bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Silicone Oil Emulsification After Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: An Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Study
Authors: Zhao Hongmei , Yu Jian , Zong Yuan , Jiang Chunhui , Zhu Haohao , Xu Gezhi
Published: July 2021

Background
To investigate the characteristics of silicone oil (SO) emulsification after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and possible correlations with clinical factors.
Methods
Patients who underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy with SO injection for RRD followed by SO removal at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University between January 2016 and January 2020 were included. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images of the anterior segment were taken before SO removal. Eight signs of SO emulsification in the UBM images were graded as 1 (present) or 0 (not present) and the grades for all signs in each eye were summed. Correlations between SO emulsification grade and clinical factors were determined.
Results
A total of 118 patients (118 eyes) were enrolled in this study. Emulsified SO particles were found in all 118 eyes (100%). The eight signs were more frequently detected in the superior part of the eye. The mean total SO emulsification grade was 19.99 ± 12.98 (range: 1–36). Younger age and male (both P < 0.05) were associated with higher total SO emulsification grade. Patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mmHg or the use of antiglaucoma medications at the time of SO removal had a higher total SO emulsification grade, were younger, and were more frequently male (all P < 0.05) than patients without ocular hypertension.
Conclusions
UBM could play an important role in the diagnosis and grading of SO emulsification. Younger patients and males are more prone to SO emulsification, which may lead to elevated IOP.
Integration of Genetic and Immune Infiltration Insights Into Data Mining of Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyun , Song Ying , Chen Xiao , Zhuang Xiaojia , Xie Qizhi , Wei Zhiqiang , Yi Li
Published: July 2021

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Pathogenesis is closely related to environment, genetic and immune system, but the underlying interactions are still not clearly elucidated. Our study aims to uncover the genetic basis and immune landscape of multiple sclerosis pathogenesis with bioinformatics.Methods: In our study, gene matrix were retrieceed from gene expression database NCBI GEO. We then used bioinformatics to standardize the samples and obtain differential gene expressions (DEGs). We constructed a protein-protein interaction network with DEGs on the STRING website, and used Cytohubba plug-in and MCODE plug-in to to mine hub genes. Then we had a functional enrichment hub genes and DEGs. Meanwhile, we use CIBERSORTX algorithm to explore the characteristics of immune cells infiltration in brain tissues of multiple sclerosis, and did a Spearman correlation analysis between genes and immune cells. We also analyzed the correlation between genes and types of brain tissues with WGCNA method.Results: We included a total of 90 samples from 2 datasets in the study, extracted 882 differential genes and 10 hub genes closely related to multiple sclerosis. Functional enrichment analysis suggested roles of immune response in multiple sclerosis. Besides, with CIBERSORTX algorithm we found brain tissues of MS contain a variety of infiltrating immune cells. Correlation analysis suggested that hub genes are highly relevant to chronic active white matter lesions and certain hub genes in our study may play a role in the activation of immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells.Conclusions: Our study provides guidance for the study of genetic basis and immune infiltration mechanism of multiple sclerosis.
Expression Changes of Some miRNAs Patterns (miR-124a, miR-137, miR-373) in Patients with Invasive Breast Cancer Before and After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Dinara Ryspayeva , Volodymyr Halytskiy , Mariia Inomistova , Tetyana Drevytska , Vitalyi Gyrianov
Published: July 2021

Background: Dysregulated miRNA expression has been found in nearly all the stages of cancer process compared to normal tissue. Certain miRNAs expression level is closely related to the histopathological parameters and molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BC) as well as the response to treatment and prognosis.Methods: This prospective research has evaluated the level of expression of 5 miRNAs (miR-124a, miR-137, miR-34a, miR-155, miR-373) in the primary tumor before and after chemotherapy in patients with operable BC. The patients received 2-4 cycles neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and then underwent surgery – mastectomy or breast conservation with axillary lymph node dissection. Assessment of all mRNAs was analyzed in selected pathology specimens obtained during the biopsy and the targeted area taken by the surgery. Results: A total of 34 patients were treated between February 2016 and December 2017 with median age of 53 years (23 – 75). 70.6% were HR-positive and 29.4% were HR-negative. AntioncomiR-124a expression was mostly downregulated in primary BC tissue (p=0.001). The restored expression of miR-124 (p=0.004) was observed after chemotherapy having reached the indistinguishable level from non-tumor tissue. The dynamics of miR-373 expression considered to be oncomiR was a 7.7-fold decrease level in the primary tumor with continued suppress of expression compared to non-tumor tissue (p=0.006). The expression levels of miR-34a, miR-137, miR-155 in the pathology specimens did not show the differences compared to the surrounding non-tumor tissue (p>0.05). The difference in the dynamics of the two suppressor miRNAs (miR-124a and miR-137) expression in HR-positive BC was identified. While the expression of miR-124a in the tumor tissue increases after NACT (p=0.021), the expression of miR-137 continues to decrease (p=0.041) and does not differ from the levels of non-tumor tissue (p=0.146). There was no relation between the expression of the 5 studied miRNAs with histopathological differentiation of the primary tumor and the pathomorphological response after NACT. A Cox proportional hazards model did not confirm the relationship between miRNAs expression level neither in primary tumor nor in clinicopathological BC characteristics.Conclusions: The differential regulatory effects of miRNA cannot be explained by the differences in expression alone as paradoxical behavior of miR-373 shows. Taking into account the heterogeneity of the breast tumor, the detected inconsistency of changes in the expression of two suppressor miRNAs (miR-124a and miR-137) can be explained by their different regulatory functions. An accurate picture of the functioning of microRNA requires further research due to its dynamic nature.
Green Tea Intake and Its Effect on Laboratory Parameters and Disease Symptoms in Hospitalised Patients With Covid 19: A Structured Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mahmoodi Sara , Yousefi Mojtaba , Sadeghi Omid , Mahmoodabadi Ali , Sadriirani Mohammadreza , Hosseinzade Zahra , Jahanbakhsh Abdolhossein , Panahande SeyedBahman , Saeedinezhad Zaker , Malekzadeh Janmohamad , Naghmachi Mohsen , Pourmahmoudi Azizollah
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThe current randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to assess the effect of green tea intake on disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and complete blood count (CBC) in patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 infection.Trial designRandomized, double-blinded, parallel (1:1 ratio) clinical trial exploratory study
The International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities, and Health Categories Necessary for Care Planning for Older Patients with Heart Failure: A Survey of Care Managers in Japan
Authors: Shiota Shigehito , Kitagawa Toshiro , Hidaka Takayuki , Goto Naoya , Mio Naoki , Kanai Kana , Naka Makiko , Togino Hiroko , Mochizuki Mariko , Ochikubo Hiroyuki , Nakano Yukiko , Kihara Yasuki , Kimura Hiroaki
Published: July 2021

Background: Establishing an information-sharing system between medical professionals and welfare/care professionals may help prevent heart failure (HF) in community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, we aimed to identify the ICF categories necessary for care managers to develop care plans for older patients with HF. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 695 care managers in Hiroshima, Japan, on ICF items necessary for care planning. We compared the care managers according to their specialties (medical and welfare). Furthermore, we created a co-occurrence network using text mining, regarding the elements necessary for collaboration between medical and care professionals. Results: There were 520 valid responses (74.8%). Forty-nine ICF items, including 18 for body functions, one for body structure, 21 for activities and participation, and nine for environmental factors, were classified as "necessary" for making care plans for older people with HF. Medical professionals more frequently answered "necessary" than care professionals regarding the 11 items for body functions and structure and three items for activities and participation (p<0.05). Medical–welfare/care collaboration requires (1) information sharing with related organisations; (2) emergency response; (3) a system of cooperation between medical care and non-medical care; (4) consultation and support for individuals and families with life concerns, (5) management of nutrition, exercise, blood pressure and other factors, (6) guidelines for consultation and hospitalisation when physical conditions worsen.Conclusions: Our findings showed that 49 ICF categories were required by care managers for care planning, and there was a significant difference in perception between medical and welfare/care professionals.
Personal and Professional Influences on Health Visitors’ Family Focused Practice: A Cross Sectional Study.
Authors: Leonard Rachel , Linden Mark , Grant Anne
Published: July 2021

Background

While it is recognised that health visitors play a key role in supporting families when mothers have mental illness, there is limited understanding of health visitor’s family focused practice (FFP) in this context and its relationships with factors, such as, workload, training, skill and knowledge, and personal and professional experience. This paper examined the effect of health visitors’ interaction with the family, and personal and professional experience on their family focused practice.
Methods

A cross sectional questionnaire (Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire) was distributed to 488 health visitors, with 230 choosing to take part. Independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare family focused practice scores.
Results

Results found that health visitors who had face to face contact with partners and children (t(221) = 2.61, p = .01), and those that directly supported the partner (t(221) = 2.61, p = 0.01) had a significantly higher mean score, than those that did not. However, frequency of visits (daily, weekly, monthly or yearly) had no effect on family focused practice scores. Training also had a significant effect on family focused practice scores (F(2,221) = 4.841, p = 0.029). Analysis of variance revealed that personal experience of mental illness had a significant effect on scores (M = 97.58, p = 0.009), however variables such as, age, parental status, time since registration, and being in a specialist position had no effect.
Conclusions

In order for family focused practice to be effective, the quality, and content of visits and contact with family should be addressed, as opposed to a focus on the quantity of visits. However, in order for this to occur health visitors need to have appropriate support in their own right, with manageable caseloads and resources.
Burden, Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Gestational Diabetes in A Population-Based Cohort of Pregnant Women from North India
Authors: Bahl Stuti , Dhabhai Neeta , Taneja Sunita , Mittal Pratima , Dewan Rupali , Kaur Jasmine , Chaudhary Ritu , Bhandari Nita , Chowdhury Ranadip
Published: July 2021

Background: The burden of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) appears to be increasing in India and may be related to the double burden of malnutrition. The population-based incidence and risk factors of GDM, particularly in lower socio-economic populations, are not known. We conducted analyses on data from a population-based cohort of pregnant women in South Delhi, India, to determine the incidence of GDM, its risk factors and association with adverse pregnancy outcomes (stillbirth, preterm birth, large for gestational age babies) and need for caesarean section. Methods: We analyzed data from the intervention group of the Women and Infants Integrated Interventions for Growth Study (WINGS), an individually randomized factorial design trial. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at the time of confirmation of pregnancy, and for those who had a normal test (≤140 mg), it was repeated at 24-28 and at 34-36 weeks. Logistic regression was performed to ascertain risk factors associated with GDM. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated to find association between GDM and adverse pregnancy outcomes and need for caesarean section. Results: 19.2% (95% CI: 17.6 to 20.9) pregnant women who had at least one OGTT were diagnosed to have GDM. Women who had prediabetes at the time of confirmation of pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of developing GDM (RR 2.08, 95%CI 1.45 to 2.97). Other risk factors independently associated with GDM were woman’s age (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.10, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.15) and BMI (AOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07). Higher maternal height was found to be protective factor for GDM (AOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.00). Women with GDM, received appropriate treatment did not have an increase in adverse outcomes. However, GDM increased the need for caesarean section (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.36).Conclusions: A substantial proportion of pregnant women from a low to mid socio-economic population in Delhi had GDM, with older age, higher BMI and pre-diabetes as important risk factors. These findings highlight the need for interventions for prevention and provision of appropriate management of GDM in antenatal programmes.Clinical Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry – India, #CTRI/2017/06/008908 (http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=19339&EncHid=&userName=society%20for%20applied%20studies)
An HIV-induced mechanism for T cell quiescence and
proviral latency
Authors: Valadkhan Saba , Plasek Leah , Gunawardane Lalith , Niazi Farshad , Mason Sara , Leskov Konstantin , Perez Gani , Dobrowolski Curtis , Shukla Meenakshi , Nutt William , Karn Jonathan
Published: July 2021

HIV persists in infected individuals despite effective antiretroviral therapy due to the rapid establishment of a latent HIV reservoir, mainly composed of quiescent memory CD4+ T cells1–3. The mechanisms governing the formation of the latent reservoir remain poorly understood. It is commonly assumed that entry of HIV into latency is a rare and random event associated with sporadic infection of effector T-cells transitioning to a memory phenotype4–8. Using human primary CD4+ T cell models, we show instead, that HIV infection itself triggers a strong transcriptomic remodeling that results in activation of a quiescence program, including downregulation of cellular proliferation and metabolic pathways. This transcriptional program is initiated by KLF2, a key regulator of quiescence, along with activation of the p53 pathway and downregulation of MYC. Loss and gain of function studies confirmed that KLF2 and p53 signaling are responsible for the downregulation of MYC and proliferation pathways, and consequently, proviral transcriptional silencing. Thus, HIV infection per se, enhances the formation of the latent reservoir in T-cells, ensuring viral persistence in infected individuals. These findings identify a new and unexpected mechanism for the formation of the latent HIV reservoir, and broaden the repertoire of strategies through which viruses can control the host cell to their advantage.
Study on the Differences in the Responses of Different Winter Wheat Cultivars to Dry Hot Wind
Authors: Kang Xiyan , Le Zhangyan , Li Chunqiang , Dai Liqin , Quan Chang , Shi Minghua , liao Rongwei
Published: July 2021

Dry hot wind is one of the main prevailing agro-meteorological disasters during the grain filling stage of winter wheat in Northern China. In this study, three major winter wheat cultivars, including Henong 6119 (HN6119), Gaoyou 5218 (GY5218), and Jimai 325 (JM325) in Hebei Province were selected to analyze their responses to dry hot wind. Under the combined conditions of field natural dry hot wind and artificially simulated dry hot wind experiments, we characterized the three cultivars’ physiological parameters as affected on the day with dry hot wind, and on the day before and after hot wind conditions. Comparative analysis of different correlations among the three cultivars’ physiological parameters toward dry hot wind showed that, during field nature dry hot wind conditions, HN6119 showed less water loss of leaves by reducing the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, while GY5218 and JM325 showed more water loss of leaves by increasing the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. The net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of HN6119 were recovered during the recovery time after dry hot wind conditions, while these parameters of GY5218 and JM325 showed a continuous decreasing trend. During dry hot wind day, HN6119 showed significant positive correlation between physiological parameters, while GY5218 and JM325 showed poor correlation. The stress of severe dry hot wind on thousand kernel weight (TKW) of HN6119, GY5218 and JM325 is 0.01%, 3.51%, 3.57%, respectively. The stress of mild dry hot wind on thousand kernel weight (TKW) of HN6119, GY5218 and JM325 is 0.36%, 8.12%, 8.84%, respectively. In summary, HN6119 showed strong resistance to dry hot wind, followed by GY5218, and JM325; JM325 had the weakest resistance to dry hot wind.
Spatial Layout Planning of Intensive Pig Farms in the Suburb: A Case Study of Nanyu, China
Authors: YAN Bojie , LI Yaxing , QIN Yanfang , YAN Jingjie
Published: July 2021

A large number of livestock and poultry breeding were distributed in the suburbs, brought a strong environmental pressure to the cities. The issue of whether livestock and poultry breeding could be carried out in the suburbs was a key controversy in the present. To address this question, this study constructed a index system of suitability evaluation of spatial layout of intensive pig farms, calculated the average surface temperature from June to September, and obtained potential intensive pig farms in Nanyu Town. Combing above results and area index results of cultivated land spatial matched with intensive pig farm, spatial relation between cultivated land and potential intensive pig farm was built, the optimum potential intensive pig farm in Nanyu Town was determined, and its carrying capacity was calculated. Results showed that livestock and poultry breeding could be carried out in the suburbs. A total of 3,403 and 3, 253 cultivated lands occupying 52.01% and 49.67% of the total cultivated lands had a spatial relation between potential intensive pig farms taking N and P as indices, respectively. Moreover, 14 and 15 potential intensive pig farms taking N and P as indices, respectively, in Nanyu Town were determined as optimum potential intensive pig farms. Results also indicated that most of the optimum potential intensive pig farms were suitable for constructing small- and medium-sized pig farms. Results would provide scientific basis for the planning of spatial arrangement of livestock and poultry breeding and the suburb environmental pollution control.
Theoretical Prediction of Lanthanum Composition Effects on Structural, Electronic and Thermal Properties of LaxSc1-XN Alloys.
Authors: EL-HASSASNA Amira , Yassine CHAOUCHE , Ahd Louafi
Published: July 2021

In this paper we have study the structural, electronic and thermal properties of LaxSc1−xN ternary alloys in rock-salt structure by the use of full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based to the density functional theory (DFT). For calculate the exchange-correlation energy and potential we are used both the Wu-Cohen generalized gradient (WC-GGA) approximation and the modified Becke-Johnson(mBJ).We investigated the fact of composition on lattice parameters, bulk modulus and band gap. The variation of calculated lattice constant with lanthanum composition is almost linear and shows a small deviation of the obtained results from Vegard’s law. The semiconductor nature of binary compounds ScN and LaN was confirmed. Our finding indicates that the LaxSc1−xN alloys are semiconductor with x = 0.5 and 0.75, on the contrary for x = 0.25 has a metallic nature. Lastly, the effect of thermal macroscopic properties is also investigated employing the quasi-harmonic Debye model in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. We have found a good accord between our results and the experimental data and previous theoretical results available in the literature for the binary compounds which can be a support for the ternary alloys in the future.
How containment policy and medical service impact COVID-19 transmission: a cross-national comparison among China, the USA, and Sweden
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Fu Daocheng , Wang Jinghua
Published: July 2021

As COVID-19 shows a heterogeneous spreading process globally, investigating factors associated with COVID-19 spreading among different countries will provide information for containment strategy and medical service decisions. A significant challenge for analyzing how these factors impact COVID-19 transmission is assessing key epidemiological parameters and how they change under different containment strategies across different nations. Focusing on finding factors that cause heterogeneous spreading results among different nations, we utilize a COVID-19 spread simulation model to estimate the core COVID-19 epidemiological parameters. We also analyze the correlation between these core COVID-19 epidemiological parameters and the times of publicly announced interventions among three specific countries, China (strictly containment), the USA (moderately control), and Sweden (only suggestion without containment). We find out that all three countries finally have similar and close to zero spreading rates in the third period of COVID-19 transmission. However, the three countries' recovery rate is different, leading to a distinct COVID-19 transmission process in the three countries. We further discover an epidemic fundamental diagram between COVID-19 “active infections” and “current patients." By combining the epidemic fundamental diagram with the COVID-19 spreading simulation model, we can quantify the country's COVID-19 medical capacity and make containment strategies. We propose hypothetical policies for Sweden and the USA and find out that these policies could decrease the confirmed infections by 90.5% and 42.6% and increase the recovery population by 78.6% and 87.5% for Sweden and the New York state of the USA. Our code is free open source, and our framework is easy to be applied to any country or region.
Novel Localized Waves and their Interaction Solutions for a Dimensionally Reduced (2+1)-dimensional Boussinesq Equation from N-soliton Solutions
Authors: Kumar Dipankar , Nuruzzaman Md. , Paul Gour Chandra , Hoque Ashabul
Published: July 2021

The Boussinesq equation (BqE) has been of considerable interest in coastal and ocean engineering models for simulating surface water waves in shallow seas and harbors, tsunami wave propagation, wave over-topping, inundation, and near-shore wave process in which nonlinearity and dispersion effects are taken into consideration. The study deals with the dynamics of localized waves and their interaction solutions to a dimensionally reduced (2 + 1)-dimensional BqE from N-soliton solutions with the use of Hirota’s bilinear method (HBM). Taking the long-wave limit approach in coordination with some constraint parameters in the N-soliton solutions, the localized waves (i.e., soliton, breather, lump, and rogue waves) and their interaction solutions are constructed. The interaction solutions can be obtained among localized waves, such as (i) one breather or one lump from the two solitons, (ii) one stripe and one breather, and one stripe and one lump from the three solitons, and (iii) two stripes and one breather, one lump and one periodic breather, two stripes and one lump, two breathers, and two lumps from the four solitons. It is to be found that all interactions among the solitons are elastic. The energy, phase shift, shape, and propagation direction of these localized waves and their interaction solutions can be influenced and controlled by the involved constraint parameters. The dynamical characteristics of these localized waves and their interaction solutions are demonstrated through some 3D and density graphs. The outcomes achieved in this study can be used to illustrate the wave interaction phenomena in shallow water.
Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae Integration Into the Gut Microbiome at Key Time Points in Early Life are Critical for Neurodevelopment
Authors: Oliphant Kaitlyn , Ali Mehneez , D'Souza Mark , Hughes Patrick D. , Sulakhe Dinanath , Wang Annie Z. , Xie Bingqing , Yeasin Rummanu , Msall Michael M. , Andrews Bree , Claud Erika C.
Published: July 2021

Background: The early life microbiome plays critical roles in host development, shaping long-term outcomes including brain functioning. It is not known which initial infant colonizers elicit optimal neurodevelopment; thus, this study investigated the association between gut microbiome succession from the first week of life and head circumference growth (HCG), the earliest validated marker for neurodevelopment. Faecal samples were collected weekly from a preterm infant cohort during their neonatal intensive care unit stay and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing for evaluating gut microbiome composition, in conjunction with clinical data and head circumference measurements. Results: Preterm infants with suboptimal HCG trajectories had a depletion in the abundance/prevalence of Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae, independent of morbidity and caloric restriction. The severity of gut microbiome depletion matched the timing of significant HCG pattern separation between study groups at 30 weeks postmenstrual age. Consideration of the clinical variables indicated that optimal infant microbiome succession is primarily driven by dispersal limitation (i.e., delivery mode) and secondarily by habitat filtering (i.e., antibiotics and enteral feeding). Conclusions: Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae are known core taxa of the adult microbiome, with roles in dietary glycan foraging, beneficial metabolite production and immunity, and our work provides strong evidence that their integration into the gut microbiome needs to occur early for optimal neurodevelopment.
Impact of Treatment on Cessation of Air Leakage and Recurrence of Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Case Control Study
Authors: Nakano Takahito , Kaneda Hiroyuki , Fukumoto Kento , Matsui Hiroshi , Taniguchi Yohei , Saito Tomohito , Murakawa Tomohiro
Published: July 2021

Background: Conservative observation with/without oxygen supplementation, aspiration, or tube drainage is selected as an initial treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax. In this study, we have examined the efficacy of initial management for cessation of air leak and prevention of recurrence separately, with consideration of the degree of lung collapse.Methods: Spontaneous pneumothorax in patients who underwent initial management in our institute between January 2006 and December 2015 were included in this retrospective, single-institutional study. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors related to the persistent air leak after initial treatment and those related to ipsilateral recurrence after last treatment.Results: In the multivariate analysis for predicting persistent air leak after first treatment, repeated episode of ipsilateral pneumothorax (p = 0.0022), high degree of lung collapse (p = 0.032), and bulla formation (p < 0.0001) were the statistically significant risk factors for treatment failure. Recurrence of ipsilateral pneumothorax was observed in 126 cases. In the multivariate analysis for predicting the recurrence, repeated episode of ipsilateral pneumothorax was the significant risk factor (p = 0.0032).Conclusions: Predicting factors for persistent air leak after initial treatment were recurrence of ipsilateral pneumothorax, high degree of lung collapse, and radiological evidence of bullae. The predictive factor for recurrence after the last treatment was recurrence of ipsilateral pneumothorax. Selection of either observational or interventional approach at initial management did not affect the outcomes evaluated. Therefore, because of treatment invasiveness, observation is recommended to be attempted first in cases sans risk factors.Trial Registration: retrospectively registeredDate of IRB approval: May 28, 2018Number of IRB approval: 2017320
ADRC-Backstepping-Compensation Control for A Novel Aerial Manipulator System
Authors: Ma Le , YAN Yiming , Li Zhiwei , Liu Jie
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes a fully-actuated control method for a novel aerial manipulation system (AMS). A customized carbon frame structure supports the servo actuators, on which eight propellers group into pairs located. We present kinematics and dynamics modeling of the AMS based on Craig parameter method and recursive Newton–Euler equation, respectively. Then, an Active disturbance rejection control (ADRC)–Backstepping–Compensation controller is designed to control the exact position and orientation of the manipulator in the Cartesian space. Finally, the performance of the system is demonstrated through simulations and outdoor experiments.
The Effect of Lipid Accumulation Product and Its Interaction With Family History of Hypertension on Hypertension Risk in Population With Nondiabetic in Eastern China: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shu Li , Song Lina , Shen Yanqi , Wang Jinchen , Han Ziyan , Shu Li
Published: July 2021

Background: Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) was proposed as a useful indicator of visceral obesity, the visceral obesity and cardiovascular diseases are closely related. However, the empirical evidences of LAP and hypertension (HTN) are limited. Our study sought to assess the risk factors of HTN and prehypertension (PHT), and provide an insight into the possible interacting influences of LAP with family history of HTN on the risk of HTN in the nondiabetic Eastern Chinese population. Methods: A large cross-sectional study was conducted in community health service centers in urban Bengbu of Anhui province, China. All elderly person aged 45 years and older were performed an interview questionnaire, physical measurements and biochemical indicators examinations by trained staffs. Common indexes to screen obese persons such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and LAP were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the prevalence of HTN and PHT in relation to each quartile increase in LAP level and family history of HTN. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to calculate the best cut-off value of LAP and identify the superior obesity indicator. The interaction effects were evaluated by relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (SI). Results: 7733 subjects were enrolled in our study, the overall prevalence rates of normotension, PHT and HTN were 38.1%, 37.1% and 24.8%, respectively. The prevalence of HTN increased rapidly across LAP quartiles in males and females, the LAP values in the top quartile were significantly higher than those in the bottom quartile (31.8% vs. 17.6% in males, p for trend <0.001; 31.4% vs. 18.8% in females, p for trend <0.001). The AUC value of LAP were superior to BMI in males (Z=6.627, p<0.001) and females (Z=8.045, p<0.001). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared with subjects in LAP quartile 1, those in quartile 3 (OR: 1.612, 95% CI: 1.386-1.876) and quartile 4 (OR: 1.942, 95% CI: 1.673-2.253) had significantly higher risk of HTN (p for trend<0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. A significant interaction was observed between LAP and family history of HTN in males (AP: 0.1663, 95% CI: 0.0027-0.3299; SI: 1.4035, 95% CI: 1.0597-1.8590) and females (RERI: 1.4109, 95% CI: 0.1455-2.9674; AP: 0.1664, 95% CI: 0.0088-0.3240; SI: 1.3884, 95% CI: 1.0565-1.8245). Conclusion: LAP is a simple and convenient index to predict the HTN risk, higher LAP values have relatively associated with higher blood pressure (BP). The results demonstrated that interactive effects of LAP with family history of HTN may synergistically influence the development of HTN.
Biodiversity of Fungi, Causing Wood Biodeterioration In Buildings In Poland Against The Background Of Research Conducted In Other European Countries.
Authors: Andres Bogusław Adam , Krajewski Krzysztof J. , Betlej Izabela
Published: July 2021

The paper presents the results of surveys on the diversity of wood-destroying fungi in buildings and wooden engineering structures outdoors in Poland. The respondents reported a total of 48 species and genus of wood-degrading Basidiomycetes. The greatest species diversity of wood-degrading fungi was found on open-air engineering structures (33 species), the second location in terms of biodiversity was unused residential buildings (30 species), the lowest biodiversity was found in the used residential buildings (21 species).The most common fungi in the buildings were Serpula lacrymans (24.8%), Coniophora puteana (14.1%) and Fibroporia vaillantii (13.8%). The prevalence of S. lacrymans and C. puteana in buildings in Poland is similar to the European average. The occurrence of indoor polypores group (Amyloporia sinuosa, Fibroporia vaillantii, Neoantrodia serialis) in Poland is twice as high as the European average. Donkioporia expansa, which is numerous in buildings in Western Europe, is sporadically recorded in Poland (0.1%).
Widespread reductions in human labor capacity after 1.5°C warming
Authors: Yan Karena , Schlunegger Sarah , MacGilchrist Graeme , Rodgers Keith , Stein Karl , Dunne John , Slater Richard , Lee Sun-Seon , Rosenbloom Nan , Edwards James
Published: July 2021

Rising temperatures and specific humidity are compounding influences that increase heat stress and reduce safe labor capacity. Here, we evaluate reductions in summertime labor capacity using Large Ensemble experiments from two Earth System Models (ESMs). Vulnerable regions, including the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, are expected to begin experiencing 25% reductions as early as the 2040s. Internal climate variability can cloud the timing of such reductions, with differences in onset between ensemble members exceeding 40 years in high-variability locations. At regional scales, onset times are more certain, with differences between ensemble members typically less than 20 years. We demonstrate the benefits for maintaining human labor capacity associated with limiting the increase in global mean surface temperature (ΔGMST) to 1.5°C, consistent with the Paris Agreement. If ΔGMST exceeds 3.5°C, at least 15% of the global population is projected to experience 50% reductions in summertime labor capacity.
Factors Related to Turnover Intention Among Staff of Elderly Caring Social Organizations in Anhui Province, China: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Chen Xuefei , Tang Ling , liu Liu , Bai Zhongliang , Chen Ren
Published: July 2021

Objective: Turnover intention of employees in elderly caring social organizations has a significant impact on elderly care service delivery. This study investigated the associated factors of turnover intention among employees of elderly caring social organizations in Anhui Province, China.Methods: A total of 605 participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic, social support, and turnover intention from the participants. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis, one-way variance analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Results: Results of our study showed that the total score of turnover intention, turnover intention I, turnover intention II and turnover intention III were 8.84, 2.32, 2.38, and 4.14, respectively. Social support negatively correlated with turnover intention I and turnover intention II. However, it showed positive correlation with turnover intention III and total turnover intention scores; turnover intentionⅠ(coefficient: -0.082), turnover intention Ⅱ(coefficient: -0.071), turnover intention Ⅲ(coefficient: 0.19), Total score of turnover intention (coefficient: 0.093). Ethnic group, age, education level, and job satisfaction were associated with turnover intention.Conclusion :Improvement of social support play an important role in reducing the turnover intention of employees in elderly caring social organizations. It is important to increase organizational commitment and strengthen psychological empowerment, combined with decreasing job burnout for stability.
Effect of Sodium Silicate and Salicylic Acid on Sodium and Potassium Ratio in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown Under Salt Stress
Authors: Mushtaq Ayesha , Sabir Nazish , Kousar Tasneem , Rizwan Sabeena , Jabeen Uzma , Bashir Farrukh , Sabir Sadia , Shahwani Naeem
Published: July 2021

Purpose Salinity pose severe threat to cultivation as it drastically affects the plant sustainability and yield. The intended aim of current consensus is to assess effects of sodium silicate and salicylic acid on wheat genotypes (slat tolerant and salt sensitive) grown under salt. Methods This experiment was designed to check the effect of silicon on wheat varieties, so four different wheat genotypes named as (Umeed, Rasco, Zarghoon and Shahkaar) were grown in hydroponics under saline and normal environment. Sodium silicate and salicylic acid were applied on all varieties to determine the slat tolerance ability. Plants were harvested at maturity and different physical and chemical aspects were recorded. Results To assess the salt stress on growth and yield of wheat genotypes. Wheat grown in saline conditions with sodium silicate supplementation showed improvement in all growth parameters as compared to the plants grown under salt stress without silicon supplementation. Higher contents of potassium were observed in plants grown under salt stress with silicon supplementation however, potassium concentration was found less in salicylic acid treatment and control under salt stress. Sodium concentration was found higher under salt stress but sodium silicate application reduced Na+ uptake under salt stress. Significance increase in K+ : Na+ ratio in roots enhance the translocation which in turn elevates salt tolerance ability. Among wheat varieties potassium uptake was quite high in Umeed and Rasco as compared to Zarghoon and Shahkar. Conclusion Based on current results it can be deduced that application of sodium silicate on different wheat varieties mitigated Na+ toxicity by elevating K+: Na+ ratio and net translocation rate in salt stressed plants.
Mapping of Population Disparities in the Cholangiocarcinoma Urinary Metabolome
Authors: Alsaleh Munirah , Leftley Zoe , Connor Thomas O’ , Hughes Thomas , Barbera Thomas A. , Koomson Larry K. , Zabron Abigail , Reeves Helen , Cramp Matthew , Ryder Stephen D , Greer Shaun , Prince Martin , Sithithaworn Paiboon , Khuntikeo Narong , Loilome Watcharin , Yongvanit Puangrat , Cox I Jane , Williams Roger , Wadsworth Christopher A. , Holmes Elaine , Nash Kathryn , Andrews Ross , Taylor-Robinson Simon D
Published: July 2021

Background Phenotypic diversity in urinary metabolomes of different geographical populations has been recognized recently. In this study, urinary metabolic signatures from Western (United Kingdom) and South-East Asian (Thai) cholangiocarcinoma patients were characterized to understand spectral variability due to host carcinogenic processes and/or exogenous differences (nutritional, environmental and pharmaceutical). Methods Urinary liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) spectral profiles from Thai (healthy=20 and cholangiocarcinoma=14) and UK cohorts (healthy=22 and cholangiocarcinoma=10) were obtained and modelled using chemometric data analysis. Results Healthy metabolome disparities between the two distinct populations were primarily related to differences in dietary practices and body composition. Metabolites excreted due to drug treatment were dominant in urine specimens from cholangiocarcinoma patients, particularly in Western individuals. Urine from participants with sporadic (UK) cholangiocarcinoma contained greater levels of a nucleotide metabolite (uridine/pseudouridine). Higher relative concentrations of 7-methylguanine were observed in urine specimens from Thai cholangiocarcinoma patients. The urinary excretion of hippurate and methyladenine (gut microbial-host co-metabolites) showed a similar pattern of lower levels in patients with malignant biliary tumours from both countries.Conclusion Intrinsic (body weight and body composition) and extrinsic (xenobiotic metabolism) factors were the main causes of disparities between the two populations. Regardless of the underlying aetiology, biological perturbations associated with cholangiocarcinoma urine metabolome signatures appeared to be influenced by gut microbial community metabolism. Dysregulation in nucleotide metabolism was associated with sporadic cholangiocarcinoma, possibly indicating differences in mitochondrial energy production pathways between cholangiocarcinoma tumour subtypes. Mapping population-specific metabolic disparities may aid in interpretation of disease processes and identification of candidate biomarkers.
Design & Development of Laser Etched Porous-Silicon Capacitive Chip for Rapid Sensing of Pesticide Solvents
Authors: Gheewala Shailesh Mahendralal , Parmesh Chinthakunta , Patel Piyush N. , Dhavse Rasika
Published: July 2021

This work presents the development of porous silicon-based electrical sensor for the detection and quantification of organic solvents. The design of silicon chip is modeled as capacitive sensor. Different electrode configurations like coplanar top electrodes, top-bottom, coplanar bottom electrodes were analyzed in order to select optimum chip design for sensing application. The prototype chip was fabrication that used a mechanized pulse fiber laser etching process in order to develop a single-layer silicon structure with uniform porous structures. The fabricated chip was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and it shows an average pore diameter of 55.22 µm and pore depth of 98.9 µm. Organic solvents like ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile were tested and analyzed in order to investigate the performance of the proposed chip. Unlike porous silicon based optical sensors, the proposed sensor exhibited stable results up to 35 days at room temperature. The application of the proposed sensor chip is demonstrated for sensing and for the quantification of Atrazine chemical which is a pesticide solvent which is utilized in farming to control weeds. The sensitivity and the limit of detection was found to be 0.51 nF/ppm and 0.929 ppm respectively. The proposed capacitive-based porous silicon chip is suitable for time-effective and low-cost sensing and detection of organic solvents that are used in food industry.
Bioinformatic Analysis Identifying S100a9 Associated With Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Chen Xian , Xue Yukun , Feng Jiao , Tian Qingwu , Zhang Yunyuan , Wang Qing
Published: July 2021

Background: More than half of neuroblastoma (NB) patients presented with distant metastases and the mortality of patients suffering from metastatic relapse was about 90%. It is urgent to find a biomarker that can facilitate the prediction of metastasis in NB patients. Methods and Results: In the present study, we systematically analyzed Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and focused on identifying the critical molecular networks and novel key hub genes implicated in NB. We found totally, 176 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Based on these DEGs, a PPI network composed of 150 nodes and 452 interactions was established. PPI network identification combined with qRT-PCR, ELISA and IHC, S100A9 as was screened as an outstanding gene. Furthermore, in vitro tumorigenesis assays demonstrated that S100A9 overexpression enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NB cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggested that S100A9 could participate in NB tumorigenesis and metastasis and that S100A9 has the potential to be used as a biomarker in the prediction of NB metastasis.
Residual Symptoms, Lung Function and Imaging Findings in Patients Recovering from SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: darawshy fares , Rmeileh Ayman Abu , Kuint Rottem , Padawer Dan , Karim Khalil , Fridlender Zvi G , Laxer Uri , Goychman Polina Cohen , Berkman Neville
Published: July 2021

RationaleSymptoms following acute COVID-19 infection are common, but their relationship to initial COVID-19 severity is unclear. We hypothesize that residual symptoms are related to disease severity, and severe acute COVID-19 infection is more likely to cause residual pulmonary damage. This study aims to evaluate symptoms, lung function and abnormal imaging within 3 months following COVID-19 infection, and whether they are related to initial disease severity.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at a designated post-COVID clinic in Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated within 12 weeks following infection and included both admitted and non-admitted subjects. All participants underwent assessment of symptoms, quality of life (SGRQ), pulmonary function tests, and imaging. Results A total of 208 patients (age 49.3±16 years) were included in the study. Initial disease severity was mild in 86, moderate in 49 and severe in 73 patients. At the time of follow up, there were no differences in frequency of residual symptoms or in SGRQ score between groups. Patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to have residual dyspnea (p=0.04), lower oxygen saturation (p<0.01), lower FVC and TLC (p<0.001, p=0.03 respectively), abnormal CXR (p<0.01) and abnormal CT scan (p<0.01) compared to other groups. Conclusion Frequency of symptoms and impairment of quality of life at 12 weeks follow up are common and are not related to severity of initial COVID-19 disease. In contrast, reduced lung function and abnormal pulmonary imaging are more common in patients with more severe acute COVID-19 infection.