bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Signaling Pathway of PGE2 and Its Regulatory Role in T Cell Differentiation
Authors: An Yang , Yao Jiameng , Niu Xiaoyin
Published: November 2021

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a lipid mediator derived from the fatty acid arachidonic acid. As an essential inflammatory factor, PGE2 has a critical impact on immune regulation through the prostanoid E (EP) receptor pathway. T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, play crucial roles in the adaptive immune response. Previous studies have shown that PGE2 is involved in regulating CD4+ T cell differentiation and inflammatory cytokine production via the EP receptor pathway, thereby affecting the development of diseases mediated by CD4+ T cells. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathway of PGE2 and describe the relationship between PGE2 and T cell differentiation. Hence, this review may provide important evidence for immune therapies and may even promote the development of biomedicines.
Evaluation of Transfer Efficiency between Subway and Bus Based on the Interval Number Ranking Method by Employing Probability Reliability: Taking Ningbo for Example
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Huang Zhengfeng , Yang Lingli , Zheng Pengjun
Published: November 2021

In recent years, the construction and operation of urban subways have been gradually increasing in developing countries. In the next step, more attention should be paid to the transfer efficiency between subway and bus so as to improve the travel efficiency of more urban residents. This paper uses the probability credibility interval number ranking method to evaluate the bus transfer efficiency. Firstly, this study obtains the dynamic transfer time data by matching individual smart card and subway/bus global positioning system (GPS) records, which is used to evaluate the transfer efficiency of corresponding subway stations. Then, we establish a probability density function to represent the characteristic information of transfer time. Accordingly, the probability reliability model of the order relation of interval numbers can be constructed. In the end, the method is applied to evaluate the transfer efficiency between subway and bus stations in Ningbo. Compared to the traditional interval number ranking method, the evaluation result shows that this method can get a more objective transfer efficiency order relation. The reason is that this method can not only consider the random feature of transfer time but also make use of the data distribution characteristics. This method could be applied to obtain the stations with relatively low transfer efficiency and the feedback can be used for bus line operation and station layout improvement.
Treg/Th17 Cell Balance in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus‐Related Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure at Different Disease Stages
Authors: Tan Nian-Hua , Chen Bin , Peng Jie , Du Shan
Published: November 2021

Background. T‐helper 17 (Th17) and CD4+CD25+ T‐regulatory (Treg) cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HBV‐ACLF). This study is aimed at investigating shifts in Treg/Th17 balance in the peripheral blood of HBV‐ACLF patients at different disease stages. Methods. Sixty HBV‐ACLF patients, admitted to the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, China, including early‐stage (n = 20), middle‐stage (n = 20), and late‐stage patients (n = 20), were enrolled in the study. In addition, 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy volunteers were also included in the study as controls. Flow cytometry, cytometric bead array, and quantitative real‐time PCR protocols were used to evaluate the expression of Treg and Th17 cells as well as of related cytokines. Results. The levels of Th17 cells and their effectors interleukin‐ (IL‐) 17A, IL‐23, and tumor necrosis factor‐α increased with disease progression. Similarly, Treg cells and their effector cytokines transforming growth factor‐β and IL‐10 also increased. Although Treg and Th17 levels were positively correlated, the latter were always at higher numbers. Noteworthy, the Treg/Th17 ratio gradually decreased and was negatively correlated with ACLF severity. FoxP3 levels in the peripheral blood gradually decreased with ACLF progression, whereas ROR-γt gradually increased. Serum c‐reactive protein, procalcitonin, and lipopolysaccharide were also upregulated with disease progression and positively correlated with Th17 abundance. Further, Th17, IL‐17A, and IL‐23 were independent risk factors for ACLF. A prognostic model for HBV‐ACLF was established, with a correct prediction rate of 90.00% (54/60). Conclusion. Treg/Th17 imbalance occurs throughout the pathogenic course of HBV‐ACLF, with an imbalance shift toward Th17. Hence, the Th17‐mediated inflammatory response drives HBV‐ACLF‐associated inflammation and supports the pathological mechanisms of liver failure.
Thermal Fault Detection and Diagnosis of Electrical Equipment Based on the Infrared Image Segmentation Algorithm
Authors: Li Hongzhao
Published: November 2021

With the advancement of social economy, electricity has gradually entered thousands of households and become a commonly used energy source. However, it cannot be ignored that electricity is dangerous in itself and should be used rationally and effectively. The fault detection of power equipment has become a top priority because they are essential tools for storing, transmitting, and transferring electric power. Based on infrared imaging technology, the principle of infrared imaging technology is introduced in this paper, and effective diagnosis methods are analyzed and summarized in detail. The effectiveness of the proposed infrared image segmentation algorithm is verified through the practical application of the infrared image segmentation algorithm in the detection of interior and exterior faults of electrical equipment.
Using Artificial Intelligence Technology to Solve the Electronic Health Service by Processing the Online Case Information
Authors: Xu Guoxiang , Jin Hao
Published: November 2021

With the continuous improvement of economic level and the continuous development of science and technology in China, information technology has begun to integrate into all walks of life. Medical units have begun to change from the traditional medical system to the intelligent system, and the processing of online case information has become an important component of medical informationization. To improve the efficiency of dealing with online case information, this study proposes to establish a fully connected neural network model to deal with online cases. Using jieba word segmentation tool and data preprocessing technology, the data of electronic medical records are sorted out, and the data are quantified using Word2Vec and other tools, and the data on electronic medical records are converted into one-hot binary variables. The quantified data are trained into a fully connected neural model, and the accuracy rate is about 88%. It is compared with naive Bayes and decision tree classification methods, and then a comparative experiment is carried out by solving e-health services in different ways. The results show that the fully connected neural network model has the best classification effect: the highest accuracy rate is about 93.7%, the highest precision rate is about 94.0%, the highest recall rate is about 95.3%, and the highest F1 score is about 94.6%. However, using artificial intelligence technology to solve electronic health services has great advantages, among which efficiency, assistance, and service satisfaction are all higher than 90%, which provides favorable technical support for electronic health services.
Leveraging Multimodal Out-of-Domain Information to Improve Low-Resource Speech Translation
Authors: Zhu Wenbo , Jin Hao , Yeh WeiChang , Chen Jianwen , Luo Lufeng , Wang Jinhai , Li Aiyuan
Published: November 2021

Speech translation (ST) is a bimodal conversion task from source speech to the target text. Generally, deep learning-based ST systems require sufficient training data to obtain a competitive result, even with a state-of-the-art model. However, the training data is usually unable to meet the completeness condition due to the small sample problems. Most low-resource ST tasks improve data integrity with a single model, but this optimization has a single dimension and limited effectiveness. In contrast, multimodality is introduced to leverage different dimensions of data features for multiperspective modeling. This approach mutually addresses the gaps in the different modalities to enhance the representation of the data and improve the utilization of the training samples. Therefore, it is a new challenge to leverage the enormous multimodal out-of-domain information to improve the low-resource tasks. This paper describes how to use multimodal out-of-domain information to improve low-resource models. First, we propose a low-resource ST framework to reconstruct large-scale label-free audio by combining self-supervised learning. At the same time, we introduce a machine translation (MT) pretraining model to complement text embedding and fine-tune decoding. In addition, we analyze the similarity at the decoder side. We reduce multimodal invalid pseudolabels by performing random depth pruning in the similarity layer to minimize error propagation and use additional CTC loss in the nonsimilarity layer to optimize the ensemble loss. Finally, we study the weighting ratio of the fusion technique in the multimodal decoder. Our experiment results show that the proposed method is promising for low-resource ST, with improvements of up to +3.6 BLEU points compared to baseline low-resource ST models.
Presence of Microvascular Dysfunction and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Patients with ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Gad Marwa M. , Arab Mohamed , Abulfotouh Moei-E. deen
Published: November 2021

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relation between CHA2DS2-VASc score and microvascular dysfunction (MVD) assessed by the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) immediately after primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Subjects and Methods: The study included 115 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent successful PPCI. Angiographic results of reperfusion were inspected to evaluate the association of high CHA2DS2-VASc score and IMR. Also, we assessed echocardiographic changes with respect to CHA2DS2-VASc score. Results: Subjects were stratified into 2 groups based on IMR </≥ 40 U; 72 patients (62.6) with IMR <40 U and 43 patients (37.4) with IMR ≥40 U. Patients with IMR ≥40 U had higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (p < 0.001). CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly correlated with increased left atrial volume index, diastolic dysfunction, wall motion score index, and inversely correlated left ventricular ejection. Moreover, CHA2DS2-VASc score was strongly correlated with IMR (p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, low systolic blood pressure, stent diameter, and CHA2DS2-VASc score were associated with MVD. Besides, CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥4 was the optimal value in predicting MVD (IMR ≥40) in STEMI patients. Conclusions: The data of the current study point out that increased CHA2DS2-VASc score, lower systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, and stent diameter are associated with increased incidence of MVD (increased IMR) after PPCI of STEMI. We suggest that the CHA2DS2-VASc score may be a simple, inexpensive useful risk score for the prediction of MVD risk after PPCI for STEMI patients.
Low Concentration of Fecal Valeric Acid at 1 Year of Age Is Linked with Eczema and Food Allergy at 13 Years of Age: Findings from a Swedish Birth Cohort
Authors: Gio-Batta Monica , Spetz Karin , Barman Malin , Bråbäck Lennart , Norin Elisabeth , Björkstén Bengt , Wold Agnes E. , Sandin Anna
Published: November 2021

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are abundant bacterial metabolites in the gut, with immunomodulatory properties. Hence, they may influence allergy development. Previous studies have linked fecal SCFA pattern during infancy with allergy. However, the association of SCFAs to allergic outcomes in adolescence is not well established. Here, we examined how the fecal SCFA pattern at 1 year of age related to allergy at 13 years of age. Methods: Levels of 8 SCFAs in fecal samples collected at 1 year of age from 110 children were quantified using gas chromatography. The same individuals were evaluated at 13 years of age for allergic symptoms, allergy diagnosis and allergy medication by questionnaire, and for sensitization using skin prick test against egg, milk, fish, wheat and soy, cat, dog, horse, birch, and timothy grass. Results: The concentration of fecal valeric acid at 1 year of age was inversely associated with eczema at 13 years of age (OR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–1.0, p = 0.049) and showed a trend for inverse association with food allergy at 13 years of age (OR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–1.0, p = 0.057). In a sub-group analysis of children with eczema at 1 year of age, a higher concentration of fecal valeric acid was linked with reduced risk of their eczema remaining at 13 years of age (OR 0.2, 95% CI: 0.0–1.5), although this latter analysis did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.12). Conclusions: Our findings lend further support to the notion of early childhood as a critical period when allergy may be programmed via the gut microbiota. Higher levels of fecal valeric acid may be characteristic of a protective gut microbiota and/or actively contribute to protection from eczema and food allergy.
The Impact of Routine Molecular Screening for SARS-CoV-2 in Patients Receiving Anticancer Therapy: An Interim Analysis of the Observational COICA Study
Authors: Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Iervolino Mario , Primiano Ferdinando , D’Ambrosio Maurizio , Ingenito Concetta , Buonerba Luciana , Busto Giuseppina , Ferrara Claudia , Libroia Annamaria , Ragone Gianluca , De Falco Ferdinando , Costabile Ferdinando , Fimiani Pietro , Ugliano Francesco , Ranieri Chiara , Leo Emilio , Roviello Giandomenico , Scafuri Luca , Guerra Germano , Buonerba Carlo
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Cancer aggravates COVID-19 prognosis. Nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is particularly frequent in cancer patients, who need to attend hospitals regularly. Since March 2020, all cancer patients having access to the Oncology Unit at the “Andrea Tortora” Hospital (Pagani, Salerno – referred to as “the Hospital”) as inpatients or outpatients receiving intravenous therapy have been screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR nasal swab. The ongoing COICA (COVID-19 infection in cancer patients) study is an ambispective, multicenter, observational study designed to assess the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients. The aim of the study presented here was to explore potential differences in COVID-19-related outcomes among screening-detected versus nonscreening-detected SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Methods: The COICA study enrolled cancer patients who had received any anticancer systemic therapy within 3 months since the day they tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR. The target accrual is 128 patients, and the study was approved by the competent Ethics Committee. Only the subgroup of patients enrolled at the Hospital was considered in this unplanned interim analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of screening-based versus nonscreening-based diagnosis. Results: Since March 15, 2020, until August 15, 2021, a total of 931 outpatients and 230 inpatients were repeatedly screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR nasal swab at the Hospital. Among these, 71 asymptomatic patients were positive on routine screening and 5 patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2 outside the institutional screening. Seven patients died because of COVID-19. At univariate analysis, nonscreening- versus screening-detected SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with significantly higher odds of O2 therapy (OR = 16.2; 95% CI = 2.2–117.1; p = 0.006), hospital admission (OR = 31.5; 95% CI = 3.1–317.8; p = 0.003), admission to ICU (OR = 23.0; 95% CI = 2.4–223.8; p = 0.007), and death (OR = 8.8; 95% CI = 1.2–65.5; p = 0.034). Conclusion: Routine screening with RT-PCR may represent a feasible and effective strategy in reducing viral circulation and possibly COVID-19 mortality in patients with active cancer having repeated access to hospital facilities.
Validation of the 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay in Patients with Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer and 0 to 3 Positive Lymph Nodes: Risk Pattern and Outcomes on a Community Level
Authors: Braun Michael , Kriegmair Antonia , Szeterlak Nina , Andrulat Anne , Schrodi Simone , Kriner Monika , Hanusch Claus , Hamann Moritz , Stoetzer Oliver , Pölcher Martin
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to analyze the performance of Oncotype DX® multigene assay (ODX®) in patients with 0–3 lymph nodes in a high-volume community hospital. Methods: Patients with non-metastatic HR+/HER2– EBC and 0–3 positive lymph nodes, who underwent primary surgery at the Red Cross Hospital Munich, Germany and consecutively had ODX® testing were included in this retrospective study. The distribution of clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence score (RS) risk, and use of systemic therapy were compared among patients without positive lymph nodes (N0) and patients with micrometastases or 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes (N1). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated. Results: From 2012 to 2017 ODX® was consecutively performed in 575 (16.4%) of 3,492 women with HR+/HER– EBC, of which 553 were eligible for this analysis (N0: 60.8%; N1: 39.2%). Among the patients included, 441 (79.7%) had an RS of 0 to 25 and 112 (20.3%) had an RS of 26 or higher. In patients with RS 0 to 25 the rate of chemotherapy use was low, independent from nodal status (N0: 17.1% and N1: 19.1%) and 5-year DFS was 90.5% and 91.7% for N0 and N1 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in DFS (90.5% vs. 93.3%; p = 0.101) or OS (97.2% vs. 96.0%; p = 0.737) for patients with an RS of 0 to 25 when treated with chemo-endocrine therapy or endocrine therapy alone, independent from nodal status. Conclusions: The results of the study confirm the observations from randomized studies on the use of the ODX® in a real-world population in terms of risk distribution and patient outcome. Adjuvant chemotherapy could be safely omitted in patients with HR+/HER2– breast cancer with 0–3 positive lymph nodes and RS <25.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Has Worse Outcome Compared with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in Stage IV Breast Cancer with Bone-Only Metastasis
Authors: Luo Yunbo , Ma Aimin , Huang Shengkai , Yu Yinghua
Published: November 2021

Background: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is more likely to have bone metastasis than invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). However, the prognosis for bone metastasis in ILC and IDC is barely known. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the difference of prognosis between ILC and IDC accompanied by bone metastasis. Methods: We evaluated the women with bone-only metastasis of defined IDC or ILC reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program from 2010 to 2016. Pearson’s χ2 test was used to compare the differences of clinicopathologic factors between IDC and ILC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to verify the effects of histological types (IDC and ILC) and other clinicopathologic factors on the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: Overall, 3,647 patients with IDC and 945 patients with ILC met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in our study. The patients with ILC were more likely to be older and to have lower histological grade and a higher proportion of the HR+/HER2– subtype. However, less treatment was administered to ILC than IDC, such as surgery of the breast, radiation, and chemotherapy. Compared to patients with IDC, patients with ILC showed worse OS (median OS, 36 and 42 months, respectively, p < 0.001) and CSS (median CSS, 39 and 45 months, respectively, p < 0.001), especially in subgroups with HR+/HER2– subtype (OS, hazard ratio: 1.501, 95% CI 1.270–1.773, p < 0.001; CSS, hazard ratio: 1.529, 95% CI 1.281–1.825, p < 0.001), lower histological grade (I–II) (OS, hazard ratio: 1.411, 95% CI 1.184–1.683, p < 0.001; CSS, hazard ratio: 1.488, 95% CI 1.235–1.791, p < 0.001), or tumor burden, such as T0–2 (OS, hazard ratio: 1.693, 95% CI 1.368–2.096, p < 0.001; CSS, hazard ratio: 1.76, 95% CI 1.405–2.205, p < 0.001) and N1–2 (OS, hazard ratio: 1.451, 95% CI 1.171–1.799, p = 0.001; CSS, hazard ratio: 1.488, 95% CI 1.187–1.865, p = 0.001). Furthermore, older age, black race, unmarried status, higher tumor burden (T3–4 and N3), triple-negative subtype, and higher histological grade were independent risk factors for both OS and CSS. Surgery of the breast and chemotherapy could significantly improve the prognosis for patients. Conclusion: Patients with ILC have worse outcomes compared to those with IDC when associated with bone-only metastasis, especially in subgroups with lower histological grade or tumor burden. More effective treatment measures may be needed for ILC, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, new targeted drugs, etc.
Belantamab Mafodotin and Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: This Is Not Game Over
Authors: Condorelli Annalisa , Garibaldi Bruno , Gagliano Caterina , Romano Alessandra , Del Fabro Vittorio , Parrinello Nunziatina Laura , Longo Antonio , Cosentino Sebastiano , Di Raimondo Francesco , Conticello Concetta
Published: November 2021

Although the therapeutic landscape for multiple myeloma (MM) has expanded, the disease always tends to relapse. In an attempt to obtain deep and durable responses, each relapse requires the use of a new strategy. In recent years, new treatment options have emerged, even for heavily treated patients. Novel, well-tolerated, and highly effective therapies in the relapsed/refractory (RRMM) setting currently represent a real hope. Belantamab mafodotin (BLENREP™) is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate whose target is B-cell maturation antigen conjugated to the cytotoxic microtubule inhibitor monomethyl auristatin F. Here, we present two cases of heavily pre-treated RRMM patients that were favorably treated with belantamab mafodotin, obtaining at least a partial response. Treatment was well tolerated and is ongoing. This is a rare report on real life clinical use of belantamab mafodotin outside of controlled clinical trials and provides information on efficacy and safety of this anti-myeloma new class of drugs.
Taxonomic notes, a new species, and a key to Indian species of the click beetle genus Cryptalaus Ȏhira, 1967 (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Agrypninae)
Authors: Parekar Harshad , Patwardhan Amol
Published: November 2021

Cryptalaus alveolatus sp. nov. is described and illustrated from India. The species has unique morphological characters: conspicuous longitudinal median ridge on pronotum, elytral interstria II more depressed than interstriae I and III. The Indian fauna of the genus Cryptalaus Ȏhira, 1967 is updated and represented by seven species: C. alveolatus sp. nov., C. assamensis (Schwarz, 1902) comb. nov., C. eryx (Candèze, 1874), C. lynceus (Candèze, 1874), C. nodulosus (Waterhouse, 1877) comb. nov., C. sculptus (Westwood, 1848) and C. sordidus (Westwood, 1848). Genitalia and terminalia of male and female C. sordidus are also illustrated. A key to the Indian species of Cryptalaus is given.
A rare photographic record of Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra with a note on its habitat from the Bhagirathi Basin, western Himalaya, India
Authors: Pal Ranjana , Sharma Aashna , Dubey Vineet Kumar , Bhattacharya Tapajit , Johnson Jeyaraj Antony , Sivakumar Kuppusamy , Sathyakumar Sambandam
Published: November 2021

The Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra is an elusive, solitary animal that has one of the widest distributions of all palearctic mammals. Once widely distributed in Asia, the Eurasian Otter population is now vulnerable to urbanization, pollution, poaching, and dam construction. Eurasian Otter distribution in the Indian Himalayan rivers is little explored, and information from this high-altitude riverine ecosystem is sparse. This publication reports a rare photographic record of the Eurasian Otter which confirms its presence in the high-altitude temperate forest of the Upper Bhagirathi Basin, western Himalayan region. The otter was recorded during investigations of terrestrial and aquatic fauna in the Bhagirathi Basin (7,586 km2, 500–5,000 m) of Uttarakhand State, India from October 2015 to May 2019. Among aquatic fauna, Brown Trout were found to be abundant in high altitude river stretches, with a catch per unit effort of 1.02 kg h–1. Additionally, 26 families of freshwater macroinvertebrates underscored a rich diet available for the Brown Trout, which in turn is a potential food source for the otters. The riverine ecosystem is undergoing dramatic changes because of the increasing demand for hydropower plants in the Bhagirathi Basin. Although mitigation measures are currently in place for fish, the presence of otters further necessitates the need for targeted management for high-altitude Himalayan rivers. There is an imperative need for intensive otter surveys using methods such as camera traps in riparian habitats along the Bhagirathi River and its tributaries.
Seasonal food preferences and group activity pattern of Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (L., 1758) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in a semi-arid region of western Haryana, India
Authors: Delu Vikram , Dharambir Singh  , Sumit Dookia  , Priya  , Kiran
Published: November 2021

To evaluate food preferences and group activity patterns, a fragmented population of Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra was selected for observation in a semi-arid ecosystem of western Haryana. A field survey was conducted fortnightly, from dawn to dusk, between September 2019 and August 2020, covering every season. Scan sampling and quadrat methods were used to record data on group size and vegetation. Group sizes ranged from 3 to 72 individuals. Based on visual observation, blackbuck seasonally consumed 26 species belonging to 25 families with varied preferences, out of a total of 53 plant species documented from the study site. Some plant species with high medicinal and therapeutic values were preferred, including Artemisia scoparia, Cucumis callous, Ziziphus jujuba, and Ziziphus nummularia. Unlike most herbivores, Blackbuck also consumed the toxic and medicinally rich Calotropis procera. We suggest that zoos which house blackbuck include these preferred wild plant species in their diet. Observations on group activity were analyzed on hourly, monthly and seasonal bases, and converted into time percentages. Group foraging activity was at a maximum in the monsoon (62%) and minimum in winter (50%), followed by resting: maximum in winter (21%) and minimum (12%) in monsoon, largely influenced by food availability. Foraging/walking ratio was at a maximum (5.2) in monsoon and minimum (3.1) in winter, and was correlated with the number of group sightings (maximum in winter and minimum in monsoon) in nearby farmland, when the animals faced food scarcity in their natural habitat and fed on crops.
First record of a freshwater crab, Maydelliathelphusa masoniana (Henderson, 1893) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from West Bengal, India
Authors: Das Ram Krishna
Published: November 2021

The genus Maydelliathelphusa Bott, 1969 includes five species, M. masoniana (Henderson, 1893), M. edentula (Alcock, 1909), M. falcidigitis (Alcock, 1910), M. harpax (Alcock, 1909), and M. lugubris (Wood-Mason, 1871), and is endemic to India. Out of the five species, only Maydelliathelphusa lugubris (Wood-Mason, 1871) was reported from West Bengal previously. Present study reports the second species, M. masoniana (Henderson, 1893), from West Bengal, India for the first time.
Scientific contributions and learning experiences of citizen volunteers with a small cat project in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India
Authors: Mukherjee Shomita , R. Nandini  , P.V. Karunakaran  , Khanolkar Nayan
Published: November 2021

We conducted a project on small wild cats in Sanjay Gandhi National Park near Mumbai during 2017–2019 with the participation of 35 citizen volunteers. Volunteers underwent a training period after which they collected scat samples, placed camera traps and participated in data analysis. Volunteers answered a questionnaire to gauge the impact the program had in furthering their interests and knowledge. Nineteen participants responded to the feedback survey. Most indicated an increase in their knowledge of wildlife research, conservation issues and small wild cats. We discuss the value of research projects where citizens can actively participate and learn semi-technical skills.
The Persistence of National Victimhood: Bosniak Post-War Memory Politics of the Srebrenica Mass Killings
Authors: Rawski Tomasz
Published: November 2021

The Persistence of National Victimhood: Bosniak Post-War Memory Politics of the Srebrenica Mass KillingsThis article reveals the origins of the radicalisation of memory politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the year 2010. It shows that the radicalisation in the public sphere of Bosnia and Herzegovina was eventually possible due to the long-term persistence of the nationalist commemorative strategy, rooted in the dialectic mechanism of consolidating and antagonising relevant reference groups, and responsible for structuring the national memories of the last war according to an exclusivist martyrological model. Based on the example of Bosniak post-war memory politics regarding the Srebrenica mass killings, the study describes a more universal political mechanism, one characteristic also of the post-war Bosnian Serb and Bosnian Croat nationalist factions. Trwałość martyrologii narodowej. Boszniacka powojenna polityka pamięci o masowych morderstwach w SrebrenicyArtykuł odsłania źródła radykalizacji polityki pamięci w Bośni i Hercegowinie po 2010 roku. Pokazuje, że radykalizacja ta była możliwa dzięki długotrwałemu utrzymywaniu się w sferze publicznej Bośni i Hercegowiny nacjonalistycznej strategii komemoratywnej, która była odpowiedzialna za strukturyzację narodowej pamięci o ostatniej wojnie według ekskluzywistycznego modelu martyrologicznego oraz zakorzeniona w dialektycznym mechanizmie konsolidacji i antagonizowania odpowiednich grup odniesienia. Na przykładzie powojennej boszniackiej polityki pamięci dotyczącej masowych morderstw w Srebrenicy opisany został bardziej uniwersalny mechanizm polityczny, charakterystyczny także dla powojennych polityk pamięci prowadzonych przez nacjonalistyczne elity bośniackich Serbów i bośniackich Chorwatów.
Letter re: Elective Hernia Repair in Obese Patients
Authors: Huerta Sergio
Published: November 2021

NA this is a Letter to the Editor.
A descriptive study of mental health and burnout among Nigerian medical students
Authors: Ayinde Olatunde Olayinka , Akinnuoye Eniola Racheal , Molodynski Andrew , Battrick Oliver , Gureje Oye
Published: November 2021

Background:

Increasing attention is being paid to medical students’ mental wellbeing globally due in part to their exposure to stressors inherent in medical education and the numerous reports of elevated rates of mental health conditions in this population.

Aims:

This study aimed to identify stressors and determine prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity, substance use and burnout in a sample of Nigerian medical students.

Methods:

In a cross-sectional online survey, 505 medical students from 25 Nigerian medical schools completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, short version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the CAGE questionnaire and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI).

Result:

The most commonly reported sources of stress were study (75.6%), money (52.3%) and relationships (30.1%). Nine students (1.8%) had received a mental health diagnosis prior to medical school but this number had increased to 29 (5.7%) whilst in medical school, with the majority being cases of anxiety and depressive disorders. The prevalence of psychological distress was 54.5%, but <5% of affected students had received any help for their mental health conditions. Twenty five students (5%) met criteria for problematic alcohol use and 6% had used cannabis. The proportions of students who met criteria for disengagement and exhaustion domains of the OLBI were 84.6% and 77.0% respectively.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of psychological distress and burnout is high among medical students. Interventions for medical students’ well-being should be tailored to their needs and should target risk factors related to personal, organisational and medical school academic structure attributes.
Clinical and psychosocial profile of persons with mental illness living in non-hospital residential facilities in a district in Kerala, India: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ramkumar Girija Sathiaseelan , Michael Jaimon Plathottathil , Sadath Anvar
Published: November 2021

Background:

Clinical and psychosocial profiles of persons living with mental illness (PMI) in non-hospital settings in India have not been adequately studied.

Aim:

This study describes the profile of PMI living in non-hospital settings by focussing on variables like functioning and social networks.

Method:

Residents of all available residential facilities in one district area were surveyed and descriptive data was obtained. Socio occupational functioning was assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFS) and social network was measured by modified Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6).

Results:

A total of nine centres housing 491 residents (7–128) were surveyed via field visits. The mean age of the residents was 49 ± 14.0 years. Fifty per cent of them were never married, 22% were separated or widowed. Almost half of the people had psychotic disorders, while diagnosis could not be delineated in a quarter of the population. Almost half the people reached the facilities with the help of their families, while 40% were brought by police or volunteers who found them wandering. Impairment in socio-occupational functioning was only mild in 90% of residents, while 60% did not contact relatives or friends in the past 3 months.

Conclusion:

PMI living in non-hospital residential facilities were on average in their middle age and were deficient in marital bonds and other social support. They had reached the centres with the help of extended family or by police/volunteers who rescued them from wandering status. Nevertheless, most of them had only mild to moderate levels of impairment, and their functional capacity was good for independent living in the community with support. Hence, newer models of supported housing that provide greater community reintegration, like independent shared housing within regular neighbourhoods, can be tried. In persons with residual family ties, providing continuous community-based support may help re-establish family integration.
Virtual Reality for Hypertension in Tooth Extraction: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Qin Z. , Zhou C. , Zhu Y. , Wang Y. , Cao H. , Li W. , Huang Z.
Published: November 2021

Tooth extraction is one of the most common causes of dental anxiety and pain, leading to the elevation of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Such effects may be exaggerated and cause life-threatening accidents in patients with hypertension. Therefore, the pain and anxiety management of these patients is imperative. Virtual reality (VR) has been demonstrated to be a distraction method to relieve anxiety and pain in clinical operations. Thus, we hypothesized that VR can control the elevation of BP and HR in patients with hypertension. In this study, 96 eligible patients with controlled hypertension who needed tooth extraction were randomized to the VR or standard care group by stratified randomization of anxiety grade and gender. Their BP and HR were dynamically monitored. The corresponding systolic and diastolic BP and HR values were selected when systolic BP was at the highest point of the process. BP was converted into mean arterial pressure (MAP) for comparison per the following formula: MAP = (systolic BP + 2 × diastolic BP)/3. Statistical analyses were by intention to treat and conducted in SPSS. Nonparametric rank sum tests were used to compare the difference of ΔMAP and ΔHR between the VR and standard care groups. Multivariate linear regression was applied to evaluate the effect of VR on ΔMAP and ΔHR. The results showed that the VR technique significantly decreased the elevation of MAP ( P < 0.001) and HR ( P < 0.001), and this effect was found even after adjusting for baseline characteristics and additional surgical procedures (ΔMAP, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.276; ΔHR, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.152). VR did not increase the incidence of adverse events ( P = 0.677). In conclusion, the VR technique was effective in controlling BP and HR within an acceptable range and can help manage BP and HR during tooth extraction for patients with hypertension (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100042132).
Preventive effect and possible mechanisms of ultrashort wave diathermy on myogenic contracture in a rabbit model
Authors: Xu Qi-Yu , Zhang Quan-Bing , Zhou Yun , Liu A-Ying , Wang Feng
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the preventive effect of ultrashort wave diathermy on immobilization-induced myogenic contracture and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Forty-two rabbits were randomly assigned into control (Group C), immobilization (Group I, which was further divided into one week, Group I-1; two weeks, Group I-2; and four weeks, Group I-4, subgroups by the length of immobilization) and ultrashort wave prevention (Group U, which was further divided into one week, Group U-1; two weeks, Group U-2; and four weeks, Group U-4, by time of treatment) groups. Intervention effects were assessed by evaluating rectus femoris cross-sectional area (CSA), knee range of motion, and the protein levels for myogenic differentiation (MyoD) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx-1) in the rectus femoris. Compared with those of Group C, in Groups I and U, total contracture, myogenic contracture, MyoD and MAFbx-1 levels were significantly elevated, and CSA was significantly smaller ( p < 0.05). Compared with those of Group I at each time point, MyoD levels were significantly elevated, MAFbx-1 levels were significantly lower, CSA was significantly larger, and myogenic contracture was significantly alleviated in Group U ( p < 0.05). In the early stages of contracture, ultrashort wave diathermy reduces muscle atrophy and delays the process of myogenic contracture during joint immobilization; the mechanism of this may be explained as increased expression of MyoD triggered by suppression of the MAFbx-1-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
Effects of potato peels inclusion with exogenous enzymes in broiler diet on growth performance, nutrients digestibility and carcass characteristics
Authors: Aziz ur Rahman Muhammad , Jamal Usama , Anwar Urooj , Bilal Muhammad Qamar , Riaz Muhammad , Hussain Mubasher , Ahmad Sibtain
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the research was to investigate the effects of including potato peels (PP) in broilers diet with exogenous enzymes supplementation on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), nutrient digestibility and carcass parameters. For this purpose, five iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous rations were formulated with different levels of PP (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%). Experimental diets were supplemented with a blend of exogenous enzymes (Xylanase, Mannanase, Protease, Cellulase). A total of four hundred male broiler chicks (day old) of 38 ± 3 gram were randomly distributed into 5 experimental groups in such a way that each group had 8 replicates and each replicate had 10 birds. Results revealed that the inclusion of PP @ 5% with exogenous enzymes had similar FI, BWG and nutrients digestibility with control. However, the inclusion of P @ of 10, 15, and 20% with exogenous enzymes in the broiler diet adversely affected the BWG, feed conversion ratio and nutrient digestibility ( p < 0.05). Results of carcass parameters were not affected ( p > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Based on findings, it is concluded that 5% addition of PP with exogenous enzymes could be practiced in broiler diet without any adverse effect on the performance of commercial broilers.
Mobile Payment in China: A Study from a Sociological Perspective
Authors: Ye WeiMing , Chen Weirong , Fortunati Leopoldina
Published: November 2021

This study aims to analyse and clarify why mobile payments have been adopted in China at such a rapid pace. Unlike previous studies which focused on mobile payment functionality and the micro-level reasons for adoption, this study emphasized the macro-level and meso-level reasons with an emphasis on social relationships or guanxi to explain the widespread and rapid adoption in China of mobile payment. Initially mobile payment was widely dispersed by leveraging the trust existing in strong relationship ties (e.g. mobile ‘red packets’). In the second phase of mass adoption there was a shift toward relying on economic exchanges in the context of weak urban ties. Now in the third phase mobile payment seeks to abandon social relations altogether relying on technologies for direct human-to-machine interactions. The three successive phases show how the strong interactions between financial regulatory policy and mobile payment development have affected social relationships.
Films at the fault line of ‘deep’ and ‘bright’ greens in the environmental movement
Authors: Gallo-Cruz Selina
Published: November 2021

In this article, I review two films challenging the technological solutions and assumptions of ‘bright green’ environmentalism, Planet of the Humans and Bright Green Lies. I explain the ways these films showcase a ‘deep green’ challenge to what is charged as magical thinking in proposals for renewable energy transition. I summarize how filmmakers explore evidence that calls into question the potential for new forms of industrial expansion to save a biome in crisis. I consider the arguments raised in each film surrounding biological limits to extraction and growth. And I discuss the importance and value of exposing students to strong counter arguments to paradigmatic proposals for energy transition in a way that invokes a critical discussion of knowledge production and application.
Dermatomyositis Identified During Palliative Care Management for Chemotherapy-Associated Pain: A Case Report
Authors: Hamada Hiroshi , Tanoue Tadashi , Saito Osamu , Endo Mitsufumi , Miyazaki Kanako , Miyasato Akime , Iketani Sayaka , Sugimori Ayaka , Watanabe Chiaki , Uchino Hiroyuki
Published: November 2021

Background: Skin disorders and neuropathy often occur as side effects of chemotherapy. We encountered a patient who was treated for drug-induced skin symptoms, but the symptoms did not improve, and he was eventually diagnosed as having dermatomyositis. Case presentation: A 71-year-old man underwent chemotherapy with regorafenib in February 2020 for the postoperative recurrence of sigmoid colon cancer, but treatment was discontinued after about 2 months owing to the appearance of skin symptoms, which were thought to be side effects of regorafenib. Subsequently, his symptoms further worsened, and he was hospitalized 3 weeks after the appearance of the initial skin symptoms, and a palliative care team was asked to relieve his back pain caused by the drug-induced skin symptoms. Erythema was widely observed on the lower back and limbs, and he experienced needle stick-like pain. Furthermore, the patient demonstrated difficulty in lifting both upper limbs. As acetaminophen was effective for his pain, the dose was slowly increased with careful observation. The cause of the patient’s muscle weakness was unclear, and after careful discussion of the possible causes among specialists in dermatology, neurology, and rheumatoid arthritis, a diagnosis of dermatomyositis associated with the malignant tumor was made about 10 days after his admission. The patient’s symptoms gradually improved with steroid pulse treatment (methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 3 days) followed by high-dose gamma globulin treatment (2.5 g/day for 5 days), and the patient was discharged 48 days after admission. Discussion: Because this patient was referred to a palliative care team for the purpose of relieving pain caused by skin symptoms associated with chemotherapy, a crucial point is the symptoms were treated as side effects of the chemotherapy from the beginning. As neuropathy can occur as a result of chemotherapy, the pain and muscle weakness could be explained at the time; however, the symptoms continued to worsen even after the chemotherapy was stopped. Because the symptoms were not typical of polymyositis/dermatomyositis, diagnosis of the patient was delayed, even though he was treated in each specialized department. Our present case indicates that paraneoplastic syndrome should always be kept in mind when treating cancer patients.
Sources of Cognitive Conflict and Their Relevance to Theory-of-Mind Proficiency in Healthy Aging: A Preregistered Study
Authors: Rahman Foyzul , Kessler Klaus , Apperly Ian A. , Hansen Peter C. , Javed Sabrina , Holland Carol A. , Hartwright Charlotte E.
Published: November 2021

Age-related decline in theory of mind (ToM) may be due to waning executive control, which is necessary for resolving conflict when reasoning about other individuals’ mental states. We assessed how older ( n = 50) and younger ( n = 50) adults were affected by three theoretically relevant sources of conflict within ToM: competing self-other perspectives, competing cued locations, and outcome knowledge. We examined which best accounted for age-related difficulty with ToM. Our data show unexpected similarity between age groups when people are representing a belief incongruent with their own. Individual differences in attention and response speed best explained the degree of conflict experienced through incompatible self-other perspectives. However, older adults were disproportionately affected by managing conflict between cued locations. Age and spatial working memory were most relevant for predicting the magnitude of conflict elicited by conflicting cued locations. We suggest that previous studies may have underestimated older adults’ ToM proficiency by including unnecessary conflict in ToM tasks.
Facial Impressions Are Predicted by the Structure of Group Stereotypes
Authors: Xie Sally Y. , Flake Jessica K. , Stolier Ryan M. , Freeman Jonathan B. , Hehman Eric
Published: November 2021

Impressions of other people’s faces (e.g., trustworthiness) have long been thought to be evoked by morphological variation (e.g., upturned mouth) in a universal, fixed manner. However, recent research suggests that these impressions vary considerably across perceivers and targets’ social-group memberships. Across 4,247 U.S. adults recruited online, we investigated whether racial and gender stereotypes may be a critical factor underlying this variability in facial impressions. In Study 1, we found that not only did facial impressions vary by targets’ gender and race, but also the structure of these impressions was associated with the structure of stereotype knowledge. Study 2 extended these findings by demonstrating that individual differences in perceivers’ own unique stereotype associations predicted the structure of their own facial impressions. Together, the findings suggest that the structure of people’s impressions of others’ faces is driven not only by the morphological variation of the face but also by learned stereotypes about social groups.