bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Mixture Models Based on Pain Intensity, Functional Disability and Psychological Distress Composite Assessment Allow to Identify Two Distinct Classes of Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome after Surgery Patients Related to Their Quality of Life
Authors: Ounajim Amine , Billot Maxime , Louis Pierre-Yves , Slaoui Yousri , Frasca Denis , Goudman Lisa , Roulaud Manuel , Naiditch Nicolas , Lorgeoux Bertille , Baron Sandrine , Nivole Kevin , Many Mathilde , Adjali Nihel , Page Philippe , Bouche Bénédicte , Charrier Elodie , Poupin Laure , Rannou Delphine , de Montgazon Géraldine Brumauld , Roy-Moreau Brigitte , Wood Chantal H. , Rigoard Raphael , David Romain , Moens Maarten , Rigoard Philippe
Published: August 2021

Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type 2 (PSPS-T2), (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome), dramatically impacts on patient quality of life, as evidenced by Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) assessment tools. However, the importance of functioning, pain perception and psychological status in HRQoL can substantially vary between subjects. Our goal was to extract patient profiles based on HRQoL dimensions in a sample of PSPS-T2 patients and to identify factors associated with these profiles. Two classes were clearly identified using a mixture of mixed effect models from a clinical data set of 200 patients enrolled in “PREDIBACK”, a multicenter observational prospective study including PSPS-T2 patients with 1-year follow-up. We observed that HRQoL was more impacted by functional disability for first class patients (n=136) and by pain perception for second class patients (n=62). Males that perceive their work as physical were more impacted by disability than pain intensity. Lower education level, lack of adaptive coping strategies and higher pain intensity were significantly associated with HRQoL being more impacted by pain perception. The identification of such classes allows for a better understanding of HRQoL dimensions and opens the gate towards optimized health-related quality of life evaluation and personalized pain management.
Clinical and pharmacological rationale for principles of therapy for bacterial vaginosis
Authors:   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Lazareva N.B. , Rebrova E.V. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Ryazanova A.Yu. ,   Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russian Federation, Shikh E.V. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: August 2021

Metronidazole and clindamycin have been the main medications for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) for 60 years. Despite the available arsenal of therapeutic agents, the frequency of disease recurrence remains high, and therefore the search for new therapeutic approaches remains relevant. In 2017, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA) approved the use of secnidazole for the treatment of BV. As a member of the 5-nitroimidazole group, secnidazole differs structurally from metronidazole and tinidazole by radical groups attached to the annular nitrogen next to the nitro group. Structural differences may explain physicochemical and biochemical differences (e.g., tissue distribution, metabolic pathways) between these agents within the same pharmacological class of 5-nitroimidazoles. Secnidazole has the longest half-life compared to other medications in this group, which can significantly increase adherence to treatment, due to the possibility of achieving a clinical effect after a single use and a low incidence of adverse drug reactions, comparable to placebo. Key words: bacterial vaginosis, gardnerella vaginalis, lactobacilli, metronidazole, secnidazole
Improvement of Batik Liquid Waste Quality with IPAL Mini Technology: Case on Flower Tourism Sidomulyo Village in Batu, Indonesia
Authors: Mustaniroh Siti Asmaul , Dewi Ika Atsari , Subagiyo Aris , Fajriani Sisca
Published: August 2021

Sidomulyo Village, a flower tourist village, in Batu city is one tourist destination in East Java Province based on local wisdom as an icon of Agro-industrial and Agro-tourism in the development of regional tourism. The local products from Sidomulyo Tourism Village include ornamental plants, cut flowers and batik. Sidomulyo Batik UKM is a batik producer with a capacity of 20 sheets per month @ 2.25 m2 and uses manual coloring technology. So far, UKM Batik Sidomulyo has been doing the coloring process in partnership with UKM Batik in Banyuwangi and Trenggalek Regencies due to technological limitations in the processing of batik liquid waste which still contains hazardous and toxic materials so if no action is taken it can damage the ecosystem. One of the strategic solutions is the technology transfer of the mini Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) which utilizes biological waste treatment technology by utilizing bacteria and facilities that are Proven Technology. The mini WWTP installation uses 3 processing rooms including (1) separation of wax content from liquid waste, stirring with coagulant treatment to separate liquid waste from B3 waste and (3) purification of liquid waste by treating biofilter media and anaerobic bacteria. The levels of BOD and COD of the waste will be measured before and after the use of the mini WWTP so that it will be environmentally friendly without reducing the quality of batik as a support for souvenir products typical of Sidomulyo Tourism Village.
FARMING PRODUCTION COSTS AND RELATIVE COMPETITIVENESS OF INDONESIAN BLACK AND WHITE PEPPERS
Authors: Pribadi Ekwasita Rini , Wahyudi Agus
Published: August 2021

Indonesia is one of the major pepper (Piper nigrum L.) producer countries in the world. The main pepper products are distinguished into black and white pepper. Each region has a tradition to produce each of the products and influencing cultivation practices and cost structure. This research was aimed to analyze the cost of productions of black and white pepper and their relative competitiveness to the pepper price at the farm level with conventional and improved cultivation practices. The survey methods were used to obtain the primary data from respondents selected with the snowball sampling method. Lampung and Bangka Belitung Islands were chosen to represent the black and white peppers of smallholders, respectively. The result showed that the farms with conventional cultivation practices did not have sustainable relative competitiveness, indicating higher production costs than the lowest prices received in the long term. On the other hand, relative competitiveness was relatively better in farms that implemented improved cultivation practices. Therefore, to achieve sustainable relative competitiveness, pepper farms should apply improved cultivation practices. The relative competitiveness of white pepper was better than black pepper because the productivity of white pepper was higher even though the production cost was also a little bit higher than black pepper.
Clinical Verification of Body Mass Index and Tumor Immune Response in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy
Authors: Takada Koji , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Asano Yuka , Goto Wataru , Kouhashi Rika , Yabumoto Akimichi , Ishihara Sae , Morisaki Tamami , Shibutani Masatsune , Tanaka Hiroaki , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as a simple indicator of obesity; patients with early-stage breast cancer who are obese (OB) per BMI measurements have been shown to have high postoperative recurrence and low survival rates. On the other hand, it has been shown that lymphocytes present in the vicinity of malignant growths that are involved in the tumors’ immune responses influence the efficacy chemotherapy. Therefore, we hypothesized that OB patients with breast cancer have a lower density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which may influence the therapeutic effect of preoperative chemotherapy (POC). In this study, we measured pretreatment BMI and TILs in patients with breast cancer who underwent POC, examined the correlations between these two factors, and retrospectively analyzed their therapeutic outcomes and prognoses.MethodsThe participants in this study were 421 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment after POC between February 2007 and January 2019. The patient’s height and weight were measured before POC to calculate the BMI (weight [kg] divided by the square of the height [m2]). According to the World Health Organization categorization, patients who weighed under 18.5 kg/m2 were classified as underweight (UW), those ≥18.5 kg/m2 and >25 kg/m2 were considered normal weight (NW), those ≥25 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2 were overweight (OW), and those ≥30 kg/m2 were OB. The TILs were those lymphocytes that infiltrated the tumor stroma according to the definition of the International TILs Working Group 2014.ResultsThe median BMI was 21.9 kg/m2 (range, 14.3–38.5 kg/m2); most patients (244; 64.5%) were NW. Among all 378 patients with breast cancer, the TIL density was significantly lower in OB than in NW and OW patients (vs. NW: p=0.001; vs. OW: p=0.003). Furthermore, when examining patients with each breast cancer type individually, the OS of those with TNBC who had low BMIs was significantly poorer than that of their high-BMI counterparts (log rank p=0.031).Conclusions﻿Our data did not support the hypothesis that obesity affects the tumor immune microenvironment; however, we showed that being UW does affect the tumor immune microenvironment.
Single parameter model for cosmic scale photon redshift in a closed Universe
Authors: Steynberg Andre
Published: August 2021

A successful single parameter model has been formulated to match the observations of photons from type 1a supernovae which were previously used to corroborate the standard 𝛬 cold dark matter model. The new single parameter model extrapolates all the way back to the cosmic background radiation (CMB) without requiring a separate model to describe inflation of the space dimensions after the Big Bang. The model for the redshift progression of a photon is: 1 + z =\(\frac{\text{sin}\left(\frac{13.8}{T}\right)\pi /2}{\text{sin}\left(\frac{t}{T}\right)\pi /2}\) T is the fitted parameter and t is the time when the photon was emitted, both measured in billions of years from time zero in the Big Bang. The angle is expressed in radians. The number 13.8 should be updated if an improved estimate for the time elapsed since the Big Bang is found. The single parameter model assumes that spacetime forms a finite symmetrical manifold with positive curvature.
The problems in the quarter-wavelength model and impedance matching theory in analysising microwave absorption material
Authors: Liu Ying , Liu Yue , Drew Michael GB
Published: August 2021

It is shown here that many concepts in current mainstream microwave absorption theory are used inappropriately. Reflection loss RL has been used to characterize microwave absorption from material instead of film and the results have been rationalized by impedance matching theory. The quarter-wavelength model states that the reflection of microwaves with wavelength l from a film is minimized if the thickness of the film is m l /4 where m is an odd integer. But we show here that the model is wrong because the phase effects from interfaces have been overlooked. RL is an innate property only for metal-backed film. Impedance matching theory is developed from transmission-line theory for scattering parameter s 11 but cannot be generalized to RL.
Prognostic Significance and Oncogene Function of Cathepsin A in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Huaxiang , Xu Fengfeng , Yang Fang , Lv Lizhi , Jiang Yi
Published: August 2021

Cathepsin A (CTSA) is a lysosomal protease that regulates galactoside metabolism. The previous study has shown CTSA is abnormally expressed in various types of cancer. However, rarely the previous study has addressed the role of CTSA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its prognostic value. To study the clinical value and potential function of CTSA in HCC, datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and a 136 HCC patient cohort were analyzed. CTSA expression was found to be significantly higher in HCC patients compared with normal liver tissues, which was supported by immunohistochemistry (IHC) validation. Both gene ontology (GO) and The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses demonstrated that CTSA co-expressed genes were involved in ATP hydrolysis coupled proton transport, carbohydrate metabolic process, lysosome organization, oxidative phosphorylation, other glycan degradation, etc. Survival analysis showed a significant reduction both in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with high CTSA expression from both the TCGA HCC cohort and 136 patients with the HCC cohort. Furthermore, CTSA overexpression has diagnostic value in distinguishing between HCC and normal liver tissue (Area under curve (AUC) = 0.864). Moreover, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that CTSA expression correlated with the oxidative phosphorylation, proteasome, and lysosome, etc. in HCC tissues. These findings demonstrate that CTSA may as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC.
Intensification of Tropical Cyclone FANI Observed by INSAT-3DR Rapid Scan Data
Authors: Jaiswal Neeru , Deb Sanjib K. , Kishtawal Chandra M.
Published: August 2021

Geo-stationary satellite images are one of the primary tool for real-time monitoring and intensity analysis of Tropical Cyclones (TCs) in spite of other complimentary remote sensing sensors like scatterometers, microwave imagers and sounders, mounted on the polar orbiting satellites. The weather activities over Indian region are continuously monitored by two Indian geostationary satellites viz., INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR for every 15 minutes in staggered mode. During extreme weather events like TCs, INSAT-3DR is operated in rapid scan operation mode by taking observations over the system in every 4-minutes interval. These observations are highly useful in understating the instantaneous structural changes during evolution, intensification and landfall of TC. The salient observations over the cloud systems by visible, thermal infrared (TIR1), and water vapour imageries of INSAT-3DR satellite during the life cycle of the TC FANI are presented in this paper. The rapidly evolving small-scale features inside the inner core of TC FANI in high temporal resolution images were examined. The large-scale circulation features are analysed by atmospheric motion winds generated using rapid scan infrared images of INSAT-3DR. The relationship between TC intensity and inner core TIR1 BT, number of overshooting top clouds in the differenced TIR1-WV BT have been presented by analysing the sequence of INSAT-3DR imageries. The strong correlation (r2=0.74) was obtained between the TC eye temperature and radial distance of first overshooting cloud top. The 1 km x 1 km visible images of TC were found to have the presence of small-scale mesovortices in the eye region, which are a typical characteristic of intense TC system. The rapid scan operation mode generated sequence of images have been presented to show their application to identify the signatures of TC intensification.
How long does the mRNA remains stable in untreated whole bovine blood?
Authors: Giglioti Rodrigo , Azevedo Bianca Tainá , de Oliveira Henrique Nunes , Katiki Luciana Morita , Filho Anibal Eugênio Vercesi , Oliveira Márcia Cristina de Sena , Okino Cintia Hiromi
Published: August 2021

Background: High quality and quantity of messenger RNA (mRNA) are required for accuracy of gene expression studies and other RNA-based downstream applications. Since RNA is considered a labile macromolecular prone to degradation, which may result in falsely altered gene expression patterns, several commercial stabilizing reagents have been developed aiming to keep RNA stable for long period. However, for studies involving large number of experimental samples, the high costs related to these specific reagents may constitute a barrier. Methods and Results: In this context the present study was designed aiming to evaluate the stability of mRNA in whole bovine blood collected in EDTA tubes during storage at common fridge (4°C). Whole blood samples were collected from six Holstein calves and submitted to RNA extraction in each different interval: immediately after blood sampling (< 2 h), at 1-day post-sampling (dps), 2 dps, 3 dps, 7 dps and 14dps intervals. RNA integrity and purity were evaluated, and RT-qPCR assays were run using seven different genes (B2M, ACTB, PPIA, GAPDH, YWHAZ, CD4 and IFN-γ) aiming to evaluate the presence of altered gene transcription during storage. All extracted RNA samples presented high purity, while optimal integrity and unaltered gene expression were observed in whole experimental group up to 3 days of storage.Conclusion: Bovine blood RNA remained stable in K3EDTA tubes for 3 days stored at common fridge and can be successfully and accurately used for gene expression studies.
Antibiotic Resistance Gene Was Increased via Horizontal Transfer in Single and Two-Chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Guo Zhao-Bing , Sun Wen-Long , Zuo Xiao-Jun , Song Hai-Liang , Ling Hao , Zhang Shuai
Published: August 2021

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), have been applied for antibiotic degradation, but simultaneously induced antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), thus representing a risk to disseminate antibiotic resistance. However, there were few studies on the potential and risk of ARGs transmission in the MECs. In this work, conjugative transfer of ARGs was assessed under three tested conditions (voltages, cell concentration, and donor/recipient ratio) in both single and two-chamber MECs. The results indicated that voltages (> 0.9 V) facilitate the frequency in single-chamber the MECs and two-chamber the MECs (in anode chamber). The donor cell number (donor/recipient ratio was 2:1) showed more favor on the transfer frequency. Furthermore, voltages ranged from 0.9 V to 2.5 V increased ROS production and cell membrane permeability in MECs. These findings offer new insights into the roles of ARGs transfer under different applied voltages in the MECs, which should not be ignored for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance.
Invisible Experts: A Systematic Review & Thematic Synthesis of Informal Carer Experiences of Inpatient Mental Health Care
Authors: Sief Nada Abou , Wood Lisa , Morant Nicola
Published: August 2021

Background: The negative impact of caregiving on carers’ physical and psychological wellbeing is well documented. Carers of mental health inpatients face additional burden, and report predominantly negative experiences of inpatient services. It remains unclear why, despite policies intended to improve inpatient experiences. A comprehensive review of carers’ inpatient experiences is needed to understand carer needs. As such, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and thematic synthesis of carer experiences of inpatient mental health care. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL for qualitative studies examining carer experiences of mental health inpatient care. Searches were supplemented by reference list screening and forward citation tracking of included studies. Results were synthesised using thematic synthesis. Our protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020197904) and our review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Findings: 12 studies were included from 6 countries. Four themes were identified: the emotional journey of inpatient care, invisible experts, carer concerns about quality of care for their loved one and relationships and partnershipInterpretation: Greater attention must be paid to ensure carers are well-supported, well-informed, and included in care. More emphasis must be placed on fostering positive relationships between carers, service users and staff and in facilitating continuity of care across inpatient and community services to provide carers with a sense of security and predictability. Further research is needed to explore differences in experiences based on carer and service user characteristics and global context, alongside co-production with carers to develop and evaluate future guidelines and policies.
Triglyceride Glucose-Body Mass Index and The Risk of Diabetes: A General Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Jingdong , Cheng Zongyou , Zhong Yanjia , Chen Xiaohua , Song Wei
Published: August 2021

Background: Triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) has been proven to be a reliable substitute for insulin resistance. However, whether a causal association exists between TyG-BMI and new-onset diabetes remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal association and predictive performance between TyG-BMI and diabetes.Methods: A total of 116661 subjects who underwent a physical examination were included in this study. The subjects were divided into five equal points according to the quintile of TyG-BMI, and the outcome of interest was the occurrence of diabetic events. TyG-BMI = ln [fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) × fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)/2] × BMI.Results: During the average follow-up period of 3.1 (0.95) years, 1888 men (1.61%) and 793 women (0.68%) were newly diagnosed with diabetes. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that TyG-BMI was an independent predictor of new-onset diabetes (HR 1.50 per SD increase, 95%CI: 1.40 to 1.60, P-trend<0.00001), and the best TyG-BMI cutoff value for predicting new-onset diabetes was 213.2966 (area under the curve 0.7741, sensitivity 72.51%, specificity 69.54%). Additionally, the results of subgroup analysis suggested that the risk of TyG-BMI-related diabetes in young and middle-aged people was significantly higher than that in middle-aged and elderly people, and the risk of TyG-BMI-related diabetes in non-obese people was significantly higher than that in overweight and obese people (P for interaction <0.05).Conclusions: This cohort study of the Chinese population shows that after excluding other confounding factors, there is a causal association of TyG-BMI with diabetes, and this independent association is more obvious in young, middle-aged and non-obese people.
The Healthy Female Microbiome Across Body Sites: Effect of Hormonal Contraceptives and the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Krog Maria Christine , Hugerth Luisa W , Fransson Emma , Bashir Zahra , Andersen Anders Nyboe , Edfeldt Gabriella , Engstrand Lars , Schuppe-Koistinen Ina , Nielsen Henriette Svarre
Published: August 2021

Background: There is increasing evidence that the vaginal microbiome influences women’s health. V agina l dysbiosis with a low abundance of L actobacillus h as been connected to gynaecological and obstetric complications. However, the interplay between the vaginal microbiome and the microbiome in other body sites is not yet described. In addition, fluctuating endogenous sex hormones may exert an effect on microbiome composition and are markedly changed by hormonal contraception . This study includes a cohort of 160 healthy young Caucasian women using three different contraceptive regimens: non-hormonal methods, combined oral contraceptive (COC) or levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS ) . The oral, vaginal, rectal and faecal microbiome s are characterized by shot gun sequencing during each phase of the menstrual cycle (menses, follicular and luteal phases). Results: The use of COC and LNG-IUS do not affect the microbiome composition or diversity . However , an increased diversity in the vaginal microbiome is observed during menses , followed by a subsequent expansion of Lactobacillus during the follicular and luteal phase s which correlate s with measured serum oestradiol levels (r = 0.11, p<0.001) . During menses 89 women (58%) ha ve a dysbiotic vaginal microbiome with less than 60% Lactobacillus spp . This decline s to 49 (32%) in the follicular phase (p = 1.3E-5) and 44 (29%) in the luteal phase (p = 4.6E-7) . During menses, bacterial richness and diversity in saliva reach its lowest while no difference is observed in the faecal microbiome . T he microbiome in different body sites is on average more similar within the same individual than between individuals , despite phase or hormonal treatment . Only the vagina present s a clear cluster structure with dominance of either Lactobacillus crispatus , Lactobacillus iners , Gardnerella vaginalis or Prevotella spp. Conclusions: The use of COC or LNG-IUS is not associated with changes of the healthy female microbiome except for increased stability in the vagina in LNG-IUS users . Body site is the main driver of the microbiome, including a clear difference between faecal and rectal samples. The menstrual cycle is a confounding factor for microbiome composition in both saliva and the vagina and should be considered when analysing the microbiome in women of reproductive age.
Identification of Multi-Omics Cell Signatures of Early Liver Injury
Authors: Migdał Maciej , Tralle Eugeniusz , Nahia Karim Abu , Bugajski Łukasz , Kędzierska Katarzyna Zofia , Garbicz Filip , Piwocka Katarzyna , Winata Cecilia Lanny , Pawlak Michał
Published: August 2021

Background

Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to tissue injury and inflammation hallmarked by the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition in the liver parenchyma and tissue remodelling. Different cell types of the liver are known to play distinct roles in liver injury response. Hepatocytes and liver endothelial cells receive molecular signals indicating tissue injury and activate hepatic stellate cells which produce ECM proteins upon their activation. Despite the growing knowledge on the molecular mechanism underlying hepatic fibrosis in general, the cell-type-specific gene regulatory network associated with the initial response to hepatotoxic injury is still poorly characterized.
Results

In this study, we used thioacetamide (TAA) to induce hepatic injury in adult zebrafish. We isolated three major liver cell types - hepatocytes, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells - and identified cell-type-specific chromatin accessibility and transcriptional changes in an early stage of liver injury. We found that TAA induced transcriptional shifts in all three cell types hallmarked by significant alterations in the expression of genes related to fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as immune response-associated and vascular-specific genes. Interestingly, liver endothelial cells exhibit the most pronounced response to liver injury at the transcriptome and chromatin level, hallmarked by the loss of their angiogenic phenotype.
Conclusion

Our results uncovered cell-type-specific transcriptome and epigenome responses to early stage liver injury, which provide valuable insights into understanding the molecular mechanism implicated in the early response of the liver to pro-fibrotic signals.
Life Events and Quality of Life in the Chinese Population: The Mediating Role of Social Capital
Authors: Zhang Jianghui , Wang Songmei , Han Xiaoyu , Xu Chuanzhi , Chen Ying , Cheng Nan , Deng Haoyuan , Yin Jianzhong , Meng Qiong
Published: August 2021

Objective

Life events and social capital can affect one’s quality of life. Stress buffering theory holds that social capital can buffer the negative effects of life events. A conceptual model based on stress buffering theory was proposed to test whether social capital played a mediating role in the relationship between life events and quality of life among adults in Yunnan, China.
Methods

This study was based on baseline survey data from the Yunnan Cohort in the Chinese Multi-ethnic Cohort (CMEC). A total of 22881 adults were recruited by multistage stratified cluster sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect participants’ information, including general demographic characteristics and life events. A self-developed ultra-brief social capital scale was utilized to assess the participants’ social capital and the EQ-5D-5L scale was used to measure their quality of life. Correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationships among life events, social capital and quality of life, and structural equation models were used to evaluate whether social capital had a mediating effect on the relationship between negative life events and quality of life.
Results

Social capital had a direct positive effect on quality of life (β = 0.108, 95% CI [0.089, 0.128]). Life events not only directly affected quality of life (β= -0.117, 95% CI [-0.135, -0.099]) but also indirectly negatively affected quality of life through social capital (β= -0.018, 95% CI [-0.022, -0.014]). The results showed that social capital had a mediating effect on the relationship between negative life events and quality of life.
Conclusion

Social capital played an important mediating role in the relationship between life events and quality of life, and social capital alleviated the negative effects of life events. Providing better social capital for adults experiencing negative life events could effectively improve their quality of life.
Seroprevalence of Newcastle Disease Virus in Local Chickens in Njombe and Bahi Districs in Tanzania
Authors: Mngumi Elifuraha Barnabas , Bunuma Emmanuel
Published: August 2021

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes significant losses of poultry in Tanzania. Like in many African countries, the regular surveillance of NDV is important for the control of disease. The objective of this study was to determine seroprevalence of NDV in backyard poultry in Bahi and Njombe districts of Tanzania over the rainy (May) and dry (November) seasons in 2016. Using hemaglutination inhibition test, the overall seroprevalence was determined to be 26.8%. The significant differences in seroprevalence was between seasons ((higher (34.9%) in dry season, p < 0.0001)) and age ((higher (30.3%), p < 0.0001 in adult birds)). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between the districts or sex. The higher levels of “protective” antibody titers were significantly associated with location; Njombe (RR 1.15), dry season (RR 1.08), and age; adult birds (RR 1.16), however the prevalence of these titers was not high enough to conclude any herd immunity among these flocks. This study therefore provides a brief insight of NDV disease dynamics in Tanzania. Future studies focusing on transmission, strain type, and monthly dynamics of NDV in backyard flocks will provide greater insight into the disease dynamics and allow new practical strategies to alleviate the effects of NDV for the smallholder farmers
The continuity of prime numbers can lead to even continuity(The ultimate)
Authors: Ling Xie
Published: August 2021

n continuous prime numbers can combine a group of continuous even numbers. If an adjacent prime number is followed, the even number will continue. For example, if we take prime number 3, we can get even number 6. If we follow an adjacent prime number 5, we can get even numbers by using 3 and 5: 6, 8 and 10. If a group of continuous prime numbers 3,5,7,11,... P, we can get a group of continuous even numbers 6,8,10,12,..., 2n. Then if an adjacent prime number q is followed, the original group of even numbers 6,8,10,12,..., 2n will be finitely extended to 2 (n + 1) or more adjacent even numbers. My purpose is to prove that the continuity of prime numbers will lead to even continuity as long as 2 (n + 1) can be extended. If the continuity of even numbers is discontinuous, it violates the Bertrand Chebyshev theorem of prime numbers. Because there are infinitely many prime numbers: 3, 5, 7, 11,... We can get infinitely many continuous even numbers: 6,8,10,12,...
Preventive practices towards Sexually Transmitted Infection and its determinants among young people in Ethiopia: a protocol for a systematic review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Anbesu Etsay Woldu , Aychiluhm Setognal Birara , Alemayehu Mussie
Published: August 2021

Background
Globally, about 178.5 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections occur among young people aged 15–24 years. There are fragmented and inconsistent findings on preventive practices of sexually transmitted infection and there is no national representative data on preventive practices of sexually transmitted infection in Ethiopia. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of good preventive practices of sexually transmitted infection and identify its determinants among young people in Ethiopia.
Methods
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline was employed to develop the review protocol. Databases such as PubMed, CINAH, Google, and Google Scholar were used to search published and unpublished studies from May 15 − 12 August/2021. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument will be used to assess the quality of the studies. Statistical heterogeneity will be checked using I2 statistics. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be done based on regions to identify the sources of heterogeneity at a p-value < 0.05. The statistical analysis will be done using STATA version-14 software. A random-effects model will be employed to estimate the pooled prevalence and identify determinants of preventive practices of sexually transmitted infections.
Discussion
Young people have a high unmet need for sexual and reproductive health services and poor preventive practices toward sexually transmitted infection. Despite different interventions implemented to enhance the preventive practice of sexually transmitted infection among young people, the problem is still a challenge in low-income countries, including Ethiopia
Innovative Method of Utilising Hydrogen Peroxide for Source Water Management of Cyanobacteria
Authors: huang Jianyin , Ghaly Maximus , Hobson Peter , Chow Christopher W.K.
Published: August 2021

The treatment and control of cyanobacterial blooms using copper-based algaecides in water reservoirs has historically been used, however, due to the adverse impact of copper on the environment, water authorities have been researching and studying new and innovative ways to control cyanobacterial blooms. Hydrogen peroxide has been investigated as an environmentally friendly alternative and this research aims to determine the impact of water quality on its effectiveness based on the decay characteristics in different water samples. Natural water samples from South Australian reservoirs were used to evaluate hydrogen peroxide decomposition and provide a better strategy for water operators in using it as an algaecide. Our experiments show the dependency of hydrogen peroxide decomposition not only on water quality but also on the initial hydrogen peroxide dose. A higher initial hydrogen peroxide dose can trigger the increase of pH, leading to increased consumption of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the hydrogen peroxide decomposition is significantly accelerated with the rise of copper concentration in water samples. Moreover, it is found that UV light can also affect the decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide decay is more significant under UV light for the samples with lower hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Our study also shows the impact of DOC on hydrogen peroxide decomposition is not substantial. The study also presents a modelling method to optimise hydrogen peroxide application based on water quality characteristics. Our findings can provide knowledge for the water industry to produce a suitable model which can be used to optimise the application of hydrogen peroxide for the control of cyanobacteria.
Association of Serum Creatinine Levels and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Korea: A Case Control Study
Authors: Song Do Kyeong , Hong Young Sun , Sung Yeon-Ah , Lee Hyejin
Published: August 2021

Background: Reduced skeletal muscle has been suggested as a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Serum creatinine is the primary metabolite of creatine in skeletal muscle. Therefore, low serum creatinine levels may be associated with an increased risk of T2DM. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum creatinine levels and the risk of T2DM in Korea.Methods: We analyzed a total of 264,832 nondiabetic adults older than 40 years of age who had undergone a national health examination at least once from 2009 to 2015 in the Korean National Health Insurance Service Cohort. Hazard ratios for T2DM were calculated.Results: In men, serum creatinine levels and the risk for T2DM showed an inverse J-shaped association. This association was confirmed after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and fasting plasma glucose. In women, there was a trend that serum creatinine levels were inversely associated with the risk of T2DM among those with serum creatinine below 1.1 mg/dl. However, serum creatinine levels were not significantly associated with the risk of T2DM after adjustment for age, BMI, SBP, DBP, and fasting plasma glucose.Conclusions: Reduced levels of serum creatinine were significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM in men with creatinine below 1.20 mg/dl. There was a trend that decreased levels of serum creatinine were associated with an increased risk of T2DM among women with serum creatinine below 1.1 mg/dl, although this result was not statistically significant.
Online Sex-Seeking Among Chinese Heterosexual Men Who Seek Care in Stis Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Changchang , Tang Weiming , Ho Hung Chak , Zhao Peizhen , Chen Lei , Wang Yajie , Xiong Mingzhou , Yang Bin , Zheng Heping , Wang Cheng
Published: August 2021

Background: The Internet has become an important virtual venue for men who have sex with men to seek sexual partners, with a high potential threat to spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However,the onlinesex-seeking use and its risk causing STIs spread remain unclear among heterosexual men. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the use of online sex-seeking venues and the related risky sex activities (e.g. condomless sex, quick sex) in STIs clinics in Guangdong, China. Methods: These STIs clinics were involved in the Guangdong governmental sentinel network and we recruited heterosexual men (age >= 18) between March and August 2018. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with online sex-seeking use and risky sex activities with online sex partners. Results: 191 of 2,154 participants (8.9%) ever sought sex online. Among users,16.8% met their partners in-person within 24 hours, 31.4% engaged in condomless sex with their last online partner. Online sex-seeking was positively associated with a) previous STIs diagnosis (aOR=3.0, 95%CI:2.0-4.6), and b)having casual partners in the last three months (aOR=3.3, 95%CI 2.4-4.6). Condomless sex with the last online partner was negatively associated with the correct answer of “having only one partner can reduce the risk to infect HIV” (aOR=0.3, 95%CI:0.1-0.8). Conclusion:In China, online sex-seeking and its related risky sexual activities are not rare among heterosexual men. Future prevention strategies to reduce STIs incidence should especially target heterosexual men engaging in online sex-seeking.
Exploring the Transportome of the Biosurfactant Producing Yeast Starmerella Bombicola
Authors: Claus Silke , Jezierska Sylwia , Elbourne Liam D.H. , Bogaert Inge N.A. Van
Published: August 2021

Starmerella bombicola is a non-conventional yeast mainly known for its capacity to produce high amounts of the glycolipids ‘sophorolipids’. Although its product has been used as biological detergent for a couple of decades, the genetics of S. bombicola are still largely unknown. Computational analysis of the yeast’s genome enabled us to identify 254 putative transporter genes that make up the entire transportome. For each of them, a potential substrate was predicted using homology analysis, subcellular localization prediction and RNA sequencing in different stages of growth. One transporter family is of exceptional importance to this yeast: the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter Superfamily, because it harbors the main driver behind the highly efficient sophorolipid export. Furthermore, members of this superfamily translocate a variety of compounds ranging from antibiotics to hydrophobic molecules. We conducted an analysis of this family by creating deletion mutants to understand their role in the export of hydrophobic compounds, antibiotics and sophorolipids. Doing this, we could experimentally confirm the transporters participating in the efflux of medium chain fatty alcohols, particularly decanol and undecanol, and identify a second sophorolipid transporter that is located outside the sophorolipid biosynthetic gene cluster.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of glacial lakes (1990-2018) in the Kashmir Himalayas, India using remote sensing and GIS
Authors: Ahmed Rayees , Wani Gowhar Farooq , Ahmad Syed Towseef , Mir Riyaz Ahmad , Almazroui Mansour , Jain Sanjay K. , Ahmed Pervez
Published: August 2021

This study is perhaps the first attempt to use satellite data (1990–2018) to analyze spatiotemporal changes in glacial lakes over the Kashmir Himalayas supplemented by field studies. Landsat images were used to delineate the spatial extent of glacial lakes at four time points, i.e., 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2018. The total count of lakes as well as their spatial extent showed a discernible increase. The number increased from 253 in 1990 to 322 in 2018, with a growth rate of 21.4%. The area has increased from 18.84 Km2 in 1990 to 22.11 Km2 in 2018 with a growth rate of 14.7 percent. The newly formed glacial lakes, including supra glacial lakes, were greater in number than the lakes that disappeared over the study period. All glacial lakes are situated at elevations of 2700 m asl and 4500 m asl. More than 78% of lake expansion in the study region is largely due to the growth of existing glacial lakes. Through area change analysis, our findings reveal that certain lakes show rapid expansion needing immediate monitoring and observation. The analysis of the meteorological variables reveals that minimum and maximum temperatures in the Jhelum basin have shown an increasing trend. Tmax showed an increase of 1.1°C, whereas Tmin increased to 0.7°C from 1990 to 2018. On the other hand, precipitation has shown a decreasing trend, which can be attributed to one of the major causes of glacier recession and the expansion of glacial lakes in the Upper Jhelum basin. Consequently, this study could play a significant role in devising a comprehensive risk assessment plan for potential GLOFs and developing a mechanism for continuous monitoring and management of lakes in the study region.
Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Ovarian Function in Perimenopausal Women With Endometriosis: A Prospective Study
Authors: Uehara Mari , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Hirano Mana , Koga Kaori , Yoshimura Noriko , Tanaka Sakae , Osuga Yutaka
Published: August 2021

Background

In women with endometriosis, the association between ovarian function, hormones, and bone mineral density (BMD) is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the correlation between changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women with endometriosis and clinical data, such as ovarian reserves.
Methods

In this prospective study, we evaluated 207 female patients who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tokyo Hospital between December 2015 and December 2020. We included patients aged ≥ 40 years with a history of endometriosis or who presented with endometriosis lesions. Patients with a history of smoking, steroid administration, autoimmune diseases, dyslipidaemia, and heart disease were excluded. During the study period, patients who underwent two tests, an initial and a follow-up test (n = 142, average age: 45.02 years, average BMD: 1.16 g/cm2), were evaluated at regular intervals based on the annual rate of change in BMD.
Results

There was a negative correlation between the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and BMD, and a positive correlation between the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and BMD. The annual rate of change in BMD correlated only with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. A large decline in BMD was associated with high TSH levels and higher average age at menopause. Patients with higher TSH exhibited a higher rate of decrease in BMD than those without.
Conclusions

High FSH or low AMH levels are associated with decreased BMD. Decreased ovarian reserve is associated with decreased BMD in perimenopausal women with endometriosis. High TSH levels increase the risk of BMD loss. This finding may help manage osteoporosis and BMD loss in perimenopausal women with endometriosis by predicting BMD loss from ovarian reserve and TSH levels.
S-line as Predictor of Clinical Outcome for Patients Undergone Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Lu Yilin , Zhu Jian , Luo Xi , Sun Kaiqiang , Sun Jingchuan , Shi Jiangang
Published: August 2021

Background: Some have speculated that LSTV has an impact on lumbar curve. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate S-line as predictor of clinical outcome for patients undergone transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods: 126 patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion were enrolled. S-line stands for the connecting line between the highest points of the iliac crests on both sides. The patients were divided into two groups according to the position of S-line, S-line (-) group included patients whose S-line were between L4 and L5, and S-line (+) group included patients whose S-line is above or below this range, which were divided into two subgroups. Their pre-operative imaging data about sagittal alignment were collected, including lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI) and pelvic tilt (PT). Clinical outcomes were measured using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) before the surgery and postoperatively. The correlation of S-line and clinical outcomes, as well as sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes, were analyzed.Results: LL, SS, PI, PT and PI minus(-) LL of S-line (-) group were (45.39°±12.68°), (30.27°±10.55°), (43.32°±12.22°), (13.05°±6.52°), (-2.07°±8.20°), respectively, and those parameters of S-line (+) group were (40.29±14.92), (35.70°±14.09°), (52.59°±17.07°), (16.89°±8.24°), (12.30°±9.98°), respectively. Significant difference were seen in the above parameters between S-line (-) and S-line (+) group. For S-line (-) and S-line (+) group, post-operative JOA score were (22.39±2.12), (20.26±2.46), post-operative VAS were (2.07±0.88), (3.14±1.47), the post-operative ODI were (8.36±3.28), (11.82±3.32), the improvement rate is (0.61±0.13), (0.55±0.15), Significant differences of those parameters are seen between S-line (-) group and S-line (+) group.Conclusion: S-line is a reliable predictor of clinical outcome for patients undergone transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.