bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Demandable Services in the Continuum of Care from Antenatal to Postnatal: A Deep-dive Dialogue with Mothers, Health Workers and Psychologists
Authors: Mauluka Chancy , Stones William , Chiumia Isabel Kazanga , Maliwichi Limbika
Published: May 2022

Background: One of the factors affecting quality of care is that clients do not demand care practises during antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. This study aimed to identify care practices that can be demanded by the mother in the continuum of care from antenatal to postnatal.Methods: The study respondents included 122 mothers, 31 health workers and 4 psychologists. The researchers conducted 9 Key Informant Interviews with service providers and psychologists, 8 Focus Group Discussions with 8 mothers per group, and 26 vignettes with mothers and service providers. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) where identified themes were identified and categorised. Results: During ANC and PNC mothers demanded all recommended services presented to them. Some services that were seen as demandable during labour and delivery included 4-hourly assessments of vital signs and blood pressure, emptying of the bladder, swabbing, delivery counselling, administration of oxytocin, post-delivery palpation, and vaginal examination. For the child mothers demanded head to assessments, assessment of vital signs, weighing, cord stamp and eye antiseptics, and vaccines. Women observed that they could demand birth registration even though it was not among the recommended services.Respondents proposed empowerment of mothers with cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal skills to demand services e.g. knowledge of service standards and health benefits and improved self-confidence and assertiveness. In addition, efforts have to be made to address perceived or real health worker attitudes, mental health for the client and the service provider, service provider workload, and availability of supplies.Conclusion: The study found that if a mother is informed in simple language about a service she is supposed to receive, she can demand numerous services in the continuum of care from ANC to PNC. However, demand cannot be a standalone solution for improving quality of care. What the mother can ask for is a step in the guidelines, but she cannot probe deeper to influence quality of the procedure. In addition, empowerment of mothers needs to be coupled with services and systems strengthening in support of health workers.
Inconsistent Condom Use among Street-Based Transgender Sex Workers in Lahore, Pakistan: Socio-Ecological Analysis based on a Qualitative Study
Authors: Bano Shermeen , Rahat Rahla , Fischer Florian
Published: May 2022

Background: A large amount of new HIV infections worldwide is observed amongst key populations which include e.g. commercial sex workers or transgender people and their respective sexual partners. Therefore, this study examined the multi-level context of inconsistent condom use (ICU) in sexual interactions of transgender street-based workers (KSWs) with commercial and non-commercial sexual partners in Lahore. Methods: We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with street-based KSWs to investigate challenges to consistent condom utilization with sexual partners. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis to produce an initial set of codes during the first-level round. An essence-capturing strategy was utilized to identify broader themes through a heuristic exploration of the text. Results: Within a socio-ecological analysis we identified factors influencing ICU among KSWs at three levels. At the individual level, we identified knowledge and awareness, perceived characteristics of sexual partners, age and physical attributes, pleasure and pain, and mental health issues impacting on ICU. Gentrification of historical red-light district, discrimination, harassment and regular evictions, dynamics of cruising spots and places of sexual interactions, competition in sex trade, violence and lack of safety nets in street-based sex work, condom use with lovers, networks with non-governmental organizations were factors associated with ICU. Risk factors at community level were poverty, the influence of gurus, and Dera culture.Conclusions: Until now, HIV prevention efforts in Pakistan have primarily focused on HIV risk factors at the level of individual behaviors within specific networks of target populations. However, our study points towards both the effectiveness and the urgency of interventions that address macro-level risk factors specific to key populations in Pakistan, in addition to behavioral interventions.
A record of the tree-parasitic Phyllactinia powdery mildew on herbaceous Catharanthus roseus based on morphological and molecular-phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Choi In-Young , Abasova Lamiya , Choi Joon-Ho , Shin Hyeon-Dong
Published: May 2022

A previously unknown powdery mildew having an endoparasitic nature was found repeatedly on the lower leaf surface of Catharanthus roseus plants, causing yellowish discolorations on the upper parts of the leaves and premature senescence of affected leaves, in Korea Chasmothecia were formed from October and matured in November. Morphological characterization of the holomorph from five collections showed the fungus belong to the genus Phyllactinia. The nucleotide sequence of rDNA large subunit gene and internal transcribed spacer region of three samples were determined in this study. Based on morphological circumscriptions and results of molecular-phylogenetic analysis, the fungus was identified as Phyllactinia actinidiae. So far, Phyllactinia powdery mildews have been known to be predominanly tree-parasitic species with a few exceptional, obscure records of herbaceous hosts. This report represents a new host record for P. actinidiae, and first confirmed report of host jumping of Phyllactinia species from woody plants to an herbaceous host.
Complete genome sequencing and identification of fiber-degrading potential in Bacillus amyloliquefaciencs strain TL106 from the Tibetan pig
Authors: Shang Zhenda D. , Liu Suozhu , Duan Yanzhen , Bao Chengling , Wang Jian , Dong Bing , Cao Yunhe H.
Published: May 2022

Background
Cellulolytic microorganisms are considered a key player in the degradation of feed fiber. These microorganisms can be isolated from various environments, such as animal gut, plant surfaces, soil and oceans. New Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain TL106 isolated from healthy Tibetan pigs’ faeces, which secretes cellulase and shows strong antimicrobial activity in mice. So, in this study, to better understand a B. amyloliquefaciens strain with cellulose degradation ability, the genome of the strain TL106 was completely sequenced and analyzed. In addition, we also explored the cellulose degradation ability of strain TL106 in vitro.
Results
The present study performed third generation high-throughput DNA sequencing technology and enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro to analyze the complete genome and cellulose degradation ability of B. amyloliquefaciens TL106. The TL106 consisted of one circular chromosome of 3,980,960 bp and one plasmid of 16,916 bp, the gene total length was 3.99 Mb and a total of 4,130 genes predicted. There were also some cellulase and hemicellulase genes detected, including β-glucosidase, endoglucanase, ß-glucanase and xylanase genes. Additionally, the activities of amylase (20.25 U/mL), cellulase (20.86 U/mL), xylanase (39.71 U/mL) and β-glucanase (36.13 U/mL) in the fermentation supernatant of TL106 strain were higher. In the study of degradation characteristics, we found that strain TL106 had a better degradation effect on crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, starch, arabinoxylan and β-glucan of wheat and highland barley.
Conclusions
B. amyloliquefaciens TL106 includes a variety of cellulase and hemicellulase genes, can produce carbohydrate-active enzymes, amylase, cellulase, xylanase and β-glucanase. Additionally, the bacterial solution of strain TL106 can degrade the fiber fraction and non-starch polysaccharides (arabinoxylans and β-glucan) of wheat and highland barley. The present study demonstrated that the degradability of strain TL106 to crude fiber is strong, which may have a good application prospect in the feed industry.
Higher order aberrations of Topography-guided LASIK and Wavefront Optimized LASIK in high and low myopic eyes: a non-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chang Chao-Kai , Mai Elsa Lin-Chin , Lee Chia-Yi , Lian Ie-Bin , Chao Chen-Cheng
Published: May 2022

Background: To investigate high order aberration (HOA) change between topography-guided (TG) and wavefront-optimized (WFO) laser is situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in high myopia Asian.Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted in an ophthalmic clinic in northern Taiwan. 40 eyes of 20 patients aged 20-50 years old were included. Participants received TG-LASIK in one eye and WFO-LASIK on alternate eye. Corneal topography, HOAs including coma, trefoil, spherical aberration (SA), and contrast sensitivity (CS) were collected. Besides, quality of vision (QoV) questionnaire was done by each participant. Nonparametric test were used to infer difference of HOAs and CS between TG-LASIK and WFO-LASIK groups, and subgroup analyses stratified by myopia degree were done. Meta-analysis of our data with 4 previous studies contained 460 eyes was done for HOAs.Results: Postoperative SA and coma in both groups significantly increased (all P<0.05). A marginally lower postoperative trefoil after TG-LASIK was found in high myopia subgroup (mean difference: -0.1267, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.25 to -0.01). The high myopia patients showed more coma and SA compared to low myopia individuals if received TG-LASIK (all 95% CI lower limits>0), and subjects received WFO-LASIK revealed more SA in high myopic status (both 95% CI lower limits>0). Besides, the TG-LASIK group yielded less surgery-induced haze, better clarity at night, and better total quality scores (all P<0.05). In meta-analysis, TG-LASIK has significant superioriy over WFO-LASIK for coma.ConclusionsIncrement of coma and SA are more prominent in high myopia patients receiving TG-LASIK, while both procedures yielded significant postoperative coma and SA.Trial registration: We registered this study on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT04919291).
Synthesis of magnesium aluminates nanoparticles for the removal of arsenic from drinking water
Authors: Alburaih H.A. , aman salma , Ahmad Naseeb , Ijaz Sana , Al-Buriahi M. S. , Farid Hafiz Muhammad Tahir , Arif Muhammad , Husain Ghazanfar , Ullah Hidayat , Alrowaili Z.A.
Published: May 2022

The presence of arsenic in the drinking water causes different diseases in human such as skin lesion, cancer of the lungs, bladder, skin, prostate, kidney, nose, liver, brain, chronic airway obstruction and black foot disease. It has been reported that the concentration of arsenic is increasing in the different areas of Pakistan. Therefore, drinking water samples have been collected from different areas of (Kot chutta) district Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab province, Pakistan and found that the arsenic concentration is much higher than recommended by world health organization (WHO) permissible level. So it is essential to remove the arsenic content from water to save the human’s life. The magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) synthesized by the coprecipitation method has been used as an adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from drinking water. The cubic structure, morphology and the composition of the synthesized adsorbent has been confirmed by XRD, SEM and EDS analyses. The synthesized materials are then used for the adsorptive removal of arsenic from the drinking water collected from various areas of District Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan as well as from the standard samples. Different adsorption models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich) have been employed to the adsorption data. The adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm model was found in the range of 56µg g− 1 which is much higher as compared to already reported in the literature. The results indicate that the magnesium aluminate can be used for the removal of arsenic from drinking water.
Improvement of the functional properties of cellulose acetate film by incorporating with glycerol and n-propanol
Authors: Dai Wei , Li Xiaoyan , Wu Yangfeng , Zang Kairong , Yuan Zhengqiu , Zeng Jianxian , Jian Jian , Zhou Hu
Published: May 2022

Cellulose acetate (CA) was used for the preparation of food packaging film. Glycerol and n-propanol were introduced, as plasticizer and transparent agent, respectively for evaluating the possible changes of the film functional properties of tensile strength and transparency. The transmittance, haze value, tensile strength and flexibility were acquired by using optical and mechanical analyses, respectively. The presence of glycerol improved the functional properties of films by increasing their extensibility, flexibility, and elasticity; however transparency of the films deteriorated with the inclusion of plasticizer. Therefore, the addition of n-propanol as transparent agent into the films enhanced the transparency. Moreover, morphological changes and gas barrier property were confirmed by SEM and WVTR analyses. The results suggest that CA films incorporated with plasticizer and transparent agent have good functional properties in isolating water vapor, mechanical performance and optical properties, demonstrating that the optimal film has a potential in the application for food packaging.
Modeling for prediction of sawing force based on the maximum undeformed chip distribution in the granite sawing
Authors: Kang Jinyou , Zhang Jinsheng , Duan Zuogang , Zhang Heng
Published: May 2022

Sawing by circular saw blades is predominant in the mechanized treatment of natural stone. The predictive sawing force is crucial for optimizing, controlling, and monitoring the sawing process. In this work, a novel model for predicting sawing force, which is based on the distribution of the undeformed chip thickness at the sawing contact arc, was proposed. Based on the analysis of the chip geometry of the circular saw blade, the segment surface was divided into the front end and rear end according to the contact pattern between the segment and granite, and the models of the maximum undeformed chip thickness of diamond particles on the front end and rear end were established. Results suggest that the new proposed force model fully considered the distribution of undeformed chips compared with the current model. And the novel model has higher prediction accuracy, the mean maximum absolute error rate was within 3.77%, and the maximum absolute error rate was within 7.83%. Through theoretical analysis, the ratio (is 1.67) of the maximum thickness of the undeformed chips of the front segment and rear segment can fully explain the wear nonuniformity of the segment. The proposed model is of great significance to the optimization of saw blade structure and process parameters.
Sharpening Key Capabilities and Illuminating Integrative Ways Towards Business Model Innovation
Authors: CHEN CHIH-HUNG
Published: May 2022

Firms strategically improve, promote and sustain competitive advantages through businesses model innovation (BMI). While present research largely focuses on the context of sustainability and BMI from different aspects of business, relatively few studies conduct in-depth analysis of what key capabilities a firm needs to achieve BMI. Meanwhile, although progress has been made in understanding the domain of BMI, present studies often relied solely on either innovation culture or innovation policy. Little is known about the effects of the combination of these two parameters on BMI outcomes. Therefore, this study firstly identifies a firm’s key capabilities that are required towards BMI. Additionally, to examine the compound effect on the indirect relationships between a firm’s key capabilities and BMI outcomes, this paper simultaneously adopts innovation culture as a mediator and innovation policy a moderator. A structured questionnaire was designed and 287 valid samples were collected from a population comprised of 948 listed companies on Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2020. Hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS AMOS for direct path analysis and Process Model 5 for indirect effects. The results show that three key capabilities, including Architecture, Reputation and Innovation, are crucial for a firm to accumulate over time in reaching BMI. The findings also suggest that internal factor of innovation culture and external factor of innovation policies go hand in hand to accelerate firms to reach BMI. The outcomes may assist public authorities and company managers with a useful guideline to make relevant policies and govern businesses.
Spatio-temporal metabolic rewiring in the brain of TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Muñoz-Moreno Emma , Simões Rui Vasco , Tudela Raul , López-Gil Xavier , Soria Guadalupe
Published: May 2022

Background: Brain damage associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs even decades before the symptomatic onset, raising the need to investigate its progression from prodromal stages. In this context, animal models that progressively display AD pathological hallmarks (e.g. TgF344-AD) become crucial. Translational technologies, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), enable the longitudinal metabolic characterization of this disease. However, an integrative approach is required to unravel the complex metabolic changes underlying AD progression, from early to advanced stages.Methods: TgF344-AD and wild-type (WT) rats were studied in vivo on a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, for longitudinal quantitative assessment of brain metabolic profile changes using MRS. Disease progression was investigated at 4 time points, from 9 to 18 months of age, and in 4 regions: cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus.Results: Compared to WT, TgF344-AD rats replicated common findings in AD patients, including decreased N-acetylaspartate in the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus, and decreased glutamate in the thalamus and striatum. Different longitudinal evolution of metabolic concentration was observed between TgF344-AD and WT groups. Namely, age-dependent trajectories differed between groups for creatine in the cortex and thalamus and for taurine in cortex, with significant decreases in Tg344-AD animals; whereas myo-inositol in the thalamus and striatum showed greater increase along time in the WT group.Additional analysis revealed divergent intra- and inter-regional metabolic coupling in each group. Thus, in cortex, strong couplings of N-acetylaspartate and creatine with myo-inositol in WT, but with taurine in TgF344-AD rats were observed; whereas in the hippocampus, myo-inositol, taurine and choline compounds levels were highly correlated in WT but not in TgF344-AD animals. Furthermore, specific cortex-hippocampus-striatum metabolic crosstalks were found for for taurine levels in the WT group but for myo-inositol levels in the TgF344-AD rats.Conclusion: With a systems biology perspective of metabolic changes in AD pathology, our results shed light into the complex spatio-temporal metabolic rewiring in this disease, reported here for the first time. Age- and tissue-dependent imbalances between myo-inositol, taurine and other metabolites, such as creatine, unveil their role in disease progression, while pointing to the inadequacy of the latter as an internal reference for quantification.
A Novel Nomogram Containing Efficacy Indicators to Predict Axillary Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Clinically Node-Positive Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: shi Wenjie , Huang Xiaofeng , Wang Ye , Wan Xinyu , He Jinzhi , Xu Yinggang , Zhang Weiwei , Shi Xiaoqing , Chen Rui , Xu Lu , Zha Xiaoming , Wang Jue
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) could make some clinically node-positive (cN+) breast cancer patients achieve axillary pathologic complete response (pCR). This study aimed to identify the patients who are likely to achieve axillary pCR and help surgeons make surgical decisions of the axilla. Methods: The cN+ breast cancer patients who received NST from 2015 to 2021 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and a nomogram was constructed based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the probability of axillary pCR and validated.Results: The axillary pCR was achieved in 208 (38.7%) patients. Patients who had a higher radiological response rate of breast tumor (P = 0.039), smaller longest diameter of positive node after NST (P = 0.028), ER-negative status (P = 0.006), HER2-positive status (P = 0.048) and breast pCR (P < 0.001) were more likely to achieve axillary pCR. The nomogram had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.747–0.843), and the calibration curve showed good agreement.Conclusion: A nomogram was constructed to predict the axillary pCR of cN+ patients receiving NST based on baseline and efficacy indicators to assist surgeons in making surgical decisions of the axilla.
HMGB1 recruits natural killer cells by CXCL12/CXCR4 axis contributing to persistent airway inﬂammation and airway hyperresponsiveness during the late stage of respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Chen Sisi , Tang Wei , Yu Guangyuan , Liu Enmei
Published: May 2022

We previously showed that both high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and natural killer (NK) cells contribute to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced persistent airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Meanwhile, Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor (chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4) were reported to play important roles in recruitment of immune cells. The relationships between them remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether HMGB1 recruits NK cells via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, thereby mediating RSV-induced persistent airway disorders. An anti-HMGB1 neutralizing antibody and inhibitor of CXCR4 (AMD3100) was administered to observe changes in the percentage of NK cells and airway disorder in nude mice. Results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were elevated in late stage of RSV infection and persistent airway inflammation and AHR were diminished after administration of anti-HMGB1 antibodies, with an associated significant decrease in NK cells. In addition, CXCL12 and CXCR4 were reduced after HMGB1 blockade. Treatment with AMD3100 significantly suppressed the recruitment of NK cells and alleviated the airway disorders. Thus, HMGB1 recruits NK cells through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, leading to persistent airway inflammation and AHR in late stage of RSV infection.
Response to bridge phase treatment in Medication Overuse Headache
Authors: Togha Mansoureh , Martami Fahimeh , Alikhani Reyhaneh , Saatchi Mohammad , Fattahi Mohammad-Reza
Published: May 2022

Objective
Withdrawal of the overused drugs in medication overuse headache (MOH) can contribute to severe rebound headache and many other symptoms. In this regard, some centers perform bridge therapy during the days of withdrawal to manage the rebound headache and withdrawal symptoms resulting from the discontinuation of the offending drug. To investigate the response to treatment during bridge therapy and the association between different risk factors and response to therapy in patients with MOH.
Method
A total of 178 MOH patients with a mean age of 43.29 years and at least one failed outpatient course of treatment was evaluated in the current retrospective cross-sectional study. We investigate the effectiveness of different medications administered during the bridge phase as well as the association between response to treatment and several risk factors. Response to treatment was defined as an improvement of more than 50% in attack duration or intensity 72 hours after receiving treatment.
Results
In our MOH series, all patients who received methylprednisolone and about 70% of those who were treated with celecoxib during bridge therapy, had a response rate of more than 50%. Additionally, MOH duration was significantly shorter in patients with a high response to treatment compared to a low response group.
Conclusion
Our finding suggests that methylprednisolone and celecoxib with high response rates could be good choices as bridge phase therapy in MOH patients. The inverse relationship between the duration of MOH and response to treatment also emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of MOH.
Innovation under Fiscal Constraints: Evidence from Public Sector in Europe
Authors: Khanal Shaleen
Published: May 2022

The Great Recession of 2008 put public sector in Europe under considerable strain. Countries across the continent slashed their public administration budgets to manage their expenditure. Austerity measures also included spending cuts in other important areas like social protection. Under such circumstances, public organizations were under considerable financial and political pressure to find novel and innovative solutions to their increasingly complex social problems. However, evidence shows that financial resources are crucial for organizations to innovate. In this study, we examine the innovation outcomes of public organizations under conditions of budget constraints. Using data from the Coordinating for Cohesion in the Public Sector of the Future (COCOPs) project, we show that fiscal constraints were associated with significant negative innovation outcomes in European public sector. We also use Merton’s strain theory to design a framework for innovation under fiscal constraints. The results support the framework and show that under conditions of strong civic norms, public organizations are forced to innovate when faced with financial strain.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Cobas 6800 RT-PCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Authors: Mahmoud Sally , ganesan subhashini , Raheja Preety , Cantarutti Flavia , Zaher Walid Abbas
Published: May 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid development and launch of several commercial RT-PCR based assays for identification of SARS-CoV-2. However, there is lack of peer-reviewed literatures apart from manufacturers’ on the evaluation of these commercial kits. Therefore, in this study we aim to conduct an inhouse evaluation of the automated Cobas 68000 RT-PCR assay in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections using different pooling techniques.
Methods
An observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of the Cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2 assay in comparison with the Labgun Exofast RT-PCR kit using a by using both the pooled and the non-pooled sample techniques. A total of 300 nasopharyngeal swab samples, 40 known positive samples and 260 negative samples were used for pooling and the performance was evaluated in three different pool sizes of four, five and six sample pools.
Results
The sensitivity and specificity of the Cobas 6800 was 100% when compared to the comparator assay. Sample pooling technique showed that specificity was 100% in all pool sizes and the sensitivity varied from 95% in six pooled sample to 100% in both five and four pooled samples. The lower limit of detection was verified to be 25 copies/ml and strong correlation was observed between the Ct values of the target genes of both the assays.
Conclusion
Cobas 6800 RT-PCR assay is a reliable platform for qualitative and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and can be effectively utilized for pooling of samples with highly efficient performance when the disease prevalence is less.
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Sex Sorted Semen of Bos indicus and Bos taurus Breeds
Authors: Gaddam Naresh , T Viroji Rao S , Putty Kalyani , D Sakaram , Ganji Vishweshwar Kumar
Published: May 2022

Sexed semen can be used to produce offspring of the desired sex, and to produce replacement heifers from genetically superior cows. In the Indian dairy industry, this revolutionary technique is in its budding stage. The objective of this study was to assess quantitative and qualitative parameters of a) bovine cryopreserved sexed (for X sperm cells) (XS) spermatozoa produced through two different major commercial semen sorting techniques, and b) unsexed (US) spermatozoa of Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds. By real-time PCR, it was found that the percentage of X chromosome bearing spermatozoa ranged from 62.88%±0.56 to 71.21±0.93 in US semen samples of four different cattle breeds: Holstein Friesian (HF), Jersey, Gir and Sahiwal. The corresponding values in semen sorted through flow cytometry technique ranged from 99.02% ±3.36 to 99.99%±4.56 in the above four cattle breeds; while the percentage of XS semen obtained through the decapitation of Y chromosome following sorting by flow cytometry ranged from 95.92% ±1.83 to 97.99%±2.74. Qualitatively, US sperm samples were found significantly (P<0.01) superior with high semen motility (65.98% ± 0.23), acrosomal integrity (75.28% ± 0.05), live spermatozoa (67.83% ± 0.42), and less sperm abnormalities (13.82% ± 0.02) than sexed semen samples. This is the first study to compare the quantitative and qualitative parameters of XS and US semen samples of major cattle breeds in India and adds significantly to the knowledge on semen sexing in Indian dairy industry.
Effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on preventive behaviors: Panel data analysis from Japan
Authors: YAMAMURA Eiji , Kosaka Youki , Tsutsui Yoshiro , Ohtake Fumio
Published: May 2022

Background
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is key to reducing the probability of contracting COVID-19. The vaccine is generally known to prevent severe illness, death, and hospitalization as a result of the disease and for considerably reducing COVID-19 infection risk. Accordingly, this might significantly change an individual’s perceived risk of altering everyday behaviors. For instance, the proliferation of vaccination is anticipated to reduce preventive behaviors such as staying at home, handwashing, and wearing a mask.
Methods
We corresponded with the same individuals monthly for 18 months from March 2020 (early stage of COVID-19) to September 2021 in Japan to independently construct large sample panel data (N = 54,007), with a participation rate of 54.7%. We used a fixed effects model, controlling for key confounders, to determine whether vaccination was associated with a change in preventive behaviors.
Results
The major findings are as follows. Contrary to the prediction, (1) based on the whole sample, being vaccinated against COVID-19 led people to stay at home; however, it did not change the habit of handwashing and wearing a mask. Especially after the second shot, respondents were likelier to stay at home by 0.107 (95% CIs: 0.059–0.154) points on a 5-point scale compared to before the vaccination. Dividing the entire sample into young and old, (2) those aged ≤ 40 years were more likely to go out after being vaccinated, and (3) people over 40 years of age were more likely to stay at home (similar to the first result).
Discussion
Preventive behaviors impact all individuals during the current pandemic. Informal social norms motivate people to increase or maintain preventive behaviors even after being vaccinated in societies where these behaviors are not enforced.
Adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy and early markers for cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Nijhof Annemiek Van Ommen - , Jacobse Judy N. , Steggink Lars C. , Lefrandt Joop D. , Gietema Jourik A. , Leeuwen Flora E. Van , Schaapveld Michael , Sonke Gabe S.
Published: May 2022

PurposeAromatase inhibitors (AIs) are an important component of the adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor positive breast cancer (BC) but concerns regarding their cardiovascular safety remain. In this cross-sectional study nested in a breast cancer cohort, we investigated the association between AI exposure and early markers for cardiovascular disease in BC survivors.MethodsThe study population consisted of 569 women, who were 5-7 years (n=277) or 10-12 years (n=292) after BC diagnosis. All participants underwent carotid ultrasound, skin autofluorescence measurement and laboratory evaluation. To quantify AI exposure, we obtained the AI ratio by dividing the duration of AI use by the total duration of endocrine therapy (ET). Patients were classified according to their AI ratio into low (no ET or AI ratio <0.40), intermediate (0.40≤ AI ratio ≤0.60) or high AI exposure (AI ratio >0.60). The association between AI ratio and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the presence of dyslipidemia was assessed using linear and logistic regression.Results Median age at study visit was 55.5 years (range 45.2-63.8). Forty percent (n=231) of the study population had used AIs, of whom the majority sequentially with tamoxifen; median duration of AI use was 3.0 years. Mean cIMT and mean AGEs did not differ across AI exposure groups in univariable and multivariable analysis. The occurrence of dyslipidemia did not vary across AI exposure groups. Intermediate AI exposure was associated with more frequent occurrence of the combined endpoint (elevated cIMT, elevated AGEs and/or dyslipidemia). This association, however, was not present in the group with highest AI exposure.ConclusionAI exposure was not associated with cIMT, AGEs or the presence of dyslipidemia. Our results are reassuring for the cardiovascular safety of patients who receive treatment with AIs to reduce the risk of BC recurrence.Trial registration number (clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02485626, June 30, 2015
Body Mass Index and patient-reported measures of function, quality of life and treatment toxicity in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Nyrop Kirsten A. , Monaco Jane , Vohra Sanah , Deal Allison , Wood William A , Shachar Shlomit S , Dees E Claire , Kimmick Gretchen G , Speca JoEllen C , Muss Hyman B
Published: May 2022

Background: This study investigates whether high body mass index (BMI) in women diagnosed with early breast cancer (BC) is associated with patient-reported symptom severity during chemotherapy.Methods: Women with Stage I-III BC completed toxicity reports for 17 side effects during regularly scheduled chemotherapy infusions. Toxicity reports were compared in women with obesity (BMI >=30) versus no obesity (BMI <30). Fisher’s exact tests and 2-sample t-tests compared baseline patient characteristics. Risk ratios (RR) for women with obesity as compared to no obesity were estimated for individual symptoms that were patient-rated as moderate, severe or very severe (MSVS) severity, adjusting for marital status and race. Results: In a sample of 286 patients, Black women comprised 23% of the sample. The obesity rate was 76% among Black patients and 31% among White patients (p<.0001). Women with obesity rated an average of 6.9 side effects (standard deviation, SD 4.2) as MSVS vs 5.5 side effects (SD 3.7) among women with no obesity (p=.003). In adjusted analysis, women with obesity had significantly greater risk for MSVS fatigue (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.36), dyspnea (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.09-2.69), arthralgia (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10-1.97), peripheral neuropathy (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-2.08), edema of limbs (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.18-2.88), and abdominal pain (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.87). There were no inter-group differences in BC stage or phenotype, chemotherapy treatment modifications, or hospitalizations.Conclusions: Among women with early BC, patients with obesity reported higher chemotherapy toxicity as compared to patients without obesity; however, this did not result in differences in treatment completion.
Bleeding efficiency, carcass characteristics and meat quality assessments in broiler chickens subjected to different pre-slaughter restraining methods
Authors: Noraldin Fatima Abdulkhaliq , Sabow Azad Behnan
Published: May 2022

This research aimed to determine how the pre-slaughter restraint method affected broiler chickens' bleeding efficiency, carcass characteristics, and physicochemical qualities. Before slaughter, 30 male Ross broiler chickens were randomly allocated to either shackling or cone restraint. The individual blood loss of each bird was determined by comparing their body weight before and after 90 seconds of exsanguination. On the Pectoralis major muscle, meat quality measures including pH, water-holding capacity, color, tenderness, and total bacterial counts were determined. At the same time, the incidences of hemorrhage on the breast and thigh of each carcass were analysed morphologically. It was found that shackling produced less blood loss than cone restraint. Except for the final pH, shackling significantly affected the quality of the end product, as muscle lightness, shear force, drip loss, cooking loss, lipid-protein oxidation, and bacterial counts increased (p < 0.05). In addition, broiler birds held by the shackle exhibited larger (p < 0.05) hemorrhages than those restrained by the cone. The results indicated that the method of restraint might affect bleed-out and carcass and meat quality in broiler chickens; consequently, it should be examined in future research.
Echocardiographic assessment of left cardiac structure and function in ART-naive HIV- infected patients
Authors: Hu Xing , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Tong , Li Weihua , Han Jing , Zhang Xuhui , Meng Fankun
Published: May 2022

Background: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of death in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Accurate assessment of the cardiac function status of HIV-infected patients is important to guide clinical treatment and improve the prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate structural and functional alterations in the left heart in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive HIV infected patients and their associated risk factors for the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).Methods: We retrospectively included 105 ART-naive HIV-infected patients and 40 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination during the same period and performed echocardiography to compare the differences in the left heart structure and function between HIV-infected patients and healthy subjects. Univariate and multifactorial logistic regression were employed to explore the risk factors of the development of LVDD in ART-naive HIV-infected patients. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and left atrial volume index (LAVI) were significantly greater in HIV-infected patients than in controls (p＜0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were not significantly different between HIV-infected patients and controls (p＞0.05). The ratio of peak early-diastolic flow velocity to peak end-diastolic flow velocity (E/A), early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e'), and deceleration time (DT) of early left ventricular filling were significantly lower in HIV-infected patients than in controls (p＜0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that age, body mass index (BMI), and CD4+ count were independent influencing factors for LVDD in ART-naive HIV-infected patients (OR=2.094, 1.229, 0.642, p＜0.05).Conclusions: Left ventricular systolic function did not differ between HIV-infected patients and controls, and left ventricular diastolic function was lower in HIV-infected patients than in controls. Age, BMI, and CD4+ count were independent factors affecting LVDD in ART-naive HIV-infected patients.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900021008，2019/01/24
LNPEP as a Prognostic-Related Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer Correlating with Immune Infiltrates
Authors: Ma Qian , Che Lingyi , Wang Wenwen , Li Gailing , Zhang Ying , Chen Yibing , Gu Zhuoyu , Song Xiaoqin , Chang Lei
Published: May 2022

Background: Leucyl And Cystinyl Aminopeptidase (LNPEP) encodes a zinc-dependent aminopeptidase, which has been proved to participate in the vesicle-mediated transport and class I major histocompatibility complex-mediated antigen processing and presentation. However, the function of LNPEP in the tumor immune microenvironment of ovarian cancer (OV) and its potential molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated.Material and Methods: To analyze the expression profile, prognostic value, and immune infiltration of LNPEP, bioinformatics web resources, including Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis Gent2, HPA, Cbioportal, Kaplan–Meier Plotter, and tumor immune estimation resource, were employed. The related genes of LNPEP in OV were mined by TISIDB and LinkedOmics database. The protein-protein interaction network involving LNPEP was constructed by GeneMANIA and STRING database. Additionally, further studies of pathway and LNPEP expression were conducted through GSEA. The protein levels of LNPEP were validated by western-blot assay and immunohistochemistry.Results: The mRNA expression of LNPEP was noticeably down-regulated in OV than its expression in para-cancer tissues, contrary to the protein level. Importantly, high LNPEP expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with OV. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis showed that LNPEP was an independent prognostic factor in OV. From the GO and KEGG pathway analyses, it was observed that the co-expressed genes of LNPEP were mainly related to a variety of immune-related pathways, including Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, Th17 cell differentiation, and immunoregulatory interaction between a lymphoid and a non-lymphoid cell. Our data also demonstrated that LNPEP expression was strongly correlated with immune infiltration rates, immunomodulators, chemokine, and chemokine receptors.Conclusions: We identified and established a prognostic signature of immune-related LNPEP in OV, which will be important for predicting the prognosis of clinical trials and may become a new therapeutic target for immunological research and potential prognostic biomarker in OV.
Seasonal variation of antioxidant activity and properties in Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, 1753: A compression study in pre and post monsoon to the northern coasts of the Oman Sea
Authors: Abkener Ali Mahdi
Published: May 2022

Ulva lactuca (Ul) is a green macroalgae that contains commercially valuable molecules components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare seasonal variations of antioxidant activity (AOA) of U. l. sample harvested from locations of Tang, Chabahar and Gowatr in the northern coast of the Oman Sea (IRAN). Sampling was carried out during April to May (spring) and October to November (autumn) 2020, representing pre- and post-monsoon, respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) were observed between samples harvested in pre- and post-monsoon from all three locations, except for the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) content. The FRAP on post-monsoon shows a significant difference between all studied locations (P < 0.05). In this season, the FRAP content was measured 69 ± 0.05; 0.60 ± 0.06 and 0.50 ± 0.06 mg GAE g− 1 for Tang, Chabahar and Gowatr, respectively (P < 0.05). However, a high linear correlation (> 0.95) was calculated for parameters showing a significant contribution by β-carotene (βC) with FRAP content (R = -0.004) in pre-monsoon, as well as total phenolic content (TPC) with anthocyanin content (ACN) (R = -0.013); Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) with total flavonoid content (TFC) (R = -0.010) and radical scavenging activity assay (DPPH) with IC50 content (R = 0.022) in post-monsoon. AOA analysis along with PCA (principal component analysis) in pre-monsoon confirm relationships and FRAP, TPC, ACN and βC determined sample distribution along PC1 (main components 1), while DPPH, IC50 and TFC along the PC2. However, in post monsoons all parameters determined sample distribution along PC1.
Facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers and the general population in Guinea
Authors: TOURE Almamy Amara , TRAORE Fodé Amara , CAMARA Gnoume , MAGASSOUBA Aboubacar Sidiki , BARRY Ibrahima , KOUROUMA Mohamed Lamine , SYLLA Younoussa , CONTE Naby Yaya , CISSE Diao , DIOUBATÉ Nafissatou , SIDIBE Sidikiba , BEAVOGUI Abdoul Habib , DELAMOU Alexandre
Published: May 2022

Introduction The advent of the effective COVID-19 vaccine was the most eagerly expected worldwide. However, this hope quickly became hesitation and denial in many countries, including Guinea. Understanding the reasons for low vaccine coverage is essential to achieving herd immunity that will lead to disease control.MethodsWe conducted a mixed cross-sectional survey focused on healthcare workers and the general population in 4 natural regions in Guinea. The study was conducted from 23 March 2021 to 25 August 2021. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify vaccination-associated factors against COVID-19, backed by classification and regression tree (CART) and thematic content analysis for the qualitative component.ResultsWe surveyed 3547 healthcare workers and 3663 general population members. The proportion of people vaccinated was 65% among healthcare workers and 31% among the general population. For health care workers: the main factors associated with vaccination against COVID-19 were as follows: absence of pregnancy AOR = 4.65 [3.23–6.78], being supportive of vaccination AOR = 1.94 [1.66–2.27] and being an adult AOR = 1.64 [1.26–2.16]. Regarding the general population, the following factors increased the odds of vaccination: absence of pregnancy AOR = 1.93 [CI: 1.01–3.91], being favourable for vaccination AOR = 3.48 [CI: 2.91–4.17], being an adult AOR = 1.72 [CI: 1.38–2.14] and being able to get the vaccine AOR = 4.67 [CI: 3.76–5.84]. Semi-interviews revealed fear, lack of trust, and hesitant perception of the government as potential barriers to vaccination.ConclusionThis study suggests that beliefs and negative perceptions are potential barriers to vaccination against COVID-19 among healthcare workers and the general population. Policies should emphasise practical strategies to mitigate these barriers among young people and pregnant women. Lastly, there is a need to improve access to vaccines in the general population.