bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Western Cape Province of South Africa: the Perspectives of Service Providers
Authors: Mokitimi Stella , Jonas Kim , Schneider Marguerite , de Vries Petrus J
Published: April 2022

Background:Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) should be strengthened globally, and especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Policy development, planning and service provision should be relevant to the needs of stakeholders at grassroots level, and should therefore include their perspectives. This study set out to explore the perspectives and lived experiences of service providers, including their recommendations to strengthen CAMHS in South Africa.Methods:Using focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured individual interviews (SSIIs), qualitative data were collected from purposefully selected multidisciplinary health service providers across the Western Cape, one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Verbal, written and audio-recorded data were entered into NVivo 11 (QSR), and thematic analysis was performed by two independent raters.Results:Results highlighted a significant lack of CAMH resources, poor intersectoral collaboration, limited access to training, absence of consistency and uniformity in service delivery, weak support for staff, and high rates of negative attitudes of staff. External factors contributing to poor CAMHS identified by service providers included poor socioeconomic circumstances, high rates of HIV/AIDS, substance use and stigma. The eight recommendations to strengthen CAMHS included a need to 1) increase CAMH staffing, 2) provide dedicated CAMHS at secondary care and child-friendly infrastructure at primary care, 3) review current service focus on number of patients seen versus quality of care provided to children, 4) formalise intersectoral collaborations, 5) increase learning opportunities for trainees, 6) employ a lead professional for CAMHS in the province, 7) increase support for staff, and 8) acknowledge staff initiatives.Conclusions:Findings underlined the need for quality improvement, standardisation and scale-up of mental health services for children and adolescents in South Africa. Whilst we used the Western Cape as a ‘case study’, we propose that our findings may also be relevant to other LMICs. We recommend that the perspectives of service users, including children and adolescents, be sought to inform service transformation.Clinical Trial Number: N/A
A retrospective cross sectional study assessing factors associated with retention and non-viral suppression among HIV positive FSWs receiving antiretroviral therapy from primary health care clinics in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Atuhaire Lydia , Shumba Constance S , Mapahla Lovemore , Nyasulu Peter
Published: April 2022

Background
Patient retention in care and sustained viral suppression are a cornerstone to improved health and quality of life, among people living with HIV. However, challenges of retention on ART remain among female sex workers (FSWs). We report lost to follow up (LTFU), viral load suppression, and the associated factors among FSWs that access HIV treatment at primary health care facilities in Kampala.
Methods
We retrospectively abstracted and analysed patient management data of HIV positive FSWs who enrolled in care between January 2018 to December 2020. LTFU was defined as failure of a FSW to return for treatment at least 90 days from the date of their last clinic appointment. We defined viral suppression as having a last viral load of ≤ 1000 copies/ml preceding data abstraction. Data were analysed using Stata 15.1 software.
Results
A total of 275 FSWs were included in our study sample. We found LTFU of 26% (n = 73) at 24 months, retention was 85% (n = 234) at six months and it decreased with duration of being in care to 74% (n = 202) at 24 months. Viral load testing coverage was 56% (n = 135) and of these, 89.6% (n = 121) were virally suppressed. Factors associated with LTFU in univariable logistic regression; and viral suppression in multivariable logistic regression models were; having a telephone contact (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9 p = 0.031), (OR:14.1, 95%CI: 1.10-182.05 P = 0.042); having enrolled in HIV care aged > 35 years (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0 p = 0.048), (OR:0.10, 95%CI: 0.00-0.75, p = 0.029); and having good ART adherence (OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.5 p = 0.001), (OR:14.8, 95%CI: 2.64–83.08 p = 0.002) respectively. Having good ART adherence remained statistically significant (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08–0.53 p = 0.001) in multivariable logistic regression for LTFU.
Conclusion
This study found low retention among HIV diagnosed FSWs in care. Viral load suppression was acceptable and comparable to that of the general population, however viral load coverage was low. Strategies that increase retention in care and access to viral load testing such as individual client centred care models will go a long way to improve retention and viral load coverage among FSWs.
Assessment of α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential of Paliurus spina-christi Mill. and its terpenic compounds
Authors: Yuca Hafize , Özbek Hilal , Demirezer Lütfiye Ömür , Güvenalp Zühal
Published: April 2022

Type II diabetes mellitus is a common disease in the world and characterized by hyperglycemia. Prevention of diabetes by reducing hyperglycemia depends on the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. In this study, antidiabetic profiles of Paliurus spina-christi Mill. phytochemicals and extracts were investigated. The plant is used in folk medicine in Turkey as antidiabetic. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect studies were conducted to prove this effect. The n-hexane extract (IC50 = 445.7 ± 8.5 µg/mL) possessed potent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase than that of acarbose (IC50 = 4212.6 ± 130.0 µg/mL), unlike their slight/no inhibition on α-amylase. Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane extract of the fruits of P. spina-christi led to the isolation of triterpenes, betulin (1a), betulinic acid (1b), lupeol (2) and a sterol, β-sitosterol (3). The structures of compounds 1–3 were elucidated by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and comparison with literature. Betulin (1a), betulinic acid (1b) and lupeol (2) are reported for the first time from this species. All isolated compounds, especially betulin (1a) and betulinic acid (1b) mixture (IC50 = 248 ± 12 µM) showed higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than acarbose (IC50 = 6561 ± 207 µM). As extracts, the compounds were also found to be ineffective against α-amylase.
Outage Probability Analysis for Downlink SWIPT-enabled Cooperative NOMA IoT System
Authors: Liu Chengpeng
Published: April 2022

As technology continues to advance, research and applications for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are growing. The focus of this paper is a downlink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) IoT system where a base station (BS) allows the same frequency to provide efficient services to both near and remote users during signal transmission, but direct linking is not possible for transmission to remote users due to obstacles and other factors. technology for near-side users as a transmission relay. According to the non-linear properties of the energy harvesting (EH) circuits, a more realistic non-linear model for EH is utilized to investigate the system performance. To begin with, we calculate the outage probability for both users. The approximation approach then aids us in obtaining the approximated closed-form expression of outage probability, which we can use to characterize the influence of system parameter design on outage probability. The theoretical analyses' accuracy is confirmed and the system's performance is illustrated by the simulation results.
Enhancements of the Mechanical Properties for Banana/Sisal Fibers by Cold Glow Discharge Oxygen Plasma Treatment
Authors: gupta upendra sharan , Tiwari Sudhir , Sharma Uttam
Published: April 2022

Banana fiber is a natural byproduct of the pseudostem processing of the "banana plant" (Musasepientum). Agave sisalana is a rosette-forming succulent plant used for its fibers, despite difficulties like hydrophilicity and performance swings, sisal fibers were cheap in compactness, generally accessible, and environmentally benign. In this investigation, the effects of different plasma powers (80W and 120W) for 30 minutes on mechanical and surface characteristics of unidirectional banana and sisal fibers surface treated with cold glow discharge oxygen plasma were investigated. The banana-sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite (BSFREC) had nearly 90.44 percent higher interlaminar shear strength, 132.27 percent greater flexural strength, 50.0 percent higher larger elongation break, and 115.155 percent higher tensile strength as evaluated towards an untreated banana-sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy laminate. The morphological characteristics of cold glow discharge oxygen plasma-treated banana and sisal fibers were compared to pretreatment banana and sisal fibers using FT-IR spectroscopy and (XRD), revealing an improvement in fiber surface structure. Physical treatment of fibers boosts their adherence to the matrix. Banana and Sisal fibers may be employed in industrial applications after being surface-treated, making them an efficient and promising material that contributes to the world's goal of supporting natural resources that are sustainable and recyclable.
Determination of the polymer composition of mid-twentieth century purses by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Boyden Mary N. , Kleist Elyse M. , Asztalos Courtney K. , Korter Timothy M.
Published: April 2022

A database was constructed of 134 reference plastic samples and their Raman spectra to aid in the rapid and accurate identification of the polymer composition of mid-twentieth century plastic purses and their component parts from the Plastics Artifacts Collection at Syracuse University Libraries. Work began by making and testing the database, which led to the determination that matching artifact spectra to reference sample spectra worked well for artifact spectra having signal-to-noise ratios down to 30:1. This finding allowed for using reduced laser power as necessary to protect delicate and pigmented artifacts. These studies enabled the definitive chemical identification of seven selected artifacts, showing that each is composed of polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and/or cellulose acetate. The compositions of three artifacts of unknown composition were discovered, corrections to the existing records were made for three other artifacts, and the composition of one artifact was confirmed. Furthermore, it was discovered that one of the purses was composed of both polymethyl methacrylate and cellulose acetate. This decisive study will contribute to the archival processing and preservation of these artifacts.
Bio-acceptability of wearable sensors: A mechanistic study towards evaluating ionic leaching induced cellular inflammation
Authors: Bhushan Pulak , Kamat Vivek , Abrol Ishita , Kaushik Ajeet , Bhansali Shekhar
Published: April 2022

The recent need for remote health wellness monitoring has led to the extensive use of wearable sensors. Owing to their increased use, these sensors are required to exhibit both functionality and safety to the user. A major component in the fabrication of these sensors and their associated circuitry is the use of metallic/organic conductive inks. However, very less is known about the interfacial and molecular interactions of these inks with biological matter as they can result in an inflammatory reaction to the user. Significant efforts are thus needed to explore and improve the bio-acceptability of such conductive ink-based wearable sensors. The present study investigates the biocompatibility of encapsulated and non-encapsulated wearable electrochemical sensors used for sensing uric acid as a biomarker for wound healing fabricated using screen-printing technique. Ionic release of metallic ions was investigated first to understand the susceptibility of the conductive inks towards ionic leaching when in contact with a fluid. Time-lapse investigation using ICPS (inductive couple plasma spectroscopy) shows a high concentration (607.31 ppb) of leached silver (Ag+) ions from the non-encapsulated sensors. The cell viability data suggests a 2.5-fold improvement in the sensor biocompatibility for an encapsulated sensor. While the carbon ink shows negligible effect on cell viability, the silver ink elicits significant decrease (< 50%) in cell viability at concentrations higher than 2 mg ml− 1. The toxicity pathway of these sensors was further determined to be through the generation of reactive oxygen species resulting in over 20% apoptotic cell death. Our results show that the lower biocompatibility of the non-encapsulated sensor attributes to the higher leaching of Ag+ ions from the printed inks which elicits several different inflammatory pathways. This work highlights the importance biocompatibility evaluation of the material used in sensor fabrication to develop safe and sustainable sensors for long-term applications.
A Study on the positioning accuracy based on different VOI selection of ExacTrac x-ray System
Authors: zhao li-rong , Qian Jin-Dong , zhou yibing , Sun Jian-Guo
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to compare the different volume of interest (VOI) selection among the VOI of Head & Neck (HN), VOI of Head only (H), and VOI of Neck (N) only when used for cranial phantom with the imaging guidance system ExacTrac. Exactrac cranial anthropomorphic phantoms was positioned with known set-up deviations from the reference position in the linear accelerator. Verification accuracy was evaluated based on the residual root-mean-square (RMS) positioning error after image registration based on different volume of interest (VOI) selection. The RMS in the translational dimensions was < 0.6 mm for online matching and < 1.1 mm for VOI of Head & Neck (HN) and VOI of Head only (H) offline matching. For VOI of Neck only(N), the RMS in the translational dimensions with was < 0.8 mm. Furthermore, the RMS in the rotational dimensions was < 0.2° for VOI of Head & Neck (HN) and < 0.3° for VOI of Head only (H) offline matching. For VOI of Neck only (N), the RMS in the rotational dimensions was < 0.4°. The minimum setup errors were observed when VOI Head & Neck (HN) was selected. For 75 neck patients, the RMS were statistical significant (p < 0.05) in the longitudinal and vertical translational directions. For 75 head&neck cancer patients, the RMS of differences in vertical translational direction and pitch and yaw rotational directions with different selection of VOIs (PTV only and H&N) were statistical significant (p < 0.05). It was concluded that image registration method using larger VOI is helpful to improve the registration accuracy.
Routine Application of Lung Ultrasonography in Respiratory Care: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Barriers to Instigate.
Authors: SREEDHA JITHIN KALATHIKUDIYIL , KARTHIKA MANJUSH , Alqahtani Jaber S , Alrabeeah Saad , Alnasser Musallam , Alqahtani Abdullah , Ahmari Mohammed Al , Enezi Meshal Al , Ghazwani Abdullah A , Mathew Chris Sara , Aldhahir Abdulelah M , Nair Suresh G , Jebakumar Arulanantham Zechariah
Published: April 2022

Background:Lung Ultrasound (LUS) has been found to be beneficial in detecting respiratory disorders at the bedside. Understanding the important role of Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in the critical care, we aimed to assess their knowledge, perceived relevance of LUS to clinical practice, current skill gaps, and barriers to practice.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional, nationwide survey comprising 28 questions were conducted among the RTs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The validated questionnaire included 4 sections; the demographics, knowledge and perceptions, applicability and self-reported proficiency, and barriers to the use of LUS by RTs. Results: A total of 256 RTs across different regions of Saudi Arabia participated in this survey. The majority were males (71.9%) with a mean age of 30.7 (SD ± 7.7) years, and 46.1% of the total respondents were having <5 years of working experience. Only (18.1%) of the participants used ultrasound devices in their clinical practice, and (43%) of them had never received any training. 66% of the participants perceived LUS as an effective tool in the RT practice and immensely valuable in their daily practice (70%). A large proportion of RTs found LUS to be ineffective in calculating the lung score (50.4%), assessing the diaphragm (40.2%), and detecting pulmonary edema (38.3%). Calculating lung score has a lower mean score (mean score 2.55) on both skills and identifying its applicability to clinical practice (mean score 2.71) than other indications with almost mean scores of 3 and 4. Lack of training and curriculum (154/256; 60.2%) remains the top barrier that prevented RTs from using LUS in their clinical practice. Conclusions:While many RTs in Saudi Arabia perceived LUS as an effective tool in the RT practice, considerable competence gaps exist, indicating the need for LUS training. There is a need for incorporating LUS into the curriculum of RT schools and promoting competency-based training for the current RT workforce to help improve patient care.
Microwave Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles using Response Surface Methodology for Tribological Application
Authors: Nagarajan Thachnatharen , Khalid Mohammad , Srid Nanthini , Jagadish Priyanka , Walvekar Rashmi
Published: April 2022

We used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the Central Composite Design (CCD) model to optimise the synthesis time and temperature of the MoS2 nanoparticles using the flexiWAVE microwave. Furthermore, the synthesised MoS2 nanoparticles were used in SAE 20W50 diesel engine oil to study the tribological properties according to ASTM standard using a four-ball tribotester. The optimisation result shows synthesis temperature and time for the MoS2 nanoparticles in the microwave were 200°C and 15 minutes, respectively, with a COF and average wear scar reaction of 0.0849 and 0.0852. The difference between the experimental and predicted values was minimal (1.88% (COF) and 3.40% (WSD)), which is similar to the DOE model.
Autophagy and Unfolded Protein Response Induction: Crosstalk between Street Rabies Virus and Host
Authors: Poorghobadi Shima , Baesi kazem , Gharibzadeh Safoora , Shirzad Reza , Khosravy Mohammad Sadegh , Sheikholeslami Farzaneh
Published: April 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional organelle that responds to cellular stress. ER response mechanism is mediated by unfolded protein response (UPR) or ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Depending on the host cell type and virus, viral infections could cause stress to the ER, activate or inhibit autophagy. Autophagy is a conserved dissociation process during growth, differentiation, survival, etc. We decided to infect the mouse brain’s tissues with street rabies virus (SRABV) and study some transcription factors involved in ER stress and autophagy. Total RNA was extracted from the tissue, and cDNA was synthesized. Using specific primers, the real-time PCR was performed. The expression of Hprt, CCAATenhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (Ask-1), Transcription factor 6(ATF-6) and Caspase 3(Casp3) genes were examined. SRABV has increased the significant changes in mRNA expression of ATF-6, CHOP, and Ask-1 in the control group (group V) in the brain of infected mice (p < 0.05). Induction or inhibition of drug-induced autophagy (Rapamycin and 3-methyl adenine) in infected cells (group R &T) is caused ER stress and made tremendous changes in all ATF-6, CHOP, Ask-1 and Casp3. Treatment with pIRES-EGFP-beclin1vector and rapamycin in infected cells (group D) is caused by changes in all parameters except Casp3. An increase in Casp3 is observed only when the vector and virus are injected together into the cells (group B). Autophagy and protection against cell death result from SRABV infection by activating the ER stress pathways, followed by a marked increase in ATF-6, CHOP, Ask-1, and Casp3 levels.
A novel cuprotosis-related lncRNA signature effectively predicts prognosis in glioma patients
Authors: Wang Xiang Yu , Ballah Augustine K. , Che Wen Qian , Wu Shuaishuai
Published: April 2022

Cuprotosis is a novel and different cell death mechanism from the existing known ones that can be used to explore new approaches to treating cancer. Just like ferroptosis and pyroptosis, cuprotosis-related genes regulate various types of tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. However, the relationship between cuprotosis related long non-coding RNA (cuprotosis-related lncRNA) in glioma development and prognosis has not been investigated. We obtained relevant data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and published articles. First, we identified 365 cuprotosis-related lncRNAs based on 10 cuprotosis-related differential genes (|R2|>0.4, p < 0.001). Then using lasso and Cox regression analysis methods, 12 prognostic cuprotosis-related lncRNAs were obtained and constructed the CuLncSigi risk score formula. Our next step was to divide the tumor gliomas into two groups (high-risk and low-risk) based on the median risk score, and we found that patients in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. We used internal and external validation methods to simultaneously analyze and validate that the risk score model has good predictive power for patients with glioma. Next, we also performed enrichment analyses such as GSEA and aaGSEA and evaluated the relationship between immune-related drugs and tumor treatment. In conclusion, we successfully constructed a formula of cuprotosis-related lncRNAs with a powerful predictive function. More importantly, our study paves the way for exploring cuprotosis mechanisms in glioma occurrence and development, and helps to find new relevant biomarkers for glioma early identification and diagnosis and to investigate new therapeutic approaches.
Numerical optimization of guaco leaves extraction based on pre-heat treatment
Authors: Martins Marina Roberto , Johann Gracielle , Palú Fernando , Silva Edson Antonio
Published: April 2022

The mass yield of the extraction is influenced directly by the pre-treatment conditions of the raw material. In the case of leaves, drying is required to ensure their biological stability and is a pre-processing step that demands large amounts of thermal energy. In the present study, the oil extraction process was numerically optimized, considering the influence of the pre-heat treatment of the guaco leaves. An operating range between 30 and 70 oC, 1.0 and 5.0 m/s, and recirculation between 0 and 1 was evaluated. The minimum ratio of energy consumption of drying by the amount of oil obtained after extraction (4.05×105 kWh/kg) was obtained under the optimal conditions of 30.02 oC, 1.0 m/s, and 0.129 of air recycling flow rate. With our results, it is possible to guarantee safety in the storage of guaco leaves, in addition to optimizing the extraction process, maximizing the obtaining of the oil mass, and reducing energy consumption in the drying step.
The beneficial clinical effects of teriflunomide in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis and the investigation of the possible immunological mechanisms
Authors: Koseoglu Emel , Sungur Neslihan , Muhtaroglu Sabahattin , Eken Ahmet
Published: April 2022

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoantibody-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by skeletal muscle weakness exacerbated with exercise. There is a need for novel drugs effective in refractory MG patients. We aimed to test the potential of teriflunomide, an immunomodulatory drug currently used in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis treatment, in a murine experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) model. EAMG was induced by immunizations with recombinant acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Teriflunomide treatment (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal) was initiated to one group of mice (n=21) following the third immunization and continued for five weeks. The disease control group (n=19) did not receive medication. Naïve mice (n=10) received only mock immunization. In addition to the clinical scorings, the numbers of B cells and T cells, and cytokine profiles of T cells were examined by flow cytometry. Anti-AChR specific antibodies in the peripheral blood serum were quantified by ELISA. Teriflunomide significantly reduced clinical disease scores and the absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells and some of their cytokine producing subgroups (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17A, GM-CSF) in the spleen and the lymph nodes. The thymic CD4+ T cells were also significantly reduced. Teriflunomide mostly spared CD8+ T cells’ numbers and cytokine production, while reducing CD138+CD19+ lambda+ plasma B cells’ absolute numbers and CD138 mean fluorescent intensities, probably decreasing the number of IgG secreting more mature plasma cells. It also led to some selective changes in the measurements of anti-AChR specific antibodies in the serum. Our results showed that teriflunomide may be beneficial in the treatment of MG in humans.
Identifying miRNA signature for predicting and treatment of breast cancer using the transcriptomic data of 7,000 breast tumors
Authors: Davarinejad Omran , Mohammadi Payam , Ghavi Davood , Golmohammadi Farzaneh , Foruzandeh Zahra , Alivand MohammadReza , Rahmati Yazdan
Published: April 2022

The high mortality rate in Breast Cancer (BC) is largely due to the difficulty of early detection and inadequate accuracy of the current diagnostic approaches. In this study, we investigated serum and tumor miRNA profiles of 1800 breast cancer miRNA expression profiles of GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) and also more than 2500 patients in TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database. After data analysis by some packages like Limma, and WGCNA, we selected 6 hub miRNAs. Then by collecting serum samples of 100 breast cancer patients, real-time PCR was performed and the diagnosis performance of hub miRNAs was evaluated by ROC curve. Due to more validation, Kaplan-Meier Plot of hub miRNAs was evaluated by 1262 BC samples using METABRIC database. The target genes of 6 hub miRNAs were investigated using Mirbase, Mirtarbase, Targetscan, and TransmiR and after the identification of target genes, their expression was evaluated in 1600 BC samples using GEO database. Finally, six miRNAs including Hsa-miR-151a-5p, Hsa-miR-34a-5p, Hsa-miR-1307-3p, Hsa-miR-450b-5p, Hsa-miR-501-3p, and Hsa-miR-532-5p were introduced as effective biomarkers of BC.
Interannual Variations of Heat Budget over the Eastern Ross Sea Shelf and the Forcing Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Yuanjie , Zhang Zhaoru , Wang Xuezhu , Liu Xiaohui , Zhou Meng
Published: April 2022

The temporal variation of heat budget in the subsurface layer of the eastern Ross Sea shelf (ERSS) is crucial for understanding the stability of ice shelves in the Ross Sea. In this study, six-year simulations from the Southern Ocean State Estimate (SOSE) are employed to analyze the interannual variations of heat budget in the subsurface layer of ERSS and the controlling mechanisms. The results reveal that the annual change in the heat content of the study region is dominated by the horizontal heat advection term, and only in one year the vertical advection and diffusion terms also play an important role. The horizontal advection term is co-affected by the intrusion of warm circumpolar deep water (CDW) onto the shelf across the northern boundary of ERSS, the transport of cold high salinity shelf water (HSSW) from the western Ross Sea shelf (WRSS), and the transport of CDW across the western boundary of ERSS. Contributions from these physical processes to the change of annual heat content vary over the years. The interannual variation of the CDW intrusion is modulated by the strength of eddy activities over the slope, and the interannual variation of heat transports related to HSSW is affected both by the extent of HSSW on the western shelf and coastal circulations that affect the eastward spreading of HSSW.
WITHDRAWN: Bilateral Aspergillosis endogenous endophthalmitis in post COVID-19 recovered patient; a clinical case report
Authors: Zia Zahra , Johari Mohammad Karim
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To describe a case of bilateral Aspergillosis endogenous endophthalmitis in post COVID-19 recovered patient.Case presentation: 54-year-old man presented with bilateral decreased vision three weeks after post-Covid hospitalization discharge. Initially, he was diagnosed as noninfectious uveitis and by mistake treated with systemic prednisolone. Subsequently, after positive vitreous sample PCR result for Aspergillus fumigatus, he was properly treated with systemic voriconazole.Conclusion: According to the possibility of Aspergillosis EE in post-COVID-19 patients, this article highlights the need for an in-depth examination of the fundus of patients who have ocular symptoms after COVID-19 and takes fungal pathogens into account.
Acute Corneal Graft Rejection Following COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Eleiwa Taher K. , Haseeb Abid , Sharawy Amr I. , Higazy Mohamed T.
Published: April 2022

Purpose
To describe a case of acute corneal endothelial rejection as early as 3 days following the second dose of the Moderna messenger RNA-1273 corona virus-19 (COVID-19) vaccine.
Observations:
An 81-year-old patient who had a penetrating keratoplasty 1 month earlier for a pseudophakic bullous keratopathy developed acute corneal graft rejection 3 days after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Despite 4 weeks after intensive treatment, the corneal graft eventually failed.
Conclusions and Importance
: Although a direct causative effect is difficult to establish, the timeline of events beginning after the COVID-19 vaccination supports that it might have triggered the rejection episode. Consistent advice must be given to corneal transplant surgeons and patients regarding such possibility and the importance of the follow up after having the vaccination.
Nitrative inactivation of thioredoxin-1 loses its protective effect in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Wan-yang , Tang Yi-wen , Hu Feng
Published: April 2022

Background
Pulmonary fibrosis is common in the development of inflammatory lung diseases with no effective clinical drug treatment currently. As an essential redox enzyme, thioredoxin (Trx) has been reported to be involved in pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanism is to be revealed.
Methods
Bleomycin-indued pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was established, Trx activity and nitrated Trx were examined. p38-MAPK apoptosis pathway was determined in lung tissues. Additionally, before BLM administration, C57/BL6 mice were treated with aminoguanidine (AG, a peroxynitrite scavenger), recombinant human Trx-1 (rhTrx-1), or SIN-1 (a peroxynitrite donor) nitrated Trx-1 (N-Trx-1).
Results
In bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in C57/BL6 mice, we observed that nitrated Trx increased, while its activity decreased, with the increase of lung cells apoptosis rate by p38-MAPK pathway. We demonstrated that AG or rhTrx-1, but not N-Trx-1 significantly reduced pulmonary fibrosis.
Conclusion
Blockade of Trx-1 nitration, or supplementation of exogenous rhTrx-1, might represent novel therapies to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.
Fibrinogen function indexes are potential biomarkers for evaluating the occurrence and severity of diabetic foot
Authors: Zhang Jinying , Lin Jiayu , Liang Bo , Chen Lijun , Yang Xinna , Li Mimi
Published: April 2022

Background and objectives:
Research suggests that fibrinogen (Fib) concentrations are used to assess the occurrence and severity of diabetic foot (DF) and to monitor the progression of diabetic foot in patients. However, its correlation with Fib function has not been reported. Here, angle α and k value, reflecting the Fib function, were used to analyse its correlation with DF, and their potential as biological indicators for evaluating the occurrence and severity of DF was explored.
Subjects and methods:
This clinical study enrolled 163 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, who were divided into the diabetes with DF (84 cases) group, diabetes with no DF (79 cases) group. Meanwhile, 90 healthy unrelated subjects were enrolled as controls.
Results
Angle α and fibrinogen levels increased greatly in subjects with DF compared with those without. The k value levels greatly decreased in subjects with DF compared with those without (P < 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that angle α and fibrinogen were positively correlated with DF grading (r = 0.635, P < 0.01; r = 0.616, P < 0.01), k value was negatively correlated with DF (r= -0.589, P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off point for angle α to distinguish patients with DF from those without was 62.85 deg, with a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 78.7%. The optimal cut-off point for k value was 1.75 min, with a sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 65.8%. The optimal cut-off point for fibrinogen was 3.85 g/l, with a sensitivity of 63.1% and specificity of 98.2%. The optimal cut-off point for angle α to evaluate the risk of diabetic foot progression was 70.20 deg, with a sensitivity of 73.2% and specificity of 90.7%. The optimal cut-off point for k value was 1.25 min, with a sensitivity of 67.9% and specificity of 90.8%. The optimal cut-off point for fibrinogen was 4.12 g/l, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 93.5%.
Conclusions
Angle α, k-value and fibrinogen have clinical significance on the risk of occurrence and development of diabetic foot, which can contribute to early diagnosis and early clinical intervention in DF.
WITHDRAWN: Long-Term Prediction of Network Security Situation Through the Use of the Transformer-Based Model
Authors: Yin Kun , Yang Yu , Yao Chengpeng , Yang Jinwei
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the Internet has shown rapid development, and network security issue has gradually become the focus of research by scholars and enterprises. Network security time series is a reliable source to obtain future network security situation, so as to develop network security defense strategy by exploring the correlation of time series. The network security time series is a reliable source to obtain the future network security situation, and it is the main direction of current network security defense by exploring the correlation of time series, and analyzing the future network security situation so as to formulate network security defense strategies. This is the main direction of network security defense. The existing research focuses on the short-term prediction of network attacks, and the robustness and accuracy of long-term prediction still have big problems. To fuse the information from different data sources and capture the correlation between sequences, we design a data source selection module based on the similarity of measurement curves. We then model the network security situation prediction based on deep learning models and propose a situation prediction model based on Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN)-combined Transformer, which focuses on the time series long-term prediction problem, combining the network condition and attack situation to obtain the future network security situation. Our proposed model is divided into three parts, which are the information encoding module, the information synthesis module, and situation value calculation and prediction accuracy evaluation module. The selected multi-dimensional situations element data are used as model input, and the TCN-combined Transformer is employed as the network security situational data processing unit to complete the information fusion and prediction tasks. Finally, the role of data source selection on prediction accuracy is evaluated using an ablation study. We experimented and evaluated the model at different prediction horizon lengths using five existing baseline models and three performance metrics. The experimental results show that our proposed prediction model has better robustness and accuracy in most of the metrics.
Pilot study of a novel nanobody 68Ga-NODGAG-SNA006 for instant PET imaging of CD8+ T cells
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Chao , Huang Minzhou , Qin Songbin , Zhao Jun , Sang Shibiao , Zheng Meng , Bian Yicong , Huang Chenrong , Zhang Hua , Guo Linchuan , Jiang Jiwei , Xu Chun , Dai Na , Zheng Yushuang , Han Jiajun , Yang Min , Xu Tao , Miao Liyan
Published: April 2022

Purpose Positron emission tomography (PET) with specific diagnostic probes for quantifying CD8+ T cells has emerged as a powerful technique for monitoring immune response. However, currently, most CD8+ T cell radiotracers are based on antibodies or antibody fragments, which are slowly cleared from circulation. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 for instant PET (iPET) imaging of CD8+ T cells.Methods A novel nanobody without a hexahistidine (His6) tag, SNA006-GSC, was designed and site-specific conjugated with NODAGA-maleimide and radiolabeled with 68Ga. The PET imaging profiles of 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 were evaluated in BALB/c MC38-CD8+/CD8- tumor models and cynomolgus monkeys. Three lung cancer volunteers underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging after 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 administration. Biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and dosimetry of patients were also investigated. In addition, combined with immunohistochemistry (IHC), the quantitative performance of the tracer to monitor CD8 expression was evaluated in BALB/c MC38-CD8+/CD8- and human subjects.Results 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 was prepared with RCP>98% and SA>100 GBq/µmol. 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 exhibited specific tumor uptake in MC38-CD8+ tumors of xenografts, CD8-rich tissues (such as the spleen) of monkeys and CD8+ tumor lesions of patients within 1 h. Fast washout from circulation appeared in three volunteers (t1/2<20 min). A preliminary quantitative linear relationship (R2=0.9668, p<0.0001 for xenografts and R2= 0.7924, p=0.0013 for lung patients) appeared between 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 uptake and CD8 expression. 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 was well tolerated in all patients.Conclusion 68Ga-NODAGA-SNA006 PET imaging can instantly quantify CD8 expression with an ideal safety profile and is expected to be important for dynamically tracking CD8+ T cells and monitoring immune responses for individualized cancer immunotherapy.Trial Registration NCT05126927 (19 November 2021, retrospectively registered).
Grouping effects and cost influencing factors of DRG in orthopedic spine surgery cases
Authors: Luo Ming-wei , Luo Ming-yang , Xie Shi-wei , Pang Jie , Yan Jing
Published: April 2022

Objective: Analyzing the grouping effect of DRG in orthopedic spine surgery and influencing factors of hospitalization expenses, so as to provide the basis for DRG payment reform and control of medical expenses.Methods:The information of 248 cases of spinal surgery in sample hospitals was analyzed statistically, the grouping effect of DRG was evaluated by the coefficient of variation, and the influencing factors of hospitalization expenses were analyzed by single factor analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.Results:Patients who underwent orthopedic spine surgery were divided into three DRG groups: IB19, IB21 and IB23, with CV values of 0.37, 0.47 and 0.44, respectively, all of which were less than 0.5. Univariate analysis showed that age, comorbidities, hospital stay, critical illness and anesthesia mode affected hospital expenses, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Payment method and gender did not affect the hospitalization expenses, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Stepwise regression analysis showed that comorbidities, hospitalization time, dying or seriously ill, anesthesia method and age were the main influencing factors of hospitalization expenses.Conclusion: The grouping of DRG in spine surgery cases can objectively reflect the level of medical resource consumption. Hospitals should use DRG payment reform as a breakthrough to promote clinical pathway management, standardize diagnosis and treatment procedures, shorten hospital stay, and control the unreasonable growth of medical expenses.
Emergence, feeding and oviposition behaviour of Anopheles arabiensis: a vector from Mamfene in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
Authors: Maharaj Rajendra , Lakan Vishan , Maharaj Kiash
Published: April 2022

Background
Malaria is a disease of public health importance. To eliminate malaria from KwaZulu-Natal, new strategies are needed to increase the impact of existing interventions. Greater attention is being given to controlling the larval stages, as a complementary measure to indoor residual spraying. However, there is limited information available on bionomics of this South Africa mosquito vector. To fill ithe knowledge gaps in vector bionomics, this study interrogated the emergence, feeding and oviposition behaviour of Anopheles arabiensis.
Methods
To observe the number of eggs laid per F1 An. arabiensis female, 300 fully gravid mosquitoes were individually placed into breeding tubes which were observed hourly from 18h00 to 06h00 and number of eggs laid by each female was recorded. Egg hatch rate was measured. Immediately after oviposition, the female mosquitoes were offered a blood meal to determine the duration post laying it took to refeed. To observe emergence times and sex ratios, a total of 4000 F1 pupa were placed in large containers which were observed hourly from 18h00 to 06h00. The newly erupted mosquitoes were collected and placed in bug-dorm cages. A sample of the newly erupted female mosquitoes were removed from the cages and placed individually into a test container and offered a blood meal. The female was then observed for a probing behaviour indicating its willingness to feed.
Results
Oviposition studies revealed two peaks corresponding with late evening and just before dawn. Most eggs were laid in the first half of the night (18h00 – midnight). Most mosquitoes erupted just after sunset and the sex ratios showed twice as many females as males emerged from pupae. Females readily took a bloodmeal after oviposition or just after emerging. Hatch rate to viable first instar larvae was 74.5%.
Conclusions
This study provided information on egg laying, hatch rates, emergence times, feeding behavior and sex ratios. The sex ratio of emerging mosquitoes is biased to females. The feeding behaviour suggests that the use of control interventions close to known vector breeding sites would be a tool to eliminate many males and females seeking sustenance soon after emergence or oviposition.
Central nervous system aspergillosis was misdiagnosed as toxoplasma gondii encephalitis in AIDS: a case report
Authors: Yang Hong-Hong , He Xue-Jiao , Nie Jing-Min , Guan Shao-Shan , Chen Yao-Kai , Liu Min
Published: April 2022

Background: Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tend to suffer from a complication of several central nervous system (CNS) infections owing to hypoimmunity. However, CNS aspergillosis (CNSAG) is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose, which makes it easily misdiagnosed. Case presentation: We have reported here a 47-year-old male AIDS patient with visual ghosting and no sweat development on the left head and face. He was accordingly diagnosed with toxoplasma gondii encephalitis (TE) in other hospitals, for which he received regular anti-toxoplasma gondii and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) treatment. Then, the patient was transferred to our hospital due to lack of any improvement with the prescribed treatment. The patient's neurological examination revealed no abnormalities at admission, albeit only a slight change in the cerebrospinal fluid. His cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple abnormal signals in the brain parenchyma, and his blood sample was positive for toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody. The initial diagnosis at our hospital was also TE. Considering the poor efficacy of anti-TE treatment, cerebrospinal fluid metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed, but no pathogenic bacteria were detected. However, aspergillus fumigatus was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid with targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) and bronchofiberscope alveolar lavage fluid mNGS. The diagnosis was accordingly modified as CNSAG combined with his other clinical manifestations. After administering voriconazole anti-fungal therapy, the patient’s symptoms were relieved, with improved absorption of the intracranial lesions. Conclusions: The present case experience indicated the need for the clinicians to strengthen their understanding of CNSAG. Moreover, for patients with diagnostic difficulties, early mNGS and tNGS (using biological samples with only a few pathogens) were helpful for the early diagnosis and treatment, whereby the patients could achieve favorable outcomes.
Developing the scale for measuring the service quality of Internet-based e-waste collection platforms
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Qu Ying , Fang Yan
Published: April 2022

As Internet-based electronic waste (e-waste) collection moves from a novelty to a routine way of e-waste collection in China, the service quality of Internet-based e-waste collection platforms is playing a crucial role in attracting users. Based on the 94 online reviews and the survey data of 395 participants, this study develops a scale for measuring the service quality of Internet-based e-waste collection platforms with both reliability and validity tests. The scale comprises 12 items across four dimensions: efficiency, accuracy, customer service and price offerings. On the basis of this scale, some significant implications to the service quality management of Internet-based e-waste collection platforms have been proposed to both practitioners and researchers.
Sign Language Recognition: Speech to Gesture
Authors: Manyonganise Panashe , Sumbureru Philip
Published: April 2022

Communication is an essential component of existence. Around 360 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, 32 million of them are children, and their lives are not as simple as they may be for human beings without boundaries. People who are hard of hearing or almost deaf find it difficult to use cell phones since they can't get to data anywhere due to a lack of administrators. Because of their hearing impairment, which is an invisible disability, they have difficulty reading and writing, as well as perusing and seeing all data on cell phones. The increase in engagement achieved by hard of hearing children over four years is equivalent to the addition of one year for hearing children. This group of people with disabilities does not have access to any visible text-based info. To provide benefits to those who are deaf or hard of hearing in order to promote their social integration and communication. This project provides a Python-based Sign Language Recognition system capable of identifying speech and converting it to the corresponding gesture.