bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Supportive Treatment on the Adherence of Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: zheng yongliang , Qin Yiyu , Lu Yumeng , Li Liangliang , Chen Ya , Yao Zhaojuan
Published: August 2021

Background: Brief behavioral therapy (BBT-I) for insomnia has been proven to be a simple and effective alternative to cognitive behavioral therapy. However, low adherence limits the application in Chinese primary medical institutions, resulting in delayed or irregular treatment for many patients. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine supportive treatments on the adherence to behavioral therapy for insomnia in Chinese primary healthcare institutions, with a particular focus on patients who live in regions with weak healthcare systems.Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted in primary medical institutions and will recruit 98 adult participants with insomnia. BBT-I will be used as the base treatment. The participants will be divided into experimental (combined with traditional Chinese medicine supportive treatment n = 49) and control (combined with trazodone treatment, n = 49) groups, and each group will be treated for 4 consecutive weeks. The severity index of insomnia will be used as the main indicator of disease evaluation, with an 8-point reduction in the score considered as effective and a score < 8 considered as cured. The secondary indicators of the disease evaluation will include the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Zung’s self-rating anxiety scale, Zung’s self-rating depression scale, treatment adherence, and adverse event reports. All participants will be followed up at the time of enrollment, 4 weeks after treatment, and 3 months after the end of treatment.Discussion: This clinical trial will provide evidence for the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine supportive treatment on the adherence to behavioral therapy for insomnia in primary medical institutions. This cheap and accessible model may benefit insomnia patients in medically underserved areas.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100042845. Registered on 30 January 2021, dataset: http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=65691&htm=4
Development of Multimode Gas Fired Combined Cycle Chemical-Looping Combustion Based Power Plant Lay-Outs
Authors: Jayadevappa Basavaraja Revappa
Published: August 2021

Operation of power plants in carbon dioxide capture and non-capture modes and energy penalty or energy utilization in such operations are of great significance. This work reports on two gas fired pressurized chemical-looping combustion power plant lay-outs with two inbuilt modes of flue gas exit namely, with carbon dioxide capture mode and second mode is letting flue gas (consists carbon dioxide and water) without capturing carbon dioxide. In the non-CCS mode, higher thermal efficiencies of 54.06% and 52.63% efficiencies are obtained with natural gas and syngas. In carbon capture mode, a net thermal efficiency of 52.13% is obtained with natural gas and 48.78% with syngas. The operating pressure of air reactor is taken to be 13 bar for realistic operational considerations and that of fuel reactor is 11.5 bar. Two power plant lay-outs developed based combined cycle CLC mode for natural gas and syngas fuels. A single lay-out is developed for two fuels with possible retrofit for dual fuel operation. The CLC Power plants can be operated with two modes of flue gas exit options and these operational options makes them higher thermal efficient power plants.
Economic assessment of incorporating the Hexavalent vaccine as part of the National Immunization Program of Peru
Authors: Seinfeld Janice , Rosales María Laura , Sobrevilla Alfredo , Yescas Juan Guillermo López
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aimed to estimate the economic impact of replacing the current Peruvian primary immunization scheme for infants under 1 year old with an alternative scheme with similar efficacy, based on a hexavalent vaccine.
Methods

A cost-minimization analysis compared the costs associated with vaccine administration, adverse reactions medical treatment, logistical activities, and indirect social costs associated with time spent by parents in both schemes. A budgetary impact analysis assessed the financial impact of the alternative scheme on healthcare budget.
Results

Incorporating the hexavalent vaccine would result in a 15.5% net increase in healthcare budget expenditure ($48,281,706 vs $55,744,653). Vaccination costs would increase by 54.1%, whereas logistical and adverse reaction costs would be reduced by 59.8% and 33.1%, respectively. When including indirect social costs in the analysis, the budgetary impact was reduced to 8.7%. Furthermore, the alternative scheme would enable the liberation of 17.5% of national vaccines storage capacity.
Conclusions

Despite of the significant reduction of logistical and adverse reaction costs, including the hexavalent vaccine into the National Immunization Program of Peru in place of the current vaccination scheme for infants under 1 year of age would increase the public financial budget of the government as it would represent larger vaccine acquisition costs. Incorporating the indirect costs would reduce the budgetary impact demonstrating the social value of the alternative scheme. This merits consideration by government bodies, and future studies investigating such benefits would be informative.
Device Selection in Patients with Borderline Size Aortic Valve Annulus Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Talmor-Barkan Yeela , Kornowski Ran , Bar Noam , Ben-Shoshan Jeremy , Vaknin-Assa Hanna , Hamdan Ashraf , Kruchin Boris , Barbash Israel M. , Danenberg Haim , Perlman Gidon Y. , Konigstein Maayan , Finkelstein Ariel , Steinvil Arie , Merdler Ilan , Segev Amit , Barsheshet Alon , Codner Pablo
Published: August 2021

Transcatheter heart valve (THV) selection for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is crucial to achieve procedural success. Borderline aortic annulus size (BAAS), which allows a choice between two consecutive valve sizes, is a common challenge during device selection. In the present study, we evaluated TAVI outcomes in patients with BAAS according to THV size selection. We performed a retrospective study including patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and BAAS, measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), undergoing TAVI with self-expandable (SE) or balloon-expandable (BE) THV from the Israeli multicenter TAVI registry. TAVI outcomes were assessed according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2). Out of 2,352 patients with MDCT measurements, 598 patients with BAAS as defined for at least one THV type were included in the study. In BAAS patients treated with SE-THV, larger THV selection was associated with lower rate of paravalvular leak (PVL), compared to smaller THV (45.3% vs. 64.5%; pv = 0.0038). Regarding BE-THV, larger valve selection was associated with lower post-procedural transvalvular gradients compared to smaller THV (mean gradient: 9.9 ± 3.7mmHg vs. 12.5 ± 7.2mmHg; p = 0.019). Of note, rates of mortality, left bundle branch block, permanent pacemaker implantation, stroke, annular rupture and/or coronary occlusion did not differ between groups. BAAS is common among patients undergoing TAVI. Selection of a larger THV in these patients is associated with lower rates of PVL and better hemodynamic profile in patients implanted with SE and BE-THV, respectively, with no effect on procedural complications.
Colletotrichum Species Related To “Nam Dork Mai See Tong” Mango In Central Thailand And Risk Detection of Carbendazim-Resistant Strains
Authors: Bincader Santiti , Pongpisutta Ratiya , Rattanakreetakul Chainarong
Published: August 2021

Nam Dork Mai See Tong mango is a deluxe commercial fruit in Thailand, however anthracnose disease becoming a major problem affecting market-driven. Fungicide treatment is the main component in the mango anthracnose management, notwithstanding the appearance of fungal-resistance has been become a factor of fungicide limition and can affect to increasingly higher costs. Thirty-two isolates of the Colletotrichum species complex were obtained from anthracnose-diseased mango cv. Nam Dork Mai See Tong in 3 provinces of Thailand. Fungal identification based on morphological and molecular markers was investigated. All isolates were divided into 3 species: C. asianum , C. gloeosporioides and C. siamense . Pathogenicity tests revealed that all 3 species caused symptoms on artificially unwounded mango fruits and leaves. Only C. gloeosporioides have previously been reported on mango, while C. asianum and C. siamense were first reports associated with mango in Thailand. The responsiveness of Colletotrichum isolates to carbendazim was evaluated using an MIC assay. Nine isolates of C. asianum were highly resistant, while 5 and 8 isolates of C. gloeosporioides were resistant (R) and highly resistant (HR), respectively. Moreover, all isolates of C. siamense were HR. Mutations were detected by PCR of a partial sequence of the β-tubulin gene. The sequence of β-tubulin gene in HR strains showed a single nucleotide transversion of adenine to cytosine, resulting in a substitution at codon 198. However, R strains were found to have only an amino acid change at codon 200. Additionally, PCR-RFLP was applied as a rapid technique to detect carbendazim resistance. The results demonstrated that only the Bsh 1236I restriction enzyme generated two bands (200 and 300 bp) in the highly resistant strain, but these bands were absent in the sensitive (S) and R strains. Hence, PCR-RFLP technique showed the potential to specifically detect benzimidazole fungicide resistance in 3 species of Colletotrichum. Moreover, this technique is accessible and feasible for laboratory assessment
The Relationship between Urologic Cancer Outcomes and National Human Development Index: Trend in Recent Years
Authors: Xia Xiao-Fang , Wang Yi-Qiu , Shao Shi-Yi , Zhao Xin-Yu , Zhang Shi-Geng , Li Zhong-Yi , Yuan Yi-chu , Zhang Nan
Published: August 2021

ObjectivesTo describe the influence of the socioeconomic development on worldwide age-standardized incidence and mortality rates, as well as mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) and 5-year net survival of urologic cancer patients in recent years. MethodsThe Human Development Index (HDI) values were obtained from the United Nations Development Programme, data on age-standardized incidence/mortality rates of prostate, bladder and kidney cancer were retrieved from the GLOBOCAN database, 5-year net survival was provided by the CONCORD-3 program. We then evaluated the association between incidence/MIR/survival and HDI, with a focus on geographic variability as well as temporal patterns during the last 6 years.ResultsUrologic cancer incidence rates were positively correlated with HDIs, and MIRs were negatively correlated with HDIs. Prostate cancer survival also correlated positively with HDIs, solidly confirming the interrelation among cancer indicators and socioeconomic factors. Most countries experienced incidence decline over the most recent 6 years, and a substantial reduction in MIR was observed. Survival rates of prostate cancer have simultaneously improved.ConclusionDevelopment has a prominent influence on urologic cancer outcomes. HDI values are significantly correlated with cancer incidence, MIR and survival rates. HDI values have risen along with increased incidence and improved outcomes of urologic caner in recent years.
Keystone Microbiome in the Rhizosphere Soil Reveals the Effect of Long-Term Conservation Tillage on Crop Growth in the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Jia Lijuan , Wang Zhen , Ji Lei , De Neve Stefaan , Paul C. Struik , Yao Yuqing , Lv Junjie , Zhou Tao , Jin Ke
Published: August 2021

Purpose Keystone taxa play an important role in soil nutrient cycling and crop growth and can be influenced by soil tillage. We investigated the composition of keystone taxa and their relationships with soil properties under different long-term tillage practices. Methods Four tillage treatments were applied (i.e., CT, conventional tillage; NT, no tillage with mulch; RT, reduced tillage; and SS, subsoiling with mulch), maintained for 21 years. Co-occurrence network (CoNet) was constructed to identify the keystone taxa, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was carried out to explore the relationships between keystone taxa and soil properties under four tillage practices at two growth stages (elongation and grain filling stages) of winter wheat. Results Compared with CT, RT had no significant effect on the microbial community and the keystone microbiome, while NT and SS remarkably altered the microbial community structure and the keystone microbiome at both crop stages. Massilia was the keystone genus under CT and RT, while Sphingomonas , Asanoa and Hoeflea were the keystone genera under NT and SS. RDA results showed that keystone genera were significantly correlated with soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) at both stages, but especially at the elongation stage. Our results further revealed that the effects of NT and SS on crop growth might be related to the changes in keystone microbiome. Conclusion Our study suggests that NT and SS were suitable conservation regimes and may contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural production in the Chinese Loess Plateau.
Assessing Strong Consistency of Symmetrical Solid-state Supercapacitors Based on Three-dimensional Porous Carbon Material
Authors: Le P.A. , Le Van Qui , Phung Thi Viet Bac , Nguyen Nghia Trong
Published: August 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon material enhances the electrochemical performance of symmetrical solid-state supercapacitors which are prepared by using abundant biomass waste as electrodes and (PVA-Li2SO4) gel polymer electrolyte. A saving and simple carbonization method with KOH chemical activation is developed for synthesizing highly porous carbon from peanut shell with high specific surface area of 1348 m2 g–1, which can be reused the chemical activation solution. The electrodes making by such three-dimensional porous carbon in a 1 M Li2SO4 electrolyte demonstrates a maximum specific capacitance of 386 F g–1 at current density of 2 A g–1, energy density and power density of 53.61 Wh k g–1 and 1000 W kg–1, respectively. The symmetrical solid state supercapacitors with sandwich structure of (3D porous carbon P/PVA-Li2SO4/3D porous carbon P) exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 116 F g-1 at current density of 0.5 A g–1. The energy density and power density are the value of 9 W h kg–1 and 380 W kg–1, respectively. Further, the supercapacitors also demonstrate good cycling stability 89 % retention after 7000 cycles.
PRMT7 Ablation in Cardiomyocytes Causes Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis Through β-Catenin Dysregulation
Authors: Ahn Byeong-Yun , Jeong Myong-Ho , Pyun Jung-Hoon , Jeong Hyeon-Ju , Vuong Tuan Anh , Bae Ju-Hyeon , An Subin , Kim Su Woo , Kim Yong Kee , Ryu Dongryeol , Kim Hyun-Ji , Cho Hana , Bae Gyu-Un , Kang Jong-Sun
Published: August 2021

Angiotensin II (AngII) has potent cardiac hypertrophic effects mediated through activation of hypertrophic signaling like Wnt/b-Catenin signaling. In the current study, we examined the role of protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) in cardiac function. PRMT7 was greatly decreased in hypertrophic hearts chronically infused with AngII and cardiomyocytes treated with AngII. PRMT7 depletion in rat cardiomyocytes resulted in hypertrophic responses. Consistently, mice lacking PRMT7 exhibited displayed the cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. PRMT7 overexpression abrogated the cellular hypertrophy elicited by AngII, while PRMT7 depletion exacerbated the hypertrophic response caused by AngII. Similar with AngII treatment, the cardiac transcriptome analysis of PRMT7-deficient hearts revealed the alteration in gene expression profile related to Wnt signaling pathway. Inhibition of PRMT7 by gene deletion or an inhibitor treatment enhanced the activity of b-Catenin. PRMT7 deficiency decreases symmetric dimethylation of b-Catenin. Mechanistic studies reveal that methylation of arginine residue 93 in b-Catenin decreases the activity of b-Catenin. Taken together, our data suggest that PRMT7 is important for normal cardiac function through suppression of b-Catenin activity.
Free combination of dutasteride plus tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in South Korea: Analysis of drug utilization and adverse events using the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database
Authors: Lulic Zrinka , Son Hwancheol , Yoo Sang-Bae , Cunnington Marianne , Kapse Pratiksha , Miller Diane , Cortes Vanessa , Park Suna , Bhak Rachel H. , Duh Mei Sheng
Published: August 2021

Objective: To assess the use and safety of free combination therapy (dutasteride and tamsulosin), dutasteride monotherapy, or tamsulosin monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: This non-interventional retrospective cohort study used claims data from the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Sample database. Patients with BPH ≥40 years of age receiving combination therapy (dutasteride 0.5 mg and tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily) or dutasteride 0.5 mg, or tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily dose between 2012 and 2017 were included. The frequency, duration of treatment and risk of any adverse event (AE) or serious AE (SAE) was compared for combination therapy versus each monotherapy using non-inferiority testing. Results: Of 14,755 eligible patients, 1529 (10.4%) received combination therapy, 6660 (45.1%) dutasteride monotherapy, and 6566 (44.5%) tamsulosin monotherapy. The proportion of patients treated with combination therapy exceeded the pre-specified 3% threshold for ‘frequent’ use. Safety results indicated a similar risk of any AE and SAE irrespective of treatment group. The adjusted relative risk for any AE over the treatment observation period comparing combination therapy with dutasteride monotherapy was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.12), and with tamsulosin monotherapy was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.02) demonstrating non-inferiority. The adjusted relative risk for any SAE was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.66, 1.74) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.56, 1.45), compared with dutasteride and tamsulosin monotherapy, respectively. Although the SAE results did not statistically demonstrate non-inferiority of combination therapy based on pre-specified margins, the 95% CI for the risk ratio estimates included the null with a lower limit below the non-inferiority margins, indicating no meaningful differences in SAE risk between groups. Absolute SAE risks were low.Conclusion: Combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is frequently used in real-world practice in South Korea for treatment of BPH and demonstrates a safety profile similar to either monotherapy.
Puzzle based Learning in Undergraduate Studies
Authors: Malherbe Kathryn
Published: August 2021

All undergraduate Radiography students require training in image interpretation and evaluation of x-ray images in their second year of studies as part of work integrated learning.The method of teaching pedagogy influences the student's learning process and recall ability during examinations. if the teaching process moves to a student-centred approach, students become responsible for their own learning allowing active engagement and construction of their knowledge systems.Aim/ ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to implement and evaluate the use of puzzle-based learning in the teaching and learning process of undergraduate studiesObjectivesTo determine the efficacy of crossword and jigsaw puzzles as a novel teaching tool for medical imaging educationTo increase student's interest and involvement with image interpretation topicsTo improve and assess recognition and recall of medical terminologyTo improve the understanding of innovative learningMethodsThe study is a cross sectional qualitative research design.Approval will be obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of health Sciences.Online consent will be obtained from students involved, by means of Google Form submission, followed by an information session on Blackboard collaborate on the topic "Image evaluation and interpretation of radiographic imaging".ConclusionThe research will prove the important collaboration of active teaching methodologies with simple, easy to use didactic material to improve student's understanding of basic concepts in their core module subject
The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management on Social Adjustment and General Health of Patients with Diabetes
Authors: maqsoud azam mirzaei , sahaghi hakim , maqsoud zeinab mirzaei
Published: August 2021

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management on social adjustment and the general health of patients with diabetes in Ahwaz.Method: It is semi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test design and two groups. The statistical population included patients with diabetes, 30 of them were selected as the research sample and were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 (one experimental group and one control group). Bell's social adjustment questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were used to measure variables.Results: The results showed that the post-test scores of social adjustment and general health were significantly different in the two groups.Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral stress management can be effective in improving social adjustment and the general health of patients with diabetes, and it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological state of patients suffering from diabetes.
Quantifying and linking Sustainable Land-water-energy-food nexus: A perspective of sustainable livelihoods in Gidabo Watershed, East African Rift Valley
Authors: hatiya zinabu wolde , Wei Wu , Ketema Haile , Karikari Benjamin
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe sustainable management of Land - Water - Energy - Food (LWEF) nexus requires an environmental characterization that allows the comparison of complex interlinkages between nexus resources and livelihoods. This complexity makes this characterization difficult coupled with limited study in quantifying sustainability of LWEF nexus and its linkage with livelihood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the link between sustainable LWEF nexus and livelihoods. We used analytical hierarchy process and pairwise comparison matrix in combination with weighting model.ResultThe result of composite LWEF nexus index was 0.083 representing, low sustainability. This could be linked with nexus resources consumption, use, and management. From the analysis of the weight of land, water, energy and food nexus resources, the highest weight was observed for food. The focus of on food production only shows no clear synergy on provisioning, supporting or regulating nexus resources to address livelihoods. The result further showed that LWEF nexus resources have strong correlation with livelihoods. This was evidenced by social (r ≥ 0.8, P < 0.01), natural (r ≥ 0.3, P < 0.05) and physical (r ≥ 0.6, P < 0.01) livelihood indicators showed strong positive correlation with LWEF nexus resources.ConclusionBased on the finding of the study, it was observed that managing nexus resources not only provide a significant contribution to achieve sustainable LWEF nexus, but also be effective for enhancing livelihood through food security. This could be attained by strong evidence based policy to ensure sustainable use of nexus resources. The results provided by this study would serve as the foundation for future study, policy formulation and implementation.
Evolution of Stress and Strain in 2219 Aluminum Alloy Ring During Roll-Bending Process
Authors: Gong Hai , Tang Hua , Zhang Tao , Dei Fei , Liu Xiaolong , Wu Yunxin
Published: August 2021

The large quenched residual stress of large-scale aluminum alloy ring component induces severe deformation in the subsequent maching process. The conventional methods for reduction of residual stress (such as stepwise cold pressing and bulging) have little effect in the residual stress reduction for large-scale ring component and will induce inhomogeneous stress distribution. In this paper, roll bending process is adopted to reduce the quenched residual stress of 2219 aluminum alloy super-large ring. The numerical model of roll bending process was established, and the evolution and distribution of stress and strain after roll bending were studied. The influence of roll winding number on the uniformity of stress and strain was analyzed. The results show that the arch-shaped quenched residual stress of the ring changes to N-shaped distribution from inside to outside after roll bending process. The value of the residual stress reduces from ±180MPa in quenched state to the value within ±50MPa in roll bended state. With the increase of roll winding number, the stress uniformity is improved, but the stress reduction amplitude is basically the same. By analyzing the elastic-plastic strain distribution characteristics and strain springback law of the ring after roll bending, the formation mechanism of N-shaped residual stress distribution after roll bending is revealed.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Soil of Qinghai Lake Area Based on Occurrence Forms
Authors: Wang Ruojin , Shao Tianjie , Wei Peiru , Chen Zongyan , Fu Gejuan , Ma Shumiao
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the content and speciation of Cd, Cr, Pb, As, Cu, Zn and Ni in 87 groups of soil samples collected by grid method were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, to explore the speciation characteristics and ecological risk status of heavy metals in surface soil around Qinghai Lake. The results show that: Cd and Pb, compared with Cr, As, Cu, Zn and Ni, in the surface soil around Qinghai Lake are the most seriously polluted, Heavy metal speciation analysis showed that the proportion of weak acid soluble components of Cd was relatively high, with strong mobility and high environmental risk. The reducible components of Zn and Pb account for a relatively high proportion, while the oxidizable components of Cu, Cd and Pb account for a relatively high proportion. The high percentage of residual Cr, Ni and As indicates that they are relatively stable. The extractable content of Cd, Pb and Zn is relatively high, and their activities are strong, which have a great impact on the food chain. The results of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry and the ratio of secondary phase and primary phase showed that Cd and Pb had more serious ecological risk than other heavy metals. According to the results of soil speciation and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals around Chinese and foreign lakes, although the speciation characteristics of heavy metals are different, the pollution of Cd is relatively large. To sum up, heavy metal pollution in soil around Qinghai Lake area has occurred, and there is a serious ecological risk, so it is urgent to take corresponding monitoring and formulate treatment plan.
A Novel Approach to the Prediction of Biomagnification Factors Based on Molecular Structure Images
Authors: Zhang Ming Cai , Zhu Ling , Zhai Hong Lin , Bi Ke Xin , Zhao Bing Qiang
Published: August 2021

Although biomagnification factor (BMF) is an important index of pollutants in food chains, its experimental determination is quite tedious. In this contribution, as the feature information, Tchebichef moments (TMs) were calculated directly from the molecular structural images, and then stepwise regression was employed to establish the prediction model of the logBMF. The proposed approach was applied to the logBMF prediction of organochlorine pollutants, and the correlation coefficient with leave-one-out cross-validation (Rcv) of the obtained model was 0.96, and the root mean square error (RMSEp) for the external independent test set was 0.21. Compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) as well as the reported method, the proposed approach was more simple, accurate and reliable. This study not only obtained the satisfactory prediction model for organochlorine pollutants, but also provided another effective approach to QSPR research.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities Mediate the Radioprotective Effect of Trianthema Portulacastrum L. Extracts
Authors: Das Uttam , Saha Tanmay , Sharma Reshma Kumari , Maurya Dharmendra Kumar , Ray Partho Sarothi , Das Subir Kumar
Published: August 2021

Ionizing radiation (IR) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which leads to oxidative stress and often leads to inflammatory responses in organisms. Trianthema portulacastrum L., a plant commonly growing in India, is rich in antioxidant phytochemicals which is responsible for scavenging free radicals, and may provide radio-protective and anti-inflammatory effects in response to ionizing radiation. The effect of T. portulacastrum extracts was studied in hepatic cells, which are susceptible to radiation-induced damage, and in macrophages which are the primary inflammatory cells of the body. T. portulacastrum stem extracts showed efficient free radical scavenging activity in hepatocytes and reduction of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in cell and mitochondrial membranes. Treatment of irradiated cells with T. portulacastrum stem extracts enhanced cell viability, although at higher concentrations there was reduction in cell viability. Treatment with low concentration of T. portulacastrum stem extract also reduced cellular ROS generation and increased cellular concentration of the anti-oxidant glutathione. T. portulacastrum extracts also showed a marked anti-inflammatory effect in macrophages activated by the inflammatory agonist bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by reducing inflammatory gene expression and nitric oxide (NO) production, and increasing glutathione content. LPS treatment lowered expression of Nrf2, a transcription factor involved in regulation of multiple anti-oxidant genes, while treatment with low concentration of T. portulacastrum stem extract significantly restored it. Together, these observations demonstrated a potential radioprotective role of T. portulacastrum extract mediated by both its antioxidant activity on hepatic epithelial cells and its anti-inflammatory activity on immune cells
The Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Annona Muricata (Graviola) on Radiation-Induced Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury.
Authors: Keskin Emrah , Elmas Özlem , Şahin Havva Hande Keser , Tönge Çağhan , Günaydın Ahmet
Published: August 2021

Background: In radiotherapy (RT) exposure area, normal tissues are also affected that may cause serious complications in the patients. This study aimed to evaluate Annona muricata’s radioprotective effects on sciatic nerve injury due to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods and Results: 32 adult female Wistar albino rats separated into 4 equal groups; Control (C), Annona muricata leaf extracts (AME), radiation (RAD), radiation and Annona muricata leaf extracts (AME+RAD). In groups AME and AME+RAD, Annona muricata leaf extracts were administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg for the first day and 50 mg/kg everyday for following one week intraperitoneally. In RAD and AME+RAD, rats were exposed to a single dose of 20 Gray IR to their right legs. All the subjects were sacrified at the end of the first month. Oxidative stress biochemical parameters (SOD, CAT and GPx) from blood samples were analyzed. Right sciatic nerves extracted and histomorphology evaluated. Statistically significant vasculature, degenerative and necrotic changes were observed in RAD, compared to C and AME (p<0,01). Swelling in myelin sheath was predominantly seen in RAD. Alterations in the level of CAT (p<0,01), SOD (p<0,01) and GPx (p<0,05) in AME+RAD group compared to RAD group were found to be statistically significant.Conclusion: Our study unveiled that AM could have a potential of biochemically and histomorphology healing on sciatic nerve injury due to ionizing radiation.
Effect of Surfactant on the Formation of Chitosan/ε-Polycaprolactone Blend Films for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Gomes Ana Catarina Damasceno , Silva Karoline Ferreira , Freitas Anderson Junior , Miranda Kelvi Wilson Evaristo , Santos Taline Amorim , Borges Soraia Vilela , Dias Marali Vilela , Thomazi Adriana Coatrini
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study was to develop and characterize chitosan-ε-polycaprolactone (CHI/PCL) polymer blends with Tween 80 as a compatibilizer for application in packaging. The blends were produced by casting, with up to 10% (w/w) PCL in the CHI matrix. These blends were characterized in terms of their microstructure, chemical interactions, mechanical and thermal properties, solubility and water vapor permeability (WVP). The micrographs showed microsphere-like structures from the PCL in the continuous phase of CHI. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated a high interaction between CHI amino groups and PCL carbonyls, resulting in blends with greater ductility than the pure CHI film, thus providing greater flexibility. In the crystallinity analyses, the presence of PCL favored an increase in crystalline regions, limiting the passage of light. Given the results, blends are an alternative for application in multilayer systems and can be considered for use as a biodegradable fraction in food packaging.
Root Structure and Function of Grapevine Rootstocks (Vitis) in Response io Salinity
Authors: Lupo Yaniv , Schlisser Alon , Dong Shuo , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Fait Aaron , Lazarovitch Naftali
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Accessing freshwater resources becomes more complex in arid and semi-arid areas due to increased demands and declining water quality. Alternative water sources for agriculture such as saline and recycled water are currently being used. A better understanding of roots' response to irrigation with saline water is crucial for future agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas.
Methods

Three grapevine (Vitis) rootstocks were examined, and their roots' responses to salinity were studied. The rootstocks were planted in pots filled with sand and were grown in a commercial net house subjected to two salinity treatments: 10 mM and 30 mM NaCl (EC = 2 and 4 ds m-1, respectively). We measured root morphologic and anatomic properties at the end of the experiment.
Results

The specific root area increased in response to salinity due to reduced root tissue density. In addition, a reduction in the average root diameter also affected the specific root area by increasing the surface area to volume ratio. Plant biomass was allocated primarily to the shoot in all three rootstocks, reducing the root to shoot ratio. At the same time, the bottom part of the root zone was more affected by salinity. SO4 showed improved chloride and sodium exclusion, concomitant with a significant increase in its narrow roots' contribution to the surface area.
Conclusion

Narrow roots play a more prominent role in the acquisition of water and nutrients as salinity increases. Furthermore, a decrease in root tissue density and average diameter may contribute to salt exclusion from the roots.
Establishment of A Piglet Model for Peritoneal Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lee Eun Ji , Park Soo Jin , Seol Aeran , Lim Hyunji , Mun Jaehee , lee Jeesun , Kim Woojeong , Park Sumin , Ahn Ji Yeon , Lim Jeong Mook , Kim Hee Seung
Published: August 2021

Background: A piglet model for peritoneal metastasis (PM) of ovarian cancer was developed. It will contribute to the establishment of innovative chemotherapeutical and surgical strategies without any limitation of rodent models.Methods: A total of 12 four- to five-week-old piglets of 7 to 8 kg were used. Two phases of ovarian cancer cell injections were performed with a laparoscopic surgery. In phase I trial, 5.0×106 SK-OV-3 cells in 0.1 ml suspension were inoculated into the omentum, peritoneum, and uterine horns of two piglets twice with a one-week interval. In the phase II trial, 5.0×106 SNU-008 cells in 0.1 ml suspension were injected only into uterine horns with the same time frame because tumor implantation after inoculation of SK-OV-3 cells was not observed at the omentum or peritoneum in the phase I trial. Modified peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score was used to monitor tumorigenesis up to four weeks after inoculation. Tumor tissues disseminated in the peritoneum at four weeks after injection were used for histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and paired-box gene 8 (PAX-8) staining.Results: In the phase I trial, two piglets showed PM with modified PCI scores of 5 and 4 at three weeks after the first inoculation, which increased to 14 and 15 after four weeks, respectively. In the phase II trial, PM was detected in eight of ten piglets, which showed modified PCI scores of 6 to 12 at four weeks after the first inoculation. The overall incidence of PM from the total of 12 piglets after inoculation was 75%. Metastatic tumors were confirmed by immunohistochemical H&E and PAX-8 staining. Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence that piglets can be employed as a model for PM by inoculating ovarian cancer cells form humans. Using two cell lines the PM rate is 75%.
Quantitative Analysis of Macroscopic Solute Transport in the Murine Brain
Authors: Ray Lori A , Pike Martin , Simon Matthew , Iliff Jeffrey J , Heys Jeffrey J
Published: August 2021

Background: Understanding molecular transport in the brain is critical to care and prevention of neurological disease and injury. A key question is whether transport occurs primarily by diffusion, or also by convection or dispersion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI offers a whole-brain view of transport and the potential for quantitative analysis to determine fundamental transport parameters. However, few DCE-MRI studies have utilized this potential, instead reporting parameters with arbitrary units disconnected from fundamental transport processes. Methods: In this work, DCE-MRI experimental data is combined with subject-specific finite-element models to quantify transport parameters in different anatomical regions across the whole mouse brain. Effective diffusivity ( ), a transport parameter combining all mechanisms of transport, is determined for each region by minimizing the root mean square error between simulations and data. The resulting sets are compared to apparent diffusivity ( ) to draw conclusions about dominant transport mechanisms in each region. Results: In the perivascular regions of major arteries, was over 10,000 times greater than . In the brain tissue, constituting interstitial space and the perivascular space of smaller blood vessels, was 10-25 times greater than .Conclusions: The analysis concludes that convection is present throughout the brain. Convection is dominant in the perivascular space of major surface and branching arteries (Pe > 10,000) and significant to large molecules (>1 kDa) in the combined interstitial space and perivascular space of smaller arteries (not resolved by DCE-MRI). Importantly, this work supports periarterial convection along penetrating and smaller arteries.
Adapting to COVID-19 in Bangladesh: “It felt like the sky fell apart and we were in shock”
Authors: Nandonik Ahmed Jojan , Pooja Shangjucta Das , Kabir Zarina Nahar , Williams Shoshannah
Published: August 2021

Background

The COVID-19 epidemic has especially impacted the urban population in Bangladesh. Despite the illness impacts not only the patient but also other members in the family, studies on COVID-19 have primarily focused on the patient’s perspective. It is important to understand the experience of family members who adopt caregiving roles. This study aimed to explore the challenges, preventative practices, health-seeking behaviour, and navigating the health care system from the perspective of family members of persons who had recovered from COVID-19 during its initial outbreak in Bangladesh.
Methods

Participants of this qualitative study were family members (n = 7) of persons who had recovered from COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed) and received treatment either at home, in a hospital or isolation centre. Data for the study was collected through in-depth interviews over telephone using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results

Analysis revealed three key themes: changes in everyday practices and choice of health care, challenges and constraints, and unexpected positive outcomes. All the themes had temporal dimension to them with four distinct phases: early stage of COVID-19, strict lockdown phase, COVID-19 diagnosis and illness period, and post COVID-19 recovery.
Conclusion

The importance of maintaining social contact for psychological wellbeing during critical times was evident in the study. Online communication and social media enabled participants to remain ‘socially connected’ rather than ‘socially distanced’, which further supported their mental health during the healing process. Increased attention to hygiene practices both before, during and subsequent to COVID-19 infections within families was reported. The recommendation of physical distancing in case of suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 was found logistically and socially impractical in a densely populated city.
Black carbon aerosol number and mass concentration measurements by picosecond short-range elastic backscatter lidar
Authors: Ceolato Romain , Bedoya-Velasquez Andres , Fossard Frederic , Mouysset Vincent , Paulien Lucas , Lefebvre Sidonie , Mazzoleni Claudio , Sorensen Christopher , Berg Matthew , Yon Jerome
Published: August 2021

Black carbon aerosol emissions are recognized as contributors to global warming and air pollution. There remains, however, a lack of in-situ techniques to remotely quantify black carbon aerosol particles with high range and time resolution. This article presents for the first time, to our knowledge, a direct and contact-free remote measurement of black carbon aerosol number and mass concentration less than ten of meters from the emission source. This is done with a novel picosecond short-range elastic backscatter lidar (PSR-EBL) technique. To address the complexity of retrieving lidar products at short measurement ranges, we apply a forward inversion method featuring radiometric lidar calibration. Our method is based on an extension of a well-established light-scattering model, the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans for Fractal-Aggregates (RDG-FA) theory, which computes an analytical expression for lidar parameters. These parameters are the backscattering cross-sections and the lidar ratio for black carbon fractal aggregates. Using a small-scale Jet A-1 kerosene pool fire, it is shown that our technique can quantify the aerosol number and mass concentration with centimetre range-resolution and millisecond time-resolution.
Deep Learning Data Augmentation for Raman Spectroscopy Cancer Tissue Classification
Authors: Wu Man , Wang Shuwen , Pan Shirui , Terentis Andrew C. , Strasswimmer John , Zhu Xingquan
Published: August 2021

Recently, Raman Spectroscopy (RS) has demonstrated to be a non-destructive way of cancer diagnosis, due to the uniqueness of RS measurements in revealing molecular biochemical changes between cancerous vs. normal tissues and cells. In order to design computational approaches for cancer detection, the quality and quantity of RS tissues are the basis for accurate prediction. In reality, however, obtaining skin cancer samples is difficult and expensive due to privacy and other constraints. With a small number of samples, the training of the classifier is difficult, and often results in overfitting. Therefore, it is important to have more samples to better train classifiers for accurate cancer tissue classification. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents a novel generative adversarial network based skin cancer tissue classification framework. Specifically, we design a data augmentation module that employs a generative adversarial network to generate synthetic RS samples in different classes. The original tissue samples and the generated data are merged to train classification modules. Experiments on real-world RS data demonstrate that generative adversarial network can be successfully used for data augmentation, in order to train accurate skin cancer tissue classifiers.
Machine Learning Models for Prediction of Adverse Events after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Niimi Nozomi , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Sawano Mitsuaki , Ikemura Nobuhiro , Inohara Taku , Ueda Ikuko , Fukuda Keiichi , Kohsaka Shun
Published: August 2021

An accurate prediction of major adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves clinical decisions and specific interventions. To determine whether machine learning (ML) techniques predict peri-PCI adverse events (acute kidney injury [AKI], bleeding, and in-hospital mortality) with better discrimination or calibration than the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR-CathPCI) risk scores, we developed logistic regression (LR) and gradient descent boosting (XGBoost) models for each outcome using data from a prospective, all-comer, multicenter registry that enrolled consecutive coronary artery disease patients undergoing PCI in Japan between 2008 and 2020. The NCDR-CathPCI risk scores demonstrated good discrimination for each outcome (C-statistics of 0.82, 0.76, and 0.95 for AKI, bleeding, and in-hospital mortality) with considerable calibration. Compared with the NCDR-CathPCI risk scores, the XGBoost models modestly improved discrimination for AKI and bleeding (C-statistics of 0.84 in AKI, and 0.79 in bleeding) but not for in-hospital mortality (C-statistics of 0.96). The calibration plot demonstrated that the XGBoost model overestimated the risk for in-hospital mortality in low-risk patients. All of the original NCDR-CathPCI risk scores for adverse periprocedural events showed adequate discrimination and calibration within our cohort. When using the ML-based technique, however, the improvement in the overall risk prediction was minimal.
Optimization of Different Temperature Annealed Nanostructured CdSe Thin Film for Photodetector Applications
Authors: Devarajan Alagarasan , Varadharajaperumal S. , Kumar K. Deva Arun , Naik R. , Arunkumar A. , Ganesan R. , Massoud Ehab El Sayed
Published: August 2021

In this report, we have discussed the performance of highly sensitive CdSe based photodetector. The CdSe thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation method on the cleaned glass substrate at room temperature. The influence of post annealing on the optical, morphological, structural and photo-electrical properties at different temperatures were investigated. The formation of polycrystalline CdSe ﬁlms was confirmed from X-ray diﬀraction (XRD) and Raman studies. The change in surface morphology along with the average grain size of ﬁlms were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stoichiometric ratio of Cd and Se elements in the deposited ﬁlms was verified from Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The change in various optical parameters like absorption coeﬃcient (α), extinction coeﬃcient (k), optical band gap (Eg), refractive index (n) etc. of the studied ﬁlms were calculated from the UV-Visible measurement. Importantly, the band gap values were decreased and increased with different annealing temperatures. The CdSe film annealed at 300 °C showed good photo-response and the corresponding optical properties which make them suitable for photodetector applications.