bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CircRNA MFACR is Upregulated in Myocardial Infarction and Downregulates miR-125b to Promote Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis-induced by Hypoxia
Authors: Wang Shujuan , Li Long , Deng Weijie , Jiang Minhua
Published: November 2020

Background: CircRNA MFACR promotes cardiomyocyte death, which contributes to myocardial infarction (MI). We analyzed the role of MFACR in MI.Methods: RT-qPCR was applied to determine MFACR and miR-125b expression in plasma samples from both MI patients (n=61) and healthy controls (n=61). MFACR and miR-125b were overexpressed in AC16 cells (cardiomyocytes) to study the interactions between them. Methylation of miR-125b gene in cells with MFACR overexpression was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR. Cell apoptosis after transfections was analyzed by cell apoptosis assay.Results: MFACR was overexpressed in MI and inversely correlated with miR-125b. In AC16 cells, hypoxia treatment increased MFACR expression and decreased miR-125b expression. In AC16 cells, MFACR overexpression decreased miR-125b expression and increased the methylation of miR-125b gene. Under hypoxia, MFACR overexpression increased AC16 cell apoptosis, and miR-125b overexpression decreased cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-125b overexpression reversed the effects of MFACR overexpression on cell apoptosis. Conclusion: MFACR may increase the methylation of miR-125b gene to downregulate its expression, thereby promoting the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in MI.
Impact of Overt Hypothyroidism on Early Outcomes of Coronary Artery Surgery
Authors: Zhao Dong , Zhao Wei , Yuan Xin , Wang Chuangshi , Feng Wei
Published: November 2020

Background: The association between preoperative overt hypothyroidism and early outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of overt hypothyroidism on the outcomes of CABG. Methods: The series included 189 overt hypothyroid patients who underwent CABG at Fuwai Hospital. These patients were 1:4 matched with 737 euthyroid patients using propensity score matching. The early postoperative outcomes were compared. Results: After propensity score matching, the incidences of impaired wound healing, reintubation, and the total complications were higher in hypothyroid patients than euthyroid patients (11.8% vs. 0.9%, p<0.001; 2.1% vs. 0.4%, p=0.03; 39.6% vs. 30.3%, p=0.015, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed overt hypothyroidism was significantly associated with the occurrence of impaired wound healing (odds ratio [OR]=12.29, p<0.001), reintubation (OR=5.71, p=0.047), and the total complications (OR=1.31, p=0.049). The OR of the total complications was 1.43 (p=0.03) in hypothyroid patients with abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone compared with euthyroid patients. The proportions of the use of dopamine, adrenaline, milrinone, and dobutamine in hypothyroid patients were higher than euthyroid patients (75.4% vs. 67.6%, p=0.038; 10.7% vs. 6.1%, p=0.028; 3.2% vs. 0.3%, p=0.001; 4.8% vs. 1.2%, p=0.004, respectively). The total duration of inotropic support and mechanical ventilation time in hypothyroid patients were longer than euthyroid patients (median duration: 4 days vs. 3 days, p=0.003; 17 hours vs. 15 hours, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: CABG in overt hypothyroid patients is associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications, stronger postoperative inotropic support, and longer mechanical ventilation time.
An Adult With Episodic Retrosternal Chest Pain: An Unusual Presentation of Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation
Authors: Goldsmith Ira , George Joseph , Aslam Umair , Sharma Sobaran
Published: November 2020

Background: Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection presenting as episodic retrosternal chest pain on exertion in an adult has not been described. Case presentation: A 21-year-old female, non-smoker, presented with a 4-year history of sharp, episodic, retrosternal chest pains brought on with exercise. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed a grossly overinflated left lower lobe with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the left hemi-azygos vein. Lobectomy, the recommended treatment of choice, carried out thoracoscopically, was curative with satisfactory mid-term results. Histology confirmed type-II congenital pulmonary airway malformation.Conclusions: CPAM can present in young adults with unusual symptoms of chest pain on exertion. When suspected a contrast-enhanced CT scan is the gold standard for establishing the diagnosis. An anatomical lung resection is curative with satisfactory medium term results.
Application of Right Bronchial Occlusion Under Artificial Pneumothorax in the Thoracic Phase of Minimally Invasive Mckeown Oesophagectomy
Authors: Li Li , Zhao Luo , He Jia , Han Zhijun
Published: November 2020

Background: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-lumen endotracheal intubation combined with right bronchial occlusion under artificial pneumothorax in minimally invasive McKeown oesophagectomy.Methods: A total of 165 patients who underwent minimally invasive McKeown oesophagectomy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively analysed. A total of 117 patients received single-lumen endotracheal intubation combined with right bronchial occlusion (SLET-B group), and 48 patients received double-lumen endotracheal intubation (DLET group). Clinical data, intraoperative haemodynamics, surgical variables, and postoperative complications were analysed and compared.Results: The clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar. Compared with the DLET group, a shorter intubation time and lower tube dislocation rate were found in the SLET-B group (P <0.05). In the thoracic phase, with the application of artificial pneumothorax, patients in the SLET-B group had lower PaCO2 and PetCO2 values and higher pH (P <0.05) than those in the DLET group. These parameters gradually returned to normal half an hour after the thoracic phase. Patients in the SLET-B group had shorter thoracic phase times and hospital stays and less intraoperative haemorrhage than those in the DLET group. The numbers of thoracic and bilateral recurrent laryngeal lymph nodes harvested were significantly higher in the SLET-B group.Conclusions: Compared with double-lumen endotracheal intubation anaesthesia, single-lumen endotracheal intubation combined with right bronchial occlusion under artificial pneumothorax is feasible and safe in minimally invasive McKeown oesophagectomy. It has great advantages in surgical safety and the number of thoracic lymph nodes harvested.
Effect of COVID-19 on the Treatment of Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Lee Kil-yong , Lee Jaeim , Park Youn Young , Oh Seong Taek
Published: November 2020

Background: There has been debate on delaying an appendectomy for acute appendicitis because of the possibility of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection being present and operating immediately due to the high possibility of complications from delaying the surgery. This study aimed to investigate the safety of delaying surgery for acute appendicitis in patients with a confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) status.Methods: Patients admitted for acute appendicitis during the same period in 2019 and 2020 were enrolled in the study. We categorized them into 2 groups: those admitted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 and those admitted after the outbreak in 2020. Clinical variables including demographics, operative and postoperative factors were analyzed. Statistical analyses was performed for the two groups. The primary end point was postoperative complication. Results: A total of 200 consecutive patients (127 from 2019 and 73 from 2020) were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics and laboratory findings between the groups. In 2020, it took a longer time between a visit and surgery (6.3 vs 14.4 hours, p < 0.001); there was no difference in the type of surgery, appendix pathology, and postoperative complications.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is safe to delay a surgery for acute appendicitis until after determining a patient’s COVID-19 status with the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.
Validation of the Chinese Version of the Care Evaluation Scale for Measuring the Quality of Structure and Process of End-Of-Life Care From the Perspective of Bereaved Family
Authors: Zhao Juanjuan , You Liming , Tao Hongmei , Wong Frances Kam Yuet
Published: November 2020

Background: Assessing the quality of structure and process of end-of-life care can help improve outcomes. There was currently no valid tool for this purpose in mainland China. The aim of this study is to validate the Chinese version of the Care Evaluation Scale (CES).Methods: From January to December 2017, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among bereaved family members of cancer patients from 10 medical institutes. The reliability of the CES was assessed with Cronbach’s α, and structural validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was tested by examining the correlation between the CES total score and overall satisfaction with end-of-life care, quality of dying and death, and quality of life.Results: A total of 305 valid responses were analyzed. The average CES score was 70.67±16.42, and the Cronbach’s α of the CES was 0.967 (range: 0.802–0.927 for the 10 domains). The fit indices for the 10-factor model of CES were good (root-mean-square error of approximation, 0.047; comparative fit index, 0.952; Tucker–Lewis index, 0.946; standardized root mean square residual, 0.053). The CES total score was highly correlated with overall satisfaction with medical care (r=0.775, P<0.01), and moderately correlated with patients’ quality of life (r=0.579, P<0.01) and quality of dying and death (r=0.570, P<0.01). In addition, few associations between CES total score and demographic characteristics, except for the family members’ age.Conclusions: The Chinese version of the CES is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate the quality of structure and process of end-of-life care for patients with cancer from the perspective of bereaved family in mainland China.
Automatic Intrahepatic Biliary Segmentation Based Image Processing Techniques using Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: AL-Oudat Mohammad Atallah , Oudat Mohammad AL , Migdady Hazem , Munaizel Tariq AL , Mahmoud Mohammad Awni , Jaafreh Somayya
Published: November 2020

A set of tubes known as bile ducts connects the liver to an organ below it directly that is called Gallbladder. The dilation of a bile duct is an important indicator regarding any serious issue in the human body. Number of reasons may cause bile duct dilation, such as: stones, tumors which commonly occur due to pancreas or papilla of vater. In this paper, the main contributions are: 1) a novel framework that consists of three phases to be applied on a set of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images 2) an extracted set of features with their accurate values that express the condition of the biliary trees from the MRI images. Such dataset can be used in several applications to determine whether a bile duct is dilated or not. The dataset is organized as the following: half of the MRI images are for normal bile ducts, while the other half is for dilated bile ducts. To extract the useful features to diagnose the medical condition of the bile ducts from the MRI images, we implemented and applied the proposed framework that is started by using the enhanced active contour technique without edges in combination with Denoising Convolutional Neural Networks (DnCNN) to perform the segmentation and features extraction process. After that, the output of the segmentation process is the segmented biliary tree that will be used later to extract the needful features to make a diagnostic decision whether there is a dilation or not by comparing the features values of the normal versus the dilated bile ducts. We applied the feed forward neural network with backpropagation training algorithm for classification purposes. According to the experiments, the overall accuracy of the proposed framework was 90.00%. Such approach improves and increases the accuracy of the physicians’ diagnostic decisions which is considered as of significant importance for treatment and cure.
Clinical Outcomes in type 2 Diabetes with in-stent Restenosis and Late/very Late Stent Thrombosis Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Single-center Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jinying , Tan Yu , Sheng Zhaoxue , Li Jiannan , Wang Ying , Chen Runzhen , Liu Chen , Zhou Peng , chen Yi , Song Li , Zhao Hanjun , Yan Hongbing
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare differences in the risk factors and clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM patients with de novo lesions (DNL), definite in-stent restenosis (ISR), and late or very late stent thrombosis (LST/VLST). METHODS: A total of 4151 patients with acute coronary syndrome were screened angiographically to determine DNL, ISR, and LST/VLST. A total of 3976 patients were included in the analysis and divided into DM (n=1302) or non-DM (n=2674) group at admission. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and ischemic stroke within a 1-year follow-up period. RESULTS: In the group with total white blood cell count >10 10^9/L (p=0.004), neutral granular cell count >7 10^9/L (p=0.030), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio >1.5 (p=0.041), DNL outperformed LST/VLST lesions in terms of revascularization at a median follow-up of 698 days. Among patients with DNL, the incidences of MACEs (log-rank p=0.0002), all-cause death (log-rank p=0.00032), cardiac-related death (log-rank p=0.021), and revascularization (log-rank p=0.029) were significantly lower in the non-DM group than in the DM group. However, no difference was observed in the event rates of endpoints among patients with ISR and LST/VLST between the non-DM and DM groups. Furthermore, among DM patients, there was a critically higher cumulative incidence of revascularization (log-rank p=0.0002) in the subgroup with ISR lesions and higher rate of ischemic stroke (log-rank p=0.033) in the subgroup with LST/VLST lesions. CONCLUSION: This study found that DM patients have a higher incidence of composite clinical outcomes than non-DM patients among patients with DNL. Compared with patients with DNL, patients with ISR lesions and LST/VLST lesions had more incidence of revascularization by long-term follow up. Thus, ISR and LST/VLST lesions are critical problems after coronary stenting, especially among DM patients.
Bidirectional Temporal Relationship Between Obesity and Hyperinsulinemia: Longitudinal Observation From a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Xu Chao , Zhou Guangshuai , Zhao Meng , Zhang Xu , Fang Li , Guan Qingbo , Zhang Haiqing , Gao Ling , Zhang Tao , Zhao Jiajun
Published: November 2020

Background: This study aims to investigate the temporal sequences between obesity and hyperinsulinemia (insulin, HOMA-IR, or HOMA-%β) and examine the impacts of different obesity measures (body mass index, BMI; waist circumference, WC; hip waist circumference, HC; waist-to-hip ratio, WHR) on the temporal patterns between obesity and hyperinsulinemia in Chinese adults. Methods: The longitudinal cohort consisted of 2493 participants (860 males and 1633 female, mean age 56.71 years at follow-up) for whom measurements of obesity and hyperinsulinemia measures were collected twice between 2010 and 2014, with an average follow-up time of 3 years. Cross-lagged panel analysis was used to examine the temporal relationship between obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Results: After the adjustment of age, sex, smoking, drinking and follow-up years, in the BMI-insulin model, the path coefficient (β2=0.229; P<0.001) of baseline BMI to follow-up insulin was significantly greater than the path coefficient (β1=0.073; P<0.001) of baseline insulin to follow-up BMI (P<0.001 for β2>β1). In the WHR-insulin model, the path coefficient (β1=0.152; P<0.001) of baseline insulin to follow-up WHR was significantly greater than the path coefficient (β2=0.077; P<0.001) of baseline WHR to follow-up insulin (P=0.007 for β1>β2). In the WC/HC-insulin model the path coefficients of baseline insulin to follow-up WC or HC (β1s) were also greater than the path coefficients of baseline WC or HC to follow-up insulin (β2s), but the difference between β1s and β2s were not significant. The similar temporal patterns were founded between obesity measures with HOMA-IR or HOMA-%β. Conclusions: These findings indicate that there is a bidirectional relationship between obesity and hyperinsulinemia, and abdominal obesity measures are more sensitive to hyperinsulinemia measures than BMI.
Evaluation of Organic Loading Rate and Chemical Oxygen Demand Removal: A Coupled Anaerobic-aerobic Treatment Approach for Molasses Distillery Stillage Treatment
Authors: Gebreeyessus Getachew D. , Mekonnen Andualem , Chebude Yonas , Perumal Asaithambi , Alemayehu Esayas
Published: November 2020

The objective of the current study is to determine the optimum organic loading rate for a continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) of an ethanol distillery stillage with and without of feed pretreatment. The AD has been performed in scoria packed continuous reactors. The pretreatment of the molasses ethanol distillery stillage brought a significantly better chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal with an increased loading rate to 2000 mg/L-d, when compared with the raw. The results obtained also showed a complete removal of the BOD, which was realized after applying the coupling of AD and aerobic treatments. During aerobic treatment, 68% of the organics were removed within eight hours of retention time. Despite the persistence of color, the removal of organics from integrating the wet air pretreatment, continuous AD and aerobic remediations appear to be promising technique towards the sustainable management of stillage thereby meeting discharge limits.
Methamphetamine enhances HIV-induced aberrant proliferation of neural progenitor cells via the FOXO3-mediated mechanism
Authors: Park Minseon , Baker William , Cambow Dilraj , Gogerty Danielle , Leda Ana Rachel , Herlihy Bridget , Pavlenko Darya , Toborek Michal
Published: November 2020

BackgroundMaintaining an intact pool of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is crucial for generating new and functionally active neurons. As intrinsic and microenvironments tightly control developmental processes of adult neurogenesis, Methamphetamine (METH) and HIV-1-mediated impairment of the blood-brain barrier and development of neuroinflammation may induce alterations in functions of NPCs; however, the combined effects of METH and HIV-1 on the NPCs are still poorly understood.MethodsTo elucidate the possible mechanisms for the enhanced proliferation of NPCs by METH exposure and HIV infection, Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with METH with an escalating dose regimen for 6 days, followed by infusion with a chimeric HIV-NDK (EcoHIV) into the left internal carotid artery to infect brains. NPCs were isolated from the subventricular zone (SVZ) and used for RNA sequencing and differential expression analysis two weeks after infection. ReNcell VM, an immortalized human NPC line were used for in vitro exposure to METH and HIV infectionResultsChronic exposure to METH combined with brain infection by EcoHIV enhanced the proliferation of NPCs in the SVZ in mice. This effect was long-lasting as it was preserved ex vivo in NPCs isolated from the exposed mice over several passages in the absence of additional treatments. Transcriptomic studies indicated that 27 out of the top 30 differentially expressed genes response to METH plus EcoHIV were targets of the Forkhead box O transcriptional factor (FOXO), and primarily FOXO3. Additional ex vivo studies and in vitro experiments revealed the upregulation of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, leading to activation of downstream pAkt and pErk, the pathways that can phosphorylate FOXO3 and force its exports from the nuclei into the cytoplasm. Indeed, nuclear expulsion of FOXO3 was demonstrated both in mice exposed to METH and infected with EcoHIV and in cell culture of human NPCs.ConclusionsThese results provide novel information that exposure to METH combined with HIV infection can induce aberrant proliferation of SVZ-derived NPCs. Upregulation of CXCL12-CXCR4-Akt-1 signaling pathway exported FOXO3 into the cytoplasm, which changed the mRNA expression of FOXO3-target genes and induced the proliferation alteration as a result.
Cross-Sectional Study of Mental Health Related Knowledge and Attitudes Among Care Assistant Workers in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Li Jie , Duan Xiao-Ling , Zhong Hua-Qing , Chen Wen , Evans‑Lacko Sara , Thornicroft Graham
Published: November 2020

Background: Care assistant workers (CAWs) are a part of a new pattern of mental health care providers in China and play a significant role in bridging the human resource shortage. CAWs in China mainly include community cadres, community mental health staff and community policemen. The mental health related knowledge and attitudes of CAWs could influence their mental health care delivery. This study aimed to assess the mental health related knowledge and attitudes of CAWs in Guangzhou, China. Methods: In November 2017, a study was conducted among 381 CAWs from four districts of Guangzhou, China. Participants were assessed using the Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination Scale (PDD), the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS), and the Mental illness: Clinicians’ Attitudes (MICA). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Bonferroni corrections and multivariable linear regression. Results: The mean scores (standard deviation) of PDD, MAKS and MICA were 36.45 (6.54), 22.72 (2.56), 51.67 (7.88), respectively. Univariate analyses showed that the older CAWs, community policemen and those who were less willing to deliver care had significant higher MICA scores when compared with other staff (P < 0.001). However, participants who disagreed additional item 1（views towards inpatients) and additional item 2 (affiliate stigma) had a significant lower MICA scores when compared with those who agreed (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression showed that after controlling some variables, care willingness and PDD total score were significantly positively associated with the MICA total score (all P < 0.05), while attitudes on additional items were significantly negatively associated with the MICA total score (all P < 0.01).Conclusion: These findings suggest negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders among CAWs are common, especially among older staff. Community policemen suggest that they applied stereotypes of ‘violent mentally ill’ people to all people they deal with who have mental disorders. The results also indicate human rights are being paid attention to now, but need to be improved in the future. Strategies to improve attitudes and to reduce stigma and discrimination should be conducted with particular staff groups.
An Analytics Model for TelecoVAS Customers’ Basket Clustering using Ensemble Learning Approach
Authors: Farashah Mohammadsadegh Vahidi , Etebarian Akbar , Azmi Reza , Dastjerdi Reza Ebrahimzadeh
Published: November 2020

Value Added Services at Mobile Communications Company provide customers with a variety of services. Value added services generate significant revenue annually for telecommunications companies. Providing solutions that can provide customers of a communications company with relevant and engaging services has become a major challenge in this field. Numerous methods have been proposed so far to analyze customers' carts and provide related services. Despite the many applications that these methods have, they still face difficulties in improving the accuracy of bids. This paper combines the X-Means algorithm, the ensemble learning system, and the N-List structure to analyze the customer portfolio of a mobile communications company and provide value-added services. The X-Means algorithm is used to determine the optimal number of clusters and clustering of customers in a mobile communications company. The ensemble learning algorithm is also used to assign categories to new Elder customers, and finally to the N-List structure for customer basket analysis. By simulating the proposed method and comparing it with other methods including KNN, SVM, and deep neural networks, it has improved the accuracy of about 7%.
A Sample Decreasing Threshold Greedy-Based Algorithm for Big Data Summarisation
Authors: Li Teng , Shin Hyo-Sang , Tsourdos Antonios
Published: November 2020

As the scales of datasets expand rapidly in the applications of big data, increasing efforts have been made to develop fast algorithms. This paper addresses big data summarisation problems using the submodular maximisation approach and proposes an efficient algorithm for maximising general non-negative submodular objective functions subject to k-extendible system constraints. Leveraging the sampling process and the decreasing threshold strategy, we develop an algorithm, named Sample Decreasing Threshold Greedy (SDTG). The proposed algorithm obtains an expected approximation guarantee of 1/1+k-є for maximising monotone submodular functions and of k/(1+k)2-є in non-monotone cases with expected computational complexity of O(n/(1+k)є ln r/є). Here, r is the largest size of feasible solutions, and є є(0.1/1+k) is an adjustable designing parameter for the trade-off between the approximation ratio and the computational complexity. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified through experiments with a movie recommendation system and compared with that of benchmark algorithms.
An Independent Inter- and Intra-Observer Agreement Assessment of Yeom Classification for Bone Cement Leakage Following Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
Authors: Xu Chongqing , Yin Mengchen , Mo Wen
Published: November 2020

Background: The clinical efficacy of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) has been widely recognized in recent years. However, there are also inevitable complications, first and foremost is bone cement leakage (BCL). Yeom classification is commonly used to evaluate BCL. The objective of this study is to assess its reliability and reproducibility, and to explore its clinical application value.Methods/Design: All 58 patients with BCL following vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty were involved. 6 spine surgeons were selected to be evaluators as they were unaware of the identity of the patients and the treatment they received. They classified BCL according to Yeom system, we used kappa (K) to assess the inter- and intra-observer agreement. After 12 weeks, we repeated the analysis.Results: The inter-observer reliability of Yeom classification was substantial with K value of 0.71 (1st assessment) and 0.73 (2nd assessment). The intra-observer reproducibility of Yeom classification was near perfect with K value of 0.88.Conclusion: Yeom classification system has substantial inter-observer reliability and near perfect intra-observer reproducibility in BCL following vertebroplasty / kyphoplasty, which can be widely used in clinical care as an appropriate instrument for early observation, mechanism and severity cognition, and prognosis predicting of BCL. Besides, the adding of type M (the mixed type) may improve the classification.
Evaluating burnout among health workers routinely screened for SARS-CoV-2.
Authors: Costa Silvia Figueiredo , Borges Igor Carmo , Giavina-Bianchi Pedro , Buss Lewis , Peres Carlos Henrique Mesquita , Santos Lanuse Garcia Neves dos , Santos Roseli Eliana Beseggio , Francisco Maria Cristina Peres Braido , Satakie Fatima Mitie , Secco Ligia Maria Dal , Caron Deyse Mayara Rodrigues , Faria Matheus Finardi Lima de , Penteado Angelica Sauiuri de Aurélio , Pereira Grazielly de Fatima , Espinoza Evelyn Patrícia Sanchez , Lazari Carolina dos Santos , Kalil Jorge , Bonfa Eloisa Silva Dutra de Oliveira , Perreira Antonio Jose , Corá Aline , Duarte Alberto José da Silva , Santos Vera Aparecida dos , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Segurado Aluísio Cotrim , Levin Anna S. , Brunoni Andre Russowsky , Alves Marcos , Bacchi9 Pedro Starzynski , Miguel Eurípedes Constantino , Polanczyk Guilherme , Corchs Felipe
Published: November 2020

Background: Healthcare workers (HW) are a vulnerable group to develop burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were to evaluate the perception of HW about the antibody test, and, secondarily, the prevalence of burnout and factors associated with burnout among HW who took the test.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated burnout among HW in a 600-bed building entirely dedicated to COVID-19 inpatients care at Hospital das Clinicas (HC), located in São Paulo, Brazil. The HW answered an online questionnaire that included questions on burnout, a single-item scale based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory; demographic data, professional category, type of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) used, distancing from social support; and emotional reactions to their serology result. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done to evaluate the risk of burnout.Outcomes: Among 4,417 HW tested, 528 (12.0%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 1,945 answered the questionnaire. Burnout was reported by 308 (15.8%); anxiety, tenseness, and depression associated with COVID-19 were reported by 344 (17.7%); 292 (15.1%); and 181(9.3%) of the participants, respectively. The risk factors for burnout were: being a physician [adjOR:1.604;(95%CI 1.604-1.080;p=0.019)]; a physiotherapist [adjOR:2.047;(95%CI:1.285–3.261;p=0.003)]; perceiving a decrease in public safety[adjOR:1.983;(95%CI:1.229–3.199;p=0.005)]; anxiety [adjOR:2.721;(95%CI:1.812–4.085;p=<0.001)], and depression associated with COVID-19[adjOR:2.071;(95%CI:1.308–3.279;p=0.002)]; and having negative feeling towards had a previously negative SARS-CoV-2 serology[adjOR:1,989;(95%CI:1.484-2.664; p<0.001)].Interpretation: Routine serological testing was one of the strategies used in our hospital to promote the well-being of HW. We observed that those who had negative feeling regarding testing negative to COVID-19 in previous serologies were at higher risk of burnout, suggesting that the risk of contracting the disease is a major stressor for HW.
Transiting out of Full-time National Service: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Motivators of Weight Change in Young Adult Men
Authors: Chong Mary Foong-Fong , Lim Hui Xian , Wong Beverly Wen Xin , Chi Zi Han , Inthujaa JK , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk , Cheon Bobby Kyungbeom , Gorny Alexander Wilhelm , Chia Kee Seng
Published: November 2020

Background A higher prevalence of obesity in men compared to women, particularly amongst those 18 to 40 years of age, has been observed in Singapore. We hypothesised that poor adaptation during the transition out of full-time National Service (NS) among young men may have contributed to weight gain and we sought to understand these underlying drivers. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with young men (n=26; aged 19-25 years), 12 months after they had completed full-time NS. The interviews were guided by the health belief model to elicit perceived factors influencing weight change during the transition period, as well as barriers and motivators in weight management. Data was collected and cross-checked by two researchers, and analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Results The participants generally perceived themselves to be less fit and less healthy one year later, as compared to during full-time NS. They felt that reduced physical activity levels and unhealthy eating behaviours contributed to their perceived weight gain. However, they did not have immediate concerns about their perceived change in weight. While most were aware of the benefits of regular physical activity, benefits of healthy eating were rarely mentioned. Many did not view healthy lifestyle behaviours as a current priority, citing reasons which included: Time pressures, incongruence with current lifestyle, or poor self-motivation. Other barriers included a lack of access to healthy food choices and insufficient common leisure time to exercise with peers. Motivators for these lifestyle behaviours were mostly intrinsic, including interest in a particular sport, having personal fitness goals and personal preferences for healthy food options. Participants also described healthy eating as a means to compensate for inactivity or unhealthy food choices. Extrinsic motivators included peer influence, access to sports facilities, healthy food options and monetary incentives.ConclusionThere remains a need to educate young men transiting out of full-time NS on lifestyle, weight and health, and address their misconceptions in particular. Creating a healthy environment and providing appropriate incentives would be important to facilitate a smooth transition out of full-time NS, minimising the risk of unhealthy weight gain in young men.
Social Reward and Support Effects on Exercise Experiences and Performance: Evidence from Parkrun
Authors: Davis Arran , MacCarron Pádraig , Cohen Emma
Published: November 2020

Background: There is growing academic, civic and policy interest in the public health benefits of community-based exercise events. Shifting the emphasis from competitive sport to communal activity, these events have wide appeal, including among those new to sport or exercise. In addition to health benefits of physical activity, regular participation can reduce social isolation and loneliness through opportunities for social connection. Taking a broad evolutionary and social psychological perspective, we suggest that social factors warrant more attention in current approaches to physical (in)activity and exercise behaviour. We develop and test the hypothesis that social reward and support in exercise are associated with positive exercise experiences and greater performance outputs. Methods: Using a repeated-measures survey design, we examine the influence of social behaviour (e.g., attending with others, pre-event socialising) and perceptions of social support and belonging on subjective enjoyment, energy, fatigue, effort, and objective performance (run times) among a UK sample of parkrun participants.Results: Social factors were associated with greater subjective enjoyment and energy. Higher subjective energy, in turn, was associated with faster run times, without any corresponding increase in perceived effort. No significant main effects of social factors on fatigue, performance or effort were detected. Conclusions: The role of social structural factors has long been recognised in public health approaches to physical activity. Our results motivate greater research attention on how positive and rewarding social behaviours and experiences – particularly subjective enjoyment and energy, and perceptions of community social support and belonging - influence exercise-related behaviour, psychology and physiology, and promote health through collective physical activity. Approaching community exercise as a powerful context for social collaboration, reward and belonging also supplements the traditional focus on social facilitation and team sport that has dominated social psychological approaches within the sport and exercise sciences, and offers new avenues for understanding the deep connections among psychological, social and physical function in everyday health.
Research on Multifunctional Suspension Controller Based on Bidirectional Buck-Boost Circuit
Authors: Chen Xing , Han Sen , Luo Tian Hong , Peng Dan , Zheng Shui Li
Published: November 2020

The active suspensions have high energy consumption problems, while energy-regenerative suspensions have limited performance in improving vibration effects. In order to make up for the contradiction between the dynamic performance of the suspension and the energy consumption, this paper uses a linear motor with a bidirectional Buck-Boost circuit to design a multifunctional controller. On this basis, Energy-Consuming Active Control (ECAC) and Regenerative Semi-Active Control (RSAC) strategies are proposed. They make full use of the motor's characteristics in different working areas and improve the scope of application of the suspension. Besides, to ensure that the motor current can accurately track the target value, the inner loop controller uses fuzzy PID to achieve it, which improves the controller's adaptability and reduces the need for the mathematical model of the control object. The simulation results show that the proposed control circuit can achieve the required control effect. Under the active control strategy, the ride comfort of the vehicle is improved by about 27%, and other performances are also controlled within an appropriate range. In the energy-regenerative mode, not only is the energy recovered, but the vehicle ride comfort is also improved by about 10%. Compared with the traditional single-performance suspension, the proposed suspension system improves the suspension's overall performance and satisfies different driving conditions and driver needs.
Clinical and metabolic predictors of regression to normoglycemia in a population at intermediate cardiometabolic risk
Authors: Sevilla-Gonzalez Magdalena del Rocio , Merino Jordi , Moreno Hortensia , Rojas-Martinez Rosalba , Gomez-Velasco Donaji , Manning Alisa K
Published: November 2020

Background: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a prevalent and potentially reversible intermediate stage leading to type 2 diabetes that increases risk for cardiometabolic complications. The identification of clinical and molecular factors associated with the reversal, or regression, from IFG to a normoglycemia state would enable more efficient cardiovascular risk reduction strategies. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and biological predictors of regression to normoglycemia in a non-European population that is characterized by increased type 2 diabetes conversion rates.Methods: We conducted a prospective, population-based study among 9,637 Mexican individuals using clinical features and plasma metabolites. Among them, 491 subjects were classified as IFG, defined as fasting glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dL. Regression to normoglycemia was defined by fasting glucose less than 100 mg/dL in the follow-up visit. Plasma metabolites were profiled by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to examine the associations of clinical and metabolomic factors with regression to normoglycemia. We assessed the predictive capabilities to regress to normoglycemia of models that included clinical factors alone and models that included clinical factors and prioritized metabolites. Results: During a median follow-up period of 2.5 years, 22.6% of participants (n=111) regressed to normoglycemia, and 29.5% progressed to type 2 diabetes (n=145). The multivariate adjusted relative risk of regression to normoglycemia was 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.32) per 10 years of age increase, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.91-0.98) per 1 SD increase in BMI, and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88 – 0.95) per 1 SD increase in fasting glucose. A model including information from age, fasting glucose, and BMI showed a good prediction of regression to normoglycemia (AUC = 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66 - 0.78). Adding information from prioritized metabolites (TG in large HDL, albumin, and citrate) marginally improved the predictive capability beyond clinical factors (AUC = 0.74 (95% CI 0.68 - 0.80), p value = 0.485)Conclusion: In individuals with IFG, information from three clinical variables easily obtained in the clinical setting showed a good prediction of regression to normoglycemia beyond metabolomic features. Our findings can serve to inform and design future cardiovascular prevention strategies.
SARS-CoV-2: Theoretical analysis of the proposed algorithms to the Enhancement and Segmentation of High-Resolution Microscopy Images. Part II
Authors: Rodríguez Roberto , Mondeja Brian A. , Valdes Odalys , Resik Sonia , Vizcaino Ananayla , Acosta Emilio F. , González Yorexis , Kourí Vivian , Díaz Angelina , Guzmán María G.
Published: November 2020

Today is a reality that the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 has become a global pandemic. For this reason, the study of real microscopic images of this coronavirus is of great importance, as it allows us to carry out a more precise research on it. However, as we pointed out in a former paper [1], many times these microscopic images present some blurring problems, which are always susceptible to be improved. The aim of this work is to carry out a theoretical analysis of the proposed algorithms to enhancement and segmentation of these microscopic images, which result important for the design and development of future algorithms before new epidemics.
Communication Link Model using Trellis Coded Modulation for 5G Communication in The Tropical Regions
Authors: Patra Trilochan , Mitra Swarup Kumar
Published: November 2020

Signal fading is a major problem in the tropical regions. Here the signals get highly attenuated for torrential rain, hence the signal power diminishes and the bit error rate (BER) increases. To enhance the signal to noise ratio (SNR) or to minimize the BER a communication link model using trellis coded modulation (TCM) for 5G communication has been proposed in this paper for the tropical regions. Various diversity techniques have been applied to minimize BER in the tropical regions. STBC (Space-Time Block Coding) MIMO technique is a spatial diversity technique which has been used in the proposed model in this paper. Bit error rate values are obtained for MIMO multi path fading distributions viz. Rayleigh fading distribution and Rician fading distribution. BER values are also attained in respect of different MIMO techniques (2x2, 3x3 and 4x4). The 4x4 STBC MIMO System has been generated using hardware co-simulation block and the results are implemented in Xilinx kintex-7 FPGA board. From the analysis of the result it is observed that Rayleigh fading distribution reflects better performance than that of Rician fading distribution. 4x4 MIMO Technique renders better result in comparison with that of lower MIMO techniques.
Evaluation of Chest CT scan as a screening and diagnostic tool in trauma patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a cross-sectional study in southern Iran
Authors: Fard Hossein Abdolrahimzadeh , Mahmudi-Azer Salahaddin , Sefidbakht Sepideh , Iranpour Pooya , Bolandparvaz Shahram , Abbasi Hamid Reza , Paydar Shahram , Sabetian Golnar , Mahmoudi Mohamad Mahdi , Zare Masoume , Shayan Leila , Salimi Maryam
Published: November 2020

Background: The lack of enough medical evidence about COVID-19 regarding optimal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment contributes negatively to the rapid increase in the number of cases globally. A chest computerized tomography (CT) scan has been introduced as the most sensitive diagnostic method. Therefore, this research aimed to examine and evaluate the chest CT scan as a screening measure of COVID-19 in trauma patients. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Rajaee Hospital in Shiraz from February to May 2020. All patients underwent unenhanced CT with a 16-slice CT scanner. The CT-scans were evaluated in a blinded manner and main CT scan features were described and classified into four groups according to RSNA recommendation. Subsequently, the first two RSNA categories with the highest probability of COVID pneumonia (i.e. typical and indeterminate) were merged into the “positive CT scan group” and those with radiologic features with the least probability of COVID pneumonia into “negative CT scan group”.Results: Chest CT scan had a sensitivity (68%), specificity (56%), positive predictive value (34.8%), negative predictive value (83.7%), and accuracy (59.3%) in detecting COVID-19 among trauma patients. Also, for the diagnosis of COVID-19 by CT scan in asymptomatic individuals a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 66.7% and a negative predictive value of 100% was obtained.Conclusion: Findings of the study indicated that the CT scan's sensitivity and specificity is less effective in diagnosing trauma patients with COVID-19 in comparison to non-traumatic people.
Mutations in CD14 gene may have significant effect on mastitis resistance/susceptibility of buffalo.
Authors: Pal Aruna , Pal Abantika , Sharma Arjava , Bhattacharya Tarun kumar
Published: November 2020

Background: CD14 is an important pattern recognition receptor having innate immune function and has antibacterial activity. It binds with LPS of gram-negative bacteria, arachidonic acid, and lipoteichoic acid. Being a receptor, it binds with the pathogen with the help of other cytokines. Mutations in CD14 affect the binding ability which in turn affects the biological potentiality. Method: The present study was conducted on 228 nos. of buffaloes pertaining to four different breeds as Murrah, Mehsana, Surti and Bhadawari. CD14 gene was characterized and polymorphism was detected through Single nucleotide conformation polymorphism. Association study was conducted for different variants of CD14 with mastitis in buffalo, detected through somatic cell count, california mastitis test.Result: Eight variants of CD14 were detected and mutational hotspots were detected in bubaline CD14 with 58 number of non-synonymous SNP, out of which 18 were observed to be deleterious and 34 as thermodynamically unstable. In the present study, we had detected the mutations in CD14 gene and its association with the somatic cell score and other indicators for mastitis. In-silico studies were conducted to understand the molecular mechanism how the mutations affect the biological potentiality by analyzing different domains and structural analysis along with various post-translational modification sites.Conclusion: Deleterious mutations were observed in CD14 gene which have significant effect on mastitis of buffalo. It may be employed for marker assisted selection, therapeutic application of recombinant CD14, gene therapy, transgenic or gene edited animal production with wild type CD14 resistant to mastitis as future strategy.