bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model to the Secondary Education Curriculum. Implications for Students and Teachers
Authors: Manzano-Sánchez David , González-Víllora Sixto , Valero-Valenzuela Alfonso
Published: February 2021

The aim was to implement a value-promoting program (Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility, TPSR) and to assess its impact on students. Method: The program was applied for 8 months with 257 students from three secondary school centres (151 boys and 106 girls) with a mean of 15.97 years old (SD = 2.31). They were in three groups, 67 students (control group), 90 students receiving at least 60% of the total teaching time the value-promoting program (experimental group for global education, EG-GE) and 100 students (experimental group only for physical education, EG-PE). As main results improvements were found in the EG-GE for responsibility, psychological mediator index, self-determination index, resilience, climate and prosocial behaviours. In the EG-PE improved were observed in the self-determination index, classroom climate and prosocial behaviours. Female students and from EG-GE improve much more than males and from EG-PE. The outcomes in psychological variables can be higher if TPSR is applied to the whole subjects apart from physical education. These results are even more pronounced for female students in personal and social responsibility. It is worth highlighting the importance of coordinating educational institutions to facilitate the involvement of the greatest number of teachers.
Transforming Extension and Service Delivery through Bottom-Up Climate Resilient Farmer Field School Approach to Agribusiness in Eastern Africa
Authors: Osumba Joab , Recha John , Oroma George
Published: February 2021

There is consensus that climate variability and change is impacting food security in Eastern Africa, and that conventional extension approaches, based on top-down model of information dissemination and technology transfer, are too inadequate to help smallholder farmers tackle increasingly complex agro-climatic adversities. Innovative service delivery options exist but are mostly operated in silos with little effort to explore and blend them. There are efforts to develop a blended Climate-Resilient Farmers Field School methodology to address the gaps, with objective to improve participants’ knowledge, skills and attitude to apply the blended approach and to sensitize actors on what needs to be advocated at the policy level. Some 661 local trainers/facilitators (ToT/ToFs), 32% of them women and 54% youth, were trained across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with additional 76 Master Trainers (MToTs) trained to backstop the ToT/ToFs. Through the implementation, the process reached 36 agribusinesses covering some 237,250 smallholder farmers trained across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on CSA technologies, practices, and innovations by the end of 2020. The blended approach offers lessons to transform extension to help farmers improve food security and resilience. Preliminary findings indicate that the process is rapidly shaping individual adaptive behavior and group adaptive thinking. Lessons also show a strong need for agronomists to work more closely with agro-meteorologists to ensure that farmers are properly guided to participate appropriately in the co-generation and application of climate information and agro-weather advisories, which they can interpret easily and utilize for their agricultural production purposes. Experience from this initiative can be leveraged to develop scalable participatory extension and training models
Effect Evaluation of a Peer-Delivered School-Based Intervention Promoting Healthy Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviours Among Secondary Vocational Students
Authors: Kloek Gitte Caroline , Kuipers Annabelle , Gerritse Thamar , de Vries Sanne Irene
Published: February 2021

This study examines the effectiveness of the peer-delivered, school-based intervention Healthy by Design (HbD). Data were collected in two cross-sectional surveys before and after invention implementation. In total 1,177 vocational students (before: 557, after: 620) participated in an online health behaviour survey. Multilevel logistic and multilevel linear models explored the effect of the intervention over time and the effect of the intervention dose received on (determinants of) dietary of physical activity behaviours. A significant positive effect over time was found for moderate intensity physical activity. A high intervention dose was positively associated with increased water, breakfast and fruit consumption and higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity compared to no intervention dose received. A moderate and high intervention dose was negatively associated with high calorie snacks consumption compared to no intervention dose received. Effects of HbD on the investigated dietary and physical activity behaviours over time are limited, but these effects may be hard to demonstrate and link to the intervention due to the nature of the intervention design and the natural school-setting of this quasi-experimental study. However, a higher intervention dose showed a strong relation with healthier dietary and physical activity behaviours.
Impact of Physical Activity on Recurrence Dynamics in Early Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Biganzoli Elia , Desmedt Christine , Demicheli Romano
Published: February 2021

Several studies have suggested that pre and/or postdiagnosis physical activity can reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients, however its effect according to follow-up time has not yet been investigated. We analyzed recurrence and mortality dynamics in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from Australia and Canada. The combined Australian RCTs evaluated, at median follow-up of 8.3 years, an 8-month pragmatic exercise intervention in 337 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, while the Canadian RCT evaluated, at median follow-up of 7.4 years, supervised aerobic or resistance exercise during chemotherapy in 242 patients. For each RCT, the control arm consisted of patients undergoing usual care. We estimated the event dynamics by the discrete hazard function, through flexible regression of yearly conditional event probabilities with generalized additive models. In the considered RCTs, the recurrence and mortality risk of patients enrolled in the physical activity arm was stably reduced at medium/long term after five year of follow-up. In the Australian RCTs where patients were recruited by urban versus rural area, the latter group did not display benefit from physical activity. Estimated Odds Ratios (95% Confidence Intervals) for Disease Free Survival (DFS) in urban women were 0.63 (0.22-1.85); 0.27 (0.079-0.90); 0.11 (0.013-0.96) at the 3rd, 5th and 7th year of follow-up, respectively. For rural women, DFS patterns were overlapping with ORs approximating 1 at the different years of follow-up. Although not reaching statistical evidence, the estimates in the Canadian trial were in line with the results from the Australian urban women with ORs (95% CI) forDFS of 0.70 (0.33-1.50); 0.47 (0.19-1.18); 0.32 (0.077-1.29) at 3rd, 5th, 7th follow-up year, respectively. While we acknowledge that the analyzed RCTs were not designed for investigating disease recurrence over time, these results support the evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of developing medium/long-term metastases. Additional translational research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these observations.
Hot Box Investigations of a Ventilated Bioclimatic Wall for NZEB Building Façade
Authors: Sukamto Dwinanto , Siroux Monica , Gloriant Francois
Published: February 2021

The building sector is the largest consumer of energy and there are still major scientific challenges in this field. The façade, being the interface between the exterior and interior space, plays a key role in the energy efficiency of a building. In this context, this paper focuses on a ventilated bioclimatic wall for NZEB zero energy buildings. The objective of this study is to investigate an experimental set-up based on a Hot Box allowing characterizing the thermal performances of the ventilated wall. A specific ventilated prototype and an original thermal metrology has been developed. This paper presents the ventilated prototype, the experimental set-up and experimental results on the thermal performances of the ventilated wall. The influence of the air space thickness and the air flow rate on the thermal performances of the ventilated wall is studied.
PENGARUH BUDAYA ORGANISASI DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA TERHADAP MOTIVASI KERJA SERTA DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA KARYAWAN
Authors: Baribin Diah Pranitasari , Cici Bela Saputri
Published: February 2021

This study aims to determine (1) The influence of organizational culture on the work motivation of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (2) The influence of the work environment on the work motivation of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (3) The influence of organizational culture on PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employee job satisfaction, (4) The influence of the work environment on PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employee job satisfaction, (5) The effect of work motivation on PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employee job satisfaction, (6) The influence of organizational culture and work environment on the work motivation of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, and ( 7) The influence of organizational culture and work environment on work motivation and job satisfaction of employees of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia.

The sample used in this study were 215 respondents from permanent employees of PT. Posmi Steel Indonesia. The statistical tests used are validity, reliability and path analysis.

The calculation results show that: (1) organizational culture has a significant effect on the work motivation of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (2) the work environment has a significant effect on the work motivation of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (3) organizational culture has a significant effect on job satisfaction of PT Posmi employees Steel Indonesia, (4) Work environment has a significant effect on job satisfaction of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (5) Work motivation has a significant effect on job satisfaction of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia's employees, (6) Organizational culture and work environment have a significant effect on the work motivation of PT employees Posmi Steel Indonesia, and (7) Organizational culture and work environment significantly influence work motivation and job satisfaction of PT Posmi Steel Indonesia employees.
AN PENGARUH LOKUS KENDALI, KAPABILITAS KEUANGAN, KESEDIAAN KEUANGAN DAN KECANGGIHAN KEUANGAN TERHADAP PERENCANAAN PENSIUN
Authors: Hamidi Mohammad Syafril , Ahmad Gatot Nazir , Prihatni Rida
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh lokus kendali (locus of control), kapabiltas keuangan (financial capability), kesediaan keuangan (financial willingness) dan kecanggihan keuangan (financial sophistication) terhadap perencanaan pensiun karyawan di DKI Jakarta. Variabel bebas yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah lokus kendali (locus of control), kapabiltas keuangan (financial capability), kesediaan keuangan (financial willingness) dan kecanggihan keuangan (financial sophistication). Variabel terikat yang digunakan adalah perencanaan pensiun. Ukuran sampel penelitian ini dihitung menggunakan rumus Krejcie-Morgan dan diperoleh jumlah sampel sebanyak 384 orang. Teknik analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah uji asumsi klasik, analisis deskriptif dan analisis regresi linier berganda. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: (1) lokus kendali memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap perencanaan pensiun, (2) kapabilitas keuangan memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap perencanaan pensiun, (3) kesediaan keuangan memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap perencanaan pensiun, (4) kecanggihan keuangan memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap perencanaan pensiun.
Continuous monitoring of health data with a wearable device in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer – a feasibility pilot study
Authors: Eva Brack , Christa Koenig , Jochen Roessler , A. Ammann Roland
Published: February 2021

Pediatric patients with cancer are at high risk for severe infections and delayed treatment increases mortality. Infections can trigger changes of vital signs long before clinical symptoms arise. Continuous recording may detect such changes earlier than discrete measurements. This is the protocol for an investigator-initiated, single-center observational pilot study on the feasibility of continuous monitoring of health data with a wearable device (WD) in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy of cancer. A total of 20 patients will be included, including at least 4 patients <6 years. Each patient will wear the WD for 14 days and we expect study duration of three to four months. The protocol had been registered at www.clinicaltrials.com (NCT04134429) and was approved by the local Ethics Committees (Ethikkommission der Universitätskinderkliniken Bern, “Gesuch 1912”, Kantonale Ethikkommission Bern, BASEC-No.: 2019-01919).
The synergistic anti-tumor effect of iodine-125 low-dose-rate brachytherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy on lung cancer in mice
Authors: Cao Yiyi , Li Wenbo , Li Jia , Weng Yu , Chen Chang , Wang ZhengJie , pang hua
Published: February 2021

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) when combined with anti-PD-1 therapy can have a significant anti-tumor effect, but RT fractionation and dose impact the effects of this combined therapy. Iodine-125 particle implantation (125I RPI) is a hyperfractionated low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment and the efficacy of 125I RPI combined with anti-PD-1 therapy are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of 125I RPI combined with anti-PD-1 therapy and their impact on tumor immunity. Methods: A Lewis lung cancer (LLC) mouse model was established in the right hindlimb and radioactive iodine-125 particles were implanted into the tumors. Tumor tissues were obtained six and 12 days after particle implantation, and the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 was detected by flow cytometry. LLC cells were injected subcutaneously into the right hindlimb (primary tumor) on day 0 and into the left flank (secondary tumor) on day 3 of mice. On day 10, the mice were randomly divided into PBS, α-PD-1, 125I RPI, and α-PD-1+125I RPI groups. On day 22, primary tumor tissues were extracted from the mice. The proportion of immune cell subsets in the tumor immune microenvironment was detected by flow cytometry, and the primary and secondary tumor volumes were monitored. Results: After 125I RPI, the expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells was upregulated (P < 0.0001), and the proportion of CD8+ PD-1+ T cells also increased (P = 0.0001). 125I RPI combined with anti-PD-1 therapy synergistically inhibited primary (P = 0.0139) and secondary (P = 0.0494) tumor growth. The flow cytometry results showed that the combination therapy could increase the proportion of CD8+ T cells (P = 0.0055) and decrease the proportion of T regulatory cells (P < 0.0227) in the tumor microenvironment. Survival analysis shows that the sequence of 125I RPI and α-PD-1 affects efficacy, and early initiation of 125I RPI is more beneficial. Conclusion: 125I RPI combined with anti-PD-1 therapy can significantly inhibit tumor growth and activate anti-tumor immunity, which presents a promising approach for the treatment of cancer.
Implementing circular economy concept by converting cassava pulp and wastewater to biogas for sustainable production in starch industry
Authors: Lerdlattaporn Ruenrom , Phalakornkule Chantaraporn , Trakulvichean Sivalee , Songkasiri Warinthorn
Published: February 2021

An adoption of the circular economy concept to utilize the wastes and by-products in the cassava starch industry to produce the biogas is a high potential option. Thai cassava starch industry generates wastes and by-products, as such the wastewater of 21.00 million m3 y-1 and the cassava pulp of 9.50 million t y-1. This research analyzed the key drivers and challenges to increase the demand of biogas system, increasing the energy security, resource efficiency, and decreasing the environmental problem. Three-scenarios of (1) a factory has no biogas system, (2) a factory produces biogas using wastewater as a raw material, and (3) a factory produces biogas using both wastewater and cassava pulp as raw materials, were analyzed. The economic assessment, resource efficiency, water recovery, land use, and global warming potential were the parameter of comparison. Scenario 3 generated a highest net present value, and a shortest payback period for the 10-year operational period with 6.14 million USD and 4.37 y, respectively. Moreover, scenario 3 had the highest resource efficiency and water recovery with the lowest land (18.90 ha with 500 t starch d-1) use and global warming (144.33 kg CO2eq t-1 starch).
Association Between Cardiac Enzyme Elevation and Clinical Prognosis of Neurosurgical and Neurocritically Ill Patients
Authors: Lee Jung Hwa , Lee Yun Im , Ahn Joonghyun , Ryu Jeong-Am
Published: February 2021

To investigate whether cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation is associated with in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in neurosurgical and neurocritically ill patients. Among neurosurgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2013 to December 2019, those whose serum cTnI levels were obtained within 7 days after ICU admission were included. Propensity score matching was used. Each patient with cTnI elevation was matched to one of control patients. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was MACE. cTnI elevation was shown in 702 (11.7%) of 6,004 patients. After propensity score matching, 617 pairs of data were generated by 1:1 individual matching without replacement. In multivariable analysis of overall and propensity score-matched population, cTnI elevation were associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95 – 3.95 and adjusted OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.20 – 2.62, respectively). In addition, cTnI elevation were associated with MACE (adjusted OR: 3.75, 95% CI: 2.43 – 5.78 and adjusted OR: 4.04, 95% CI: 2.24 – 7.29, respectively). In this study, cTnI elevation was associated with in-hospital mortality and MACEs in neurosurgical and neurocritically ill patients.
Cytogenomic Changes in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer and Surrounding Nonneoplastic Tissues: The Relevance of Subtelomeric Copy Number Variations
Authors: Rocha Mariana , Zanardo Evelin Aline , Dias Alexandre Torchio , Madia Fabrícia Andréia Rosa , Costa Thaís Virgínia Moura Machado , Oliveira Yanca Gasparini , Mader Ana Maria Amaral Antônio , Turke Karine Corcione , Bianco Bianca , Waisberg Jaques , Kulikowski Leslie Domenici
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relevance of subtelomeric cytogenomic changes in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. The results revealed pathogenic genomic alterations in the TNFRS18 (1p), CHL1 (3p), TRIML2 (4q), FBXO25 (8p), NKX3-1 (8p), RECQL4 (8q), DOCK8 (9p), ZMYND11 (10p), KDM5A (12p), PSPC1 (13q), ADPRTL2 (14q), MTA1 (14q), DECR2 (16p), GAS8 (16q), THOC1 (18p), CTDP1 (18q), SOX12 (20p), ADRM1 (20q), UCKL1 (20q), OPRL1 (20q), IL17RA (22q), and SYBL1 (Xq) genes. We detected copy number variations (CNVs) with frequencies greater than 40% in the probes located in 20q, which contains very important genes in the study of tumors. These findings showed instability in the tumor genome and altered regions associated with cell migration, transcription activation, apoptosis, and immune system deregulation. Unexpectedly, we detected concomitant pathogenic CNVs in tumors and surrounding tissues. Our data suggest that characterizing the genomic CRC profile is an important contribution to better understanding instability as a mechanism of carcinogenesis in CRC patients.
Interval Exercise Training Affects Expression of MCT-1, GLUT-1, PFK-1 and p53 as Key Metabolic Regulators on Azoxymethane-Induced Experimental Colon Cancer
Authors: Shirvani Hossein , Bazgir Behzad , Rahimi Mostafa , Isanejad Amin , Samadi Mohammad , Sobhani Vahid , Alizadeh Ali Mohammad , Arabzadeh Ehsan
Published: February 2021

Background

Physical activity is one of the modulators of the cancer risk and survival factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was considering of pre and post interval exercise training on expression of MCT-1, GLUT-1, PFK-1 and p53 as a key metabolic regulators in azoxymethane-induced experimental colon cancer
Methods

Forty-eight male BALB/c mice were equally randomized into 6 groups: I: control (C); healthy animals, II: Exercise (E), III: tumor induction (T); animals received AOM for inducing colon cancer, IV: AOM + exercise (TE); animals with colon cancer underwent 8 weeks of the interval training protocol after tumor establishment, V: exercise + AOM (ET); animals received exercise protocol one week before AOM consumption, and (VI) exercise + AOM + exercise (ETE); animals received exercise protocol one week before and after AOM consumption (about 15 weeks) Groups III-VI were weekly-received AOM (as a carcinogenic agent, 10 mg/kg s.c) in three consecutive weeks to induce colon cancer. Interval exercise training was begun at 16–18 m/min, 10–14 min, 5 days/week for 6 weeks.
Results

The results showed that the tumor significantly increased mRNA and protein of MCT1 in the tumor group compared to the control group (p < 0.001), Also, exercise before and after tumor induction reduced MCT1 (and other glucose regulators) in the colon (respectively: p < 0.02 and p < 0.01). While the p53 gene decreased significantly in the tumor group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Exercise before tumor induction and after tumor induction increased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.04 respectively) in p53 compared to the tumor group. ETE group also downregulate the expression of glucose metabolism genes in colon tumor (p < 0.05).
Conclusion

Long-term aerobic interval exercise (pre, post, pre&post tumor) can contribute to inhibition of tumor progression and treatment against colon cancer. It seems that these preventive and treatment effects exercise training can attribute to the regulation of lactate and glucose transporters by up-regulation of p53 colorectal cancer cells.
Regulating primary microplastics in the European Union
Authors: Rheinberger Christoph , Elo Perrti , Henrichson Sanna , Kapanen Anu , Lefevre-Brevart Sandrine , Majoros Laszlo , Stoyanova Evgenia , Simpson Peter
Published: February 2021

Microplastic pollution receives increasing attention of policy makers. Primary microplastics are of particular interest as they may be effectively regulated by source reduction. We identify major emission sources and sinks of primary microplastics in the EU and discuss key challenges for optimal regulation
Genetic Dependency of Alzheimer’s Disease-Associated Genes across Cells and Tissue Types
Authors: Jaladanki Suraj Kevin , Elmas Abdulkadir , Santos-Malave Gabriel , Huang Kuan-lin
Published: February 2021

Effective treatments targeting disease etiology are urgently needed for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although candidate AD genes have been identified and altering their levels may serve as therapeutic strategies, the consequence of such alterations remain largely unknown. Herein, we analyzed CRISPR knockout/RNAi knockdown screen data for over 700 cell lines and evaluated cellular dependencies of 104 AD-associated genes previously identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and gene expression network studies. Multiple genes showed widespread cell dependencies across tissue lineages, suggesting their inhibition may yield off-target effects. Meanwhile, several genes including SPI1, MEF2C, GAB2, ABCC11, ATCG1 were identified as genes of interest since their genetic knockouts specifically affected high-expressing cells whose tissue lineages are relevant to cell types found in AD. Overall, analyses of genetic screen data identified AD-associated genes whose knockout or knockdown selectively affected cell lines of relevant tissue lineages, prioritizing targets for potential AD treatments.
Revisit Electrolyte Chemistry of Hard Carbon in Ether for Na Storage
Authors: Pan Jun , Sun Yi-Yang , Yan Yehao , Feng Lei , Zhang Yifan , Lin Aming , Huang Fuqiang , Yang Jian
Published: February 2021

Hard carbons (HC) as an anode material in sodium ion batteries, present enhanced electrochemical performances in ether-based electrolytes, making them promising potential in practical applications. However, the underlying mechanism behind the excellent performances is still in question. Here, ex-situ nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscope were used to clarify the insightful chemistry of ether- and ester-based electrolytes in terms of solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) on hard carbons. The results confirm the marked electrolyte decomposition and the formation of a SEI film in EC/DEC, but no SEI film in the case of diglyme. In-situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and molecule dynamics support that ether molecules have been co-intercalated into hard carbons likely. To our knowledge, these results are reported for the first time. It might be very useful for us to rational design advanced electrode materials based HC in future.
Understanding the Influence of Ghanaian Women’s Migration Patterns on Access to Health Care 
Authors: Malagón Michelle , Rizwan Laiba , Richter Solina
Published: February 2021

Background: In recent years, there has been a noted increase in migration rates with trends marking a rise in women seeking relocation as means to access employment or academic opportunities; this growth is referred to as the feminization of migration. Migration stimulates female empowerment, increases access to financial opportunities, and promotes cultural diversity; all while simultaneously exposing women to detrimental conditions that impose risks to their physical and psychological well-being. Health is a fundamental human right that female migrants often get deprived of due to various social, cultural, political and economic factors in the destination region. These factors catalyze inhabitable environments in which migrant women are further exposed to harm, stimulating their status as vulnerable populations. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis to explore how the social determinants of health, specifically socioeconomic status, culture, and education impact health outcomes and health care access of Ghanaian women who migrated internally within Ghana or externally to Canada. Fourteen interview transcripts, seven from each primary study dataset, were analyzed using thematic analysis and an intersectionality approach. Ethical approval was received for the primary studies and our secondary analysis via the Ethics Review Board at the University of Alberta, Canada. Results: Ghanaian female migrants experienced varying obstacles in terms of accessing health care services. The barriers were identified as cultural, financial, social, and lack of health insurance. Ghanaian women’s health outcomes were influenced by the conditions surrounding their migration including working conditions, separation from family, altered social support systems, and financial constraints. Conclusion: Areas requiring further research and development were identified by assessing migrants’ social determinants of health in the destination country and the associated-barriers in accessing health services. We hope our findings will serve as a foundation for improving health outcomes for female migrant populations and support health care professionals' practice of cultural competence.
Analysis of the Impact of Three Phthalates on the Freshwater Gastropod Physella Acuta at the Transcriptional Level
Authors: Prieto-Amador Marina , Caballero Patricia , Martinez-Guitarte Jose-Luis
Published: February 2021

Plastic pollution is one of the leading environmental problems. Phthalates are widely used plastic additives released into the environment. Although the phthalates' effects have been extensively studied on vertebrates, there is a gap in knowledge on their effects on invertebrates. This work analyzes the impact of three phthalates, diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), on the gastropod Physella acuta at the molecular level to establish the putative pathways involved in its response to them. By real-time PCR, we obtained the expression profile of thirty genes in one-week exposed animals at 0.1, 10, and 1000 µg/L. The genes cover the DNA repairing mechanism, detoxification mechanisms, apoptosis, oxidative and stress responses, immunity, energy reserves, and lipid transport. The results show that while DEP and DEHP did not cause alteration of the mRNA levels, BBP modulates almost all the genes tested. It can be concluded that the impact of BBP is extensive at the molecular level. However, it cannot be dismissed that the increase in transcriptional activity is a general response due to this compound’s well-known role as an endocrine disruptor. Additional research is needed to elucidate the differences observed in the impact of these compounds on this gastropod.
Comparative Observation on the Effect of Vancomycin-Loaded Calcium Sulfate on Promoting the Natural Healing of the Docking site of Bone Transport
Authors: Guo Xuede , Cui Guanjun , Wang Cishan , Meng Hongya , Huang Shujie , Zha Zhuqing
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Observe the efficacy of vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate（VCS）in promoting the natural healing of bone transport's docking site.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients who used bone transfer to treat the tibia's infectious bone defects from 2013 to 2018. The patients were randomly divided into an experimental group receiving VCS treatment or a control group not receiving VCS treatment. After treatment, the two groups of docking site healing time, skin incarceration rate, natural healing rate, external fixation index, bony results, and functional results were compared.Results: The experimental group achieved bone healing in the docking site union for an average of (15.30±6.32) months after the operation. Among them, 25 cases healed spontaneously, two patients healed after bone cleaning and grafting; the average external fixation index was (2.10 ± 0.28) months/cm; Bone results: excellent in 19 cases, right in 7 patients, low in 1 case, functional derivatives: excellent in 16 points, good in 9 cases, and fair in 2 cases. The control group achieved bone healing at the docking site for an average of (15.29±5.36) months after the operation. Among them, 11 cases healed spontaneously at the docking site, and 10 cases of non-natural healing (6 points of skin incarceration) healed after cleaning and bone grafting; the average external fixation index was (2.09±0.25) months/cm; Bone results: excellent in 15 cases, right in 5 patients, fair in 1 case, functional products: excellent in 12 points, good in 8 cases, and fitting in 1 case. There was no significant difference in the healing time, bony results, functional results, and external fixation index between the two groups at the docking site (P>0.05). The experimental group's skin incarceration rate was lower than that of the control group, and the natural healing rate was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: In bone removal surgery, the implantation of VCS in the infected bone defect area helps prevent the docking site skin incarceration and promotes the docking site's natural healing.
Investigating the Utility of COVID-19 Antibody Testing in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Haemodialysis: A Cohort Study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wickens Olivia , Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Mannan Fahmida , Svendsen Frida , Baig Mirza Y , Chukwu Chukwuma , Ali Ibrahim , Summersgill Christina , Evans Dawn , Antoine Berckley V , Oxton Julie , Mairs Nathan , Flanagan Emma , Oliver Robert , Kalra Philip A , Poulikakos Dimitrios
Published: February 2021

BackgroundEnd-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) are a vulnerable group of patients with increased mortality from COVID-19. Despite improved understanding, the duration of host immunity following COVID-19 infection and role of serological testing alone or in addition to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing in the HD population is not fully understood, which this study aimed to investigate. MethodsThere were two parts to this study. Between 15th March 2020 to 15th July 2020, patients receiving HD who tested positive on rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited into the COVID-19 arm, whilst PCR-negative patients were recruited to the epidemiological arm of the Salford Kidney Study (SKS). All patients underwent monthly testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies as per routine clinical practice since August 2020. The aims were twofold: firstly, to determine seroprevalence and COVID-19 exposure in the epidemiological arm; secondly, to assess duration of the antibody response in the COVID-19 arm. Baseline characteristics were reviewed between groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were used for testing significance of difference between groups. ResultsIn our total HD population of 411 patients, 32 were PCR-positive for COVID-19. Of the remaining PCR-negative patients, 237 were recruited into the SKS study, of whom 12 (5.1%) had detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Of the 32 PCR-positive patients, 27 (84.4%) were symptomatic, with 19 patients admitted to hospital due to their symptoms. A separate six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 whilst as inpatient. Of the 22 patients in COVID-19 arm that underwent testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies beyond seven months, all had detectable antibodies.A higher proportion of the PCR-positive patients were frail compared to PCR-negative patients (64.3% vs 34.1%, p=0.003). Other characteristics were similar between the groups. Over a median follow up of six months, a higher number of deaths were recorded in the PCR-positive group compared to the PCR-negative group (18.8% vs 3.8%, p<0.001).ConclusionsSerological testing in the HD population is a valuable tool to determine seroprevalence, monitor exposure, and guide improvements for infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to help prevent local outbreaks. This study revealed HD patients mount a humoral response detectable until at least seven months after COVID-19 infection and provides hope of similar protection with the vaccines recently approved.
3-D Health Trajectories and Related Childhood Predictors Among Older Adults in China
Authors: Pan Chaoping , Wang Cen , Shrestha Bhawana , Wang Peigang
Published: February 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the multi-trajectories of 3-D health of older adults in China and to explore whether the childhood predictors are associated with 3-D health trajectory. Methods: Data came from five waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011 to 2018). A multi-trajectory modeling approach was carried out to jointly estimate the trajectories of 3-D health. A multinomial regression model was used to investigate the relationship between childhood predictors and the joint trajectories. Results: We identified three typical joint 3-D health trajectories. Female, childhood health, maternal and paternal educations, childhood friendships, family and neighborhood predictors could all affect disability trajectories of older adults directly or indirectly through adults variables. Discussion: The 3-D health trajectories showed increasing trends, thus the government should perform more interventions toward the childhood predictors for better health of older adults.
Perceived Stress and Smartphone Addiction in Medical College Students: The Mediating Role of Negative Emotions and the Moderating Role of Psychological Capital
Authors: Yang Xiuxian , Mehmood Anam , Li Ping , Yang Zhaonan , Niu Jinbao , Chu Haiyun , Wang Wenbo , Qiao Zhengxue , Qiu Xiaohui , Zhou Jiawei , Yang Yan Jie
Published: February 2021

Background: Many studies have confirmed the existence of an extremely close relationship between smartphone addiction and perceived stress. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying the association between perceived stress and smartphone addiction in medical college students remain largely unexplored.Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among a total of 769 medical college students in Heilongjiang Province, China. Participants completed measures of perceived stress, smartphone addiction, negative emotions and psychological capital. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test correlations between variables. The analysis of moderated mediation model was performed using Hayes’s PROCESS macro. Results: Pearson correlation analysis indicated perceived stress (r = 0.18, p < 0.01) and negative emotions (r = 0.31, p < 0.01) were positively correlated with smartphone addiction, and psychological capital was negatively correlated with smartphone addiction (r = − 0.29, p < 0.01). The moderated mediation analysis indicated that negative emotions partially mediated the association between perceived stress and smartphone addiction (mediation effect accounted for 33.3%, SE = 0.10, 95% CI = [0.10, 0.24]), and the first stage of the mediation process was significantly moderated by psychological capital (moderated mediation = − 0.01, SE = 0.01, 95%CI = [− 0.01, − 0.00]).Conclusions: Negative emotions plays a mediating role between perceived stress and smartphone addiction, and psychological capital plays an important moderating role in the first stage of the mediation process.
Association Between Early Ventricular Arrhythmias and Mortality in Destination Vs. Bridge Patients on Continuous Flow LVAD Support
Authors: Jedeon Zeina , Cogswell Rebecca , Schultz Jessica , Wald Lisa Von , John Ranjit , Roukoz Henri
Published: February 2021

Background: The association between ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and mortality in patients supported by continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the association between pre-implantation, early (≤30 day) post-implantation VAs and mortality in bridge to transplant (BTT) and destination therapy (DT) LVAD patients, separately. The risk factors for post LVAD VAs were also investigated.Methods: In this observational cohort study, we included 341 patients who received a first time, continuous flow LVAD between January 1st 2010 and July 30th 2018. We used Kaplan Meier curves and multivariable cox regression analyses to study the association between VAs and mortality in the BTT and DT populations.Results: The mean age of the cohort was 58 ± 14 years, with 82% males, 53% had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 45% were DT. The mean follow-up was 2.2 ± 2.1 years. In both BTT and DT cohorts, pre LVAD VAs were not associated with mortality after LVAD implantation (log-rank p=0.95 and p=0.089, respectively). In the BTT population, early post-LVAD VAs were not statistically associated with increased mortality (log rank p=0.072). In the DT patients, early post LVAD VAs were associated with a 67 % increase in the hazards rate of mortality on LVAD support (HR 1.67 [1.05-2.65], p=0.029). The final model was adjusted for type of cardiomyopathy, INTERMACS profile, glomerular filtration rate, post LVAD atrial fibrillation, age and cerebrovascular events.Conclusion: Early post-LVAD VA is common after LVAD implantation and is an independent predictor of mortality in the DT LVAD population.
Changes in Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Very Low Birth Weight Infants for Predicting Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Oh Seong Hee , Do Hyun-Jeong , Park Ji Sook , Cho Jae Young , Park Chan-Hoo
Published: February 2021

It is unknown whether RDW can be used to predict the severity and prognosis of various diseases in children, especially newborns. This study aimed to investigate the RDW values of preterm infants born at < 30 weeks’ gestation with a birth weight < 1500 g and evaluate whether the RDW values in the early days of life can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development. The mean RDW values on day 1 (D1), day 7 (D7), and day 28 (D28) after birth were 16.2 ± 1.4%, 17.5 ± 2.4%, and 17.6 ± 1.7%, respectively. The RDW at birth was lower in the infants born at < 28 weeks’ gestational age than in those born at ≥ 28 weeks’ gestational age (15.7 ± 0.8 vs 16.4 ± 1.5, P = 0.003). The RDW values of both groups increased during the first week after birth and did not differ significantly. The levels remained similar levels at 1 month of life. The RDW values examined at D1, D7, D28 and the changes of RDW from D1 to D7 were not correlated with the development of BPD independent of severity. The usefulness of RDW as a predictor of BPD development remains questionable and requires further study.
Temperature Gradient Daily Dynamics Area and Time Zoning for Local Analysis of Air-Water Interaction
Authors: Medellu Christophil S. , Komansilan Alfrits
Published: February 2021

This article describes the results of the application of time zoning for air-water thermal interaction, and the temperature gradient daily dynamics area (TGDDA) parameters at six locations with different ecological conditions. The research locations consisted of two locations in lakes, two locations in coastal waters which were affected by fresh water and two locations in coastal waters which were not affected by fresh water. Measurement of air and water temperature was carried out in situ at several vertical positions with logarithmic distances to the water surface. The results of the analysis show that the analysis and modeling of the TGDDA parameters produce the time zoning of thermal interaction and TGDDA that vary between research locations. Repeated measurements on two consecutive days at the same location, resulted in almost the same TGDDA and time zoning duration of air-water thermal interaction. These results suggest that these parameters can be used to characterize air-water interactions. The results of this study serve as references to the chemical analysis of water and biota which is interactive or influenced by the dynamics of air-water thermal interactions.
Comparison of Classification Algorithms for Predicting Autistic Spectrum Disorder Using WEKA Modeler
Authors: RADZI SITI FAIRUZ MOHD , HASSAN MOHD SAYUTI , Radzi Muhammad Abdul Hadi Mohd
Published: February 2021

Background: In healthcare area, big data, if integrated with machine learning, enables health practitioners to predict the result of a disorder or disease more accurately. In Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is important to screen the patients to enable them to undergo proper treatments as early as possible. However, difficulties may arise in predicting ASD occurrences accurately, mainly caused by human errors. Data mining, if embedded into health screening practice, can help to overcome the difficulties. This study attempts to evaluate the performance of six best classifiers, taken from existing works, at analysing ASD screening training dataset.Result: We tested Naive Bayes, Logistic Regression, KNN, J48, Random Forest, and Deep Neural Network (DNN) algorithms to ASD screening dataset and compared the classifiers’ based on significant parameters; sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), and runtime, in predicting ASD occurrences. We also found that most of previous studies focused on classifying health-related dataset while ignoring the missing values which may contribute to significant impacts to the classification result which in turn will impact the life of the patients. Thus, we addressed the missing values by implementing imputation method where they are replaced with the mean of the available records found in the dataset. Conclusion: We found that J48 produced promising results as compared to other classifiers when tested in both circumstances, with and without missing values. The outcome is hoped to assist health practitioners in making accurate diagnosis of ASD occurrences in patients.
Analysis of The Genome Sequence of Phomopsis Vexans: A Fungal Pathogen Causing Phomopsis Blight of Eggplant
Authors: Heng Zhou , You Qian , Li Zhiliang , Sun Baojuan , Xu Xiaowan , Li Ying , Li Zhenxing , Wang Hengming , Gong Chao , Tao Li
Published: February 2021

Background: Phomopsis vexans is a phytopathogenic fungus causing Phomopsis blight of eggplant. This disease is one of the major issues reducing eggplants production. To lay a solid foundation for the research of pathogenicity and to understand the mechanism of the disease development, the genome of an isolate PV4 was sequenced, assembled and analyzed from Guangdong, China. Results: The assembled complete genome size of Phomopsis vexans was about 59.78 Mb with 51.24% G+C content and 4.93Mb contig N50. In the genome, 3,552 annotated repetitive elements were identified. A total of 15,034 genes with 1,790bp average length were predicted, of which 14,116 genes were annotated by NCBI nr database. Moreover, 1,206 genes were annotated from Carbohydrate-Active enzymes (CAZy) Database which may play a role in degrading plant cell walls. At last, 134 effector proteins were predicted. Conclusions: The present genome is the first genome of Phomopsis vexans. The information obtained from this study support important resource for research on the pathogen and for sheding light on its pathogenicity mechanism.
The Effect of Dual Trigger With GnRH Agonist and hCG on Cumulative Live-Birth Rate For Normal Responders in GnRH-Antagonist Cycles
Authors: Gao Fumei , Wang Yanbin , Fu Min , Zhang Qiuxiang , Ren Yumeng , Shen Huan , Han Hongjing
Published: February 2021

It has been widely acknowledged that the dual triggering for final oocyte maturation with a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) improve clinical outcomes in high responders during IVF-ICSI GnRH-antagonist cycles. However, it remains elusive whether this dual trigger is also benifical to the normal responders. The aim of this study was to investigate this issue. In the present study, we retrospectively analysed the data generated from a total of 469 normal responders from 1st January to 31st December 2017 and final oocyte maturation was performed with dual trigger with GnRH agonist combined hCG (n=270) or hCG alone (n=199). All the patients were followed up for three years. Cumulative live birth rate was calculated as the first live birth achieved after all cycles having an embryo transfer (fresh cycles as well as thawing cycles) among both groups. Subjects in the dual trigger group achieved a slightly higher number of oocytes retrieved (11.24 vs. 10.24), higher number of two-pronuclear embryo (2PN) (8.37 vs.7.67) and a higher number of embryos available (4.45 vs.4.03). But the cumulative live birth rate, an all-inclusive success rate for assisted reproductive technology, was similar between the two groups (54.07% vs.59.30%). This study showed that the dual trigger was not superior to only hCG trigger for normal responders in GnRH antagonist cycles in terms of cumulative live birth rate.