bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Cognitive Function and Cancer-related Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wei Xiaolin , Yuan Ruzhen , Yang Juan , Zheng Wei , Jin Yongmei , Wang Mingyue , Jiang Jieting , Wu Caiqin , Li Kunpeng
Published: December 2021

Purpose Cognitive decline is one of the main side effects of breast cancer patients after relevant treatment, but there is a lack of clear measures for prevention and management without definite mechanism. Moreover, postoperative patients also have a need for limb rehabilitation. Whether the cognitive benefits of Baduanjin exercise can improve the overall well-being of this breast cancer patients remains unknown. This study aims to figure out these problems in the under-researched Chinese population.Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy who were randomly assigned and allocated to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the control group for three months. The effects of Baduanjin exercise intervention were evaluated by outcome measures including subjective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression and anxiety) and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3). The collected data were analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling.Results Participants in the Baduanjin group had a significantly greater improvement in terms of FACT-cog (F=14.511; P < 0.001), PCI (F=15.915; P < 0.001), PCA (F=2.767; P= 0.047), and health-related quality of life (F=8.900; p = 0.004) compared with the control group over the time. The exercise-cognition relationship was significantly mediated by reduced fatigue (indirect effect: β= 0.132; 95% CI: 0.046, 0.237) and improved anxiety (indirect effect: β=-0.075; 95% CI: -0.165, -0.004).Conclusions This pilot study revealed the benefits and outlined the underlying mediating mechanism of Baduanjin exercise to the subjective cognition and health-related quality of life of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to promote brain health and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.Trial registration number ChiCTR 2000033152
Maternity Care Services Utilization and Factors Associated with Institutional Delivery Among Postpartum Women in Dabat Demographic and Health Survey Site, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community Based Baseline Survey for MNCH Surveillance
Authors: Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Worku Abebaw Gebeyehu , Bashah Debrework Tesgera , Tebeje Nigusie Birhan , Gebrie Mignote Hailu , Yeshita Hedija Yenus , Cherkose Endeshaw Adimasu , Lakew Ayenew Molla , Dachew Berihun Assefa , Tariku Amare , Belew Aysheshim Kassahun , Ayana Birhanu Abera , Bikes Gashaw Andargie
Published: December 2021

Background
Maternal continuum of care is identified to have a greatest impact on maternal and child survival. However, there is a wide variation in maternal health services utilization from place to place in Ethiopia. Therefore, knowing antenatal care, labor and delivery, and postnatal care uptake has paramount importance to take interventions.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1626 postpartum women. Descriptive statistics were done to characterize the study population and utilization of antenatal care, institutional delivery, and postnatal care services. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with institutional delivery.
Results
Nearly eighty percent, (79.7%, 95% CI: 77.7, 81.6), of women attended at least one antenatal care visit at any health facility. However, only less than one third (31.4%) used all the recommended antenatal care (ANC). About half, 820 (49.2%: 95% CI: 46.7, 51.8) women delivered their child in health institution. About half, 822 (50.6%, 95% CI: 48.2, 52.9) of postpartum women who participated in this study had at least one postnatal care (PNC) visit at health facilities. Being urban resident (AOR=8.18, 95%CI: 4.69, 14.26)), respondents of higher educational status (AOR= 4.99, 95%CI: 2.51, 9.90), being Orthodox Christian (AOR= 2.35, 95%CI: 1.15, 4.79), getting TT vaccination during pregnancy (AOR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.23), and antenatal care utilization (AOR=2.97, 95%CI: 2.06, 4.27) were predictors for health facility/institutional delivery.
Conclusions
Though a significant proportion of the study participants initiated antenatal care, utilization of all the recommended antenatal care visits, facility delivery, and postnatal care services were low. Health professionals need to use the first antenatal care visit as a golden opportunity to attract and maintain pregnant women for the subsequent maternal health care services.
Drought-induced Forest Dieback Increases Taxonomic and Functional Diversity But Not Phylogenetic Diversity of Saproxylic Beetles at Both Local and Landscape Scales
Authors: Cours Jérémy , Sire Lucas , Ladet Sylvie , Martin Hilaire , Parmain Guillem , Larrieu Laurent , Moliard Carl , Lopez-Vaamonde Carlos , Bouget Christophe
Published: December 2021

Context: Forest ecosystems worldwide are facing increasing drought-induced dieback, causing mortality patches across the landscape at multiple scales. This increases the supply of biological legacies and differentially affects forest insect communities.Objectives: We analysed the relative effects of local- and landscape-level dieback on local saproxylic beetle assemblages. We assessed how classic concepts in spatial ecology (e.g. habitat-amount and habitat-patch hypotheses) are involved in relationships between multi-scale spatial patterns of available resources and local communities.Methods: We sampled saproxylic beetle assemblages in commercial fir forests in the French highlands. Through automatic aerial mapping, we used dead tree crowns to assess dieback levels at several nested spatial scales. We analysed beetle taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity related to differing levels of multi-scale dieback.Results: In line with the habitat-amount hypothesis, taxonomic and functional diversity, but not phylogenetic diversity, of beetle assemblages significantly benefitted from forest dieback, at both local and landscape scales. Very few single or interaction effects were detected in the multiplicative models combining local and landscape variables, though a significant positive effect of landscape-scale dieback on the abundance of cavity- and fungus-dwelling species was consistent with a spill-over effect. Increased landscape-scale dieback also caused a functional specialisation of beetle assemblages, favouring those related to large-diameter, well-decayed deadwood.Conclusions: Increasing tree mortality under benign neglect provides conservation benefits by heterogenising the forest landscape and enhancing deadwood habitats. Legacy retention practices could take advantage of unharvested, declining forest stands to promote species richness and functional diversity within conventionally managed forest landscapes.
Bibliometric study of the combustion of cane cutting waste (RAC) in the capture of Carbon Dioxide.
Authors: PEÑA SANDRA EMPERATRIZ , FORERO CARMEN , VELASCO FRANCISCO
Published: December 2021

Objective: To describe the combustion process of sugarcane RAC with CO2 capture by manganese-based oxygen transporters during the period from 2015 to 2021. Design: Bibliometric observational study. Location: Combustion of cutting waste with CO2 capture by manganese-based oxygen conveyors.Main measures: Magazine, year of publication, first/last author, workplace and autonomous community were obtained in each register. Subsequently, the articles were classified according to their content or research area. The impact factor was obtained from the bibliometric analysis base of Scopus and Vos viewer.Results: Using the search criteria, 475 documents were recovered in the 2015-2021 period, excluding 2637 because they did not correspond to affiliation with centers or institutions directly related to documents related to chemical combustion and CO2 capture. In total, 73 documents were selected, in which an increase and interest in the study of these processes was verified both in the research areas and in the journals in which they are published. Most of the studies have been published in universities or research centers, and differences were observed in terms of the volume of international and national scientific production, so it is necessary to increase these investigations in Colombia.
Cold Shock Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Genome-wide Gene Expression Perturbation in the Eyes of Zebrafish and the Mitigation of Blue Wavelength Light
Authors: Peng Li-Bin , Han Tao , Wen Zhengshun , Cheng Xiao , Wang Dan , Zhu Qing-Ling , Wang Ping , Zheng Jia-Lang
Published: December 2021

As global climate changes, severely temperature variations have significant impacts on survival and development of fish. While the potential effects of light wavelength on cold shock and associated mechanisms remain largely unknown in fish. Here, zebrafish were pre-exposed to white LEDs (an irradiance of 0.9 W/m2) and blue LEDs (LDB, peak at 450 nm, 0.9 W/m2) for 2 weeks, and then exposed to 26℃ or 11℃ for 48 hours, respectively. Cold shock led to low survival rate. Cold shock altered retinal structure, increased the number of apoptotic cells and Caspase-3 activity, inhibited superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, up-regulated mRNA expression of (NF-E2-related factor 2) nrf2, p53, casp3 and casp9, and down-regulated cat expression in fish eyes. These results demonstrated that acute cold exposure induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in zebrafish eyes, which may lead to mortality. However, cold shock in combination with LDB apparently mitigated these negative effects, which might be involved in the up-regulation of antioxidant response and down-regulation of apoptotic responses at transcriptional and translational levels. Furthermore, cold shock also caused dysregulation of genome-wide gene expression involved in circadian rhythm, phototransduction and il-17 signaling pathway, indicating that cold shock disturbed phototransduction cascade and circadian rhythm signals and caused inflammatory responses. Ten key genes involved in circadian rhythm, phototransduction, cell cycle arrest, RNA processing or inflammatory responses were identified, including muc5d, rnps1, si:dkey-243i1.1, opn1mw1, gadd45ba, cebpd, btg2, si:dkey-242g16.2, nr1d1 and zgc:122979, which may play an important role in the protection of LDB against cold shock. Finally, our study suggested the relationship between spectrum and cold stress and demonstrated LDB could protect fish against the negative effect of cold stress in the eyes.
A Generative Adversarial Inpainting Network to Enhance Prediction of Periodontal Clinical Attachment Level
Authors: Kearney Vasant , Yansane Alfa-Ibrahim M. , Brandon Ryan G. , Vaderhobli Ram , Lin Guo-Hao , Hekmatian Hamid , Deng Wenxiang , Joshi Neha , Bhandari Harsh , Sadat Ali S. , White Joel M.
Published: December 2021

Deep learning algorithms has recently been used to determine clinical attachment levels (CAL) which aid in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. However, the limited field-of-view of dental bitewing x-rays poses a challenge for convolutional neural networks (CNN) because out-of-view anatomy cannot be directly considered. This study presents an inpainting algorithm using generative adversarial networks (GANs) coupled with partial convolutions to predict out-of-view anatomy to enhance CAL prediction accuracy. 80,326 images were used for training, 12,901 images were used for validation and 10,687 images were used to compare non-inpainted methods to inpainted methods for CAL predictions. Statistical analyses were conducted using mean bias error (MBE), mean absolute error (MAE) and Dunn’s pairwise test comparing CAL at p=0.05. Comparator p-values demonstrated statistically significant improvement in CAL prediction accuracy between corresponding inpainted and non-inpainted methods with a MAE of 1.04mm and 1.50mm respectively. The Dunn’s pairwise test indicated a statistically significant improvement in CAL prediction accuracy between both inpainted methods compared to their non-inpainted counterparts, with the best performing methods achieving a Dunn’s pairwise value of -63.89. This study demonstrates the superiority of using a generative adversarial inpainting network with partial convolutions to predict CAL from bitewing images.
Incidence of Hypoglycemia and Hospitalization Related to Chronic Diabetes Complications and Its Effect on Quality of Life Among Patients Initiating Second Line Therapy: DISCOVER Study
Authors: Al-Rubeaan Khalid , Banah Faisal , Alruwaily Fayez , Sheshah Eman , Alnaqeb Dhekra , AlQahtani Awad , Ewais Diaa , Juhani Nassr Al , Hassan Abdul-hameed , Youssef Amira
Published: December 2021

The management of patients with type 2 diabetes is a complex process that must be individualized and be patient centered. The aim of this study was to assess the metabolic control, the annual incidence and crude prevalence of hypoglycemia, hospitalization, and complications among patients with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line therapy. This study is an observational, longitudinal, prospective study as a part of the multinational DISCOVERing Treatment Reality of Type 2 Diabetes in Real World Settings (DISCOVER) study, that recruited 519 patients with type 2 diabetes who were non-insulin users, aged ≥18 years, and switching to second-line therapy. The cohort was clinically evaluated over three years of follow up. Fear of hypoglycemia was assessed using the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS II), while the quality of life was assessed using SF36v2 questionnaire. Using second-line therapy improved metabolic control but the annual incidence of microangiopathies were at 61/1000 patient-years, 47/1000 patient-years, and 4/1000 patient-years for neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy, respectively. The incidence of hypoglycemia was 57/1000 patient-years, where 50% were recurrent during the three-years period. The HFS II showed a significant increase in patients’ worries related to hypoglycemia. The incidence of hospitalization was 31/1000 patient-years, out of which 8/1000 patient-years were related to cardiovascular events, mainly myocardial infarction. Moderate metabolic control was associated with lower incidence of macro angiopathy and an increased incidence and fear of hypoglycemia, while it was associated with improved mental component score when assessing the patients’ quality of life. The treating physician’s decision of treatment intensification should be individualized with consideration of befits of good glycemic control versus the risk of hypoglycemia, especially in elderly patients.
A 5-km-thick reservoir with >380,000 km3 of magma within the ancient Earth's crust
Authors: Latypov Rais , Chistyakova Sofya , Hornsey Richard , Costin Gelu , Merwe Mauritz van der
Published: December 2021

Several recent studies have argued that large, long-lived and molten magma chambers1–10 may not occur in the shallow Earth’s crust11–23. Here we present, however, field-based observations from the Bushveld Complex24 that provide evidence to the contrary. In the eastern part of the complex, the magmatic layering was found to continuously drape across a ~4-km-high sloping step in the chamber floor. Such deposition of magmatic layering implies that the resident melt column was thicker than the stepped relief of the chamber floor. Prolonged internal differentiation within such a thick magma column is further supported by evolutionary trends in crystallization sequence and mineral compositions through the sequence. The resident melt column in the Bushveld chamber during this period is estimated to be >5-km-high in thickness and >380,000 km3 in volume. This amount of magma is three orders of magnitude larger than any known super-eruptions in the Earth’s history25 and is only comparable to the extrusive volumes of some of Earth’s large igneous provinces26. This suggests that super-large, entirely molten and long-lived magma chambers, at least occasionally, occur in the geological history of our planet. Therefore, the classical view of magma chambers as ‘big magma tanks’1–10 remains a viable research concept for some of Earth’s magmatic provinces.
Tight association of autophagy and cell cycle in leukemia cells
Authors: Gschwind Alena , Marx Christian , Just Marie D. , Severin Paula , Behring Hannah , Marx-Blümel Lisa , Becker Sabine , Rothenburger Linda , Förster Martin , Beck James F. , Sonnemann Jürgen
Published: December 2021

BackgroundAutophagy plays an essential role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in the response to cellular stress. Autophagy is also involved in cell cycle progression, yet the relationship between these processes is not clearly defined.ResultsIn exploring this relationship, we observed that the inhibition of autophagy impaired the G2/M phase-arresting activity of etoposide but enhanced the G1 phase-arresting activity of palbociclib. We further investigated the connection of basal autophagy and cell cycle by utilizing the autophagosome tracer dye Cyto-ID in two ways. First, we established a double-labeling flow-cytometric procedure with Cyto-ID and the DNA probe DRAQ5, permitting the cell cycle phase-specific determination of autophagy in live cells. This approach demonstrated that different cell cycle phases were associated with different autophagy levels: G1 phase cells had the lowest one and G2/M phase cells had the highest one. Second, we developed a flow-cytometric cell sorting procedure based on Cyto-ID that separates cell populations into fractions with low, medium and high autophagy. Cell cycle analysis of Cyto-ID-sorted cells confirmed that the high autophagy fraction contained a much higher percentage of G2/M phase cells than the low autophagy fraction. Beyond that, Cyto-ID-based cell sorting proved also to be useful for assessing other autophagy-related processes: extracellular flux analysis revealed metabolic differences between the cell populations, with higher autophagy being associated with higher respiration, higher mitochondrial ATP production and higher glycolysis.ConclusionThis work sheds new light on the interrelation of autophagy and cell cycle by establishing a novel cell sorting technique based on Cyto-ID.
Sex-Specific Differences In Plasma Lipid Profiles Are Associated With Gulf War Illness
Authors: Oberlin Sarah , Nkiliza Aurore , Parks Megan , Evans James E. , Klimas Nancy , Keegan Andrew P. , Sullivan Kimberly , Krengel Maxine H. , Mullan Michael , Crawford Fiona , Abdullah Laila
Published: December 2021

Background: Nearly 250,000 veterans from the 1990-1991 Gulf War have Gulf War Illness (GWI), a condition with heterogeneous pathobiology that remains difficult to diagnose. As such, availability of blood biomarkers that reflect the underlying biology of GWI will help clinicians provide appropriate care to ill veterans. In this study, we measured blood lipids to examine the influence of sex on the association between blood lipids and GWI diagnosis. Methods: Plasma lipid extracts from GWI (n=100) and control (n = 45) participants were subjected to reversed-phase nano-flow liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Results: An influence of sex and GWI case status on plasma neutral lipid and phospholipid species was observed. Among male participants, triglycerides, diglycerides, and phosphatidylcholines were increased while cholesterol esters were decreased in GWI compared to controls. In female participants, ceramides were increased in GWI cases compared to controls. Among male participants, unsaturated triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine and diglycerides were increased while unsaturated cholesterol esters were lower in GWI cases compared to controls. The ratio of arachidonic acid- to docosahexaenoic acid-containing triglyceride species was increased in female and male GWI cases as compared to their sex-matched controls. Conclusion: Differential modulation of neutral lipids and ratios of arachidonic acid to docosahexaenoic acid in male veterans with GWI suggest metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Increases in ceramides among female veterans with GWI also suggest activation of inflammatory pathways. Future research should characterize how these lipids and their associated pathways relate to GWI pathology to identify biomarkers of the disorder.
Choosing Wisely Canada: Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society’s List of Top Items Physicians and Patients Should Question in Fertility Medicine
Authors: Jones Claire , Hawkins Leslie , Friedman Catherine Leah , Hitkari Jason , McMahon Eileen , Born Karen
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To create a Choosing Wisely Canada list of the top 5 diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that should be questioned in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in Canada.Methods: The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) National Working Group developed an initial list of recommendations of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that are commonly used, but are not supported by evidence, and could expose patients to unnecessary harm. These were chosen based on their prevalence, cost, potential for harm, and quality of supporting evidence. A modified Delphi consensus was used over 5 rounds to generate ideas, review supporting evidence, assess clinical relevance, estimate recommendation impact and narrow the recommendations list to 5 items. Results: Fifty unique ideas were first proposed by the working group, and after 5 rounds including a survey of Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) members, the final list of recommendations was created, including topics related to unnecessary investigations and interventions for patients with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, and those undergoing IVF. In this article, we describe not only the Delphi process used to determine the list, but also provide a summary of the evidence behind each of the final recommendations. Conclusions: The list of 5 recommendations highlights opportunities to initiate conversations between clinicians and patients about the risks, benefits, harms and costs of unnecessary fertility treatments and procedures in a Canadian context.
Physical Characteristics and Cell-Adhesive Properties of In Vivo Fabricated Hyaluronan/Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites
Authors: Takahama Ryo , Kato Honami , Takayama Go , Tajima Kenji , Kondo Tetsuo
Published: December 2021

This study attempts to clarify the basic material properties of in-vivo-fabricated hyaluronan (HA)/bacterial cellulose (BC) nanocomposites prepared previously. BC membranes (pellicles) generated by Gluconacetobacter hansenii (G. hansenii) are promising biomaterials owing to their outstanding biocompatible properties. Recently, specific demands for biomedical applications of BC have increased owing to its excellent mechanical properties. Although many techniques have been developed to improve the biofunctional properties of BC pellicles, such modifications remain limited owing to technical difficulties in the modulation of complex biosynthetic processes. Therefore, we previously developed an in vivo modification technique to produce nanocomposite pellicles composed of BC and HA (in vivo HA/BC), which are directly secreted from genetically engineered G. hansenii. In the present study, the HA extractability and content rate, physical characteristics, and cytocompatibility of in vivo HA/BC have been investigated in comparison to conventional in situ HA/BC and native BC pellicle. The results suggested that HA more strongly adsorbed to the solid BC surface of in vivo HA/BC than that of in situ HA/BC, which possibly affected the dynamic viscoelastic characteristics. Furthermore, in vivo HA/BC showed remarkably high human epidermal cell adhesion. These results indicate the great potential of in vivo modification to expand the usefulness of BC-based biomaterials.
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Nusinersen-Treated Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Freigang Maren , Steinacker Petra , Wurster Claudia Diana , Schreiber-Katz Olivia , Osmanovic Alma , Petri Susanne , Koch Jan Christoph , Rostásy Kevin , Falkenburger Björn , Ludolph Albert Christian , Otto Markus , Hermann Andreas , Günther René
Published: December 2021

BackgroundActivated astroglia is involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and has also been described in animal models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Given the urgent need of biomarkers for treatment monitoring of new RNA-modifying and gene replacement therapies in SMA, we examined glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) concentrations as a marker of astrogliosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children and adult patients with SMA before and during treatment with nusinersen.Methods58 adult patients and 21 children with genetically confirmed 5q-associated SMA from 4 German motor neuron disease specialist care centers and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were prospectively included in this study. GFAP concentration was measured in CSF and motor performance and disease severity were assessed.ResultsCSF GFAP concentrations did not differ from controls but showed higher levels in more severely affected patients after adjustment for patients’ age. Within 14 months of nusinersen treatment, CSF GFAP concentrations did not change significantly.ConclusionsGFAP concentration in CSF of patients with long-standing SMA is not useful to assess disease severity or predict treatment response, but might support the hypothesis that glial activation is involved in SMA pathology.
Phenotypic Screen and Transcriptomics Approach Complement Each Other in Functional Genomics of Defensive Stink Gland Physiology
Authors: Lehmann Sabrina , Atika Bibi , Grossmann Daniela , Schmitt-Engel Christian , Strohlein Nadi , Majumdar Upalparna , Richter Tobias , Weißkopf Matthias , Ansari Salim , Teuscher Matthias , Hakeemi Muhammad Salim , Li Jianwei , Weißbecker Bernhard , Klingler Martin , Bucher Gregor , Wimmer Ernst A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Functional genomics uses unbiased systematic genome-wide gene disruption or analyzes natural variations such as gene expression profiles of different tissues from multicellular organisms to link gene functions to particular phenotypes. Functional genomics approaches are of particular importance to identify large sets of genes that are specifically important for a particular biological process beyond known candidate genes, or when the process has not been studied with genetic methods before.
Results

Here, we present a large set of genes whose disruption interferes with the function of the odoriferous defensive stink glands of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. This gene set is the result of a large-scale systematic phenotypic screen using a reverse genetics strategy based on RNA interference applied in a genome-wide forward genetics manner. In this first-pass screen, 130 genes were identified, of which 69 genes could be confirmed to cause knock-down gland phenotypes, which vary from necrotic tissue and irregular reservoir size to irregular color or separation of the secreted gland compounds. The knock-down of 13 genes caused specifically a strong reduction of para-benzoquinones, suggesting a specific function in the synthesis of these toxic compounds. Only 14 of the 69 confirmed gland genes are differentially overexpressed in stink gland tissue and thus could have been detected in a transcriptome-based analysis. Moreover, of the 29 previously transcriptomics-identified genes causing a gland phenotype, only one gene was recognized by this phenotypic screen despite the fact that 13 of them were covered by the screen.
Conclusion

Our results indicate the importance of combining diverse and independent methodologies to identify genes necessary for the function of a certain biological tissue, as the different approaches do not deliver redundant results but rather complement each other. The presented phenotypic screen together with a transcriptomics approach are now providing a set of close to hundred genes important for odoriferous defensive stink gland physiology in beetles.
Development of Social Life Impact for Mother (SLIM) Scale At First Trimester to Identify Mothers Who Need Social Support During Postpartum: A Hospital-Based Prospective Study in Japan
Authors: Okamoto Yoko , Doi Satomi , Isumi Aya , Sugawara Junichi , Maeda Kazuhisa , Satoh Shoji , Fujiwara Takeo , Mitsuda Nobuaki
Published: December 2021

Background: Postpartum social problems, such as postpartum depression and bonding disorders, are important risk factors for child maltreatment. Mothers with such problems are known to need social support. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Social Life Impact for Mother (SLIM) scale to identify mothers in Japan who need social support during postpartum.Methods: Hospital-based prospective study was implemented covering nation-wide area of Japan. A total of 7462 pregnant women completed the SLIM scale at first trimester, and postpartum social problems (postpartum depression and bonding disorders) were assessed at one month after delivery (N=5768, follow-up rate: 77.3%). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to investigate the association between SLIM scale and postpartum social problems.Results: The SLIM scale predicted postpartum social problems in moderate accuracy (AUC=0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.65). Further stratification by local clinic and tertiary hospital did not affect the estimates.Conclusion: The SLIM scale at prenatal checkup may be useful for obstetricians to detect mothers with postpartum social problems. Further intervention study using SLIM score is warranted.
Speed Is Associated With, But Does Not Cause, Polarization in the Moral Evaluation of Real-World Images
Authors: Chunyu Ma , Zommara Noha Mohsen , Ounjai Kajornvut , Ju Xi , Lauwereyns Johan
Published: December 2021

In human perceptual decision-making, the speed-accuracy tradeoff establishes a causal link between urgency and reduced accuracy. Less is known about how urgency affects the moral evaluation of visual images. Here, we asked participants to give ratings for a diverse set of real-world images on a continuous scale from -10 (“very immoral”) to +10 (“very moral”). We used a cueing procedure to inform the participants on a trial-by-trial basis whether they could make a Self-Paced (SP) evaluation or whether they had to perform a Time-Limited (TL) evaluation within 2 seconds. In the SP condition, fast responses were associated with more extreme evaluations. Compared to the SP condition, the responses in the TL condition were much faster, indicating that our urgency manipulation was successful. However, comparing the SP versus TL conditions, we found no significant differences in the moral evaluation of the real-world images. The data indicated that, while speed is associated with polarization, urgency does not cause participants to make more extreme evaluations. Instead, the correlation between speed and polarization likely reflects the ease of processing. Images that are obviously moral or immoral are categorized faster and given more extreme evaluations than images for which the moral interpretation is uncertain.
Validation of the Swedish Version of Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index
Authors: Hallberg Kristofer , Salomonsson Björn
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe Western Ontario of the Shoulder index (WOOS) is a patient-reported, disease-specific instrument, designed to measure quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder. The Swedish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry (SSAR) uses WOOS and EuroQoL 5-dimensions 3 levels (EQ-5D-3L) as patient reported outcome measures. The purpose of this study was to test the validity, responsiveness, and reliability of the Swedish translation of WOOS for patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder.MethodsData was collected from three shoulder arthroplasty studies performed during 2005-2013, with 23, 21, and 19 patients respectively. Forms were collected preoperatively, and postoperatively between 12 and 24 months. WOOS and EQ-5D-3L were used in all three studies. Additionally, the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) (n=23) was used in one study, and the Constant-Murley score (CMS) (n=40) in two of the studies. Validity was analysed by calculating Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC). Cronbach’s alpha (CA) was used to estimate internal consistency and reliability. The responsiveness of WOOS was measured by calculating effect size and standardized response mean. To assess the performance of WOOS over time, we present repeated measures of WOOS in the registry over a 10-year period.ResultsThe validity analysis showed excellent correlations of WOOS to CMS, OSS and EQ-5D 3L, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.72, 0.83, and 0.62 respectively (P<0.001). There were adequate floor effects in the sport and lifestyle domains preoperatively, and adequate ceiling effects in all domains postoperatively. There were no floor effects and adequate ceiling effects for total WOOS. Analyzing reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was 0.95 for the pre- and postoperative WOOS scores combined. The analysis of responsiveness for WOOS showed an effect size of 2.52 and a standardized response mean of 1.43.The individual results measured by WOOS within the registry shows stable levels from 1 to 10 years.ConclusionThe Swedish translation of WOOS is valid, reliable, and responsive for use in a clinical setting for patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis treated with shoulder arthroplasty, and we regard it as an appropriate instrument for use in the Swedish Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry.
Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Prevention Interventions for Reducing Risky Sexual Behavior Among Youth Worldwide: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mbengo Fungai , Adama Esther , Towell-Barnard Amanda , Bhana Arvin
Published: December 2021

Background: Interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behavior is considered an important strategy for averting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among youth (15-24 years) who continue to be vulnerable to the disease. Enhancing intervention success requires a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and facilitators to interventions targeting youth. However, there is lack of a systematic review of both quantitative and qualitative studies to comprehensively identity and synthesize barriers and facilitators to HIV prevention interventions for reducing risky sexual behavior among youth worldwide. This review aimed to identify and synthesize barriers and facilitators to HIV prevention interventions for reducing risky sexual behavior among youth globally based on original peer-reviewed studies published in the last decade. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute approach for mixed methods systematic reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used to guide this review. Seven electronic databases, Cambridge and Oxford journals, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and World Health Organization websites, and reference lists of included studies were searched for eligible articles. Studies that met the inclusion criteria underwent quality appraisal and data extraction. Findings were analyzed using thematic synthesis and underpinned by the Determinant Framework.Results: Overall, eight qualitative studies, four quantitative studies and one mixed methods study were included in the review. Several barriers and facilitators across the five Determinant Framework domains were identified. Most of the barriers fell under the characteristics of the context domain (e.g., gender-biased norms). The next important group of barriers emerged within the characteristics of the end users domain (e.g., fear of relationship breakdown). In terms of facilitators, the majority fell under the characteristics of the context domain (e.g., financial support from family) and characteristics of the end users domain (e.g., fear of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections). The next common set of facilitators appeared within the characteristics of the strategy of facilitating implementation domain (e.g., implementation of intervention with fidelity).Conclusion: This review identified several multi-level barriers and facilitators to HIV prevention interventions for reducing risky sexual behavior among youth. Multi-level and combination approaches are needed to address these factors and enhance intervention success.
Microbial Communities Performing Hydrogen Solventogenic Metabolism of Volatile Fatty Acids
Authors: Mockaitis Gustavo , Bruant Guillaume , Foresti Eugenio , Zaiat Marcelo , Guiot Serge
Published: December 2021

Four different physicochemical pretreatments on an anaerobic inoculum used for alcohol production from acetate and butyrate are evaluated. Experiments were conducted in single batches using acetate and butyrate as substrates at 30°C and with a pressurized headspace of pure H2 at 2.15 atm (218.2 MPa). Thermal and acidic-thermal pretreatments lead to higher production of both ethanol and butanol. Modelling shows that the highest attainable concentrations of ethanol and butanol produced were 122 mg L−1 and 97 mg L−1 for the thermal pretreatment (after 17.5 days) and 87 mg L−1 and 143 mg L−1 for the acidic-thermal pretreatment (after 18.9 days). Thermodynamic data indicated that a high H2 partial pressure favoured solventogenic metabolic pathways. Acidic-thermal pretreatment selected a bacterial community more adapted to the conversion of acetate and butyrate into ethanol and butanol, respectively. Thermal-acidic pretreatment was unstable, showing significant variability between replicates. Acidic pretreatment showed the lowest alcohol production.
Effect of Silicon on Morpho-Physiological Attributes, Yield and Cadmium Accumulation in Two Maize Genotypes with Contrasting Root System Size and Health Risk Assessment
Authors: An Tingting , Gao Yamin , Kuang Qiqiang , Wu Yujie , Zaman Qamar uz , Zhang Yi , Xu Bingcheng , Chen Yinglong
Published: December 2021

Background and aims Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a serious threat to plants and humans. Silicon (Si) was reported to have some alleviative effects on plant tolerance to Cd stress. However, whether Si alleviates Cd toxicity in maize genotypes with contrasting root system size are unknown. Methods Effects of Si applications (0 and 200 mg kg-1 soil) on shoot and root growth, Cd uptake and transportation under Cd treatments (0 and 20 mg kg-1 soil) were assessed at the silking and maturity of maize genotypes Zhongke11 (large-rooted) and Shengrui999 (small-rooted) in a pot experiment. Results Root dry weight, plant height and root length were significantly affected by Si addition. Root volume and average root diameter were significantly positively correlated with root Cd concentration, bioaccumulation and translocation factor, respectively, of two maize genotypes at the silking stage. Addition of Si significantly increased Cd concentration, content, bioconcentration and translocation factor in roots of Zhongke11, but reduced the values of these parameters in Shengrui9999 at both growth stages. Under Cd stress, grain Cd concentration in the Si treatment was decreased by 14.4% (Zhongke11) and 21.4% (Shengrui999) than that in non-Si treatment. Grain yield was significantly negatively correlated with root Cd accumulation. Moreover, addition of Si significantly reduced Cd daily intake and health risk index in maize.Conclusions This study demonstrated that addition of Si reduced health risk by eliminating Cd accumulation in maize shoot and grain, and alleviated Cd stress with more profound effects in the small-rooted genotype Shengrui999.
Promoting the Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Philosophic Scoping Review
Authors: Amoo Tumilara Busayo , Lucas Ruth
Published: December 2021

Background

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life and continued breastfeeding for 2 years. The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding is low at 33%. Thus, it is important to identify philosophical and theory-based strategies that can promote exclusive breastfeeding. The aim of the study is to identify philosophical schools of thought and theories used in research on promoting the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Methods

A scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework explored the phenomenon of exclusive breastfeeding practice promotion. Searches were conducted using CINAHL Plus full-text, PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Academic Search Premier. Search terms included theory, philosophy, framework, model, exclusive breastfeeding, promotion, support, English, and publication between 2000 - 2020.
Results

The online search yielded 877 articles, however, only 40 met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. The articles promoting exclusive breastfeeding used pragmatism (n=1) or phenomenology (n = 2) philosophies and theories of self-efficacy (n = 10), theory of planned behaviour (n = 10) and social cognitive theories (n = 17). Theories of self-efficacy and planned behaviour were the most effective theories that increased exclusive breastfeeding rates.
Conclusions

Theory-based exclusive breastfeeding promotion strategies are effective to increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Theory of planned behaviour is better compared with theories of self-efficacy for program content development and implementation in Randomized Controlled Trial studies. Future breastfeeding interventions should be based on relevant philosophies and guided by theories of self-efficacy and planned behaviours.
The Influence of LightPath Length on the Color of Flame-Fusion Synthetic Ruby
Authors: Yuan Bin , Guo Ying , Liu Ziyuan
Published: December 2021

Colorimetric studies of different light path lengths from a new perspective of UV-Vis spectroscopy. The corrected ultraviolet-visible light spectrum was used to calculate the color of flame-fusion synthetic ruby, and the influence of light path length and standard light source on the color of flame-fusion synthetic ruby was studied. The results show that the L*, C*, h° under the A light source are higher than those under the D65 light source. In the ultraviolet-visible light spectrum, the strong absorption band of Cr3+ at 545nm is the main cause of the color of the ruby. As the length of the light path increases, the absorption peak area at 545nm also increases, the lightness L* decreases, and the hue angle h° increases. The chroma C* first increases as the length of the light path increases, and then begins to decrease under the influence of the continuous decrease in lightness. The color difference ΔE*ab reaches the maximum when the light path length is around 10mm, and the standard light source has the greatest influence on the color difference ΔE*ab. As the length of the light path continues to increase, the influence of the standard light source on the color difference\(\)ΔE*ab decreases.
Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Predict the Overall Survival of Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Surgery
Authors: yan haixi , cai linling , lin hui , wu chunlong
Published: December 2021

Background: This study aimed to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving surgery.Methods: Stage I NSCLC patients at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from October 2010 to June 2014 were included. Clinical, pathological and laboratory variables ascertained before surgery were selected through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox regression analysis, and a nomogram model was established. The nomogram model was validated using stage I NSCLC patients from the same institution between July 2014 and December 2015. Results: Training cohort included 274 patients. From 46 potential predictors, the independent risk factors for Overall survival (OS) of patients with stage I NSCLC were age, CA125, and tumor diameter. The C index of the nomogram model was 0.759(95% confidence interval (CI)，0.666–0.852). The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram was 0.776. The patients in the low-risk subgroup had significantly better survival than those in the high-risk subgroup (logrank, p < 0.001). The AUC in the validation cohort was 0.809, and the C index was 0.707(95% CI, 0.572-0.842).Conclusion: We developed a nomogram model that includes clinical, pathological and laboratory variables to predict the OS of stage I NSCLC patients.
THz-Photonics Transceivers By All-Dielectric Phonon-Polariton Nonlinear Nanoantennas
Authors: Leon Unai Arregui , Rocco Davide , Carletti Luca , Peccianti Marco , Maci Stefano , Valle Giuseppe Della , Angelis Costantino
Published: December 2021

The THz spectrum (spanning from 0.3 THz to 30 THz) offers the potential of a plethora of applications, ranging from the imaging through non transparent media to wireless-over-fiber communications and THz-photonics. The latter framework would greatly benefit from the development of optical-to-THz wavelength converters. Exploiting Difference Frequency Generation in a nonlinear all dielectric nanoantenna, we propose a compact solution to this problem. By means of a near-Infrared pump beam (at ω1), the information signal in the optical domain (at ω2) is converted to the THz band (at ω3 = ω2 − ω1). The approach is completely transparent with respect to the modulation format, and can be easily integrated in a metasurface platform for simultaneous frequency and spatial moulding of THz beams.
Electromotive Force Generated in All Materials under Temperature Difference
Authors: Song Dong-il
Published: December 2021

In this research, we investigate the thermoelectric effects of general materials. The results of this showed that an electromotive force was generated under a temperature difference between two points in materials. As no material has infinite electric resistance, an electromotive force is expected to be generated under a temperature difference in all materials. In conclusion, the thermoelectric effect generates an electromotive force.
This electromotive force causes an electric current to flow, thereby generating a magnetic field.
This magnetic field generates the Earth's magnetic field, triboelectricity, sunspots, and kinetic energy of celestial bodies.
This temperature differential electromotive force also generates lightning and creates an ionosphere that reflects radio waves.
The emerging role of drought as a regulator of dissolved organic carbon in the boreal landscapes
Authors: Tiwari Tejshree , Sponseller Ryan , Laudon Hjalmar
Published: December 2021

One likely consequence of global climate change is an increased frequency and intensity of droughts at high latitudes. We use a 17-year record from 13 nested boreal streams to examine the direct and lagged effects of summer drought on the quantity and quality of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) inputs from catchment soils. Protracted periods of drought reduced DOC concentrations in all catchments but also led to large pulses of DOC inputs upon rewetting in autumn. Concurrent changes in DOC optical properties and chemical character suggest that seasonal drying and rewetting triggers soil processes that alter the forms of carbon supplied to streams. Contrary to common belief, the clearest drought effects were observed in larger watersheds, whereas responses were most muted in smaller catchments. Collectively, our results reveal an emerging shift in the seasonal distribution of DOC concentrations and character, with potentially far-reaching consequences for northern aquatic ecosystems.