bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I Guess It Looks Worse to Me, It Doesn’t Look Like There’s Been a Problem Solved but Obviously There Is”: A Qualitative Exploration of Children’s and Their Parents’ Views of Silver Diamine Fluoride for the Management of Carious Lesions in Children
Authors: Seifo Nassar , Cassie Heather , Radford John , Innes Nicola
Published: May 2021

Background
Despite growing evidence to support the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for managing carious lesions, and the increased interest in SDF worldwide, uptake in the UK remains limited. This study explored parents’ and children’s views and acceptability of SDF for the management of carious lesions in children.
Methods
Eleven semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 11 parent-child dyads recruited from patients attending Dundee Dental Hospital and School. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed.
Results
Previous dental experience varied across all child participants. Of the 11 children, five had undergone general anaesthesia (GA) for multiple primary tooth extractions. Two had received SDF treatment. Child participants expressed concerns about being picked on by their peers, if they had discoloured anterior teeth. Younger children appeared less concerned about the discolouration and child’s gender did not appear to influence parents’ decision-making, nor the child’s preferences regarding the use of SDF. Parents considered SDF to be particularly useful for anxious or uncooperative children but raised concerns about potential bullying at schools due to the unacceptable dental aesthetics when SDF is applied to anterior teeth. They believed they may be judged by others as neglecting their child’s oral health due to the black staining. Both parents and children were more accepting of the SDF when applied to less-visible posterior teeth. Parents accepted the use of SDF if such treatment avoided extractions under GA.
Conclusion
Despite the unfavourable aesthetics of SDF (black staining), parents appreciated SDF treatment, especially for uncooperative or younger children. However, both parents and children shared concerns about bullying at schools as a consequence of the black staining. Raising awareness about SDF was identified as one approach to encourage the uptake of SDF.
Identification and Mapping Groundwater Potential Areas Using GIS and Remote Sensing in Wolaita Zone, Southern Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Estifanos Tesfaye Hailu
Published: May 2021

Recently water is becoming a vital natural resource that can be used for many things in human life i.e. hydropower generation, sanitation, drinking, irrigation, and transportation. But surface water is not enough to satisfy all demands of humans. So besides surface water, groundwater resource is by far huge in amount and not much exploited yet. Now a day exploitation of groundwater through hydrogeological surveying, identification, and delineation of better groundwater potential areas is implemented in many places of the world to satisfy the need for water. This research was done on the place where it is called the Wolaita zone located in the southern region of Ethiopia. The main objective of this research was to delineate and map the groundwater potential areas in terms of relative groundwater availability. Groundwater potential zone mapping was done using GIS and remote sensing integrated with the analytical hierarchical process to meet the objective. Seven thematic map layers (land use/cover, soil, slope, drainage density, lineament density, rainfall, and geology) were used as an input to the weighted overlay of layers for delineation of groundwater potential zones. As a result, the study area was classified into “poor”, “good” and “very good” groundwater potential zones. Accordingly, “poor” and “good” groundwater potential areas were occupying almost the same percentage from the total area which is 44.19% (198,0445ha) and 44.51% (199,460ha) respectively. But “very good” groundwater potential zones are covering 11.30% (50,652.2ha) of the study area. In this regard better groundwater potential areas were identified in the east and northern east direction of the study area. Wolaita zone was also clustered in 12 woredas and one town. From all twelve woredas, a High percentage of “very good” groundwater potential is found in Boloso sore, Duguna Fango, Boloso bombe and Damot sore woredas and relatively “poor” groundwater potential is situated in Kindo Koyisha, Kindo Didaye, Ofa, Humbo, and Sodo zuriya woredas and the remaining part of Wolaita zone is dominantly covered by “good” groundwater potential in Wolaita zone. Furtherly each woredas were also classified as “poor”, “good” and “very good” groundwater potential zones with their percentage of area coverage. Therefore the identified groundwater potential areas can be used for digging of wells and bore holes, conducting further research, a benchmark for water resource management practice, or as an input for policymakers to make research-based decisions.
Estimation of Carbon Sequestration Potential of Urban Trees in Educational Institution: With Special Reference to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Campus, Delhi, India
Authors: Mr Anand , Som Gunjan , Bhattacharya Prodyut
Published: May 2021

Trees assimilate the atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis that stores tremendous CO2 from the atmosphere in biomass. Urban trees play a significant role in accumulating atmospheric CO2 in biomass and hence help climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The study carried out on the campus of GGS IP University, Dwarka, Delhi. The living biomass stored in the trees of the campus calculated using allometric equations. The total area of campus is 60.436 acres that have 1657 trees in number. The diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of each tree was measured. The results reveal that Total Biomass and Carbon Stored are 248.29 tons and 124.14 tons, respectively. There is a total of 40 different species belonging to 21 families. Ficus virens is the dominant species followed by Ficus benjamina and Putranjiva roxburghii, respectively. In order to increase the carbon sinks, it is necessary to carry out the afforestation periodically. Therefore, a similar carbon sequestration study is required every ten years for green space planning, which is crucial in keeping ecosystem services optimal for the University Campus or educational institutes.
Mechanical and Energy Absorption Properties of Functionally Graded Lattice Structures based on Minimal Curved Surfaces
Authors: Ma Xiangyu , Zhang David Zhengwen , Zhao Miao , Jiang Junjie , Luo Fangqiong , Zhou Hailun
Published: May 2021

Compared with uniform structures, functionally graded lattice structures can control mechanical properties through varying structure and volume fraction. In this study, a three-period minimal surface method was used to generate functional lattice structure with linear or quadratic function (LF or QF) gradient strategy in the forming direction, and the samples were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) using Ti-6Al-4V metal powder. The mechanical properties, deformation behavior, and energy absorption performance of graded lattice, LF and QF I-Wrapped Package (IW-P) lattice structures were systematically investigated through experiment and finite element analysis (FEA). Based on the experiment and numerical simulation results, the LF lattice structure shows higher elastic modules and yield strength during small strain period. And the merits of performance increased layer-by-layer under large strain. Additionally, the simulation results based on Johnson-Cook and failure model show that this model can reflect structural compression deformation behavior and mechanical performance prediction. Furthermore, the elastic modulus of LF lattice structure is higher than uniform lattice structures by nearly 61.52% under the same volume fraction. Thence, the LF or QF lattice structures have better support performance under small strain and stronger energy absorption capacity under large strain with the same volume fraction compared with other lattice structures, which shows superior potential to be applied to manufacture protective devices or vibration damping devices.
IFI44L Gene Promoter is Differentially Methylated in Iranian Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Authors: Salesi Mansour , Dehabadi Milad Hayeri , Salehi Rasoul , Salehi Amirhossein , pakzad Bahram
Published: May 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are multisystemic autoimmune diseases with multifactorial nature. Considering limitations of the current conventional serological tests for diagnosis of these diseases, researchers strive to find new and more valid biomarkers. The methylation level of interferon-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) promoter was evaluated in 69 patients with SLE, 61 patients with RA, and 71 healthy subjects. Quantitative methylation of the promoter region of IFI44L gene was measured in DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with methylation-quantification endonuclease-resistant DNA (MethyQESD) method. Our findings revealed a substantial hypomethylation of IFI44L promoter in SLE and RA patients compared with healthy volunteers (mean: 60.36%±64.54%, 47.59%±30.34%, and 89.17%±76.96%, respectively; PSLE= 0.018, PRA<0.001). In comparison between SLE and RA patients with control group, IFI44L promoter methylation had a sensitivity of 84/06% and 93/65% and specificity of 32/39% and 29/58, respectively. The promoter methylation level was not meaningfully different between SLE and RA patients (P > 0.05). Moreover, our analysis revealed that the methylation level of IFI44L promoter was not statistically significantly different between SLE disease activity and renal involvements (P > 0.05). While RA patients with a higher concentration of CRP had a lower DNA methylation level (P = 0.012). The methylation level of IFI44L promoter was lower in PBMCs of Iranian patients with SLE and RA than that control group. Furthermore, DNA methylation level of IFI44L promoter had a negative correlation with RA disease activity. However, there was not a significant association between clinical characteristics of SLE.
A Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug, Zaltoprofen, Inhibits the Growth of Extraskeletal Chondrosarcoma Cells by Inducing PPARγ, p21, p27, and p53
Authors: Higuchi Takashi , Takeuchi Akihiko , Munesue Seiichi , Yamamoto Norio , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Harashima Ai , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: May 2021

There is no effective treatment except surgical resection for extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor and a master transcription factor of adipogenesis-related genes and has been reported as an antitumor target for chondrosarcomas. Herein, we show that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, zaltoprofen, induces the expression of PPARγ at mRNA and protein levels, following the induction of PPARγ-activating factors, such as Krox20, C/EBPβ, and C/EBPα, in human extraskeletal chondrosarcoma cells, H-EMC-SS. Zaltoprofen inhibited the proliferation of these cells in vitro. Upregulation of cell cycle checkpoint proteins, p21, p27, and p53, was observed upon treatment of cells with zaltoprofen, which probably resulted in the inhibition of proliferation of H-EMC-SS cells. Zaltoprofen treatment induced tumor necrosis, which could be due to its antiproliferative properties, and was well tolerated in a mouse model of EMC. Our results provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effect of zaltoprofen that should promote further studies on the rational use of this drug for effective treatment of EMC.
Neuroimaging Reveals Distinct Brain Glucose Metabolism Patterns Associated with Morphine Consumption in Two Inbreed Rat Models
Authors: Soto-Montenegro Mª Luisa , García Verónica , Lamanna-Rama Nicolás , López-Montoya Gonzalo , Desco Manuel , Ambrosio Emilio
Published: May 2021

Addiction vulnerability is the individual's risk of developing an addiction during their lifetime. A challenge in the neurobiology of drug addiction is understanding why some people become addicted to drugs. Here, we used positron emission tomography (PET) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to evaluate changes in brain glucose metabolism in response to chronic morphine self-administration (MSA) in two rat strains with different vulnerability to drug abuse, Lewis (LEW) and Fischer 344 (F344). Four groups of animals were trained to self-administer morphine or saline for 15 days. 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG)-PET studies were performed on the last day of MSA (acquisition phase) and after 15 days of withdrawal. PET data were analyzed using SPM12. LEW-animals self-administered more morphine injections per session than F344-animals. We found significant brain metabolic differences between LEW and F344 strains in the cortex, hypothalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum. In addition, the different brain metabolic patterns observed after the MSA study between these rat strains indicate differences in the efficiency of neural substrates to translate the drug effects, which could explain the differences in predisposition to morphine abuse between one individual and another. These findings have important implications for the use of these rat strains in translational morphine and opiate research.
Incidental Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Diagnosed Following Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer : a Case Report
Authors: Tlili Ghassen , ammar houssem , majdoub wiem , dziri sonia , farhat waad , akacha emir , gupta rahul , ahmed khaled ben , azzabi awatef , jaidane mehdi
Published: May 2021

Background: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients have a high risk of occurrence of secondary cancers. This risk is three times higher for all cancers and eight times higher for skin cancer. The coexistence of CLL and adenocarcinoma of the prostate is rare.Case presentation: We report a case of 66-year-old man who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate carcinoma. The final histopathological diagnosis of Gleason 7 adenocarcinoma of the prostate with incidental chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was made. No further investigations or treatment was offered due to the age, low grade and the stage of the disease. At last follow-up of 12 months, the patient is alive, without disease progression for both lymphoma and prostate with PSA value of 0.1 ng/ml.Conclusion: Early detection of lymphoma after radical prostatectomy will allow optimal management. The analysis of this link requires therefore additional investigations.
Assessment of Root Morphology and Canal Configuration of Maxillary Premolars in a Saudi Subpopulation: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Study
Authors: Al‑Zubaidi Saad M. , Almansour Moazzy I. , Mansour Nada N. Al , Alshammari Ahad S. , Alshammari Ahad F. , Altamimi Yazeed S. , Madfa Ahmed A.
Published: May 2021

Background
The objective of the current study was to use CBCT to look into the root canal morphology of maxillary premolars in a Saudi Arabian subpopulation and associate the results to existing canal morphology classifications. The sample size for this analysis was 500 right and left untreated maxillary premolars with fully formed roots from 250 Saudi residents (125 male and 125 female). The following observations were made using CBCT on the teeth related: (1) The number and morphology of roots; (2) The canal morphology for each root according to Vertucci's classification. The frequency and similarities between the right and left sides, as well as between females and males, were studied. The Chi-square test was used to assess the results.
Results
Of the 500 maxillary first premolars investigated, 199 teeth had one root (39.8%), whilst 293 (58.6%) were two-rooted. Three-rooted maxillary first premolars were found in 8 (1.6%). For maxillary second premolars, 416 premolars had one root (83.2%), while 79 (15.8%) had two roots and the rest 5 (1.0%) were three roots. There were significant differences of number of root were found between groups (p > 0.05). For maxillary first premolar, Type IV was the most frequent, accounting for 57.8% of the sample (n = 289), followed by type II (32.8%, n = 164). For maxillary second premolar, Type I was mainly occurrence 302 (60.4%), followed by Type II (16.4%, n = 82).
Conclusion
The more common of maxillary first premolars had two roots and two root canals, while one root and one root canal was the majority anatomical configuration for maxillary second premolars. Additional canal forms do occur on occasion, and clinicians should pay close attention to them.
Image Quality of Abdominal Ultrasonography After Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Is Preserved by Using Carbon Dioxide Insufflation
Authors: Suda Tsuyoshi , Shirota Yukihiro , Takimoto Hiroaki , Tsukada Yasunori , Takishita Kensaku , Nadamura Takahiro , Miyazawa Masaki , Hodo Yuji , Wakabayashi Tokio
Published: May 2021

Because bowel gas deteriorates the image quality of abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), it is common to perform AUS prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This one-way order limits the availability of examination appointments. To evaluate whether EGD using insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal mucosa, preserves the image quality of AUS performed subsequently, we designed a non-inferiority test in which each subject underwent AUS, EGD with CO2 insufflation, and a second AUS. All saved AUS moving images were randomized and evaluated using a four-point Likert scale that divides the depiction rate by 25%. Sample size was calculated to be 26 and 30 subjects were enrolled. The mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the image quality score at pre- and post-EGD AUS were 3.54 [3.48–3.60] and 3.46 [3.39–3.52], respectively. The difference in the means was 0.08, corresponding to a 2% depiction rate. The effect size was 0.172. The image quality of post-EGD AUS was not inferior, as demonstrated by the 97.5% CI of the difference, which did not cross the non-inferiority margin of –0.40 corresponding to depiction rate of –10%. Because EGD using CO2 insufflation does not appreciably deteriorate the image quality of AUS performed subsequently, it is permissible to perform EGD prior to AUS.
The Effect of Particle Distribution to the Sintering Properties of Al2o3 Ceramic Formed by Stereolithography
Authors: QIAN CHUCHU , Hu Kehui , Wang Haoyuan , Feng Qian , Lu Zhigang , Li Peijie , Lu Kuan
Published: May 2021

This work studied the effect of particle size gradation on the structure and sintering properties of alumina ceramics manufactured by stereolithography after sintering, including room temperature flexural strength, sintering shrinkage, porosity and microstructure morphology. Seven different particle size gradations from coarse to fine were studied, and each particle size gradation was coarse particles: fine particles=6:4. With the increase of the sintering temperature, the degree of sintering and the bonding strength of the interface increased, the shrinkage in all directions, and the bending strength and the closed porosity increased, the open porosity decreased. For the same sintering temperature, the flexural strength and shrinkage in all directions decreased and the open porosity increased with the increase of particle size. The ratio of the height (4mm) shrinkage of each particle size to the length (50mm) shrinkage is about 1.5 times. Due to the presence of the lateral edge resin layer, the width shrinkage of the coarse particles was different from the length shrinkage but closer to the height shrinkage. The width shrinkage gradually approached the length shrinkage as the particle size decreased. When the gradation ratio is the same, and the particle size was ten times different (30μm/5μm, 3μm/0.5μm; 20μm/3μm, 2μm/0.3μm), there was a big difference. When the sintering temperature was above 1500℃, the differences of sintering properties of the comparison groups are 2~10 times. Considering the alumina-based ceramic core, 20/3 has been evaluated comprehensively. It maintains excellent flexural strength and porosity under the condition of slight shrinkage.
Meiosis and male fertility in F1 interspecific hybrids (Passiflora vitifolia vs. Passiflora hatschbachii)
Authors: Souza Analu Cruz , Souza Margarete Magalhães , Silva Gonçalo Santos , Lavinscky Manuella Palmeira , Souza Viviane de Oliveira , Freitas Jôsie Cloviane de Oliveira
Published: May 2021

Interspecific hybrids can be studied using methodologies in which the male gamete with high reproduction potential, viability, and fertility is prioritized. Passiflora species, with lush, showy, and exotic colors, have great potential for the ornamental plant market. In addition, artificial Passiflora hybrids were developed without many difficulties because of weak reproductive barriers. Thus, meiotic and post-meiotic behaviors were analyzed with 2% acetic carmine staining. Confirmation of interspecific hybridization was performed using SSR markers and GISH technique was used to detect genomic differentiation. The pollen viability of the parental and hybrids genotypes was tested using Alexander solution, fluorescein diacetate and in vitro germination tests were performed using culture medium. The meiotic behavior was regular and displayed haploid number n = 9 with nine bivalent (II) chromosomal, pairing in 90% of the cells in diakinesis. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terminal and interstitial chiasma frequencies. Meiotic irregularities observed were as follows: early and/or delayed chromosomes, disorientation of spindle fibers, transverse spindles, tripolar spindles, and asynchrony; and consequently irregular post-meiotic products were observed: monads, dyads, triads, and polyads. GISH was used in the interspecific hybrids and pairing between homeologous chromosomes, and bivalent and tetravalent formation were observed. From this study, we could conclude that hybrid genotypes are fertile and pollen grains are viable and can be used in breeding programs. We also hypothesize that interspecific hybrid genotypes of Passiflora can be obtained with regular meiosis, which could be viable and fertile.
Will Iran achieve the SDG 3.4 at national and sub- national levels?
Authors: Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Farzadfar Farshad , Yoosefi Moein , Mansori Kamyar , Larijani Bagher , Baneshi Mohammad Reza , Shadmani Fatemeh Khosravi
Published: May 2021

In this study, different scenarios have been used to project Iran’s chance to achieve SDG 3.4. Unconditional Probability of Dying (UPOD) through the Bayesian model averaging for four major categories of NCDs was projected on the basis of Death Registry System data at the national and sub-national levels. The prevalence of the risk factors was projected by 2030 based on STEPs data and additional studies. Assuming that the global reduction in risk factors proposed by WHO is performed in Iran, UPOD was projected again and then the possibility of achieving the target was estimated. If the current trend continues, the UPOD will be reduced from 17.5 % (95% UI: 16.3–19.2) in 2010 and 14.7% (13.3–16.2) in 2015 to 10.8% (7.9–14.3) in 2030. If the risk factors are reduced to the global target level, 68236 deaths in 2010 and 54418 deaths in 2015 baselines will be avoided. By 2030, the UPOD after subtracting the avoidable deaths, will be 5.44 (3.51–7.39) in 2010 and 6.55 (5.00- 8.13) in 2015 baselines. This way some provinces will meet SDG 3.4. If the current trend continues, Iran will and will not achieve the SDG 3.4 in 2010 and 2015 baselines, respectively. However, if the global target set for reducing risk factors is achieved, Iran will meet all expectations in SDG 3.4 except in Asthma and COPD. Therefore, effective interventions are recommended to be designed and followed to reduce Asthma and COPD.
Experimental Study on the Adverse Effect of Gel Fracturing Fluid on Gas Sorption Behavior for Illinois Coal
Authors: Huang Qiming , Li Jun , Liu Shimin , Wang Gang
Published: May 2021

Hydraulic fracturing is an effective technology for coal reservoir stimulation. After fracturing operation and flowback, a fraction of fracturing fluid will be essentially remained in the formation which ultimately damages the flowability of the formation. In this study, we quantify the gel-based fracturing fluid induced damages on gas sorption for Illinois coal in US. We conducted the high-pressure methane and CO2 sorption experiments to investigate the sorption damage due to the gel residue. The infrared spectroscopy tests were used to analyze the evolution of the functional group of the coal during fracturing fluid treatment. The results show that no significant chemical alteration of coal due to the fracturing fluid injection, and the damage of sorption is attributed to the physical blockage and interactions. As the concentration of fracturing fluid increases, the density of residues on the coal surface increases and the adhesion film becomes progressively denser. The adhesion film on coal can apparently reduce the number of adsorption sites for gas and lead to a decrease of gas sorption capacity. In addition, the gel residue can decrease the interconnectivity of pore structure of coal which can also limit the sorption capacity by isolating the gas from the potential sorption sites. For the low concentration of fracturing fluid, the Langmuir volume was reduced to less than one-half of that of raw coal. After the fracturing fluid invades, the desorption hysteresis of methane and CO2 in coal was found to be amplified. The impact on the methane desorption hysteresis is significantly higher than CO2 does. The reason for the increasing of hysteresis may be that the adsorption swelling caused by the residue adhered on the pore edge, or the pore blockage caused by the residue invasion under high gas pressure. The results of this study quantitatively confirm the fracturing fluid induced gas sorption damage on coal and provide a baseline assessment for coal fracturing fluid formulation and technology.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diagnostic Efficacy of Comprehensive Genetic Testing for Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Florentine Michelle M , Rouse Stephanie L , Stephans Jihyun , Conrad David , Czechowicz Josephine , Matthews Ian R , Meyer Anna K , Nadaraja Garani S , Parikh Rajan , Virbalas Jordan , Weinstein Jacqueline E , Chan Dylan K
Published: May 2021

Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in diagnostic rates of genetic testing is critical for health equity. We sought to understand the extent and cause of racial/ethnic disparities in diagnostic efficacy of comprehensive genetic testing (CGT) for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). We performed a retrospective cohort study at two tertiary children’s hospitals on a diverse cohort of 240 consecutive pediatric patients (76% publicly insured, 82% non-White) with SNHL of unknown etiology who underwent CGT. Definite and possible molecular diagnoses were assigned for each patient, representing the likelihood of a genetic cause of hearing loss. Associations between race/ethnicity and diagnostic rates were examined. 3.8 ± 2.1 variants were detected per patient; this frequency did not vary between White/Asian and Hispanic/Black cohorts. Overall, 82% of variants were Variants of Unknown Significance (VUS). Compared with White/Asian subjects, variants identified among Hispanic/Black children were less likely to be known (15% vs. 24%, p < 0.001), and Hispanic/Black children were less likely to have a definite molecular diagnosis (10% vs. 37%, p < 0.001). Expanding molecular diagnostic criteria to include predicted deleterious VUSs reduced these disparities between White/Asian and Hispanic/Black children, with comparable molecular diagnostic rates (41% vs. 35%, p = 0.46). The adjusted odds ratio for definite genetic diagnosis in Black/Hispanic children compared with White/Asian children was 0.18. These results demonstrate the extent of racial/ethnic disparities in diagnostic efficacy of comprehensive genetic testing. Consideration of deleterious VUSs reduced these disparities, highlighting the need for increased inclusion of underrepresented groups in genetic hearing-loss studies to clinically validate these variants.
Identification of Malignancy-Associated Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis By 18F-FDG PET/CT Based Multivariate Models in Clinical Practice
Authors: Yang Xu , Lu Xia , Kan Ying , Wang Wei , Zhang Shuxin , Liu Lei , Li Jixia , Yang Jigang
Published: May 2021

Purpose: 18F-FDG PET/CT is often used for detection of malignancy in newly diagnosed haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with acceptable sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT to identify malignancy in HLH by a combination of 18F-FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Methods: A cohort of patients with secondary HLH (n=71, age≥14 years) was retrospectively reviewed and pre-therapeutic variables of 18F-FDG PET/CT and laboratory were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) (n=22) and non-malignancy-associated HLH (NM-HLH) (n=49). The variables were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U or Pearson Chi-Square test and the nomograms were constructed by multivariate binary logistic regression. The predictors were also ranked by decision-tree analysis. Results: Asymmetry distribution of hypermetabolic lymph nodes was more commonly observed in M-HLH (p=0.002). SUVmax-bone lesions, SUVmax-lymph nodes and C-reactive protein were selected to construct the model. This model displayed a good predictive performance with the area under receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.884 (95%CI: 0.791-0.978). At an appropriate cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of identifying M-HLH reached 86.4% (65.1%-97.1%) and 87.2% (74.3%-95.2%), respectively. The decision tree integrating SUVmax-bone lesions and SUVmax-lymph nodes achieved a high sensitivity (86.4%) and specificity (87.8%) for identification of malignancy.Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT can be a practical technique for identifying M-HLH and the models constructed by 18F-FDG PET/CT features alone or combined with clinical parameters are able to detect malignancy with better accuracy than visual analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT images.
A Scientometric Appraisal of IASLIC Bulletin (2013-2017)
Authors: Karkee Prabin , Sinha Sudha
Published: May 2021

This study aims to analyse the contributions in IASLIC Bulletin –an official organ or a leading library science journal published by IASLIC. The total 97 articles were published during the period 2013 – 2017. The study covers the year-wise, institutions-wise, state-wise distribution of contributions, authorship pattern, citation analysis, length of the contributions etc. The study shows that most of the contributions of this journal are contributed by joint authors and state-wise distribution shows that most of the contributions are contributed from West Bengal. Citation analysis of 1369 citations includes finding out number of citations per volume, types of publications cited and preparing of ranked list of cited journals in contributions of this journal. The study reveals that journals are the most cited publication amongst the library and information scientists. Annals of Library and Information Studies is the most cited journal in the contributions of this journal.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy is an Additional Option for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer After Radical Gastrectomy with D2 Lymphadenectomy: A Retrospective Control Study
Authors: Su Xiangqian , Chen Lei , Zhang Chenghai , Yao Zhendan , Cui Ming , Xing Jiadi , Yang Hong , Zhang Nan , Liu Maoxing , Xu Kai , Tan Fei , Li Yuzhe , Jiang Beihai
Published: May 2021

Background: This study compared the long-term efficacy of different durations of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.Methods: We retrospectively identified 428 patients with stage II–III gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy between 2009 and 2016. Patients were divided into four groups according to the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy, including 0 week (no adjuvant, group A), 20 to 24 weeks (completed 7-8 cycles every 3 weeks or 10-12 cycles every 2 weeks, group B), and 12 to18 weeks (completed 4-6 cycles every 3 weeks or 6-9 cycles every 2 weeks, group C), and less than 12 weeks (received up to 3 cycles every 3 weeks or 5 cycles every 2 weeks, group D). The chemotherapy regimens included SOX, XELOX, and FOLFOX. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed.Results: The five-year DFS rates for groups A, B, C, and D were 50, 68.0, 65.4, and 50.0%, respectively, and the 5-year OS rates were 52.3, 73.7, 72.0, and 53.3%, respectively. DFS and OS were higher in group B than in groups A and D. Similarly, patients in group C were more likely to have better DFS and OS than those in groups A and D. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in DFS and OS between groups B and C. In multivariate analyses, the number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles was a significant prognostic factor. Conclusions: To reduce toxicity and maintain efficacy, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin doublet adjuvant chemotherapy administered for 4–6 cycles every 3 weeks or 6–9 cycles every 2 weeks might be a favorable option for patients with stage II–III gastric cancer after D2 gastrectomy. Prospective multicenter clinical trials with large sample sizes are necessary to verify these findings.
Development and validation of nomograms for predicting axillary non-SLN metastases in breast cancer patients with 1-2 positive sentinel lymph node macro-metastases: a retrospective analysis of two independent cohorts
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Zhijun , Wei Zhongyin , Yu Bofan , Shen Peng , Yan Yuan , You Wei
Published: May 2021

Background

It is reported that appropriately 50% of early breast cancer patients with 1–2 positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) micro-metastases could not benefit from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or breast-conserving surgery with whole breast irradiation. However, whether patients with 1–2 positive SLN macro-metastases could benefit from ALND remains unknown. The aim of our study was to develop and validate nomograms for assessing axillary non-SLN metastases in patients with 1–2 positive SLN macro-metastases, using their pathological features alone or in combination with STMs.
Methods

We retrospectively reviewed pathological features and STMs of 1150 early breast cancer patients from two independent cohorts. Best subset regression was used for feature selection and signature building. The risk score of axillary non-SLN metastases was calculated for each patient as a linear combination of selected predictors that were weighted by their respective coefficients.
Results

The pathology-based nomogram possessed a strong discrimination ability for axillary non-SLN metastases, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.727 (95% CI: 0.682–0.771) in the primary cohort and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.653–0.792) in the validation cohort. The addition of CA 15 − 3 and CEA can significantly improve the performance of pathology-based nomogram in the primary cohort (AUC: 0.773 (0.732–0.815) vs. 0.727 (0.682–0.771), P < 0.001) and validation cohort (AUC: (0.777 (0.713–0.840) vs. 0.722 (0.653–0.792), P < 0.001). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomograms were clinically useful.
Conclusion

The nomograms based on pathological features can be used to identify axillary non-SLN metastases in breast cancer patients with 1–2 positive SLN. In addition, the combination of STMs and pathological features can identify patients with patients with axillary non-SLN metastases more accurately than pathological characteristics alone.
Spirituality at Workplace: Role of Spiritual Leadership, Productivity, and Emotional Exhaustion
Authors: Abbas Ansar , Shuairidi Fendy , Ekowati Dian , Anwar Aisha , Saud Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Workplace spirituality understanding focuses upon employee’s inner life that nurtures the inner life irrespective of the gender of employees. It helps to encounter stress that brings emotional exhaustion in employee and affect productivity. This study looks at the role of spiritual leadership in promoting workplace spirituality, encountering emotional exhaustion, and cultivating productivity. In educational and healthcare workplace settings, systematic sampling was used to collect the data and processed in Wrap-pls for path analysis. It concludes that spiritual leadership research can provide unique insight, which has not been done persistently in South Asian countries. The study concludes positive results of spiritual leadership inculcating workplace spirituality to improve organizational engagement, efficiency, and life satisfaction. Finally, the pertinent sections discuss some recommendations for future leadership scopes, science, and practice in applied contexts.
Phenotype-guided subpopulation identification from single-cell sequencing data
Authors: Sun Duanchen , Guan Xiangnan , Moran Amy , Qian David , Schedin Pepper , Dai Mu-Shui , Danilov Alexey , Alumkal Joshi , Adey Andrew , Spellman Paul , Xia Zheng
Published: May 2021

Single-cell sequencing yields novel discoveries by distinguishing cell types, states, and lineages within the context of heterogeneous tissues. However, interpreting complex single-cell data from highly heterogeneous cell populations remains challenging. Currently, most existing single-cell data analyses focus on cell type clusters defined by unsupervised clustering methods that cannot directly link cell clusters with specific biological and clinical phenotypes. Here we present Scissor, a novel approach that utilizes disease phenotypes to identify cell subpopulations from single-cell data that are most highly associated with the given phenotype. This “phenotype-to-cell” within a single-step strategy utilizes clinical information collected from bulk assays to identify the most highly phenotype-associated cell subpopulations. When applied to a lung cancer single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) dataset, Scissor identified a subset of cells associated with worse survival as well as another cell subpopulation associated with TP53 mutation. Furthermore, in a melanoma scRNA-seq dataset, Scissor discerned a T cell subpopulation with low PDCD1/CTLA4 and high TCF7 expressions, which is associated with a favorable immunotherapy response. Scissor also demonstrated its broad applicability and effectiveness in interpreting Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and Alzheimer’s disease scRNA-seq datasets. Thus, Scissor provides a novel framework to identify biologically and clinically relevant cell subpopulations from single-cell assays by leveraging the wealth of phenotype and bulk-omics datasets.
The efficacy of amantadine hydrochloride in the treatment of COVID-19 - a single-center observation study
Authors: Bodnar Wlodzimierz , Aranda-Abreu Gonzalo , Slabon-Willand Monika , Kotecka Sylwia , Farnik Malgorzata , Bodnar Jaroslaw
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) rapidly spread worldwide. The search for effective measures to counter the development and effects of the pandemic includes: identifying the disease pathogen, introducing methods of reducing its transmission, building the population immunity, and the search for a cure, both among the new and already-known substances with potential antivirus activity such as amantadine hydrochloride.Study objectives: The study's aim is an observational single-center analysis of confirmed COVID-19 cases treated with amantadine in ambulatory settings.Patients and methods: The group of 55 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis was treated in ambulatory settings by amantadine with a treatment schema. A retrospective analysis was based on symptoms, hospitalization, and number of deaths.Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.9 years (SD=15), and most patients were male (60%). Despite the majority of patients 64% (n=35) suffering from comorbidities and 53% (n=29) of patients having been diagnosed with pneumonia, none of them died, and only four had required hospitalization in the course of COVID-19. Clinical stabilization was achieved in 91% (n=50) of patients within 48 hours after the first dose of amantadine with further improvement; additionally, all patients experienced remission of COVID-19. In total, 93% (n=51) of patients did not require hospitalization during the treatment.Conclusions: The data may suggest that amantadine hydrochloride shows efficacy in preventing hospitalization and deaths in patients with COVID-19. At the same time, it emphasizes that daily monitoring of the patient and regular examination are important in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics.
Presença de placas de ateroma calcificadas na artéria carótida: análise em radiografias panorâmicas
Authors: Santos Íris Quintão dos , Oliveira José Jhenikártery Maia de , Farias Micaella Fernandes , Soares Karolyne de Melo , Santos Murilo Quintão dos , Ferreira Artemisa Fernanda Moura , Araújo Júlio Maciel Santos de
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: avaliar a presença de placas de ateroma calcificadas na artéria carótida através de radiografias panorâmicas de pacientes com idade superior a 40 anos. Metodologia: trata-se de uma pesquisa de caráter descritivo, quantitativo, observacional e transversal, realizada na clínica radiográfica INTERFACE, localizada no município de João Pessoa-PB. O universo foi composto por todos os exames de radiografias panorâmicas de pacientes com idade superior a 40 anos realizados no decorrer do ano de 2015. Para tanto, a amostra foi constituída por 1000 radiografias. Utilizou-se para coleta de dados uma ficha de registro, contendo informações sobre sexo, idade, e a localização do ateroma, respeitando os critérios éticos. Os dados foram analisados e processados pelo programa SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), versão 20.0. Resultados: A amostra apresenta radiografias com pacientes de ambos os sexos, composta por 81,60% de pacientes com ausência de placas de ateroma na artéria carótida, 11,90% com presença de placas na região direita, 4,90% presença de placas na região esquerda e 1,60% com presença de placas bilateralmente. De acordo com o sexo, 46,20% do sexo feminino apresentaram ausência de placas de ateroma na artéria carótida, já o sexo masculino apenas 34,40%. Conclusão: a prevalência de placas de ateromas calcificadas na artéria carótida foi relativamente baixa na população estudada. Ainda que a radiografia panorâmica não seja o exame de primeira escolha na identificação de placas de ateroma, foi possível observá-las na presente pesquisa, sendo assim, pode-se considerar uma ferramenta de auxílio no seu diagnóstico precoce.
Tolerance of ‘Camarosa’ Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) to Extra-label Use of Single and Tank Mix Preemergence Herbicides in Annual Hill Plasticulture
Authors: Vinson Edgar L. , Price Kaitlyn J. , Raymond Kessler J. , Coneva Elina D. , Mwanza Masuzyo , Price Matthew D.
Published: May 2021

Relatively few herbicides are registered in Alabama or in the southeastern United States for use in annual hill plasticulture production of strawberries. Acquisition of 24(c) special local needs status for certain herbicides could make more of these chemistries available to the strawberry industry. These herbicides, especially when applied as tank mixes pose potential risks to strawberry plant growth and fruit yield. Special local needs status for these herbicides has been granted for other states, but more evaluation of these products in Alabama soils under plastic mulch is needed. The objective of this study was to assess tank mix applications of preemergence herbicides with different modes of action on plant growth, crop yield, and fruit size of ‘Camarosa’ strawberry. A study was conducted at the Chilton Research and Extension Center in Clanton, AL, in 2018 and 2019. Pendimethalin (3.5 L·ha–1) and S-metolachlor (1.6 L·ha–1) were evaluated for potential phytotoxicity in ‘Camarosa’ strawberry when applied alone or in tank mixes with napropamide (8.6 kg·ha–1), sulfentrazone (0.3 L·ha–1), or terbacil (0.42 L·ha–1) by comparing them to a nontreated control. At 18 weeks after planting, pendimethalin tank mixed with napropamide reduced plant dry weight by 33% compared with the control, but this reduction was not significant. Additionally, tank mixes of pendimethalin with sulfentrazone, napropamide, and terbacil reduced shoot dry weight by 43%, 52%, and 43%, respectively, compared with pendimethalin alone. Pendimethalin + napropamide tank mix reduced relative growth rate by 95% compared with the control between 6 and 18 weeks after planting. All treatments were similar to the control in marketable yield. Differences in plant growth parameters did not appear to affect yield by the end of the experiment. All single applied treatments along with S-metolachlor tank mixed with napropamide and sulfentrazone; pendimethalin tank mixed with sulfentrazone and terbacil appeared to be safe for direct application to strawberry planting beds covered in polyethylene mulch.
Grapefruit: History, Use, and Breeding
Authors: Louzada Eliezer S. , Ramadugu Chandrika
Published: May 2021

Grapefruit [Citrus ×aurantium (synonym C. ×paradisi)] is an important citrus commodity that originated in Barbados in the 17th century. Grapefruit is the youngest member of the genus Citrus. Most commercially important grapefruit cultivars arose through natural and induced mutations, not traditional breeding, of the white-fleshed and seedy Duncan grapefruit. Now, cultivars with a range of flesh colors exist; the pigmentation is correlated with lycopene content. A bud sport mutant of grapefruit discovered in Texas has a deep golden-colored flesh, significantly different from the typical reddish pigmentation. In this review, we discuss grapefruit’s journey from its origin in Barbados and its global establishment including production, marketing, drug interactions, cultivar development, genetic diversity, and commercially significant cultivars.
Digital transformations of service marketing: theoretical fundamentals and directions
Authors: Radchenko Yury , Marenych Viktoria , Marchenko Olga , Kryvosheeva Nadiya , Guzenko Hanna , Shcheblykina Tamila
Published: May 2021

The conceptual approaches to definition of the purposes, principles and directions of the digital transformation of marketing activity of enterprises offering services according to technologies and methods of Marketing 4.0 have been proved on the basis of modern theories of service marketing. The inclusiveness and customer-focused of digital marketing services have been revealed. The omnichannel of marketing communications on the basis of integration and availability of online and offline channels of service enterprises and clients interaction, digitalization of client managerial experience has been substantiated.
The Object of Research: digital marketing of services in the context of the Marketing 4.0 concept.
Investigated Problem: the essence and directions of digital transformations of marketing activities in the field of services.
Main Scientific results: the inclusiveness and customer-focused of digital marketing communications based on cross-channel interaction and digital managerial models of customer experience have been revealed on the basis of the analysis of theoretical approaches to the characteristics of service marketing and determining the directions of its development in the digitalization of the economy and in accordance with the Marketing 4.0 concept.
Field of Practical Usage of Research Results: practical activity of service enterprises on application of digital marketing mix transformations and marketing communications channels.
Innovative Technological Product: the main principles and directions of marketing services digital transformation, that is inclusiveness and customer-focused of marketing communications, omnichannel as integration and availability of online and offline interaction channels as well as digitalization of customer experience management have been substantiated.
Field of Application of Innovative Technological Product: theoretical researches and practice of digitalization of marketing communications of the service enterprises.