bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mollusks’ periodic table: Elemental analysis reveals distinct mineralization patterns in radular teeth
Authors: Krings Wencke , Brütt Jan-Ole , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: March 2022

The molluscan phylum is the second specious animal group inhabiting various habitats and feeding on a variety of food sources. The latter is enabled by the radula, a small chitinous membrane with embedded teeth, one important molluscan autapomorphy. Between species, radulae can vary in their morphology, mechanical, and chemical properties. With regard to radular chemical composition, some taxa (Polyplacophora and Patellogastropoda) were studied extensively in the past decades, due to their specificity to incorporate high proportions of iron, calcium, and silicon. There is, however, a huge lack of knowledge about radular chemical composition in other molluscan taxa. The work presented here aims at shedding light on the radular chemistry by performing energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses on overall 24 molluscan species, thereof two Polyplacophora, two Cephalopoda, and 20 Gastropoda, which was never done before in such a comprehensiveness. The elements, which are not part of chitin, and their proportions were documented for overall 1448 individual, mature teeth and hypotheses about potential biomineralizations types were proposed. The here presented work additionally comprises a detailed record on past studies about the chemical composition of molluscan teeth, which is an important basis for further investigation of the radular chemistry. The found disparity in elements detected, in their distribution and proportions highlights the diversity of evolutionary solutions, as it depicts multiple biomineralization types present within Mollusca.
Thermal and microwave synthesis of silica fume-based solid activator for the one-part geopolymerization of fly ash
Authors: Panitsa Olga Andriana , Kioupis Dimitrios , Kakali Glikeria
Published: March 2022

This paper tests the development of a silica fume-based material, capable to be used as a solid activator for the one-part geopolymerization of fly ash. Through a simple procedure, a mixture of silica fume, an amorphous and silicon-rich by-product, sodium hydroxide and water, is converted, after a low temperature treatment, to a new powder product mainly containing sodium silicate (Na2SiO3). Two different treatment methods are tested for the synthesis of the solid activator: heat and microwave treatment. Microwave processing is more sustainable and more efficient than thermal treatment, since purer products are produced with less energy consumption. The use of these low embodied energy products, as the only solid activator of fly ash, leads to geopolymers with comparable mechanical performance to those prepared with commercial products revealing their potential successful addition in the geopolymer market.
NSUN6, a Gene Related With m5c Methylation, May Serve as a Biomarker for Pan-cancer
Authors: Ma Baishun , Wang Pu
Published: March 2022

Background: 5-methylcytosine (m5c) is a common chemical alteration in DNA and RNA, however unlike DNA modifying enzymes, the methyl-transferases that make m5c changes in RNA are little understood. The putative RNA methyltransferase NSUN6 is a member of the Nol1/Nop2/SUN domain (NSUN) protein family, but its function in most malignancies is uncertain.Methods: The relevance of NSUN6 in tumor metabolism and tumor immunity was investigated in the present study. Through a pan-cancer analysis using multiple databases. The expression levels, prognosis, tumor progression, immunological checkpoints, and immune metabolism of NSUN6 in 33 cancers were determined using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) datasets. The current study looked at pathways, immunological checkpoints, immune neo-antigens, immune microenvironment, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), DNA mismatch repair (MMR), and the usefulness of NSUN6 methyl-transferases. For quantitative analysis and panoramic description, the R package was employed.Results: We discovered that NSUN6 is variably expressed in pan carcinomas, and that NSUN6 was typically related with the prognosis of ACC, COAD, KIRC, SARC, and THCA, where low expression of NSUN6 was associated with a significantly worse prognosis. While high NSUN6 expression has been linked to a worse prognosis in patients with BLCA, LGG, and PAAD. Second, we confirmed that the level of NSUN6 expression was linked to tumor immune infiltration and the tumor microenvironment, particularly in BLCA, KIRC, and KIRP. Finally, in addition to TMB and MSI in pan-malignancies, NSUN6 was linked to immunological neo-antigen and immune checkpoint gene expression profiles in all cancers.Conclusion: NSUN6 is variably expressed in pan-cancers and has the potential to be used as a predictive biomarker for tumors.
A Neonatal Sepsis Prediction Algorithm Using Electronic Medical Record Data
Authors: Ezeobi Dennis Peace , Wasswa William , Musimenta Angella , Kyoyagala Stella
Published: March 2022

BackgroundNeonatal sepsis is a significant cause of neonatal death and has been a major challenge worldwide. The difficulty in early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis leads to delay in treatment. The early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis has been predicted to improve neonatal outcomes. The use of machine learning techniques with the relevant screening parameters provides new ways of understanding neonatal sepsis and having possible solutions to tackle the challenges it presents. This work proposes an algorithm for predicting neonatal sepsis using electronic medical record (EMR) data from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) that can improve the early recognition and treatment of sepsis in neonates.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on datasets composed of de-identified electronic medical records collected between 2015 to 2019. The dataset contains records of 482 neonates hospitalized in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. The proposed algorithm implements Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic regression (LR), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Decision tree (DT) algorithms, which were trained, tested, and compared based on the acquired data. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated by comparing it with the physician's diagnosis. The experiment used a Stratified K-fold cross-validation technique to evaluate the performance of the models. Statistical significance of the experimental results was carried out using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. ResultsThe results of this study show that the proposed algorithm (with the lowest Sensitivity of 0.95, lowest Specificity of 0.95) outperformed the physician diagnosis (Sensitivity = 0.89, Specificity = 0.11). SVM model with radial basis function, polynomial kernels, and DT model (with the highest AUROC values of 0.98) performed better than the other models in predicting neonatal sepsis as their results were statistically significant.ConclusionsThe study provides evidence that the combination of maternal risk factors, neonatal clinical signs, and laboratory tests effectively diagnose neonatal sepsis. Based on the study result, the proposed algorithm can help identify neonatal sepsis cases as it exceeded clinicians' sensitivity and specificity. A prospective study is warranted to test the algorithm's clinical utility, which could provide a decision support aid to clinicians.
MRI features and treatment options for Idiopathic Chondrolysis of the Hip (ICH) in children. Outcomes of a systematic review.
Authors: Nema Sandeep Kumar , Ramasubramani Premkumar , Austine Jose , Karunakaran Govind , Vendoti Nitheesha Reddy , Vendoti Midhudha Reddy
Published: March 2022

Background: The purpose of this paper is to review the MRI features and treatment for idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip (ICH) in patients aged 18 years or less. Methods: We included studies published in English up to August 2021. We accessed major electronic bibliographic databases on ICH that described MRI features, treatment, or both. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical appraisal checklist for case reports for Risk of bias assessment.Results: We pooled 136 hips (125 participants) from 35 studies with 11.6 ± 3.4 years mean age. We had 46, 8, and 106 hips to assess ICH's MRI, pharmacological, and operative interventions. Geometric marrow edema (GME) (P < 0.01), diffuse marrow edema (DME) (P < 0.05), diffuse cartilage loss (DCL) (P < 0.05), and joint effusion (P < 0.05), were significantly associated with time in first MRI reviews. GME (P < 0.01) and focal cartilage loss (FCL) (P < 0.01) decreased significantly between two MRI reviews at median time of 1.75 (IQR 0.93-4.25) and 12.5 (IQR 3.75-19.5) months. Diffuse cartilage loss (P < 0.01) and degenerative changes (P < 0.01) increased significantly between the two MRI reviews. Etanercept, Methotrexate, and Botulinum Neurotoxin A drugs were used by 3, 3, and 1 report to treat ICH. Capsulectomies, total hip arthroplasty, arthrodiastasis, arthrodesis, arthroscopy operations treated 45, 18, 5, 5, and 2 hips. Discussion: GME may be the most specific and early MRI feature in diagnosing ICH. GME and DME show an inverse relationship over time. So, it is with FCL and DCL. Despite reports on the efficacy of biologics, immunomodulators, and operations, early and late ICH management remains controversial due to poor quality studies.
Near Infrared Ray-Guided Surgery Using Firefly Technology of the daVinci Xi System and Intraoperative Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for Subtotal Gastrectomy and Surgery for Cancer of the Gastroesophageal Junction
Authors: Sagawa Hiroyuki , Saito Masaki , Ito Sunao , Hayakawa Shunsuke , Ueno Shohei , Okubo Tomotaka , Tanaka Tatsuya , Takahashi Hiroki , Matsuo Yoichi , Mitsui Akira , Kimura Masahiro , Takiguchi Shuji
Published: March 2022

Background
In gastrectomies, especially subtotal gastrectomies and operations on the gastroesophageal junction, identifying the exact location of the tumor and establishing the appropriate resection line is very important. Accurate resection lines have a major impact on the preservation of organ function and curability. Preservation of as much as possible of the remaining stomach, including the fornix, may be an important surgical goal for maintaining an adequate postoperative quality of life. In adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, the height of the esophageal dissection may affect reconstruction of the transhiatal approach.
Methods
We perform a new technique, near infrared ray-guided surgery, for the accurate localization of a tumor using the Firefly technology of the daVinci Xi system and intra-operative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We used this new technique for cases of upper gastric cancer or adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction. In this retrospective study, we examined to determine the extent (mm) of the tumor invasion of the esophagus, visualization of near infrared ray contained within endoscopic light, and distance from the proximal margin of the tumor to the surgical cut line on rapid histopathology and in the permanent preparation, including the operative videos and extracted specimens.
Results
We performed near infrared ray-guided surgery for 12 patients with gastric cancer or adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, and the near infrared ray was clearly seen as green light with Firefly mode in all the patients. Near infrared ray-guided surgery was useful for obtaining localization of the tumor. In addition, it was possible to resect organ with adequate margins from tumor. Rapid intraoperative histopathological examinations confirmed that the resected specimens had negative margins. None of the patients required additional resection.
Conclusions
We believe that because near infrared ray-guided surgery can provide an accurate resection line, it will be useful for the resection of upper gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction. It will also provide patients with a good postoperative quality of life after surgery.
Regulatory Effects of Survivin on Autolysosome Formation-Related Proteins in Esophageal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Li Hui , LIU LING , Aiziti Palidan , Zhu Shimao , Wusiman Shabahaiti , Yang Yinyin , Wang Yongchen , Tuerxun Hainisayimu , Yi Na , Li Huiwu
Published: March 2022

Purpose:To investigate the regulatory effect of Survivin on autolysosome formation-associated proteins in esophageal cancer cell (ESCC) line Eca109.Methods: An autophagy induction model was constructed using rapamycin (RAPA), an autophagy inhibitor. The Survivin overexpression vector, shRNA vector, and Survivin inhibitor YM155 were used to interfere with the autophagy model. Laser copolymer microscopy technology was utilized to observe the changes in autophagosomes and their progression, while western blotting was used to detect the the level of lysosome formation-related proteins after autophagy. Besides, immunofluorescence staining was used to determine the pH of lysosomes and the distribution of cathepsin-D in cells.Results: (1)Eca109 cells transfected with MRFP-EGFP-LC3 vector by RAPA showed a significant increase in green fluorescence, indicating an increase in autophagosomes. Results from western blotting indicated a rise in protein expression levels of LC3-I and LC3-II, an increase in the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I, and a decrease in the expression of p62 levels, indicating enhanced autophagy. (2)In the autophagy model of Eca109 cells, after Survivin overexpression, LC3 expression increased, ATG5 expression decreased(P<0.05). After YM155 intervention, ATG5 and ATG16L1 expression rose(P<0.05). (3)In the autophagy model of Eca109 cells, Rab7 and ATG5 expression increased,while ATG16L1 expression decreased(P<0.05) after YM155 intervention and Survivin shRNA transfection. In the presence of the Survivin overexpression vector, YM155 interfered with the expression of ATG5, ATG16L1, and Rab7 in the autophagy model(P<0.05).(4)Decreased Survivin can reduce p62 expression and increase autophagy.(5)Survivin overexpression increased the number of intracellular lysosomes and was involved in the regulation of lysosomal pH changes. Besides, inhibition of Survivin expression resulted in the extravasation of cathepsin-D, which was dispersive and affected the permeability of lysosomes.Conclusion: Survivin expression was directly related to the expression of the autophagy-associated protein LC3 and P62.Survivin is associated with the autophagic process in cancer cells at specific periods, which indicates that Survivin is involved in both early autophagy formation and the later stages of autolysosomal function implementation.
Targeted immunosuppression enhances repeated gene delivery
Authors: Chen Maria , Kim Boram , Jarvis Maria , Fleury Samantha , Deng Shuyun , Nouraein Shirin , Butler Susan , lee Sangin , Chambers Courtney , Hodges H. Courtney , Szablowski Jerzey , Suh Junghae , Veiseh Omid
Published: March 2022

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapies can be applied to a wide range of diseases. AAV expression can last for months to years, but vector re-administration may be necessary to achieve life-long treatment. Unfortunately, immune system response against these vectors is potentiated after the first administration, which prevents the clinical use of repeated administration of AAVs. Reducing immune response against AAVs while minimizing immunosuppression would improve gene delivery efficiency and long-term safety. In this study, we quantified the contributions of multiple immune system components towards AAV response in mice. We identified B-cell-mediated immunity as a critical component preventing vector re-administration. Specifically, we found that IgG depletion was insufficient to enhance re-administration, suggesting the key role of B-cell mediated IgM antibodies in the immune response against AAV. Further, we also found that AAV-mediated transduction is improved compared to wild-type mice in µMT mice that lack functional IgM heavy chains and cannot form mature B-cells. Combined, our results suggest that IgM production in B cells is a potential target for therapeutics enabling AAV re-administration. Our results also suggest that the µMT mice are a potentially useful experimental model for gene delivery studies since they allow for up to 15-fold more efficient gene delivery.
Serum lactate dehydrogenase predicts brain metastasis and survival in limited stage small-cell lung cancer patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation
Authors: JianJiang Liu , Dongping Wu , Bin Shen , Mengyuan Chen , Xia Zhou , Peng Zhang , Guoqin Qiu , Yongling Ji , Xianghui Du , Yang Yang
Published: March 2022

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized with high risk of brain metastasis and poor survival. This study aimed to assess the prognostic role of LDH in limited stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) treated with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated 197 consecutive patients who underwent TRT and PCI for LS-SCLC between November 2005 and October 2017. Both pretreatment and maximal serum LDH levels (mLDH) during treatment were checked, increased LDH level was defined as more than 240 IU/ml .Clinical factors were tested for associations with intracranial progression-free survival (IPFS) and overall survival (OS) after PCI. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate survival rates, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were carried out to identify variables associated with survival.Results: Of the total patients, 95 had higher pretreatment LDH levels, and serum LDH levels were increased in 95 patients during treatment. In patients with the normal and elevated mLDH groups, the 1-, 2- and 5-year IPFS rate were 96.7% vs. 90.1%,91.7% vs. 73.8% and 87.8% vs. 61.0% (P < 0.01),respectively. Compared to those with normal LDH level, patients with increased mLDH level had higher cumulative risk of intracranial metastasis [hazard ratio (HR),3.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.73-8.63; P< 0.01], and worse overall survival [HR,2.59; 95% CI, 1.67-4.04; P < 0.01]. The factors of LDH level at baseline or changes between pretreatment level and maximum level during treatment failed to predict BMs or OS with statistical significance.In the multivariate analyses, both mLDH during treatment [HR,3.53; 95% CI, 1.57-7.92; P = 0.002] and age≥60 [HR, 2.46; 95% CI,1.22-4.94; P =0.012] were independently associated with worse IPFS. Factors significantly associated with worse OS included mLDH during treatment [HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.56-3.86; P< 0.001], IIIB stage [HR, 1.75; 95% CI,1.06-2.88; P =0.029] and conventional radiotherapy applied in TRT [HR, 1.66; 95% CI,1.04-2.65; P =0.034]. Conclusion: mLDH level during treatment, but not pretreatment level predicts brain metastasis and survival in LS-SCLC patients treated with TRT and PCI, which may provide valuable information for identifying patients with poor survival outcomes.
Simultaneous catalytic oxidation of elemental mercury and arsine over CeO2(111) surface: A density functional theory study
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Yu Huijuan , Wang Xueqian , Wang Langlang , Li Yuancheng , Lv Dongpeng , Zhu Dan , Tian Chunmei
Published: March 2022

Ceria (CeO2) based materials are potential catalysts for the removal of the Hg0 and AsH3 present in reducing atmospheres. However, theoretical studies investigating the Hg0 and AsH3 removal capacity of ceria remain limited. In this study, the adsorption behavior and mechanistic pathways for the catalytic oxidation of Hg0 and AsH3 on the CeO2(111) surface, including the calculation of optimized adsorption configurations and energies, were investigated using density functional theory calculations. The results suggest that Hg0 and AsH3 are favorably adsorbed on the CeO2(111) surface, whereas CO is not, which is crucial for selective removal when CO is a desirable gas component. Further, AsH3 is adsorbed more favorably than Hg0. In addition, the calculations revealed that the Hg atom is initially adsorbed on the surface and then oxidized by lattice oxygen to form HgO. Concerning AsH3 decomposition, the stepwise dehydrogenation of AsH3 followed by bonding with lattice O atoms to form As-O bond seems the most plausible. Finally, the adsorbed As-O bond is further formed elemental As and As2O3. Therefore, CeO2 can adsorb and remove Hg0 and AsH3, making it a promising catalyst for the simultaneous catalytic oxidation of Hg0 and AsH3 in strongly reducing off-gas.
Research through action: research protocol on the implementation of an integrated place-based primary intervention in a multicultural context.
Authors: Maillet Lara , Manceau Luiza Maria , Desjardins France , Gagnon Suzanne , Naraziah Lavanyah , Malham Sabina Abou
Published: March 2022

Our project specifically aims at improving the adaptation capacity of primary services in order to answer the complex needs of vulnerable people. The aim is to co-build, with our collaborators and partners, environment-based strategies enabling the coordination of primary services offered by health, social and community responders all the while ensuring the continuity of care (informational, relational and contact) of vulnerable people, especially refugees. A particular attention is brought toward the experiential knowledge of the health system users. This is why at least three citizen-partners are part of the research team since the beginning of the project.Goals: This research-action aims at implementing a “meshing innovation”, meaning an intervention that is integrated, lasting and based on the needs of a community located in a Sherbrooke neighbourhood in order to improve the care of refugee people in a continuum of primary services. To reach this goal, we have 5 specific objectives. The overall goal of this project is to improve the services trajectory in the health and social services network for refugee people in Quebec. The implementation of a meshing innovation, through this pilot project, is a first step toward this overall goal. Method: This project falls within a participative research approach, based on the symmetry principle of the researchers and field stakeholders’ knowledge. To do so, we choose three distinct sources of data: (1) literature review, (2) focus group (N=9 twice), and (3) semi-structured interviews (N=10).Expected results: Concretely, an Implementation guide of establishment strategies for integrated interventions enabling the improvement of primary care for refugees will be written and will constitute the basis for an appropriation workshop for the members of the two joint research networks focused on primary practices (RRAPPL) (Université de Laval and Université de Sherbrooke) and, eventually, in other fields interested in adapting and implementing these strategies. In addition to this guide, we wish to facilitate the care of refugees by family practitioners of the territory; this is why many of them are part of the project. Explicit ties will help raising awareness toward other family practitioners working in medical clinics of the territory while trying to facilitate a specific attribution to these practitioners through the Quebec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF). With this project, we strongly hope to promote the vulnerability factors of refugees to the Health and Social Services Department (MSSS) and to the Quebec General Practitioners Federation (FMOQ) in order to change the priority at the GAMF. Finally, a scientific publication will be written for an international journal.
Mitochondrial C1QBP Is Essential for T Cell Antitumor Function by Maintaining Mitochondrial Plasticity and Metabolic Fitness
Authors: Zheng Junnian , Tian Hui , Wang Gang , Wang Qiping , Jiang Guan , Li Huizhong , Chai Dafei , Song Jingyuan , Fang Lin , Wang Meng , Guo Zengli
Published: March 2022

The metabolic stress present in tumors microenvironment (TME) attenuates T cells anti-tumor capacity, whereas the immune function of T cells is intrinsically controlled by their mitochondrial plasticity including mitochondrial dynamics, metabolism and biogenesis. Previous studies have reported that the complement C1q binding protein (C1QBP), a mitochondrial protein, is responsible for maintenance of the mitochondrial integrity and fitness in dendritic cells and tumor cells. However, its role in T cells, especially in T cells mediated anti-tumor immunity, remains unclear. Here we show that C1QBP is required to maintain T cell anti-tumor immunity by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and metabolic fitness even when only one allele of C1qbp is deleted, without affecting T cells development and homeostasis. Further analysis of C1QBP in the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy against B16 melanoma model confirmed the cell intrinsic role of C1QBP in regulating T cells antitumor function. Mechanistically, we found C1QBP regulated mitochondrial plasticity and metabolic fitness through mitochondrial biogenesis via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) signaling pathway, as well as mitochondrial morphology via the phosphorylation of mitochondrial dynamics protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). In summary, our study provides a novel mitochondrial target to reprogram the immune metabolism of T cells and improve their immunotherapeutic potential against tumors.
Impact of COVID-19 on carers of people with dementia in the community: Findings from the IDEAL cohort
Authors: Quinn Catherine , Gamble Laura D. , Parker Sophie , Martyr Anthony , Collins Rachel , Victor Christina , Dawson Eleanor , Hunt Anna , Pentecost Claire , Allan Louise , Clare Linda
Published: March 2022

Background
Unpaid carers for people with dementia play a crucial role in society. Emerging evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on carers.
Objective
To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on carers for community-dwelling people with dementia and compare responses with pre-pandemic data.
Methods
Data were collected between September 2020 and April 2021 in England and Wales. Carers were identified from the IDEAL cohort and data were collected either through the telephone, video conferencing or an online questionnaire. Responses from 242 carers were compared against benchmark data from the IDEAL cohort. Analyses were conducted for the full sample of carers and for the spousal/partner carers only.
Results
48.8% of carers identified their healthcare needs were negatively affected during the pandemic. Compared with pre-pandemic data carers were more optimistic and had higher social contact with relatives. There were changes in the methods carers used for contacting relatives and friends. Carers were more lonely and experienced less life satisfaction. Most carers coped very or fairly well during the pandemic. There was little impact on carers’ experience of caregiving, although carers felt trapped by the person’s dementia. There was little difference in the experiences of spousal/partner carers and the full sample.
Conclusions
To some extent carers were coping with the pandemic but clearly would benefit from support in terms of alleviating feelings of loneliness and increasing life satisfaction. Services need to consider how to improve access to health care under conditions such as those experienced during the pandemic.
Health Related Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing In-Centre Hemodialysis in Rwanda: a Cross Sectional Study
Authors: SHUMBUSHO Gloria , HATEGEKA Celestin , Vidler Marianne , KABAHIZI Jules , MCKNIGHT Marla
Published: March 2022

Background
There are few studies assessing the quality of life of patients with chronic and end stage kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients undergoing in-centre maintenance hemodialysis in Rwanda using the KDQOL™-36 and determine sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with their quality of life.
Methods
We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study between September 2020 and March 2021. Patients over the age of 18 receiving maintenance in-centre hemodialysis for at least 3 months at the Rwandan tertiary hospitals were administered the KDQOL™-36 questionnaire to assess physical and mental health functioning, the effect, burden and symptoms and problem of kidney disease. Sociodemographic and clinical information were also collected for all eligible patients. Using mixed effects linear regression models, we explored factors associated with overall KDQOL and its domains, while accounting for clustering of patients within hemodialysis centres.
Results
Eighty-nine eligible patients were included in the study. The majority of participants were younger than 60 years old (69.7%), male (66.3%), had comorbidities (91%), and 71.6% were categorized as level 3 on a 4 tier in-country poverty scale. All participants had health insurance coverage, with 67.4% bearing no out of pocket payments for hemodialysis. The mean (SD) quality of life score was 48.92 (18.84) for overall HRQOL, 37.33 (10.66) for PCS and 44.74 (9.98) for MCS. Symptoms and problem of kidney disease, effect of kidney disease, and burden of kidney disease scored 58.22 (27.44), 53.48 (17.14) and 20.01 (18.27), respectively. A notable difference of KDQOL scores between hemodialysis centres was observed. Overall KDQOL was associated with male sex (aß [adjusted ß coefficient]: 8.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.77, 14.26); being employed (aß: 8.16, 95% CI: 2.18, 14.29); dialysis vintage of 13–24 months (aß: 10.47, 95% CI: 3.57, 17.58), hemoglobin of 10-11g/dl (aß: 7.27, 95% CI: 0.70, 13.72) and comorbidities (e.g., 4 comorbidities vs none (aß: -29.76, 95% CI: -41.47, -18.32).
Conclusions
Patients on in-centre hemodialysis in Rwanda have reduced KDQOL scores, particularly in the burden of kidney disease and physical composite summary domains. Higher overall KDQOL mean score was associated with male sex, being employed, and dialysis vintage of 13–24 months, hemoglobin of 10-11g/dl and absence of comorbidities. Majority of patients have higher socioeconomic status reflecting the social and financial constraints to access and maintain dialysis in resource limited settings.
Molecular Interaction of Novel Phytocompounds From Smilax Zeylanica (L) Against the Targeted Protein of Mosquito Vectors and Their Potential Activity
Authors: Balamurugan Chandramohan , Murugan Kadarkarai , Pari Madhiyazhagan , Sivashanmugam Preethi , Kumar Praveenkumar , Thangamani Lokesh , Piramanayagam Shanmughavel
Published: March 2022

Malaria, dengue fever, filariasis, and viral encephalitis are all mosquito-borne illnesses that cause a great number of health issues across the world. Mosquitoes inject saliva into their hosts' skin to make obtaining a blood meal simpler by inhibiting hemostasis. D7 proteins are abundant in mosquito saliva and act as biogenic amine and eicosanoids scavengers. The chemical interactions of possible Smilax zeylanica compounds with mosquito-targeted D7 salivary protein and odorant binding protein were investigated. From petroleum ether, acetone, and ethanolic solvents, a total of 28 chemical components were discovered in the GC-MS study of S . zeylanica . Different solvents were also tested for their adulticidal and repellent properties against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti , and Culex quinquefasciatus . Among the three solvents, the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest toxic level against the three mosquito species. LC 50 of P. ether 284.92ppm, 311.97ppm and 332.76ppm; LC 50 of acetone 241.97ppm, 271.61ppm and 304.99ppm; and LC 50 of ethanol 217.12ppm, 241.89ppm and 266.90ppm, against the three mosquito species, respectively. In repellent activity from all the solvents, complete protection was observed for up to 150 minutes against the three mosquito species. A total of 22 compounds were taken for docking studies. The compounds were subjected to docking against the three mosquitoes' D7protein. Overall, this study highlights the importance of a computational approach based on control of mosquito vectors and potential activity of biopesticides.
Comparison of classic object-detection techniques for automated sewer defect detection
Authors: Zhou Qianqian , Situ Zuxiang , Teng Shuai , Chen Weifeng , Chen Gongfa , Su Jiongheng
Published: March 2022

Sewer systems play a key role in cities to ensure public assets and safety. Timely detection of defects can effectively alleviate system deterioration. Conventional manual inspection is labor-intensive, error-prone and expensive. Object detection is a powerful deep learning technique that can complement and/or replace conventional inspection, especially in complex environments. This study compares two classic object-detection methods, namely faster region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) and You Only Look Once (YOLO), for the detection and localization of five types of sewer defects. Model performances are evaluated based on their detection accuracy and processing speed under parameterization impacts of dataset size and training parameters. Results show that faster R-CNN achieved higher prediction accuracy. Training dataset size and maximum number of epochs (MaxE) had dominant impacts on model performances of faster R-CNN and YOLO, respectively. The processing speed increased along with the increasing training data for faster R-CNN, but did not vary significantly for YOLO. The models' abilities to detect disjoint and residential wall were highest, whereas crack and tree root were more difficult to detect. The results help to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the classic methods and provide a useful user guidance for practical applications in automated sewer defect detection.
Attribution of nonstationary changes in the annual runoff of the Weihe River using the de-nonstationarity method
Authors: Liu Qiang , Li Shi , Zhou Genfu , Feng Zhonglun , Wang Gang , Qiu Qingtai
Published: March 2022

The attribution of nonstationary change of the annual runoff series of the Weihe River is a topic of debate. In order to determine main drivers of nonstationary changes of Weihe River runoff, a de-nonstationarity method is used to remove the nonstationary influence of the potential driving factors and transform the nonstationary annual runoff series into a stationary reconstructed series. Then, the primary causes of the nonstationarity are identified by determining which factor results in the most stationary reconstructed series. The climate change factors (annual precipitation and annual average temperature) and the human activity factors (irrigation area and reservoir index) are selected as the reconstructed factors. The attribution results demonstrate that (1) both temperature rises and human activities have a significant impact on the nonstationary change, (2) the temperature is the most significant contributor to the nonstationary change in the annual runoff, which has a nonlinear impact on the first and second moments, (3) the influence of reservoir index is relatively smaller than irrigation area without considering the regulation rule, (4) the stationary precipitation series still exerts some impacts on the second moment of the annual runoff, (5) the temperature and irrigation area have some overlapped influence on annual runoff because the synchronous increase trend in the two series leads to a certain correlation between them, and the temperature rise may also lead to the adjustment of irrigation planning and management.
Water use behaviors and water access in intermittent and continuous water supply areas during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kumpel Emily , Billava Nayaran , Nayak Nayanatara , Ercumen Ayse
Published: March 2022

More than one billion people worldwide receive intermittent water supply (IWS), in which water is delivered through a pipe network for fewer than 24 h/day, limiting the quantity and accessibility of water. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders and efforts to limit contact with others can affect water access for those with unreliable home water supplies. We explored whether water service delivery and household water-use behaviors changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubballi–Dharwad, India, and whether they differed if households had IWS or continuous (24×7) water supply through a longitudinal household survey in 2020–2021. We found few perceived differences in water service delivery or water access, although one-quarter of all households reported insufficient water for handwashing, suggesting an increased demand for water that was not satisfied. Many households with 24×7 supply reported water outages, necessitating the use of alternative water sources. These findings suggest that water demand at home increased and households with IWS and 24×7 both lacked access to sufficient water. Our findings indicate that water insecurity negatively affected households’ ability to adhere to protective public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of access to uninterrupted, on-premise water during public health emergencies.
Harmful algal bloom-related 311 calls, Cape Coral, Florida 2018–2019
Authors: Uejio Christopher K. , Gonsoroski Elaina , Sherchan Samendra P. , Beitsch Leslie , Harville E. W. , Blackmore C. , Pan K. , Lichtveld Maureen Y.
Published: March 2022

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can adversely impact water quality and threaten human and animal health. People working or living along waterways with prolonged HAB contamination may face elevated toxin exposures and breathing complications. Monitoring HABs and potential adverse human health effects is notoriously difficult due to routes and levels of exposure that vary widely across time and space. This study examines the utility of 311 calls to enhance HAB surveillance and monitoring. The study focuses on Cape Coral, FL, USA, located along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. The wider study area experienced a prolonged cyanobacteria bloom in 2018. The present study examines the relationship between weekly water quality characteristics (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, microcystin-LR) and municipal requests for information or services (algal 311 calls). Each 1 μg/L increase in waterborne microcystin-LR concentrations corresponded with 9% more algal 311 calls (95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.15, p = 0.002). The results suggest water quality monitoring and the 311 dispatch systems may be further integrated to improve public health surveillance.
Justice and solidarity in the perceptions of working-class youth in service industries
Authors: Gavriliuk Vera V.
Published: March 2022

The modern approaches to the concepts of solidarity and justice that are basic for society have been examined in the article. In the Russian intellectual tradition, solidarity practices were considered within a moral and axiological dimension. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate the specifics in the perceptions of new working-class youth involved in service sector of the economy of social justice and solidarity, interconnection of class self-awareness and corporate solidarity practices. The article contains an analysis of the original empirical material obtained by the implementation of qualitative sociological research tools. The object of the study was the working-class youth employed in the service sector of the economy, both in the field of customer service and in the infrastructure field of industrial production. Novelty of the article lies within generalization of this youth’s perceptions of justice, types and forms of solidarity. The research yielded such conclusion that the most significant and recognized issues of justice and solidarity for the working-class youth are in the field of industrial relations. As it was revealed during the research, the youth of the service sector is objectively vulnerable to the highest precarity of industrial relations. However, its actual dangers have not yet gained enough recognition of public consciousness and are not studied by Russian sociologists. Issues of the first employment of the youth, discrepancy between professional qualifications and labor markets, intergenerational crisis in industrial relations remain the most acute problems of justice. The respondents view solidarity as relations in a particular workforce, usually in a passive manner; the awareness of class solidarity is virtually nonexistent. The working-class youth demonstrates indifference towards political forms of solidarity and to political life.
University traditions in the context of the introduction of educational innovations: the research case of the University of Tyumen
Authors: Akulich Maria M. , Podlesnaya Maria A. , Ilyina Ilona V.
Published: March 2022

The institution of higher education in Russia is currently involved in the process of cardinal modernization, which affects and reforms its forms and content that have been developing for a considerable time. During this process, the aim and values of education are also transforming: the idea of commitment and of integral personal development are substituted for the concept of service, profit and competitiveness. The novelty of this work is in the study of innovations in the system of higher education through analysis of university as an establishment with historically developed traditions. In this article, for the first time, the ratio of existing traditions and innovations that are being currently introduced is analyzed on the example of a specific university. The purpose of this paper is to examine the traditions of a single university involved in the process of innovative development and to identify how they compare to introduced innovations, as well as in what way the role of university traditions changes in this context. During the research, the authors’ typology of research approaches based on the ideas of M. Rokeach, C. Kluckhohn, and F. Strodtbeck, methodological works of S. H. Schwartz and R. Inglehart was used. The article presents the results of an interuniversity study of the value orientations of the university students and teaching staff, as well as of the transformations of its traditions in connection with the modernization of education in general and the introduction of innovations in particular. In this sense, the case of University of Tyumen is of interest — it is the university that entered the project 5-100 in 2015 and commenced the process of active modernization and the introduction of innovations in its educational process. The article presents the results of in-depth expert interviews with the management and teaching staff of the University of Tyumen (n = 60), as well as the analysis of mass survey data of the students (n = 743). The study revealed the following points: the university focuses on innovative development in its priorities; a demand for a new type of the university and corresponding personality is formed gradually. In the context of the development of the University of Tyumen, it is not only the traditions that change but rather their role. The university is not generally aimed at reproduction of traditions preferring innovative educational processes.
Correlation of Serum Nitric Oxide and Urine Malondialdehyde Levels in Non-Hemodialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Purwati Dinda Dwi , Mustika Arifa , Hakim Lukman , Thaha Mochammad
Published: March 2022

Background: In 2017, about 1.2 million people died because of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Patients with CKD are known to have increased levels of oxidative stress which leads to decrease in NO production. NO is a highly reactive signaling molecule and a major determinant of vascular homeostasis. Thus, the decreased NO can be a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, Malondialdehyde (MDA) is known as excellent biomarker for oxidative stress. This study aims to determine the correlation of serum total nitric oxide (NO) and urine MDA levels in non-hemodialysis CKD patients.Materials and Methods: This study was an observational clinical study with a cross sectional design. Fourty-nine CKD subjects were selected by consecutive sampling. The samples for laboratory tests were collected from urine. MDA concentration was measured using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) kit. NO concentration was measured with Griess reaction method and Total Nitric Oxide Parameter kit. The data were analyzed using the Statistic Package for Social Science (SPPS) software version 16.Results: The data showed significant negative correlations between MDA with NO (r=-0.294; p=0.041).Conclusion: There was a correlation between serum total NO and urine MDA levels in non-hemodialysis CKD patients.Keywords: chronic kidney disease, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, non-hemodialysis
Granzymes as Potential Targets for Rational Drug Design
Authors: Weston G. Scott , Sindelar Robert D.
Published: March 2022

A family of serine proteases, the granzymes, found in the dense cytoplasmic granules of lymphocytes/granulocytes have become targets of interest for rational drug design because of their role in cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Granzymes represent potential late-stage, specific targets for immunomodulation with the promise of fewer side-effects than agents acting at earlier stages of the immune response, such as cyclosporine A (Neoral®,
Sandimmune®) and tacrolimus/FK-506 (Prograf®). Recent reports suggesting other possible biological roles for granzymes, including antigen processing and lymphocyte recruitment, and the increasing evidence for the involvement of aspartic acid-specific proteases, such as granzyme B and the interleukin converting enzyme (ICE), in apoptosis or programmed cell death pathways have increased the interest in this growing family of enzymes. This review summarizes current progress in granzyme research and outlines some of the prospects for future work in this area.
The Discovery of the Pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazole Antitumor Agents - The Design of Selective Antitumor Agents
Authors: Skibo E. B.
Published: March 2022

This review presents the design, chemistry, cytotoxicity, and antitumor activity of agents based on the pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazole ring system. The 6-aziridinyl derivatives (PSis) alkylate and cleave DNA upon two electron reduction as a result of phosphate nucleophile-mediated opening of the protonated aziridine ring. The 6-acetamido quinone (APSI) and iminoquinone (imino-APSI) derivatives do not require reductive activation to exert cytotoxicity. The 6-acetamido quinone derivatives act as
DNA intercalating agents and inhibit the first step of topoisomerase II mediated DNA relaxation. The PSis were found to exhibit high toxicity in mice with minimal antitumor activity. In contrast, the APSis showed significant increases in life spans of mice as well as activity against tumors distant from the injection site.
Effect of Resveratrol in Melinjo Seed (Gnetum gnemon L.) Extract on Type
2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and its Possible Mechanism: A Review
Authors: Ariyanto Eko Fuji , Danil Abdan Syakura , Rohmawaty Enny , Sujatmiko Budi , Berbudi Afiat
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective:

Diabetes mellitus is the third leading cause of death in
Indonesia (6.7 %), followed by stroke (21.1 %) and coronary heart disease (12.9 %). The prevalence
of diabetes worldwide continues to increase on a yearly basis, including in Indonesia. Diabetes
is a significant burden for many countries due to the high costs of treatment and reduced
productivity of diabetes patients. Comprehensive strategies to prevent and treat diabetes are therefore
mandatory. Oral hypoglycemic drugs are the first-line therapy for diabetes mellitus patients;
however, these oral drugs still have several side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies
on medicinal plants with hypoglycemic effects to identify substances that have an anti-diabetic
potential resembling physiological processes in the body. Indonesian people often use herbal medicines
empirically, but the benefits have not been scientifically documented. Melinjo (Gnetum
gnemon L.) is a native Indonesian gymnosperm plant, and the seeds are often processed into food.
Melinjo seeds extract contains many polyphenols, including trans-resveratrol.

Conclusion:

Studies on the health benefits of resveratrol are widely available, including antidiabetes
and blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes.