bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical value of dual energy CT combined with CEA and CY21-1 in predicting EGFR gene mutation in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Qinxia , Wang Xiangfa , Zhu Juan , Wang Jian , Shi Hengfeng
Published: August 2022

Objective To evaluate the value of dual-energy CT combined with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)and soluble cytokeratin 19 fragment(CY21-1) in predicting epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutations of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.Methods General informations,quantitative parameters of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT),CEA,CY21-1 and EGFR datas were collected of 90 patients between October 2019 and April 2022,the quantitative parameters include iodine concentration(IC),normalized iodine concentration(NIC) and slope of the curve(k) in venous phase. According to whether there was EGFR gene mutation or not,it was divided into mutation group and wild group.To compare the difference of clinical data and DECT parameters,logistic regression model was established to in the two groups Evaluation of model prediction efficiency by receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve.Results Among all cases,55 cases were EGFR gene mutations mostly in female and non-smokers.IC,NIC,k in venous phase（VP） and CEA in mutation group were higher than another group,but CY21-1 is opposite.The area under ROC curve of IC(VP),k(VP),CEA and CY21-1 were 0.703,0.642,0.725,0.609,respectively.DECT parameters combinded to establish regression model 1,and then combinded CEA and CY21-1 to establish model 2, the area under curve(AUC) is 0.807, Model 2 was higher to model 1 and other single factors.There was no significant difference in age and NIC(VP)(P>0.05).Conclusion EGFR gene mutations tend to occur in women and non-smokers, IC,k in venous phase and CEA and CY21-1 can effectively predict EGFR gene mutation to some extent.
Effect of endodontic treatment on clinical outcome in type 2 diabetic patients with apical periodontitis
Authors: Wang Shengming , Wang Xiaoqing , Bai Feng , Shi Xinlian , Zhou Tingting , Li Fangfang
Published: August 2022

Objective: The purpose of this trial was to clinically assess the effects of endodontic treatment on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and apical periodontitis (AP). Methodology: For present trial, AP+T2DM with patients insulin injection (n=65), AP +T2DM patients with hypoglycaemic agents (n=82), and AP patients without DM (n=86) were enrolled. After demographic characteristics and clinical examination were achieved, root canal treatment (RCT) was performed for each patients. Subjects were followed up at 2-week, 3- and 6-month. At each visit, blood samples were taken, clinical laboratory studies were performed. At 6-month follow-up, Periapical Index (PAI) score was used to assessed the periapical status.Results: A total of 237 subjects who meet the including criteria were allocated in 3 groups and 223 subjects (94.1%) completed cthe treatment and the follow-up assessments. After treatment, taking PAI into consideration, both groups showed significant improvement of AP in each group (P<0.05). Patients had a continued significant lower concentration of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels at follow-up except for G1 and G2 (P<0.05). A continued reduction of hemoglobin glycation (HbA1c) was observed in most of time points (P<0.05). Throughout the trial, there are also significant changes of laboratory tests of inflammatory factors in short-term.Conclusion: Endodontic therapy improved AP healing, glycemic control and systemic inflammation in patients with T2DM and/or AP in each group. However, a continued reduction in inflammatory factors and decreasing of HbA1c in short-term did not be observed in this trial.
A case study of machine loading in flexible manufacturing systems: a modified binary bat algorithm for minimizing the system unbalance
Authors: Casella Giorgia , Murino Teresa , Bottani Eleonora
Published: August 2022

The machine loading (ML) problem of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) has been recognized as one of the most important planning problems in industry. This study aims to minimize the system unbalance developing a modified binary bat algorithm (MBBA), satisfying the technological constraints such as the availability of machine time and tool slots. The proposed algorithm was implemented in Matlab ® , and to show its application, a case study was conducted on a major Italian company, which manufactures equipment and plants for the food industry. Two scenarios are evaluated to this end: an “AS IS” scenario, reflecting the current configuration of the production system, and a “TO BE” one, in which the MMBA is implemented for improving the system’s performance. For the TO BE scenario, a new sequence of jobs, able to minimise the variance of the total processing time, was determined. The application of the MMBA reveals significant improvements in processing time compared to the current approach used by the company. The results of the TO BE scenario can be used to provide effective indications to operations managers, helping them to identify an alternative strategy to enhance the efficiency of the targeted production system.
Median effective dose (ED 50 ) of esketamine combined with propofol for children to inhibit response of gastroscope insertion
Authors: Su Ming , Zhu Yichao , Liu Shupeng , Song Lijuan , Qu Jiangtao , Zhang Yong , Zhang Quanyi
Published: August 2022

Background:Esketamine and propofol are commonly used in pediatric painless gastroscopy. Independent use of either of these drugs can lead to increased dosage and additional side effects. No studyies hasve explored the median effective dose (ED50) of esketamine combined with propofol in pediatric gastroscopy. We designed a trial to calculate the ED50 of esketamine combined with propofol using the Dixon and Massey up-and-down sequential method for suppression of the upper gastroscope insertion response.Methods:Eligible children were included in this study. Propofol and esketamine were used as anesthetics for gastroscopy in children. To explore the effective dose of esketamine, the initial propofol dose was set at 3 mg/kg in all children. The first child was given an esketamine dose of 0.1 mg/kg, followed by 30 s ofslow bolus injection propofol. If anesthesia induction failed (coughing or body movement of children during gastroscope insertion), the esketamine dose was elevated in the next child, with a interval difference of 0.05 mg/kg. Otherwise, if the anesthesia induction was successful, the next dosage was reduced by 0.05 mg/kg. The study was stopped if nine crossover inflection points were reached. The ED50 of esketamine was calculated using probit regression, and the blood pressure, heart rate (HR), SPO2, recovery time, and adverse reactions were recorded in all children.Results:The ED50 of esketamine combined with 3 mg/kgpropofol was 0.143 mg/kg (95% CI 0.047-0.398 mg/kg). The total consumption of propofol was 16.04 ± 5.37 mg. The recovery time was 16.38 ± 8.70 min. Adverse effects recorded were delayed awakening in two cases and increased oral secretions of another child during the examination inducing cough and hypoxemia (86% was the lowest).Discussion:The ED50 of esketamine was 0.143 mg/kg when combined with 3 mg/kg propofol for successful sedation in pediatric gastroscope insertion. This sub-anaesthetic dose of esketamine was safe and efficacious with few complications in pediatric painless gastroscopy. Trial registration: The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn; registration number: ChiCTR2100052830 on 06/11/2021).
Infant Feeding Practices and Parental Perceptions during the 2022 United States Infant Formula Shortage Crisis
Authors: Cernioglo Karina , Smilowitz Jennifer T.
Published: August 2022

Background
In May of 2022, parents living in the United States experienced a dramatic infant formula shortage caused by supply chain issues and the recent recall of several infant formula products over contamination concerns.
Methods
An anonymous, electronic, cross-sectional survey was designed to understand infant feeding practices, parental experience and perceived support during the crisis.
Results
Ninety-nine parents that lived in the U.S. and fulfilled study criteria completed the survey. Sixty-six percent of respondents were female, and 75% of respondents were recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infant Children (WIC). Parental mean age was 30.0 years and the mean infant age was 26.8 weeks. In response to the infant formula shortage crisis, parents changed their infant feeding practices, of which several were unsafe. Seventy-nine percent of parents fed their infants U.S. infant formula brands and 39% of parents fed their infants imported infant formula brands before the shortage which were significantly reduced during the shortage to 27% (p < 0.005) and 11% (p < 0.005), respectively. The percentage of parents that reported infant feeding practices before and during the infant formula shortage significantly increased from 2–28% for donor milk use (p < 0.005); 5–26% for use of breast milk from community sharing (p < 0.005); and 2–29% for use of watered-down infant formula (p < 0.005). The resources that parents reported as most helpful in navigating the crisis differed by parental sex and WIC recipient status and included other parents, friends, and family; lactation consultants; healthcare providers; and WIC.
Conclusions
Our study found that feeding practices in response to the infant formula shortage may pose health risks to infants. These data suggest the need for policy changes within regulatory and the healthcare system to provide families with clinical prenatal and postnatal lactation support, access to donor milk, and access to more commercially-available products.
The change of microenvironment induced by different thermal ablation in prostate and their clinical significances
Authors: Liu Ruiqing , Cao Huicun , Cao Guangshao , Duan Shaobo , Li Zesheng , Xing Yasi , Li Yaqiong , Zhang Lianzhong
Published: August 2022

Purpose: To compare the microenvironment change of three type thermal ablation: transperineal laser ablation (TPLA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) application canine prostate and their clinical significances. Methods: Nine beagles were randomly assigned to TPLA, RFA and MWA group. The ablation was operated in prostate. The level of cytokine (TNF-α, IL-12, TGF-β1 and IL-10) in serum was detected at four time point (before ablation, immediately, one week and one month after ablation). The positive cells of macrophages in the border of ablation lesions were detected. Results: One week after ablation, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) in the TPLA group was the highest, followed by the RFA group, and the MWA group was the lowest (159.11 ± 53.26 pg/ml, 129.57 ± 23.42 pg/ml, 53.65 ± 21.34 pg/ml, P＜0.03). However, one month later, the level of TNF-α had a continuous increase in TPLA group while which showed a significant decrease trend in other groups. The levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (TGF-β1) in the TPLA group was significantly lower than other two groups (48.92 ± 48.67 pg/ml, 218.85 ± 27.56 pg/ml, 167.67 ± 45.67 pg/ml, P＜0.05). M1-like macrophages were dominant in TPLA group, and M2-like macrophages were dominant in RFA and MWA groups. Conclusion: Microenvironment changes in the TPLA group were mainly pro-inflammatory, while anti-inflammatory responses were observed in the RFA and MWA groups.
Human mobility patterns in Mexico City and their links with socioeconomic variables during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fontanelli Oscar , Valdivia Dulce , Romero Guillermo , Medina Oliver , Li Wentian , Hernández-Rosales Maribel
Published: August 2022

The availability of cellphone geolocation data provides a remarkable opportunity to study human mobility patterns and how these patterns are affected by the recent pandemic. Two simple centrality metrics allow us to measure two different aspects of mobility in origin-destination networks constructed with this type of data: variety of places connected to a certain node (degree) and number of people that travel to or from a given node (strength). In this contribution, we present an analysis of node degree and strength in daily origin-destination networks for Greater Mexico City during 2020. Unlike what is observed in many complex networks, these origin-destination networks are not scale free. Instead, there is a characteristic scale defined by the distribution peak; centrality distributions exhibit a skewed two-tail distribution with power law decay on each side of the peak. We found that high mobility areas tend to be closer to the city center, have higher population and better socioeconomic conditions. Areas with anomalous behavior are almost always on the periphery of the city, where we can also observe qualitative difference in mobility patterns between east and west. Finally, we study the effect of mobility restrictions due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemics on these mobility patterns.
Effect of Static Stiffness of Soil on Internal Force Distribution of Building Structures Subjected to Earthquake Loads
Authors: MANUKA DAGIMWORK ASELE , Mena Adisu Mesene
Published: August 2022

The soil structure interaction model is developed by substructure modeling method. For the purpose of comparative study, the SSI depth is varied by 0m, 1m, 3m, and 5m. To consider this case the foundation soil of firm soil, soil class-A and the soft soil, soil class-C is used to comparative study. By considering rigid foundation, the soil can be replaced by a set of equivalent springs and dashpots in the inertial interaction analysis. The soil structure interaction can be modeled by using equivalent static spring modeling method and static stiffness of spring can be calculated by using the supporting soil properties. To calculate elastic static stiffness of soil the most well-known G. Gazetas equation is used. The static stiffness calculated shows that for the increased depth of soil structure interaction there is increased static stiffness. So, the calculated static stiffness is used as elastic spring constant and it is assigned on the footing column base of building structure which modeled by SAP200 software. Time history analysis is conducted by applying earthquake load on the structure by using SAP200 V 14.
Impact of pre-procedural diastolic blood pressure on long-term cardiac death of NSTEMI patients following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Wang Xiong , Wang Peng , Hu Jingtang , Wang Zhen
Published: August 2022

Aims Diastolic blood pressure(DBP) is associated with cardiovascular outcomes particularly in the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the relationship between DBP and long-term cardiac death in Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between pre-procedural DBP and long-term cardiac death of NSTEMI patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods The study data were obtained from Dryad data repository. In our primary analyses, we include the cases of NSTEMI (1486 patients) who were treated with at least one drug-eluting stent and completed long-term follow-up documentation.Results High pre-procedural DBP was identified as a significant and independent risk factor of long-term cardiac death. A 1mm Hg increase in pre-procedural DBP level was associated with a 11% higher risk of long-term cardiac death ( 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.17; P<0.0001). Nonlinearity analysis showed that the infection point of DBP at 92 mm Hg and the statistical correlation only existed to the right of the infection point .The impact size and 95% CI were 1.19 and 1.08-1.30 (P=0.0004), respectively. Conclusion Higher pre-procedural DBP was a risk factor of long-term cardiac death of NSTEMI patients following PCI, and the infection point is 92 mm Hg.
Purification of sewage wastewater though sand column filter for lessening of heavy metals accumulation in lettuce, carrot and cauliflower
Authors: Naz Safina , Ali Sajid , Sardar Hassan , Sadiq Bushra , Ejaz Shaghef , Haider Sakeena Tul Ain , Altaf Muhammad Ahsan , Muhammad Hafiza Muniba Din , Ahmad Riaz
Published: August 2022

Sewage wastewater is rich in mineral nutrients contributed in plant growth and yield. However, accumulation of heavy metals in edible part of vegetables and fruits is dangerous for human health. Current research was conducted with aim to evaluate the performance of sand column filter for removal of heavy metals from sewage wastewater applied to the selected vegetables. Heavy metals content i.e. Pb, Ni, Cu and Fe were estimated higher in untreated sewage wastewater as compared to treated water. Number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of leaves, roots and total biomass of lettuce, carrot and cauliflower were improved due to irrigation of unfiltered sewage wastewater as compared to sewage wastewater. Curd diameter, fresh and dry weights of curd, and stem fresh weight of cauliflower, root length and diameter of carrot enhanced because of unfiltered sewage wastewater than treated sewage wastewater. The accumulation of heavy metals i.e. Pb, Ni, Cu and Fe was higher in roots, leaves and edible parts of the selected vegetables. In the present study, Cd and Cr concentrations were not affected from filtration process through sand column filter. Conclusively, filtration through sand column filter is very effective for removal of heavy metals from sewage wastewater to irrigate agricultural lands.
Extensive inheritance of gut microbial communities in a superorganismal termite
Authors: Sinotte Veronica , Renelies-Hamilton Justinn , Andreu-Sánchez Sergio , Vasseur-Cognet Mireille , Poulsen Michael
Published: August 2022

Mutualistic co-evolution can be mediated by vertical transmission of symbionts between host generations. Organisms exhibit adaptations that ensure optimal microbial inheritance, yet it is unknown if this extends to superorganismal social insects that host co-evolved gut microbiomes. Here, we document consistent vertical transmission that preserves more than 80 bacterial genera across colony generations in a fungus-farming termite model system. Inheritance is governed by reproductives, analogous to organismal gametes, that found new colonies and are endowed with environmentally-sensitive and termite-specific gut microbes. These symbionts are then reliably passed on within the offspring colony, where priority effects dictate the composition of the forming colony microbiome. Founding reproductives thus play a central role in transmission. However, in sharp contrast to organismal inheritance of an endosymbiont within an egg, the multicellular properties of the superorganismal gametes allow for inheritance of entire communities of co-adapted microbes. Superorganismal inheritance aligns the reproductive interests of the host colony and a diverse set of microbes and clarifies a fundamental driver of millions of years of termite-bacterial co-diversification. Ultimately, the high symbiotic fidelity and host control favors mutualistic cooperation that should surpass that of other animals with complex microbiomes.
Predictors of delayed Anti-Retroviral Therapy initiation among adults referred for HIV treatment in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kiyingi Micheal , Nankabirwa Joaniter I. , Sekaggya-Wiltshire Christine , Nangendo Joan , Kiweewa John M. , Katahoire Anne R. , Semitala Fred C.
Published: August 2022

Background
Uganda’s current guidelines recommend immediate initiation of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in order to reduce HIV/AIDS related morbidity and mortality. However, not all eligible PLHIV initiate ART within the recommended time following HIV diagnosis. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with delayed ART initiation among PLHIV referred for ART initiation, five years after rolling out the test and treat guidelines.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, data on socio-demographic characteristics, HIV diagnosis and referral circumstances, and time to ART initiation, was collected from adult PLHIV referred to Mulago Immune Suppressive syndrome (Mulago ISS) clinic for ART initiation from January 2017 to May 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was performed and significant factors identified. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
A total of 312 participants were enrolled in the study with 62.2% female. The median (IQR) age of the participants was 35 (28–42) years and baseline CD4 count was 315 (118.8-580.5) cells/µL. Forty-eight, 48 (15.4%) of the participants delayed ART initiation and had a median (IQR) time to ART of 92 (49–273.5) days. The odds of delayed ART initiation were higher among: 1) patients who had their HIV diagnosis made from a private health facility versus public health facility (adjusted odds ration [aOR] = 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–5.7); 2) patients who initially denied their positive HIV test results versus those who accepted aOR = 5 (95% CI: 1.7–14.9); and 3) not receiving a follow up phone call from the place of HIV diagnosis compared to PLHIV who received aOR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2–6.8).
Conclusion
There was significant delay of ART initiation among referred PLHIV five years after the rollout the test and treat guidelines in Uganda. Standardized post HIV diagnosis patient follow up at private health facilities including use of telephone calls would facilitate improved timely linkage to ART among newly diagnosed PLHIV in Uganda and similar settings.
The effect of medical innovation on the cost-effectiveness of Covid 19-related policies in the United States using a SIR model
Authors: Atherly Adam J. , Broek-Altenburg Eline M.
Published: August 2022

Background
During 2020-21, the United States used a multifaceted approach to control SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) and reduce mortality and morbidity. This included non-medical interventions (NMIs), aggressive vaccine development and deployment, and research into more effective approaches to medically treat Covid-19. Each approach had both costs and benefits. The objective of this study was to calculate the Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for three major Covid-19 policies: NMIs, vaccine development and deployment (Vaccines), and therapeutics and care improvements within the hospital setting (HTCI).
Methods
To simulate the number of QALYs lost per scenario, we developed a multi-risk Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model where infection and fatality rates vary between regions. We use a two equation SIR model. The first equation represents changes in the number of infections and is a function of the susceptible population, the infection rate and the recovery rate. The second equation shows the changes in the susceptible population as people recover. Key costs included loss of economic productivity, reduced future earnings due to educational closures, inpatient spending and the cost of vaccine development. Benefits included reductions in Covid-19 related deaths, which were offset in some models by additional cancer deaths due to care delays.
Results
The largest cost is the reduction in economic output associated with NMI ($1.7 trillion); the second most significant cost is the educational shutdowns, with estimated reduced lifetime earnings of $523B. The total estimated cost of vaccine development is $55B. HTCI had the lowest cost per QALY gained vs “do nothing” with a cost of $2,089 per QALY gained. Vaccines cost $34,777 per QALY gained in isolation, while NMIs alone were dominated by other options. HTCI alone dominated most alternatives, except the combination of HTCI and Vaccines ($58,528 per QALY gained) and HTCI, Vaccines and NMIs ($3.4m per QALY gained).
Conclusions
HTCI was the most cost effective and was well justified under any standard cost effectiveness threshold. The cost per QALY gained for vaccine development, either alone or in concert with other approaches, is well within the standard for cost effectiveness. NMIs reduced deaths and saved QALYs, but the cost per QALY gained is well outside the usual accepted limits.
Loci on Chromosome 20 Interact with rs16969968 to Influence Cigarettes per Day in European Ancestry Individuals
Authors: Ehringer Marissa , Villela Pamela Romero , Palviainen Teemu , Evans Luke , Border Richard , Kaprio Jaakko , Palmer Rohan , Keller Matthew
Published: August 2022

Our understanding of the molecular genetic contributions to smoking are limited to the additive effects of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but the underlying genetic risk is likely to also include dominance, epistatic, and gene-environment interactions. To begin to address this complexity, this study attempted to identify potential genetic interactions between rs16969968, the most replicated SNP associated with smoking quantity, and all SNPs and genes across the genome. Using the UK Biobank, we found one gene,PCNA, that showed a genome-wide significant interaction with rs16969968 for smoking behaviors in a sample of 116 442 smokers of European ancestry. We replicated this finding in a meta-analysis of five Finnish samples (n = 40 140): FinHealth, FINRISK, Finnish Twin Cohort, GeneRISK, and Health-2000-2011. To our knowledge, this represents the first reliable epistatic effect between measured genetic variants for smoking behaviors and provides a novel direction for possible future functional studies related to this interaction. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the feasibility of these analyses, which may be applied to other top SNPs for smoking and/or other phenotypes.
Knowledge and Practice of Catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention and Associated factor among nurses in public hospitals, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Nure Misra , Dechasa Abebe , Ifa Meseret , Bedane Jemal
Published: August 2022

Background
Catheter-related urinary tract infection is an infection related to imported pathogens, which affects the urinary tract of patients with a urinary catheter. Catheter associated urinary tract infection is the most common nosocomial infection. Determining the catheter related urinary tract infections knowledge and practice of nurses, and the factors associated has paramount importance for improving the catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention practice, as well as efficiency and quality of care.
Objective
To assess the knowledge and practice of catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention and its associated factors among nurses working in public hospitals Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods
Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted and to select 408 study participants a simple random sampling technique was used. A Structured self-administered questionnaire and observational check list were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done. Variable with p-value < 0.05 with 95% CI was declared statistically significant.
Result
From the distributed questionnaires 408 participants returned with their response which gives 96.7% response rate. Out of respondents, 63.5%, had adequate knowledge, but only 34.6% of study participants have good practice on Catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention. Having in-service training on infection prevention, working in intensive care unit and having access to infection prevention guide line were significantly associated with both the nurses’ adequate knowledge and good practice of catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention while age and year of experience, were factors significantly associated with nurses good practice of catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention.
Conclusions
The finding of this study revealed that more than half nurses have adequate knowledge on catheter-related infection prevention, but around one-third of them had good practice, which suggests difference between knowledge and practice. In-service training on infection prevention, the current unit of working, and the presence of a guide line were significantly associated with both the knowledge and practice of nurses toward catheter-related urinary tract infection prevention. There is a need of improving knowledge and practice of nurses towards catheter related urinary tract infection prevention through in-service training and use of guideline at working units.
Borate treatment of CLT Panels Using Vacuum: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Denavit Mark , Lloyd Jeffrey , Kirker Grant , Mankowski Mark , Taylor Adam
Published: August 2022

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an increasingly popular wood-based alternative for large building applications. Preservatives are often applied to wood products to protect them from decay and extend their service life. However, CLT panels are typically not treated due in part to a perceived lack of efficient and effective methods for treating large panels and a lack of information on what impact treatment processes may have on the panels’ mechanical properties. We propose that treating CLT panels with borate solution, applied under vacuum in flexible bags, could provide a practical and effective option for providing preservative protection for interior applications. Samples were cut from commercially produced CLT panels and treated with borate solution using vacuum. The samples were then evaluated for preservative retention, swelling and degradation of mechanical properties. Initial treatments resulted in a wide range of preservative retentions and property impacts among the products tested. In subsequent ‘optimizations’, the treatment parameters were adjusted to provide consistent and sufficient retention amongst the products. The vacuum treatment method effectively penetrated cracks in the lumber and the bond lines. Swelling and impacts on mechanical properties were minimal in the optimized samples. In addition to these samples that were treated in a rigid pressure vessel, a larger sample was successfully treated in a flexible plastic bag. Data from this study supports the concept that vacuum treatment of CLT panels with borate can provide sufficient levels of preservative retention, can be adjusted to the material being treated and has minimal impacts on mechanical properties.
The Application of Sex Therapy for Unconsummated Marriage
Authors: Dai Yutian , Gao Qingqiang , Ni Dawei , Han Youfeng , Yu Wen , Song Tao
Published: August 2022

Objective:To clarify the clinical features and causes of unconsummated marriage (UCM) in China and to report the clinical efficacy and different evolution trends of sex therapy for UCM.Methods:A total of 293 UCM couples were evaluated from 2019 to 2022. UCM lasted from 1 month to 10 years. A total of 185 couples received sex therapy (or a combination of negative pressure devices and phosphodiesterase inhibitors), 43 erectile dysfuncton(ED) patients received phosphodiesterase inhibitors, 40 ED patients received intracavernosal injection (ICI), and 25 premature ejaculation (PE) patients received local anaesthetics or dapoxetine orally. The median follow-up time was 10.3 months.Results:Factors among males and females and common factors may lead to the occurrence of UCM. Almost all patients had a lack of sexual knowledge, male ED (186), PE (49), low libido (16), female genital penetration disorder (vaginismus, coitophobia) (197), sexual arousal disorder (48), and hyposexuality (11) (many patients had more than one factor). A total of 166 couples (89.73%) who received sex therapy successfully completed sexual intercourse, 11 patients withdrew from the treatment, and the average treatment time was 4.5 months. During the follow-up, 35 patients (21.08%) also needed adjuvant drugs (phosphodiesterase inhibitors, local anaesthetics or dapoxetine), and 131 patients (78.92%) performed well. Three pairs (6.98%) in the phosphodiesterase inhibitors group and 11 pairs (27.50%) in the ICI group were successful; four couples (16.00%) in the local anaesthetic or dapoxetine group were successful, all of whom had normal sexual partners (no organic disease, only lack of sexual knowledge).Conclusion:The causes of UCM in China are complex, the therapeutic method of sex therapy (or combined with a negative pressure device and phosphodiesterase inhibitors) is effective, and the follow-up is satisfactory. Oral medication and ICI therapy for PE/ED are not effective for sexual partners with sexual problems.
A risk-factors model for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with type 2 respiratory failure: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Yang , Jan Chang , Wang Lilin , Liao Yang , Xiang Tianyu , Wang Huilai , Gong Jun
Published: August 2022

Background: Type 2 respiratory failure(T2RF) is one of the main causes of death in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), which has a rapid onset and adverse consequences. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the early risk-factors of T2RF in patients with AECOPD and to establish a predictive model of T2RF.Methods: Patients were selected from 7 affiliated medical institutions of Chongqing Medical University from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 in China. Variables including demographic, laboratory examination were collected from the hospital electronic medical record system. Predictors were selected using univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) methods. Furthermore, logistic-based nomogram (LOG), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) 3 machine learning were used to established risk-factor models. A series of indicators such as sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE) and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) were used to evaluate the model performance.Results: A total of 1251 patients over 40 years met the inclusion criteria. They were divided into case group (n = 241) and control group (n = 1010) according to the occurrence of T2RF during hospitalisation. A total of 19 predictors were included in this study, among which 16 were selected by univariate analysis with statistically significant differences. 6 independent predictors were screened out by LASSO, including the COPD duration, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), procalcitonin (PCT), percentage of neutrophils (NEUT%), D-dimer(D-D), pulmonary ventilation function (PVF). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the logistic, SVM, RF, XGBoost models were 0.880(0.836-0.925), 0.836(0.779-0.893), 0.881(0.833-0.929), 0.903(0.868-0.939) and the area under the precision-recall curves (AUPR) of 0.676, 0.609, 0.704, 0.684.Conclusion: The clinical prediction model constructed in this study has a good predictive effect on AECOPD complicated with T2RF, and it can be used to predict in southwest China.
Affordable Optical Clearing and Immunolabelling in Mouse Brain Slices
Authors: Muza Phillip M. , Perez-Gonzalez Marta , Noy Suzanna , Kurosawa Miyu , Katsouri Loukia , Tybulewicz Victor L. J. , Fisher Elizabeth M.C. , West Steven J.
Published: August 2022

Traditional histological analysis is conducted on thin tissue sections, limiting the data capture from large tissue volumes to 2D profiles, and requiring stereological methods for 3D assessment. Recent advances in microscopical and tissue clearing methods have facilitated 3D reconstructions of tissue structure. However, staining of large tissue blocks remains a challenge, often requiring specialised and expensive equipment to clear and immunolabel tissue. Here, we present the Affordable Brain Slice Optical Clearing (ABSOC) method: a modified iDISCO protocol which enables clearing and immunolabeling of mouse brain slices up to 1 mm thick using inexpensive reagents and equipment, with no intensive expert training required. The ABSOC method can be readily used for histological studies of mouse brain in order to move from the use of very thin tissue sections to large volumes of tissue – giving more representative analysis of biological samples, without the need for sampling of small regions only.
Patient democracies?
Authors: Kiss Hubert Janos , Horn Daniel , Khayouti Sára
Published: August 2022

There is growing evidence that schooling and income associate positively with democracy and patience, suggesting a potential link between democracy and patience. We test if indeed the political regime of countries associates with the average patience of their citizens. We document a highly significant positive raw association between the level of democracy and patience for all the political regime indices that we use. Considering regional controls, geographical conditions and culture (proxied by religion) only diminishes the strength of the association slightly. However, economic development and schooling have a mediating role in the relationship between patience and political regime.JEL: code, D02, D12
Intraoperative Low-dose S-ketamine Reduces Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Crohn’s Disease Undergoing Bowel Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Yuan Zhen-Yu , Zhang Wen-Hao , Wang Yi-Bo , Cui Li-Ying , Lu Bo-Xuan , Zhang Jie , Gong Jian-Feng , Ji Qing , Cheng Hao , Gao Da-Peng , Lu Yin-Xiao
Published: August 2022

Purpose
We aim to investigate the effect of S-ketamine preconditioning on postoperative depression in patients with CD undergoing bowel resection with mild to moderate depression and to observe whether it can relieve postoperative pain and anti-inflammation.
Methods
A total of 120 adult patients were randomised in to one of the two groups; Patients in the S-ketamine group received 0.25mg/kg S-ketamine intravenous drip under general anesthesia induction, followed by continuous infusion of S-ketamine with 0.12mg/kg/h for more than 30 minutes through target-controlled infusion. Patients in the placebo group received 0.9% saline. The patients in both groups were evaluated by depression scale, pain scale and inflammatory factors at set intervals during a total period of one month starting from the end of operation.
Results
There was no significant difference in preoperative age, sex, body mass index (BMI), PHQ-9, and HAMD-17 scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). The scores of PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 in the S-ketamine group were lower than those in the placebo group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day postoperatively (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 scores between the two groups one month postoperatively (P > 0.05). The NRS scores of PACU, 1 day and 2 days postoperatively in the S-ketamine group were lower than those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in NRS score between the two groups at 7 days postoperatively (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications, hospital stay, CRP, and IL-6 levels on the 1st and 3rd day postoperatively between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
In patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing bowel resection with mild to moderate depression, intraoperative infusion of low-dose S-ketamine was effective in relieving depression one week after surgery and reducing postoperative pain two-day.
MCM5 mutation leads to silence of Stat1-bcl2 and accelerates the apoptosis of immature T lymphocytes with DNA damage
Authors: Liu Min , Xia Jiamin , Zhang Ke , Li Yuanyuan , Feng Yi , Liang Yundan , Sun Chengfu , Liu Xindong , Li Shurong , Su Binying , Dong Yong , Huang Sizhou
Published: August 2022

During T lymphocyte development, immature T lymphocyte undergoes V(D)J rearrangement of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes to further develop to functional T cells. Upon this situation, additional DNA damage coming from the mutation of DNA replication genes sensitively makes immature T cells undergo apoptosis. While the mechanisms how immature T lymphocytes undergo fast cell death upon genomic instability have not been resolved. In our current study, we showed that in zebrafish mcm5 mutants, the immature T cells specifically and cell-autonomously undergo rapid apoptosis during T lymphocytes maturation. In mechanism, mcm5 loss of function results in DNA damage and up-regulation of tp53 signaling, sequentially gives rise to immature T lymphocytes apoptosis. Meanwhile upon mcm5 mutant, the absence of MCM5 decreases MCM5-Stat1 complex and disrupts phosphorylation of Stat1, which sequentially inhibits bcl2a transcription and accelerates the apoptosis of immature T lymphocytes. As the evidence, after blocking DNA synthesizing using chemical DNA synthesis inhibitors, MCM5 facilitates the up-regulation of bcl2a transcription to avoid rapid death of immature T lymphocytes. Our study first provides a mechanism as to how immature T cells with DNA damage coming from endogenous DNA replication stress are rapidly cleared off during early development, as well explains the extra biological role of MCM5 beside the role in DNA duplication regulation.
Finite-Time Containment Control for Multiple Euler-Lagrange Systems Based on Disturbance Observer: A Discrete-Time Case
Authors: Guo Xinchen , Wei Guoliang
Published: August 2022

This paper focuses on the finite-time containment control problem (FTCCP) for multiple discrete-time Euler-Lagrange (DTEL) systems under a directed graph. Firstly, the DTEL system is transformed into a discrete-time second-order nonlinear system (DTSONS) via Euler's first-order approximation method. Then, to deal with the model uncertainties and external disturbance for the DTEL system, a local discrete-time disturbance observer (DTDO) is addressed to estimate them, which can guarantee the estimation error to be bounded within finite steps. Next, a distributed control strategy is designed, as well as some sufficient conditions are presented such that all followers converge to the convex hull spanned by the dynamic leaders within a finite time. Furthermore, an optimization algorithm is proposed to seek out the minimum upper bound of the tracking error. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is illustrated by the simulation examples.
Changes in arterial stiffness in children and adolescents during the period of social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Godoy-Leite Mariana , Santos Fernanda Gabriela Colombo Drumond , Penido Eduardo Augusto Resende , Ribeiro Kennad Alves , Santos Luzia Maria dos , Rodrigues-Machado Maria da Gloria , Rezende Bruno Almeida
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE: The social restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on the routine of children and adolescents, with important consequences such as sleep, eating, and psychological/psychiatric disorders. Even though there are no studies on the subject, it is possible that these changes in habit and routine have also affected arterial stiffness (AS) in this population, which is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess possible changes in AS, anthropometry, and quality of life (QoL) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents. METHODS: A controlled observational cross-sectional study was performed with 193 children and adolescents aged 9 to 19 years, allocated into two groups: before the pandemic (BPG) and one year after the pandemic (APG), matched by age and sex. Cardiovascular parameters were measured non-invasively by brachial artery oscillometry with a portable device. The main AS indices evaluated were the augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) derived from the aortic pulse wave. QoL was assessed using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0). RESULTS: Regarding QoL, the APG showed a worsening in emotional (p=0.002) and school-related (p=0.010) aspects. There was no statistically significant difference for most anthropometric parameters, except for the hip circumference, which was higher in the APG group (p<0.001). The main predictor of AS in the paediatric population, AIx@75, was shown to be increased in the APG group (p<0.001). Other cardiovascular parameters were also different, such as peripheral (p=0.002) and central (p=0.003) diastolic blood pressure, stroke volume (p=0.010), and total vascular resistance (p=0.002), which were shown to be decreased in the APG group, while the heart rate was increased (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that routine changes resulting from the period of social isolation increased cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents, evident by the increase in AIx@75, which is considered to be an important marker of cardiovascular risk in the paediatric population.
Maternal adverse childhood experiences impact fetal adrenal volume in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Duffy Korrina , Sammel Mary D. , Johnson Rachel L. , Kim Deborah R. , Wang Eileen Y. , Ewing Grace , Hantsoo Liisa , Kornfield Sara L. , Bale Tracy L. , Epperson Neill
Published: August 2022

Background
The mechanisms by which parental early life stress can be transmitted to the next generation, in some cases in a sex-specific manner, are unclear. Maternal preconception stress may increase susceptibility to suboptimal health outcomes via in utero programming of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Methods
We recruited healthy pregnant women (N = 147), dichotomized into low (0 or 1) and high (2+) adverse childhood experience (ACE) groups based on the ACE Questionnaire, to test the hypothesis that maternal ACE history influences fetal adrenal development in a sex-specific manner. At a mean (standard deviation) of 21.5 (1.4) and 29.5 (1.4) weeks gestation, participants underwent three-dimensional ultrasounds to measure fetal adrenal volume, adjusting for body weight (waFAV).
Results
At ultrasound 1, waFAV was smaller in high versus low ACE males (b= -0.17; z=-3.75; p < .001), but females did not differ by maternal ACE group (b = 0.09; z = 1.72; p = .086). Compared to low ACE males, waFAV was smaller for low (b=-0.20; z=-4.10; p < .001) and high ACE females (b=-0.11; z = 2.16; p = .031); however, high ACE males did not differ from low (b = 0.03; z = .57; p = .570) or high ACE females (b=-0.06; z=-1.29; p = .196). At ultrasound 2, compared to low ACE males, high ACE males (b=-0.08; z=-1.58; p = .114) and low ACE females (b=-0.09; z=-1.92; p = .055) had marginally smaller waFAV. Perceived stress did not differ between maternal ACE groups at baseline (t=-0.58; df = 142.18; p = .562), ultrasound 1 (t =-1.46; df = 141.05; p = .148), or ultrasound 2 (t=-0.67; df = 140.55; p = .504).
Conclusions
We observed a significant impact of high maternal ACE history on waFAV, a proxy for fetal adrenal development, but only in males. Our observation that the waFAV in males of mothers with a high ACE history did not differ from the waFAV of females extends preclinical research demonstrating a dysmasculinizing effect of gestational stress on a range of offspring outcomes. Future studies investigating intergenerational transmission of stress should consider the influence of maternal preconception stress on offspring outcomes.