bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ectoderm-Derived Frontal Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery by Alleviating Neuroinflammation and Glutamate Excitotoxicity
Authors: Qin Qiaozhen , Wang Ting , Xu Zhenhua , Liu Shuirong , Zhang Heyang , Du Zhangzhen , Wang Jianing , Wang Yadi , Wang Zhenning , Yuan Shanshan , Wu Jiamei , He Wenyan , Wang changzhen , Yan Xinlong , Wang Yan , Jiang Xiaoxia
Published: October 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to cell and tissue impairment, as well as functional deficits. Stem cells promote structural and functional recovery and thus are considered as a promising therapy for various nerve injuries. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of ectoderm-derived frontal bone mesenchymal stem cells (FbMSCs) in promoting cerebral repair and functional recovery in a murine TBI model. FbMSCs showed fibroblast like morphology and osteogenic differentiation capacity. FbMSCs were CD105, CD29 positive and CD45, CD31 negative. Different from mesoderm-derived MSCs, FbMSCs highly expressed ectoderm-specific transcription factor Tfap2β and growth factor FGF1. FbMSC application significantly ameliorated the behavioral deficits of TBI mice and promoted neural regeneration. Immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR data revealed that microglial activation and astrocyte polarization to the A1 phenotype were suppressed by FbMSC application. In addition, FGF1 secreted from FbMSCs enhanced glutamate transportation by astrocytes and alleviated the cytotoxic effect of excessive glutamate on neurons. Therefore, MSCs with characteristics of FbMSCs might be good candidates for TBI therapy.
A New Approach for Solving the Inverse Kinematics of Continuum Robot Based on Piecewise Constant Curvature Model
Authors: Wu Haoran , Yu Jingjun , Pan Jie , Pei Xu
Published: October 2021

The inverse kinematics of continuum robot is an important factor to guarantee the motion accuracy. How to construct a concise inverse kinematics model is very essential for the motion control of continuum robot. In this paper, a new method for solving the inverse kinematics of continuum robot is proposed based on the geometric and numerical method. Assumed that the deformation of the continuum robot is Piecewise Constant Curvature model (PCC), the envelope surface of the continuum robot based on single-segment is modeled and calculated. The clustering method is used to calculate the intersection of the curves. Then, a distinct sequence is designed for solving the inverse kinematics of continuum robot, and it is also suitable for the multi-segment continuum robots in space. Finally, the accuracy of the inverse kinematics algorithm is verified by the simulation and numerical experiment. The experiment results illustrate that this algorithm is with higher accuracy compared with the Jacobian iterative algorithm.
Do Information And Communications Technology (ICT) And Financial Development Contribute To Economic Diversification? Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Owolabi Oluwarotimi Ayokunnu , Adedeji Adedayo Oluseun , Aderounmu Busayo , Oku Asa-Ruth Oboko , Ogunbiyi Toun
Published: October 2021

This study based on a panel of 37 Sub-Saharan Africa countries over the period of 2000 -2018 explores the effect of a number of ICT variables namely Fixed broad band, fixed line telephone, ICT imports, internet, mobile, and secure internet servers, and financial development measured by private sector domestic credit to GDP on economic diversification as measured by a computed Herfindahl Hirschman Index of Economic diversification. All data except rule of law were sourced from World Bank World Development Indicators, while rule of law was sourced from World Bank World Governance indicators. Model estimation was performed using pooled ordinary least squares regression, panel data fixed effects regression, and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) regression. The results from findings indicated that the ICT variables, fixed line telephone, and ICT imports significantly reduced economic diversification, while internet use and mobile use were insignificant for boosting economic diversification, and fixed broadband and secure internet servers were insignificant in adversely affecting economic diversification. As regards financial development, it was insignificant in boosting economic diversification of SSA countries. The study recommended amongst others that Individuals in SSA countries should have improved access to ICT devices and governments’ should ensure adequate provision of quality ICT infrastructureJEL classification: C23, G10, G21, O11, O33, O55
Nanofactory for Metabolic and Chemodynamic Therapy: Pro-Tumor Lactate Trapping and Anti-Tumor ROS Transition
Authors: He Ruiqing , Zang Jie , Zhao Yuge , Liu Ying , Ruan Shuangrong , Zheng Xiao , Chong Gaowei , Xu Dailin , Yang Yan , Yang Yushan , Zhang Tingting , Gu Jingjing , Dong Haiqing , Li Yongyong
Published: October 2021

Lactate plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. Exhausting lactate in tumors holds great promise for the reversal of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we report on a “lactate treatment plant” (i.e., nanofactory) that can dynamically trap pro-tumor lactate and in situ transformation into anti-tumor cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for a synergistic chemodynamic and metabolic therapy. To this end, lactate oxidase (LOX) was nano-packaged by cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI), assisted by a necessary amount of copper ions (PLNPCu). As a reservoir of LOX, the tailored system can actively trap lactate through the cationic PEI component to promote lactate degradation by two-fold efficiency. More importantly, the byproducts of lactate degradation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can be transformed into anti-tumor ROS catalyzing by copper ions, mediating an immunogenic cell death (ICD). With the remission of immunosuppressive TME, ICD process effectively initiated the positive immune response in 4T1 tumor model (88% tumor inhibition). This work provides a novel strategy that rationally integrates metabolic therapy and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for combating tumors.
Decreased Thalamic Monoamine Availability in Drug-Induced Parkinsonism
Authors: Oh Yoon-Sang , Yoo Sang-Won , Lyoo Chul Hyoung , Kim Joong-Seok
Published: October 2021

Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is caused by a dopamine receptor blockade and is a major cause of misleading diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Striatal dopamine activity has been investigated widely in DIP; however, most studies with dopamine transporter imaging have focused on the clinical characteristics and prognosis. This study investigated differences in striatal subregional monoamine availability among patients with DIP, normal controls, and patients with early PD. Thirty-five DIP patients, the same number of age-matched PD patients, and 46 healthy controls were selected for this study. Parkinsonian motor status was examined. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 18F-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2beta-carbon ethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane were performed, and the regional standardized uptake values were analyzed with a volume-of-interest template and compared among the groups. Females were more predominant in the DIP group than in the PD group. Parkinsonian motor symptoms were similar in the DIP and PD groups. Monoamine availability in the thalamus of the DIP group was lower than that of the normal controls and similar to that of the PD group. In other subregions (putamen, globus pallidus, and ventral striatum), monoamine availability in the DIP group and normal controls did not differ and was higher than that in the PD group. These findings suggest that low monoamine availability in the thalamus could be an imaging biomarker of DIP.
Increased hippocampal-inferior temporal cortex white matter connectivity following donepezil treatment in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A diffusion tensor probabilistic tractography study
Authors: Kim Gwang-Won , Park Kwangsung , Jeong Gwang-Woo
Published: October 2021

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been increasing each year; however, few methods are available to identify the effects of treatment for AD. Defective hippocampus has been associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of AD. However, the effect of donepezil treatment on hippocampus-related networks is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hippocampal white matter (WM) connectivity following donepezil treatment in patients with MCI using probabilistic tractography, and to further determine the WM integrity and changes in brain volume. Magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of patients with MCI before and after 6-month donepezil treatment were acquired. Volumes and DTI scalars of 11 regions of interest comprising the frontal and temporal cortices and subcortical regions were measured. Seed-based structural connectivity analyses were focused on the hippocampus. Compared with healthy controls, patients with MCI showed significantly decreased hippocampal volume and WM connectivity with the superior frontal gyrus, as well as increased mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in the amygdala (p < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). After six months of donepezil treatment, patients with MCI showed increased hippocampal-inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) WM connectivity (p < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected), which was normalized to the healthy control. These findings will be useful in developing theories to describe the etiology of MCI and the therapeutic role of anticholinesterases.
Agreements between mean arterial pressure from radial and femoral artery measurements in refractory shock patients
Authors: Wisanusattra Hemmawan , Khwannimit Bodin
Published: October 2021

Radial and femoral artery catheterization is the most common procedure for monitoring patients with shock. However, a disagreement in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the two sites has been reported. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the MAP from the radial artery (MAPradial) with that of the femoral artery (MAPfemoral) in patients with refractory shock. A prospective study was conducted in the medical intensive care unit. The radial and femoral were simultaneously measured MAP in the patients every hour, for 24 hours. In total, 706 paired data points were obtained from 32 patients. MAPradial strongly correlated with MAPfemoral (r = 0.89, p <0.0001). However, overall MAPradial was significantly lower than MAPfemoral 7.6 mmHg. The bias between MAPradial and MAPfemoral was -7.6 mmHg (95% limits of agreement (LOA), -24.1 to 8.9). In the subgroup of patients with MAPradial < 65 mmHg, MAPradial moderately correlated with MAPfemoral (r = 0.63) and the bias was increased to -13.0 mmHg (95% LOA, -28.8 to 2.9). There were 414 (58.6%) measurements in which the MAP gradient between the two sites was > 5 mmHg. In conclusion, the radial artery significantly underestimated MAP compared with the femoral artery in patients with refractory shock.
Proposing a framework for specifying the appropriateness of pursuing a career regarding Employees’ healthiness and safeguard: A Case study of food manufacturing industry
Authors: Behdinian Ayria , Rezaie Kamran , Bozorgi-Amiri Ali
Published: October 2021

BackgroundEmployee health is an essential issue for Human Resource Management (HRM). The employees' health level is undeniably correlated to the job position in which they work since it may harm their well-being, and they may not be capable of performing their duties properly. Prompt diagnosis and resolution of employees' physical complications are highly critical.MethodsMachine learning (ML) is the state-of-the-art method potentially utilized to make early predictions to safeguard employees' healthiness. The technical laborers within the food manufacturing company are included in this Research. The functional classification models, namely, Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Logistic Regression (LR), Decision Tree, are exploited to predict the employees' wellness for their vocation. K-fold Cross-Validation (KCV) and Confusion Matrix were applied in this study, the former for estimating the model's functionality and the latter for forecasting accuracy.ResultsAfter implementing four models on the 231 employees, the accuracy was extracted out, SVM with 78%, KNN with 78%, Decision Tree with 80%, and the highest for LR algorithm with 84%.ConclusionsIn this Research, the LR algorithm was opted to paving the way for Human Resources Managers in order to utilize a functional system to predict the Suitability of factory workers concerning their healthiness. The Hearing condition was picked out as a leading factor in selecting employees for their job position. Consequently, it is significant to planning a hearing conservation program for employees, especially those exposed to excessive noise.Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered.
The Use of Autologous Skeletal Muscle Derived Cells as a Sling in the Treatment of Induced Stress Urinary Incontinence, An Experimental Study in Dogs
Authors: Wadie Bassem S , Aamer Haytham G , Khater Sherry M , Gabr Mahmoud M
Published: October 2021

Introduction:This is an experimental pre-clinical study, testing the applicability of autologous skeletal muscle derived cells as a treatment of SUI in canine modelMethods:10 Mongrel dogs included. Skeletal muscle biopsy was harvested in 4. 1 month later, incontinence was induced in 8 dogs through urethrolysis. Muscle biopsy was incubated and expanded for 8 weeks. Muscle derived cells were collected and covered a Polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold immersed in culture medium and coated with matrigel to be used as a sling. Placed suburethral in 8 dogs; 4 had cell- seeded and 4 had scaffold only. Urethral pressure (UP) measurement was done at baseline 2 &6 weeks after sling insertion. The urethra was harvested 4 weeks after sling insertion for histopathology.Results:UP shows increase of maximum urethral pressure during static measurement in all dogs with a scaffold inserted. The increase ranged from 5-40 cmH20 Histopathology shows significant periurethral proliferation of skeletal muscles in 4 dogs with cell-seeded scaffold. This was maximum in dogs # 1& 2. This was not the case in the 4 dogs that had sling only.Conclusion: Use of skeletal muscle –seeded PGA scaffold is a practical technique with preserved integrity of histological differentiation in canine model.
Anatomical Study for the Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fracture Through the Medial Approach
Authors: Xiang Hao , Wang Yan , Yang Yongliang , Liu Fanxiao , Lu Qinsen , Kong Lingpeng , Li Mingzhen , Han Yong , Wang Fu
Published: October 2021

Background: The treatment of complex 3- and 4- part proximal humeral fractures has been controversial due to numerous postoperative complications. With the further study of medial support and blood supply of humeral head, new techniques and conception are developing. The study aims to illustrate the medial approach of the proximal humeral fracture through cadaver autopsy.Method: Upper limbs from 19 cadavers have been dissected to expose the shoulder joint. We selected the coracoid process as the bony reference. Vernier caliper will be used to measure the following data, including distance from coracoid process to circumflex brachial artery, distance between anterior humeral circumflex artery (ACHA) and posterior circumflex brachial artery (PCHA) and their diameters. Assessment included the characteristics of the vascular supply around the humeral head, identification of the structures at risk, quality of exposure of the bony structures, and feasibility of fixation.Results: Medial plate can be easily placed in 86.84% anatomical patterns. An interval of 2 to 3cm (24.29 ± 3.42 mm) was available for internal fixation. ACHA (49.35 ± 8.13 mm, 35.14 - 68.53 mm) and PCHA (49.62 ± 7.82 mm, 37.67 - 66.76 mm) were about 5cm away from the coracoid process. Risk factors including ACHA and PCHA originate in common, PCHA originated from the deep brachial artery (DBA), the presence of perforator vessels; musculocutaneous nerve intersects with ACHA, the diameter of PCHA: ACHA < 1.5. In 13.15% anatomical patterns, this risk factor should be taken seriously. Conclusion: The medial approach opens a new perspective in the optimal management of complex fractures of proximal humerus. Anatomical research proves that the medial approach is feasible. The interval between ACHA and PCHA is suitable for placement. Anatomical pattern and indication have been discussed, and we hypothesized that ACHA has been destroyed in complex PHFs. With further studies on the anatomy and mechanism of injury, the development of more clinical cases will be an important work of our institution in the future.
Cementless Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty Compared With Proximal Femoral Nail Anti-rotation of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures in Senile Patients With Osteoporosis: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Cai Chengkui , Tian Liying , Chen Zhihui , Sun Pengcheng , Wang Guozhu
Published: October 2021

Background: Implant design for the correction of osteoporotic unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients is a controversial issue. Our study aims to compare the efficacy of PFNA and cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty (CBH) in treating osteoporotic unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.Methods: We retrospectively assessed 52 elderly patients, aged > 70 years old, with intertrochanteric fractures (AO/OTA 31-A2 fractures) from 2014 to 2019. Among them, 24 patients received PFNA and 28 patients received CBH, accompanied with 2-year follow-ups. Additionally, the efficacy difference between the two implants was compared.Results: Both groups had similar general variables like age, gender, fracture site, degree of osteoporosis, fracture classification, ASA score, basic diseases, preoperative preparation time, anesthesia mode, along with postoperative blood transfusions and postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conversely, significant differences were observed among intraoperative variables (amount of blood loss, amount of blood transfusions, operative time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy), postoperative variables (amount of blood loss, weight-bearing time out of bed, hospital length of stay), and Harris hip function score within 6 months of operation (P<0.05).Conclusions: CBH showed no obvious advantage over PFNA in the perioperative period in elderly patients with osteoporotic unstable intertrochanteric fractures. However, the joint replacement allowed for earlier ambulation after the operation and rapid recovery of the hip joint function.
E3 Ubiquitin Ligase NEDD4L Negatively Regulates Breast Cancer Metastasis By Downregulating SNAI2
Authors: Zuo Baile , Lan Ying , Li Xiaoyan , Zhao Liping , Yu Kexin , Tong Binghua , Guo Zhenni , Sun Meiqing , Zhao Jin , Zhang Huina , Zhang Huahao , Li Guoyin
Published: October 2021

Background

Accumulating evidence demonstrated that the abnormal expression of E3-ubiquitin ligase NEDD4L plays an important role in the biological process of carcinomas. However, its role in breast cancer (BRCA) remains elusive.
Methods

The expression of NEDD4L was analyzed using BRCA datasets from public database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used for enrichment analysis. Both transwell assay and pulmonary metastasis model of BRCA were used to detect metastatic ability of cells. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the protein expression of target genes. The riskScore and nomogram were used to evaluate the prognosis of patients.
Results

NEDD4L was significantly downregulated in cancer tissues and positively correlated with the overall survival of patients. Knocking down NEDD4L could enhance the migration and metastasis ability of BRCA cells. SP1 promotes NEDD4L expression, resulting in SNAI2 downregulation in BRCA. A NEDD4L related to the prognostic model developed by LASSO Cox regression could be an independent predictive factor for BRCA. A nomogram combining riskScore and clinical indicators was established to evaluate the prognosis of BRCA quantitatively.
Conclusions

This study first reveals the role of the SP1/NEDD4L/SNAI2 axis in BRCA and establishes a reliable prognostic model, which provides a novel target and basis for clinical treatment and prognosis evaluation of breast cancer.
An Automated Cell Line Authentication Method for AstraZeneca Global Cell Bank using Deep Neural Networks on Brightfield Images
Authors: Tong Lei , Corrigan Adam , Kumar Navin Rathna , Hallbrook Kerry , Orme Jonathon , Wang Yinhai , Zhou Huiyu
Published: October 2021

Cell line authentication is important in the biomedical field to ensure that researchers are not working with misidentified cells. Short tandem repeat is the gold standard method, but has its own limitations, including being expensive and time-consuming. Deep neural networks achieve great success in the analysis of cellular images in a cost-effective way. However, because of the lack of centralized available datasets, whether or not cell line authentication can be replaced or supported by cell image classification is still a question. Moreover, the relationship between the incubation times and cellular images has not been explored in previous studies. In this study, we automated the process of the cell line authentication by using deep learning analysis of brightfield cell line images. We proposed a novel multi-task framework to identify cell lines from cell images and predict the duration of how long cell lines have been incubated simultaneously. Using thirty cell lines’ data from the AstraZeneca Cell Bank, we demonstrated that our proposed method can accurately identify cell lines from brightfield images with a 99.8% accuracy and predicts the incubation durations for cell images with the coefficient of determination score of 0.927. Considering that new cell lines are continually added to the AstraZeneca Cell Bank, we integrated the transfer learning technique with the proposed system to deal with data from new cell lines not included in the pre-trained model. Our method achieved excellent performance with a sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 95.8% in the detection of 14 new cell lines. These results demonstrated that our proposed framework can effectively identify cell lines using brightfield images.
The Effect of Beam Direction on Absorption and Transmission of Ultraviolet to Infra-red Wave-length in Three Different Dentin Thicknesses
Authors: Eslami Elmira , Kazeminejad Ezatolah , Karimian Azizeh
Published: October 2021

BackgroundsLasers and optics have extensively been used in dental procedures in recent years, so realizing the optical properties of the tooth represents a milestone in its successful applications. the aim of this study was to compare the absorption and transmission of applied wavelengths in 190-1100 nm range in various dentin thicknesses and the effect of changing the direction of beam emission in dentinal tubules.MethodsFifteen dentin specimens with a thickness of 300, 600, and 1000 µm and five specimens from each thickness were prepared by a transverse incision at the upper pulpal roof area of the human molars.Considering the Corono-apical and Apico-coronal direction, we measured the absorption and transmission of parallel light beams perpendicular to the dentin specimens in various thicknesses and two directions using a UV/ Visible spectrometer.ResultsThe ultraviolet wavelength's absorption rate was significantly higher than visible and infrared light irradiation from both directions in three thicknesses (p-value<0.001). Additionally, The radiation beam displacement had no significant differences in the absorption and transmission of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light in any of the three thicknesses (p-value>0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results, the change in the beam direction during irradiation does not cause a significant difference in light absorption. Furthermore, the results are expected to develop a suitable method for evaluating the trans-dental performance of different optical parameters for diagnostic purposes in the dental tissues.
Ovipositor sources for queen-rearing of honey bee (Apis mellifera) revealed inheritable maternal effect on reared queen
Authors: Yu Longtao , Shi Xinxin , He Xujiang , Yan Weiyu , Wu Xiaobo
Published: October 2021

Queen is arguably the most important member of a honey bee colony, and queen quality is crucial for honey bee colony growth and development. In this study, queens were reared with eggs laid in queen cells (QE), eggs laid in worker cells (WE) and 2-day old larvae in worker cells (L). Those physiological indexes (the weight, thorax size and number of ovarioles) of newly reared queens in each group were measured. Moreover, the reproductive potential of the newly reared queens and foraging ability of worker bees laid by the newly reared queens in each group were further explored. In addition, we also examined whether maternal effects would be transmitted to the offspring queens in honey bee. We found that the weight, number of ovarioles and thorax weight of newly emerged queens in QE were significantly higher than those in WE and L, suggesting the reproductive potential was stronger in QE group than WE and L group. Furthermore, offspring worker bees and queens of QE queens had higher weight at emergence than those from the other two groups. This study proved profound honey bee maternal effects on queen quality, which can be transmitted to their offspring. Our results of the present study were important for improving queen quality and promoting the development of beekeeping and agriculture.
Floristic Diversity, Population Structure, Regeneration Status and Socio-Economic Importance of Fach Forest, South Gondar, Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Zegeye Haileab
Published: October 2021

Background: The remaining natural forests of Ethiopia are only small patches mostly confined to inaccessible areas and sacred places. Fach forest is one of the remnant dry evergreen Afromontane forests (DAFs) in northwestern Ethiopia. There is lack of information on the vegetation ecology of the forest. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the floristic composition and diversity, population structure, regeneration status and socio-economic importance of Fach forest, and the anthropogenic factors affecting it.Methods: Vegetation data were collected from a total of 34 plots, measuring 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) each and established along line transects approximately at 100 m intervals. A general survey consisting of field observations, key-informant interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used to collect socio-economic data. Results: A total of 230 vascular plant species belonging to 183 genera and 76 families were recorded from the study area, of which 45 (19.57%) were trees, 62 (26.97%) trees/shrubs, 37 (16.09%) shrubs, 13 (5.65%) woody climbers, 10 (4.35%) herbaceous climbers, and 63 (27.39%) herbs. The family with the highest number of species was Fabaceae (28 species, 12.17% of all species), followed by Asteraceae (18 species, 7.83%), Poaceae (13 species, 5.65%), and Acanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae (9 species each). The Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness values of woody species were 3.53 and 0.72, and the total density and basal area 4938.24 individuals ha-1 and 19.17 m2 ha-1, respectively. The species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) value was Combretum molle (25.26%), followed by Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (21.19%), Dodonaea angustifolia (17.80%), and Calpurnia aurea (15.05%). The local communities were highly dependent on the forest for fuelwood, construction material, charcoal, timber and farm implements, as well as food (edible fruits), medicines, fodder, and bee forage. Fach forest is a protected area and contains sacred places, but at present it is dwindling mainly due to livestock grazing/browsing, tree cutting for various purposes, farmland expansion, rural settlements expansion, urbanization, fire incidences, and exotic species plantations at the expense of the natural forest, as well as soil erosion and climate change.Conclusions: Fach forest possesses high plant diversity and endemism. Woody species having low IVI values and poor regeneration status (as indicated by the Diameter at Breast Height [DBH] class distributions) need high priority for conservation. Fach forest has been maintained to the present-day through the combined indigenous (sacred grove) and modern (protected area system) conservation methods, but is now under increasing human pressure. Therefore, effective conservation and management interventions are urgently needed to ensure the long-term maintenance of the forest ecosystem, and benefit the local communities through sustainable utilization of the forest.
Effects of Preoperative Drug Holiday On Sequester Separation and Treatment Outcome in Cancer Patients With Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of The Jaw
Authors: Otsuru Mitsunobu , Soutome Sakiko , Morishita Kota , Hayashida Saki , Murata Maho , Takagi Yukinari , Sasaki Miho , Sumi Misa , Yanamoto Souichi , Umeda Masahiro
Published: October 2021

We aimed to investigate whether antiresorptive agent drug holidays contributed to the formation of sequester separation and treatment outcome in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) patients whose primary disease was malignancy. A total of 105 MRONJ patients with malignant tumors as the primary disease who underwent surgery at Nagasaki University Hospital and Kansai Medical University Hospital from January 2009 to December 2020 were included. We recorded patient age, sex, primary disease (solid cancer, non-solid cancer), MRONJ stage, type and administration period of antiresorptive agents, presence of diabetes, corticosteroid use, drug holiday period, white blood cell count, serum, albumin, serum creatinine, outcomes, and computed tomography findings. We examined the relationship between a drug holiday and sequester separation and outcome. Drug holiday of more than 90 days (P=0.629) was not a significant factor for sequester separation in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, steroid use (P=0.009) and serum albumin (P=0.003) were extracted as factors affecting prognosis; withdrawal for more than 90 days (P=0.98) was not a significant factor. MRONJ patients with cancer as the primary disease should be operated early without drug holidays if their general condition is relatively good, clinical symptoms are strong, and quality of life is improved.
Obtaining of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Modified With Galactose and Assessment of Their Cytotoxic Properties
Authors: Pulit-Prociak Jolanta , Staroń Anita , Długosz Olga , Domagała Dominik , Janczyk Katarzyna , Banach Marcin
Published: October 2021

The work presents the method for preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticles with galactose coating. Bare zinc oxide nanoparticles are well-known and popular drug delivers. However, the fact that zinc ions may be released from their structure easily, they may pose a threat to the living organism. Thus the modification of such a product has been performed. The physicochemical properties of the products have been analysed. XRD technique revealed crystallographic structure of the products. Based on ATR-FTIR analysis it was confirmed that galactose has been successfully attached to the zinc oxide nanoparticles. TEM-EDS microscopy was applied in order to assess the shape of nanoparticles and also for the confirmation of galactose on the particles surface. The releasing of zinc ions from the modified products was compared to their releasing from basic, non-modified sample. Also, cytotoxicity and proliferation of obtained products have been analysed with using Chinese hamster ovary cells. It was found out that the proposed technology may lead to obtain stable forms of modified zinc oxide nanoparticles with limited toxicity.
“I want to live, but…” The desire to live and its physical, psychological, and social factors among advanced cancer patients: Evidence from the APPROACH study in India
Authors: Joad Anjum S Khan , Hota Arati , Agarwal Pratima , Patel Krimal , Patel Kinjal , Puri Jyotika , Shin Soye
Published: October 2021

Background

The limited access to palliative care resources along with the social stigma around cancer largely explains the poor quality of life (QoL) of Indian advanced cancer patients. As advanced cancer patients with poor QoL often harbour a desire for hastened death (DHD), it is imperative to understand factors affecting DHD, or the desire to live (DTL) among advanced cancer patients in India. We aim to examine the relationship between DTL and physical, psychological, social and spiritual factors measuring patients’ QoL alongside their awareness of their late cancer stage.
Methods

We surveyed 200 patients from a tertiary cancer hospital in India to collect their DTL, awareness of cancer stage, demographic characteristics, and standardized measures for patients’ QoL. We used a linear probability regression model to quantify the association between these factors and patients’ DTL among the final sample of 192 patients with no missing information for the variables of interest.
Results

Among the various domains affecting cancer patients’ QoL, we found that the pain severity score (ranging from 0 to 10) and psychological distress score (ranging from 0 to 42) are negatively associated with the DTL. One point increase in each score reduced the DTL by 2.2% (p <0.05) and 0.7% (p <0.05), respectively. Our results also showed that patients whose perceived socio-economic status (SES) is poor have a 16% (p <0.05) lower probability of DTL, compared to those with higher SES (lower middle class, upper middle class, and wealthy). Controlling for caste, religion, gender, age, marital status and years of education, we found psychological distress is statistically higher among patients belonging to this bottom SES.
Conclusions

We found that pain severity, psychological distress and perceived low SES are negatively associated with the desire to live in advanced cancer patients. Future research should focus on developing interventions to improve physical pain and psychological distress, particularly for patients who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Modified Guishen Pill Ameliorates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats Through Anti-inflammation and Modulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Tian Jiayu , Zuo Ling , Xu Yanqiu , Xiong Yu , Zhan Quancao , Zeng Yan , Liu Yuzhe , Huang Xuekuan , wang jianwei
Published: October 2021

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder often accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation. Western medicine often causes negative side effects, such as premature ovarian failure. Therefore, this study evaluates the efficacy of modified Guishen pill (MGP) in ameliorating letrozole-induced PCOS in rats.
Methods

Six-week-old specific-pathogen free (SPF) female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group (Blank), model group (Model), positive group (Diane-35, 0.2 mg/kg BW), high dose MGP group (H.MGP, 23.96 g/kg BW), medium dose MGP group (M.MGP, 11.98 g/kg BW), and low dose MGP group (L.MGP, 5.99 g/kg BW). After 4 weeks of treatment, plasma, ovaries, and fecal samples were collected from the rats for analysis.
Results

MGP treatment improved ovarian function by improving estrous cycle, ovarian morphology, and endocrine functions in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. MGP alleviated inflammation by reducing macrophage infiltration and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in the ovaries of letrozole-induced PCOS rats. 16S rDNA sequencing of the intestinal microbiome indicated that MGP regulated gut microbiota structure and restored gut microbiota dysbiosis. MGP significantly increased the relative abundance of bifidobacteria at the order, family, and genus levels. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that gut microbiota were correlated with the host phenotype of letrozole-induced PCOS rats.
Conclusion

MGP treatment could ameliorate letrozole-induced PCOS by improving ovarian function, reducing inflammation, and regulating the gut microbiota.
Smoothing age/time structure of HIV prevalence, for optimal use in synthetic cohort based incidence estimation
Authors: Mhlanga Laurette , Eduard Grebe , Welte Alex
Published: October 2021

Population-based surveys which ascertain HIV status are conducted in heavily affected countries, with the estimation of incidence being a primary goal. Numerous methods exist under the umbrella of ‘synthetic cohort analysis’, by which we mean estimating incidence from the age/time structure of prevalence (given knowledge on mortality). However, not enough attention has been given to how serostatus data is ‘smoothed’ into a time/age-dependent prevalence, so as to optimise the estimation of incidence.To support this and other related investigations, we developed a comprehensive simulation environment in which we simulate age/time structured SI type epidemics and surveys. Scenarios are flexibly defined by demographic rates (fertility, incidence and mortality – dependent, as appropriate, on age, time, and time-since-infection) without any reference to underlying causative processes/parameters. Primarily using 1) a simulated epidemiological scenario inspired by what is seen in the hyper-endemic HIV affected regions, and 2) pairs of cross-sectional surveys, we explored A) options for extracting the age/time structure of prevalence so as to optimise the use of the formal incidence estimation framework of Mahiane et al, and B) aspects of survey design such as the interaction of epidemic details, sample-size/sampling-density and inter-survey interval.Much as in our companion piece which crucially investigated the use of ‘recent infection’ (whereas the present analysis hinges fundamentally on the estimation of the prevalence gradient) we propose a ‘one size fits most’ process for conducting ‘synthetic cohort’ analyses of large population survey data sets, for HIV incidence estimation: fitting a generalised linear model for prevalence, separately for each age/time point where an incidence estimate is desired, using a ‘moving window’ data inclusion rule. Overall, even in very high incidence settings, sampling density requirements are onerous.The general default approach we propose for fitting HIV prevalence to data as a function of age and time appears to be broadly stable over various epidemiological stages. Particular scenarios of interest, and the applicable options for survey design and analysis, can readily be more closely investigated using our approach. We note that it is often unrealistic to expect even large household based surveys to provide meaningful incidence estimates outside of priority groups like young women, where incidence is often particularly high.
Integrating Health Belief model to determine factors associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Lebanon: Differences between health care workers and non-healthcare workers
Authors: Youssef Dalal
Published: October 2021

Background:Vaccine acceptance is critical to the success of immunization programs, especially for emerging infectious diseases. This study aims to assess the willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and the factors associated with this willingness among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers in Lebanon.Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among Lebanese adults aged 18 years and above during November 2020 among Lebanese adults from all Lebanese provinces using a snowball sampling technique. Data were collected using an anonymous Arabic questionnaire that included sociodemographic, health-related variables, intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine, and the Health Belief Model covariates. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the 2 groups.Results:A total number of 2802 participants completed the survey. The overall intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine among the Lebanese adult population was 51.5%. HCWs expressed a higher willingness of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 than non HCWs (65.8% vs. 47%, p< 0.001). The factors that are positively associated with the willingness to vaccinate among the general population, non HCWs and HCWs were: older age, being married, living in urban areas, receiving influenza vaccine for this season, higher perception of susceptibility and benefits, concerns related to availability and accessibility of vaccines and recommendation of vaccine from health authorities. However, the previous refusal of any vaccine, concerns about vaccine safety, and side effects impacted negatively this intention. Female gender, importance accounted to religiosity, and concerns about the reliability of the manufacturer were negatively associated with vaccine acceptance among non HCWs. Conversely, good knowledge, vaccine intake by the public, and self-motivation were positively associated with this willingness. Of note, these factors were not significantly associated with such willingness among HCWs.Conclusion: To control COVID-19 effectively, efforts targeting modifiable factors driving COVID-19 vaccine acceptance are required to increase the acceptance rate among the Lebanese population.
Copy Number Variation at the 22q11.2 Locus Influences Prevalence, Severity, and Psychiatric Impact of Sleep Disturbance
Authors: O'Hora Kathleen Patricia , Lin Amy , Kushan-Wells Leila , Bearden Carrie E.
Published: October 2021

BackgroundSleep disturbance is common, impairing, and may affect symptomatology in developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we take a genetics-first approach to study the complex role of sleep in psychopathology. Specifically, we examine severity of sleep disturbance in individuals with a reciprocal copy number variant (CNV) at the 22q11.2 locus and determine sleep’s effect on psychiatric symptoms. CNVs (deletion or duplication) at this locus confer some of the greatest known risks of neuropsychiatric disorders; recent studies suggest the 22q11.2 deletion negatively impacts sleep, but sleep disruption associated with 22q11.2 duplication has not been investigated.MethodsWe compared subjective sleep disturbance and its relationship to psychiatric symptoms cross-sectionally and longitudinally over one year in 107 22q11.2 deletion (22qDel) carriers (14.56±8.0 years; 50% male), 42 22q11.2 duplication (22qDup) carriers (16.26±13.1 years; 54.8% male) and 88 demographically-matched controls (14.65±7.4 years; 47.1% male). Linear mixed models were used to compare sleep disturbance, assessed via the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS), across groups. Next, CNV carriers were categorized as good or poor sleepers to investigate sleep effects on multiple neurobehavioral traits: psychosis-risk symptoms (SIPS), autism-related behaviors (Repetitive Behavior Scale; RBS and Social Responsiveness Scale; SRS), real-world executive function, (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF) and emotional/behavioral problems (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL). Linear mixed models tested the effect of sleep category and a group-by-sleep interaction on each measure, cross-sectionally and longitudinally.Results22qDel and 22qDup carriers both reported poorer sleep than controls, but did not differ from each other. Cross-sectionally and longitudinally, poor sleepers scored higher on all SIPS subdomains, CBCL subdomains (anxious/depressed, somatic complaints, thought problems, and aggressive behavior), as well as RBS and SRS total scores. There were significant group-by-sleep interactions for positive symptoms and the majority of CBCL subdomains, in which the difference between good and poor sleepers was larger in 22qDel compared to 22qDup.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that CNVs at the 22q11.2 locus impact sleep which, in turn, influences psychopathology. Sleep disturbances can differentially impact psychopathology, depending on 22q11.2 gene dosage. Our findings serve as a starting point for exploring a genetic basis for sleep disturbance in developmental neuropsychiatric disorders.Trial RegistrationNot Applicable
Hip Stability Parameters with Dual Mobility, Modular Dual Mobility and Fixed Bearing in Total Hip Arthroplasty: an Analytical Evaluation
Authors: Tigani Domenico , Banci Lorenzo , Valtorta Riccardo , Amendola Luca
Published: October 2021

Background. Use of dual mobility in total hip arthroplasty has gained popularity due to the ability to reduce dislocation through increased jumping distance and impingement-free arc of movement. Recently, modular dual mobility systems were introduced to give the possibility to use dual mobility with standard metal-backed shells, however few has been studied to date regarding how jumping distance and the center of rotation changed with modular dual mobility. The objective of this study was to evaluate, through analytical simulation, how jumping distance and center of rotation change between dual mobility and standard cup with modular dual mobility or fixed bearings. Methods. 3D-models of dual mobility and standard press-fit cups with modular dual mobility or fixed bearings liners were used to simulate dual mobility, modular dual mobility and fixed bearings implant configurations, matched for same cup size, according to same cup position, different femoral head diameters. Jumping distance was calculated and center of rotation lateralization was measured for different sizes.Results. Jumping distance with modular dual mobility was reduced by -3.9mm to -8.6mm in comparison with dual mobility, from 48 to 64mm sizes. Jumping distance with modular dual mobility resulted comparable to jumping distance with polyethylene fixed bearings with Ø36mm femoral head but increased by +1.1mm and +1.4mm than jumping distance with ceramic fixed bearings with Ø36 and Ø40mm femoral heads for sizes >54mm. Modular dual mobility lateralized the center of rotation up to +2.5mm and +4.0mm in comparison with dual mobility and fixed bearings, respectively. Conclusions. Jumping distance with modular dual mobility resulted lower than dual mobility and comparable to fixed bearings polyethylene liner with Ø36mm femoral head for larger sizes. Modular dual mobility lateralized the center of rotation in comparison with both dual mobility and fixed bearings cups.Trial Registration. Not applicable.