bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity’s Screening in Non Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: An Observational Study
Authors: Magno Stefano , Rossi Maria Maddalena , Filippone Alessio , Rossi Cristina , Guarino Donatella , Maggiore Claudia , Micco Annalisa Di , Dilucca Maddalena , Masetti Riccardo
Published: June 2021

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) can play a role in lowering the risk of breast cancer (BC), but also in reducing treatments related side effects, improving the quality of life and decreasing mortality in BC survivors. Despite these benefits, the majority of BC patients do not achieve the recommended levels of PA and often reduce their exercise frequency after the diagnosis. Moreover, PA screening and counseling are not offered to patients as standard of care, even in high quality breast units. MethodsFrom February 2019 to March 2020, we performed a preoperative physical and nutritional screening in 504 consecutive BC patients waiting for surgery. The screening included an IPAQ questionnaire to evaluate the level of physical activity, measurement of anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist and hips circumference, BMI and Waist Hips Ratio) and evaluation of body composition using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). ResultsThe majority of patients in our series resulted physically inactive: clustering the IPAQ scores, 47% of patients proved to be physically inactive (MET score <700), 34% moderately active (MET score 700-2520) and only 19% physically active (MET score > 2520). In addition, approximately half of the patients (49%) resulted overweight or obese, and more than half (55%) had a percentage of fatty tissue over the recommended cut off for adult women. ConclusionsOur data confirm that assessment of PA levels should become part of the standard preoperative evaluation of BC patients and behavioral interventions should be offered to them, in order to prehabilitate to surgery and improve outcomes.
A Generalized Stochastic Framework for Analyzing Rock Slopes Stability and Designing Reliable Remedial Measures with Limited Investigation Data: Theory and Field Implementation
Authors: Kumar Akshay , Tiwari Gaurav
Published: June 2021

Availability of limited data for rock properties is a very frequently encountered issue for the rock slopes along Himalayan highways due to problems like high costs, manual efforts, geological complexities, difficult terrain etc. involved in rock testing and investigation. Under these conditions, support estimation for rock slides mitigation using traditional deterministic and reliability approaches becomes highly questionable due to inaccuracy in the estimated statistical parameters of rock properties. To resolve this issue, this article proposes a computationally efficient methodology which utilizes Advanced Re-Sampling Reliability Approach (ARRA) along with deterministic approach and Target Reliability Approach (TRA) to estimate required support for rock slides mitigation when limited field and laboratory investigation data is available, with acceptable accuracy and confidence. Proposed methodology was used to design the support measures to mitigate two massive rock slides along a rock-slide prone highway i.e. Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) in India. It was observed from the analysis that availability of limited test data induces high uncertainty in the statistical parameters (mean and standard deviation) and probability distribution of rock properties. Support estimation carried out using traditional deterministic and reliability approaches with this inaccurate probabilistic characterization of rock properties, can lead to inaccurate support estimates for potential rock slides in the presence of limited data; however these methods when coupled with ARRA can lead to significant improvement in computational efficiency and the designer’s confidence for the estimated support.
Primary Low Grade-Extrauterine Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma: Analysis of 10 Cases
Authors: Wu You , Li Nan , Zhang Rong , Bai Ping
Published: June 2021

Background

This study aimed to analyze the clinical and pathological features of extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma (EESS) and explore an effective therapeutic regimen to reduce the recurrence rate in low-grade EESS patients.
Methods

Ten LG-EESS patients who were treated at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Institute and Hospital from June 1999 to June 2019 were collected and analyzed.
Results

(1) Patient demographics is summarized in Table 1. Preoperative CA125 examination showed that 8 patients had a median level of 49.5 U/L (15.4–168.0 U/L). (2)All ten patients underwent tumor cytoreductive surgery. Five patients underwent optimal tumor resection, achieved a R0 resection. After the initial surgery ,two patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy only, two patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and three patients were treated with chemotherapy plus hormonal treatment.(2) Most EESS patients had multiple tumors. the omentum was the most commonly affected site, followed by ovaries.(3) The median follow-up was 94 (range: 27–228) months, and recurrence was observed in 3 patients (n = 10, 30%). The 5-year and 10-year DFS rates were both 70%, as shown in Fig. 1. OS was both 100% at 5 and 10 years.
Conclusion

As a conclusion, EESS is a rare disease and LG-EESS has a good prognosis. Surgery remains the available treatment for patients. LG-EESS has a risk of late recurrence which requires a long-term follow-up. With a limited sample size, our study shows optimal tumor reductive surgery and adjuvant hormone therapy can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.
Study of Injection Molding Process Simulation and Mold Design of Automotive Back Door Panel
Authors: Mao Huiwen , Wang Youmin , Yang Deyu
Published: June 2021

Numerical simulation of the injection molding process of the outer panel of the automotive plastic rear door and mold design is presented here. CATIA is used to design the original automotive steel structure. In order to efficiently design the panels; finite element analysis is used to verify whether the designed parts meet the mechanical properties requirements such as light weight, low fuel consumption, short production cycle, strong modeling design, high corrosion resistance and good recovery. To simulate the injection molding process, CAE software such as ANSYS and HYPERWORKS are used to analyze the back door of the selected material. After the numerical analysis, suitable material is selected, so that the modal and thermodynamic properties of the product could be satisfied as well as improved. In this paper, UG is used to design the convex and concave mold for the injection molding of the automobile’s plastic back door panel. Combined with the characteristics of the parts and the design requirements of the injection mold, the multi-scheme design of the pouring and cooling system is carried out. By comparing the effects of different gating and cooling systems on injection molding, the best gating and cooling system is selected.
Effect of Sulfate Crystallization on Sandstone in the Yungang Grottoes
Authors: Sun De-an , Zhou Qi-ting , SUN WenJing , Huang JiZhong
Published: June 2021

Subjected to various weathering in nature over long time, sandstone has been deteriorated in the Yungang Grottoes. The repeated dissolution and crystallization of soluble salts are important factors that cause the deterioration of the grotto sandstone. In order to study the action mechanism of sulfate crystallization in the Yungang Grottoes sandstone, deterioration tests were carried out by the “soaking-evaporation” cycle of saturated magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and saturated sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solutions in laboratory. The test results show that the participation of sulfate greatly accelerated the weathering speed of sandstone. The ultrasonic velocity of the specimens circulated in both Na2SO4 and MgSO4 solutions show a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, and changes more obviously in Na2SO4 solution. In the evaporation stage of the circulation, the peeling mass of the specimens circulated in Na2SO4 solution is significantly greater than that in MgSO4 solution. From the evaporation tests on saturated Na2SO4 and MgSO4 solutions and observation with optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, it is found that a dense crystal layer was formed on the surface during the evaporation of saturated MgSO4 solution, and it gradually seals the internal solution, slowing down the further evaporation. During the solution evaporation, Na2SO4 crystallizes into powdery crystals in a flocculent and soft state, and there are pores between the crystal grains. The change in the ultrasonic velocity of specimens in the "soaking-evaporation" cycle tests can be explained by the evaporation test results.
Evaluation the Acute Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Eye Anterior Segment Morphology and on İntraocular Pressure
Authors: Akıncı Fatih , Arslan Abdullah , Özcimen Muammer
Published: June 2021

Purpose: In this study the acute effects of 1 session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on eye anterior segment morphology and on intraocular pressure was evaluated.Materials and methods: 30 patients taking hyperbaric oxygen therapy for different indications were included in this prospective study. Only the right eye per patient was included in the study. The refractive errors were measured with autorefractometry, intraocular pressures were measured with pneumatic tonometry; anterior segment parameters pachymetry, keratometry, anterior chamber depth and iridocorneal angle values were measured with corneal topography prior to and 24 hours after 1 session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Results: In this study 30 eyes from a total of 30 patients were evaluated; 19 men (% 64) and 11 women (% 36). Median age was 44.33 ±16.12 (Age range 18-80 years). Mean intraocular pressure was 13.7 ±4,16 mmHg (milimetermercuries), mean central corneal thickness was 531.9 ±28.24 μm, mean anterior chamber depth was 3.30 ±0.375 mm, mean iridocorneal angle value was 35.3± 6.61 degrees before hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The mean intraocular pressure was 12.66±4,54 mmHg, mean central corneal thickness was 529.43± 26.68 μm, mean anterior chamber depth was 3.28±0.372 mm, mean iridocorneal angle value was 34.5±6.42 degrees after HBOT. A statistically significant decrease in these values were recorded. No statistically significant changes were found in spheric equivalent and keratometry values of the patients before and after HBOT.Conclusions: After one session of HBOT a decrease in intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth and iridocorneal angles of patients were observed; keratometry and spheric equivalent values remained unchanged. More studies are needed in order to use the effects of HBOT on anterior segment morphology and on intraocular pressure for situations like glaucoma, corneal edema etc.
Identifying and Ranking Potential Driver Genes of Alzheimer's Disease Using Weighted Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Xia Liang-Yong , Tang Lihong , Huang Hui , Luo Jie
Published: June 2021

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Identification of AD-related genes from transcriptomics provided new direction to the mechanism for finding potential targets for drug therapy.Methods: We mined gene co-expression network modules from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of AD and normal samples in multiple datasets by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A convergent functional genomic (CFG) method was used to prioritize potential driver genes.Results: The 7567 DEGs were enriched significantly with 61 KEGG pathway and 242 GO terms. Then, the genes in 5 AD-specific modules obtained significantly from DEGs were interconnected with well-known AD risk genes in common PPI network. Remarkably, compared to the number of Tau production-related genes, Aβ play a more critical role. Lastly, the 23 potential driver genes was prioritized by CFG method from 5 AD-specific modules.Conclusions: Identification of AD-related genes could be useful for understanding pathophysiology of AD and looking for candidates drug targets.
Use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Explore Metacognitive Ability and Academic Performance
Authors: Zhang Xueyan , Li Jun , Wang Duolao , Li Xiaomei
Published: June 2021

Previous studies have reported the importance of the precuneus in mediating metacognition and the prefrontal cortex in decision-making tasks. However, the mechanisms underlying metacognition remain to be fully elucidated. Long echo time proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to further explore the neurocognitive correlates of metacognition. Metacognition was based on a self-reported questionnaire of nursing students. MR spectra of the bilateral precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex were recorded. Significant positive correlation was discovered between the total metacognitive score and academic performance (p = 0.007). The precuneus N-acetyl aspartate/creatine + phosphocreatine (NAA/Cr + PCr) ratios corresponded to metacognitive ability. Moreover, the correlation between precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratios and metacognitive ability was established for the right and not for the left precuneus. Linear regression suggested that for every increase in the right precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratio, there is a predicted decrease in the total metacognitive score (p = 0.020). These findings further indicated that the right precuneal region plays an important role in metacognition and learning.
Effect of Household food Insecurity on the Nutritional Status of Children under Five in North Kassala
Authors: Desogi Mohamed Abd Alrazik , Khalid Fatima Abbas , Mohamed Awadia Khojali , Hamza Asma Mahmoud , Mohammed Sarah salih , Abdalla Abdualmoniem Omer , Mohamed Isameldin Mustafa , Adam Mahgoub Ali , Mohammed Abdalla Ali
Published: June 2021

BackgroundMalnutrition and anemia are still major health problem in Sudan .This study aim to assess the magnitude of household food insecurity and its consequences on the nutritional status and anemia of children 6–60 months in north localities in Kassala State (Eastern Sudan) MethodWe administered a cross-sectional survey to 445 households in 16 villages. We used specially designed structured questionnaire. We measure household food insecurity by food consumption score (FCS)Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. Frequencies and Chi2 was performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the final model indicating the predictors of the outcome variable.ResultsFood insecurity and vulnerability for food insecurity was found in 181 (38.7%) of household .There was significant associations (P < 0.001) between household's food insecurity and income, household size, number of children, eating habits and avoidance of certain types of food. the overall prevalence of stunting , wasting and underweight was 52.1%, 35.6% and 53.9% respectively. The result showed that the relationship of nutrition status of children and HH food security was statistically insignificant although stunted and underweight were increased by 8% and 7% respectively in food insecure HH, though the prevalence of wasting was almost similar in food secure and insecure households. The study showed that 262 (76.4%) of children had HB level less than 11g/dL. Mild anemia was reported in only 9.3% while moderate and sever anemia in 34.4% , 32.7% respectively. This study revealed that there is negative association of HB level with HH food security (P<0.05). Among those who had normal HB level 30 (37%) were food insecure, whereas 51 (63%) where food secure in contrast to 195(75.6%) who had low level of HB were food secure. ConclusionAccording to the study findings, more attention is needed to improve household food security in the study area .Good eating habits can be achieved by designing education programs to improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to healthy eating and food preparation and overall, increasing household income through improving the farming methods, and finding the alternative sources of income. Other risk factors of malnutrition and anemia also should be corrected , such as improving maternal education, improving feeding practices regarding avoiding certain type of food and controlling childhood infections.
The Effects of CD82 Palmitoylation on the Metabolic Pathways of EGFR and c-Met in Breast Cancer Cells and their Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Bu Jingya , Zhong Weiliang , Li Meixian , He Shuiqing , Zhang Mingzhe , Zhang Yu , Li Ying
Published: June 2021

Background: As a tumor metastasis suppressor, tetraspanin CD82 is reduced in many malignant tumors and often affects the composition of tumor microenvironment by changing the heterogeneity of cell membrane. EGFR or c-Met signaling pathway can regulate the metastasis ability of tumor cells and participate in the formation of tetraspanin web. The study of CD82 palmitoylation modification and metabolic pathway of tumor related molecules in tumor cells is still incomplete. This article focuses on studying the expression and distribution of EGFR and c-Met in cancer cells as well as related metabolic pathways and their molecular mechanisms after studying different palmitoylation site mutations.Methods: Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were used to detect the distribution of EGFR in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells after different CD82 palmitoylation site mutations. Then use the immunoprecipitation method to determine the interaction relationship between the molecules and the molecular mechanism.Results: We found that when CD82 combined with palmitoylation mutation at Cys5+Cys74 can enhance the internalization of EGFR, but has no effect on the expression and location of c-Met. When CD82 is combined with palmitoylation mutation at the Cys5+Cys74 site, with the assistance of tubulin, EGFR is internalized and strengthened by direct binding to CD82 and a large number of localizations on the recycling endosome. By forming the EGFR/CD82/Rab11a/FIP2 complex, it is metabolized through the circulation pathway, and re-expression of EGFR and CD82 on the cell membrane.Conclusions: From our results, we can demonatrate that CD82 palmitoylation mutation can change the distribution of EGFR in breast cancer cells, which may provide new ideas for breast cancer treatment.
Mobility and Phytoavailability of Arsenic and Cadmium at the Soil-corn Interface in Sewage Irrigation Polluted Farmlands Northwest, China
Authors: Ning Xiang , Wang Shengli , Wu Yi , Liu Mengbo , Yang Meng , Wang Yuqing , Nan Zhongren
Published: June 2021

The activity of heavy metals in farmland soil and the safety of food crops after long-term sewage irrigation are the premise of sustainable development of agriculture. The major pollutants of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in farmland-corn system affected by sewage irrigation for 40 years were studied. The results showed that although the content of total As in soil was high, the absorption and transport of total As by corn were relatively small, and As could not migrate down the soil profile. On the contrary, Cd mainly exists in the form of exchangeable and carbonate-bound which has strong fluidity. By optimizing the method of investigating the bioavailability of pollutants and systematically and comprehensively studying the migration law of pollutants in various parts of maize tissues, it is concluded that Cd still has high activity after stopping sewage irrigation, and the development process of maize roots has a significant relationship between the contact of heavy metals in the surface soil and the enrichment of heavy metals in the upper part of corn tissues (p < 0.01). Therefore, this study can increase the understanding of the migration law of pollutants in corn, and provide a basis for remediation of contaminated soil in local and other areas.
Exploring the Value of Lung Texture Features in Distinguishing Usual and Non-specific Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Chen Xinhui , Cheng Ge , Yang Xinguan , Liao Yuting , Zhou Zhipeng
Published: June 2021

Backgground At present, the most common types of interstitial pneumonia are usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and different types have different prognosis. In addition, if there is a mixture of different classifications, it will be difficult for radiologists to diagnose, and it will make clinical treatment difficult. Therefore, clinicians urgently need new imaging methods to solve such problems. This article aims to explore the CT lung texture images of UIP and NSIP to provide evidence for the identification of UIP and NSIP. Methods A retrospective analysis of 96 cases of interstitial pneumonia diagnosed by the Department of Pathology and the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College. Among them, there are 40 cases of UIP and 56 cases of NSIP. All patients are scanned by CT. Lung Intelligence Kit was utilized to perform lung segmentation and texture feature extraction. Variance analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) and multivariate logistic regression were used to select effective features. Finally, a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify two kinds of interstitial pneumonia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity were used to evaluate performance of the constructed model. We used the LK software to segment the two sets of lungs. Feature calculation and selection were performed on the data of the two groups of interstitial pneumonia after lung segmentation, the logistic regression model was established for the selected features, and the ROC curve was drawn. Results A total of 100 texture features are extracted from the whole lung segmented by LK, and finally 8 features are left after feature reduction. The above-mentioned values of UIP and NSIP of the training group are greater than those of the test group. Conclusions It is possible to distinguish UIP and NSIP by using LK software to extract lung texture in CT images.
Surgical Site Infections in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Preliminary Data from an Italian Oncologic Hub.
Authors: Cappelli Sonia , Pelle Fabio , Clementi Marco , Barba Maddalena , Vici Patrizia , Capomolla Elisabetta , Pizzuti Laura , Corallino Diletta , Sperduti Isabella , Graziano Franco , Piarulli Loredana , Cavicchi Flavia , Magagnano Domenico , De vita Roy , Quercia Vittorio , Pozzi Marcello , Costantini Maurizio , Ciliberto Gennaro , Botti Claudio
Published: June 2021

Background: Over the Covid-19 pandemic, the compelling need of containing the virus spread while providing diseased people with adequate assistance has inevitably reflected on treatment priorities, which have been sometimes radically revised according to the intrinsic nature of the institution considered and its role and action within the pandemic context. We report on the experience matured at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute concerning the effects of the restriction measures adopted during the pandemic on the outcomes of surgical site infections (SSIs) in breast cancer patients (BC-pts) undergoing non-deferrable breast cancer surgery. Methods: Within the frame of an observational study, we compared evidence from two cohorts, namely, the lockdown cohort (LDC) and non-lockdown cohort (NLDC). Patients from the LDC underwent breast cancer surgery between the 15th March 2020 and the 4th May 2020. Breast surgery was performed by the same team and postsurgical controls were performed regularly for a minimum of 12-months. SSIs were defined according to the criteria established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: The LDC originally included 79 breast cancer patients, of whom 62 provided data to the final analysis. In the LDC, initially 64 breast cancer patients, only 52 were finally considered. No relevant differences emerged between LDC and NLDC by general characteristics. We observed significant evidence of lower SSIs in the subgroups of patients having undergone skin reducing mastectomy compared with the remaining subgroups (p=0.003). The overall number of surgical site infections was 10 (8.7%), and the median time to their occurrence17.1 days (7- 42). In the NLDC, 7 (13.5) SSIs were identified, with a median time to occurrence of 18.2 days (7-42). In the LDC, 3 (4.8%) SSIs occurred, with a median time to occurrence of 14.3 days (7 to 21). None of these patients was in need of re-hospitalization and there were no delays in adjuvant treatment starting. Conclusions: The restrictive measures issued during the lockdown period seemed to lower the SSI rates in breast cancer patients undergoing non-deferrable breast surgery, although, caution is needed due to the limited sample size.
Preferred Intra-seasonal Circulation Patterns of the Indian Summer Monsoon and Active-Break Cycles
Authors: Straus David Martin
Published: June 2021

Intra-Seasonal circulation regimes are identified from a cluster analysis of 5-day mean (pentad) anomaly fields of 850 hPa horizontal winds (u,v)from the ERA-Interim reanalysis for the boreal summer season (120 days starting 01June for the years 1979 - 2018) over the broad Indian region (50 o -100 o E; 5 o S - 35 o N). The anomalies are formed with respect to a parabolic (in time) seasonal cycle computed separately for each year, thus filtering out periods of greater than 240 days. The k-means method was applied in the phase space of the leading 6 (12) principal component modes, which explain 65% (78%) of the space-time variance, yielding k clusters. The degree of clustering is significant when compared to synthetic data sets for any value of k > 3.

The transition matrices for k=4 and k=5 establish that the system is most likely to stay in the same cluster from one pentad to the next, but that the significant transitions (with 95% confidence level using a modified bootstrap method) form a cycle. The similarity between the cycle as depicted from 4 or 5 clusters is established by composites of 850 hPa (u,v,), 200 hPa divergence, 500 hPa vorticity and vertical pressure velocity, and daily rainfall over India: Strong convection (with large positive divergence and vorticity) over the subtropical Indian Ocean, moves to the central Bay of Bengal and over central India, then subsequently to the northern Bay of Bengal and west Bengal, and then further north into the Himalayas. The Indian rainfall composites show a similar cycle. The phases in which strong convection is seen over central and northern India are seen for about 60% of the time for both k=4 and k=5 analyses. However the 4 cluster analysis also shows a preferred transition in which the convection moves equatorward from central India.

The number of complete cycles (including a return to the starting cluster) found in the 40 years of data is 7 in the 4-cluster analysis, while the number of times the system undergoes four (three) consecutive legs of the cycle is 16 (31). Fewer instances of complete cycles are found for 5 clusters (only 3), but sequences of five, four and three consecutive legs occur 10, 11 and 28 times respectively.

Composites of the tropics-wide vertically integrated diabatic heating (estimated from ERA5 reanalyses) reproduce the characteristics of the boreal summer intra-seasonal oscillation, with northwest-to-southeast oriented bands of heating moving northward from the tropical Indian Ocean into the subtropics.

This depiction of the active-break cycle is particularly useful for diagnosing the cycle in short-range forecasts: as long as pentad anomalies can be formed, they can be assigned to one of the observed clusters described in this paper without the need for further time-filtering.
Porcine Cysticercosis Seroprevalence and Potential Transmission Risk Factors in Iringa District Council, Tanzania
Authors: Kajuna Flora F , Mwang’onde Beda J , Holst Christine , Ngowi Bernard , Sukums Felix , Noll Josef , Winkler Andrea S. , Ngowi Helena A
Published: June 2021

Background

Porcine cysticercosis is endemic in Tanzania, especially in the southern, central part and northern highlands of the country. The disease reduces meat quality and affects pig industry. This study investigated porcine cysticercosis prevalence and possible risk factors for reference in preparation for sustainable control measures.
Methods

Current seroprevalence and potential risk factors were studied in selected ward/villages of Iringa district council, in the southern highland of Tanzania, prior to a digital health education intervention. A total of 346 pigs from 88 households of Izazi, Migoli and Mlowa wards were studied using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which detects Taenia species antigens (Ag) in sera. Questionnaire used to dig information on pig management and sanitation and hygiene practices.
Results

The AgELISA detected 22.3% of the surveyed pigs as positive for porcine cysticercosis. The detected porcine cysticercosis seropositivity ranged between 21.3% and 25.7% per individual ward, with at least one seropositive pig in 53.4% of the surveyed households. Confining pigs was significantly related to low porcine cysticercosis seropositivity (OR = 2.426; 95% CI = 1.202–5.300; p = 0.026), whereas scavenging pigs had two times chance of being Ag-ELISA seropositive.
Conclusions

Pig confinement and feeding skills and community sensitization on hygiene and sanitation are recommended. Therefore, practical ways of delivering health education to rural communities such as the studied community should be investigated.
Lemierre's Syndrome: A Case of a Large Inflammatory Neck Mass with Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis and Literature Review of Its Surgical Intervention
Authors: Shen Yilin , Ye Bin , Da Qian , Wang Chaofu , Xiang Mingliang
Published: June 2021

Background: Lemierre's syndrome is a fatal and rare disease that is typically characterized by oropharyngeal infection and internal jugular vein thrombosis. Timely application of appropriate antibiotics is the standard treatment. However, when conservative medical treatment fails to have effect, surgical intervention may be the only effective option for controlling the source of infection. Case presentation: The authors report a case of Lemierre's syndrome with a large inflammatory neck mass involving left internal jugular vein thrombosis that was cured by surgical treatment. In addition, a literature review was carried out through PubMed using the terms “Lemierre’s syndrome/disease and review, meta-analysis or retrospective study” and “Lemierre’s syndrome/disease and internal jugular vein”. This search yielded 6 articles that recorded the surgical rate in detail. Conclusion: The purpose of this review was to summarize the conditions under which surgical treatment are conducted. Additionally, this is the first report of such a large inflammatory neck mass that was completely cured by surgical resection and internal jugular vein ligation. The authors further offer several conclusions regarding surgical intervention in Lemierre’s syndrome.
Knowledge, and Practice of Mothers and Its Associated Factors on Colostrum Feeding of Neonates at Este (Mekane-eyesus), South Gondar Amhara, North West, Ethiopia: Community Based Cross-sectional Study 2020
Authors: Wubet Gashaw Mehiret , Zemamu Libsuye Yalgaw , Adan Gashaw Mekete , Getu Bisrat Desie
Published: June 2021

Introduction - Feeding of human breast milk, especially colostrum, is the normative standards for infants and regarded as a complete form of nutrition. The positive health benefits of breastfeeding/breast milk feeding as part of caring for premature, sick and vulnerable newborns are well documented in the scientific literature.Objective -To assess the knowledge and practice of mothers and its contributing factors on colostrum feeding of newborn at Este (Mekane Eyesus), south Gondar Amhara ,north west, ethiopia,2020Method – community-based cross sectional study design was conducted among 376 mothers, from March 10/2020 to May 2020. The study participants were selected by multistage sampling technique after selecting 02 urban and 03 rural kebeles by simple random sampling technique. Each participant was also selected from household after determining and proportionately allocating of samples in each selected kebeles. During selection of participants, house to house visit was made. To select the study participants from each household, Kth interval was determined for each proportionally allocated 3rural and 02 urban kebeles. Multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the strength of association between each variable with milk teeth extraction. Variables with P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Result - knowledge of mothers about colostrum feeding was 86.4 % [95% CI: ( 83.0-89.6)] whereas the overall practice of mothers about colostrum feeding was found to be 98.4% [95%, CI :( 96.8-99.5)]. counseling about colostrum feeding [AOR: 31.1(10.35, 93.2] were significantly associated with knowledge of mothers about colostrum feeding. Regarding to practice of mothers on colostrum feeding mothers’ the place of delivery at home [AOR: 20.00(2.30, 173.8] was significantly associated with practice of mothers about colostrum feeding.Conclusion - Discarding of colostrum (first milk) is still common in Este (Mekane Eyesus) and the surrounding rural kebeles. The current knowledge and practice level of colostrum feeding among mothers was 96.4% and 98.4% respectively and which was considered being high when compared the study conducted in Northern Ethiopia and post-natal educations in health institutions.
Management of an Early Onset Sepsis with COVID19 in a Premature Neonate - A Case Report
Authors: Kaveh Mahbod , sadatinejad seyyed Mohsen
Published: June 2021

Background: neonates appear to be less affected by COVID-19 than adults. The overall challenge has been for all medical specialties, including neonatal intensive care. Unfortunately, current knowledge about severe acute respiratory distress syndrome of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is limited. Case presentation: In this report, we present an ill premature neonate who were born from mother with negative nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-COV-2. On the 5th day of life, baby developed respiratory distress. Nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-COV-2 was positive. Intubation and intratracheal surfactant was implemented. Patient was treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroid over a period of 14 days. Conclusion: The basis of treatment in neonatal covid19 is supportive care. Some studies have treated infants with various drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir, and Remedsivir. In our case, we used corticosteroids and IVIg to treat a 5-day-old baby. We got good results after 2 weeks of treatment with dexamethasone 0.3 mg / kg per day and 2 g / kg IVIg (in three divided doses). It seems that these treatments, along with adjuvant ventilation and the use of endotracheal surfactants, can improve the patient's general condition.
Energetic Glaucoma Segmentation and Classification Strategies using Depth Optimized Machine Learning Strategies
Authors: V ELIZABETH JESI , ASLAM SHABNAM MOHAMED , G RAMKUMAR , M SUJATHA , A ANUSHYA , CHRISTO MARY SUBAJA
Published: June 2021

Glaucoma is a major threatening cause, in which it affects the optical nerve to lead a permanent blindness to individuals. The major causes of Glaucoma are high pressure to eyes, family history, irregular sleeping habits and so on. These kinds of causes leads to Glaucoma easily as well as the affection to such disease leads a heavy damage to the internal optic nervous system and the affected person will get permanent blindness within few months. The eye fluid called aqueous humor is getting blocked inside due to Glaucoma, in normal cases sometimes the fluid comes out from the eye via mesh perspective channel, but this Glaucoma blocks that channel and causes the fluid to getting locked inside and provides the permanent blockage inside. So, that the eyes are getting severe affections such as infection, random blindness in initial stages and so on. The World Health Organization analyzes and reports nearly 80 million people around the globe are affected due to some form of Glaucoma. The major problem with this disease is it is incurable, however, the affection stages can be reduced and maintain the same level of affection as it is for the long period but it is possible only earlier stages of identification. This Glaucoma causes structural affection to the eye ball and it is complex to estimate the cause during regular diagnosis. In medical terms, the Cup to Disc Ratio (CDR) is minimized to the Glaucoma patients suddenly and leads a harmful damage to one's eye in severe manner. The general way to identify the Glaucoma is to take Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test, in which it captures the uncovered portion of eye ball (backside) and it is an efficient way to visualize diverse portions of eyes with optical nerve visibility is shown clearly. The OCT images are mainly used to identify the diseases like Glaucoma with proper and robust accuracy levels. In this paper, a new methodology is introduced to identify the Glaucoma on earlier stages called Depth Optimized Machine Learning Strategy (DOMLS), in which it adapts the new optimization logic called Modified K-Means Optimization Logic (MkMOL) to provide best accuracy in results and the proposed approach assures the accuracy level of more than 96.2% with least error rate of 0.002%. This paper focuses on the identification of early stage of Glaucoma and provides an efficient solution to people in case of affection by such disease using OCT images. The exact position point out is handled by using Region of Interest (ROI) based optical region selection, in which it is easy to point the Optical Cup (OC) and Optical Disc (OD). The proposed algorithm of DOMLS proves the accuracy levels in estimation of Glaucoma and shows the practical proofs on resulting section in clear manner.
Balloon Assisted, Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Thrombin Injection of a Large Radial Artery Pseudoaneurysm Using a Trans-Venous Approach via an Ipsilateral Arteriovenous Fistula.
Authors: Gregory Mark , Guest Mike , Abdeen Islam , Steiner Kate
Published: June 2021

Background: Pseudoaneurysm formation is known to complicate arteriovenous haemodialysis access. Ultrasound guided thrombin injection is a recognised treatment option, but is not possible in pseudoaneurysms with no measurable neck. Balloon assisted techniques have been described in such cases, which transiently obstruct flow out of the pseudoaneurysm and thereby prevent non-target embolization during ultrasound guided percutaneous thrombin injection. We describe a novel balloon assisted technique for the treatment of a radial artery pseudoaneurysm, via retrograde access from the draining cephalic vein of an arteriovenous fistula. Method: A 61 year old male with a radio-cephalic fistula was found on duplex ultrasound to have a large radial artery pseudoaneurysm with no measurable neck, as well as a juxta-anastomotic cephalic vein stenosis. Endovascular treatment was selected over open surgery. Retrograde cephalic venous access was established, which allowed for concurrent treatment of both the venous stenosis and the arterial pseudoaneurysm. After balloon dilation of the juxta-anastomotic stenosis, a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter was advanced across the arteriovenous anastomosis and inflated across the neck of the radial artery pseudoaneurysm, to transiently obstruct blood flow. This allowed for safe injection of thrombin into the pseudoaneurysm by direct ultrasound guided sac puncture; thereby achieving thrombosis. Conclusions: Balloon assisted ultrasound guided thrombin injection is an endovascular treatment option that can obviate the need for open surgery in cases involving pseudoaneurysms with no measurable neck. The novel technique described allowed both concurrent treatment of a juxta-anastomotic venous stenosis and treatment of an arterial pseudoaneurysm from a single venous puncture. This technique avoided arterial access and its inherent complications.
Anlotinib Potentially Eliminates Leukemia Stem Cells and Modulates the Chemosensitivity via Inhibiting JAK2-STAT3/5 Signaling
Authors: Jiang Yuelong , Ｌｉｕ Long , Li Zhifeng , Feng Liying , Lin Zhijuan , Chen Qiuling , Chen Guoshu , He Jixiang , Li Guowei , Jiang Yirong , Xu Bing
Published: June 2021

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) remain as the critical barrier to cure of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to its chemoresistance. Here, we explore the role anlotinib -a multiple tyrosine kinases inhibitor in killing LSCs and regulating the chemoresistance. We found anlotinib could effectively induce apoptosis of LSC-like cells as well as primary CD34+ AML LSCs while sparing the normal mononuclear cells in vitro. The anti-leukemia activity of anlotinib was also confirmed in the mice model with Kasumi-1 cells; we further found that anlotinib could impair the regeneration capacity of LSCs in the patient-derived leukemia xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, anlotinib could not only inhibit phosphorylation of c-kit and JAK2 /STAT3 and STAT5 but also downregulate STAT3 and STAT5 expression. In addition, anlotinib downregulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl and upregulated Bax, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of LSCs to idarubicin in vitro. In conclusion, our results demonstrated anlotinib showed anti-LSCs activity and enhanced the chemosensitivity via inhibiting JAK2/STAT signaling in preclinical study and provided a rational basis for combinatory strategies that invoving anlotinib and idarubicin.
White Matter Damage as a Consequence of Vascular Dysfunction in a Spontaneous Mouse Model of Chronic Hypoperfusion with eNOS Deficiency
Authors: Chen Xingyong , Chen Ling , Lin Geng , Kodali Mahesh Chandra , Li Mingqi , Lebovitz Sarah Grace , Ortyl Tyler C. , Li LeXiao , Ismael Saifudeen , Singh Purnima , Malik Kafait U , Ishrat Tauheed G , Zheng Wei , Liao Francesca-Fang
Published: June 2021

Background: Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Currently, the mechanistic insights into the evolution and progression of VCID are not fully understood. White matter change represents an invariant feature of both VCID and AD. Compelling clinical neuroimaging and pathological evidence suggest a link between white matter changes and neurodegeneration. Our prior study detected non-perfusion lesions in mice with partial deficiency of endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) expression at a very young age. These lesions developed in multiple brain regions in an age-dependent manner, precisely matching to those hypoperfused areas identified in preclinical AD patients (i.e., temporoparietal and retrosplenial granular cortexes, and hippocampus). We therefore reasoned that eNOS- deficient mice could serve as a spontaneous model of chronic hypoperfusion.Methods/Results: White matter tracts are particularly susceptible to the vascular damage induced by chronic hypoperfusion. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected massive demyelination in the middle aged eNOS-deficient mice. The demyelinated areas were confined to cortical and subcortical areas including the corpus callosum and hippocampus, but did not involve the striatum. The intensity of demyelination correlated with behavioral gait deficits. By Evans blue angiography, we detected blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage as another early pathological change affecting frontal and parietal cortex in eNOS-deficient mice, which occurs in as early as 3-4 months of age. Sodium nitrate fortified drinking water provided to young and middle aged eNOS-deficient mice completely prevented non-perfusion, BBB leakage, and white matter pathology, indicating that impaired endothelium-derived NO signaling may have caused these pathological events. Conclusions: Using eNOS-deficient mice, we identified BBB breakdown and non-perfusion as the two earliest pathological events, resulting from insufficient vascular NO signaling. We speculate that the compromised BBB and chronic hypoperfusion trigger vascular damage, along with oxidative stress and astrogliosis, accounting for the white matter pathological changes in the eNOS-deficient mouse model. We conclude that eNOS-deficient mice represent an ideal spontaneous evolving model for studying the earliest events leading to spontaneous white matter changes, which will be instrumental to future therapeutic testing of drug candidates and for targeting novel/specific vascular mechanisms contributing to VCID and AD.
Dexamethasone and Some Commonly Used Drugs Inhibit MCT8-mediated T3 Transport in Vitro
Authors: Cosmo Caterina Di , De Marco Giuseppina , Agretti Patrizia , Ferrarini Eleonora , Dimida Antonio , Falcetta Pierpaolo , Benvenga Salvatore , Vitti Paolo , Tonacchera Massimo
Published: June 2021

Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) is the first thyroid hormone transporter that has been linked to a human disease. Besides genetic alterations other factors might impair MCT8 activity. To investigate whether some common drugs can inhibit MCT8-mediated T3 transport, [125I]T3 uptake and efflux were measured in COS-7 cells transiently transfected with hMCT8 before and after exposure to increasing concentrations of drugs. The mode of inhibition was also determined. Dexamethasone inhibited T3 uptake at 10 μM; hydrocortisone reduced T3 uptake at 500 and 1000 μM; prednisone and prednisolone were devoid of inhibitory potential. Amiodarone caused a reduction of T3 uptake by MCT8 only at the highest concentrations used (44% at 50 μM and 68% at 100 μM), this effect was weaker than that produced by desethylamiodarone and dronedarone; buspirone resulted a potent inhibitor, reducing T3 uptake even at low concentrations. L-carnitine inhibited T3 uptake only at 500 mM and 1 M. Kinetic experiments revealed a noncompetitive mode of inhibition for all compounds. All drugs inhibiting T3 uptake did not affect T3 release. This study shows a novel effect of some common drugs, which is inhibition of T3 transport mediated by MCT8. Specifically, dexamethasone, buspirone, desethylamiodarone, dronedarone behave as potent inhibitors of MCT8.
A Comparative Study on the Bilateral Areolar Endoscopic Approach Versus the Conventional Open Approach for Thyroidectomy
Authors: ma xiao , Xia Qi-Jun , Song Yun-Tao , Wang Tian-Xiao
Published: June 2021

Background: To compare the safety, advantages and disadvantages of thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) via the bilateral areolar endoscopic approach (BAA) and the conventional open approach (COA).Methods: Eighty-six female patients who underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled and divided into two groups, 42 in the BAA group and 44 in the COA group, according to aesthetic requirements. The operating time, blood loss during surgery, number of dissected lymph nodes, length of hospital stay, drainage removal time and surgical complications between the two surgical approaches were compared. The pain score and cosmetic results of operative incisions were evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS).Results: Patients in the BAA group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss and a significantly shorter scar length (P < 0.001) than those in the COA group. However, the operation time of 97.6 minutes in the BAA group was significantly longer than that in the COA group (76.4 minutes; P < 0.001). Comparison of the number of central lymph nodes (CLNs) dissected, drainage removal time and length of hospital stay revealed no significant differences (P>0.05). Patients in the BAA group experienced significantly less pain than those in the COA group (P<0.001). Similarly, patients were significantly more satisfied with the cosmetic outcomes resulting from the BAA than from the COA (P <0.001).Conclusions: These results show that BAA thyroidectomy exhibits superior advantages in clinical outcomes, such as causing less pain and achieving better cosmetic satisfaction, compared with COA thyroidectomy. Therefore, BAA thyroidectomy is a safe and ideal surgical method for DTC.