bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disparities in Telemedicine Utilization During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ruberto Richard A. , Schweppe Eric A. , Ahmed Rifat , Swindell Hasani W. , Cordero Christopher A. , Lanham Nathan S. , Jobin Charles M.
Published: April 2022

Background:

The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted a shift in health-care provision toward implementation of telemedicine. This study investigated demographic information on orthopaedic telemedicine utilization at a single academic orthopaedic institution in an effort to identify factors associated with telemedicine usage.

Methods:

Demographic and appointment data were collected from the electronic medical record during equivalent time periods prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic (pre-COVID) and during the COVID pandemic (peri-COVID). Multivariate analyses were performed to identify demographic and socioeconomic correlates of telemedicine utilization.

Results:

There was a significant increase in telemedicine visits between the eras of study, with significant differences in telemedicine usage in association with age, sex, marital status, English as the primary language, and insurance type (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses found American Indian/Alaska Native (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.487, p = 0.004), Black/African American (aOR = 0.622, p < 0.001), Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander (aOR = 0.676, p = 0.003), and Asian (aOR = 0.731, p < 0.001) race to be significantly associated with decreased telemedicine usage. Additionally, male sex (aOR = 0.878, p < 0.001) and a non-commercial insurance plan (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased telemedicine usage.

Conclusions:

Non-White race, non-commercial insurance plans, and male sex were associated with decreased telemedicine utilization. Further investigation is needed to characterize and better identify underlying factors contributing to disparities in telemedicine access and utilization.
Liposomal Bupivacaine Plus Bupivacaine Versus Ropivacaine Plus Dexamethasone Brachial Plexus Blockade for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Simovitch Ryan Wade , Hernandez Thomas , YaDeau Jacques T. , Grant Michael C. , Pociask Christopher , Ouanes Jean-Pierre P.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Brachial plexus blockade is utilized for pain control during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate brachial plexus blockade with liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine (LB+B) as compared with ropivacaine plus dexamethasone (R+D) for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Our hypothesis was that the use of LB+B would result in lower pain scores and opioid consumption as compared with R+D.

Methods:

We performed a randomized controlled trial of 45 patients receiving ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blockade with LB+B and 44 patients receiving R+D prior to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The “worst pain” score in a 24-hour period, oral morphine equivalent dose (OMED), and overall benefit of analgesia score (OBAS) were recorded for 8 days following surgery.

Results:

Patient-reported “worst pain” was significantly lower in the LB+B group as compared with the R+D group on postoperative day 0 through day 5. OMED was significantly less for all 8 days studied, with an average cumulative 8-day OMED of 48.5 milligram equivalents in the LB+B group as compared with 190.1 milligram equivalents in the R+D group (p < 0.001). The OBAS score was significantly lower in the LB+B group as compared with R+D group on all postoperative days. The use of LB+B for brachial plexus blockade resulted in a 4% complication rate in a population of patients predominantly with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores of 1 and 2.

Conclusions:

The use of LB+B for brachial plexus blockade during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was associated with a significant and sustained decrease in the “worst pain” score, opioid consumption, and OBAS compared with R+D. LB+B for brachial plexus blockade also exhibited a strong safety profile.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Alexithymia and aggressiveness in old age: Mediation by impulsivity and emotion dysregulation
Authors: Espirito-Santo Helena , Daniel Fernanda , Lemos Laura , Simões-Cunha Luis , Grasina Alexandra
Published: April 2022

Aggressiveness is prevalent in old age, and to adapt treatments and diminish the accompanying damage to the self and others, it is important to understand aggressiveness predictors. Poor emotional awareness, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation are potential mechanisms influencing aggressiveness. The present study examines whether alexithymia, emotion dysregulation, and impulsivity influence aggressiveness in older adults; and whether the effect of alexithymia is conditioned by emotional dysregulation and impulsivity after controlling for probable confounders. The sample consisted of 326 Portuguese older adults (63.2% female) aged 60-96 years from residential care homes and the community. Participants completed report instruments measuring alexithymia, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and aggressiveness. Results of the mediation analysis showed that older adults who had more alexithymia tended to report higher levels of emotional dysregulation and impulsivity, which in turn accounted for higher reported aggressiveness. All these effects were independent of cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms. This study suggests the relevance of evaluating and intervening on alexithymia, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation to reducing aggressiveness in older people.
Efectos de las pautas de crianza sobre los roles de la violencia escolar
Authors: Herrera-López Mauricio , Benavides Mónica del Rosario , Ortiz Gladys Patricia , Ruano María Alejandra
Published: April 2022

El estudio de las pautas de crianza es tema de constante interés, pues permite evidenciar la importancia de la familia en la prevención de la violencia en la escuela. El objetivo principal fue analizar las influencias de las pautas de crianza (democrática, autoritaria, negligente y permisiva) sobre la violencia escolar. Además, se validó para Colombia el Inventario de Pautas de Crianza. La muestra fue probabilística y estuvo conformada por 490 estudiantes, con edades entre 10 y 20 años (M = 13.62; DT = 1.86), 52.4% estudiantes masculinos. Se obtuvieron evidencias de validez de contenido y de constructo del inventario IPC; finalmente se analizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados sugieren que el rol de agresor está determinado por las pautas de crianza predominantemente antidemocráticas; el rol de víctima es explicado por la pauta autoritaria y antidemocrática. Se encontraron óptimas propiedades psicométricas del inventario IPC. Las conclusiones sugieren promover y fortalecer en los padres/madres, la pauta de crianza democrática y disminuir la presencia de las pautas autoritaria y negligente.
Seed priming with glycinebetaine improves germination, yield, gas exchange and photosynthetic attributes in Sesamum indicum under saline stress
Authors: Tariq Arneeb
Published: April 2022

Increased salinity stress in environment challenges the seed germination, emergence, and crop yield. The issue carefully demands the seed priming strategies to mitigate the drastic effects of salinity. Current study was conducted to appraise the modulation in germination, photosynthetic pigments, yield, and gas exchange attributes of sesame cultivars (TS-5 and TH-6) to pre-sowing seed treatment with glycinebetaine (GB) under salt stress. Seeds were treated with GB (25 mM) and water prior to sowing for 16 h. Ten seeds of each cultivar were laid down on moistened filter paper (0 mM and 70 mM NaCl) in petri plates to assess the germination attributes under salt stress. In a separate pot experiment, GB primed and water primed seeds were sown in 10 kg sand filled plastic pots. After two weeks of seed sowing, two concentrations of salinity (0 mM and 70 mM) were maintained by dissolving NaCl in full strength Hoagland nutrient solution. Data for germination, gas exchange and yield parameters were collected after one week, two week and ten weeks respectively. Salt stress decreased the germination percentage, plumule/radicle length, number of seeds/plant, Chl a, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E), while intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and ratio of internal to atmospheric CO2 concentration Ci/Ca ratio were increased. However, seed mass/plant, Chl b and carotenoids remained unaffected under salinity. GB mitigated the saline effects by increasing the germination percentage, plumule length, number of seeds/plant and PN and showed nonsignificant effect on radicle length, seed mass per plant and Chl a, b and carotenoid contents. Sesame cultivar TH-6 showed better performance as compared to TS-5 under saline conditions. GB is powerful osmoregulator to minimize salt effect in sesame by enhancing physiological and yield attributes
Establishment of in vitro regeneration system for genome editing in potato cv. Lady Rosetta
Authors: Razaq Hafiza Arooj
Published: April 2022

The genome engineering methods have gained much appreciation for hitting plant disease resistance panorama since the last decade. The in vitro regeneration system is the foundation part of any research related to genetic engineering in plants. Hence, we established a tissue culture regime for efficient in vitro regeneration response of potato cultivar Lady Rosetta tagged with low to no resistance to late blight on foliage and medium to low resistance to late blight on tubers in potato. In this study, five callus induction media and seven regeneration media were investigated to get the best in vitro regeneration response in Lady Rosetta. Based on a statistical analysis of recorded data, the selected combination was CIM2-28 days old calli-RM7. The genetic fidelity of in vitro regenerated plants on a selected combination was assessed using the SSR markers. The wild-type and in vitro regenerated plants showed the same DNA profile. Moreover, a minimal inhibitory dose of basta was optimized for selecting genetically transformed plants in potato, and a 9mg /L basta dose was selected.
Investigating the antioxidative properties and volatile profile of microwave assisted black cumin seed extracts
Authors: Khalil Anees Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Present study was aimed to assess the effect of microwave assisted extraction on total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), in-vitro antioxidant characteristics and identification of major volatile components of black cumin seeds extracted using different solvents (ethanol, n-hexane and water). Variation in TPC (28.72 – 37.15 mg GAE/g) and TFC (24.96 – 32.13 mg QE/g) of microwave assisted black cumin extracts (MABCEs) using different solvents was observed. Concurrently, the in-vitro antioxidant capacity varied from 63.34 to 82.12%, 119.82 to 168.0 µM Fe (II)/100mg, and 30.73 to 52.46% as analysed by DPPH, FRAP and β-carotene bleaching assays, respectively. Microwave-assisted extraction showed significantly higher results of TPC, TFC, and in-vitro antioxidant characterization as compared to control (non-microwave assisted). Depending upon the results of these in-vitro analyses, n-hexane extract was further employed to Gas Chromatographic analysis. Among all the 25 phenolic compounds identified, p-cymene, thymoquinone, carvacrol, α- thujene, 4-isopropyl-9-methoxy1methyl-1-cyclohexene and longifolene were reported to be 26.97%, 35.91%, 2.19%, 8.26%, 5.45% and 4.98%, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that microwave assisted extraction technique is more efficient as compared to conventional extraction techniques keeping in view the antioxidant properties and volatile profiling.
The transition dynamics and force constants of energy bearing warped space mediator structures
Authors: Koehler Dale. R.
Published: April 2022

It is shown in the present work that the distorted-space model of matter can describe conventional force-constants and transition-mediator structures. We use the verbiage “distorted” to communicate the concept of “energetic warping” to distinguish “spatial warping” from “classical matter warping”, although the concept of “matter” is in fact, in the present context, the “geometric distortion energy” of the spatial manifold itself without a classical “matter stressenergy source”. The “distorted-geometry” structures exhibit non-Newtonian features wherein the hole or core-region fields of the structures are energetically-repulsive (negative pressure), do not behave functionally in an r -4 manner and terminate at zero at the radial origin (no singularity). Near the core of the distortion the magnetic fields dominate the energy-densities of the structures thereby departing from classical particle-structure descriptions. Black-body radiation-emission and structural modeling lead to a description of transition dynamics and photonic entities.
Knowledge Management and Improvement in Library Services at FBC Library: A Statistical Approach
Authors: Lahai Prince
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this paper was to statistically examine the way knowledge are managed at Fourah Bay College in the improvement of library services, with the aims of identifying the types of knowledge managed; facilities, equipment, and supplies; policies used to manage the knowledge; knowledge management acquisition skills; relevancy and challenges to managing knowledge at FBC library. The study was informed by the triangulation of the staff and knowledge Continuum Theories which filled the gap of Robertson and Brun(2021) who considered computer as explicit knowledge. This current study indicated knowledge resided in computer as an implicit knowledge. Data used for analysis were drawn from thirty-three(33) participants from six sections with the use of questionnaires, personal interviews and personal observations. A total of 33 questionnaires were returned in their complete forms and used for the analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed by using SPSS version(16.0) to ascertain the relevance of managing knowledge at FBC library in enhancing efficient and effective service delivery. For inferential statistics both ANOVA and Chi-square hypotheses testing were used to test the variables. The key findings of the research revealed that FBC library manages the different types of knowledge but the policies governing the management of knowledge are not popularised to staff to understand about the relevance of the management of knowledge at FBC library. For the ANOVA hypothesis testing, it revealed that the means of the variables are not statistically different, while the chi-square revealed that there is a statistical variance between the means of the variables. However, provision was made for further research to be done in order to complement this current research.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical activity and psychological characteristics of the Iranian people
Authors: Saemi Esmaeel , Nobari Hadi , Badicu Georgian , Ghazizadeh Habibollah , Pashabadi Ali , Imani Fatemeh , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Silva Ana Filipa , Afrash Sana
Published: April 2022

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical activity behaviours, as well as on mental health indicators among Iranian people.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 335 participants were included (155 males, mean age = 30.06 ± 14.58 years). The eligibility criteria for this study were as follows; 1- Having at least 10 years of age. 2- Having a minimum literacy rate 3- Ability to work with networks of smart communication devices such as smartphones and computers 4- Living in Iran for the past 5 years. Participants were selected through the convenience sampling and filled out an online questionnaire measuring physical activity behaviours (The International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ; Short Form) and two mental health indicators – self-esteem (Rosenberg self-esteem scale) and social physical anxiety (7-items social physique anxiety scale).
Results
The results of Wilcoxon test showed that participants reported significant differences from before to during the pandemic in all three variables of physical activity (significant decreases), self-esteem (significant decreases), and social physical anxiety (significant increases). This difference was found, regardless of participants’ gender. The results of Spearman correlation test between changes in physical activity and changes in mental health indicators showed that COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted self-esteem and social physical anxiety. However, we have not found any significant association of physical activity’s change with social physical anxiety or self-esteem’s changes before and during the pandemic.
Conclusions
In sum, the findings of the present study indicate a detrimental effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity and mental health among Iranian’s people. Public policies aiming to buffer the negative impact on COVID-19 Iranians’ health are urgently needed.
Study on filling material strength and dam failure characteristics of loess dam
Authors: Chen Nengyuan , Zhao Danni , Wu Xiong , xu jiangbo , Nan Yalin , Niu Ligang
Published: April 2022

Due to the special material of the loess, it is characterized by large pores and collapsibility. When the water content is low, the strength is high. However, as the water level increases after the loess dam, the soil inside the dam is continuously wetted by water. The moisture content gradually increases, some characteristics of the soil change, and the control of the dry density during construction also affects the soil properties. In this paper, the filling materials of a loess dam in Ansai, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province were selected as the research object which is ML in the USCS classification of Loess. The effects of confining pressure, water content, and dry density on the failure characteristics and strength characteristics of unsaturated remolded loess were investigated by triaxial apparatus, while prepared soil samples at a particular water content and perform the CU(Consolidated Undrain) tests. It is found that the remolded loess samples under the conditions of low confining pressure, low water content, and high dry density show brittle failure, and obvious shear planes are formed. The stress-strain curve shows a strong strain-softening type and exhibits shear dilatancy characteristics. The unsaturated remolded loess under high confining pressure, high water content, and low dry density exhibits plastic failure and strain hardened, showing shear shrinkage phenomenon. The shear strength index of unsaturated remolded loess is affected by factors such as water content and dry density. When the dry density is kept constant, the cohesive force will decrease with the increase of water content, while the internal friction angle will decrease with the increase of water content at the lower dry density. With a dry density of 1.7g/cm 3 , the interaction between soil particles, pores and water film causes the internal friction angle to increase first, then decrease and then increase. When the water content is constant, the cohesion force will increase with the increase of dry density, and the internal friction angle will increase with the increase of dry density. Then, FLAC3D was used to conduct a numerical simulation of loess stacked dam, and it was found that with the rise of water level, the slope shear outlet of the dam with three damages gradually moved up, and the landslide volume gradually decreased, which was consistent with the on-site damage phenomenon.
Biliary reflux post hepaticojejunostomy (Sump syndrome) diagnosed using Microvascular flow imaging (MVI) - A Case Report
Authors: Sait Saif , Benger Matthew , Yusuf Gibran Timothy , Sidhu Paul Singh
Published: April 2022

Microvascular flow imaging (MVI) is a novel technique which provides detailed visualisation of flow in small vessels and structures and has a sensitivity comparable to contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The application of MVI has developed in several different areas including improved characterisation of liver lesions, breast masses, thyroid nodules, and musculoskeletal disorders. MVI is based on detecting movement rather than vascularity. We report a case of biliary reflux following Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy (Sump syndrome) where MVI provided a detailed assessment of movement of fluid
Deefgea salmonis sp. nov., isolated from gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Chen Mei-Qun , Tian Yun , Zhang Chi , Zhou Jian-She , Tashi Lhamo , Wang Wan-Liang , pan hu
Published: April 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, milky-white, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium named strain H3-26T was isolated from gills of Oncorhynchus mykiss in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, PR China. Strain H3-26T grew at 4–30℃ and pH 5.0–11.0 (optimum, 25℃ and pH 7.0) with 0–1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain H3-26T showed the highest similarity to Deefgea rivuli WB 3.4-79T (98.42%), followed by Deefgea chitinilytica Nsw-4T (96.91%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA genes indicated that strain H3-26T was a new member of the genus Deefgea. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of strain H3-26T and related strains were 21.20-21.90% and 76.29-77.43%, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain H3-26T was 48.29%. The predominant fatty acids were C12:0, C14:0, C16:0 and C16:1 ω7c. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic datas, strain H3-26T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Deefgea, for which the name Deefgea salmonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H3-26T (=JCM 35050T=CICC 25103T).
Low potassium disrupt intestinal barrier and result in bacterial translocation
Authors: Wu Haishan , Huang Rong , Fan Jinjin , Luo Ning , Yang Xiao
Published: April 2022

Background: Bacterial translocation was observed in critical illness and patients with chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypokalemia is a common complication in these diseases. Whether low potassium may increase intestinal permeability and result in bacterial translocation lack of evidence. The present study was aimed to investigate the potential effects of LK on intestinal permeability. Methods: Grade 8-week-old male Bal B/C mice were randomly placed either on a normal potassium (NK) mouse chow or a low potassium (LK) diet for 28 days. Intestinal permeability and expression of tight junction proteins were compared between the two groups.Results: Compared with the NK group, the mice in LK group had significantly lower serum potassium level, increased levels of plasmas endotoxin and plasma D-lactate. The bacterial translocation was higher and in occurred mainly in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen. The pathologic change of small intestine was obvious with thinner villus lamina propria, shorter crypt depth and thinner intestinal wall. Slight increases in the expression of proteins and mRNA levels of both claudin-1 and claudin-2 were observed in LK group. Conclusions: low potassium could increase intestinal permeability and thereby lead to bacterial translocation, which was suspected to result from impaired intestinal epithelial barrier and biological barrier.
The effect of negative life events on longitudinal change of surface anatomy
Authors: Li Xinyi , Zhou Zheyi , Ren Zhiting , Shi Manqing , Han Yurong , Qiu Jiang
Published: April 2022

Life events during adolescence are a crucial stressor in human lifeand play a pivotal role in inividuals’ mental health. Although a growing number of researches have made an encouraging progress in understanding the behavioral architecture of life events, the longitudinal study to investigate the brain structures changes underlying life eventsremains unclear. We aimed to explore the neural substrate underlying life events and investigate the impact of life events on individual differences in human adolescent brain development. We used structural magnetic resonance imaging scans from 734 college students (mean age=19.49), including 443 participants from whom two scan time points (interval time: 699.03 days; range: 203-1268 days; SD=246.99 days) were collected. We measured the life events by using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC). We found that a) grey matter volume (GMV) in the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) was associated with ASLEC total scores and b) volume delta in the right MTG between two brain scan time points were significantly negatively correlated with ASLEC total scores. The negative life events not only promoted the advance maturation in MTG, but also induce the abnormal deceleration of the MTG growth according to the lifespan development with inverted-U shape.
Integration of plasmonic AgPd alloy nanoparticles with single-layer graphitic carbon nitride as Mott-Schottky junction toward Photo-promoted H2 evolution
Authors: Gholipour Behnam , Zonouzi Afsaneh , Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza , Rostamnia Sadegh
Published: April 2022

Plasmonic AgPd alloy nanoparticles (AgPdNPs) decorated on single-layer carbon nitride (AgPdNPs/SLCN) for the designing of Mott-Schottky junction were constructed with the ultrasonically assisted hydrothermal method and used toward photoevolution H2 from formic acid (FA) at near room temperature (30 oC). The Pd atom contains active sites that are synergistically boosted by the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Ag atoms, leading to considerably enhanced photocatalytic properties. The photoactive AgPdNPs/SLCN obtained supreme catalytic activity to produce 50 mL of gas (H2 + CO2) with the initial turnover frequency of 224 h− 1 under light irradiation. The catalyst showed stable catalytic performance during successive cycles.
Transcriptome-wide association study identifies new susceptibility genes for degenerative cervical spondylosis
Authors: Xu Jiawen , Zhang Shaoyun , Si Haibo , Zeng Yi , Wu Yuangang , Shen Bin
Published: April 2022

Objective
Degenerative cervical spondylosis (DCS) is a common musculoskeletal disease that encompasses a wide range of progressive degenerative changes and affects all the components of the cervical spine. DCS has brought a huge social and economic burdens to society. However, the genetic basis of DCS remains elusive now.
Methods
Firstly, by integrating the gene-expression prediction models of whole blood and skeletal muscle and genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data of DCS (including 3739 DCS patients and 382326 controls), we conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) to evaluate the associations of genetically predicted gene-expression with DCS risk using Functional Summary-based Imputation (FUSION) software. Secondly, to validate the genes identified by TWAS analysis, these genes were further compared with the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) detected by the RNA expression profiles of DCS acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO, accession number: GSE153761). Thirdly, we used Functional Mapping and Annotation of Genome-wide Association Study (FUMA) and Metascape tools to conduct gene functional enrichment and annotation analysis.
Results
TWAS identified 420 significant genes for DCS with a P value < 0.05 in the skeletal muscle, such as RPS15A (PTWAS = 0.0003), and 110 genes in the whole blood, such as SELL (PTWAS = 0.0028). After comparing with RNA expression profiling of DCS, we identified 12 common genes, such as APLNR (PTWAS = 0.0013, PDEG = 0.0254). We identified 148 GO terms enriched for DCS, such as mast cell degranulation (GO:0043303). We also identified 15 KEGG pathways enriched for DCS, such as sphingolipid signaling pathway (ko04071). By integrating the enrichment results of TWAS analysis and RNA expression profile, 9 common terms were identified such as Degradation of the extracellular matrix (R-HSA-1474228).
Conclusion
Our results identified putative susceptibility genes for DCS, providing new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying DCS development.
A hands-free stool sampling system for monitoring intestinal health and disease
Authors: Grego Sonia , Welling Claire M. , Miller Graham H. , Coggan Peter F. , Sellgren Katelyn L. , Hawkins Brian T. , Ginsburg Geoffrey S. , Ruiz Jose R. , Fisher Deborah A. , Stoner Brian R.
Published: April 2022

Analysis of stool offers simple, non-invasive monitoring for many gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and access to the gut microbiome, however adherence to stool sampling protocols remains a major challenge because of the prevalent dislike of handling one’s feces. We present a technology that enables individual stool specimen collection from toilet wastewater for fecal protein and molecular assay.Human stool specimens and a benchtop test platform integrated with a commercial toilet were used to demonstrate reliable specimen collection over a wide range of stool consistencies by solid/liquid separation followed by spray-erosion. The obtained fecal suspensions were used to perform occult blood tests for GI cancer screening and for microbiome 16sRNA analysis. Using occult blood home test kits, we found overall 90% agreement with standard sampling, 96% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Microbiome analysis revealed no significant difference in within-sample species diversity compared to standard sampling and specimen cross-contamination was below the detection limit of the assay. Furthermore, we report on the use of an analogue turbidity sensor to assess in real time loose stools for tracking of diarrhea. Implementation of this technology in residential settings will improve the quality of GI healthcare by facilitating increased adherence to routine stool monitoring.
Governance Perspective for Climate Change Adaptation: Conceptualizing Policy-Community Interface in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossen M. , Netherton Corinna , Rahman Mohammad Rezaur , Salehin Mashfiqus Mashfiqus
Published: April 2022

Climate change adaptation is currently an important community concern in the developing countries like Bangladesh. The conceptualization of adaptation in the government system matters to develop its canon in promoting activities such as employment generation important for local communities. The lesser the gap between government policy and the local community’s needs for adaptation results in more effective outcomes to ensure policy success and to promote sustainable community livelihood or vice versa. This interface between policy and community is important for climate change adaptation which is explored in this paper along with the findings of the research project, DEltas, vulnerability and climate change: Migration and Adaptation (DECCMA) conducted during 2014–2018 in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, and the United Kingdom. The data from Bangladesh was collected from 1,384 survey respondents, 19 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), 3 workshops, and 43 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The findings of the paper argue that the adaptation activities mainly focus on the perspective of the Reactive Approach of Limited Action (RALA) rather than the Proactive Approach To Adaptation (PATA). RALA perspective has been characterized by the two major factors: piecemeal and top-down approach in adaptation perspective which fails to recognize the community conceptualization of climate change, policy perspectives in coping with local concerns, and governance approaches for effective adaptation. The government needs to focus on the PATA in policy, programs, and projects with the governance approach from the bottom-up or, in other words, from the local perspective. Community participation in decision-making processes is characteristic of the bottom-up governance model. One good example of bottom-up or community participatory decision-making is Indigenous governance systems in Canada. Local community participation, consultation, and representation are essential parts of PATA in adaptation policy formulating and execution.
SHA.LIN Renal Stone Scoring System for Predicting Stone Free Status and Postoperative Outcomes after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Authors: Zeng Kai , Wang Tao , Wang Shaogang , Ye Zhangqun , Zeng Xiaoyong , Liu Jihong
Published: April 2022

Objective: To introduce a novel renal stone scoring system (SHA.LIN) for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and compare the predictive power of SHA.LIN, Guy’s, and S.T.O.N.E. scoring systems for postoperative outcomes.Methods: Six reproducible parameters available from preoperative computed tomography were measured: stone burden (S), hydronephrosis (H), anatomic distribution (A), length of tract (L), indicator of CT (I), and number of involved calics (N). We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who underwent PCNL from May 2018 to January 2021. SHA.LIN, S.T.O.N.E. and Guy’s scores correlation with stone free-status (SFS), Hemoglobin change, estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time (OT), and postoperative hospitalization time (PHT) was evaluated using standard statistical methods.Results: The overall SFS was 69.7% (248/356), and complications occurred in 110 (30.9%). In patients with stone-free group vs. non stone-free group, the median (IQR) of Guy’s score was 2 (1-2) and 3 (2-3), S.T.O.N.E. score was 6 (6-8) and 8 (7-9.5), and SHA.LIN score was 7 (7-9) and 11 (10-12.5), respectively (each p <0.001). Regression analysis showed that three scoring systems were significantly associated with SFS and OT. None of them was significantly correlated with PHT. EBL and hemoglobin change were found significantly correlated with SHA.LIN. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves showed three scoring systems had comparable predictive accuracy for SFS and complications, with SHA.LIN having highest Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) value (0.852 and 0.774). ROC analysis area AUC demonstrated more accurate prediction of EBL based on the SHA.LIN (0.807) than the other two scoring systems.Conclusion：SHA.LIN scoring system can accurately predict postoperative outcomes of PCNL and can be used as an adjuvant tool for surgical planning. Three scoring systems are well associated with SFS and OT and in addition, SHA.LIN is also significantly associated with surgical bleeding risk.
Pre-Operative Kidney Biomarkers and Risks for Death, Cardiovascular and Chronic Kidney Disease Events after Cardiac Surgery: The TRIBE-AKI Study
Authors: Parikh Chirag R. , Vasquez-Rios George , Moledina Dennis G. , Jia Yaqi , McArthur Eric , Mansour Sherry G. , Thiessen-Philbrook Heather , Shlipak Michael G. , Koyner Jay L. , Garg Amit X. , Coca Steven G.
Published: April 2022

Background: Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR)1, sTNFR2, and plasma kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) are associated with kidney events in patients with and without diabetes. However, their associations with clinical outcomes when obtained pre-operatively have not been explored. Methods: The TRIBE-AKI cohort study is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study of high-risk adults undergoing cardiac surgery. We assessed the associations between pre-operative concentrations of plasma sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and KIM-1 and post-operative long-term outcomes including mortality, cardiovascular events, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidence or progression after discharge. Results: Among 1378 participants included in the analysis with a median follow-up period of 6.7 (IQR 4.0-7.9), 434 (31%) patients died, 256 (19%) experienced cardiovascular events and out of 837 with available long-term kidney function data, 30% developed CKD. After adjustment for clinical covariates, each log increase in biomarker concentration was independently associated with mortality with 95%CI adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 3.0 (2.3-4.0), 2.3 (1.8-2.9), and 2.0 (1.6-2.4) for sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and KIM-1, respectively. For cardiovascular events, the 95%CI aHRs were 2.1 (1.5 – 3.1), 1.9 (1.4 – 2.6) and 1.6 (1.2 – 2.1) for sTNFR1, sTNFR2 and KIM-1, respectively. For CKD events, the aHRs were 2.2 (1.5 – 3.1) for sTNFR1, 1.9 (1.3 – 2.7) for sTNFR2, and 1.7 (1.3 – 2.3) for KIM-1. Despite the associations, each of the biomarkers alone or in combination failed to result in robust discrimination on an absolute basis or compared to a clinical model. Conclusion: sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and KIM-1 were independently associated with longitudinal outcomes after discharge from a cardiac surgery hospitalization including death, cardiovascular and CKD events when obtained pre-operatively in high-risk individuals. Pre-operative plasma biomarkers could serve to assist during the evaluation of patients in whom cardiac surgery is planned.
To what extent do unmet healthcare needs explain health inequalities? A direct regression inequality decomposition
Authors: Oña Ana , Athanasios Kyriakides , Tederko Piotr , Escorpizo Reuben , Arora Mohit , Sturm Christian , Yang Shujuan , Barzallo Diana Pacheco
Published: April 2022

Background: Inequality in health is a prevalent and growing concern among countries where people with disabilities are disproportionately affected. Unmet healthcare needs explain a large part of the observed inequalities between and within countries; however, there are other causes, many non-modifiable, that also play a role.Aim: This article explores the difference in health across income levels in populations with spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is of special interest in the study of health systems, as it is an irreversible, long-term health condition that combines a high level of impairment with subsequent comorbidities. Methods: We analyzed the importance of modifiable and non-modifiable factors related to inequalities through a direct regression approach to decomposing socioeconomic health inequality. We used two health outcomes: years after injury and a comorbidity index. Data come from the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey (InSCI), which include 22 countries around the world. Results: The results show that for the years after injury, the differences are mainly explained by the age of the injury of the participants (non-modifiable factor). However, for the comorbidities, modifiable factors as unmet healthcare needs and cause of the injury explain most inequalities observed. Results vary by country exhibiting a prevalence of pro-rich inequalities which means better health outcomes are observed in high-income groups.Conclusions: The probability to suffer and injury or accident, and the provisions of health services are not equally between and within countries, and even in high-income countries, the presence of inequality is still a problem, especially in vulnerable populations like people with SCI. To reduce inequity, it is important not only to address problems from public health but from inequalities of opportunities, risks and income in the population.
The clinical and pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy patients in Tibet
Authors: Liu Lijun , Si Fenglei , Mei Jiarong , A Yong , Tang Chen , Yao Yuxuan
Published: April 2022

Background: There are few studies on immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at high altitude. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of IgAN between Tibet and Beijing, which provided a basis for improving diagnosis and treatment in Tibet. Method: The clinical and pathological data of 80 patients from the People’s Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibetan group) and 991 patients from Peking University First Hospital (Beijing group) with IgAN proven by renal biopsy were compared retrospectively between January 2016 and July 2020. The kidney biopsy tissue was sent to the Department of Nephrology, Peking University First Hospital for pathological evaluation.Results: The proteinuria (2.9 [2.0, 4.9] vs. 1.1 [0.5, 2.4] g/day, P<0.001) in the Tibetan group was significantly higher than that in the Beijing group. The serum albumin (30.4 ± 7.7 vs. 38.2 ± 5.5 g/L, P<0.001) and serum creatinine (127.4 ± 91.3 vs. 165.4 ± 156.0 μmol/L, P=0.017) were significantly lower in the Tibetan group. The eGFR (77.7 ± 37.8 vs. 62.1 ± 33.6 ml/min/1.73 m2, P=0.001) was higher in the Tibetan group. The percentage of patients with nephrotic syndrome in the Tibetan group was significantly higher than that in the Beijing group (33.8% vs. 4.7%, P<0.001).Conclusion: There are differences in the clinical characteristics of IgAN between plateau and plain regions. Trial registrationNot applicable
Alterations in the gut microbiota with the accumulation of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Chinese children
Authors: Sun Jiahong , Ma Xiaoyun , Yang Liu , Jin Xuli , Zhao Min , Xi Bo , Song Suhang
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The evidence on the effect of gut microbiota on the accumulation of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors among children is scarce. We aimed to examine the alterations of gut microbiota with different numbers of CVD risk factors among children. Methods: Data were from the baseline study of the Huantai Childhood Cardiovascular Health Cohort Study in Zibo, China. We compared the differences in gut microbiota based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing among 72 children with different numbers of CVD risk factors matched by age and sex (i.e., none, one, two-or-more, 24 children for each group). Results: The community richness and diversity of gut microbiota decreased with an increased number of CVD risk factors in children (P for trend<0.05). The β-diversity analyses indicated a significant separation in the community composition among the three groups. Among genera with relative abundance greater than 0.01%, the relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium (PFDR=0.009) increased in the CVD risk groups, whereas Alistipes (PFDR<0.001) and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group (PFDR=0.043) decreased in the CVD risk groups compared to the non-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed that genus Christensenellaceae_R-7_group performed a high ability in identifying one and two-or-more risk from non-risk (area under the ROC curve [AUC]: 0.84-0.92), and genera Family_XIII_AD3011_group (AUC: 0.73-0.91) and Lachnoclostridium (AUC:0.77-0.80) performed moderate abilities in identifying none, one, and two-or-more CVD risk factors in children. The disorders of gut microbiota participating in the D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism and cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways might lead to the accumulation of CVD risk factors in children. Conclusions: Dysbiosis of gut microbiota particularly for genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, and Lachnoclostridium may contribute to the early detection and the accumulation of CVD risk factors in childhood.
Bladder cancer-derived exosomal KRT6B promotes invasion and metastasis by inducing EMT and regulating the immune microenvironment
Authors: Song Qiang , Yu Hao , Cheng Yidong , Han Jie , Li Kai , Zhuang Juntao , Lv Qiang , Yang Xiao , Yang Haiwei
Published: April 2022

Background: Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) have recently been shown to participate in the formation and progression of different cancer processes, including tumor microenvironment remodeling, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the function and mechanism of exosome-encapsulated nucleic acids and proteins in bladder cancer (BLCA) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tumor-derived exosomes on the tumorigenesis and development of bladder cancer. Methods: In this study, the gene expression profiles and clinical information were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and two independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The nucleic acids and proteins encapsulated in BLCA-derived exosomes were obtained from the ExoCarta database. Based on these databases, the expression patterns of exosomal mRNAs and proteins and matched clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Furthermore, we carried out a series of experiments to verify the relevant findings. Results: A total of 7280 differentially expressed mRNAs were found in TCGA data, and of which, 52 mRNAs were shown to be encapsulated in BLCA-derived exosomes. Survival analysis based on the ULCAN database showed that among the top 10 upregulated and the top 10 down-regulated exosomal genes, only the expression of KRT6B had a statistically significant effect on the survival of bladder cancer patients. Additionally, clinical correlation analysis showed that the elevated level of KRT6B was highly associated with bladder cancer stages, grades, and metastasis status. The GSEA analysis revealed that KRT6B was not only involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition related pathways but also the immune response in bladder cancer. Ultimately, our experimental results were also consistent with the bioinformatic analysis. Conclusion: KRT6B, which can be detected in BLCA-derived exosomes, plays an important role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the immune responses of bladder cancer. Further research will make it a robust prognostic marker and therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
Wind Speed Forecast based on Combined Theory, Multi-objective Optimisation, and Sub-model Selection
Authors: Fu Tonglin , Zhang Shenghui
Published: April 2022

Wind energy is the primary energy source for a sustainable and pollution-free global power supply. However, because of its characteristic irregularity, nonlinearity, non-stationarity, randomness, and intermittency, previous studies have only focused on stability or accuracy, and the forecast performances of their models were poor. Moreover, in previous research, the selection of sub-models used for the combined model was not considered, which weakened the generalisability. Therefore, to further improve the forecast accuracy and stability of the wind speed forecasting model, and to solve the problem of sub-model selection in the combined model, this study developed a wind speed forecasting model using data preprocessing, a multi-objective optimisation algorithm, and sub-model selection for the combined model. Simulation experiments showed that our combined model not only improved the forecasting accuracy and stability but also chose different sub-models and different weights of the combined model for different data; this improved the model generalisability. Specifically, the MAPEs of our model are less than 4.96%, 4.60% and 5.25% in one, two and three step forecast.Thus, the proposed combined model is demonstrated as an effective tool for grid dispatching.
Changes in the characteristics of soil dissolved organic matter over time since inter-planting with herbaceous species in orchards on the Loess Plateau
Authors: zhang rongqin , Li Ming , Gao Xiaodong , Duan Yuanmin , Cai Yaohui , Li Huike , Zhao Xining , Wang Yanping
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Agroecosystems C balance and its evolution are currently hot topics in soil carbon cycling studies. Previous studies have only focused on evolutionary signatures and the timing of SOC equilibrium being achieved in dryland inter-planting systems, but it is not known whether soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) responds consistently.
Methods
Based on the principle of “space instead of time”, this paper investigates the changes in DOM content, components and spectral characteristics in a planted grassland system using a three-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC).
Results
With increased time since sowing, DOM concentration at 0–10 cm increased: by 56.31%, 39.87%, and 34.78% compared to the CT. Over time, three humic-like components and the relative abundances of two of these clearly increased. The content of protein-like components also increased, but there was a concomitant decrease in their relative abundance. The ultraviolet-visible spectral and optical indices also indicated that soil DOM mainly originated from mix sources, and gradually tended towards greater DOM molecular complexity with increasing time since sowing. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil organic matter activity was mainly associated with factors driven by DOM variations before and after sowing 8 years ago.
Conclusions
Our results highlight that underplanting in orchards can effectively improve the accumulation of macro-molecular humic-like DOM, which probably promotes SOC storage and soil fertility. However, it is not clear over time whether soil DOM reaches an equilibrium or continues to increase; thus, long-term experiments are required before more general conclusions can be drawn.