bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business development & feasibility study of small-scale powdered coffee agroindustry
Authors: Kesuma Indra , Rusdan  , Machrus M. , Thahir Andi
Published: October 2021

Purpose of Study: This study aims to analyze the level of visibility of low-scale ground coffee agro-industry and determine the role of the government in the development of low-scale ground coffee agro-industry.

Methodology: This research was conducted using a low-scale survey agro-industry method which was applied to a ground coffee centre in one of the provinces in Indonesia. The number of samples is seven low-scale coffee business units. Data analysis used is financial analysis (NPV, IRR, Net B/C ratio, and Payback Period), Break-Even Point analysis, and sensitivity analysis.

Results: The results showed that the low-scale ground coffee agro-industry was profitable and looked to be continued (IRR 99%, NPV 27,883,981.46 to 16,076,282,505.24 and Net B/C of 1.02 to 1.32), the sensitivity analysis showed that the cost of production to the scale of costs decreased, namely the decline in production below 20%.

Application: The creativity of producers in the marketing of processed coffee products and innovation of flavour variants is important for consumer attractiveness in maintaining the stability of agro-industry income.

Novelty: As for the role of the government, the seven production units have received guidance, counselling, and training.
The impact of Location-based Marketing strategies on retail sectors in Al Batinah region during COVID 19 Pandemic
Authors: Shekhar Shantanu , Chandrasekaran Kumaresan , Mathew Joshy
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Location-based marketing has become an essential component in today’s businesses. The principal objective of this study is to investigate the growing significance of using location-based marketing services to small and medium-scale marketers and customers.

Methodology: This is an exploratory study, which aims to explore the impact of location-based marketing on the retail sector of the Al Batinah region in the Sultanate of Oman.

Main Findings: Social media platforms play an important role in the Location-Based marketing of various retail sectors such as SME’s and these platforms play a major role in helping retailers to make decisions whether they wish to market their products by using this platform or not.

Implications: All organizations’ top-level management must focus on data mining to identify the right customers and at the same time they should focus on innovative marketing strategies on LBS.

Novelty: This study provides motivations and insights that drives businesses and customers to use these LBM services.
Image of deputies of regional parliaments in popular social networks: equality in the era of digitalization
Authors: Sizonenko Anastasia
Published: October 2021

The article examines popular social networks from the standpoint of the gender specificity of the authors and the age profile of users with the aim of further qualitative consideration of the accounts of deputies the analysis of the accounts of the deputies of regional parliaments from a visual and linguistic discursive point of view in the era of the global trend for digitalization is carried out. In the course of the study, the main and gender features of the effective filling of accounts of social networks VKontakte, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Telegram are identified. The empirical basis for the study of the network image was the text and visual content of accounts, as well as threads of comments and user discussions in the accounts of the following regional deputies for the period September 2020 - February 2021. The analysis focuses on the gender specificity of the content of the studied accounts and the reaction of subscribers of both genders to various popular topics in the posts of MPs. For each of the selected social networks, the formed network image of the deputies is analyzed. Also, the article analyzes the gender specificity in the legislative bodies of power among the deputies of regional parliaments, fixes the tendencies of an increase in the number of women in power structures at the regional level. On the basis of the study, conclusions are drawn about the unequal ratio of the representation of women and men in legislative bodies, in contrast to foreign power structures. Gender specificity in the filling of accounts is noted: creation of the image of a “strong woman-deputy”; adherence to personal "family values" in the posts of male deputies. At the end of the article, the main conclusion is given about the low level of efficiency of communications of deputies in the Internet space on the most popular social platforms; recommendations are proposed for changing the indicators of the activity of deputies in social networks at the level of government and each individual deputy.
Percepciones públicas, distancia psicológica y comunicación de riesgos frente al cambio climático: Una revisión contextualizada en Perú
Authors: Monge Rodríguez Fredy S.
Published: October 2021

El cambio climático representa una gran amenaza para la humanidad y es motivo de preocupación para la comunidad científica, la sociedad y los políticos. La escasez de conocimientos contextualizados sobre la percepción de riesgo genera una brecha entre los países desarrollados y en vías de desarrollo, siendo estos últimos los más vulnerables a sus efectos. Todo esto nos lleva a plantear un estudio de revisión sobre percepción de riesgo, distancia psicológica y comunicación de riesgo frente al cambio climático, contextualizado en Perú. Los esfuerzos que se realizan desde diferentes instituciones públicas y organizaciones no gubernamentales son para proponer programas sólidos frente al cambio climático. En este contexto, el apoyo de políticas de gobierno contextualizadas en la realidad peruana resulta fundamental para poner un freno al incremento de temperatura y al aumento de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. Se concluye indicando la necesidad de estudios interdisciplinarios que permitan identificar la importancia del rol que juegan variables como la percepción de riesgo, distancia psicológica y las estrategias de comunicación en los procesos de adaptación y mitigación frente al cambio climático.
Development of Transgenic Sugarcane Resistant to Stem Borer by Transforming cry1Ab-cry1Ac Fusion Gene through Agrobacterium tumefaciens Transformation Method
Authors: Sukmadjaja Deden , Koerniati Sri , Lukman Auliya
Published: October 2021

Bulu Lawang (BL) is a sugarcane variety preferred by farmers in Indonesia due to its high yield, but this cultivar is susceptible to shoot and stem borer insect pests. Genetic engineering using cry1Ab and cry1Ac fusion gene is an effort to generate BL varieties resistant to the insect pests. This study aimed to 1) transform T-DNA containing cry1Ab-cry1Ac fusion gene into sugarcane genome by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens method, 2) obtain selection media composition of callus transformants, and 3) obtain transformation efficiency comparison of A. tumefaciens strains EHA105 and GV3101. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the greenhouse of the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development, Bogor from March to August 2019. Research activities consisted of four parts namely 1) callus induction and Agrobacterium culture preparation containing pCambia5300-cry1Ab-cry1Ac ///// pCambia-5300_OaRbcS-prom-cTP-cry1Ab-cry1Ac plasmid, 2) callus incubation in cocultivation and resting media, 3) selection and differentiation of shoots on regeneration media, and 4) molecular analysis using PCR method. Results showed that the composition of media, both for selection and regeneration processes of putative plant transformants, was the key to the success of this experiment. A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 resulted in higher transformation efficiency (11.1%) compared to that of strain GV3101 (9.0%). Molecular analysis showed that cryIAb-cryIAc fusion gene was successfully inserted into the sugarcane genome suggesting that the transgenic plant containing cry1Ab-cry1Ac fusion gene was obtained. The putative transgenic plants need further assay through bioassay tests to verify its resistance phenotype to the insect pests.
LncRNA CRNDE Promoted Colorectal Cancer Cells Reisitance To Paclitaxel Through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ma Rui , Yu Chuan-yang , Tao Xiang , Yang Zhi , Huang Qi , You Pei-dong , Tian Jin-hai , Cao Jia , Cao Jie , Wang Li-bin
Published: October 2021

Background

The lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (lncRNA CRNDE) is commonly over-expressed in different human cancers and involved in different biological functions. Paclitaxel(PTX) is a tricyclic diterpenoid compound which often used as a natural anticancer drugs in cancer treatments. Although there have many research reports about the mechanisms of LncRNA involved in PTX treatment, there are no any research about lncRNA CRNDE and PTX resistance in colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisims of LncRNA CRNDE involving PTX resistance in colorectal cancer.
Results

We constructed lncRNA CRNDE over-expression vector and transfected it into SW620 cell. CCK8, Transwell experiments proved that over-expression of lnc CRNDE increased SW620 cells proliferation and invasion, while the si-CRNDE group was significantly decreased. over-expression CRNDE can significantly up-regulate β-catenin, c-myc, APC and Axin2 expression and affect the expression of cyclinD1 and CDK4 after treated with PTX.
Conclusion

lncRNA CRNDE promotes CRCs proliferation, invasion and migration. Over-expression of LncRNA CRNDE enhanced the reisitance of CRC to PTX through inhibition of Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway.
Medical Students Perceptions Over Their Motivations and Competencies to Volunteer in COVID-19 Pandemic - An Opportunity to Develop Leadership Skills During Medical Training
Authors: Siqueira Marina Alves Martins , Torsani Matheus Belloni , Gameiro Gustavo Rosa , Chinelatto Lucas Albuquerque , Mikahil Bruna Chacon , Tempski Patricia Zen , Martins Milton A.
Published: October 2021

BackgroundConsidering evidence on competency-based curriculum and the benefits of volunteering, this study highlights new ideas to improve medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the motivations and perceptions on competencies developed as leadership and management skills in medical students who joined COVID-19 Volunteering Program in a brazilian medical school.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional, quantitative and qualitative study involving medical students from the University of Sao Paulo (USP)/Brazil. They were invited to participate in an institutional Volunteering Program during the pandemic, and filled online application forms, including sociodemographic fields and two open-ended questions about motivation to volunteer and perceptions on their own competencies. At the end of the Program, students who were involved in management-related activities were also invited to participate in focus group interviews to track their perceptions about volunteering in this area. Data were submitted to descriptive and content analysis methods. All participants provided informed consent through electronic signature.Results286 medical students have subscribed to the Volunteering Program: 171 (60%) were men, 152 (53%) were enrolled in 5th year and 158 (55%) were 23-25 years old. One-hundred and twelve (44%) students volunteered motivated by altruistic reasons, 95 (37%) reported duty and 47 (19%) prioritized academic interests. Concerning CanMEDS competencies, 91 (36%) students’ responses matched with the Scholar component, followed by 51 (20%) with Collaborator, 49 (20%) with Professional, 32 (13%) with Communicator, 17 (7%) with Leader and 11 (4%) with Health Advocate. In focus groups, students reported the importance of management and leadership skills as a curricular component, motivations to volunteer, the acquired skills from volunteering in management and leadership-related activities, highlighting the development of resilient attitude.ConclusionsStudents who participated in the FMUSP Volunteering Program reported being motivated to help others (altruistic reasons) and to serve society as future health professionals (duty). Knowledge and work-related competencies prevailed over leadership or soft skills, emphasizing the importance of including such activities in curriculum. Participating in management-related activities could help develop a more resilient attitude towards medical training.Take home messagesVolunteering programs offer students opportunities to develop essential competencies for the future health professional. Thus, we should think about including such activities in curricular structure.
Efficacy of Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerves Block Through Perichondrial Approach in Open Gynecological Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study and a Cadaveric Evaluation
Authors: TANAKA Nobuhiro , SUZUKA Takanori , KADOYA Yuma , OKAMOTO Naoko , SATO Mariko , KAWANISHI Hideaki , AZUMA Cho , NISHI Mayumi , KAWAGUCHI Masahiko
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUNDː Modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) was first described as a peripheral nerve block by Tulgar in 2019. This technique provides an analgesic effective range from Th7–11 with a single puncture per side. Although the efficacy and effective duration of M-TAPA have been reported, further examination is required. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the analgesic range and effective duration of M-TAPA in open gynecologic surgery.METHODSː Following approval, 10 adult female patients scheduled for open radical hysterectomy via a vertical incision or laparotomy using a midline incision from under the xiphoid process to the symphysis pubis were enrolled. The primary outcome was the number of anesthetized dermatomes at 2 and 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included numerical rating scale scores and the total amount of fentanyl used. Cadaveric evaluation was performed to assess the spread of the dye. RESULTSː The median numbers (interquartile range) of anesthetized dermatomes at 2 and 24 h postoperatively were 6 (5–7) and 6.5 (5–7) in the anterior cutaneous branch area and 5 (4–7) and 7 (5–7) in the lateral cutaneous branch area, respectively. There was an 85% chance of simultaneously acquiring analgesia in areas innervated by Th8–Th11, including complete block in areas innervated by the anterior cutaneous branches of Th9–10. Cadaveric evaluation showed the spread of the dye in Th8–11.CONCLUSIONSːM-TAPA may have analgesic effects in the areas supplied by the anterior cutaneous branches of Th8–11.TRAIL REGISTRATION:IRB approval (No.2700; registered on July 10, 2020) and registration (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000041137; registered on July 17, 2020)
The emerging threat of artificial intelligence on competition in liberalized electricity markets: A deep Q-network approach
Authors: Aliabadi Danial Esmaeili , Chan Katrina
Published: October 2021

BackgroundAccording to sustainable development goals (SDGs), societies should have access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. Deregulated electricity markets have been established to provide affordable electricity for end-users through advertising competition. Although these liberalized markets are expected to serve this purpose, they are far from perfect and are prone to threats, such as collusion. Tacit collusion is a condition, in which power generating companies (GenCos) disrupt the competition by exploiting their market power. MethodsIn this manuscript, a novel deep Q-network (DQN) model is developed, which GenCos can use to determine the bidding strategies to maximize average long-term payoffs using available information. In the presence of collusive equilibria, the results are compared with a conventional Q-learning model that solely relies on past outcomes. With that, this manuscript aims to investigate the impact of emerging DQN models on the establishment of collusive equilibrium in markets with repetitive interactions among players. Results and ConclusionsThe outcomes show that GenCos may be able to collude unintentionally while trying to ameliorate long-term profits. Collusive strategies can lead to exorbitant electric bills for end-users, which is one of the influential factors in energy poverty. Thus, policymakers and market designers should be vigilant regarding the combined effect of information disclosure and autonomous pricing, as new models exploit information more effectively.
Comparison of Short-Term Toxicity of 14 Common Phycotoxins (Alone and in Combination) To The Survival of Brine Shrimp Artemia Salina
Authors: Zhang Yu Ting , SONG Shanshan , ZHANG Bin , ZHANG Yang , TIAN Miao , CHEN Huorong , DING Guangmao , LIU Renyan , Mu Jingli
Published: October 2021

Toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause deleterious effects in marine organisms, threatening the stability of marine ecosystems. It is well known that different strains, natural populations and growth conditions of the same toxic algal species may lead to different amount of phycotoxin production and the ensuing toxicity. To fully assess the ecological risk of toxic HABs, it is of great importance to investigate the toxic effects of phycotoxins in marine organisms. In this study, the short-term toxicity of 14 common phycotoxins (alone and in combination) in the marine zooplankton Artemia salina was investigated. On the basis of 48 h LC50, the order of toxicity in A. salina was AZA3 (with a LC50 of 0.0203 µg/ml)＞AZA2 (0.0273 µg/ml) ＞PTX2 (0.0396 µg/ml)＞DTX1 (0.0819 µg/ml)＞AZA1 (0.106 µg/ml)＞ SPX1 (0.144 µg/ml)＞YTX (0.172 µg/ml)＞dcSTX (0.668 µg/ml)＞OA (0.728 µg/ml)＞STX (1.042 µg/ml)＞GYM (1.069 µg/ml)＞PbTx3 (1.239 µg/ml)＞hYTX (1.799 µg/ml)＞PbTx2 (2.415 µg/ml). For the binary exposure, additive effects of OA and DTX1, DTX1 and hYTX; antagonistic effects of OA and PTX2, OA and STX; and synergetic effects of DTX1 and STX, DTX1 and YTX, DTX1 and PTX2, PTX2 and hYTX on the mortality of A. salina were observed. These results provide valuable toxicological data for assessing the impact of phycotoxins on marine planktonic species and highlight the potential ecological risk of toxic HABs in marine ecosystems.
Prediction of COVID-19 Diagnosis Based on OpenEHR Artefacts
Authors: Oliveira Daniela , Ferreira Diana , Abreu Nuno , Leuschner Pedro , Abelha António , Machado José
Published: October 2021

The complexity and momentum of monitoring COVID-19 patients calls for the usage of agile and scalable data structure methodologies. A system for tracking symptoms and health conditions of suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients was developed based on the openEHR architecture. All data on the evolutionary status of patients in home care as well as the results of their COVID-19 test were used to train different machine learning algorithms, with the aim of developing a predictive model capable of identifying COVID-19 infections according to the severity of symptoms identified by patients. The results obtained were promising, with the best model achieving an accuracy of 96.25%, a precision of 99.91%, a sensitivity of 92.58%, and a specificity of 99.92%, using the Decision Tree algorithm and the Split Validation method.
Morphological and Molecular Identification of Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus Ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm]
Authors: Kotadiya Urvashi , Talaviya Jayadipkmuar , Shah Kalpit , Lathiya Sandip
Published: October 2021

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is fleshy, edible fungi and used throughout the world. Among the most well-known species of mushrooms, Pleurotus sp. is the third most popularly grown mushroom in the world and rank second in India. The most well-known species of Pleurotus are P. ostreatus, P. florida, P. eryngii, P. cystidiosis, P. flabellatus, P. cornucopie, and P. sajor-caju. According to the morphological, molecular character and ITS sequencing, the Pleurotus ostreatus was distinguish from the other species. The cap (pileus) of the oyster mushroom has whitish to grey color and fleshy. Stipe cream and smooth surface. Spores are whitish to lilac grey in mass, cylindrical to oblong shape. Spore print was white in color. Whitish mycelium growth in PDA plate. The ITS sequence was submitted to gene bank NCBI and it was accepted by NCBI with accession number MW446165.
Hidden Markov Modeling for Maximum Probability Neuron Reconstruction
Authors: Athey Thomas , Tward Daniel , Mueller Ulrich , Vogelstein Joshua , Miller Michael
Published: October 2021

Recent advances in brain clearing and imaging have made it possible to image entire mammalian brains at sub-micron resolution. These images offer the potential to assemble brain-wide atlases of neuron morphology, but manual neuron reconstruction remains a bottleneck. Several automatic reconstruction algorithms exist, but most focus on single neuron images. In this paper, we present a probabilistic reconstruction method, ViterBrain, which combines a hidden Markov state process that encodes neuron geometry with a random field appearance model of neuron flourescence. Our method utilizes dynamic programming to compute the global maximizers of what we call the ``most probable'' neuron path. Our most probable estimation method models the task of reconstructing neuronal processes in the presence of other neurons, and thus is applicable in images with several neurons. Our method operates on image segmentations in order to leverage cutting edge computer vision technology. We applied our algorithm to imperfect image segmentations where false negatives severed neuronal processes, and showed that it can follow axons in the presence of noise or nearby neurons. Additionally, it creates a framework where users can intervene to, for example, fit start and endpoints. The code used in this work is available in our open-source Python package brainlit.
Association of the Healthy Beverage Index With Metabolic Syndrome and Stroke in U.S. Adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014
Authors: Liu Jinxiao , Zhu Qiushuang , Dong Yuanjie , Yan Qingna , Li Yuqiao , Tang Xuanfeng , Wang Ruohua , Li Xiaoqing , Lv Xinyi , Niu Yucun
Published: October 2021

Background: Whether beverage consumption pattern is associated with risk of metanolic syndrome (MetS) and stroke is of public health interest. Methods: We examined the associations between the healthy beverage index (HBI) scores with prevalence of MetS and stroke among 4162 participants aged 20-80 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014) in U.S. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), while adjusting for potential confounders and stratifying by gender. Results: For the prevalence of stroke, there was an inverse association between HBI scores and stroke (adj. OR for Q4 versus Q1: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.27–0.81), and gender stratified models were similar. However, there was a positive association between HBI scores and MetS (adj. OR for Q4 versus Q1: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.46–1.79) in the total participants, and gender stratified models were different. Higher HBI scores was associated with lower prevalence of MetS in females (adj. OR for Q4 versus Q1: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.65–1.38), but with higher prevalence of MetS in males (adj. OR for Q4 versus Q1: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.37–2.99). Further analyses demonstrated differences in the association of SSBs, coffee and tea, alcohol, diet drinks and full-fat milk consumption with MetS and stroke in the total subjects, males and females. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the HBI scores was a negative association with stroke in a representative U.S. population, and the higher HBI scores was associated with increased prevalence of MetS in males but decreased in females, which may be caused by the same beverage may play a different role in the prevalence of MetS and stroke in the total participants,males and females.
TNF-α plays a role in sleep disturbance in patients with rotator cuff tear
Authors: Cho Chul-Hyun , Kim Du Hwan , Baek Eun Hee , Kim Du-Han
Published: October 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine serum levels of sleep-related cytokines in patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) and to investigate the correlations between serum levels of sleep-related cytokines and clinical scores.
Methods

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 63 study participants were divided into three groups: RCT patients with sleep disturbance (sleep disturbance group; SD group) (n = 21), RCT patients without sleep disturbance (normal sleep group; NS group) (n = 21), and patients with shoulder instability (control group) (n = 21). Serum concentration levels of sleep-related cytokines including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The associations between serum levels of sleep-related cytokines and clinical scores including the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were analyzed.
Results

Serum concentration levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in the SD group compared with those of the NS and control groups (P = < 0.001 and 0.05). Serum levels of IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the SD group compared with those of control group (P = 0.01 and = 0.05), but did not differ significantly from that of the NS group (P > 0.05). Serum level of IL-6 was significantly lower in the SD group compared with those of the NS and control groups (P = < 0.001 and 0.01). There were no associations between serum levels of sleep-related cytokines and all clinical scores including VAS pain, UCLA, and PSQI scores (all P > 0.05).
Conclusion

The current findings suggest that TNF-α may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of sleep disturbance in patients with RCT and be a possible therapeutic target to improve sleep disturbance in patients with RCT.
Interactive Effects of Intraspecific Competition and Drought on Stomatal Conductance and Hormone Concentrations in Different Tomato Genotypes
Authors: Gao Yang , Liang Yueping , Li Shuang , Si Zhuanyun , Hamani Abdoul.Kader.Mounkaila
Published: October 2021

We elucidated the effects of intraspecific competition on plant growth, stomatal opening and hormone concentrations in different tomato genotypes under different water regimes. Intraspecific competition reduced plant leaf area and stomatal conductance (gs) of wild-type tomato (Ailsa Craig), which was accompanied by abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation and ethylene evolution. Intraspecific competition-induced decrease in gs was absent in flacca, an ABA-deficient mutant, and in never-ripe, a partially ethylene-insensitive genotype, indicating ABA and ethylene involved in plant response to intraspecific competition. As soil water becomes dry, the competition decreased gs by elevating ABA and ethylene accumulations. Under severe drought, the competition-induced decline in gs was covered by the severe drought-induced decrease in gs, as hydraulic signals most probably dominate. Absence of canopy competition had no significant influence on plant stomatal opening of well-watered tomato, due to canopy separation minimized the plant neighbor sensing by ethylene and other signals. Whereas under water deficit condition, absence of canopy competition significantly reduced ABA accumulation in roots and then stomatal conductance, indicating the belowground neighbour detection signals maybe enhanced by soil drought. Absence of root competition increased ethylene evolution, confirming the importance of ethylene in neighbor detection and plant response to environmental stress.
A Case Report of HIV-Related Bilateral Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors of Adrenal Gland
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Liu Hui , Zhu Zhiqiang , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yanyan
Published: October 2021

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease which mostly occurs at younger age and locates in lung in general population. We report a rare case of 44-year-old man diagnosed adrenal IMT with HIV infection, who refused regular highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) 13 years ago until in hospital because of findings of adrenal masses. The patient underwent CT-guided needle biopsy successfully, and the pathological analysis documented the diagnosis of IMT by the feature of proliferation of fibroblastic-myofibroblastic with inflammatory infiltration. We failed to perform tumor complete resection due to diffuse invasion of tumor under laparoscope. The patient was complicated with severely multiple pulmonary infection post to surgery because of immunodeficiency, that eventually caused the death of patient 2 months later. This case reminds us that IMTs may be too aggressive and progressed in HIV-positive patients with irregular HAART to perform surgical resections, and severe immunodeficiency can be more fatal. To our knowledge, this case is the second IMT patient with HIV infection worldwide, but the first case occurs at adrenal gland rather than lung in adult.
Origin and Evolution Analysis and Genetic Characteristics of Echovirus 9 in China
Authors: SI Fenfen , JI Tianjiao , WANG Dongyan , ZHANG Yong , ZHU Shuangli , LI Junhan , XU Wenbo , YAN Dongmei
Published: October 2021

BackgroundEchovirus 9 (E9) is associated with a wide variety of diseases and medical conditions, and the clinical symptoms of sporadic cases caused by E9 often are severe. With a high global prevalence, E9 has caused multiple outbreaks worldwide. However, little is known about the genetic and geographic population dynamics of E9.MethodA total of 131 VP1 gene sequences, including15 generated in this study and 116 obtained from GenBank, were used to coestimate time-resolved phylogenies to infer viral evolution and transmission in worldwide. Overlapping fragments representing whole genomes were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers. Then, we reported the genetic characteristics of fifteen E9 strains in the Chinese Mainland. Similarity plots and bootscanning analysis were used to determine recombination patterns of E9.ResultsThe estimated mean evolutionary rate of global E9 VP1 gene was 4.278 × 10−3 substitutions per site per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.822× 10−3/site/year to 4.710× 10−3/site/year), and the common ancestor of E9 likely emerged around 1868 (95% CI, 1840 to 1892). The full-length genomic sequences of the fifteen E9 strains showed 76.9-79.6% nucleotide identity and 95.3–95.9% amino acid identity with E9 Barty strain. 11 of 15 E9 whole genome sequence present four recombination patterns, and E9 recombinants have extensive genetic exchanges in the 2C and P3 regions with other Enterovirus B (EV-B) circulated in China. Four of six E9 strains were temperature sensitive, and two were temperature resistant, and a comparative genomics analysis suggested that 411, 865 and 867 amino acid substitution in the P1 region was related to temperature sensitivity.ConclusionThis study highlights a persistent transmission network of E9 in worldwide, provides valuable information regarding the molecular epidemiology of E9.
Serum Urea Acid and Urea Nitrogen Levels are Risk Factors for Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Lanlan , Liu Yao , Liu Zengyou , Chen Hengying , Shen Siwen , Wei Yuanhuan , Sun Ruifang , Deng Guifang
Published: October 2021

Background

In recent years, results on the association between serum uric acid (UA) and pregnancy outcomes have been inconsistent, and the association between urea nitrogen (UN) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in normal pregnant women has not been reported. Thus, we examined the association of UA and UN levels during gestation with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in a relatively large population.
Methods

A total of 1602 singleton mothers were included. Both UA and UN levels were collected and measured during the second (16–18th week) and third (28–30th week) trimesters of gestation respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression.
Results

After adjustment, the highest quartile of UA in the third trimester increased the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and small for gestational age infants (SGA) by 48% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–2.10) and 99% (95% CI: 1.01–3.89) compared to those in the lowest quartile. The adjusted OR (95% CI) in the highest quartile of UN for the risk of SGA was 2.18 (95% CI: 1.16–4.13) and 2.29 (95% CI: 1.20–4.36) in the second and third trimester, respectively. In the second trimester, when UA and UN levels were both in the highest quartile, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for the risk of SGA was 2.51 (95% CI: 1.23–5.10). In the third trimester, when the group 1 (both indicators are in the first quartile) was compared, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) for the risk of SGA were 1.98 (95% CI: 1.22–3.23) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.16–4.61) for group 2 (UA or UN is in the second or third quartile) and group 3 (both indicators are in the fourth quartile), respectively.
Conclusions

Higher UA and UN levels increased the risk of maternal and fetal outcomes. The simultaneous elevation of UA and UN levels was a high-risk factors for the development of SGA, regardless of whether they were in the second or third trimester.
Effects of waste milk on growth performance, immunity, and gut health of dairy calves
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Ma Tao , Cheng Chuanteng , Lv Jingyi , Bai Haixin , Jiang Xin , Zhang Yonggen , Xin Hangshu
Published: October 2021

Background
Liquid feed are the major nutrient source that can have a significant impact on the growth and development of immune system of calves before weaning. Waste milk containing antibiotic residue has been produced because of the continuous expansion of dairy farms. In order to reduce economic loss and prevent environmental pollution, most farms seem waste milk as one of the calves’ liquid feeds. However, there is limited information to report the effects of waste milk on growth performance, especially immunity function of calves. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of waste milk on growth, immunity and gut health of dairy calves.
Results
Feeding WM improved hip width, hip height, heart girth, final body weight, and feed efficiency of dairy calves compared to MR. Plasma concentrations of IgA, IgM, IgG and IL-10 were higher and TNF-α was lower in WM group. In addition, treatment and time interactively affected plasma concentrations of IgG and IL-2, which increased and decreased in WM group but decreased and increased in MR group, respectively, from 49 to 70 d of age. There was no difference in diarrhea case and average days of diarrhea among treatments. Difference in fecal microbiota was observed between MR and WM groups only at 49 d of age. Analysis of differential abundance showed that the increase in the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group and the decrease in that of Bacteroides was higher in WM than MM group from 49 to 70 d of age.
Conclusions
WM had beneficial effects on growth performance and did not affect health statue, which might be explained by enhanced immune function modulated by fecal microbiota.
Clinical Data Classification With Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum Computers
Authors: Moradi Sasan , Brandner Christoph , Spielvogel Clemens , Krajnc Denis , Hillmich Stefan , Wille Robert , Drexler Wolfgang , Papp Laszlo
Published: October 2021

Quantum machine learning has experienced a significant progress in both software and hardware development in the recent years and has emerged as an applicable area of near-term quantum computers. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of utilizing quantum machine learning (QML) on real clinical datasets. We propose two QML algorithms for data classification on IBM quantum hardware: a quantum distance classifier (qDS) and a simplified quantum-kernel support vector machine (sqKSVM). We utilize these different methods using the linear time quantum data encoding technique (\({\text{log}}_{2}N\)) for embedding classical data into quantum states and estimating the inner product on 15-qubit IBMQ Melbourne quantum computer. We match the predictive performance of our QML approaches with prior QML methods and with their classical counterpart algorithms for three open-access clinical datasets. Our results imply that the qDS in small sample and feature count datasets outperforms kernel-based methods. In contrast, quantum kernel approaches outperform qDS in high sample and feature count datasets. We demonstrate that the \({\text{log}}_{2}N\) encoding increases predictive performance with up to +2% area under the receiver operator characteristics curve across all quantum machine learning approaches, thus, making it ideal for machine learning tasks executed in Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum computers.
Initial Medication Adherence by Psychiatric Outpatients in a General Hospital and Relevant Factors
Authors: Chen Minhua , Zhou Lina , Ye Li , Lin Gelin , Pang Yongli , Lu Liyun , Wang Xianglan
Published: October 2021

Background: The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research proposed two types of medication adherence: initial and long-term. Initial adherence is a predictor of long-term adherence and thus is a crucial metric to explore and support. This study aimed to investigate initial medication adherence by psychiatric outpatients and relevant factors. Methods: The study surveyed psychiatric outpatients using a 30-day timely return visit rate (TRVR) after the first visit to indicate initial adherence. All participants agreed to engage in the self-designed survey and assessments of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Clients who missed timely return visits received telephone follow-up to determine the main reasons. Results: The overall TRVR was 59.4%, and 40.6% of clients missed return visits. Logistic regression analysis revealed risk factors for initial adherence were work, tense family atmosphere, negative attitudes towards medication, higher EPQ psychoticism score, and lower SCL-90 phobic anxiety score. The main reasons given for non-timely return visits were improvement suggesting lack of need for a return visit, various limitations, no improvement, and side effects. Conclusion: Psychiatric outpatients had poor initial medication adherence related to multiple dimensional factors, including job, family, personality characteristics, mental status, and thoughts about mental illness and treatments.
Using Ground Microtremor Data in Advanced Rockfall Early Warning Systems and Predicting Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Rockfall Hazards
Authors: Yang Yi-Rong , Lee Tzu-Tung , Wang Tai-Tien
Published: October 2021

Identifying cliffs that are prone to fall and providing a sufficient lead time for rockfall warning are crucial steps in disaster risk reduction and preventive maintenance work, especially that led by local governments. However, existing rockfall warning systems provide uncertain rockfall location forecasting and short warning times because the deformation and cracking of unstable slopes are not sufficiently detected by sensors before the rock collapses. Here, we introduce ground microtremor signals for early rockfall forecasting and demonstrate that microtremor characteristics can be used to detect unstable rock wedges on slopes, quantitatively describe the stability of slopes and lengthen the lead time for rockfall warning. We show that the change in the energy of ground microtremors can be an early precursor of rockfall and that the signal frequency decreases with slope instability. This finding indicates that ground microtremor signals are remarkably sensitive to slope stability. We conclude that microtremor characteristics can be used as an appropriate slope stability index for early rockfall warning systems and predicting the spatiotemporal characteristics of rockfall hazards. This early warning method has the advantages of providing a long lead time and on-demand monitoring, while increasing slope stability accessibility and prefailure location detectability.
Staff Attitudes Towards Electronic Data Collection for a National Take-Home Naloxone Program
Authors: Ericson Øystein Bruun , Eide Desiree , Lobmaier Philipp , Clausen Thomas
Published: October 2021

Background

During the scaling-up of a national Norwegian take-home naloxone (THN) program, data collection methods shifted from paper-based to electronic. The aim of this study was to explore staff attitudes and preferences towards the shift in data collection.
Methods

In January-February 2020, a survey was sent out via email to personnel involved with the THN program (n=200). The survey included 17 questions, and covered staff demographics, experiences distributing THN, attitudes towards data collection (both paper and electronically), and an open response section. Descriptive statistics were performed for the survey results. The open response section was recorded from each questionnaire and was coded into major themes by the authors.
Main findings

In total, 122 staff completed the survey. Of these, 62% had experience with both electronic and paper-based forms, and there was a near unanimous preference towards electronic data collection over paper-based forms. From the free-text responses, staff found the electronic form to be a useful tool for conversation and overdose prevention education, and that the electronic form was easier to manage than the paper forms.
Conclusion

The shift towards electronic data collection was necessary for the feasibility of the Norwegian national THN program. This study found that staff not only tolerated the shift, but in most cases preferred this organizational change.
Radiologic Analysis of Causes of Early Recurrence after Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy
Authors: Li Zepeng , Liu Lulu , Liu Hao , Tan Jinghua , Li Xuelin , Xu Zhun , Ouyang Zhihua , Wang Cheng , Yan Yiguo , Xue Jingbo
Published: October 2021

Objective: To retrospectively analyze causes of, and factors influencing, early recurrence after percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) used to treat lumbar-disc herniation. Methods: We included 285 patients with single-segment lumbar-disc herniation, treated using PETD from January 2017 to December 2019 in the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China. Patients were classified into early recurrence and non-early recurrence groups based on clinical symptoms and MRI reexamination. Differences in disc-height index (DHI), sagittal range of motion (sROM), base-width of intervertebral disc degeneration, and postoperative intervertebral annulus-fibrosus tear size were compared using independent-sample t test. Differences in degree of intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation sites were analyzed using rank-sum and chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis of factors associated with early recurrence after PETD. Results: Two hundred and eighty five patients completed surgery and underwent clinical follow-up. Mean follow-up duration was 15.5 months (12–24 months). During follow-up, 19 patients relapsed within 6 months post-surgery. Early recurrence rate was 6.7%, and mean recurrence duration was 73.4 days (3–168 days). Differences in DHI, base-width, postoperative annulus-fibrosus tear size, degree of intervertebral disc degeneration, and herniation sites between early recurrence and non-early recurrence groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Herniation site and base-width of herniation were significantly correlated with early recurrence after PETD. Conclusions: DHI, postoperative annulus-fibrosus tear size, and degree of intervertebral disc degeneration were associated with early recurrence after PETD. Increased base-width of herniation was a risk factor for early recurrence after PETD. Central-herniation patients with were more prone to postoperative early recurrence than paracentral-herniation patients.
Novel Chalcone-Derived Pyrazoles as Potential Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Maciejewska Natalia , Olszewski Mateusz , Jurasz Jakub , Serocki Marcin , Dzierzynska Maria , Cekala Katarzyna , Wieczerzak Ewa , Baginski Maciej
Published: October 2021

Lung cancer is considered to account for approximately one-fifth of all malignant tumor-related deaths worldwide and is therefore one of the most lethal malignancies. Pyrazole scaffold possesses a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, which play important roles in medicinal chemistry. The present study reports the synthesis and in vitro biological characterization of nine pyrazoles derived from chalcones as potential anticancer agents for non-small cell lung cancer A-549, H226, and H460 cell lines. Most of the compounds (PCH-1) efficiently inhibited the growth of all the tested cancer cell lines at micromolar concentrations. One of the most active compounds was further evaluated for its effect on cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies on the mechanism of action revealed that PCH-1 disrupts microtubule assembly, leading to cancer cell death. Molecular modeling studies confirmed the potent interaction of PCH-1 with the colchicine binding site on tubulin. Overall, this study provides novel opportunities to identify anticancer agents in the pyrazole series.
Emergency Treatment on Gartland Type III Pediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures: a Retrospective Analysis of Therapeutic Consequences of Surgery
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Yu , Zhao Jingxin
Published: October 2021

Objective: The objective of this analysis was to investigate the effect of emergency treatment by simple reduction within 8 h of injury for Gartland type III pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.Methods: One hundred twenty children with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures were studied. All 120 patients had extension-type fractures and each was classified into one of two groups as follows: group A (n = 90), treated by closed reduction; group B (n = 30), treated by open reduction. Both groups underwent Kirschner wire internal fixation within 1 to 5 d after reduction. Information on the emergency treatments within 8 h of the fracture and the duration of the subsequent surgeries was collected and compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the two patient groups in terms of the demographic parameters. Compared to non-emergency surgery, emergency surgery required shorter operation time and fewer complications (P<0.05). Nevertheless, the fracture healing time was significantly less (P＜0.05), and Flynn scores were higher in the closed reduction group compared to the open reduction group (P<0.05).Sixty-six of the 90 patients in group A received emergency treatment with an average subsequent surgery duration of 40 min. The remaining 24 patients did not receive emergency treatment and had an average surgery duration of 65 min. Of the 30 patients in group B, four received emergency treatment with a subsequent average surgery duration of 70 min. The remaining 26 patients did not receive emergency treatment and had an average surgery duration of 91 min. Conclusion: Emergency treatment by simple reduction within 8 h of fracture was important for subsequent surgical procedures and duration. Lack of this treatment could increase the risks during open reduction. Emergency treatment within 8 h of fracture could increase the healing rate and reduce the duration of the subsequent surgery.