bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KAJIAN FASILITAS SANITASI DI SEKOLAH DASAR SWASTA KELURAHAN PAHANDUT, KOTA PALANGKA RAYA, KALIMANTAN TENGAH
Authors: Faizal rangkuti Ahmad , Aulia Gina
Published: July 2022

Latar Belakang: Fasilitas sanitasi sekolah menjadi aspek penting dalam mewujudkan sekolah sehat yang sesuai dengan Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 1429 Tahun 2006 tentang Pedoman Penyelenggaraan Kesehatan Lingkungan Sekolah. Kondisi sanitasi yang buruk dapat memberi pengaruh negatif terhadap tingkat kesehatan peserta didik sekolah yang bersangkutan.Tujuan Penelitian: Untuk mengetahui Kajian Fasilitas Sanitasi Pada Sekolah Dasar Swasta yang ada di Kelurahan Pahandut, Kota Palangka Raya Kalimantan Tengah.Metode: Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan menggunakan penelitian metode data kualitatif. Teknik penelitian yang digunakan yaitu teknik total sampling. Cara pengambilan data dengan menggunakan observasi dan wawancara mendalam. Verifikasi data yang akan digunakan selama penelitian dengan uji kredibilitas dengan analisis data menggunakan triangulasi sumber dan triangulasi metode. Subjek dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 12 orang yaitu kepala sekolah 2 orang, dewan guru 4 orang, peserta didik 4 orang dan petugas kebersihan 2 orang.Hasil: Kondisi fasililtas sanitasi pada sekolah dasar swasta di Kelurahan Pahandut telah memenuhi syarat ketentuan berdasarkan Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 1429/MENKES/SK/XII/2006 tenang Pedoman Penyelenggaraan Kesehatan Lingkungan Sekolah. Upaya kepala sekolah dalam pengelolaan fasilitas sanitasi yaitu dengan mengadakannya visi dan misi di sekolah dasar untuk menciptakan suatu sekolah yang bersih dan sehat. .Partisipasi dewan guru memberikan himbauan kepada peserta didik untuk selalu menjaga lingkungan dan fasilitas sanitasi di sekolah.Partisipasi petugas kebersihan sekolah yang mengelola fasilitas sanitasi dengan melakukan pembersihkan dan perawatan.Partisipasi peserta didik yaitu ikut serta dalam menjaga kebersihan dan melakukan perawatan.Peranan petugas puskesmas yaitu mengadakannya pemantauan fasilitas sanitasi secara berkala pada sekolah yang fasilitasnya kurang baik.Kesimpulan: Fasilitas sanitasi di sekolah dasar swasta di kelurahan Pahandut telah memenuhi syarat berdasarkan Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 1429/MENKES/SK/XII/2006 hal ini didukung dari partisipasi warga sekolah yang baik.
INOVASI PENGOLAHAN LIMBAH DAUN TEMPUTUNG SEBAGAI BISKUIT PAKAN
Authors: Erlita Desi
Published: July 2022

Perkembangan industri yang semakin pesat menyebabkan semakin bertambahnya limbah yang dihasilkan. Limbah yang tidak dikelola dengan baik dapat menimbulkan pencemaran lingkungan. Salah satu industri yang belum mengolah limbah dengan baik adalah industri jamu di Yogyakarta. Pada setiap produksi perusahaan ini menghasilkan limbah serbuk daun tempuyung 5 kg/hari atau 150kg bulan. Limbah ini menyebabkan pencemaran udara, emisi gas karbon, sumber penyakit dan penumpukan limbah yang mengakibatkan keterbatasan lahan. Oleh karena itu penelitian ini mengembangkan inovasi bahan pakan dari limbah daun tempuyung menjadi biskuit. Tujuannya untuk mengatasi pencemaran lingkungan dan saat ini harga pakan semakin mahal serta terbatasnya ketersediaan pakan pada saat musim kemarau sehingga biskuit pakan menjadi alternative karena lebih awet. Metode yang digunakan eksperimen skala laboratorium. Dalam pembuatan biskuit pakan ini limbah daun tempuyung dikombinasi dengan jerami dan molasses dimana ada dua perlakuan. Kombinasi limbah daun tempuyung dan jerami pada perlakuan A 1:1 dan perlakuan B 2:1. Kandungan protein pada biskuit A 7,8% dan biskuit B 9%. Biskuit pakan yang dihasilkan berwarna kecoklatan, bau wangi gula, tekstur kasar dan berat 40 gram. Dari hasil yang didapatkan maka limbah daun tempuyung ini layak dijadikan alternative sebagai bahan pakan karena ketersediaan bahan dan nilai gizi terpenuhi serta dapat mengatasi pencemaran lingkungan.
Short-term Wind Power Prediction Method Based on UAV Patrol and Deep Confidence Network
Authors: Yiming Zhang , Li Cheng
Published: July 2022

At present, wind power has become the most promising energy supply. However, the intermittent and fluctuating wind power also poses a huge challenge to accurately adjust the electrical load. In order to find a method capable of forecasting wind power generation in a short period of time, we propose a short-term wind power generation forecasting method based on an optimized deep belief network approach. Based on GEFCom2012 competition dataset, by continuously tuning the parameters of the deep belief network for 15 sets of experiments, we obtained three optimal laboratory combinations: Experiment 4, Experiment 10, and Experiment 12. The results show that the R-squared values of Experiment 4, Experiment 10 and Experiment 12 are the highest, which are 0.955, 0.93 and 0.98, respectively. The average R-squared value of these three tuned experiments is 0.2342 higher than the average of the other 12 experiments. At the same time, it is concluded that when the learning frequency is low, the linear function can learn the most obvious features more directly; When the learning frequency is high, the nonlinear function can learn the internal latent features more directly.
Repression by the H-NS/YmoA histone-like protein complex enables IscR dependent regulation of the Yersinia T3SS
Authors: Balderas David , Ohanyan Mané , Alvarez Pablo A. , Mettert Erin , Tanner Natasha , Kiley Patricia J. , Auerbuch Victoria
Published: July 2022

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is an appendage used by many bacterial pathogens, such as pathogenic Yersinia, to subvert host defenses. However, because the T3SS is energetically costly and immunogenic, it must be tightly regulated in response to environmental cues to enable survival in the host. Here we show that expression of the Yersinia Ysc T3SS master regulator, LcrF, is orchestrated by the opposing activities of the repressive H-NS/YmoA histone-like protein complex and induction by the iron and oxygen-regulated IscR transcription factor. While deletion of iscR or ymoA has been shown to decrease and increase LcrF expression and type III secretion, respectively, the role of H-NS in this system has not been definitively established because hns is an essential gene in Yersinia. Using CRISPRi knockdown of hns, we show that hns depletion causes derepression of lcrF. Furthermore, we find that while YmoA is dispensable for H-NS binding to the lcrF promoter, YmoA binding to H-NS is important for H-NS repressive activity. We bioinformatically identified three H-NS binding regions within the lcrF promoter and demonstrate binding of H-NS to these sites in vivo using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Using promoter truncation and binding site mutation analysis, we show that two of these H-NS binding regions are important for H-NS/YmoA-mediated repression of the lcrF promoter. Surprisingly, we find that IscR is dispensable for lcrF transcription in the absence of H-NS/YmoA. Indeed, IscR-dependent regulation of LcrF and type III secretion in response to changes in oxygen, such as those Yersinia is predicted to experience during host infection, only occurs in the presence of an H-NS/YmoA complex. These data suggest that, in the presence of host tissue cues that drive sufficient IscR expression, IscR can act as a roadblock to H-NS/YmoA-dependent repression of RNA polymerase at the lcrF promoter to turn on T3SS expression.
Intraoperative hemoadsorption in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis
Authors: Haidari Zaki , Demircioglu Ender , Boss Kristina , Tyczynski Bartosz , Thielmann Matthias , Schmack Bastian , Kribben Andreas , Weymann Alexander , El Gabry Mohamed , Ruhparwar Arjang , Wendt Daniel
Published: July 2022

Background

Postoperative sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with infective endocarditis undergoing surgical therapy. Blood purification using hemoadsorption therapy shows promising results in the treatment of sepsis. In this study, the clinical effects of intraoperative hemoadsorption in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis were evaluated.

Methods

Eligible candidates were high-risk patients with infective endocarditis undergoing cardiac surgery between January 2014 and December 2019. Patients with intraoperative hemoadsorption (hemoadsorption) were compared to patients without hemoadsorption (control). The endpoints were the incidence of postoperative sepsis, sepsis-associated death and in-hospital mortality. Additionally, postoperative vasopressor need, systemic vascular resistance indices and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were compared.

Results

After propensity score matching, 70 high-risk patients were included. Postoperative sepsis occurred in 14 patients in the hemoadsorption group and in 16 patients in the control group, p = 0.629. Four patients died due to postoperative sepsis in the hemoadsorption group, while 11 postoperative septic patients died in the control group, p = 0.041. In-hospital mortality was 34% in the hemoadsorption group versus 43% in the control group, p = 0.461. On ICU-admission and the first postoperative day, the cumulative vasopressor need was 0.17 versus 0.25 μg/kgBW/min, p = 0.123 and 0.06 versus 0.11 μg/kgBW/min, p = 0.037, and the systemic vascular resistance index was 1448 versus 941 dyn·s·cm-5, p = 0.013 and 1156 versus 858 dyn·s·cm-5, p = 0.110 in the hemoadsorption versus control group, respectively. Postoperative course of SOFA score normalized significantly (p = 0.01) faster in the hemoadsorption group.

Conclusions

In high-risk cardiac surgical patients with infective endocarditis, intraoperative hemoadsorption significantly reduced sepsis-associated mortality. Furthermore, intraoperative hemoadsorption resulted in significant faster recovery of hemodynamics and organ function. Intraoperative hemoadsorption seems to attenuate the severity of postoperative sepsis.
Quantifying the effect of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome on foaling rates in the German riding horse population
Authors: Wobbe Mirell , Reinhardt Friedrich , Reents Reinhard , Tetens Jens , Stock Kathrin F.
Published: July 2022

Awareness of breeders of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) increased after a widely discussed case in the USA in 2018. The hereditary connective tissue disorder, first described by a US research group in 2011 and for which a commercial genetic test exists since 2013, is caused by a point mutation in the PLOD1 gene, inherited autosomal recessively. Extension of molecular genetic testing and reporting of test results of organized horse breeders to their studbooks implies new opportunities for analyses. In Germany, data are centrally accessible through the integrated equine data base allowing comprehensive and population-wide investigation of the role of WFFS. The objective of this study was statistical testing for associations between WFFS and reproductive performance of German riding horses and quantifying possible differences between WFFS carriers and non-carriers, also in respect of performance traits. For this purpose, covering data from 2008 to 2020 were provided by ten German studbooks, so almost 400,000 coverings and resulting foaling rates were available for multiple analyses of variance with general and mixed linear models using procedures GLM, MIXED and HPMIXED of SAS software (version 9.2). Published breeding values of stallions were used for respective comparisons of riding horse performance. Assuming a WFFS carrier frequency of 9.5–15.0% in Warmblood horses, Hardy Weinberg principle implied an expected difference of 2.4–3.7% in the foaling rates of carrier and non-carrier stallions. Our results provided statistical evidence of detrimental effects of WFFS on the reproductive performance of Warmblood horses with about 2.7% lower average foaling rate in carriers of the mutant allele than in WFFS free sires, if mated to an average mare population. Indications of favorable dressage performance of WFFS carriers were found. Reported WFFS cases indicate only the tip of the iceberg and assessing the impact of WFFS on reproduction requires consideration of premature foal losses.
Urtica dioica Agglutinin: A plant protein candidate for inhibition of SARS-COV-2 receptor-binding domain for control of Covid19 Infection
Authors: Sabzian-Molaei Fatemeh , Nasiri Khalili Mohammad Ali , Sabzian-Molaei Mohammad , Shahsavarani Hosein , Fattah Pour Alireza , Molaei Rad Ahmad , Hadi Amin
Published: July 2022

Despite using effective drugs and vaccines for Covid 19, due to some limitations of current strategies and the high rate of coronavirus mutation, the development of medicines with effective inhibitory activity against this infection is essential. The SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell by attaching its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Spike to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). According to previous studies, the natural peptide Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) exhibited an antiviral effect on SARS-CoV, but its mechanism has not precisely been elucidated. Here, we studied the interaction between UDA and RBD of Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. So, protein-protein docking of RBD-UDA was performed using Cluspro 2.0. To further confirm the stability of the complex, the RBD-UDA docked complex with higher binding affinity was studied using Molecular Dynamic simulation (via Gromacs 2020.2), and MM-PBSA calculated the binding free energy of the system. In addition, ELISA assay was used to examine the binding of UDA with RBD protein. Results were compared to ELISA of RBD-bound samples of convalescent serum IgG (from donors who recovered from Covid 19). Finally, the toxicity of UDA is assessed by using MTT assay. The docking results show UDA binds to the RBD binding site. MD simulation illustrates the UDA-RBD complex is stable during 100 ns of simulation, and the average binding energy was calculated to be -47.505 kJ/mol. ELISA and, MTT results show that UDA binds to RBD like IgG-RBD binding and may be safe in human cells. Data presented here indicate UDA interaction with S-protein inhibits the binding sites of RBD, it can prevent the virus from attaching to ACE2 and entering the host cell.
Examining the association between the gastrointestinal microbiota and Gulf War illness: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kates Ashley , Keating Julie , Baubie Kelsey , Putman-Buehler Nathan , Watson Lauren , Godfrey Jared , Deblois Courtney L. , Suen Garret , Cook Dane B. , Rabago David , Gangnon Ronald , Safdar Nasia
Published: July 2022

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 25–35% of the 1991 Gulf War Veteran (GWV) population. Patients with GWI experience pain, fatigue, cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal dysfunction, skin disorders, and respiratory issues. In longitudinal studies, many patients with GWI have shown little to no improvement in symptoms since diagnosis. The gut microbiome and diet play an important role in human health and disease, and preliminary studies suggest it may play a role in GWI. To examine the relationship between the gut microbiota, diet, and GWI, we conducted an eight-week prospective cohort study collecting stool samples, medications, health history, and dietary data. Sixty-nine participants were enrolled into the study, 36 of which met the case definition for GWI. The gut microbiota of participants, determined by 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples, was stable over the duration of the study and showed no within person (alpha diversity) differences. Between group analyses (beta diversity) identified statistically significant different between those with and without GWI. Several taxonomic lineages were identified as differentially abundant between those with and without GWI (n = 9) including a greater abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in those without GWI. Additionally, there were taxonomic differences between those with high and low healthy eating index (HEI) scores including a greater abundance of Ruminococcaceae in those with higher HEI scores. This longitudinal cohort study of GWVs found that participants with GWI had significantly different microbiomes from those without GWI. Further studies are needed to determine the role these differences may play in the development and treatment of GWI.
Involvement of cochlin binding to sulfated heparan sulfate/heparin in the pathophysiology of autosomal dominant late-onset hearing loss (DFNA9)
Authors: Honda Tomoko , Kawasaki Norihito , Yanagihara Rei , Tamura Ryo , Murakami Karin , Ichimiya Tomomi , Matsumoto Naoki , Nishihara Shoko , Yamamoto Kazuo
Published: July 2022

Late-onset non-syndromic autosomal dominant hearing loss 9 (DFNA9) is a hearing impairment caused by mutations in the coagulation factor C homology gene (COCH). COCH encodes for cochlin, a major component of the cochlear extracellular matrix. Though biochemical and genetic studies have characterized the properties of wild-type and mutated cochlins derived from DFNA9, little is known about the underlying pathogenic mechanism. In this study, we established a cochlin reporter cell, which allowed us to monitor the interaction of cochlin with its ligand(s) by means of a β-galactosidase assay. We found a class of highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), heparin, that were selectively bound to cochlin. The interaction was distinctly abrogated by N-desulfation, but not by 2-O- or 6-O-desulfation. The binding of cochlin to GAG was diminished by all of the point mutations found in DFNA9 patients. Through GAG composition analysis and immunostaining using mouse cochlin/immunoglobulin-Fc fusion protein, we identified moderately sulfated GAGs in mouse cochlea tissue; this implies that cochlin binds to such sulfated GAGs in the cochlea. Since GAGs play an important role in cell growth and survival as co-receptors of signal transduction mechanisms, the interaction of cochlin with GAGs in the extracellular matrix could aid the pathological research of autosomal dominant late-onset hearing loss in DFNA9.
HIV risk behavior and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Damtie Yitayish , Kefale Bereket , Yalew Melaku , Arefaynie Mastewal , Adane Bezawit , Muche Amare , Dewau Reta , Fentaw Zinabu , Amsalu Erkihun Tadesse , Bitew Gedamnesh , Ayele Wolde Melese , Kassa Assefa Andargie , Chanie Muluken Genetu , Melaku Mequannent Sharew , Adane Metadel
Published: July 2022

Background

HIV risk behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a major public health concern as it increases HIV transmission. In Ethiopia, findings regarding HIV risk behavior have been inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of HIV risk behavior and associated factors among PLWHA in Ethiopia.

Methods

International databases, including Google Scholar, Cochrane library, HINARI, Pub Med, CINAHL, and Global Health were systematically searched to identify articles reporting the prevalence of HIV risk behavior and associated factors among PLWHA in Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using STATA/SE version-14. The random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effects. I-squared statistics and Egger’s test were used to assess the heterogeneity and publication bias respectively.

Results

A total of 4,137 articles were reviewed and fourteen articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HIV risk behavior in Ethiopia was 34.3%% (95% CI: 28.2, 40.3). Severe heterogeneity was observed between the included research articles (I2= 96.6, p = 0.000). Alcohol use (OR = 1.9, 95%, CI: [1.6, 2.3]), HIV status non-disclosure (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: [1.3, 4.0]) and perceived stigma (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: [1.3, 4.1]) had a significant association with HIV risk behavior.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HIV risk behavior among PLWHA in Ethiopia was high. Alcohol use, HIV status non-disclosure, and perceived stigma had a significant association with HIV risk behavior. In addition to promoting access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment and improving medication adherence among PLWHA, various intervention programs focusing on the associated factors have to be implemented to tackle high-risk sexual behavior and go forward toward ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Understanding online behavior towards community water user participation: A perspective of a developing country
Authors: Sukma Narongsak , Leelasantitham Adisorn
Published: July 2022

The social network is a network of virtual relationships that can facilitate the development of a new society in which everyone can use online communication effectively. This article investigates and identifies the fundamental influences on the social network system, as well as the online behavior of the community users. This study was designed by any social network to help improve efficiency and offer people with services that match the needs of their communities. Furthermore, it increases participation in the equitable distribution of social benefits. This study investigates the critical factors that impact a community’s view of community water user participation. The researcher sent a questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale to 1,000 community water customers and collected 627 valid replies. Data from 14 villages were sampled using a simple random sampling strategy to acquire the data. Subsequently, descriptive statistics are used to describe the data (frequency distributions, percentages, averages, medians, and standard deviation). Furthermore, PLS-SEM was used to examine the relationships between factors and to launch the conceptual model using PLS route modeling. This study reveals that digital technologies are crucial to increasing the expectations and happiness of the community through social networks. Multiple causes contribute to its expansion. In addition, this research provides an outstanding case study technique based on TAM and ECT to assess people’s social networking and community participation habits. Additionally, community water providers participate in social networks by certifying that their expectations are met.
The impact of rapid urbanization on residential energy consumption in China
Authors: Wu Weilong , lin Youna
Published: July 2022

Due to the rapid progress of urbanization in China, the percentage of residential energy consumption out of total energy consumption has increased. This paper uses statistical data from 30 Chinese provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) from 2000 to 2020 to analyze the impact of urbanization on residential energy consumption and construct an econometric model to test the mechanism. The empirical tests show that the consumption of direct energy (energy that exists in nature in its original form and has not been transformed) is positively U-shaped about the urbanization rate. Furthermore, the impact of economic development on direct and indirect energy consumption is significantly positive. In contrast, the effects of population agglomeration on immediate energy consumption are adverse, and the indirect energy consumption is positive.
Plant community re-organization and increased productivity due to multi-year nutrient enrichment of a coastal grassland
Authors: Brown Joseph K. , Moulton Ashley , Zinnert Julie C.
Published: July 2022

Nutrient enrichment alters plant community structure and function at a global scale. Coastal plant systems are expected to experience increased rates of nitrogen and phosphorus deposition by 2100, caused mostly by anthropogenic activity. Despite high density of studies investigating connections between plant community structure and ecosystem function in response to nutrient addition, inconsistencies in system response based on the ecosystem in question calls for more detailed analyses of nutrient impacts on community organization and resulting productivity response. Here, we focus on nutrient addition impacts on community structure and organization as well as productivity of different lifeforms in a coastal grassland. We established long-term nutrient enrichment plots in 2015 consisting of control (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen + phosphorus (NP) treatments. In 2017 we collected graminoid and forb productivity, root productivity, and community composition for each plot. We found no N x P interaction, but N enrichment was a significant main effect on productivity, highlighting N limitation in coastal systems. Importantly, nutrient enrichment treatments did not alter root productivity. However, all treatments caused significant differences in community composition. Using rank abundance curves, we determined that community composition differences were driven by increased dominance of nitrophilous graminoids, re-organization of subordinate species, and species absences in N and NP plots. Results of this study highlight how coastal grassland communities are impacted by nutrient enrichment. We show that community re-organization, increased dominance, and absence of critical species are all important mechanisms that reflect community-level impacts of nutrient enrichment in our coastal grassland site.
Markers of neutrophil activation and neutrophil extracellular traps in diagnosing patients with acute venous thromboembolism: A feasibility study based on two VTE cohorts
Authors: Smith Philip , Rosell Axel , Farm Maria , Bruzelius Maria , Aguilera Gatica Katherina , Mackman Nigel , Odeberg Jacob , Thålin Charlotte
Published: July 2022

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis would greatly benefit from the identification of novel biomarkers to complement D-dimer, a marker limited by low specificity. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to promote thrombosis and could hypothetically be used for diagnosis of acute VTE.

Objectives

To assess the levels of specific markers of neutrophil activation and NETs and compare their diagnostic accuracy to D-dimer.

Methods

We measured plasma levels of neutrophil activation marker neutrophil elastase (NE), the NET marker nucleosomal citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit-DNA) and cell-free DNA in patients (n = 294) with suspected VTE (pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis) as well as healthy controls (n = 30). A total of 112 VTE positive and 182 VTE negative patients from two prospective cohort studies were included.

Results

Higher levels of H3Cit-DNA and NE, but not cell-free DNA, were associated with VTE. Area under receiver operating curves (AUC) were 0.90 and 0.93 for D-dimer, 0.65 and 0.68 for NE and 0.60 and 0.67 for H3Cit-DNA in the respective cohorts. Adding NE and H3Cit-DNA to a D-dimer based risk model did not improve AUC.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the presence of neutrophil activation and NET formation in VTE using specific markers. However, the addition of NE or H3Cit-DNA to D-dimer did not improve the discrimination compared to D-dimer alone. This study provides information on the feasibility of using markers of NETs as diagnostic tools in acute VTE. Based on our findings, we believe the potential of these markers are limited in this setting.
Alcohol brings burdens: A global and continent wise study on alcohol consumption and global burden of diseases
Authors: Jayathilaka Ruwan , Athukorala Oshada , Ishara Sanduni , Silva Dishani , Pathirage Tanya
Published: July 2022

This article investigates alcohol consumption attributable burden of diseases. The present study considers the overall effect of Human Development Index (HDI), Socio Demographic Index (SDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for income to measure how these variables impact Global Burden of Diseases (GDB), bringing a different perspective to the results. Data from over 177 countries mainly including European, Asian, North American, South American, African and Australian regions were analysed from 2000 to 2019. A Panel regression technique was applied, and Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) estimations were chosen to derive outcomes of the Hausman test. The findings reflected that alcohol consumption (wine, beer, spirit and other alcohol) has a positive significant relationship with the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) globally and in the African continent excluding North America and South America. Human Development Index (HDI) have a negative impact on GBD on all countries. Particularly HDI have a negative impact on GBD in African continent except other continents. Also, in the African continent and globally, GBD has a significant positive and in Europe, a significant negative impact on the Socio Demographic Index (SDI). The findings demonstrate the overall picture of the impact of alcohol consumption and other variables on GBD and provide suggestions on how these variables should be tackled in the future to reduce GBD. This is the initial empirical study that investigates the impact of alcohol consumption, analysing the combined effect of HDI, SDI and income on the GBD of continent wise and globally.
Metformin and thyroid carcinoma incidence and prognosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Zikun , Luo Juhua , Zhang Yijia , Xun Pengcheng , Chen Zhongxue
Published: July 2022

Metformin has been suggested to reduce thyroid cancer incidence and to improve thyroid cancer prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the associations between metformin and thyroid cancer incidence and prognosis (metastasis/recurrence/progression-free survival). Cochrane Library, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials were searched through the end of December 2021. Data were collected from original observational studies or clinical trials on the incidence or prognosis of thyroid carcinoma outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without metformin use. Risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool and Grading of Recommendations, and Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach were used to evaluate the risk of bias and quality of the body of evidence, respectively. In general, 4 studies were related to the thyroid cancer incidence, including 1,705,123 participants metformin users and non-users and yielding a total of 3,238 thyroid cancer events; 3 studies reported the prognosis of thyroid carcinoma based on a total of 4,972 individuals with primary thyroid carcinoma and comorbid type 2 diabetes, and the number of thyroid cancer prognosis cases ranged from 3 to 79. The overall risk of bias of the included studies ranged from moderate to serious. In the random-effects model, the summary relative risk (SRR) for thyroid cancer incidence was 0.743 (95% CI: 0.453–1.220; I2 = 88.7%, low certainty) comparing metformin users to non-users; and SRR for the prognosis of thyroid cancer was 0.504 (95% CI: 0.178–1.430; I2 = 57.5%, low certainty). Non-statistically significant negative associations between metformin use and incidence and prognosis of thyroid cancer were found in the current analysis, although the quantity and quality of the evidence were limited. Futher investigation is needed to evaluate the clinical benefits of metformin on thyroid cancer prevention and treatments.
Role of ferroptosis-related genes in periodontitis based on integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhang Shujian , Jin Han , Da Junlong , Zhang Kai , Liu Lixue , Guo Yuyao , Zhang Wenxuan , Geng Yawei , Liu Xinpeng , Zhang Jiahui , Jiang Lili , Yuan Haoze , Wang Jianqun , Zhan Yuanbo , Li Ying , Zhang Bin
Published: July 2022

Background

Cell survival or death is one of the key scientific issues of inflammatory response. To regulate cell death during the occurrence and development of periodontitis, various forms of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and apoptosis, have been proposed. It has been found that ferroptosis characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation is involved in cancer, degenerative brain diseases and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, NCOA4 is considered one of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) contributing to butyrate-induced cell death in the periodontitis. This research aims to analyze the expression of FRGs in periodontitis tissues and to explore the relationship between ferroptosis and periodontitis.

Method

Genes associated with periodontitis were retrieved from two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Then, we normalized microarray data and removed the batch effect using the R software. We used R to convert the mRNA expression data and collected the expression of FRGs. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), transcription factor (TF) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were used. In addition, we constructed a receiver operating characteristic curve and obtained relative mRNA expression verified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Eight and 10 FRGs related to periodontitis were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. GO analysis showed that FRGs were enriched in the regulation of glutathione biosynthetic, glutamate homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum-nucleus signaling pathway. The top TFs included CEBPB, JUND, ATF2. Based on the PPI network analysis, FRGs were mainly linked to the negative regulation of IRE1-mediated unfolded protein response, regulation of type IIa hypersensitivity, and regulation of apoptotic cell clearance. The expression levels of NCOA4, SLC1A5 and HSPB1 using PCR were significantly different between normal gingival samples and periodontitis samples. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of FRGs for periodontitis were “Good”.

Conclusions

We found significant associations between FRGs and periodontitis. The present study not only provides a new possible pathomechanism for the occurrence of periodontitis but also offers a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis.
Social interactions of juvenile rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and their potential role in lagovirus transmission
Authors: Sawyers Emma , Cox Tarnya E. , Fleming Peter J. S. , Leung Luke K. P. , Morris Stephen
Published: July 2022

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), which is a calicivirus, is used as a biocontrol agent to suppress European wild rabbit populations in Australia. The transmission of RHDV can be influenced by social interactions of rabbits; however, there is a paucity of this knowledge about juvenile rabbits and the roles they may play in the transmission of RHDV. We aimed to quantify the social interactions of juvenile (< 900 g) and adult (> 1200 g) rabbits in a locally abundant population in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Twenty-six juvenile and 16 adult rabbits were fitted with VHF proximity loggers to monitor intra- and inter-group pairings. Use of multiple warrens by these rabbits was investigated using VHF base stations at nine warrens and on foot with a hand-held Yagi antenna. Juvenile rabbits were strongly interconnected with both juveniles and adults within and outside their warren of capture, and almost all juveniles were well-connected to other individuals within their own social group. Inter-group pairings were infrequent and fleeting between adults. Both juvenile and adult rabbits used multiple warrens. However, visits to warrens outside their warren of capture, particularly those within 50 m, were more common and longer in duration in juveniles than in adults. The high connectivity of juveniles within and between warrens in close proximity increases potential pathogen exchange between warrens. Therefore, juvenile rabbits could be of greater importance in lagovirus transmission than adult rabbits. The strength of juvenile rabbit inter- and intra-group pairings, and their tendency to use multiple warrens, highlight their potential to act as ‘superspreaders’ of both infection and immunity for lagoviruses and other pathogens with similar lifecycles. Confirmation of this potential is required through examination of disease progress and rabbit age-related immune responses during outbreaks.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of ABO blood group on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Balaouras George , Eusebi Paolo , Kostoulas Polychronis
Published: July 2022

We have been experiencing a global pandemic with baleful consequences for mankind, since the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in Wuhan of China, in December 2019. So far, several potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection have been identified. Among them, the role of ABO blood group polymorphisms has been studied with results that are still unclear. The aim of this study was to collect and meta-analyze available studies on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and different blood groups, as well as Rhesus state. We performed a systematic search on PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases for published articles and preprints. Twenty-two studies, after the removal of duplicates, met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis with ten of them also including information on Rhesus factor. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the extracted data. Random-effects models were used to obtain the overall pooled ORs. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also performed. Our results indicate that blood groups A, B and AB have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection compared to blood group O, which appears to have a protective effect:(i) A group vs O (OR = 1.29, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.15 to 1.44), (ii) B vs O (OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.25), and (iii) AB vs. O (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.57). An association between Rhesus state and COVID-19 infection could not be established(Rh+ vs Rh- OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.13).
Integrating particle tracking with computational fluid dynamics to assess haemodynamic perturbation by coronary artery stents
Authors: Boldock Luke , Inzoli Amanda , Bonardelli Silvia , Hsiao Sarah , Marzo Alberto , Narracott Andrew , Gunn Julian , Dubini Gabriele , Chiastra Claudio , Halliday Ian , Morris Paul D. , Evans Paul C. , C. M. Perrault
Published: July 2022

Aims

Coronary artery stents have profound effects on arterial function by altering fluid flow mass transport and wall shear stress. We developed a new integrated methodology to analyse the effects of stents on mass transport and shear stress to inform the design of haemodynamically-favourable stents.

Methods and results

Stents were deployed in model vessels followed by tracking of fluorescent particles under flow. Parallel analyses involved high-resolution micro-computed tomography scanning followed by computational fluid dynamics simulations to assess wall shear stress distribution. Several stent designs were analysed to assess whether the workflow was robust for diverse strut geometries. Stents had striking effects on fluid flow streamlines, flow separation or funnelling, and the accumulation of particles at areas of complex geometry that were tightly coupled to stent shape. CFD analysis revealed that stents had a major influence on wall shear stress magnitude, direction and distribution and this was highly sensitive to geometry.

Conclusions

Integration of particle tracking with CFD allows assessment of fluid flow and shear stress in stented arteries in unprecedented detail. Deleterious flow perturbations, such as accumulation of particles at struts and non-physiological shear stress, were highly sensitive to individual stent geometry. Novel designs for stents should be tested for mass transport and shear stress which are important effectors of vascular health and repair.
Volatility forecasts of stock index futures in China and the US–A hybrid LSTM approach
Authors: Chen Xue , Hu Yan
Published: July 2022

This paper is concerned with the unsolved issue of how to accurately predict the financial market volatility. We propose a novel volatility prediction method for stock index futures prediction based on LSTM, PCA, stock indices and relevant futures. Inspired by the recent advancement of deep learning methodology, six models that combine a variety of artificial intelligence techniques are compared, including ANN, ANN(PCA), ANN(AE), LSTM, LSTM(PCA), and LSTM(AE). That is, in the design and comparison of the proposed AI models, we consider the combination of two dimensionality reduction methods (PCA and AE) and two typical neural networks (ANN and LSTM) in processing time series data. Besides, to further assess the prediction performance of the proposed models, two widely-applied statistical models (i.e. AR and EGARCH) on volatility prediction are used as benchmarks. In the empirical study, we collect financial trading data in both China and the US, and compare the performances of different models in predicting 5 days and 10 days ahead volatilities of stock index futures. In all, our analysis supports the use of LSTM(PCA) model to tackle those irregular and complex datasets.
Life satisfaction analysis between occupational balance (OB) group and occupational imbalance (OI) group
Authors: Cha Yu-Jin
Published: July 2022

Background and objectives

Occupation and time‐use can never be separated because they are important criteria in determining one’s lifestyle, improvements of one’s lifestyle, and even the quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify whether there is a difference in time‐use between the occupational balance (OB) group and occupational imbalance (OI) group and to determine the factors that influence the life satisfaction of those in the OB group.

Methods

This study sorted detailed activities of 9,228 participants who were over 65 years of age. Raw data of 2014 Korean Time Use Survey (KTUS) were used and the amount of time-use of older adults was classified into eight activity areas. This study classified the amount of time used by older adults for eight occupational areas, namely, activities of daily life (ADLs), instrumental ADL (IADLs), rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. We identified areas of specific time differences between OB and OI groups, and confirmed variables affecting life satisfaction.

Results

The analysis of time-use corresponding to the eight occupational areas showed the greatest time-use for the instrumental activities of daily living, which averaged 1513.59 minutes (56.34%). The largest effect size was social participation (d = 1.38). As a result of analyzing the factors related to the life satisfaction of the OB group, we found that those who were younger (B = 0.02, p < .001), females (B = -0.12, p < .05), had a higher level of education (B = 0.65, p < .001), had a lower need for care (B = -1.19, p < .05), had a higher income (B = -0.43, p < .001), and rural residence (B = 0.29, p < .001) tended to have a higher life satisfaction.

Conclusions

This study may provide a basis for developing time‐use management and lifestyle redesign programs.
Prediction of hand, foot, and mouth disease epidemics in Japan using a long short-term memory approach
Authors: Yoshida Kazuhiro , Fujimoto Tsuguto , Muramatsu Masamichi , Shimizu Hiroyuki
Published: July 2022

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common febrile illness caused by enteroviruses in the Picornaviridae family. The major symptoms of HFMD are fever and a vesicular rash on the hand, foot, or oral mucosa. Acute meningitis and encephalitis are observed in rare cases. HFMD epidemics occur annually in Japan, usually in the summer season. Relatively large-scale outbreaks have occurred every two years since 2011. In this study, the epidemic patterns of HFMD in Japan are predicted four weeks in advance using a deep learning method. The time-series data were analyzed by a long short-term memory (LSTM) approach called a Recurrent Neural Network. The LSTM model was trained on the numbers of weekly HFMD cases in each prefecture. These data are reported in the Infectious Diseases Weekly Report, which compiles the national surveillance data from web sites at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, under the Infectious Diseases Control Law. Consequently, our trained LSTM model distinguishes between relatively large-scale and small-scale epidemics. The trained model predicted the HFMD epidemics in 2018 and 2019, indicating that the LSTM approach can estimate the future epidemic patterns of HFMD in Japan.
Effectiveness and safety of weekly paclitaxel and cetuximab as a salvage chemotherapy following immune checkpoint inhibitors for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A multicenter clinical study
Authors: Wakasaki Takahiro , Manako Tomomi , Yasumatsu Ryuji , Hara Hirotaka , Toh Satoshi , Masuda Muneyuki , Yamauchi Moriyasu , Kuratomi Yuichiro , Nishimura Emi , Takeuchi Toranoshin , Matsuo Mioko , Jiromaru Rina , Hashimoto Kazuki , Komune Noritaka , Nakagawa Takashi
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The benefit of sequential therapy after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) has been recently reported. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in the impact of cetuximab (Cmab)-containing salvage chemotherapy (SCT) and the therapeutic efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of Cmab administration prior to ICI administration.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 52 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with SCT (weekly paclitaxel [PTX], n = 7, or weekly PTX and Cmab [PC], n = 45).

Results

The objective response rate (ORR) and a disease control rate (DCR) was 53.3% and 91.1% in the PC group and 42.9% and 57.1% in the PTX group, respectively. There was a significant difference in the DCR between the PC and PTX groups (p = 0.0143). The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were significantly better in the PC group than in the PTX group. On the other hand, the incidence of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia (DI-IP) in R/M HNSCC patients who received SCT was 21.2%. Patients in the PC group were divided according to whether they received Cmab (Group A) or did not receive Cmab (Group B) as palliative therapy prior to ICIs. Group B had a significantly better OS than Group A. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the incidence rate of DI-IP during SCT might be higher in Group B.

Conclusion

Although PC following ICIs shows dramatic efficacy, careful monitoring of AEs, including DI-IP, is recommended.