bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with Kashin-Beck disease using a new questionnaire： A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jin Zhankui , Sun Zhengming , Wu Xueyuan , Chen Ming , Yang Bo , Dong Xianghui , Liu Shizhang , Chang Yanhai , Xu Cuixiang , Yi Zhi , Ling Ming
Published: January 2022

Objective: Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic deformable bone and joint disease, which seriously affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients. We tried to conduct a cross-sectional study of the QOL of KBD patients by a new KBD quality of life (KBDQOL) questionnaire.Methods: 252 KBD patients came from Northwest China, and 260 healthy people living in the same area as KBD patients served as the control group. KBDQOL questionnaire was used to evaluate the QOL of all objects. Results: The average score of physical functions, activity limitations, support of society, mental health and general health of KBD patients was significantly lower than that in control group. There was no statistical difference in economics between KBD patients and control group. The univariate analysis showed that age, height, weight status, education level and grade of KBD had a statistically significant effect on KBDQOL score. The results of multivariate analysis showed that grade of KBD was the influencing factor of physical function score; sex, age, height, grade of KBD and duration of symptoms were the influencing factors of activity restriction score; grade of KBD was the influencing factor of economic score, age and grade of KBD were influencing factors of general health.Conclusions: The QOL of patients with KBD was significantly lower than that of healthy people living in the same place. The KBDQOL questionnaire may be a promising tool for assessing the QOL of KBD patients.
Inequalities in caries among pre-school Italian children with different background
Authors: Campus Guglielmo , Cocco Fabio , Strohmenger Laura , Wolf Thomas Gerhard , Balian Araxi , Arghittu Antonella , Cagetti Maria Grazia
Published: January 2022

Background: The study was aimed to describe caries prevalence and severity and health inequalities among Italian preschool children with European and non-European background and to explore the potential presence of a social gradient. Methods: The ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) was recorded at school on 6,825 children (52.76% females). Caries frequency and severity was expressed as a proportion, recording the most severe ICDAS score observed. Socioeconomic status (SES) and behavioral habits of children/parents/caregivers were estimated by mean a standardized self-submitted questionnaire filled-in by parents. The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) based on regression of the mid-point value of caries experiences score for each SES group was calculated and a social gradient was generated as the weighted sum of the worst circumstances deriving from social explanatory variables. Children were stratified into four social gradient levels based on the number of worst options. Multivariate regression models (Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial logistic regression in children with European background and a logistic regression in children with non-European background) were used to elucidate the associations between all explanatory variables and health outcome (namely the caries prevalence). Mantel Haenszel trend of odds adjusted by immigrant background and area of living were calculated to study the existence, dimensions and direction of a social gradient in oral health. Results: Overall, 54.37% (95%CI 46.71–58.28%) of the children were caries-free; caries prevalence was statistically significant higher in children with non-European background compared to European children (72.59% vs 41.62% p<0.01). A statistically significant trend was observed for ICDAS 5/6 score and the worst social/behavioral level (Z=5.24, p<0.01). Conclusions: Data show how caries in preschool children is an unsolved public health problem especially in those with a non-European background. The proposed gradient was clearly able to identify children with the worst dental conditions.
Novel biomarker NEDD1 and its analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Xinmin , Ding Xiaopeng , Yu Jiahao , Shi Xin , Li Kangwei , Ma Shuoyi , Ren Pengwei , Xuan Guoyun , Han Ying
Published: January 2022

Background: NEDD1 (NEDD1 Gamma-Tubulin Ring Complex Targeting Factor) plays a crucial impact in regulating cell cycle and the development of scirrhous gastric cancer. However, the role of NEDD1 hasn’t been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) so far. The aim of this research is to explore the role of NEDD1 on the development and prognosis of HCC. Methods: All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. HCC-related data were download from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted by the LinkedOmics database. Results: The expression of NEDD1 has significant difference between tumor and adjacent normal tissues in HCC (P＜0.01). We also found that NEDD1 was an independent risk factor in HCC patients (HR 1.643, 95%CI 1.125–2.398; P = 0.01). The study also demonstrated that NEDD1 expression was significantly relevant to the expression of several immune checkpoint genes, including CTLA-4, PD-L1 and PD-1. GSEA revealed that Cell cycle, MicroRNAs in cancer and Ribosome pathways were significantly enriched in NEDD1 overexpression phenotype. By integrating NEDD1 with other relevant factors, we constructed the prognostic nomogram to help the improvement of the prognosis for patients with HCC. The data from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database were used as an independent external validation of our prognostic model. Conclusion: The expression level of NEDD1 was negatively correlated to the prognosis of HCC patients and it may be a promising therapeutic target of HCC, which probably be able to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy for HCC patients.
Practices And Challenges of Cultural Heritage Conservation In Historical And Religious Heritage Sites: Evidence From North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region
Authors: Mekonnen Habtamu , Bires Zemenu , Berhanu Kassegn
Published: January 2022

Cultural heritage are precious resources that showed the past human legacy, depicts present and future way of life as well as cultural values of a society, and it enhances solidarity and social integration of communities. However, due to natural catastrophes and anthropogenic factors, the sustainability of cultural heritage is questionable and requires scientific investigations to uncover the major problems affecting the continual of heritage attractions so that the panacea for this can be devised. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the practices and challenges of cultural heritage conservations in North Shoa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Methodologically, the research employed a mixed research approach and cross-sectional descriptive and explanatory research design. While systematic random sampling technique is applied to select samples from local communities, purposive sampling was designed to choose interviewees. The target population of the study encompasses local communities, government authorities, and culture and tourism office experts of North Shoa Zone and respective districts. The actual and valid sample size of the study is 208. The findings of the study revealed that the cultural heritages are not safeguarded from damaging activities indicating a poor status of conservation. The major conclusion sketched from the study is the principal factors affecting heritage conservation are lack of proper management, monitoring and evaluation, lack of funds and stakeholder involvement, urbanization, settlement programs and agricultural practice, poor government concern and professional commitment, poor attitude towards cultural heritage and lack of community concern, vandalism and illicit trafficking, low promotions of cultural heritage, and natural catastrophes like invasive intervention, climate change (humidity and frost, excessive rainfall and flood, heat from the sun). The study implied that the sustainability of cultural heritage is endanger unless conservation practice is supported by conservation guidelines, heritage site management plans and research outputs, stakeholders’ integration, and community involvement. Most importantly, the study recommends the integration of heritage conservation and sustainable development, and the promotion of conservation is a way of achieving economic and social sustainability.
Application of Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network for The Preparation of Fe-Loaded Biochar for Enhanced Cr(VI) Adsorption and Its Cr(VI) Adsorption Characteristics in an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Kang Jin-Kyu , Seo Eun-Jin , Lee Chang-Gu , Jeong Sanghyun , Park Seong-Jik
Published: January 2022

In this study, we optimized and explored the effect of the conditions for synthesizing Fe-loaded food waste biochar (Fe@FWB) for Cr(VI) removal using the response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The pyrolysis time, temperature, and Fe concentration were selected as the independent variables, and the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of Fe@FWB was maximized. RSM analysis showed that the p-values of pyrolysis temperature and Fe concentration were less than 0.05, indicating that those variables were statically significant, while pyrolysis time was less significant due to its high p-value (0.2830). However, the ANN model results showed that the effect of pyrolysis time was more significant on Cr(VI) adsorption capacity than Fe concentration. The optimal conditions, determined by the RSM analysis with a lower sum of squared error than ANN analysis, were used to synthesize the optimized Fe@FWB (Fe@FWB-OPT) for Cr(VI) removal. From the equilibrium model fitting, the Langmuir model showed a better fit than the Freundlich model, while the Redlich–Peterson isotherm model overlapped. The Cr(VI) sorption capacity of Fe@FWB-OPT calculated from the Langmuir model was 377.71 mg/g, high enough to be competitive to other adsorbents. The kinetic Cr(VI) adsorption was well described by the pseudo-second-order and Elovich models. The XPS results showed that Cr adsorbed on the surface of Fe-FWB-OPT was present not only as Cr(VI) but also as Cr(III) by the reduction of Cr(VI). The results of Cr(VI) adsorption by varying the pH indicate that electrostatic attraction is a key adsorption mechanism.
Intestinal flora and inflammation in acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Wang Hao , Ma Huiyan , Yang Libo , Yan Ning , Zhang Hua , Zhang Xiaoxia , Jia Shaobin
Published: January 2022

Background: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is closely associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and gut microbiome composition. However, the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiome in relation to ACS have not been systematically examined. Results: we perform a metagenome-wide association study on stools and plasma from 66 individuals with ACS and 46 healthy controls (HC). We then compared gut microbial composition using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in fecal samples to detect species with differential abundance between 2 groups. We reported that the altered composition of gut microbiota was associated with ACS and exacerbated inflammatory status. Moreover, parameters in ACS including body weights (BWs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and high homocysteine (HCY) were elevated; whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was decreased. pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and lipopolysaccaride (LPS) in ACS were increased respectively. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis displayed that the overall community of gut microbiota in ACS was notably changed mainly through increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria Parabacteroide, Unidentified_Enterobacteriaceae, Subdoligranulum, Akkermansia, Alistipes, Streptococcus, Paraprevotella as well as decreasing Subdoligranulum, Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Agathobacter, Anaerostipes, Bifidobacterium. Further analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the above differences in gut microbiota and inflammatory factors. Conclusions: Our data represent a comprehensive resource for further investigations on the role of the gut microbiome in promoting or preventing ACS.
Effects of Acculturation of Eating Disorder Prevalence Across Generations of Asian American Immigrants
Authors: Devata Tejas , Devata Veda , Chiu Bianca , Lin Karen , Garg Gouri , Thomas Edward , Lee Jennifer , Tan Cynthia , Ongking Julia , Xu Katherine , Pannase Shreyas , Dadas Dada
Published: January 2022

The growing prevalence of eating disorders in the United States is expected to stay on the rise and is attributed to the various changes in lifestyle and diet in the past two decades. This research paper analyzed the extent that acculturation, the absorption of one dominant culture over another, impacts the rate of eating disorders in the United States and whether the variable is significant. This study investigates various ethnic and cultural variables that can influence immigrants’ and children of immigrants’ susceptibility to eating disorders. Specifically, the study analyzes the extended exposure to American cultural standards of physical attractiveness, generally differing from their own. The data will be collected by conducting surveys amongst a randomly sampled first/second-generation Asian-American population in the United States. The study participants will be screened using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in addition to an Acculturation Index, specifically the General Ethnicity Questionnaire (GEQ). Researchers expect to observe a positive correlation between the extent of acculturation and the prevalence of eating disorders amongst the sample population, in this case, being first and second-generation Asian Americans residing in the United States. Results disproved this hypothesis, analyzing 131 responses from around the United States, acculturation had no significant correlation to eating disorder prevalence in the study group. Significant trends were found between levels of acculturation in each generation, second generation Asian Americans being significantly more acculturated. Second generation immigrants were however had lower global EDE-Q scores compared to their first generation counterparts.
Gallic acid enhances the antitumor activity of Icotinib hydrochloride in non-small cell lung cancer via of Hippo-YAP signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wang Dapeng , Guo Yinghua , Liu Yuan , Sa Rengerile , Wang Junfeng , Zhang Bin , Bai Po , Su Xiaolei , Zhang Xuelin , Zhang Yongqing , Liu Changting
Published: January 2022

Icotinib hydrochloride (IH) is a small molecular TKI independently developed in China. As the first-line anti-tumor agent, is widely used for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gallic acid (GA), a natural plant extract, is reported that it has a variety of pharmacological and biological properties. GA is a active natural phenolic extracted from Tannins that has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities on various types of tumors. Here, we reported that GA was capable of sensitizing A549/PC9 cells to IH by enhancing apoptosis. Mechanistic analyses indicated that IH-induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis was elevated in the presence of GA through activating extracellular signal-regulated Hippo-YAP pathway. Furthermore, GA also promoted IH-induced cytotoxic, downregulated expression of p-YAP and caspase-3. In vivo, the co-treatment of IH and GA notably reduced the tumor size when compared with IH treatment alone. Notably, GA significantly reduced the toxicity generated by IH in tumor-bearing mice. This study identifies the unique role of GA enhance IH sensitivity through apoptosis, and suggests that combined IH and GA might be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with NSCLC.
Attosecond Optical Switching
Authors: Hui Dandan , Alqattan Husain , Zhang Simin , Pervak Vladimir , Chowdhury Enam , Hassan Mohammed
Published: January 2022

Modern electronics are founded on switching the electric signal by radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields on the nanosecond timescale, limiting the information processing to the gigahertz speed. Recently, optical switches have been demonstrated using terahertz and ultrafast laser pulses to control the electric signal and enhance the switching speed to the picosecond and a few hundred femtoseconds time scale1-13. Here, we exploit the reflectivity modulation of a dielectric system in a strong light field to demonstrate the optical switching (ON/OFF) with attosecond time resolution. Moreover, we present the capability of controlling the optical switching signal with complex synthesized fields of ultrashort laser pulses for data binary encoding. This work paves the way for establishing optical switches and light-based electronics with peta- and exahertz speeds, several orders of magnitude faster than the current semiconductor-based electronics, opening a new realm in information technology, optical communications, and photonic processor technologies.
Waterborne Exposure to Avobenzone and Octinoxate Induces Thyroid Endocrine Disruption in Wild-Type and Thrαa-/- Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Ka Yujin , Ji Kyunghee
Published: January 2022

Avobenzone and octinoxate are frequently used as organic ultraviolet filters, and these chemicals are widely detected in water. This study evaluated the potential of avobenzone and octinoxate to disrupt thyroid endocrine system in wild-type and thyroid hormone receptor alpha a knockout (thrαa−/−) zebrafish embryos/larvae. Following a 120 h exposure to various concentrations of avobenzone and octinoxate, larvae mortality and developmental toxicity in wild-type and thrαa−/− fish were assessed. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels as well as transcriptional levels of ten genes associated with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were measured in wild-type fish. Significantly lower larvae survival rate in thrαa−/− fish exposed to ≥ 3 µM avobenzone and octinoxate suggests that the thyroid hormone receptor plays a crucial role in the toxic effects of avobenzone and octinoxate. A significant increase in the deio2 gene level in avobenzone-exposed zebrafish supports the result of an increased ratio of T3 to T4. Significant decrease of T4 level with upregulation of trh, tshβ, and tshr genes indicates feedback in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to maintain hormonal homeostasis. Our observation indicates that exposure to avobenzone and octinoxate affects the feedback mechanisms of the HPT axis.
Morphological And Morphometrical Aspects of The Auditory Ossicles In Roe Deer (Capreolus Capreolus)
Authors: Cristian Martonos , Gudea Alexandru , Gianluca D’Amico , Florin Stan
Published: January 2022

The study provides a series of distinctive aspects of the auditory ossicles alongside comparative morphometric data, bringing facts in respect to morphology and morphofunctionality of the auditory ossicles in this little-studied species. The most important features noted are evident conical shape of muscular process of malleus and triangular aspect of the handle of malleus. For the incus, a short body of the bone and the direct continuation, with no clear distinction as an individualized piece, for the lenticular process. As for the stapes, the clear profiling of the muscular tubercle for the stapedial muscle and elliptic shape of the foot of the stapes is noted. A series of comparative measurements and indices are also calculated in the attempt of profiling differences from the domestic counter species- sheep and goat.
Influence of Surface Roughening of the Raw Material on the Lap Shearing Strength and Failure Behavior of Adhesively Bonded Aluminum Joints
Authors: Liu Jianpeng , Wang Wei , Yan Yong , He Hong , Xue Zhigang , Xu Congchang , Li Luoxing
Published: January 2022

Surface roughening of the substrates before bonding plays a significant effect on improving the mechanical performance of the adhesively bonded joints, which are prevalently used for light-weighting vehicle bodies. In this study, the influence of surface roughening on the lap shearing strength and failure behavior of adhesively bonded aluminum sheet joints was investigated. Sandpaper grinding was employed for surface roughening, methods such as tensile testing microstructure observation, etc., was employed for evaluating the performance of the joints. The results showed that the lap shearing strength of adhesively bonded joints increased and then decreased with the surface roughness of the aluminum substrate. The maximum shearing strength of the joint bonded with grinded substrates was 30.4 MPa which was improved by 57.5% compared to that produced with un-grinded substrates. However, over roughening is harmful. When the surface roughness was too large, the failure mode of the joint turned from the mixed failure mode to interfacial failure mode, which decreased the strength of the joints. Related mechanisms were demonstrated. When the substrate surface was coarsened, the bonding area and the wettability of the adhesive on the surface were both increased, which promoted the beneficial mechanical interlock effect between the adhesive and the substrate. However, when the substrate surface was over roughened, defects such as voids, insufficient infiltrating of the adhesive, etc., were induced, which apparently increased the proportion of the interfacial failure area.
Water Supply-Demand Situation Analysis Based on a Hierarchical Index System
Authors: Wang Ting , You Jinjun , Ma Zhenzhen , Xiao Ping
Published: January 2022

In this study, a hierarchical index system is proposed for analysis of water supply-demand situation, which can overcome the shortcomings of complicated analysis and ambiguous decision, associated with the use of a single index like water shortage or water shortage ratio. Five indices responsible for water supply-demand imbalance are considered on both water resources supply and demand sides, and corresponding regulation strategies are proposed to restore water supply-demand balance by improving the water supply capacity of conventional and non-conventional water resources, improving water-use efficiency, and controlling the social and economic development scale. The proposed hierarchical index system has been successfully applied to the analysis of the water supply-demand situation in Qingdao. The results reveal that in order to improve the severe water supply-demand situation in Qingdao, it is necessary to divert water from other regions and improve agricultural water-use efficiency. This study may provide insights into the design and preparation of inter-basin or cross-regional water diversion projects and the formulation of annual water diversion plans.
SNTA1-deficient human cardiomyocytes are associated with increased structural components, calcium handling disorder, and shorter field potential duration
Authors: Dong Tao , Zhao Yan , Jin Hai-Feng , Shen Lei , Si Long-Long , Chen Li
Published: January 2022

Background

α-1-syntrophin (SNTA1), a protein encoded by SNTA1, is highly expressed in human cardiomyocytes. Mutations in SNTA1 are associated with arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy. Previous research on SNTA1 has been based on nonhuman cardiomyocytes. Our study was designed to identify phenotype of SNTA1-deficient using human cardiomyocytes.
Methods

SNTA1 was knocked out in H9 cell line using CRISPR-Cas9 system. H9SNTA1KO cells were then induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes using small molecule inhibitors. The phenotypic discrepancies associated with SNTA1-deficient cardiomyocytes were investigated.
Results

SNTA1 was truncated in PH1 domain by a stop codon (TGA) using CRISPR-Cas9 system. SNTA1-deficient did not affect the pluripotency of H9SNTA1KO, and they retain their in vitro ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. However, H9SNTA1KO derived cardiomyocytes exhibited increased structural components, weak calcium transient intensity, low levels of calcium in sarcoplasmic reticulum, lower cardiac contractility, and shorter field potential duration. Early treatment of SNTA1-deficient cardiomyocytes with ranolazine improved the calcium transient intensity and cardiac contractility.
Conclusions

SNTA1-deficient cardiomyocytes can be used to research the etiology, pathogenesis, and potential therapies for myocardial diseases. The SNTA1-deficient cardiomyocyte model suggests that the maintenance of cardiac calcium homeostasis is a key target in the treatment of myocardial-related diseases.
ADRB2 Expression Predicts the Clinical Outcomes and is Associated with Immune Cells Infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ji Lingyun , Xu Fei , Zhang Jingtao , Chen Weida , Yin Xi , Wang Qingqing , Chen Xiubao , Li Xin , Guo Minghao , Chen Zetao
Published: January 2022

The gene encoding beta2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR), adrenoceptor beta 2 (ADRB2), has been reported to closely associated with various cancers. However, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains controversial. This research shed light on the prognostic value of ADRB2 in LUAD and further explored its association with immune cell infiltration. ADRB2 was significantly decreased in LUAD. ADRB2 expression in LUAD was significantly correlated with gender, smoking status, T classification, lymph node metastasis, and pathologic stage. Patients in the low ADRB2 expression group presented with significantly poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results showed that ADRB2 participates in immune response. The expression of ADRB2 was positively correlated with the infiltration level of most immune cells. Notably, ADRB2 is involved in LUAD progression partly by regulating the immune microenvironment, which may potentially serve as a significant prognostic biomarker as well as a potential drug target.
PTPROt Enhances the Sensitivity of Multiple Myeloma to BP-1-102 and Bortezomib
Authors: Li Zixuan , Liu Yong , Xie Yan , Yuan Lei , An Gangli , Fu Chengcheng , Yang Lin
Published: January 2022

BackgroundMultiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy for which novel treatment options are urgently required. STAT3 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of MM and could enhance chemotherapy resistance of MM cells. Therefore, targeting the expression and/or activity of STAT3 may represent a potential treatment strategy for MM. Methods and resultsThis study aimed to examine the effects of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPROt) overexpression and BP-1-102, an inhibitor of STAT3, on MM cell growth and survival. The results showed that PTPROt overexpression suppressed MM cell progression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and that BP-1-102 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MM cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that BP-1-102 hampered STAT3 phosphorylation and induced apoptosis in vitro, and inhibited the growth of H929 and MM1S xenografts in vivo. Furthermore, the combination of BP-1-102 and bortezomib (BTZ) was more efficacious at killing MM cells than BP-1-102 or BTZ alone in vitro and in vivo. Notably, PTPROt also enhanced the sensitivities of multiple myeloma cell lines, primary myeloma cells, and H929-PTPROt xenograft tumors to BP-1-102 and BTZ treatments. ConclusionsThe findings of the current study strongly indicated that STAT3 could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of MM.
From Self to Nonself: Death Anxiety as Mediator of the Relationship Between Renunciation of Desire and Mental Health
Authors: Kuo Yi-Fen , Chang Yun-Ming , Lin Mei-Fang , Wu Ming-Lung , Shiah Yung-Jong
Published: January 2022

In the present paper, we report two studies examining the relationships among renunciation of desires, death anxiety, and mental health. In the first study, we constructed the Desire Questionnaire (DQ), which measures success in renouncing certain desire. The DQ has satisfactory psychometric properties. In the second study, 507 adults from a Chinese society ranging in age from 17 to 84 years (M = 35.58, SD = 14.76) completed the DQ, the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), and the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), which measures mental health and the presence of psychiatric symptoms. As predicted, DQ had significant negative correlations with both DAS (p < .05) and CHQ (p < .01). DAS had a significant positive correlation with CHQ (p < .01). In the linear mediation model, DAS was found to partially mediate the relationship between DQ and CHQ (\(\beta\) = .21, p < .001). These results suggest that the negative effect of poor control of desires on mental health can be partially accounted for by death anxiety. These findings imply that training in eliminating desires can be a successful strategy to improve mental health. These results also support the Nonself Theory as a theory of death anxiety and show its relevance to the relationship between nonself and mental health.
Developing And Verifying A Necroptic Gene-Based Prognostic Index In Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Zhu Shun , Huang Xiaoxin , Wang Chunguo , Xuan Tianhui , Liu Yong
Published: January 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cancer throughout the world and ranks fourth in cancer mortality. Necroptosis modulates tumorigenesis, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, gene sets related to necroptosis in HCC are rarely analyzed. Hence, it is vital to assess the clinicopathological influence of necroptosis in a large HCC patient population. Our goal in this research was to develop a novel HCC prognostic indicator based on necroptosis. To that end, we examined 132 necroptosis related genes (NRGs) and recognized 36 differentially expressed NRGs (DE-NRGs) in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Using both uni- and multivariate Cox regression models, we selected 4 NRGs, which can be employed to categorize HCC cases into low- or high-risk groups. Based on our survival analysis, the overall survival (OS) duration of high-risk cases was markedly shorter, in comparison with low-risk cases. We also verified using COX regression analysis that NRGs can serve as stand-alone prognostic indicators of HCC prognosis. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of the combined prediction model was 0.807. Lastly, we also verified the validity of our model using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. In summary, a state-of-the-art NRG-based HCC prognostic indicator is established to accurately predict the outcome of HCC cases to aid clinicians in the efficient planning and designing of personalized anti-HCC therapy.
A Case Management Model for Patients with Granulomatous Mastitis: A Prospective Study
Authors: Ning Ping , Deng Yuan , Xiong Ying , Wang Xin , Han Xiao-Rong , Tu Guo-Fang , He Pei-Yu
Published: January 2022

Background: Granulomatous mastitis is a chronic inflammatory mastitis disease with long-term treatment and high recurrence rate, there is no general agreement on effective clinical management, the new management model is worthy of investigation. The aim of this study to investigate the application of case management model in granulomatous mastitis and explore the related factors which are associated with the recurrence of granulomatous mastitis.Methods: This is a prospective study of 152 Chinese women who were monitored during the whole process of case management. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information, treatment methods, follow-up time, and recurrence were collected and analyzed. The eight-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) was used to investigate patients' adherence to medications.Results: Until October 2021, a total of 152 female patients with a mean age of 32 years have received the entire process of case management. The mean total course of case management was 24.54 (range, 15 - 45) months. Almost all the patients received medication treatment, except for one pregnant patient on observation therapy, and about 53.9% of the patients had medication plus surgery. The overall recurrence rate was 11.2%, and “high” medication adherence (RR=0.428, 95% CI: 0.224-0.867, P = 0.015) were significantly associated with a lower rate of recurrence while the rate of recurrence with surgical procedure + medication was higher than that with medication treatment (RR = 4.128, 95% CI: 1.026 - 16.610, P = 0.046).Conclusion: case management model for patients with granulomatous mastitis was effective with a relatively low recurrence rate. “Low” medication adherence were significant risk factors for the recurrence of granulomatous mastitis. Patients with medication plus surgery are more likely to recur than with medication treatment alone. The optimal treatment approach should be planned for GM patient and patient’s medication adherence should be of concern to medical staff.
Synthesis and Properties of Isosorbide-based Eco-friendly Plasticizers for Poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Lee Byoung-Min , Jung Jong Hwan , Hwang Taek Sung
Published: January 2022

In this study, eco-friendly and effective plasticizers, based on isosorbide, were synthesized and characterized. The esterification of isosorbide was conducted using different alkyl chain lengths of various fatty acids. The optimal esterification degree of isosorbide was obtained with a fatty acid of short alkyl chain length, after reaction with Ti(OBu)4 catalyst, at 220°C, after 6 h. An esterified isosorbide, with long alkyl chain length, was epoxidized to further enhance its plasticizing properties and enable low-cost production. The high epoxidation degree (91%) indicated efficient epoxidation by formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Finally, the mechanical, thermal, and plasticizing properties of the prepared isosorbide-based plasticizers were compared to a commercial plasticizer. The plasticizers prepared in this study, particularly isosorbide di epoxidized oleate, could be used as eco-friendly and effective plasticizers for practical PVC applications.
Novel bipolar charge collecting structure enabling overall water splitting on ferroelectric photocatalysts
Authors: Liu Yong , Wang Zhuan , He Jiandong , Ye Sheng , Wang Xiuli , Li Dongfeng , Yin Heng , Zhu Qianhong , Jing Huanwang , Weng Yuxiang , Fan Fengtao , Li Can
Published: January 2022

Due to the unidirectional charge separation and above-gap photovoltage, ferroelectrics have been considered as excellent photocatalytic candidates for solar fuel production. However, the performance of ferroelectric photocatalysts is often moderate. Few reports demonstrated that these kinds of photocatalyst could achieve overall water splitting. Here we propose a novel approach to fabricate interfacial charge collecting nano-structures on ferroelectric’s positive and negative domains, enabling overall water splitting in ferroelectric photocatalysts. We observed efficient accumulations of photogenerated electrons and holes within their thermalization length (about 50 nm) around the Au nanoparticles located in the positive and negative domains of BaTiO3 single crystal. Photocatalytic overall water splitting was firstly observed on ferroelectric BaTiO3 single crystal after assembly oxidation and reduction cocatalysts on the positive and negative charged Au nanoparticles. The idea of fabricating bipolar charge collecting structure on the ferroelectrics to achieve overall water splitting paves the new way for utilizing the energetic photogenerated charges in solar energy conversion.
The Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Hawai‘i
Authors: Juarez Ruben , Siegal Nicole , Maunakea Alika
Published: January 2022

Having been affected by the highest increase in COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, Honolulu and Maui counties in Hawai‘i implemented vaccine passport mandates for select industries in September 2021. Herein, we describe the effects of these mandates on three areas: (1) changes in foot traffic for businesses affected by mandates in comparison to businesses unaffected by the mandates; (2) changes in the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 and (3) COVID-19 vaccination rate increases across counties affected by mandates in comparison to counties that were unaffected by the mandates. Although businesses affected by mandates experienced a 6.7% decrease (p < 0.01, 95% CI : 5.7% − 6.9%) of foot traffic in the 14 weeks after the mandates were implemented, the number of COVID-19 cases significantly decreased (19.0%, p < 0.01, 95% CI : 12.1% − 25.8%), and the vaccination rate significantly increased (1.41%, p < 0.05, 95% CI : 0.29% − 2.55%) in counties that implemented mandates. As the trend of foot traffic towards the end of this period indicates impacted businesses converging towards the levels of non-impacted businesses, the trade-off in temporary losses during the adjustment period is met with significant gains in public health and safety.
Analysis on Curve Negotiating Ability of Rail Grinder in Grinding State
Authors: Zeng Luqing , Cui Dabin , Fu Yaodong , Li Li , Liu Zhanghong
Published: January 2022

Rail grinding becomes an important maintenance means of railway. Dynamic behavior of rail grinder is due to vehicle-track coupling relationship based on mechanical-electric-hydraulic coupling. Curve negotiating ability of rail grinder through modeling and simulation based on one-side grinding is studied in this paper. Simulation result is shown below. In typical case, rail grinding will increase transverse displacement of wheelsets, derailment coefficient of wheels in front wheelset, and unloading rate of wheelsets. In other case, increase of rail irregularity amplitude and decrease of its wavelength, which aggravates fluctuation of grinding power, has little influence on curve negotiating ability. When line radius curvature decreases, compared to state without grinding, decline to curve negotiating ability of state with grinding is more significantly. When number of grinding wheels at work increases, traverse displacement of wheelset, derailment coefficient of wheels in front wheelset, and unloading ratio of wheelsets increase. In short, rail grinding will significantly deteriorate curve negotiating ability of rail grinder.
Development of 27 New Microsatellite Markers for the Shanny Lipophrys Pholis
Authors: Jeannot Laura-Li , Mouronvalle Clara , Peyran Claire , Blanco Andreu , Planes Serge
Published: January 2022

The shanny Lipophrys pholis is an intertidal fish widely distributed throughout the Northeast Atlantic. Characterized by limited adult mobility and a long pelagic larval duration, the shanny stands as an ideal model to better understand larval dispersal and connectivity dynamics, which are critical parameters implicated in marine conservation and management. To this aim, we developed 27 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, presenting an average allelic diversity of 20.1 alleles per locus and heterozygosity ranging from 0.619 to 1. This set of newly developed microsatellite markers will be useful in providing critical insight into the processes shaping L. pholis gene flow and connectivity patterns and can be used to investigate local parentage lineages.
Characterization of the Population Affiliated to the Subsidized Health Insurance Scheme in Colombia. A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis.
Authors: Moreo Laura Mora , Estrada-Orozco Kelly , Espinosa Oscar , Mesa-Melgarejo Lorena
Published: January 2022

Background: Some reports suggest differences regarding health needs between the population affiliated to subsidized health insurance scheme (SS) compared to the contributory health insurance scheme (CS) in Colombia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the epidemiological profile of the population affiliated to the SS in Colombia, to establish if there are differences compared to CS in terms of: incident diseases, prevalent diseases, and use of health services and to estimate the magnitude of the differences from statistical analyzes of the data retrieved in a systematic review of data published in the literature and other sources of information. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. The search was made from 1993, with none other restriction. The information was synthesized in five categories according to the most important risk populations. We estimated combined incidences from epidemiological surveillance data, prevalence ratio, and other measures to estimate the difference between the studied groups. A 95% interval confidence was considered. A random effects models were used weighted by the inverse of the variance of the cumulative incidence calculated for each disease. The risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Results: 16.236 we identified, 14.972 were exclude after the title and abstract screening, 725 articles were verified as full text and finally 268 articles were included. The relative risk for non-communicable and communicable diseases was lower in the SS than the RC (RR: 0,37 and 0,72 respectively, p-value <0,05), however, for the other three categories, differences were found, the risk of presenting obstetric and maternal conditions in the SS versus the CS was RR 1,55, for frequent conditions during early childhood and other diseases was RR 1,28 with p-value < 0,05 respectively. The use of health services was different by scheme, finding less demand, access, or provision in health services in the SS.Conclusions: This study allowed to conclude that there are differences in the incidence, prevalence, and use of health services between health affiliation scheme (SS and CS) in Colombia allowing to guide decision-making to stakeholders. Registration: PROSPERO Registration number CRD42021279234.
Investigation on Friction Characteristics of Micro Double Cup Extrusion Assisted by Different Ultrasonic Vibration Modes
Authors: Wan Weiqiang , Cheng Jianfeng , Xu Linhong , Liu Fuchu , Zhang Haiou , Han Guangchao
Published: January 2022

Ultrasonic assisted plastic micro-forming is a research hotspot in metal forming process. The friction characteristic is a key factor affecting the micro-forming properties of metal in ultrasonic assisted micro-forming process. However, the existed researches were mostly focused on the friction characteristics of free surfaces, while few were studied on the friction characteristics between sample and mold cavity. In this paper, the micro double cup extrusion experiments of copper T2 were conducted to investigate the friction characteristics between sample and mold cavity with multiple ultrasonic vibration modes. Furthermore, the numerical model was developed to quantify the friction stress reduction caused by multiple ultrasonic vibration modes and estimate its contribution to decreasing the forming stress, which was usually considered mainly affected by acoustic softening, stress superposition and friction reduction. The results show that the forming stress and the surface roughness of extruded samples are decreased sequentially with the multiple ultrasonic vibration modes of tool vibration (TV), workpiece vibration (WV) and compound vibration (CV). The cup height ratios of double cup extrusion are also increased sequentially with the ultrasonic vibration modes. But the increase of cup height ratio does not indicate the increase of friction coefficient. The friction stress reduction between sample and mold cavity is increased sequentially with TV, CV and WV modes, and its contribution to decreasing the forming stress is 48%, 15% and 49%, respectively.
Treewidth-Based Algorithms for the Small Parsimony Problem on Networks
Authors: Scornavacca Celine , Weller Mathias
Published: January 2022

Background. Phylogenetic reconstruction is one of the paramount challenges of contemporary bioinformatics. A subtask of existing tree reconstruction algorithms is modeled by the Small Parsimony problem: given a tree T and an assignment of character-states to its leaves, assign states to the internal nodes of T such as to minimize the parsimony score, that is, the number of edges of T connecting nodes with different states. While this problem is polynomial-time solvable on trees, the matter is more complicated if T contains reticulate events such as hybridizations or recombinations, i.e. when T is a network. Indeed, three different versions of the parsimony score on networks have been proposed and each of them is NP-hard to decide. Existing parameterized algorithms focus on combining the number c of possible character-states with the number of reticulate events (per biconnected component).Results. We consider the parameter treewidth t of the underlying undirected graph of the input network, presenting dynamic programming algorithms for (slight generalizations of) all three versions of the parsimony problem on networks running in times O*(ct+1), O*((3c)t), and O*(6tc), respectively. Our algorithms use a formulation of the treewidth that may facilitate formalizing treewidth-based dynamic programming algorithms on phylogenetic networks for other problems.Conclusions. Our algorithms allow the computation of the three popular parsimony scores, modeling the evolutionary development of a (multistate) character on a given phylogenetic network of low treewidth. Our results subsume and improve previously known algorithm for all three variants. While our results rely on being given a “good” tree-decomposition of the input, encouraging theoretical results as well as practical implementations producing them are publicly available. We present a reformulation of tree decompositions in terms of “agreeing trees” on the same set of nodes. As this formulation may come more natural to researchers and engineers developing algorithms for phylogenetic networks, we hope to render exploiting the input network’s treewidth as parameter more accessible to this audience.
A High Body Roundness Index Is More Closely Associated With Urinary Albumin-creatinine Ratio Than Traditional Adiposity Indices in Chinese Population: a Cross-sectional Report From the Reaction Study
Authors: Wang Yun , Wang Jie , Liu Yang , Li Binqi , Chen Kang , Wang Weiqing , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Luo Zuojie , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Mu Yiming
Published: January 2022

Objective: Body roundness index (BRI) has been proposed to be a promising index of body fat distribution. The association between BRI and increased albuminuria is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the discriminative ability of BRI for increased albuminuria and compare the association of BRI and traditional adiposity indices (body mass index: BMI, waist circumstance: WC, waist-to-hip ratio: WHR) with albuminuria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was nested in an ongoing REACTION study. A total of 43591 participants aged over 40 years were recruited across seven different regional provinces. Increased albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to detect the association between BRI and UACR and compare the discriminative ability of traditional (BMI, WC, WHR) and new adiposity indices (waist-to-height ratio: WHtR, BRI) with UACR. Results: Participants with increased UACR exhibited increased age, blood pressure, blood glucose, poor control of lipid level, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)，and higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular events. Multiple logistic models showed that compared with traditional adiposity indices (BMI, WC, WHR), the BRI index remained significantly associated with UACR especially in women, indicating the strong discriminative power for increased albuminuria. Stratified analysis revealed that the strong positive association of the BRI index with increased albuminuria also occurred in people who were young, women, poor control of hypertension and blood glucose, and eGFR≥90 ml/min/1.73². Conclusions: The BRI index were closely associated with increased albuminuria in the Chinese population.