bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Reference Values for Tear Production and Intraocular Pressure in Pygoscelid Penguins of the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: BAYRAM Latife CAKIR , İSLER Cafer Tayer , EKEBAS Görkem
Published: May 2022

According to literature review, this is the first study investigating tear production and intraocular pressure in pygoscelid penguins living in their natural habitat. This study also provides reference values for penguins kept under professional care at zoos and rehabilitation centres. This study aimed to establish normal values for standard ocular tests, including the Schirmer tear test (STT-1) and intraocular pressure test (IOP), for penguins belonging to the genus Pygoscelis (P), namely, the Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) and chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) penguins. Ophthalmic measurements were made from the Antarctic. In the left eye of each penguin, the amount of tear production (TP) was determined with the STT-1 and the IOP was measured using a Tonovet® rebound tonometer. No macroscopic findings affecting the eyelids, third eyelid, cornea or anterior eye camera were detected in the eyes of the examined penguins. The mean STT-1 and mean IOP values of 129 and 120 adult penguins were determined as 10.163 ± 4.054 mm/min and 38.852 ± 13.188 mmHg, respectively. A statistical difference at the level of p < 0.001 was determined between the islands for the mean IOP values. While no statistically significant difference was detected between the penguin species for the mean IOP values, between the locations was found to be significant (p < 0.001). Statistical differences at a level of p < 0.05 were determined for the mean TP values between the all locations and for the mean IOP values between the all locations ( p < 0.001) and only Lions Rump - Ardley I (p = 0.023). A statistical difference of p < 0.05 was detected between the chinstrap and gentoo for the mean STT-1 values. This study, which is aimed at reporting the first literature data in this field, has shown the need for further more detailed studies to elucidate the impact of different locations, daily time intervals and seasons on the STT and IOP values of penguins.
Identification of molecular subtypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by gene expression profiling
Authors: Pingan 张平安 Zhang , Gao Na , Li Xiaoning , Ji Guochao , Wu Jianjun
Published: May 2022

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become the fourth most lethal disease in the world and is expected to rise to the third most lethal disease in the world after 2030.COPD is complex and has clinical heterogeneity. However, identifying the subgroup characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has become a challenge.Objectives: In order to delay the progress of COPD patients and improve their quality of life, we can find patients with different treatment goals and formulate different targeted treatment schemes by studying the differences between different subgroups.Methods: We obtained the relevant gene chip by searching the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. 151 patients with COPD obtained from GEO database were divided into three subgroups by consensus clustering. In order to study the differential gene expression patterns between different subgroups, five subgroup specific weighted gene coexpression analysis modules were determined by weighted gene coexpression analysis (WGCNA).Results: The characteristics of WGCNA module showed that subjects in subgroup I showed airway remodeling characteristics; Subjects in subgroup II showed metabolic activity; Subjects in subgroup III showed inflammatory characteristics.Conclusions: This study obtained the clinical subgroup classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through consensus clustering, and found that patients in different subgroups may have unique gene expression patterns, which can help researchers explore new treatment strategies for COPD according to the characteristics of clinical subgroups.
Adapter Based Fine-Tuning of Pre-Trained Multilingual Language Models for Code-Mixed and Code-Switched Text Classification
Authors: Rathnayake Himashi , Sumanapala Janani , Rukshani Raveesha , Ranathunga Surangika
Published: May 2022

Code-mixing and code-switching (CMCS) are frequent features in online conversations. Classification of such text is challenging if one of the languages is low-resourced. Fine-tuning pre-trained multilingual language models (PMLMs) is a promising avenue for code-mixed text classification. In this paper, we explore adapter-based fine-tuning of PMLMs for CMCS text classification. We introduce sequential and parallel stacking of adapters, continuous fine-tuning of adapters, and training adapters without freezing the original model as novel techniques with respect to single-task CMCS text classification. We also present a newly annotated dataset for the classification of Sinhala-English code-mixed and code-switched text data, where Sinhala is a low-resourced language. Our dataset of 10000 user comments has been manually annotated for five classification tasks: sentiment analysis, humor detection, hate speech detection, language identification, and aspects identification, thus making it the first publicly available Sinhala-English CMCS dataset with the largest number of annotation types. In addition to this dataset, we also carried out experiments on our proposed techniques with Kannada-English and Hindi-English datasets. These experiments confirm that our adapter-based PMLM fine-tuning techniques outperform, or are on par with the basic fine-tuning of PMLM models.
Risk factors of pelvic floor muscle strength in south Chinese women: a retrospective study
Authors: Fang Jianqi , Ye Jiajia , Huang Qing , Lin Yang , Weng Yilin , Wang Miao , Chen Yi , Lu Yao , Zhang Ronghua
Published: May 2022

Objectives: To to evaluate pelvic floor muscle strength using surface electromyography and risk factors of pelvic floor muscle strength in early postpartum period.Methods: This retrospective study included 21302 participants who visited Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from September 2019 to February 2022. All participants were assessed by medical professionals for general information and surface electromyography.Results: Age and neonatal weight showed a negative linear relation with rapid, tonic and endurance contraction (β=-.298, P<0.001; β=-.354, P<0.001; β=-.310, P<0.001, respectively; β=-1.199, P<0.001; β=-.380, P<0.05; β=-.436, P<0.01, respectively). Secundipara had a positive effect on rapid, tonic, and endurance contraction than primipara (β=-.055, P<0.001; β=-.032, P<0.001; β=-.029, P<0.001, respectively). All factors showed even positive values in tertipara (β=-.025, P<0.001; β=-.018, P=0.010; β=-.021, P=0.002, respectively). Contrarily, body mass index, education and Gestational weight gain (endurance contraction only) also showed a positive linear relation with three types of contraction (β=.546, P<0.001; β=.366, P<0.001; β=.309, P<0.001, respectively; β=2.767, P<0.001; β=3.141, P<0.001; β=2.391, P<0.001, respectively; β=0.046, P<0.01). Participants with caesarean section had a positive effect on rapid, tonic, and endurance contraction than participants with non-instrumental vaginal delivery (β=-.292, P<0.001; β=-.305, P<0.001; β=-.324, P<0.001, respectively); episiotomy (β=-.216, P<0.001; β=-.224, P<0.001; β=-.239, P<0.001, respectively); and forceps delivery (β=-.176, P<0.001; β=-.182, P<0.001; β=-.185, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: We found that age, neonatal weight, vaginal delivery, episiotomy, and forceps were risk factors of pelvic floor muscle strength; oppositely, body mass index, parity (≤3) and gestational weight gain had a positive relation with pelvic floor muscle strength.
Remdesivir in combination with immunomodulators improves respiratory status in COVID-19: A retrospective study
Authors: Kojima Yuichi , Nakakubo Sho , Kamada Keisuke , Yamashita Yu , Takei Nozomu , Nakamura Junichi , Matsumoto Munehiro , Horii Hiroshi , Sato Kazuki , Shima Hideki , Suzuki Masaru , Konno Satoshi
Published: May 2022

Background: Although immunomodulators (tocilizumab or baricitinib) have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the additive effect of remdesivir is unknown. We retrospectively tested the effect of remdesivir in combination with immunomodulators and standard treatments in COVID-19 patients.Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted on patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Hokkaido University Hospital between April 2020 and September 2021, who were treated with either tocilizumab or baricitinib. The duration to achievement of oxygen-free in both groups was compared, and the effect of remdesivir use on respiratory status was examined through multivariate analysis. The severity of respiratory status in the two groups on day 14 and day 28 was compared. A sensitivity analysis using propensity score was also performed.Results: We enrolled 98 patients who received either tocilizumab or baricitinib. Of these, 72 patients used remdesivir (remdesivir group) and 26 did not (control group). Most cases were severe and treated with concomitant steroids. The remdesivir group had faster recovery of respiratory status compared to the control group (11 days vs. 26 days, P=0.033). Multivariate analysis showed that remdesivir use contributed to shorter time to being oxygen-free (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.33, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.17 – 4.46, P=0.016). Age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and time from onset to oxygen administration were independent prognostic factors. The remdesivir group achieved higher rate of oxygen free than the control group at days 14 and 28 after treatment (P=0.033, P=0.003, respectively). The degree of improvement from baseline severity was also higher in the remdesivir group (day 14; P=0.047, day 28; P=0.018). The survival time between two groups was not significantly different (HR = 0.55, 95 %CI 0.10 – 2.99, P=0.49). Similarly, the propensity score-matched patient groups showed the efficacy of remdesivir. Conclusions: Among patients with COVID-19 who used immunomodulator containing tocilizumab or baricitiib, remdesivir contributed to shorter respiratory recovery time and better respiratory status at days 14 and 28. Concomitant use of remdesivir may contribute to improved respiratory status in patients on immunomodulator and standard treatment.
Development of a Public Transport Accessibility Index for Older Commuters: A Time-based Approach
Authors: Fatima Kaniz , Moridpour Sara , Saghapour Tayebeh
Published: May 2022

The development of a public transport accessibility index for older travellers using total travel time is not a subject of frequent discussion. This study proposes a Public Transport Accessibility Index (EPTAI) which considers older peoples’ travel time and the populations of the second-smallest statistical areas according to census data. EPTAI identifies the level of access of the elderly to public transport (train, tram and bus) in an urban area. The time-based EPTAI includes different trip purposes, including shopping trips (trips to shopping centres), medical trips (travel to healthcare centres), education trips (travel to education centres) and recreation trips (e.g. restaurants, parks, cafes). The developed index is validated using statistical validation methods, including Pearson Chi-square, Likelihood Ratio, Linear-by-Linear association, Cramer's V, Contingency Coefficient, and Phi. In addition, the performance of the developed index is compared with household survey data and the Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL). The results indicate that older adults’ public transport access varies depending on travel time, population density and travel destination. The proposed index can be used for future planning/expansion and modification of public transport networks in urban and regional areas to meet the travel demands of older travellers.
Description of Individualized Delirium Intervention in Intensive Care Unit (IDI-ICU) for critically ill patients delivered by mobile health care system
Authors: Zhang Shan , Ji Meihua , Cui Wei , Wu Ying
Published: May 2022

Background
Delirium is a preventable and reversible complication for intensive care unit patients, which can be linked to short-term and long-term negative outcomes. Early intervention to cope with risk factors of delirium are necessary. Yet no specific description of IDI-ICU following the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) were reported. This study aimed to describe individualized delirium intervention in intensive care unit (IDI-ICU) for critically ill patients.
Methods
This descriptive research describes the evidence-based ICU delirium interventions for improving cognitive load and adherence of nurses and reducing ICU delirium incidence. Therefore, both nurses and researchers would benefit from the replication of the interventions for clinical approach or experimental research.
Results
The TIDieR checklist improved the description of ICU delirium interventions, including several key features (duration, dose or intensity, essential processes, and tailoring) for improved implementation of the intervention. The IDI-ICU library includes delirium screening, risk factor assessment, ABCDEF bundle intervention. We (1) standardized the flow chart of ICU delirium assessment tools; (2) formed an evaluation sheet of ICU delirium risk factors; and (3) translated the evidence-based ABCDEF bundle intervention into practice.
Conclusions
The TIDieR checklist provided a systematic approach for reporting the complex ICU delirium interventions delivered in a clinical interventional trial. Future well-designed RCTs are needed to examine the effectiveness of the IDI-ICU on improving cognitive load and adherence of nurses and reducing ICU delirium incidence and duration.
Non-centrosymmetric features in nanostructured MoS 2 and WS 2 exfoliated in liquid phase
Authors: Cardenas-Chirivi Gabriel , Navarrete Cristina , Lozano Diana , Herreño Cesar , Hernandez Yenny
Published: May 2022

Exfoliation in liquid phase of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides promotes the industrialization of low dimensional structures in photonic and material science applications, due to high nonlinear optical and piezoelectric responses on monolayers and few odd layers of these materials. Here, we report piezoelectricity and prospects of non-linear optics through Switching Spectroscopy Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (SS-PFM) and Fluorescence spectroscopy on MoS 2-and WS 2-flakes exfoliated in liquid phase. These features are intrinsically related to non-centrosymmetric structures and depend on the number of layers. SS-PFM signal in a small region reveals that the strength of AFM tip deflection was considerable just for an odd number of layers and negligible for even layers.Thin films were evaluated with ellipsometric measurements by constructing models mixing mono and few layers, resulting in a detailed description of the optical and surface properties of the nanostructures studied.
The amount of circulating DNA and the presence of TP53 mutations in plasma predict clinical outcome of renal cancer patients treated with immunotherapy and VEGFR-TKIs
Authors: Re Marzia Del , Crucitta Stefania , Paolieri Federico , Cucchiara Federico , Verzoni Elena , Bloise Francesco , Ciampi Raffaele , Mercinelli Chiara , Capuano Annalisa , Martinetti Antonia , Procopio Giuseppe , Galli Luca , Porta Camillo , Bracarda Sergio , Danesi Romano
Published: May 2022

Background Despite the increasing treatments options, reliable biomarkers of response are still missing for patients affected by metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Methods Patients affected by mRCC undergoing standard first line treatment were enrolled. Twelve ml of blood were drawn at treatment baseline and circulating free DNA (cfDNA) was extracted from plasma. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analyses were performed on cfDNA using the Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay and clinical outcomes were correlated with liquid biopsy.Results A total of 48 patients were enrolled, 12 received immunotherapy and 36 received a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A cfDNA cut-off of 0.883 ng/ml stratified patients based on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). cfDNA amount was also correlated with best response (p=0.006). A further cfDNA cut-point divided patients into short, intermediate and long responders, with a PFS of 4.87 vs 9.13 vs 23.1 months, respectively (p<0.001). PFS resulted to be shorter in carriers of mutant TP53 compared to not carriers with a p=0.04. Patients with high cfDNA levels and TP53 mutant have the worst PFS, and patients with low cfDNA and no mutations in TP53 have the longer PFS (p=0.004).Conclusions The present study demonstrates that cfDNA and TP53 may be used as predictive biomarkers of response in mRCC.
Network Analysis Reveals Tumor Suppressor lncRNA GAS5 Acts as a Double-edged Sword in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Gupta Shantanu , Panda Pritam , Hashimoto Ronaldo , Ahuja Rajeev
Published: May 2022

The lncRNA GAS5 acts as a tumor suppressor and is downregulated in gastric cancer (GC). In contrast, E2F1, an important transcription factor, and tumor promoter, directly inhibits miR-34c expression in GC cell lines. Furthermore, in the corresponding GC cell lines, lncRNA GAS5 directly targets E2F1. However, lncRNA GAS5 and miR-34c remain to be studied in conjunction with GC. Here, we present a dynamic Boolean network to classify gene regulation between these two non-coding RNAs in GC. This is the first study to show that lncRNA GAS5 can positively regulate miR-34c in GC through a previously unknown molecular pathway coupling lncRNA/miRNA. We compared our network to several in-vivo/in-vitro experiments and obtained an excellent agreement. We revealed that lncRNA GAS5 regulates miR-34c by targeting E2F1. Additionally, we found that lncRNA GAS5, independently of p53, inhibits GC proliferation through the ATM/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings open a new avenue for GC treatment.
Intraoperative factors influencing transcranial motor-evoked potential measurements using higher frequency multi-train stimulation in adolescent scoliosis surgery: A prospective observational study
Authors: Toki Takayuki , Fujita Noriaki , Ichikawa Tomohiro , Ochi Noriki , Yokota Isao , Sudo Hideki , Morimoto Yuji
Published: May 2022

Measurement of transcranial motor-evoked potentials (TcMEPs) in scoliosis surgery has been reported to be a sensitive and specific method for detecting postoperative new neurological defects. However, the influence of intraoperative factors makes the interpretation of TcMEPs difficult. This study aimed to investigate the influence of intraoperative factors on TcMEP amplitude using higher frequency multi-train stimulation (hfMTS) in adolescent scoliosis surgery, and the complications of hfMTS. We included 50 patients and 706 TcMEP measurements in the analysis. The median number of train stimuli was 13 [IQR: 11, 14], and the median TcMEP amplitude was 3.25 [IQR: 2.50, 4.18] mV. Based on a mixed-effect model with random intercept for TcMEP amplitude, we estimated the mean difference and its 95% confidence interval and the predicted mean difference and its confidence interval by the interquartile range of each factor. The predicted mean differences in TcMEP amplitude were clinically limited compared to the actual TcMEP amplitude, suggesting that each factor had a limited effect on TcMEP amplitude. No intraoperative bite injuries or seizures were observed. The use of hfMTS in adolescent scoliosis surgery may provide sufficient TcMEP amplitude without the influence of intraoperative factors or complications.
Control of blood loss during giant upper extremity tumor resection by interventional methods
Authors: Huo Fei , Liang Hansheng , Feng Yi
Published: May 2022

Background:The purposes of this retrospective study were to determine the efficacy of interventional methods in control of intraoperative blood losses and investigate the perioperative complications.Methods:The cases of 44 patients in whom a giant upper extremity tumor had been operated between 2008 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-nine patients were treated with interventional methods(Group A)compared with fifteen patients treated without the interventional methods(Group B).According to the different intervention methods, group A was further broken down into Group C(the combination of the balloon occlusion and transarterial embolization(TAE),n=11) and Group D(the TAE group,n=18).According to the days of TAE prior to the surgery, Goup D was broken into Group E(the same day of TAE prior surgery) and Group F(more days of TAE prior to surgery).The demographic features ,the blood loss and ICU(intensive care unit) admission rate and the application of vasopressors during the surgery were kept and compared.Results: Clinical records of 44 cases who were diagnosed with giant upper extremity tumor and underwent surgery were collected. The number of groups A,B,C,D,E and F were 29, 15, 11,18,7,11.The maximum diameter of the tumor(cm) in Group B(without interventional group) was significant larger than that of o the Group A(with interventional group)(12.61±4.47 vs 9.78±3.71,P=0.031<0.05).The transfusion of blood plasma(ml) of Group B is also higher than that of Group A(425.33±476.20 vs 425.33±476.20,P=0.021<0.05).Although the blood loss(ml) didn’t differ significantly between Group A and Group B(467.93±302.08 vs 1150±1424.15,p=0.087>0.05 ).But when we defined massive bleeding as the blood loss over 1000 mls,we found that the massive bleeding rate in Group A is lower than that in Group B(6.9% vs 46.47%,p=0.004<0.05).The rate of minors(patient’s age less than 18) in Group C was also significantly higher than that in Group D(27.7% vs 0.00%,p=0.045<0.05).The amount of transfusion of RBC(ml) in Group C was also significantly higher than that of Group D(458.18±292.22 vs 164.44±224.03,p=0.021<0.05). We didn’t find obvious perioperative complications in our patients.Conclusions: Interventional methods decrease the size of the tumor, and decrease the blood loss and the amount of blood transfusion in patients with giant upper extremity tumor. For senile patients with primary vessel problems, the placement of endovascular balloon should be more cautious.There exits no obvious complications perioperatively.
Comparative genomic analysis of the genus Marinomonas and taxonomic study of Marinomonas algarum sp. nov., isolated from red algae Gelidium amansii
Authors: Xue Jian-Heng , Zhang Bei-Ning , Zhang Feng , Liu Ying-Ying , Wu Wen-Jie , Wu Zhao-Ming , Si Yue , Yang Peng-Xi , Xing Xiang , Zhao Li-Hua
Published: May 2022

Members of the genus Marinomonas are known for their environmental adaptation and metabolically versatility, with abundant proteins associated with antifreeze, osmotic pressure resistance, carbohydrase and multiple secondary metabolites. Comparative genomic analysis focusing on secondary metabolites and orthologue proteins were conducted with 30 reference genome sequences in genus Marinomonas. In this study, a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated as strain E8T, was isolated from the red algae (Gelidium amansii) in the coastal of Weihai, China. Optimal growth of the strain E8T was observed at temperatures 25–30 ℃, pH 6.5-8.0 and 1–3% (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. The predominant quinone was Q-8 and the major fatty acids were C16:0, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Based on data obtained from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain E8T belongs to a novel species of the genus Marinomonas, for which the name Marinomonas algarum is proposed. The type strain is E8T (= KCTC 92201T = MCCC 1K07070T).
Time Series Observations and Recent Anomalies of the Sea Surface Temperatures in the Cilician Basin
Authors: Deliceirmak Cagri , Salihoglu Ilkay
Published: May 2022

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is one of the fundamental physical oceanographic parameters to understand, determine and predict ocean-atmosphere interactions. SST defines and influences local and global climate regimes, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, weather patterns, and regional phenomena. Almost ninety per cent of the additional heat energy caused by greenhouse gasses is absorbed by the ocean. Compared to the pre-industrial era, the mean annual SST of the Mediterranean Sea is increased by about 1.0 ℃, especially with a higher rate in the last decades. Since the 1990s, a gradually increasing trend of SST was observed in the Mediterranean Sea, while the highest SST warming was recorded in the Levantine Basin of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis (ERA5) data sets of the European Centre of the Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) and the time-series of observational meteorological data sets of the Kyrenia Meteorological Station are used. This study aimed to compare and validate the reanalysis and observational data sets and analyse SST trends in the southern Cilician Basin between 1995 and 2020. Our results revealed about 1.1 ℃ of SST warming in the region during the last 25 years. The annual mean SST was calculated as ~ 22.20 ℃. Continuous positive SST anomalies, recorded since 2010, are another significant outcome of the study, which shall be crucial for monitoring and predicting future climatic events.
Microwave treatment prevents cytomegalovirus transmission to preterm infants through human milk
Authors: Mizuno Katsumi , Kohda Chikara , Den Hiroki , Mizuno Noriko , Hijikata Minako , Yamamoto Makoto
Published: May 2022

Background: Mother’s own milk (MOM) is the best nutrition for preterm infants; however, milk from cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive mothers may cause the transmission of the virus to the infants. As extremely preterm infants are at a risk of developing serious conditions due to CMV infection, even MOM is sometimes pasteurized. Previously, we demonstrated that microwave heating of 50 mL formula milk containing CMV at 500 W for 40s prevented CMV infection in living cells. However, we do not know if this is the case with reactivated CMV in human milk (HM). Therefore, we investigated if microwave heating of HM would be effective in preventing CMV infection in living cells.Methods: Twenty-three CMV-IgG-positive and four CMV-IgG-negative mothers who donated HM to the human milk bank during 6 to 16 weeks postpartum were enrolled. The HM was treated with microwave at 500 W. HFL-III cells were seeded in culture dishes. Aliquots of HM samples subjected to microwave was inoculated onto susceptible cell monolayers. Infectious vial titer was measured by the median tissue culture infectious Dose (TCID50) assay. Results: The TCID50 assay was decreased in five out of eight 100-mL samples after microwave at 200W for 60 s. The CMV plaque assay was negative in three, decreased in eight, and no change in six 100-mL samples, and negative in four and decreased in eight 50-mL samples.Conclusions: Microwave heating of HM at low settings could decrease CMV transmission through HM, however, to obtain entire prevention is difficult when loss of bioactive properties is considered.
Developing feedback literacy in physiotherapy students: a pilot study
Authors: Chong Doris Yin Kei , Chow Sanya Helen , Tsang William Wai Nam
Published: May 2022

Background: The ability to meaningfully use feedback is an important life skill especially in the healthcare industry. Traditionally, feedback has been viewed as rather one-way information. A new feedback literacy paradigm stresses the importance of student agency and reconceptualising feedback as a sense-making process. However, research on how to improve feedback literacy is still in the development stage.Methods: This mixed method pilot study explored the effectiveness of a novel feedback literacy workshop for physiotherapy students. Participants’ level of feedback literacy was measured before and after the workshop using a customised questionnaire. Participants also shared in a focus group their perceptions and experiences of feedback before the workshop, as well as anticipated changes after the workshop. Results: Thematic analyses from the focus group illustrated mixed reactions to the workshop. While there were mismatches of expectations about the workshop, participants anticipated positive change resulting from it. They also demonstrated feedback seeking behaviour after the workshop, a feature that the new paradigm aims to promote. However, owing to the small and possibly biased sample, no statistically significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test feedback literacy score in the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P>0.05).Conclusions: There is potential for a curriculum-embedded and structured feedback literacy training to improve feedback literacy in physiotherapy students. The pilot results provide insights on workshop designs and implementation strategies for a future larger scale study.
Hyperglycemia Aggravates Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption Following Diffuse Axonal Injury by Increasing the Levels of Inflammatory Mediators through the PPARγ/Caveolin-1/TLR4 Pathway
Authors: Wei Xing , Zhou Yaqing , Song Jinning , Zhao Junjie , Huang Tingqin , Zhang Ming , Zhao Yonglin
Published: May 2022

Hyperglycemia aggravates brain damage after diffuse axonal injury (DAI), but the underlying mechanisms are not fully defined. In this study, we aimed to investigate a possible role for hyperglycemia in the disruption of blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity in a rat model of DAI and the underlying mechanisms. Accordingly, 50% glucose was intraperitoneally injected after DAI to establish the hyperglycemia model. Hyperglycemia treatment aggravated neurological impairment and axonal injury, increased cell apoptosis and glial activation, and promoted the release of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. It also exacerbated BBB disruption and decreased the expression of tight junction-associated proteins, including ZO-1, claudin-5, and occludin-1, whereas the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (RSG) had the opposite effects. An in vitro BBB model was established by a monolayer of human microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). Hyperglycemia induction worsened the loss of BBB integrity induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) by increasing the release of inflammatory factors and decreasing the expression of tight junction-associated proteins. Hyperglycemia further reduced the expression of PPARγ and caveolin-1, which significantly decreased after DAI and OGD. Hyperglycemia also further increased the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which significantly increased after OGD. Subsequently, the PPARγ agonist RSG increased caveolin-1 expression and decreased TLR4 expression and inflammatory factor levels. In contrast, caveolin-1 siRNA abrogated the protective effects of RSG in the in vitro BBB model of hyperglycemia by increasing TLR4 and Myd88 expression and the levels of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Collectively, we demonstrated that hyperglycemia was involved in mediating secondary injury after DAI by disrupting BBB integrity by inducing inflammation through the PPARγ/caveolin-1/TLR4 pathway.
Correlation analysis of UGT1A1 gene and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia based on MLPA-NGS technique
Authors: Yin Di , Yang Yongchen , Zhang Huating , Wang Xuefang , Guan Kunyu , Zhang Hong , Gong Xiaohui , Wu Shengnan , Hu Yong
Published: May 2022

Objective: This study aims to explore whether there was a correlation between unexplained severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and the following six gene pathogenic variants: c.211G>A of UGT1A1 gene, c.388A>G, c.597C>T, c.521T>C of SLCO1B1 gene, c.175T>C, and c.7G>A of BLVRA gene.Methods: This was a case-control study. The hyperbilirubinemia group, including 65 neonates with unexplained severe hyperbilirubinemia (serum total bilirubin level ≥342 μmol·L-1), was hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Shanghai Children's Hospital from January 2019 to September 2020. The control group included 52 neonates with birth defects and serum total bilirubin level £221 μmol·L-1. The six gene pathogenic variants mentioned above were investigated using MLPA-NGS technique. Pathogenic variants and allele frequencies were compared between the two groups.Results: Compared with previous sequencing results, the concordance rate of c.211G>A was 98.3% (115/117), while all other pathogenic variants had a concordance rate of 100%. The pathogenic variants frequencies were as follows: c.388A>G of SLCO1B1 gene (93.84%)>c.7G>A of BLVRA gene (89.23%)> c.597C>T of SLCO1B1 gene (81.54%)> c.211G>A of UGT1A1 gene (69.23%)> c.521T>C of SLCO1B1 gene (26.15%)> c.175T>C of BLVRA gene (18.46%). A allele frequency of c.211G>A of hyperbilirubinemia group was 45.38%, while A allele frequency of control group was 21.15%. The differences were statistically significant, with c2=14.988, P<0.001. No significant difference was observed in allele frequency of other gene pathogenic variants between the two groups, with P>0.05. Binary logistic regression results revealed that c.211G>A of UGT1A1 gene was a high-risk factor for unexplained severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, with OR=4.233, 95% CI: 1.896-9.451. No significant difference was observed in serum total bilirubin levels between mutation types.Conclusions: c.211G>A of UGT1A1 gene was significantly correlated with unexplained severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and was a high-risk factor for the disease. MLPA-NGS technique was a highly accurate, rapid, and cost-effective method in identifying common and known gene loci of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It can be employed as a point mutation screening approach for detecting hyperbilirubinemia-related pathogenic variants.
Crystal chemistry and origin of epidote-(Sr) in alkaline rocks of the teschenite association (Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kropáč Kamil , Dolníček Zdeněk , Uher Pavel , Buriánek David , Urubek Tomáš
Published: May 2022

A new occurrence of epidote-(Sr) [CaSrAl2Fe3+(Si2O7)(SiO4)(OH)], Sr-REE-rich epidote and Sr-rich allanite-(Ce) is located in Lower Cretaceous, Sr-rich hydrothermally altered leucocratic dykes penetrating alkaline igneous rocks (teschenites) near the Nový Jičín town (the Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians). The dykes contain phenocrysts of pyroxene, amphibole, biotite, fluorapatite and dominant felsic groundmass consisting mostly of alkali feldspars and zeolites (analcime, natrolite and thomsonite-Ca). Accessory minerals include Ti-rich magnetite, prehnite, chamosite, pyrite, calcite, (OH, F)-rich grossular, epidote-group minerals, HFSE-, REE-rich minerals, Sr-rich baryte and slawsonite. The Sr-rich epidote forms columnar crystals or irregular aggregates which are mostly spatially related to chamosite pseudomorphs; it contains 0.15–0.81 apfu Sr, <0.53 apfu REE; Fe3+/(Fe3+ + Al) = 0.16–0.48. The Sr2+ substitutes Ca2+ in the A2 site by a coupled substitution involving other A2 (REE3+, Y3+, Th4+) or M (Al3+, Fe3+, Fe2+) cations. The Sr-rich epidote crystallized from hydrothermal solutions, probably at temperatures between ~250–300 °C, during cooling of the host rock. The dykes show higher Sr contents (5680–7830 ppm) and 87Sr/86Sri(120 Ma) ratios (~0.7046–0.7047) compared to host mesocratic teschenites (1310–1470 ppm Sr and ~0.7038–0.7045, respectively). The Sr isotopes indicate origin of most Sr from primary magmatic plagioclase in parent teschenite. Nevertheless, there participated fluids of external origin, derived from the Lower Cretaceous seawater or diagenetic waters related to associated siliciclastic sediments with 87Sr/86Sri(120 Ma) = ~0.7073–0.7083. These more radiogenic sources contributed at least 6–21 % of the bulk Sr budget of the studied Sr-rich epidote-bearing leucocratic dykes.
Circular RNA Rap1b promotes Hoxa5 histone acetylation by recruiting Kat7 to inhibit neuronal apoptosis in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Zhao Lin , Lu Yu , Dong Xin , Liu Yanqi , Li Yu , Guo Shuang , Zheng Siyuan , Xiao Ying , Jiang Yuzhu , Zhang Liang
Published: May 2022

Stroke is a common neurological disease and one of the major causes of permanent morbidity and disability worldwide. Although many drugs have shown significant neuroprotective effects in animal models, these results have not been confirmed in human clinical trials. Therefore, search for new treatments is urgent. In human patients and animal stroke models, acute ischemic primary neurons with blocked arterial blood supply die rapidly, while core and surrounding acute ischemic primary neurons that are infused by other arteries undergo delayed apoptosis to some extent. In the present study, we found that circRAP1B was downregulated in patients with acute ischemia stroke (AIS), and it was validated that circRap1b was downregulated in the hippocampus tissues and neurons HT22 cells of C57BL/6J mice treated with acute ischemia-hypoxia (AIS). Moreover, overexpression of circRAap1b inhibited the apoptosis of HT22-AIS cells. We attempted to prove that neuronal apoptosis inhibited by circRap1b/Hoxa5 in vitro might be ascribed to Kat7-induced acetylation of histones H3 Lysine 14 modification in the Hoxa5 promoter region. Promisingly, we hope that circRap1b and Hoxa5 will provide new treatment strategy for stroke.
Clinical analysis of risk factors of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: She Li-jun , Zhang Xin , Liu Shi-fu , Ma Jian-hui , Cao Jin-feng
Published: May 2022

Objective
To analyze the risk factors of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis༈PTB༉, so as to provide a reference for better treatment and prevention .
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 939 AIDS patients admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to January 2021 was divided into AIDS combined PTB group (group A, 68 cases) and AIDS group (group B, 871 cases) according to whether they were complicated with PTB. The clinical and laboratory data were analyzed and compared between the two groups.
Results
There were no significant differences between the two groups in gender, residence, occupation, annual income, educational level, marital status, drinking history, history of diabetes, history of BCG vaccination, homosexuality, and whether there were multiple sexual partners at the same time (P > 0.05). ). There were significant differences in smoking history and the number of CD4 + cells (200 cells/mm3 as the boundary), with χ2 = 8.98 and χ2 = 9.65, respectively, P < 0.05.
Conclusion
Smoking history and CD4 + cell count < 200 cells/mm3 were risk factors for AIDS complicated with PTB.
In Silico Analyses Reveal the Relationship Between ROCK2 Mutations and Laterality Defects
Authors: Wang Pengcheng , Liu Sijie , Li Tingting , Chen Sun , Li Fen , Sun Kun , Xu Rang
Published: May 2022

Laterality defects is a class of congenital disorders resulting from abnormalities in left-right (L-R) axis patterning. Previous studies indicated that the duplication of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2(ROCK2) had connection with laterality disorders in human and its knockdown led to significant L-R abnormalities in Xenopus and Zebrafish. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the mutations of ROCK2 and L-R development in vertebrate. We analyzed a cohort of 65 patients with laterality defects and validated the ROCK2 mutations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Multiple in silico tools were used to predict the pathogenicity of mutations. We screened out two novel (ROCK2-Q115H, ROCK2-Y416C) and a third rare (ROCK2-A1013T) ROCK2 mutations. The two novel mutations Q115H and Y416C may alter protein properties and impact protein functions.Conclusions: ROCK2-Q115H and ROCK2-Y416C are predicted to be pathogenic and could in part give rise to influence the biological activities of ROCK2 with the change of physicochemical properties and spatial conformation, suggesting that the mutations of ROCK2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of laterality defects.
Assessment of Cement Content in Cured Concrete by Chemical Study
Authors: Bajad Mohankumar N.
Published: May 2022

An effort was made in this investigation to determine the cement content in cured concrete. A test procedure used to determine calcium oxide which further leads to the assessment of cement in concrete that has been hardened was applied to the laboratory test. The content of cement of three different concrete samples that have been hardened of known proportions was precisely determined by applying the simplified California Test 403 procedure. The California Test 403 method originally used in order to determine the calcium oxide concentration in hardened concrete has been simplified by modifying several steps. The test results are verified by parameter determination of the composition in concrete by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using the JCP (Joint Committee of powder diffraction standards file) database. Good agreement between the results obtained by the titration and analytical methods of the instrument and the actual results is observed.
Predictors of mortality in bicycle-related trauma: an eight-year experience in a level one trauma center.
Authors: Reitano Elisa , Cioffi Stefano Piero Bernardo , Virdis Francesco , Altomare Michele , Spota Andrea , Chiara Osvaldo , Cimbanassi Stefania
Published: May 2022

Background: Bicycle-related trauma has increased during the last decades, mainly thanks to the antipollution environmental policies and the diffusion of bike-sharing companies. This study investigates the outcome of bicycle-related trauma in our level one trauma center over a period of eight years.Methods: Data of 446 consecutive bicycle-related trauma admitted to our trauma center from 2011 to 2019 were selected and retrospectively analysed. The sample was divided into 3 age groups: ≤ 17 years, 18–54 years, and ≥ 55 years. Mortality rates were obtained for the overall population and patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 25. Month and seasonal patients’ distribution was described to provide an epidemiological overview of bike-related trauma over the years.Results: Patients ³ 55 years showed a lower pre-hospital and in-hospital GCS (p≤ 0.001), higher levels of lactates (p< 0.019) and higher ISS (p≤ 0.001), probability of death (p≤ 0.001), and overall mortality (p≤ 0.001). The head and chest Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥3 injuries were predictors of mortality, especially in patients over 55 years (p<0.010). However, more than 90% of patients wore a helmet. Patients less than 18 years old showed the higher survival rate (98.7%; Log-rank test ≤ 0.028). Bicycle-related trauma were more frequent during the summer (34%), particularly in July and August.Conclusions: Age over 55 years old, head and chest injuries, and an ISS > 25 were independent predictors of mortality. Multiple factors probably contributed to mortality rates in these patients.
Effectiveness of Leksell gamma knife hypophysectomy on cancer-related intractable pain – a single-center experience
Authors: May Jaromir , Liščák Roman
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Hypophysectomy is a method used in analgesia in patients with painful bone metastases. The pain relief after this procedure is not pathophysiologically fully understood. In only a few studies Leksell gamma knife (LGK) was used for radiosurgical hypophysectomy. In our study, we performed the LGK hypophysectomy in patients with intractable cancer-related pain due to bone metastases and evaluated the impact of this method on pain relief.Methods: From 1994 to 2020 we enrolled 20 patients with the diagnosis of disseminated carcinoma. All patients underwent radiosurgical hypophysectomy on LGK. The prescription dose was 75-100Gy on the 50% isodose line, and the maximal dose on the optic pathways was 9,8Gy on average. Results: In all 10 evaluated patients pain relief was achieved (0-50% of pre-procedural pain). The hypophysectomy effect lasted for the rest of their lives (the mean follow-up period was 12,6 months). In three patients we observed hormonal disbalance - hypocortisolism and diabetes insipidus with good response to substitutional therapy, one patient developed a temporary abducens nerve palsy. No other adverse events were observed.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the LGK hypophysectomy is an effective and safe procedure to reduce cancer-related intractable pain, especially in bone metastases of hormonally dependent tumors.
Retrodictive Quantum Computing
Authors: Ortiz Gerardo , Carette Jacques , Sabry Amr
Published: May 2022

Quantum evolution is time-reversible and yet little
advantage is gained from this in the circuit model of quantum
computing. Indeed, most quantum algorithms expressed in the circuit model compute strictly from the present to the future, preparing initial states and proceeding forward with unitary transformations and measurements. We may call this predictive computation. In contrast, retrodictive quantum theory, retrocausality, and the time-symmetry of physical laws all suggest that quantum computation embodies richer --untapped-- modes of computation, which could exploit knowledge about the future for a computational advantage.

We demonstrate that by using symbolic partial evaluation, retrodictive reasoning can indeed be used as a computational resource that exhibits richer modes of computation at the boundary of the classical/quantum divide. Specifically, instead of fully specifying the initial conditions of a quantum circuit and computing forward, it is possible to compute, classically, in both the forward and backward directions starting from partially-specified initial and final conditions. Furthermore, this mixed mode of computation (i) can solve problems with fewer resources than the conventional forward mode of execution, sometimes even purely classically (de-quantization), (ii) can be expressed in a symbolic representation that immediately exposes global relational properties of the wavefunction that are needed for quantum algorithms and (iii) reveals that the entanglement patterns inherent in genuine quantum algorithms with no known classical counterparts are artifacts of the chosen symbolic representation.
Essential Emergency and Critical Care as a health system response to critical illness and the COVID19 pandemic: What does it cost?
Authors: Guinness Lorna , Kairu Angela , Kuwawenaruwa August , Khalid Karima , Awadh Khamis , Were Vincent , Barasa Edwine , Shah Hiral , Baker Peter , Schell Carl Otto , Baker Tim
Published: May 2022

Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) is a novel approach to the care of critically ill patients, focusing on first-tier, low-cost care and designed to be feasible even in low-resourced and low-staffed settings. This is distinct from advanced critical care, usually conducted in ICUs with specialised staff, facilities and technologies. This paper estimates the incremental cost of EECC and advanced critical care for the planning of care for critically ill patients in low resource settings with Kenya and Tanzania as case studies.The incremental costing took a health systems perspective. A normative approach based on the ingredients defined through the recently published global consensus on EECC was used. The setting was a district hospital in which the patient is provided with the definitive care typically provided at that level for their condition. Quantification of resource use was based on COVID-19 as a tracer condition using clinical expertise. Local prices were used where available, and all costs were converted to USD2020.The costs per patient day of EECC is estimated to be 1.01 USD, 10.83 USD and 32.84 USD in Tanzania and 1.76 USD, 14.86 USD and 37.43 USD in Kenya, for moderate, severe and critical COVID-19 patients respectively. The cost per patient day of advanced critical care is estimated to be 13.11 USD and 17.33 USD for severe and 297.30 USD and 369.64 USD for critical COVID-19 patients in Tanzania and Kenya, respectively.EECC, an approach of providing the essential care to all critically ill patients, is low-cost. The components of EECC are basic and universal and, when assessed against the existing gaps in critical care coverage and costs of advanced critical care, suggest that it should be a priority area of investment for health systems around the globe.