bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Burden of Anemia Among Pregnant Women in Tanzania: A Call to Address Its Determinants
Authors: Sunguya Bruno F. , Ge Yue , Mlunde Linda , Mpembeni Rose , Leyna Germana , Huang Jiayang
Published: March 2021

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is behind a significant burden of maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes globally. Efforts to address it need evidence on trends and its pertinent factors as they vary from one area to another. Methods: We analyzed data of 23,203 women of reproductive age whose hemoglobin levels were measured from two Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS). Of them, 2,194 women were pregnant. Analyses employed descriptive analyses to determine the burden of anemia, its characteristics, and severity; GIS mapping to determine the regional changes of anemia between 2005 and 2015; and logistic regression to determine the remaining determinants of anemia among pregnant women using Stata 15. Results: The burden of anemia among pregnant women in Tanzania has remained unprecedently high, and vary between regions. Despite such variation, there was no significant decline of anemia in general between the two periods [AOR=0.964, p=0.747). Anemia is currently prevalent in 57% of pregnant women in Tanzania. The burden is more likely to be higher among women aged 15-19 years than those aged between 20-34 years. It is more likely to be prevalent among those within large families, with no formal education, food insecurity, lack of health insurance, had no antimalaria during pregnancy, and had low frequency of ANC attendance. On the other hand, delivery in a health facility was protective against anemia.Conclusions: Anemia in pregnancy remained persistently high and prevalent among 57% of pregnant women in Tanzania. Efforts to address anemia is crucial and need to be focused in regions with increasing burden of anemia among pregnant women. It is imperative to address important risk factors such as food insecurity, strengthening universal health coverage, empowering women of reproductive age with education and especially nutritional knowledge and advocating for early antenatal booking, attendance, and facility delivery.
Vision screening, ocular disease assessment, and referral patterns of primary care providers within a Graduate Medical Education system
Authors: Bergstrom Reece , Czyz Craig , Hutchison Jeff
Published: March 2021

Background Vision related screening procedures, ocular disease assessment, and ophthalmologic referral patterns of family (FM) and internal medicine (IM) residents and attendings, within a Graduate Medical Education (GME).Objective The study evaluated FM & IM residents’ and attendings’ ophthalmic evaluation practices, knowledge base, and referral patterns within a GME ambulatory care network.Methods An anonymous survey was conducted in 2018 determine the incidence and methods of visual screening and what patient symptoms, medical histories, or complaints prompted referral to an ophthalmologist. The provider's knowledge base of ocular diseases and systemic treatments with potential ocular complications was also assessed. The referral patterns of the FM/IM providers for ophthalmologic care was evaluated for rationale and location. Results The survey response rate was 45%. A low percentage of providers (16%) indicated ocular diseases was part of their past medical history evaluation. Nearly half the respondents (40%) indicated they did not assess the visual status of their patients. When patients reported visual complaints or visual deficiency was noted on exam, all providers (100%) indicated they refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation. There was a significant percentage of providers that indicated they did not know where to refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation (42%).Conclusions This analysis presents the opportunity to improve a GME primary care team’s visual screening practices to improve care access and quality for patients requiring ophthalmologic services with a timely and appropriate referral. Similarly, further education recommendations provided to practitioners regarding specific indicators requiring ophthalmologic referral.
Use of SD-OCT to Quantitatively Evaluate Peripheral Congestion in Diastolic Dysfunction with a Role Model in Hemodialysis Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Authors: Ozdemir Ibrahim , Efe Süleyman Çağan
Published: March 2021

Purpose: There is no practical quantitative tool to assess peripheral congestion in patients with congestive heart failure. In this study, we aimed to evaluate peripheral congestion by measuring choroidal thickness with SD-OCTin patients with end stage renal disease(ESRD). In addition, volume management by hemodialysis (HD) is often difficult in patients with ESRD. Volume overload or hypovolemia may increase morbidity and mortality in long-term HD patients. Therefore, it is important to determine the ideal ultrafiltration rate (UFR) for each patient. Also, we aimed to find a data to help determine the ideal UFR.Methods: Fifty HD patients with ESRD were divided into 3 groups according to diastolic functions. Patients with mild diastolic dysfunction were enrolled in Group1, those with moderate diastolic dysfunction were enrolled in Group 2, and those with severe diastolic dysfunction were enrolled in Group 3. Choroid was used to evaluate peripheral congestion and choroidal thickness (CT) was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after HD.Results: The average CT before HD in Group 3 (259.3 ± 7.5 μm ) was significantly higher than in Group 1 (249.6 ± 9.4 μm) (p=0,015). The average CT after HD in Group 3 (224.1 ± 5.2 μm ) was significantly higher than in Group 1 (232.4 ± 9.3 μm) (p=0,033). The mean of DCT was significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p< 0.001)Conclusion:DCT was correlated with diastolic function in ESRD patients undergoing HD, and further evaluation of diastolic function before HD may play a role in finding the ideal UFR.
Prediction of Collapsibility of Loess of Construction Sites in Xining Based on Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Zhao Qifei , Li Xiaojun , Cao Yunning , Li Zhikun , Fan Jixin
Published: March 2021

Collapsibility of loess is a significant factor affecting engineering construction in loess area, and testing the collapsibility of loess is costly. In this study, A total of 4,256 loess samples are collected from the north, east, west and middle regions of Xining. 70% of the samples are used to generate training data set, and the rest are used to generate verification data set, so as to construct and validate the machine learning models. The most important six factors are selected from thirteen factors by using Grey Relational analysis and multicollinearity analysis: burial depth、water content、specific gravity of soil particles、void rate、geostatic stress and plasticity limit. In order to predict the collapsibility of loess, four machine learning methods: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Subspace Based Support Vector Machine (RSSVM), Random Forest (RF) and Naïve Bayes Tree (NBTree), are studied and compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicators, standard error (SD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) are used to verify and compare the models in different research areas. The results show that: RF model is the most efficient in predicting the collapsibility of loess in Xining, and its AUC average is above 80%, which can be used in engineering practice.
Laparoscopic hepatectomy for treating recurrent Intrahepatic bile duct stones: A review and meta-analysis
Authors: liu fei , Yang Hong-Qiang , Wu Qiang
Published: March 2021

Objective Laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH) has been a controversial topic for patients with prior upper abdominal surgery,especially for the patients with recurrent intrahepatic bile duct(IHD) stones.The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hepatectomy(LH) and open hepatectomy(OH) in patients with recurrent Intrahepatic bile duct stones which who have had at least one biliary tract surgery in the past. Methods Retrieving all satisfied reports from the time the repository was built to December 2020. Literature published in English.After selecting the literature, extracting the data and evaluating the quality according to the Cochrane systematic evaluation method, the extracted data were statistically analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software.Continuity variables were calculated by mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI), while dichotomous variables were calculated by 95% CI odds ratio (0R). Results Through screening, we finally obtained one RCT study, but this study did not met our predetermined selection criteria. Therefore, no suitable studies were identifified for inclusion in this review. Conclusion We found no RCT evidence - supportive or otherwise - for the use of Laparoscopic hepatectomy for people with recurrent intrahepatic bile duct stones. We concluded that there is an urgent need for well conducted RCTs in this area
Strontium as a Tracer for Calcium: Uptake, Transport and Partitioning Within Tomato Plants
Authors: Jovanović Petar , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Roitman Noam , Erel Ran
Published: March 2021

PurposeCalcium (Ca2+) is a major structural plant nutrient whose low mobility in the phloem causes deleterious nutritional disorders in non-transpiring organs. Since strontium (Sr2+) and Ca2+ share many chemical properties, Sr2+ is frequently used as a tracer to study Ca2+ cycles in ecosystems. However, the level of agreement between Sr2+ and Ca2+ distribution pattern in plants is debatable, and several studies have reported toxic effects of Sr2+. Therefore, we investigated Sr2+ and Ca2+ uptake rates and distribution pattern to determine how reliably Sr2+ can be used as a tracer of Ca2+ in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). MethodsWe conducted six independent experiments of various duration: from a few hours to several weeks, in hydroponic and perlite substrate. We treated plants with either Ca2+ or Sr2+ at equivalent concentrations and monitored their accumulation in shoot and fruits. ResultsUnder short-term exposure (hours), Ca2+ and Sr2+ uptake and distribution within the plant were comparable, while the long-term exposure (days and weeks) to 4 mM Sr2+ reduced transpiration and biomass accumulation. The toxic effect of Sr2+ was more prominent when growth conditions were favourable. Nonetheless, Sr2+ accumulated similarly to Ca2+ in shoot and fruit. Surprisingly, Sr2+ deposition in tomato fruit cell walls prevented blossom end rot (BER) to the same degree as Ca2+. ConclusionSr2+ can credibly be used as a tracer of Ca2+ uptake and allocation in the short-term, making Sr2+ a powerful tool to study the factors governing Ca2+ allocation to plant organs, primarily fruit Ca2+ delivery.
Proteomic Analysis of Banana Vascular Sap Provides Insight Into Resistance Mechanisms to Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Lina , Li Shu , Cenci Alberto , Rouard Mathieu , Carpentier Sebastien , Bai Tingting , Xu Shengtao , Fan Huacai , Yin Kesuo , He Ping , Wang Yunyue , Tang Weihua , Zheng Sijun
Published: March 2021

Background: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt, and is the most destructive soil-borne and vascular invasive fungus of banana. The sap circulating in vascular cells transports proteins including those that might be involved in disease-resistance processes. However, there is no research to analyze changes in banana vascular sap protein response to TR4 to date. Results: To gain an integrated understanding of differential protein abundance in banana vascular sap during TR4 infection, we performed a comparative proteomic analysis of vascular sap of the resistant ‘Pahang’ and the susceptible ‘Brazilian’ bananas inoculated with TR4. We identified 129 differential expression proteins (DEPs) between resistant and susceptible tested combinations. Of these DEPs, hypersensitive-induced response protein 1 (HIR1) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3) decreased in abundance in Pahang with no change in Brazilian under TR4 infection; chalcone isomerase (CHI) and glycine-rich RNA-binding protein (GRP) increased in abundance in Pahang but no significant changes in Brazilian under TR4 infection; carboxylesterase (CXE) and GDSL lipase (GLIP) were specifically in higher abundance in Pahang response to TR4 compared to that of Brazilian. It suggested that these proteins played important roles in bananas against TR4. Conclusions: Our study identified 129 DEPs in vascular sap between resistant and susceptible tested combinations. Of which, HIR1, E3, CHI, GRP, CXE and GLIP played important roles in bananas response to TR4. To our knowledge, this is first report to analyze changes in banana vascular sap proteins in response to TR4, which help us to explore the molecular mechanisms of banana defense to Fusarium wilt.
Seismic Behavior of LRB and FPS Type Isolators Considering Torsional Effects
Authors: Ozer Esra , Inel Mehmet , Cayci Bayram Tanik
Published: March 2021

This study aims to investigate seismic behavior of LRB and FPS type base isolated models considering torsional irregularity due to distance between stiffness center of isolators and mass center of superstructure for low- and mid-rise reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings with no shear walls. Nonlinear behavior of structural members was also considered to be able to observe probable yielding of structural members in superstructure due to the torsional irregularity. 528 different nonlinear time history analyses of 3-dimensional 3, 5, 7 and 9-story models subjected to 11 pairs of earthquake records were performed. The results indicate that FPS type isolators tend higher displacement demands while LRB type isolators are more sensitive to torsional effects. Torsional irregularity coefficient values of LRB models with 20% eccentricity are 47% higher than symmetrical models in terms of averages. Since significant part of the demands is absorbed by the isolator system, the remaining seismic demands for the superstructure is relatively low. Besides, the outcomes underline the careful selection of number of ground motion records in dynamic analysis as mentioned in the literature. While some studies in the literature indicate that torsional effects due to 10% or 20% eccentricity have significant role on building response, they used very limited building models subjected to a few earthquake records. The use of four different RC frame building model with LRB and FPS type isolators subjected to 11 pairs of ground motion records do not strongly support the abovementioned studies in literature. Therefore, more research is needed in this field.
Incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis in medical critical care patients
Authors: Permpikul Chairat , Chaiyasoot Walailak , PANITCHOTE ANUPOL
Published: March 2021

Background
Approximately 13–31% of medical critical care patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, there are very few reports regarding the incidence of DVT among Asian patients without routine prophylaxis. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in Thai medical critical care patients not receiving thrombosis prophylaxis.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study in medical critical care patients admitted to Siriraj Hospital, Thailand between November 2008 and November 2009. Patients were screened for proximal DVT by duplex ultrasonography performed 48 hours, 7, 14 and 28 days after admisson. Primary outcomes were prevalence and incidence proportion of DVT. Factors associated with the development of proximal DVT were evaluated by multivariate analysis.
Results
Of the 158 patients enrolled in the study, 25 had proximal DVT (15.8%). Nine patients (5.7%) had DVT on the first test at 48 hours, while 10 (6.3%), 2 (1.3%) and 4 (2.5%) patients had developed DVT on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively. Thus, the prevalence at the beginning of the study was 5.7% (95%CI 2.6–10.5) and the incidence proportion was 10.1% (95%CI 5.9–15.9). The multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] per 1-year increase was 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.07), female gender (OR 4.05, 95%CI 1.51–12.03), femoral venous catheter (OR 11.18, 95%CI 3.19–44.83), and the absence of platelet transfusion (OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.003–0.43) were associated with the development of proximal DVT. Patients with proximal DVT had a longer hospital length of stay (22 days [IQR 11–60] vs 14 days [7–23], p = 0.03) and spent more time on mechanical ventilation (10 days (3.3–57) vs 6 days (3–12), p = 0.053) than patients without DVT. Patient mortality was not affected by the presence of DVT (52% vs 38.3%, p = 0.29).
Conclusions
Routine thromboprophylaxis is not used in our institution and the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in medical critical care patients were both substantial. Patients with older age, female gender, an intravenous femoral catheter, and the absence of platelet transfusion all had a higher chance of developing proximal DVT.
A randomized controlled study of anterior lumbar plexus combined with parasacral sciatic nerve block under the guidance of ultrasound and nerve stimulator in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty
Authors: wu wei , Bu Wenhao , Huang Haibin , Mao Ying , Tan Yongxing
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To explore the clinical application of anterior lumbar plexus combined with parasacral nerve block under the dual guidance of ultrasound and nerve stimulator in elderly hip arthroplasty.
Methods

Methods:Forty elderly patients aged from 65 to 85 years old who underwent unilateral hip arthroplasty (Except for revision of hip joint) were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20 in each group): ultrasound-guided anterior lumbar plexus combined with parasacral sciatic nerve block group (group A) and ultrasound-guided anterior lumbar plexus block group (group B). Both groups were assisted with sedation with different doses of dexmetopyrimidine and analgesia with different doses of sufentanil. Because the orthopaedic team of our hospital performed hip arthroplasty with mature technique and fixed operation time, the onset time of block in group An and B, heart rate and blood pressure at admission (T0), skin incision (T1), half hour after skin incision (T2) and skin suture(T3), intraoperative dosage ofdexmedetomidine and sufentanil, postoperative 1, 4, 8, 16, 24hVAS score and the first time of getting out of bed were recorded.
Results

the heart rate and blood pressure at T1, T2 and T3 in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.05). The amount of sufentanil used during operation in group), A was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.05). The postoperative scores of 1,4,8,16 and 24hVAS in group), A were significantly lower than those in group B (P < 0.05), and the time of getting out of bed for the first time after operation was shorter than that in group B (P < 0.05).
Conclusion

compared with simple anterior lumbar plexus block, anterior lumbar plexus combined with parasacral sciatic nerve block in elderly patients with hip arthroplasty can make the intraoperative circulation more stable, the intraoperative dosage of opioids significantly reduced and the effect of early postoperative analgesia is better. it can also shorten the time for patients to get out of bed for the first time.
Synthesis and characterization of Metal-mercaptoacetate hybrids and its application towards ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone: A comparative study
Authors: Kannammal L. , Meeenarathi B. , Parthasarathy V. , Anbarasan Ramasamy
Published: March 2021

The Mn2+ and Mo6+ based Metal-mercaptoacetate (Metal-MA) hybrids were prepared by a simple acid-base titration method. The prepared Metal-MA hybrids were analysed by FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, particle size analyser (PSA), XRD and EDX. The prepared Metal-MA hybrids were investigated to assess their catalytic activity for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) in the absence of an initiator at 160 oC in N2 atmosphere by varying the catalyst concentration and temperature. The catalytic activity of the Metal-MA hybrid towards the ROP of CL was concluded by the FTIR-RI method. The % yield, degradation temperature (Td), melting temperature (Tm) and molecular weight (Mw) of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were also investigated. The structure of PCL was comprehended by analysing its NMR spectrum. The activation energy (Ea) for the ROP of CL was determined as 10,363 Kcal/mol. A linear increase in Mw of PCL with the increasing [M0/I0] ratio was also noticed.
An external validation of the Candiolo nomogram in a cohort of prostate cancer patients treated by external-beam radiotherapy
Authors: Gabriele Domenico , Guarneri Alessia , Bartoncini Sara , Munoz Fernando , Tamponi Matteo , Russo Filippo , Stamatakos Georgios , Guiot Caterina , Regge Daniele , Ricardi Umberto
Published: March 2021

Backgroundthe aim of this study is to perform an external validation for the Candiolo nomogram, a predictive algorithm of biochemical and clinical recurrences in prostate cancer patients treated by radical Radiotherapy, published in 2016 on the journal “Radiation Oncology”.Methods561 patients, treated by Radiotherapy with curative intent between 2003 and 2012, were classified according to the five risk-classes of the Candiolo nomogram and the three risk-classes of the D’Amico classification for comparison. Patients were treated with a mean prostatic dose of 77.7 Gy and a combined treatment with Androgen-Deprivation-Therapy in 76% of cases. The end-points of the study were biochemical-Progression-Free-Survival (bPFS) and clinical-Progression-Free-Survival (cPFS). With a median follow-up of 50 months, 56 patients (10%) had a biochemical relapse, and 30 patients (5.4%) a clinical progression. The cases were divided according to D’Amico in low-risk 21%, intermediate 40%, high-risk 39%; according to Candiolo very-low-risk 24%, low 37%, intermediate 24%, high 10%, very-high-risk 5%. Statistically, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were processed and compared using Log-Rank tests and Harrell-C concordance index.ResultsThe 5-year bPFS for the Candiolo risk-classes range between 98% and 38%, and the 5-year cPFS between 98% and 50% for very-low and very-high-risk, respectively. The Candiolo nomogram is highly significant for the stratification of both bPFS and cPFS (P < 0.0001), as well as the D’Amico classification (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). For the Candiolo nomogram, the C indexes for bPFS and cPFS are 75% and 80%, respectively, while for D'Amico classification they are 64% and 69%, respectively. The Candiolo nomogram can identify a greater number of patients with low and very-low-risk prostate cancer (61% versus 21% according to D'Amico) and it better picks out patients with high and very-high-risk of recurrence, equal to only 15% of the total cases but subject to 48% (27/56) of biochemical relapses and 63% (19/30) of clinical progressions.Conclusionsthe external validation of the Candiolo nomogram was overall successful with C indexes approximately 10% higher than the D'Amico control classification for bPFS and cPFS. Therefore, its clinical use is justified in prostate cancer patients before radical Radiotherapy.Trial registrationretrospectively registered.
Appraising groundwater potential zones using geospatial and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques in Andasa-Tul watershed, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Anteneh Zelalem Leyew , Alemu Melkam Meseret , Bawoke Getnet Taye , Kehali Alebachew Tareke , Fenta Mulugeta Chanie , Desta Minyahl Teferi
Published: March 2021

Ever increase in population growth and drastic climatic changes augment the demand and exploration of groundwater from time to time. An integrated approach of remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS) and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) of analytical hierarchical process (AHP) were applied to delineate groundwater potential (GWP) zones in Andasa-Tul watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. For this purpose, nine GWP influencing thematic layers comprising lithology, lineament density, geomorphology, slope, soil, drainage density, land use/land cover, rainfall and depth to groundwater level were used. The thematic layers and classes within them were given scale values based on literature and experts’ decision and calculated using Satty’s AHP. The thematic layers have been integrated via their weights/rates using weighted overlay spatial function tool of ArcGIS to provide GWP map. The result shows that GWP map comprises very good (13.4%), good (7%), moderate (23.6 %), poor (35.4%) and very poor (20.5%) zones. Validation of the GWP map with existing water point yields shows 84.21 % agreement indicating good accuracy of the method. The map removal sensitivity analysis result reveals that GWP is more sensitive to lithology (mean variation index, 1.92 %) and less sensitive to geomorphology (mean variation index, 0.59 %). Similarly, from the single layer sensitivity analysis, lithology and slope are found to be more effective parameters, whereas rainfall and depth to groundwater level are less effective variables.
Eco Friendly Zinc Oxide Wurtzite Nanostructures and their Efficacy for Photocatalysis, Photoluminescence and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Authors: Wijesinghe Udari , Thiripuranathar Gobika , Iqbal Haroon , Menaa Farid , Razaaq Anam
Published: March 2021

In recent years, biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are gaining importance due to their unique properties and tremendous applications. This study aimed to fabricate ZnO NPs by using extracts from various parts (i.e. stems, leaves, and inflorescences) of the traditional medicinal plant Heliotropium indicum (H. indicum) and to identify their photocatalysis, photoluminescence, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficacy. The Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum was used to monitor the nanoparticles (NPs) formation, which exhibited a hypsochromic shifted absorption band between 360-370 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was carried out for the plant extracts and NPs to identify possible functional groups involved in the capping process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed NPs were spherical in shape and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results shown their wurtzite, hexagonal crystalline nature. Further, TEM and XRD consistently determined the average particle size ranging from 19 to 53 nm with more accuracy than scanning electron microscope (SEM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the particles were well distributed and monodispersed. The maximum photocatalytic degradation of 95% was evaluated for biogenic ZnO NPs spectrophotometrically by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye (λmax = 662.8 nm) under solar irradiation. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis, revealed differentiated spectra with high-intensity emission peaks for biogenic ZnO NPs compared to chemically synthesized ZnO NPs. Eventually, the highest efficiency of FRET (80%) was found in ZnO NPs synthetized from the leaves. This remains the first attempt to synthesize multifunctional ZnO NPs using H. indicum for potential environmental and biomedical applications.
Absolute Lymphocyte Count Changes During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy are Associated with Prognosis of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Miyamoto Naoki , Inoue Hiroaki , Inui Tomohiro , Sasa Soichiro , Aoyama Mariko , Okumura Kazumasa , Toba Hiroaki , Takizawa Hiromitsu , Tangoku Akira
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the relation of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients and their prognosis.Methods: From January 2010 to December 2019, patients diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were included in this retrospective cohort study. The ALC ratio was Blood cell count estimates before and after NAC were evaluated to calculate the ALC ratio. The optimal cut-off for the ALC ratio was identified using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Youden’s index. The relationship between the ALC ratio and disease-free survival (DFS) was measured using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.Results: 71 HER2 breast cancer patients were analyzed. The cut-off value of the ALC ratio was decided as 1.109. The median follow-up period was 53.1 (range: 5.1-111.5) months. The high-ALC ratio group showed superior survival rates to the low-ALC ratio group (p=0.0242). The 5-year DFS rates were 89.1% and 63.3% in the high- and low-ALC ratio group, respectively. The ALC ratio was nominated as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis (p=0.0052).Conclusion: HER2-positive breast cancer patients who showed a higher ALC ratio during trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy were associated to better survival.
Effect Modification by Age and Comorbidities on the Association Between Periodontitis and Female Breast Cancer: A Population-based Case-control Study
Authors: Chen Chien-Chih , Ho Wei-Li , Lin Ching-Heng , Chen Hsin-Hua
Published: March 2021

Background: The association between periodontitis and female breast cancer is not clear. The purpose of this study is to assess that periodontitis was associated with the risk of female breast cancer.Methods: Using claims data taken from the 1997–2013 Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), we identified 60,756 newly-diagnosed female breast cancer patients during the period 2003–2013 from all beneficiaries. We then randomly selected 243,024 women without breast cancer matching (1:4) for age and the year of the index date during 1997–2013 from a one million representative population acting as the control group. A conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between periodontitis and the risk of breast cancer, shown as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjustments for the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), geographic region and level of urbanization.Results: The mean ± standard deviation age was 53 ± 14 years. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of female breast cancer was found to be associated with a history of periodontitis (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.10-1.14). Such an association was significantly different between patients aged < 65 years (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06–1.11) and patients aged ≥ 65 years (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.18–1.28; p for interaction <0.001), as well as between patients where the CCI = 0 (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.15–1.20) and patients with CCI > 0 (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96–1.03; p for interaction <0.001). The highest level of urbanization was also associated with the risk of breast cancer.Conclusions: This nationwide, population-based case-control study demonstrated that periodontitis was significantly associated with the risk of female breast cancer and such an association was modified by both age and comorbidities.
Using a Machine Learning Approach to Identify Key Prognostic Molecules for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Meng-Xiang , Sun Xiao-Meng , Cheng Wei-Gang , Ruan Hao-Jie , Liu Ke , Chen Pan , Xu Hai-Jun , Gao She-Gan , Feng Xiao-Shan , Qi Yi-Jun
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveA plethora of prognostic biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) that have hitherto been reported are challenged with low reproducibility due to high molecular heterogeneity of ESCC. The purpose of this study is to identify the optimal biomarkers for ESCC using machine learning algorithms.MethodsBiomarkers related to clinical survival, recurrence or therapeutic response of patients with ESCC were determined through literature database searching. Forty-eight biomarkers linked to prognosis of ESCC were used to construct a molecular interaction network based on NetBox and then to identify the functional modules. Publicably available mRNA transcriptome data of ESCC downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets included GSE53625 and TCGA-ESCC. Five machine learning algorithms, including logical regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF) and XGBoost, were used to develop classifiers for prognostic classification for feature selection. The area under ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the prognostic classifiers. The importances of these 17 molecules were ranked by their occurrence frequencies in the prognostic classifiers. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were performed to determine the statistical significance of overall survival.ResultsA total of 48 clinical proven molecules associated with ESCC progression were used to construct a molecular interaction network with 3 functional modules comprising 17 component molecules. The 131071 prognostic classifiers using these 17 molecules were built for each machine learning algorithm. Using the occurrence frequencies in the prognostic classifiers with AUCs greater than the mean value of all 131,071 AUCs to rank importances of these 17 molecules, stratifin encoded by SFN was identified as the optimal prognostic biomarker for ESCC, whose performance was further validated in another 2 independent cohorts.ConclusionThe occurrence frequencies across various feature selection approaches reflect the degree of clinical importance and stratifin is an optimal prognostic biomarker for ESCC.
Effects of chronic voluntary alcohol consumption on PDE10A availability: a longitudinal behavioural and [18F]JNJ42259152 PET study in rats
Authors: Laat Bart de , Klingl Yvonne E. , Schroyen Gwen , Ooms Maarten , Hooker Jacob M , Bormans Guy , Laere Koen Van , Ceccarini Jenny
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is a dual substrate enzyme highly enriched in dopamine-receptive striatal medium spiny neurons, which are involved in psychiatric disorders such as alcohol use disorders (AUD). Although preclinical studies suggest a correlation of PDE10A mRNA expression in neuronal and behavioral responses to alcohol intake, little is known about the effects of alcohol exposure on in vivo PDE10A activity in relation to apparent risk factors for AUD such as decision-making and anxiety.
Methods

We performed a longitudinal [18F]JNJ42259152 microPET study to evaluate PDE10A changes over a 9-week intermittent access to alcohol model, including 6 weeks of alcohol exposure, 2 weeks of abstinence followed by 1 week relapse. Parametric PDE10A binding potential (BPND) images were generated using a Logan reference tissue model with cerebellum as reference region and were analyzed using both a volume-of-interest and voxel-based approach. Moreover, individual decision-making and anxiety levels were assessed with the rat Iowa Gambling Task and open field test over the IAE model.
Results

We observed an increased alcohol preference especially in those animals that exhibited poor initial decision-making. The first 2-weeks of alcohol exposure resulted in an increased striatal PDE10A binding (> 10%). Comparing PDE10A binding potential after 2- versus 4-weeks of exposure, showed a significant decreased PDE10A in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens (pFWEcorrected<0.05). This striatal PDE10A decrease was related to alcohol consumption and preference. Normalization of striatal PDE10A to initial levels was observed after 1 week of relapse, apart from the globus pallidus.
Conclusion

This study shows that chronic voluntary alcohol consumption induces a reversible increased PDE10A enzymatic availability in the striatum, which is related to the amount of alcohol preference. Thus, PDE10A-mediated signaling plays an important role in modulating the reinforcing effects of alcohol, and the data suggest that PDE10A inhibition may have beneficial behavioral effects on alcohol intake.
Care Networks of Home-dwelling Older Persons in the Netherlands: Proof of Concept of a Network Typology
Authors: Kemper-Koebrugge Wendy , Adriaansen Marian , Laurant Miranda , Wensing Michel
Published: March 2021

Background Studies on care networks of home-dwelling older persons often focus on network constellation. However, looking at network interaction can be helpful to improve the support generated by the care network. A European study on diabetes patients found network types based on the interaction within a network, which can be beneficial (generative, proxy) or detrimental (struggling, avoidant) to support. This study explored whether these network types are present in care networks of home-dwelling older persons in the Netherlands and how these network types manifest in constellation or ways of interaction (negotiation, navigation and contagion). Methods The present study is a secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional qualitative study of 16 care networks with home‐dwelling older persons, informal caregivers and formal care providers conducted between March and September 2016. First, navigation, negotiation and contagion were analysed for each network; then the network type was determined for each network. ResultsWe found nine proxy networks, four generative networks, two avoidant networks and one struggling network. In the proxy networks, all negotiation and navigation were centralised by the proxy. In generative networks, negotiation was possible if the older person could be reciprocal and the network supported this. In avoidant networks, informal and formal caregivers had to deal with an older person who refused support. In the struggling network, the underlying problem could not be addressed. Furthermore, two networks seemed to show a transition process from generative to proxy network.ConclusionWe concluded that the network typology on interaction offered extra information about the functioning of the care network. It seems that the network type can change over time, but more research is needed to confirm this. This study suggests that interventions in avoidant or struggling networks are difficult. Also actions were aimed at developing proxy networks. Interventions maintaining or developing generative networks seem underused.
A Continuum Deformation Approach for Growth Analysis of COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Hemmati Sadra , Rastgoftar Hossein
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly impacted every aspect of life all over the world. The United States is reported to have suffered more than 20% of the global casualties from this pandemic. It is imperative to investigate the growth dynamics of the disease in the US based on varying geographical and governmental factors that best manifest itself in each state of the country. This paper utilizes a hybrid machine learning and continuum deformation-based approach for analyzing the stability of the rapid COVID-19 growth. The proposed continuum deformation model is used to learn the parameters of pandemic growth based on the training data of total cases, deaths, and recoveries in each state of the United States from March 12, 2020 to January 28, 2021. Using this approach, multiple periods of the nationwide and State-level pandemic growth patterns are discovered and analyzed.
A General Fruit Acid Chelation Route for Eco-friendly and Ambient 3D Printing of Metals
Authors: Cho Soo Young , Ho Dong Hae , Choi Yoon Young , Lim Soomook , Lee Sungjoo , Suk Ji Won , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in metal additive manufacturing (AM) have provided new opportunities for the design of prototypes of metal-based products and personalization of products for the fourth industrial revolution. Although metal AM, which enables fabrication of varied and sophisticated objects, is in the spotlight as a next-generation printing method, environmental issues arising during the printing process need to be addressed before it can be commercialized. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism for binder jetting three-dimensional (3D) printing of metals that is based on chelation triggered by an eco-friendly binding agent. Sodium salts of fruit acid chelators are used to form stable metal-chelate bridges between metal particles, which enable elaborate metal 3D printing. The strength of the 3D-printed object is improved by post-treatment, through a reduction in the porosity between the metal particles. Finally, the compatibility of the novel printing mechanism with a variety of metals is demonstrated via successful 3D printing of objects of various shapes using various metal powders. The proposed mechanism for metal 3D printing is expected to open up new avenues for the development of domestic-scale desktop 3D printing of metals.
Geometrically Stabilized Skyrmionic Vortex in FeGe Tetrahedral Nanoparticles
Authors: Niitsu Kodai , Liu Yizhou , Booth Alexander , Yu Xiuzhen , Mathur Nitish , Stolt Matthew , Shindo Daisuke , Jin Song , Zang Jiadong , Nagaosa Naoto , Tokura Yoshinori
Published: March 2021

The concept of topology has dramatically expanded the landscape of magnetism, leading to the discovery of numerous magnetic textures with intriguing topological properties. A magnetic skyrmion is an emergent topological magnetic texture with a string-like structure in three dimensions and a disk-like structure in one and two dimensions. Skyrmions in zero dimensions have remained elusive owing to challenges from many competing orders. Herein, by integrating electron holography and micromagnetic simulations, we uncover the real-space magnetic configurations of a novel skyrmionic vortex structure confined in a B20-type FeGe tetrahedral nanoparticle. This texture shows excellent robustness against temperature without applying a magnetic field; an isolated skyrmionic vortex forms at the ground state. These findings shed light on zero-dimensional geometrical confinement as a route to engineer and manipulate individual skyrmionic metastructures.
Probing Asymmetry in Spatial-temporal Correlations in Quantum Causal Inference
Authors: Meng Yu , Liu Zheng-Hao , Zhao Zhikuan , Yin Peng , Wang Yi-Tao , Liu Wei , Li Zhi-Peng , Yang Yuan-Ze , Wang Zhao-An , Xu Jin-Shi , Yu Shang , Tang Jian-Shun , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guangcan
Published: March 2021

Quantum correlations in space-time encapsulate the most defining aspects of quantum physics. The dual of the spatial and temporal perspectives are bind with a one-to-one correspondence between bipartite quantum states and quantum channels. Consequently, causal relations between quantum events can sometimes be inferred solely from correlation statistics, apparently contradicting the classical \textit{credo}, `correlation does not imply causation'[1-6]. However, since the spatial-temporal duality does not imply a full symmetry of measurement statistics between the two domains[7], the extent to which correlation alone identifies quantum causality ponders inquiry vital for both fundamental and practical interests. Here, demonstrating a unified geometrical representation of spatial-temporal quantum correlation, we show that certain non-unital channels create temporal correlation without spatial analogue and break the spatial-temporal symmetry. By implementing such channels in a photonic architecture, we observe this asymmetry and classify quantum correlations using a distance criterion, thus bringing empirical insight into causal inference in quantum mechanics.
The paleoinclination of the ancient lunar magnetic field from an Apollo 17 basalt
Authors: Nichols Claire , Weiss Benjamin , Getzin Brenna , Schmitt Harrison , Beguin Annemarieke , Rae Auriol , Shah Jay
Published: March 2021

Paleomagnetic studies of Apollo samples indicate that the Moon generated a core dynamo lasting for at least 2 billion years. However, the geometry of the lunar magnetic field is still largely unknown because the original orientations of essentially all Apollo samples have not been well-constrained. Determining the direction of the lunar magnetic field over time could elucidate the mechanism by which the lunar dynamo was powered and whether the Moon experienced true polar wander. Here we present measurements of the lunar magnetic field 3.7 billion years (Ga) ago as recorded by Apollo 17 mare basalts 75035 and 75055. These samples formed as part of basalt flows in the Taurus-Littrow valley that make up wall-rock within Camelot crater, now exposed at the rim of the crater. Using apparent layering in the parent boulder for 75055, we inferred its original paleohorizontal orientation on the lunar surface at the time of magnetization. We find that 75035 and 75055 record a mean paleointensity of ~50 µT. Furthermore, 75055 records a paleoinclination of 34 ± 11°. This inclination is consistent with, but does not require, a selenocentric axial dipole field geometry (i.e., a dipole in the center of the Moon and aligned along the spin axis). Additionally, although true polar wander is also not required by our data, true polar wander paths inferred from some independent studies of lunar hydrogen deposits and crustal magnetic anomalies are consistent with our measured paleoinclination.
Characteristic, Electrical and Optical Properties of Potassium Borate (KB5O8·4H2O) Hydrothermally Synthesised from Different Boron Sources
Authors: DUMANLI FATMA TUGCE SENBERBER , OZEN MERAL YILDIRIM , ASENSIO MIGUEL ORTEGA , YUKSEL SUREYYA AYDIN , KIPCAK AZMI SEYHUN , Derun Emek Moroydor
Published: March 2021

Potassium borate was hydrothermally synthesized from various of boron minerals (H3BO3, B2O3, Na2B4O7·5H2O and Na2B4O7·10H2O) at reaction conditions of 90 − 60°C and 120 − 15 min. The synthesised potassium borate was identified as “Santite (KB5O8·4H2O)” in X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analyses results. The specific band values between B and O atoms were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman Spectroscopies. Multiangular particles were generally observed in the range of 234.94 nm − 3.41 µm. The use of different boron sources may affect the morphology. Higher reaction yields were determined in the use of boric acid (H3BO3). Optical absorption of potassium borate minerals was approximately 340 nm. AC and DC electrical properties of materials were determined by using current-voltage and capacitance voltage characteristics. Electrical resistivities of DC were found in the range of 4.17×108 – 4.07×1010 Ω.cm, whereas dielectric constants of AC were between 2×105 and 2×106.