotype identification of Acanthamoeba species from bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with pulmonary symptoms suspected for cancer
Authors: Taghipour Tayebeh , Rasti Sima , Saba Mohammadali , Delavari Mahdi , Moosavi Gholam Abbas , Hooshyar Hossein , Eslamirad Zahra
Published: April 2022

Acanthamoeba spp. are the most common free-living amoeba worldwide, which cause life-threatening diseases such as Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis, pulmonary infection, and amoebic keratitis. This study is aimed to identify FLA and Acanthamoeba genotypes among patients with pulmonary symptoms suspected for cancer in Kashan hospitals, center of Iran.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 97 bronchoalveolar lavage samples of patients with symptoms of respiratory problems suspected of lung cancer admitted to Shahid Beheshti hospital of Kashan 2019 to 2020. The samples were cultured onto 1.5% Non-nutrient agar enriched with killed Escherichia coli and examined for the presence of FLA. After isolation of amoeba and DNA extraction, Acanthamoeba spp. were determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction using JDP1 and JDP2 primers, which amplified a 490 bp fragment from the 18 S rDNA gene. Eighteen Acanthamoeba isolates were sequenced and genotypes were identified. The prevalence of FLA and Acanthamoeba and the relation between symptoms and demographic variables were analyzed by the SPSS.16. The prevalence of FLA and Acanthamoeba in BAL samples was 86.6% and 73.2%, respectively. All Acanthamoeba isolates were belonged to the T4 genotype. The most symptoms among Acanthamoeba positive patients were dyspnea, cough, but the difference was not statistically significant. The results have shown a high prevalence rate of FLA and Acanthamoeba in BAL of patient suspected to cancer in Kashan. Since the T4 is a pathogenic genotype of Acanthamoeba, health training and improving sanitation level help to prevent infection.
Addition of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) to Toxoplasma ROP47 DNA
Authors: wang lin , lin xia , lu gang
Published: April 2022

We constructed a ROP47 DNA vaccine combined with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and used it to immunize mice. Five groups of mice were injected every 2 weeks with PBS, empty vector, MPLA, pROP47, or pROP47 with MPLA. All mice were injected intramuscularly three times. Blood samples from all experimental mice were collected from the tail vein at 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks after the first injection. The levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 in blood from all experimental mice were measured. The mice were challenged intragastrically with 20 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii PRU strain 2 weeks after the last vaccination. The mice immunized with MPLA/pROP47 produced higher levels of IgG, IgG2a, IFN-γ, and IL-12 compared with other groups. Furthermore, after a challenge with 20 cysts, higher numbers of cysts were present in the brains of other experimental mice compared with MPLA/pROP47-immunized mice. The pROP47 vaccine markedly stimulated humoral and cellular immune responses in immunized mice and MPLA enhanced the immune protection induced by the pROP47 DNA vaccine.
The Application of Remote Sensing Technology in Forestry Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Tian Qimin
Published: April 2022

Forests absorb a great deal of carbon from the atmosphere every year and are strategically important for climate change mitigation. To better analyze the carbon sequestration value of forests, We established a carbon sequestration model. A net ecosystem productivity remote sensing map model was established based on the remote sensing idea of spatial informatics, which was used to measure the carbon sequestration capacity of forests. In addition, we measured the carbon sequestration of forests on each continent during the decade from 2003 to 2012, and compared the results to summarize the characteristics of good forest management. In order to better study the change of forest carbon sequestration over time and optimize the forest management plan, we selected the Greater Khingan Mountains in China as the research object. The Grey Prediction Model was established to predict the carbon sequestration model of the forest in the next 100 years. The results showed that Greater Khingan Mountains forest could sequestrate 167,996,510.3t/a carbon in the next 100 years.
Lp-minimal solutions of BDSDEs with left continuous and stochastic linear growth coefficients and p in (1,2)
Authors: OWO Jean Marc
Published: April 2022

In this work, we investigate backward doubly stochastic differential equations. We derive via suitable approximation and comparison theorem, existence of minimal solution in L p sense, for any p in (1,2), when the coefficients are left continuous with stochastic linear growth.
Environmental impacts and carbon capture potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement
Authors: Fakhraee Mojtaba , Li Zijian , Planavsky Noah , Reinhard Christopher
Published: April 2022

Minimizing anthropogenic climate disruption in the coming century will likely require both deep and rapid cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from Earth’s atmosphere. Ocean alkalinity enhancement — the modification of surface ocean chemistry to drive marine uptake of atmospheric CO2 — is seen as a potentially significant component of ocean-based CDR portfolios. However, there has been limited mechanistic exploration of the large-scale CDR potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement, potential bottlenecks in alkalinity release, and the biophysical impacts of alkaline mineral feedstocks on marine ecology and the ocean’s biological carbon pump. Here we use a hierarchy of models to evaluate the CDR potential and environmental impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement using mineral feedstocks. We find that natural alkalinity sources lead to very low CDR efficiency while strongly perturbing food quality and fecal pellet production by marine zooplankton. Artificial alkalinity sources are potentially capable of significant CDR with reduced environmental impact, but their deployment at scale faces major challenges associated with substrate limitation and process CO2 emissions during feedstock production. Taken together, our results highlight distinct challenges for ocean alkalinity enhancement as a CDR strategy and indicate that mineral-based ocean alkalinity enhancement should be pursued with caution.
FZD7 accelerates hepatic metastases in pancreatic cancer by strengthening EMT and stemness associated with TGF-β /SMAD3 signaling
Authors: Zhang Zhongbo , Xu Yuanhong
Published: April 2022

Immunohistochemical assay of pancreatic cancer samples resected by surgery showed that most pancreatic cancer samples were positive for expression of Frrizled receptor 7 (FZD7). Follow-up studies indicated that a high level of FZD7 was associated with earlier hepatic metastasis. We believe that early metastasis was related to the high expression of FZD7, as bioinformatics analysis and western blotting assays demonstrated that FZD7 level had a significant positive correlation with mesenchymal phenotype expression, and EMT is currently believed to be the biological basis of cancer cells leaving the primary tumor, invading the circulatory blood, and reaching distant organs. We then performed experiments involving downregulation and upregulation of the expression of FZD7 using siRNA, and confirmed that high levels of FZD7 could promote pancreatic cell migration and invasion abilities in Wound healing and Transwell experiments. Moreover, after the knockdown of FZD7, the spheroid-forming ability of pancreatic cancer cells decreased during the spheroid-forming culture process, and the percentage of CD24 + CD44 + cells reflecting the CSC subset was also reduced. The migration and invasion abilities of spheroid-forming cells were also stronger than those of normal cells adherently cultured, and spheroid-forming cells expressed higher levels of mesenchymal phenotype. Therefore, we believe that the earlier hepatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer is associated with high FZD7 expression, as FZD7 can promote the EMT and stemness of pancreatic cancer cells. Besides that, TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathway participate in the biology function of FZD7 in pancreatic cancer.
Air-ground Trajectory Tracking for Discrete-Time Autonomous Mobile Robot Based on Model Predictive Hybrid Tracking Control and Multiple Harmonics Time-varying Disturbance Observer
Authors: Xiong Shixun , Chen Mengting , Wei Ziqiang
Published: April 2022

This paper studies a model predictive hybrid tracking control scheme under a multiple harmonics time-varying disturbance observer for a discrete-time dynamics nonholonomic autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with external disturbance. To solve the robust tracking control problem of the AMR and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) air-ground cooperative, a hybrid tracking control strategy combined with improved model predictive control (MPC) method and multiple harmonics time-varying disturbance observer is presented. Firstly, a time-varying air-ground cooperative tracking control model based on the nonholonomic constraints AMR and quadrotor is established by polar coordinate transformation. Secondly, for external disturbances estimating and solving in practical engineering, a discrete-time multiple harmonics time-varying disturbance observer is designed. A hybrid tracking control scheme of the AMR based on the estimated states and MPC method with kinematics constraints is proposed, and a relaxing factor is designed to restrain the jump phenomenon of the MPC increment. Finally, experimental results are shown the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Molecular composition of soil organic matter (SOM) regulate qualities of tobacco leaves
Authors: Zhai Xu , Zhang Long , Wu Ruofan , Wang Mei , Liu Yanxiang , Lian Jiapan , Munir Mehr Ahmed Mujtaba , Chen Dan , Liu Lei , Yang Xiaoe
Published: April 2022

Soil organic matter (SOM) is of vital importance to soil health, and also plays a crucial role in the quality of the crops such as tobacco. However, the link between tobacco quality and SOM chemical compositions is still not well understood. To fill the information gap, we analyzed the quality of tobacco leaves and the corresponding SOM molecular compositions by electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS), that were collected from six different sites in Bijie, Guizhou Province, China. The tobacco quality varied in six sites based on their chemical compositions. SOM compounds had a remarked impact on the quality of tobacco leaves and a distinct difference in SOM composition between low-quality and high-quality tobacco leaves was observed as well. Specifically, 105 common molecular formulas were detected in three SOM compounds of high-quality tobacco, which were more than those in low-quality samples. Although amino sugar, proteins, lipids, tannins, and carbohydrates had a collective influence on the chemical composition of tobacco leaves, the effect contributed by amino sugar and tannins was more prominent. In summary, fully understanding the association between tobacco chemical composition and SOM compounds can provide new insight into the regulation of tobacco quality and the sustainable development of agriculture.
Similar mechanisms of temporary bindings for identity and location of objects in healthy ageing: An eye-tracking study with naturalistic scenes
Authors: D’Innocenzo Giorgia , Sala Sergio Della , Coco Moreno I.
Published: April 2022

The ability to maintain visual working memory (VWM) associations about the identity and location of objects decrease with age. To date, however, this age-related difficulty was mostly observed in artificial visual contexts (e.g., object arrays), and so it is unclear whether it may manifest in naturalistic contexts, and in which ways. In this eye-tracking study, 26 younger and 24 healthy older adults were asked to detect changes on a critical object situated in a photographic scene (192 in total), about its identity (the object becomes a different object but maintains the same position), location (the object only changes position) or both (the object changes in location and identity). Aging was associated with a lower change detection performance. A change in identity was harder to detect than a location change, and performance was best when both features changed, especially in younger adults. Eye movements displayed minor differences between age groups (e.g., shorter saccades in older adults) but were similarly modulated by the type of change. Latencies to the first fixation were longer and the amplitude of incoming saccades larger when the critical object changed in location. Once fixated, the target object was inspected for longer when it only changed in identity compared to location. Our findings suggest that, even though aging results in lower performance, it does not selectively disrupt temporary bindings of object identity, location or their association in VWM, and highlight the importance of using naturalistic contexts to discriminate the cognitive processes that undergo detriment from those that are instead spared by aging.
Famotidine activates the vagus nerve inflammatory reflex to attenuate cytokine storm
Authors: yang huan , George Sam J , Thompson Dane - , Silverman Harold A , Tsaava Tea , Tynan Aisling , Pavlov Valentin A , Chang Eric , Andersson Ulf , Brines Michael , Chavan Sangeeta S , Tracey Kevin J
Published: April 2022

Background. Severe COVID-19 is characterized by pro-inflammatory cytokine release syndrome (cytokine storm) which causes high morbidity and mortality. Recent observational and clinical studies suggest famotidine, a histamine 2 receptor (H2R) antagonist widely used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease , attenuates the clinical course of COVID-19. Because evidence is lacking for a direct antiviral activity of famotidine, a proposed mechanism of action is blocking the effects of histamine released by mast cells. Here we hypothesized that famotidine activates the inflammatory reflex, a brain-integrated vagus nerve mechanism which inhibits inflammation via alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ( α7nAChR ) signal transduction, to prevent cytokine storm. Methods. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of famotidine and other H2R antagonists was assessed in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine storm. As the inflammatory reflex is integrated and can be stimulated in the brain, and H2R antagonists penetrate the blood brain barrier poorly, famotidine was administered by intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. Results. Famotidine administered IP significantly reduced serum and splenic LPS-stimulated tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 concentrations, significantly improving survival. The effects of ICV famotidine were significantly more potent as compared to the peripheral route. Mice lacking mast cells by genetic deletion also responded to famotidine, indicating the anti-inflammatory effects are not mast cell dependent. Either bilateral sub-diaphragmatic vagotomy or genetic knock-out of α7nAChR abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of famotidine, indicating the inflammatory reflex as famotidine’s mechanism of action. While the structurally similar H2R antagonist tiotidine displayed equivalent anti-inflammatory activity, the H2R antagonists cimetidine or ranitidine were ineffective even at very high dosages. Conclusions. These observations reveal a previously unidentified vagus nerve-dependent anti-inflammatory effect of famotidine in the setting of cytokine storm which is not replicated by high dosages of other H2R antagonists in clinical use. Because famotidine is more potent when administered intrathecally, these findings are also consistent with a primarily central nervous system mechanism of action.
The influence of cumulative fluid balance on volume status in patients with heart failure: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Wei-Yun Wang , Yan-Ling Huang , Yong-Feng Shao , Liu Chang-Hong , Yi-Fan Tang , Guo-Zhen Sun , Xiao-Hong Li , Ze-Juan Gu
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To explore the influence of cumulative fluid balance (CFB) on volume status in patients with heart failure (HF).Methods: A total of 206 patients were enrolled and divided into groups of decreasing estimated plasma volume status (△ePVS(-)) (n=106) and increasing estimated plasma volume status(△ePVS(+)) (n=100), or groups of alleviated clinical congestion score(△CCS(-)) (n=86) and aggravated clinical congestion score(△CCS(+)) (n=120) according to the change of plasma volume and congestion status respectively. Data on patients’ general information and CFB at 1 to 7 days were compared between two pairs of groups respectively.Results: The incidence of positive CFB ranged from 65.53% to 74.76%, and cumulative volume (CV) were from (0.23±1.00)L to (2.36±5.46)L at 1 to 7 days. CV at 4 to 7 days in the △ePVS(+) and △CCS(+) groups were significantly higher than that in △ePVS(-) and △CCS(-) groups respectively. When CV at 4 to 7 days reached 2.308L, 3.361L, 3.625L, and 3.816L, the AUC of ePVS were 0.672, 0.722, 0.644, and 0.754, respectively (P＜0.05), while when CV reached 2.308L, 3.383L, 4.670L, and 4.622L, the AUC of CCS were 0.625, 0.696, 0.656, and 0.709, separately (P＜0.05). Conclusions: Patients with HF have a high incidence of positive CFB. CV at 4 to 7 days was an independent risk factor for △ePVS(+) and △CCS(+). It is suggested that the duration and volume of positive CFB should not exceed 3 days and 2.308L.
Longitudinal speed tracking control for a electric connected vehicle with actuator saturation subject to a replay attack
Authors: Li Xiang , Xu Xiangyang , Chen Lu , Zhang Hui , Ju Zhiyang , Guo Wei
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a delay-tolerable and anti-windup control synthesis technique is proposed. Longitudinal speed tracking performed by an integrated electric drive (IED) system under the multi-domain constraints of network bandwidth and actuator saturation is investigated. An in-vehicle controller area network (CAN) connect to the Internet providing an interface for cyber attacks which exacerbate network congestion. In addition, the physical saturation characteristics of the electric drive motor sacrifice vehicle speed tracking performance. Based on above problems, a nominal controller satisfying energy-to-peak performance considering the attack-induced delays is designed. Then, an augmented closed-loop system is established including the nominal delay-tolerable controller and an anti-windup controller considering input saturation and random attack-induced delays. The nonlinear uncertainty caused by attack-induced delay is described by polytopic inclusion. Furthermore, the saturation non-linearity is convert to sector-bounded uncertainty solved by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) optimization. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to find the optimal anti-windup controller matrices. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method based on Matlab Simulink and hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) test platform are verified. The variation of speed tracking performance and oscillation damping capability under different attack energies is described.
Spatial distribution of drinking and irrigation water quality indices of Ghizer River and its tributaries, northern Pakistan
Authors: Haq Ayaz ul , Muhammad Said
Published: April 2022

The present study examined water quality in the Ghizer River and its tributaries, Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan. Water samples (n=55) were collected from the Ghizer River and its tributaries and analyzed for physicochemical parameters. Water basic parameters and anions were measured using the multi-parameter analyzer (CONSORT 6030, Belgium) and cations by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS, AAnalyst 700, PerkinElmer, USA). Physiochemical parameters were noted to be within the drinking water permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), except for pH (2%) and Turbidity (48%). Samples were assessed for water quality index (WQI) and irrigation water quality (IWQ) indices such as permeability index (PI), Kelley’s ratio (KR), sodium percent (Na%), magnesium hardness (MH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonates (RSC), and salinity index (PS). This study revealed that the mean WQI values of Ghizer River and its tributaries were observed in the good category at midstream and downstream and noted excellent for upstream. Results of the majority of IWQ indices revealed that water is suitable for irrigation, except that of MH and PI. Gibbs plots showed that the majority of water samples in the Ghizer River and its tributaries were noted in the precipitation dominance zone and that of the Piper plot revealed the CaCl dominant hydrochemical facies.
Selection and optimization of circulating exosomal reference microRNAs for quantitative real-time PCR studies of porcine body fluids
Authors: Luo Jia , Pu Qiang , Wang Lin , Kang Guojun , Liu Changbao , Yang Changfeng , Huang Yongfu
Published: April 2022

Circulating exosomal miRNAs released into all body fluids have incredible functionality and stability. Their expression is associated with multiple pathological conditions, hence can be used as informative biomarkers when assessing and monitoring the body’s physiopathological status. However, there is no consensus on reference miRNAs for circulating exosomal reference and abundance normalization. The present study aimed to quantify 16 potential reference miRNAs in ten porcine body fluids using qRT-PCR. Further, their stability was quantified by combining multiple gold-standard statistical tools, including BestKeeper, GeNorm, and NormFinder. The identified miRNAs were comprehensively ranked. The top-ranked miRNA was recommended as the optimal reference miRNAs for data normalization. To identify more stable genes, the body fluids were assigned into three groups based on the collection point, they are in vivo (bile, bladder fluid, and gastric juice), in vitro (colostrum, ordinary milk, semen, and urine) and in the blood (UVBP, UABP and PBS). The most stable optimal circulating exosomal reference miRNAs in the body fluids were let-7b-5p (miR-93) in bile, miR-92a in bladder fluid, miR-93 in gastric juice, let-7b-5p in colostrum, miR-92a in ordinary milk and urine, miR-25 in semen, let-7b-5p in UVBP, miR-25 in UABP and U6 in PBS. Overall, miR-93, miR-451 (miR-92a), and miR-25 are the bona fide reference miRNA for qRT-PCR data normalization of body fluids in vivo, in vitro, and the blood, respectively. Across all body fluids, miR-451 was the most stable when determining the miRNA abundance in the circulating exosomes.
Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Training for Radiologists-in-Training: A Survey of Practice and Training Needs
Authors: Coman Leah M. , Cardell Elizabeth A. , Richards John A. , Mahon Amanda , Lawrie Melissa D. , Ware Robert S. , Weir Kelly A.
Published: April 2022

Background: There is a lack of formal, published videofluoroscopic swallow study training targeting radiologists outside of the United States of America, yet radiology senior medical officers and resident medical officers (i.e., radiologists-in-training, known in Australia as “registrars”) are expected to be involved in videofluoroscopic swallow study interpretation of anatomical anomalies and reporting. This study investigated whether videofluoroscopic swallow study training is delivered to registrars during their specialist radiology training, whether it is a perceived need and, if so, to determine the desired content for inclusion in a targeted training package. Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study design was used. An internet-based survey was circulated via snowball sampling to radiologists (both senior medical officers and registrars) and speech-language pathologists across Australia in October-November 2017. Surveys also were distributed to practitioners based in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, as they practised within similar health systems. The radiology survey contained 36 questions and the speech-language pathology survey contained 44 questions. Demographic data were analysed descriptively, and open-ended responses were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: 21 radiology senior medical officers and registrars and 150 speech-language pathologists predominantly based at Australian tertiary hospital settings completed the survey. Most respondents (90.6%) identified that videofluoroscopic swallow study training is needed for radiology registrars. Only one speech-language pathologist respondent reported that they deliver videofluoroscopic swallow study training for radiology registrars. Specific content and teaching modalities for a videofluoroscopic swallow study training package, including diagnosing anatomical anomalies associated with dysphagia were recommended. Conclusions: The radiologists and speech-language pathologists identified that targeted videofluoroscopic swallow study training is needed for radiology registrars to improve their effectiveness and engagement in videofluoroscopic swallow study clinics. This information will inform the development of a videofluoroscopic swallow study training package targeting radiology registrars to be piloted at an Australian tertiary hospital.
Impact of an electronic alert system for pediatric sepsis screening: a tertiary hospital experience
Authors: Alturki Abdullah , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , Alfayez Ali , Bendahmash Abdulrahman , Aljofan Fahad , Alanzi Fawaz , Alsubaie Hadeel , Alabdulsalam Moath , Alayed Tareq , Alofisan Tariq
Published: April 2022

Objectives
This study aimed to assess the potential impact of implementing an electronic alert system (EAS) for systemic inflammatory syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis in pediatric patients mortality.
Method
This retrospective study had a pre and post design. We enrolled patients aged ≤ 14 years who were diagnosed with sepsis/severe sepsis upon admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our tertiary hospital from January 2014 to December 2018.
Intervention
We implemented an EAS for the patients with SIRS/sepsis. The patients who met the inclusion criteria pre-EAS implementation comprised the control group, and the group post-EAS implementation was the experimental group. Mortality was the primary outcome, while length of stay (LOS) and mechanical ventilation in the first hour were the secondary outcomes.
Results
Of the 308 enrolled patients, 147 were in the pre-EAS group and 161 in the post-EAS group. In terms of mortality, 44 patients in the pre-EAS group and 28 in the post-EAS group died (p 0.011). The average LOS in the PICU was 7.9 days for the pre-EAS group and 6.8 days for the post-EAS group (p 0.442). Early recognition of SIRS and sepsis via the EAS led to faster treatment interventions, which included fluid boluses (163.42 ± 107 vs. 100.85 ± 30, p 0.014) and the initiation of antimicrobial therapy (303.06 ± 451 vs. 198.94 ± 214, p 0.011). The difference in mechanical ventilation in the first hour of admission was not significant between the groups (25.17% vs. 24.22%, p 0.895).
Conclusion
The implementation of the EAS resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the mortality rate among the patients admitted to the PICU in our study. An EAS can play an important role in saving lives and subsequent Reduction in healthcare costs. Further enhancement of systematic screening is therefore highly recommended to improve the prognosis of pediatric SIRS and sepsis and warrants further validation in multicenter or national studies.
Choosing the right model for unified flexibility modeling
Authors: Brandt Jonathan , Frost Emilie , Ferenz Stephan , Tiemann Paul Hendrik , Bensmann Astrid , Hanke-Rauschenbach Richard , Nieße Astrid
Published: April 2022

Using aggregated flexibility from distributed small-scale power devices is an extensively discussed approach to meet the challenges in modern and increasingly stochastic energy systems. It is crucial to be able to model and map the flexibility of the respective power devices in a unified form to increase the value of the cumulative flexibility from different small-scale power devices by aggregation. In order to identify an already existing modeling approach suitable for unified flexibility modeling, we provide a comprehensive overview of the broad range of flexibility models described in scientific literature. Additionally, we present in detail five selected modeling approaches allowing the generation of a unified flexibility representation for different power devices. By using an evaluation metric we assess the suitability of the selected approaches for unified flexibility modeling and their applicability. To allow a more detailed performance analysis, the best evaluated models are implemented and simulations with different small-scale devices are performed. The results shown in this paper highlight the heterogeneity of modeling concepts deriving from the various interpretations of flexibility in scientific literature. Due to the varying complexity of the modeling approaches, different flexibility potentials are identified, necessitating a combination of approaches to capture the entire spectrum of the flexibility of different small-scale power devices. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a complex model does not necessarily lead to the discovery of higher flexibility potentials, and recommendations are given on how to choose an appropriate model.
The Upshot of Varied Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Overweight Women: the Case of Arbaminch City.
Authors: Belete Aychew Kassa , Ayenew Zenebe Widu , Asfaw Fasiledes Fetene
Published: April 2022

Aim
The intention of existing study was to compare the effects of varied aerobic exercise intensity on body composition of sedentary overweight females in arbaminch.
Method
Forty[40] overweight participants [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, age 18–32 years] were randomized into four equal groups (n = 10): light-intensity training group (LITG), 40–60% heart rate reserve (HRR); middle intensity training group (MITG), 60–70% HRR; high-intensity training group (HITG), 70–80% HRR; and control group (CG).Aerobic exercise training program was conducted for 40–60 min per day on a treadmill 3 days per week for 12 weeks. All participant height, weight, WHR, BMI and %of BF were measured at pre and after 12 weeks.
Result
At the starting point, the component of body composition indicates did not differ significantly among the four groups (p > 0.05). After 12- week exercise intervention, the HITG and MITG had significantly more changes in body weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), %BF and BMI than the LITG.
Conclusions
A 12-week high and moderate intensity exercise intervention can considerably reduce body weight, body fat, WHR, and BMI, whereas a light-intensity exercise intervention can significantly reduce body weight and body fat. Based on my investigation all types of intensity can reduce body weight. But high and moderate intensity training had reduced weight quickly than low intensity training.
Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chiu Yi-Chen , Chang Ting-Huan , Krӧger Teppo , Hsu Wen-Chun
Published: April 2022

Background: Getting lost is a serious problem for elders with dementia. In North America, the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (WES) evaluates wayfinding effectiveness in persons with cognitive impairment. In Taiwan, such approach had not been implemented. As a consequence, this study translated the original scale into Chinese and tested its psychometric properties for family caregivers to evaluate persons with cognitive impairment in northern Taiwan. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study design. Participants were 180 dyads (persons with cognitive impairment and their family caregivers, PWCIs and FCGs) from two memory disorder clinics at two teaching hospitals and from local community long-term care service programs. Results: Forward/back translation was applied to develop the Chinese Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (CWES). Factor analyses yielded a six-factor solution (explained variance = 66.77%): finding a destination and path in (1) familiar environments and (2) unfamiliar environments; sense of direction with (3) analytic strategies and (4) global strategies; (5) landmark and distance in familiar/unfamiliar environments; and (6) using a map in familiar/unfamiliar environments. One single-loaded factor item was deleted, yielding a 29-item scale. Construct validity using hypothesis testing was demonstrated by significant correlation coefficients between the total scale and its six subscales, among the total scale and the Chinese Mini-Mental Status Exam (CMMSE) and Chinese Neuropsychiatric Inventory (CNPI), and among five subscales and the CMMSE and CNPI. Only one subscale had subpar validity, suggesting future minor revision by a larger sample. Conclusion: The Chinese Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (CWES) is a valid instrument to measure wayfinding effectiveness in persons with cognitive impairment in Taiwan.
Clinical evaluation of automated bridging immunoassay TSI in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease and the relationship with hyperthyroidism degree
Authors: Liu Tianqi , Zhang Xiuying , Long Li , Zhou Lingli , Chen Jing , Li Meng , Gao Ying , Zhou Xianghai , Han Xueyao , Ji Linong
Published: April 2022

Background: Accurate and rapid detection of stimulating thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody has always been an urgent need for clinical diagnosis and management of thyroid-related diseases. We aimed to evaluate the use of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease (GD) and analyze the relationship between TSI and the degree of hyperthyroidism. Methods: 227 new-onset GD patients, 29 Hashimoto thyroiditis, 43 non-autoimmune thyroid diseases and 37 euthyroid controls were consecutively recruited. All participants accepted the measurement of serum thyroid function and thyroid associated antibody including TSI measured by Immulite 2000 bridging immunoassay and TSH receptor autoantibodies (TRAb) measured by third-generation Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The quantitative consistency between TSI and TRAb detection methods was analyzed by using Passing-Bablock regression and Bland-Altman scatter plot. Diagnostic performance of GD was assessed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Among 227 GD patients (174 female, 53 male, with mean age of 39 years old), quantitative TSI was positively correlated with TRAb (r=0.8099). According to the cutoff value proposed by the manufacture (TSI 0.55IU/L, TRAb 1.75IU/L), the positive rates of TSI and TRAb in new-onset GD patients were 96.92% and 95.15%, respectively. Both TSI and TRAb levels positively correlated to FT4 levels (TSI: r=0.243, TRAb: r=0.317, all P<0.001) and FT3 levels (TSI: r=0.288, TRAb: r=0.360, all P<0.001) in new-onset GD patients. ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off TSI value was 0.577 IU/L for GD diagnosis in this Chinese population, with sensitivity 96.92% and specificity 97.25%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of TRAb was 1.38 IU/L, with sensitivity 96.92% and specificity 99.08%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the cutoff values obtained through ROC analysis and provided by the manufacturer both for TSI and TRAb when calculating the sensitivity and specificity of GD diagnosis. Among 8 newly GD cases with discordant antibody qualitative results, TSI was more likely to match the clinical diagnosis of GD than TRAb (6 TSI positive, 2 TRAb positive).Conclusion: The automated bridging-based TSI immunoassay was positively correlated with thyroxine levels in newly onset GD patients and more likely to be consistent with the clinical diagnosis of GD than TRAb. The positive cut-off value 0.577IU/L of Immulite 2000 TSI for GD diagnosis in Chinese population were closed to the value recommended by the manufacturer.
On letters, words, and sentences
Authors: Brossette Brice , Grainger Jonathan , Lété Bernard , Dufau Stéphane
Published: April 2022

Much prior research on reading has focused on a specific level of processing, with this often being letters, words, or sentences. Here, for the first time, we provide a combined investigation of these three key component processes of reading comprehension. We did so by testing the same group of participants in three tasks thought to reflect processing at each of these levels: alphabetic decision, lexical decision, and grammatical decision. Participants also performed a non-reading classification task, with an aim to partial-out common binary decision processes from the correlations across the three main tasks. We examined the pairwise partial correlations for response times (RTs) in the three reading tasks. The results revealed strong significant correlations across adjacent levels of processing (i.e., letter-word; word-sentence) and a non-significant correlation between non-adjacent levels (letter-sentence). The results fit best with hierarchically organized cascaded-interactive accounts of how letters, words, and sentences contribute to reading comprehension.
Shock index-based risk indices as prognostic predictor for in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the results from Henan STEMI registry
Authors: Wang Shan , Zhang You , Cheng Qianqian , Qi Datun , Wang Xianpei , Zhu Zhongyu , Li Muwei , Zhang Junhui , Hu Dayi , Gao Chuanyu
Published: April 2022

Background: Shock index-based risk indices predicting in-hospital mortality for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients have been recently described, debate continues about their accuracy, especially compared with classic scoring system. Thus, we aim to evaluate the predictive value of shock index-based risk indices in STEMI patients and compared with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score.Method: Consecutive 5063 STEMI patients were divided into 2 groups: non-survivor (392, 7.7%) and survivor (4671, 92.3%). Predictive performance of shock index-based risk indices and TIMI risk score were assessed by C-statistic, Hosmer-Lemeshow test, Nagelkerke-R2, brier scores, integrated discrimination improvement(IDI) and net reclassification improvement(NRI). Odd ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals of bipartite shock index-based risk indices were estimate by generalized linear mixed model.Results: The area under the curves (AUC) of shock index-based risk indices were smaller, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of age shock index (age SI) (0.73, 0.69) and age modified shock index (age MSI) (0.70, 0.73) were comparable to TIMI risk score (0.73, 0.77). The Hosmer-Lemeshow P values and the Nagelkerke-R2 of shock index-based risk indices were lower, whereas the brier scores were comparable with TIMI risk score. In-hospital mortality was increasing with the SI based risk indices, when the cut-off value were set, in-hospital mortality in the patients with larger shock index-based risk indices were relatively higher. The prognostic performance of shock index (SI, C-statistic: z=7.944, P<0.001; NRI: 0.749; IDI: 0.067), modified shock index(MSI, C-statistic: z=8.088, P<0.001; NRI: 0.774; IDI: 0.067), age SI(C-statistic: z=3.361, P<0.001; NRI: 0.534; IDI: 0.025), and age MSI(C-statistic: z=3.578, P<0.001; NRI: 0.680; IDI: 0.040) were inferior to TIMI risk score. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that elevated shock index-based risk indices were associated with a higher rate of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Shock index-based risk indices do not have a significant advantage over TIMI risk score. Age SI and age MSI, with comparable sensitivity, were valuable prognostic tools to identify STEMI patients at high risk of in-hospital death.Trial registration: [NCT02641262] [29 December, 2015].
Prevalence of Keratoconus in Egyptian Subjects With High Corneal Astigmatism
Authors: Ibrahim Mennatullah M. , kher Amr Abo-El , Helaly Hany H. , Said Amr A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: to determine the prevalence of keratoconus in subjects with astigmatism of two dioptres (2D) or greater using data from the Pentacam Scheimpflug images.Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 600 eyes of 600 patients with refractive errors aged ≥ 18 years who had no Present or past ocular pathology other than refractive error. Patients were equally divided into Group I (Patients with 2 diopters or greater of corneal astigmatism) and Group II (Patients with less than 2 corneal astigmatism).Results: the cylindrical refractive error among normal individuals in group I (high astigmatism) was -2.93 ± 0.89 ranging from -5.00 to -7.0, while that among keratoconus patients was -3.22 ± 1.17 ranging from to -2.00 to -8.00. No significant difference was found (P= 0.107). In group II (low astigmatism) the cylindrical refractive error among normal individuals was -0.7 ± 0.49 ranging from 0.0 to -2.0, while that among keratoconus patients was -0.75 ± 0.43 ranging from to 0.0 to 1.0. No significant difference was found (P= 0.65). It was found that among group I population (high astigmatism) 12.3% diagnosed as keratoconus patients, while 1.7% of group II (low astigmatism) were keratoconus patients. There was a highly significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.00001).Conclusions: The current study showed that subjects with 2D or more of astigmatism who present to outpatient clinics had higher prevalence of keratoconus than subjects with less than 2 D astigmatism. Therefore, it can be concluded that magnitude of astigmatism can be a risk factor for development of keratoconus.