bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Long-term Muscle Weakness in Survivors of Covid-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Benedini Marco , Cogliati Marta , Lulic-Kuryllo Tea , Peli Elena , Mombelli Stefano , Calza Stefano , Guarneri Bruno , Cudicio Alessandro , Rizzardi Andrea , Bertoni Michele , Renzi Stefania , Gitti Nicola , Rasulo Frank A. , Goffi Alberto , Pozzi Matteo , Orizio Claudio , Negro Francesco , Latronico nicola , Piva simone
Published: November 2022

Background
Long-term weakness is common in survivors of COVID-19–associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS). We assessed the predictors of muscle weakness in patients evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months after intensive care unit discharge with in-person visits.
Methods
Muscle strength was measured by isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the tibialis anterior muscle. Candidate predictors of muscle weakness were follow-up time, sex, age, mechanical ventilation duration, use of steroids in the intensive care unit, compound muscle action potential of the tibialis anterior muscle (CMAP-TA-S100), severe fatigue, depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive assessment, and body mass index. We also compared the clinical tools currently available for the evaluation of muscle strength (handgrip strength, Medical Research Council sum score) and electrical neuromuscular function (simplified peroneal nerve test [PENT]) with more objective and robust measures of force (MVC) and electrophysiological evaluation of the neuromuscular function of the tibialis anterior muscle (CMAP-TA-S100) for its essential role in ankle control.
Results
MVC improved at 12 months compared with 3 months. Sex (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.012), duration of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.044), and CMAP-TA-S100 (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of MVC. MVC was strongly associated with handgrip strength, whereas CMAP-TA-S100 was strongly associated with PENT.
Conclusions
Female sex, increasing age, increased duration of mechanical ventilation, and electrical neuromuscular abnormalities are independently associated with reduced MVC and can be used to predict the risk of long-term muscle weakness in CARDS survivors.
Trial registration
: The present study was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT: ​​NCT04608994). Registered on October 30, 2020. Retrospectively registered.
Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome and posterior reversible encephalopathy secondary to unilateral renal artery stenosis - a case report
Authors: Ghwas Mohamed Ezzat Al , Kamel Ashraf Sayed , Sayed Muhammad Adel , Awad Remon Magdy Yousef
Published: November 2022

Background Renal artery stenosis is one of the secondary causes of hypertension in children. Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome (HHS) is an uncommon disorder usually seen in adults with unilateral renal artery stenosis and atherosclerosis but it’s rarely reported in children. Case presentation A 5-year-old male child presented with generalized tonic clonic convulsions associated with severe hypertension, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and polyuria. Laboratory tests revealed elevated plasma renin activity, and aldosterone level. The diagnosis of hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome secondary to unilateral renal artery stenosis was made. MRI of the brain was consistent with posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES). The patient responded to left renal artery stenting with control of blood pressure. Conclusions Findings of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypertension, polyuria can be attributed to unilateral renal artery stenosis with associated HHS. Early recognition is important for early management of such treatable condition to prevent irreversible renal damage.
Initiating the transition from open-canopy lichen woodland to productive forest by transplanting moss, results from a 10-year experiment
Authors: Gao Lei , Paré David , Chavardès Raphaël D , Bergeron Yves
Published: November 2022

Background and aims
Low productivity open lichen (Cladonia spp.) woodlands have been rapidly expanding in the closed-crown feather moss (Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.) boreal forest in eastern Canada. While open-woodland areas are progressing, there is little information on the recoverability of open lichen woodlands back to closed-canopy forests.
Methods
An experimental set-up using moss transplantation was installed in a poor jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stand with a lichen ground cover in 2011. Treatments included: 1) lichen cover removed (No Lichen), 2) lichen cover removed and transplantation of a feather moss cover (Moss Transplanted), 3) lichen control (No Treatment) and 4) a natural jack pine site with feather moss cover (Moss Control). We extracted tree stem increment cores and collected needles and soil samples for nutrient analyses.
Results
The transplanted-moss treatment can counteract the adverse effects of lichen on jack pine growth, and this treatment enhanced foliar nutrition and soil nutrients, especially ammonium (N-NH4+), nitrate (N-NO3-). With this treatment, the soil conditions (e.g., soil nutrients, soil moisture) and foliar nutrition were closer to that of the moss control. Surprisingly, lichen removal treatment not only does not improve growth but appears to result in poorer jack pine growth and harsher soil conditions.
Conclusion
Feather moss can establish, survive, and remain healthy in an environment previously occupied by lichen. The replacement of lichen by feather moss establishes soil conditions that appear conducive to better tree growth and that has the potential of restoring the productivity of boreal forests in open-canopy lichen woodlands.
Association between sarcopenia and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly adults: data from CHARLS
Authors: Zhang Kai , Jiang Xu , Zeng Li-ting , Qiao Han , Chen Chen , Cao Xian-kun , Zhou Tang-jun , Wang Liao , Zhao Jie
Published: November 2022

Background
The current study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in middle-aged and older adults using nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). However, no causal relationships (i.e., whether symptomatic KOA is a risk factor or direct consequence of sarcopenia) were established.
Methods
We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using baseline (from 2011) and follow-up CHARLS data (from 2018). Sarcopenic status was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) consensus. Symptomatic KOA was based on participant self-reports of physician diagnoses. Symptomatic KOA events were defined as participants without symptomatic KOA at baseline (2011) and diagnosed with symptomatic KOA at follow-up (2018). The cross-sectional analysis included CHARLS 2011 data from 7,071 participants aged > 45 years. The longitudinal analysis included CHARLS data from 4,785 participants without KOA recruited in 2011 and followed-up in 2018. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to examine the effect of sarcopenia on KOA.
Results
The prevalence rates of symptomatic KOA in the general population and in individuals without sarcopenia, with probable sarcopenia, and with sarcopenia were 11.3% (798/7,071), 10.4% (524/5,031), 13.6% (191/1,403), and 13.0% (83/637), respectively. In the general population, probable sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR):1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.59] was associated with symptomatic KOA. In the cross-sectional analyses, age, sex, educational attainment, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and self-reported physician diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases were associated with sarcopenic status. At follow-up, 451 (9.4%) KOA events were identified, but the longitudinal analysis did not identify possible sarcopenia, and sarcopenia increased KOA risk.
Conclusion
Possible sarcopenia, assessed using the AWGS 2019 criteria, was associated with the risk of symptomatic KOA among middle-aged and older Chinese adults, but no longitudinal association was detected between sarcopenia and the onset of KOA due to the small sample size and insufficient statistical power.
Long-term monitoring, and hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Huang Cui-Ling , Yang Hua , Gao Jian , Yu Ying , Lan Cheng-Dian
Published: November 2022

Background: Guidelines reported that the patients infected with hepatitis B (HBV) need monitoring of disease progression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening to reduce the risk of decompensated cirrhosis and HCC. The present study aimed to examine the rates and risk factors of adherence to guideline-recommended long-term monitoring and HCC surveillance in patients with chronic hepatitis B Virus (CHB) infection.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of outpatients with CHB infection who from the outpatient database of a Chinese hospital in 2018 by using the International Classification of Diseases revision 10 code and computer queries. The guideline-recommended long-term monitoring and HCC surveillance require to monitor ≥2 times during the2-year follow-up period.
Results: We analyzed 402 eligible outpatients with CHB infection. The number and rates of guideline-recommended long-term monitoring and HCC surveillance annually were as follows: 171 (42.54%) for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA), 107 (26.62%) for HCC surveillance, and 103 (25.62%) for all examinations which including ALT, HBV-DNA, and HCC surveillance. Age (P=0.018), gender (P=0.010), outpatient visit times (P=0.036), and antiviral treatment (P=0.044) were associated with the guideline-recommended long-term monitoring of ALT and HBV-DNA. Antiviral treatment (P=0.003, P=0.002) and initial liver imaging (P<0.001, P<0.001) were associated with the guideline-recommended HCC surveillance and also the monitoring of all examination.
Conclusions: The present study observed poor adherence to the guideline-recommended long-term monitoring and HCC surveillance in patients with CHB infection. Additional measures are needed to promote disease monitoring and achieve optimal HBV management.
Modeling of Fabry disease nephropathy using patient derived human induced pluripotent stem cells and kidney organoid system
Authors: Cui Sheng , Fang Xianying , Shin Yoo Jin , Lee Hanbi , Koh Eun Sil , Chung Sungjin , Park Hoon Suk , Lim Sun Woo , Lee Kang In , Lee Jae Young , Yang Chul Woo , Chung Byung Ha
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To explore the possibility of kidney organoids generated using patient derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) for modeling of Fabry disease nephropathy (FDN).
Methods: First, we generated hiPSC line using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two male FD-patients with different types of GLA mutation: a classic type mutation (CMC-Fb-001) and a late-onset variant (CMC-Fb-003) mutation. Second, we generated kidney organoids using wild-type (WT) hiPSC (WTC-11) and mutant hiPSCs (CMC-Fb-001 and CMC-Fb-003). We then compared alpha-galactosidase A (α-GalA) activity, deposition of globotriaosylceremide (Gb-3), and zebra body formation under electromicroscopy (EM).
Results: Both FD patients derived hiPSCs had the same mutations as those detected in PBMCs of patients, showing typical pluripotency markers, normal karyotyping, and successful tri-lineage differentiation. Kidney organoids generated using WT-hiPSC and both FD patients derived hiPSCs expressed typical nephron markers without structural deformity. Activity of α-GalA was decreased and deposition of Gb-3 was increased in FD patients derived hiPSCs and kidney organoids in comparison with WT, with such changes being far more significant in CMC-Fb-001 than in CMC-Fb-003. In EM finding, multi-lammelated inclusion body was detected in both CMC-Fb-001 and CMC-Fb-003 kidney organoids, but not in WT.
Conclusions: Kidney organoids generated using hiPSCs from male FD patients might recapitulate the disease phenotype and represent the severity of FD according to the GLA mutation type.
Reliability calculation with error tree analysis and breakdown effect analysis for a Quadcopter power distribution system
Authors: Imani Kazem , Gholami AmirHossein , Dehaghi Mahdi Bagherian
Published: November 2022

Today, quadcopters play an important role in a variety of industries due to their many advantages over other aircraft. In addition to their high level of technology, quadcopters are susceptible to damage, and their repair can be costly. On the other hand, today, reliability is recognized as a critical design feature in most industries. A device's reliability is one of the most important issues in the field of engineering since it provides engineers with an insight into how a device performs. The reliability of a system is one of the most important and complex issues. Since reliability is a key factor in all industries and can have significant effects on increasing the life and quality of products, we tried to use reliability using statistical relationships and mathematical models as well as past experiences. Due to their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and multifunctionality, they are frequently used in a variety of locations Then, by examining the failures modes and their results on the system, the effects of the quadcopter failures are analyzed using the FMEA method, in order to determine the modes and causes of failure. Finally, to determine the causes of failure, we have checked the quadcopter by FTA method to minimize the possibility of failure. The purpose of this article is to first discuss definitions and concepts in the field of reliability and then to analyze the quadcopter and its components.
Osteoprotegerin deficiency aggravates methionine- choline- deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice
Authors: Wu Shaobo , Wu Yao , Lin Lan , Ruan Changshun , Li Fang , Chen Rong , Du Hongxin , Zhang Xianxiang , Luo Xiaohe
Published: November 2022

Background & Aims:
Clinical studies have shown that osteoprotegerin (OPG) is reduced in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The current study focuses on the role of OPG in the NASH pathogenesis.
Methods
OPG knockout mice and wild-type control mice fed a methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) for 4 weeks resulted in an animal model of NASH. Measurement of triglycerides (TG) in serum and liver to assess steatosis. Hematoxylin eosin (HE), Sirius Red and Masson staining were used to assess the liver damage. Transcriptome sequencing analysis, qPCR and western blot were to analyze changes in lipid metabolism and inflammation-related indicators in the liver.
Results
In vivo knockout of OPG resulted in a reduction of TG levels in the liver and a significant increase in serum ALT and AST. The expression of inflammatory factors and fibrosis genes was significantly upregulated in the livers of OPG knockout mice. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that OPG knockout significantly enhanced MCD diet-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Mechanistically, OPG may inhibit MAPK signaling pathway activity by upregulating the expression of dual specificity phosphatase 14 (DUSP14), thereby reducing inflammatory injury.
Conclusion
OPG may be a drug target for the treatment of NASH.
A Fourier series approach to cubature formulas for integrals on the disk witha non-smooth weight function
Authors: Kounchev Ognyan , Render Hermann
Published: November 2022

We study a new cubature formula for the evaluation of an integral over the disk with respect to a weight function. The method is based on an analysis of the Fourier series of the weight function and a reduction of the bivariate integral into an infinite sum of univariate integrals. Several experimental results with non-smooth weight functions show that the accuracy of the method is superior to standard cubature formulas on the disk; this is natural to expect since the new formula is adapted to treat singularities of maximal order. Error estimates provide the theoretical basis for the good performance of the new algorithm.
Automatic Dispersion, Defect, Curing, and Thermal Characteristics Determination of Polymer Composites using Micro-Scale Infrared Thermography and Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Rahman Md Ashiqur , Rahman Mirza Masfiqur , Ashraf Ali
Published: November 2022

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive technique that can be exploited in many fields including polymer composite investigation. Based on emissivity and thermal diffusivity variation, components, defects, and curing state of the composite can be identified. However, manual processing of thermal images that may contain significant artifacts, is prone to erroneous component and property determination. In this study, thermal images of different graphite/graphene-based polymer composites fabricated by hand, planetary, and batch mixing techniques were analyzed through an automatic machine learning model. Filler size, shape, and location can be identified in polymer composites and thus, the dispersion of different samples was quantified with a resolution of ~ 20 µm despite having artifacts in the thermal image. Thermal diffusivity comparison of three mixing techniques was performed for 40% graphite in the elastomer. Batch mixing demonstrated superior dispersion than planetary and hand mixing as the dispersion index (DI) for batch mixing was 0.07 while planetary and hand mixing showed 0.0865 and 0.163 respectively. Curing was investigated for a polymer with different fillers (PDMS took 500s while PDMS-Graphene and PDMS Graphite Powder took 800s to cure), and a thermal characteristic curve was generated to compare the composite quality. Therefore, the above-mentioned methods with machine learning algorithms can be a great tool to analyze composite both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Radiographic outcomes and factors affecting nonunion after intramedullary nailing in femur segmental fracture: a multicenter study
Authors: Kook Incheol , Park Ki-Chul , Kim Dong-Hong , Sohn Oog-Jin , Hwang Kyu Tae
Published: November 2022

Factors affecting the outcomes of femoral shaft segmental fractures are currently unknown. We evaluated the outcomes after intramedullary (IM) nail fixation and investigated the factors affecting nonunion in femoral shaft segmental fractures. A total of 38 patients who underwent IM nail fixation for femoral shaft segmental fractures (AO/OTA 32C2) at three university hospitals with a minimum 1-year follow-up was reviewed retrospectively. All patients were divided into the union group (n = 32) and the nonunion group (n = 6). We analyzed smoking status, diabetes mellitus, location of the segmental fragment, segment comminution, filling of the IM nail in the medullary canal, residual gap at the fracture site, use of a cerclage wire or blocking screws as factors that may affect the surgical outcome. In the union group, the average union time was 5.4 months (4–9 months). In the nonunion group, five cases underwent additional surgery at an average of 7.2 months (5–10 months) postoperatively, and one case was asymptomatic and followed-up without surgery. In the comparison of the union and nonunion group, insufficient canal filling of the IM nail (union: 25.0%, nonunion: 83.3%, p = 0.012) and residual gap at the fracture site after reduction (union: 31.3%, nonunion: 83.3%, p = 0.027) showed a significant difference. In multivariate analysis, insufficient canal filling of the IM nail was found to be a factor affecting nonunion, with an odds ratio of 13.3 (p = 0.036). After IM nail fixation for femoral shaft segmental fractures, a relatively high nonunion rate (15.8%) was observed. Factors affecting nonunion were insufficient canal filling of IM nail and residual gap of fracture site.
Preliminary Experience with a New Robotic Technique to Facilitate Distal Pancreatectomy with Spleen Preservation: Left Lateral Approach in Right Lateral Decubitus Position
Authors: Jorba-Martin Rosa , Pavel Mihai Calin , Estalella Laia , Llàcer-Millán Erik , Julià Elisabet , Ramírez-Maldonado Elena , Pueyo Eva , Geoghegan Justin , Memba Robert
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SP-DP) for patients with benign or small low-grade malignant tumors of the body or tail of the pancreas, is the ideal procedure although it is technically demanding. The robotic da Vinci system has been introduced to overcome these technical challenges and reduce operative risks. We report our experience of a new variation in surgical technique: the left lateral approach robotic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (RSP-DP) in right lateral decubitus position.
Methods:
We performed this new variant of SP-DP, in five patients, using the da Vinci Xi system. Technical and clinical feasibility are described.
Results:
The mean age and body mass index were 53.4 years and 31.4 kg/m2, respectively. The mean total operative time was 323 min. The estimated mean blood loss was 240 ml. In all patients, the spleen could be preserved. In four patients, the splenic vessels were also preserved. One patient required a Warshaw technique due to significant fibrosis attached to the splenic vein. The postoperative period of all patients was uneventful except the presence of biochemical leak (BL) in two patients that only required maintenance of the drainage at home. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 days after surgery.
Conclusions:
The left lateral approach RSP-DP in right lateral decubitus position is a feasible and safe procedure for distal benign or small low-grade malignant tumors of the left pancreas. The right lateral decubitus position associated to robotic surgery can facilitate this complex procedure, especially when splenic vessels preservation is indicated, with a lower risk of conversion and shortening of the learning curve.
Cleaning testing of nineteenth-century plaster cast reconstructions with thin polyacrylamide-based surface attached gels
Authors: Theodorakopoulos Charis , Risdonne Valentina , Freese Silvia , Diraoui Samar , Jonas Ulrich
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the cleaning efficacy of polyethylene-supported 15-minute photocrosslinked poly(acrylamide-co-benzophenone) (PE-PAM15) surface-attached hydrogels on gypsum plaster reconstructions of nineteenth-century casts. After temperature-humidity and light exposure and after artificial soiling of the plaster plates, tests were performed directly on the surface, with and without organic and inorganic coatings. The surface-attached hydrogels were selected according to water loading and dehydration capacity. The PE-PAM15 systems loaded with aqueous solutions were applied on the plates for one minute. Upon lifting the gels, cleaning efficacy was evaluated with Visible Reflectance, UV Fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Colorimetry and UV/Vis Spectrophotometry, Glossimetry, HR 3D Microscopy, Attenuated Total Reflectance- and 2D Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging. Satisfactory removal of soils from the gypsum plates is reported. The PE-PAM15 obtained fast and minimal wetting of the substrates, prevented excessive liquid spreading and the slow liquid diffusion onto the water-sensitive gypsum plaster. A minor dissolution and recrystallization of the plaster could have been introduced and was identified by an insignificant change of roughness and gloss. The cleaning tests showed promising results, suggesting that further development of this method could unfold novel approaches for the cleaning of historical plaster surfaces.
Long-term Crop Diversity Improves Soil Chemical Attributes, Nutrient Cycling and Soybean Yield
Authors: Côrt Andressa Selestina Dalla , Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa , Pacheco Leandro Pereira , Batista Eder Rodrigues , Pascoalotto Isabô Melina , Bossolani João William , Gonçalves Evelyn Custódio , de Macedo Kamila Silva , Guedes Thaís Rodrigues Magalhães , de Resende Vinícius Hipólito Lopes , Petter Fabiano André , de Souza Edicarlos Damacena , Neto Jayme Ferrari , Rigon João Paulo Gonsiorkiewicz
Published: November 2022

Crop diversity, particularly cover crops under no-tillage, increases agricultural efficiency in the use of nutrients and the soil carbon management. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of single cover crops and intercropping (MIX) under long-term no-tillage on shoot dry mass (SDM) production, nutrient cycling, soil chemical attributes, and soybean yield in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso. The treatments consisted of MC: monocropped; CS1: Crotalaria spectabilis; CS2: Pennisetum glaucum (millet); CS3: Urochloa ruziziensis; CS4: Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea); and MIX: all four crops intercropped (C. spectabilis + P. glaucum + U. ruziziensis + C. cajan). The shoot dry mass of the cover crop was evaluated at 0, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180, and 210 days after cover crop management (CM) (desiccation) in the crop years from 2014/15 to 2020/21. The chemical properties of the soil were evaluated after the 2019/20 soybean crop harvest. SDM accumulation in MIX was approximately 22% higher than that in CS2 and CS3 and 60% higher than that in MC. Soybean yields were 20% higher in MIX, CS3, and CS4 than in MC, corresponding to an increase of approximately 14 bags of soybean. MIX and CS3 improved soil chemical attributes through nutrient cycling and SDM production under long-term no-tillage. MIX, CS3, and CS4 promoted increases in soybean yield after the stabilization phase of the system. The accumulation and release of nutrients by the shoots was an important indicator of nutrient cycling under no-tillage and consequent increases in the yield of soybean in succession.
Control and Manipulation of Microwave Polarization, and Power of a frequency-agile 198 GHz Gyrotron for Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Millen Marthe , Pagonakis Ioannis Gr. , Björgvinsdóttir Snaedís , Alaniva Nicholas , Barnes Alexander B.
Published: November 2022

The measurement and manipulation of the microwave polarization emitted from a frequency-agile 198 GHz gyrotron for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is demonstrated. In general, gyrotrons emit linearly polarized radiation, yet in this case elliptical polarization is observed from the 198 GHz gyrotron window. Indeed, half of the microwave power is circularly polarized while the other half is linearly polarized with a polarization of 60° with respect to the horizontal plane. For optimal use of microwave power for DNP experiments, the elliptical polarization from the gyrotron is converted into circular polarization with a Martin-Puplett interferometer (MPI). The dependence of the DNP enhancement on the microwave polarization was investigated by modifying the microwave polarization with the MPI. In addition the MPI can generate a linearly polarized beam, which holds promise for future development of induction-mode electron spin detected experiments.
The stabilization of kenaf leaves extract co-loaded W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsion by emulsifier mixtures of sodium caseinate-Tween20-β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Elaine Elaine , Tan Chin Ping , M.H.A. Jahurul , Nyam Kar Lin
Published: November 2022

Water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsion (DE) is often used for hydrophilic bioactives encapsulation. However, the stabilization of food-grade DE is difficult due to its complex structure and limited emulsifier choices. Thus, this paper studies the stabilization of DE containing ethanolic kenaf leaves extract by emulsifier mixture (EM) containing sodium caseinate, Tween-20, and β-cyclodextrin. The particle size, polydispersity index, creaming index, encapsulation efficiency, and droplet morphology were observed for 5 weeks storage. Overall, all DE samples did not undergo phase separation, with a noticeable increase in viscosity throughout storage. The morphology and functional groups also showed spherical droplet shape and interaction changes after emulsification. DE stabilized by 2.5% and 4.0% (w/w) EM had consistent droplet size and distribution, encapsulation efficiency > 98%, and highest viscosity value up to 35-day storage at 25℃. Specifically, DE with 4.0% (w/w) EM showed good resistance under pH changes. In conclusion, double emulsion stabilized by sodium caseinate, T20, and β-cyclodextrin are stable up to 5 weeks at 25°C, potentially to be applied in food and beverage applications.
Comparisons of EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL in pediatric patients with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease in longitudinal analyses
Authors: Hsu Chien-Ning , Tain You-Lin , Lu Pei-Chen , Lin Hsiang-Wen
Published: November 2022

Objective: To characterize longitudinal changes and correlations between the measures of EQ-5D-Y and generic PedsQL and their associations with clinical changes in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: Participants were recruited from January 2017 to September 2021 in a medical center in Taiwan. Both instruments were administered in their initial visits and every 6-month subsequent visits. Spearman’s Rho (r) was used to assess correlations between the scores of EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL measures in longitudinal changes. Cohen’s effect size (ES) was used to evaluate the changes of scores/subscales over time. In addition, factors associated with longitudinal changes in the score/subscales were explored.
Results: A total of 121 participants were enrolled, and 83 with ³3 HRQOL measures during the 3.5 years follow-up were assessed their changes of HRQOL measures. The correlations (r>0.3) appeared between the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) of EQ-5D-Y and emotional and social subscales of PedsQL. ES was small (<0.5) in the VAS and level-sum-score (LSS) of EQ-5D-Y scores for the clinical changes in comorbidities, while some PedsQL subscales were medium to high (0.5–0.8 or >0.8). Hypertension, mineral bone disorder/anemia, and hyperuricemia associated with the changes in both HRQOL scores were varied by their various domains.
Conclusion: Both EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL of HRQOL measures were responsive to worsened childhood CKD-related comorbidities during the follow-up; however, convergent validity between them was limited in some domains. The LSS of EQ-5D-Y showed greater changes than the VAS by comorbidity status; further comparison with utility weight is needed to determine the better performance of EQ-5D-Y.
Current Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Pediatric Gastroenterologists in the Management of Celiac Disease - A Survey Study
Authors: Khan Hamza Hassan , Kumar Sanjay , Lyons Hernando
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Celiac Disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by an immune-mediated reaction to gluten. The aim of the study is: 1. To assess the current practices of pediatric gastroenterologists (GI) in the management of CD; 2. To assess how these responses compare to the current EIEBPG; and 3. To assess how the practices vary based upon geographic location.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey of members of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). After obtaining NASPGHAN and IRB approval, members (n=2400) were sent a SurveyMonkey® survey consisting of 22 questions of which 17 were based upon the Evidence-Informed Expert Best Practice Guidelines (EIEBPG).
Results: A total of 8.3% (198/2400) responders completed the survey. Respondents from North America (NA) comprised the largest group, 80.8% (160/198), followed by 7.6% (15/198) European (EU) responders. When indicated, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing was used by 11 (5.6%) responders on all visits. Comparing respondents from NA and EU on the majority of visits, 141/160 (88.1%), 59/160 (36.9%), and 153/160 (95.6%) respondents from NA screened for Vitamin D, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) immunization, and had access to dietician respectively, compared to 7/15 (46.7%), 2/15 (13.3%), and 9/15 (60%) EU respondents, respectively.
Conclusion: Overall, most study respondents were reportedly adhering to EIEBPG. Providers need to utilize HLA typing more for patients with negative serology. EU providers need to be more consistent for screening for vitamin D and there is room for improving access to dietitians of EU celiac disease patient’s clinic visits.
Current Attitudes Toward Drug Checking Services and a Comparison of Expected with Actual Drugs Present in Street Drug Samples Collected from Opioid Users
Authors: Swartz James A. , Lieberman Marya , Jimenez A. David , Mackesy-Amiti Mary Ellen , Whitehead Heather , Hayes Kathleen , Robison-Taylor Lisa , Prete Elizabeth
Published: November 2022

Background: The opioid epidemic continues to cause high numbers of fatalities in the US and other countries, driven mainly by the inclusion of potent synthetic opioids in street drugs. Drug checking by means of various technologies is being increasingly implemented as a harm reduction strategy to inform users about constituent drugs in their street samples. We assessed how valued drug checking services (DCS) would be for opioid street drug users given the ubiquity of fentanyl and related analogs in the drug supply, the information they would most value from drug checking, and compared expected versus actual constituent drugs in collected samples.
Methods: A convenience sample of opioid street drug users (N = 118) was recruited from two syringe service exchange programs in Chicago between 2021-2022. We administered brief surveys asking about overdose history, fentanyl preference, and interest in DCS. We also collected drug samples and asked participants what drug(s) they expected were in the sample. Provided samples were analyzed using LC-MS technology and the results compared to their expected drugs.
Results: Participants reported an average of 4.4 lifetime ODs (SD=4.8, range=0-20) and 1.1 (SD=1.8, range=0-10) past-year ODs. A majority (92.1%) believed they had recently used drugs containing fentanyl. Opinions about the desirability of fentanyl were mixed with 56.1% indicating they did not and 38.0 % indicating they did prefer fentanyl. Attitudes towards DCS indicated a general but not uniform receptiveness with a majority indicating interest in DCS though sizeable minorities believed DCS was ”too much trouble” (25.2%) or there was “no point” in testing (35.4%). Participants were especially poor at identifying common cutting agents and potentiating drugs such as diphenhydramine in their samples. They reported having quantitative information on drug concentrations and identification of all constituent drugs present in a sample would be especially valuable.
Conclusions: Results affirmed street drug users remain interested in using DCS to monitor their drugs and such services should be more widely available. Advanced checking technologies that provide information on the relative quantities and the different drugs present in a given sample available at point-of-care, would be most valuable but remain challenging to implement.
A Survey of Software Metrics for Transitioning to An Updated Version of The Current Existing Framework Or A New Framework
Authors: Islam Md. Rafid , Rahman Ratun , Ahmed Akib , Jany Rafsan
Published: November 2022

a software framework is an abstraction that allows to selectively update software that provides generic functionality by adding additional code written by the user. It is basically a physical or conceptual structure that is used to support or guide the construction of something that grows the structure into something productive. Many effective software teams start with frameworks as their foundation. Bundled code libraries, software modeling, APIs, and a myriad of other capabilities which are included in these frameworks make programming considerably faster and more effective. So, software engineers often delve into various frameworks for development and other purposes. A survey has been conducted and opinions from teachers, students, and developers were solicited. This paper examines the results of the poll and tries to explain what software engineers, students, or seasoned developers experience when switching to a new framework in the middle of a project.
Automatic recognition of craquelure and paint loss on polychrome paintings of the Palace Museum using improved U-Net
Authors: Yuan Quan , He Xiang , Han Xiangna , Guo Hong
Published: November 2022

Craquelure is the most common defect on ancient polychrome paintings, which may deteriorate further to paint loss. Previous image processing methods, which can accurately recognize paint loss, have limited precision and efficiency in segmenting craquelure. This paper proposes a semantic segmentation method, Res-UNet, for the recognition of craquelure and paint loss in the Palace Museum, Beijing. The residual structure of ResNet-50 enables the avoidance of network degradation, and image features can be fully extracted. Using the unique skip connection module of U-Net, features of different levels are fused to improve segmentation accuracy and provide smoother craquelure edges. Three loss functions are combined to accelerate stable convergence. The model was trained on a newly built dataset based on 600 images, and tested on images both in and out of the dataset. Experimental results supported by statistical tests show that Res-UNet is a capable method of craquelure recognition, with an accuracy rate of 98.19%, and mean pixel accuracy = 93.67%. Hence, the proposed hybrid approach is a promising tool to support the preservation and restoration of valuable traditional Chinese polychrome architectural paintings.
Realization of college sports multimedia teaching platform based on cloud computing motion image analysis
Authors: Li Jiang
Published: November 2022

In order to improve the ability of college sports multimedia teaching, dynamic image analysis and data management, a design scheme of college sports multimedia teaching platform based on cloud computing mode was proposed. The method of dynamic integrated allocation and fuzzy scheduling of multimedia teaching resources is adopted. The characteristic values and dynamic analysis of moving images of college sports multimedia teaching are extracted. By using hierarchical structure and image integration scheduling method, this paper analyzes the characteristic values of image analysis in college sports multimedia teaching and dynamic analysis of moving images. By using the methods of adaptive cooperative control and resource matching scheduling, the control objective allocation function of college sports multimedia teaching and dynamic analysis of moving images is constructed. The correlation of image information resources in college sports multimedia teaching is mined by using the ultra micro pixel feature matching method, and a big data mining and information fusion model for college sports multimedia education and dynamic analysis of motion images is constructed. Use cloud computing technology to provide users with various services, and use machine learning technology to analyze teaching data. Through priority scheduling and dynamic allocation methods, the dynamic allocation of teaching resources and dynamic analysis of moving images in the process of college sports multimedia teaching are realized. In ASP NET technology, cloud computing and Silverlight technology have realized the software development and design of college sports multimedia teaching platform under the motion image analysis mode. The simulation results show that using this method to design the college sports multimedia teaching platform under the motion image analysis mode can improve the dynamic distribution and mining ability of image information resources in college sports multimedia education. The platform has a high level of data fusion and a strong ability to analyze motion images.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are positively correlated with disease activity of bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Sun Chao , Li Xiaoguang , Qian Hua , Liang Guirong , Xiang Ruiyu , Zhao Chenjing , Li Zhiliang , Li Suo , Jing Ke , Wang Yuan , Zhang Hanmei , Feng Suying
Published: November 2022

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a complex inflammatory process with elevated levels of autoantibodies, eosinophils, neutrophils, and various cytokines. Hematological inflammatory biomarkers can reflect inflammatory state in various diseases. Up to now, the correlations of hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the associations between hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP. The levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) of 36 untreated BP patients were detected by routine blood tests, and their correlations with clinical characteristics of BP were statistically analyzed. The Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) was used to measure disease activity of BP. The mean levels of NLR, PLR, PNR and MPV in 36 untreated BP patients were 3.9, 157.9, 45.7 and 9.4 fl, respectively. The levels of NLR were positively correlated to BPDAI Erosion/Blister Scores (p < 0.01). The levels of NLR and PLR were both positively correlated to BPDAI without Damage Score (both p < 0.05) and BPDAI Total Score (both p < 0.05). No correlation was found in other statistical analyses between hematological inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics in BP patients involved in the present study. Therefore, NLR and PLR are positively correlated with disease activity of BP.
The Expression and Prognosis for Aurora kinases in Human non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ji zhaodong , Wang Yue , Zhang Cuiping , Cao Xinyi , Li Yue , Guan Ming
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Aurora kinases, as all known members of serine/threonine kinases genes family, have been found in various types of human cancer, playing their role as potent oncogenes. Increasing evidence showes that Aurora kinases are involved in lung cancer progression. However, the expression and clinical values of 3 types of Aurora kinases are still need to be further analyzed.
Methods
The expression and prognosis data of AURKs in patients with lung cancer were used to comprehensively analyze by multiple online databases including Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Oncomine, gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA), Kaplan–Meier Plotter, cBioPortal, LinkedOmics.Immunohistochemistry (IHC) were also performed to explore AURKA and AURKB expression in LUAD.
Results
According to the results, the expression levels of AURKA and AURKB were higher in lung cancer tissues than in normal, whereas the AURKC expression was lower in lung cancer compared with normal. Both the AURKA and AURKB expression were positively correlated with advanced tumor stage in LUAD .Concurrently, AURKA was also significant positive correlated with advanced stage in LUSC. Survival analysis revealed that the high expression of AURKs were associated with low overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and post-progression survival (PPS) of all of the patients with lung cancer especially in LUAD.AURKA and AURKB expression levels significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint genes in LUAD,suggested AURKA and AURKB were potential target for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in LUAD patients.
Conclusion
In summary, this study implied that AURKA and AURKB are valuable markers for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
Sex differences in externalizing and internalizing traits and ventral striatal responses to monetary loss
Authors: Li Guangfei , Li Yashuang , Zhang Zhao , Chen Yu , Li Bao , Hao Dongmei , Yang Lin , Yang Yimin , Li Xuwen , Li Chiang-Shan Ray
Published: November 2022

Ventral striatum (VS) processes rewarding and punishing stimuli. Women and men vary in externalizing and internalizing traits, which may influence neural responses to reward and punishment. To investigate sex differences in how individual traits influence VS responses to reward and punishment, we curated the data of the Human Connectome Project and identified 981 (473 men) subjects evaluated by the Achenbach Adult Self-Report Syndrome Scales. We processed the imaging data with published routines and extracted VS reactivity (β) to win and to loss vs. baseline in a gambling task for correlation with externalizing and internalizing symptom severity. Men vs. women showed more severe externalizing symptoms and higher VS response to monetary losses (VS-loss β) but not to wins. Men but not women showed a significant, positive correlation between VS-loss β and externalizing traits, and the sex difference was confirmed by a slope test. The correlation each of VS-loss and VS-win β vs. externalizing traits and of VS-loss β each vs. internalizing and vs. externalizing traits differed significantly in slope, confirming its specificity, in men. Further, the sex-specific relationship between VS-loss β and externalizing trait did not extend to activities during exposure to negative emotion in the face matching task. To conclude, VS responses to loss but not to win and their correlation with externalizing rather than internalizing symptom severity showed sex differences in young adults. The findings highlight the relationship of externalizing traits and VS reactivity to monetary loss and may have implications for psychological models of externalizing behaviors in men.
Disrespect and Abuse during Childbirth in Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Usso Ahmedin Aliyi , Adem Hassen Abdi , Alemu Addisu , Mohammed Aminu
Published: November 2022

Background: Even though compassionate respectful maternity care during childbirth is an important component in improving the quality of maternal health care service and its utilization, evidence shows burden and associated factors of disrespect and abuse were limited in Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess disrespect and abuse during childbirth and associated factors among women gave birth in public health facilities in East Hararghe Zone, eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 530 women gave birth in randomly selected public health facilities in East Hararghe zone from 01 to 30 April 2020. All eligible women gave birth in the facilities were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data entered using EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with disrespect and abuse during childbirth. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report association. A p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare as statistically significantly associated with the dependent variable.
Results: overall 77% (95% CI: 73%, 81%) of women reported at least one types of disrespect and abuse during childbirth. Women having monthly income less than 2000 Birr (AOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.71), living greater than 30 minute away from nearby health facilities (AOR= 2.10 95% CI: 1.30, 3.39), not attended ANC visit (AOR=4.29, 95% CI: 2.17, 8.52), and delivered during nighttime (AOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.41) were more likely reported disrespect and abuse during childbirth.
Conclusion: Almost four in every five women delivered in public health facilities in East Hararghe zone were disrespected and abused during childbirth. Encouraging all pregnant women to attend ANC visit and improving the quality of health care service during nighttime in all health facilities is essential for reducing disrespect and abuse.