bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold Stress Activates the UCP3 Pathway via Gut Microbiota in Piglet
Authors: Zhang Yu , Sun Lan , Zhu Run , Zhang Shiyu , Liu Shuo , Wang Yan , Wu Yinbao , Xing Sicheng , Liao Xindi , Mi Jiandui
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe gut microbiota plays a key role in the host metabolic ﻿thermogenesis by activating ﻿uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and increasing the browning process of white adipose tissue, especially in a cold environment. However, the crosstalk between gut microbiota and pigs, which lack functional UCP1 making them susceptible to cold, has rarely been illustrated. We used male piglets as a model to evaluate the host response to cold stress via the gut microbiota. ResultsWe found that host thermogenesis and insulin resistance with increased serum metabolites, such as glycocholic acid (GCA), glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDCA), and chenodeoxycholate (CDCA), and altered cecal microbiota compositions and functions under cold stress. Using transcriptomics technology, we found that ﻿cytochrome P450, family 8, subfamily b, polypeptide 1 (CYP8B1), FXR, FFAR2, and FFAR3, which are related to bile acid and short-chain fatty acid metabolism, increased in the liver under cold stress. In addition, the fat lipolysis genes CLPS, PNLIPRP1, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B), and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) were significantly increased in the fat of piglets under cold stress. However, microbiota depletion via treatment with mixed antibiotics weakened the effect on the genes CYP8B1, FFAR2, FFAR3, and CPT1B genes, indicating that the gut microbiota plays important roles in the host thermogenesis. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the gut microbiota-blood-liver and fat axis may regulate thermogenesis during cold acclimation in piglets.
Reliable H-Infinity Fusion Estimation of Time-Delayed Nonlinear Systems With Energy Constraints: The Finite-Horizon Case
Authors: Xie Meiling , Ding Derui , Wei Guoliang , Yi Xiaojian
Published: April 2021

The fusion estimation issue of sensor networks is investigated for nonlinear time-varying systems with energy constraints, time-delays as well as packet loss. For the addressed problem, some local estimations are first obtained by using the designed Luenberger-type local estimator and then transmitted to a fusion center (FC) to generate a desired fusion value, where two classes of channels, whose schedules are governed by a diagonal matrix, are utilized to perform the information transmission. With the help of the Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient conditions are established to ensure the predetermined local and fused H-infinity performances over a finite horizon. Furthermore, by virtue of the well-known Schur complement lemma, the desired gains of local estimators and the suboptimal fusion weight matrices are obtained in light of the solution of linear matrix inequalities. It should be pointed out that the developed scheme is a two-step process under which the design of fusion weight matrices is based on the obtained estimator gains. Finally, a simulation example for sensor networks is performed to check the effectiveness of the proposed fusion scheme.
Multisource energy conversion modes in minimally altered plants with soft epicuticular coatings
Authors: Meder Fabian , Mondini Alessio , Visentin Francesco , Zini Giorgio , Crepaldi Marco , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: April 2021

Living plants have recently been exploited for unusual tasks such as energy conversion1–6 and environmental sensing.7–12 Yet, using plants as small-scale autonomous energy sources1–5 was obstructed by insufficient power outputs for steadily driving even low-power electronics. Moreover, multicable and -electrode installations on the plants made a realization challenging. Here, we show that plants, by a minimal modification of the leaf epicuticular region and by exploiting their intrinsic circuitry, can be transformed into cable-free, fully plant-enabled integrated systems for multisource energy conversion. In detail, leaf contact electrification caused by wind-induced inter-leaf tangency was magnified by a transparent elastomeric coating on one of two interacting leaves for converting wind energy into harvestable electricity. Further, augmentation of the power output is achieved by coupling multi-frequency band radio frequency (RF) energy conversion modes using the same plant as an unmatched Marconi-antenna. In combination, we observed up to 1100 % enhanced energy accumulation respective to single source harvesting and a single plant like ivy could power a commercial sensing platform wirelessly transmitting environmental data. This shows that living plants could autonomously supply application-oriented electronics while maintaining the positive environmental impact13 by their intrinsic benefits such as O2 production, CO2 fixation, self-repair, and many more extremely difficult (if at all possible) to realize in artificial harvesters.
Clinical Characteristics of Adolescents Undergoing Psychotherapy.
Authors: Tsamadou E. , Voultsos Polychronis , Emmanouilidis A. , Demertzi E. , Ampatzoglou G.
Published: April 2021

Background: Adolescents with mental disorders often have difficulty engaging in ongoing treatment. Drop out from treatment is common.Aim: This paper aims to explore the clinical characteristics of adolescents with mental disorders who were stably and actively undergoing psychotherapy over a long period of time.Method: A single-centre cross-sectional cohort survey was conducted. A sample of fifty participants was recruited from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient setting of a tertiary hospital of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. An intelligence test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, WISC III) and a self-report measure of depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI II) were used. All the participants underwent a rigorous clinical assessment of their mental health status in both initial and ongoing psychotherapy. The initial diagnosis was reconfirmed during the course of therapy. Mental disorders were defined and diagnosed using the ICD-10 (1992) (International Classification of Diseases).Results: The largest percentage of adolescents (44,9%) were found to suffer from mood (affective) disorders, while 20,4% suffered from neurotic disorders. We also high prevalences of pessimism (32,7%), reduction of energy (28,6%) and difficulty in concentration (32,7%). A total of 22,4% of adolescents reported sleep disorders. A limited interest in sex was noted, which was in contrast with international and Greek data, where interest and experimentation around sex seems to preoccupy a high percentage of adolescents. Furthermore, sleep disorders, either as a symptom of an underlying disease or as an independent clinical condition, seem to preoccupy adolescents, and this may be a motive for them to seek treatment.Conclusion: For the most part, the findings of this study were consistent with the findings of prior studies; however, previous studies did not exclusively include adolescents engaging in ongoing psychotherapy. As we identified some inconsistencies with prior studies related to interest in sex and sleep disorders, further research is recommended for the investigation of possible correlations between these findings and ongoing psychotherapy engagement rates.
ARB and ARGs survived from the extremely acidity posing a risk on intestinal bacteria in an in vitro digestion model by horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Cai Qiujie , Xu Yanbin , Zhou Min , Yu Ling , Ouyang Pengqian , Zheng Li
Published: April 2021

Background: Antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been considered as emerging contaminants, which even might be closely related to human health.Methods: To investigate the disease-producing risk of ARB and the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) risks of both extracellular ARGs (eARGs) and intracellular ARGs (iARGs), an in vitro digestion model was established to simulate the process of ARB and ARGs going through digestive tract. CTC/DAPI-FCM assay was used to study the survival of ARB during digestion, and the changes of genes (including tetA, tetG, tetM, sul1, sul2, bla EBC, bla FOX, intI1 and 16S rRNA) were determined by QPCR.Results: The results showed that ARB were mostly affected by pH of gastric juice. About 99% ARB (total population of 2.45 × 109–2.54 × 109) were killed by the gastric juice of pH 2.0 for the severely damage of bacterial cell membrane, but more than 80% ARB (total population of 2.71 × 109–3.90 × 109) were still alive with intact cell membrane when the pH of gastric juice increased to 3.0 and above. ARGs, intI1 and 16S rRNA could be detectable even at extreme pH when most bacteria died. The eARGs (accounting for 0.03%–24.56% of total genes) were less than iARGs obviously. The eARGs showed greater HGT potential than that of iARGs, suggesting transformation occurs more easily than conjugation. The transfer potential followed the order as: tet (100%) > sul (75%) > bla (58%), related to the high correlation of intI1 with tetA and sul2 (p < 0.01). Moreover, gastric juice of pH 1.0 could decrease the transfer frequency of ARGs by 2–3 order of magnitude compared to the control, but still threatening human health.Conclusions: Under the treatment of digestive juice, ARGs still have high gene horizontal transfer potential, suggesting that food-borne ARB pose a risk of ARGs horizontal transfer to intestinal bacteria.
Baseline Predictors of Remission, Pain and Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The TITRATE Trial
Authors: Lee Sook Yan , Ibrahim Fowzia , Tom Brian , Nikiphorou Elena , Williams Frances , Lempp Heidi , Scott David
Published: April 2021

Background
Clinical trials show intensive treatment to induce remission is effective in patients with highly active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The TITRATE trial showed that the benefits of intensive treatment also extend to moderately active RA. However, many patients failed to achieve remission or show improvements in pain and fatigue. We investigated whether baseline predictors could identify treatment non-responders.

Methods
The impact of obesity, depression, anxiety and illness perception on RA outcomes, including disease activity, remission, pain and fatigue were determined using a pre-planned secondary analysis of the TITRATE trial data.

Results
Body mass index was associated with disease activity levels and remission: obese patients had a higher overall disease activity and fewer obese patients achieved remission. Intensive management was not associated with increased remission in these patients. Obesity was also associated with increased overall pain and fatigue. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions had no discernible impact on disease activity but were associated with high levels of pain and fatigue. There was a strong association between anxiety and high pain scores; and between depression and high fatigue scores; and health perception was strongly related to both. None of the predictors had an important impact on pain and fatigue reduction in cross-sectional analysis.

Conclusions
Disease activity is higher in obese patients and they have fewer remissions over 12 months. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions were associated with higher pain and fatigue scores. Intensive management strategies need to account for these baseline features as they impact significantly on clinical and psychological outcomes.
Synthesis, DFT calculations, photophysical, photochemical properties of peripherally metallophthalocyanines bearing (2-(benzo[d] [1,3] dioxol-5-ylmethoxy) phenoxy) substituents
Authors: Solğun Derya Güngördü , Yıldıko Ümit , Ağırtaş Mehmet Salih
Published: April 2021

4-(2-(benzo[d] [1, 3] dioxol-5-ylmethoxy) phenoxy) phthalonitrile was first prepared as a starting material. Then, this new phthalonitrile derivative was reacted with Zn and Co salts to obtain new phthalocyanine complexes. Phthalocyanine complexes were evaluated by fluorescence emission, extinction, and absorption measurements. Aggregation studies show the compliance with the lambert-beer law in the concentration range studied for peripheral phthalocyanine compounds. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the metallophthalocyanines compounds were performed using B3LYP / 6-31G in Zn-Pc and B3LYP / LanL2DZ in Co-Pc to derive structural optimization, HOMO-LUMO energy parameters, and NLO properties. The calculated values of M-Pcs with different center atoms were obtained close to each other. Molecular electronic surface (MEP) maps of the studied compounds are mapped and discussed. The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of our compounds studied are around 2.1 eV. The docking studies were performed with the phthalonitrile.
Risk Factors for Moderate-to-severe Postoperative Pain After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy:A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wu Hao-Tian , Ding Tian-fu , Zhang Huan
Published: April 2021

Backgroud and Objectives: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive procedure for removing renal calculus ,but a large number of patients experience acute moderate-to-severe pain despite the analgesia provided.The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors for postoperative pain after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and provides a reference for clinical prevention of postoperative pain after PCNL.Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinical data of 331 patients who underwent PCNL in our hospital from September 2019 to February 2021 were retrospectively collected. General anesthesia was induced with propofol, sufentanil and rocuronium and maintained with sevoflurane, remifentanil and rocuronium.Depending on whether the patient had moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, they were divided into mild or no pain group and moderate-to-severe pain group. We collected and analyzed data on age,gender, body mass index (BMI),ASA grading,co-morbidities,number of renal calculus,renal calculus size,degree of hydronephrosis,preoperative urine culture,preoperative creatinine,stone burdens,expansion method,tract diameter,nephrostomy tube,calculi residual,operative position ,puncture time ,number of expanded channels,expanded channel time, duration of surgery,vital signs and VAS pain score.The indicators with statistically significant differences were selected and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the risk factors for postoperative pain. Results: Among 331 patients, 221 had moderate-to-severe pain and the incidence rate was 66.77%. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe pain after PCNL were:number of renal calculus(OR=5.303，P=0.001),stone burdens (OR=7.623，P=0.001),calculi residual(OR=0.2377，P=0.001),duration of surgery (min)(OR=1.024， P=0.001). Conclusions: The main risk factors for pain after PCNL are number of renal calculus,stone burdens ,calculi residual and duration of surgery.
A Comparison of Neonatal Outreach Service Activity Before and During The First UK Wave of SARS-COV-2 in Leicestershire, UK
Authors: Saxena Vikas , Inglis Claire , Mittal Sumit , Fawke Joe
Published: April 2021

Neonatal outreach services provide post discharge support to babies with additional needs and their families. This includes support for nasogastric feeding and supplemental home oxygen use for babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). People potentially at higher risk of serious COVID-19 infection have been encouraged to shield and vulnerable babies requiring supplemental oxygen were in this category. This study reviews the impact of COVID-19 on a tertiary Neonatal service outreach team during the first UK COVID wave and lockdown in March-May 2020 compared to March-May 2019. Outreach service activity was captured on a team activity database including home visits, phone contacts, babies on home oxygen and overnight saturation monitoring. Outreach home visits increased by 33%, telephone contacts increased by 24% and additional support was required by families with 20 virtual clinics instead of 7 face to face clinics. However, emergency department attendances by babies receiving supplemental home oxygen dropped significantly. Emergency department attendances for these babies were over 700% higher pre-Covid than during this Covid lockdown period (1.8 vs 0.25 attendances / baby in home oxygen). It was possible to maintain neonatal outreach support with adapted working including risk assessments and appropriate PPE. Feedback on the neonatal outreach service provision during Covid lockdown was received from 75% families with babies in supplemental home oxygen; 83% of them strongly agreed and 17% agreed that a high quality of care was provided during COVID-19. All respondents were extremely likely to recommend the service to friends and families.
Breast Cancer Outcomes Following Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Implants Versus Autologous Flaps: A Propensity Score-Matched Study
Authors: Wu Zhen-Yu , Han Jing , Kim Hee Jeong , Lee Jong Won , Chung Il Yong , Kim Jisun , Lee Sae byul , Son Byung-Ho , Han Hyun Ho , Eom Jin Sup , Jeong Jae Ho , Gong Gyungyub , Kim Hak Hee , Ahn Sei-Hyun , Ko Beom Seok
Published: April 2021

Purpose
A large proportion of patients with breast cancer who had mastectomy had undergone breast reconstruction with implants or autologous flaps. However, only a few studies have compared the breast cancer outcomes between the implant-based reconstruction (IBR) and autologous flap reconstruction (AFR). In this study, we retrospectively compared the local recurrence rates, distant metastasis rates, and survival outcomes between immediate IBR and AFR.
Methods
A total of 1530 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent IBR or AFR with nipple-/skin-sparing mastectomy were included. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy were excluded from the study. After propensity score matching by age at diagnosis, T stage, N stage, molecular subtype, mastectomy type, adjuvant radiotherapy status, and follow-up period, 938 patients were 1:1 matched, comprising the well-balanced IBR and AFR groups. Locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared between the matched groups.
Results
After matching, the median follow-up periods were 68 months and 71 months for the IBR and AFR groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the IBR and AFR groups regarding the local recurrence (7.2% vs. 5.1%; P = 0.175), regional recurrence (2.1% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.463), or distant metastasis (3.2% vs. 3.2%; P = 1.000) rates. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the IBR and AFR groups in the LRRFS (hazard ratio, 0.691; 95% CI, 0.433–1.102; P = 0.118), DFS (hazard ratio, 0.709; 95% CI, 0.468–1.076; P = 0.104), DMFS (hazard ratio, 1.006; 95% CI, 0.491–2.059; P = 0.987), or BCSS (hazard ratio, 0.445; 95% CI, 0.111–1.786; P = 0.659).
Conclusion
In this propensity score-matched analysis of oncologic outcomes in patients with primary breast cancer who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with nipple-/skin-sparing mastectomy, no significant differences were observed between the IBR and AFR groups.
Formation of autotriploid Carassius auratus and its fertility-related genes analysis
Authors: Wang Chongqing , Luo Xiang , Qin Huan , Zhao Chun , Yang Li , Yu Tingting , Zhang Yuxin , Huang Xu , Xu Xidan , Qin Qinbo , Liu Shaojun
Published: April 2021

Background

Formation of triploid organism is useful in genetics and breeding. In this study, autotriploid Carassius auratus (3nRR, 3n = 150) was generated from Carassius auratus red var. (RCC, 2n = 100) (♀) and autotetraploid Carassius auratus (4nRR, 4n = 200) (♂). The female 3nRR produced haploid, diploid and triploid eggs, whereas the male 3nRR was infertile. The aim of the present study was to explore fertility of potential candidate genes of 3nRR.
Results

Gonadal transcriptome profiling of four groups (3 females RCC (FRCC), 3 males 4nRR (M4nRR), 3 males 3nRR (M3nRR) and 3 females 3nRR (F3nRR)) was performed using RNA-SEq. A total of 78.90 Gb of clean short reads and 24,262 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 20,155 in F4nRR vs FRCC and 4,107 in M3nRR vs M4nRR were identified. A total of 106 enriched pathways were identified through KEGG enrichment analysis. Out of the enriched pathways, 44 and 62 signalling pathways were identified in F3nRR vs FRCC and M3nRR vs M4nRR, respectively. A total of 80 and 25 potential candidate genes for fertility-related in F3nRR and M3nRR were identified, through GO, KEGG analyses and the published literature. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction of these fertility-associated genes were performed. Analysis of the PPI networks showed that 6 hub genes (MYC, SOX2, BMP4, GATA4, PTEN and BMP2) were involved in female fertility of F3nRR, and 2 hub genes (TP53 and FGF2) were involved in male sterility of M3nRR.
Conclusions

Establishment of autotriploid fish offers an ideal model to study reproductive traits of triploid fish. Further, RNA-Seq data revealed 8 hub genes related to fertility in 3nRR. We further identified 6 genes, namely, MYC, SOX2, BMP4, GATA4, PTEN and BMP2, involved in the female fertility of the F3nRR. Moreover, 2 genes, namely, TP53 and FGF2, were related to the male sterility of the M3nRR. These findings provide information on reproduction and breeding in triploid fish.
Acute Toxicity Assay Using Mysid as an Alternative Test Organism in the Assessment of the Aqueous Fraction of Sediment
Authors: Resgalla Charrid , Silveira Rafaela , Vieira Danielle
Published: April 2021

The evaluation of sediment quality through biological testing of the aqueous fraction can be applied in dredging situations and is associated with a small number of confounding factors. The use of test organisms that are relatively resistant to contaminants is recommended when working with complex mixtures such as sediments. In this study, the sensitivity of the mysid Mysidopsis juniae to total ammonia and metals was investigated in acute toxicity laboratory tests and the results were compared to those obtained in the traditional test with sea urchin embryos and larvae. The ability of the toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) technique, with the use of EDTA and sodium thiosulfate, to indicate the factors responsible for adverse effects was determined. The results indicate that mysids are almost 5 times more resistant than the sea urchin to unionized ammonia, more sensitive to Cd2+ and Ni2+ and more resistant to Zn2+ and Pb2+. With the TIE technique and with the use of EDTA as a complexing agent, a greater resolution was observed in the diagnosis of the presence of the metals Cd2+ and Ni2+, which could be applied to the aqueous fraction of the sediment.
The role of working alliance in ACT teams: the building blocks retrieved
Authors: Haaren M. van , Jong S. de , Roeg D.P.K.
Published: April 2021

Background. In this study, we aimed to retrieve and operationalize the building blocks of the working alliance in multidisciplinary teams with shared caseloads, for use in daily practice and research to support (Flexible) Assertive Community Treatment teams.Methods. After reviewing literature, concept mapping with professionals and clients was used to define working alliance in (F)ACT. The resulting concept maps formed the basis for the instrument. The instrument was pilot tested with professionals and clients by means of cognitive interviews with a think-aloud procedure.Results. The study led to development of a twenty-five item instrument to assess Working Alliance in Multidisciplinary teams (WAM), comprised of three subscales: bond, task/goal and team, with a version for clients and professionals.Conclusions. The WAM was developed to determine the quality of the working alliance in ACT teams. Future research will focus on testing its psychometric properties and predictive value.
The Institutional Origins of Vaccines Distrust: Evidence from Former-Communist Countries
Authors: Costa-Font Joan , Garcia-Hombrados Jorge , Nicińska Anna
Published: April 2021

How is trust in vaccines affected by exposure to Soviet communism? Using individual level evidence on vaccine trust with regards to its efficiency and safety from a long list of world countries, we document that exposure to Soviet communism reduces trust in vaccination. We show that exposure to socio-political regimes can explain limited trust in vaccines, which is explained by weak trust in government, medical personnel, medical advice from doctors as well as in people from the neighbourhood. These results suggest that roots of vaccine distrust lie in a wider distrust in public and state institutions resulting from the exposure to Soviet communism.
Antibiotic Resistance, Phylogenetic Typing and Virulence Genes Profile Analysis of Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli Isolated From Patients in Southern Iraq
Authors: Allami Mohammed , Bahreini Masoumeh , Sharifmoghadam Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2021

Of the most common infectious diseases that occur mainly by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is urinary tract infections (UTIs). The purpose of this study was to investigate virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and phylogenetic groups among UPEC strains isolated from patients with UTI in southern Iraq. A total of 100 UPEC isolates were collected from urine samples of UTI patients from various hospitals in southern Iraq, and confirmed by morphological and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing on isolates was performed by disk diffusion method. Multiplex PCR technique was used to evaluate the phylogenetic groups and the presence of six virulence factor genes; type 1 fimbria (fimH), A-fimbrial adhesion (afa), hemolysin (hly), fimbrial adhesins P (papC), cytotoxic necrosis factor 1 (cnf1), and aerobactin (aer). The majority of isolates belonged to the phylogenetic groups of B2 (55%) and D (32%). The most prevalent virulence factors were fimH (96%), followed by aer (47%), papC (36%), cnf1 (17%), hly (15%), and afa (8%). Phenotypic testing showed that the isolates were most resistant to piperacillin, ticarcillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (92%, 91%, and 88%, respectively) and most sensitive to amikacin and imipenem, respectively. The maximum antibiotic resistance and virulence factors were observed in the phylogenetic group B2. The results showed that the UPEC isolates had all six virulence factors with high frequency and the highest drug resistance. Besides, the results showed a direct relationship between virulence factors, gene diversity, phylogenetic background, and antimicrobial resistance in the UPEC isolates.
A comparison of self-bias measures across cognitive domains
Authors: Amodeo Letizia , Wiersema Jan Roelf , Brass Marcel , Nijhof Annabel
Published: April 2021

Background: The ‘self-bias’ – i.e., the human proneness to preferentially process self-relevant stimuli – is thought to be important for both self-related and social processing. Previous research operationalized the self-bias using different paradigms, assessing the size of the self-bias within a single cognitive domain. Recent studies suggested a reduced self-bias in autism, yet findings are inconsistent. Therefore, the primary goal of the current study was to investigate whether self-biases found across cognitive domains (i.e., perception, memory, attention) are related or independent. The secondary goal was to explore the relationship between these self-biases and the extent of autistic traits in a neurotypical sample.Methods: In an online procedure, 99 Dutch-speaking adults performed three self-processing tasks in counterbalanced order – i.e., the shape-label matching task (perception), the trait adjectives task (memory) and the visual search task (attention) – and completed two self-report measures of ASD symptomatology, i.e., AQ-10 and SRS-A. To control for level of familiarity, self-, close other- and famous other-relevant stimuli were included in each task. Repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted for each task, and both frequentist as well as Bayesian analyses were applied to investigate the correlational patterns between self-bias measures.Results: We observed significant correlations of the self-bias magnitude between memory and attention, as well as attention and perception. However, Bayesian analysis provided only weak support for the latter association. Further, the size of the self-bias was not significantly related across memory and perception. For neither of the tasks, a significant correlation between autistic traits and the self-bias magnitude was found, with Bayesian analyses strongly favoring the null hypothesis.Conclusions: In contrast with the view of a ‘unidimensional’ self-bias, our findings provide evidence for a heterogeneous and multifaceted self consisting of a variety of related and unrelated aspects. None of the self-bias indices were found to relate to autistic traits in our neurotypical sample.
Farmer’s Drought Response and Coping Strategies at Household Level in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gidey Eskinder , Gebregergis Tirhas , Zeweld Woldegebrial , Gebretsadik Haftamu , Dikinya Ogaile , Mussa Said
Published: April 2021

Background

Drought is one of the most damaging climate-induced threats impacting the lives of many people every year. The purpose of this study was to determine farmer’s drought coping strategies both proactive and reactive responses at household level based on the field survey in Raya Azebo and Raya Chercher districts, southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Agro–climatological based 246 households were sampled from the lowlands (36), midlands (202) and highlands (8). Multinomial logit model was used to identify best drought coping strategies.
Results

about 24.8% of female headed and 75.2% of male headed respondents have experienced mild to extremely severe drought in the last three decades. A significant association between the various drought severity and household heads (chi–square = 9.861, df = 3, p–value < 0.05) observed.
Conclusions

this study concluded that collection and saving of pasture, soil and water conservation practices, and use of weather prediction information to adjust saving and farming system are best proactive drought coping strategies. Whereas, feeding of roasted cactus for livestock, borrowing loans for running small business, selling of household assets and reduction of food consumptions are the major reactive or off–farm drought coping strategies in the study area. If the responses of smallholder farmers are not well supported by the concerned bodies, the existing disaster preparedness and early warning systems in the area might be significantly affected and its impacts will be very serious on both the livelihood of local people and natural resources in the area.
GSDMD-dependent neutrophil extracellular traps formation contributes to fibroblast-like synoviocyte activation in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhou Kaifeng , Bian Chong , Gu Huijie , Cheng Xiangyang , Huang Zhongyue , Chen Guangnan , Xu Jun , Yin Xiaofan
Published: April 2021

Objective

The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, the role of gasdermin D (GSDMD), a newly identified pyroptosis executioner downstream of NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1, in RA has not been well defined.
Methods

Genetically susceptible mice (DBA/1J) are immunized with a type II bovine collagen emulsion in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated from healthy volunteers and RA patients; cells were treated with serum from RA patients. The activation of GSDMD was analyzed by confocal and western blot. Proinflammatory cytokines in joint of mice were detected by qPCR and ELISA.
Results

The expression of cleaved GSDMD-N terminal in peripheral blood neutrophils from RA patients and the expression of GSDMD-N was positively correlated with the level of IL-1β and IL-18 from RA patients. GSDMD was required for the pathogenesis of RA, and GSDMD inhibition disulfiram significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokines production and joint damage, leading to reduced arthritis severity score and loss of cartilage in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. Mechanistically, the activation of GSDMD significantly promotes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are highly immunogenic and decorated with HMGB1 and MMPs. Furthermore, GSDMD-dependent NETs formation facilitated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) activation and proliferation, driving cartilage and bone destruction, and promoting disease activity in RA.
Conclusions

GSDMD-dependent NETs formation promotes FLS activation during RA pathogenesis.
Extraperitoneal Laparoscopy for Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy in Endometrial Carcinoma Staging: An Approach with Higher Efficiency
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xia Lingfang , Han Xiaotian , Ju Xingzhu , Wu Xiaohua , Chen Xiaojun
Published: April 2021

Background: To compare the surgical outcomes of extraperitoneal laparoscopic, transperitoneal laparoscopic, and laparotomic para-aortic lymphadenectomy in endometrial carcinoma staging. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of all patients diagnosed with primary endometrial carcinoma who were treated at the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. The numbers of para-aortic lymph nodes, surgical time, complications, blood loss and hospital stay were compared. The patients' medical records and pathological reports were carefully reviewed. Statistical significance was defined as p< 0.05. Results: We retrospectively compared patients who underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopy (Group E, n=20), transperitoneal laparoscopy (Group T, n=21), and laparotomy (Group L, n=135). The median number of para-aortic lymph nodes was significantly higher in Group E than in Group T andL (9.5, 5, and 6, respectively; p=0.004 and 0.0004, respectively). All patients in Group E underwent successfully dissction to the renal vessel level. The median operation time was significantly shorter in Group L than in Groups T and E (94, 174, and 233 minutes, respectively; p<0.0001). The median estimated blood loss volume was higher in Group L than in Groups T and E (200, 100, and 142.5 ml, respectively; all comparisons p<0.001), and the length of hospital stay was significantly longer in Group L than in Groups T and E (6, 56, and 6 days, respectively; all comparisons p<0.001). Conclusion: The extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach for staging endometrial carcinoma harvested higher numbers of para-aortic lymph nodes which could be considered for endometrial carcinoma staging, especially for para-aortic lymph node harvest.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles With Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties Using Two Novel Yeasts
Authors: Liu Xin , Chen Jiale , Yang Wenyu , Qian Yucheng , Pan Jingyu , Zhu Chennianci , Liu Li , Ou Wenbin , Zhao Hongxin , Zhang Dianpeng
Published: April 2021

AgNPs is nanomaterials with many potential biomedical applications. In this study, two novel yeast strains named as HX-YS and LPP-12Y capable of producing biological silver nanoparticles were isolated. Based on sequencing of ribosomal DNA-ITS fragments, as well as partial D1/D2 regions of 26S rDNA be similar with genus Metschnikowia. The BioAgNPs produced by HX-YS and LPP-12Y at pH of 5.0 - 6.0 and 26℃ ranged in size from 50 to 500 nm. The antibacterial activities of yeast BioAgNPs against five pathogenic bacteria were determined. The highest antibacterial effect was observed on P. aeruginosa, with additional obvious effects on E. coli ATCC8099 and S. aureus ATCC10231. Additionally, the BioAgNPs showed antiproliferative effects on lung cancer cell lines H1975 and A579, with low toxicity in Beas 2B normal lung cells. Therefore, the AgNPs biosynthesized by HX-YS and LPP-12Y may have potential applications in the treatment of bacterial infections and cancer.
Gas Embolism Assessment in Sea Turtles: Predictors of Mortality for the Deadliest Pathology related to Trawling
Authors: Franchini Delia , Valastro Carmela , Ciccarelli Stefano , Trerotoli Paolo , Paci Serena , Caprio Francesco , Lucchetti Alessandro , Bello Antonio Di
Published: April 2021

Sea turtles that are entrapped in static and towed nets may develop gas embolism which can lead to severe organ injury and death. Physical and physiologic factors associated with gas-embolism and predictors of mortality were analysed from 482 bycaught loggerheads. We found 204 turtles affected by gas-embolism and significant positive correlations between the presence of gas-embolism and duration, depth of trawl and turtle size and temperature and between mortality and neurological deficits, significant acidosis and involvement of > 12 cardiovascular sites and the left atrium and sinus venosus-right atrium. 164 turtles were released to the sea. Results of this study may be useful in clinical evaluation, prognostication, and treatment for turtles affected by gas-embolism, but bycatch reduction must become a priority for major international organizations.
Impact of anemia on in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Hu Huilin , Wang Shijun , Tang Guanmin , Zhai Changlin , Shen Liang
Published: April 2021

Background Anemia is a well-recognized risk factor for adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data regarding the association between anemia and in-stent restenosis (ISR) remain limited.Methods A total of 538 patients who underwent PCI between January 2018 and September 2019 and performed follow-up angiography 9–12 months after the initial PCI was enrolled in the study. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics were compared between ISR and non-ISR group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the independent predictors of ISR.Results The incidence of anemia in patients with ISR was 53.5% and 19.0% in the non-ISR group, which was significantly different (P ༜0.001). The rate of diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), bifurcation lesion and calcification was significantly higher in ISR group. In addition, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), multiple stenting and stent diameter were also significantly related with ISR. After multivariate logistic analysis, anemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.786; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.091 to 7.115; P = 0.032) together with LDL-c (OR, 1.682; 95% CI, 1.145 to 2.469; P = 0.008), diabetes (OR, 3.582; 95% CI, 1.406 to 9.125; P = 0.007), CKD (OR, 2.841; 95% CI, 1.006 to 8.027; P = 0.049), multiple stenting (OR, 2.823; 95% CI, 1.184 to 6.731; P = 0.019), and stent diameter (OR, 2.778; 95% CI, 1.069 to 7.194; P = 0.036) were closely associated with ISR.Conclusion Anemia is closely associated with ISR after PCI, patients with lower hemoglobin have a higher risk of ISR.
Factors related to myopia progression in orthokeratology practice: A 2-year follow-up study
Authors: Wen Shijin , Ma Siqi , Xiao Chuchu , Hu Shengfa , Ran Xufang , Tan Xingping , Xia Xiaobo , Zhou Xia
Published: April 2021

The incidence of myopia in adolescents is gradually increasing, and orthokeratology has achieved effective effects in controlling the progress of myopia, but the effects are mixed. The retrospective study included 30 monocular orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens-treated adolescents to explore the true effectiveness of ortho-k lenses and 36 binocular ortho-k lenses-treated adolescents to study the influencing factors of ortho-k lenses. After 12 months, among 30 adolescents treated with monocular ortho-k lenses, the average axial elongation in the ortho-k group was significantly less than that in the control group (P = 0.002). After 24 months, among 36 adolescents treated binocular ortho-k lenses, the axial elongation in the different initial age groups and different initial myopia groups were significantly different (all P < 0.05). Axial elongation correlated negatively with initial myopia during follow-up periods. In adolescents with myopia, axial elongation can be controlled effectively using an ortho-k lens. Younger children with initial higher myopia will benefit more than older children with initial lower myopia.
Genetic analysis and cross associations of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) genotypes and morpho-biochemical features: a practical breeding program
Authors: Zareei Elnaz , Karami Farhad , Aryal Rishi , Saed-Moucheshi Armin
Published: April 2021

The success of plant breeding depends on diversity in plant genetic resources and their responses to changing environments. In this regard, twenty strawberry genotypes with altered genetic background were evaluated for their performance under different environments based on the estimation of their genetic variability and heritability. Furthermore, genetic distances and associations were assessed by using data mining techniques. The combined ANOVA results showed that environmental factors have great influences on changing the values’ size of the measured-traits. Also, high heritability and genetic variation were detected for yield and its components showed a high potential for improvement among the strawberry genotypes and being considered as raw materials in breeding programs. The biplot and heatmap, in line with clustering, showed to be key methods for finding about the structural association among genotypes, the measured-traits, and their cross relationships and their influences on one another simultaneously. Cluster analysis showed that the genotypes of the same geographic origin did not necessarily group in the same clusters which could be due to the environmental variability and the different responses of the genotypes coming from altered genetic materials. The overall results regarding multivariate analyses showed that genotypes Kurdistan, Queen Elisa, and No.14 could be considered as a cluster with high similarity for being crossed by other genotype in the clusters such as groups of Pajaro and Chandler, or the group of Silva and Gaviota.
Cortisol signaling and stress-induced gene expressions in response to copper toxicity through heat stress during zebrafish embryogenesis
Authors: Park Kiyun , Kwak Ihn-Sil
Published: April 2021

Climate change is leading to an increase in temperatures, which has a stressful impact on the aquatic environment. Cortisol signaling is involved in enhancing metabolic processes such as anti-oxidation, immune defense, and osmoregulation, under stress conditions in fish. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of copper (Cu) toxicity along with an increase in temperature during zebrafish embryogenesis, based on the transcriptional responses of cortisol and stress-related genes. A decreased survival rate was observed following combined exposure to high temperature and Cu. Heart rates of zebrafish embryos significantly increased only during heat stress. An abnormal morphology was induced by exposure to a combination of Cu and heat stress. Furthermore, heat stress also triggered Cu-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species production with upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) and cell death with modified expressions of p53 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the zebrafish embryo. Finally, increased cortisol level and altered expressions of cortisol-signaling genes were observed following exposure to Cu and high temperature. These results highlight that the realistic exposure to combined stressors disturbs cortisol-related defense pathways as well as the stress-induced processes of anti-oxidation and cell death in fish.
Magnitude of Low Back Pain and Associated Factors Among Nurses Working at Intensive Care Unit in Amhara Region Public Hospitals, Ethiopia  
Authors: Tefera Bitew , Zeleke Haymanot , Abate Abebe , Abebe Haimanot , Mekonnen Zebene , Sewale Yihenew
Published: April 2021

Background
Low back pain is a common public health problem throughout the world with the global prevalence from 28–86%. Nurses working in intensive care units are handling people who are critically ill and helpless, which requires more assistance for transferring and handling activities. This possesses a risk for low back pain but little is known about it in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of low back pain and associated factors among nurses who work at an intensive care units in Amhara region public hospitals, North Ethiopia.
Methods
A multi-centered institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Amhara region public hospitals from March 1–30/2020. Simple random sampling technique after proportional allocation was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using a standard modified Nordic musculoskeletal assessment tool. After data were checked for completeness and consistency, it was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science software version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with low back pain. Finally, those variables with a p-value of < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant.
Result
-The study was conducted among 412 intensive care unit nurses giving a response rate of 97.6%. The magnitude of low back pain was 313 (76 %) [95% CI: (71.6%-79.9%)]. Being female [AOR = 2.674 (1.404, 5.076)], unavailability of assistive device for patient handling [AOR = 2.139 (1.035, 4.410)], lack of training on intensive care [AOR = 2.017 (1.092 ,3.943)], lack of regular exercise [AOR = 2.164 (1.164 ,4.108)] and job stress [AOR = 3.66 (1.955, 6.498)] were factors significantly associated with low back pain.
Conclusions
In this study the magnitude of low back pain was high. Being female, unavailability of assistive device for patient handling, lack of training on intensive care, lack of regular exercise and job stress were factors associated with low back pain. Policy makers and concerned bodies should give emphasis on accessability of assistive devices for patient care, provision of training on intensive care and adaptive working environment for intensive care unit nurses.
Mortality Prediction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Bae Eunhye , Kwak Nakwon , Choi Sun Mi , Lee Jinwoo , Park Young Sik , Lee Chang-Hoon , Lee Sang-Min , Yoo Chul-Gyu , Cho Jaeyoung
Published: April 2021

Background: Overlap syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased mortality. We aimed to assess all-cause mortality in patients with COPD, OSA, and the overlap syndrome and evaluate which polysomnographic indices—apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or hypoxemic load measurements—better predict mortality within 10 years.Methods: Adults who underwent polysomnography, spirometry, and bronchodilator response tests between 2000 and 2018 were included and divided into four groups according to the presence of COPD and moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ³15/h). We estimated mortality using Cox model adjusted for demographic/anthropometric covariates and comorbidities; this was called the clinical model. To evaluate prognostic performance, we compared the concordance index (C-index) between the clinical model and extended models, which incorporated one of the polysomnographic indices—AHI, sleep time spent with SpO2 < 90% (TS90), and mean and lowest SpO2.Results: Among 355 participants, patients with overlap syndrome of COPD and moderate-to-severe OSA had the highest risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 9.96). The C-indices of the extended models with TS90 (%) and mean SpO2 were significantly higher than that of the clinical model (0.765 vs. 0.737 and 0.756 vs. 0.737, respectively; all P <0.05); however, the C-index of the extended model with AHI was not (0.739 vs. 0.737; P=0.15).Conclusions: All-cause mortality was highest in patients with the overlap syndrome. The measurements of the hypoxemic load, not AHI, better predicted mortality in patients with COPD, OSA, and the overlap syndrome.