bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical optimization of amorphous iron phosphate: inorganic sol–gel synthesis-sodium potential insertion
Authors: Maarouf Fz. , Saoiabi S. , Azzaoui K. , Chrika C. , Khalil H. , Elkaouni S. , Lhimr S. , Boubker O. , Hammouti B. , Jodeh S.
Published: August 2021

Iron phosphate, Fe2(HPO4)3*4H2O, is synthesized at ambient temperature, using the inorganic sol–gel method coupled to the microwave route. The experimental conditions for the gelling of Fe (III)-H3PO4system are previously defined. Potentiometric Time Titration (PTT) and Potentiometric Mass Titration (PMT) investigate the acid–base surface chemistry of obtained phosphate. Variations of surface charge with the contact time, Q a function of T, are examined for time contact varying in the range 0–72 h. The mass suspensions used for this purpose are 0.75, 1.25 and 2.5 g L−1. The point of zero charge (PZC) and isoelectric point (IEP) are defined using the derivative method examining the variations$$\frac{{{\text{dpH}}}}{{{\text{d}}t}} = f\left( {{\text{pH}}} \right)$$dpHdt=fpH, at lower contact time. A shift is observed for PZC and IEP towards low values that are found to be 2.2 ± 0.2 and 1.8 ± 0.1, respectively. In acidic conditions, the surface charge behavior of synthesized phosphate is dominated by$$\overline{{ > {\text{POH}}}}$$>POH¯group which pKa = 2.45 ± 0.15. Q against T titration method is performed for synthesized Fe2(HPO4)3*4H2O in NaCl electrolytes. The maximal surface charge (Q) is achieved at the low solid suspension. Hence, for m = 0.75 g L−1, Q value of 50 coulombs is carried at μ = 0.1 and pH around 12, while charge value around 22 coulombs is reached in the pH range: 3–10. The effect of activation time, Q and pH on sodium insertion in iron phosphate, were fully evaluated. To determine the optimal conditions of the studied process, mathematical models are used develop response surfaces in order to characterize the most significant sodium interactions according to the variation of the pH, Q, the contact time and the contents of the synthesized material.
Visuospatial alpha and gamma oscillations scale with the severity of cognitive dysfunction in patients on the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum
Authors: Wiesman Alex I. , Murman Daniel L. , May Pamela E. , Schantell Mikki , Wolfson Sara L. , Johnson Craig M. , Wilson Tony W.
Published: August 2021

Background

Entrainment of neural oscillations in occipital cortices by external rhythmic visual stimuli has been proposed as a novel therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite this increased interest in visual neural oscillations in AD, little is known regarding their role in AD-related cognitive impairment and in particular during visuospatial processing.

Methods

We used source-imaged magnetoencephalography (MEG) and an established visuospatial processing task to elicit multi-spectral neuronal responses in 35 biomarker-confirmed patients on the AD spectrum and 20 biomarker-negative older adults. Neuronal oscillatory responses were imaged to the level of the cortex, and group classifications and neurocognitive relationships were modeled using logistic and linear regression, respectively.

Results

Visuospatial neuronal oscillations in the theta, alpha, and gamma ranges significantly predicted the classification of patients on the AD spectrum. Importantly, the direction of these effects differed by response frequency, such that patients on the AD spectrum exhibited weaker alpha-frequency responses in lateral occipital regions, and stronger gamma-frequency responses in the primary visual cortex, as compared to biomarker-negative older adults. In addition, alpha and gamma, but not theta, oscillations robustly predicted cognitive status (i.e., MoCA and MMSE scores), such that patients with neural responses that deviated more from those of healthy older adults exhibited poorer cognitive performance.

Conclusions

We find that the multi-spectral neural dynamics supporting visuospatial processing differentiate patients on the AD spectrum from cognitively normal, biomarker-negative older adults. Oscillations in the alpha and gamma bands also relate to cognitive status in ways that are informative for emerging clinical interventions.
DECIMER 1.0: deep learning for chemical image recognition using transformers
Authors: Rajan Kohulan , Zielesny Achim , Steinbeck Christoph
Published: August 2021

The amount of data available on chemical structures and their properties has increased steadily over the past decades. In particular, articles published before the mid-1990 are available only in printed or scanned form. The extraction and storage of data from those articles in a publicly accessible database are desirable, but doing this manually is a slow and error-prone process. In order to extract chemical structure depictions and convert them into a computer-readable format, Optical Chemical Structure Recognition (OCSR) tools were developed where the best performing OCSR tools are mostly rule-based. The DECIMER (Deep lEarning for Chemical ImagE Recognition) project was launched to address the OCSR problem with the latest computational intelligence methods to provide an automated open-source software solution. Various current deep learning approaches were explored to seek a best-fitting solution to the problem. In a preliminary communication, we outlined the prospect of being able to predict SMILES encodings of chemical structure depictions with about 90% accuracy using a dataset of 50–100 million molecules. In this article, the new DECIMER model is presented, a transformer-based network, which can predict SMILES with above 96% accuracy from depictions of chemical structures without stereochemical information and above 89% accuracy for depictions with stereochemical information.
Cost analysis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review
Authors: Gutiérrez Villegas Celia , Paz-Zulueta María , Herrero-Montes Manuel , Parás-Bravo Paula , Madrazo Pérez María
Published: August 2021

Background

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a treatable disease with a high prevalence, and high morbidity associated with significant socioeconomic costs.

Objective

To carry out a systematic review of the literature to analyze the main cost studies associated with COPD, in order to determine the main factors that influence the costs of the disease.

Methods

Searches were conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases for cost studies on COPD published in English, between the years 2015 and 2020. The search terms were “COPD” OR “pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive”, “cost*” OR “cost of illness”, “economic impact” AND “burden of disease”. The inclusion criteria included the identification of reported cost of the disease, economic burden, medical care expenses or use resources for COPD, the methodology used, data sources, and variables studied.

Results

18 publications were analyzed: 17 included direct health costs, 6 included direct non-medical costs, 12 analyzed indirect costs and two reported intangible costs. Most of the studies reported data for developed and European countries, with direct costs being the most studied. Trends were observed in multiple studies of direct and healthcare costs for European countries measured by patient and year, where the higher costs were associated with more severe COPD and a frequent history of exacerbations. The highest costs reported corresponded to hospitalizations and the associated pharmacological treatment. The importance of the loss of productivity and premature retirement within the profile of the COPD patient was also highlighted as the main generator of indirect costs of the disease.

Conclusion

COPD generates substantial costs for the health system, mainly related to moderate to severe stages and the exacerbations and complications entailed. It is important to strengthen health systems with monitoring, evaluation and health education models that allow these patients to remain stable to avoid decompensation and subsequent hospitalizations.
On the optimal energy efficiency and spectral efficiency trade-off of CF massive MIMO SWIPT system
Authors: Li Na , Gao Yuanyuan , Xu Kui
Published: August 2021

Energy efficiency is a key requirement for future network design, and user-centric (UC) cell-free (CF) massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) networks can achieve over ten times the energy efficiency. Based on this, this paper studies a CF MIMO simultaneous wireless information and power transmission system and proposes a UC access point (AP) selection method and a trade-off performance optimization scheme for spectral efficiency and energy efficiency. In this system, users have both energy recovery and information transmission functions. According to the difference between the interference in the energy harvesting and information transmission process, a flexible AP selection scheme is designed. Blindly pursuing high spectral efficiency will result in waste of resources. This paper proposes an evaluation index that takes into account both energy efficiency and spectral efficiency, analyses the trade-off between energy efficiency and spectral efficiency, and jointly optimizes the AP selection scheme and the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) time switching ratio to maximize the trade-off performance. Then, the non-convex problem is converted to a geometric planning problem to solve. The simulation results show that by implementing a suitable AP selection scheme and UL and DL time allocation, the information processing scheme on the AP side has a slight loss in spectral efficiency, but the energy efficiency is close to the performance of global processing on the central processing unit.
Availability and use of personal protective equipment and satisfaction of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Deressa Wakgari , Worku Alemayehu , Abebe Workeabeba , Gizaw Muluken , Amogne Wondwossen
Published: August 2021

Background

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 and are at an increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Risk of infection can be minimized by use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The aim of this study was to assess the availability and use of PPE, and satisfaction of HCPs with PPE in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1134 HCPs in June 2020. A systematic random sampling and consecutive sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data and Chi-square test was used to assess the association between the groups. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction of healthcare workers.

Results

The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 30.26 ± 6.43 year and 52.6% were females. Nurses constituted about 40% of the overall sample, followed by physicians (22.2%), interns (10.8%), midwives (10.3%) and others (16.7%). The majority (77%) of the HCPs reported that their hospital did not have adequate PPE. A critical shortage of N95 respirators was particularly reported, it only increased from 13 to 24% before and during COVID-19, respectively. The use of N95 increased from 9 to 21% before and during COVID-19, respectively. Almost 72% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the availability and use of PPE in their hospital. The independent predictors of the respondents’ satisfaction level about PPE were healthcare workers who reported that PPE was adequately available in the hospital (adjusted OR = 7.65, 95% CI:5.09–11.51), and preparedness to provide care to COVID-19 cases (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.42–3.03).

Conclusions

A critical shortage of appropriate PPE and high level of dissatisfaction with the availability and use of PPE were identified. Therefore, urgent efforts are needed to adequately supply the healthcare facilities with appropriate PPE to alleviate the challenges.
The allometry of cellular DNA and ribosomal gene content among microbes and its use for the assessment of microbiome community structure
Authors: Gonzalez-de-Salceda Luis , Garcia-Pichel Ferran
Published: August 2021

Background

The determination of taxon-specific composition of microbiomes by combining high-throughput sequencing of ribosomal genes with phyloinformatic analyses has become routine in microbiology and allied sciences. Systematic biases to this approach based on the demonstrable variability of ribosomal operon copy number per genome were recognized early. The more recent realization that polyploidy is probably the norm, rather than the exception, among microbes from all domains of life, points to an even larger source bias.

Results

We found that the number of 16S or 18S RNA genes per cell, a combined result of the number of RNA gene loci per genome and ploidy level, follows an allometric power law of cell volume with an exponent of 2/3 across 6 orders of magnitude in small subunit copy number per cell and 9 orders of magnitude in cell size. This stands in contrast to cell DNA content, which follows a power law with an exponent of ¾.

Conclusion

In practical terms, that relationship allows for a single, simple correction for variations in both copy number per genome and ploidy level in ribosomal gene analyses of taxa-specific abundance. In biological terms, it points to the uniqueness of ribosomal gene content among microbial properties that scale with size.
Presenteeism and work ability: development of the Persian version of the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (P-SPS-6) and measurement of its psychometric properties
Authors: Abdi Fatemeh , Jahangiri Mehdi , Kamalinia Mojtaba , Cousins Rosanna , Mokarami Hamidreza
Published: August 2021

Background

Presenteeism is recognized in Iran’s hospitals, however little research has been done to understand and tackle the phenomenon because of a lack of valid tools to measure presenteeism. This study aimed to develop a Persian version of the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) and measure its psychometric properties. Another goal was to examine the relationship between presenteeism and work ability using a sample of 250 nurses.

Methods

The forward–backward translation process and cross-cultural adaptation of the scale were performed according to a standard method. The psychometric properties of the scale were measured using face and content validity, construct validity based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency. Work ability score (WAS) was used to assess discriminative validity and examine the relationship between presenteeism and work ability. Measures of Job Satisfaction and Emotional Exhaustion were used to assess convergent validity with the developed presenteeism scale.

Results

Mean content validity index and content validity ratio were 1 and 0.93 respectively. CFA verified the two-dimensional structure of the scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.77. There were positive relationships between P-SPS-6 and Job Satisfaction, and P-SPS-6 and WAS. There was a significant negative relationship between P-SPS-6 and Emotional Exhaustion.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that the P-SPS-6 had appropriate psychometric properties for studying presenteeism in employees using the Persian language. Given the negative relationship between presenteeism and work ability and the negative consequences associated with it, it is necessary to regularly evaluate this stressor and to emphasize purposeful intervention programs to control or reduce it.
RIPK1 or RIPK3 deletion prevents progressive neuronal cell death and improves memory function after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Wehn Antonia Clarissa , Khalin Igor , Duering Marco , Hellal Farida , Culmsee Carsten , Vandenabeele Peter , Plesnila Nikolaus , Terpolilli Nicole Angela
Published: August 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes acute and subacute tissue damage, but is also associated with chronic inflammation and progressive loss of brain tissue months and years after the initial event. The trigger and the subsequent molecular mechanisms causing chronic brain injury after TBI are not well understood. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate the hypothesis that necroptosis, a form a programmed cell death mediated by the interaction of Receptor Interacting Protein Kinases (RIPK) 1 and 3, is involved in this process. Neuron-specific RIPK1- or RIPK3-deficient mice and their wild-type littermates were subjected to experimental TBI by controlled cortical impact. Posttraumatic brain damage and functional outcome were assessed longitudinally by repetitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and behavioral tests (beam walk, Barnes maze, and tail suspension), respectively, for up to three months after injury. Thereafter, brains were investigated by immunohistochemistry for the necroptotic marker phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase like protein(pMLKL) and activation of astrocytes and microglia. WT mice showed progressive chronic brain damage in cortex and hippocampus and increased levels of pMLKL after TBI. Chronic brain damage occurred almost exclusively in areas with iron deposits and was significantly reduced in RIPK1- or RIPK3-deficient mice by up to 80%. Neuroprotection was accompanied by a reduction of astrocyte and microglia activation and improved memory function. The data of the current study suggest that progressive chronic brain damage and cognitive decline after TBI depend on the expression of RIPK1/3 in neurons. Hence, inhibition of necroptosis signaling may represent a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of chronic post-traumatic brain damage.
Does the choice of response time threshold procedure substantially affect inferences concerning the identification and exclusion of rapid guessing responses? A meta-analysis
Authors: Rios Joseph A. , Deng Jiayi
Published: August 2021

Background

In testing contexts that are predominately concerned with power, rapid guessing (RG) has the potential to undermine the validity of inferences made from educational assessments, as such responses are unreflective of the knowledge, skills, and abilities assessed. Given this concern, practitioners/researchers have utilized a multitude of response time threshold procedures that classify RG responses in these contexts based on either the use of no empirical data (e.g., an arbitrary time limit), response time distributions, and the combination of response time and accuracy information. As there is little understanding of how these procedures compare to each other, this meta-analysis sought to investigate whether threshold typology is related to differences in descriptive, measurement property, and performance outcomes in these contexts.

Methods

Studies were sampled that: (a) employed two or more response time (RT) threshold procedures to identify and exclude RG responses on the same computer-administered low-stakes power test; and (b) evaluated differences between procedures on the proportion of RG responses and responders, measurement properties, and test performance.

Results

Based on as many as 86 effect sizes, our findings indicated non-negligible differences between RT threshold procedures in the proportion of RG responses and responders. The largest differences for these outcomes were observed between procedures using no empirical data and those relying on response time and accuracy information. However, these differences were not related to variability in aggregate-level measurement properties and test performance.

Conclusions

When filtering RG responses to improve inferences concerning item properties and group score outcomes, the actual threshold procedure chosen may be of less importance than the act of identifying such deleterious responses. However, given the conservative nature of RT thresholds that use no empirical data, practitioners may look to avoid the use of these procedures when making inferences at the individual-level, given their potential for underclassifying RG.
The use of knowledge extraction in predicting customer churn in B2B
Authors: Jamjoom Arwa A.
Published: August 2021

Data mining techniques were used to investigate the use of knowledge extraction in predicting customer churn in insurance companies. Data were included from a health insurance company for providing insight into churn behaviour based on a design and application of a prediction model. Additionally, three promising data mining techniques were identified for the prediction of modeling, including logistic regression, neural network, and K-means. The decision tree method was used in the modeling phase of CRISP-DM for identifying the attributes of churned customers. The predictive analysis task is undertaken through classification and regression techniques. K-means clustering variation is selected for exploring if the clustering algorithms categorize the customers in churning and non-churning groups with homogeneous profiles. The findings of the study show that data mining procedures can be very successful in extracting hidden information and get to know customer's information. The 50:50 training set distribution resulted in effective outcomes when the logistic regression technique was used throughout this study. A 70:30 distribution worked effectively for the neural network technique. In this regard, it is concluded that each technique works effectively with a different training set distribution. The predicted findings can have direct implications for the marketing department of the selected insurance company, whereas the models are anticipated to be readily applicable in other environments via this data mining approach. This study has shown that the prediction models can be utilized throughout a health insurance company's marketing strategy and in a general academic context with a combination of a research-based emphasis with a business problem-solving approach.
STEM doctoral students’ skill development: does funding mechanism matter?
Authors: Grote Dustin , Patrick Anita , Lyles Chelsea , Knight David , Borrego Maura , Alsharif Abdulrahman
Published: August 2021

Background

A substantial monetary investment supports STEM doctoral students in the United States (U.S.) through a variety of funding mechanisms (e.g., fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships). However, we have limited knowledge of how students’ funding influences their development of career-relevant skills during graduate school. Using survey data from STEM doctoral students (n = 719) across 35 highly ranked U.S. institutions, we use exploratory factor analysis and nested multivariate regression modeling to understand how students’ primary funding influences development of: (a) research skills; (b) teamwork and project management skills; (c) peer training and mentoring skills, and (d) communication skills.

Results

We find significant differences in students’ self-reported development for all four career-related skills based on their primary funding type. Students with research assistantships reported higher research and teamwork and project management skills than those with teaching assistantships. Yet, students with teaching assistantships reported significantly higher development of peer training and mentoring than students funded via all other types. Students funded via external fellowships reported lower skill development than students funded primarily by research assistantships across all four career-relevant skills.

Conclusions

Doctoral students' development of career-relevant skills are not uniform across primary funding types. Particularly, the perceived benefits of external fellowship funding (i.e., prestige, autonomy, increased pay) may come at the cost of fewer opportunities to develop skills important for career success. STEM graduate education scholars, practitioners, and policymakers should consider and ameliorate the varied impacts that funding mechanisms can have on graduate students’ development of career-relevant skills.
Biocompatible natural deep eutectic solvent-based extraction and cellulolytic enzyme-mediated transformation of Pueraria mirifica isoflavones: a sustainable approach for increasing health-bioactive constituents
Authors: Makkliang Fonthip , Siriwarin Boondaree , Yusakul Gorawit , Phaisan Suppalak , Sakdamas Attapon , Chuphol Natthapon , Putalun Waraporn , Sakamoto Seiichi
Published: August 2021

The presence of specific gut microflora limits the biotransformation of Pueraria mirifica isoflavone (PMI) glycosides into absorbable aglycones, thus limiting their health benefits. Cellulolytic enzyme-assisted extraction (CAE) potentially solves this issue; however, solvent extraction requires recovery of the hydrophobic products. Here, we established the simultaneous transformation and extraction of PMIs using cellulolytic enzymes and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs). The NADES compositions were optimized to allow the use of NADESs as CAE media, and the extraction parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions were 14.7% (v/v) choline chloride:propylene glycol (1:2 mol ratio, ChCl:PG) at 56.1 °C for the cellulolytic enzyme (262 mU/mL) reaction in which daidzin and genistin were extracted and wholly transformed to their aglycones daidzein and genistein. The extraction of PMIs using ChCl:PG is more efficient than that using conventional solvents; additionally, biocompatible ChCl:PG enhances cellulolytic enzyme activity, catalyzing the transformation of PMIs into compounds with higher estrogenicity and absorbability.
Near-channel classifier: symbiotic communication and classification in high-dimensional space
Authors: Hersche Michael , Lippuner Stefan , Korb Matthias , Benini Luca , Rahimi Abbas
Published: August 2021

Brain-inspired high-dimensional (HD) computing represents and manipulates data using very long, random vectors with dimensionality in the thousands. This representation provides great robustness for various classification tasks where classifiers operate at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Similarly, hyperdimensional modulation (HDM) leverages the robustness of complex-valued HD representations to reliably transmit information over a wireless channel, achieving a similar SNR gain compared to state-of-the-art codes. Here, we first propose methods to improve HDM in two ways: (1) reducing the complexity of encoding and decoding operations by generating, manipulating, and transmitting bipolar or integer vectors instead of complex vectors; (2) increasing the SNR gain by 0.2 dB using a new soft-feedback decoder; it can also increase the additive superposition capacity of HD vectors up to 1.7$$\times$$
×
in noise-free cases. Secondly, we propose to combine encoding/decoding aspects of communication with classification into a single framework by relying on multifaceted HD representations. This leads to a near-channel classification (NCC) approach that avoids transformations between different representations and the overhead of multiple layers of encoding/decoding, hence reducing latency and complexity of a wireless smart distributed system while providing robustness against noise and interference from other nodes. We provide a use-case for wearable hand gesture recognition with 5 classes from 64 EMG sensors, where the encoded vectors are transmitted to a remote node for either performing NCC, or reconstruction of the encoded data. In NCC mode, the original classification accuracy of 94% is maintained, even in the channel at SNR of 0 dB, by transmitting 10,000-bit vectors. We remove the redundancy by reducing the vector dimensionality to 2048-bit that still exhibits a graceful degradation: less than 6% accuracy loss is occurred in the channel at − 5 dB, and with the interference from 6 nodes that simultaneously transmit their encoded vectors. In the reconstruction mode, it improves the mean-squared error by up to 20 dB, compared to standard decoding, when transmitting 2048-dimensional vectors.
Lower blood malondialdehyde is associated with past pesticide exposure: findings in Gulf War illness and healthy controls
Authors: Golomb Beatrice Alexandra , Devaraj Sridevi , Messner Alexis K. , Koslik Hayley Jean , Han Jun Hee , Yik Barnabas
Published: August 2021

Background

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a candidate general marker of oxidative stress (OS). We sought to assess the relation of MDA to Gulf War illness (GWI) and to a variety of exposures.

Methods

This is an observational study involving subjects from Southern California recruited from October 2011 to May 2014. MDA was assessed in 81 participants (41 GWI-cases, 40 controls). General and Gulf-specific exposures were elicited. MDA case–control comparison was restricted to 40 matched pairs. The potential association between MDA and exposures was assessed using regression analyses. Gulf-specific exposures were incorporated into a case-specific model.

Results

Plasma MDA was significantly lower in GWI-cases than controls. Composite pesticide and fuel-solvent exposures negatively predicted MDA in the total sample, as well as in the analyses that included either GWI-cases or controls only. Self-reported exposure to organophosphate (OP) nerve gas was a strong predictor for lower MDA level in veterans with GWI.

Conclusion

Past pesticide exposures predicted lower MDA in both veterans with GWI and in healthy controls.
Haematological reference intervals of sows at end gestation in ten French herds, the impact of parity on haematological parameters and the consequences on reproductive performance
Authors: Boulbria Gwenaël , Costa Charlotte Teixeira , Normand Valérie , Bachy Véronique , Rochel Daphné , Brissonnier Mathieu , Berton Pauline , Bouchet Franck , Lebret Arnaud
Published: August 2021

Background

Changes in haematological values occur during the reproductive cycle. In veterinary swine practice, haematological reference intervals for this period are scarce. Over past decades, there has been a remarkable increase in reproductive prolificacy, possibly making previously established haematological reference intervals for sows outdated.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to provide updated haematological reference intervals for sows at end-gestation, to study the influence of parity on those haematological parameters and to evaluate the impact of haemoglobin levels on production performance.

Methods

The data presented in this article were obtained using blood samples from 198 apparently healthy and conventionally managed group-housed sows at end-gestation from ten breeding herds located in France. The samples were analysed for haematological variables using impedance technique on Horiba ABX analyser (Horiba, Kyoto, Japan). The reference intervals were calculated according to the guidelines of The American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology using SUMMARY procedure in R Studio. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were used to evaluate the influence of parity on each haematological parameter and the impact of haemoglobin values on production performances at farrowing. Differences were considered as significant ifp < 0.05.

Results

Reference intervals produced in this study were similar to previously published references but we noticed marked differences in white blood cell values. The study of the impact of parity revealed significant changes for gilts and parity 5 + sows regarding haematological values. Gilts had higher red and white blood cells counts, haemoglobin values and haematocrit values. Regarding haemoglobin values, the higher the number of liveborn and weaned piglets per litter, the lower the haemoglobin value at end-gestation. For sows of fifth or higher gestation, we found that the higher the percentage of stillborn piglets, the lower the haemoglobin value at end-gestation.

Conclusions

This study provides haematological reference intervals for sows at end-gestation. These will be useful for swine veterinarians and researchers for a better understanding of the influence of parity on haematological parameters and haemoglobin values and their relation to reproductive performance.
Eudiplozoon nipponicum: morphofunctional adaptations of diplozoid monogeneans for confronting their host
Authors: Valigurová Andrea , Vaškovicová Naděžda , Gelnar Milan , Kováčiková Magdaléna , Hodová Iveta
Published: August 2021

Background

Monogeneans, in general, show a range of unique adaptations to a parasitic lifestyle, making this group enormously diverse. Due to their unique biological properties, diplozoid monogeneans represent an attractive model group for various investigations on diverse biological interactions. However, despite numerous studies, there are still gaps in our knowledge of diplozoid biology and morphofunctional adaptations.

Results

In this study, we provide a comprehensive microscopic analysis of systems/structures involved in niche searching, sensing and self-protection against the host environment, and excretory/secretory processes in Eudiplozoon nipponicum. Freeze-etching enabled us to detect syncytium organisational features not visible by TEM alone, such as the presence of a membrane subjacent to the apical plasma membrane (separated by a dense protein layer) and a lack of basal plasma membrane. We located several types of secretory/excretory vesicles and bodies, including those attached to the superficial membranes of the tegument. Giant unicellular glands were seen accumulating predominantly in the apical forebody and hindbody haptor region. Muscle layer organisation differed from that generally described, with the outer circular and inner longitudinal muscles being basket-like interwoven by diagonal muscles with additional perpendicular muscles anchored to the tegument. Abundant muscles within the tegumentary ridges were detected, which presumably assist in fixing the parasite between the gill lamellae. Freeze-etching, alongside transmission electron and confocal microscopy with tubulin labelling, enabled visualisation of the protonephridia and nervous system, including the peripheral network and receptor innervation. Three types of receptor were identified: 1) uniciliated sensory endings with a subtle (or missing) tegumentary rim, 2) obviously raised uniciliated receptors with a prominent tegumentary rim (packed with massive innervation and muscles) and 3) non-ciliated papillae (restricted to the hindbody lateral region).

Conclusions

This study points to specific morphofunctional adaptations that have evolved in diplozoid monogeneans to confront their fish host. We clearly demonstrate that the combination of different microscopic techniques is beneficial and can reveal hidden differences, even in much-studied model organisms such as E. nipponicum.
The effect of option trading
Authors: Li Keming
Published: August 2021

This paper studies the effect of option trading on corporate investment and financing policies. Based on prior literature, I hypothesize that option market induces informed trading and thus reduces information asymmetry and the cost of capital. As a result, firms with high option trading have more investment and financing. Specifically, based on the United States public data, this paper finds that option trading volume increases corporate investment and financing, but reduces cash holdings and corporate payouts. These results are robust to the inclusion of industry or firm fixed effect, a control for endogenous options trading, and the use of alternative measures of option trading and corporate policies. The effect of option trading is stronger for firms with higher information asymmetry problems. Finally, this paper finds the results are inconsistent with the “quiet Life” hypothesis and the catering hypothesis.
Serum estrogen and its soluble receptor levels in Egyptian patients with acute leukemia: case-control study
Authors: El-Kaream Samir Ali Abd , Ebied Samia Abd El-Moneim , Sadek Nadia Ali , Saad Dina Mohamed , Nadwan Eman Attia
Published: August 2021

Background

Acute leukemias are malignant neoplastic diseases that arise from either lymphoid [ALL] or myeloid [AML] cell lines that are distinguished by the proliferation of BM non-functional immature cells and subsequently released into the bloodstream. ALL is prevalent malignancy in young, while AML in older. Diagnosis is usually routinely performed through peripheral blood count and smear then confirmed by BM aspirate. It is remarkable to notice that leukemia can be manifested at high, low, and even at normal leucocyte count. While treatment results have improved steadily over the last decades in younger and adults, limited changes have been in survival among subjects of age > 60 years. Aim of the work is to measure the serum estrogen [E2] and its soluble receptor [ER] levels in acute leukemia patients and extrapolate its possible clinical significance. This study included 40 [20 females and 20 males] healthy volunteers clinically free from any disease, 40 [20 females and 20 males] AML patients, and 40 [20 females and 20 males] ALL. To all subjects, serum E2 and its soluble ER level were investigated by ELISA.

Results

Serum E2 [pg/ml] level was lower in AML and ALL female and male patients groups than control group. Serum ER [ng/ml] level was lower in AML and ALL female and male patients groups than control group.

Conclusion

Estimation of serum E2 and its soluble ER level is of edifying diagnostic value. Determination of serum E2 and its soluble ER level in AML and ALL patients is of value in deciding treatment therapeutic target protocol.
FSH versus AMH: age-related relevance to ICSI results
Authors: Salama Sameh , Sharaf Marwa , Salem Sondos M. , Rasheed Mazen Abdel , Salama Ehab , Elnahas Tamer , Lotfy Rehab
Published: August 2021

Background

Women’s fecundity is known to decrease with the increase in chronologic age. Several biomarkers of the ovarian reserve, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti Müllerian hormone (AMH), have been proposed as possible predictors for the response to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Although there are assumptions indicating that the relationship between age and ovarian reserve is highly variable and the potential different validity of ovarian reserve markers in women in different age groups remains to be demonstrated. The purpose of our study was evaluating FSH and AMH as potential predictors of response to controlled ovarian stimulation and prediction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome according to age. This prospective study has been carried out on 218 women having ICSI cycles. Cases were divided into two groups, group 1 (n148), their age < 35 years, and group 2 (n70), their age ≥ 35 years. All women received antagonist protocol during their ICSI cycles. Basal FSH and AMH were measured and correlated to the number of follicles on the day of trigger, the number of oocytes retrieved, chemical, and clinical pregnancies.

Results

The fertilization rate in group 1 was 68.15%, while in group 2 was 77.82% (p = 0.003) while the implantation rate (number of gestational sacs observed at 6 weeks of pregnancy divided by the number of transferred embryos) was 18.95 and 11.98% in group 1 and group 2, respectively (p = 0.041). The clinical pregnancy rate among both groups was 38.51% in group 1, while 24.29% in group 2 (p = 0.038). Women who got pregnant among those aged < 35 years had significantly lower basal FSH (p < 0.001), while women who got pregnant among those aged ≥ 35 years had significantly higher AMH levels (pvalue < 0.001) and higher E2 levels on the day of trigger (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

We found that below the age of 35 years, the chances of pregnancy are more correlated to FSH levels, while above the age of 35 years, AMH was a more relevant test.
Carotid blowout syndrome: endovascular management of a lesser known oncological emergency: case report
Authors: Singh Jitender , Sharma Tarika , Tripathy Taraprasad
Published: August 2021

Background

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) refers to a fatal hemorrhagic complication of cervical carotid arteries that occurs due to rupture of the extracranial carotid artery or one of its major branches in patients treated for head and neck malignancy. In this article, we will discuss two different spectrum of CBS and endovascular approach.

Case presentation

Two cases of per oral bleeding presented in the emergency department. After patients were hemodynamically stabilized, CT angiography was done which showed type II CBS and type III CBS, respectively. This was followed by transfemoral supra-aortic digital subtraction angiogram coil embolization with scaffolding and anchoring technique, respectively, for the patients.

Conclusions

Early recognition of the predictors of CBS by a multidisciplinary team is critical. The endovascular treatment approach is relatively safe and effective with low rates of morbidity and mortality compared to surgical approach in CBS.
GC–MS analysis, toxicological and oral glucose tolerance assessments of methanolic leaf extract of Eucalyptus globulus
Authors: Ajilore Bamidele Stephen , Oluwadairo Tolulope Olamide , Olorunnisola Olubukola Sinbad , Fadahunsi Olumide Samuel , Adegbola Peter Ifeoluwa
Published: August 2021

Background

Eucalyptus globulus leaf has shown promising potential in its efficacy to manage some diseases but little is known about its safety and its use in the management of diabetes. This study was designed to identify the bioactive compounds present in Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract (EGLEX), assess its toxic effects and its oral glucose tolerance ability. Powdered Eucalyptus globulus leaf was extracted with methanol using standard extraction procedure. Preliminary phytochemistry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the extract, its acute and subacute toxic effects and on its glucose tolerance (in-vivo) capability were assessed using standard laboratory techniques.

Results

EGLEX was tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins and terpenoids. Nine compounds were identified by GCMS analysis of the leaf extract. EGLEX (up to 300 mg/kg bwt) showed no toxicity in all the rats dosed for the period of 14 days. The histomorphological study of the liver and kidney tissues harvested from rats dosed with 2000 mg/kg bwt showed features of histoarchitectural distortions in the two tissues. EGLEX (200 mg/kg bwt) further demonstrated effective glucose utilization as insulin and metformin.

Conclusions

The results obtained deduced that EGLEX is safe at a lower dose of 300 mg/kg bwt but toxic at higher dose of 2000 mg/kg bwt, and that single dose (200 mg/kg bwt) of the plant extract prevented hyperglycemia in normal rats.
Pro-Con Debate: 1- vs 2-Hour Fast for Clear Liquids Before Anesthesia in Children
Authors: Disma Nicola , Frykholm Peter , Cook-Sather Scott D. , Lerman Jerrold
Published: August 2021

Perioperative fasting guidelines are designed to minimize the risk of pulmonary aspiration of gastrointestinal contents. The current recommendations from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) are for a minimum 2-hour fast after ingestion of clear liquids before general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or procedural sedation and analgesia. Nonetheless, in children, fasting guidelines also have consequences as regards to child and parent satisfaction, hemodynamic stability, the ability to achieve vascular access, and perioperative energy balance. Despite the fact that current guidelines recommend a relatively short fasting time for clear fluids of 2 hours, the actual duration of fasting time can be significantly longer. This may be the result of deficiencies in communication regarding the duration of the ongoing fasting interval as the schedule changes in a busy operating room as well as to poor parent and patient adherence to the 2-hour guidelines. Prolonged fasting can result in children arriving in the operating room for an elective procedure being thirsty, hungry, and generally in an uncomfortable state. Furthermore, prolonged fasting may adversely affect hemodynamic stability and can result in parental dissatisfaction with the perioperative experience. In this PRO and CON presentation, the authors debate the premise that reducing the nominal minimum fasting time from 2 hours to 1 hour can reduce the incidence of prolonged fasting and provide significant benefits to children, with no increased risks.
Titin M-line insertion sequence 7 is required for proper cardiac function in mice
Authors: Biquand Ariane , Spinozzi Simone , Tonino Paola , Cosette Jérémie , Strom Joshua , Elbeck Zaher , Knöll Ralph , Granzier Henk , Lostal William , Richard Isabelle
Published: August 2021

Titin is a giant sarcomeric protein that is involved in a large number of functions, with a primary role in skeletal and cardiac sarcomere organization and stiffness. The titin gene (TTN) is subject to various alternative splicing events, but in the region that is present at the M-line, the only exon that can be spliced out is Mex5, which encodes for the insertion sequence 7 (is7). Interestingly, in the heart, the majority of titin isoforms are Mex5+, suggesting a cardiac role for is7. Here, we performed comprehensive functional, histological, transcriptomic, microscopic and molecular analyses of a mouse model lacking the Ttn Mex5 exon (ΔMex5), and revealed that the absence of the is7 is causative for dilated cardiomyopathy. ΔMex5 mice showed altered cardiac function accompanied by increased fibrosis and ultrastructural alterations. Abnormal expression of excitation–contraction coupling proteins was also observed. The results reported here confirm the importance of the C-terminal region of titin in cardiac function and are the first to suggest a possible relationship between the is7 and excitation–contraction coupling. Finally, these findings give important insights for the identification of new targets in the treatment of titinopathies.
Energy expenditure across immune challenge severities in a lizard: consequences for innate immunity, locomotor performance and oxidative status
Authors: Hudson Spencer B. , Virgin Emily E. , Kepas Megen E. , French Susannah S.
Published: August 2021

Reptiles, like other vertebrates, rely on immunity to defend themselves from infection. The energetic cost of an immune response is liable to scale with infection severity, prompting constraints on other self-maintenance traits if immune prioritization exceeds energy budget. In this study, adult male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) were injected with saline (control) or high (20 µg g−1 body mass) or low (10 µg g−1 body mass) concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate bacterial infections of discrete severities. The costs and consequences of the immune response were assessed through comparisons of change in resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy metabolites (glucose, glycerol, triglycerides), innate immunity (bactericidal ability), sprint speed and oxidative status (antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen metabolites). High-LPS lizards had the lowest glucose levels and greatest sprint reductions, while their RMR and bactericidal ability were similar to those of control lizards. Low-LPS lizards had elevated RMR and bactericidal ability, but glucose levels and sprint speed changes between those of high-LPS and control lizards. Levels of glycerol, triglycerides, reactive oxygen metabolites and antioxidant capacity did not differ by treatment. Taken together, energy expenditure for the immune response varies in a non-linear fashion with challenge severity, posing consequences for performance and self-maintenance processes in a reptile.
Despedidas e o papel da GV-executivo na difusão de conhecimento científico em administração
Authors: Tonelli Maria José
Published: August 2021

A GV-executivo foi criada em 2002 (com o nome RAE-executivo) e completa exatos 19 anos neste mês de agosto. Ao longo dos anos, a revista já passou por diversas transformações, mas seu objetivo sempre foi propagar conhecimento inovador em gestão e provocar transformações de impacto nas práticas administrativas. Nesses últimos anos, em edições bimestrais, promoveu a disseminação de pesquisas aplicadas desenvolvidas nos 20 centros de pesquisa da Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP).