bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homocysteine serum levels correlate with the number of failed IVF cycles even when within normal range
Authors: Frenkel-Manzur Nofar , Gluska Hadar , Feferkorn Ido , Skvirsky Sivan , Ben-Shlomo Izhar , Megnazi Zofnat Wiener
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Repeated implantation failure is a common challenge in daily practice. Homocysteine and vitamin B12 have been associated with reproductive processes among patients undergoing in vitro fertilization; however, their involvement in repeated implantation failure has not been assessed. We explored possible associations of serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 with repeated implantation failure.
Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 127 women who underwent ≥ 3 unsuccessful embryo transfers during 2005-2016, at the Fertility and In Vitro Fertilization Unit at Carmel Medical Center. After at least 3 IVF failures serum levels of homocysteine and vitamin B12 were measured.
Results: The mean patient age was 33.5 ± 5.2 years. The mean number of embryo transfers was 4.6 ± 1.5. The mean total cumulative number of embryos transferred was 10.4 ± 5.2. Mean serum levels of homocysteine were 8.6 ± 3.7µM/L, and of vitamin B12 and 302.5 ± 155.3 pg/ml. Homocysteine levels were within the normal range (< 14 µM/L) in 95.8% of the patients. Yet, the levels of homocysteine correlated with both the number of failed embryo transfers (r=0.34, p=0.004) and the total cumulative number of transferred embryos (r=0.36, p=0.002).
Conclusions: Our findings suggest an association between serum homocysteine levels and the occurrence of repeated implantation failure, even when homocystein levels were within the normal range. It should be studied whether nutritional supplementation to modulate serum homocysteine levels may improve treatment outcome.
Numerical simulation and parameter optimization of earth auger in hilly area using EDEM software
Authors: Wang Guofu , Zhang Wei , Ji Min , Miao Hu , Jin Zheng
Published: September 2022

Digging in hilly regions is an important measure to promote afforestation on difficult sites. In view of the working conditions to build fish-scale pit on slope, the auger mechanism of soil lifting and throwing was investigated in this study. This study utilized EDEM software to establish the operation model of the earth auger and conduct DEM (Discrete Element Method) virtual simulation experiments. A quadratic rotating orthogonal center combination test was implemented by setting the efficiency of conveying-soil (Y1) and the distance of throwing-soil (Y2) as the evaluation indices. Variance analysis and response surface optimization were performed on the virtual experimental data. The results indicated that the weight of the factors affecting the Y1 and Y2, were feeding speed > helix angle > rotating speed > slope angle, and slope auger > rotating speed > feeding speed > helix angle. The optimal parameter combination of each influencing factor was obtained. Among them, when the slope preparation was required, the optimal operating parameter combination of the auger was: Slope of 26.467°, Helix angle of 21.567°, Feeding speed of 0.1 m/s, Rotating speed of 67.408 r/min. This research provides theoretical references for the design optimization of the earth auger in hilly regions.
An investigation of spatially-temporal hydro-climatic data trends and patterns in the Iraqi Diyala River Basin
Authors: Mohammed Ruqayah Kadhim , Bandar Ammer Kadhim
Published: September 2022

Climate variability linked to anthropogenic intervention can be considered the main factor affecting the water cycle and hydrological system. Such factors have been considered as the chief distress for water resources engineers and managers, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. This research investigates the spatiotemporal trends and extent patterns of the hydro-climate variables during the past thirty years, comprising yearly and monthly rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, and excess rainfall, to estimate the possible effect of such alterations at a local level. The Diyala River catchment, in the central region of Iraq, has been considered an example area. Accordingly, the Mann–Kendall and Pittet methods and the double mass curve process, were used for analysis of the hydro-climatic variables from 1979 to 2012 in the studied catchment. Outcomes of the study designated that excess rainfall alteration during the rainy and dry periods after 1967 had significant corresponding declining trends at a 0.05 confidence level owing to dam building. Annual runoff variations were primarily caused by an anthropogenic intervention involving dam construction to meet water use requirements for agricultural consumption. The rainfall-runoff relationship in the basin has been altered due to weather inconsistency and increasingly intensified human activities. The sudden alterations in the hydro-climatic variables and the key causing influences of the variations in the considered basin have been investigated. The study's findings would help policymakers and water resource engineers identify the risks and vulnerabilities associated with environmental change.
An integrative approach to assess non-native iguana presence on Saba and Montserrat: are we losing all native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles?
Authors: Burg Matthijs P. van den , Goetz Matt , Brannon Luke , Weekes Tavis S. , Ryan Kaysie V. , Debrot Adolphe O.
Published: September 2022

Invasive alien species are among the main drivers of the ongoing sixth mass extinction wave, especially affecting island populations. Although the Caribbean is well-known for its high species richness and endemism, also for reptiles, equally important is the regional contribution of non-native species to island biodiversity. The Lesser Antilles encompass high genetic diversity in Iguana, though most native populations either have gone extinct or are declining following competitive hybridization with invasive non-native iguanas. Here we assessed non-native presence in two poorly-studied native melanistic Iguana iguana populations using available genetic tools, and explored utilizing size-dependent body measurements to discriminate between native and non-native iguanas. Genetic samples from Saba and Montserrat were genotyped across 17 microsatellite loci with STRUCTURE and multivariate analyses indicating non-native iguanas presence only on Saba. This was corroborated by mtDNA and nDNA sequences, highlighting a non-native origin in Central America and the ABC islands. We identified preliminary evidence suggestive of hybridization. Morphological variation among size-dependent characteristics showed that non-native iguanas have significantly larger subtympanic plates than native iguanas. Non-native individuals also differed in scalation and coloration patterns. Overall, our findings demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring for non-native iguanas within remaining native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles, with those not directly threatened by non-native iguanas restricted to only 8.7% of the historic range. Although genetic data allows for identification of non-native or hybrid iguana presence, this field-to-lab workflow is time consuming. Rapid in-situ identification of non-native individuals is crucial for conservation management, and besides scale and coloration patterns, we have highlighted the utility of size-dependent variables for rapid diagnosis. We urge regional partners to build morphometric databases for native Iguana populations that will help to quickly detect future incursions of non-native iguanas and allow the rapid implementation of effective countermeasures during the early phase of invasion.
A study on simulation the coastal flow in Soc Trang, Vietnam using the hydraulic model on curvilinear coordinates
Authors: Tran Kim Thi , Bay Nguyen Thi , Nguyen Huy Dam Quoc , Nguyen Phuoc Van , Ky Phung Nguyen
Published: September 2022

Coastal flow plays an important role in near-shore sediment transport, affecting the grain size distribution, as well as the shoreline changes. This study focuses on analysing near-shore coastal flow under the influence of wave, wind and tidal combinations along the Soc Trang province coast, Vietnam using the model on a curvilinear coordinate system. The hydraulic model applied is a two-dimensional numerical model based on depth-averaged Reynolds equations in curvilinear coordinates with the advantage of minimizing boundary errors in an area with complex coastline changes. The model was calibrated and validated with data measured at the stations, showing consistency between the observation and simulation. The direction of coastal flow under the conditions of waves and winds depends on the monsoon season. The influence of the Northeast monsoon on the flow velocity is more than the Southwest monsoon. The coastal flow is mainly influenced by tidal currents, in which, the difference in velocity at spring tide is smaller than that at neap tide. On the contrary, wind-affected flow and wave-influenced flow are negligible.
Polyacrylonitrile/cellulose nanofibers supported gold nanoparticles for liquid-phase aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde
Authors: Yang Zixuan , Zhu Junjiang , Xiao Ping , Wang Xungai
Published: September 2022

Polyacrylonitrile-cellulose (PC) nanofibers with average diameters of 195 - 327 nm were prepared by an electrospinning method and used as support of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for liquid-phase aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. AuNPs with an average particle size of 6.5 nm were finely formed and dispersed on the surface of PC nanofibers, and their presence was essential to promote the oxidation reaction. The AuNPs/PC_3-1 sample, with a PC blend ratio of 3:1, resulted in 70.2 % benzyl alcohol conversion and 100 % benzaldehyde selectivity within 3 h. The catalyst could be recycled and reused up to four times with a relatively small reduction in catalytic activity. A mechanism for the reaction was proposed, in which the AuNPs and the -OH groups of cellulose were supposed to be the active sites of O2 and benzyl alcohol, respectively.
Exploring the factors contributing to low vaccination demand for nationally recommended routine childhood and adolescent vaccines in Kenya
Authors: Essoh Tene-Alima , Adeyanju Gbadebo Collins , Adamu Abdu A. , Tall Haoua , Aplogan Aristide , Tabu Collins
Published: September 2022

Background
Vaccination remains the most effective means of reducing the burden of infectious disease among children. It is estimated to prevent between two to three million child deaths annually. However, despite being a successful intervention, basic vaccination coverage remains below the target. About 20 million infants are either under or not fully vaccinated, most of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa region. In Kenya, the coverage is even lower at 83% than the global average of 86%. The objective of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to low demand or vaccine hesitancy for childhood and adolescent vaccines in Kenya.
Methods
The study used qualitative research design. Key Informant Interviews (KII) was used to obtain information from national and county-level key stakeholders. In-depth Interviews (IDI) was done to collect opinions of caregivers of children 0–23 months and adolescent girls eligible for immunization, and Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine respectively. The data was collected at the national level and counties such as Kilifi, Turkana, Nairobi and Kitui. The data was analyzed using thematic content approach. A total of 41 national and county-level immunization officials and caregivers formed the sample.
Results
Insufficient knowledge about vaccines, vaccine supply issues, frequent healthcare worker’s industrial action, poverty, religious beliefs, inadequate vaccination campaigns, distance to vaccination centers, were identified as factors driving low demand or vaccine hesitancy against routine childhood immunization. While factors driving low uptake of the newly introduced HPV vaccine were reported to include misinformation about the vaccine, rumors that the vaccine is a form of female contraception, the suspicion that the vaccine is free and available only to girls, poor knowledge of cervical cancer and benefits of HPV vaccine.
Conclusions
Rural community sensitization on both routine childhood immunization and HPV vaccine should be key activities post COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, the use of mainstream and social media outreaches, and vaccine champions could help reduce vaccine hesitancy. The findings are invaluable for informing design of context-specific interventions by national and county-level immunization stakeholders. Further studies on the relationship between attitude towards new vaccines and connection to vaccine hesitancy is necessary.
Morphological and molecular updates of Corynosoma bullosum (Linstow, 1892) Raulliet & Henry, 1907 parasitizing southern elephant seals from the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Soto Florencia A. , Rodríguez Sara M. , Leonardi María S. , Negrete Javier , Cremonte Florencia
Published: September 2022

Background: Previous descriptions of Corynosoma bullosum (Linstow, 1892) Railliet & Henry, 1907 show that the specimens vary greatly for the proportions of the different structures of the body, measurements of females and males, number of rows of hooks, egg measurements, among others. Here, we redescribe this species from specimens found in the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) feces, from 25 de Mayo/King George Island. We also provide a molecular characterization, in addition to 5.8s and ITS existing sequences.Results: We examined feces collected from 41 elephants in 2016 and 2018. We found 30 adult acanthocephalans in 15 of them (19 females and 11 males). The specimens were identified as belonging to the genus Corynosoma due to the tubular body with an inflated anterior part forming a thorny disk and the posterior part bearing somatic spines on the ventral surface, and genital spines surrounding the genital pore. The morphology of the individuals corresponded to C. bullosum: large size, marked sexual dimorphism (females 13.7-20.0mm and males 9.5-13.6mm in length), and proboscis with 16-18 rows of spines with 11-15 spines per row (8-12 apical and 3-4 basal). The molecular profile of two specimens of C. bullosum was analysed using cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI). Finally, we inferred phylogenetic relationships of the family Polymorphidae using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI).Conclusions: We provided an updated morphological redescription for C. bullosum including electron microscopy photographs and molecular data. We also present a summary table showing the great morphological variation of the species. The COI gene sequences revealed that C. bullosum has low genetic variation and that this species is more closely related to Andracantha sigma than to the genus Corynosoma. Our analyses show that it is necessary to perform a phylogenetic study of the family Polymorphidae including all the species.
Development of new event-based rainfall-runoff equations as an alternative to the curve number method in oceanic and semiarid climates
Authors: Shokri Ali
Published: September 2022

Event-based rainfall-runoff models are practical tools commonly used to predict catchments' response to a rainfall event. However, one of the main concerns is that the characteristics of rain events are neglected in model development. This paper developed a novel event-based rainfall-runoff equation to incorporate rainfall characteristics into account. The performance of new equation is evaluated based on the root mean square error, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient, and percent bias for 13,339 rainfall-runoff events between 2005 to 2020 over 23 catchments across New Zealand and Australia with oceanic and semiarid climates. Compared to the previous event-based models, the new equation shows an improvement in runoff estimation in almost all case studies. Considering the new equation is simple, efficient, and takes the rain event duration into account, the new equation has the potential to become a robust alternative method to the conventional curve number in hydrological engineering projects.
A Saturated Stochastic Simulator: Synthetic US Gulf Coast Tropical Cyclone Precipitation Fields
Authors: Nakamura Jennifer , Lall Upmanu , Kushnir Yochanan , Harr Patrick A.
Published: September 2022

The space-time fields of rainfall during a hurricane and tropical storm (TC) landfall are critical for coastal flood risk preparedness, assessment, and mitigation. We present an approach for the stochastic simulation of rainfall fields that leverages observed, high-resolution spatial fields of historical landfalling TCs rainfall that are derived from multiple instrumental and remote sensing sources, and key variables recorded for historical TCs. Spatial realizations of rainfall at each time step are simulated conditional on the variables representing the ambient conditions. We use 6 hourly precipitation fields of tropical cyclones from 1983 to 2019 that made landfall on the Gulf coast of the United States, starting from 24 hours before landfall until the end of the track. A conditional K-nearest neighbor method is used to generate the simulations. The TC attributes used for conditioning are the pre-season large-scale climate indices, the storm maximum wind speed, minimum central pressure, the latitude and speed of movement of the storm center, and the proportion of storm area over land or ocean. Simulation of rainfall for three hurricanes that are kept out of the sample: Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), and Harvey (2017) are used to evaluate the method. The utility of coupling the approach to a hurricane track simulator applied for a full season is demonstrated by an out-of-sample simulation of the 2020 season.
Novel silver nanocluster based on vancomycin antibiotic with peroxides like activity for colorimetric detection of S. aureus bacteria in milk samples
Authors: Pebdeni Azam Bagheri , Hosseini Morteza
Published: September 2022

A fast and colorimetric new strategy based on dual detection elements in one nanostructure as aptamer-silver nanocluster (apt-AgNC) is described for the specific and sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) based on silver nanocluster (AgNC) conjugated to oligonucleotide aptamer. AgNC is the first peroxidase activity research of NC based on vancomycin. This probe can specifically bind to the surface of SA and thus decrease the peroxidase activity of the apt-AgNC. Finally, in the presence of TMB as substrate and H2O2, the blue color of the solution in the infected milk samples was decreased. The detection limit for SA was 80 CFU mL− 1, and the processing time could occur during 45 min. This suggested SA detection technique has a number of appealing features, including high sensitivity, ease of use, quick testing time, and low cost.
Microalgae strains of the Mosonmagyaróvár Algal Culture Collection with activity against plant fungal pathogens
Authors: Horváth Áron N , Németh Lajos , Vörös Lajos , Stirk Wendy A , Staden Johannes , Ördög Vince
Published: September 2022

Microalgae produce many secondary metabolites that are biologically active, including compounds with antifungal activity. These could potentially function as biofungicides. Selection criteria for potential strains include having good antifungal activity against specific phytopathogenic fungi and high biomass productivity rates to ensure sufficient biomass can be generated. Water extracts were prepared from 280 strains comprising of 33 Cyanophyceae strains (13 genera), 157 Chlorophyceae strains (29 genera), 80 Trebouxiophyceae strains (19 genera), 5 Klebsormidiophyceae strains (1 genus) and 1 Zygnematophyceae strain. These were tested against 9 phytopathogenic fungi. In total, 45% of the species had antifungal activity against at least one fungal pathogen. Cyanobacteria had the highest “hit-rate” (64%), followed by the Chlorophyceae (49%) and Trebouxiophyceae (30%). Water extracts of 19 strains had fungicidal activity – these were predominantly Cyanobacteria. The Cyanobacteria displayed a wider spectrum of activity with five strains being active (either fungicidal or fungistatic) against three or more fungal strains - Trichormis variabilis MACC-304 and Tolypothrix tennis MACC-205 had antifungal activity against 6 phytopathogens and Nostoc linckia MACC-612 inhibited 4 fungi. Each Chlorophyta strain was only active against 1–2 fungal strains. However, the daily productivity rates of Cyanobacteria were significantly lower than Chlorophyta strains. Further investigation of 15 Nostocales species (Families Nostocaceae, Tolypothrichaceae and Calotrichaceae) showed the Nostoc species generally had significantly lower biomass generation compared to other Nostocacaeae strains. The most promising strain was Tolypothrix tenuis MACC-205 which had the most potent, broad spectrum antifungal activity as well as significantly higher daily biomass productivity rates. Some microalgae strains (8%) had a stimulatory effect, suggesting the potential to screen strains especially from the Klebsormidiophyceae, for stimulating activity of beneficial plant growth promoting fungi. Thus, Cyanobacteria can potentially be developed as effective agricultural tools for environmentally-friendly disease management.
The impact of a targeted education package on the knowledge, attitudes, and utilisation of patient reported outcome measures amongst chiropractors in Australia.
Authors: Clohesy Natalie , Schneiders Anthony , Barbery Gaery , Obst Steven
Published: September 2022

Background: Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) have been shown to be valid and reliable indicators of health status and treatment outcomes, however, the current knowledge, understanding, and utilisation of PROMs within the Australian Chiropractic profession is limited. This study used the New World Kirkpatrick Model (NWKM) to evaluate whether an online PROM education package could improve knowledge, confidence, attitude, and utilisation of PROMs by chiropractors in Australia. Methods: A longitudinal cohort interventional study of chiropractors in Australia. The recruitment phase and data collection period occurred from November 2020 – May 2021. Participants completed three online surveys two weeks before, four weeks after, and 12 weeks after receiving an online education package that included ten evidence-based region-specific modules on PROMs. Survey questions were grouped into five subthemes for analysis according to the NWKM levels: 1) Reaction; 2) Learning - knowledge; 3) Learning – confidence; 4) Behaviour – attitude; 5) and Behaviour - utilisation). Results: Of the 113 participants that enrolled in the study, 43 completed all three survey and were included in the analysis. There was very positive to the education package with mean response scores (1-5 Likert scale) for the reaction questions ranging from 3.75 to 4.43. There was a small, but significant, increase in knowledge (out of 32) at four weeks (24.3 ± 6.1) and 12 weeks after receiving the education package (27.2 ± 5.5), compared to baseline (27.4 ± 5.1). There was no effect of intervention on clinician confidence or attitude towards PROMs. Utilisation of function- and pain-related PROMs did not change after the intervention. There was a small and significant (p<0.05) increase in utilisation of health-related PROMs 12 weeks after the intervention.Conclusion: Despite modest improvements in knowledge, which were retained 12 weeks after the educational package was provided, there was no evidence that participant confidence, attitude, or utilisation of PROMs changed because of the intervention. While the respondents’ have positive attitudes and beliefs regarding PROMs use, further education surrounding the clinical translation process into clinical practice is required.
Poor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy in the lung cancer patients with EGFR/ERBB2 exon 20 insertion
Authors: fu yang , Zheng Yue , Chen Yue-Yun , Wang Pei-Pei , Li Qing , Liu Ting , Ding Zhen-Yu
Published: September 2022

Background: EGFR and ERBB2 exon 20 insertion (Ex20ins) comprised a small subset of patients with EGFR mutations. The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially in combination with chemotherapy, for these patients was still controversial. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled lung cancer patients harboring either EGFR or ERBB2 Ex20ins mutations. For comparison, lung cancer patients without EGFR mutations or with EGFR classic mutation were also enrolled as controls. All the patients were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy plus ICI (immunochemotherapy) or platinum-based chemotherapy. The demographic feature and clinical outcome of each patient were reviewed and analyzed.Results: When treated with immunochemotherapy, patients with EGFR/ERBB2 Ex20ins mutations (n=31) had poor PFS compared with those without EGFR mutations (n= 141, 5.0 mon and 11.2 mon, p<0.001). When compared with those with EGFR classic mutations who received immunotherapy as the salvage therapy (n=24), these patients with EGFR/ERBB2 Ex20ins mutations had similar PFS (5.0 mon and 4.1 mon, p=0.625), ORR (37.5% vs 48.4%) and DCR (70.8% vs 77.4%). In the patients with EGFR/ERBB2 Ex20ins mutations, those treated with chemotherapy (n=54) had a longer PFS over those treated with immunochemotherapy (n=31, 6.5mon vs 5.0mon, p=0.066). Accordingly, chemoimmunotherapy was found to be significantly associated with poor PFS in multivariate analysis for the patients with EGFR/ERBB2 Ex20ins mutations. In the EGFR Ex20ins subgroup, the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy (n=20) led to longer PFS over chemotherapy alone (n=16, 8.8mon and 5.2mon, p=0.082) or immunochemotherapy (n=15, 8.8mon and 5.0mon, p=0.097). Similarly, in the ERBB2 subgroup, the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy achieved a numerically long PFS over chemotherapy alone (9.1 mon and 4.5 mon, p=0.253).Conclusion: This study showed that platinum-based chemotherapy plus ICI had limited efficiency compared to platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with EGFR/ERBB2 Ex20ins. Chemotherapy plus bevacizumab maybe a potential scheme for these patients.
Comparison of aneuploidy rate in spontaneous abortion chorionic villus between D6 and D5 thawed-frozen blastocyst transfer
Authors: Zhao Weie , Chen Panyu , Liu Xiaoping , Li Yujie , Liang Xiaoyan , Li Jingjie
Published: September 2022

Background
To compare the aneuploidy rate in spontaneous abortion chorionic villus (SA-CV) after D5 and D6 thawed-frozen blastocyst transfer(TBT).
Methods
This retrospective cohort study recruited 522 patients with early spontaneous abortion from March 2012 to January 2020 in the our center. The aneuploidy rate of SA-CV was compared according to the blastocyst development stage: D5 group (n = 398) and D6 group (n = 124).
Results
Patients’ characteristics, including age, body mass index, follicle-stimulating hormone, fertilization methods, and gestational age when miscarriage, did not differ between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Although the mean number of embryos was significantly higher in D6 than in the D5 group (P < 0.001), the mean number of top-quality embryos was similar (P = 0.773). In the D5 group, 46.5% of SA-CV showed aneuploidy, which was comparable to 41.1% in the D6 group (P = 0.296). After further grouping according to age (> 35 years or ≤ 35 years), the difference between the D5 and D6 groups remained not statistically significant (P = 0.247 and P = 0.690). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that women’s age was independently associated with the aneuploidy rate (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: [0.84–0.91]; P < 0.001). The rate of chromosomal aneuploidy was significantly higher in the age > 35 years group than in the age ≤ 35 years group (61.0% vs. 39.4%, P < 0.001). Other factors, including blastocyst formation speed, were not significant predictors of aneuploidy rate.
Conclusions
Chromosomal abnormalities may not be a factor contributing to the high abortion rate at D6 group.
Identification of oral bacteria in the gut and foot ulcer of patients with diabetes mellitus – A secondary analysis of whole-metagenome and meta-transcriptomic microbiome data
Authors: Eberhard Joerg , Santamaria Zaki Saati , Choowong Phannaphat , Menéndez Esther , Cheung Wah , Jayasinghe Thilini N.
Published: September 2022

Background: Gum disease (periodontitis) is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus and treatment has been shown to improve markers of glucose management. The translocation of oral bacteria to the gut or other tissues (i.e., foot ulcer) may contribute to the development and progression of diabetes mellitus Aims: This secondary analysis of metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic studies within the last ten years (2011-2021) aims to identify bacteria of oral origin in the gut and foot ulcers of patients with diabetes mellitus and explore a potential pathway how gum disease and diabetes mellitus are connected.Method: An electronic search was conducted in Medline on the Ovid platform (updated in June 2022). Studies with whole-metagenomic or meta-transcriptomic data at the species level in populations of all ages and genders with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications such as diabetic foot ulcers were included. Patient demographics, diabetic status and bacteria detected in faecal or foot ulcer samples were extracted from a total of 7 included studies.Results: Out of 9612 (gut) and 9180 (foot ulcer) microbial species identified from the selected studies, 266 bacteria were identified as oral origin. These oral bacteria compromised 5.96% in foot ulcer and 1.51% in the gut. Eleven bacteria of oral origin were only found in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to healthy individuals of the Human Microbiome Project (HMP). These bacteria included key oral pathogens such as Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella nigrescens and Prevotella intermedia. Conclusion: The continuous swallowing of oral bacteria may be a reservoir for gut microbiota and its dysregulation, which has been linked to diabetes. Clinical trials aimed at simultaneously detecting and analysing gut and oral bacteria are required.
Primary Care Team and its Association with Quality of Care for People with Multimorbidity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Mingyue , Tang Haoqing , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: September 2022

Background:Multimorbidity is posing an enormous burden to health systems, especially for primary healthcare system. While primary care team (PCT) is believed to have potentials to improve quality of primary health care (PHC), less is known about its impact on the quality of care for people with multimorbidity. We assessed the characteristics of PCT and its impact on the quality of care for people with multimorbidity and the mechanisms.
Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ProQuest from January 2000 to October 2021 for English studies. Patients with multimorbidity, studies focusing on PCTs and reporting quality of care were eligible.
Results: Seventeen studies (13 RCT, 3 cohort studies, and 1 non-randomized trial) were identified. PCTs were summarized into three types - upward PCT, downward PCT and traditional PCT according to the skill mix. The upward PCT included primary care workers and specialists from upper-level hospitals, downward PCT involving primary care workers and lay health workers, and traditional PCT involving physicians and care managers. PCTs improved patients’ mental and psychological health outcomes greatly, and also improved patients’ perceptions towards care including satisfaction with care, sense of improvement, and patient-centeredness. PCTs also improved the process of care and changed providers’ behaviors. However, PCTs showed mixed effects on objective and validated outcome measures.
Conclusions: PCTs have improved mental and psychological health outcomes, the process of care, patients’ care experiences, and satisfaction towards care for patients with multimorbidity. The effect of PCTs on objective and validated clinical outcomes and changes in patient behaviors need to be further explored.
Co-occurring epiphytic orchids have specialized mycorrhizal fungal niches that are also linked to phenology
Authors: Fernández Melania , Kaur Jaspreet , Sharma Jyotsna
Published: September 2022

Mycorrhizal symbiosis has been related to the coexistence and community assembly of coexisting orchids in few studies despite their obligate dependence on mycorrhizal partners to establish and survive. In hyper-diverse environments like tropical rain forests, coexistence of epiphytic orchids may be facilitated through mycorrhizal fungal specialization. However, information on the role of orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) in niche differentiation and coexistence of epiphytic orchids is still scarce. In this study, we sought to identify the variation in fungal preferences of four co-occurring epiphytic orchids in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica by addressing the identity and structure of their endophytic fungal and OMF communities across species and life stages. We show that the endophytic fungal communities are formed mainly of previously-recognized OMF taxa, and that the coexisting orchid species display distinct (OMF) communities while keeping a base of shared fungi. We also found that adult plants keep the OMF of the juvenile stage while adding new mycobionts over time, a strategy that may serve as a complementary mechanism to fulfill the nutritional needs associated with reproduction. This study provides evidence for niche partitioning in coexisting tropical epiphytic orchids through the utilization of specific OMF, and for an aggregation mechanism where adult orchids keep initial fungal mycobionts of the juvenile stage while adding others.
“It was protected, except, it wasn’t [with] a condom”: A mixed-methods study of BBVs/STIs protective practices among international university students in Sydney
Authors: Okeke Sylvester Reuben
Published: September 2022

Background: Little is known about factors associated with protective sexual practices among international students in Australia. This study used quantitative data to examine BBVs/STIs protective practices among East Asian and sub-Saharan African international students in Sydney. In addition, qualitative data was used to further explore how a sample of sexually active participants understand, practice and rationalise condom use in protective sex.Methods: This mixed-methods study generated quantitative data using anonymous online survey (n=149), and qualitative data through in-depth interviews (n=20). The main recruitment strategy involved advertising the study through paper and electronic flyers. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression, while interviews data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Self-reported BBVs/STIs protective practices in the last 12 months include abstinence (28.7%), consistent condom use (19.9%), occasional condom use (18.7%), single partner fidelity (25.1%), other strategies (1.8%), and nothing (5.8%). Further, findings from the bivariate analysis showed that higher BBVs/STIs prevention knowledge, lower acculturation into Australian sexual culture, greater access to sexual health information, less conservative sexual norms, greater emotional social support and older age were significantly associated with increased protective practices. Variables significant at bivariate level were entered into a logistic regression. The model was statistically significant, (X2(6) = 31.33, p = 0.000) and explained 33.1% of the variance in BBVs/STIs protective practices. Only older age (OR = 1.096, 95% CI = 1.002–1.199, p<0.05) and acculturation to Australian sexual norms (OR = 1.016, 95% CI = 0.911–1.132, p<0.05) were independent predictors of BBVs/STIs protective practices. The study results based on the quantitative data, indicated that condom use (consistent and occasional) was the most reported BBVs/STIs protective behaviour among sexually active participants. Therefore, interviews data was used to explore condom-use motives and practices. The interviews results showed that participants primary concern as regards condom use was around pregnancy and not BBVs/STIs. Thus, some participants described safe sex largely as contraception, with BBVs/STIs constituting a secondary concern or no concern at all. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, tailored sexual health interventions for international students; which incorporate strategies for modifying perceived sexual norms in Australia, are advocated. In addition, this study recommends sexual health interventions that promote dual protection of condoms for both contraception and BBVs/STIs.
Residual activity of spinosad applied as a soil drench to tomato seedlings can be a driver of Tuta absoluta insecticide resistance evolution
Authors: Erasmus Reynardt , Berg Johnnie van den , Rensburg Peet Jansen van , du Plessis Hannalene
Published: September 2022

Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is difficult to control by means of foliar insecticides, partly due to the endophytic feeding behavior of larvae. The biopesticide, spinosad, is applied as foliar spray for control of T. absoluta and has systemic properties when applied as a soil drench to the growing medium of tomato plants. This study was done to determine the (i) instar-dependant tolerance of larvae to spinosad, (ii) efficacy of spinosad drench application for the control of larvae, (iii) residual period of systemic activity of spinosad in leaves and fruit after drenching, and (iv) effect of spinosad drenching on tomato plant growth parameters. The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC80) of spinosad administered as soil drench were estimated by exposing second-instar larvae to leaves of plants drenched with different concentrations of spinosad. Systemic persistence of spinosad in leaves of these plants was determined by means of of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Larval mortality data were recorded over time after drenching. Although the spinosad concentration in leaves decreased over time, high larval mortalities were recorded for the duration of the experiment, which lasted 25 days (equivalent to one T. absoluta generation). This study provides evidence of the systemic properties of spinosad and its efficacy for control of T. absoluta larvae over a prolonged period. However, drenching this insecticide violates the recommendation of the Insecticide Resistance Management Committee to avoid treating consecutive insect generations with the same mode of action and can therefore be a driver of insecticide resistance evolution.
Roles of perception of similarities, continuum beliefs and social distance towards a person with schizophrenia: A German representative sample study
Authors: Buckwitz Vincent , Juergensen Vanessa , Goebel Mirjam , Schomerus Georg , Speerforck Sven
Published: September 2022

People with schizophrenia are often perceived as fundamentally different from oneself, a notion closely tied to mental illness stigma. The current study examines the interrelation between perception of similarities (semantic differential: similar-different scale) and continuum beliefs in the context of schizophrenia-related stigma (desire for social distance) in a German population sample (N = 760). Perception of similarities and continuum beliefs were significantly associated with lower desire for social distance explaining about 12% variance in an additive regression model. Continuum beliefs partially mediated the relation of perception of similarities and desire for social distance. Implications for mental illness stigma interventions are discussed.
Fontan Surgery Instead of Biventricular Repair in Complex Cardiac Anomalies: A Good Alternative
Authors: Polat Ahmet Bülent , Ertürk Murat , Uzunhan Ozan , Karademir Nur , Öztarhan Kazım
Published: September 2022

Background
The Fontan operation has improved the survival of children born with congenital heart disease with single ventricle physiology. The most widely adopted variations of the Fontan procedure are the extracardiac conduit (ECC), the lateral tunnel (LT) ve the intra/extracardiac conduit with fenestration. Despite advances in the treatment and prevention of early and late complications that may develop after Fontan surgery, morbidity still remains an important problem.
Methods
304 patients who underwent Fontan surgery in our center between 1995–2022 were included in our study. The complications that developed in patients who underwent primary Fontan or lateral tunnel surgery and extracardiac conduit Fontan application were compared.
Results
Classic Fontan surgery and lateral tunnel surgery were performed in 26 of the patients, and extracardiac Fontan surgery was performed in 278 patients. 218 of 304 cases were patients with single ventricular pathology. 86 cases were patients with two ventricular morphologies but complex cardiac pathology. When complications between Fontan procedures were compared in our study, prolonged pleural effusion was found more frequently in patients with extracardiac disease after Fontan surgery.
Conclusion
There are unresolved questions regarding the choice of Fontan procedures and their impact on complication development. Palliative surgical operations aimed at the preparation of the fontan circulation lead to the preparation of the pulmonary vascular bed and the preservation of ventricular function. Early and long-term complications in Fontan surgery affect the survival of patients. In our study, we wanted to contribute to the literature by presenting our 27 years of experience in Fontan surgery.
Construction of Actinomycetes complex flora in degrading corn straw and its degradation effect evaluation
Authors: xiaofei Xiaofei , QI Yuena , Lian Jie , Song Jie , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Guang , Fan Jing , Zhang Na
Published: September 2022

As a kind of agricultural waste, corn straw internal lignocellulose content is higher, but it is difficult to be used efficiently because of its difficult degradation. In this experiment, three cellulose-degrading actinomycetes were constructed as complex flora, then the cellulose degradation conditions and degradation activity were optimized and evaluated. The results showed that when the complex flora was inoculated into the fermentation medium with pH of 7, volume fraction of 3%, and the degradation rate of corn straw could reach 38.24% after 5 d of fermentation at 28°C and 180 rpm. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in corn straw were degraded by 33.97%, 34.08%, and 21.52%, respectively. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the waxy layer on the surface of corn straw was thinned and gradually disappeared by the fermentation of complex flora. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the complex flora could change the internal functional groups of corn straw in different fermentation periods. The detected compounds in fermentation system indicated that corn straw were efficiently degraded. According to the above results, the constructed complex flora had a higher ability to degrade corn straw, and provided research ideas for the development and utilization of biomass resources.
Analysis of global and net radiation fluxes in relation to surface albedo at DACCIWA site in Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria
Authors: Ajao Adewale Iyiola , Abiye Olawale Emmanuel , Agboola Akeem Babatunde
Published: September 2022

Measurements of global solar and net radiation fluxes were made above a grass-covered surface at DACCIWA site in a tropical location, Ile-Ife, southwest Nigeria for a period of three years (2017 - 2019). The radiation data sets were obtained from a four-component net radiometer (model NR01). Observations were made for cases of clear sky and cloudy conditions during the measurement period. The results showed considerable fluctuations of both radiation fluxes occurring during the period of measurements at the location. For clear sky conditions, the magnitudes of global and net radiation fluxes were higher than those observed for cloudy conditions due to attenuation by clouds and aerosols. For the period of observation, the highest radiation flux values occurred in 2018 while the lowest were observed in 2017. The daily surface albedo (𝛼) values ranged from 0.16 to 0.22 at the site. Empirical relationships obtained for global solar and net radiation are 𝑅𝑁 = 0.754 𝑅𝐺 – 17.4 Wm-2 and 𝑅𝑁 = 0.657 𝑅𝐺 - 32.7 Wm-2 for wet and dry seasons respectively. Based on the empirical relationships, daily net and global solar radiation can be obtained when measurements like these are not available. Linear relationships between 𝑅𝑁 and 𝑅𝐺 show that for all days (cloudy and clear sky conditions), average 𝑅𝑁 is about 65 % of 𝑅𝐺, and about 50 % of 𝑅𝐺 for clear sky conditions at the location.
Identifying the Role of NUDCD1 in Human Tumors from Clinical and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Han Bin , He Jinsong , Li Yuanting , Chen Qing , Yuan Min , Zeng Xi , Zeng Yan , He Meibo , Feng Dan , Ma Daiyuan
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Cancer is a major public health condition characterized by high morbidity and mortality. NUDCD1 (NudC domain-containing 1) is abnormally activated in multiple tumors and has been identified as a cancer antigen. But there is still no pan-cancer analysis available for NUDCD1 in human cancers.
Methods
The role of NUDCD1 across multiple tumors was explored using data from the public databases including HPA, TCGA, GEO, GTEx, TIMER2, TISIDB, UALCAN, GEPIA2, cBioPortal, GSCA and so on.
Results
NUDCD1 was highly expressed in most tumors and its levels were associated with the prognosis of cancer patients. Multiple genetic and epigenetic features of NUDCD1 exist in different cancers such as uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma or kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma. NUDCD1 was associated with expression levels of recognized immune checkpoints (anti-CTLA-4) and immune infiltrates (e.g., CD4 + and CD8 + T cells) in some cancers. Moreover, NUDCD1 correlated with the CTRP and GDSC drug sensitivity and acted as a link between chemicals and cancers. The functional mechanisms of NUDCD1 included RNA metabolism- and protein processing-associated functions. Importantly, NUDCD1-related genes were enriched in several tumors (e.g., COAD, STAD and ESCA) and affected apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA damage cancer-related pathways. Furthermore, expression, mutation and copy number variations for the gene sets were also associated with prognosis.
Conclusions
NUDCD1 was involved in diverse biological processes and it influenced the occurrence and development of cancers through diverse underlying mechanism. This first pan-cancer analysis for NUDCD1 provides a comprehensive understanding about its roles across various cancer types.