bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Expression of YKL-40 in The Peripheral Blood of Colorectal Cancer Patients and its Effect on The Proliferation and Angiogenesis of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: yang shaohui , shen jie , zhao yibin
Published: March 2022

Objective To observe the expression of YKL-40 in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer and to study the effect of the YKL-40 gene on the proliferation and angiogenesis of colon cancer cell lines. Methods Serum samples of 79 patients with colorectal cancer before and 7 days after surgery, 13 patients with precancerous lesions and 21 healthy controls were collected, and the expression of YKL-40 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The HCT116 cell line with high expression of YKL-40 was selected from the colon cancer cell lines HCT-15, HCT116 and SW480, and then, HCT116 cells were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The expression of the YKL-40 gene in the experimental group was inhibited by small interfering RNA (siRNA), and the high expression of YKL-40 in the control group was maintained. Then, the cells in the two groups were cocultured with bevacizumab. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assays, and angiogenesis was detected by cell formation assays. Results The mean values of serum YKL-40 in the colorectal cancer group (preoperative), the precancerous lesion group and the control group were 178.50±71.91 μg/L, 95.18±33.56 μg/L and 85.47±24.97 μg/L, respectively. The colorectal cancer group (preoperative) had a significantly higher value than the precancerous lesion group and the control group (P <0.01). The precancerous lesion group had a higher value than the control group, but the difference between the two was not significant (P= 0.265). The expression of YKL-40 was positively correlated with the stage of colorectal cancer (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of serum YKL-40 before and after surgery (P=0.07). HCT116 is a cell line with high YKL-40 expression. After the expression of this gene was inhibited, the survival rate of the experimental group was 78.75%, which was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The angiogenesis test was used to detect the angiogenic ability. Both siRNA targeting the YKL-40 gene and the addition of bevacizumab inhibited angiogenesis in vitro. Moreover, the vascular inhibitory effect of bevacizumab in the group with low expression of YKL-40 was stronger than that in the group with high expression of YKL-40. Conclusion YKL-40 is highly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer and is related to tumour stage. The HCT116 colon cancer cell line highly expresses YKL-40. Interfering with the expression of YKL-40 can inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis. This finding suggests that YKL-40 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.
A probability crossover based complete elitist genetic algorithm for drug scheduling to minimize tumor cells in cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Das Kedar Nath , Ahmed Afsana Zannat , Acharjya D. P.
Published: March 2022

In the United States, there is one death out of every four due to cancer. Cancer chemotherapy is one of the few practices adopted for the treatment of this disease that uses anti-cancer drugs. However cancer chemotherapy comes hand in hand with a large number of side effects due to which the patients being unable to bear it leave the treatment in the midway. In day to day life, it is not possible to find a chemotherapy drug regime which is free of side effects. In the present work, an attempt is made to design a suitable cancer chemotherapy drug regime with the help of elitist Genetic Algorithm (GA) with side effects as minimum as possible. This present works proposes a drug schedule so that the number of cancer cells is reduced over the period of treatment interval and the toxic side effects are to be minimum as well. In order to increase the robustness of the proposed algorithm, the GA operators like crossover and mutation has been suitably investigated over their possible permutations. A complete elitism has been employed at the end of each GA cycle that helps to retain the good individuals for the next iteration. Based on the numerical results and statistical analysis the out performance of elitist GA has been substantiated to be better competent over the state-of-the-art techniques in finding optimal drug scheduling in cancer chemotherapy.
Insights Into Volcanic Unrest by Correlating Petrological and Seismic Observations at Kizimen (Kamchatka, Russia)
Authors: Ostorero Lea , Balcone-Boissard Hélène , Boudon Georges , Shapiro Nikolai , Belousov Alexander , Belousova Marina , Auer Andreas , Senyukov Sergey , Droznina Svetlana
Published: March 2022

The increase of number and intensity of earthquakes during a pre-eruptive crisis is the main basis of seismic volcano monitoring. However, the exact relationship between the seismic activity and the volcano-magmatic processes remains unclear. Here we present a direct comparison between characteristics of a seismo-volcanic crisis recorded prior to the 2010-2013 eruption of Kizimen volcano (Kamchatka, Russia) and the timescales of processes in the magma plumbing system. These timescales are inferred from the modelling of Fe-Mg intracrystalline interdiffusion in 88 zoned orthopyroxene crystals from dacites and silica-rich andesites samples collected after the eruption. We show that the eruptible magmas were assembled rapidly during a magma mixing episode ~1.5 years before the eruption, which is well correlated with the onset of a seismic crisis. We conclude that the observed seismic re-activation marks the onset of magma mixing leading to destabilization of the reservoir followed by the eruption after ~1.5 years.
Activity tracker-based intervention to increase physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy individuals: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mähs Mareike , Pithan Jana Sabrina , Bergmann Isabell , Gabrys Lars , Graf Jonathan , Hölzemann Alexander , Laerhoven Kristof Van , Otto-Hagemann Silke , Popescu Maria Loredana , Schwermann Lisa , Wenz Benjamin , Pahmeier Iris , Teti Andrea
Published: March 2022

Background
One relevant strategy to prevent the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) focuses on increasing physical activity. The use of activity trackers by patients could enable objective measurement of their regular physical activity in daily life and promote physical activity through the use of a tracker-based intervention. This trial aims to answer three research questions: (1) Is the use of activity trackers suitable for longitudinal assessment of physical activity in everyday life? (2) Does the use of a tracker-based intervention lead to sustainable improvements in the physical activity of healthy individuals and in people with T2DM? (3) Does the accompanying digital motivational intervention lead to sustainable improvements in physical activity for participants using the tracker-based device?
Methods
The planned study is a randomized controlled trial focused on 1,642 participants with and without T2DM for 9 months with regard to their physical activity behavior. Subjects allocated to an intervention group will wear an activity tracker. Half of the subjects in the intervention group will also receive an additional digital motivational intervention. Subjects allocated to the control group will not receive any intervention. The primary outcome is the amount of moderate and vigorous physical activity in minutes and the number of steps per week measured continuously with the activity tracker and assessed by questionnaires at four time points. Secondary endpoints are medical parameters measured at the same four time points. The collected data will be analyzed using inferential statistics and explorative data-mining techniques.
Discussion
The trial uses an interdisciplinary approach with a team including sports psychologists, sports scientists, health scientists, health care professionals, physicians, and computer scientists. It also involves the processing and analysis of large amounts of data collected with activity trackers. These factors represent particular strengths as well as challenges in the study.
Trial Registration
The trial is registered at the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform via the German Clinical Studies Trial Register (DRKS), DRKS00027064. Registered on 11 November 2021.
Dynamic QTL-Based Ecophysiological Models to Predict Phenotype from Genotype and Environment Data
Authors: Vallejos C. Eduardo , Jones James W. , Bhakta Mehul S. , Gezan Salvador A. , Correll Melanie J.
Published: March 2022

BackgroundPredicting the phenotype from the genotype is one of the major contemporary challenges in biology. This challenge is greater in plants because their development occurs mostly post-embryonically under diurnal and seasonal environmental fluctuations. Most current crop simulation models are physiology-based models capable of capturing environmental fluctuations but cannot adequately capture genotypic effects because they were not constructed within a genetics framework. ResultsWe describe the construction of a mixed-effects dynamic model to predict time-to-flowering in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This prediction model applies the developmental approach used by traditional crop simulation models, uses direct observational data, and captures the Genotype, Environment, and Genotype-by-Environment effects to predict progress towards time-to-flowering in real time. Comparisons to a traditional crop simulation model and to a previously developed static model shows the advantages of the new dynamic model.ConclusionsThe dynamic model can be applied to other species and to different plant processes. These types of models can, in modular form, gradually replace plant processes in existing crop models as has been implemented in BeanGro, a crop simulation model within the DSSAT Cropping Systems Model. Gene-based dynamic models can accelerate precision breeding of diverse crop species, particularly with the prospects of climate change. Finally, a gene-based simulation model can assist policy decision makers in matters pertaining to prediction of food supplies.
Benzimidazole and aminoalcohol derivatives show in vitro anthelmintic activity against Trichuris muris and Heligmosomoides polygyrus
Authors: Valladares Maria Martinez , Valderas-García Elora , Häberli Cécile , Bardón María Álvarez , Escala Nerea , de Agüero Verónica Castilla Gómez , Vega Jennifer de la , Olmo Esther del , Balaña-Fouce Rafael , Keiser Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Background: Infections by gastrointestinal nematodes cause significant economic losses and disease in both human and animals worldwide. The discovery of novel anthelmintic drugs is crucial for maintaining control of these parasitic infections.Methods: For this purpose, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential anthelmintic activity of three series of compounds against the gastrointestinal nematodes Trichuris muris and Heligmosomoides polygyrus in vitro. The compounds tested were derivatives of benzimidazole, lipidic aminoalcohols and diamines. A primary screening was performed to select those compounds with an ability to inhibit T. muris L1 motility by more than 90% at a single concentration of 100 µM, and then, their respective IC50 values were calculated. Those compounds with IC50 lower than 10 µM were also tested against the adult stage of T. muris and H. polygyrus at a single concentration of 10µM. Results: Of the 41 initial compounds screened, only compounds AO14, BZ6 and BZ12 had IC50 values lower than 10 µM on T. muris L1 assay, showing IC50 values of 3.30, 8.89 and 4.17 µM, respectively. However, only two of them displayed activity against the adult stage of the parasites: BZ12 killed 81% of adults of T. muris (IC50 of 8.1 µM) and 53% of H. polygyrus while BZ6 killed 100% of H. polygyrus adults (IC50 of 5.3 µM) but only 17% of T. muris. Conclusions: BZ6 and BZ12 could be considered as potential candidates for further in vivo efficacy testing.
Improving appearance and mechanical strength of aluminum-polypropylene/talc composite friction stir joint using a novel tool design
Authors: Shiravi Hosseinali , Movahedi Mojtaba , Ozlati Ashkaan
Published: March 2022

In this research, friction stir joining of aluminum-polypropylene/talc composite was investigated due to the numerous applications of aluminum-polymer joints in automotive and aerospace industry. A novel tool design, including a rotary/stationary holder was used to improve the appearance and mechanical performance of friction stir lap joints by preventing the mixed molten polymer and aluminum particles from exiting the stirred zone. Effect of tool transverse speed on the joint microstructure and strength was investigated. Using the rotary/stationary holder, tensile-shear strength of the joints increased (by ~45% to ~220% at various transverse speeds). Since during the tensile-shear test, all joints failed from the aluminum/stirred zone interface, joint strength was affected by the formation of anchor-like aluminum pieces in the composite substrate as the mechanical locks, reaction layer at the joint interface and large voids near the aluminum/stirred zone interface. Joining at the optimum transverse speed led to the highest tensile-shear peak load of 315 N.
Selective C(sp3)-C(sp3) reduction and metathesis of ketones
Authors: Wang Shengke , Wang Yitu , Yang Yan , Hu Kun , Lou Dingkai , Wang Kai , Maron Laurent , Zhou Xigeng
Published: March 2022

The C–C bond reduction and metathesis are fundamentally important in organic synthesis. However, homogeneously reducible C–C bonds are currently limited to either strained rings or to specific and prefunctionalized sites; and there are no practical methods for tandem C–C reduction and intramolecular C(sp3)–C(sp3) metathesis. Here we report a versatile approach for selective reduction of unstrained C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond of ketones, including hydrogenolytic retro-[2+2+2]-cycloreversion of 2,4-diaroylcyclohexanols, without requiring protecting groups. We have also established an unprecedented intramolecular C(sp3)–C(sp3) metathesis, thus enabling the cyclizative degradation of poly(vinylketone). The present C–C cleavage occurs via a bimetallic pathway and nucleophile trapping of resulting enone is crucial for C–C cleavage relay. These results would open new prospect for deconstruction of organic molecules.
Policymakers’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives on the introduction of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for key populations in Ghana
Authors: Nagai Henry , Adiibokah Edward , Tagoe Henry , Tun Waimar , Pilgrim Nanlesta A. , Ankomah Augustine , Rahman Yussif Ahmed Abdul , Addo Stephen Ayisi , Atuahene Stephen Kyeremeh , Essandoh Emmanuel , Maher Sean , Kowalski Mark
Published: March 2022

BackgroundKey populations (KPs) such as female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and their partners contribute more than a quarter (27.5%) of new HIV infection in Ghana. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can substantially reduce HIV acquisition among this group. While the available research indicates KPs willingness to take PrEP in Ghana, little is known about the position of policymakers and healthcare providers on the introduction of PrEP for KPs. MethodsQualitative and quantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional study from September to October 2017 in the Greater Accra (GA) and Brong-Ahafo (BA) regions of Ghana. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 20 regional and national policymakers and 23 healthcare providers to explore their level of support for PrEP and their perspectives on challenges and issues to consider for oral PrEP implementation. The quantitative survey involved interviews with 409 healthcare providers to examine willingness to provide PrEP, challenges to PrEP roll-out and how it should be implemented. Thematic content analysis was used for the qualitative interviews descriptive analysis was conducted using frequencies of variables of interest for the quantitative analysis. ResultsPolicymakers and providers (95%) in both regions expressed strong support for introducing PrEP for KPs. Key concerns regarding oral PrEP introduction included potential for behavioral disinhibition, non-adherence and side effects of medication, cost and long-term financial implications, and stigma related to HIV and key populations. Participants stressed the need to integrate PrEP into existing services. While over three-fourths of providers indicated they would personally provide PrEP to HIV negative partners of HIV positive clients (87%), people who have multiple sex partners (83%), and FSWs (78%), a smaller percentage indicated they would provide PrEP to MSM (66%) and PWID (58%). ConclusionsPolicymakers and providers recognize the value of PrEP but have concerns about disinhibition, non-adherence, and cost. Therefore, a range of strategies are needed to address their concerns including: sensitization with providers to mitigate underlying stigma towards KPs, particularly MSM, integration of PrEP into existing services, and innovative strategies to improve continued use of PrEP.
Biosensor-integrated transposon mutagenesis reveals rv0158 as a coordinator of metabolism-linked redox homeostasis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Singh Amit , SHEE SOMNATH , TV Reshma , Mohanraj Karthikeyan , Nagarajan Sathyanarayanan , Das Mayashree , Malhotra Nitish , Sinha Vikrant , Thakur Chandrani , Rajmani Raju , Chandra Nagasuma , Singh Mahavir , Samal Areejit , Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: March 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is evolutionarily equipped to resist exogenous reactive oxygen species but shows vulnerability to an increase in endogenous ROS (eROS). Since eROS is an unavoidable consequence of aerobic metabolism, understanding how eROS levels are controlled is essential yet remains uncharacterized. By combining the Mrx1-roGFP2 redox biosensor with transposon mutagenesis, we identified 368 genes (redoxosome) responsible for maintaining non-toxic levels of eROS in Mtb. Integrating redoxosome with a global network of protein-protein interactions and transcriptional regulators revealed a hypothetical protein (rv0158) as a top node managing eROS and redox homeostasis in Mtb. RNA sequencing, seahorse XF flux measurements, and lipid analysis indicate that rv0158 is required to balance the deployment of fatty acid substrates between lipid anabolism and oxidation. Disruption of rv0158 perturbed redox balance in a carbon-source-specific manner, promoted killing in response to anti-TB drugs, reduced survival in macrophages, and lowered persistence in mice.
Transferrin Predicts Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Levels and is a Potential Biomarker of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bean Lamuel D. , Wing Jeffrey J. , Harris Randall E. , Smart Suzanne M. , Raman Subha V. , Milks M. Wesley
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a circulating biomarker associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Production of TMAO is facilitated by gut microbiota and dependent on micronutrients such as choline, betaine, and L-carnitine, present in foods such as red meat and eggs.Hypothesis: We sought to predict serum TMAO quartile levels among healthy individuals at increased risk of CVD using clinical data via an ordinal logistic model.Methods: Data from participants (n=127) enrolled in a longitudinal observational study on CVD were used to build a predictive model for TMAO using ordinal logistic regression with demographic variables and 40 other variables considered related to CVD risk. First, univariate models for each covariate were tested (with serum TMAO quartiles as the dependent variable), and only variables with P < 0.30 were evaluated further. Second, demographic variables (age, gender, white vs. non-white race) were included in a multivariable model with each previously identified independent variable controlling for potential confounding. Last, the final model included fixed demographics and candidates from the confounder-adjusted model with P < 0.10.Results: Eight candidate variables were included in the final model, with only transferrin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and race (White vs non-white) showing significant associations with TMAO. Participants had 0.16 (Q2), 0.31 (Q3), and 0.20 (Q4) odds of being in a higher TMAO quartile compared with participants in the lowest transferrin quartile. Non-white participants had 2.92 times higher odds of being in the highest TMAO quartile compared to white individuals. Participants in the second quartile of HDL-C had 2.68 times higher odds of being in a higher TMAO quartile compared with participants in the lowest HDL-C quartile.Conclusions: Transferrin demonstrated a significant predictive association with TMAO and may represent a novel potential biomarker of increased CVD risk worthy of further study. These results warrant further examination of iron, metabolism, homeostasis, and gut microbiome to better understand and mitigate known increased CVD risk.
Relationship Between Oral Function Measurement and Malnutrition Following Oral Cancer Treatment: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Morioka Reon , Matsuda Yuhei , Kato Akira , Okui Tatsuo , Okuma Satoe , Tatsumi Hiroto , Kanno Takahiro
Published: March 2022

Objectives
Oral dysfunction and dysphagia after oral cancer treatment have been linked to a decrease in nutritional status. This study aimed to identify specific oral functions related to nutritional status.
Patients and Methods
: We conducted a cross-sectional study from September 2019 to December 2021. We recruited 75 participants (median age: 72.0 years), including 52 (69.3%) males and 23 (30.7%) females, collected background data, and evaluated oral function. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) scores were divided into three groups (normal nutritional status, at risk of malnutrition, and malnourished), and a multi-group comparison was conducted for each oral function measurement (microorganisms, oral dryness, occlusal force, tongue pressure, masticatory function, and Eating Assessment Tool [EAT-10]).
Results
The primary tumor site was the tongue in 31 patients (41.3%), gingiva in 30 (40.0%), and others in 14 (18.7%). Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences in occlusal force, tongue pressure, masticatory function, and EAT-10 level between each MNA-SF group (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant association with MNA-SF in terms of masticatory function and EAT-10 levels.
Conclusion
Decreased masticatory function and EAT-10 levels are risk factors for malnutrition. Nutritional instructions and oral-maxillofacial prosthetic treatment should be adapted to changes in oral function.
Identifying major yield limiting nutrients on sorghum (Girana one) for developing site-specific nutrient management practices in low lands of Eastern Amhara
Authors: Teshome Habtemariam , Gedam Samuel , Sisay Kassa , Hailu Tadesse
Published: March 2022

Background: Omission trial is a passionate way of identifying yield limiting nutrients. A field experiment was conducted for identification of yield limiting nutrients through crop response in Kobo with test crop sorghum (Girana one variety) for two years in three kebeles. The design for experiment was a randomized completely block (RCBD) using farmer field as replication. Biological yield data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Whenever there was significant difference between treatments, the means were separated using LSD test at P≤0.05. Results: The results showed that the omission of nutrients from inorganic fertilizer alone or in combination resulted in significance grain yield reduction. The highest grain yield was observed with the treatment receiving NPS+FYM whereas the lowest was omission of all nutrients (control). There was no significant difference in biomass yield between treatments for both years. Omission of all nutrients from inorganic fertilizer alone or in combination significantly reduced grain yield of sorghum. Application of FYM in combination with inorganic fertilizer (NPS) and NP contained treatments (NPS, NPSK and NPSKZN) can meet nutrient requirement for sorghum. Conclusions: This experiment shows a significant yield advantage of all applied nutrients compared to omitting nutrients. Application of farm yard manure was also significantly affected grain yield compared to the control. Based on this result, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers with farm yard manure rather than secondary and micro nutrients can be recommended in the study area for increasing production and productivity of the sorghum.
Surgical Treatment for Pediatric Hydrocephalus: a Report of 163 Clinical Cases in a Single Center
Authors: Yan Lin , Zhang Chengyue , Ding Shikuan , Cheng Quan , He Jian , Zhang Zhiping , Liu Jingping , Wang Yuchang , Xiao Gelei
Published: March 2022

Objectives: Surgical treatment is the preferred treatment for pediatric hydrocephalus. The analysis of the outcome of pediatric hydrocephalus surgery and its complications is limited by the lack of available data. Our goal was to better understand the effectiveness of surgery and to explore better surgical treatment methods and management of complications.Methods: 163 patients with pediatric hydrocephalus were included. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients. Data collected included surgical techniques, number of surgical treatments, complications, and basic demographics.Results: There were 163 patients in this group including 103 males and 60 females. Among the patients, 106 (106/163, 65.0%) patients received ventricular peritoneal shunt (VP), 7 (7/163, 4.3%) patients received ventricle-right atrium shunt (VA) and 50 (50/163, 30.7%) patients received endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Among the patients who received VP, 74 (74/163, 45.4%) patients were cured and 32 (32/163, 19.6%) patients underwent surgery again. Among the patients who received VA, 38 (38/163, 23.3%) patients were cured and 12 (12/163, 7.4%) patients underwent surgery again. Among the patients who received ETV, 3 (3/163, 1.8%) patients were cured and 4 (4/163, 2.5%) patients underwent surgery again. The most common complication is shunt-related peritonitis or abdominal abscess, abdominal end obstruction (17/163，10.4%).Conclusion: A single surgery can cure most patients, and sometimes more than one surgery is required. For pediatric hydrocephalus, ETV is more efficient and has fewer surgical complications. However, the management of unrelieved symptoms and related complications after ETV surgery and bypass surgery should still be taken seriously.
Communication barriers to education to referrals from the perspective of referrals to health centers and health care providers attendants in Kerman
Authors: Alizadeh Somayeh , Iranpour Abedin , Mirafzali Sedigheh
Published: March 2022

Introduction: One of the most important factors affecting the increase of clients' satisfaction is how health care providers (HCP) communicate with clients. On the other hand, different factors can hinder proper communication and thus education, which is one of the main tasks of HCP. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate Communication barriers to education to referrals from the perspective of referrals to health centers (RHC) and HCP attendants in Kerman.Method: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on RHC and HCP in 2021. Using a multi-stage sampling method, 162 HCP and 414 RHC were included in the study. Data collection tool was 2 researcher-made questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.findings: From the perspective of RHC and HCP, the most communication barriers were related to environmental and then socio-cultural factors. Among the demographic variables of HCP, level of education showed a significant relationship with the physical-psychological, verbal-non-verbal and informational domains. And in relation to RHC, a significant relationship was found between education and job in the socio-cultural field and environmental barriers(p <0.05).Conclusion: HCP faces a variety of barriers in educating people, most of which are related to environmental factors. Given the cost-effectiveness of education to the public, it is essential that planners and policymakers use strategies to eliminate environmental factors as well as the placement of indigenous HCP in health facilities to reduce communication barriers.
Healthcare utilization and financial protection among those with mental disorders in India: Insights from the 75th round of the National Sample Survey
Authors: Ranjan Alok , Crasta Jewel
Published: March 2022

Background: Mental disorders pose a significant public health issue in India, with a prevalence rate of one in seven individuals diagnosed with varying severities of mental disorders in 2017. This study examined the patterns of socio-demographic factors associated with diseases burden, healthcare utilization, and financial protection among individuals reported to have a mental disorder across India.Methods: Data from the recently released (November 2019) 75th Round National Sample Survey (NSS), which was conducted from July 2017 to June 2018, across 8077 rural villages and 6181 urban wards was used. Data collected from 555,115 individuals (rural: 325,232; urban: 229,232) included 283 outpatient and 374 hospitalization cases due to mental disorders in India. Logistic regression models were used for analyses.Results: Self-reporting of mental health disorders was significantly higher in the general category compared to scheduled tribe, and among the richest income quintile compared to the poorest income quintile in India. The private sector was a major service provider for mental health services with a larger share for outpatient (66.1%) than inpatient care (59.2%). Over 63.5% of individuals with a mental disorder and who went to the private sector for hospitalization reported unavailability or poor service quality at public facilities. Out of total hospitalization cases, 23.5% had insurance coverage. Average out of pocket expenditure during hospitalization [public: Rs.7947 (107 USD); private: Rs. 37152 (502 USD)] and outpatient care [ public: Rs.544 (7 USD); private: Rs. 2358 (32 USD)] was higher under the private sector than the public sector. This led to high catastrophic health expenditure (CHE-10: public- 30.8%; private- 82.5%).Conclusions: Stigma associated with mental disorders may have decreased the self-reporting of mental disorders in this survey. India urgently needs greater investment in mental health resources to improve access and financial protection. To achieve universal health coverage under sustainable development goals, the country needs to strengthen its healthcare system, providing comprehensive primary care, along with robust tertiary and rehabilitative care referral linkages.Trial Registration: Not applicable
Oxidoreduction potential controlling for increasing the fermentability of enzymatically hydrolyzed steam-exploded corn stover for butanol production
Authors: Wang Min , Xia Menglei , Wang Di , Xia Yiming , Shi Haijiao , Tian Zhongyu , Zheng Yu
Published: March 2022

Background: Lignocellulosic biomass is recognized as an effective potential substrate for biobutanol production. Though many pretreatment and detoxification methods have been set up, the fermentability of detoxicated lignocellulosic substrate is still far lower than that of starchy feedstocks. On the other hand, the number of recent efforts on rational metabolic engineering approaches to increase butanol production in Clostridium strains are also quite limited, demonstrating the physiological complexity of solventogenic clostridia. In fact, the strain performance is greatly impacted by process controlling. developing efficient process control strategies could be a feasible solution to this problem.Result: In this study, oxidoreduction potential (ORP) controlling was applied to increase the fermentability of enzymatically hydrolyzed steam-exploded corn stover (SECS) for butanol production. When ORP of detoxicated SECS was controlled at -350mV, the period of fermentation was shortened by 6 h with an increase of 27.5% in the total solvent (to 18.1 g/L) and 34.2% in butanol (to 10.2 g/L) respectively. Silico modeling revealed that the fluxes of NADPH, NADH and ATP strongly differed between the different scenarios. Quantitative analysis showed that intracellular concentrations of ATP, NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ were increased by 25.1%，81.8% and 62.5%. ORP controlling also resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in butyraldehyde dehydrogenase, a 1.2-fold increase in butanol dehydrogenase and 29% increase in the cell integrity.Conclusion: ORP control strategy is effective for altering intracellular metabolic profiles and can significantly improve Clostridium cell growth and butanol production. The working mechanism can be summarized into three aspects: First, Glycolysis and TCA circulation pathway are strengthened through key nodes such as pyruvate carboxylase [EC: 6.4.1.1], which provides sufficient NADH and NADPH for the cell. Second, sufficient ATP is provided to avoid “acid crash”. Third, the key enzymes activities regulating butanol biosynthesis and cell membrane integrity was improved.
Individual characteristics associated with utilization of nursing care in very old population: cross-sectional study
Authors: Zimmermann Jaroslava
Published: March 2022

Background: Older adults aged 80 or older belong to the most frequent recipient of nursing care. Since this age group remains often underrepresented in previous research, little is known about the characteristics associated with utilization of nursing care services. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine individual (predisposing, enabling, and need) predictors of nursing care utilization in very old population of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Methods: Using data from a representative cross-sectional study, 1,531 community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged ≥80 years were included. The use of outpatient care services, day care, private and inpatient nursing care was considered. Multinomial regression was applied to investigate the factors explaining nursing care use in very old adults. Results: Overall, 69.9% of participants used no nursing care services, 21.9% were using outpatient/day and/or private care, and 8.2% were institutionalized. Compared to very old adults who did not use any nursing care services, users of outpatient/day and/or private care had higher likelihood of being older, having no partner, and experiencing higher functional and cognitive disability. Comparing non-users with those using inpatient nursing care, institutionalized individuals were more likely older, had lower socioeconomic status, were childless and not in partnership, socially isolated, felt more likely lonely, were more functional and cognitive impaired, but they experienced less likely five or more chronic conditions, and were less likely physically pre-frail and frail. Conclusions: Individual need factors (referring to health status) dominated in explaining utilization of outpatient/day and/or private care, suggesting that very old population in NRW may have equitable access to these services. Since social structure, region, and social resources explained who have received inpatient nursing care, this kind of care might be inequitable accessible to very old adults in NRW. Nevertheless, the results indicate that nursing homes could substitute the role of missing closest relatives as potential caregivers, prevent frailty and multimorbidity, but fail to ensure social inclusion of the oldest-old within facilities.
SEVA-Cpf1, a CRISPR-Cas12a vector for Genome Editing in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Baldanta Sara , Guevara Govinda , Navarro-Llorens Juana María
Published: March 2022

Background: Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic autotrophs that have tremendous potential for fundamental research and industrial applications due to their high metabolic plasticity and ability to grow using CO2 and sunlight. CRISPR technology using Cas9 and Cpf1 has been applied to different cyanobacteria for genome manipulations and metabolic engineering. Despite significant advances with genome editing in several cyanobacteria strains, the lack of proper genetic toolboxes is still a limiting factor compared to other model laboratory species. Among the limitations, it is essential to have versatile plasmids that could ease the benchwork when using CRISPR technology. Results: In the present study, several CRISPR-Cpf1 vectors were developed for genetic manipulations in cyanobacteria using SEVA plasmids. SEVA collection is based on modular vectors that enable the exchangeability of diverse elements (e.g. origins of replication and antibiotic selection markers) and the combination with many cargo sequences for varied end-applications. Firstly, using SEVA vectors containing the broad host range RSF1010 origin we demonstrated that these vectors are replicative not only in model cyanobacteria but also in a new cyanobacterium specie, Chroococcidiopsis sp., which is different from those previously published. Then, we constructed SEVA vectors by harbouring CRISPR elements and showed that they can be easily assimilated not only by conjugation, but also by natural transformation. Finally, we used our SEVA-Cpf1 tools to delete the nblA gene in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, demonstrating that our plasmids can be applied for CRISPR-based genome editing technology. Conclusions: The results of this study provide new CRISPR-based vectors based on the SEVA (Standard European Vector Architecture) collection that can improve editing processes using the Cpf1 nuclease in cyanobacteria.
Analysis of the prevalence,risk factors, and clinical characteristics of osteoporosis in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Wu Hai-Long , Yang Jie , Wei Yu-Chi , Wang Jian-Yu , Jia Yu-Yan , Li Luan , Zhang Lu , Lu Yan , Leng Xiang-Yang , Luo Zong-Jian
Published: March 2022

Objectives
The present study investigated the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in patients with essential hypertension (EH) in the Changchun community and analyzed the correlation between EH and OP.
Methods
The study was conducted in 425 patients with EH and 425 healthy controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum creatinine (CR) levels were measured, and the patients' current status was surveyed to analyze the correlation between EH and OP.
Results
The EH group exhibited lower BMD and higher prevalence of OP than the healthy controls, and this difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 12.968; p = 0.002). However, the difference in OP prevalence was statistically nonsignificant between male and female patients (χ2 = 1.998; df = 1; p = 0.157). The risk of developing OP was not significantly different between middle-aged and elderly men and women (χ2 = 0.228; p = 0.633). However, the OP risk in patients with EH varied significantly with different age, body weight, fracture history, nocturnal urination frequency, depression and anxiety status, duration of hypertension, and antihypertensive medication (p < 0.05). The two-way analysis of variance suggested an effect of the interaction between different EH prevalence conditions and bone mass conditions on the serum CR values (F = 3.584, p = 0.028, bias η2 = 0.008).
Conclusions
The incidences of OP and low BMD were significantly higher in patients with EH than in healthy controls. Additionally, age, weight, fracture history, nocturnal urination frequency, depression and anxiety, duration of hypertension, and antihypertensive medication were the risk factors for OP in patients with EH. Moreover, serum CR levels in patients with different bone mass profiles were strongly influenced by the presence or absence of EH, and the expression of serum CR levels differed significantly with the interaction of this factor.
A European Multinational Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Tafazzoli Ali , Reifsnider Odette S. , Bellanca Leana , Ishak Jack , Carrasco Marc , Stargardter Matthew , Linden Stephan
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This research examined the cost-effectiveness of adding empagliflozin to standard of care (SoC) compared with SoC alone for treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) from the perspective of healthcare payers in the United Kingdom (UK), Spain and France. Methods: A lifetime Markov cohort model was developed to simulate patients’ progression through health states based on Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Score. The model predicted risk of death, hospitalisation for heart failure (HHF), treatment-related adverse events, and treatment discontinuation each monthly cycle. Clinical inputs and utilities were derived from EMPEROR-Reduced trial data, supplemented by published literature and national costing databases. Costs (2021 pound sterling/euro) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were discounted annually for the UK (3.5%), Spain (3.0%) and France (2.5%). Results: In the UK, Spain and France, empagliflozin plus SoC yielded additional QALYs (0.19, 0.23 and 0.21) at higher cost (£1,185, €1,770 and €1,183 per patient) than SoC alone, yielding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of £6,152/QALY, €7,736/QALY and €5,511/QALY, respectively. Reduced HHF incidence provided most cost offsets for empagliflozin plus SoC. Similar results were obtained for a range of subgroups and sensitivity analyses. Probabilistic sensitivity results indicated empagliflozin plus SoC remained cost-effective vs. SoC at willingness-to-pay thresholds of £20,000/QALY, €20,000/QALY and €30,000/QALY in 79.6%, 75.5% and 97.3% of model runs for the UK, Spain and France, respectively. Conclusions: Empagliflozin added to SoC leads to health benefits for patients with HFrEF and is a cost-effective treatment option for payers in multiple European countries (UK, Spain, France).
Soil Moisture and Rainfall Interplay for Tropical Ecosystems in The West African Terrain Using Satellite-Based Datasets and Gauge measurements
Authors: Asilevi Prince Junior , Dogbey Felicia , Quansah Emmanuel , Amuzu Deborah
Published: March 2022

The interplay of soil moisture (SM) and rainfall (RR) has practical importance for pluvial flood prevention and prediction, drought monitoring, and weather forecasting for agricultural applications. Recent satellite products have shown complicated SM - RR relationships over varied ecosystems, with a diverse range of positive to negative correlation indices. This study presents an assessment of the SM - RR interplay over contrasting tropical ecosystems across Ghana in the West Africa terrain, using RR gauge measurements and satellite-based root zone SM for 22 Synoptic stations spanning 30 years (1990–2019). Spatiotemporal distributions, percentage changes about onset dates, and statistical strength of correlations are presented and discussed. Findings show that, generally, SM decreases northward by a gradient of 0.01, showing weak to strong correlations of 0.38–0.82 ± 0.10 with RR countrywide, the highest is found for stations in the northern Savannah and Coastal Savannah zones, the weakest for stations in the Forest zone. Meanwhile, based on the RR onset dates, the Coastal zone exhibits the highest percentage change in SM, whereas the Forest, Transition, and Savannah zones exhibit low to slightly negative percentage changes. This has been attributed to SM deficits resulting from the dry Harmattan season before RR onset, strongly suggesting a respective delineation of Coastal and Savannah regions as flood and drought-prone zones. The results are in tandem with global-scale assessments, and present a theoretical framework to develop ecosystem water and pluvial flood management schemes over the sub-region.
Plant pan-genomes are highly vulnerable to methodological considerations
Authors: Glick Lior , Mayrose Itay
Published: March 2022

Pan-genomics is a promising approach for studying the genetic diversity within plant populations. In contrast to common resequencing studies that compare whole genome sequencing data to a single reference genome, the construction of a pan-genome involves the direct comparison of multiple genomes to one another, thereby enabling the detection of nonreference genomic sequences and genes, as well as the analysis of gene content diversity. While multiple studies describing pan-genomes of various plant species have been published in recent years, the effect of the construction methodology is still poorly understood. Here we examine the effect of several key methodological factors on the obtained nonreference gene pool and on gene presence-absence detections by constructing and comparing multiple pan-genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana and cultivated soybean, as well as conducting a meta-analysis on published pan-genomes. These factors include the construction method, the sequencing depth, and the extent of input data used for gene annotation. We observe extreme differences between pan-genomes constructed using the two common procedures (De novo assembly and Map-to-pan), and that results are dependent on the extent of the input data. Specifically, we report low overlap between nonreference gene pools and low agreement in gene content inferences obtained using different procedures and input data. Our results raise questions regarding the reliability of recently published pan-genomes and indicate that current inferences should be treated with great caution.
Frequency of COVID-19 in patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zahedi Mahdi , Davanloo Faeze , Fatemi Alireza
Published: March 2022

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) There are some evidences that myocardial injury may play a role in increasing mortality in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and demographic and clinical indicators of patients with this complication for a six months period.Methods: This cross-sectional study was retrospective and descriptive and all patients with acute myocardial infarction under primary PCI including 85 patients were included in the study. Measured parameters included COVID-19, age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes, and hypertension. Data were analyzed by SPSS.v25 software.Results: 14 patients with MI under primary PCI (16.5%) had COVID-19. COVID-19 was diagnosed by RT-PCR for 2 patients and by lung CT scan of the remaining 12. Background Diabetes and Hypertension were present in 21.4% (n = 3) and 7.1% (n = 1) of COVID-19 patients, respectively. Recurrence of MI occurred in 14.3% (2 cases) of patients with COVID-19. The death occurred in only one case of COVID-19 patients, a 70-year-old Persian woman with diabetes and hypertension. There was no significant difference between age and sex, ethnicity, underlying diabetes, and underlying hypertension between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups.Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 is significant in MI patients undergoing primary PCI. Further studies are recommended to investigate the role and mechanism of demographic and contextual variables on the severity and consequences of primary PCI in MI patients with COVID-19.