bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of The COVID-19 Pandemic on The Incidence of Adult and Pediatric Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Alkilany Reem , Phillips Lynette , Anthony Donald D , kaelber david , Bukulmez Hulya
Published: October 2022

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted both adult and pediatric populations. There is evidence that patients developed more chronic autoimmune diseases after the onset of pandemic. In scientific meetings and reported case series there has been discussion about whether those patients with genetic tendency to develop rheumatologic illnesses started to develop illness at an increased rate due to SAR-CoV-2 viral induction of the host immune defense.

Objective

Our study objective was to determine whether the incidence of new onset rheumatologic diseases has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on those that involve interferon type I pathway dysfunction, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis at the global level.

Methods

We used de-identified, aggregated data from the electronic health records (EHRs) of 65 global healthcare organizations, including over 60 million people, through the TriNetX platform. Deidentified data were queried and analyzed from the COVID-19 research network of TriNetX from October 2018 to July 2021 using simple chi-square statistics of independence.

Results

Our results showed that among the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients compared to SARS-COV-2 negative patient there is a significant increase in the incidence rate of new onset adult “seronegative RA”, “other unspecified RA” in all adult age groups, “seropositive RA” above 50-year-old age. And “other juvenile idiopathic arthritis” subgroup in the pediatric population.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that there might be an association of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the etiopathogenesis of some subtypes of childhood and adult rheumatoid arthritis. This association could be explained by dysregulation of type I interferon activation signaling pathways that play roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis in these subgroups and seems to be more significant in the older patient age groups above 50 years.
Community focus groups about a COVID-19 individual risk assessment tool: access, understanding and usefulness
Authors: Keval Aliyah , Titi Mohammad , Saleh Hadi Omar , Young Staci , Gomez Julia Dickson , Atanisov Vladimir , Black Bernard , Meurer John
Published: October 2022

Background: In order to make informed COVID-19 related decisions, individuals need information about their personal risks and how those risks may vary with specific demographic and health characteristics. The Fight COVID MKE web=based risk assessment tool allows for assessment of COVID-19 mortality risk as a function of personal and neighborhood characteristics. The purpose of this study is to explore public understanding of this risk assessment tool and risk perception through community focus groups.
Methods: Individuals were recruited from Milwaukee County to participate in nine online focus groups where the risk assessment tool was presented for feedback. Focus group transcripts were then analyzed qualitatively for common themes using MAXQDA.
Results: Three main themes were identified in the focus groups regarding the web-based risk assessment tool: access, understanding, and usefulness.
Conclusions: This paper explores how members of the community interpret individual risk assessments and life expectancy estimations, and how these vary with age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing comorbidities. Understanding COVID-19 infection and progression rates, and how they vary with a full set of patient-specific characteristics is critical for effective policy and practice responses to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as for future infection outbreaks
Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Saline in Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rat Model of Sepsis-associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Dumbuya John Sieh , LI Siqi , LIANG Lili , CHEN Yachen , DU Jiang , ZENG Qiyi
Published: October 2022

Background

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is one of the most common types of sepsis-related organ dysfunction without overt central nervous system (CNS) infection. It is associated with higher mortality, low quality of life, and long-term neurological sequelae in suspected patients. At present there is no specific treatment for SAE rather than supportive therapy and judicious use of antibiotics, which are sometimes associated with adverse effects. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been reported to play crucial role in regulating inflammatory responses, neuronal injury, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in adult models of SAE. Here we report the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline in juvenile SAE rat model and its possible underling mechanism(s).

Materials and methods

Rats were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 8ml/kg injected intraperitoneally to induce sepsis and hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) administered 1h following LPS induction at a dose of 5ml/kg. Rats were divided into: sham, sham+HRS, LPS and LPS+HRS. At 48h, rats were sacrificed and Nissl staining for neuronal injury, TUNEL assay for apoptotic cells detection, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA protocol for inflammatory cytokines determination, mitochondrial dysfunction parameters, electron microscopy and western blot analysis were studied to examine the effect of HRS in LPS-induced septic rats.

Results

Rats treated with HRS improved neuronal injury, improvement in rats’ survival rate. ELISA analysis showed decreased TNF-α and IL-1β and increased IL-10 expression levels in the HRS-treated group. Apoptotic cells were decreased after HRS administration in septic rats. The numbers of GFAP and IBA-1positive cells were attenuated in the HRS-treated group when compared to the LPS group. Subsequently, GFAP and IBA-1 immunoreactivity were decreased after HRS treatment. Mitochondrial membrane potential detected by JC-1 dye and ATP content were decreased in septic rats, which were improved after HRS treatment, while release of ROS was increased in the LPS group reverted by HRS treatment, ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. Further analysis by transmission electron microscopy showed decreased number of mitochondria and synapses, and disrupted mitochondrial membrane ultrastructure in the LPS group, while HRS administration increased mitochondria and synapses number.

Conclusion

These data demonstrated that HRS can improve survival rate, attenuate neuroinflammation, astrocyte and microglial activation, neuronal injury and mitochondrial dysfunction in juvenile SAE rat model, making it a potential therapeutic candidate in treating paediatric SAE.
Behavioral and infordisruptive responses of Cyclope neritea and Nassarius mutabilis exposed to Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Authors: Leung Ho Man , Sung Ka Chun , Cheung Kwai Chung , Yue Patrick Ying Kit , Woo Lai Yan , Au Chi Kin , Yung Ken Kin Lam , Li Wai Chin
Published: October 2022

The objective of this work was to investigate the behavioural characteristics of C. neritea and N. mutabilis when exposed to different levels of PBDEs in an attempt to foresee the possible impacts for an aquatic ecosystem. The status of the snails’ activities was recorded by using Behavioral State Score (BSS). Significant different was found in the snail’s behavior in high toxicant concentration than in low toxicant concentration with p-value smaller than 0.01. The new findings reveal that PBDEs can induce intersex behaviour in snails. Further studies should be focused on exposure of snails to various kinds of PEDE derivatives to study the extent of behavioural change under the influence of PBDE derivatives.
An Interpretation of Crustal Structure and Hydrocarbon Evolution of the South Caspian and Kura Basins, Azerbaijan
Authors: Abdullayev Nazim , Huseynova Shalala , Javadova Arzu , Kadirov Fakhraddin , Maharramov Bakir , Mukhtarov Abdulvahab Sharif
Published: October 2022

South Caspian and Upper Kura Basins are a genetically linked system created in a Mesozoic extensional setting with a complex Cenozoic sediment fill history. This study presents new maps delineating these basins, and an interpretation of the regional geodynamic history. Over 150 onshore and offshore borehole temperature measurements, geothermal gradients, and surface heat flow data were integrated into the existing tectonic framework.
Effect of patch thickness and size on the low-velocity impact of patch-repaired CFRP composite laminates for rail vehicles
Authors: Chen Xuanzhen , Peng Yong , Wang Kui , Zhang Honghao , Liu Zhixiang
Published: October 2022

In this study, a high-strength carbon fiber reinforced composite laminate for rail vehicles was machined as a perforated sample and repaired with a patch of the same material. The response of the repaired laminate to a low-velocity impact with an energy of 30 J was investigated through experiments and simulations. The finite element simulation model was established in Abaquas/Explicit. The model integrated the progressive damage model based on the Hashin failure criterion, which can simulate the intralaminar damage of the fiber and the matrix. The cohesive zone model was used to simulate the delamination damage. According to the finite element analysis results, the mechanism and process of impact damage of the repaired laminates were analyzed. Based on the validated finite element model, the effect of patch size and thickness on impact damage was investigated. The reduction in patch size had little effect on the impact response, but could change the damage mechanism of the repaired laminate and increase the risk of damage to the mother panel. Repair laminate with a patch thickness of 0.6 mm was not able to resist impact and was penetrated.
A Pilot Study about the Effectiveness of High-Dose Donepezil in Cognitive Function and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Parkinson’s disease with Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Chung Eun Joo , Jung Jin Ho , Kim Sang Jin
Published: October 2022

Background:Donepezil is used for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) with dementia. Donepezil has been shown to improve behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in AD and DLB dose-dependently. We analyzed whether administration of 23 mg/day of donepezil would be more effective than 10 mg/day for both cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD patients with cognitive impairment (CI).
Methods:Ten patients diagnosed with PD by the UK Brain Bank Criteria participated in the study. The cognitive function of patients was adequate according to the criteria for major and minor neurocognitive disorders. Among all patients already taking 10 mg/day donepezil, 3 patients increased the dose to 23 mg/day and then maintained this dose for 24 weeks. Seven of the 10 patients continued the10 mg/day dose for 24 weeks. The Korean version of mini-mental status examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA), and caregiver-administered neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) were examined at baseline and 24 weeks.
Results:Compared to the 23 mg/day group, the 10 mg/day donepezil group showed a younger age at onset and a longer disease duration at baseline. The K-MMSE and K-MoCA scores were higher in the 10 mg/day group than in the 23 mg/day group at baseline. However, the K-MMSE and K-MoCA of the donepezil 23 mg/day group after 24 weeks showed more improvement than those of the donepezil 10 mg/day group. In eight patients who performed the NPI, mood disorders (depression, anxiety, apathy) frequently appeared at both baseline and 24 weeks, in contrast to psychosis (delusion and hallucination).
Conclusions:Compared to 10 mg/day donepezil, 23 mg/day donepezil was more effective in improving cognitive function in PD in a dose-dependent manner. Total scores in NPI showed a worse outcome in the 10 mg/day group after 24 weeks, despite being younger and having less severe parkinsonism compared to the 23 mg/day group. Because psychosis was frequent in PD with dementia, high rates of mood disorders and low rates of psychosis were associated with PD with cognitive impairment in this study.
Scleral thickness as a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy and pachychoroid neovasculopathy
Authors: Keidel Leonie , Schworm Benedikt , Langer Julian , Luft Nikolaus , Herold Tina , Hagenau Felix , Klaas Julian , Priglinger Siegfried , Siedlecki Jakob
Published: October 2022

Background/Objectives. While the exact pathophysiology of pachychoroid disorders remains unclear, scleral changes inducing increased venous outflow resistance are hypothesized to be involved. This work aims to investigate anterior scleral thickness (AST) as a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and pachychoroid neovascularization (PNV). Subjects/Methods. Randomized prospective case-control study performed at the Ludwig Maximilians-University, Department of Ophthalmology. 46 eyes of 46 patients were included, with 23 eyes in the CSC/PNV group (9 eyes with PNV) and 23 eyes in the control group. There was no difference in mean age (51.5 ± 8.0 (36 to 65) vs. 47.0 ± 12.9 (30 to 83) years; p = 0.122) or spherical equivalent (0.60 ± 2.23 (-5.5–4.6) vs. -0,93 ± 2.45 (-4.9–5.8); p = 0.441). In all patients, swept source OCT (SS-OCT) with an anterior segment module was used to measure AST. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was assessed using enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT). AST and SFCT were then compared to an age and -refraction-matched control group. Results. A significantly higher AST was found in the CSC/PNV as compared to the control group (403.5 ± 68.6 (278 to 619) vs. 362.5 ± 62.6 (218 to 498) µm; p = 0.028). Moreover, the CSC/PNV group showed a higher SFCT (392.8 ± 92.8 (191–523) vs. 330.95 ± 116.5 (167–609) µm, p = 0.004). Conclusions. Compared to age- and refraction-matched controls, patients with CSC and PNV show a significantly thicker anterior sclera. Scleral thickness might contribute to the venous overload hypothesized to induce pachychoroid phenotypes.
IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON DIAGNOSIS OF LUNG CANCER
Authors: Kızılırmak Deniz , Yılmaz Zeynep , Havlucu Yavuz , Çelik Pınar
Published: October 2022

Background:Non-COVID hospital admissions decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and follow-up of people in the lung cancer risk group was delayed. There are not enough studies on the effects of the pandemic period on the diagnosis of lung cancer.Aims:In this study, it was aimed to determine the characteristics of patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the pre-pandemic and pandemic period and to investigate the effects of the pandemic on the diagnosis of lung cancer.Methods:Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer 16 months before and after the detection of the first Covid-19 case were retrospectively analyzed for their characteristics at the time of diagnosis. Age, gender, pathological diagnosis, distant organ metastasis status and also pathological stages at the time of diagnosis of the patients were analyzed.Results:246 patients were included in the study. 145 of the patients were diagnosed in the pre-pandemic period and 101 during the pandemic period. Mean age of patients was 64.24 years and 91.87% were male. Pathological diagnosis distributions were similar in the pre-pandemic group and the pandemic period group. Distant organ metastases were present in 59.31% of the pre-pandemic group and 65.35% of the pandemic group. There was no significant difference in terms of the stages of the patients at the time of diagnosis.Conclusions:Number of patients diagnosed with lung cancer during the pandemic period was lower. The characteristics of the patients were similar. These results may have resulted from the decrease in applications to health institutions due to social isolation and fear of COVID-19 infection, and limitations in accessing health services.
Intrarectal formalin treatment for haemorrhagic radiation induced proctopathy: efficacy and safety
Authors: Kohoutova Darina , Gee Caroline , Wilson Ana , Elhusseiny Ramy , Wanders Linda , Cunningham David
Published: October 2022

Background
Pelvic radiotherapy is limited by a dose dependent toxicity to the surrounding organs. Total doses exceeding 60Gy are associated with a higher risk of rectal bleeding. If radiation induced chronic haemorrhagic proctopathy (RHP) is severe and/or causes iron-deficiency anaemia, treatment should be offered. Aim of this prospective study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of intrarectal formalin treatment for haemorrhagic RHP at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Methods
Adult patients who received pelvic radiotherapy were enrolled. Haemoglobin was evaluated before the first and after the last formalin treatment. Antiplatelet, anticoagulation treatment and administration of transfusion (indication: RHP) were recorded. Interval between the completion of radiotherapy and the first intrarectal 5% formalin treatment was assessed; dose of radiotherapy was evaluated. Clinical assessment of frequency & amount of rectal bleeding (rectal bleeding score: 1-6) and endoscopic appearance (score: 0-3) were classified. Complications were recorded.
Results
Nineteen patients were enrolled: 13 males (68%) and 6 females. Mean age was 75±9 years. Median time between completion of radiotherapy and the first formalin treatment was 20 months, inter-quartile range (IQR): 15. Median dose of radiotherapy was 68Gy, IQR: 14. Thirty-two procedures were performed (1.7 per patient). In total, 9/19 (47%) patients were receiving anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet medication. Five patients (5/19, 26%) received transfusion. Mean value of haemoglobin before the first formalin treatment was 110±18g/l, after the last treatment 123±16g/l; p=0.022. Median of rectal bleeding score before the first formalin treatment was 6 (IQR: 0), after the last treatment 2 (IQR: 1-4); p˂0.001. Median of endoscopy score on the day of the first treatment was 3 (IQR: 0); on the day of the last treatment 1 (IQR: 1-2); p˂0.001. The median follow-up was 6 months (IQR: 4-16). One female patient with a persistent rectal ulcer which healed eventually (18 months of healing) developed a recto-vaginal fistula subsequently (complication rate: 1/19: 5%).
Conclusions
Treatment with intrarectal formalin in RHP is effective and safe.
Determination of Inherent Antibiotic Drug Resistance and Pathogenic Potential of Different E. coli Phylotypes from Diarrheic Calves in Arid and Semiarid Regions of India
Authors: Kumar Sudesh , Choudhary Suvidhi , Kumar Ram , Dhial Kritika , Bhati Taruna , Dedar Ramesh Kumar
Published: October 2022

India has a large population of dairy animals, and calf diarrhea is a major concern in the dairy sector. Escherichia coli have varying degrees of virulence; however, this study aimed to understand the association of different phylotypes with calf diarrhea and elucidate their inherent virulence potential as well as their antimicrobial drug resistance potential. In the current study, the phylogenetic analysis showed that the majority of the isolates (19/35; 54.28%) belonged to phylotype B1, followed by A (9/35; 20%), E (4/35; 11.42%), C (2/35; 5.71%), and F (2/35; 5.71%).On the basis of virulence genes, isolates were classified into ETEC (25.71%), STEC (48.57%) and non-ETEC/STEC (25.71%). PhylotypesB1 and F predominated in virulence potential, followed by phylotypesC and E. Both isolates of phylotype F were found to be STEC pathotypes. PhylotypesF and B1 were found to carry antimicrobial resistance genes against all four classes of antimicrobials, while phylotype E carried antimicrobial drug resistance genes for three classes, and phylotypes C and A showed the least number of resistance genes. In conclusion, isolates belonging to phylotypes B1 and F were of high pathogenic potential due to the carriage of a higher number of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.
Scale-up of a chronic care model-based programme for type 2 diabetes in Belgium: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Danhieux Katrien , Buffel Veerle , Remmen Roy , Wouters Edwin , Olmen Josefien Van
Published: October 2022

Background
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an increasingly dominant disease. Interventions are more effective when carried out by a prepared and proactive team within an organised system—the integrated care (IC) model. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) provides guidance for its implementation, but scale-up of IC is challenging. In this paper, we used the CCM to investigate the current implementation of IC in primary care in Flanders (Belgium) and its variability in different practice types.
Methods
Belgium contains three different primary-care practice types: monodisciplinary fee-for-service practices, multidisciplinary fee-for-service practices and multidisciplinary capitation-based practices. Disproportional sampling was used to select a maximum of 10 practices for each type in three Flemish regions, leading to a total of 66 practices. The study employed a mixed methods design whereby the Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (ACIC) was complemented with interviews with general practitioners, nurses and dieticians linked to the 66 practices.
Results
The ACIC scores of the fee-for-service practices—containing 97% of Belgian patients—only corresponded to basic support for chronic illness care. Multidisciplinary and capitation-based practices scored considerably higher than traditional monodisciplinary fee-for-service practices. The region had no significant impact on the ACIC scores. Having a nurse, being a capitation practice and having a secretary had a significant effect in the regression analysis, which explained 75% of the variance in ACIC scores. Better-performing practices were successful due to clear role-defining, task delegation to the nurse, coordination, structured use of the EMD, planning of consultations and integration of self-management support, and behaviour-change intervention (internally or using community initiatives). The longer nurses work in primary care practices, the higher the chance that they perform more advanced tasks.
Conclusions
Besides the presence of a nurse or secretary, also working multidisciplinary under one roof and a capitation-based financing system are important features of a system wherein IC can be scaled-up successfully. Belgian policymakers should rethink the role of paramedics in primary care and make the financing system more integrated. As the scale-up of the IC varied highly in different contexts, uniform roll-out across a health system containing multiple types of practices may not be successful.
Characterization of a major QTL for tiller number at the seedling stage in wheat landrace Yanda 1817
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhang Yu'e , Hu Weiguo , Zhou Yanjie , Wang Xicheng , Zhao Hong , Zhou Shenghui , Liu Zhiyong , Cao Tingjie
Published: October 2022

Effective tillers contribute to yield through adjusting population structure and affect 1000-kernel weight and kernel number per spike, which are 3favorable for wheat (Triticum aestivum)improvement. Wheat landraces show strong tillering ability and thus considerable potential for utilization in breeding. In this study, tiller number under nutrient solution condition was evaluated for 269 wheat recombinant inbred lines and their parents: the modern cultivar Beinong 6 and the landrace Yanda 1817, which exhibit strong tillering ability. A major QTL,qTN-7B.1, significant in three independent experiments, was detected by linkage analysis and confirmed by sequenced-based bulked segregant analysis. Its positive allele was from Yanda 1817. Pathway enrichment among tiller-bud transcriptome data for the two parents suggested that tillering ability was associated with lignin biosynthesis and energy metabolism. Further combination of differentially gene expression analysis and variant calling identified 33 nonsynonymous SNVs on 20 DGEs. Three differentially expressed genes were identified in theqTN-7B.1region. In particular,TraesCS7B02G282100encoded cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase crucially in lignin biosynthesis was considered candidate gene. Then four genetic markerswere developed andthe peak ofqTN-7B.1was narrowed betweenKASP513andKASP516, and explained 11.04%–19.01% of the phenotypic variation and positively affected kernel number per spike but negatively affected 1000-kernel weight. An allelic frequency test of a natural population revealed that Hap2 (the Yanda 1817 haplotype) and a third haplotype (Hap3) were selected during wheat improvement. This study lays a foundation for map-based cloning ofqTN-7B.1and developed genetic markers showed potentially application in improving plant architecture though marker assistant selection.
Heel fat pad dynamics during loading cycles: an in-vivo study ―Effect of height and weight on heel fat pad movements between microchamber and macrochamber layers in loading and unloading cycles
Authors: Maemichi Toshihiro , Matsumoto Masatomo , Tsutsui Toshiharu , Ichikawa Shota , Okunuki Takumi , Liu Zijian , Tanaka Hirofumi , Kumai Tsukasa
Published: October 2022

Background
This study aimed to determine the effect of height and weight on heel fat pad thickness between microchamber and macrochamber layers during loading-unloading cycles.
Methods
The subjects performed loading-unloading movements, and the thickness change of the heel fat pad was measured. We examined the relationship between height and weight and the rate of change in the thickness of the microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel fat pad when 0–100% load was applied.
Results
Significant changes were observed in the macrochamber layer. The thicknesses of the microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel fat pad increased with increasing height and weight.
Conclusions
Function may differ between the microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel fat pad. With increasing height and weight, the thickness of the microchamber and macrochamber layers increased, but the thickness change of the macrochamber layers decreased.
Characterising Housing Markets based on House Price Dynamics: The case of Metropolitan Cities in India
Authors: Pani Sudhanshu
Published: October 2022

Stakeholders can characterise housing markets based on long term fundamental value and short-term house price dynamics. This study explores spatial heterogeneity in house price dynamics, using data for 35 Indian cities with a million-plus population. We use panel econometrics that allows for spatial heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependence, and non-stationary data. We test for spatial differences and analyze the income elasticity of prices, the role of construction costs and lending to real estate industry by commercial banks. The long-term elasticity of house prices with respect to aggregate deposits varies considerably across cities. This difference includes the nature of the relationship as determined by the sign of the estimates. Short-term momentum and reversion dynamics show substantial spatial heterogeneity. The reversion rate to long-term equilibrium is higher in Indian markets than rates reported from developed markets.
JEL codes: R31, R15, C33
Brief Report: Bronzed baby with low peripheral saturation. Is it real?
Authors: Toledo Juan Diego , Vallés Mireia , Solaz-García Alvaro , Pinilla-González Alejandro , Sáenz-González Pilar
Published: October 2022

Pulse oximetry is used across all medical specialties providing non-invasive and continuous oxygen saturation of haemoglobin. However, potential interferers must be continually scrutinized to ensure its validity and accuracy. An erroneous measurement could lead to unnecessary invasive testing or treatments.
Propensity Score Analysis with Missing Data Using a Multi- Task Neural Networks
Authors: Yang Shu , Du Peipei , Feng Xixi , He Daihai , Chen Yaolong , Zhong Linda LD , Yan Xiaodong , Luo Jiawei
Published: October 2022

Background:Propensity score analysis is increasingly used to control for confounding factors in observational studies. Unfortunately, unavoidable missing values make estimating propensity scores extremely challenging. We propose a new method for estimating propensity scores in data with missing values.Materials and Methods:Both simulated and real-world datasets are used in our experiments. The simulated datasets were constructed under two scenarios, the presence (T=1) and the absence (T=0) of the true effect. The real-world dataset comes from the LaLonde's employment training program. We construct missing data with varying degrees of missing rates under three missing mechanisms: MAR, MCAR, and MNAR. Then we compare MTNN with two other traditional methods in different scenarios. The experiments in each scenario were repeated 1000 times. Our code is publicly available at https://github.com/ljwa2323/MTNN.Results:Under the three missing mechanisms of MAR, MCAR and MNAR, the RMSE between the effect and the true effect estimated by our proposed method is the smallest in simulations and in real-world data. Furthermore, the standard deviation of the effect estimated by our method is the smallest. In situations where the missing rate is low, the estimation of our method is more accurate.Conclusions:MTNN can perform propensity score estimation and missing value filling at the same time through shared hidden layers and joint learning, which solves the dilemma of traditional methods and is very suitable for estimating true effect in samples with missing values. Therefore, it is expected to be extensively generalized and used in real-world observational studies.
Plant-based and high protein diets are associated with a lower risk of obesity among Koreans at a high genetic risk of obesity.
Authors: Daily James , Park Sunmin
Published: October 2022

Background/Objectives: Obesity has become a severe public health challenge globally. The present study aimed to identify separate and interactive dietary, genetic, and other factors that increase the risk of obesity, as measured by body fat mass.
Subjects/Methods: We utilized a genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants associated with high-fat mass(obesity; n=10,502) and combined them to generate polygenic risk scores(PRS) of genetic variants interacting with each other in adults aged over 40(n=58,701). We then evaluated dietary and lifestyle factors in subjects to assess what factors might help overcome a genetic propensity for higher body fat.
Results: The three-SNP model included brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)_rs6265, fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)_rs1421085, and SEC16B_rs509325. ADCY3_rs6545790 and BAIAP2_rs35867081 minor alleles increased their gene expression in the visceral and subcutaneous adipocytes, but ADCY3_rs6545790 and BAIAP2_rs35867081 minor alleles decreased their gene expression in the hypothalamus. In the three-SNP model, the PRS was associated with body fat mass by 1.408 and 1.396 times after adjusting covariates 1 and 2, respectively. However, when separating subjects by PRS of the three-SNP model, a plant-based diet was the most significant factor associated with low body fat, followed by high protein diets and lower energy intakes. They could offset the effects of high genetic risk for high body fat.
Conclusions: Modulating nutrient intakes might overcome a high genetic risk for obesity. Dietary choices favoring more plant-based and higher protein foods might help prevent increased body fat in Asians and potentially people of other ethnicities with high polygenetic risk scores.
Serum Cingulin Levels are Increased in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Artık Abdülbaki , Gündüz Bahar Öztelcan , Mızrak Soycan , Işık Ümit , Acıkel Burak
Published: October 2022

Background:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders in which the underlying pathogenesis and etiologic factors are not fully understood. The blood brain barrier (BBB) ​​plays a critical role in central nervous system (CNS) defense by limiting access to circulating solutes, macromolecules, and cells that can negatively affect neuronal activity. The loss of BBB integrity is likely to be seen as a common pathologic finding for many psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, ASD, and mood disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum cingulin levels are associated with ASD.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 40 treatment-naive children with ASD and 40 healthy controls were included in the present study. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Present and Lifetime Version-DSM-5 (K-SADS-PL-DSM-5) has been used to screen healthy controls for psychiatric disorders by a psychiatrist after a physical examination by a paediatrician. The clinical severity of the ASD symptoms has been assessed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Venous blood samples were collected and serum cingulin levels were measured.
Results: When the ASD and control groups were compared, CARS and CINGULIN values of the patient group were statistically higher than the healthy group. There is a statistically positive correlation between CARS and Cingulin values.
Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is a first in the literature conducted about the serum cingulin levels, which is a component of BBB, among patients with ASD. Our findings demonstrate that serum cingulin levels are meaningfully higher in ASD group compared to the healthy control group. It has been also indicated that there has been a meaningful relationship between serum cingulin levels and ASD symptom severity.
Contraceptive Utilization And Associated Factors Among Polygamous And Monogamous Women In Worebabo Woreda, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Teferi Eueail , Fissha Yonas
Published: October 2022

Background

In Ethiopia high population growth and unintended pregnancies are posing pressures where the economy is incapable of holding overpopulation. Despite this problem, utilization of modern contraception is low in rural areas of the country, especially in the areas where polygamy is common. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess contraceptive utilization and associated factors among polygamous and monogamous women in worebabo woreda, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.

Method

A community-based comparative cross-sectional and phenomenological study design was employed from July 1 to September 30, 2021, on the total sample size of 774 selected married women of the reproductive age group by using a multistage sampling method and a purposive sampling method were used for the qualitative part of the study. A pre-tested interview with a structured questionnaire was used to collect data and key informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Associated factors were analyzed by using bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models. The odds ratio, with a 95% confidence level, was used to declare a statistically significant association.

Result

A total of 703 married women of the reproductive age groups were interviewed, yielding a 90.89% response rate; among these married women, 352 and 351 were in monogamous and polygamous relationships. The proportion of women who use modern contraceptives was 161 (45.7%) in monogamous relationship, and 151 (43.0%) in polygamous relationships. Overall, utilization of modern contraceptives was significantly associated with educational status (AOR = 2.143,CI:1.428–3.216), religion (AOR = 1.704,CI:1.144–2.539), fertility desire (AOR = 3.17,CI:1.939–5.183), who decides on the number of children (AOR = 3.054,CI:1.93–4.832), getting clear information by Health care provider (AOR = 4.624, CI:3.132–6.828), family pressure (AOR = 1.855,CI:1.351–2.75), fear of social stigma (AOR = 2.482,CI:1.666–3.699), and accepts myths about contraceptives (AOR = 1.878,CI: 1.278–2.761).

Conclusion

This study identified that utilization of modern contraception was low in the study area. The district health office and concerned stakeholders should implement interventions that scale up contraceptive use, need family involvement in decision making, addressing myths around contraceptives, helping women to get education, and training of health care providers.
Trends and determinants of changes in cumulative fertility among married women in Kenya between 2003 and 2014: an analysis of demographic health surveys
Authors: Orwa James , Gatimu Samwel , Ariho Paulino , Temmerman Marleen , Luchters Stanley
Published: October 2022

Background: Globally, cumulative fertility has declined in the last three decades. In sub-Saharan Africa Including Kenya, this decline started more recent and at a slower pace compared to other regions. Despite a significant fertility decline in Kenya, there are disparities in intra- and interregional fertility. Reduction in cumulative fertility has health benefits for both the mother and child, thus it is important to improve women and children health outcomes associated with high fertility. The study, therefore evaluated the determinants of change in cumulative fertility among married women of reproductive age in Kenya between 2003 and 2014.
Methods: The study used the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) datasets of 2003, 2008 and 2014. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to calculate the mean number of children ever born (cumulative fertility) and to assess the change in fertility across different factors. A Poisson-based multivariate decomposition for the nonlinear response model was performed to identify and quantify the contribution of demographic, socioeconomic and reproductive correlates, to the change in cumulative fertility between 2003 and 2014.
Results: The study included 3,917, 4,002, and 7,332 weighted samples of women of reproductive age in 2003, 2008, and 2014, respectively. The mean number of children born declined from 3.8 (95% CI: 3.6–3.9) in 2003 to 3.5 (95% CI: 3.4–-3.7) in 2008 and 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3–3.4) in 2014 (p=0.001). The changes in socio-demographic composition of the population (i.e. changes in the characteristics of women) explained 81.6% of the decline while 18.4% was due to changes in fertility behaviour of women. The main contributors to the change in cumulative fertility were reduced child mortality (88.6%), urbanisation (44.5%), education (15.8%), family size (12.8%) and increased age at first marriage (12.1%).
Conclusion: The cumulative fertility declined by one-tenth between 2003 and 2014; majorly as a result of the compositional difference in characteristics of women in terms of child death experience, residing in urban areas and level of education. These highlights a need to continue strengthening the healthcare systems (access to quality antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postpartum care) to reduce child mortality and implement education policies that focuses on gender equality and women empowerment.
Efficacy and safety evaluation of Venetoclax for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Zhimin , Guo Zhong , Yan Ling , Ye Wencan , Lai Haisheng
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by meta-analysis.MethodWe searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or clinical trials that included venetoclax in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia published with the primary outcome of overall survival (OS). According to the heterogeneity among different studies, Revman5.4 was used to conduct fixed effect or random effect model analysis. Egger test were used to detect publication bias. The GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence for the primary outcome measure.ResultsA total of 5 RCTs were included, including 487 cases in the experimental group and 251 cases in the control group. Compared with the control group, the overall survival (HR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.38-1.77, P < 0.00001) of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia was longer and better with venetoclax. However, the risk of hematological adverse events (HR=1.25, 95% CI: 0.99-1.58, P=0.05), non-hematological adverse events (HR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.09-1.36, P=0.29) and serious adverse events (HR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.07-1.65, P=0.002) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia was relatively low.ConclusionsCompared with the control group, Venetoclax can improve the clinical efficacy of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia, but its adverse reaction rate is relatively high. This therapy may be a promising treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia, but it is necessary to monitor the related adverse events of patients for symptomatic treatment during use.
A Hydrogen-Containing Di-Phenyl Siloxane Cross-Linker for Ultra-High Hardness and High Refractive Index Silicone Rubber and its application in LED encapsulation
Authors: pan zhaoqun , chen yu , li bohao , zhang zhun
Published: October 2022

Herein, a linear hydrogen cross-linker with a high hydrogen content was proposed in the study. The hydrogen-containing di-phenyl silicone oil (HDPSO) was fabricated by non-hydrolytic sol-gel reaction and ring-opening polymerization. After raw materials were mixed with vinyl base polymer, the cured sample showed ultra-high hardness (~ 92 shore D), refractive index (~ 1.542 at 633 nm), and transparency (~ 92.6% at 450 nm). After lighting for 168 h at room temperature, the samples showed no yellowing phenomenon and the lumen depreciation was only 4.9%. The samples demonstrated outstanding reliability compared to other commercialized silicone materials. The HDPSO is a promising cross-linker candidate for reliable high-performance LED encapsulantion.
The Maximum Entropy Principle to predict foragerspatial distributions: an alternate perspective formovement ecology
Authors: Aragones Pau Capera , Tyson Rebecca C. , Foxall Eric
Published: October 2022

The Maximum Entropy Principle (MaxEnt) is a powerful inference principle that allows to determine the distribution that describes a system on the basis of the information available, usually in the form of averages of observables (random variables) of interest for the system, and the assumption of maximal ignorance (maximum entropy) beyond the stated prior information.In this work we focus on the use of MaxEnt in the context of spatial ecology for building theory to predict equilibrium foraging distributions. This represents a new application of MaxEnt and a novel approach to compute spatial foraging distributions, which is able to incorporate mechanisms such as resource-depletion, optimallity of the foraging strategy, travel costs, information uncertanity, and inter-specific and intra-specific competition into the statistical inference. Our results show how our model predictions can resemble both, the predictions of optimal and random foraging, and give a simple quantitative way to connect these two extreme foraging behaviours. In addition, our work show the capability of modelling using energy and entropy arguments to relax most of the basic assumptions of the Ideal Free Distribution of ecology to expand its range of applicability.Overall, we show the power of MaxEnt to build theory and to relate existing models in spatial ecology by use of a universal principle. We further discuss the potential applicability of MaxEnt to build theory in other contexts of ecology, such as to formulate population dynamics models, and the potential use of the dynamic form of MaxEnt, i.e. the Maximum Caliber Principle, to develop further theory on dynamical systems in spatial ecology.
Differential expression of Toll-like receptors in response to symptomatic and asymptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis infections
Authors: yadav sonal , Verma Vivek , Yamini P , Dhanda Rakesh Singh , Khurana Sumeeta , Yadav Manisha
Published: October 2022

Trichomonas vaginalisis a parasitic protozoan that causes a sexually transmitted disease called trichomoniasis. In the present study we have investigated the expression of the TLRs (TLR1/2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9) by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry in the vagina and cervix tissues of BALB/c mice infected with symptomatic and asymptomaticT. vaginalisisolates. We found a higher expression ofTlr1, Tlr4, and Tlr9in the cervical tissues at later time points in asymptomatic groups. In the vaginal tissue, elevatedTlr1/Tlr2was observed at early time points in the symptomatic group. However,Tlr4was measured in the asymptomatic group at early time points. Vaginal tissues of the symptomatic group showed a high level of IL-10 on 4thdpi and in the asymptomatic group on 8thdpi and 14thdpi, respectively. In the asymptomatic group’s cervical tissue, high IL-10 and TGF-β levels were seen on 2nddpi and in the symptomatic group on 4thdpi. We conclude from this study that differential expression of TLRs was observed in the vaginal and cervical tissues of BALB/c infected with symptomatic and asymptomatic isolates ofT. vaginalis. Our finding suggests that TLRs play an important role in recognizing ligands ofT. vaginalisinfection.
MiPy: A Framework for Benchmarking Machine Learning Prediction of Unplanned Hospital and ICU Readmission in the MIMIC-IV Database
Authors: Partovi Andi , Lukose Dickson , Webb Geoffrey I.
Published: October 2022

Avoidable and unplanned readmissions to hospital wards, especially the Intensive Care Unit, have significant implications for the patients’ health and poses additional economic burdens on the health system. If patients who are at risk of readmission are identified early and their risks are mitigated, these complications can be avoided.
Machine Learning has been a valuable tool for automatic identification and prediction of various health conditions and situations, including unplanned readmissions. This is made possible through processing large collections of clinical data to build predictive models.
However, the clinical data from which these models are built is highly confidential, which has restricted the ability of researchers to provide their data to the wider community, hence limiting reproducibility and comparability between results. The MIMIC databases are large, publicly available clinical datasets, which make reproducibility and comparability feasible.
To maximise the benefit the research community derives from this invaluable resource, we developed MiPy, an open source standardised framework for preparing, building, and evaluating machine learning models for predicting both hospital and ICU readmission, on the MIMIC-IV database. The primary aim of this work is to enhance reproducibility and comparability of research in the field.