bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process evaluation of a kindergarten-based, family involved intervention to prevent obesity in early childhood: The Toybox Study Malaysia
Authors: Cheah Whye Lian , Poh Bee Koon , Talib Ruzita Abd. , Julia Ai Cheng Lee , Denise Choon Lian Koh , Reeves Sue , Essau Cecilia , Summerbell Carolyn , Yatiman Noor Hatizah , Anchang Gordon Nicholas Jemat , Gibson Leigh Edward
Published: June 2022

Background: Toybox is a kindergarten-based intervention programme targeting physical activity, sedentary behaviour, snacking and drinking in improving healthy energy balance-related behaviour among children attending kindergartens in Malaysia. It was based on a quasi-experimental design involving 780 children from 22 intervention kindergartens and 26 control kindergartens. This paper aims to report the process evaluation of this intervention. Methods: We assessed five process indicators: recruitment, retention, dosage, fidelity, and satisfaction in the intervention kindergartens. Data collection included teachers’ monthly logbook, and post-intervention feedback through questionnaire and focus group discussion with teachers, parents, and children. Results: A total of 1072 children were invited and 837 children completed the programme. Retention with the programme was 88.4% (with 110 children dropping out). 91% of the 44 teachers and their assistants engaged positively with one or more of the process evaluation data collection methods. In terms of dosage and fidelity, 76% of parents had received newsletters, tip cards and posters at the appropriate times. All teachers and their assistants reported being satisfied with the intervention programme, but also that there were some barriers to implementation including suitable environments (one example, insufficient space indoors to carry out activities to reduce sedentary behaviour), and that some of the kangaroo stories were not of sufficient interest to the children or too long to hold their attention. Parents reported that the materials were easy to understand and had improved their knowledge. More than 88% of parents were satisfied with the family-based activities, and had enjoyed them. The children were reported to show a change in positive behaviour in drinking water and consumption of fruits and vegetables.Conclusions: The Toybox programme was feasible to implement and acceptable, although several factors were usefully identified which could easily be improved before this intervention is scaled up and embedded into normal practice across Malaysia.
Improvement of Clustering Classification Performance Using Row-Based Filtering for health care application
Authors: Patra Radhanath
Published: June 2022

A combination of unsupervised and supervised machine learning with an outlier-based row filtering technique is proposed in this paper. Our idea is based upon the concept of row-based filtering technique, a novel approach of records selection for a given structured dataset. Initially, dropping the class label, dataset is divided into groups by using clustering algorithm and class labels are assigned to the clusters. The cluster labels are compared with the original class labels. Records having matching class label and cluster label are extracted to frame a dataset having matching record. Remaining records after filtering matching records are treated as outliers. UCI repository datasets such as Breast cancer, Pima Indian diabetes dataset, Hungarian dataset, Indian liver patient dataset and Cleveland heart dataset are used to analyze the performance of proposed method. For clustering K means clustering algorithm is used and the classification performance is measured by applying various classification algorithm such as K Nearest Neighbour, J48, Naïve Bayes and Logistic regression.
COVID-19 and food handling practice: The case of food businesses in Jigjiga, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Farah Alinoor Mohamed , Nour Tahir Yousuf , Roble Abdurahman Kedir , Obsiye Muse , Aden Mowlid Akil , Hussein Muktar Arab , Budul Abdullahi Bedel , Omer Muktar , Abdi Abdulahi Siraj , Mohamed Hashim Sheik , Hashi Mohamed Hussein , Getnet Fentabil
Published: June 2022

Objective
The aim of this study is to investigate the food safety knowledge and practices of food handlers in the context of covid-19.
Result
A total of 384 food handlers were approached and all of them responded (response rate = 100%). Majority of the participants were under 40 years of age (n = 369, 96.1%). Of the total participants, 50.8% were male with a mean age of 32.1 (SD: 4.8). Majority of the participants were under 40 years of age (n = 369, 96.1%). Female, younger adults, married, educated and those with prior food safety training had better food handling practice than their counter parts.
Preparation and thermal properties of novel N-arylpiperazine phosphoramidate flame-retardant copolymer
Authors: Song Jianan , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Xi , Meng Jiajia , Li Songjun
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the flame retardancy of polystyrene (PS), developing reactive-type flame retardants is a promising approach. In this work, a novel N-arylpiperazine phosphoramidate monomer, 2-((phenoxy(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)phosphoryl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate (PPPEM), was facilely synthesized and used as a reactive-type flame retardant. The obtained monomer was then copolymerized with styrene through the free radical bulk polymerization. The thermal stability of copolymers was measured by the thermogravimetric analysis. The addition of the PPPEM units increased decomposition temperature of the copolymers, indicating the improvement of the thermal stability. The glass transition temperature of the copolymers remained little changed with varied amount of the PPPEM, implying that the introduction of PPPEM units did not evidently affect the mobility of the PS main chain. In addition, PPPEM unites can contribute to the decrease of the peak heat release rate and improvement of the flame retardancy. The novel N-arylpiperazine phosphoramidate monomer show a great potential for application in reactive-type flame retardants.
Potential role of rhizosphere microbiome on root exudations and phosphorus uptake of rice under flooded soil culture
Authors: Mukai Mana , Hiruma Kei , Nishigaki Tomohiro , Utami Yuniar Devi , Otaka Junnosuke , Yoshihashi Tadashi , Saliou Sarr Papa , Oo Aung Zaw , Takai Toshiyuki , TSUJIMOTO YASUHIRO
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The response of rice plants to P deficiency together with rhizosphere microorganisms is yet to be explored in flooded soil cultures. This study aimed to identify how alterations in bacterial diversity are associated with underground metabolic and chemical reactions in the rhizosphere of rice.
Methods
Two rice varieties were grown in a split-root box under flooded conditions and filled with either P-applied or non-P-applied soils with or without γ-irradiation. At 41–42 days after transplanting, plant biomass, P uptake, exudation rates of total carbon and low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) from the roots, and bacterial diversity, P fractions, and phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere were determined.
Results
γ-irradiation significantly decreased plant P uptake and biomass of both varieties and reduced the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria and microbiome beta diversity in the rhizosphere. Concurrently, the use of insoluble P in soils was evidently reduced by irradiation. These microbiological and chemical changes in the γ-irradiated rhizosphere occurred in both P-applied and non-P-applied soils. On the other hand, the proportion of LMWOAs and exudation of citric acid, high in P-solubilization capacity were increased in the γ-irradiated and P-applied rhizosphere soils at the expense of other carbons. No differences were detected in phosphatase activity in any treatments.
Conclusion
Dysbiosis in the rhizosphere microbiome negatively affected rice growth and the use of insoluble P pools in flooded soil cultures. With a reduction in microbiome diversity, rice plants may have a complementary strategy to increase the exudation proportion of citric acid toward the P-rich soil area.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of assisted reproductive technology versus unassisted pregnancy: A propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Sheng Yujia , Mu Sifeila , Tang Yao , Liu Haiyan , Li Ruixia , Yu Min , Gu Weirong , Peng Ting
Published: June 2022

Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is generally safe, but still associated with risks of various adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all deliveries (through either ART or unassisted pregnancy) during a period from January 5th, 2015 to September 30th, 2020 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. A propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was conducted to compare adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes between ART and unassisted pregnancy. The PSM was performed at a 1:4 ratio using a caliper width that equals to 0.02 of the standard deviation of the propensity score logit. The results are presented as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).Results: We screened a total of 78,022 deliveries: 4,310 (5.5%) through ART and the remaining 73,712 (94.5%) through unassisted pregnancy. The ART group had older age (33.2±3.9 vs 30.4±4.0 years), higher rate of cesarean section (70.2% vs 38.1%) and multiple pregnancies (23.6% vs 1.7%). In the PSM analysis (4,218 and 15,003 deliveries, respectively), the ART group had higher risks of preeclampsia (10.5% vs 5.7%, RR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.44-1.71), gestational diabetes mellitus (19.5% vs 16.0%, RR: 1.27, 95%CI: 1.16-1.38) and placenta-related diseases, including placenta previa (2.7% vs 1.8%, RR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21-1.89), placenta accreta spectrum (6.8% vs 3.0%, RR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.72-2.22) and abnormal placental morphology (8.4% vs 5.5%, RR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.14-1.30). In singletons, the ART group had higher risks of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) (13.7% vs 10.2%, RR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.25-1.57) and stillbirth (0.3% vs 0.1%, RR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.25-4.03) but lower risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (4.2% vs 5.4%, RR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.73-0.97). In multiple births, the ART group had lower risks of SGA (13.4% vs 17.8%, RR:0.83, 95%CI: 0.74-0.93), preterm birth (44.8% vs 59.2%, RR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.49-0.64) and stillbirth (0.1% vs 0.6%, RR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.20-0.90). Analysis of the overall, pre-matching study population yielded largely similar findings.Conclusion: Pregnancy through ART was associated with higher risks of most maternal outcomes. Interestingly, the risks of neonatal outcomes differed between singleton and multiple birth groups.
Handling strategies of novice and experienced baggage handlers when using an extendable roller track conveyor in the cargo hold of a narrow-body aircraft
Authors: Mostosi Christian , Stéphenne Jean-François , Kempeneers Edelhart , Denis Denys , Plamondon André , Dierick Frédéric
Published: June 2022

Objective: To observe manual load handling using an extendable roller track conveyor (ERC) in a kneeling posture in narrow-body aircrafts.Methods: At Brussels South Charleroi Airport, we filmed 58 workers with different levels of experience, experienced and novices, loading and unloading aircrafts.Results: The sequences showed different strategies of the handlers and were sorted according to ergonomic criteria. Conclusions: Video observation can be useful to analyse and improve posture at work, especially when comparing experienced and novices. A more specific training, using videos would be more effective to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and to allow safer and improved use of an ERC.
Higher Visual Gain Contributions to Bilateral Motor Synergies and Force Control Stabilization
Authors: Lee Tae Lee , Lee Hanall , Kang Nyeonju , Cauraugh James H.
Published: June 2022

Visual information is a critical component that influences bimanual force control stabilization. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of altered visual gain levels on bimanual force control strategies between multiple trials and within a trial. Twelve healthy young participants performed bimanual submaximal force control tasks by executing index finger abduction isometric movements across four different visual gain conditions (i.e., 8, 80, 256, and 512 pixels/N). We followed the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) approach to determine synergistic coordination patterns between two hands across multiple trials (i.e., bilateral motor synergies). Within a trial, force accuracy and variability were calculated to quantify bimanual force control capabilities (i.e., task stabilization). Further, we examined correlations between changes in UCM variables and force control performance from the lowest to higher visual gain conditions, respectively. The findings revealed that the values of bilateral motor synergies at 80, 256, and 512 pixels/N were significantly higher than those at 8 pixels/N. Further, force error at 80, 256, and 512 pixels/N were significantly less than those at 8 pixels/N. In UCM terms, as visual gain increased from 8 pixels/N, less amount of bad variability across multiple trials was significantly related to a reduction of force error within a trial. These findings provide supporting evidence that higher values of visual gain contribute to improved bimanual coordination function across multiple trials as well as task stabilization within trials.
SIRT4 enhances the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU by inhibiting ammonia-mediated autophagy
Authors: Xu Bo , Cai Liangliang , Xiao Hua , Cai Guohao , Sun Pingliang , Huang Guoyu
Published: June 2022

Background
5-FU is a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of colorectal cancer that improves the survival rate of patients. However, 5-FU monotherapy has a poor effect on advanced colorectal cancer. Therefore, combining multiple drugs to increase the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU is critical. We previously reported that SIRT4 has a tumor-suppressing effect in colorectal cancer. It can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells and increase their sensitivity to 5-FU. This study aimed to investigate the role of SIRT4 in increasing the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU, with a focus on the SIRT4-regulated autophagy pathway.
Methods
5-FU-induced cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay. The role of SIRT4 on the regulation of autophagy and glutamine metabolism was analyzed using immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, CCK-8, immunoprecipitation and siRNA silencing.
Result
SIRT4 increased the inhibition rate of proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells caused by 5-FU. Mechanistic dissection revealed that SIRT4 inhibited GDH enzyme activity and further inhibited the production of ammonia, which negatively contributed to the induction of autophagy. Moreover, SIRT4 enhances the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells exposed to 5-FU by inhibiting autophagy.
Conclusion
These findings identify a new role of SIRT4 in autophagy manipulation and demonstrate the molecular mechanism of SIRT4 in enhancing the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-FU, providing a promising strategy to increase the efficacy of 5-FU for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Mfsd2a attenuated hypoxic-ischemic brain damage via protection of the blood-brain barrier in mfat-1 transgenic mice
Authors: Li Xiaoxue , Zhang Yumeng , Chang Jianghao , Zhang Chenglin , Li Lin , Dai Yifan , Yang Haiyuan , Wang Ying
Published: June 2022

Previous studies have shown that mfat-1 transgenic mice have protective effects against certain central nervous system (CNS) disorders, mainly through the high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content enriched in the brain without mentioning the blood - brain barrier (BBB). This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the protective effect against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) of mfat-1 transgenic mice. We first found the mfat-1 mice showed a significant amelioration of neurological dysfunction and neuronal damage associated with elevated major facilitator superfamily domain-containing 2a (Mfsd2a) expression on the BBB after HIBD. Knockdown of Mfsd2a by siRNA intra-cerebroventricular (ICV) injection neutralized the protective effect against HIBD-induced BBB disruption in mfat-1 mice, further validating the protective function of Mfsd2a on BBB. Mfsd2a attenuated BBB high-permeability caused by HIBD through inhibiting caveolae-like vesicles-mediated transcytosis. Taken together, these results not only reveal mfat-1 transgenic mice have higher expression of Mfsd2a on the BBB, which partly sustains BBB permeability via vesicular transcytosis to alleviate the degree of HIBD but also suggest that dietary intake of LPC-DHA may upregulate Mfsd2a expression as a novel therapeutic strategy for BBB dysfunction and survival in HIBD patients.
Assessing essential service provision for prevention and management of violence against women in a remote indigenous community in Amantani, Peru
Authors: Calderon Maria , Cortez-Vergara Carla , Brown Laura , Lowe Hattie , Abarca Blenda , Rondon Marta , Mannell Jenevieve
Published: June 2022

Background: Establishing links to existing support services is an essential part of ethically conducting research on violence against women and girls. When services are not available, as is often the case in many remote indigenous communities, it may be necessary to provide a basic package of services as part of the research process. However, there is currently little evidence available on how services meet the needs of indigenous women experiencing violence in Peru in order to support them throughout the research process. Methods: We assessed existing service provision for women experiencing violence in an indigenous Quechua community from Amantaní, Peru. This involved 17 key informant interviews with legal, government, police, and civil society representatives. We used the UN Women Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence framework to guide our analysis.Results: Participants identified major gaps in existing services for indigenous women survivors of violence in Peru. They discussed survivors and perpetrators not being identified by the health system, a lack of intimate partner violence (IPV) response training for health professionals, IPV not being prioritised as a health concern, and a lack of health services that are culturally appropriate for indigenous populations. Survivors who report to police are often treated poorly and discriminated against. Legal systems were perceived as insufficient and ineffective, with inadequate legal measures for perpetrators. While legal and policy frameworks exist, they are often not applied in practice. Service provision in this region needs to adopt an intercultural, rights based, gendered approach to IPV response and prevention, considering cultural and linguistic relevance for indigenous populations.Conclusion: The role of structural violence in perpetuating indigenous women’s experiences of violence and undermining their access to services must be central to designing and implementing appropriate policies and services if they are to meet the needs of indigenous women in Peru.
Influence of Stress on the Physiological and Psychological Well-being of Medical Students, as measured by Heart Rate Variability and the Perceived Stress Scale
Authors: Miller Mark , Miller Matthew , Weldon Samuel , Cintron Nathaniel , Kelleher Cade , Lorenzo Santiago
Published: June 2022

Background: It is well documented that stress poses a serious challenge to students’ health in medical school. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) may provide an objective measure of the physiologic index of stress in medical students. This study investigated the impact of one semester of medical school on HRV and PSS in first-year medical students. Methods: Forty-eight first-year medical students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton campus were recruited for a prospective observational study from January through December of 2021. HRV analysis via electrocardiogram was performed alongside PSS administration at the beginning, as well as at the end of a medical school semester. Paired t-tests were performed to assess HRV via SDNN, RMSSD, and PSS scores. Pearson Correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlations between HRV indices and PSS results. Results: By the end of the academic semester, students presented with increased PSS scores compared to the beginning of the academic semester (12.674 ± 0.750 vs 20.587 ± 1.004, P < 0.001). There were also statistically significant decreases in HRV post semester as measured by SDNN (108.16 ± 13.86 vs 56.36 ± 4.07, P < 0.001) as well as RMSSD (127.43 ± 21.71 vs. 61.55 ± 34.92, P < 0.001). Pearson Product Moment Correlation was performed and revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between percent changes in PSS compared to percent changes in SDNN (R-value -0.334, P = 0.0287) as well as percent changes in RMSSD (R-value -0.369, P = 0.0149). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that first-year medical students are experiencing significant levels of stress after an entire academic semester. This study demonstrates that HRV may provide a reliable way to assess a student's level of stress that is objective and does not rely on subjective measures such as the PSS questionnaire. This study highlights the importance for medical schools to improve their student wellness initiatives and mental health monitoring.
The influence of human leukocyte antigen class I loci -A, -B, -C, and class II HLA-DRB1 alleles in a Brazilian HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) population and association with disease outcome and proviral load
Authors: Schor Doris , Porto Luís Cristóvão , Roma Eric Henrique , Castro-Alves Julio , Villela Anna Paula , Araújo Abelardo Q. C. , Bonecini-Almeida Maria da Gloria
Published: June 2022

Background
Around ten million people are infected with HTLV-1 worldwide, and 1–4% develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), characterized by an important degeneration of the spinal cord, that can lead to death. Distinct HLA alleles have been associated with either HAM/TSP susceptibility or protection. However, these HLA alleles set may change according to the population studied. Brazil is the second country in the number of HTLV-1 infected people and there are few reports addressing the HLA influence on HTLV-1 infection as well as on disease outcome.
Results
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of HLA alleles as a risk factor for HAM/TSP and the proviral load (PVL) levels, clinical progression, and death outcomes in an admixed Brazilian population. The HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 were genotyped in 375 HTLV-1-infected individuals divided into asymptomatic carriers (AC) (n = 165) and HAM/TSP (n = 210) in a longitudinal cohort from eight to 22 years of follow-up. The alleles HLA-A*68 and -C*07 were related to HAM/TSP risk in multivariate analysis. The alleles HLA-A*33, and -A*36 were associated with protection against disease progression in HAM/TSP patients, while HLA-B*37, -C*12, -C*14, and -DRB1*08 were associated with increased risk of death. In the AC group, the presence of HLA-B*45, -B*47, -B*58, -C*06 and -DRB1*15 alleles influenced an increased PVL, in an adjusted linear regression model, while -A*30, -A*34, -B*40, -C*06, -C*17 and -DRB1*09 alleles were associated with increased PVL in HAM/TSP group compared to HAM/TSP individuals not carrying these alleles. All these alleles were also related to increased PVL associated with clinical progression outcome. Increased PVL associated with the death outcome was linked to the presence of HLA-A*30.
Conclusions
PVL has been associated with HLA, and several alleles were related in AC and HAM/TSP patients with or without interacting with clinical progression outcomes. Understanding the prognostic value of HLA in HAM/TSP pathogenesis can provide important biomarkers tools to improve clinical management and contribute to the discovery of new therapeutic interventions.
Decadal Decline in Maternal Body Condition of a Southern Ocean Capital Breeder
Authors: Vermeulen Els , Thavar Terriann , Glarou Maria , Ganswindt Andre , Christiansen Fredrik
Published: June 2022

The changing physical properties of the Southern Ocean are known to impact the recruitment and survival of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), with knock-on effects on oceanic top predators. Considering this relates to a reduced energy intake, population-level effects are likely preceded by alterations in the animal’s body condition. This is especially true for capital breeders, that rely on stored energy for successful reproduction. One such Southern Ocean capital breeder, the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), has been monitored over the past 43 years in their South African wintering ground. Changes in the population have been documented in the past decade, including a decreased reproductive success and a shift in foraging strategy. Evaluating if a reduced foraging success is an underlying factor, we assessed the temporal variation in morphological body condition through aerial photogrammetry. Results showed a 23% reduction in maternal body condition, possibly contributing to the decreased reproductive success of the population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to quantify a decadal reduction in the body condition of a capital breeder dependent on Southern Ocean productivity. Understanding the bioenergetic consequences of environmental change is vital to predicting a species’ resilience to climate change.
A Developmental Network Model of Conscious Learning in Biological Brains
Authors: Juyang
Published: June 2022

We have seen many advances in computational neuroscience. However, what is still missing is a holistic model that is broad and deep. Being broad, it approximates brain development across a broad range of species (e.g., from fruit flies to humans) without given any tasks cross lifetime. Being deep, it specifies an algorithm so that the model can be verified across a deep and fluid hierarchy of scales without symbolic functional modules, from neurotransmitters, to cells, to wiring, to brain patterning, to behaviors, to intelligence, to consciousness. Fluid means task-nonspecific and for any consciousnesses. This report proposes such a model called Developmental Network 3 (DN-3). A major extension from the predecessor DN-2 to DN-3 is that the new model starts from a single cell zygote so that developmental algorithm develops sensors, a large brain and motors in a coarse-to-fine way, so that wiring and patterning are fully automatic from conception to death. The DNs have been supported by experimental simulations with real sensory data for vision, audition, natural languages, and planning, but this theoretical paper does not present new experiments. This neuromorphic model is informed by, and will be further refined by, biological studies.
Development of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Immune Complex Vaccine Candidate (CRCx) with Broad Immune Responses: A Preclinical Trial in Animal Model.
Authors: Zayed Khalid , Abdulaziz Sherif , Abdallah Khaled
Published: June 2022

Background: The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), poses a serious threat to global public health and imposes a severe burden on the entire human population. Faced with a virus that can mutate its structure while immunity is incapacitated, a need to develop a universal vaccine that can boost immunity to coronaviruses is highly needed.Design: Five formulations of two types (CRCx2 and CRCx3) of immune complexes with an immunogen adjuvant were evaluated in a mouse model as candidate SARS CoV-2 vaccines in a pretrial prior to clinical trials in humans. CRCx3 comprises 3 different formulas and CRCx2 comprises 2. Balb/c mice were vaccinated intraperitoneally on days 0/7 with a high or low dose of CRCx2 or on days 0/7/14 with a high, medium, or low dose of CRCx3 series, and their blood was sampled for serum antibody measurements. Mice were challenged with live virus after immunization with either vaccine to evaluate prophylaxis ability or treated with them after challenge to evaluate therapeutic ability on day 15. Immunological markers and histopathological studies as well as titration of neutralizing antibodies to the vaccines were evaluated and analyzed.Results: CRCx 3 and CRCx 2 vaccine candidates induced elevated levels of positive neutralizing antibodies as well as a cellular immune response with safety, efficient productivity, and good genetic stability for vaccine manufacturing to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 with relatively higher levels with the high dose CRCx2 candidate combination.Conclusions: Highly efficient protection and therapeutic effect against SARS-CoV-2 were obtained with a double-dose immunization schedule spaced at 7-day intervals using injections of 0.25 or 0.40 ml of CRCx2 vaccine formulations with a 25-mm needle. These results support further evaluation of CRCx in a clinical trial on humans.
Relationship between serum homocysteine and Vitamin D with positive, negative and extrapyramidal symptom domain in Schizophrenia: Case-control study in Iran
Authors: shahini najmeh , Jazayeri Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Zade , jahanshahi Reza , Charkazi Abdurrahman
Published: June 2022

Background: Schizophrenia is a devastating condition characterized by recurrent recurrences, cognitive decline, emotional and functional disabilities. This condition includes positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairment that are very resistant to drug treatment. According to studies, many biomarkers can affect this disorder. However, there is little information about vitamin D and homocysteine levels in patients with disease complications. In the current study, we aimed to investigate this relationship in schizophreniaMethod: This is a case-control study. Thirty-three patients with schizophrenia and 33 healthy individuals from north of Iran-Golestan in 2021 were analyzed. Blood samples were taken from all participants to assess serum levels of vitamin D and homocysteine. In addition, schizophrenic patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Simpson-Angus Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale (SAS) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS 16 software.Results: Of the 66 participants, 66.7% had vitamin D deficiency, and 71.2% had normal homocysteine levels. However, the serum level of vitamin D in schizophrenic patients was lower than in controls (p= 0.035) and serum homocysteine ​​levels were higher in the schizophrenic group than in the control group (p<0.001). Vitamin D levels in patients with schizophrenia were significantly correlated with the overall assessment of extrapyramidal symptoms (r= 0.35, p=0.04). The data obtained did not show a significant relationship between vitamin D and homocysteine ​​levels and PANSS test results (p= 0.3 and 0.8).Conclusion: Serum levels of vitamin D and homocysteine in schizophrenic patients were significantly lower and higher than in the control group, respectively. Improvement of extrapyramidal symptoms in schizophrenic patients has a direct and significant relationship with serum vitamin D.
Simulation of thermal compression and texture evolution of TB6 titanium alloy
Authors: EnRui Zhu , Lulu Guo , Xia Cui , DeLai OuYang
Published: June 2022

The isothermal constant strain rate compression experiment of TB6 titanium alloy was carried out by a Thermecmaster-Z thermal simulator and the stress-strain curves under corresponding conditions was analyzed and discussed. The thermal compression process was simulated by finite element simulation software, and the finite element software was redeveloped to simulate the ODFs of this alloy after experimental at the same time. The results showed that the stress-strain curves by numerical simulation were consistent with the experimental results. The distribution of equivalent stress and strain was uneven, the maximum stress and strain occurred at the center of the specimens. The stress and strain increased with the decrease of deformation temperature or the increase of strain rate. The simulated ODFs had a high agreement with the ODFs by EBSD technology. After thermal compression, the major texture components of the alloy were R-CubeND {001}<110 > and Cube {001}<100 > and they had certain heredity. Increasing the deformation temperature or strain rate can intensify the major texture components and promoted the transition from Y {111}<112 > texture component to Z {111}<110 > texture component. Meanwhile, the intensity of S {123}<634>, Copper {112}<111>, Y {111}<112 > and Z {111}<110 > texture components were reduced.
Biochemical characterization of local populations of Physalis minima suggests correlation between its fruit and medicinal properties
Authors: ANJANI KUMARI , SHARMA V. K. , KUMAR HARSH
Published: June 2022

Physalis minima L. is known to possess numerous medicinal properties and has a potential to be utilized as a fruit plant, but environment induced variations in biochemical constitution have not been identified. The present study was thus carried out for biochemical characterization of different populations of Physalis minima plants of Bihar and determine the correlation between medicinal and fruit value of the plant. Nineteen quantitative biochemical parameters were recorded for the plants of seven populations. Substantial variations within and between populations for all the biochemical characters was observed. The findings indicated the presence of positive and negative correlation within and between the nutritive and medicinal parameters of the plants. The biochemical characters were successfully able to distinguish the populations into different groups. The study thus concludes that the P. minima plants found to have high medicinal value will also have highly nutritious fruits and the biochemical characters can be used as markers to characterize plants of different regions and determine the relatedness between them. The information will enable easy selection of the commercially beneficial plants.
Efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab monotherapy for recurrent/unresectable/metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma: A single-centre study in China
Authors: Li Jieying , He Zongxuan , Tao Yueqin , Yang Xiaochen , Ge Shengyou , Shang Wei , Song Kai
Published: June 2022

Background
Although pembrolizumab can be recommended as a first-line medicine for the treatment of advanced recurrent/unresectable/metastatic(R/U/M)head and neck squamous carcinoma, the differences in efficacy of pembrolizumab in different populations needs to be further investigated.
Methods
We reviewed 15 consecutive patients with R/U/M oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who were treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between February 2021 and May 2022. All 15 patients with known programmed death-ligand 1 expression received multiple cycles of pembrolizumab monotherapy as first-line treatment. The basic characteristics of patients, time to first remission, clinical efficacy, and related adverse reactions were evaluated and analysed.
Results
The objective response rate of the 15 patients was 60%. Six patients (40.0%) achieved partial response and three (20.0%) achieved complete response. The status of objective response in patients can be observed in two to five cycles (mean, 3.6 cycles) in our study. For patients who responded well to immunotherapy, the mean Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score after treatment was significantly higher than the KPS score before treatment (P༜0.001). The progression-free survival rates were 66.9% and 50.1% at 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Eight adverse events were observed in this study: four rash, one hypothyroidism, one interstitial pneumonia, one cheilitis and one cerebral thrombosis.
Conclusion
Our study suggests that pembrolizumab is beneficial for the most responsive patients with R/U/M OSCC in our single-centre study and may shed light on the management of OSCC.
Brain metastases in Japanese NSCLC patients: prognostic assessment and the use of osimertinib and immune checkpoint inhibitors: a retrospective study
Authors: Higaki Hajime , Nishioka Kentaro , Otsuka Manami , Nishikawa Noboru , Shido Motoyasu , Minatogawa Hideki , Nishikawa Yukiko , Takashina Rikiya , Hashimoto Takayuki , Katoh Norio , Taguchi Hiroshi , Kinoshita Rumiko , Yasuda Koichi , Mori Takashi , Uchinami Yusuke , Koizumi Fuki , Fujita Yoshihiro , Takahashi Shuhei , Hattori Takahiro , Nishiyama Noriaki , Aoyama Hidefumi
Published: June 2022

Background: The Graded Prognostic Assessment for lung cancer using molecular markers (Lung-molGPA) has not yet been validated for use with Japanese non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastasis (BM) and the factors impacting survival need to be assessed.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 294 NSCLC patients who were newly diagnosed with BM between 2013 and 2020 and received radiotherapy for BM initially at the Hokkaido Cancer Center. Lung-molGPA items, sequence of therapy, use of osimertinib, expression of PD-L1 (classified as high, low, and no) and use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) were evaluated for influence. The main outcome measure was survival from the day of diagnosis of BM, and log-rank tests were performed to compare the results.Results: The median survival times for adenocarcinoma by groupings of GPA score (0‒1.0, 1.5‒2.0, 2.5‒3.0, and 3.5‒4.0) were 5.5, 14.8, 28.3, and 39.0 months (p<0.0001), respectively. The median survival times for non-adenocarcinoma by groupings of GPA score (0‒1.0, 1.5‒2.0, and 2.5‒3.0) Group were 3.2, 11.0, and 16.0 months (p=0.0011), respectively. In adenocarcinoma patients with gene mutations, osimertinib significantly improved the outcome. The median survival times for the group with and without osimertinib treatment were 34.2 and 17.6 months, respectively (p=0.0164). In a comparison of treatment sequences, no significant differences were found between groups; however, patients who received both irradiation and tyrosine-kinase inhibitor for BM had better prognoses than patients with only irradiation for BM (35.8 months vs 14.8 months, p=0.0007). In patients tested for PD-L1 expression, the median survival times after diagnosis of brain metastasis were 5.6, 22.5, and 9.3 months for high-, low- and no-expression groups (p=0.2198), respectively. Also, in patients with high PD-L1 expression, those with ICI had better survival (median OS, 8.6 months) than those without (median OS, 3.6 months).Conclusions: We conformed that Lung-molGPA successfully classified Japanese NSCLC patients with brain metastasis by prognosis. Osimertinib was shown to extend survival of EGFR-positive NSCLC patients with BM, and ICI proved effective in patients with high PD-L1 expression.Trial registration: Not applicable
Effect of activities of daily living disability on the hospitalization of middle-aged and elderly people in China: a cross-sectional study based on CHARLS data
Authors: Jian Yang , Yuan Yang , Lei Tang , Ruoyun Yin , Qian Hu , Cong Cheng , Fan Zhang
Published: June 2022

BackgroundActivities of daily living (ADL) has been an enduring topic in public health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of ADL and hospitalization among middle-aged and elderly people, and discusses ADL into two aspects.MethodsWe used baseline data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 17,969 subjects was included in this study. The basic activities of daily living (BADL) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were evaluated by the Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS) and Lawton Functional Scale. Stata16.0 and SPSS26.0 were used for data processing and statistical analysis respectively. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis of hospitalization risk, and the logistic regression was used for the multivariate analysis. ResultsAfter controlling for confounders, the hospitalization risk was higher with ADL disability than with no ADL disability (OR=1.413, P<0.01). In order to further understand the influence of ADL types on depression, BADL and IADL were included in the multivariate analysis and found that BADL disability (OR=1.256, P<0.01) and IADL disability (OR=1.375, P<0.01) were associated with the hospitalization risk. Gender, age, household registration type, social health insurance, self-rated health level, the number of chronic diseases, smoking and alcohol drinking also have a relatively great impact on the hospitalization of middle-aged and elderly people (P<0.001).ConclusionsBADL and IADL disability were the risk factors of hospitalization in middle-aged and elderly patients. It was necessary to deeply reform our social medical security system to promote the health of people with ADL disability.
Palliative Care Team in a Brazilian Tertiary Emergency Department
Authors: Lourençato Frederica Montanari , Miranda Carlos Henrique , Borges Marcos de Carvalho , Pazin-Filho Antonio
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To describe the process of implementing a palliative care team (PCT) in a Brazilian public tertiary university hospital and compare this intervention as an active in-hospital search (Strategy I) with the Emergency Department (Strategy II). Methods: We described the development of a complex Palliative Care Team (PCT). We evaluated the following primary outcomes - hospital discharge, death (in-hospital and follow-up mortality) or transfer - and performance outcomes - Perception Index (difference in days between hospitalization and the evaluation by the PTC), follow-up index (difference in days between the PTC evaluation and the primary outcome), and the in-hospital stay. Results: We included 1203 patients - Strategy I (587; 48.8%) and Strategy II (616; 51.2%). In both Strategies, male and elderly patients were prevalent. Most came from internal medicine I (39.3%) and II (57.9%) - p<0.01. General clinical conditions (40%) and Oncology - I (27.7%) and II (32.4%) - represented the majority of the population. Over 70% of all patients had PPS 10 and ECOG 4 above 85%. There was a reduction of patients identified in ICU from I (20.9%) to II (9.2%) - p <0.01, reduction in the ward from I (60.8%) to II (42.5%) - p <0.01 - and a significant increase from I (18.2%) to II (48.2%) in the emergency department - p <0.01. Regarding in-hospital mortality, 50% of patients remained alive within 35 days of hospitalization (Strategy I), while for Strategy II, 50% were alive within 20 days of hospitalization (p<0 .01). As for post-discharge mortality, in Strategy II, 50% of patients died ten days after hospital discharge, while in Strategy I, this number was 40 days (p<0.01). In the Cox multivariate regression model, adjusting for possible confounding factors, Strategy II increased 30% the chance of death. The perception index decreased from 10.9 days to 9.1 days, there was no change in follow-up (12 days), and the duration of in-hospital stay dropped from 24.3 to 20.7 days - p <0.01. The primary demand was the definition of prognosis (56.7%). Conclusion: The present work showed that early intervention by an elaborate and complex PCT in the ED was associated with a faster perception of the need for palliative care and influenced a reduction in the length of hospital stay in a very dependent and compromised old population.
Analysis of lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in breast cancer: A new insight into the role of GBP1P1 pseudogene in breast cancer
Authors: Mohebifer Hossein , Sabaghian Amir , Kalani Mohamad Reza , Farazmandfar Touraj , Golalipour Masoud
Published: June 2022

Background: Pseudogenes are a type of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) demonstrated to have a remarkable ability in post-transcriptional regulation, including cancer. Pseudogenes regulate parental gene expression via the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. In this study, we present an lncRNA ceRNA network in breast cancer.Methods: 378 samples from 10 GEO databases were used to search for significant differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs. Following, the results were confirmed in the TCGA breast cancer database. The experimentally validated miRNAs that target genes and lncRNAs were explored in the DIANA tool to construct a ceRNA network. Finally, the result of ceRNA network analysis was validated in 40 breast cancer patients in lab experiments.Results: We have found 962 genes and lncRNAs in breast cancer. A ceRNA network with the topmost correlated gene-lncRNA and 73 common miRNAs was constructed. Several cancer-related pathways were deregulated, including AKT/mTOR and mTORC1-mediated pathways. We have found three genes with pseudogene pairs with the highest correlations, including GBP1-GBP1P1, PDE4DIP- PDE4DIPP2, and CD24-CD24P4. The GBP1-GBP1P1 had the best correlation with age, menopause status, nodal metastasis, stage, and subclass of patients. Then we assessed the expression of GBP1 and GBP1P1 in 40 breast cancer patients. The expression levels of GBP1 and its pseudogene were significantly upregulated in tumor samples (3.4 and 5.7 fold, respectively). In conclusion, we report a gene-lncRNA ceRNA network in breast cancer that may provide new insights into the role of GBP1P1 in the development of breast cancer.
Highly efficient removal of arsenate and arsenite with potassium ferrate: Role of in situ formed ferric nanoparticle
Authors: Kong Yanli , Ma Yaqian , Guo Meng , Huang Zhiyan , Ma Jiangya , Nie Yong , Ding Lei , Chen Zhonglin , Shen Jimin
Published: June 2022

It is well known that the capacity of potassium ferrate (Fe(VI)) for the oxidation of pollutants or co-precipitation and adsorption of hazardous species. However, little information has been paid on the adsorption and co-precipitation contribution of the Fe(VI) resultant nanoparticles, the in-situ hydrolytic ferric iron oxides. Here, the removal of arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) by Fe(VI) was investigated, which focused on the interaction mechanisms of Fe(VI) with arsenic, especially in the contribution of the co-precipitation and adsorption of its hydrolytic ferric iron oxides. pH and Fe(VI) played significant roles on arsenic removal, over 97.8% and 98.1% of As(V) and As(III) removal were observed when Fe(VI) : As(V) and Fe(VI) : As(III) were 24 : 1 and 16 : 1 at pH 4, respectively. The removal of As(V) and As(III) by in-situ and ex-situ formed hydrolytic ferric iron oxides was examined respectively. The results revealed that As(III) was oxidized by Fe(VI) to As(V), and then was removed though co-precipitation and adsorption by the hydrolytic ferric iron oxides with the contribution content was about 1 : 3. While for As(V), it could be removed directly by the in situ formed particles from Fe(VI) through co-precipitation and adsorption with the contribution content was about 1 : 1.5. By comparison, As(III) and As(V) were mainly removed through adsorption by the 30 min hydrolytic ferric iron oxides during the ex-situ process. The hydrolytic ferric iron oxides size was obviously different in the process of in-situ and ex-situ, possessing abundant and multiple morphological structures ferric oxides, which was conducive for the efficient removal of arsenic. This study would provide a new perspective for understanding the potential of Fe(VI) treatment on arsenic control.