bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Assembly Method for Cellulose Derived Graphene Quantum Dots-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Mahalingam Savisha , Lau Kam Sheng , Omar Azimah , Manap Abreeza , Chelvanathan Puvaneswaran , Chia Chin Hua , Amin Nowshad , Mathews Illona Juliana , Afandi Nurfanizan , Rahim Nasrudin Abd
Published: February 2021

Unambiguously layer by layer (LBL) assembly of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and dye (GQDs/dye) on TiO2 photoanode is the traditional and straightforward approach in the fabrication of graphene quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Unfortunately, limited light absorption and low affinity of GQDs to TiO2 surface shadow the advantages of LBL and constrains its practical application. Herein, a new strategy of mixture configuration (GQDs+dye) was investigated. A distinctive nanoporous honeycomb hexagonal carbon network of GQDs was found with fewer defects single crystalline structure, and an average size of 9.87 nm was produced from cellulose. Experimental results demonstrated that LBL exhibited the highest efficiency of 16.76 % under low illumination but a lower efficiency (1.43%) than the mixture method (2.91%) under standard light. The increased Jsc (5.075 mA/cm2) and high charge collection efficiency (0.96) in the mixture sample indicated enhanced electron collection at TiO2. The less -OH groups on TiO2 provides a good surface intact of GQDs and N719. In addition to that, the high surface potential (33.47 mV) of the premixed sample restricted the photogenerated electrons to go into a deep state, reducing back electron transfer. Therefore, mixture assembly of co-sensitization is an effective approach for light-harvesting in QDSSC.
The Expression of FLNA and CLU in PBMCs As A Novel Screening Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Authors: Patarat Rathasapa , Riku Shoji , Kunadirek Pattapon , Chuaypen Natthaya , Tangkijvanich Pisit , Mutirangura Apiwat , Puttipanyalears Charoenchai
Published: February 2021

Early detection improves survival and increases curative probability in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can provide an inexpensive, less-invasive and highly accurate method. The objective of this study is to find the potential marker for HCC screening, utilizing gene expression of the PBMCs. Data from the NCBI GEO database of gene expression in HCC patients and healthy donor's PBMCs was collected. As a result, GSE 49515 and GSE 58208 were found. Using both, a statistical significance test was conducted in each gene expression of each data set which resulted in 187 genes. We randomized three selected genes (FLNA, CAP1, and CLU) from the significant p-value group (p-values < 0.001). Then, a total of 76 healthy donors and 153 HCC cases were collected. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed in cDNA from all blood samplesFrom the qRT-PCR, The Cycle threshold (Ct) value of FLNA, CLU, CAP1 of HCC group (28.47±4.43, 28.01±3.75, 29.64±3.90) were lower than healthy group (34.23±3.54, 32.90±4.15, 32.18±5.02) (p-values < 0.0001). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of these genes as a screening tool were: FLNA (80.8%, 88.0%, 65.8%), CLU (63.4%, 93.3%, 31.3%), CAP1 (67.2%, 83.3%, 39.1%). The tests were performed in two and three gene combinations. Results demonstrated high accuracy of 86.2%, sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 88.4% in the FLNA and CLU combination. We concluded that FLNA and CLU combination have high potential for being HCC novel markers. Combined with current tumor markers, further research of the gene’s expression might help identify more potential markers and improve diagnosis methods.
Improved Hole Wall Roughness and Corrosion Resistance of U-Shaped Hole Prepared by Casting
Authors: Qu Yingdong , Cao Yang , Li Guanglong , Chen Ruirun , Li Rongde , Nie Sainan , Tian Chang
Published: February 2021

The corrosion resistance of the cooling water channel in the water-cooled mold has an important impact on the application of the mold. In this paper, the influence of experimental temperature on roughness and corrosion resistance of U-shaped cooling channels prepared by casting is analyzed in detail. The results show that the experimental temperature increased from 998K to 1048K, the hole wall roughness of the U-shaped hole decreased from 83.264 to 76.287. However, the hole wall roughness increased with a further increase in temperature. Because the low experimental temperature will promote the formation of micro bulges and river ripples on the hole wall. However, with the temperature gradually increased, it will promote the aluminum matrix to react with the carbon fiber, which will increase the roughness. The corrosion performance analysis results show that a reasonable experimental temperature is beneficial to reduce the roughness of the hole wall and improve the corrosion resistance of the cooling channel. When the roughness is large, the ravines on the rough surface are easy to be the starting point of corrosion. At the same time, it is easy to cause the aggregation of Si elements to the hole wall at high experimental temperature, which will also cause corrosion. As a result, reasonable experimental temperature plays an important role in improving the corrosion resistance of the U-shaped cooling channel.
RhoBTB3 Regulates Proliferation and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells via Col1A1
Authors: kim kyungho , Kim Youn-Jae
Published: February 2021

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide, despite medical and technological advancements. The RhoBTB family consists of three isoforms: RhoBTB1, RhoBTB2, and RhoBTB3. RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB2, have been proposed as tumor suppressors in breast cancer. However, the roles of RhoBTB3 proteins are unknown in breast cancer. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis, including Oncomine, cBioportal, was used to evaluate the potential functions and prognostic values of RhoBTB3 and Col1A1 in breast cancer. qRT-PCR analysis and immunoblotting assay were performed to investigate relevant expression. Functional experiments including proliferation assay, invasion assay, and flow cytometry assay were conducted to determine the role of RhoBTB3 and Col1A1 in breast cancer cells. Results: RhoBTB3 mRNA levels were significantly up-regulated in breast cancer tissues as compared to in adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, RhoBTB3 expression was found to be associated with Col1A1 expression. Decreasing RhoBTB3 expression may lead to decreases in the proliferative and invasive properties of breast cancer cells. Further, Col1A1 knockdown in breast cancer cells limited the proliferative and invasive ability of cancer cells. Conclusion: Knockdown of RhoBTB3 may exert inhibit the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of breast cancer cells by repressing the expression of COL1A1, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for treating breast cancer. Keywords: RhoBTB3, Col1A1, human breast cancer
Design of Ag Injection in Bi2S3 (AgBiS2) Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Cell and Solar Cell Applications
Authors: T Daniel , V Balasubramanian , G Sivakumar , Mohanraj Kannusamy
Published: February 2021

This study reports the opto-structural, morphological, topological and electrical properties of thermally evaporated AgxBi2-xS3-y thin film prepared for various x and y values (x= y= 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1). The films have cubic structured AgBiS2 along with orthorhombic structured Bi2S3 as confirmed from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The films showed higher optical absorption coefficient (105cm-1) in the visible region and band gap values are found to be decreased from 2.08 eV to 1.35 eV for AgxBi2-xS3-y (x= y = 0 to 1) films. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed the uniform distribution of spherical particles. Carrier concentration of the films are better than x= y= 0 as observed from Hall effect and Mott- Schottky plots. The FTO/ AgxBi2-xS3-y (x= y = 1) photoelectrochemical cell yields the photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.03 %. The device FTO/ AgxBi2-xS3-y (x= y = 1) CdS/Ag solar cell has exhibited PCE of 3.26%.
Verbal Labels Facilitate Tactile Texture Discrimination in a Perceptual Learning Task
Authors: Arun Ishita , Lazar Leslee
Published: February 2021

The influence of language on perceptual processes, referred to as the Whorfian hypothesis, has been a contentious issue. Cross-linguistic research and lab-based experiments have shown that verbal labels can facilitate perceptual and discriminatory processes, mostly in visual and auditory modalities. Here, we investigated whether verbal labels improve performance in a tactile texture discrimination task using natural textures. We also explored whether the grammatical category of these verbal labels plays a role in discrimination ability. In our experiments, we asked the participants to discriminate between pairs of textures presented to the fingertip after a five-day training phase. During the training phase, the tactile textures and English pseudowords were co-presented consistently in the congruent (experimental) condition and inconsistently in the incongruent (control) condition, allowing them to form implicit associations only in the former condition. The pseudoword verbal labels belonged to two grammatical categories, verb-like and noun-like. We found an improvement in the texture discrimination ability only for the congruent condition, irrespective of the grammatical category.
The Preventive and Treatment of the Neuro-Inflammasome in Sorokdo National Hospital
Authors: Lee Jong-hoon , Lee Chul Joong , Park Jungwuk , Lee So Jeong , Choi Su-Hee , Oh Sang-Suk
Published: February 2021

Aim/Background: This study investigated patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) treated with 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) as a neuro-inflammasome competitor. Method: The Seoul study analyzed AD, and anti-AD drugs (AADs) in the Sorokdo National Hospital's EDI database archived from January 2005 to June 2020 through the ICD-9 and -10 codes. Result: DDS acts as a neuro-inflammasome competitor; this effect can be inferred by comparing the prevalence of AD in patients who have been prescribed DDS and those who have not. Conclusion: This study suggests the use of neuro-inflammasome therapy as a preventive and therapeutic method for AD.
Profiles for Identifying Problematic Dietary Habits in a Sample of Recreational Spanish Cyclists and Triathletes
Authors: Muros José J. , Knox Emily , Hinojosa-Nogueira Daniel , Rufián-Henares José Á. , Zabala Mikel
Published: February 2021

Background
There is a lack of sufficient information on the dietary intake and nutritional supplementation of recreational endurance athletes throughout the year. The present observational study sought to assess the dietary intake and nutritional supplementation habits of recreational cyclists and triathletes from Spain.
Methods
4,037 cyclists and triathletes completed self-report measures. Nutritional profiles were developed and differences were examined according to sporting discipline and gender. Differences between groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared test. Next, micro- and macro-nutrients were grouped according to whether or not guideline intake amounts were met. The clustering of dietary habits was then examined via K-means cluster analysis.
Results
Triathletes took more supplements than cyclists (X2 = 36.489; p value = .000) and females took more supplements than males (X2 = 5.920; p value = .017). Females and triathletes reported greater protein and CHO consumption than males and cyclists, respectively. Triathletes also reported a higher consumption of total fat, MUFA, PUFA, EPA, DHA and fibre. Females and triathletes tended to consume more vitamins and minerals than males and cyclists, respectively. Two main dietary habit clusters emerged which may be used to inform nutritional interventions targeting recreational athletes not meeting nutritional requirements.
Conclusions
There is an imbalance in the main nutrients making up the diet of recreational Spanish athletes, characterised by insufficient CHO and excessive protein.
Naturalistic Exploratory Study of the Associations of Substance Use on ADHD Outcomes and Function
Authors: MacDonald Benjamin , Sadek Joseph
Published: February 2021

Background: Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with an increased risk of substance use disorder (SUD), existing literature on how SUD interacts with ADHD outcomes is limited. This study investigates whether SUD among individuals with ADHD is associated with worse ADHD outcomes and prognosis, and the association between overall functioning and SUD. In addition, we seek to understand whether heavy cannabis use is a better predictor of poorer outcomes compared to SUD status alone. Method: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 50 ADHD patient charts, which were allocated based on SUD status. Subgroup analysis was performed on the total sample population, with allocation based on heavy cannabis use.Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests were used for both the primary and subgroup analyses. Results: SUD status highly correlated with more ADHD-related cognitive impairments and poorer functional outcomes at the time of diagnosis. ADHD patients with comorbid ADHD-SUD scored significantly lower (p=<0.0001) on objective cognitive testing (the continuous performance test). The correlation with poorer ADHD outcomes was more pronounced when groups were allocated based on heavy cannabis use status, where in addition to significantly lower objective cognitive testing scores (p=0.0011), heavy cannabis use was associated with more severe fine motor hyperactivity and self-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity scores (p=0.0088 and 0.0172, respectively). Conclusion: Future research is needed to determine how substance abuse can be a barrier to improved ADHD outcomes, and the effect cannabis and other substances have on cognitive function and pharmacotherapy of ADHD.
The Effect of the Excretion of Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphate on the Serum Levels of These Substances in Newborns Who Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Baştuğ Osman , İnan Bahadır , Özdemir Ahmet , Çelik Binnaz , Baştuğ Funda , Karakükcü Çiğdem
Published: February 2021

Background: Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperphosphatemia are common electrolyte disturbances in perinatal asphyxia(PA). Different reasons have been proposed for these electrolyte disturbances. This study investigated the effect of the urinary excretion of calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), and phosphorus(P) on the serum levels of these substances in babies who were treated using therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HİE) caused by PA. This study sheds light on the pathophysiology that may cause changes in the serum values of these electrolytes.Method: This study included 21 healthy newborns(control group) and 38 patients(HİE group) who had undergone therapeutic hypothermia due to HİE. Only infants with a gestational age of 36 weeks and above and a birth weight of 2000 g and above were evaluated. The urine and serum Ca, Mg, P, and creatinine levels of all infants were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 hours.Results: The lower serum Ca value and the higher serum P value of the HİE group were found to be statistically significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in serum Mg values between the groups. However, hypomagnesemia was detected in five patients from the HİE group. The urine excretions of these substances, which were checked at different times, were found to be significantly higher in the HİE group compared to the control group.Conclusion: This study determined that the urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, and P has an effect on the serum Ca, Mg, and P levels of infants with HİE.
Effect of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1R) Agonists on Autonomic Function in Subjects With Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Authors: Greco Carla , Santi Daniele , Brigante Giulia , Pacchioni Chiara , Simoni Manuela
Published: February 2021

Background. In addition to the metabolic effects in diabetes, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists lead to a small but substantial increase in heart rate (HR). However, the GLP-1R actions on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in people with diabetes remain still debated. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluates the effect of GLP-1R agonist chronic treatment on measures of ANS function in people with diabetes. Methods. According to the Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA statement, we conducted a meta-analysis considering clinical trials in which the autonomic function was evaluated in people with diabetes chronically treated with GLP-1R agonists. The outcomes were the change of ANS function measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs). Results. In the studies enrolled, HR significantly increased after treatment (p<0.001), whereas low frequency/high frequency ratio did not differ (p=0.410); no changes in other measures of HRV were detected. Considering CARTs, only the 30:15 value derived from lying-to-standing test was significantly lower after treatment (p=0.002), but only two studies reported this measurement. No differences in other CARTs outcome were observed. Conclusion. The present meta-analysis confirms the HR increase but seems to exclude an alteration of the sympatho-vagal balance due to chronic treatment with GLP-1R agonists in diabetes, considering the available measures of ANS function.
The engineered tetra-valent antibody, ASP4021, fully activates the Tie2 receptor with comparable potency to its natural ligand, angiopoietin-1
Authors: Koya Yukari , Nara Hiromi , Yagi Shigenori , Ueno Chihoko , Kamohara Masazumi
Published: February 2021

Activation of the tyrosine kinase with Ig and epidermal growth factor homology domain 2 (Tie2) receptor by angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is critical for vascular stabilization: it promotes survival signal transduction via auto-phosphorylation and reduces vascular permeability by strengthening tight junctions between endothelial cells. Thus, Tie2/Ang1 signaling is a promising therapeutic target for vascular diseases. However, in vivo use of existing Tie2 signaling modulators, such as recombinant Ang1, is restricted by limitations in manufacturability and stability. Here, we present a novel engineered tetra-valent agonistic antibody, ASP4021, which can specifically and fully activate the Tie2 receptor in an equivalent manner to Ang1. ASP4021 induced Tie2 self-phosphorylation and inhibited apoptosis in a human primary endothelial cell line. Additionally, single administration of ASP4021 significantly suppressed mustard-oil-induced vascular permeability in rats. ASP4021 may thus be a potential therapeutic candidate for diseases associated with vascular weakness such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and critical limb ischemia.
Inter-observer and Intra-observer Variability in Gross Tumor Volume Delineation of Primary Esophageal Carcinomas Based on Different Combinations of Diagnostic Multimodal Images.
Authors: Li Fengxiang , Li Yankang , Wang Xue , Li Jianbin , Zhang Yingjie , Liu Xijun , Liu Shanshan , Wang Wei , Wang Jinzhi , Guo Yanluan , Xu Min
Published: February 2021

Background and purpose This study aimed to investigate inter-/ intra-observer delineation variability in GTVs of primary esophageal carcinomas (ECs) based on planning CT with reference to different combinations of diagnostic multimodal images from endoscopy/EUS, esophagography and FDG-PET/CT. Materials and methods Fifty-one patients with pathologically proven thoracic EC who underwent diagnostic multimodal images before concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Five radiotherapists independently delineated the GTVs based on planning CT only (GTVC), CT combined with endoscopy/EUS (GTVCE), CT combined with endoscopy/EUS and esophagography (X-ray) (GTVCEX), and CT combined with endoscopy/EUS, esophagography, and FDG-PET/CT (GTVCEXP). The intra-/inter-observer variability in the volume, longitudinal length, generalized CI (CIgen), and position of the GTVs were assessed. Results The intra-/inter-observer variability in the volume and longitudinal length of the GTVs showed no significant differences (p>0.05). The mean intra-observer CIgen values for all observers was 0.73±0.15. The mean inter-observer CIgen values for the four multimodal image combinations was 0.67±0.11. The inter-observer CIgen for the four combined images was the largest, showing significant differences with those for the other three combinations. The intra-observer CIgen among different observers and inter-observer CIgen among different combinations of multimodal images showed significant differences (p<0.001). The intra-observer CIgen for the senior radiotherapists was larger than that for the junior radiotherapists (p<0.001) . Conclusion For radiotherapists with advanced medical imaging training and clinical experience, using diagnostic multimodal images from endoscopy/EUS, esophagography, and FDG-PET/CT could reduce the intra-/inter-observer variability and increase the accuracy of target delineation in primary esophageal carcinomas.
Performance Analysis of Channel Estimation in 5G millimeter-Wave-MIMO Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: CHOPRA SANJEEV , Kakkar Ajay
Published: February 2021

Millimeter Wave (mm-Wave) - massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology has been a subject of today’s growing interest in both industry and academia for future wireless standards and has significant potential to provide considerable gains in data rates, link reliability and Energy Efficiency (EE).Sparse recovery has great capability in Channel Estimation (CE) for mm-Wave - Massive-MIMO (Ma-MIMO) heterogeneous wireless networks and in this context; the existing better candidate “Orthogonal Matching Pursuit” (OMP) algorithm is modified for CE in such networks. This paper will provide an opportunity in setting up of such a network, and the practical observation of the effect of a change in threshold, sparsity and noise levels as well as quantity of Radio Frequency (RF) chain systems. The performance analysis of CE accuracy in terms of Normalized Mean Square Error (NMSE)verses a given Signal-to-Noise (SNR) range in dB is calculated using this modified algorithm, much better than the existing OMP methods and compared against the ideal Genie case under a wide range of noise encountered. It has been observed that in a very high noise environment, NMSE of this noise resistant algorithm is approximate (100.5 to 10-3.5) in low SNR range (-10 to 30) dB and approximate (10-1.5 to10-5.5) in high SNR range (10 to 50) dB. It comes out to be approximate (10-1 to more than 10-5) in case of combined effect involvingthe reduction of quantity of RF chain systems to half and 10 times enhancement of threshold level in a very high noise environment and low SNR range.
Effect of Various PCBM Doping on the Interfacial Layer of Al/PCBM:ZnO/p-Si Photodiodes
Authors: Öztürk Teoman
Published: February 2021

The light can be detected by various devices such as photoconductors, photodetectors, phototransistors, solar cells and photodiodes, and the light can be employed energy harvesting as well as sensing applications. Various materials can be utilized to raising of the efficiency of light-based devices. In present study, metal-semiconductor (MS) devices with various [6,6]-Phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) interfacial layer were fabricated for photodiode applications. Commercially purchased PCBM and ZnO were mixed in order to obtain undoped, 3%, 5%, and 10% PCBM doped ZnO interfacial layer for Al/PCBM:ZnO/p-Si devices. The obtained solutions were layered on the p-type silicon (p-Si) substrades by spin coating method. The thermal evaporation technique was utilized to deposit Al metal electrodes both back and front sides. The morphological properties of the fabricated devices were characterized by AFM. The morphological images of the AFM revealed that PCBM doping affected the surface morphology as well as surface roughness of the ZnO layers. I-V measurements were carried out in the dark and under varying illumination conditions for electrical properties. The devices exhibited good rectifying properties at around 103 rates, both dark and various illumination conditions, according to I-V graphs. The junction parameters of the produced devices were determined by using thermionic emission, Norde, and Cheung models from the I-V characteristics of the devices. The devices have high ideality factors and these values generally fluctuate with varying PCBM doping amounts. The current transient measurements show that PCBM doping provide increasing in the light response capacity. According to the results, the devices can be employed as photodiode and photodetector applications for the further works in the industry.
Asymmetrical Clipping Optical Filter Bank Multi-Carrier Modulation Scheme
Authors: Ibrahim Asmaa , Prat Josep , Ismail Tawfik
Published: February 2021

Filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) is considered a promising alternative to the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) scheme. It improves spectral efficiency by eliminating the need for cyclic prefix while attenuating interference due to the robustness of the out-of-band emission. In this work, we present a framework, and the performance evaluation of FBMC is a multi-carrier modulation scheme for the direct detection of optical communications. As the proposed model has higher spectral efficiency than the classical ACO-OFDM, as removing the guard interval enhances the spectral efficiency. Furthermore, the perfect rectangular pulse shaping and eliminating the out of band emission of the filter bank enhances the ACO-FBMC the BER performance of the ACO-OFDM. We propose a transceiver model for Asymmetrical Clipped Optical FBMC (ACO-FBMC) based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operations, analyze inter-frame interference, and offer an iterative receptive method to eliminate it. Finally, we compared the bit error rate (BER) performance of the ACO-FBMC using different overlapping factors with the ACO-OFDM.
Gender- and Age-related Differences of Statin Use on Incident Dementia in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Tsung-Kun , Huang Jing-Yang , Pan Lung-Fa , Jong Gwo-Ping
Published: February 2021

Background: Some observational studies have found a significant association between the use of statin and a reduced risk of dementia. However, the results of these studies are unclear in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study is to determine the association between the use of statins and the incidence of dementia according to sex and age-related differences in patients with RA.Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database (2003–2016). The primary outcome assessed was the risk of dementia by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multiple Cox regression was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio of new-onset dementia. Subgroup analysis was also conducted.Results: Among the 264,036 eligible patients with RA aged > 40 years, statin users were compared with non-statin users by propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:1 (25,764 in each group). However, no association was found between the use of statins and the risk of new-onset dementia (NOD) in patients with RA (HR: 1.01; 95%CI: 0.97–1.06). The subgroup analysis identified the use of statin as having a protective effect against developing NOD in male and older patients.Conclusion: There is no association between the use of statin and the risk of NOD in patients with RA, but these parameters are influenced by gender and age. The decreased risk of NOD in patients with RA was greater among male and older patients. The use of statin in older male patients with RA for the prevention of dementia may be needed in clinical practice.
Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 interacts with miR-124-3p to Modulate Osteosarcoma Progression by Targeting SphK1
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhan Xinli , Liu Chong
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Understanding the Mechanisms Generating Outcomes in a Danish Peer support Intervention for Socially Vulnerable People with type 2-Diabetes: A Realist Evaluation
Authors: Garn Stine Dandanell , Glümer Charlotte , Villadsen Sarah Fredsted , Malling Gritt Marie Hviid , Christensen Ulla
Published: February 2021

Background: Despite increasing use and positive effects of peer support interventions, little is known about how they produce outcomes. Thus, it is essential not only to measure outcomes, but also to identify the mechanisms by which they are generated. Using a realist evaluation approach, we aimed to identify the mechanisms generating outcomes in a Danish peer support intervention for socially vulnerable people with type 2-diabetes (peers). By investigating how the peers interacted in the intervention, we further examined how peers’ individual contextual factors facilitated or hindered the mechanisms in operation.Methods: We used a multi-method case-study design (n=9). Data included semi-structured interviews with four key groups of informants (peer, peer supporter, project manager and a diabetes nurse) for each case (n=25). Furthermore, we collected survey data from peers both before and after participation (n=9). The interview data were analysed using a systematic text condensation, and the Intervention-context-actor-mechanism-outcome framework was used to structure the analysis.Results: We identified two groups of mechanisms that improved diabetes self-management and the use of healthcare services (outcomes): ‘perceived needs and readiness’ and ‘encouragement and energy’. However, the mechanisms only generated the intended outcomes among peers with a stable occupation and financial situation, a relatively good health condition, and sufficient energy (all defined as contextual factors). Independent of these contextual factors, ‘experience of social and emotional support’ was identified as a mechanism within all peers that increased self-care awareness (defined as output). Dependent on whether the contextual factors facilitated or hindered the mechanisms to generate outcomes, we categorised the peers into those who achieved outcomes and those who did not. Conclusions: We identified two groups of mechanisms that improved the peers’ diabetes self-management and use of healthcare services. The mechanisms only generated the intended outcomes if peers’ individual contextual factors facilitated an active interaction with the elements of the intervention. However, independent of these contextual factors, a third group of mechanisms increased self-care awareness among all peers. We highlight the importance of contextual awareness of the target groups in the design and evaluation of peer support interventions for socially vulnerable people with type 2-diabetes.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Retrospective Registration (01/20/2021), registration number NCT04722289, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04722289?term=The+Together+on+Diabetes+Intervention+-+a+Realist+Evaluation%2C&draw=2&rank=1
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of Castleman Disease and IgG4-related Disease Masquerading as Kidney Malignancy
Authors: Liu Bolong , Huang Yong , Tang Luying , Guan Jiexia , Zhou Xiangfu , Zhan Hailun
Published: February 2021

Background: With widespread clinical application of imaging techniques, renal space-occupying lesions have been identified at an increasing frequency. Here, we report two rare cases, Castleman disease (CD) and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), presenting primarily with the symptoms and imaging findings of kidney malignancy.Case presentation: In case 1, an occupying lesion located in the right renal pelvis was detected using magnetic resonance imaging in a 32-year-old female who presented with hematuria and lumbago. First misdiagnosed as carcinoma of the renal pelvis, the patient underwent right radical nephroureterectomy. However, postoperative pathological and immunohistochemistry studies finally confirmed the diagnosis of CD. In case 2, a 45-year-old male presented with the chief complaint of anuria. Nephrostomy and renal biopsy indicated lymphoma, following which, antegrade urography and computed tomography urography were performed, which revealed bilateral hydronephrosis and mass lesions around the renal pelvis. Partial resection of the masses and frozen section examination indicated the diagnosis of CD. However, the results of postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry combined with serum IgG4 were consistent with IgG4-RD. Both the patients recovered well after drug treatment without recurrence of the diseases.Conclusions: Inflammatory pseudotumor of CD and IgG4-RD with kidney involvement are primarily diagnosed by postoperative histopathology and can pose a preoperative diagnostic challenge because these lesions can masquerade as kidney malignancy. Although rare, we recommend that clinicians consider CD and IgG4-RD when diagnosing patients with renal masses to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment.
Social buffering in horses (Equus caballus): Influence of context, companion familiarity and companion habituation
Authors: Ricci-Bonot Claire , Romero Teresa , Nicol Christine , Mills Daniel
Published: February 2021

Social buffering occurs when the presence of one animal attenuates another’s stress response during a stressful event and/or helps the subject to recover more quickly after a stressful event. Inconsistent previous results might reflect previously unrecognised contextual influences, such as the nature of the stimulus presented or social factors. We addressed these issues in a two-part study of horses paired with familiar (16 subjects) or unfamiliar (16 subjects) companions. Each subject performed 4 tests in a counterbalanced order: novel object test (static ball) – alone or with companion; and umbrella opening test – alone or with companion. Social buffering was significantly influenced by the nature of the stimulus presented, but not by companion’s habituation status or familiarity. Importantly, the stimulus used produced differential effects on behavioural and physiological measures of buffering. A companion significantly reduced behavioural response (reactivity) in the novel object test but not in the umbrella test. However, heart rate recovered more quickly for subjects with a companion in the umbrella test but not in the novel object test. We propose that circumstances which permit greater contextual processing may facilitate demonstration of behavioural effects of social buffering, whereas buffering in response to startling events may be manifest only during post-event physiological recovery.
Panic Over a New Phenomenon Among Kids: Hoverboard Related Injuries at a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Ferro Valentina , Nacca Raffaella , Boccuzzi Elena , Federici Tatiana , Ossella Chiara , Merenda Alessandra , Toniolo Renato Maria , Musolino Anna Maria , Reale Antonino , Raucci Umberto
Published: February 2021

Understanding how the use of hoverboards (HBs) can affect a child’s safety is crucial. We describe the characteristics of HB related injuries and provide key messages about child prevention when using these leisure devices. This was a retrospective study at an emergency department (ED) of a level-III-trauma center from 2016 to 2019. We tested the differences in children presenting for injury associated with HBs between 2016–2017 and 2018–2019. The rate of injury associated with HBs / Injury per 1,000 increased from 0.84 in 2016 to 7.7 in 2017, and then there was a gradual decline. The likelihood of injury was more common in younger children, increasing by 17% with decreasing age in 2018–2019 compared with 2016–2017 (OR: 0.83; 95%CI: 0.71–0.97; p = 0.021). The occurrence of injury in the April-June period was over twice as common in 2018–2019 (OR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.0-2.05; p = 0.05). Patients were over 4 times more likely to have injured the lower extremity during the 2018–2019 period rather than other body regions (OR: 4.58; 95%CI: 1.23–4.58; p = 0.02). The odds of the indoor injury were more than twice as high in 2018–2019 (OR: 2.04; 95%CI: 1.077–2.04; p = 0.03). Conclusion: Despite a decrease in the frequency of HB related injuries after 2017, during the 2018–2019 period, the younger the children, the more they were exposed to injury risk, in addition to a greater occurrence of indoor injuries from HBs compared with 2016–2017. The enhancement of preventive measures is necessary to ensure child safety when using HBs.
First Detection and Characterization of Chrysanthemum virus B infecting Chrysanthemum in Thailand
Authors: Supakitthanakorn Salit , Wichitrakoonthavorn Garnjana , Kunasakdakul Kaewalin , Ruangwong On-Uma
Published: February 2021

Chrysanthemum is one of the important ornamental plants in worldwide due to its high economic and cultural values. Chrysanthemum leaves showed mosaic, ringspot, yellowing and mild mottle symptoms were observed and collected from cultivation areas in northern Thailand and used for detection of important viruses infecting chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum virus B (CVB) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from samples showing yellowing and mild mottle symptoms. Sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene of two CVB isolates found in this study were sequenced and shared 93.15% homology with other CVB isolates from different countries deposited in GenBank. Biological indexing of these CVB found that they induced both local and systemic symptoms in tobacco plants while petunia displayed a systemic symptom. The particles of CVB were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM), prepared by dip preparation and negative staining methods, showing slightly flexuous rod-shaped virions approximately 600–650 nm in length. To our knowledge, this is the first detection and study on molecular and biological characteristics of CVB infecting chrysanthemum in Thailand.
Public Sphere Attitudes toward Rumor sources on COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Community Perceptions in Iran
Authors: banakar Morteza , Sadati Ahmad Kalateh , Zarei Leila , Shahabi Saeed , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Heydari Seyyed Taghi
Published: February 2021

Background: In the case of the COVID-19 outbreak, misinformation seems to travel far faster than the outbreak itself. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting individuals' attitudes toward rumor-producing media in Iran.Methods: An online survey was conducted in Iran in March 2020 on the source of trusted information and misinformation along with individuals' perception of the cause of misinformation propagation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The results showed that social media were considered as the primary rumor source from the perspective of a majority of the participants (59.3%). Lack of a reliable and formal news source was also introduced as the most common cause of a rumor formation by the participants (63.6%). To identify which media is the main source of rumors, the male participants who had high levels of education and were employed by the government proposed foreign media (P<0.01); however, the male participants aged 30-50 years with middle-income level believed that social media (P<0.01) were producing rumors. In this regard, the highly educated participants (P<0.001), government employees, and middle-income individuals (P<0.008) believed that national media produced rumors.Conclusion: Although these findings were obtained during the first encounter with the Corona pandemic, the authorities immediately introduced the national media as a reliable news source, which allowed the media and its journalists to reduce the gap between themselves and the public sphere. It is suggested that social networks and foreign media be more accountable in pandemics.
Simple compared to covariate-constrained randomization methods in balancing baseline characteristics: a case study of randomly allocating 72 hemodialysis centers in a cluster trial
Authors: Al-Jaishi Ahmed A , Dixon Stephanie N , McArthur Eric , Devereaux PJ , Thabane Lehana , Garg Amit X
Published: February 2021

Background and aim: Some parallel-group cluster randomized trials use covariate-constrained rather than simple randomization. This is done to increase the chance of balancing the groups on cluster- and patient-level baseline characteristics. This study assessed how well two covariate-constrained randomization methods balanced baseline characteristics compared with simple randomization. Methods: We conducted a mock three-year cluster randomized trial, with no active intervention, that started April 1st, 2014, and ended March 31st, 2017. We included a total of 11,832 patients from 72 hemodialysis centers (clusters) in Ontario, Canada. We randomly allocated the 72 clusters into two groups in a 1:1 ratio on a single date using individual- and cluster-level data available up to April 1st, 2013. Initially, we generated 1,000 allocation schemes using simple randomization. Then, as an alternative, we performed covariate-constrained randomization based on historical data from these centers. In one analysis, we restricted on a set of 11 individual-level prognostic variables; in the other, we restricted on principal components generated using 29 baseline historical variables. We created 300,000 different allocations for the covariate-constrained randomizations, and we restricted our analysis to the 30,000 best allocations. We then randomly sampled 1,000 schemes from the 30,000 best allocations. We summarized our results with each randomization approach as the median (25th, 75th percentile) number of balanced baseline characteristics. There were 156 baseline characteristics, and a variable was balanced when the between-group standardized difference was ≤ 10%. Results: The three randomization techniques had at least 125 of 156 balanced baseline characteristics in 90% of sampled allocations. The median number of balanced baseline characteristics using simple randomization was 147 (142, 150). The corresponding value for covariate-constrained randomization using 11 prognostic characteristics was 149 (146, 151), while for principal components, the value was 150 (147, 151). The median number of balanced baseline characteristics using the two covariate-constrained randomizations were statistically different from simple randomization (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion: In this setting with 72 clusters, constraining the randomization using historical information achieved better balance on baseline characteristics compared with simple randomization; however, the magnitude of benefit was modest.
Dimensions of women’s empowerment on access to antenatal care in Uganda: a further analysis of the Uganda demographic health survey 2016
Authors: Quraish Sserwanja , Joseph Kawuki , Rehemah Nabbuye
Published: February 2021

Background: Women empowerment has been viewed as a good strategy in the reduction of global maternal morbidity and mortality. Most of the recent studies in Uganda have focused on ANC frequency and the associated factors with no focus on the effect of women empowerment. Our study aims at examining the prevalence of optimal access to ANC by considering timing of initiation, type of ANC provider and ANC frequency and their association with women empowerment.Methods: We used Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 data of 9957 women aged 15 to 49 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and we conducted multivariable logistic regression to establish the association between women empowerment and access to ANC using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of 9,957 women, 2,953 (29.7%: 95% CI: 28.5.0-30.2) had initiated ANC in first trimester, 6,080 (61.1%: 95% CI: 60.4-62.3) had 4 or more ANC contacts, and 9,880 (99.2%: 95% CI: 99.0-99.3) had received ANC from a skilled provider. Overall, 2,399 (24.1%: 95% CI: 23.0-24.6) had optimal access to ANC. Economic empowerment and exposure to media were the only women empowerment indices that were positively associated with optimal access to ANC. Other factors that were significant include; region, wealth index, age, level of education and working status. Women in younger age groups, those with higher wealth quintiles and those from the Northern and Western regions were also more likely to have optimal access to ANC compared to their older, poorest quintile and Eastern region counterparts respectively.Conclusion: To ensure increased access to ANC, policy-makers and other stakeholders should prioritize use of mass media in maternal health programs, equitable allocation of the limited financial resources with a focus on older, poor and uneducated women.
Type I interferons link skin-associated dysbiotic commensal bacteria to pathogenic inflammation and angiogenesis in rosacea
Authors: Mylonas Alessio , Hawerkamp Heike , Wang Yichen , Demaria Olivier , Meller Stephan , Homey Bernhard , Domizio Jeremy Di , Mazzolai Lucia , Hovnanian Alain , Gilliet Michel , Curdin Conrad
Published: February 2021

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by a fluctuating course of excessive inflammation and apparent neovascularization. Microbial dysbiosis with high density of B. oleronius and increased activity of the serine protease kallikrein 5, which cleaves cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, have been recognized as key pathogenic triggers in rosacea. However, how these events are linked to the hallmarks of the disease remains unknown. Here, we show that type I interferons produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells represent the pivotal link between dysbiosis, an aberrant immune response, and neovascularization in rosacea. In fact, compared to other commensal bacteria, B. oleronius is highly susceptible and preferentially killed by cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides leading to enhanced generation of complexes with DNA. DNA from skin-associated microbiota but not from host cells is required for cathelicidin-induced activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and type I-interferon production, which is further amplified by B. oleronius. Moreover, kallikrein 5 cleaves cathelicidin into peptides with heightened DNA binding and type I interferon-inducing capacities, further facilitating type I interferon production within the skin. In turn, type I interferons induce IL22 whilst simultaneously rendering endothelial cells responsive through upregulation of the IL22-receptor, and thereby driving drive neoangiogenesis. These findings unravel novel pathomechanisms, which directly link several hallmarks of rosacea to the killing of dysbiotic commensal bacteria and the induction of a pathogenic type-I interferon-TH17/22 pathway.
Spurious North Tropical Atlantic pre-cursors to ENSO
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Jiang Feng , Stuecker Malte , Jin Fei-Fei , Timmermann Axel
Published: February 2021

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the primary driver of year-to-year global climate variability, is known to influence the North Tropical Atlantic (NTA) sea surface temperature (SST), especially during boreal spring season. Focusing on statistical lead-lag relationships, previous studies have proposed that interannual NTA SST variability can also feed back on ENSO in a predictable manner. However, these studies do not properly account for ENSO’s autocorrelation and the fact that the SST in the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as their atmospheric interaction are seasonally modulated. This can lead to misinterpretations of causality and the spurious identification of Atlantic precursors for ENSO. Revisiting this issue under consideration of seasonality, time-varying ENSO frequency, and greenhouse warming, we demonstrate that the cross-correlation characteristics between NTA SST and ENSO, are fully consistent with a one-way Pacific to Atlantic forcing, even though the interpretation of lead-lag relationships may suggest otherwise.