bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Smart After-Care Program for Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Yang Hee Chul , Chung Seung Hyun , Yoo Ji Sung , Park Boram , Choi Jin Ho , Kim Moon Soo , Lee Jong Mog
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

The efficacy of telemedicine in cancer survivors is uncertain. The Smart After-care Program (SAP), which is an interactive, smartphone-based remote health monitoring system, was developed to help individual patients manage their health after leaving the hospital. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of our remote health care program for lung cancer patients.
Methods

We enrolled 50 lung cancer patients. Self-monitoring devices were supplied to all patients, who were instructed to enter their daily vital signs and subjective symptoms to the Smart After-care app. The app also provided information about rehabilitation exercises and a healthy diet for lung cancer patients. All patients received telephone health counseling once a week and visited an outpatient clinic on the 6th and 12th week to assess satisfaction with the SAP and changes in quality of life and physical performance.
Results

Overall satisfaction with the SAP was very high (very good, 61.9%; good, 26.2%). In the multivariate analysis for factors affecting satisfaction, the distance between the patient’s residence and the hospital was the only independent factor (p = 0.013). Quality of life was improved in all functional scales (p < 0.05). Muscle strength was significantly improved in the lower limbs (p = 0.012). Two-minute walk distance was also significantly improved (p = 0.028).
Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the SAP was acceptable among and supportive of patients with reduced pulmonary function after lung cancer treatment. The study proved that the SAP was more useful for patients living far away from a hospital.
Effects of ‘timing It Right’ on Comprehensive Unmet Needs and Psychological Pain in Radiotherapy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: LI TENG , Zhang Yin-Ping , Kong JunJuan , Kong Min , Jia Yi-Tong , Shi Wen-Xin
Published: October 2021

Purpose To explore the effects of ‘Timing It Right’ on the comprehensive unmet needs and psychological pain of patients receiving radiotherapy.Design A prospective randomized controlled trial.Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted, and 140 patients receiving radiotherapy were randomly divided into two groups, with 70 cases in the intervention group and 70 cases in the control group. The intervention group received routine care follow-up and a comprehensive nursing mode intervention based on ‘Timing It Right’, while the control group received routine care and follow-up. The comprehensive needs and psychological pain of radiotherapy patients before intervention, at discharge, 3 months after discharge, and 6 months after discharge were compared.Results A total of 137 patients completed the study. At discharge, 3 months after discharge, and 6 months after discharge, information needs (z=3.369,6.240,6.440, p＜0.01), health and psychological problems (z=2.185, 3.200, 3.380, p＜0.05), health care staff (z=2.829, 4.518, 4.708, p＜0.01), physical symptoms (z=4.167, 5.742, 5.742, p＜0.01), health facilities and services (z=2.829, 4.304, 4.630, p＜0.01), religious/spiritual support (z=2.296, 3.470, 3.470, p＜0.05) of the TIR group were improved compared with the control group. Psychological pain (z=2.115, 2.329, 2.411, p＜0.05) of the TIR group was significantly less than that of the control group. Information needs, health care staff, physical symptoms, health facilities and services differed significantly at points in time, groups, and interactions. In addition to practical support, the remaining indicators of both groups differed significantly at different observation points.Conclusions TIR had positive effects on meeting the needs of radiotherapy patients and improving their psychological pain, therefore supporting TIR’s use as an effective psychological management and intervention strategy in the early stages of long-term rehabilitation of radiotherapy patients.
Causality of Internal and External Linkages of Enterprises' Low-Carbon Strategy From a Configuration Perspective
Authors: Wang Wenxi , Li Ziyi
Published: October 2021

This study aims to identify the motivations behind the low-carbon strategy of companies. For this purpose, a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis is conducted to explore the linkage effects of internal and external factors such as business environment, industry environment and individual heterogeneity on the company's low-carbon strategy based on a multi-dimensional theoretical perspective. It is found that the low-carbon strategy of companies in a low, medium, and high-level business environment follow the order of " survival maintenance ", "firm foothold", "bigger and stronger", "adapt to the trend", and "value innovation". Further analysis shows that the proper order of the three types of indicators from high to low is: industry environment, individual heterogeneity, and business environment. “The industry is under pressure and has enough power” is a key reason for low-carbon strategies; the competition intensity within the industry is an important external incentive for low-carbon strategy; CEO power is an important internal driving force for low-carbon strategy. This paper shows that a high-level business environment can help to improve managers’ forward-looking decision-making and help companies escape the inherent thinking of the “red sea competition”.
Improving the Performance of Hospital Information System Usage: Adaptive Structuration Theory and Job Demand-Control Perspectives
Authors: Zhu Change , Song Baoxiang , Zhou Lulin
Published: October 2021

Background: More healthcare facilities have been forced to introduce hospital information systems (HISs) aimed at integrating daily clinical and administrative concerns. As a result, China begun to implement HISs with basic functionalities among large and medium-sized hospitals. Although still in the initial stages of HIS usage, the performance of adopting HISs has yet to be evaluated. These applications are suitable for investigating user-system performance issues but seldom been utilized in a healthcare context. Even though models such as the technology acceptance model incorporates the determinants of technology use, the predictors assembled by these models largely focuses on interindividual user characteristics, yet none of them comprehensively exhaust other complex user adaptation characteristics relating to structure and task. We fill this gap by empirically investigating the motivators for improving Chinese physicians’ performance through HIS usage, based on the lens of adaptive structuration theory and job demand-control model.Methods: Using survey methodology, 305 valid responses were collected and analyzed via partial least squares.Results: The eight proposed hypotheses were supported in their entirety. Further, a moderating analysis was undertaken and it was determined that the associations of technology adaptation-task adaptation, technology adaptation-job demand, task adaptation-job demand, and job demand-attitude showed significant differences occurring between residents and attending physicians.Conclusions: Based on the findings, administrators are suggested to increase the training of physicians regarding their use of an HIS, and to grant physicians sufficient discretion necessary to improve the level of job demand and job control. This must be done in order to improve the performance of current HIS usage.
How can a Random Phenomenon between Particles be Synchronized Instantaneously and Independently of the Distance Between Said Particles?
Authors: Mastriani Mario
Published: October 2021

Entanglement is a random phenomenon that is instantly synchronized, regardless of the space that mediates between entangled particles. However, the instantaneous transmission of information using entanglement is impossible. This is because the instantaneity in the synchronization of non-local outcomes as a consequence of quantum measurement (after the distribution of the entangled pairs) cannot be used for an entanglement-based communication system to transmit information instantaneously. This impossibility stems from the following two reasons: a) the difficulty of controlling non-local outcomes through local actions without the intervention of an auxiliary channel (classical), and b) regardless of the previous point, no communication system based on entanglement can be instantaneous due to the distribution of an entangled pair at relativistic speeds, necessary to generate the quantum channel, each time a qubit must be transmitted. Three simple experiments help to clarify this controversial point. In fact, this study establishes what is truly responsible for the impossibility to transmit information instantaneously of any communication system based on entanglement. In this respect, functional models of the internal behavior of quantum measurement, and entanglement were developed, which allow analyzing the instantaneity post-distribution of entangled particles, before and after a quantum measurement, as well as the randomness in the results obtained from a quantum measurement of the entanglement. In this sense, this study establishes a debate about three possible responsible for the aforementioned randomness: the quantum measurement itself, entanglement, and the human intervention. Finally, homology between the entanglement and the double-slit experiment is presented.
Modeling and Proposal of a Black Phosphorus-based Nanostructure for Detection of Avian Influenza Virus in THz Region
Authors: Hoseini Elaheh , Mir Ali , Farmani Ali
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a multilayer/monolayer black phosphorus (BP)-based nanostructure is presented to detect the avian influenza virus. The nanostructur is a grating arrangement made of BP over SiO2 or Al2O3 substrate. To achieve the transmission spectrum, depend on the changes in the lateral length of BP, namely (L = 100, 150, 170 nm) as well as the complex refractive index of each of three viruses types (H1N1, H5N2, H9N2) in the THz range, the structure is numerically simulated by 3D Finite Difference Time Domain (3D-FDTD) method. The change in resonance frequency is greater for the H9N2 virus because the real part of its refractive index is relatively larger. Here, too, the rate of change is examined based on the different thicknesses of the H9N2 virus. Also, changes in the refractive index of the environment have been used to calculate important parameters in the sensors, such as sensitivity, FWHM, and figure of merit. Overall, this platform provides a promising platform for detecting influenza viruses.
Finding Optimal Nutrients With Farming Techniques to inﬂuence Maize Productivity, and Mitigate Global Warming Potential Under Water-saving Agriculture in Semi-arid Regions
Authors: Zhang Tiejun , xi yueling , Ma Xiengchang
Published: October 2021

Background and aims: Effective nutrients management under various farming techniques is critical for improving maize productivity and ensuring the long-term protection of water-saving agriculture under semi-arid regions. However, the impacts have not been well documented in determining the features of soil greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) emissions and the driving factors of nutrients fertilization is important for optimizing crop-land nutrients management under various farming techniques.Methods: The nutrients with farming techniques strategies were investigated under water-saving agriculture of maize during 2019-20 years, using the following nine treatments: BF: ridges covered with biodegradable film; CF: soil crust ridges; TF: conventional flat planting; 0: N:P at 0:0 kg ha-1, 1: N:P at 120:60 kg ha-1, 2: N:P at 280:140 kg ha-1. Results: Our results showed that the nutrients fertilization with various cultivation strategies had a significant influence on the GHG emissions. The BF2 treatment considerably increase soil water storage, soil respiration rate as a result of decreased ET rate and GHG emissions compared with the other treatments. The BF1 treatment significantly mitigated GWP, CH4, N2O, and CO2 emissions, changes in CH4, N2O, and CO2 cumulative emissions. The GHGI differently responded to nutrients with farming techniques strategies. Under the BF2 improved (25.0%) the average net GWP than that of TF2, but reduced GHGI, due to improved (18.5%) biomass productivity. The BF2 and BF1 farming methods results in greater N2O, CO2 emissions, GWP, and changes in cumulative CH4, N2O, and CO2 emissions, as a result, have an adverse effect on the soil than that of CF and TF treatments. Conclusions: However, obtained the higher area-scaled GWP (42.1%), WUEg (96.7%), WUEb (65.4%), and (41.1%) grain yield under the BF2 which may offset the negative environmental effects linked with climate change. Thus, it is recommended to use the BF2 treatment in water-saving agriculture under semi-arid regions for cleaner and more efficient maize production.
Electrocardiogram and CMR to Differentiate Tachycardia-induced Cardiomyopathy From Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Patients Admitted for Heart Failure
Authors: Vera Alberto , Cecconi Alberto , Martínez-Vives Pablo , Olivera María José , Hernández Susana , López-Melgar Beatriz , Rojas-González Antonio , Díez-Villanueva Pablo , Salamanca Jorge , Telejo Julio , Caballero Paloma , Jiménez-Borreguero Luis Jesús , Alfonso Fernando
Published: October 2021

PurposeIn patients admitted for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular dysfunction and a concomitant supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) it is a challenge to predict LVEF recovery and differentiate tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) from dilated cardiomyopathy (DC). The role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) in this acute setting remains unsettled. Methods Forty-three patients admitted for HF due to SVT and LVEF<50% undergoing CMR in the acute phase were retrospectively included. Those who had LVEF>50% at follow up were classified as TIC and those with LVEF<50% were classified as DC. Clinical, CMR and ECG findings were analyzed to predict LVEF recovery. ResultsTwenty-five (58%) patients were classified as TIC. Patients with DC had wider QRS (121.2±26 vs 97.7±17.35 ms;p=0.003). On CRM the TIC group presented with higher LVEF (33.4±11 vs 26.9±6.4%;p=0.019) whereas late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was more frequent in DC group (61 vs 16%;p=0.004). On multivariate analysis, QRS duration≥100 ms (p=0.027), LVEF<40% on CMR (p=0.047) and presence of LGE (p=0.03) were independent predictors of lack of LVEF recovery. Furthermore, during follow-up (median 60 months) DC patients were admitted more frequently for HF (44% vs 0%;p<0.001) than TIC patients.Conclusion In patients with reduced LVEF admitted for HF due to SVT, QRS≥100 ms, LVEF<40% and LGE are independently associated with lack of LVEF recovery and worse clinical outcome.
Performance Evaluation and Enhancement of M-Ary DPPM Modulation for WDM-PON/FSO Systems Impaired by Atmospheric Turbulence, Interchannel Crosstalk, and ASE Noise
Authors: Elsayed Ebrahim E. , Yousif Bedir B. , Singh Mehtab
Published: October 2021

This paper analyses and enhances the performance of moment generating function (MGF) techniques, in particular, Chernoff bound (CB) and modified Chernoff bound (MCB). Also, we improve the M-ary digital pulse-position modulation (M-ary DPPM) systems performance of a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) based on the passive optical network (PON) free-space optical (FSO) communications in the presence of the atmospheric turbulence (AT), amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, and interchannel crosstalk (ICC). This is a technology that can have extended leverage, higher data rates, power-efficient, and is considered an ideal option for the provision of bandwidth for potential access networks. The MCB exceeds the Gaussian approximation at high gain (G = 30) and gives the tightest bound upon the bit-error-rate (BER) compared to the CB at a low gain (G = 8). In the absence of AT and at a data rate of 2.5 Gbps on the 1550 nm wavelength, DPPM scheme with coding level (M) of 2 provide about 2.9 dB improvement in average power over at a BER of \({\text{10}}^{-\text{9}}\)compared with an equivalent on-off keying (OOK) non-return-to-zero (NRZ) in the WDM-PON/FSO system. The sensitivity of M-ary DPPM modulation remains improved over OOK even though the ICC is present. The lower power penalty (PP) is predicted to be approximately 0.2-3.0 dB in WDM-FSO systems for low coding (M) 2. At a target BER of \({\text{10}}^{-\text{12}}\), the hybrid OOK-NRZ/M-ary DPPM offers about 4-8 dB optical signal-to-noise-ratio improvements over M-DPPM of the ST for the WDM-FSO link. Finally, the use of the M-ary DPPM and the optical relaying amplification technique is a powerful treatment for mitigating the impacts of ASE noise, AT, and ICC.
Development of Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Using Fuzzy Based Optimized Iterative Unscented Kalman Filter
Authors: Jagadesh T. , B Sheela Rani
Published: October 2021

In radar-based applications, Time Delay Estimation (TDE) is an essential criterion. Because of non-stationary behaviour, estimating the time delay between two turbulent signals is difficult. Existing delay estimation methods such as the cross correlation technique are restricted to stationary signals. The non-stationary signals are either fractal or periodic signal. The accuracy of this method is more reliable for fractal signals than for periodic signals. With a cost function at hand it is sensible to check whether the state correction results in a cost decrease in the first place, new parameter is optimized using Fuzzy Elephant Herding Optimization (FEHO). Further this paper incorporates ADAM based neural network (ADAM-NN) model for efficient time delay estimation. The study resulted in significant improvement upto 21.5% in estimating the time delay when compared with conventional methods.
Influence of Continuous Application of Radioactive Cs Contaminated Farmyard Manure Compost to Radioactive Cs Contaminated Soils on the Forage Corn
Authors: Asagi Naomi , Takahashi Rika , Ysue Takeshi , Nishiwaki Junko , Nitta Youji , Shiotsu Fumitaka , Komatsuzaki Masakazu
Published: October 2021

Aims We investigated the influence of continuous application of two cattle farmyard manure composts (FYMCs), with high and low radioactive Cs contents, to two soils (top soil with high Cs and subsoil with low Cs contents) on the productivity of forage corn and on the fate of Cs in the soil and plant system. Methods The two soils were placed in separate containers. For each soil type, the following three fertilization treatments with four replicates each were established: no manure compost, FYMC with low radioactive Cs, and FYMC with high radioactive Cs. Forage corn seeds were sown in each container and cultivated in 2013, 2014, and 2015.Results The aboveground dry weight of the forage corn at harvest was higher in the top soil than in the subsoil. The dry weight of corn increased with the application of cattle FYMC. Moreover, radioactive Cs concentration in corn and transfer factor increased with the application of the FYMC contaminated with high radioactive Cs. However, with the application of the high Cs contaminated FYMC for 3 years, the radioactive Cs concentration in the corn did not exceed the provisional regulation value for radioactive Cs in cattle roughage (100 Bq kg-1 fresh matter). Conclusion The cattle FYMC with radioactive Cs　less than 2316 Bq kg-1 fresh matter can improve subsoil productivity by maintaining the Cs concentrations in forage corn well under the provisional regulation value for radioactive Cs in cattle roughage.
The Influence of Microwave Irradiation on Physicochemical Characteristics of Nitrogen-Enriched Carbon and Its Performance in Biogas Desulfurization
Authors: Nor Norhusna Mohamad , Chung Lau Lee , Mohamed Abdul Rahman
Published: October 2021

In this work, palm shell activated carbon (PSAC) was functionalized with nitrogen groups via urea impregnation, followed by the synthesis of microwave (MW) and conventional heating (TH) at temperature of 950 °C, 500 ml/min of N2 flow rate and 30 minutes of heating time. The effects of MW and TH heating on the modified PSAC adsorbent were analyzed and compared towards hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal. The efficiency of H2S removal was calculated based on adsorption capacity of the adsorbent samples. Nitrogen-functionalized PSAC that was synthesized via MW heating (PSAC-MW) has shown better performance with adsorption capacity of 356.94 mg/g. The chemical and physical characteristics of all adsorbent samples were studied and analyzed by using CHNS elemental analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, SEM, TGA and FTIR analysis. The adsorbent sample that was synthesized via MW heating showed significant characteristics, such as high surface area with sponge-like structure, in which there are additional pores developed inside the existing pores. Instead of that, there was an observation on ‘hot spot’ appearance during the MW heating process, which is believed to be responsible for the development of physical and chemical characteristics of the PSAC-MW adsorbent. These characteristics indirectly contribute to the high removal of H2S.
Dyadic illness management: the influence of symptom severity on the informal caregivers of palliative care patients
Authors: Valero-Cantero Inmaculada , Casals Cristina , Carrión-Velasco Yolanda , Barón-López Francisco Javier , Martínez-Valero Francisco Javier , Vázquez-Sánchez María Ángeles
Published: October 2021

Background

This study anlyzed whether informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer suffer impaired sleep quality, increased strain, reduced quality of life and/or increased care burden due to the presence and heightened intensity of symptoms in the person being cared for.
Method

A total of 41 patient-caregiver dyads (41 caregivers and 41 patients with advanced cancer) were recruited at six primary care centres. Data were obtained over a seven-month period. Caregiver’s quality of sleep, caregiver’s quality of life, caregiver strain, patients’ symptoms and their intensity, and sociodemographic, clinical and care-related data variables were assessed. The associations were determined using non-parametric Spearman correlation.
Results

Informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer are impacted in negative ways by the presence and intensity of the patients’ symptoms. Accordingly, the optimum control of these symptoms benefits not only the patient but also the caregiver.
Conclusions

Informal caregivers for patients with advanced cancer suffer negative consequences from the presence and intensity of these patients’ symptoms. Therefore, optimising the control of symptoms would benefit not only the patients but also their caregivers. Thus, interventions should be designed to improve the outcomes of patient-caregiver dyads in such cases.
Polycytosine RNA-Binding Protein 1 Regulates Osteoblast Function via a Ferroptosis Pathway in Type 2 Diabetic Osteoporosis
Authors: Ma Hongdong , Jiang yueming , Li Haitian , Yang Maowei
Published: October 2021

In recent years, type 2 diabetic osteoporosis has become a research hotspot for the complications of diabetes, but the specific mechanism of its occurrence and development remain unknown. Ferroptosis caused by iron overload is considered to be one of the important cause of type 2 diabetic osteoporosis. Polycytosine RNA-binding protein 1 (PCBP1), an iron ion chaperone, was considered as a protector of ferroptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the existence of ferroptosis and specific role of PCBP1 in the development of type 2 diabetes. Firstly, a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect the changes of osteoblast viability under the influence of high glucose (HG) and/or ferroptosis inhibitor given at different concentrations and at different times. In addition, the morphological changes of mitochondria in osteoblasts under high glucose were examined via transmission electron microscopy, and the expression levels of PCBP1, ferritin and the ferroptosis-related protein glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) under the action of high glucose were detected via western blotting. Furthermore, a lentivirus was used to silence and overexpress PCBP1. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of levels of the osteoblast functional proteins osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteocalcin (OCN), while flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in each group. Under the action of high glucose, the viability of osteoblasts was significantly decreased and the number of mitochondria undergoing atrophy was significantly increased, PCBP1 and ferritin expression levels were increased and GPX4 expression was decreased. Western blotting results demonstrated that infection of the lentivirus overexpressing PCBP1, increased the expression levels of ferritin, GPX4, OPG and OCN, compared with the high glucose group. The flow cytometry results identified a reduction in ROS, and an opposite result was obtained after silencing PCBP1. In conclusion, it was suggested that PCBP1 may protect osteoblasts and reduce the harm caused by ferroptosis by promoting ferritin expression under a high glucose environment. Moreover, it was indicated that PCBP1 may be a potential therapeutic target for treating type 2 diabetic osteoporosis.
Naringin Administration Mitigates Oxidative Stress, Anaemia and Hypertension in Lead Acetate-Induced Cardiorenal Dysfunction in Cockerel Chicks
Authors: Ebirim Chinomso Gift , Esan Oluwaseun , Adetona Moses Olusola , Oyagbemi Ademola Adetokunbo , Omobowale Temidayo Olutayo , Oladele Omolade Abodunrin , Adedapo Adeolu Alex , Oguntibeju Olufemi Omoniyi , Yakubu Momoh Audu
Published: October 2021

Lead is one of the major pollutants in the world which is deleterious to both animals and humans. It is found in every aspect of the environment such as the air, water and soil. This pollutant affect both wild and domestic birds. Naringin is a flavonoid that has been found to have medicinal properties mostly because of its antioxidant and metal chelating effects. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of naringin against lead-induced anaemia, cardio and nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, and hypertension. Thirty -six cockerel chicks were used for this study, and randomly grouped into six chicks per group; Group A served as the control, Group B received Pb only (300 ppm), Group C (Pb and naringin; 80 mg/kg), Group D (Pb and naringin; 160 mg/kg), Group E (naringin 80 mg/kg) and Group F (naringin 160 mg/kg), respectively for eight weeks. Lead (Pb) was administered via drinking water while Naringin was administered via oral gavage. Lead acetate intoxication precipitated anaemia as indicated by significant reductions in the values of PCV, RBC, and Hb concentration in lead-treated chicks when compared with the controls. Also, lead administration induced hypertension together with increased oxidative stress, depletion of the antioxidant defense system, reduced nitric oxide production and increase in high blood pressure. Immunohistochemistry indicated high expressions of cardiac troponin, renal angiotensin converting enzymes, and renal neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin. Treatment with naringin corrected anemia, reduced oxidative stress, improved antioxidant system, reduced high blood pressure, and offered protection against lead acetate-induced cardio-renal dysfunction in cockerel chicks.
A Novel Immune and Inflammatory Related Gene Signature in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Yunji , Huang Guo , Li Wenbing
Published: October 2021

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely related to immunity and inflammation, but the value of using immune and inflammation-related genes as predicting the prognosis of HCC requires further research.Methods: The Hepatocellular Carcinomar mRNA data was downloaded in the TCGA and ICGC database. The R package "limma" was used to analyze the differential expression of genes (DEGs) irelated to immune and inflammatory .Univariate Cox analysis screen for immune and inflammation related genes with prognostic value, then construction and verification of the prognostic model in Hepatocellular Carcinomar. The correlation between risk score with tumor immune immersion and immune cell function was assessed through tumor microensure and immune response analysis. NCI-60 cell line to explore the relationship between prognostic gene expression and drug sensitivity.Results: We evaluated 8 immune and inflammatory-related genes to build a prognostic risk prediction model, riskscore is an independent risk factor affecting prognosis, closely related to histological grading and clinical staging. The immune of adCs, macrophages, Tfh cells, Treg cells and Th1 cells higher in the tumor microenvironment leads to poor prognosis of liver cancer. Using data from the NCI-60 cell line, DNASE1L3 high expression may increased resistance of liver cancer cells to bovine platinum, solafinil and bovine platinum. The expression of SLC7A11 can increase the sensitivity of liver cancer to arsenic trioxide (ATO). Simultaneously constructing models and tumor microenvironment and drug resistance may provide effective and safe strategies for HCC chemotherapy and immunotherapy.Conclusion:Our study screened eight immune and inflammation-related genes play an important role in HCC tumor immunity and can be used to predict the prognosis of HCC.
Primary Tumor Surgery Improves Survival in Patients With Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Population-Based Preliminary Study
Authors: Yan Haihao , Liu Zheng
Published: October 2021

Background: Chemotherapy has always been the primary treatment for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-NECs), but the efficacy of surgical resection for GEP-NECs patients receiving chemotherapy is still controversial.Methods: Information on GEP-NECs patients from 2004 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) databases. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test were used to evaluate the difference in survival rate between the surgery and the non-surgery group. Cox proportional hazard model was used to find the prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) time and cancer-specific survival (CSS) time. Results: A total of 589 patients participated in our study, including 196 patients who underwent surgery and 393 patients who did not undergo surgery. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that there were significant differences in OS and CSS (p<0.001) between the surgery and the non-surgery group. Multivariate COX analysis showed that surgery was an independent protective factor for prolonging the duration of OS and CSS (p < 0.001). At the same time, through the propensity score-matched (PSM) of the original data, we also draw the same conclusion.Conclusion: Our study preliminarily shows that for some patients with GEP-NECs, surgery for primary tumors may bring survival benefits. Compared with chemotherapy alone, surgery combined with chemotherapy can significantly prolong the survival time of patients.
New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation is an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Patients With Candidemia
Authors: Xiao Zengli , Du Anqi , An Youzhong
Published: October 2021

Background: Candidemia, or invasive candidiasis infection, is prevalent in critically ill patients and significantly contributes to the mortality and morbidity of such patients. New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) also occurs frequently in critically ill patients. However, the association between NOAF and candidemia is still uncertain. This study aims to determine whether NOAF could increase the mortality rate of critically ill patients who have candidemia.Methods: We retrospectively identified NOAF in all patients who were admitted into a non-cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) and diagnosed as candidemia from January 2011 to March 2018. These patients were divided into 3 groups (NOAF, Prior AF, No AF). Clinical information and long-term outcome were collected and compared between three groups . Risk factors for these patients’ short-term and long-term mortality were also analyzed.Results: Ninety-two patients with candidemia were included from 2011 to 2018. Among these patients, 26 (28.3%) developed NOAF during their ICU hospitalization. Patients with NOAF had lower survival rate than those who never developed AF. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that stroke, anemia, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and NOAF were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and NOAF was also an independent risk factor for 1 year mortality. Conclusions: There was a high incidence of NOAF in patients with candidemia. In this study, we found NOAF was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and 1 year mortality after hospital discharge for patients with candidemia.
Feedback inhibition by GABAergic interneurons that are driven by dorsal raphe-projecting pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex suppress feeding of adolescent female mice undergoing activity-based anorexia
Authors: Du Muzi , Santiago Adrienne , Akiz Cenk , Aoki Chiye
Published: October 2021

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is characterized by voluntary food restriction, excessive exercise and mortality rate surpassing that of major depression. Activity-based anorexia (ABA) is an animal model that captures these characteristics of AN, thus having the potential to reveal the neurobiology underlying individual differences in AN vulnerability. Dorsal raphe (DR) is known to regulate feeding but its role in ABA remains unexplored. Through chemogenetic activation, we investigated the role of mPFC pyramidal neurons projecting to DR (mPFC→DR) in an animal’s decision to eat or exercise following ABA induction. Although the DREADD ligand C21 could activate 44% of the mPFC→DR neurons, this did not generate significant group mean difference in the amount of food intake, compared to control ABA mice without chemogenetic activation. However, further analysis of individual animals’ responses to C21 revealed a significant, positive correlation between food intake and mPFC→ DR neurons that co-express cFos, a marker for neuronal activity. cFos expression by GABAergic interneurons (GABA-IN) in mPFC was significantly greater than that for the control ABA mice, indicating recruitment of GABA-IN by mPFC→DR neurons. Electron microscopic immunohistochemistry (EM-ICC) revealed that GABAergic innervation is 60% greater for the PFC→DR neurons than the Layer 5 pyramidal neurons without projections to DR. Moreover, individual differences in this innervation correlated negatively with food intake specifically on the day of C21 administration. We propose that C21 activates two antagonistic pathways: 1) PFC→DR pyramidal neurons that promote food intake; and 2) GABA-IN in the mPFC that dampen food intake through feedback inhibition of mPFC→DR neurons.
Plexiform Fibromyxoma of The Stomach: A Rare Case Report And Review of Literature
Authors: Wei Xiao , Kwasi Attigah S. D. , Li Qi , Wu Hongyan , Chen Jun , Sun Qi
Published: October 2021

Background: Plexiform fibromyxoma (PF) is a very rare mesenchymal tumor of the stomach. Here we report one case of this unusual gastric tumor that was pathologically confirmed after endoscopic resection. Its clinical and pathologic features were observed while the relevant literature was reviewed. Case presentation: A 1.0 cm round elevated submucosal mass was discovered by gastroscopy in a 44-year-old Chinese woman due to recurrent abdominal pain. The tumor was characterized by a multinodular plexiform pattern, bland-looking oval to spindle cells, and a myxoid stroma with thin arborizing capillaries. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the tumor cells were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and negative for CD117, DOG-1, CD34, Desmin, progesterone receptor (PR), CD10, S100 and SOX10. A diagnosis of PF was rendered.Conclusion: Gastric PF is a benign tumor without evidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis. This case emphasizes the unique histological appearance and immunophenotype of PF to promote early diagnosis, while endoscopic resection can be used as an alternative treatment for small and superficial PF.
Maternal Fermented Diet Drives Early-Life Gut Health by Boosting Milk L-Glutamine and Gut Lactobacillus Reuteri
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wei Siyu , Jin Mingliang , Wang Yizhen
Published: October 2021

BackgroundKnowledge is growing on how maternal nutrition shapes neonatal health. However, the effects of maternal factors on gut health in offspring and how the maternal fermented diet (MFD) affects it remain elusive. Here, we applied in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the impacts and the underlying mechanism of the MFD on early-life gut health. ResultsThe MFD remarkably improved the performance of both sows and piglets, significantly increased the abundance of maternal gut Lactobacillus, Succiniclasticum and enhanced protein and fat metabolic pathways. α-guanidinoglutaric acid, hippuric acid, L-glutamine (GLN), and pyridoxic acid, as well as glutamine metabolism in the milk were notably improved by the MFD. In addition, the MDF significantly accelerated the maturation of the gut microbiome in early life, increased the abundance of gut Lactobacillus, and the microbial functions of amino acid-related enzymes and glucose metabolism on the weaning day. Notably, the MFD reduced the susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced colonic inflammation in offspring. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) suggested that the MFD might play critical roles in early-life gut health by mediating maternal gut microbiota. Multi-omics analysis and in vivo and in vitro assays revealed maternal Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) and milk GLN were two main maternal effectors that contributed to the gut health of offspring. The properties of LR and GLN in alleviating LPS-induced colonic inflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK were further revealed in mice and cells.ConclusionsThese findings provide the first data revealing that the MFD drives early life gut microbiota development and ameliorated the colonic inflammation by boosting milk L-glutamine and gut Lactobacillus reuteri. These fundamental data might provide references for modulating maternal nutrition to prevent early life gut inflammatory bowel disease and enhance gut health.
Team IHMC At The 2020 Cybathlon: A User-Centered Approach Towards Personal Mobility Exoskeletons
Authors: Peterson Brandon , Daniel Mark , Mani Vishnu Subra , Arnold Brooke , Craig Travis , Gines Jeremy , Gonzalez Carlos , Howell William , Shrewsbury Brandon , Bellman Matthew , Neuhaus Peter , Griffin Robert
Published: October 2021

Background: The past few decades have seen rapid advancements in exoskeleton technology, with a considerable shift towards applications involving users with gait pathologies. Commercial devices from ReWalk, Ekso Bionics, and Indego, mainly designed for rehabilitation purposes, have inspired the development of many research platforms aimed at extending capabilities for use as safe and effective personal mobility devices. The 2016 Cybathlon featured an impressive demonstration of exoskeletons designed to enable mobility for individuals with spinal cord injury, however, not a single team completed every task and only two completed the stairs. Major improvements were showcased at the 2020 Cybathlon, with seven of the nine teams completing a similar set of tasks. Team IHMC built upon its silver-medal success from 2016 with an upgraded device, Quix. ﻿Methods: Quix features several notable improvements including an additional powered degree of freedom for hip ab/adduction to laterally shift the device and reduce user effort while walking, custom-tailored cuffs and soft goods based on 3D body scans to optimize user comfort, and a streamlined testing pipeline for online tuning of gait parameters.Results: Team IHMC finished in fourth place behind the teams from EPFL and Angel Robotics. Although we suffered from a considerably slower flat-ground walking speed, our pilot reported marked improvements in overall effort, comfort, and ease-of-use compared to our previous device.Conclusions: Clear progress in exoskeleton development has been exhibited since the inaugural Cybathlon, with tasks involving rough terrain, stairs, and ramps now posing little threat to most of the competitors. As a result, the layout of the powered exoskeleton course will likely undergo significant modifications to further push the devices towards suitability for personal everyday use. The current tasks do not address the issue of donning and doffing, nor do they simulate a scenario similar to maneuvering a kitchen to prepare a meal, for example. An additional limitation that may be more difficult to test in a competition setting is the required upper-body effort to manipulate the device in an effective manner.
Risk Factors Associated With Mortality in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Dasgupta Sanjukta , Bhattacharya Anindita , Chowdhury Sushmita Roy , Chaudhury Koel
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), an immune-mediated form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), is triggered by inhalation of a wide variety of allergens in susceptible individuals. Several studies suggest that the death rate associated with this disease has increased significantly in recent years. This meta-analysis investigates the significant clinico-radiological characteristics which may be appraised as potential risk factors associated with disease mortality.Methods: Extensive literature search was conducted for original articles published between January 2009 and April 2021 through PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library using the keywords: “hypersensitivity pneumonitis”, “hazard ratio” and “mortality”. Results: A total of 21 independent studies related to mortality of HP subjects could be identified. The combined results of univariate and multivariate analysis suggest that older age [univariate odds ratio (OR) 1.038 (1.028-1.048); multivariate OR 1.036, (1.025-1.046)], male subjects [univariate OR 1.508, (1.240- 1.834); multivariate OR 1.396, (1.004-1.943)], honeycombing [univariate OR 1.086 (1.065- 1.108); multivariate OR 1.121 (1.070- 1.175)] and traction bronchiectasis [univariate OR 1.141 (1.092- 1.192); multivariate OR 1.107 (1.048-1.169)] are significantly associated with mortality risk of HP subjects. Further, forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), ground glass opacity (GGO) and mosaic attenuation were associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. Although smoking status correlated with mortality risk in these patients, the findings appeared to be insignificant. Conclusion: Individual male subjects with older age and presence of extensive fibrosis, i.e., honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis experience an increased mortality risk.
The Effects of a Group-based Intervention through Physical Activities and Diet in Young Patients with Serious Psychiatric Disorders: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sentissi Othman , Zosso Gabrielle , Cogordon Anouck , Chilla Chiarra
Published: October 2021

Background and objectives: The present study aims to investigate the effect of the 4-F (Fit, Fun, Feel and Food) group-based program on physical, clinical and biological outcomes in young patients suffering from serious psychiatric disorders.Methods: To prevent weight gain and improve mental and physical health in young patients, we investigated in a naturalistic design, the effect of a group-based intervention through an exploratory study.Results: We observed that out of the 61 outpatients initially included in the program, 71% were overweight or obese. The 24 patients who completed the full program showed no significant decrease in weight or body composition. Our main findings were the significant improvement in muscular endurance as well as coordination from T0 (M=13.65, SD=±1.93) compared to T1 (M=12.49, SD= ±1.81), (t(20) = 3.072 p = <0.05) and the increase in the general mental well-being of these patients from baseline to the end of the program. According to the type of psychopathology, (F(3,10) = 4.25, p < .05), we also noticed a slight modification in eating behaviour with a tendency to decrease in the TFEQ hunger’s level.Conclusion: Despite the limitations, the findings of this exploratory study demonstrated that this program is feasible and resulted in better physical conditions with enhanced mental well-being in young patients suffering from psychiatric disorders, sedentary behaviour and unhealthy lifestyles. Further research is warranted in controlled and larger population samples to further our understanding of the effect of such interventions.
Removal of oil from produced water using electrochemical method
Authors: M Sumayya V , P.A Soloman
Published: October 2021

The produced water usually contains 1000 mg/litre of crude oil in dissolved, suspended and emulsion form. It is required to reduce the crude oil content to less than 40 mg/litre, to meet the latest discharge regulations. Current produced water technologies include centrifugation, compact floatation units, gravity settling, sand filtration, macroporous polymer extraction and ozonation. But their applications have certain disadvantages. This project is aimed to deal with the use of electro­chemical methods for the removal of oil from produced water and thereby reducing the environmental impact of produced water. An experimental setup for electro­coagulation, containing a stainless-steel cathode and a mild steel anode is used in the present study. In the electro­coagulation process, the coagulant is generated in situ by electrolytic oxidation of anode material, which facilitates agglomeration or coagulation of oil droplets and suspended solids and resultant separation from the aqueous phase. The response surface methodology software has been used to determine the relation between oil removal performance of the system and operating parameters such as current density, time and initial pH.
The Predictors of COVID-19 Disease Outcomes in Health Care Workers
Authors: Monfared Ali , Madani Ali Hamidi , Taromsari Morteza Rahbar , Khosravi Masoud , Rezvani Seyed Mahmoud , Pourkazemi Aydin , Aghajanzadeh Pegah , Akhondzadeh Neda , Fakhr-Mousavi Aboozar , Saeedinia Mostafa , Habibi Ali Faghih , Vakilzadeh Mohammad Hasan , Foumani Seyed Ali Alavi , Jafarinejad Alireza , Tangestaninejad Azita , Gharib Cyrus , Shenavar Irandokht , Baluo Heidar Ali , Hemmati Hossein , Heidarzadeh Abtin , Jouryabi Ali Mohammadzadeh , Rimaz Siamak , Haghighi Mohammad , Naderi-Nabi Bahram , Esmaeili Samaneh , Akhondzadeh Leila
Published: October 2021

Introduction: The COVID-19 has been associated with many problems for the general public and especially health care workers (HCWs). This study conducted to provide predictors of COVID-19 outcomes on HCWs in Rasht, Iran.Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, 381 HCWs with positive RT-PCR or high-resolution lungs computed tomography for COVID-19 from February 21 to April 19, 2020 evaluated. The prevalence, demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological presentations and outcomes and their correlation were studied.Results: The prevalence of COVID-19 in HCWs was 5.62%, and the total mortality rate was 0.2%. The mortality rates were different between genders (P=0.002) and in general ward compared to intensive care unit (P=0.001). In the multivariate analysis, age (OR:1.12, 95%CI 1.02–1.23, P=0.014), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR:10.73, 95%CI 1.91–60.3, P=0.007), blood group B (OR:19.2, 95%CI 1.8–199.984, P=0.013), the presence of peribronchovascular involvement (OR:1.1, 95% CI OR:1.02–1.2, P=0.019), dyspnea on admission (OR:1.05, 95%CI 1.01–1.09, P=0.013), higher neutrophil count (OR:1.09, 95%CI 1.04–1.14, P<0.001), higher level of alkaline phosphatase (OR:1, 95%CI 1.001–1.002, P=0.001), and longer prothrombin time (OR:1.027, 95%CI 1.008–1.046, P=0.005) increase the risk of mortality. The cutoff of 90% for oxygen saturation on admission (sensitivity=91.9%, specificity=88.9%) and 1004 for absolute lymphocyte count (sensitivity=81.8%, specificity=66.6%) were estimated as predictors of mortality.Conclusions: Old age, male sex, underlying disease of DM and hypertension, O2 saturation less than 90%, and absolute lymphocyte count less than 1004/mL in HCWs are prone to adverse outcomes such as the need for mechanical ventilation or death.