bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Disparity in Effective Cervical Cancer Screening: Findings from a National Survey of U.S.
Authors: Zheng Feiyang , Zhou Liqin , Wu Xiang
Published: September 2021

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death for women, but it can often be detected early and sometimes even prevented entirely by having regular tests. An effective way to prevent cervical cancer is to have screening tests. Even though cervical cancer screening programs are implemented in many countries and regions especially in developed countries, cervical cancer incidence has not been effectively controlled and there is still certain health disparity in the population. Inappropriate screening frequency may be the cause of the health disparity. Methods: Drawing on the data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (Cycle5.1), a national survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we characterized cervical cancer screening (CCS) as two dimensions by the item of screening frequency, namely, active screening and effective screening. We compared the differences between these two screening behavior applying ordered logistic regression and binary logistic regression, and explored the mechanisms of effective screening. Results: The impact factors differed between active screening and effective screening based on theory. Only self-efficacy (β=0.16, p=0.023) had a positively significant association with active screening behavior and both online health information seeking (β=-0.102, p<0.001) and social media participation (β=-0.466, p=0.001) negatively and significantly influenced effective screening behavior. Second, a theory-based mechanism of effective screening behavior found that traditional health perception factors no longer influence effective screening behavior, while environmental factors (social media) significantly reduce women's effective screening. In addition, the higher the level of education, the less inclined to conduct effective screening, but the more inclined to active screening for cervical cancer. Conclusions: Our results indicate that while the Internet has become the main channel through which women acquire health resources, and social media has become a main platform for people to obtain health information, online information cannot guide people to engage in appropriate healthy behaviors. Overloading of online health information and digital divide may cause excessive screening or screening avoidance. Consequently, we must pay attention to the health disparity caused by unreasonable health behaviors caused by factors such as environmental factors and the divide in the use of IT.
Multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated SHARP1 knockdown in MLL-AF6 acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Mohammed Sameh A. , Ju Yang
Published: September 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an extremely poor prognosis and high relapse and fatality rates. We targeted SHARP1 using multifunctional small interfering RNA (siRNA) and bortezomib (BTZ)-loaded cRGD-guided PEGylated cationic liposomal nanoparticles to monitor their antileukemic activity in MLL-AF6 AML cells. Efficient siRNA/BTZ co-delivery by the nanoparticles significantly inhibited cell viability, decreasing clonogenic growth of AML cells and stimulating robust apoptosis. We hypothesized that SHARP1 downregulation induced nonfunctional MLL-AF6, DOT1L, MEN1, and LEDGF fusion protein accumulation, preventing MLL-AF complex formation and downregulating RAS-GTP and Bcl-2, consequently triggering autophagy and apoptosis. The BTZ combination substantially augmented therapeutic synergy leading to enhanced autophagic and apoptotic events. Our findings demonstrate a state-of-the-art biodegradable nanoplatform for siRNA/BTZ co-delivery with targeted SHARP1 knockdown, demonstrating a potential therapeutic option for MLL-AF6 AML.
Vancomycin-Induced Modulation of Gram-Positive Gut Bacteria And Metabolites Remediate Insulin Resistance In INOS Knockout Mice
Authors: Aggarwal Hobby , Pathak Priya , Singh Vishal , Kumar Yashwant , Shankar Manoharan , Das Bhabatosh , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Dikshit Madhu
Published: September 2021

Background: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has emerged as a crucial regulator of host metabolism and gut microbiota activity. The present study examines the role of the gut microbiome in determining host metabolic functions in absence of iNOS.Results: Insulin resistant and dyslipidemic iNOS-/- mice displayed reduced microbial diversity, with a higher relative abundance of the gram-positive bacteria, Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium, and altered serum metabolites linked with the metabolic dysregulation. Vancomycin, which largely depletes gram-positive bacteria, reversed the insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and related metabolic abnormalities in iNOS-/- mice. Such correction in metabolic markers was accompanied by reduced the expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis in liver and adipose tissue, decreased lipid uptake by adipose tissue and enhanced lipid efflux by liver and intestine. Rescue of IR in vancomycin treated iNOS-/- mice was associated with the alterations in the select serum metabolites such as 10-hydroxydecanoate, indole-3-ethanol, allantoin, hippurate, sebacic acid, aminoadipate, and ophthalmate, along with improvement in phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine (PE/PC) ratio.Conclusions: Vancomycin-mediated depletion of gram-positive bacteria negates the detrimental metabolic effect, dyslipidemia and IR, observed in iNOS-/- mice.
Correlation of Autophagy-Related Genes in High Risk and Low Risk Signatures Based on Prognostic Index Model SKCM Patient
Authors: Zhang Kun , Liang Yan , Tian Ruoxi , Zeng Ning , Wang Guiying , Tang Shijie
Published: September 2021

Autophagy plays a dual role in tumor development and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) involved in the development of cancer. However, the correlation between these high and low risk ARGs is still unclear. To systematically study the relationship between ARGs and melanoma patients, the expression profiles of ARGs were integratedly analyzed based on the TCGA and GTEx dataset. The results suggested 8-ARGs marker can predict the prognosis of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), 5-ARGs (CFLAR, DAPK2, ITGA6, DNAJB9 and RGS19) were low risk index, 3-ARGs (EIF2AK2, EGFR and PTK6) were high risk index. Further validation showed CFLAR, DNAJB9 and PTK6 were significant related to SKCM. In tumor immunization, CFLAR and DNAJB9 have stronger correlation with tumor immune cells, and there is a significant positive correlation among the low risk genes. However, there is no significant correlation between the high and low risk factors. In addition, our results also showed that CFLAR and PTK6 were significantly negatively correlated with tumor purity; PTK6 was significantly positively correlated with patient's age, CFLAR was significantly negatively correlated with patient's age; CFLAR and DNAJB9 were significantly positively correlated in purity and age. It provides a new prognostic indicator for patients and a new idea for the mechanism of autophagy in melanoma.
Correlation of Prognostic Biomarker SLC25A1 with Immune Infiltrates in Low-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Qian Li , Lu Shu-min , He Xin , Huang Hua , Zhang Jianguo
Published: September 2021

Background: Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), and low-grade glioma (LGG) is an important pathological type of glioma. Immune infiltration of tumor microenvironment is an independent predictor of survival and prognosis in LGG patients. SLC25A1 is a gene that has not been reported in LGG. We used the TCGA database to study the expression level of SLC25A1 in LGG tissues and its relationship with the prognosis of LGG patients and tumor immune cell infiltration.Methods: Download gene expression profile data and clinical information of LGG patients from the TCGA database. The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissues and normal tissues was compared. The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissue samples with different WHO grades and its relationship with the prognosis of patients were analyzed. The correlation between clinical information and SLC25A1 expression was analyzed by Logistic regression. The effect of SLC25A1 on survival of LGG patients was evaluated by survival module. The correlation between SLC25A1 gene expression and tumor immune cell infiltration in LGG and the effect of immune cell infiltration on the prognosis of patients were analyzed by using the relevant modules of GEPIA. The gene groups related to SLC25A1 expression were analyzed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. In addition, TCGA dataset was used for gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Result: The expression level of SLC25A1 gene in LGG tissues was higher than that in normal tissues. The expression of SLC25A1 in WHO Ⅱ LGG tissues was higher than that in WHO Ⅲ tissues. Multivariate analysis showed that the up-regulated expression of SLC25A1 was an independent prognostic factor for good prognosis in patients with LGG. There was a correlation between the expression level of SLC25A1 and the level of immune cell infiltration of LGG, and the latter affects the prognosis of patients with LGG. In addition, GSEA also found that Neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules cams and so on were differentially enriched in the phenotypic pathway of high expression of SLC25A1. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genome and Genome (KEGG), Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Morphine addiction et al have been identified as differential enrichment pathways.Conclusion: SLC25A1 is the prognosis of LGG related to immune cell infiltration, and may become a biomarker of LGG grade diagnosis, immunotherapy and prognosis.
Identification of Biomarkers Related to Prognosis of Glioblastoma and Their Correlation with Immune Infiltration Cells
Authors: Ding Wencong , Jiang Guoqiang , Long Songkai , Liao Yongshi , Liu Jia
Published: September 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant of all known intracranial tumors, meanwhile most patients have a poor prognosis. In order to improve the poor prognosis of GBM patients as much as possible, it is specifically significant to identify biomarkers related to the gene diagnosis and gene therapy. Herein, a total of 343 GBM specimens and 259 non-tumor specimens were collected from four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and TCGA database, and then analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the above data. Through Venn diagram analysis, 54 common upregulated DEGs and 22 common downregulated DEGs were triumphantly recognized. On account of the degree of formation communication in Protein-protein interaction network (PPIN), the 10 upregulated central genes had been ranked, incorporating LOX, IGFBP3, CD44, TIMP1, FN1, VEGFA, POSTN, COL1A1, COL1A2 and COL3A1. By combining the expression levels and the clinical features of GBM, four hub genes (TIMP1, FN1, POSTN and LOX) were significantly up-regulated and related to poor prognosis. Meanwhile, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis results suggested that TIMP1 could be one of the independent prognostic factors for GBM patients. Subsequently, TIMP1 was particularly correlated with the immune marker of macrophage M1, macrophage M2, Neutrophils, tumor associated macrophage and Tregs. In conclusion, these findings investigated that TIMP1 might be a new biomarker to determine prognosis and immune infiltration of GBM patients.
The Epidermal Microbiome Within An Aggregation of Leopard Sharks (Triakis Semifasciata) Has Taxonomic Flexibility With Gene Functional Stability Across Three Time-Points
Authors: Doane Michael , Johnson Colton , Johri Shaili , Kerr Emma N. , Morris Megan M. , Desantiago Ric , Turnlund Abigail C. , Goodman Asha , Mora Maria , Lima Laís Farias Oliveira , Nosal Andrew P. , Dinsdale Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2021

Background: The epidermis of Chondrichthyan fishes consists of dermal denticles with production of minimal but protein rich mucus that influence the attachment and biofilm development of microbes, facilitating a unique epidermal microbiome. Here, we use metagenomics to provide the taxonomic and functional characterization of the epidermal microbiome of the Triakis semifasciata (leopard shark) across three time-points to identify links between microbial groups and host metabolism. Our aims include 1) describing the variation of microbiome taxa over time and identify those members which are recurrent (present across all time-points, 2) investigating the relationship between the recurrent and flexible taxa (those which are not found consistently across time-points, 3) describing the functional compositions of the microbiome which may suggest links with the host metabolism; and 4) identifying whether the metabolisms are share across microbial genera or found in specific taxa. Results: Microbial members of the microbiome showed high similarity between all individuals (average similarity: 82.74) with relative abundance of those members varying across years, suggesting flexibility of taxa in the microbiome. One hundred and eighty-eight genera were identified as recurrent, including Pseudomonas, Erythrobacter, Alcanivorax, Marinobacter and Sphingopxis being consistently abundance across time-points, while Limnobacter and Xyella exhibited switching patterns with high relative abundance in 2013, Sphingobium and Sphingomona in 2015, and Altermonas, Leeuwenhoekiella, Gramella and Maribacter in 2017. Of the 188 genera identified as recurrent, the top 19 relative abundant genera forming three recurrent groups. The microbiome also displayed high functional similarity between individuals (average similarity: 97.65) with gene function composition being consistent across time-points. Conclusion: These results show that while presence of microbial genera exhibit consistency across time-points, their abundances do fluctuate. Functions however remain stable across time points; thus, we suggest the leopard shark microbiomes exhibit functional redundancy. We hypothesize this may be the result of the host’s epidermal attributes structuring the microbiome. In addition, we show the co-existence of many microbial genera that carry genes which may enable the microbes to use the nutrients provided by the elasmobranch’s metabolism.
Elasticity and substitutability of food demand and emerging disease risk on livestock farms
Authors: Delabouglise Alexis , Fournie Guillaume , Antoine-Moussiaux Nicolas , Peyre Marisa , Boni Maciej F.
Published: September 2021

Disease emergence in livestock is a product of environment, epidemiology, and economic forces. The environmental and epidemiological factors contributing to novel pathogen emergence in humans have been studied extensively, but the two-way relationship between farm microeconomics and outbreak risk has received comparably little attention. We introduce a game-theoretic model where farmers produce and sell two goods one of which (e.g. pigs, poultry) is susceptible to infection by a pathogen potentially dangerous to humans. We model market effects and epidemiological effects at both the individual farm level and the community level. The addition of a second good into this modeling framework ensures that producing a unit of livestock has an opportunity cost. We find that in the case of low demand elasticity for livestock meat, the presence of an animal pathogen causing large production losses can lead to a bistable system where two outcomes are possible, depending on the economic inputs into the system. One outcome is succesful disease control. The second outcome, a potentially dangerous one, is a stable equilibrium where farmers slaughter their animals at a low rate, face substantial production losses, but maintain large herds because of the appeal of high meat market prices, therefore maintaining disease circulation. We show the potential epidemiological benefits to (i) policies aimed at stabilizing livestock product prices, (ii) subsidies for alternative agricultural activities during epidemics, and (iii) diversifying agricultural production and sources of proteins available to consumers.
Innovative Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Countries of Western Balkans
Authors: Luksic Igor , Boskovic Bojana , Novikova Aleksandra , Vrbensky Rastislav
Published: September 2021

Background: This paper is related to the current stage of the development in the Western Balkans. Despite becoming a growing instrument to finance sustainable development green, debt swaps and social or sustainability bonds are a relative novelty in this region. At the same time the development needs are huge, especially in the light of the Covid-19 aftermath. Results: We have analyzed the public debt position in the Western Balkans countries which points to the deteriorated new debt accumulation perspective especially in the light of the growing public debt over the past decade. Our research suggests that the ESG/Sustainability-linked bonds and debt-for-climate swaps as innovative financial instruments seem to be promising to leverage additional finance into sustainability goals in the Western Balkans Six given their need on the EU track and their economic and structural challenges. After briefly discussing the methodological approach, we discuss the history and features of green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and their diverse underlying mechanisms. Then we derive recommendations for policymakers in designing future green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps and apply these to national circumstances in the Western Balkans Six. Conclusions: The related countries need to explore more innovative approaches to finance sustainable societies. In the close cooperation with the EU and related to the European Green Deal countries of the Western Balkans six should feel motivated to design financing mechanisms that will bring in the more transparency into the different policies and the more accountability for their implementation. The EU should stand ready to use its cohesive and pre-accession funds to support such market mechanisms, which can bring the cooperation to the next level. Applying the recommended modality may help keep the problem of the public debt be kept at bay while additional funds may support implementation of thestructural reforms.
Three-Dimensional Probabilistic Analysis of The Surface Settlement Based On Spatial Variability of Soil Properties: Case Study Zarbalizadeh NATM Tunnel
Authors: Tahmasebi Mohammad Ali , Shirinabadi Reza , Rahimi Esmaiel , Moosavi Ehsan , Tabrizi Amir Hossein Bangian
Published: September 2021

Designing and the construction of a tunnel in urban areas has their own specific considerations. Usually, excessive settlement caused by tunneling during construction damages the adjacent infrastructures and utilities, especially if the tunnel is excavated by the new Austrian tunneling method (NATM). Thus, it’s important to make accurate predictions and effective control on tunneling-induced settlement. In this study, the soil’s Young’s modulus was modeled using a three-dimensional random field and coupled with a finite difference method (FDM) analysis to reveal the influence of scale of fluctuation (SOF) on the maximum surface settlement (Smax). To generate the field of soil’s Young’s modulus, the Fourier series method is employed and sensitivity studies are further performed via Monte-Carlo simulations (MCS). The results demonstrate both the mean value of Smax and its coefficient of variation (COV) increase from 28 mm to 31 mm and from 0.02 to 0.35 respectively, with an increasing horizontal SOF but they stabilize at higher values of SOF. Furthermore, the probability of failure increases as COV increases for each allowable limit greater than the verification FDM of Smax. It is observed that ignoring the spatial variability of soil’s properties leads to an underestimate of the risk of excessive surface settlement.
Distinct Effects of The Hippocampal Transplantation of Neural And Mesenchymal Stem Cell In a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Campos Henrique Correia , Ribeiro Deidiane Elisa , Hashiguchi Debora , Hukuda Deborah , Gimenes Christiane , Romariz Simone , Ye Qing , Tang Yong , Ulrich Henning , Longo Beatriz Monteiro
Published: September 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a highly disabling condition, with no cure currently available that accounts for 60-70% of all dementia cases worldwide. Therefore, the study of possible therapeutic strategies for AD is required. For that, animal models which resemble the main aspects of AD has been largely employed. Similar to AD patients, the double transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice presents amyloid-β (Αβ) plaques in the cortex and hippocampus, hyperlocomotion, cognitive deficits, and exacerbated inflammatory response. Recent studies showed that these neuropathological features were reversed by the transplantation of stem cells. However, the comparison of the effects induced by neural (NSC) or mesenchymal (MSC) stem cells was never investigated in an AD animal model before. In view of that, the present study aimed to evaluate whether NSC or MSC transplantation into the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice reverse AD-related alterations, namely locomotor activity (open field test), short- and long-term memory (object recognition test), Αβ plaques formation (6-E10 immune staining) and microglia activation (Iba-1 immune staining) in the hippocampus. NSC and MSC engraftment reduced the number of hippocampal Αβ plaques in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, and NSC reverted the peripheral hyperlocomotion activity displayed by APP/PS1 mice. Surprisingly, NSC increased microglia activation in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice and no impairment in short or long-term memory was observed in APP/PS1 mice. Altogether, this study reinforces the possible beneficial effects of NSC or MSC transplantation in the AD treatment.
ZBTB38 in Porcine Alveolar Macrophages Positively Regulates the Proliferation of Japanese Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Zheng Yi , Zhou Yu-Yong , Chai Chun-Xia , Cao San-Jie , Yan Qi-Gui , Huang Xiao-Bo , Wen Yi-Ping , Zhao Qin , Du Sen-Yan , Wu Rui
Published: September 2021

Background Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an important zoonotic disease caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and pigs are intermediate host of this disease. Previous studies have confirmed that JEV can proliferate in the respiratory tract of mice and spread through it. Therefore, this study aimed to screen the proteins interacting with JEV on porcine alveolar macrophage cell and verify its role in the proliferation of JEV.Methods and results Porcine alveolar macrophages cell line 3D4/21 were infected with JEV, and obvious cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed. Zinc finger and BTB domain containing 38 (ZBTB38) was screened out as an interacting protein using co-immunoprecipitation assay and validated through knockout and overexpression of ZBTB38 in 3D4/21 cells. The results demonstrated that loss of ZBTB38 function basically had no effect on the attachment and entry processes of JEV, while the transcription level of JEV envelope gene, the expression level of NS3 protein and the number of virions were all significantly down-regulated in the subsequent infection stage. Conclusion Overall, one core conclusion was drawn in this paper that ZBTB38 promotes the proliferation of JEV especially in the middle and late stages of infection. This study provides new information for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of JEV, especially the respiratory transmission caused by JEV infection.
Dissolving Pulp From Eucalyptus Sawdust For Regenerated Cellulose Products
Authors: Olmos Graciela Viviana , Taleb María Claudia , Felissia Fernando Esteban , Ehman Nanci Vanesa , Peresin Maria Soledad , Area Maria Cristina , Vallejos Maria Evangelina , Maximino Mirtha Graciela
Published: September 2021

This study assesses the possibility of obtaining regenerated cellulose products (beads and films) from eucalyptus sawdust dissolving pulps produced by non-conventional processes, compared with a commercial dissolving pulp as a reference. Eucalyptus sawdust dissolving pulps were obtained by soda pulping followed by two different TCF sequential bleaching processes OOpZ and OOp (where O is oxygen, Op is oxygen reinforced with hydrogen peroxide, and Z is ozone), followed by a cold soda extraction. The characterization of dissolving pulps involved alpha-, beta- and gamma-cellulose content, alkali solubility with 10 wt% (S10), and 18 wt% NaOH (S18) aqueous solutions, and degree of polymerization. Fock´s method was used to measure cellulose reactivity and the alkali solubility in a 9 wt% NaOH aqueous solution at -5 °C to evaluate the pulps dissolving capacity. Dissolving pulps presented high cellulose content (> 93 %, expressed as a-cellulose) and good reactivity (almost 84 %). The dissolving pulps were adequate raw materials for regenerated cellulose products (beads and films) from two cellulose dissolution methods: direct dissolution in NaOH/urea and cellulose carbamate solution. The sequence OOpE (where E is an alkaline extraction) was determined to be a more economically feasible and straightforward process to produce dissolving pulp than OOpZE. The experimental pulps showed the expected characteristics of the dissolving pulp to obtain regenerated cellulose products. However, it is necessary to deepen the study of producing regenerated cellulose films with enhanced mechanical properties from experimental dissolving pulps, solvents, coagulation, and regeneration conditions.
Identification and Validation of Novel Biomarkers for HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Fibrosis/Cirrhosis and Chronic Hepatitis: A Case Control Study
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Tang Yuhui , Guo Peilin , Ai Rong , Hou Mengmeng , Wang Yiqi , Yuan Xiwei , Cui Luyao , Zhang Yuguo , Zhao Suxian , Li Wencong , Wang Yang , Sun Xiaoye , Liu Lingdi , Dong Shiming , Li Lu , Zhao Wen , Nan Yuemin
Published: September 2021

BackgroundAt present, there are no accurate diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing among hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases. This research aimed to identify and validate a novel biomarker panel in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver fibrosis/liver cirrhosis (LF/LC) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB).MethodsTranscriptomics sequencing was conducted on a total of 19 liver tissues of the four groups. The hub mRNAs were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and short time-series expression miner (STEM) method. The expression levels of selected mRNAs and proteins were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using both liver tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in liver tissues, respectively. Then, the expression activities of the screened targets were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the plasma samples from 200 and 400 subjects in the validation and testing sets, respectively. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each mRNA biomarker.ResultsSTEM analysis revealed 25 mRNAs exhibited an increasing trend in the four groups; while 9 hub mRNAs were identified by using WGCNA. Of note, the results of qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that SHC adaptor protein 1 (SHC1), SLAM family member 8 (SLAMF8), and interleukin-32 (IL-32) exhibited a gradually increasing trend in the four groups. Subsequent ELISA tests on the validation cohort demonstrated that the plasma levels of SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32 were remarkably elevated in HCC group compared to the remaining three groups. Furthermore, a diagnostic model APFSSI (age, PLT, ferritin, SHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32) was established to distinguish HCC from LF/LC (AUC=0.904), LF/LC from CHB (AUC=0.924), and CHB from healthy controls (AUC=0.966). Finally, the results in the test set were consistent with those in the validation set. ConclusionsSHC1, SLAMF8 and IL-32 can differentiate among HCC patients, LF/LC patients, CHB patients and healthy controls. More importantly, the combination of age, PLT, ferritin, SHC1, SLAMF8, and IL-32 (APFSSI model) greater improves the diagnostic accuracy of HBV-associated liver diseases.
Prevalence of Selected Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in The Global ART-Naïve HIV Infected Population: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ebasone Peter Vanes , Peer Nasheeta , Dzudie Anastase , Kengne Andre Pascal
Published: September 2021

Background
People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are at increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases attributable to the effects of the virus, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and traditional risk factors found in the general population. Most studies have focused on assessing the effect of ART on cardiometabolic disease in PLHIV with fewer studies assessing the cardiometabolic risk profile prior to any exposure to ART. Therefore, this protocol is for a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of selected cardiometabolic risk factors in ART-naïve PLHIV and their association with HIV specific factors.
Methods
We shall conduct a systematic search of published literature for observational studies on the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia (high Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, high Total Cholesterol, high Triglyceride, low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) in ART-naïve PLHIV and their association with HIV specific characteristics. We will search PubMed-MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information and Africa Journals Online databases to identify relevant studies published before March 2021. Two authors will independently screen, select studies, extract data and conduct risk of bias assessments. Disagreements between the two authors will be resolved by consensus or consulting a third reviewer. Data consistently reported across studies will be pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity will be evaluated using Cochrane’s Q statistic and quantified using I2 statistics. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines are used for the reporting of this systematic review protocol.
Discussion
This review will help determine the burden of selected cardiometabolic diseases in ART-naïve HIV-infected populations and the contribution of HIV infection, independent of ART, to cardiometabolic diseases in PLHIV. It will provide new information that can help orientate future research and potentially guide healthcare policy making. This is part of a thesis that will be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, for the award of a PhD in Medicine with protocol ethical clearance number (UCT HREC 350/2021).
Registration
PROSPERO: CRD42021226001
Neuropsychological Outcomes After Awake Resections of Right Frontal IDH-Mutated Glioma: Insights From a Consecutive Series of 20 Cases.
Authors: Barberis Marion , Poisson Isabelle , Facque Valentine , Letrange Sophie , Prévost-Tarabon Cécile , Houdart Emmanuel , Froelich Sébastien , Levy Richard , MANDONNET Emmanuel
Published: September 2021

Background

Awake surgery for low-grade gliomas is currently considered the best procedure to improve the extent of resection and guarantee a "worth living life" for patients, meaning avoiding not only motor but also cognitive deficits. However, tumors located in the right hemisphere, especially in the right frontal lobe, are still rarely operated on in awake condition; one of the reasons possibly being that there is little information in the literature describing the rates and nature of long-lasting neuropsychological deficits following resection of right frontal glioma.
Objective

To investigate long-term cognitive deficits after awake surgery in right frontal IDH-mutated glioma.
Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of awake surgical resections between 2012 and 2020 for right frontal IDH-mutated glioma. We studied the patients' subjective complaints and objective neuropsychological evaluations, both before and after surgery. Our results were then put in perspective with the literature.
Results

Twenty surgical cases (including 5 cases of redo surgery) in eighteen patients (medium age: 42.5 [range 26–58]) were included in the study. The median preoperative volume was 37 cc; WHO grading was II, III and IV in 70%, 20%, and 10% of cases, respectively. Preoperatively, few patients had related subjective cognitive or behavioral impairment, while evaluations revealed mild deficits in 45% of cases, most often concerning executive functions, attention, working memory and speed processing. Immediate postoperative evaluations showed severe dysexecutive syndrome in 75% of cases but also attentional deficits (65%), spatial neglect (60%) and behavioral disturbances (apathy, aprosodia/amimia, emotional sensitivity, anosognosia). Four months after surgery, although psychometric z-scores were unchanged at the group level, individual evaluations showed a slight decrease in performance in 9/20 cases (dysexecutive syndrome, speed processing, attention, semantic cognition, social cognition).
Conclusion

Our results are generally consistent with those of the literature, confirming that the right frontal lobe is a highly eloquent area and highlighting the importance of operating these patients in awake conditions.
The Effects of Subthreshold Autistic Traits On Time Perception: The Regulation of Interpersonal Information Association
Authors: Xuan Bin , Li Shuo , Yang Lu
Published: September 2021

Background

People with high subthreshold autistic traits usually show structural impairments like those with autism spectrum disorder, but with less social and cognitive impairments. The effect of autistic traits on time perception and the role of interpersonal information on this effect remains unexplored.
Methods

This study used a temporal bisection task between 400–1600 ms to compare the time perception of individuals with higher and lower autistic traits, and to explore the influence of interpersonal information on their time perception by establishing associations between interpersonal information and geometric figures. A total of 32 participants with high autistic traits and 31 participants with low autistic traits took part in the study.
Results

In the absence of identity information, people with high autistic traits tended to judge short durations as longer, and their Weber ratio was higher than those with low autistic traits, suggesting that their overestimation of short duration is due to decreased temporal sensitivity and increased internal clock frequency. With the addition of interpersonal information, individuals with high and low autistic traits had faster responses to self in the identity-figure association, and the subjective bisection point was shorter. However, it took longer for individuals with high autistic traits to build the self-association, and there was no difference in the proportion of long response and Weber ratio between individuals with high and low autistic traits when identity was involved.
Conclusion

These results suggest that individuals with high autistic traits have a higher central tendency, and this change is related to the decline of perceptual sensitivity. Actively guiding attention to interpersonal information can improve the time perception sensitivity of individuals with high autistic traits.
Submitted as a Research Report to Biology of Sex Differences
Authors: Grimm Jeffrey , North Katherine , Hopkins Madeleine , Jiganti Kyle , McCoy Alex , Šulc Josef , MacDougall Derek , Sauter Frances
Published: September 2021

Background: There are sex differences in addiction behaviors. To develop a pre-clinical animal model to investigate this, the present study examined sex differences in sucrose taking and seeking using LongEvans rats. Methods: Five experiments were conducted using separate groups of subjects. The first two examined sucrose or saccharin preference in two-bottle home cage choice tests. Experiment three assessed sucrose intake in a binge model with sucrose available in home cage bottles. Experiments four and five utilized operant-based procedures. In Experiment four rats responded for sucrose on fixed and progressive ratio (FR, PR) schedules of reinforcement over a range of concentrations of sucrose. A final component of experiment four was measuring seeking in the absence of sucrose challenged with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390. Experiment five assessed responding for water on FR and PR schedules of reinforcement. Results: When accounting for body weight, female rats consumed more sucrose than water; but there was no sex difference in saccharin preference over a range of saccharin concentrations. When accounting for body weight, females consumed more sucrose than males in the binge model, and only females increased binge intake over the 14 days of the study. Females responded at higher rates for sucrose under both FR and PR schedules of reinforcement. Females responded at higher rates in extinction (seeking); SCH23390 reduced sucrose seeking of both females and males. Females responded at higher rates for water on FR and PR schedules than males, although rates of responding were low and decreased over sessions. Conclusions: Across bottle-choice, binge intake, and operant procedures, female Long-Evans rats consumed more sucrose and responded at higher rates for sucrose. Although females also responded more for water, the vigor of responding did not explain the consistent sex difference in sucrose taking and seeking. The sex difference in sucrose taking was also not explained by sweet preference, as there was no sex difference in saccharin preference. These data corroborate with findings of sex differences in addiction behaviors in humans, providing a pre-clinical model to further evaluate sex differences in these behaviors and manipulations designed to reduce them.
Determinants of Intention To Use Maternity Waiting Homes in Tanzania: A Study Based on Women Using MWH in Dodoma, Iringa and Morogoro
Authors: Luvanda Habiel Benjamin , Mbogoro Erick Justin
Published: September 2021

Background
Maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Tanzania is still persistently high. The data from Tanzania has revealed that maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has increased from 454 per 100,000 live births in 2010 to 556 per 100,000 live births by the year 2015. Establishment of Maternity Waiting Homes (MWH’s) in a few regions has been one of the efforts for trying to serve lives of pregnant women from pregnancy related complication.
Methods
The study adopted a cross-sectional study design and a convenience sampling technique for recruiting the respondents.
Results
The women aged 20–34 are 10 times more likely to use the MWHs in case of future pregnancy (OR = 10.906, p = 0.019) whereas those aged 35 to 49 are 54 times more likely to use MWHs in case of future pregnancy (OR = 54.629, p = 0.006) as compared to those aged 18 to 24 years old. Women who lived 3 to 6 hours of travel to MWH are 11 times more likely to use MWH in case of future pregnancy as compared to those living at the distance of 1 to 3 hours to the MWH (OR = 11.451, p = 0.032).
Conclusion
The results of this study have revealed some interesting findings in the issues of distance by traveling time and age of the respondent to be highly significant factors in predicting intention to use MWHs in case of future pregnancy.
SN 2018bsz: significant dust formation in a nearby superluminous supernova
Authors: Chen Ting-Wan , Brennan Seán , Wesson Roger , Fraser Morgan , Schweyer Tassilo , Inserra Cosimo , Schulze Steve , Nicholl Matt , Anderson Joseph , Hsiao Eric , Jerkstrand Anders , Kankare Erkki , Kool Erik , Kravtsov Timo , Kuncarayakti Hanindyo , Leloudas Giorgos , Li Chuan-Jui , Matsuura Mikako , Pursiainen M. , Roy Rupak , Ruiter Ashley , Schady Patricia , Seitenzahl Ivo , Sollerman Jesper , Tartaglia Leonardo , Wang Lifan , Yates Rob , Yang Sheng , Baade Dietrich , Carini Roberta , Gal-Yam Avishay , Galbany Lluís , González-Gaitán Santiago , Gromadzki Mariusz , Gutierrez Claudia , Kotak Rubina , Maguire Kate , Mazzali P P.A. , Müller-Bravo Tomas , Paraskeva Emmy , Pessi Priscila , Pignata Giuliano , Rau Arne , Young David
Published: September 2021

We investigate the thermal emission and extinction from dust associated with the nearby superluminous supernova (SLSN) 2018bsz. Our dataset has daily cadence and simultaneous optical and near-infrared coverage up to ~ 100 days, together with late time (+1.7 yr) MIR observations. At 230 days after light curve peak the SN is not detected in the optical, but shows a surprisingly strong near-infrared excess, with r - J > 3 mag and r - Ks > 5 mag. The time evolution of the infrared light curve enables us to investigate if the mid-infrared emission is from newly formed dust inside the SN ejecta, from a pre-existing circumstellar envelope, or interstellar material heated by the radiation from the SN. We find the latter two scenarios can be ruled out, and a scenario where new dust is forming in the SN ejecta at epochs > 200 days can self-consistently reproduce the evolution of the SN flux. We can fit the spectral energy distribution well at +230d with 5x10-4 solar mass of carbon dust, increasing over the following several hundred days to 10-2 solar mass by +535d. SN 2018bsz is the first SLSN showing evidence for dust formation within the SN ejecta, and appears to form ten times more dust than normal core-collapse SNe at similar epochs. Together with their preference for low mass, low metallicity host galaxies, we suggest that SLSNe may be a significant contributor to dust formation in the early Universe.
Strategies for Persistent Intracranial Infection Associated With Subcutaneous Effusion in the Posterior Fossa
Authors: Cai Qing , Wang Shoujie , Zheng Min , Qin Huaizhou , Feng Dayun
Published: September 2021

Objective: Due to the particularity of anatomy, there are many subcutaneous effusions after posterior fossa surgery. This paper discusses the characteristics and treatment strategies of persistent infection related to subcutaneous effusions in the posterior fossa. Methods: Seventeen patients with persistent intracranial infection after neurosurgical posterior fossa surgery from March 2015 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different stages of infection, the treatment process of intracranial infection was divided into the acute infection stage, clinical response stage and infection cure stage, and the measures taken in the different stages were summarized.Results: Compared with the acute infection stage, the indices of body temperature, blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the clinical response stage were improved, but there was no significant difference. There was a significant difference in each index between the acute infection stage and the infection cure stage. After the infection was cured, 17 patients were significantly relieved or cured of subcutaneous effusions by various methods.Conclusion: It is necessary to be alert to the existence of subcutaneous effusions in cases of poor effects or repeated infections after routine treatment. Multiple replacements and flushing of subcutaneous effusions are an important means of treating this kind of infection.
Transition Interventions for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy on Transfer From Pediatric to Adult Healthcare: A Systematic Review Protocol.
Authors: Jegede Olubukola Esther , Wyk Brian Van
Published: September 2021

Background: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience poor health outcomes such as low retention in care, suboptimal adherence to ART, insufficient viral suppression, high morbidity and mortality. These outcomes coincide with the period during and after their transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. While some studies on transition interventions have reduced poor health outcomes among ALHIV, some have reported no significant reduction. There is a need to systematically describe, assess the quality and make recommendations regarding the effects of the transition interventions' compendium. The proposed study aims to systematically describe interventions that guide the transition of adolescents on ART from pediatric to adult care and synthesize evidence of the effects on adherence, retention in care and viral load suppression. Methods: A systematic review of interventions that guide the transition of adolescents on ART and report on treatment outcomes (adherence, retention in care and viral load suppression) will be conducted. Studies will be sourced from electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ebscohost, CINAHL, Science Direct, Google scholar and the World Health Organization's (WHO's) library database). All studies will be exported to Mendeley, and two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts and the full text according to the eligibility criteria. The risk of bias will be determined using Cochrane Collaboration tool RoB 2, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions checklists. The strength of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A narrative synthesis including the description of characteristics of studies, comparison of differences and similarities between studies and description of possible trends will be carried out. If possible, homogenous studies will be subjected to a meta-analysis.Discussion: the review findings will provide a robust knowledge base on transition interventions available to ALHIV. Assessing the strength and quality of studies will ascertain the magnitude of the effect of transition intervention outcomes and inform the development of protocols and treatment guidelines needed to achieve better health outcomes for ALHIV. Systematic review registration: Submitted to PROSPERO on the 12th of August 2021
Monitoring Data Analysis and Structural Reliability of Foundation Pit During Construction: A Case Study
Authors: Meng Guowang , Qiu Hongbin , ZHao Yajie , Wu Bo , Gao Da , Huang Wei , Liu Guixiang
Published: September 2021

In order to solve the problem that only considering the deformation of the side wall or the ground settlement of a single factor of the reliability evaluation may lead to insecurity, a deformation reliability evaluation method considering both the deformation of the side wall and the ground settlement is proposed. This evaluation method is used to evaluate the reliability of foundation pit structure deformation of Jinan metro in Shandong Province, China. Through the study of the deformation of the side wall and ground settlement loss on six profiles, the influence of the coefficient (λ、α and β) on the reliability is considered, and the recommended value of the coefficient (λ、α and β) is given. The reliability of six profiles is evaluated and the reliability level is obtained successfully. The reliability evaluation method can solve the problem that considering a single failure mode may lead to insecurity, and can provide an effective solution to the reliability evaluation of foundation pit retaining structure deformation.