bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-Frequency Feature Extraction Method of the Multi-Source Shock Signal Based on Improved VMD and Bilateral Adaptive Laplace Wavelet
Authors: Zhao Nanyang , Zhang Jinjie , Mao Zhiwei , Jiang Zhinong , Li He
Published: January 2021

Reciprocating machinery, e.g., diesel engines and reciprocating compressors, is the key power component in petroleum, petrochemical, nuclear power, and shipbuilding industries. Vibration signals have the characteristics of multi-source strong shock coupling and strong noise interference owing to the complex structure of reciprocating machinery; therefore, it is difficult to extract, analyze, and diagnose mechanical fault features. Moreover, failures occur frequently every year, causing serious economic losses. To accurately and efficiently extract sensitive features from the strong noise interference and unsteady monitoring signals of reciprocating machinery, a study on the time-frequency feature extraction method of multi-source shock signals was conducted. Combining the characteristics of reciprocating mechanical vibration signals, a targeted optimization method considering the variational modal decomposition (VMD) mode number K and second penalty factor was proposed, which completed the adaptive decomposition of coupled signals. Aiming at the bilateral asymmetric attenuation characteristics of reciprocating mechanical shock signals, a new bilateral adaptive Laplace wavelet (BALW) was established. A search strategy for wavelet local parameters of multi-impact signals was proposed using the harmony search (HS) method. A multi-source shock simulation signal was established and actual data of the valve fault were obtained through diesel engine fault experiments. The test results demonstrated that the new method achieved adaptive extraction of local shock features of non-stationary multi-source shock signals and was superior to the original method in terms of signal decomposition effect, sensitive feature extraction, fault recognition accuracy, and parameter search time. The fault recognition rate of the intake and exhaust valve clearance was above 90% and the extraction accuracy of the shock start position was improved by 10°.
Is Selective Late Na+ Current Inhibition Different From Class I/B Antiarrhythmic Action? Comparison of The Effects of GS967 to Mexiletine in Canine Ventricular Myocardium
Authors: Hézsô Tamás , Khan Muhammad , Dienes Csaba , Kiss Dénes , Prorok János , Arpádffy-Lovas Tamás , Varga Richárd , Fujii Erika , Mercan Tanju , Topal Leila , Kistamás Kornél , Szentandrássy Norbert , Almássy János , Jost Norbert , Magyar János , Bányász Tamás , Baczkó István , Varró András , Nánási Péter , Virág László , Horváth Balázs
Published: January 2021

Enhancement of the late Na+ current (INaL) increases arrhythmia propensity in the heart, while suppression of the current is antiarrhythmic. GS967 is an agent considered as a selective blocker of INaL. In the present study, effects of GS967 on INaL, on L-type calcium current (ICa), and on action potential (AP) morphology were studied in canine ventricular myocytes by using conventional voltage clamp, action potential voltage clamp and sharp microelectrode techniques. These effects of GS967 were compared to tetrodotoxin (TTX) and to the class I/B antiarrhythmic compound mexiletine. 1 µM GS967, 40 µM mexiletine, and 10 µM TTX dissected largely similarly shaped inward currents under action potential voltage clamp conditions. In case of GS967 and mexiletine, the amplitude and integral of this current was significantly smaller when measured in the presence of 1 µM nisoldipine, while no difference was observed in case of TTX. Under conventional voltage clamp conditions, INaL was significantly decreased by 1 µM GS967 and 40 µM mexiletine (79.0±3.0% and 63.3±2.7% reduction of current integrals, respectively). The integral of ICa was moderately but significantly diminished by both drugs (reduction of 9.3±3.3% and 14.1±1.5%, respectively). These changes were associated with acceleration of inactivation of ICa. Drug effects on peak Na+ current (INaP) were also assessed by recording AP upstroke in multicellular preparations. Both GS967 and mexiletine showed fast onset and offset kinetics: 110 ms and 289 ms offset time constants, respectively, as determined from V+max measurements in right ventricular papillary muscles, while the onset kinetics was characterized by 5.3 AP and 2.6 AP, respectively, at 2.5 Hz. Effects on beat-to-beat variability of AP duration (APD) was studied in isolated myocytes. Beat-to-beat variability was significantly decreased by both GS967 and mexiletine (reduction of 42.1±6.5% and 24.6±12.8%, respectively) while their shortening effect on APD was comparable. It is concluded that the electrophysiological effects of GS967 are similar to those of mexiletine, but with somewhat faster offset kinetics of V+max block. However, since GS967 depressed V+max and INaL at the same concentration, the current view that GS967 represents a new class of drugs that selectively block INaL has to be questiond and it is suggested that GS967 should be classified as a class I/B (or I/B + IV) antiarrhythmic agent.
Coalescence Dynamics in Oil-In-Water Emulsions at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Bera Bijoy , Khazal Rama , Schroën Karin
Published: January 2021

Emulsion stability in a flow field is an extremely important issue relevant for many daily-life applications such as separation processes, food manufacturing, oil recovery etc. Microfluidic studies can provide micro-scale insight of the emulsion behavior but have primarily focussed on droplet breakup rather than on droplet coalescence. The crucial impact of certain conditions such as increased pressure or elevated temperature frequently used in industrial processes is completely overlooked in such micro-scale studies. In this work, we investigate droplet coalescence in flowing oil-in-water emulsions subjected to higher than room temperatures namely between 20oC to 70oC. We use a specifically designed lab-on-a-chip application for this purpose. Coalescence frequency is observed to increase with increasing temperature. We associate with this observation the change in viscosity at higher temperatures trigerring a stronger perturbation in the thin aqueous film separating the droplets. Using the scaling law for rupture time of such a thin film, we establish a mechanism leading to a higher coalescence frequency at elevated temperatures.
Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing on Pathogenic Bacteria in Solid Growth Medium Using a Real-Time and Contactless Planar Microwave Resonator Sensor
Authors: Jain Mandeep Chhajer , Pillai Anupama , Narang Rakesh , Zarifi Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Infection diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) are pertinent clinical microbiology practices that are in dire need of improvement, as current standards are not able to keep up with the mutations and resistance development of certain bacterial strains. This paper presents a novel way to conduct AST which hybridizes disk diffusion AST with microwave resonators for rapid, contactless, non-invasive and high-throughput testing. This work uses Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultured on solid agar and places bacteria samples on a microwave split-ring resonator along with antibiotic disks (erythromycin) of various doses to demonstrate the viability of this sensing method in a clinical microbiological setting. The microwave resonator, operating at a 1.76 GHz resonant frequency, boasted a 5 mm2 sensitive sensing region. A one-port sensor was designed and optimized for detecting dielectric property variations of lossy dielectric materials accurately. This sensor was calibrated to detect uninhibited growth of the bacteria at 0.005 dB/hr, with a maximum change of 0.07 dB over the course of 15 hrs. The transient resonant amplitude change was subsequently dampened for each increasing dosage of antibiotic tested, with 45 µg of erythromycin showing negligible change indicating complete inhibited growth. This AST sensor demonstrated decisive results of antibiotic susceptibility in under 6 hours and shows great promise to further automate the intricate workflow of AST in clinical settings, while providing rapid, sensitive, non-invasive and high-throughput detection capabilities.
Predictors of Permanent Childlessness Among Married Women in Iran With Emphasis On Household Characteristics (Using Microdata Sample of The 2016 National Census)
Authors: Mahmoudiani Serajeddin
Published: January 2021

Background: Dramatic changes in the demographic behaviors of Iranian women have led to declining fertility after the mid-1980s. Childlessness is an important and growing issue and has increasingly become the focus of problem by Iranian population policy makers.Methods: Research method is secondary data analysis. Using the census micro-data of population and housing in 2016 an attempt was made to investigate the prevalence and predictors of childlessness among the married women aged 40-49. The data related to 85799 married women aged 40-49 were analyzed.Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that the probability of Childlessness for the women with university degree, immigrant as well as employed women is more likely than other their counterparts. Also, the findings suggested that the odds of being childless for the women who are living an apartment as well as those who are resident in a personal housing is less likely than counterparts. With increasing household area, the probability of being childless for women decreases.Conclusion: The government planning and policy making related to reducing the proportion of childlessness should be aimed at improving household circumstances especially in the field of their housing.
High serum VE-cadherin and vinculin concentrations are markers of the disruption of vascular integrity during acute aortic dissection
Authors: Wang Shiyue , He Yuchen , Li Xin , Xin Shijie , Zhang Jian , Jiang Han
Published: January 2021

Background
In the present study, we measured the serum vascular endothelial cadherin (VEC) and vinculin (Vcn) concentrations in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD) to evaluate their diagnostic value for this condition.
Methods
One hundred patients with AAD and 60 matched controls were included in the study. The serum concentrations of VEC and Vcn were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results
The serum VEC and Vcn concentrations were significantly higher in participants with AAD than in healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic analysis generated areas under the curves for VEC and Vcn that were diagnostic for AAD (0.604 and 0.665, respectively). The optimal cut-off values were 3.986 ng/µL and 128.1 pg/mL, the sensitivities were 43.0% and 35.0%, and the specificities were 73.3% and 90.0%, respectively. In addition, the use of a combination of serum VEC and Vcn increased the AUC to 0.739, with a sensitivity of 56.0% and a specificity of 76.7%. A high serum Vcn concentration was associated with a higher risk of poor visceral malperfusion in participants with AAD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.007, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.013, p = 0.014). In participants with refractory pain, the adjusted OR for the serum VEC concentration increased to 1.172 (95% CI: 1.010–1.361; p = 0.036), compared with participants without refractory pain.
Conclusion
This study is the first to show the diagnostic value of serum VEC and Vcn for AAD and their relationships with the clinical characteristics of patients with AAD. Thus, VEC and Vcn are potential serum markers of AD.
Hypertension and Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Large Long Term Followed Up Cohort Hypertension Patients
Authors: li An le , zhu shuai , hu zhi hao , peng qian , xiang fang , zhang yi ying
Published: January 2021

Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in Chinese residents [1]. Hypertension (HP) has been shown to be the single most important modifiable risk factor among multiple etiologies. The incidence of stroke has increased gradually and has begun occurring at a younger age in recent years [1-2]. There were few related studies on CVD of HP cohort. Objective: To explore CVD distribution and epidemic characteristics in followed-up hypertension patients.Methods: Using the Hypertension Follow-up Management System database in Jiading district in Shanghai. We designed a retrospective cohort study that included all followed-up hypertension patients between 2002 and 2020. The endpoint was the occurrence of CVD confirmed by the hospital; otherwise, the patients were tracked until September 30, 2020. Record information of every patient has been collected in the registration card and each followed-up record.Results: Among 166688 followed-up HP patients, the total cumulative incidence of CVD was 6.68% (male 7.02%, female 6.37%) during follow-up period, cumulative incidence of ischemic CVD, hemorrhagic CVD and unclassified stroke was respectively 4.76%, 0.40% and 1.53%. Cumulative incidence of CVD increased with age, the group under 30 was 0, and the group over 70 was the highest (9.24%). The higher blood pressure was, the higher prevalence of CVD was. The prevalence of CVD increased with duration of HP, 3.76% within one year and 11.34% after 10 years. The proportion of CVD cases in HP patients from April to June was the largest in the four seasons; the proportion of patients from October to December was the minimum.Conclusion: Hypertension patient was prone to falling cerebrovascular disease; the main type of disease was cerebral infarction. Male incidence was higher than female incidence. The cumulative incidence of CVD increased with age, blood pressure and duration of HP patients. It had seasonal characteristics, which was relatively high from April to June within year.
The Reliability and Validity of Turkish Version of the School-based Asthma and Allergy Screening Questionnaires
Authors: KILIC Mahmut , Ede Ghaniya , Uzuncakmak Tugba
Published: January 2021

The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the school-based asthma and allergy screening questionnaireBackground: Asthma is an important public health problem affecting children, causing school absenteeism and hospitalization. The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability for diagnostic accuracy of the Turkish version of the asthma and allergy screening questionnaire.Methods: This study included primary and secondary school students from grades 2 to 7, and their parents or caregivers. For validity, 40 children with asthma and 39 children with allergy diagnosed by the questionnaire were used to determine the sensitivity, and specificity was calculated by using the data of 100 children without asthma and allergies. For reliability, the Spearman correlation was used for dependent groups, for validity, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used. Results: When the questionnaire cut-off point was 2/3 for asthma, according to the student and parent form, the sensitivity was 80.0% and 82.5%, and the specificity was 56.6% and 76.8%, respectively. When the questionnaire cut-off point was 0/1 for allergies, according to the student and parent questionnaire, the sensitivity was 74.4% and 84.6%, and the specificity was 66.3% and 54.2%, respectively. The reliability of the asthma and allergy questionnaires test-retest correlation values (≥0.68) of both questionnaires were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the Turkish questionnaire of the students and their parents, questionnaire sensitivity for asthma and allergy was similar in proportion to the original questionnaire. The Turkish version of the questionnaire can be used for asthma and allergy screening in schools.
Qingchang Mixture Prevents the Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Through TLR4/NF-kB Pathway
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhu Yong , Liu Shujuan , Tian Zhaochun , Zhu Pengfei , Zhang Yunjie , Zhou Yongkun
Published: January 2021

Background: This study was performed to determine the protection and molecular responses of Chinese medicine Qingchang mixture on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.Methods: The rat intestinal IR model was prepared. Intestinal ischemic injury was evaluated by the HE staining, biochemical assay and western blot. In addition, human intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) in vitro model was prepared. The viability and apoptosis of IEC-6 cells were measured by CCK8 and apoptosis detection. TAK242 or PDTC was used as the small molecule inhibitor of TLR4 or NF-κB.Results: Compared with the IR group, the pretreatment of Qingchang mixture relieved the morphological damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory response and barrier function damage of small intestine tissue. IR significantly increased the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, while the pretreatment of Qingchang mixture inhibited the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB. Furthermore, the pretreatment of Qingchang mixture, TAK242 or PDTC effectively improved the viability, and hindered apoptosis of the HR-induced IEC-6 cells.Conclusions: Chinese medicine Qingchang mixture prevents the intestinal IR injury through TLR4/NF-kB pathway.
White Matter Alterations in Heart-kidney Imbalance Insomnia and Jiao-tai-wan Treatment: A Diffusion-tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Chen Jie , Li Yanxuan , Xia Nengzhi , Wen Caiyun , Xia Tianyi , Zhuang Yuandi , Jiang Mengmeng , Xiang Yilan , Zhang Mingyue , Zhan Chenyi , Yang Yunjun , Huang Qun , Yuan Zhengzhong
Published: January 2021

Background: Previous studies have reported changes in white matter (WM) microstructures in patients with insomnia. However, few neuroimaging studies have focused specifically on WM tracts in insomnia patients after having received treatment. In this prospective study, diffusion-tensor imaging was used in two samples of heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients (HKIIPs) who were treated with Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW) or a placebo to assess the changes in WM tracts.Methods: Tract-based spatial statistical analyses were first applied to compare the changes in mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of WM between 75 HKIIPs and 41 healthy control participants. In subsequent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, comparisons of MD and FA were also performed in 24 HKIIPs (8 males; 16 females; 42.5 ± 10.4 years) with JTW and 26 HKIIPs (11 males; 15 females; 39.7 ± 9.4 years) with a placebo, with age and sex as covariates.Results: HKIIPs showed lower MD and FA values of several WM tracts than healthy control participants, such as the bilateral anterior limb of internal capsule, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus and bilateral posterior corona radiata. Specifically, FA values in left corticospinal tract (CST) were increased in HKIIPs. After being treated with JTW, HKIIPs showed a trend towards reduced FA values in the left CST.Conclusions: These results suggest that JTW may reverse WM alterations caused by heart-kidney imbalance insomnia.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800019239; registered on 1 November 2018-retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx, more than a month after the start of the experiment. The delay was due to lack of experience regarding trail, registration with a data sharing website.
The Potential Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles After Repeated Oral Exposure and Underlying Mechanisms in Kidney of Rat Model
Authors: Nosrati Hamed , Hamzepoor Manijeh , Sohrabi Maryam , Saidijam Massoud , Assari Mohammad Javad , Shabab Nooshin , Mahmoudian Zahra Gholami , Alizadeh Zohreh
Published: January 2021

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can accumulate in various organs after orally exposure. This study evaluated the toxicity of AgNPs in vivo on histological changes, apoptosis and expression of growth factor genes in kidney. Methods: The male Wistar rats were treated orally with 30,125,300, and 700 mg/kg silver nanoparticles solution. After 28 days of exposure, histopatological changes were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, trichrome Masson, and Pas staining. Apoptosis was quantified by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry of caspase-3, and level of expression of growth factors mRNAs were determined using RT-PCR. Results: Histopathologic examination revealed degenerative changes in the glomeruli, loss of tubular architecture, loss of brush border and interrupted tubular basal laminae. These changes were more noticeable in 30, and 125 mg/kg groups. The collagen intensity was increased in 30 treated groups in both cortex and medulla. Apoptosis was much more evident in middle dose groups (125 and 300 mg/kg). The results of RT-PCR indicated that Bcl-2 and Bax mRNAs upregulated in treated groups (p<0.05) and data of the EGF, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 revealed that AgNPs induced more enormous changes in gene expression in 30 and 700 mg/kg groups compared to control. Conclusion: Our observations showed that the AgNPs played a critical role in their in vivo renal toxicity.
Using the Behaviour Change Wheel to Design an Intervention for Partner Abusive Men in Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Authors: Gilchrist Elizabeth Allison , Johnson Amy , McMurran Mary , Stephens-Lewis Danielle , Kirkpatrick Sara , Gardner Benjamin , Easton Caroline , Gilchrist Gail
Published: January 2021

Background: We aimed to establish what core elements were required in a group therapy programme for men who disclose perpetrating intimate partner abuse in a substance use setting and develop, and test the feasibility of delivering an intervention in this setting. Methods: We describe the theoretical development and feasibility testing of an integrated substance use and intimate partner abuse intervention(“ADVANCE”) for delivery in substance use services. We employed a comprehensive eight stage process to guide this development applying the ‘COM-B’ model for intervention design which specifies: 1) define the problem, 2) select the target behaviour, 3) specify the target behaviour, 4) identify what needs to change, 5) identify intervention functions, 6) identify policy categories, 7) select behaviour change techniques, and 8) design a mode of delivery. The development was informed by primary research conducted by the authors, consulting with organisation steering groups and by those with personal experiences. A feasibility study (ISRCTN 79435190) involving 104 men, 27 female partners and 30 staff at three different locations across the UK was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and to refine the content and approach to delivery. Results: Our final intervention, the ADVANCE intervention consisted of a group intervention comprising of up to four pre-group individual interviews, followed by 12 x 2-hour group sessions supported by integrated safety work for victim/survivors, and risk and safety support and integrity support for the professionals. The main targets for change were personal goal planning, self-regulation and attitudes and beliefs supporting intimate partner abuse. The intervention was regarded as very acceptable to both staff and clients in substance use services, with group attendees reported positive behavior changes and development of new skills, that facilitators noted were ‘life-changing’ for some. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the ability to employ a structured eight-step process to develop an integrated intervention to address substance use related intimate partner abuse that is acceptable to staff and clients in substance use services.
Bacillus Subtilis Revives Conventional Antibiotics Against Staphylococcus Aureus Osteomyelitis
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wang Bowei , Liu Shiluan , Lin Yihuang , Liu Zixian , Zhang Xianrong , Yu Bin
Published: January 2021

As treatment of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis is often hindered by the development of antibiotic tolerance, novel antibacterial therapeutics are required. Here we found that the cell-free supernatant of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis CFS) killed planktonic and biofilm S. aureus, and increased S. aureus susceptibility to penicillin and gentamicin as well. Further study showed that B. subtilis CFS suppressed the expression of the genes involved in adhesive molecules (Cna and ClfA), virulence factor Hla, quorum sensing (argA, argB and RNAIII) and biofilm formation (Ica and sarA) in S. aureus. Additionally, our data showed that B. subtilis CFS changed the membrane components and increased membrane permeabilization of S. aureus. Finally, we demonstrated that B. subtilis CFS increased considerably the susceptibility of S. aureus to penicillin and effectively reduced S. aureus burdens in a mouse model of implant-associated osteomyelitis. These findings support that B. subtilis CFS may be a potential resistance-modifying agent against S. aureus osteomyelitis.
Does Medicaid Broaden the Choices of Patients with Low Socioeconomic Status? An Analysis of Bypassing Behaviors in Brooklyn
Authors: Lee Jae Bok
Published: January 2021

BackgroundMany governments worldwide have committed to extending choices in public service delivery. However, the extent to which policies ensure equity is unclear. We investigated whether Medicaid programs in the United States improve hospital accessibility among patients with low socioeconomic status, compared to those with non-low socioeconomic status who are non-Medicaid recipients or uninsured.MethodsWe employed a difference-in-difference-in-differences approach using a rich dataset of information on inpatients and their choice of hospitals from Statewide Planning Research and Cooperative System and information on hospitals from the American Hospital Association in Brooklyn, New York, from 2003 to 2009ResultsThe findings indicated that Medicaid has failed to broaden the range of the hospital choices for patients with low socioeconomic status, assessed in terms of bypassing behaviors. ConclusionsMedicaid is one public program that offers choices driven by purchasing power. The findings of this study imply that this program has some limitations in alleviating existing socioeconomic inequities in available hospital choices.
Early-Onset Sepsis Risk Calculator: A Review Of Its Effectiveness And Comparative Study With Our Evidence-Based Local Guidelines
Authors: Laccetta Gianluigi , Ciantelli Massimiliano , Tuoni Cristina , Sigali Emilio , Miccoli Mario , Cuttano Armando
Published: January 2021

Background
According to most early-onset sepsis management guidelines, approximately 10% of the total neonatal population are exposed to antibiotics in the first postnatal days with subsequent increase of neonatal and pediatric comorbidities. Early-onset sepsis risk calculator has been developed with the purpose of avoiding antibiotic overtreatment among neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age: a review of literature demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing antibiotic overtreatment, laboratory testing, painful procedures and NICU admission; however, some missed cases of culture-positive early-onset sepsis have also been described.
Methods
All neonates with birth weight ≤ 1500 g, 34–36 weeks’ gestational age neonates with suspected intraamniotic infection and neonates with three clinical signs of early-onset sepsis or two signs and one risk factor for early-onset sepsis receive empirical antibiotics. Neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age with risk factors for early-onset sepsis or with one clinical indicator of early-onset sepsis undergo serial measurements of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the first 48–72 hours of life; they receive empirical antibiotics in case of abnormalities at blood exams with one or more clinical signs of early-onset sepsis. We therefore compared the number of patients for which antibiotics were needed, based on early-onset sepsis calculator, and the number of patients we treated with antibiotics during the study period. Comparisons between the groups were performed using McNemar’s test and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
During the study period (1st January 2018-31st December 2018) 32/265 (12.1%) neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age at risk for early-onset sepsis received antibiotics within the first 12 hours of life. According to early-onset sepsis calculator: 55/265 (20.7%) patients would have received antibiotics with early-onset sepsis incidence 2/1000 live births (p < 0.0001); 44/265 (16.6%) patients would have received antibiotics with early-onset sepsis incidence 0.1/1000 live births (p < 0.025). One patient with culture-negative early-onset sepsis would not have received antibiotics with an early-onset sepsis incidence of 0.1/1000 live births.
Conclusion
Our evidence-based protocol for treatment decision-making of neonatal early-onset sepsis entails a further decrease of antibiotic overtreatment compared to early-onset sepsis risk calculator. No negative consequences for patients were observed.
Role of Interferon Therapy in Severe COVID-19: The COVIFERON Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Darazam Ilad Alavi , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Shokouhi Shervin , Irvani Seyed Sina Naghibi , Mokhtari Majid , Shabani Minoosh , Amirdosara Mahdi , Torabinavid Parham , Golmohammadi Maryam , Hashemi SayedPayam , Azimi Arsalan , Maivan Mohammad Hossein Jafarzadeh , Rezaeimirghaed Omidvar , Zali Alireza , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Dehbsneh Hadiseh Shabanpour , Kusha Akram Hoseyni , Shoushtari Maryam Taleb , Khalili Negar , Soleymaninia Azam , Gachkar Latif , Khoshkar Ali
Published: January 2021

Type 1 Interferons (IFNs) have been associated with positive effects on Coronaviruses. Previous studies point towards the superior potency of IFNβ compared to IFNα against viral infections. We conducted a three-armed, individually-randomized, open-label, controlled trial of IFNβ1a and IFNβ1b, comparing them against each other and a control group. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to IFNβ1a (subcutaneous injections of 12,000 IU on days 1, 3, 6), IFNβ1b (subcutaneous injections of 8,000,000 IU on days 1, 3, 6), or the control group. All three arms orally received Lopinavir/Ritonavir (400mg/100 mg twice a day for ten days) and a single dose of Hydroxychloroquine 400 mg on the first day. Our utilized primary outcome measure was Time To Clinical Improvement (TTCI) defined as the time from enrollment to discharge or a decline of two steps on the clinical seven-step ordinal scale, whichsoever came first. A total of 60 severely ill patients with positive RT-PCR and Chest CT scans underwent randomization (20 patients to each arm). In the Intention-To-Treat population, IFNβ1a was associated with a significant difference against the control group, in the TTCI; (HR; 2.36, 95% CI=1.10-5.17, P-value=0.031) while the IFNβ1b indicated no significant difference compared with the control; HR; 1.42, (95% CI=0•63-3•16, P-value=0•395). The median TTCI for both of the intervention groups was five days vs. seven days for the control group. The mortality was numerically lower in both of the intervention groups (20% in the IFNβ1a group and 30% in the IFNβ1b group vs. 45% in the control group). There were no significant differences between the three arms regarding the adverse events. In patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, as compared with the base therapeutic regiment, the benefit of a significant reduction in TTCI was observed in the IFNβ1a arm. This finding needs further confirmation in larger studies. Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04343768. (Submitted: 08/04/2020; First Online: 13/04/2020) (Registration Number: NCT04343768)
A Novel Perspective on the Proactive and Reactive Controls of Executive Function in Chronic Stroke Patients.
Authors: Yu Qiuhua , Huang Xiaomin , Zhang Baofeng , Li Zhicheng , Zhang Tao , Hu Ziwei , Ding Minghui , Liang Zhenwen , Lo Wai Leung Ambrose
Published: January 2021

ObjectivesExecutive function is considered to be a main factor that affects the rehabilitation outcome in people with stroke. The proactive and reactive control process required when executing a complex task remains unclear in patients with stroke. MethodsSeventeen patients with chronic stroke and seventeen healthy individuals were recruited. Proactive and reactive controls of executive function were assessed the by the task-switching paradigm and the AX version of the Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT). General executive functions was assessed by the Color Trial Test (CTT) and Stroop Test. The behavioral data of the task-switching paradigm were analyzed by a three-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and the AX-CPT data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.ResultsFor efficiency scores in task switching paradigm, trial×group interaction effect was significant (p=0.006). Post hoc analysis on trial×group effect showed no significant between-trial difference in accuracy rate in the stroke group (p=0.187), whereas the accuracy rates in the repeat trial was significantly higher than the switch trial in the control group regardless of 100% or 50% validity (p<0.001). Participants in the stroke group had lower accuracy rates than the controls in both repeat (p=0.002) and switch trials (p=0.068). For the AX-CPT, the main effects of condition (p<0.001) and group (p=0.005) on response time were statistically significant. The interaction effect of condition×group was also significant (p=0.044). Post hoc analysis for condition×group indicated that the stroke groups had a significantly longer response time in the BX condition than the control group (p<0.001). The stroke cohort showed significantly longer completion time in CTT2 (p<0.001) and larger word interference for completion time in Stroop test (p=0.029) than the control cohort. The response time in BX condition was significant factor in the regression model (R2=0.688, B=0.829, p<0.001), but not significant in AY condition (p>0.050).ConclusionsPost-stroke survivors showed deficits in the performance of proactive control but not in the performance of reactive control. Deficits in proactive control may be related to impairment of working memory. Interventions that focus on proactive control may result in improved clinical outcome.
Integrative Analysis of miRNA Expression Profiling of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Wound Treated With Zizhu Ointment
Authors: Hu Xiaoming , Huang Renyan , Li Wenhui , Yang Xiao , Fan Weijing , Guo Fang , Liu Guobin
Published: January 2021

Background: A major complication of diabetes is diabetic foot ulcers. Millions of patients suffer from the physiological and psychosocial effects of diabetic foot ulcers. However, the current treatment is not effective, and the patients’ prognosis has not been significantly improved.Results: Traditional Chinese medicine-Zizhu ointment exhibited its own characteristics and advantages in treating diabetic foot ulcer by promoting wound healing. The mechanism of Zizhu ointment promoting diabetic foot ulcer wound healing was explored by detecting its miRNA expression profiling. Eighty-three differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, 30 of which were upregulated and 53 were downregulated in diabetic cutaneous wounds treated with Zizhu ointment. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed miRNAs showed that they were involved in several pathways that could regulate the proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and secretion of tissue repair cells, and were linked to inflammatory cells, the extracellular matrix, growth factors, and other relevant factors related to wound healing. Furthermore, miRNA-Target regulatory network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed. Twenty hub genes of networks were obtained.Conclusions: Our preliminary study provides a new alternative drug treatment for diabetic foot ulcers by traditional Chinese medicine, and will assist in better understanding its therapeutic targets.
Different Levels of EGF, VEGF, IL-6, MCP-1, MCP-3, IP-10, Eotaxin and MIP-1𝛼 in Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) Secretome in Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Andjelkov Katarina , Eremin Ilya , Korac Aleksandra
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND Hair follicles and underlying adipose tissue show highly coordinated interaction through exchange of different signaling molecules. We conducted a study to investigate the quantitative and qualitative secretome profiling of Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) from different zones of hair growth in patients with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA).METHODSWe included 6 male patients, candidates for follicular unit extraction hair transplantation, all in early stage of AGA. 1mm punch samples of adipose tissue located beneath hair follicles of 3 scalp areas (alopecia, border-line and normal hair growth) and 1 periumbilical sample were analyzed.Samples were enzymatically digested, centrifuged, washed, and cell pellets were ceded and maintained in culture medium until reached monolayer. Conditioned media samples were thawed and analyzed with 41plex kit. Results were registered by Magpix device (Luminex platform) and calculated with xPonent software. We analyzed the levels of 35 signaling proteins.RESULTSThe level of Inteleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly higher in the alopecia zone in comparison to the periumbilical and occipital, alongside with the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Endothelial Growth Factor (EGF) and Eotaxin. The similar trend was found for Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-3 (MCP-3), Interferon gamma-inducible Protein-10 (IP-10) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein - 1 alpha (MIP-1𝛼), while, on the other side, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) level was the lowest in alopecia comparing to other zones. All other examined proteins did not shown changes in their expression level.CONCLUSIONHence, knowledge of differences in these signaling molecules expression will be essential for both, achieving therapeutic goals for hair loss conditions and shading more lights on the AGA etiology.
Are the Subgroup Analyses in Stroke Clinical Trials Credible? – Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Ademola Ayoola , Hildebrand Kevin A , Babatunde Samuel , Mazzei Darren , Hill Michael D , Thabane Lehana , Sajobi Tolulope T
Published: January 2021

Background: Clinicians and decision-makers are mostly interested in how the overall effect in a randomized controlled trial impact patient differently due to differential treatment effects. Subgroup analyses of randomized trials examine if the overall treatment effect is consistent among the subgroup or to identify groups that modify the intervention effects. Well defined and performed subgroup analyses led to critical policy decisions; however, inappropriately performed subgroup analyses had resulted in incorrect decisions with negative consequences. This systematic review examines the reporting quality and the subgroup analyses’ credibility in stroke clinical trials. Methods and analysis: We will extract relevant studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science using three concepts in the Medical Subject Headings (MESH) heading. Two reviewers will independently screen the title, abstract, and full text of relevant studies. We will examine the risk of bias and the credibility of reported subgroup analyses using two validated instruments, i.e., Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB 2) and the Instrument for assessing the Credibility of Effect Modification Analyses (ICEMAN), respectively. Random effects regression will be used to evaluate study characteristics associated with the credibility of subgroup analyses in the included studies.Expected outcomes: This research aims to review the quality of subgroup analyses’ results and reporting. The research’s results will also provide critical methodological contributions to the statistical literature of clinical trials. Ethics and dissemination: This systematic review does not require primary patient data and does not require ethical approval. The review’s results will be published in a peer-review and scientific conferences.Trial registration number: CRD42020223133
Transcriptional knockout of steroidogenic factor 1 in vivo in Oreochromis niloticus increased weight and suppressed gonad development using antisense RNA
Authors: Cao Zhe , Qiang Jun , Zhu Jun , Li Hong , Tao Yi , He Jie , xu pao , Dong Zai , Bao Jin , Ma Jun , Li Ming
Published: January 2021

Steroidogenic factor 1 (sf1) is an important regulator of gonad development and function in mammals. However, study of sf1 in fish is limited to cloning and expression and in vitro experiments. Using antisense RNA we knockout transcription of the sf1 gene in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, and obtain experimental fish in vivo. We demonstrate that antisense RNA can silence sf1 transcription and protein expression, and report suppression of sf1 transcription to affect gonad development and external genitalia formation in Nile tilapia. We also report disfunction of retinal metabolism and fatty acid metabolism to be important causes of weight gain and gonad abnormality with sf1 suppression. The feasibility of using antisense RNA for gene editing in fish is verified, and a new way of studying gene function and performing biological breeding is presented.
Characteristic Features and Comparative analysis of essential oil composition of selected species of Ocimum sanctum L. through GCMS
Authors: Sharma Prerna , Upadhyaya Kumud
Published: January 2021

Background: The main aim of this research is to provide a literature of the Ocimum plant, to know the significance of the Ocimum species carried out by pharmacognostical study and experimental design for GC-MS.Ocimum are very important for their therapeutic potentials. Among the most important aromatic herbs for its enormous medicinal properties.Methods: An extreme Attention has been put on those literature reports wherein the utilization of Tulsi and their pharmacognostical study has been done by performing morphological and microscopic leaf and experimental design by using essential oil by GC-MS instrumentation method Results: The utilization of these characteristics would be important for the drug discovery scientist to develop a specific formulation of the crude drug, which will be a magical therapeutic agent in the future, with the many advantageous. GC-MS chromatogram of the Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum canum and Ocimum gratissimum oil showed major peaks and has been identified after comparison of the mass spectra with NIST library, indicating the presence of three phytocomponents. From the results GC-MS study suggested that anethole which is well reported antimicrobial compound is more in O. canum (2.66%) in comparison to O. sanctum (1,28%) but absent in O. Gratissimum. The results indicated that the antimicrobial activity is more in O. canum due to presence high amount of anethole in comparison to O.Gratissimum, and O. Sanctum. The GC-MS study suggested that anethole which is well reported antimicrobial compound is more in O. canum (2.66%) in comparison to O. sanctum (1,28%) but absent in O. Gratissimum. Conclusion: The result showed that microscopic character of O. canum, with the characteristic GC MS analysis of the extracts, to identify different species of the ocimum plant. Ocimum sanctum L. and further experiments are required for better exploitation of essential oil for its commercial purposes.
Social Cognition in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Idiopathic Developmental Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Jalal Rhideeta , Nair Aarti , Lin Amy , Eckfeld Ariel , Kushan Leila , Zinberg Jamie , Karlsgodt Katherine H. , Cannon Tyrone D. , Bearden Carrie E.
Published: January 2021

Background: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a common recurrent neurogenetic condition associated with elevated risk for developmental neuropsychiatric disorders and intellectual disability. Children and adults with 22q11DS often exhibit marked social impairment as well as neurocognitive deficits, and have elevated rates of both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and psychosis. However, the relationship between the basic processes of social cognition and cognitive ability has not been well studied in 22q11DS. Here, we examined differences in social cognition in 22q11DS, relative to multiple groups of idiopathic neuropsychiatric disorders, and typically developing healthy controls (HC). Additionally, we examined differences in intellectual functioning and its relationship to social cognitive abilities. Finally, we examined the relationship between social cognitive abilities and real-world social behavior.Methods: We examined social cognition and intellectual functioning in 273 participants (mean age = 17.74+/-5.18% female = 44.3%): 50 with 22q11DS, 49 youth with first episode psychosis (FEP), 48 at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis, 24 participants with ASD, and 102 HC. Social cognition was assessed using The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT), while reciprocal social behavior was assessed via parent/caregiver ratings on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Participants were also administered the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, 2ndedition (WASI-II) to assess intellectual functioning. Results: The 22q11DS group exhibited significantly lower social cognitive abilities compared to CHR, FEP, and HC groups after controlling for intellectual functioning, but not in comparison to the ASD group. Significant positive correlations were found between social cognition, as measured by the TASIT, and IQ across groups. In contrast, no significant relationships were found between TASIT and real-world social behavior (SRS) for any group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate social cognitive deficits are more prominent in 22q11DS than idiopathic neuropsychiatric conditions across the age range, even after adjusting for global intellectual function. These results contribute to our understanding of the intellectual and social vulnerabilities of 22q11DS in comparison to idiopathic neuropsychiatric disorders. Our findings of robust associations between intellectual ability and social cognition emphasizes the importance of accounting for neurocognitive deficits in social skills interventions and tailoring these existing treatment models for 22q11DS and other populations with intellectual impairment.