bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Turnover Overrides Temporal Turnover In Two Plant-Pollinator Communities
Authors: Magrach Ainhoa , Artamendi Maddi , Dominguez-Lapido Paula , Parejo Clara , Rubio Encarnacion
Published: February 2022

In recent years, an extended body of literature has focused on the importance of temporal dynamics in shaping the structure of plant and pollinator communities and their interactions. This improvement from a previously static perspective to community analysis has allowed us to understand many of the ecological processes that shape these communities. However, a focus on temporal dynamics has led to a decreased attention to the spatial dynamics. Here, we use a dataset collected across two contrasting habitat types in N and SW Spain, mountain grasslands and the understory of sparse pine forests. We collected data across five sites in each area, and weekly throughout the full flowering season at each area for two consecutive years. Our results show that spatial differences in species composition and species individual roles led to significant changes in interaction composition. We find that interaction turnover was much larger across space than time, demonstrating that the spatial context leads to a significant rewiring of interactions. Our study shows significant spatial and temporal dynamics that we are currently far from understanding and that explain why predicting interactions is still a failed subject in ecology.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Forecasts Using Internet Search Data
Authors: Wang Tao , Ma Simin , Baek Soobin , Yang Shihao
Published: February 2022

As the COVID-19 spread over the globe and new variants of COVID-19 keep occurring, reliable real-time forecasts of COVID-19 hospitalizations are critical for public health decision on medical resources allocations such as ICU beds, ventilators, and personnel to prepare for the surge of COVID-19 pandemics. Inspired by the strong association between public search behavior and hospitalization admission, we extended previously-proposed influenza tracking model, ARGO (AutoRegression with GOogle search data), to predict future 2-week national and state-level COVID-19 new hospital admissions. Leveraging the COVID-19 related time series information and Google search data, our method is able to robustly capture new COVID-19 variants’ surges, and self-correct at both national and state level. Based on our retrospective out-of-sample evaluation over 12-month comparison period, our method achieves on average 15% error reduction over the best alternative models collected from COVID-19 forecast hub. Overall, we showed that our method is flexible, self-correcting, robust, accurate, and interpretable, making it a potentially powerful tool to assist health-care officials and decision making for the current and future infectious disease outbreak.
Discordant American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification between Anesthesiologists and Surgeons and its correlation with Adverse Patient Outcomes
Authors: Kwa Charlene Xian Wen , Cui Jiaqian , Lim Daniel Yan Zheng , Sim Yilin Eileen , Ke Yuhe , Abdullah Hairil Rizal
Published: February 2022

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (ASA) is used for communication of patient health status, risk scoring, benchmarking and financial claims. Prior studies using hypothetical scenarios have shown poor concordance of ASA classification among healthcare providers. There is a paucity of studies using clinical data, and of clinical factors or patient outcomes associated with discordant classification. The study aims to assess ASA classification concordance between surgeons and anesthesiologists, factors surrounding discordance and its impact on patient outcomes. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary medical center on 46284 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery between January 2017 and December 2019. The ASA class showed moderate concordance (weighted Cohen’s 𝜅 0.53) between surgeons and anesthesiologists. We found significant associations between discordant classification and patient comorbidities, age and race. Patients with discordant classification had a higher risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.52-2.62, p<0.0001), 1-year mortality (OR 1.53, 95% CI = 1.38-1.69, p < 0.0001), and Intensive Care Unit admission >24 hours (OR 1.69, 95% CI = 1.47-1.94, p< 0.0001). Hence, there is a need for improved standardization of ASA scoring and cross-specialty review in ASA-discordant cases.
Role of unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity on dental caries of children: Findings from community based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ansari Asma Saher , Ahmed Imtiaz , Qureshi Masood Anwar , Hussain Mehwish , Ansari Zairah Muqaddas
Published: February 2022

Background: Dental caries development is a complex and dynamic process which is influenced by wide array of factors, of which dietary habits and salivary physicochemical biomarkers are of most significance. Salivary markers such as flow rate, pH and buffering capacity play a major role in the development of caries. In this study the relationship between these salivary marker among caries free and caries active was measured.Methods: In this analytical cross sectional study, multistage stratified sampling technique was used, 700 private and public school children of different socioeconomic class, between six to sixteen years of age were selected. The status of dental caries was determined through dental examination using DMFT index. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected through Passive Drool Method and the selected physiochemical properties were assessed. The mean difference between caries free and caries active groups was noted and to identify significant risk factors for caries logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: Comparison of salivary parameters between the two groups (caries free, caries active) showed that, there is significant decrease in mean value for salivary flow rate and buffering capacity in caries active group i.e., p<0.001. Risk factors were found to be significantly high in caries active group with flow rate (OR=20.06; p< 0.001), pH (OR=1.82; p= 0.90) and buffer capacity (OR=8.76; p=0.79). Conclusion: Research showed that participants with active caries have lower resting salivary flow rates than caries free subjects. Caries free participants had a normal range of salivary pH and better buffering capacity than participants with active caries.
Advances in the Study of OSA and Diabetic Foot
Authors: Lin Jiayu , Song Hailing , Liang Meihong , Cai Zeqiang , Chen Tan , Lin Zhenyu
Published: February 2022

Diabetic foot is one of the most serious and painful chronic complications of diabetic patients, especially elderly diabetic patients. It has a high rate of death, disability and amputation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a treatable chronic sleep disorder. Existing evidence suggests that OSA may promote the development and delay the healing of diabetic foot, and continuous positive airway pressure therapy may promote the healing of ulcers. Therefore, in the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, cooperation with sleep medicine should be strengthened, and the basic and clinical research on diabetic foot combined with OSA should be strengthened, so as to reduce the amputation rate, improve the cure rate and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events.
Assessment of neutralizing antibody responses after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in Congolese individuals
Authors: Ntoumi Francine , Batchi-Bouyou Armel Landry , Djontu Jean Claude , Vouvoungui Jeannhey Christevy , Mfoutou Claujens Chastel Mapanguy , Ingoba Line Lobaloba , Mougany Jiré Séphora , Boumpoutou Kamal Rauchelvy , Diafouka-kietela Steve , Ampa Raoul
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAssessing immune responses after vaccination is part of the evaluation package of vaccine effectiveness in the real world. With regard to SARS-CoV-2, neutralizing antibody levels has been shown to be a good indicator of antibody immune response boosting. So far, limited data have been reported from Africa including in Central Africa. The objective of this study was to provide data on anti-S1 spike total IgG and neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated and non-vaccinated including naturally infected Congolese population during B.1.214.1 and B.1.617.2 variant waves.MethodsRecruited patients were divided into 4 groups: (1) Naturally infected by the B.1.214.1 variant on January 2021 and followed up until September 2021. These patients have been vaccinated at month 07 and then followed up for 2 months post vaccination; (2) Naturally infected by the B.1.617.2 variant from June 2021; (3) unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 individuals with no history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection; (3) fully vaccinated individuals with Sinopharm/BBIP-CorV or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S. SARS-CoV-2 was detected by qRT-PCR and sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing. ELISA method was used for detecting IgG, and neutralizing Antibody against SARS-CoV-2 antigens using commercial neutralizing assay.ResultsIndividuals infected by the B.1214.1 variant elicited consistently high IgG titers at 02, 03 and 06 months. Two months post vaccination with BBIP-CorV, participants showed a significant increase by x2.5 fold (p<0.0001) of total IgG and X1.5 fold for neutralizing antibody capacity. This study showed that natural infection with B1.617.2 (delta) variant was more immunogenic compared to those being infected with B1.214.2 variant at the same period. We found a significantly higher concentration in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (p<0.0002) and antibodies neutralization capacity (P<0.0001) in fully vaccinated compared to unvaccinated participants. Two months post vaccination, individuals who received Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S presented higher (p= 0.01) total IgG to spike protein compared to BBIP-CorV.ConclusionBoth natural infection and vaccination with BBIP-CorV and Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S induced antibody response in Congolese population. In addition, Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S was more immunogenic than Sinopharm/BBIP-CorV. There is a need to investigate the duration of these antibodies both in previously infected and naive vaccinated Congolese to allow public heath stakeholders to make evidence-based decision on vaccine schedule for the Congolese population.
Hot spring bathing is associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension among Japanese older adults: A cross-sectional study in Beppu
Authors: Yamasaki Satoshi , Tokunou Tomotake , Maeda Toyoki , Horiuchi Takahiko
Published: February 2022

Background: Hot spring bathing is practiced to manage various diseases, including hypertension. We investigated the preventive effects on hypertension of hot spring bathing for older adults in a data analysis using responses to a previous questionnaire with the aim to identify a novel approach in the prevention and management of hypertension.Methods: Among 10428 adults aged ≥65 years, we assessed the hot spring bathing habits in the 4001 subjects with a history of hypertension. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model for the history of hypertension.Results: In a multivariable logistic regression model, age (≥85 years; OR, 1.410; 95% CI, 1.180–1.690), history of arrythmia (OR, 1.580; 95% CI, 1.380–1.820), stroke (OR, 1.590; 95% CI, 1.280–1.980), gout (OR, 1.900; 95% CI, 1.540–2.330), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.470; 95% CI, 1.310–1.650), hyperlipidemia (OR, 1.680; 95% CI, 1.490–1.910), renal disease (OR, 1.500; 95% CI, 1.220–1.860) chronic hepatitis (OR, 0.648; 95% CI, 0.494–0.849), and hot spring bathing for 20–29 min (OR, 0.817; 95% CI, 0.715–0.934) and at 19:00 or later (OR, 0.884; 95% CI, 0.715–0.934) were independently and significantly associated with hypertension during the lifetime. Conclusions: These results support our hypothesis that habitual nighttime hot spring bathing is associated with improved hypertension control. The findings suggest that nighttime hot spring bathing might help in preventing hypertension owing to chronic stress-induced sleep disturbance in adults aged >65 years.
The yeast two-component SLN1 pathway and the scaffolding activity of Pbs2 modulate the response to endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by tunicamycin.
Authors: Hernández-Elvira Mariana , Salas-Delgado Griselda , Kawasaki Laura , Domínguez-Martin Eunice , Cruz-Martínez Uriel , Olivares Abiram E. , Torres-Quiroz Francisco , Ongay-Larios Laura , Coria Roberto
Published: February 2022

In addition to the UPR pathway, yeast cells require components of the HOG pathway to respond to ER stress. In this work we found that unphosphorylated Sln1 and Ssk1 are required to mount an appropriate response to Tn. We also found that the MAPKKKs Ssk2 participates in the Tn response, but its osmo-redundant protein Ssk22 does not. We also found that the Pbs2 docking sites for Ssk2 (RDS-I and KD) are partially dispensable when mutated separately, however, the prevention of Ssk2 binding to Pbs2, by the simultaneous mutation of RDS-I and KD caused strong sensitivity to Tn. In agreement with the lack of Hog1 phosphorylation during Tn treatment, a moderate resistance to Tn is obtained when a Pbs2 version lacking its kinase activity is expressed, however the presence of mutual Pbs2-Hog1 docking sites is essential for the Tn response. Finally, we detected that Tn induced a transcriptional activation of some components of the SLN1 branch. These results indicate that the Tn response requires a complex formed by the MAPK module and components of the SLN1 branch but not their canonical osmoregulatory activities.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals the role of Oryza sativa FOUR LIPS in response to salt stress in rice
Authors: Zhang Chunxia , Zhang Jie , Liu Huichao , Qu Xiaoxiao , Wang Junxue , He Qixiumei , Zou Junjie , Yang Kezhen , Le Jie
Published: February 2022

The Arabidopsis FOUR LIPS (AtFLP), an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, acts as an important stomatal development regulator. Only one orthologue protein of AtFLP, Oryza sativa FLP (OsFLP), was identified in rice. However, the function of OsFLP is largely unknown. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq and ChIP-seq to investigate the potential role of OsFLP in rice. Our results reveal that OsFLP is probably a multiple functional regulator involved in many biological processes in growth development and stress responses in rice. However, we mainly focus on the role of OsFLP in salt stress response. Consistently, phenotypic analysis under salt stress conditions showed that Osflp exhibited significant sensitivity to salt stress, while OsFLP over-expression lines displayed obvious salt tolerance. Additionally, Yeast one-hybrid assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that OsFLP directly bond to the promoter region of Oryza sativa B-type Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1;1 ( OsCDKB1;1 ), and the expression of OsCDKB1;1 was repressed in Osflp . Disturbing the expression of OsCDKB1;1 remarkably enhanced the tolerance to salt stresses. Taken together, our findings reveal a crucial function of OsFLP regulating OsCDKB1;1 in salt tolerance and largely extend the knowledge about the role of OsFLP in rice.
Nutritional Assessment of Nonhospitalized Patients with Liver Cirrhosis in 04 Reference Hospitals in Cameroon
Authors: Nga Winnie Tatiana Bekolo , Ndam Antonin Ndjitoyap , Offiala Nadege Atangana , Bagnaka Servais Albert Fiacre Eloumou , Malongue Agnès , Tzeuton Christian , Noah Dominique Noah , Luma Henry Namme , Njoya Oudou , Andoulo Firmin Ankouane
Published: February 2022

Introduction:
Protein-energy malnutrition is a common complication in cirrhosis. It is a factor of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of undernutrition in Cameroonian cirrhotic patients.
Methodology:
this was an analytical cross-sectional study over 04 months from December 15, 2019, to April 15, 2020. It was framed at 04 reference hospitals in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé. Patients with cirrhosis aged over 18 who agreed to participate in the study were included. The data collected were clinical and paraclinical. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), triceps skinfold (TSF), and arm muscle circumference (AMC) were used for nutritional assessment. The associated factors were sought by univariate and multivariate analyses. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results
Seventy-five patients agreed to participate in our study. The average age was 56+/-15.8 years with extremes ranging from 18 to 80 years. The male gender accounted for 52% (N = 39) of the patients, i.e. a sex ratio of 1.08. The most common etiologies were viral hepatitis B in 50.67% (N = 38) and viral hepatitis C in 48% (N = 36). The most frequent clinical signs were early satiety (N = 47), ascitis (N = 40), anorexia (N = 37). The mean albumin value was 32.2±8.2g/l. The Child-Pugh score was classified as C in 21.3% (N = 16). The prevalence of malnutrition was 46.6% (N = 35), 60% (N = 45) and 94.7% (N = 71) according to SGA, AMC and TSF respectively. The factors associated with malnutrition are a Child-pugh C score (p = 0.00; OR 10.21 [95% CI: 1.23–53.91]), recent hospitalization for > 5 days (p = 0.03 OR 10.1 [95% CI: 2.7-110.6]), anorexia (p = 0.00; OR 4.3 [95% CI: 2-11.8]), the presence of ascites (p = 0.003; OR 20.7 [95% CI: 5.8–101.2]), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.00; OR 3.3 [95% CI: 0.9–73] and serum creatinine greater than 12mg/l (p = 0.00; OR 4.5 [95% CI: 1.3–10.3]).
Conclusion
The prevalence of malnutrition during cirrhosis was 46.6%, 60%, and 94.7% respectively according to SGA, arm muscle circumference (AMC), and triceps skinfold (TSF). The factors associated with malnutrition are recent hospitalization (> 5 days), anorexia, the presence of ascites, the Child-Pugh C score, hypoalbuminemia, and high creatinine.
Clinical Characteristics And Outcomes Of Patients Hospitalised With Takotsubo Syndrome Triggered By Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Polednikova Karolina , Kozel Martin , Linkova Hana , Novackova Marketa , Minh Duc Trinh , Tousek Petr
Published: February 2022

Background: Inflammatory diseases may have important roles in the development of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). However, the clinical profile and outcomes of patients with TTS triggered by inflammatory diseases have rarely been studied. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalences of inflammatory triggers in patients with TTS and describe the clinical characteristics of such patients. Additionally, this study compared the clinical outcomes of patients with TTS triggered by inflammatory diseases to the clinical outcomes of patients with TTS triggered by other mechanisms.Methods and results: One hundred thirty-two patients were enrolled into the single-centre Takotsubo Registry between October 2013 and May 2021. According to the TTS trigger mechanism, patients were divided into three groups: I (emotional trigger, 34 patients; 31.5%), II (non-inflammatory physical trigger, 36 patients; 33.3%), and III (inflammatory trigger, 38 patients: 35.2%). A clear trigger was not identified in 24 (18.1%) patients.There were no significant differences among groups in terms of clinical characteristics, electrocardiography (ECG) findings, or imaging results (ejection fraction in echocardiography and type of TTS according to ventriculography). The natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level was higher in group III (11320.3 ± 12538.0 ng/l) than in group I (4641.4 ± 5366.4 ng/l; p < 0.04); it did not significantly differ from the level in group II (13366.1 ± 12934.2 ng/l; p = 0.54). Patients in group I had the most favourable outcomes in terms of in-hospital survival and an absence of cardiac events. The rates of adverse cardiac events and in-hospital mortality did not significantly differ between groups II and III (22.2% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.48).Conclusion: Almost one-third of all patients with TTS in this study had an inflammatory trigger. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were comparable between patients with TTS caused by inflammatory triggers and patients with other physical triggers. The best clinical outcomes were observed in patients with TTS caused by an emotional trigger.
Differential escape of neutralizing antibodies by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and pre-emergent sarbecoviruses
Authors: Wang Lin-Fa , Tan Chee Wah , Chia Wan Ni , Zhu Feng , Young Barnaby , Chantasrisawad Napaporn , Hwa Shi-Hsia , Yeoh Aileen Ying-Yan , Lim Beng Lee , Yap Wee Chee , Pada Surinder Kaur , Tan Seow Yen , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Chen Shiwei , Zhang Jinyan , Mah Yun Yan , Chen Vivian , Chen Mark , Wacharapluesadee Supaporn , Team COMMIT-KZN , Putcharoen Opass , Lye David
Published: February 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 lineage, Omicron variant, was first detected in November 2021 and carries 32 amino acid mutations in the spike protein (15 in RBD) and exhibits significant escape of neutralizing antibodies targeting the parental SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here, we performed a high-resolution multiplex (16-plex) surrogate virus neutralization assay covering all major SARS-CoV-2 variants and pre-emergent ACE2-binding sarbecoviruses against 20 different human serum panels from infected, vaccinated and hybrid immune individuals which had vaccine-breakthrough infections or infection followed by vaccination. Among all sarbecoviruses tested, we observed 1.1 to 4.7-, 2.3 to 10.3- and 0.7 to 33.3-fold reduction in neutralization activities to SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Omicron and SARS-CoV-1, respectively. Among the SARS-CoV-2 related sarbecoviruses, it is found that the genetically more distant bat RaTG13 and pangolin GX-P5L sarbecoviruses had less neutralization escape than Omicron. Our data suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged from the changed immune landscape of human populations are more potent in escaping neutralizing antibodies, from infection or vaccination, than pre-emergent sarbecoviruses naturally evolved in animal populations with no or less immune selection pressure.
Tuberculosis resistance protein TOLLIP controls immune pathology by resolving the integrated stress response in alveolar macrophages.
Authors: Venkatasubramanian Sambasivan , Plumlee Courtney , Dill-McFarland Kim , Pearson Gemma , Cohen Sara , Lietzke Anne , Pacheco Amanda , Hinderstein Sarah , Soleimanpour Scott , Altman Matthew , Urdahl Kevin , Shah Javeed
Published: February 2022

A functional polymorphism responsible for TOLLIP deficiency is associated with increased tuberculosis risk. However, TOLLIP’s role in TB pathogenesis is unknown. We found that Tollip−/− mice develop severe Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) disease, characterized by lipid-laden foamy macrophages. This phenotype was intrinsic to alveolar macrophages (AM), as Tollip−/− AM from mixed bone marrow chimeras selectively accumulated lipid and harbored Mtb. Global gene expression analysis of Mtb-infected, Tollip−/− AM demonstrated increased EIF2 signaling, a key regulator of the integrated stress response (ISR) to variable environmental conditions. The ISR and foam cell formation were linked, as Mtb lipid mycolic acid incubation with Tollip−/− macrophages led to lipid accumulation, ISR responses, and increased Mtb replication. Correspondingly, ISRIB, a small-molecule ISR inhibitor, restored Mtb control in Tollip−/− mice and substantially improved Mtb outcomes in resistant C57BL/6 mice. Targeting the ISR broadly improves Mtb control and immunopathology, offering a promising target for host-directed tuberculosis therapy.
A survey of implicit bias training in physician assistant and nurse practitioner postgraduate fellowship/residency programs
Authors: Kidd Vasco Deon , Spisak Jennifer , Vanderlinden Sarah , Kayingo Gerald
Published: February 2022

Background: There has been renewed focus on advancing inclusivity within organized medicine to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity by addressing the deleterious effects of implicit bias in healthcare and clinical outcomes. It is well documented that negative implicit attitudes and stereotypes perpetuate inequity in healthcare.The aim of this study is to investigate implicit bias training in postgraduate physician assistant (PA) and nurse practitioner (NP) education; describe delivery of content to trainees; and detail program directors’ attitudes toward this type of training. Although there is research examining implicit bias training in physician residency training, there are no published studies on implicit bias training in postgraduate PA and NP postgraduate residency/fellowship programs.Method: A non-experimental, descriptive study was designed to obtain information via survey from members of the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP).Results: The response rate was 41%. The majority of respondents (76%) felt that PA and NP postgraduate programs should include implicit bias instruction. Educational strategies used by PA and NP postgraduate programs or their sponsoring institution to deliver implicit bias content to trainees include: implicit bias training modules (50%), facilitated group discussions (36%), invited speaker on implicit bias (33%), case studies on implicit bias (16%), and implicit association test (10%); however, 30% of postgraduate programs do not provide implicit bias training to PA and/or NP trainees. Barriers to implementing implicit bias training expressed by some postgraduate programs include: uncertainty in how to incorporate implicit bias training (16%); lack of strategic alignment with training program or sponsoring institution (13%); time constraints (10%); financial constraints (6%); lack of access to content experts (6%); and unfamiliarity with evidence supporting implicit bias training (6%).Conclusion: The present study sheds some light on the current state of implicit bias training in PA and NP postgraduate residency/fellowship programs. While the majority of programs offer some sort of implicit bias training, there is a need to standardize this training in PA and NP postgraduate education curricula using an actionable framework.
Thermally regulated green wall façade
Authors: Gouws Shawn , Gouws Melissa
Published: February 2022

Green living walls can improve the aesthetical quality of a building and it can create a temperature moderating effect inside a building. Temperature will be monitored on the outside wall, research, and control areas for a 1-year period that will encompass all seasons, sunny, cold and rain to capture temperature data. The captured data will then be utilized to calculated heat flux of the solar energy that are absorb through the wall. The amount of energy losses will be determined from the evaporation process taken place during a summer and winter month.
Age and Cohort Trends in Disability Among Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Pan Chaoping , Cao Na , Kelifa Mohammedhamid Osman
Published: February 2022

Objective: This study aims to examine age and cohort trends in disability among Chinese older adults, and explore the disablement process factors that may explain the cohort trends in disability. Methods: The study used data from five waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (CLHLS). A hierarchical logistic growth model was used to analyze the A-P-C effects and the contributors of cohort trends. Results: Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental of Activity of Daily Living (IADL), and Functional Limitation (FL) among Chinese older adults showed increasing age and cohort trends. FL was more likely to result in IADL disability than ADL disability. Among the disablement process factors, gender, residence, education, health behavior, disease, and family income contributed to most of the cohort trends in disability. Conclusions: As facing increasing disability trends among older adults, it is necessary to distinguish age and cohort trends, and develop more effective interventions according to relative contributors to prevent disability among older adults.
Substance Availability, Use, and Misuse in Ex-Professional Ice Hockey Enforcers
Authors: Gaetz Michael
Published: February 2022

Background
Some ex-professional ice hockey enforcers have experienced negative outcomes following their careers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether athletes who had this role were negatively impacted by substance use and misuse during and/or following their careers. It was hypothesised that given their role in the sport, significant exposure to concussive injury occurred leading to a substantial number of challenges including high levels of post-career substance use.
Methods
This study also utilises a mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach with one-on-one semi-structured interviews with questions related to substance use/abuse.
Results
This hypothesis for this study was not supported. Participants in this study reported low levels of substance use post-career. Patterns of substance use during career varied by era with a change in use from alcohol and over-the-counter stimulants to opioids, sleep aids, and AAS estimated to occur near the mid to late 1990s. Alcohol misuse was reported by four participants at some point during their careers. Stimulant use was prevalent in the sport pre-mid 1990s. The use of prescription opioid pain medication and sleep aids was reportedly rare before the mid to late 1990s but eventually became easily attainable via team medical staff and prescription sharing. Two participants from the later era also reported the use of AAS.
Discussion
It has been revealed that this sample of ex-professional hockey enforcers experienced a significant number of concussions, continue to have challenges with chronic pain, and were exposed to several unique stressors during their careers, the effects of which may have varied based upon how the role was viewed. The combination of these factors may have led to increased substance use in some of these athletes during their careers.
Chiropractic – Valued Healthcare for those Living with Disadvantage
Authors: Marthick-Hone Dan Michael , Doyle Aunty Kerrie , Kennedy Gerard A , Vindigni Dein , Polus Barbara I
Published: February 2022

Background: Chiropractic is a mostly privatised health profession within Australia, with people experiencing disadvantage typically having limited access due to financial barriers. However, some universities within Australia offer community outreach clinics where students provide chiropractic care to people living with disadvantage. This demographic experiences higher rates of chronic conditions including musculoskeletal complaints and requires subsidisation to access privatised care. This need also offers opportunity for the chiropractic profession to work within community healthcare teams. A mixed-methods observational study was used to investigate how the unique setting of a student chiropractic community clinic may influence the experience and outcomes of those who attend. Methods: Three patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) investigated client outcomes: Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP); European Five Domain Five Level Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L); and the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI). The PROMs data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Interviews were conducted with clients who had received chiropractic care, chiropractic students, clinical supervisors and staff of the centre. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, and codes and themes were formed using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. Results: Thirty-seven (37) participants completed baseline PROMs and 17 completed follow-ups after four treatments. A total of 72% of participants nominated their primary complaint as chronic. Significant change was noted in general health and wellbeing for the MYMOP, pain and disability for the EQ-5D-5L and index scores for the EQ-5D-5L suggested improved health and wellbeing. Most clients experienced higher levels of enablement post treatment. Twelve participants were interviewed, with five themes emerging from the interview data. Clients reported their lived experiences impacted their health problems and attending the clinic offered benefits beyond improvement of pain and disability. Conclusions: Interview data suggested that these benefits were due to a combination of therapy, the setting and the relationships formed within that setting. Complementing this, PROM data suggested clients experienced better levels of health and wellbeing and decreased levels of pain and disability. Findings indicated that people who experienced disadvantage may receive broader benefits from attending community centres offering chiropractic care. Services such as chiropractic may be complementary in meeting the healthcare needs of those experiencing disadvantage.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for a class of quasilinear Schrodinger equations
Authors: Yuan Ziqing , Liu Shen
Published: February 2022

Consider the quasilinear Schrodinger equation −∆u + V (x)u + λ /2 [|∇u| 2 ]∆u = f(x, u) in R N, where V and f are periodic in x1,...,xN and f is odd in u and subcritical. By employing the genus theory and variational method, we only need f is continuous, which is allowed to have weaker asymptotic growth than usually assumed, and obtain infinitely many geometrically distinct solutions for λ >0
Automatic Estimation of Objective Cyclodeviation in Fundus Image Using Machine Learning
Authors: Hirota Masakazu , Fukushima Megumi , Sasaki Kakeru , Kato Kanako , Usui Chie , Mizuno Yoshinobu , Hayashi Takao , Mizota Atsushi
Published: February 2022

Calculating the angle of objective cyclodeviation has been based on the difference between the fovea and center of the optic nerve head (ONH) in fundus images. An examiner defines the location of the fovea and center of ONH manually; thus, there is an influence of bias, and the analysis time per fundus image is long. Therefore, in this study, we developed a machine learning-based model for automatic cyclodeviation estimation using fundus images. Our model is divided into two steps: detecting macular and ONH regions using the single shot multibox detector (SSD) and estimating cyclodeviaiton using gradient boosting on decision trees of CatBoost. The SSD detected the macular and ONH with a 75% average precision of 99.7% and 99.4%. Then, CatBoost estimated the objective manual cyclodeviation with a mean absolute error of 0.804. These findings suggest that the machine learning-based algorithm estimate cyclodeviation with the same accuracy as a human from fundus images.
Detailed S-Wave Velocity Structure of Sediment and Crust off Sanriku, Japan by a New Analysis Method for Distributed Acoustic Sensing Data Using a Seafloor Cable with Seismic Interferometry
Authors: Fukushima Shun , Shinohara Masanao , Nishida Kiwamu , Takeo Akiko , Yamada Tomoaki , Yomogida Kiyoshi
Published: February 2022

S-wave velocity (Vs) structures of sediments and the uppermost crust in the landward slope of a subduction zone are essential for elucidating the dynamics of the overriding plate. Although distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) measurements have improved the horizontal resolution of Vs structure in marine areas, the estimation has been limited in the upper sedimental layer. This study imaged the structure from shallow to deep sediments at a depth up to 7 km and the uppermost crust off Sanriku, Japan, with high lateral resolution of 2.5km, by applying seismic interferometry to DAS data of 13 hours. We grouped the DAS data into 10-km-long subarrays with 75% overlaps. We first applied a frequency-wavenumber filter to the DAS data to remove DAS instrumental noise and to effectively extract surface waves from short-time records. We then applied the seismic interferometry method and estimated phase velocities at each subarray. The estimated phase velocities of the fundamental- and first higher-mode Rayleigh waves were then used to determine one-dimensional Vs structures for each subarray. The resultant 2-D Vs structure was interpreted as representing sediments and crust. The upper sediment layer became thick seaward, and a discontinuity between sediment and crust layers at depths of 3–7 km showed strong lateral heterogeneities. By combining the result with the P-wave velocity (Vp) structure along the nearest survey line, we could estimate the Vp/Vs value to be 2.28–4.0 in the lowest sedimental layers. Our developed analysis method applying seismic interferometry to marine DAS data can broaden the horizons for estimating heterogeneous Vs and Vp/Vs structures of sediment layers and the upper crusts in subduction zones. These results show that the application of both frequency-wavenumber filtering and seismic interferometry to marine DAS data can be a new tool for estimating the heterogeneous Vs and Vp/Vs structure of sediment layers and the upper crust in subduction zones.
Effect of Microplastics on Nasal and Intestinal Microbiota of High-Exposure Population: Protocol for an Observational Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Xiyu , He Yuchi , Xie Ziyan , Peng Sihan , Xie Chunguang , Wang Heting , Liu Lu , Kang Jian , Yuan Haipo , Liu Ya
Published: February 2022

Background: Microplastics have the characteristics of small size, high specific area, strong ability to adsorb pollutants, and difficult to degrade. They have become a major global environmental problem that humans urgently need to address. A balanced micro-ecosystem is essential to human health. Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to microplastics can change the characteristics of the microbiota in organisms, leading to respiratory, digestive, immune and other system diseases. However, the current research on microplastics is still dominated by animal experiments, and the impact of microplastics on human health is still in its infancy, so relevant research is urgently needed. Methods/Design: Sixty participants with high exposure to microplastics will come from a plastic factory in Chengdu, China. We will conduct 16S rRNA sequencing and 8700 LDIR laser infrared imaging to the samples from the participants and from the environment. We will evaluate the health status of the participants through Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). For comparison, we will also collect samples and questionnaires from 60 volunteers from an area with good environmental quality in Chengdu. To find out the potential predictors and to access the difference between the groups, statistical analysis will be performed in the end.Discussion:The study will be the first observational cross-sectional study focusing on the effects of microplastics on nasal and intestinal microbiota of high-exposure population. The study is expected to provide reliable evidence to fill the gaps in the impact of microplastics on human health.Trial registration:This trial was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100049480) on August 2, 2021.
Oral Administration of the Gut-bacterial Metabolite 5-hydroxyindole and Its Subsequent Acceleration of Gut Motility Have Marginal Effects on the Rat Microbiota
Authors: Waclawiková Barbora , Schwalbe Markus , Aidy Sahar EL
Published: February 2022

Background: Intestinal microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites play a key role in regulating the host physiology, including gut motility. We have previously shown that a wide variety of gut bacteria can produce 5-hydroxyindole from its precursor, dietary supplement and antidepressant, 5-hydroxytryptophan. When 5-hydroxyindole was administered orally in rats, it significantly accelerated the total gut transit time. Results: Here we show, using 16S rRNA sequencing, that 5-hydroxyindole has no effect on the bacterial richness. No separation between the treated and untreated groups was detected based on their microbial composition as shown by principal component analysis. A significant increase in the abundance of only two genera, Shuttleworthia and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, was detected in the 5-hydroxyindole treated group compared to the vehicle group. No significant association was found between the reduced total gut transit time as a result of 5-hydroxyindole administration and the cecal bacterial composition. Conclusions: Together, our study infers a marginal effect of 5-hydroxyindole or its subsequent accelerated gut motility on the cecal microbiota composition of rats. The results urge further investigation of the impact of 5-hydroxyindole oral administration in humans, which will support its potential application as a treatment for slow intestinal motility disorders.
Mesenteric Arterial Thrombosis Revealing Relapse of Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Ferjani Maryem , Zaimi Yosra , Trad Nouha , Hammi Yousra , Ayari Myriam , Ayadi Shema , Sayari Taha , Gargah Tahar
Published: February 2022

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is associated with a hypercoagulable state and may be complicated by thrombotic events. Venous thrombosis is well acknowledged, while arterial thrombosis is rather unusual.Case presentation: we present the case of a 20-year-old woman with a 12-year history of idiopathic NS revealed by extensive cerebral venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism treated with anticoagulation therapy and oral corticosteroid therapy followed by mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The thrombophilia assessment did not show any abnormalities. The evolution was marked by the occurrence of several NS relapses controlled by oral corticosteroid therapy until 2017. Subsequently, the patient had not presented a relapse of her disease, the anticoagulant treatment and the MMF were therefore stopped. One year later, the patient presented with severe diffuse acute abdominal pain associated with postprandial vomiting and bilateral lower limb edema. Laboratory results confirmed a NS relapse. An abdominal CT scan revealed acute thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery with acute mesenteric ischemia. Intraoperative exploration showed mesenteric ischemia with extensive necrosis of the small intestine making their resections incompatible with life. The patient died after 48 hours.Conclusions: Mesenteric arterial thrombosis, which is a rare but a life-threatening NS complication, should always be considered, especially in the case of acute non-specific digestive symptoms.
A Case of Death of Patient With Ovarian Fibroma Combined With Meigs Syndrome and Literature Review
Authors: Tan Na , Jin Kai-yuan , Yang Xiao-rong , Li Cheng-fang , Yao Jin , Zheng Hong
Published: February 2022

Ovarian fibroma is the most common benign pure stromal tumor. It has no specific clinical manifestation, most of which are pelvic or adnexal masses. 10%-15% of cases with hydrothorax or ascites, after tumor resection, hydrothorax and ascites disappear, known as Meigs Syndrome. The elevated level of CA125 in a few patients was easily misdiagnosed as ovarian malignant tumor. A case of bilateral Ovarian fibroma associated with Meigs Syndrome is reported and the literature is reviewed in order to improve the understanding of the changes and avoid misdiagnosis.
Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Report of Three Cases With Comparison of Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Findings
Authors: Hong Soon Auck , Yoo Su Hyun
Published: February 2022

Background: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare, aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma with high stage presentations and poor outcomes. It is especially difficult to differentiate BSCC with an adenoid cystic pattern from high grade adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) using small biopsies. Case presentation: We describe different clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings of BSCC (n=2) and ACC (n=1) of the uterine cervix. Despite similar histopathologic features, BSCC had significantly higher cellular atypism and distinct squamous differentiation, and showed diffuse immunoreactivity to P16 and P63, but non-specific pattern for S100, p53, and CD117 compared with ACC, which showed selective peripheral/internalized positivity for P63 and S100 in myoepithelial cells, and diffuse expression of P53 and P16. High risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types (types 16 and 56) were identified in BSCC, but not in ACC. However, BSCC had relatively undifferentiated cellular characteristics and ACC showed occasional true ductal differentiation with luminal microvilli on ultrastructural studies. Conclusions: p16 overexpression is not a reliable surrogate marker of HPV in relation to differentiated basaloid SCC from high-grade ACC. Useful tools to distinguish a ‘basaloid carcinoma of the cervix’ should be accompanied by HPV analysis and immunostaining patterns for P63 and S100.
A Solitary Hemangioblastoma in the Lateral Ventricle ： case report and review of the literature
Authors: Yu wenjing , Guo Yifan , Cao Zhijian
Published: February 2022

Background
Hemangioblastoma is a benign tumor occurring in the central nervous system. As known, the most common sites are the cerebellum and spinal cord with the typical appearance which is a nodule with a cyst and contrast-enhanced scan demonstrates the obvious enhancement of the nodule and the local cyst wall. However, it’s difficult to diagnose the hemangioblastoma when it occurs in the lateral ventricle, due to the rare incidence of hemangioblastoma in the lateral ventricle.
Case presentation:
A 28-year-old man with a 1-month history of recurrent headache accompanied by slight dizziness, then the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain showed the cystic solid tumor with obvious enhancement in the parenchymal part and local cystic wall, also, there was abnormal dilated blood vessel in the parenchymal part which was considered as the hemangioblastoma in the lateral ventricle.
Conclusions
Total resection of the tumor was performed under neuronavigation, then the tumor was pathologically confirmed to be hemangioblastoma which was the Grade WHOI. Based on this study, we have increased the understanding of hemangioblastoma in the differential diagnosis of tumors located in the lateral ventricle and provide a new method of resection of the tumor.
Encouraging Early Outcomes with Image Guided Pencil Beam Proton Therapy for Cranio-Spinal Irradiation and Unique Considerations for Paediatric Population – First Report From India
Authors: Gaikwad Utpal , MP Noufal , Sylvia Jacinthlyn , Reddy Ashok K , Panda Pankaj Kumar , Chilukuri Srinivas , Sharma Dayananda , Jalali Rakesh
Published: February 2022

Background
To report our experience with image guided pencil beam proton beam therapy (PBT) for craniospinal irradiation (CSI).
Materials and Methods
Between January 2019 to Dec 2021, we carried out a detailed audit of the first forty patients treated with PBT. We had recorded acute toxicities, reporting early outcomes and discuss limitations of current contouring guidelines during CSI PBT planning.
Results
Median age of the patient cohort was 8 years, and histologies include 20 medulloblastoma, 7 recurrent ependymoma, 3 pineoblastoma, 3 were germ cell tumors and remaining 7 constituted other diagnoses. Forty percent patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Median CSI dose was 23.4 GyE (Gray Equivalent; range 21.6–35). Thirty-five patients (87.5%) completed their CSI without interruption, 5 required hospital admission. No patient had grade 2/> weight loss during the treatment. Forty-five percent (18) developed grade 1 haematological toxicities and 20% (8) developed grade 2 or 3 toxicities; none had grade 4 toxicities. At median follow up of 12 months, 90% patients are alive of whom 88.9% are having local control. Special consideration with modification in standard contouring used at our institute helped in limiting acute toxicities in paediatric CSI patients.
Conclusion
Our preliminary experience with modern contemporary PBT using pencil beam technology and daily image guidance in a range of tumours suitable for CSI is encouraging. Patients tolerated the treatment well with acceptable acute toxicity and expected short-term survival outcome. In paediatric CSI patients, modification in standard contouring guidelines required to achieve better results with PBT.