bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GoodReports - developing a website to help health researchers find and use reporting guidelines
Authors: Struthers Caroline , Harwood James , Beyer Jennifer Anne de , Dhiman Paula , Logullo Patricia , Schlüssel Michael
Published: March 2021

Background: The EQUATOR Network improves the quality and transparency in health research, primarily by promoting awareness and use of reporting guidelines. In 2018, the UK EQUATOR Centre launched GoodReports.org, a website that helps authors find and use reporting guidelines. This paper describes the tool’s development so far. We evaluated user experience and behaviour while using the website as part of manuscript submission to a journal to inform future development. Methods: We conducted a survey to collect data on users’ experience of the GoodReports website during manuscript submission. We assessed the tool’s reliability by checking our agreement with the tool’s checklist recommendation on a random sample of manuscripts submitted to a partner journal. We compared the proportion of authors submitting a reporting checklist alongside their manuscripts between groups exposed or not exposed to the GoodReports tool. We compared the text of manuscripts before an author received a reporting guideline recommendation with the text subsequently submitted to the partner journal. Results: Seventy percent (423/599) of survey respondents rated GoodReports 8 or more out of 10 for usefulness, and 74% (198/267) said they had made changes to their manuscript after using the website. We agreed with the GoodReports reporting guideline recommendation in 84% (72/86) of cases. Of authors who completed the guideline finder questionnaire, 14% (10/69) failed to submit a completed checklist compared to 30% (41/136) who did not use the tool. Of the 69 authors who received a GoodReports reporting guideline recommendation, 20 manuscript pairs were included in a before-and-after study. Five included more information in their methods section after exposure to GoodReports. On average, authors reported 57% of necessary reporting items before completing a checklist on GoodReports.org and 60% after. Conclusion: The data provide encouraging signs that GoodReports could increase the use of reporting guidelines. They also underline the need for reporting guidance to be introduced early in the writing process. We are developing GoodReports by adding more reporting guidelines to the database, and by developing the functionality to integrate reporting items into Word article templates. We will test whether GoodReports users write more complete study reports in a randomised trial.
Thioxanthone-based thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters showing fast reverse intersystem crossing for efficient organic light-emitting diodes with small efficiency roll-off
Authors: Ren Yongxia , Wada Yoshimasa , Suzuki Katsuaki , Kusakabe Yu , Geldsetzer Jan , Kaji Hironori
Published: March 2021

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence-based organic light-emitting diodes (TADF OLEDs) usually suffer from severe efficiency roll-off at high brightness which is considered to originate from slow reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) and resulting long-lived triplet excitons. The development of TADF molecules with very fast RISC is an effective approach to overcome this issue. Here, we report two TADF molecules (MCz-TXO, DMCz-TXO) having thioxanthone as an acceptor unit to introduce heavy atom effect. Theoretical calculations predict that both molecules will achieve close energy level matching of the charge-transfer and locally excited triplet states (3CT and 3LE, respectively), together with a small energy gap between 3CT and the lowest excited singlet state. The newly designed molecule, MCz-TXO, showed an extremely large rate constant of RISC (kRISC) of 6.4×107 s− 1, one of the largest kRISC values among all reported pure organic TADF emitters. Moreover, DMCz-TXO showed not only a large kRISC but also a large rate constant of radiative decay both exceeding 107 s− 1, offering a sub-microsecond-scale delayed lifetime (~ 0.8 µs). These thioxanthone-based emitters exhibited great device performances with suppressed efficiency roll-offs at high luminance when applied to OLEDs.
Gliadin-mediated green preparation of Hybrid Zinc Oxide Nanospheres With Antibacterial Activity and Low Toxicity
Authors: Wang Qun , Ji Peng , Yao Yansheng , Liu Yi , Zhang Yajie , Wang Xianglong , Wang Yuhang , Wu Jinyan
Published: March 2021

The development of inorganic antibacterial agents that impart antibacterial properties to biomaterials has attracted widely attention. The paper introduced a kind of hybrid nanosphere antibacterial agent composed of wheat gliadin (WG) and zinc oxide (ZnO), with antibacterial effecacy and low toxicity. The ZnO/WG hybrid nanospheres were environment-friendly integrated by molecular self-assembly co-precipitating and freeze-drying transformating, and were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), bacteriostasis test and safety evaluation. It was found that the prepared hybrid nanospheres were composed of two components, ZnO and wheat gliadin, with a diameter scope of 100~200 nm. The content of ZnO in the hybrid nanospheres can reach 46.9~70.2% (w/w); The anti-bacteria tests proved that the prepared ZnO/WG nanospheres (containing 70% ZnO) have an significant inhibitory effect on E. coli (E.C.) and Staphylococcus aureus(S.A.) while the suspension concentration of the nanospheres was above 5 mg/mL. Furthermore, the ZnO/WG nanospheres are relatively safe and highly effective in cells and mice. Therefore, the prepared novel ZnO/WG hybrid nanospheres were supposed to apply in the preparation of anti-infective wound dressings, tissue engineering skin scaffold materials, food and cosmetics preservatives, and so on.
Novel Thiadiazoline Spiro Quinoline Analogues Induced Cell death in MCF-7 cells via G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest
Authors: Shyamsivappan Selvaraj , Vivek Raju , Suresh Thangaraj , Kaviyarasu Adhigaman , Amsaveni Sundarasamy , Athimoolam Shunmuganarayanan , Mohan Palathurai Subramaniam
Published: March 2021

A progression of novel thiadiazoline spiro quinoline derivatives were synthesized from potent thiadiazoline spiro quinoline derivatives . The synthesized compounds portrayed by different spectroscopic studies and single X-ray crystallographic studies. The compounds were assessed for in vitro anticancer properties towards MCF-7 and HeLa cells. The compounds showed superior inhibition action MCF-7 malignant growth cells. Amongst, the compound 4a showed significant inhibition activity, the cell death mechanism was evaluated by fluorescent staining, and flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and western blot analyses. The in vitro anticancer results revealed that the compound 4a induced apoptosis by inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. The binding affinity of the compounds with ERα and pharmacokinetic properties were confirmed by molecular docking studies.
The fear of social stigma experienced by men: A barrier to male involvement in maternal services in Misungwi District, rural Tanzania
Authors: Boniphace Maendeleo , Matovelo Dismas , Laisser Rose , Yohani Victoria , Swai Hadija , Subi Leonard , Masatu Zabroni , Tinka Sylvia , Mercader Hannah Faye G. , Brenner Jennifer L. , Mitchell Jennifer L.
Published: March 2021

Background: Evidence have shown that male involvement is associated with improved maternal health outcomes. In rural Tanzania, men are the main decision makers and may determine women’s access to health services and ultimately their health outcomes. Despite efforts geared towards enhancing male participation in maternal health care, participation remains low; one barrier that impacts men’s participation is the fear and experience of social stigma. This study, built on previous findings about men’s perspectives in attending antenatal care appointments in Misungwi district in Tanzania, more closely examines the fear of social stigma among men attending maternal health services. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on data collected for a broader research study on male involvement in maternal services. We conducted twelve focus group discussions with males of reproductive age, and six in depth interviews with health care workers and village leaders. Interviews were audiotaped and transcripts were transcribed and translated to English. Transcripts were organized in NVivo V.12 then analyzed using thematic approach. Results: Three main themes were found to create fear of social stigma for men: 1. Fear of HIV testing; 2. Traditional Gender Norms and 3. Financial and material insecurity. Conclusion: Respondent’s experiences reveal that fear of social stigma is a major barrier to attend maternal services with their partners. Attention must be given to the complex sociocultural norms and social context that underly this issue at the community level. Strategies to address fear of social stigma require an understanding of the real reasons some men do not attend maternal services and require community engagement of community health workers (CHWs), government officials and other stakeholders who understand the local context.
Inkjet-printed Plasma Sheet: From Manufacturing to Application
Authors: Kim Jinwoo , Park Sanghoo , Choe Wonho
Published: March 2021

The global health crisis caused by the recent pandemic has led to increasing social demand for ‘new normal’ sanitizing and disinfecting facilities to fit our ‘new normal’ lives. Here, we introduce an inkjet-printed, thin-film plasma source applicable to dry disinfection processes. In contrast to conventional plasma reactors, the merits of plasma produced on a film include disposability, cost-effectiveness, and applicability to high-dimensional objects such as the human body. The developed flexible plasma film can be applied to a wide variety of shapes via origami — remaining plasma stable even when bent. However, electrode dissipation has been a practical issue in the long-term operation of inkjet-printed plasma sources, which is troublesome from application perspectives. We focus on making the inkjet-printed electrode more plasma stress-resistant, thereby increasing its lifespan from a few minutes to two hours of continuous operation with optimal inkjet printing and passivation, thus increasing the practicality of the source. Considering the fact that ozone and nitrogen oxides are selectively produced by plasma, we implement a disposable pouch-type plasma source and examine its usefulness in extending the shelf life of food.
Impact of Obesity on Adverse Pathological Characteristics After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Xia Shuai , Zhuo JiaTong , Li Tao , Liu Ranlu
Published: March 2021

Background: The effect of obesity on pathological features was different from country to country in other studies. To investigate whether obesity affected pathological characteristics of PCa after laparoscopic radical prostatectmy (LRP) in Chinese man.Methods: Medical record of 670 Chinese patients who underwent LRP between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient height and weight were meaured before surgery to calculate the body mass index (BMI). They were categorized into three groups according to Chinese classification of obesity: normol weight (BMI＜24.0kg/m2),overweight (24.0 ≤ BMI ＜28.0kg/m2) and obese(BMI≥28.0kg/m2). The associations between BMI and operating age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, were assessed with the Kruskal-Wallis test. The associations between BMI and pathological features were assessed with chi –square test.Results: Of the 670 patients, 31.5% patients were normal weight, 51.3% were overweight, 17.2% were obese. Operating age (P=0.029) tend to decrease as BMI increased. Seminal vesicle invasion differ significantly among BMI categoties (P=0.003), and other adverse pathologic characteristics , such as positive surgical margin (PSM) (P=0.851), International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade(P=0.194), extracapsular extension(P=0.460) were not associated with BMI categoties. In the Logistic regression model, higher BMI was an independent risk factors for seminal vesicle invasion after adjusting for multiple clinical preoperative characteristics.Conclusions: Overweight and obese Chinese PCa patients treated by LRP had lower operating age compared to normal weight patients. Seminal vesicle invasion was associated with higher BMI and other adverse pathologic characteristics are not significantly affected by BMI.
Association of Body Mass Index and maternal age with first stage duration of labour
Authors: Lundborg Louise , Liu Xingrong , Åberg Katarina , Sandström Anna , Tilden Ellen L. , Stephansson Olof , Ahlberg Mia
Published: March 2021

To evaluate associations between early-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) and active first stage labour duration, accounting for possible interaction with maternal age, we conducted a cohort study of women with spontaneous onset of labour allocated to Robson group 1. Quantile regression analysis was performed to estimate first stage labour duration between BMI categories in two maternal age subgroups (more and less than 30 years). Results show that obesity (BMI > 30) among younger women (< 30 years) increased the median labour duration of first stage by 30 minutes compared with normal weight women (BMI < 25), and time difference estimated at the 90 th quantile was more than one hour. Active first stage labour time differences between obese and normal weight women was modified by maternal age. In conclusion: a) obesity is associated with longer duration of first stage of labour, and b) maternal age is an effect modifier for this association. This novel finding of an effect modification between BMI and maternal age contributes to the body of evidence that supports a more individualized approach when describing labour duration.
Decoding the molecular mechanism of parthenocarpy in Musa spp. through protein-protein interaction network
Authors: Suthanthiram Backiyarani , Rajendran Sasikala , Simeon Sharmiladevi , Subbaraya Uma
Published: March 2021

Banana, one of the most important staple, delicious fruit among global consumers is highly sterile owing to natural parthenocarpy. Identification of genetic factors responsible for parthenocarpy would facilitate the conventional breeders to improve the seeded accessions. We have constructed Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network through mining differentially expressed genes and the genes used for transgenic studies with respect to parthenocarpy. Based on the topological and pathway enrichment analysis of proteins in PPI network, 12 candidate genes were shortlisted. By exploring the PPI of candidate genes from the putative network, we postulated a putative pathway that bring insights into the significance of cytokinin mediated CLV-WUSHEL signaling pathway in addition to gibberellin mediated auxin signaling pathway in parthenocarpy. Further validation of candidate genes in seeded and seedless accession of Musa spp using qRT-PCR put forward AGL8, MADS16, IAA (GH3.8), RGA1, EXPA1, GID1C, HK2 and BAM1 as possible target genes in natural parthenocarpy. In contrary, expression profile of ACLB-2 and ZEP is anticipated to highlight the difference in artificially induced and natural parthenocarpy. Our analysis is the first attempt to identify candidate genes and to hypothesize a putative mechanism that bridges the gaps in understanding natural parthenocarpy through protein-protein interaction network.
HER2-antigen-specific humoral immune response in breast cancer lymphocytes transplanted in hu-PBL hIL-4 NOG mice
Authors: Ohno Yusuke , Oshima Shino , Miyamoto Asuka , Kametani Fuyuki , Ito Ryoji , Tsuda Banri , Kasama Yukie , Nakada Shunsuke , Kashiwagi Hirofumi , Yasuda Atsushi , Seki Toshiro , Ando Kiyoshi , Ito Mamoru , Tokuda Yutaka , Kametani Yoshie
Published: March 2021

The status of humoral immunity of cancer patients is not clear compared to cellular immunity because the ability of specific antibody production is difficult to analyze in vitro. We previously developed a humanized mouse model to evaluate antigen-specific antibody production by transplanting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into NOG-hIL-4-Tg mice (hu-PBL hIL-4 NOG). In this study, these mice were transplanted with PBMCs derived from breast cancer patients (BC) and immunized with a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) peptide, CH401MAP, to analyze humoral immunity of BCs. The hu-PBL hIL-4 NOG mice recapitulated immune environment of BCs as the ratio of CD8+/CD4 + T cells was lower and that of PD-1 + T cells were higher compared to healthy donor (HD). Diverse clusters were detected in BC-mouse (BC-M) plasma components involving immunoglobulins and complements unlike HD-M, and there was a significant diversity in CH401MAP-specific IgG titers in BC-M. The number of B cell clones producing high CH401MAP-specific IgG was not increased by immunization in BC-M unlike HD-M. These results demonstrated that the humoral immunity of BCs appeared as diverse phenotypes different from HDs in hu-PBL hIL-4 NOG mice, which may provide important information for the study of personalized medicine. (198)
How psychological frustration tolerance and self-esteem influence the association between father absence and hostility in depressed adolescents: a multiple mediation model
Authors: Liu Xiao-Ge , Xie Ru-Yue , Li Yang , Xiong Fang , Li Wen-Tian
Published: March 2021

Background: In China, father absence is a very common phenomenon, causing many mental health problems, such as the hostility of depressed teenagers. This study is to explore the relationship between father absence and hostility of depressed adolescents as well as the mediating effects of self-esteem and psychological frustration tolerance.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among depressed adolescents in Wuhan mental health center. They were assessed with Father absence questionnaire, Chinese Hostility Inventory, Psychological Endurance Questionnaire and Self-esteem Scale. We used PROCESS macro for SPSS to perform mediation analyses.Results: The level of adolescent hostility was positively correlated with father absence, and negatively correlated with self-esteem and psychological frustration tolerance. Father absence had not a direct impact on the level of hostility with depression, but had indirect impact via psychological frustration tolerance and self-esteem. Conclusion: Psychological frustration tolerance and self-esteem has a chain mediating effect on the relationship between father absence and hostility. Future intervention strategies could focus on psychological frustration tolerance and self-esteem to reduce the level of hostility of adolescents with depression.
Gene Expression Profiling Of Perineural Invasion In Head And Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Eviston Timothy J. , Minaei Elahe , Mueller Simon A. , Ahmadi Navid , Ashford Bruce , Clark Jonathan R. , West Nicholas , Zhang Ping , Gupta Ruta , Ranson Marie
Published: March 2021

Perineural invasion (PNI) is frequently associated with aggressive clinical behaviour in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) leading to local recurrence and treatment failure. This study evaluates the gene expression profiles of HNcSCC with PNI using a differential expression analysis approach and constructs a tailored gene panel for sensitivity and specificity analysis. 45 cases of HNcSCC were stratified into three groups (Extensive, Focal and Non PNI) based on predefined clinicopathological criteria. Here we show HNcSCC with extensive PNI demonstrates significant up- and down-regulation of 144 genes associated with extracellular matrix interactions, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell adhesion, cellular motility, angiogenesis, and cellular differentiation. Gene expression of focal and non PNI cohorts were indistinguishable and were combined for further analyses. There is clinicopathological correlation between gene expression analysis findings and disease behaviour and a tailored panel of 10 genes was able to identify extensive PNI with 96% sensitivity and 95% specificity.
Maintenance treatment with progesterone gel and the gel base delayed preterm birth more effectively than intravenous tocolysis alone – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Stjernholm Ylva Vladic , Marchini Giovanna , Vladic Tomislav
Published: March 2021

Introduction The aim was to evaluate the effect of maintenance treatment with progesterone gel compared to the gel base in delaying preterm birth among women with spontaneous preterm labor. Materials and Methods A randomized controlled trial in Sweden in 2009 − 18. Women with spontaneous preterm labor were randomized to daily progesterone gel 90 mg (n = 29) or gel base doses (n = 29) after intravenous tocolysis. Results The latency to delivery was 58 ± 34 days with progesterone gel and 64 ± 51 days with gel base (p = 0.83), compared to 2 days after intravenous tocolysis alone (both p < 0.001). The rate of preterm birth before 34 weeks was 34 % after progesterone gel and 38 % after gel base (p = 0.34). The composite neonatal morbidity (p = 0.65) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (p = 0.12) did not differ between the groups. Conclusion Preterm birth was delayed more effectively after both progesterone and gel base compared to intravenous tocoylsis alone, suggesting an effect of the gel base. We conclude, that the acidic gel base reinforced the physiological barrier at the uterine cervix, which counteracted ascending pathogen invasion and thereby delayed preterm birth.
Acute Pancreatitis as Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 in a Patient With HIV Infection – a Case Report.
Authors: Kowalska Justyna D. , Bieńkowski Carlo , Wojtycha-Kwaśnica Beata , Uliczny Paweł , Horban Andrzej
Published: March 2021

Background:Acute pancreatitis may be caused by many factors such as: viral infections, drugs, alcohol, autoimmune response. SARS-CoV-2 virus requires an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) transmembrane protein in order to enter the cell. As ACE2 receptors are over 100 times more common in gastrointestinal (GI) tract than in respiratory tract and many SARS-CoV-2 infected patients present GI symptoms. Case presentation:A 26-year-old, HIV-positive man on effective combined antiretroviral therapy with normal CD4+ lymphocyte count level was consulted at the Emergency Department (ER) with mild COVID-19 symptoms, and referred for home isolation. Two weeks later and three weeks from first symptoms, he returned to ER with a three-day history of nausea and pain in the upper abdomen. He had no symptoms of respiratory tract infection, normal peripheral blood oxygenation and chest X-ray. He was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with acute pancreatitis basing on the Revised Atlanta Classification. After discharge the patient continued to have food intolerance and abdominal discomfort for several weeks, but COVID-19 did not affect his HIV course. Three months post COVID-19 his anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were negative, and low level of 2 AU/mL of anti-S-RBD IgG antibodies was detected.Conclusions:SASR-CoV-2 infection is the most likely cause of pancreatitis in the presented patient. Several other case reports were published however none in HIV-positive patient. Therefore in COVID-19 patients serum amylase and lipase levels should be included into routine laboratory tests’ panel. Abdominal ultrasound and CECT should be considered as diagnostic tool in patients with abnormal laboratory findings or clinical manifestation suggesting GI tract involvement.
Patient and Clinician experiences and opinions of the use of a novel home use medical device in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease - a qualitative study
Authors: Sedgwick Charlotte E , Growcott Charlotte , Akhtar Shehnaz , Parker Daniel , Pettersen Erik Mulder , Hashmi Farina , Williams Anita Ellen
Published: March 2021

BackgroundPeripheral vascular diseases have a significant impact on functional quality of life (QoL). Previous research has demonstrated the complex, limiting and costly economic implications of these conditions such as lower limb ulceration chronicity and ischaemic amputation. These complex, limb and life threatening conditions demand the development of novel interventions with objective research as part of that development. Hence, a novel intermittent negative pressure medical device in the form of a wearable boot (FlowOx™) was developed. As part of the development process, this study aimed to explore patient and clinician opinions of the boot.MethodsA qualitative approach was used to collect patient and clinician experiences in Norway. An advisory group informed the semi-structured questions used in seven patient interviews and one clinician focus group (n = 5). The data were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Patient and clinician data were analysed as distinct groups using a thematic process.ResultsData analysis resulted in five themes from the patients which gave insight into; the impact of the disease process; practicalities of using the boot, positive experiences of use; perceived outcomes; reflecting on use. Six themes were created from the clinicians. These gave insight into; ideal outcomes and how to measure them; ways to potentially use the boot; using research in healthcare; positives of the device; observed effects and next steps; potential improvements to the device.ConclusionThis study provides insight into the experiences and opinions of FlowOx™. Patients and clinicians were positive about the device due to its ease of use. Those patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) experienced significantly more benefit, especially for ischaemic ulceration than those with a chronic venous condition. Clinicians placed value on the patient reported outcomes in the treatment decision-making process. This preliminary study into experiences of FlowOx™ use provides valuable feedback that will inform design modification and ongoing research into implementation points and prospective user groups. FlowOx™ demonstrates potential as a conservative therapy offering users a convenient, home use, self-care management solution for improving symptomatic PAD and quality of life (QoL).
Normalization of HE-Stained Histological Images using Cycle Consistent Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Runz Marlen , Rusche Daniel , Weihrauch Martin R , Hesser Jürgen , Weis Cleo-Aron
Published: March 2021

Background: Histological images show huge variance (e.g. illumination, color, staining quality) due to diﬀerences in image acquisition, tissue processing, staining, etc. The variance can impede many image analyzes such as staining intensity evaluation or classiﬁcation. Methods to reduce these variances are gathered under the term image normalization. Methods: We present the application of CylceGAN - a cycle consistent Generative Adversarial Network for color normalization in hematoxylin-eosin stained histological images using typical clinical data including variability of internal staining. The network consists of a generator network GB that learns to map an image X from a source domain A to a target domain B, i.e. GB : XA → XB. In addition, a discriminator network DB is trained to distinguish whether an image from domain B is an original or generated one. The same process is applied to another generator-discriminator pair (GA, DA), for the inverse mapping GA : XB → XA. Cycle consistency ensures that the generated image is close to the original image when being mapped backwards (GA(GB(XA)) ≈ XA and vice versa). We validate the CycleGAN approach on a breast cancer challenge and a follicular thyroid carcinoma dataset for various stain variations. We evaluate the quality of the generated images compared to the original images using similarity measures. Results: We present qualitative results of the images generated by our network compared to the original color distributions. Our evaluation shows that by mapping images from a source domain to a target domain, the similarity to original images from the target domain improve up to 96%. We also achieve a high cycle consistency for the inverse mapping by obtaining similarity indices bigger than 0.9. Conclusions: CycleGANs have proven to eﬃciently normalize HE-stained images. The approach enables to compensate for deviations resulting from image acquisition (e.g. diﬀerent scanning devices) as well as from tissue staining (e.g. diﬀerent staining protocols), and thus overcomes the staining variations in images from various institutions. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/m4ln/stainTransfer_CycleGAN_pytorch. The dataset supporting the solutions is available at https://heidata.uni-heidelberg. de/privateurl.xhtml?token=12493b50-1538-4bdf-aca5-03352a1399a8.
Evaluation of the SAMe-TT2R2 score to predict the quality of anticoagulation control in patients after Mitral Valve Replacement
Authors: Li Shubin , Gao Yang , Hu Mingqiu , Li Yuehuan , Meng Xu
Published: March 2021

Background:This study aimed to evaluate the role of SAMe-TT2R2 score in the prediction of anticoagulation control after mechanical mitral valve replacement.Methods and Results:We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 161 patients who received mechanical mitral valve replacement at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2013 to December 2013. Collected data included general information of patients, medication and smoking, postoperative embolism due to anticoagulant, bleeding complications and death information. In the SAMe-TT2R2 score results, the lowest score was 2 points (6.3%), the highest score was 7 points (0.7%). The number of people with 4 points was the largest ,60 people (41.4%).When the cut-off value of SAMe-TT2R2 score was set to ≥4, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting TTR≥65% were 69.8% and 93.1%, respectively. The Youden index was 0.629. If the cut-off value of SAMe-TT2R2 score was set to ≤4, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting TTR≥65% were 93.0% and 44.1%, respectively, and the Youden index was 0.371.ROC curve evaluates the predictive power of the SAMe-TT2R2 score for TTR≥65%. The figure showed that when the cut-off point≥4, the best combination of sensitivity and specificity was shown (69.8% and 93.1%, respectively).The area under the curve AUC was 0.854.Conclusions:After mechanical mitral valve replacement, the SAME-TT2R2 model can effectively predict the level of TTR during the course of using oral warfarin anticoagulation, and the SAMe-TT2R2 score ≥4 can be used to predict TTR<65%.
Neutralizing autoantibodies to type I IFNs in >10% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia hospitalized in Madrid, Spain
Authors: García Jesús Troya , Bastard Paul , Planas-Serra Laura , Ryan Pablo , Ruíz Montse , de Carranza María , Torres Juan , Martínez Amalia , Abel Laurent , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Pujol Aurora
Published: March 2021

Background: In a recent study, autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) were present in at least 10% of cases of critical COVID-19 pneumonia. These autoantibodies neutralized most type I IFNs but rarely IFN-beta.Objectives: We aimed to define the prevalence of autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with IFN-beta-1b during hospitalization and to analyze their impact on various clinical variables and outcomes.Methods: We analyzed stored serum/plasma samples and clinical data of COVID-19 patients treated subcutaneously with IFN-beta-1b from March to May 2020, at the Infanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Results: The cohort comprised 47 COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia, 16 of whom (34%) had a critical progression requiring ICU admission. The median age was 71 years, with 28 men (58.6%). Type I IFN-alpha- and omega-neutralizing autoantibodies were found in 5 of 47 patients with severe pneumonia or critical disease (10.6%). The autoantibodies did not neutralize IFN-beta. No demographic, comorbidity, or clinical differences were seen between individuals with or without autoantibodies. We found a significant correlation between the presence of neutralizing autoantibodies and higher C-reactive protein levels (p=5.10e-03) and lower lymphocyte counts (p=1.80e-02). Survival analysis suggested that neutralizing autoantibodies may increase the risk of death (4/5, 80% vs 12/42, 28.5%).Conclusion: Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN underlie severe/critical COVID-19 stages in at least 10% of cases, correlate with increased C-RP and lower lymphocyte counts, and confer a trend towards increased risk of death. Subcutaneous IFN-beta treatment of hospitalized patients did not seem to improve clinical outcome. Studies of earlier, ambulatory IFN-beta treatment are warranted.
Modeling the Determinants of Time-to-Premarital Cohabitation among Women of Ethiopia: A Comparison of Various Parametric Shared Frailty Models
Authors: Gobena Woldemariam Erkalo
Published: March 2021

Background: Premarital cohabitation is defined as the state of living together and having a sexual relationship without being married. It has become more prevalent globally in recent decades. The main objective of this study was modeling the potential risk factors of time-to-premarital cohabitation among women of Ethiopia by using parametric shared frailty models where regional states of the women were used as a clustering effect in the models.Methods: The data source for the analysis was the 2016 EDHS data. The Gamma and Inverse-Gaussian shared frailty distributions with Exponential, Weibull, Log-logistic and Lognormal baseline models were employed to analyze risk factors associated with age at premarital cohabitation. All the fitted models were compared by using AIC values.Results: The median age of women at premarital cohabitation was 18 years. Based on AIC values, Log-logistic-Gamma shared frailty model has smallest AIC value among the models compared. The clustering effect was significant for modeling the determinants of time-to-premarital cohabitation dataset. The results showed that women’s education status, occupation, pregnancy and place of residence were found to be the most significant determinants of age at premarital cohabitation whereas wealth status and religion were not significant at 5% level.Conclusions: The Log-logistic-Gamma shared frailty model described the premarital cohabitation dataset better than other distributions used in this study. There is heterogeneity between the regions of women. Further studies should be conducted to identify other factors of age at premarital cohabitation of women in Ethiopia that were not included in this study.
A Novel Coverage Improved Deployment Strategy for Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Paulswamy Sathees Lingam , Roobert A.Andrew , Hariharan K.
Published: March 2021

Coverage of the bounded region gets importance in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). Area coverage is based on effective surface coverage with a minimum number of sensor nodes. Most of the researchers contemplate the coverage region of interest as a square and manifest the radio ranges as a circle. The area of a circle is much higher than the area of a square because of the perimeter. To utilize the advantage of the circle, the coverage region of interest is presumed as a circle for sensor node deployment. This paper proposes a novel coverage improved disc shape deployment strategy. Comparative analysis has been observed between circle and square regions of interest based on the cumulative number of sensor nodes required to cover the entire region. A new strategy named as disc shape deployment strategy is also proposed. Traditional hexagon and strip-based deployment strategies are compared with the disc shape deployment strategy. The simulation result shows that the circle shape coverage region of interest extremely reduces the required number of sensor nodes. The proposed deployment strategy provides desirable coverage, and it requires few more sensor nodes than hexagon shape deployment strategy.
Single cell profiling of transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation of human oocytes
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroki , Yamamoto Mari , Fukui Megumi , Maezawa Tadashi , Nishioka Mikiko , Kondo Eiji , Ikeda Tomoaki , Matsumoto Kazuya , Miyamoto Kei
Published: March 2021

In vitro maturation of human oocytes is widely used for infertility treatment. However, the success rate of maturation varies depending on patients and molecular mechanisms underlying successful maturation remain unclear. Especially, gene expression profiles of oocytes at each maturation stage need to be revealed to understand the differential developmental abilities of oocytes. Here, we show transcriptomes of human oocytes during in vitro maturation by single cell RNA-seq analyses. Hundreds of transcripts dynamically altered their expression, and we identify molecular pathways and upstream regulators that may govern oocyte maturation. Furthermore, oocytes that are delayed in their maturation show distinct transcriptomes. Finally, we reveal genes whose transcripts are enriched in each maturation stage and that can be used for selecting an oocyte with a high developmental potential. Taken together, our work uncovers transcriptomic changes during human oocyte maturation and provides a molecular insight into the differential developmental potential of each oocyte.
Prediction Model for Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation Using Aspartate Aminotransferase, Total Bilirubin and Coagulation Factor: ABC Model
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Kim Jong Man , Kim Kyunga , Yoo Heejin , Choi Gyu-Seong , Joh Jae-Won
Published: March 2021

Background: This study was designed to build models predicting graft survival after liver transplantation.Methods: Cox regression model for predicting graft survival after liver transplantation using post-transplantation aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio of prothrombin time was constructed. The model was compared with Model for Early Allograft Function Scoring (MEAF) and early allograft dysfunction (EAD) criteria.Results: The C-index of the model for living donor (0.73,CI=0.67-0.79) was significantly higher compared to those of both MEAF score (0.69,P=0.03) and EAD criteria. (0.66,P=0.001) while C-index for deceased donor (0.74,CI=0.65-0.83) was significantly higher compared to C-index of EAD criteria. (0.66,P=0.002) Time-dependent AUC at 4 weeks of living donor model (0.93,CI=0.86-0.99) was significantly higher compared to those of both MEAF score (0.87,P=0.02) and EAD criteria. (0.84,P=0.02) Time-dependent AUC at 4 weeks of deceased donor model (0.94,CI=0.89-1.00) was significantly higher compared to both MEAF score (0.82,P=0.02) and EAD criteria. (0.81,P<0.001) Internal validation for both living donor (C-index=0.68, AUC at 2 weeks=0.91, AUC at 4 weeks=0.92) and deceased donor (C-index=0.68, AUC at 2 weeks=0.86, AUC at 4 weeks=0.91) showed competent results. Conclusion: The prediction model for graft survival after liver transplantation showed high predictability and validity with higher predictability compared to traditional models.
Real-World Treatment Results for Ruptured Blood-blister Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery: Analysis of a Japanese Nationwide Multi-Center Study
Authors: Egashira Yusuke , Enomoto Yukiko , Nakayama Noriyuki , Fujimura Miki , Kikkawa Yuichiro , Aihara Masanori , Sorimachi Takatoshi , Mizunari Takayuki , Iwama Toru
Published: March 2021

Objective. Ruptured blood-blister aneurysm (BBA) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) remains a challenging lesion, even in the age of modern neurosurgery and endovascular treatment. This retrospective multicenter study aimed to investigate the real-world treatment choice and treatment results.Methods. We included 182 ruptured BBAs of the ICA treated at 51 neurosurgical centers in Japan between 2013 and 2017. The baseline patient characteristics, radiological features of the aneurysm, treatment modality, details of treatment, complications of treatment, treatment results were retrospectively collected. The treatment strategy was divided into deconstructive and reconstructive procedures. Primary clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at final follow-up.Results. Direct surgery was performed in 144 (79%) cases, and the remaining 38 (21%) cases received endovascular treatment. The majority of treatment selections were deconstructive and reconstructive procedures in the direct surgery group and endovascular treatment group, respectively. Overall, favorable clinical outcomes (mRS 0 to 2) were achieved in 66% of cases, and the mortality rate was 15% at the final follow-up (mean 23 months). There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between direct and endovascular treatment groups. Conclusion. Our large nationwide study compared the real-world treatment options for ruptured BBAs and their results. Our findings may offer beneficial information for treatment decision and for future studies investigating ruptured BBAs.
Studies of Structural and Electrical Characteristics of Multi-substituted Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 Ferroelectric Ceramics
Authors: Arya B. B. , Choudhary R N P
Published: March 2021

In this communication, preliminary structural and detailed electrical characteristics of the CaSnO3/CaSeO3 modified Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics of a general chemical composition (1–2x) [Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3] + x (CaSnO3) + x (CaSeO3) with x= 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, prepared by high- temperature solid-state reaction method with calcination and sintering temperature 925 oC and 950oC respectively for 5 h, have been reported. Structural and electrical characteristics of the parent compound have significantly been tailored by the addition of the equal percentage of CaSnO3, CaSeO3 over a wide range of temperature (25oC - 400 oC) as well as frequency (1 kHz-1MHz). Analysis of room temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed the development of single-phase compound (with rhombohedral symmetry) with very small amount of impurity phase with higher concentrations (x). In the dielectric spectroscopy, two dielectric peaks are observed at around temperatures 210 oC and 320 oC indicating multiple phase transitions of different types including the ferroelectric to para-electric through anti-ferroelectric. Impedance analysis of data exhibits both negative/positive temperature coefficient of temperature (i.e., semiconductor behavior) of the materials. The Nyquist plots determine the grain and grain boundary effect in capacitive and resistive properties of the materials, and also the non-Debye type of relaxation. The room temperature hysteresis loop confirms the existence of ferroelectricity in the materials. The leakage current characteristics also determine the Ohmic behavior of the materials.
Let-7i Regulates KGN Proliferation and Estradiol Biosynthesis By Directly Targeting IMP2 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Xu Xiao , Shen Hao-Ran , Yu Min , Du Mei-Rong , Li Xue-Lian
Published: March 2021

Background: Increased granulosa cell division is associated with abnormal folliculogenesis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As the most abundant microRNA molecule in the development of follicles, let-7i was found to be differentially expressed in PCOS patients and controls. This study aimed to investigate the role of let-7i in PCOS and explore its related mechanisms.Methods: The expression of let-7i was measured in GCs from women with PCOS and without PCOS. An immortalized human granulose cell line, KGN, was used for the functional study. Let-7i mimics, let-7i inhibitors, lentiviruses expressing IMP2 and small-interfering RNA were transfected respectively into KGN cells. KGN cell proliferation was determined by an EdU assay kit and cck-8. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by PI staining and flow cytometry analysis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were utilized to evaluate genes expression. Estradiol biosynthesis was determined by ELISA analysis. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were applied to confirm the target gene of let-7i.Results: let-7i was down-regulated in PCOS GCs. Let-7i mimics (150 nM) inhibited KGN proliferation, arrested cell cycle progression, and decreased aromatase expression and estradiol production, while the let-7i inhibitors (150 nM) had the opposite effect. Bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR identified IMP2 was a target of let-7i. QRT-PCR and western blot analysis indicated that IMP2 was up-regulated in PCOS GCs and the expression of IMP2 was suppressed by let-7i in KGN. The further luciferase reporter assay combined with rescue assay validated that let-7i inhibited KGN proliferation and estradiol production by directly targeting IMP2 mRNA.Conclusions: Let-7i was down-regulated in PCOS GCs. Let-7i overexpression inhibited KGN proliferation and decreased estradiol production in an IMP2-dependent manner, providing insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS.
A High Sensitive Sensor Using Mim Coupled With a Rectangular Cavity Based on Fano Resonance
Authors: bahri hocine , Mouetsi Souheil , Hocini Abdesselam , Salah hocine Ben
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a design with high sensitivity of a plasmonic biosensor by waveguide system is proposed, based on Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) coupled with unique rectangular cavities, this structure numerically simulated using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method (FDTD) in two Dimensions (2D), and analyzed for the optimal sensor performance, by detecting the resonance wavelength and varying the refractive index (RI). The results show two sharp transmission peaks with high transmittance and asymmetrical line-shaped Fano resonances achieved with high value of sensitivity is 3010nm/RIU, by taking the wavelength resolution reach as high as 3.84×10-6 RIU. Considering the standards of Chip-scale integrated planar photonic sensing, the newly designed of the proposed structure with such high sensitivity provides remarkable properties suitable for biosensors, filter, and provide a new possibility for designing compact and high-performance plasmonic biosensors devices.