bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FK506 and Lactobacillus Acidophilus Ameliorate Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease by Modulating the T Helper 17/Regulatory T-Cell Balance
Authors: Baek Jin-ah , Park Min-Jung , Kim Se-Young , Jhun JooYeon , Woo Jin Seok , Choi Jeong Won , Na Hyun Sik , Lee Soon Kyu , Choi Jong Young , Cho Mi-La
Published: December 2021

Background
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is critical complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The immunosuppressants given to patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT disturb the microbiome and the host immune system, potentially leading to dysbiosis and inflammation, and may affect immune function and bone marrow transplantation. The intestinal microbiome is a target for the development of novel therapies for GvHD. Lactobacillus species are in widely used supplements to induce production of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory factors.
Methods
We determined the effect of the combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and FK506 on GvHD following major histocompatibility complex-mismatched bone marrow transplantation.
Results
The combination treatment suppressed IFN-γ and IL-17-producing T cell differentiation, but increased Foxp3+Treg differentiation and IL-10 production. Also, the combination treatment and combination treated-induced Treg cells modulated the proliferation of murine alloreactive T cells in vitro. Additionally, the combination treatment upregulated Treg-related genes—Nt5e, Foxp3, Ikzf2, Nrp1 and Itgb8—in murine CD4+-T cells. The combination treatment also alleviated GvHD clinically and histopathologically by controlling the effector T cell and Treg balance in vivo. Moreover, the combination treatment decreased Th17 differentiation significantly and significantly upregulated Foxp3 and IL-10 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy controls and liver transplantation (LT) patients.
Conclusions
Therefore, the combination of L. acidophilus and FK506 is effective and safe for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Prognostic Factors for Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Current Anthracycline Regimens
Authors: Egashira Koichi , Sueta Daisuke , Tomiguchi Mai , Hidaka Kaori , Goto-Yamaguchi Lisa , Sueta Aiko , Komorita Takashi , Takae Masafumi , Oike Fumi , Fujisue Koichiro , Usuku Hiroki , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Matsushita Kenichi , Yamamoto Yutaka , Tsujita Kenichi
Published: December 2021

Background
Anthracycline therapies cause myocardial damage and the onset of heart failure, depending on their doses. We investigated prognostic factors for cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in patients receiving modern anthracycline therapies.
Methods
Of 472 breast cancer patients with complete data treated with anthracycline, 8 were diagnosed with CTRCD.
Results
Multivariate regression analyses revealed that the anthracycline cumulative dose, concomitant use of molecular targeted drugs and a prechemotherapy left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% were independent and significant predictors of the onset of CTRCD.
Conclusions
Even in the modern era, the anthracycline cumulative dose is an independent risk factor for the onset of CTRCD.
Texture Analysis of The Microstructure of Internal Curing Concrete Based On Image Recognition Technology
Authors: Guo Lixia , Wang Weikai , Zhong Ling , Guo Lei , Zhang Fangfang , Guo Yuhang
Published: December 2021

Mechanical properties of internal curing concrete are greatly affected by its physical properties such as water content, cementing material content, porosity, and saturation. At the micro level, such impact is finally reflected in the surface texture of its materials. In this study, the image recognition technology was used to find that the internal curing concrete samples have significant micromorphology and texture features. A texture parameter–strength model was established based on the relationship between Tamura texture parameters, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture parameters, and the mechanical strength. Due to the characteristics of materials and the sensitivity of parameters, not all Tamura and GLCM texture parameters can effectively characterize the texture features of internal curing concrete materials. In terms of the Tamura texture, coarseness, regularity, and directionality are effective parameters to predict the compressive strength of the internal curing concrete. In terms of the GLCM texture, energy, correlation, entropy, and contrast are effective parameters to predict the compressive strength of the internal curing concrete. Correlations between each texture parameter and compressive strength follow different laws.
Development of an Algorithm To Differentiate Uterine Sarcoma From Fibroid Using MRI and LDH Levels
Authors: Suzuki Ayako , Kido Aki , Matsuki Mitsuru , Kotani Yasushi , Murakami Kosuke , Yamanishi Yukio , Numoto Isao , Nakai Hidekatsu , Otani Tomoyuki , Konishi Ikuo , Mandai Masaki , Matsumura Noriomi
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to establish an evaluation method for detecting uterine sarcoma with 100% sensitivity using MRI and serum LDH levels. One evaluator reviewed the MRI images and LDH values of a total of 1801 cases, including 36 cases of uterine sarcoma and 1765 cases of uterine fibroids. The reproducibility of the algorithm was also examined using a test set of 61 cases, including 14 cases of uterine sarcoma, by four evaluators with different imaging experience and abilities. From the MRI images and LDH values of 1801 cases of uterine sarcoma and uterine fibroid, we found that all sarcomas were included in the group with high T2WI and either high T1WI, unclear margin, or high LDH value. In addition, when cases with DWI were examined, all sarcomas had high DWI. Among the 36 sarcoma cases, the group with positive findings in T2WI, T1WI, margin, and serum LDH levels all had a poor prognosis (p = 0.015). The reproducibility of the algorithm was examined by four evaluators, and the sensitivity of sarcoma detection ranged from 71–93%. We established an algorithm that is not uterine sarcoma if tumors in the myometrium with low T2WI and DWI.
Multi-environment trials data analysis: An efficient biplot analysis approach
Authors: Woldemeskel Tarekegn Argaw , Fenta Brehanu Amsalu , Mekonnen Girum Azmach , Endalamaw Habtemariam Zegeye , Alemu Assefa Funga
Published: December 2021

The analysis of multi-environment trials (MET) data has a long history in plant breeding and agricultural research, with the earliest approaches being based on ANOVA methods. ANOVA-based biplot analysis has been used for a long time in analyzing MET data, and advances have been made employing different modeling approaches. This paper presents MET data analysis using mixed model approaches, and compares three methods of biplot analysis, namely genotype main effects plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) analysis, factor analytic multiplicative mixed (FAMM) model analysis, and combined model analysis. Ten grain yield datasets from the national variety trial series conducted by the Ethiopian institute of agricultural research were used for this study. Our results revealed that spatial and FA model provide a significant improvement in analyzing MET data. This was demonstrated with evidence of heritability measure. We demonstrated that biplot analysis based on the approached of combined model analysis provides a substantial increase in the total percentage of genotype by environment (G×E) variance explained by the first two multiplicative components for both types of balanced and unbalanced datasets. Thus, by estimating the G×E mean values with the best linear unbiased predictions using spatial+FA (FAMM model analysis), and thereby conducting biplot analysis based on the combined model analysis, plant breeding and trial evaluation programs can have a more robust platform for evaluation of crop cultivars with greater confidence in discriminating superior cultivars across a range of environments.
Enhanced Local Patterns Using Deep Learning Techniques for ECG Based Identity Recognition System
Authors: Mostefai Lotfi , Mohamed Benouis , Mouloud Denai , Merzoug Bouhamdi
Published: December 2021

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals have distinct features of the electrical activity of the heart which are unique among individuals and have recently emerged as a potential biometric tool for human identification. The paper attempts to address the problem of ECG identification based on non-fiducial approach using unsupervised classifier and a Deep Learning approaches. This work investigates the ability of local binary pattern to extract the significant pattern/feature that describes the heartbeat activity for each person’s ECG and the use of staked autoencoders and deep belief network to further enhance the extracted features and classify them based on their heartbeat activity. The proposed approach is validated using experimental datasets from two publicly available databases MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm and ECG-ID and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach for ECG-based human authentication.
Carbene and Photocatalyst-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Radical Coupling of Carboxylic Acids and Acyl Imidazoles to Form Ketones
Authors: Ren Shi-Chao , Yang Xing , Mondal Bivas , Mou Chengli , Tian Weiyi , Jin Zhichao , Chi Yonggui Robin
Published: December 2021

The carbene and photocatalyst co-catalyzed radical coupling of acyl electrophile and a radical precursor is emerging as attractive method for ketone synthesis. However, previous reports mainly limited to prefunctionalized radical precursors and two-component coupling. Herein, an N-heterocyclic carbene and photocatalyst catalyzed decarboxylative radical coupling of carboxylic acids and acyl imidazoles is disclosed, in which the carboxylic acids were directly used as radical precursors. The acyl imidazoles could also be generated in situ by reaction of a carboxylic acid with CDI thus furnishing a formally decarboxylative coupling of two carboxylic acids. In addition, the reaction was successfully extended to three-component coupling by using alkene as a third coupling partner via a radical relay process. The mild conditions, operational simplicity, and use of carboxylic acids as the reacting partners make our method a powerful strategy for construction of complex ketones from readily available starting materials, and late-stage modification of natural products and medicines.
New Mixed Solutions Generated By Velocity Resonance In The (2+1)-Dimensional Sawada-Kotera Equation
Authors: Qi Zequn , Chen Qingqing , Wang Miaomiao , Li Biao
Published: December 2021

Based on the mixed solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional Sawada-Kotera equation, the collisions among lump waves, line waves, and breather waves are studied in this paper. By introducing new constraints, the lump wave does not collide with other waves forever. Under the condition of velocity resonance, the soliton molecules consisting of a lump wave, a line wave and any number of breather waves are derived for the first time. In particular, the interaction of a line wave and a breather wave will generate two breathers under certain conditions, which is very interesting. Additionally, the method can also be extended to other (2+1)-dimensional integrable equations.
Improving the understanding of the influencing factors on sea level on various time scales based on wavelet coherence and partial wavelet coherence
Authors: Song Chao , Chen Xiaohong , Xia Wenjun
Published: December 2021

The relationship between sea level change and a single climate indicator has been widely discussed. Despite this, few studies focused on the relationship between monthly mean sea level (MMSL) and several key impact factors, including CO2 concentration, sea ice area, and sunspots, on various time scales. In addition, research on the independent relationship between climate factors and sea level on various time scales is lacking, especially when the dependence of climate factors on Niño 3.4 is excluded. Based on this, we use wavelet coherence (WC) and partial wavelet coherence (PWC) to establish a relationship between MMSL and its influencing factors. The WC results show that the influence of climate indices on MMSL has strong regional characteristics. Sunspots affect MMSL on a scale of more than 64 months. The influence of the sea ice area on MMSL in the northern hemisphere is opposite to that in the southern hemisphere. The PWC results show that after removing the influence of Niño 3.4, the significant coherent regions of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Dipole Mode Index (DMI), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) decrease to varying degrees on different time scales in different regions, demonstrating the influence of Niño 3.4. Our work emphasizes the independent relationship between MMSL and its influencing factors on various time scales and the use of PWC and WC to describe this relationship. The study has important reference significance for selecting the best predictors of sea level change or climate systems.
Classifying the Unknown: Identification of Insects by Deep Zero-shot Bayesian Learning
Authors: Badirli Sarkhan , Picard Christine J. , Mohler George , Akata Zeynep , Dundar Murat
Published: December 2021

Insects represent a large majority of biodiversity on Earth, yet so few species are described. Describing new species typicallyrequires specific taxonomic expertise to identify morphological characters that distinguish it from other known species andDNA-based methods have aided in providing additional evidence of separate species. Machine learning (ML) provides apowerful method in identifying new species given its analytical processing is more sensitive to subtle physical differencesin images humans may not process. Existing ML algorithms are limited by image repositories that only contain describedspecies, leaving out the possibility of identifying new species. We develop a Bayesian deep learning method for zero-shotclassification of species. The proposed approach forms a Bayesian hierarchy of species around corresponding genera anduses deep embeddings of images and DNA barcodes to identify insects to the lowest taxonomic level possible. To demonstratethis proof of concept, we use a database of 32,848 insect images from 1,040 described species split into training and test datawherein the test data includes 243 species not present in the training data. Our results demonstrate that using DNA sequencesand images together, known insects can be classified with 96.66% accuracy while unknown (to the database) insects have anaccuracy of 81.39% in identifying the correct genus. The proposed deep zero-shot Bayesian model demonstrates a powerfulnew approach that can be used for the gargantuan task of identifying new insect species.
The Effect of the Classical TSPO Ligand PK 11195 On in Vitro Cobalt Chloride Model of Hypoxia in Non-Neuronal and Brain Cell Lines
Authors: Amara Rula , Zeineh Nidal , Monga Sheelu , Weisman Abraham , Gavish Moshe
Published: December 2021

The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) is a modulator of the apoptotic pathway involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) collapse, activation of caspases and eventually initiation of the apoptotic process. In this in vitro study, H1299 lung cells and BV-2 microglial cells were exposed to the hypoxic effect of CoCl2 with or without PK 11195. Exposing the H1299 cells to 0.5 mM CoCl2 for 24 hours resulted in decreases in cell viability (63%, p<0.05), elevation of cardiolipin peroxidation levels (38%, p<0.05), mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization (13%, p<0.001), and apoptotic cell death (117%, p<0.05). Pretreatment with PK 11195 (25 µM) exhibited significant protective capacity on CoCl2-induced alterations in the mentioned processes. Exposure of BV-2 cells to increasing concentrations of CoCl2 (0.3, 0.5, 0.7 mM) for 4 hours resulted in alterations in the same cellular processes. These alterations were obtained in a dose-dependent manner, except the changes in caspases 3 and 9. The novel ligands as well as PK 1195 attenuated the in vitro hypoxic effects of CoCl2.It appears that the TSPO ligand PK 11195 can prevent CoCl2-induced cellular damage in both non-neuronal and brain cell lines, and they may offer new therapeutic options in hypoxia-related lung and brain diseases which fail to respond to conventional therapies.
Increased HIF-1α Expression in T Cells and Associated with Enhanced Th17 Pathway in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Wu Chien-Sheng , Liao Hsiu-Jung , Chyuan I-Tsu , Wang Szu-Chieh , Lee Hua-Yi , Hsu Ping-Ning
Published: December 2021

Recent emerging evidences indicate that dysfunction of metabolic remodeling underlies aberrant T cell immune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, how these aberrant immune activation and metabolic dysfunction interact in lupus patients are not fully understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of HIF-1α, a regulator of metabolic reprogramming, in T cells from SLE. Our results demonstrated that HIF-1α expression is increased in CD4 T cells from SLE patients both in intracellular staining and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. In addition, there is enhanced HIF-1α expression in Th17-skewing murine T cells, and lentivirus-mediated HIF-1α overexpression promotes Th17 differentiation. Moreover, HIF-1α gene expression is positively correlated with the expression of glycolysis- and IL-17-associated genes in SLE patients. These results indicate that HIF-1α expression is increased in T cells from SLE patients, and is associated with enhanced Th17 pathway, implicating HIF-1α contributes to the activation of Th17 cells in SLE, and represents a potential novel therapeutic target.
Relationships Between Care Burden, Resilience, and Depressive Symptoms Among the Main Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Fang Linlin , Dong Mengyuan , Zheng Jin
Published: December 2021

Background
Although studies indicate that resilience is related to care burden, and depressive symptoms, the underlying mechanism between those variables remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the potential mediating role of resilience between care burden and depressive symptoms.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 245 main family caregivers of stroke patients recruited from the neurology department of Tertiary A hospital of China. The self-designed demographic characteristics for patients and caregivers、Barthel Daily Living Activities Index (BDLAI)、Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI)、Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used for investigation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to explore the relationships between care burden, resilience, and depressive symptoms among the main family caregivers of stroke patients༎
Results
The average scores of care burden, resilience, and depressive symptoms for caregivers were 43.89 ± 13.40, 55.68 ± 11.01, and 22.33 ± 9.85, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that the care burden was positively related to depressive symptoms (r = 0.578, p < 0.01), resilience was significantly negatively related to both care burden (r = -0.264, p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (r = -0.697, p < 0.01). Structural equation models (SEM) analysis indicated that resilience partially mediated the relationship between care burden and depressive symptoms with the mediation effect ratio of 23.8%.
Conclusions
Our study signifies that resilience plays a mediating role between care burden and depressive symptoms among the main family caregivers of stroke patients. This finding shows us that resilience can be a critical source to alleviate depressive symptoms.
Comparison of the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation vs. liver resection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria with severe fibrosis
Authors: Chen Lei , Xiang Dongqiao , Zhu Licheng , Wu Linxia , Ren Yanqiao , Sun Tao , Zhang Weihua , Sun Bo , Liu Yiming , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe efficacy of RFA in the treatment of HCC with severe fibrosis is still unclear. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of RFA with liver resection in the treatment of HCC within Milan criteria.MethodsThe data used in the study were from the SEER database. Patients with HCC within Milan criteria were included in the study. A total of 1432 patients were included in the study; among them, 1038 patients received RFA, and 394 patients received liver resection. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce selection bias.ResultsBefore PSM, the median overall survival (mOS) and median cancer-specific survival (mCSS) in the resection group were longer than the mOS and mCSS in the RFA group. However, the8re were no statistically significant differences in mOS or mCSS between the two groups (both P>0.05). After PSM, similar results were presented, and the mOS and mCSS in the resection group were similar to those in the RFA group (both P>0.05). The multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that RFA did not increase the all-cause mortality risk and cancer-specific mortality risk compared with resection before PSM. In the competing risk analysis, after excluding the potential factors that might influence the outcomes, RFA still did not increase the mortality risk compared with resection before PSM and after PSM. In the subgroup analysis. The efficacy of RFA is comparable to that of resection in patients with tumor sizes no more than 3 cm before PSM and after PSM.ConclusionThe efficacy of RFA is similar to that of resection in the treatment of early HCC patients with severe fibrosis, especially in patients with tumor sizes no more than 3 cm.
Prevalence of Uncoupled Sleep and Dysfunctional Sleep Beliefs in a Sample of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Western Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kutzer Yvonne , Whitehead Lisa , Quigley Eimear , Fu Shih Ching , Stanley Mandy
Published: December 2021

Objectives: Individuals who complain of insomnia may not always have objectively measured poor sleep, and vice versa, a phenomenon which is referred to as uncoupled sleepers. This study assessed the prevalence of uncoupled sleepers and levels of dysfunctional sleep beliefs in a sample of older adults in Western Australia.Method: 80 adults aged 60-80 years (71 females, 89%) completed a questionnaire, sleep diary and actigraphy measurements. Sleep related dysfunctional beliefs and self-rated sleep quality were assessed using the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep scale (DBAS-16). Objective sleep quality was measured using an ActigraphTM model wGT3X-BT activity monitor and subjective sleep quality was assessed using a modified version of the Consensus Sleep Diary.Results: 52 of 80 participants (65%) were uncoupled sleepers. Individuals who complained of insomnia in the absence of objectively measured poor sleep showed worse self-reported sleep outcomes and higher dysfunctional beliefs, even though on actigraphy measurements there were no significant differences. Discussion: Future research should examine subjective and objective sleep parameters in older individuals. Interindividual differences in the relationship between perceived and measured sleep quality could present a target for potential therapeutic intervention.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN 12619001509156; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378451
Exploration of Dark Chemical Genomics Space via
Portal Learning: Applied to Targeting the
Undruggable Genome and COVID-19 Anti-Infective
Polypharmacology
Authors: Cai Tian , Xie Li , Chen Muge , Liu Yang , He Di , Zhang Shuo , Mura Cameron , Bourne Philip , Xie Lei
Published: December 2021

Advances in biomedicine are largely fueled by exploring uncharted territories of human
biology. Machine learning can both enable and accelerate discovery, but faces a fundamental
hurdle when applied to unseen data with distributions that differ from previously observed
ones—a common dilemma in scientific inquiry. We have developed a new deep learning framework,
called Portal Learning, to explore dark chemical and biological space. Three key, novel components
of our approach include: (i) end-to-end, step-wise transfer learning, in recognition of biology’s
sequence-structure-function paradigm, (ii) out-of-cluster meta-learning, and (iii) stress model
selection. Portal Learning provides a practical solution to the out-of-distribution (OOD) problem
in statistical machine learning. Here, we have implemented Portal Learning to predict chemicalprotein interactions on a genome-wide scale. Systematic studies demonstrate that Portal Learning
can effectively assign ligands to unexplored gene families (unknown functions), versus existing
state-of-the-art methods. Compared with AlphaFold2-based protein-ligand docking, Portal
Learning significantly improved the performance by 79% in PR-AUC and 27% in ROC-AUC,
respectively. The superior performance of Portal Learning allowed us to target previously
“undruggable” proteins and design novel polypharmacological agents for disrupting interactions
between SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins. Portal Learning is general-purpose and can be
further applied to other areas of scientific inquiry.
Identification of The Prognostic Genes For Early Basal-Like Breast Cancer With Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Yuan Keyu , Wu Min , Yu Xue , Zhao Xia , Feng Yu , Li Yanping , Lv Shuzhen
Published: December 2021

Background: Breast cancer (BC) has become the leading cause of death for women's malignancies and increasingly threatens the health of women worldwide. However, the basal-like BC is lack of effective targeted drugs. Therefore, biomarkers that related to the prognosis of early breast cancer need to be found.Methods: The RNA-seq data of 87 cases of early basal-like BC and 111 cases of normal breast tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were explored by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA)method and Limma package. Then intersected genes (IGs) were identified and hub genes were selected by Maximal Clique Centrality method. The prognostic effect of the hub genes was also evaluated in early basal-like BC. Results: A total of 601 IGs were identified in this study. APPI network was constructed and top 10 hub genes were selected, namely cyclin B1 (CCNB1), cyclin A2 (CCNA2), cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cell division cycle 20 (CDC20), DNA topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase (BUB1), aurora kinase B (AURKB), cyclin B2 (CCNB2), kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), and assembly factor for spindle microtubules (ASPM). Only AURKB was found to be significant with the overall prognosis of early basal-like BC. The immune cells infiltration analysis displayed that the infiltration numbers of CD4+ T cell and naïve CD8+ T cell were positively correlated with AURKB expression level, while that of naïve B cell and macrophage M2 cell were negatively correlated with AURKB expression level in basal-like BC.Conclusion: AURKB might be a potential prognostic indicator in early basal-like BC.
Clinical Impact of 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT-based Personalized Predictive Dosimetry in Selective Internal Radiotherapy: a Retrospective, Single-center Study for Unresectable HCC Patients
Authors: Bucalau Ana-Maria , Collette Benoît , Tancredi Illario , Vouche Michael , Pezzullo Martina , Bouziotis Jason , Moreno-Reyes Rodrigo , Trotta Nicola , Laethem Jean Luc Van , Verset Gontran
Published: December 2021

BackgroundRecent data indicates that personalized dosimetry-based selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) may be associated with better outcome for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).AimWe aim to evaluate the contribution of personalized predictive dosimetry (performed with Simplicity90® software) in HCC patients by comparing them to our historical cohort whose activity was determined by standard dosimetry. MethodsThis is a retrospective, single-center study conducted between February 2016 and December 2020 that included patients with HCC who received SIRT after simulation based on either standard dosimetry (group A) or, as of December 2017, on personalized dosimetry (group B). Primary objectives were best overall response (BOR) and objective response rate (ORR) evaluated by mRECIST at 3 months. Safety and toxicity profiles were evaluated at day 1, 1- and 3-months post-treatment. For group A we studied the dose-response relationship at 3 months and compared the activity to be administered determined a posteriori using Simplicit90Y® and the activity actually administered determined by the standard approach.ResultsBetween February 2016 and December 2020, 66 patients received 69 simulations leading to 40 treatments. The median follow-up time was equal for both groups, 21 months (range 3-55) in group A and 21 months (range 4-39) in group B. The per patient analysis revealed a significant benefit of personalized predictive dosimetry in terms of better overall response at 3 months (80% vs. 33.3%, p= 0.007) and at 6 months (77.8% vs. 22.2%, p= 0.06). This trend was found in the analysis by nodule with a response rate according to mRECIST of 87.5% for personalized dosimetry versus 68.4% for standard dosimetry at 3 months, p= 0.24. Only one grade 3 biological toxicity (hyperbilirubinemia) was noted in group A. The comparison between the administered activity and the recommended activity recalculated a posteriori using Simplicit90Y® showed that the vast majority of patients who progressed (83.33%) received less activity than that recommended by the personalized approach or an inadequate distribution of the administered activity. ConclusionsOur study confirms that the use of personalized dosimetry allows a better selection of HCC patients who can benefit from SIRT, and consequently, improves the effectiveness of this treatment.
The Influence of Intrinsic Motivation on Decisions Between Actions
Authors: Cos Ignasi , Deco Gustavo , Gilson Matthieu
Published: December 2021

Extensive research explains how pre-frontal cortical areas process explicit rewards, and how pre-motor and motor cortices are recipients of that processing to energize motor behaviour. However, the specifics of motor behaviour, decisions between actions and brain dynamics when driven by no explicit reward, remain poorly understood. Are patterns of decision and motor control altered wen performing under social pressure? Are the same brain regions that typically process explicit rewards also involved in this expression of motivation? To answer these questions, we designed a novel task of decision-making between precision reaches and manipulated motivation by means of social pressure, defined by the presence or absence of virtual partner of a higher/lower aiming skill than our participants. We assessed the overall influence of this manipulation by analysing movements, decisions, pupil dilation and electro-encephalography. We show that the presence of a partner consistently increased aiming accuracy along with pupil diameter, furthermore the more skilled the partner. Remarkably, increased accuracy is attained by faster movements, consistently with a vigour effect that breaches speed-accuracy trade-offs typical of motor adaptation. This implicated an ensemble of cortical sources including pre-frontal areas, concerned with the processing of reward, but also pre-motor and occipital sources, consistent with the nature of the task. Overall, these results strongly suggest the role of social pressure as a motivational drive, enabling an increase of both vigour and accuracy in a non-trivial fashion.
Effect of Gender, Age and Vaccine on Reactogenicity and Incapacity to Work after COVID-19 Vaccination: A Survey among Health Care Workers
Authors: Nachtigall Irit , Bonsignore Marzia , Hohenstein Sven , Bollmann Andreas , Günther Rosita , Kodde Cathrin , Englisch Martin , Ahmad-Nejad Parviz , Schröder Alexander , Glenz Corinna , Kuhlen Ralf , Thürmann Petra , Meier-Hellmann Andreas
Published: December 2021

Background The aim of our study was to assess the influence of gender and age on reactogenicity by the different vaccines and their combinations. Further parameters were the reduction in working capacity after vaccination and the influence of the time of day when vaccines were administered. Methods We conducted a survey on COVID-19 vaccinations and eventual reactions among employees of 89 hospitals of the Helios Group. On May 19th, 2021 employees received an invitation by e-mail from the chief medical officer with a link to the survey tool. Participation was voluntary and non-traceable. The survey was closed on June 21st, 2021. Results 8,375 participants reported on 16,727 vaccinations. Reactogenicity was reported in 75% of COVID-19 vaccinations. In 23% the capacity to work was affected. Major risk factors were female gender, younger age and vaccine other than BNT162b2. ChAdOx induced impairing reactogenicity mainly after the prime vaccination (70.5%), while mRNA-1273 led to more pronounced reactions after the second dose (71.7%). Heterologous prime-booster vaccinations with ChAdOx followed by either mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 were associated with the highest risk for impairment (81.4%). The time of day of the vaccinations showed no influence. Conclusions Young women had the highest chance to experience reactogenicity and to be unable to work after COVID-19 vaccination. When vaccinating a large part of a workforce, especially in professions with a higher proportion of women like health care, employers as well as employees must be prepared for a noticeable amount of absenteeism. Trial registration The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the Aerztekammer Berlin on May 27th, 2021 (Eth-37/21) and registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00025745). The study was supported by the Helios research grant HCRI-ID 2021-0272.
Factors Determining Customer Satisfaction with Counter Services of Local Government Offices: On-Site Survey Examining Service Quality at Higashihiroshima City Hall, Japan
Authors: Moteki Yasutoshi
Published: December 2021

This study empirically investigated the major factors determining customer satisfaction with counter services in local government offices in Japan, comparing them with the results of similar surveys conducted by the author in 2020. This study considers visitors’ direct experience of counter services through an on-site survey conducted at a municipal government building, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasise the customer’s direct experience. SERVQUAL, as the name suggests, is a five-group scale for evaluating service quality with respect to customer satisfaction. However, in actual organizational settings, five groups of questions may be burdensome to respondents and may reduce the collection rate. The author’s research involves conducting on-site surveys on customer satisfaction or service quality of the local government office using an original three-group questionnaire scale and tailoring the question items to a scale for Japanese local administration settings. The surveys comprise three categories of questions, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasise the customer’s direct experience. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed over four weekdays at the City Hall. As of September 27, 2021, there were 537 respondents (response rate: 53.7%). The regression analysis indicated that the independent variables of group C (service delivery) were most influential, followed by those of groups B (human-related factors) and A (office hardware) (adjusted R2 value: .58). Service delivery, human factors, and hardware aspects are important, in that order, to ensure customer satisfaction with the City Hall’s counter services. This is consistent with the results of the author’s Internet survey of users of Osaka City Government’s ward offices. Focusing on the second principal component of the service delivery category (C), promptness and short waiting times do not necessarily affect customer satisfaction positively.
Evaluation of An Online Tool About the Expected Course of Disease for Glioblastoma Patients – A Qualitative Study
Authors: Diest Eva van , Oldenmenger Wendy H , Eland Marit , Taal Walter
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with glioblastoma have a short life-expectancy, with median survival rates of nine to twelve months. Providing information about the expected course of disease can be complicated. Therefore, an online tool has been developed. The objective of this tool is to better inform patients and proxies, and decrease their uncertainties and improve their quality of life. This study aims to gather experiences of future end-users, to identify if the tool meets the previously mentioned objectives.
Methods

This is a qualitative study based on thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with fifteen patient-proxy dyads. For these interviews, a combined method of think-aloud sessions and semi-structured interviews was used. Audiotapes of these interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.
Results

The analysis revealed four major themes: unmet information needs, improvement possibilities, effects of the tool and clinical implementation. Participants indicated that this tool could decrease uncertainties and increase their perceived quality of life. Also, they often mentioned that it could have a positive effect on the efficiency and quality of consultations.
Conclusion

Participants considered this tool to be useful and effective in decreasing uncertainties and improving the quality of life for both patients with glioblastoma and their proxies. Moreover, participants brought up that this tool could positively influence the efficiency and quality of consultations. This could lead to more patient participation and empowerment, and could therefore enhance shared decision making and timely advanced care planning.
Inverted ILM flap technique in Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy: An Iranian experience with review of the literature
Authors: Tavallali Ali , Sadeghi Yasaman , Abtahi Seyed-Hossein , Nouri Hosein , Rezaei Mitra , Mazloumi Mehdi
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To present the outcome of optic disc pit maculopathy (ODPM) managed successfully with inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap over the optic disc.
Methods

This prospective case series included three patients with ODPM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with posterior vitreous detachment induction, followed by inverted ILM flap over the optic disc and gas tamponade. Patients were followed for 7-16 weeks as regards their functional and anatomical findings. A narrative review is also provided about Pathology, Pathogenesis, and surgical techniques in the treatment of ODPM
Results

Three adult patients (25–39 years old) were evaluated, with a mean duration of decreased visual acuity of 7.33 ± 2.40 months (4-12 months). Postoperatively, BCVA improved dramatically in one patient from 2/200 to 20/25. BCVA in the other two improved two and three lines, to 20/50 and 20/30, respectively. Significant anatomic improvement was achieved in all patients.
Conclusion

Vitrectomy with inverted ILM flap insertion over the optic disc can yield favorable anatomical improvement in patients with ODPM.
Cultural and contextual considerations in designing programs to support the incorporation of early childhood development within ongoing national nutrition programmes: A focus on the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) in a rural African context
Authors: Kitsao-Wekulo Patricia , Haycraft Emma , Mwoma Teresa , Okelo Kenneth , Kinuthia Esther , Muriuki Peter , Onyango Silas , Kimiywe Judith , Wanjohi Milka , Kimani-Murage Elizabeth , Griffiths Paula
Published: December 2021

The Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) offers a unique platform for integration of counselling on early childhood development (ECD) with existing maternal and child health and nutrition messages. To understand how to efficiently deliver such a program, this study determined the feasibility of integrating counselling on child stimulation into the Kenyan BFCI activities. Qualitative interviews (N=97) among female (aged 15-49 years) and male users, stakeholders, and services providers in Koibatek sub-County (mainly inhabited by the Tugen people, a Nilotic group in sub-Saharan Africa) provided extensive information on understanding regarding ECD, caregiving beliefs, needs at different levels and barriers and facilitators. Contextual influences and existing health system infrastructure are important considerations when designing integrated interventions to improve nurturing care of children.
Sub-lethal pesticide exposure erases colour vision memory and affects flower constancy in foraging honey bees
Authors: Mayack Christopher , Rükün Tuğçe , Ercan Neslim , Canko Ece , Avşar Bihter , Dyer Adrian , Garcia Jair , Çakmak İbrahim
Published: December 2021

Neonicotinoid pesticide use has increased around the world despite accumulating evidence of their potential detrimental sub-lethal effects on the behaviour and physiology of bees, and its contribution to the global decline in bee health. Whilst flower colour is considered as one of the most important signals for foraging honey bees, the effects of pesticides on colour vision and memory retention remain unknown. We trained free flying foragers to an unscented artificial flower patch presenting yellow flower stimuli to investigate if sub-lethal levels of imidacloprid would disrupt the acquired association made between flower colour and food reward. We found that for concentrations higher than 4% of LD50 foraging honey bees no longer preferentially visited the yellow flowers and bees reverted back to baseline foraging preferences for blue flowers, with a complete loss of flower constancy. Higher pesticide dosages also resulted in a significant decrease in CaMKII and CREB gene expression, revealing a plausible mechanism to explain the disruption of bee foraging performance. Within important bee pollinators, colour vision is highly conserved and essential for efficient nutrition collection and survival. We thus show that to maintain efficient pollination services bees require environments free from neonicotinoid pesticides.
Banking sector Performance Evaluation in Ethiopia for the Period of Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP-II): Private vs. Public Commercial Banks
Authors: Tura Bekana Dembel
Published: December 2021

The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the financial performance of commercial banks in Ethiopia during the implementation of growth and transformation plan II. Moreover, determinants of financial performance were examined. The study was conducted using secondary data obtained from National Bank of Ethiopia, and official website of each commercial bank. Multiple panel regression and independent sample t-test were used to show the relationship and to compare the financial performance of commercial banks between the study periods. The ratio of non-interest expenses to total expense, log_net profit per employee, interest income to total income, and exchange rate were variables with positive and significant effect on the financial performance of commercial banks while log_total loans per branch and inflation affected negatively the financial performance measured by return on assets. Whereas, the ratio of debt to equity, log_net profit per employee, total liquid assets to total deposits, interest income to total income, and exchange rate have positive and significant impact while the ratio of loan loss provision to total loan, log_total loans per branch, and inflation negatively and significantly affected financial performance measured by ROE. The independent sample t-test shows that except the ratio of total loans to total deposits, and total capital to total assets the remaining variables did not show significant different between state and public owned banks.JEL classification: M14 M4 M1
Molluscs Community as a Keystone Group for Assessing the Impact of Urban Sprawl at Intertidal Ecosystems
Authors: Ortega-Jiménez Elena , Sedano Francisco , Espinosa Free
Published: December 2021

Mollusc communities are getting endangered as a result of urban sprawl because artificial structures do not surrogate natural substrates. In this study, we compared diversity and community and trophic structures of molluscs among different models of artificial substrate and its adjacent natural rock, to detect relationships between some abiotic variables and the molluscs community. Complexity, chemical composition and age were tested as potential drivers of the community. Diversity, community and trophic structure differed between natural and artificial substrates. Complexity at the scale of cm was detected as the most important factor driving community structure. Besides, a chemical composition based on silica and/or scarce calcium carbonates seems to be relevant for molluscs, as well as for the secondary substrate where they inhabit. However, age did not seem to be a driving factor. Among the different artificial structures, macroscale complexity was detected as the main factor diverging a drastically poor community at seawalls from other artificial structures.
Energy-Based Approach for the Analysis of a Vertically Loaded Pile in Multi-layered Non-linear Soil Strata
Authors: Arvan Prakash Ankitha , Arockiasamy Madasamy
Published: December 2021

Numerous studies have been reported in published literature on analytical solutions for a vertically loaded pile installed in a homogeneous single soil layer. However, piles are rarely installed in an ideal homogeneous single soil layer. This study presents an energy-based approach to obtain displacements in an axially loaded pile embedded in multi-layered soil considering soil non-linearity. A simple power law based on published literature is used where the soil is assumed to be nonlinear-elastic and perfectly plastic. A Tresca yield surface is assumed to develop the soil stiffness variation with different strain levels that defines the non-linearity of the soil strata. The pile displacement response is obtained using the software MATLAB R2019a and the results from the energy-based method are compared with those obtained from the field test data as well as the finite element analysis based on the software ANSYS 2019R3. It is observed that the results obtained from the energy-based method are in better agreement with the field measured values than those obtained from the FEA. The approach presented in this study can be extended to piles embedded in multi-layered soil strata subjected to different cases of lateral loads as well as the combined action of lateral and axial loads. Furthermore, the same approach can be extended to study the response of the soil to group piles.