bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subacute thyroiditis- Still a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Zornitzki Taiba , Mildiner Sorcha , Schiller Tal , Kirzhner Alena , Ostrovsky Viviana , Knobler Hilla
Published: April 2022

Background:Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a common inflammatory condition. However, only a few studies evaluating SAT were published in recent years with varying diagnostic criteria. Although thyroid isotope-scan is an accurate non-invasive test for confirming SAT, it was not used as a mandatory diagnostic criteria in prior studies. Aim:To evaluate the clinical presentation and long-term outcome of patients in the community who were found to have SAT confirmed later by an isotope scan.Methods: A retrospective study of 38 consecutive patients with isotope scan-confirmed SAT performed at a single isotope department. All patients were contacted to assess long-term follow-up. Results: The female/male ratio was 1.4:1, mean age was 47±14 years and 62±12 years in women and men, respectively (p=0.002). Almost half of the cases (42%) occurred during the summer. The most common symptoms were neck pain (74%) and weakness (61%). Palpitations, weight loss, heat intolerance, and sweating, appeared in 50%, 42%, 21%, and 21% of patients, respectively. Only half of the patients reported fever. TSH level was low in all patients, mean FT4 and FT3 level were about twice the upper limit of normal range. Elevated CRP and ESR occurred in the majority (88%) of patients. The mean time period between the first family physician clinic-visit and performing thyroid function tests was 8±7 days. One third of the patients initially received a diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). NSAIDs and steroids were prescribed to 47% and 8% patients. Long-term follow-up (range 6-42 months) revealed that 25% remained with subclinical or overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions:These data demonstrate that although SAT is a common entity, there is still a significant delay in diagnosis due to variation in the clinical symptoms. This leads to initial incorrect diagnosis in many cases such as URTI in a third of our patients. A quarter of patients developed long-term hypothyroidism. These data imply that: 1. SAT can still be a diagnostic challenge; 2. Long-term follow-up of thyroid function tests is needed.
Li trapping in nanolayers of cation ‘disordered’ rock-salt cathodes
Authors: DIaz-Lopez Maria , Chater Philip , Proux Olivier , Joly Yves , Hazemann Jean-Louis , Bordet Pierre , Pralong Valerie
Published: April 2022

Disordered rock-salt (DRS) cathodes have attracted considerable attention because of their high first charge capacities and relative low cost. Here we investigate in operando the structure and charge evolution of the Li1.1Mn0.7Ti0.2O2 Li-excess rock-salt cathode with a first charge capacity of 270mAh/g. We associate a certain extent of the capacity fade in DRS can be linked to the formation of locally ordered layered nanodomains within the long-range cation disordered rock-salt. We quantify the short-range ordering of cations during cycling and evaluate its effect on the lithium-ion diffusion and charge compensation using operando studies based on X-ray total scattering and advanced spectroscopic methods at the Mn K-edge, namely High Energy Resolved Fluorescence Detected XANES and Emission Spectroscopies including main and valence-to-core transitions.
Scoping review: Are CVDs risk calculators using the digital platform beneficial for CVDs prevention and management?
Authors: Badawy Mohammed Abd ElFattah Mohammed Darwesh , Naing Lin , Johar Sofian , Ong Sokking , Rahman Hanif Abdul , Tengah Nur’ashikin , Chong Chean Lin , Tuah Nik Ani Afiqah
Published: April 2022

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. This review aimed to summarise evidence on the key features, usability and benefits of CVD risk calculators using digital platforms for CVDs prevention and management in populations. Method and analysis: We conducted a scoping review using a few search engines and thematic analysis. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) as the reporting guideline for this review. The review found that various guidelines are recommending different algorithms for CVD risk prediction. The QRISK® was the more accurate CVD risk calculator for several study populations, whereas World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension risk scores were the least accurate. The key features of CVD risk calculators are variables, predictive accuracy, discrimination index, applicability, understandability, and cost-effectiveness. Ethics and dissemination: As this study will be based only on published studies, ethics approval is not obtained. A development and validation study must be conducted for the selected risk prediction tool, which considers a combination of stroke-specific risk with CVD risk to determine its usability to the local population and benefits to the respective health care setting. Overall, each healthcare setting should utilize a more feasible, accurate and user-friendly online CVD risk assessment tool designed based on the characteristics of the population and health system to enhance healthcare professionals’ roles in the prevention and management of CVDs.
Thermal error modeling of motorized spindle based Elman neural network optimized by Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Li Zhaolong , Zhu Bo , Dai Ye , Zhu Wenming , Wang Qinghai , Wang Baodong
Published: April 2022

The thermal error of the motorized spindle is an essential factor affecting the machining accuracy of high-speed CNC machines. The establishment of a high-speed motorized spindle thermal error model for thermal error compensation can effectively improve the impact of thermal errors on the machining accuracy of the machine tool. This paper proposes a sparrow search algorithm to optimize the Elman neural network to predict thermal errors in motorized spindles. First, thermal characteristics of the A02 high-speed motorized spindle were analyzed using ANSYS Workbench software. Based on the simulation results, the position of the temperature measuring points is arranged in the temperature and thermal error experiment of the motorized spindle. The temperature and thermal displacement data of high-speed motorized spindle at different rotational speeds were collected; Secondly, the method of combining pedigree clustering and k-means clustering is used to perform cluster analysis on each temperature measurement point, and the grey correlation degree is used to determine the correlation between temperature measurement points and thermal error. Three temperature-sensitive points were screened from ten temperature measurement points, which reduced the collinearity between temperature measurement points and the number of independent variables of the model. Finally, the weights and thresholds of the Elman neural network are optimized by the sparrow search algorithm, and the thermal error prediction model of motorized spindle based on SSA-Elman neural network is established and compared with Elman Neural Network and Particle Swarm optimized Elman Neural Network prediction model. The results show that the SSA-Elman neural network model has the highest prediction accuracy and exhibits good stability and generalization ability.
Fetal adrenal gland volume at gestational age of 28–32 weeks for preterm birth prediction
Authors: Raksakulkiat Suphitcha , Imsom-Somboon Nutthaphon
Published: April 2022

BackgroundPreterm birth is the most common complication among pregnant women. Data collected by the World Health Organization found that worldwide preterm birth rates totaled 15-18%. As a result, newborn development is impaired, while perinatal morbidity and mortality increased. The process of spontaneous preterm birth is multifactorial. The published data showed the activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is the one process during parturition. This theory guides the hypothesis that investigating the fetal adrenal gland may lead to discovering a tool to predict preterm birth in asymptomatic pregnant women.MethodsFrom February 2021 to October 2021, we recruited singleton pregnant women with gestational ages between 28 and 32 weeks who came for antenatal care at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The measurements were obtained to calculate the total adrenal gland volume and fetal adrenal gland volume. All pregnant women were followed up until delivery. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for preterm birth prediction to detect the best cut off value using the corrected fetal adrenal gland volume.ResultsAltogether, 102 asymptomatic pregnant women were enrolled. The rate of preterm birth was 13.73% in this study. The ROC curve showed that the best cut off value using cFAGV was ≤18.11 mm3/kg (78.57% sensitivity, 45.45% specificity) for preterm birth prediction among asymptomatic pregnant women.ConclusionsTwo-dimensional ultrasonographic measurements of corrected fetal adrenal gland volume in asymptomatic pregnant women at 28–32 weeks of gestation proved an unsuitable method for preterm birth prediction.
Serous cystadenoma of the head of the pancreas in patient with situs inversus totalis: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Jomaa Sami , Deeb Haya , Alshaar Deema , Alahmar Fadi Obaied
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Personalized tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cell therapy synergizes with simultaneous blockade of PD-1/TIM-3 to treat lung cancer
Authors: Chen Chen , Huang Jingyu , Wang Yujin , Wang Qingwen , Hu Liwen , Guo Zixin , Li Sheng , Hu Weidong
Published: April 2022

Background
Immunotherapy has become a promising innovation in human cancer treatment. However, only a minority of patients were benefited from immunotherapy, including PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, dendritic cell vaccine. Why these novel therapies failed and how to improve their therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients, particularly those with lung cancers, remain elusive.
Methods
The function of dendritic cells (DCs) was analyzed by various ex vivo and in vivo assays. Bone marrow were exploited in vitro to drive DCs to load whole tumor antigens (thereafter named Ag-DC) for T cell priming in vitro and in vivo. In both syngeneic and endogenous lung tumor models, the therapeutic effect, underlying mechanisms and acquired resistance of Ag-DC therapy were examined. Finally, the safety and efficacy of combination therapy of Ag-DC and simultaneous blockade of PD-1 and TIM-3 were investigated.
Results
The function of DCs is repressed with respect to phagocytosis of tumor cells and antigen-dependent T cell priming in lung tumor microenvironment. DCs derived from bone marrow in vitro are able to stimulate tumor antigen-specific T cell activation and subsequent killing of tumor cells. Local or systemic administration of whole tumor antigen-pulsed DCs (Ag-DCs) elicits potent T cell activation, enriched tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and increased memory T cells, contributing to fewer and smaller lung tumors. In addition, Ag-DC therapy induces expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and TIM-3 on T cells, which rationalizes the great synergistic efficacy of combination therapy of Ag-DC and simultaneous blockade of PD-1 and TIM-3.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that bone marrow derived DCs in vitro loaded with whole tumor antigens can inhibit lung tumor initiation and progression by triggering strong T-cell antitumor activity, pulmonary recruitment, and tumor infiltration. Simultaneous blockade of PD-1 and TIM-3 synergizes with Ag-DC therapy in lung cancer treatment, representing a novel combination therapy for lung cancer.
“How do I keep this live in my mind?” Allied Health Professionals’ perspectives of barriers and enablers to implementing Good Clinical Practice in research: A qualitative exploration guided by behaviour change theory
Authors: Wenke Rachel , Roberts Shelley , Angus Rebecca , Owusu Maame Amma , Weir Kelly
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND
Allied health professionals (AHPs) engaged in research are encouraged to comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles to protect participant safety and wellbeing and enhance data integrity. Currently, there is limited exploration into health professionals’ perceptions of implementing and adhering to GCP standards in research. Such knowledge is vital to guide future interventions to increase GCP adherence.
METHODS
This qualitative descriptive study, guided by behaviour change theory, aimed to identify the barriers and enablers AHPs experience when applying GCP principles to research conduct in a public hospital and health service, as well as their perceived support needs. AHPs currently undertaking ethically approved research within a public health service in Queensland, Australia were interviewed to explore barriers and enablers to GCP adherence and support needs, with interview questions guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework.
RESULTS
Ten AHPs across six professions were interviewed. Participants identified several enablers to implementing GCP. These included strong beliefs about the importance of GCP in increasing research rigour and participant safety; existing clinical skills and personal attributes they can apply when implementing, available training and support; and alignment with their moral sense to ‘do the right thing’. Barriers to GCP implementation were generally less commonly reported but included reduced time to implement GCP and a sense of ‘red tape’, a lack of knowledge of GCP principles and a fear of making mistakes, and varying relevance to individual projects. Several suggestions for support were identified beyond training, such as physical resources (e.g., prescriptive checklists, templates and scripts), additional time, and regular one-on-one mentoring support.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides important insights into AHP experiences of implementing GCP principles in research, to guide the development of targeted interventions. Findings suggest clinicians require support beyond standard GCP training to implement GCP on a practical basis and adapt relevant principles to their research designs. Other strategies to enhance GCP implementation and adherence should be further investigated.
Correlations between diet quality and early childhood caries among 2- to 5-year-old Chinese children：A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Ma Zhe , Lei Min , Zhao Caiyun , Lin Xiuyan , Cao Fengdi , Shi Hong
Published: April 2022

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. Diet quality assessment is better than single food or specific nutrient assessment in predicting the risk of ECC. This study is aimed to explore the correlations between diet quality and ECC among 2- to 5-year-old Chinese children. Methods: Totally 150 two- to five-year-old children were selected in this study. The decayed, missing or filled surface (dmfs) of each child was examined and recorded. Then the children were divided by ages and dmfs scores into the caries-free group, ECC group, and severe ECC (SECC) group respectively. The information of 24-h dietary intake from each child was captured via a mobile APP. The diet quality of each child was assessed by calculating the Chinese diet balance index for preschool children (DBI_C) indicators scores, high bound score (HBS), low bound score (LBS) and diet quality distance (DQD). Correlations of HBS, LBS, DQD and scores of 10 food group indicators with ECC were evaluated using rank sum test and logistic regression analysis.Results: The probabilities of ECC and SECC are positively correlated with HBS (OR: ECC=1.102, SECC=1.098) and with DQD (OR: ECC=1.117, SECC=1.114), but not correlated with LBS (P>0.05) among the 2- to 5-year-old children. The severity of caries among the 2- to 5-year-old children are positively correlated with the score of Grains (OR: ECC=1.322, SECC=2.929) and negatively with the score of Food diversity (OR: ECC=0.378, SECC=0.034), but not correlated with other indicators. Conclusions: The possibilities of ECC and SECC among the 2- to 5-year-old children are positively correlated with the degree of excessive dietary intake and dietary imbalance. The severity of caries among the 2- to 5-year-old children is positively correlated with grains intake and negatively with food diversity.
Excess Escherichia elicits mild autism spectrum disorder in young subjects via disturbing the balance of gut microbial GABA metabolism
Authors: Wang Dilong , Zhu Wenhui , Pan Yihang , Wang Tao , Jiang Youheng , Liang Liyang , Fan Shilu , Yan Hui , Costa Clive Da , Zhang Xuesong , Li Huiliang , He Yulong , Li Ningning
Published: April 2022

Background: Accumulating clinical evidence demonstrated that gut microbiota (GM) transfer substantially ameliorated autistic symptoms, implying a role of GM in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Continuous investigation reported GM alteration in ASD individuals, while inconsistency also persists in the abundance of bacterial taxon, as well as their metabolites. Due to deficiencies of stringent study designs, multi-omics assessment, and even animal tests, such data heterogeneity is yet to be addressed, which impedes establishing a causal effect of a specific microbiome-metabolome axis on pathogenesis of ASD.Results: We developed a participant recruitment and sampling procedure that fully considered possible intergroup and intragroup confounders, including age, diet, severity of ASD, and stool consistency. To tease out biological features of ASD from an overarching investigation on metabolome, composition and function of GM, we compared faecal samples collected from 123 children with either mild ASD (n=56) or typical development (TD) (n=67). Metabolite profiling of targeted metabolomics screened and validated a significantly higher ratio of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to glutamate (Glu) as a metabolic signature of ASD. Linked to autistic symptomatology, the microbial GABA/Glu ratio independently distinguished ASD from TD subjects, particularly at 3-5 years. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing displayed substantially declined GM richness but over-presented genus Escherichia in ASD, which was profoundly associated with the increased GABA/Glu ratio. Metagenomics confirmed both structural and metabolic dysbiosis of GM via revealing consistent changes in microbial components and Escherichia abundance, and highlighting overall hypofunction of the GM and imbalanced GABA/Glu synthesis in ASD. We further identified a series of E. coli-specific adhesins that linked Escherichia colonization with GABA production. Quantitative PCR validation supported increment of Escherichia-specific glutamate decarboxylase, promoting GABA synthesis. Further, challenge of healthy weaning mice with gut commensal E. coli induced significant social deficiency, but not abnormalities in repetitive, locomotor, recognition memory- and anxiety-related behaviors. Conclusions: Our multi-omics study elucidated a microbe-metabolite axis out of GM dysbiosis in mild ASD, characterized by over-presented Escherichia and concomitant GABA/Glu imbalance, which were well-marked features of ASD-linked GM at an early age, and potential causal factors of autistic symptomology. Our study provided insight into importance of microbial excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmitters imbalance in diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of ASD.
Detection of blood plasma concentration using SPR-based biosensor employing black phosphor layers and different metals
Authors: Almawgani Abdulkarem H. M. , Daher Malek G. , Taya Sofyan A. , Olaimat Melad M. , Alhawari Adam R. H. , Colak Ilhamic
Published: April 2022

The main role of blood plasma is to transport proteins, hormones and nutrients to certain parts of the body. All blood constituents are carried by blood plasma through the circulatory system. Cells get rid of waste products into the plasma. In this paper, we present a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on a black phosphor (BP) layer to improve the sensor performance. The black phosphor layer is employed as an interacting medium with the sensing medium for the improvement of the sensor sensitivity. The sensor is employed for the detection of blood plasma. Four metals are used: silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al). We found that structures with the BP layer have better performance than those without a BP layer. Cu-structure has shown the highest sensitivity while the Ag-structure has shown the highest quality factor and detection accuracy and the lowest FWHM. As the concentration of the plasma increases, the sensitivity can be enhanced.
Frequency and predictors of post-stroke cognitive impairment in Ethiopian stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zewde Yared Z. , Alem Atalay , Seeger Susanne K.
Published: April 2022

Background: Stroke is emerging as a public health threat to sub-Saharan African countries. Even though cognitive impairment is increasingly being recognized as a major cause of disability in stroke survivors there is no data on the burden of stroke related cognitive dysfunction from Ethiopia. In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency and predictors of post-stroke cognitive impairment in Ethiopian stroke survivors.Methods: Participants were adult stroke survivors who came for follow-up at least 3 months after the last stoke. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. We employed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale-Basic (MOCA-B), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess post-stroke cognition, functional recovery, and depression, respectively.Results: Among 67 stroke survivors (mean age: 52.1 ± 12.7 years, females: 40.3%, low or no education: 41.8%, median stroke duration: 3 years), 28 (41.8%) had post-stroke cognitive impairment. Of these, 20 (30%) had mild cognitive impairment and 8 (12%) had post-stroke dementia. On multivariate analysis, increased age [AOR=0.24, 95% CI (0.07,0.83)], lower education [AOR=4.02, 95% CI (1.13,14.32)] and poor function recovery (mRS ³3) [AOR=0.27, 95% CI (0.08-0.81)] were independently associated with post-stroke cognitive impairment.Conclusion:Cognitive impairment is frequent among Ethiopian stroke survivors. We found that increased age, low educational attainment, and poor recovery on physical function were independently associated with cognitive decline. Although causality cannot be inferred, physical rehabilitation and better education might play a significant role in building cognitive resilience among stroke survivors.
Caregivers in anorexia nervosa: Is grief underlying parental burden?
Authors: Duclos Jeanne , Piva Giulia , Riquin Elise , Lalanne Christophe , Meilleur Dominique , Blondin Soline , Cook-Darzens Solange , Godart Nathalie
Published: April 2022

Purpose. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe chronic disorder and parents’ experience of caregiving is usually marked by emotional distress and burden. Severe chronic psychiatric disorders are known to be linked with the concept of grief. Grief has not been investigated in AN. The aim of this study was to examine parents’ and adolescents’ characteristics that underlie parental burden and grief in AN, and the link between these two dimensions. Methods. Eighty mothers, 55 fathers and their adolescents (N=84) hospitalized for AN participated in this study. Evaluations of clinical characteristics of the adolescent’s illness were completed, as well as self-evaluations of adolescent and parental emotional distress (anxiety, depression, alexithymia). Levels of parental burden were evaluated with the Experience Caregiving Inventory and levels of parental grief with the Mental Illness Version of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief.Results. Main findings indicated that burden was higher in parents of adolescents with a more severe AN; fathers’ burden was also significantly and positively related to their own level of anxiety. Parental grief was higher when adolescents’ clinical state was more severe. Paternal grief was related to higher anxiety and depression, while in mothers, grief was correlated to higher alexithymia and depression. Paternal burden was explained by father’s anxiety and grief, and maternal burden by mother’s grief and her child’s clinical state.Conclusion. Parents of adolescents suffering from AN experienced high levels of burden, emotional distress and grief. These perceptions (that are also inter-related) should be specific targets for intervention aimed at supporting parents. Our results sustained the extensive literature on the need to assist fathers and mothers in their caregiving role. This in turn may improve both their mental health and their abilities as caregivers of their suffering child.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00910169grief; burden; caregiving; parents; anorexia nervosa; gender roleLevel of evidence III
Prevalence of AmpC and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in Sewage Effluents of Dharan, Nepal
Authors: Dahal Prashant , Rai Rojina , Sharma Madhav Raj , Chaudhary Lalit Narayan , Chaudhary Prabha Nand , Khadka Niku , poudel Mausam , Rai Rabin
Published: April 2022

Background
The prevalence of extended-spectrum \(\beta\)-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC \(\beta\)-lactamase (ABL) producing Enterobacteriaceae is increasing rapidly across the world. Members of Enterobacteriaceae like E. coli and Klebsiella spp. exhibit antimicrobial resistance mainly due to the production of beta-lactamase enzymes like extended-spectrum βlactamases, AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases. These bacteria are frequently reported in sewage effluents of hospital and municipal sewerage systems indicating sewage as a promising source for dissemination of such drug-resistant pathogens. However, in most of the developing countries including Nepal, the major portion of sewage is discharged in water sources without proper treatment and disinfection. This study was undertaken to access the prevalence of ESBL and ABL producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in sewage effluents of Dharan, Nepal.
Results
A total of 235 bacteria were isolated, out of which 103 (43.83%) were E. coli and 132 (56.17%) were Klebsiella spp. ESBL production was seen in 157 (66.81%) isolates. Among them, 89 (56.69%) were Klebsiella spp. and 68 (43.31%) were E. coli. 66.02% of total isolated E. coli and 67.42% of total isolated Klebsiella spp. showed production of ESBL enzymes. ABL production was seen in 133 (56.59%) isolates. Among them, 54 (40.60%) were E. coli and 79 (59.40%) were Klebsiella spp. 52.43% of the isolated E. coli and 59.85% of isolated Klebsiella spp. were found producing ABL enzyme.
Conclusions
The results indicate that there is a high prevalence of ESBL and ABL producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in sewage effluents of Dharan. Effective treatment of sewage effluents must be ensured before discharging the sewage into the environment. National guidelines for discharging the municipal sewage must be immediately amended and an effective treatment system before discharge must be implemented. Dissemination of such drug-resistant bacteria in the human population leading to severe public health emergency is likely to occur from sewage contamination, so further study and surveillance and effective prevention and control measures are necessary.
Artificial bone graft substitutes for curettage of benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors: clinical and radiological experience with Cerasorb
Authors: Wittig Ulrike S. , Friesenbichler Jörg , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Igrec Jasminka , Bergovec Marko , Leithner Andreas , Scheipl Susanne
Published: April 2022

Artificial bone graft substitutes (ABGS) for curettage of bone tumors are becoming increasingly popular. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine the efficacy of the ABGS Cerasorb (Curasan-AG, Kleinostheim, Germany), a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), concerning resorption profile, bone healing and remodeling after surgery and to evaluate potential complications. 43 patients suffering from benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors were treated with curettage and refilling of the bony cavity using the ABGS Cerasorb between 2018 and 2021 and included in the final analysis. Clinical follow-up exams with x-rays in two planes were performed six weeks, three months, six months and one year after surgery. After a mean follow-up period of 14.6 months, radiological consolidation following curettage was observed in all patients. Total resorption was observed in 16.3% of patients; in the other 83.7%, resorption was partial. In four patients, of whom two had a tumor in the distal femur and two in the humeral diaphysis, fractures occurred within six weeks after primary surgery. In conclusion, the beta-TCP Cerasorb seems to be a reliable bone graft substitute with low complication rates and is a suitable alternative to autologous bone grafts or allografts. Nonetheless, it shows a tendency of delayed resorption.
Enhanced root growth of the Arabidopsis abi5 mutant under high salinity is associated with reduced NO levels in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Le Quang Tri , Truong Hai An , Nguyen Dinh Thanh , Lee Ye Ji , Chung Eui-Hwan , Lee Hojoung
Published: April 2022

Many environmental factors and stresses influence plant growth and development. High salt stress is expected to have a damaging effect on more than 50% of fully arable land by 2050. Understanding the response of plants to excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers and salt stress is vital for increasing crop productivity. However, the effect of excessive nitrate application on plant growth is controversial and not well-understood; therefore, we investigated the effect of a high nitrate supply and high salt stress on plant growth performance. We showed that abi5-7 plants exhibited tolerance to adverse environmental conditions of high nitrate and high salinity stress. Particularly, abi5-7 plants showed lower endogenous nitric oxide levels than Col-0 plants because of their lower nitrate reductase activity, resulting from the decreased transcript levels of NIA2 , a gene encodes nitrate reductase. The supply of excess nitrate reduced the plant's salt stress tolerance, in which nitric oxide appeared to play a crucial role. Therefore, discovering regulators, such as ABI5, that can regulate nitrate reductase activity and understanding the molecular functions of these regulators are important for implementing gene-editing techniques to modulate transcription factor activities, leading to the optimal accumulation of nitric oxide to increase the productivity of crops exposed to various stress environments.
Clinicians’ Prediction of Survival and Prognostic Confidence in Patients with Far- Advanced Cancer in Three East Asian Countries
Authors: Lee Eon Sook , Hiratsuka Yusuke , Suh Sang-Yeon , Won Seon Hye , Kim Sun-Hyun , Yoon Seok-Joon , Choi Sung-Eun , Choi Hana , Ahn Hong-Yup , Kim Yoonjoo , Hui David , Cheng Shao-Yi , Chen Ping-Jen , Wu Chien-Yi , Mori Masanori , Morita Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Takashi , Tsuneto Satoru
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This study aims to examine accuracy of CPS for 7-, 21-, and 42-day survival of inpatients with far-advanced cancer in 37 palliative care units in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and its association with prognostic confidence.Methods: In this study, discrimination of CPS was investigated through sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, and area under the receiver operating curves (AUROCs) according to 7-, 21-, and 42-day survival. The accuracies of CPS were compared with those of Performance Status-based Palliative Prognostic Index (PS-PPI) in three timeframe prediction. Clinicians were instructed to rate confidence level for each prediction on a 0–10-point scale.Results: A total of 2,571 patients were analyzed. Among the three time-frames, the specificity was highest at 93.2–100.0% for the 7-day CPS and sensitivity was highest at 71.5–86.8% for the 42-day CPS. The AUROCs of the 7-day CPS were 0.88, 0.94, and 0.89 while those of PS-PPI were 0.77, 0.69, and 0.69 for JP, KR, and TW, respectively. In all timeframe, CPS was more accurate than the PS-PPI. As for 42-day prediction, sensitivities of PS-PPI were higher than those of CPS. Clinicians’ confidence was strongly associated with the accuracy of prediction in all three countries (all p values <0.01). Conclusions: CPS accuracies were highest (0.88 -0.94) for the 7-day survival prediction. CPS was more accurate than PS-PPI in all timeframe prediction. Meanwhile, PS-PPI can be a screening tool in 42-day survival prediction which may be supplementary to CPS. Prognostic confidence was significantly associated with the accuracy of CPS.
Identifying Patients with Epilepsy Having Depression/Anxiety Disorder using Common Spatial Patterns of Functional EEG Networks
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Du Kejun , Qu Zhichuang , Lin Yuhang , Guo Daqing , Chen Xin , Shu Haifeng , Yu Sixun
Published: April 2022

Background
The presentation of epilepsy with depression/anxiety disorder (E-AD) is a complex comorbidity, and a systematic psychiatric screen poses a heavy economic burden for the patients. Traditionally, distinguishing between E-AD patients and epilepsy without depression/anxiety disorder (E-no-AD) needs multiple evaluations, which is incredibly difficult owing to the high costs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a reliable assessment protocol to initially distinguish between the two types of patients.
Results
Based on the resting-state electroencephalography signals collected from E-AD and E-no-AD patients, the classification performances were estimated for three different network features, using the support vector machine. The results revealed that the SPN feature of functional network connectivity was remarkably superior to the traditional network feature for distinguishing between the two groups of patients, with appreciable classification accuracy values of 89.90% and 87.37% sensitivity and 91.67% specificity.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate the superiority of functional SPN features as a reliable way in characterizing the differences of E-AD and E-no-AD patients and potentially provide insights for the complex mechanisms causing E-AD in patients.
Contribution of low population immunity to the severe Omicron BA.2 outbreak in Hong Kong
Authors: Chen Lin-Lei , Abdullah Syed Muhammad Umer , Chan Wan-Mui , Chan Brian Pui-Chun , Ip Jonathan Daniel , Chu Allen Wing Ho , Lu Lu , Zhang Xiaojuan , Zhao Yan , Chuang Vivien Wai-Man , Au Albert Ka-Wing , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Srid Siddharth , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Hung Ivan Fan Ngai , Chan Kwok-Hung , To Kelvin Kai-Wang
Published: April 2022

Monitoring population protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants is critical for risk assessment. In this serosurveillance study, older adults show much lower seropositive rates of neutralizing antibody (NAb) against ancestral virus than the younger population. The increase in NAb seopositive rate generally follows the population vaccination uptake rate, but older adults have a much lower NAb seropositive rate than vaccination uptake rate. For all age groups, the seropositive rates of NAb against Omicron variant are much lower than those against the ancestral virus. During the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong which is dominated by Omicron sublineage BA.2, the case-fatality rate is exceptionally high in the ≥80 year-old age group (9.2%). Our study suggests that the severe BA.2 outbreak in Hong Kong can be attributed by the lack of protective immunity in the population, especially among the vulnerable older adults, and highlights the importance of continual surveillance of protective immunity against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Fully inkjet-printed flexible organic voltage inverters as a basic component in digital NOT gates
Authors: Luczak Adam , Mitra Kalyan Y. , Baumann Reinhard R. , Zichner Ralf , Luszczynska Beata , Jung Jaroslaw
Published: April 2022

In relation to conventional vacuum-based processing techniques inkjet printing enables upscaling fabrication of basic electronic elements, such as transistors and diodes. We present the fully inkjet printed flexible electronic circuits, including organic voltage inverter which can work as a NOT logic gate. For this purpose the special ink compositions were formulated to preparation of gate dielectric layer containing poly (4-vinylphenol) and of the semiconductor layer poly[2,5-(2-octyldodecyl)-3,6-diketopyrrolopyrrole-alt-5,5-(2,5-di(thien-2-yl)thieno [3,2-b]thiophene)] (DPPDTT). A printed photoxidized poly (3-hexyltiophene) semiconductor was used as the active layer of the resistors. The operation of the printed inverters and NOT logic gates was analyzed based on the DC current-voltage characteristics of the devices. The resistance of the devices to atmospheric air was also tested. Not encapsulated samples stored for three years under ambient conditions. Followed by annealing to remove moisture showed unchanged electrical parameters in comparison to freshly printed samples.
A clinical and biomechanical comparison of INFIX plus single versus double sacroiliac screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring injury
Authors: Chen Hongfen , Ding Chao , Liu Yongqiang , Huang Feng , Li Heng , Guo Qingxiang , Yang Yuehua , Zhong Hua , Yang Shaozheng
Published: April 2022

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and biomechanical outcome of INFIX plus single with two sacroiliac screw ﬁxation for unstable pelvic fractures of Type C.Methods: Sixteen cadavers were randomly subjected to INFIX plus single or double sacroiliac screw ﬁxations, and then mounted onto the Electroforce loading machine under different vertical load. To investigate the clinical outcomes of the two techniques, Nineteen patients were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcome measures were postoperative radiographic reduction grading (using the Tornetta and Matta grading system), functional outcome (using the Majeed scoring system), and incidence of complications. Results: In the biomechanical study, INFIX plus double sacroiliac screw ﬁxation showed better biomechanical stability than fixation with a single sacroiliac screw (p < 0.05). In our clinical case-series, all 19 patients had bony union 6 months after the operation. INFIX plus double sacroiliac screw ﬁxation also demonstrated a better functional outcome and a higher radiographic satisfactory rate than INFIX plus single sacroiliac screw ﬁxation (79.25±5.47; 91.33±4.97; p<0.05), ( 77.78% vs. 60%; p = 0.05). One patient in INFIX plus single screw ﬁxation group had screw loosening at follow-up 6 months postoperatively. One case in each group suffered heterotopic ossification and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve paralysis, and one patient suffered from infection.Conclusion: INFIX plus double sacroiliac screw ﬁxation demonstrated more stability in cadaveric biomechanical analysis and better clinical outcomes than INFIX plus single sacroiliac screw ﬁxation.
Deletion of Bak1 alleviates microglial necroptosis and neuroinflammation after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Peng Jianhua , Qiu Xiancheng , Tao Qianke , Zhang Lihan , Kuang Chenghao , Xie Yuke , Zhang Lifang , Yin Shigang , Jiang Yong
Published: April 2022

Background: Microglial necroptosis exacerbates neurodegenerative diseases, central nervous system injury and demonstrates a pro-inflammatory process, but its contribution to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is poorly characterized. BCL-2 homologous antagonist-killer protein (Bak1), a critical regulatory molecule of endogenous apoptosis, can be involved in the pathological process of necroptosis by regulating mitochondrial permeability. Despite its possible significance in microglia necroptosis-mediated inflammation, few studies have investigated Bak1's role in microglia necroptosis regulation.Methods: In vivo, an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in mice identified microglia necroptosis and adeno-associated virus targeted interference with microglia Bak1 to determine its effect on neuroinflammation. In vitro knockout of Bak1 in BV2 microglia identified its regulatory role in microglia necroptosis and neuroinflammation, and RNA-Seq clarified the potential downstream regulatory mechanisms.Results: Microglia undergo necroptosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage in vivo and vitro. Knocked-down of Bak1 by adeno-associated virus attenuates microglial necroptosis, alleviates neuroinflammation, and improves neurological function after SAH. Increasing Bak1 expression and mediating BV2 microglia pro-inflammatory phenotype transformation, exacerbating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Abrogating Bak1 reduces necroptosis by downregulating the expression of phosphorylated pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL), then downregulating pro-inflammatory phenotype gene expression. RNA-Seq shows that disrupting BV2 Bak1 downregulates multiple immune and inflammatory pathways and ameliorates cell injury by elevating Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) expression.Conclusions: Our finding demonstrated that deletion of bak1 alleviates microglial necroptosis, neuroinflammation and improved neurological functions after SAH, which was, at least in part, mediated by activation of THBS1 signaling pathway. Bak1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of SAH.
Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in human embryonic stem cells and their differentiated dorsal root ganglion
Authors: Liu Kuang-pin , Ma Wei , Yang Jinwei , Zhang Si-jia , Liu Wei , Zhu Kewei , Liu Jie , Wu Hongjie , Li Liyan
Published: April 2022

To explore the difference of gene expression between undifferentiated hESCs and DRG induced by hESCs differentiation for 1 day by bioinformatics technology, and find out the key differential genes and their potential molecular regulation mechanism; The functions involved are analyzed and predicted. Download the gene chip data series GSE75582 related to stem cells and dorsal root ganglion from the geo expression database, import the gene chip online analysis tool GEO2R, screen out the differential genes, and construct the volcano map. Webgestalt database was used for GO function analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and string analysis and Cytoscape software were used to construct PPI network. Results 4102 differentially expressed genes were screened, of which 2674 were up-regulated and 1428 were down regulated. Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that the genes were mainly enriched in axon guidance, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, pathways in cancer, ECM receiver interaction, focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), PI3K Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, TGF beta signaling pathway Ras signaling pathway, which extracts differential genes in stem cell related signaling pathways, including 34 up-regulated genes and 13 down regulated genes. Conclusion BMP4, Sox2, FGF2, Nanog, Smad3, KLF4, gsk3b and FGFR2 in undifferentiated hESCs are closely related to stem cell self-renewal; BMP4, Sox2, FGF2, Smad3, gsk3b and FGFR2 were mostly related to neuropathic pain and neurite growth. However, the functions of these key genes need to be further confirmed by future experimental studies.
The clinical course of herpes zoster is similar in immunocompetent and immunocompromised pediatric patients
Authors: Bieńkowski Carlo , Talarek Ewa , Pokorska-Śpiewak Maria
Published: April 2022

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an infectious disease caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus infection. It manifests with vesicular eruption in an affected dermatome. We aimed to compare clinical manifestation of herpes zoster in 152 immunocompetent and immunocompromised children. Clinical manifestations were similar. Serious complications, although uncommon, affected not only immunocompromised patients but also otherwise healthy children.
Trans-catheter closure of ASD and abnormal connection of left pulmonary vein to vertical vein: Follow-Up report
Authors: Shabestari Mahmoud Mohamadzadeh , Kerachian Abdollah , Poorzand Hoorak , Eshraghi Ali , Keihanian Faeze
Published: April 2022

Background: Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital anomaly in which one or more pulmonary veins are connected to the venous circulation leading to left to right heart shunt. Although correction of anomalous pulmonary venous connection is achieved through surgery, there are rare instances where the abnormal pulmonary vein has dual connection to both left atrium and the major systemic veins. Under these circumstances catheter-based treatment might become a feasible option. Case presentation: We report a case of atrial septal defect (ASD) and dual drainage of left upper pulmonary vein, which were successfully addressed by occluder devices and followed carefully while detecting early clot formation behind the implanted device in the vertical vein.Conclusion: For comprehensive evaluation of patients with ASD, assessment of pulmonic veins is crucial and in the presence of a vertical vein, the dual drainage of pulmonic veins should be considered.
SLFN5 promotes reversible epithelial and mesenchymal transformation in ovarian cancer
Authors: deng kui , zhang zhen , shang hongkai , xu qiaoping
Published: April 2022

Ovarian cancer is a disease with increasing incidence worldwide, and there is an urgent need for chemotherapy and biological targeted therapy.Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) is an important initiation stage for tumor cells to acquire the ability to invade and metastasize.A growing number of findings suggest that human Schlafen family member 5(SLFN5) plays a key role in malignancy.However, the role of SLFN5 in ovarian cancer cells has not been fully elucidated.Samples were collected from patients with ovarian cancer diagnosed in Hangzhou First People's Hospital, and the expression of SLFN5 was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.The relationship between SLFN5 expression and the progression and malignancy of ovarian cancer was analyzed by using the expression profile data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.The mRNA expression levels of SLFN5 related upstream and downstream signaling pathways were studied by fluorescence quantitative PCR.Silencing SLFN5 was performed by siRNA transfection.The expression of SLFN5 and transfer-related proteins was examined by Western blot.Transwell and wound healing experiments investigated the migration and invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells. TCGA database analysis results showed that in the population with high SLFN5 expression,compared with the group with low SLFN5 expression,OS was worse (P=0.011).SLFN5 silencing had a significant inhibitory effect on EMT and invasion movement of ovarian cancer cells.RT-PCR method was used to detect the mRNA changes of SLFN5 in ovarian cancer tissue and adjacent tissue. It was found that the expression of SLFN5 in ovarian cancer tissue was increased, with a significant difference (P<0.05). Together, these results suggest that SLFN5 may play a synergistic role in tumorigenesis and development of ovarian cancer cells, providing a potential target for future drug development for the treatment of ovarian cancer.