bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical School Performance as A Predictor of Scores in the National Medical Specialization Exam in Turkey
Authors: Murt Ahmet , Hope David , Ozturk Recep , Cameron Helen
Published: March 2021

Background

Medical educators and assessors like to include predictive validity in their validity arguments but relevant evidence may be difficult to find. External standardized examinations may have a role in validating both the educational process of medical schools and their assessment results and outcomes. A strong correlation between medical school and external exam performances may also lend evidence of validity to the external examination. This work from one of Turkey’s top medical schools explored the correlations between students’ medical school performances and scores from the Specialization in Medicine Exam (TUS). The TUS is a post-graduate national ranking examination.
Methods

A total of 246 students from two different programs of a medical school, which have identical curricula but different admission scores were studied retrospectively. Students’ year based Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and end-of-school (graduating) GPAs were calculated using a weighted mean method. Bivariate correlations were calculated between year specific GPAs, graduating GPAs and TUS scores.
Results

Students’ inter-year GPAs showed strong significant correlations (“r” ranging from 0.59 to 0.86, p < 0.001). Their graduating GPA also had a strong significant correlation with TUS scores (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). Linear regression models showed the significant relation between medical school performance and post-graduation national exam performance.
Conclusion

Student success has a high degree of consistency throughout the medical school and students’ performance across all domains of assessment in the undergraduate program might be a good predictor of cognitive skills in an external national examination in the early postgraduate phase.
Neurosensory Rehabilitation and Olfactory Network Recovery in COVID-19-related Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Chung Tom Wai-Hin , Zhang Hui , Wong Fergus Kai-Chuen , Srid Siddharth , Chan Kwok-Hung , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Mak Henry Ka-Fung
Published: March 2021

BackgroundNon-conductive olfactory dysfunction (OD) is an important extra-pulmonary manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prolonged COVID-19-related OD is a serious neurosensory disability. Treatment for the restoration of smell is urgently needed.Case presentationTwo patients presenting with prolonged COVID-19-related OD underwent structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) brain scans. Two healthy controls were recruited for radiological comparison. One patient received olfactory treatment (OT) by the combination of oral vitamin A and smell training via the novel electronic portable aromatic rehabilitation (EPAR) diffusers. After four-weeks of OT, clinical recuperation of smell was correlated with interval increase of bilateral OB volumes [right: 22.5mm3 to 49.5mm3 (120%), left: 37.5mm3 to 42mm3 (12%)] and the enhancement of mean olfactory functional connectivity [0.09 to 0.15 (66.6%)]. ConclusionsOlfactory network functional defects and OB volume loss were identified in patients presenting with prolonged COVID-19-related OD. Preliminary evidence demonstrated that the combination of oral vitamin A and smell training may induce neurogenesis at the olfactory apparatus and achieve olfactory neurosensory rehabilitation. This observation should be validated in large scale randomized–controlled trials.
Efficient strategy evaluation to control the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gonzalez Rafael , Pablo Moya , Bringa Eduardo , Bacigalupe Gonzalo , Ramirez-Santana Muriel , Kiwi Miguel
Published: March 2021

Many non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) have been implemented in several countries to prevent and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the emergence of vaccines that mitigate illness and death, no effective measures exist to control the contagion. Testing, tracing, and isolation (TTI) in conjunction with disciplined social distancing were expected to achieve negligible-contagion levels and avoid, for example, superspreading events 1. However, the logic sustaining these strategieshas proven insufficient and a commitment to implementing them leads to controversial ethical challenges. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of contagion control policies that are independent of the ethical challenges that the chosen strategies pose, and of the complex realities of different countries, that are applicable both country-wide and at the local level. Even more relevant is that our performance measure indicators are given by variables that provide an early warning as to when the epidemic might expand, despite some temporal case decrements. We show that if case reduction is not sustained for more than 7-14 days, the risk growth is considerable, warranting immediate attention and action. To draw these conclusions, our research does not only follow the contagion change but its velocity, and applies these indicators to a sample of prototypical countries, finding strong evidence for our conclusions. The latter are independent of different applied NPI and country differences, suggesting that they can be used as "universal" indicators for epidemic control policies. Our main conclusion is that if the spread reduction is lost during one, or at most two weeks, immediate measures have to be implemented to avoid undesirable scenarios.
Analysis of the Characteristics of Sepsis After Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
Authors: Teng Geling , Ying CHEN , Wenwen Zhao , Xiangmei LI , Hua HU
Published: March 2021

BackgroundNowadays, hospital infection have a high incidence of of sepsis in clinic for malignant tumor patients after chemotherapy, patients generally lack typical clinical manifestations in early stage, especially those patients with more complicated basic diseases, and their prognosis is poor.Case presentation In this report, we analyzed a lung cancer patients infected with enterobacter cloacae after chemotherapy, the clinical case data were collected, the course of its onset, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed, and the relevant literatures at home and abroad were reviewed for summary.The patient was elderly with underlying diseases, and was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. He had a long history of glucocorticoid because of Interstitial pneumonia, and was given chemotherapy. The patient was complicated with sepsis after chemotherapy. Despite active treatment, the patient died of septic shock. There are many reasons for septic shock in patients.ConclusionsThe mortality of patients with malignant tumor complicated with nosocomial infection is high, which is closely related to the underlying disease and the application of glucocorticoid.
Application of Intra-Osseous Access in the Critical Care of Patients With Severe Multiple Trauma
Authors: Shen Jun , Chen Du , Yang Peng , Xu Feng
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intra-osseous (IO) access in the treatment of patients with severe multiple trauma. MethodsThis was a retrospective study in trauma center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The clinical data of 94 patients were reviewed in emergency room (ER) from April 2018 to September 2020. We summarized advantages of IO access for the following aspects: puncture efficiency, the duration of puncturing and success rate. Besides, we analyzed the relationship with central venous catheter (CVC), tracheal intubation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ResultsThe IO observation group presented a relatively good results in puncture efficiency (efficiency came into use within 15 minutes after being hospitalized: 36.17%), the duration of puncturing (less than or equal to 1 min: 93.62%), success rate (96.81%). ConclusionThe application of IO in the treatment of patients can shorten the time and improve the success rate in rescuing critically ill patients. It serves as a parallel rescue method and is worthy of clinical promotion and skill acquisition.
Quantitative analysis of self-potential anomalies: Review of case studies from various SP applications
Authors: Eppelbaum Lev V.
Published: March 2021

Self-potential (SP) method is one of the most non-expensive and unsophisticated geophysical methods. However, its application limits absence of reliable interpreting methodology, first for the complex geological-environmental conditions. The typical disturbances appearing in the SP method are discussed. To exclude these noise components before the quantitative analysis, some ways for their removing (elimination) are presented. Some brief review of the available interpretation methods is presented. For the magnetic method of geophysical prospecting, special quantitative procedures applicable under complex physical-geological environments (oblique polarization, uneven terrain relief and unknown level of the normal field), have been recently developed. Earlier detected common peculiarities between the magnetic and SP fields have been extended. These common aspects make it possible to apply the advanced procedures developed in magnetic prospecting to SP method. Besides the reliable determination of the depth of anomalous targets, these methodologies enable to calculate the corrections for non-horizontal SP observations and direction of polarization vector. For classification of SP-anomalies is proposed to use a new parameter – 'self-potential moment'. These quantitative procedures (improved modifications of characteristic point, tangent techniques and areal method) have been successfully tested on SP models and employed in real situations in mining, archaeological, environmental and technogenic geophysics. The obtained results indicate practical importance of the developed methodologies.
Quantification of damage and initial growth of eucalyptus in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Barbosa Demerson Luiz de Almeida , Leite Ângelo Márcio Pinto , Oliveira Márcio Leles Romarco de , Freitas Daniela Aparecida , Brito Betânia Guedes Souza e , Lana Ângela Maria Quintão , Santos Leonardo David Tuffi , Veloso Álvaro Luis de Carvalho , Frazão Leidivan Almeida
Published: March 2021

Background

The integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) system is a sustainable production model composed by tree species intercropped with annual crops and forage species. The choice of the tree species that will compose the ICLF is characterized as a fundamental requirement in the adoption of the system. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the initial growth and adaptation of two eucalyptus genotypes cultivated in ICLF systems in the Brazilian Cerrado.
Methods

The eucalyptus genotypes (E. cloeziana and E. urograndis) were intercropped with Sorghum bicolor and Urochloa brizantha in two ICLF systems in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Qualitative data expressed by occurrences of damage and weaknesses, as well as quantitative data measured by survival rates, diameter at soil height, diameter at breast height, and total height of trees were evaluated in four periods. The data were analyzed by a correlation matrix and analysis of variance, and them qualitative and quantitative data to were analyzed in relation to the rainfall distribution during the studied period.
Results

The occurrence of Trigona spinipes and termite were the main biotic factors that caused damage and weaknesses to E. cloeziana and E. urograndis, respectively, directly impacting the initial growth and survival rate of eucalyptus.. The growth of E. urograndis was higher than E. cloeziana at 450, 630, 1020, and 1320 days after transplanting. On the other hand, E. cloeziana showed the highest survival rate (80.6%) while E. urograndis presented greater tolerance to the water stress.
Conclusion

The hibrid E. urograndis proved to be more adapted to edaphoclimatic conditions studied in the Cerrado region and can be indicated to ICLF systems implanted in regions characterized by high temperatures and irregular rainfall distribution.
The diversity, composition, and metabolic pathways of archaea in pigs
Authors: Deng Feilong , Li Yushan , Wei Xiaoyuan , Xiao Yingping , Wang Xiaofan , Howe Samantha , Yang Hua , Li Hua , Zhao Jiangchao , Li Ying
Published: March 2021

Background
Archaea are an essential class of gut microorganisms in humans and animals. Despite the substantial progress in gut microbiome research in the last decade, most studies have focused on bacteria, and little is known about archaea in mammals. To this end, we investigated the composition, diversity, and functional potential of gut archaeal communities in pigs by re-analyzing a published metagenomic dataset from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database.
Results
A total of 276 fecal samples from three countries: China (n = 76), Denmark (n = 100), and France (n = 100) were used in this study. For alpha diversity (Shannon Index) of the archaeal communities, Chinese pigs were less diverse than Danish and French pigs (P < 0.001). Consistently, Chinese pigs also possessed different archaeal community structures from the other two groups based on the Bray-Curtis distance matrix. Methanobrevibacter was the most dominant archaeal genus in Chinese pigs (44.94%) and French pigs (15.41%), while Candidatus Methanomethylophilus was the most predominant in Danish pigs (15.71%). At the species level, the relative abundance of Candidatus Methanomethylophilus alvus, Natrialbaceae archaeon XQ INN 246, and Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii were greatest in Danish, French, and Chinese pigs with a relative abundance of 14.32%, 11.67%, and 16.28%, respectively. In terms of metabolic potential, the top three pathways in the archaeal communities included the MetaCyc pathway related to the biosynthesis of L-valine, L-isoleucine, and isobutanol. Interestingly, the pathway related to hydrogen consumption (METHANOGENESIS-PWY) was only observed in archaeal reads, while the pathways participating in hydrogen production (FERMENTATION-PWY and PWY4LZ-257) were only detected in bacterial reads. Archaeal communities also possessed CAZyme gene families, with the top five being: AA3, GH43, GT2, AA6, and CE9. In terms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the class of multidrug resistance was the most abundant ARG, accounting for 87.41% of archaeal ARG hits.
Conclusions
Our study reveals the diverse composition and metabolic functions of archaea in pigs, suggesting that archaea might play important roles in swine nutrition and metabolism.
Evaluation to Prognostic Staging System of Multiple Myeloma in Novel Agent Era
Authors: Shang Yufeng , Jin Yanxia , liu Hailing , Ding Lu , Tong Xiqin , Tu Honglei , Zang Longkai , Lin Chenyao , Hu Jinsong , Zhou Fuling
Published: March 2021

Purpose This study was to evaluate existing staging system of multiple myeloma (MM) in the real world. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 886 newly diagnosed MM from two institutions. Results The overall survival (OS) of eligible patients was 61.0 months. R-ISS held a larger receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area (0.603) than that of ISS (0.573) and DS staging system (0.567). In the group of immunomodulatory agents-based regimens, the median OS was 92.0 months in R-ISS I, 63.0 months in R-ISS II and 18.0 months in R-ISS III (p<0.0001). In the group of proteasome inhibitors-based regimens, the median OS was 102.0 months in R-ISS I, 63.0 months in R-ISS II and 22.0 months in R-ISS III (p<0.0001). In different subgroups grouped according to Age, HGB, CREA and Ca, R-ISS also had a good stratification effect. Patients in R-ISS II were further analyzed, which accounted for 69.9% of all R-ISS patients. Using univariable and multivariable Cox analysis, Age>65 years (p=0.001), HGB<100g/L (p<0.001), elevated LDH (p=0.001) and Ca (p=0.010) were independent factors indicating worse prognosis for R-ISS II. Conclusion R-ISS remains a valuable staging system in the real world of new drug era. But patients classified in R-ISS II still have large heterogeneity.
A prognostic risk model constructed by proteins in predicting prognosis for ovarian cancer
Authors: rong yan , Niu Liangchen , Li Li
Published: March 2021

BackgroundsOvarian cancer is the most lethal malignant tumor in gynecological cancers worldwide. Approximately 70% of patients have a poor prognosis, who experienced progression or recurrence within 5 years. The aim of this study attempts is to screen out the potential prognosis-related proteins and establish a prognostic risk model for predicting the prognostic risk for patients with ovarian cancer.MethodData were obtained from the Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The proteins significantly related to survival risk in ovarian cancer patients were screened out by Kaplan-Meier test and COX regression analysis. A prognostic risk model was constructed based on the optimal proteins selected by multivariate Cox analysis. The prognostic risk model was validated in different clinical characteristics. The sankyl diagram was used to visualize the relationship between the prognosis-related proteins and their co-expression proteins.ResultsA prognostic risk model consisting of seven proteins that significantly related to prognosis was established. Patients with high risk score were associated with poor survival and relative protein expression. In the multivariate cox regress analysis, only age and the risk score were the independence prognosis factors. The AUC for the risk score was 0.721 in ROC curve for patients under 70 years old. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that 25 co-expression proteins correlated with the prognosis-related proteins.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that a novel prognostic risk model constructed by proteins could predict prognosis for patients with ovarian cancer.
Genetic study of apatient with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome in Iran: a case report
Authors: Khorasanian Reihaneh , Mojbafan Marzieh , Khosravi Nastaran
Published: March 2021

I. Background: Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation caused by mutations in the PHOX2B gene. Here we introduce the first genetic analysis of a CCHS patient in Iran.II. Methods and Results: Genetic analysis of the PHOX2B gene was performed by Sanger sequencing and interpreted using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline. The results showed a heterozygous duplication in the exon 3 causing a polyalanine repeat expansion mutation (PARMs) to 27 repeats in the PHOX2B gene (20/27 genotype). The patient’s parents were normal for this mutation.III. Conclusions: According to the ACMG guideline, the mutation is a pathogenic one, and it was a denovo mutation in the family. The genetic study can help the family for prenatal diagnosis or pre-implantation diagnosis if the parents have gonadal mosaicism.
Rapid Differential Detection of H1 and H3 Subtype Swine Influenza Viruses by a TaqMan-MGB Based Duplex One-Step Real Time RT-PCR Assay
Authors: Chen Kaibiao , Kong Ming , Liu Jiao , Jiao Jun , Zeng Zixiong , Shi Liwei , Bu Xinxin , Yan Yayao , Chen Yu , Gao Ruyi , Liu Xiaowen , Wang Xiaoquan , Hu Jiao , Hu Shunlin , Jiao Xinan , Liu Xiufan , Gu Min
Published: March 2021

Swine influenza is not only an economically important respiratory disease in swine, but also constantly poses a threat to human health. Hence, developing a rapid, sensitive and efficient detection method of swine influenza virus (SIV) is highly essential. By aligning the HA gene sequences of SIV circulating in China in recent 10 years, a H1 primer-probe set targeting both Eurasian avian-like H1N1 (EA H1N1) and Pandemic 2009 H1N1 (Pdm09 H1N1) lineages plus a H3 prime-probe set targeting the prevalent human-like H3N2 (HL H3N2) subtype were designed, respectively. Further, a TaqMan-MGB based duplex one-step real time RT-PCR (RRT-PCR) assay was established and evaluated. The duplex RRT-PCR possessed the detection limit of 5 copies/μL HA plasmid for each of the EA H1N1, Pdm09 H1N1 and HL H3N2 subtype SIVs, and matched an overall detection sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91.67% with traditional virus isolation through chicken embryo inoculation using experimentally infected mice lung samples. Besides, the method showed high repeatability both within-run and between-runs, and no cross-reactivity against some commonly circulated porcine viruses in China. Furthermore, the duplex RRT-PCR method revealed a relatively higher prevalent rate of H1 than H3 subtype SIV in 166 nasal swabs from pigs in some slaughterhouse during October ~ December, 2019. This developed assay could be very helpful for rapid differential detection and routine surveillance of EA H1N1, Pdm09 H1N1 and HL H3N2 subtype SIVs in China.
Global Attitude Stabilization of a Rigid Body on SO(3) via Observer-based Hybrid Feedback Under Constraints
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Hamed , Pariz Naser , Sani Seyed Kamal Hosseini
Published: March 2021

This paper studies the global stabilization of a rigid body attitude, a task that is subject to topological obstacles. Theseobstructions preclude the existence of a globally stable equilibrium point. Consequently, the rigid body attitude cannotbe globally stabilized by continuous feedback control laws. In order to resolve this challenge, this paper presents anobserver-based hybrid feedback control law. Thereafter, in order to derive the proposed feedback law, a new kind ofsynergistic potential functions is presented which induces a gradient vector eld to globally stabilize a given set. Moreover, the gradient of the proposed synergistic potential functions is utilized to derive a hybrid angular velocityobserver. The outputs of the proposed observer are employed to produce the necessary damping from the noisy measurements of the attitude. Furthermore, this paper considers two types of constraints: angular velocity constraints, and input torque constraints. Afterward, these constraints are formulated in terms of the Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) optimization problem to perform constraints satisfaction at all times. Moreover, this paper introduces a novel hybrid quantizer to deal with the problem of the low-price wireless network. This paper analyzes the global asymptotic stability of the reference set via the Lyapunov's method. Finally, a comparative study in simulations is provided to assess the performance of the proposed control technique.
A Firm Recommendation: Measuring the Softness of Infant Sleep Surfaces
Authors: Gillani Sheena , Lowell Gina S. , Quinlan Kyran P.
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: Approximately 3600 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) occur annually in the United States, and a quarter of SUIDs are caused by unintentional suffocation and strangulation in bed, with soft bedding use being a significant risk factor. Therefore, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants sleep on a “firm” surface, though neither an objective definition nor national standard has been established. The purpose of this study is to report on the performance of a device that measures mattress softness and to provide quantitative values of softness for various infant sleep surfaces.METHODS: In collaboration with the authors and a national child product safety organization (Kids in Danger), University of Michigan engineering students designed and validated a device that measures the vertical depression (softness) of a simulated 2-month-old’s head on a sleep surface. A total of 17 infant sleep surfaces -14 household surfaces and 3 hospital mattresses - were measured between April 2019 and January 2020. The average softness of each surface was calculated. Surfaces were also measured with soft bedding, which included an infant fleece blanket, and firm and soft pillows.RESULTS: The average softness for the 14 household sleep surfaces ranged from 7.4-36.9 mm. The 2019 cribette playard and the 2018 infant spring had similar softness (21mm) as the 2018 and 2019 adult foam and 2015 sofa. An infant’s fleece blanket folded once added an additional 2.3-6.5mm of softness, folded twice added 4.8-11.6mm, and folded three times added 11-21.8mm. Using a firm pillow added 4.0-20.9mm of softness while using a soft pillow added 24.5-46.4mm. The softness for the 3 hospital sleep surfaces ranged from 14-36.9mm, with the infant bassinet being the firmest and the pediatrics mattress being the softest.CONCLUSIONS: We found a wide range of softness among sleep surfaces, with some infant mattresses as soft as some adult mattresses. Adding blankets and pillows to mattresses measurably increased softness. Quantifying sleep surface softness will advance our understanding of how softness relates to SUID risk. We hope this new information will further inform safe infant sleep recommendations and improve mattress safety standards nationally.
Guiding placement of health facilities using malaria criteria and interactive tool
Authors: Toh Kok Ben , Millar Justin , Psychas Paul , Abuaku Benjamin , Ahorlu Collins , Oppong Samuel , Koram Kwadwo , Valle Denis
Published: March 2021

Background: Access to healthcare is important in controlling malaria burden and, as a result, distance or travel time to health facilities is often a significant predictor in modeling malaria prevalence. Adding new health facilities may reduce overall travel time to health facilities and may decrease malaria transmission. To help guide local decision makers as they scale up community-based accessibility, we explore how the allocation of new health facilities might influence malaria prevalence in Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo district in northern Ghana. We perform a location-allocation analysis to find optimal locations of new health facilities by minimizing three district-wide objectives separately: malaria prevalence, malaria incidence, and average travel time to health facilities. Methods: We used generalized additive model to model malaria prevalence as a function of travel time to health facility and other geospatial covariates. The model predictions are used to calculate the optimization criteria and to conduct spatial optimization. This analysis was performed for two scenarios: adding new health facilities to the existing ones, and a hypothetical scenario in which the community-based healthcare facilities would be allocated anew. We created an interactive web application to facilitate efficient presentation of this analysis and allow users to experiment with their choice of health facility location and optimization criteria. Results: Using malaria prevalence and travel time as optimization criteria, we found two locations that were not covered by existing community-based health services that would benefit from new health facilities, regardless of scenarios. Due to the non-linear relationship between malaria incidence and prevalence, the optimal locations chosen by using incidence criterion tend to be inequitable and are different from those based on the other optimization criteria. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of using multiple optimization criteria in the decision-making process. We believe that our analysis and interactive application can be repurposed for other regions and criteria, bridging the gap between science, models and decisions.
Analysis of serum lipid profile and apolipoprotein in patients with concurrent gallbladder stone disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population-based study in China
Authors: Liang Song , Jiang Pin , Feng Xue-Yi , Zhai Rong-rong , Yang Li , Li Xiao-qi , Xu Xun , Fang Xin-An , Liang Yong-Kang
Published: March 2021

Background

Gallbladder stone diseases being common disorder, prior studies have identified an association between gallstones and abnormal lipids, type 2 diabetics have higher rates of significant abnormalities in lipid metabolism, so the prevalence of dyslipidemia may be higher in gallstone disease patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in the general population. The aim of this study was to compare the serum lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities between gallbladder stone patients who have T2DM and controls in China.
Methods

Retrospective analysis of serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in patients aged 40 years and older with gallbladder stone combined with T2DM, T2DM, gallbladder stone and normal group of 407 individuals in four groups. 135 cases with gallbladder stones combined with T2DM were compared with 102 cases with T2DM, 119 cases with gallbladder stone and 51 normal individuals respectively among four groups. Triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), serum apolipoprotein (apo) AI (ApoAI), apolipoprotein (apo) B (ApoB) and their ratio (ApoAI/ApoB) were collected from the four groups and compared. One-way ANOVA and nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis tests) were used to compare groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results

Compared to three control groups, the patients over 40 years old with gallbladder stone combined with T2DM had significant abnormal changes in lipids: the LDL and APoB levels were significantly raised in patients with gallbladder stones combined with T2DM (P < 0.05), and in males LDL levels were significantly higher in gallbladder stones patients with concomitant T2DM (P < 0.05).
Conclusions

The study showed that LDL and APoB levels were statistically significant in patients over 40 years of age with concurrent gallbladder stone disease and T2DM, with male patients having significantly higher LDL levels but no statistically significant parameters were found in female patients.
A Novel Oral Edaravone Formulation Partially Alleviates Tau Pathology and Motor Deficits in an Animal Model of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Kelliny Sally , Xiong Jing , Bobrovskaya Larisa , Zhou Xin-Fu
Published: March 2021

Oxidative stress (OS) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders and is involved in the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and Tau inclusions. Edaravone (EDR) is a free radical scavenger that is approved for motor neuron disease and acute ischemic stroke. EDR alleviates pathologies and cognitive impairment of AD via targeting multiple key pathways in transgenic mice. Herein, we aimed to study the effect of EDR on Tau pathology in an animal model (P301L mice) of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at two age time points representing the early and late stages of the disease. A novel EDR formulation was utilized in the study and the drug was delivered orally in drinking water for 3 months. Then, behavioral tests were conducted followed by animal sacrifice and brain dissection. Treatment with EDR improved the cognitive deficits as evaluated in Morris water maze, novel object recognition and significantly alleviated motor deficits in these mice. EDR also reduced the levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) adducts. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed that EDR reduced tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation and partially rescued neurons against oxidative neurotoxicity. Moreover, EDR attenuated downstream pathologies involved in Tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that EDR may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of FTD.
A Physico-Chemical Approach To Understanding Cosmic Evolution: Thermodynamics  Of Expansion And Composition Of The Universe
Authors: Melendres Carlos A.
Published: March 2021

We present a physico-chemical approach towards understanding the mysteries associated with the Inflationary Big Bang model of Cosmic evolution based on a theory that space consists of energy quanta. We use thermodynamics to elucidate the expansion of the universe, its composition, and the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The universe started from an atomic size volume of space quanta at very high temperature. Upon expansion and cooling, phase transitions resulted in the formation of fundamental particles, and matter which grow into stars, galaxies, and clusters due to gravity. From cooling data on the universe, we constructed a thermodynamic phase diagram of composition of the universe, from which we obtained a correlation between dark energy and the energy of space. Using Friedmann’s equations, our Quantum Space model fitted well the WMAP data on cosmic composition with an equation of state parameter, w= -0.7. The expansion of the universe was adiabatic and decelerating during the first 7 billion years after the Big Bang. It accelerated due to the dominance of dark energy at 7.25 x 109 years, in good agreement with BOSS measurements. Dark Matter is identified as a plasma form of matter similar to that which existed before recombination and during reionization.
Screen-printing of microfibrillated cellulose for an improved moisture management, strength and abrasion resistant properties of flame-resistant fabrics
Authors: Kokol Vanja , Vivod Vera , Peršin Zdenka , Kamppuri Taina , Dobnik-Dubrovski Polona
Published: March 2021

Low moisture absorbency of hydrophobically coated flame-resistant (FR) fabrics do not correlate well with the thermophysiological comfort. In this frame, we were the first to study the effect of screen-printed microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) on fabric’s breathability and moisture build-up and transfer as user-friendly and wear-related comfortable coating. The amount of MFC applied and its patterning was varied using different printing parameters, and the density and thickness of FR fabric, and studied by add-on measurement and microscopic imaging. The effect of MFC coating and its durability (attachment) after a post-printing of hydrophobic polyacrylate on the same (layer-by-layer) or other side of the fabrics was considered, thus to maintain one side of the fabric (facing towards the wearer) hydrophilic while keeping the other side (facing outward) hydrophobic. The results showed that MFC provides uniform and repeatable printing, which gave homogeneous patterning with good layering on the fabrics, although, resulting in the MFC concentration, squeegee’ pressure, and fabric’ structure dependent add-on, its imprinting and co-crosslinking within the polyacrylate. This slightly reduced the fabric air-permeability, but increased it surfaces wetting, moisture uptake kinetic and capacity (hydroscopicity), without affecting the water vapour transfer. Besides, the polyacrylate could fix the MFC pre-printed on the other side of the fabric, thus maintaining its hydrophilicity, being more pronounced in the case of less open and thicker fabric, while improving its tensile /tear strengths and abrasion resistance, without deterioration of the fabric`s flammability.
“An Approach for Intersection Prevention in Transmission Channel Using Correlation Matrix and Tree Construction Model in V2x Framework”
Authors: T GraceShalini , S Jenicka
Published: March 2021

Typically, the delivery of information in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) is regarded as a demanding one because of high mobility and invariable topological difference. One major concern in VANET framework is the occurrence of simulated intersection at which the packet reception probability become complicated for predicting and the model turn out to be complex highly. So as to overcome this dispute, a new framework is introduced which in turn prevents the intersection among the transmission path. Initially, the system model is initialized and the availability of channel is estimated. Based on the strength and size of data to be transmitted, the availability of channel is computed. After that, the best forwarding zone computation is made for minimizing the redundant data packets flow. To check the priority of packet and occurrence of packet collision, tree construction based data strength transmission is employed. at last, the prevention of intersection or collision between the transmission channel is checked by means of correlation matrix based intersection prevention approach by monitoring the neighbor node. Then, the data packets were forwarded in an efficient manner without any intersection between the frames. The performance analysis is estimated in terms of network lifetime, packet delivery ratio, packet collision; inter node collision, throughput, and end-to-end delay.
False-Negative Frozen Section of Sentinel Nodes in Early Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Loh Zhu-Jun , Lee Kuo-Ting , Chen Ya-Ping , Kuo Yao-Lung , Chung Wei-Pang , Hsu Ya-Ting , Huang Chien-Chang , Hsu Hui-Ping
Published: March 2021

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard approach of the axillary region for early breast cancer patients with clinically negative nodes. The present study investigated patients with false-negative sentinel nodes of intraoperative frozen section (FNSNs) in real-world data.Methods: A case–control study with a 1:3 ratio was conducted. FNSN was diagnosed when sentinel nodes (SNs) are negative in frozen sections but positive for metastasis in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections. The control was defined as having no metastasis of SNs in both frozen and FFPE sections.Results: A total of 20 FNSN cases and 60 matched controls were enrolled from 333 SLNB patients between April 1, 2005, and November 31, 2009. The demographics and intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer were similar between FNSN and controls. The FNSN patients had larger tumor sizes in preoperative mammography (P = 0.033) and more lymphatic tumor emboli in core biopsy (P < 0.001). Four FNSN patients had metastasis in the non-relevant SNs. Another 16 FNSN patients had benign lymphoid hyperplasia of SNs in frozen sections and metastasis in the same SNs from the FFPE sections. Micrometastasis was detected in seven of 16 patients, and metastases in non-relevant SNs were recognized in two patients. All FNSN patients received a second operation with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). After a median follow-up of 143 months, no FNSN patients developed recurrence of breast cancer. The disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival in FNSN were not inferior to the controls.Conclusions: The patients with a larger tumor size and more lymphatic tumor emboli have a higher incidence of FNSN. However, outcomes of FNSN patients after completing ALND were noninferior to those without metastasis in SNs. ALND provides a correct diagnosis of patients with metastasis in non-sentinel axillary lymph nodes.
Structural abnormalities associated with glaucoma using swept-source optical coherence tomography in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Tito Cecilia , Silvatti Juliana , Almeida Izabela N. F. , Taniguchi Elise V. , Prata Tiago , Paranhos Augusto , Kayser Cristiane
Published: March 2021

PurposeVasospasm represents an early event in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Ocular vasospasm may induce optic nerve head (ONH) damage and has been involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, especially normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). We aimed to investigate the presence of structural abnormalities associated with NTG using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to correlate the OCT parameters with clinical, capillaroscopy and digital blood flow measures in patients with SSc. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 40 patients with SSc and 23 age-matched controls were included. The following parameters were measured using SS-OCT: mean and sectoral retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular ganglion cell layer complex (GCC) thickness and ONH morphology. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) and digital blood flow measurements using laser Doppler imaging (LDI) were performed in all subjects. ResultsPatients with SSc showed a thinner temporal RNFL than the controls (69.23 ± 11.74 versus 83.35 ± 20.19 µm, p=0.001). The other parameters were similar between the two groups. In SSc patients, there was an inverse correlation between the disease duration and the average, superior and inferior RNFL thickness and the GCC thickness and between Raynaud’s phenomenon duration and the average RNFL and GCC thickness (p<0.05). NFC and LDI measurements did not show correlations with OCT parameters.ConclusionA thinner temporal RNFL and the correlation between Raynaud’s phenomenon and disease duration and structural abnormalities on OCT suggest the presence of early ganglion cell damage in patients with SSc. Although mild, these findings indicate the need to monitor ocular abnormalities in SSc.
Activation of the PX1/IL-1β axis in CD41+/CD62P+ platelets enhances pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invasion and metastasis
Authors: Li Hao , Jiang Wang , Zhang Shirong , Xu Huaxiang , Li Pengcheng , Li Tianjiao , Jin Wei , Quan Dexian , Yang Yiming , Ye Longyun , Xu Shuaishuai , Yu Xianjun , Liu Liang
Published: March 2021

The pro-tumor mechanisms of platelets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are poorly understood. We showed that the count of the CD41+/CD62P + platelets subtype was significantly elevated in stage III/IV patients. An increased level of CD41+/CD62P + platelets could serve as an independent risk factor for stage I/II patients after surgery. Furthermore, we found significantly higher PX1 expression in CD41+/CD62P + platelets than in CD41+/CD62P- platelets in PDAC patients. Mechanistically, PX1 was able to enhance IL-1β secretion in platelets via phosphorylating p38 MAPK and consequently promoted PDAC invasion and metastasis. Finally, we constructed a novel compound named PC63435 by the ligation of carbenoxolone (PX1 inhibitor) and PSGL-1 (CD62P ligand). PC63435 specifically bound to CD41+/CD62P + platelets and blocked the PX1/IL-1β pathway, which suppressed PDAC tumor invasion and metastasis. Our findings revealed that the activation of PX1 in CD41+/CD62P + platelets enhanced PDAC cell malignancy and that may be a potent target for PDAC therapy.
Comprehensive Analysis of Key Genes and Regulatory Elements in Ewing Sarcoma With Prognostic Values
Authors: Li Mi , Li Hao , Zong Yan , Wang TingXin , Deng Sisi , Yang Caihong
Published: March 2021

Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is one of the most common types of round cell mesenchymal neoplasms related to children and young adults. It is characterized by chromosomal translocations. However, that does not completely explain the ES proliferation and development. Methods: Several public data series (GSE45544, GSE68591, and GSE68776) were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ES and normal tissue. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network of DEGs were performed. The regulatory network of DEGs and hub genes, survival analysis of hub genes was visualized. In addition, functional predictions of the candidate gene were analyzed. Results: A total of 142 DEGs 10 hub genes were identified. While out of them, only one candidate gene FGF7 was found to be suitable as a candidate gene. Conclusions: In conclusion, the DEGs, hub genes, and their regulatory molecules screened out in this research could contribute to comprehend the mechanisms in ES and provide potential research molecular for further study.
Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components Reduce Coronary Collateralization in Chronic Total Occlusion: an Observational Study
Authors: Liu Tong , Wu Zheng , Liu Jinghua , Lv Yun , Li Wenzheng
Published: March 2021

Background: Metabolic syndrome (METs) is an independent risks for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether or to what extent the METs and its components was associated with coronary collateralization (CC) in chronic total occlusion (CTO).Methods: This study involved 1709 inpatients with CTO. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected by cardiovascular doctors. The CC condition was defined by Rentrop score system. Subgroup analysis, mixed models regression analysis, score systems and receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis were done. Results: Overall, 1709 inpatients were assigned to the Poor CC group (n = 370), good CC group (n = 1339) with or without METs. Compared to good CC, the incidence of METs was higher in poor CC for overall patients. Poor collateralization was present in 9.1%, 14.4%, 19.9%, 18.1%, 35.1% and 54.2% of the six groups, who met the diagnostic criteria of MetS 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 times. For multivariable logistic regression, quartiles of BMI remained the risk factors of CC growth in all subgroups (adjusted OR = 1.728, 95% CI 1.518-1.967, P < 0.001 all patient group , adjusted OR = 1.827, 95% CI 1.484-2.249, P < 0.001 No-METs group and adjusted OR = 1.771, 95% CI 1.484-2.115,P < 0.001 METs group). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, METs was an independent risk factors of CC growth in several models. Assigning a score of one for each components, this score system had significant predictive value for the CC conditions by Receiver-operating characteristic(AUC: 0.622, 95%CI: 0.588-0.655) .Conclusions: METs, especially for body mass index, confers greater risk for CC formation in CTO. Score systems may help to predict CC condition.
Acute Intestinal Necrosis due to Diaphragmatic Hernia after Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Li Yaoqing , Shen Liyijing , Tao Kelong , Yu Shanlu , Xu Guangen
Published: March 2021

Background: Radiofrequency ablation is widely used as an effective and minimally invasive treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The complications of radiofrequency ablation are mainly associated with needle damage or local thermal damage, while the reports of long-term complications of radiofrequency ablation are relatively rare.Case Report: This report presents a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with diaphragmatic hernia after radiofrequency ablation. A 60-year-old male came to the hospital with sudden abdominal pain for one day, who had received radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma located in segment 8 as an initial treatment 52 months ago. Computed tomography showed the right diaphragmatic hernia, small intestine intruding into the chest with intestinal obstruction. The patient underwent an emergency diaphragmatic repair with bowel resection and was successfully discharged 1 week after the operation.Conclusion: Diaphragmatic hernia is a long-term complication of radiofrequency ablation. Surgical treatment is recommended as the first choice when conditions permitted.
Data Element Mapping to Analyze Fit for Use of Three XML Standards for Health Workforce Tracking
Authors: Opalek Amy
Published: March 2021

Background: Ensuring a sufficient supply and distribution of health care professionals is essential to meeting public health needs. Regulatory agencies protect their communities by ensuring that new health professionals have the required qualifications to practice safely and by tracking the volume and distribution of those professionals on an ongoing basis. The speed and accuracy of sharing these data could be greatly improved through the adoption of a data standard for information about health professionals. To date, however, no internationally accepted standard has emerged for this purpose. Purpose: This study examines three existing XML standards designed for the representation of individual worker data to determine if, and to what degree, each could be used for the tracking of health professionals. Methods: The data elements of the Europass schema, the HR Open Standard Recruiting specification, and the MedBiquitous Healthcare Professional Profile standard were fully examined and matching elements were mapped to the 200+ elements identified from a prior content analysis as required by a sample of 20 international regulatory agencies.Results: None of the schemas examined addressed more than half of the information elements required by regulators. All three schemas are found lacking in some key areas of interest, especially vital information that could disqualify ineligible applicant practitioners.Conclusions: The three standards could all be improved by including new elements essential to regulatory agencies. Regulatory agencies should be consulted in the development of new standards for representing potentially disqualifying information about candidates for professional practice.