bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-frequency electrical stimulation of bilateral ankles by belt electrodes is effective for preventing denervation-induced atrophies in multiple skeletal muscle groups
Authors: Uno Hiroyuki , Kamiya Shohei , Akimoto Ryuji , Hosoki Katsu , Kouzaki Karina , Tamura Yuki , Kotani Takaya , Isemura Mako , Nakazato Koichi , Tadano Shunta
Published: June 2022

Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) is a stimulation method that can simultaneously contract multiple muscle groups. Although the beneficial effects of B-SES in clinical situations have been elucidated, its molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we developed a novel rodent B-SES ankle stimulation system to test whether low-frequency stimulation prevents denervation-induced muscle atrophy.Electrical stimulations (7‒8 Hz, 30 min) with ankle belt electrodes were applied to Sprague–Dawley rats, daily for one week. All animals were assigned to control (CONT), denervation-induced atrophy (DEN), and DEN + electrical stimulation (ES) groups. The tibial anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles were used to examine the effects of ES treatment.Seven days of continuous stimulation induced significantly higher muscle wet weights and muscle fiber cross-sectional areas(CSA) in both TA and GAS muscles compared to those in the DEN group. B-SES suppressed the decrease in mitochondrial biosynthesis, quantity, and enzyme activity in TA and GAS muscles. mRNAs levels of muscle proteolytic molecules Atrogin-1 and Murf1 were largely increased by denervation, but B-SES repressed their expression.In conclusion, low-frequency electrical stimulation of bilateral ankles by belt electrodes is effective for preventing denervation-induced atrophy in multiple muscles by maintaining mitochondrial quantity, enzyme activity, and suppressing muscle protein degradation.
Splitting Tensile Strength of Fly Ash-Rectified Loose-Grained Sand at Various Pairs of Saturation and Curing Time
Authors: Simatupang Minson , Putra Heriansyah , Yanto Dede Heri Yuli
Published: June 2022

Currently, a soil stabilization approach using fly ash as an effective choice for increasing soil stiffness and strength has emerged. With the presence of water, the lime in the fly ash would be separated, generating cementitious materials binding the grains of sand. In the present study, the influence of curing time and saturation during specimen preparation on the behavior of fly ash-rectified loose-grained sand was observed by performing a series of splitting tensile strength tests. It was found that the splitting tensile strength increases with fly ash content and curing time and decreases with porosity and saturation. The increase in splitting tensile strength due to the reduction in saturation was clarified using microscopic image observations. Fly ash bonds congregate at the contact surface between the grains of sand at a low saturation of 30% and spread evenly on the whole sand surface at a high saturation of 100%. The splitting tensile strength produced at 30% saturation was approximately twofold higher than that at 100% saturation, particularly at one month of curing time. However, the splitting tensile strength at higher saturations approaches that at lower saturations, especially at longer curing times. Porewater evaporation accelerates the self-hardening occurring over time during curing, helping to achieve optimal strength. A reduction in porosity of approximately 0.6% caused by adding fly ash to the mixture can increase the splitting tensile strength by up to twenty-fold in the present study. An equation has been proposed as a function of porosity/volumetric fly ash content, curing time, and saturation during the preparation of the specimen. That equation can be applied convincingly to determine the splitting tensile strength of fly ash-rectified sand.
Percutaneous full-endoscopic C2 ganglionectomy for the treatment of intractable occipital neuralgia: technical feasibility and preliminary results
Authors: Li Chen , Jiang Ye , Wang Qiong , Xu Fulin , Yuan Lutao , Mao Yuhang , Liu Tengfei , Yang Liangliang , Liu Shuang , Yu Yong
Published: June 2022

Background
The treatment algorithm for occipital neuralgia follows the ladder principle. For intractable occipital neuralgia, C2 ganglionectomy can be an effective treatment option. Advancements in percutaneous endoscopic spinal surgery make it possible to accomplish C2 ganglionectomy using a full-endoscopic uniportal surgical technique.
Methods
From March 2020 to April 2021, three consecutive patients with intractable occipital neuralgia underwent percutaneous full-endoscopic C2 ganglionectomy. All the patients were followed up for more than 12 months. Previous treatment measures, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. Finally, the visual analog score (VAS) and Headache Disability Inventory (HDI) were utilized to evaluate surgical efficacy.
Results
All the patients were successfully treated with a percutaneous full-endoscopic C2 ganglionectomy. Both the postoperative VAS scores and the HDI scores improved after C2 ganglionectomy in the three patients. There was no CSF leakage, incision infection, neck deformity, or other complications.
Conclusions
Patients suffering from intractable occipital neuralgia may benefit from percutaneous endoscopic C2 ganglionectomy, which possesses several advantages such as excellent visualization and reducing surgery-related trauma, blood loss, and length of stay.
Bladder cancer organoids as a functional system to model different disease stages and therapy response
Authors: Minoli Martina , Cantore Thomas , Kiener Mirjam , Fedrizzi Tarcisio , Manna Federico La , Karkampouna Sofia , Genitsch Vera , Rodriguez Antonio , Klima Irena , Gasperini Paola , Kiss Bernhard , Seiler Roland , Demichelis Francesca , Thalmann George , de Julio Marianna Kruithof
Published: June 2022

Bladder Cancer (BLCa) inter-patient heterogeneity is the primary cause of treatment failure, suggesting that patients could benefit from a more personalized treatment approach. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have been successfully used as a functional model for predicting drug response in different cancers. In our study, we established PDO cultures from different BLCa stages. PDOs preserve the histological and molecular heterogeneity of the parental tumors (PT), including their multiclonal genetic landscapes, and consistently share key genetic alterations detected in PTs, mirroring tumor evolution in longitudinal sampling. Our drug screening pipeline was implemented using PDOs, testing both standard-of-care and FDA-approved compounds for other tumors. Integrative analysis of drug response profiles with matched PDO genomic analysis was used to determine enrichment thresholds for candidate markers of therapy response and resistance. Finally, by assessing the clinical history of longitudinally sampled cases, the disease clonal evolution could be determined and matched with drug response.
Factors Influencing Consumption of Traditional Diets: Stakeholder Views regarding Sago Consumption among the Indigenous Peoples of West Papua
Authors: Sidiq Fathir Fajar , Coles David , Hubbard Carmen , Clark Beth , Frewer Lynn J
Published: June 2022

Background
The indigenous people living in the province of West Papua may experience potential food insecurity, in part attributable to increased local adoption of, and reliance on, imported foods such as rice. At the same time, the consumption of sago, a traditional local food, is lower than other types of carbohydrate foods such as wheat and cassava. Various factors may act as influential drivers of local diets and related agricultural practices, which in turn may be influenced by the attitudes and opinions of stakeholders with interests in the supply chain.
Methods
Qualitative methodology (semi-structured interviews) was applied to understand the various factors perceived by a selected number of stakeholders that influence sago consumption among the indigenous peoples of West Papua. These stakeholders included politicians, local and national civil servants, academics, sago farmers, and food activists (n = 18). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results
The results indicate that the stakeholders perceive that the majority of the West Papuan people regard sago as a traditional food that is critical to, and inseparable from, local culture and food production practices. The results suggest that the stakeholders interviewed support the consumption of sago to improve food security for the indigenous people in West Papua, with a need for future policy to be developed to support this.
Conclusions
The evidence presented here suggests a diverse range of local stakeholders support the continuation of sago production and consumption, both from the perspective of improved food security, and in order to conserve cultural associations and activities within local communities. According to the stakeholders interviewed, this can be best achieved through improved engagement of local communities with sago production policies, innovation in current practices, and agronomic management. Local policies should be developed to ensure that sago remains an integral component of the Papuan people's culture, and develops into a significant commodity with economic value which simultaneously contributes to environmental targets.
Characterization of a petrographic microscope for potential use with image processing techniques
Authors: Profitis E. , Chatzitheodoridis E.
Published: June 2022

The polarising microscope is the most common and basic tool for geologists to study rocks and minerals in thin sections. The analysis and processing are mainly qualitatively when conventional methods are used. Nevertheless, due to technological development and evolution, the use of digital methods makes the petrographic studies much easier, reliable, and quantitative. In this paper, we describe a method to characterise the petrographic microscope based on its setup (i.e., nicols, lenses, light source). For the characterization procedure, a spectrometer has been used in order to acquire the spectrum of microscope’s light source, based on the different microscope’s components and setups, including the use of plane polarised, crossed polarised and circular polarised light conditions, from which the Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) was computed. It is shown that the individual microscope setups have a direct effect on light source spectrum and therefore on the CCT value. This procedure is vital when image processing techniques are combined with traditional petrography interpretations for quantitative measurements. Technological applications can also be on materials showing birefringence, such as liquid crystals, polymeric fluids, thin films, plastics, optical fibres, and biological samples such as collagen and some proteins.
Fully Automated Measurement on Coronal Alignment of Lower Limbs using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks on Radiographic Images
Authors: Meng Xianghong , Wang Zhi , Ma Xinlong , Liu Xiaoming , Ji Hong , Cheng Jie-zhi , Dong Pei
Published: June 2022

Background
A deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) system is proposed to measure the lower limb parameters of the mechanical lateral distal femur angle (mLDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), and mechanical axis of the lower limbs.
Methods
Standing X-rays of 1000 patients’ lower limbs were examined for the DCNN and assigned to training, validation, and test sets. A coarse-to-fine network was employed to locate 20 key landmarks on both limbs that first recognized the regions of hip, knee, and ankle, and subsequently outputted the key points in each sub-region from a full-length X-ray. Finally, information from these key landmark locations was used to calculate the above five parameters.
Results
The DCNN system showed high consistency (ICC > 0.91) for all five lower limb parameters. Additionally, the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) of all angle predictions were lower than 3° for both the left and right limbs. The MAE of the mechanical axis of the lower limbs was 1.124 mm and 1.416 mm and the RMSE was 1.032 mm and 1.321 mm, for the right and left limbs, respectively. The measurement time of the DCNN system was 1.8 ± 1.3 s, which was significantly shorter than that of experienced radiologists (616.8 ± 48.2 s, t = -180.4, P༜0.001).
Conclusions
The proposed DCNN system can automatically measure mLDFA, MPTA, LDTA, JLCA, and the mechanical axis of the lower limbs, thus helping physicians manage lower limb alignment accurately and efficiently.
Artificial Neural Network modelling for yield enhancement of L-Glutaminase free L-Asparaginase from Bacillus sp. associated with marine red alga Gracilaria dura
Authors: Mathew Doniya Elze , Vala Anjana K , Dineshkumar Ramalingam , Niharika Jayashree , Singh Ravindra Pal , Shinde Pramod B. , Mantri Vaibhav A.
Published: June 2022

The bacterial flora associated with Gracilaria dura, the sole producer of natural agarose was obtained. Screening for the presence of various enzymes and bioactive compounds resulted in discerning different clinically and industrially important enzymes. Three isolates were identified to be producing L-asparaginase (LA), a potent anticancer drug. The strain 4T1-C26E registered highest LA activity (25.2 IU ml− 1) in the enzyme assay, was selected for yield improvement by optimizing process parameters through Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Various parameters like glucose concentration, L-asparagine concentration, pH of the media, and incubation period were optimized through Central Composite Design (CCD) for enhanced yield of LA by 4T1-C26E, identified as Bacillus licheniformis. The CCD table was exploited for application in artificial neural networking (ANN) for the development of optimum method of cultivation. In this study, we obtained 2.5-fold (88.4 IU ml− 1) increase in LA production by this strain through RSM optimization. Further, Artificial Neural Networking Particle Swarm Optimization (ANN-PSO) predicted the input combinations. The experimental validation of LA production was found to be 4-fold (126.4 IU ml− 1) higher with respect to the unoptimized conditions. This illustrates the effectiveness of ANN-PSO based optimization technique, the error percent between the predicted and experimental output was 4.03%. The most important benefit of LA from 4T1-C26E is that it possesses no L-glutaminase activity. Further, it is extracellularly produced which is suitable for easier downstream processing thereby reducing chances of immunogenic responses by endotoxins. However, characterization of kinetic parameters and cytotoxic studies on cell cultures are mandatory to confirm its pharmaceutical application.
VAP Risk Index: Early prediction and hospital phenotyping of ventilator-associated pneumonia using machine learning
Authors: samadani Ali , Wang Taiyao , Zon Kees van
Published: June 2022

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Early identification of patients at risk of VAP enables early intervention, which in turn improves patient outcomes. We developed a predictive model for individualized risk assessment utilizing machine learning to identify patients at risk of developing VAP.Methods: The Philips eRI database, a multi-institution electronic medical record (EMR), was used for model development. For adult (≥18y) patients, we propose a set of criteria using indications of the start of a new antibiotic treatment temporally contiguous to a microbiological test to mark suspected infection events, of which those with a positive culture are labeled as presumed VAP if 1) the event occurs at least 48 hours after intubation, and 2) there are no indications of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or other hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in the patient charts. The resulting VAP and no-VAP (control) cases were then used to build an ensemble of decision trees to predict the risk of VAP in the next 24hrs using data on patient’s demographics, vitals, labs, and ventilator settings. Results: The resulting model predicts the development of VAP with an AUC of 76% and AUPRC of 75% at a lead time of 24h in advance. Additionally, we group hospitals that are similar in healthcare processes into distinct clusters and characterize VAP prediction for the identified hospital clusters. We show inter-hospital (teaching status and healthcare processes) and cohort-specific (age groups, gender, early vs late VAP, ICU mortality status) differences in VAP prediction and associated symptomologies. Conclusions: Our proposed VAP criteria provide a temporal context for the infection event and enable studying the disease course. Using the proposed criteria, we curated a patient cohort and used it to build a model to predict an impending VAP event before any clinical suspicions. We present a clustering approach to tailor the VAP prediction model for different hospital types based on their EMR data characteristics. The developed VAP prediction model provides instantaneous risk score that allows early interventions and confirmatory diagnostic actions.
Modeling electronic health record data using an end-to-end knowledge-graph-informed topic model
Authors: Zou Yuesong , Pesaranghader Ahmad , Verma Aman , Buckeridge David , Li Yue
Published: June 2022

The rapid growth of electronic health record (EHR) datasets opens up promising opportunities to understand human diseases in a systematic way. However, effective extraction of clinical knowledge from the EHR data has been hindered by its sparsity and noisy information. We present GAT-ETM, an end-to-end knowledge graph-based multimodal embedded topic model. GAT-ETM distills latent disease topics from EHR data by learning the embedding from a constructed medical knowledge graph. We applied GAT-ETM to a large-scale EHR dataset consisting of over 1 million patients. We evaluated its performance based on EHR reconstruction and drug imputation. GAT-ETM demonstrated superior performance over the alternative methods on both tasks. Moreover, our model learned clinically meaningful graph-informed embedding of the EHR codes. In additional, our model is also able to discover interpretable and accurate patient representations for patient stratification and drug recommendations. Our code is available at Anonymous GitHub.
Relevance of circulating Semaphorin 4A for rheumatoid arthritis progression and response to treatment
Authors: Avouac Jérôme , Vandebeuque Eloïse , Combier Alice , Poiroux Lucile , Steelandt Alexia , Boisson Margaux , Gonzalez Virginie , Cauvet Anne , Barnetche Thomas , Truchetet Marie-Elise , Richez Christophe , Allanore Yannick
Published: June 2022

Background: The lack of validated tools to predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease course warrants the development of new reliable biomarkers. We have previously detected increased semaphorin 4A (SEMA4A) expression in endothelial cells, synovial tissue, and serum of patients with RA. In addition, SEMA4A serum levels correlated with multiple clinical, biological, and power doppler ultrasound markers of disease activity. Our aim was to evaluate circulating SEMA4A for the prediction of outcomes in patients with RA.Methods: A first cohort included between May 2016 and February 2018 101 consecutive RA patients followed up on an annual basis until August 2021. Baseline SEMA4A concentrations were analyzed according to disease progression defined for the purpose of this study by the occurrence of patient-reported flares and initiation or change of targeted therapy. A second cohort included 40 consecutive RA patients who initiated new therapy because of insufficient disease control. The course of SEMA4A levels was studied between baseline and month 3 according to treatment response. Results: During a follow-up period of 41±15 months, disease progression occurred in 26/101 patients in the first cohort. Increased baseline SEMA4A levels were identified as an independent predictor of disease progression (hazard ratio, HR: 2.71, 95%CI 1.14-6.43). The highest predictive value of disease progression was obtained with the combination of increased circulating SEMA4A and/or DAS28-CRP>3.2 and/or synovial hyperemia on doppler ultrasound (HR: 10.42, 95%CI 1.41-76.94). SEMA4A was also predictive of disease progression in patients with a DAS28 <3.2 at baseline.In the second cohort, baseline SEMA4A levels were significantly higher in patients who further experienced none or moderate response, and SEMA4A concentrations were markedly decreased in the group of patients with good clinical response as compared to non-responders.Conclusion: circulating SEMA4A appears as an appealing biomarker in RA with ability to predict disease progression, and with association with response to therapy.
Heat Flux Reduction of Satellites and Spacecraft
Authors: LE Trang , SUZUKI Yasuhiro , HASEGAWA Hiroki , MORITAKA Toseo , OHTANI Hiroaki
Published: June 2022

The reduction of high electron and ion heat fluxes is one of the critical issues for shielding satellite and spacecraft. One of the ideas for shielding high particle and heat fluxes is to apply an external magnetic field generated by injecting current filaments. In this work, we model a flow of plasma, which includes electrons and ions in a small region, by using two spatial dimensions and three coordinates for velocities (2D3V) Particle-In-Cell (PIC) code, to study the effects of the injected current filaments on particle and heat fluxes to the wall. The plasma enters the simulation domain from the source region at the left boundary and is fully absorbed at the conductor wall at the right boundary. Current filaments are injected to change the magnetic field structure of the system. We compare particle density, particle flux and heat flux with and without injecting the current filaments into the domain in two dimensions. Based on the simulation results, we found that injecting current filaments can reduce the peak fluxes to the wall and transfer some of those fluxes along the wall. Therefore, injecting the current filaments is a good candidate for shielding high energy ion and electron fluxes to the satellites or spacecraft.
Oropharyngeal Swallowing Physiology and Safety in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A consecutive descriptive case series
Authors: Alamer Mrs Amal , Jones Rhys , Drinnan Michael , Simpson Prof. A. John , Griffin Prof. Mike , Patterson Prof. Joanne M , Althuwaybi Abdullah , Ward Prof. Chris , Forrest Ian
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Dysphagia occurs in multiple respiratory pathophysiologies, increasing the risk of pulmonary complications secondary to aspiration. Reflux associated aspiration and a dysregulated lung microbiome is implicated in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), but swallowing dysfunction has not been described. We aimed to explore oropharyngeal swallowing in IPF patients, without known swallowing dysfunction. Methods: Fourteen consecutive outpatients with a secure diagnosis of IPF were recruited and the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (Eat 10) used to assess patient perception of swallowing difficulty. Oropharyngeal swallowing was assessed in ten patients using Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies (VFSS). The studies were rated using validated scales: Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS); standardised Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP). Results: EAT-10 scores indicated frank swallowing difficulty in 4/14 patients. Videofluoroscopy Studies showed that 3/10 patients had airway penetration, and one aspirated liquid without a cough response. Median MBSImp for oral impairment was 5, range [3-7] and pharyngeal impairment 4, range [1-14] indicating, overall mild alteration to swallowing physiology. Conclusion: We conclude that people with IPF can show a range of swallowing dysfunction, including aspiration into an unprotected airway. To our knowledge, this is the first report on swallowing physiology and safety in IPF. We believe a proportion of this group may be at risk of aspiration. Further work is indicated to fully explore swallowing in this vulnerable group.
The Effects of Informal Competition on Manufacturing Firm Productivity in Ethiopia
Authors: Endale Kefyalew
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the relationships of informal competition with formal manufacturing firms labor productivity measured by value added per total fulltime workers and capacity utilization rates in Ethiopia. A combination of cross-sectional and panel regression methods are employed to investigate the relationships using the 2011 and 2015 World Bank Enterprise Surveys. The results from both the cross-sectional and panel analyses show that informal competition is significantly associated with lower labor productivity and capacity utilization rate. The negative effects of informal competition are large especially on large manufacturing firms which is a disincentive to firm growth. An additional finding is that those formal firms competing against the unregistered firms are found to engage in innovation practices especially in the methods of production and marketing to mitigate the negative consquences of informal competittors on their market performance. The policy implication of the findings is that Competition and Consumers’ Protection Authority (incollaboration with police and judciary) should exert more efforts to reduce the malpractices of informal competitors especially those engaging in brand piracy. Formalizing the informal competitors through improved access to credit, tax incentive, and training can also play an indispensable role. Firms should also promote their producs aggressively through different methods to help their customers identify genuine products from fakes.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Adolescence, Retrospective case-controlled study
Authors: Abdelgawad Mohamed , Sorogy Mohamed El , Fouad Amgad , Elrefei Mohamed , Hamed Hosam , El-Magd El-Sayed Abou , Makia Amr , Abdelrafee Ahmed
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Adolescent obesity is striking global health issue in the recent decades. Although non-surgical weight loss strategies have been crucial in obesity management in that age group, they have disappointing results. Consequently, growing interest has emerged on the surface in bariatric surgery for adolescents. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) can be an effective treatment option for adolescent obesity and controlling or even eliminating its obesity-related co-morbidities. Methods: Data was collected from the prospectively maintained database between 2014 to 2019 in Gastrointestinal surgical center, Mansoura University. Obese adolescents aged 12-19 years, who underwent LSG with a BMI of more than 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of greater than 35kg/m2 associated with obesity-related comorbidities were included. Results: Forty patients were included in the study: 18 male and 22 female. The median age was 17 years. The mean preoperative body weight and BMI were 147.15 ± 36.31 kg and 52.55 ± 11.61 kg/m2 respectively. Osteoarthritis and depression were the most common comorbidities in the study cohort (14 patients, 35%). After 2 years follow up, the EBWL was 40.84 kg. All patients had achieved %EBWL <50% at 12 months. No nutritional deficiency was encountered in the study period. All obesity related co-morbidities (DM, HTN, OSAS and dyslipidemia) have been resolved. Conclusion: Obese adolescent will grow into obese adult, with increasing burden on health care systems. LSG is feasible, effective, and safe for management of adolescent obesity in the terms of weight loss, resolution of obesity related comorbidities. Long-term follow up is needed in future studies.
Comprehensive analysis of Cuproptosis regulators in ccRCC and prospects for immunotherapy
Authors: Xue Zhaoyuan , Liu Jingkun , Nuerrula Yiliyaer , Tiliwalidi Aidiye , Yizihaer Subinuer , Aimudula Ainiwaer , Eli Mayinur
Published: June 2022

Based on data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) on renal clear cell carcinoma(ccRCC), we noted different expression profiles of Cuproptosis regulators in ccRCC and normal tissues, and we also found that Cuproptosis regulators were associated with PD-L1 expression.Based on the expression levels of Cuproptosis regulators in ccRCC, two independent isoforms were identified by consensus clustering analysis. Cluster 1 showed lower histological tumor stage and grade, more favorable prognosis, and higher PD-L1 expression compared to cluster 2.CIBERSORT analysis revealed that cluster 2 contained higher levels of T cell CD8+,T cell regulatory (Tregs), NK cell activated and T cell follicular helper, whereas cluster 1 was more relevant to Monocytes, Macrophage M1, Macrophage M2, T cell and Mast cell activated.After analysis, we identified DLAT as a potential key regulator of Cuproptosis associated with immune infiltration, and its low expression showed a poor prognosis and positively correlated with PD-L1 expression in ccRCC.In addition, we performed a pan-cancer analysis of this gene, and DLAT expression was strongly correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint-related genes, particularly PD-L1, with unfavorable prognosis in multiple cancer types.In conclusion, this study reveals the potential role of Cuproptosis regulators in ccRCC and identifies biomarkers associated with Cuproptosis for prognosis and immunotherapy prediction.
Postoperative EGFR-TKI treatment on residual multiple ground-glass nodules after resection for lung adenocarcinoma:a case report and literature review
Authors: Dong Haijun , Zhang Jianbin , Min Weiwei , Shen Qibin
Published: June 2022

Background: Multiple ground-glass nodules (mGGNs) in the lung has been defined as synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC), it is very difficult to differentiate SMPLC from intrapulmonary metastases, and the treatment is still controversial. Case presentation: We report a case of mGGNs simultaneously with lung adenocarcinoma harboring primary EGFR-T790M mutation, in which the patient underwent radical resection of lesions in the left upper lung, and continued osimertinib treatment for the residual mGGNs in all lobes of the right lung. The mGGNs in the right lung displayed different responses to osimertinib. Conclusions: We report a successful strategy on the postoperative treatment for mGGNs. For mGGNs that cannot be completely resected, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) ,immunotherapy and targeted therapy have been tried. EGFR-TKI therapy strategy shows obvious advantages, but how to achieve better therapeutic effect that needs more researches.
Inertial Scheme for Solving Two-Level Variational Inequality and Fixed Point Problem Involving Pseudomonotone and ϱ — Demimetric Mappings
Authors: Godwin Emeka C. , Mewomo Oluwatosin T. , Araka Nnamdi N. , Okeke Godwin A. , Ezeamama Grace C.
Published: June 2022

This work approximates the solution of two-level variational inequality and fixed point problem in a real Hilbert space where the underlying operators are pseudo-monotone and ϱ-demimetric. An iterative algorithm was developed and shown to converge strongly to the solution set of two-level variational inequality and fixed point problem. Four numerical examples are presented to further demonstrate the usefulness and applicability of our method. The result obtained extends, generalizes and compliments several existing results in this direction of research.
Contamination of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and its antibiotic resistance genes in the dust on the return vent filters of air-conditioners in hospital wards
Authors: Yuan Fengyun , Qiu Wanyue , Xia Yuhe , Gong Lin , Chen Qi , Li Jiahao , Liang Jiansheng , Tang Fei
Published: June 2022

Background
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has been one of the predominant causative agents of nosocomial infections. The purpose of this research was to study the situation of drug-resistant A. baumannii contamination in the dust on the return vent filters of air-conditioners in health care settings.
Methods
The study was conducted in 34 wards of three tertiary hospitals in Wuhan from November 2018 to November 2021. The dust samples on the return vent filters of air-conditioners were collected and inoculated on chromogenic media. A. baumannii were identified by time of flight mass spectrometry. Susceptibility testings were performed on the isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Ten β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was detected by PCR and quantitative PCR.
Results
A total of 279 strains producing β-lactamases and carbapenems were screened from 218 dust samples. A. baumannii was detected in 16.97% (37/218) of dust samples. The positive rate of dust samples in different wards were as follows: intensive care unites (ICUs) 20.97% (13/62), surgical wards 20.51% (16/78) and internal medicine wards 10.26% (8/78). Of the 49 A. baumannii colonies isolated, 12 were multidrug-resistance A. baumannii (MDRAB) with the highest proportion in ICUs. The frequency of blaADC, blaOXA−51, blaOXA−23 and blaKPC, blaVIM, blaTEM, blaCTX−M, blaSHV in A. baumannii were 100.00% (49/49), 79.59% (39/49), 59.18% (29/49), 59.18% (29/49), 46.94% (23/49), 44.90% (22/49), 32.65% (16/49) and 14.29% (7/49), respectively. However, blaIMP and blaNDM−1 were not detected. The relative quantitative value of ARGs from high to low were blaADC > blaOXA−51 > blaKPC > blaTEM > blaOXA−23 > blaCTX−M > blaVIM > blaSHV.
Conclusion
Drug-resistant A. baumannii was commom in the dust on the return vent filters of air-conditioners in hospital wards, especially in ICUs. ARGs of blaADC, blaOXA−51, and blaKPC genes were most in need of attention. The relative quantitative value of blaOXA−23 and blaTEM had a positive correlation with the drug resistance of A. baumannii.
Perceived Stress, Internet Use behaviors and Mental Health Symptoms During the Early Stages of the Pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Bergmann Carolina Goldman , Rahat Maryam , Mojgani Juliette , Sideris Beth , Dwyer Heather , Patterson Beth , Ameringen Michael Van
Published: June 2022

Purpose: This study explores perceived stress (PS), mental health (MH) symptoms and internet use behaviors during early stages of the pandemic in Brazil. Methods: A questionnaire battery was posted on various internet platforms from April to July 2020. The questionnaires included various life domains, internet use behaviors, MH symptoms, PS and quality of life, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale, Obsessive Compulsive Inventory – Revised, PTSD Checklist and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results: Majority of participants (n=519) reported changes to financial status (71%) and social communication (89%) and various internet use behaviors (79-89%). This sample reported elevated PS (x̄=17.09, SD=8.37, 62%), mild depression (x̄=6.44, SD=5.98) and anxiety (x̄=6.62, SD=5.37) and a significant proportion had clinically significant symptoms of MDD (25%), GAD (23%), OCD (14%), PTSD (18%) and elevated PS (62%). Elevated PS was predicted by younger age (β=-0.063, p=0.005), female sex (β=0.581. p=0.05), loss of employment (β=0.665, p=0.05), healthcare worker status (β=-0.589, p=0.005), past mental health treatment (β =0.739, p=0.005) increased social media use (β=0.591, p=0.05) and increased digital information seeking (β=0.697, p=0.05). Conclusion: Mental health providers should assess internet use habits and behaviors as a potential risk factor for heightened stress.
Prediction of prednisolone dose correction using machine learning
Authors: Sato Hiroyasu , Kimura Yoshinobu , Ohba Masahiro , Ara Yoshiaki , Wakabayashi Susumu , Watanabe Hiroaki
Published: June 2022

PurposeWrong dose, a common prescription error, can cause serious patient harm, especially in the case of high-risk drugs like oral corticosteroids. This study aims to build a machine learning model to predict dose-related prescription modifications for oral prednisolone tablets (ie, highly imbalanced data with very few positive cases). MethodPrescription data were obtained from the electronic medical records at a single institute. Cluster analysis classified the clinical departments into six clusters with similar patterns of prednisolone prescription. Two patterns of training datasets were created with/without preprocessing by the SMOTE method. Five ML models (SVM, KNN, GB, RF, and BRF) and Logistic Regression (LR) models were constructed by Python. The model was internally validated by five-fold stratified cross validation and was validated with a 30% holdout test dataset. Result82,553 prescribing data for prednisolone tablets containing 135 dose-corrected positive cases were obtained. In the original dataset, only the BRF model showed a good performance (in test dataset, ROC-AUC:0.917, Recall: 0.951). In the training dataset preprocessed by SMOTE, performance was improved on all models. The highest performance models with SMOTE were SVM (in test dataset, ROC-AUC:0.820, Recall: 0.659) and BRF (ROC-AUC:0.814, Recall: 0.634).ConclusionAlthough the prescribing data for dose-related collection are highly imbalanced, various techniques such as the following have allowed us to build high-performance prediction models: data preprocessing by SMOTE, stratified cross-validation, and BRF classifier corresponding to imbalanced data. ML is useful in complicated dose audits such as oral prednisolone.
Hypochlorous Acid Inactivates Oral Pathogens And A SARS-CoV- 2-surrogate
Authors: Tazawa Kento , Jadhav Rutuja , Azuma Mariane Maffei , Fenno J. Christopher , McDonald Neville J. , Sasaki Hajime
Published: June 2022

Background
Droplets and aerosols produced during dental procedures are a risk factor for microbial and viral transmission. Unlike sodium hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is nontoxic to tissues but still exhibits broad microbicidal effect. HOCl solution may be applicable as a supplement to water and/or mouthwash in dental practice. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HOCl solution on common human oral pathogens and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate MHV-A59 virus, considering the dental practice environment.
Methods
HOCl was generated by electrolysis of 3% hydrochloric acid. The effect of HOCl on human oral pathogens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Streptocuccus intermedius, Parvimonas micra, and MHV-A59 virus was studied from four perspectives: concentration; volume; presence of saliva; and storage. HOCl solution in different conditions was utilized in bactericidal and virucidal assays, and the minimum inhibitory volume ratio that is required to completely inhibit the pathogens was determined.
Results
In the absence of saliva, the minimum inhibitory volume ratio of freshly prepared HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) was 4:1 for bacterial suspensions and 6:1 for viral suspensions. The presence of saliva increased the minimum inhibitory volume ratio to 8:1 and 7:1 for bacteria and virus, respectively. Applying a higher concentration of HOCl solution (220 or 330 ppm) did not lead to a significant decrease in the minimum inhibitory volume ratio against S. intermedius and P. micra. The minimum inhibitory volume ratio increases in applications of HOCl solution via the dental unit water line. One week of storage of HOCl solution degraded HOCl and increased the minimum growth inhibition volume ratio.
Conclusions
HOCl solution (45–60 ppm) is still effective against oral pathogens and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus even in the presence of saliva and after passing through the dental unit water line. This study indicates that the HOCl solution can be used as therapeutic water or mouthwash and may ultimately reduce the risk of the airborne infection in dental practice.
Determinants of non-primary, primary, and exclusive use of liquefied petroleum gas vary significantly in a nationally representative survey in Ghana
Authors: Kar Abhishek , Tawiah Theresa , Graham Linnea , Owusu-Amankwah Georgette , Daouda Misbath , Malagutti Flavio , Chillrud Steve , Iddrisu Seidu , Apraku Edward , Tetteh Richard , Jack Kelsey , Abubakari Sulemana , Jack Darby , Asante Kwaku Poku
Published: June 2022

Clean cooking transitions can have profound public health, environmental and societal gains for 2.6 billion people in the Global South. We use data from the largest household energy survey (n= 7,389) in Ghana to provide novel insights. One, regression analysis with thirteen commonly cited socio-economic and demographic predictors indicates that these factors have remarkably different levels of influence at different stages of the transition process. We propose a stage-based intervention strategy and customer targeting approach that could be a paradigm shift in how clean cooking interventions are rolled out. Two, we identify factors that are associated with exclusive use of LPG using a statistically powered sample of exclusive LPG users (n= 693). We find that everything else being equal, increases in wealth, and residing in an urban location are not associated with a transition from primary to exclusive LPG use.
TRENDS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IMPLEMENTATION IN THE
BUSINESS ENTITIES’ ACTIVITIES
Authors: Humenna Y. , O. Hura
Published: June 2022

The article is devoted to the analysis of trends within digital transformation of economic entities. The aim of the article is study features of the digital transformation’ implementation in the economic activity of enterprises while the e-commerce’ growth. The majority of the companies around the world have embarked on the digital transformation of business through the COVID-19 pandemic. The main task for solving the problems of the world market is the transformation of business and its adaptation based on the use of digital technologies. The study formalizes the periodization of the process of formation and development of e-commerce according the issues: stages by level of development; key events in the formation of e-commerce; signs of the formation and development of e-commerce. The article analyses the indicators for determining e-commerce by its types for 2021: the approximate market for e-commerce’ gross merchandise value in the world; leading market based on projected online traffic; region-leader in the cost of gross merchandise value. The mechanism of digital transformations by introduction of e-commerce in activity of economic subjects is offered, including objects and vectors of digital transformation, means and levers of digital transformation which integrally influence a choice of e-commerce’ types. The results of the implementation the mechanism of digital transformation in the enterprises activities will be: accelerated private labels, direct sales to consumers; augmented reality in online stores; transition of physical companies to e-commerce; significant role of big data in improving personalization; continuation of innovations based on application programming interface; alternative payment methods; expanding online shopping; the company's focus on optimization; expanded use of the commerce model of business-to-business cooperation.
DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ON THE BASIS OF A BALANCED SYSTEM INDICATORS
Authors: Rekunenko I. , Kobushko I. , Rybalchenko S. , Maryn M.
Published: June 2022

This article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of developing a management strategy for an industrial enterprise. Analysis of the main indicators of enterprise activity is a prerequisite for making effective management decisions and determining strategic directions of development in general. An urgent task for modern business entities is the formation of a balanced scorecard in order to implement it in the management strategy of the enterprise.
Obstacles to the introduction of a balanced scorecard at Ukrainian enterprises have been identified. At the same time, among the foreign companies that have integrated the balanced scorecard are representatives of both the private and public sectors: Volkswagen, Ford Motor Company, Wells Fargo, Citibank, TD Canada Trust, Apple, Microsoft Latin America, Veriz, Veolia Water, Philips Electronics, City of Charlotte, Defense Logistics Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), University of Virginia.
The system of balanced indicators contributes to the formalization and justification of strategic guidelines in accordance with the company's mission in quantitative and qualitative parameters, as well as specifies the actions and efforts of employees, consolidating their responsibility in achieving certain strategic results in staff motivation. This makes it possible to link the remuneration of staff with the achievement of the company's performance, which they have a direct impact on.
The article systematizes the algorithm for developing a management strategy, the stages of forming a balanced scorecard. The key objectives that are necessary to achieve the set performance indicators according to the established blocks of analysis are identified: customers, business processes, training and career growth and finance. The relevance and importance of the chain of causation, which affects all components of a balanced system of indicators on the vertical vector. A balanced system of industrial enterprise development indicators is presented in general.
Contribution of the St-Petersburg Institute of radiation hygiene to the practical activities of Russian sanitary-epidemiological facilities
Authors: Omelchuk V. V.
Published: June 2022

In 2020 Federal Service for surveillance on consumer rights protection and human well-being organizes a series of events devoted to the 100th anniversary of the day of establishment of the state sanitary-epidemiological service of Russia. St-Petersburg research institute of radiation hygiene, as other scientific-practical institutions of the Rospotrebnadzor, summarizes its contribution to practical activities in the field of radiation hygiene. Since the foundation of the Institute in December 1956 and up to current time the results of the research on many aspects of this significantly young discipline formed the basis for the development of one of the main problems of radiation hygiene – protection of the public health from hazardous effects of ionizing exposure. One of the important practical aspects of the performed research in the assistance to the institutions providing sanitary surveillance on the radiation safety on the territories of the USSR and regions of the Russian Federation.
To the 75th anniversary of N.A. Meshkov
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: June 2022

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