bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into germ-like cells by retinoic acid, titanium nanotubes-coated fibrin formation, and ultraviolet radiation as inductions in vitro
Authors: Ebrahimi Saman , Shams Alireza , Maghami Parvaneh , Hekmat Azadeh
Published: October 2022

Background
Although advances in reproductive medicine-relative stem cell biology are focused on multipotent stem cells differentiation into artificial gametes, which is low-efficiency-functional of the germ-like cells. Our purpose is to survey and promote the potential of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMMSCs) differentiation into late-stage germ-like cells (GLCs) by increasing the expression of the germline stem cells markers.
Materials and Methods
In this experimental study, the multipotent differentiation potential of mBMMSCs assesmented by Alizarin red-S and Oil red-O staining. Furthermore, we investigated the suitable conditions which promoted mBMMSCs differentiation into GLCs by applying the effective concentration of retinoic acid (RA), culturing them in titanium nanotubes (TNTs)-coated fibrin (F + TNT) formation as a 2D scaffold, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation inductions afterward. The biocompatibility and morphology of the TNTs and the F + TNT properties were examined by MTT and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis, respectively.
Results
The optimum concentration biocompatibility of TNTs was 50 µg/ml for differentiation after 14 days. The morphology of the TNTs and F + TNT were confirmed using SEM and Raman spectrum, respectively. After culturing the multipotent of mBMMSCs in RA and F + TNT formation with RA and UV radiation, male and female germline stem cell markers, Mvh / Ddx4, Dazl, and Plzf expression, and the cells' integrity in fibrin were revealed using Immunofluorescence analysis, Western Blots, and Real-Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).
Conclusion
We demonstrate that mBMMSCs can be differentiated into GLCs in a medium containing 10− 5 M RA in which the specific marker was expressed properly in 2D F + TNT formation. In addition, F + TNT and UV radiation could offer a proper 2D scaffold for mBMMSCs-derived germ-like cells regarding in vitro maturation (IVM) of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Superior oblique tuck - effectiveness in reducing vertical deviations when performed as a primary versus secondary procedure in superior oblique paresis
Authors: Malem Andrew , Somner John , Novitskya Elana , Vivian Anthony
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To quantify the effectiveness of superior oblique tuck (SOT) surgery in patients with a hyperdeviation secondary to superior oblique paresis (SOP). Surgical outcomes were compared in patients undergoing SOT surgery as a primary procedure with those who had previously undergone ipsilateral inferior oblique weakening surgery.

Methods

This retrospective study assessed surgical outcomes from all patients undergoing SOT surgery for SOP between 2012 and 2021 across 2 hospitals. The effectiveness of SOT surgery in reducing the hyperdeviation was assessed in the primary position (PP) and in contralateral elevation and depression. Results were compared between those undergoing primary SOT surgery with those who had previously undergone ipsilateral inferior oblique weakening surgery.

Results

A total of 60 SOT procedures were performed between 2012 and 2021. 7 were removed due to incomplete data. The remaining 53 cases experienced a mean reduction in hyperdeviation of 6.5 prism dioptres (PD), 6.7PD and 12.0PD in the PP, contralateral elevation and contralateral depression respectively. In eyes with previous IO weakening, the reduction of hyperdeviation was larger than in those eyes with no previous IO weakening surgery, with mean reductions of 8.0PD vs 5.2PD, 7.4PD vs 6.2PD and 12.4PD vs 11.6PD in the PP, contralateral elevation and contralateral depression respectively.

Conclusion

SOT surgery is a safe and effective procedure with high patient satisfaction and resolution of symptoms in those patients with troublesome diplopia in downgaze secondary to SOP. This is true in both unoperated eyes and in those who have previously undergone inferior oblique weakening surgery.
A Prospective Study Comparing the Functional Outcome of Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty versus Total Hip Replacement in Elderly Patients with Fracture Neck of Femur.
Authors: Chatterji Gautam , Shukla Sourav , Singhania Suyash , Singh Mayank Pratap , Mohanty Siddhartha , Jaiswal Atin , Mishra Digvijay
Published: October 2022

Background: Displaced fractures of neck of femur in elderly patients usually require surgical intervention, either with bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) or total hip replacement (THR). However, there is still controversy regarding the optimal prosthesis. The present study was performed to compare the functional outcome of BHA versus THR in elderly patients with displaced fracture neck of femur.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was done between December 2019 and December 2021. This study included 40 patients with displaced fracture neck of femur. All patients were more than 60 years of age. The patients were randomly allocated to be treated with either a BHA or THR. Functional assessment was done using Harris Hip Score at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post-operatively.
Results: In our study at all follow-ups, Harris Hip Score was found to be more in patients of the THR group than in the BHA group. In the BHA group, the mean Harris Hip Score was 59.95, 66.25, 68.80 and 75.70, while in the THR group, the mean Harris Hip Scores was 65.06, 69.40 72.50 and 78.19 at the follow-up visits at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year respectively.
Conclusion: THR is a better option as compared to BHA in the management of elderly patients with fracture neck of femur, on account of less complication rates and higher Harris Hip Scores.
Effects of different light qualities and plant growth regulators on the growth and secondary metabolites contents of L. macranthoides seedlings
Authors: Wu Peiyin , Wang Guiyuan , Cao Zhengyan , Liu Yanni , Xia Ning , Wang Qiyao , Si Shuo , Shen Xinlong , Yao Yingge , Tang Ning , Xu Feng , Chen Zexiong
Published: October 2022

Lonicera macranthoides, a medicinal herb mainly distributed in South China, is widely utilized in Chinese traditional medicines for its high yield and strong pharmacological properties rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids. However, the factors regulating plant growth and secondary metabolism in L. macranthoides are still largely unknown. In this study, the effects of different light qualities and hormone combinations on seedlings growth performance and metabolites production were investigated. The results showed that plants under red light produced greatest biomass of the shoots and roots, and also promoted plant photosynthesis as indicated by significantly greater values for Pn, Gs, Ci, and Tr, followed by white and blue LED. The tissue culture seedlings exhibited maximum plant height and stem diameter on the medium with 1.0mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) + 1.0mg/L Indole 3-butyric acid (IBA), while produced the highest amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids in medium containing 2.0mg/L BA + 0.2mg/L IBA. Red light dramatically enhanced the accumulation of chlorogenic acid (CGA), ferulic acid, luteoloside, and rutin than those under other light spectra conditions on the medium with low level of auxin. However, higher levels of auxin dramatically inhibited the CGA production under red light. Moreover, blue light can promote the accumulation of chlorogenic acid and luteoloside on these two media. The results indicate that the plant growth and secondary metabolism were dramatically influenced by light quality and auxin/cytokinin combinations. Light and auxin signaling crosstalk programmed secondary metabolites accumulation. Our findings provide effective strategies aiming to enhance biomass yield and bioactive compounds production in L. macranthoides.
Mitigation of nitrogen inputs causes native Phragmites australis recovery following Spartina alterniflora invasion
Authors: Xu Xiao , Li Songshuo , Zhang Yan , Zhang Xi , He Qiang , Liu Hao , Guo Haiqiang , Ma Jun , Wu Jihua , Li Bo , Nie Ming
Published: October 2022

Plant invasions driven by global environmental change increasingly threaten natural ecosystems. Whether reducing nitrogen (N) input can help mitigate plant invasions remainsunclear. We used ongoing N reductions in the Yangtze River to explore how N reductions affect native community recovery in estuarine marshes degraded by plant invasions. Using Google Earth images, we mapped nativePhragmites australispatches and assessed changes in theirabundance inSpartina alterniflora-invaded marshes, showing thatP. australisgradually recovered following reduced N input. To identify the underlying mechanisms, we transplanted N-fertilized and unfertilizedS. alterniflorapopulations into plots with ambient and enriched N conditions and co-planted them withP. australis, respectively;the competitive advantage ofS. alternifloraoverP. australisdecreased with N reductions, regardless of fertilized population history, shifting the marsh fromP. australisexclusion to species coexistence. Thus, nutrient reductions can shift ecosystems from being susceptible to invasion to successional recovery, offering an effective strategyfor mitigating plant invasions and facilitating landscape-scale native community recovery.
Effects of Medicare Part D medication therapy management on racial/ethnic disparities in adherence to antidementia medications among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: An observational study
Authors: Dong Xiaobei , Tsang Chi Chun Steve , Wan Jim Y. , Chisholm-Burns Marie A. , Finch Christopher K. , Tsao Jack W. , Browning Jamie A. , Garuccio Joseph , Zeng Rose , Wang Junling
Published: October 2022

Background
Evidence is sparse on the effects of Medicare medication therapy management on racial/ethnic disparities in medication adherence among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The objective of this study was to examine the Medicare medication therapy management program’s effects on racial/ethnic disparities in the adherence to antidementia medications among patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Methods
This is a retrospective analysis of 2016 and 2017 Medicare Parts A, B, and D data linked to Area Health Resources Files. The study outcome was nonadherence to antidementia medications, and intervention was defined as new medication therapy management enrollment in 2017. Propensity score matching was conducted to create intervention and comparison groups with comparable characteristics. A difference-in-differences model was employed with a logistic regression, including interaction terms of dummy variables for the intervention group and racial/ethnic minorities.
Results
Unadjusted comparisons revealed that Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander (Asian) patients were more likely to be nonadherent than non-Hispanic White (White) patients in 2016. Differences in odds of nonadherence between Black and White patients were lower in 2017 than in 2016 by 27% (odds ratios [OR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–0.82). The same difference was also lower between Hispanic and White patients by 26% (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63–0.87). The MTM enrollment was associated with reduced disparities for Black-White patients of 33% (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57–0.78) and Hispanic-White patients of 19% (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67–0.99).
Conclusions
Medicare medication therapy management program was associated with lower disparities between Black and Hispanic patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias than their White counterparts. Expanding the medication therapy management program may particularly benefit racial/ethnic minorities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias care.
CEO’s international education experience and hospital performance：empirical evidence in China
Authors: Xiaoyu Li , Ma Chengyu , Hu Nan
Published: October 2022

Background –Previous researches have recognized the importance of hospital CEO’s tenure, age, gender for health system, whether and how CEOs’ international education experience(IEE) benefit the hospitals’ performance has been relatively unexplored. This study proposes to investigate the effect of CEOs’ IEE on hospital performance. We hypothesize that IEE improves individuals’ cognitive ability and enhances their professional knowledge, which is essential in hospital management.
Methods - We test these relationships using 393 hospital-year from 2009 to 2017. Our study relies on both archival (e.g., Health Statistics Yearbook of Municipal Commission of Health) and hand-collected (e.g., CEO characteristics) data. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models are used to estimate the relationship between hospital CEOs’ IEE and hospital performance. Propensity scores match (PSM) is used to address the potential endogeneity issues.
Results - We find a positive association between CEO’s IEE and hospital performance. However, due to the differences in philosophy and treatment methods between Western medicine and traditional medicine, the benefits of CEOs with IEE are less pronounced for TCM hospitals.
Conclusions -Since CEOs with IEE has considerable advantages in hospital management, we suggest that hospitals can encourage talent exchanges and construct diversified manager teams. To our best knowledge, we are the first to document a positive relationship between a hospital CEO’s IEE and hospital performance. Our finding enriches the research of hospital performance and extends the Upper Echelon Theory into the domain of hospital performance.
Are patients with preoperative synovitis suitable for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty? Magnetic resonance imaging evidence from a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Zhengxi , Zhang Xudong , Zhang Xianzuo , Zhu Chen , Wang Jiaxing
Published: October 2022

Background: The use of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in patients with preoperative synovitis is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between synovitis detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and prognosis after UKA.
Methods:Synovitis was graded using the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score criteria based on preoperative MRI findings of 132 UKAs performed between June 2020 and August 2021. The Knee Society Knee Score (KS-KS) and the Knee Society Function Score were collected preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. The relationship between synovitis and the changes in the Knee Society score was analyzed using logistic regression.
Results:Univariate logistic regression showed that patients with higher preoperative synovitis scores (odds ratio (OR)=1.925, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.482–2.500, P<0.001) had higher KS-KS improvement. After adjusting for confounding variables, synovitis was proven to be an independent factor for pain improvement after UKA in multivariate logistic regression (OR=1.814, 95% CI: 1.354–2.430, P<0.001).
Conclusions: Preoperative synovitis does not impair the therapeutic effects of UKA in patients with medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis. Conversely, UKA might be suitable for patients with severe synovitis.
Screening and identification of potato StSPS1, a potential crucial gene regulating seed potato vigor
Authors: Cai Chengcheng , Liu Shifeng , Liu Jie , Ran Shuang , Wen He , Li Luopin , Yu Liping , Pang Linjiang , Wang Xiyao
Published: October 2022

Backrounds
Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), as a vital rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of sucrose precursors, plays an indispensable role in the regulation of seed potato vigor. However, the genes encoding SPS in potato have not been fully analyzed, and the main genes affecting seed potato vigor have not been screened and identified.
Methods and results
In this study, four members of the StSPS family were identified with the potato genome database by homologous gene and conserved domain comparison. Using bioinformatics, the physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, sequence structure, conserved motifs and phylogeny of StSPS were analyzed. The expression levels of StSPS in different potato tissues and from dormancy to sprouting in seed potato were measured using qRT-PCR. The expression data from the potato genome database and previous transcriptome and proteome studies of dormancy to sprouting were compared. Combined with the analysis of SPS enzyme activity in different tuber tissues, the main gene StSPS1 that may regulate seed potato vigor was screened. Moreover, the StSPS1 gene and protein were identified by sequence amplification and prokaryotic expression.
Conclusion
There are four SPS members in potato, and StSPS1 has been proved to be the main gene encoding sucrose phosphate synthase and regulating the change of seed potato vigor. This study laid a theoretical and experimental foundation for further verifying and clarifying the regulatory function of StSPS1 in the change in seed potato vigor.
A perspective on human leishmaniasis and new methods with therapeutic strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Abbasi Ebrahim , Saeedi Shahin
Published: October 2022

Human leishmaniasis is a complex skin infection that imposes a heavy burden on many tropical and subtropical developing countries and is caused by over 20 species of Leishmaniaparasite and they are transmitted by several sandfly species. The disease is mainly associated with disfiguring scars and major social stigma during infection. Disease severity appears to depend on many factors, including parasite species, host, endemic area, socioeconomic status, and access to health facilities. Despite the many studies that have been conducted on current and new treatments, the treatment outcomes of leishmaniasis remain controversial, possibly because of the knowledge gaps that still exist.
Varying responses to current leishmania treatments have become a major drawback in disease control. The lack of information on critical analyses of the results of such studies is a barrier to overall understanding. Based on the currently available literature on treatment outcomes, we discuss the most effective doses, drug susceptibilities/resistances, and treatment failures of Leishmania for monotherapy and combination therapy. This review focuses on the available therapies for leishmaniasis caused by different Leishmania species, with insights into their species-specific efficacy, which will inform the selection of drugs for the treatment and control of leishmaniasis. For this aim, the search was conducted in electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, web of sciences and Google scholar. The specific search medical subject headings (MeSH) terms include “leishmaniasis,” “leishmaniasis Prevention,” “cutaneous leishmaniasis,” “Leishmaniasis Diagnosis”, “Leishmaniasis Treatment”, “Leishmaniasis Drug”, “Leishmaniasis Parasite”, “Leishmaniasis Cutaneous”, “Rural leishmaniasis”, “Urban leishmaniasis”, “Dry leishmaniasis”, “Wet leishmaniasis”, “Human leishmaniasis”, “Leishmania donovani”, “Leishmaniasis trials”, “leishmaniasis vectors”, “leishmaniasis reservoirs” were conducted and articles with English titles and abstracts were screened and selected, and finally related full-text articles were studied and used in writing a review article.
Sequence Analysis and Biochemical Characterization of Two Non-specific Lipid Transfer Proteins from Tartary Buckwheat Seeds
Authors: Cui Xiaodong , Tian Wenhua , Wang Wenhua , Li Jiao , Wang Zhuanhua , Li Chen
Published: October 2022

Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) exert various biological activities that are valuable for agronomy, industrial manufacturing, and medicine. In this study, two nsLTPs derived from Tartary buckwheat, namely FtLTP1a and FtLTP1b, were produced by gene cloning, expression and purification. Sequence analysis and biochemical characteristics of the proteins, including lipid binding ability, α-amylase inhibition activity, antifungal activity, and allergenic activity, were investigated. Both FtLTP1a and FtLTP1b exhibited similar lipid binding and antifungal properties, but only FtLTP1b showed weak inhibitory activity against α-amylase from the porcine pancreas. Finally, the binding ability of the two protein to IgE antibodies in serum samples from nine patients allergic to buckwheat was assayed using ELISA to investigate their allergenic activity. The data suggested that FtLTP1b not only specifically bound to IgE in serum but also cross-reacted with artemisia pollen allergen (W6). These findings can give constructive suggestions for understanding of cross-reactivity and specificity of nsLTPs.
Evaluation of carotid intima media thickness in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Kamel Ashraf Sayed , AlGhawass Mohamed Mohamed Ezzat , Sayed Muhammad Adel , Roby Sara Aly
Published: October 2022

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is the one of the commonest renal disorders in children. Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) are at a high risk of atherosclerosis due to hyperlipidemia, hypertension. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the carotid intima media thickness in children with nephrotic syndrome and its relation to different risk factors.
Methods: This is an observational case control study that included forty children with nephrotic syndrome and thirty healthy children as controls. The inclusion criteria were: age of 2 years or more with disease duration of minimum of 1 year and glomerular filtration rate >90mL/min/1.73m2. CIMT was assessed by ultrasound. Lipid profile, protein/creatinine ratio in urine and kidney function tests were done.
Results: The mean CIMT (mm) was significantly higher in patients with NS (0.477± 0.04) compared to controls (0.39± 0.03) (P <0.001) even when compared across different age groups. 60% of patients had received non-steroid immunosuppressive therapy. CIMT was significantly higher in patients receiving non-steroid immunosuppressive therapy than those receiving steroids alone. Subsequently, CIMT had significant positive correlation to duration of the disease (p= 0.05), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.03), number of relapses (p=0.01) and diastolic blood pressures (p=0.003).
Conclusion: Children with NS had significantly higher CIMT than control group. CIMT was positively correlated to disease duration, number of relapses and BMI. It was significantly higher among patients receiving non-steroid immunosuppressive therapy than those receiving steroids alone.
Use of a two-handed model to improve comprehension of the ventricular outflow tract anatomy
Authors: XUE Xiang , Luo Xianyuan , Liu Zhaoyang , Jin Yun
Published: October 2022

Background Mastering cardiac anatomy is a formidable obstacle in the learning process for cardiac electrophysiology trainees. The complex three-dimensional characteristics and contiguous relationship of the ventricular outflow tract are particularly difficult to visualize with the limited study methods available. The hands can recreate a morphology similar to the ventricular outflow tract; this study explored whether a two-handed model of the heart helps electrophysiology trainees improve their understanding of the ventricular outflow tract anatomy. Methods After an initial assessment, trainees were randomly placed into variable and control groups. Subsequently, all trainees learned the outflow tract anatomy using routine methods, with the variable group additionally receiving instruction using the two-handed model. One day and one week after the course conclusion, knowledge of the ventricular outflow tract anatomy was assessed for the participants of both groups. Results Thirty-eight trainees participated in total (19 in each group). Mean scores obtained for the first, second, and third tests were 37.6 ± 16.1, 78.7 ± 13.0, and 75.9 ± 10.3 points, respectively. In the second test, trainees in the variable group had a mean score 6.8 points higher than those in the control group (p = 0.106); in the last test, the mean score was 9.7 points higher in the variable group than in the control group (p = 0.002). Conclusions It is convenient to use hands to create a model representing the ventricular outflow tract. Trainees taught using this model had a better understanding and retention of the ventricular outflow tract anatomy compared to those of the control group.
Can radiotherapy improve the long-term survival of rectal cancer patients with perineural invasion?
Authors: Wu Junxin , Wang Lei , Pan Xinying , Zhan Qingzhen , Lai Cheng , Shao Lingdong
Published: October 2022

Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) is one of the aggressive characteristics of rectal cancer (RC), but there have been none studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) on rectal cancer with PNI.
Methods: Data on RC patients staged at II/III were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2014 to verify the clinical significance of PNI. The primary outcome wre overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). A nomogram was established to predict the prognosis of PNI patients using SEER database and validated by Fujian Cancer Hospital. Kaplan-Meier curve was conducted to investigate the overall survival (OS) between groups.
Results: 1596 patients receiving direct surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were eligible for this study, including 288 patients (18.0%) were present with PNI. PNI was found to be independently associated with OS and CSS after adjusting for age, sex, stage, pathological factors, and treatment factors (all p < 0.05). A nomogram was established to predict the prognosis of PNI patients with high C-index, and then validated by 98 patients from FJCH. And then patients in the high-risk subgroup were found to be benefited from adjuvant RT according to the current nomogram (P<0.05), but not those in the low-risk subgroup (P>0.05).
Conclusions: PNI was confirmed to be an independnet prognosis factor of RC patients, and it should also taken into consideration of the postoperative management of RC.
EPO rs1617640 A>C is a protective factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case control study
Authors: Wang Yunchao , Li Zhi , Zhang Xiaoyi , Lin Ao , Chen Cuiyi , Zeng Xiaobin , Pan Yujie , Mao Chun , Xie Chenli , Huang Dongsheng , Deng Yibin , Zhang Xuhui , Lu Jiachun , Wang Xinhua
Published: October 2022

Background The occurrence and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are regulated by environmental and genetic factors. In the absence of oxygen, Erythropoietin (EPO) satisfies the body's need for oxygen by promoting the production of red blood cells. Hypoxia was proven to be a common physiological condition within COPD progression and associated with many complications. Some studies have found thatEPOis involved in the development of COPD. But the mechanism has not been fully proven. Methods We conducted a case-control study enrolled 1095 COPD patients and 1144 healthy controls in Guangdong Province to evaluate the association betweenEPOpolymorphism (rs1617640 A > C, rs507392 A > G, rs564449 G > T) and COPD susceptibility. And recruited 872 participants from southern Gansu Province to verify the effect ofEPOpolymorphisms on lung function. Results We found thatEPOrs1617640 C allele significantly reduced COPD susceptibility in southern Chinese (AC vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.805, 95%CI = 0.669–0.969; AC + CC vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.822, 95%CI = 0.689–0.980). However, there was not any association between rs507392A > G and rs564449G > T polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility (P > 0.05). We further observed that the rs1617640 C allele was significantly associated with higher FEV1and FVC in Guangzhou and Gansu populations (bothP < 0.05). In brief, the level of FEV1and FVC increased with the increase of the C allele number. We modeled relative risk for men and women, in which the population-attributable risks were 0.449 (0.258–0.641) and 0.262 (0.128–0.396) respectively. Smoking status, coal as fuels, education level, and rs1617640 A > C were finally retained for males, while smoking status, biomass as fuels, and1617640 A > C were retained for females. In the end, using the method developed by Gail and Bruzzi, we fitted a 10-year absolute risk model for southern Chinese with different individual relative risks, which was presented as a table. Conclusions In conclusion, this study found thatEPOrs1617640A > C polymorphism is associated with COPD susceptibility in southern Chinese, and the C allele was associated with better lung function. In addition, it could also be considered as a genetic marker associated with environmental factors to predict the absolute 10-year risk of COPD in southern Chinese.
Effect of Educational Intervention Programme on the Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in South-east, Nigeria.
Authors: Okafor Christiana Nkiru , Akosile Christopher Olusanjo , Nkechi Chiejina Edith , Okonkwo Uchenna Prosper , Nwankwo Chinenye Mercy , Okoronkwo Ijeoma Lewechi , Okpala Pat Uzo Okpala , Afonne Anulika Johnson
Published: October 2022

Background
Diabetes is one of the most important chronic diseases that have a great impact on health as people with diabetes are constantly being reminded of their disease daily; they have to eat carefully, exercise and test their blood glucose. They often feel challenged by their disease because of its day-to-day management demands and these affect their quality of life. The study aimed at determining the effect of an educational intervention program on the quality of life of Individuals with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in South East, Nigeria.
Methods
A quasi-experimental controlled study involving three hundred and eighty-two (382) type 2 DM persons recruited from the tertiary health institutions in South East, Nigeria, and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups respectively. Data was collected from the diabetic clinics of the health institutions using the SF – 36 questionnaires. Pretest data collection was done, thereafter, education on self-care was given to the intervention group. After a 6months follow-up, post-test data were collected from both groups. Analysis was done using an Independent t-test, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Paired Samples Test, and Spearman rank order correlation at 0.05 alpha level.
Results
The control group indicated significantly higher mean HRQOL scores in most domains of the HRQOL before intervention (t = -1.927 to -6.072, p < 0.05). However, 6 months after the intervention, the mean HRQOL scores of the intervention group increased significantly in all the domains of HRQOL (p < 0.05). Also, the overall mean HRQOL score of the intervention group increased significantly by 5.87point after intervention (64.72 ± 10.96 vs 58.85 ± 15.23; t = 4.349. p = 0.001). Age was inversely correlated with some domains of HRQOL; as age increases, HRQOL decreases in those domains. Gender had no significant influence on HRQOL.
Conclusion
Educational intervention was very effective in improving HRQOL in individuals with type 2 DM. Hence, it is recommended for inclusion in all diabetes care plans.
The mediating effect of psychological empowerment on the relationship between work environment and clinical decision-making among midwives: A multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Jing , Guo Sheng-Bin , Zheng Qing-Xiang , Liu Xiu-Wu , Lin Hui-Ming , Hu An-Feng , Yang Yan , Wei Bi-Rong
Published: October 2022

Background
Clinical decision-making is considered an essential behaviour in clinical practice. However, no research has been done to examine the associations among midwives’ clinical decision-making, work environment and psychological empowerment. Thus, the study aims to determine the influence of work environment on midwives’ clinical decision-making and confirm the mediating role of psychological empowerment.
Method
602 registered midwives from 25 public hospitals in China were included in this multicentre cross-sectional study. A sociodemographic questionnaire, Work Environment Scale, Psychological Empowerment Scale and Clinical decision-making Scale were applied. A hypothetical path model was examined with SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0.
Results
The mean clinical decision-making score was 143.03 ± 14.22, at an intermediate level. The hypothesis model of this study fitted the data well, and the results showed that work environment and psychological empowerment positively affected clinical decision-making for midwives; psychological empowerment partly mediated the relationship between work environment and clinical decision-making for midwives.
Conclusions
Midwives’ clinical decision-making could be promoted directly or indirectly by providing a healthy work environment and improving psychological empowerment. It is essential for hospital managers to pay attention to the assessment of the midwives’ work environment and actively improve it. Furthermore, managers can also promote midwives’ clinical decision-making behaviour by enhancing their psychological empowerment.
Transportation of Dislocation Plasticity in a Dual-Phase TiMo Alloy
Authors: Men Jinghui , Fu Xiaoqian , Yu Qian
Published: October 2022

The structural design of dual-phase or multiphase advanced alloys depends on understanding the coordinate deformation of various phases under applied stress, in which experimentally disclosing the microscopic picture of dislocation plasticity transportation is critical. In this study, in situ transmission electron microscope tensile tests were used to examine the dislocation behaviors occurring during the deformation of a dual-phase Ti-10(wt.%) Mo alloy having hexagonal close-packed α phase and body-centered cubic β phase. The findings demonstrated that the dislocation plasticity preferred to transmit from alpha to alpha in the longitudinal axes of each plate, regardless of where dislocations were formed. Dislocations for the α phase were initially activated in the α phase and migrated along the plate’s longitudinal axis. Specific sites with local stress concentration were created at the intersection of various alpha plates, which made it easier to transfer dislocation plasticity from one plate to another. Nearby α plates’ majority of newly excited dislocations kept moving in a longitudinal direction. Dislocations pinned on the α-β phase boundary of the β phase would decrease resistance as the stress grew and migrate along the longitudinal direction in the α phase. Dislocation slips occurred in multiple directions as a result of α plates’ variable orientation, which might be advantageous for uniform plastic deformation. The findings provide insight into the use of microstructure engineering to enhance the mechanical properties of materials.
Classification of Amyloidosis SubTypes by Synchrotron InfraRed MicroSpectroscopy
Authors: Wellner Nikolaus , Wolna Magda , Bijzet Johan , Diepstra Arjan , Yancheva Slaveya , Cinque Gianfelice , Neda Sophia , Mazibrada Jasenka
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the use of Synchrotron Radiation Fourier Transform InfraRed microspectroscopy (SR micro-FTIR) in the diagnosing and subtyping of different misfolded proteins in various tissues and organs. To this end, specimens from various organ sites were analysed by IR biospectroscopy. Multivariate data analysis methods were applied to correlate the spectral datasets with histological and immunohistochemical findings and clinical data.
The results of the study reveal significant segregation of tissues affected by amyloidosis and controls, but the amount of amyloid β-sheet did not correlate with the disease state. Amyloid light-chain type specimens contained more β-sheet structures than non-Amyloid A types, and Transthyretrin type showed very little. The Insulin type behaved differently altogether. The amyloid type apparently had a bigger effect on the spectra than the tissue origin. However, there were common spectral changes probably related to tissue damage which indicated the transition from healthy to diseased state. This suggests that not only SR micro-FTIR can be used for detection of amyloidosis, but also for distinguishing different subtypes, and can be an efficient and reliable alternative diagnostic tool in detection and subclassification of amyloid deposits.
Prevalence and associated factors of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria
Authors: Kupoluyi Joseph Ayodeji , Solanke Bola Lukman , Adetutu Olufemi Mayowa , Abe John Olugbenga
Published: October 2022

Background
Contraceptive discontinuation for reasons other than the desire for pregnancy is associated with a high rate of unintended pregnancies leading to unsafe abortions, maternal morbidity and mortality. In Nigeria, little is known about modern contraceptive discontinuation using the calendar data. Thus, this study examined the prevalence and associated factors of modern contraceptive methods discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria.
Methods
Out of the total sample of 41,821 women (15–49 years) in the individual recode (IR) dataset of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) with reproductive calendar history, this study analysed a weighted sample size of 3,433 currently sexually active married or in union women who have ever used a modern contraceptive 5 years before the survey and with complete reproductive histories and are not sterilised or declared infecund. The outcome variable was modern contraceptive discontinuation (Pill, IUD, Injections, diaphragm, male condom, female sterilization, male sterilization, implants, female condom, foam/jelly, and lactational amenorrhea) which was disaggregated based on whether discontinuation occurred even though they are still at risk of unwanted pregnancy or not. The explanatory variables examined are the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (age, wealth index, religion, education, marital duration, media exposure, and visitation to health facilities in the last 12 months). Data were analysed and displayed using frequency tables and charts, Pearson's chi-square test, and the binary logistic regression model.
Results
Among the sampled women, 35.8% discontinued using modern contraceptives with 45.8% of the women discontinuing using modern contraceptives while at risk of pregnancy. The most modern method discontinued was Injections (25.2%) while the commonest reason for modern method discontinuation was because they wanted to become pregnant (36.1%). Associated factors of modern contraceptive discontinuation among Nigerian women were: marital duration (AOR = 3.47; 95%CI: 2.0–6.0), visitation to a health facility in the last 12 months (AOR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.4–0.8), education (AOR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.2–3.4), wealth quintile (AOR = 0.81; 95%CI: 0.4–1.9) and region of residence (AOR = 2.73; 95%CI: 1.6–4.7).
Conclusion
This study concluded that modern contraceptive discontinuation was high. Region of residence, health facility visitation and marital duration were significantly related to modern contraceptive discontinuation. The study suggests that policymakers should recognise women's ability to visit a health facility, marital duration, and region of residence are significantly associated with modern contraceptives. Policymakers must recognise these factors to increase modern contraceptive use in the country.
Copula Approach to Reliability Modelling and Performance Estimation of a Serial Fog-to-Fog Collaboration using Software Defined Network
Authors: Yusuf Ibrahim , Musa Ismail Muhammad , Ismail Abdulkarim Lado
Published: October 2022

Because of its logically centralized design, Software-defined Networking (SDN) is vulnerable to a variety of adversarial attacks. These attacks have the possibility of degrading the coordinated network's efficiency or, in the most severe scenario, bring it down. As a result, SDN efficiency must be assessed and estimated to ascertain its performance through reliability, mean time to failure (MTTF), cost, MTTF sensitivity and availability.In this paper, a system with four subsystems, (subsystem-1, subsystem-2, subsystem-3 and subsystem-4) is studied. All the four subsystems are connected in a series configuration. Subsystem- 1 has only one unit, subsystem-2 has three units connected in parallel working under 1-out-of-3: G; policy, subsystem-3 has two units connected in series, and subsystem-4 has two units connected in parallel working under 1-out-of-2: G; policy. The system is assumed to work in good operating conditions with different failure rates and repair rates. Laplace transforms and Supplementary variable techniques were used to study the system. Availability, reliability, mean time to failure (MTTF), sensitivity, and cost analysis has been evaluated for particular values of the failure and repair rates. Tables and figures were used to demonstrate the evaluated results.
Cost Management for Pricing by Tanaka Technique (Case: An Experience from Automobile Industry)
Authors: Roodposhti Maysam Shafiee , Asrehazer Amirhossein Sabooni , Hedayatizafarghandi Mohammadhadi , Mirghafoori Seyed Habibollah , Azizi Shirin
Published: October 2022

One of the most pressing issues in today's world is minimizing production costs. Similarly, the cost management of the product to be produced occurs during the design stage; that is, the finished price of the product is determined and the design is completed with the goal of reaching this price. Given the importance and position of the automobile industry, the goal of this research is to be able to perform cost management in this industry. The "Tanaka" method was used in this descriptive-analytical model to provide an innovative model for cost management during the design phase of the automobile engine. Tanaka is a technique that exhibits the cost allocation deviation from what it should be based on what is currently happening. The research findings revealed that two pieces are worth more than their value, while the quality of several pieces has not been paid according to their value, and they cost less than their value.
Land Use and Land Cover Change and Its Impact on Flood Hazard Occurrence in Wabi Shebele River Basin of Ethiopia
Authors: Wudineh Fraol Abebe
Published: October 2022

Land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes can impact the hydrological conditions such as land surface coefficient, runoff, infiltration, and hydrographic characteristics of the watersheds. This study investigates the changes in LULC and its impact on water resources of the Wabi Shebele basin using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and a Separation method. Surface and groundwater parameters in northwestern part of the basin; and soil and surface parameters in the eastern highland and southern lowland part of the basin are the most sensitive parameters identified for water production. Out of ten LULC types that exist in the basin, three of them (i.e., cropland, grassland, and bare land) showed growth while two LULC types (i.e., forest and woodland) shows a significant decrease in the past four decades from the 1980s to 2010s. The coverage of cropland was increased by 48.63% while forest and woodland were decreased by 49.14% and 14.76% respectively in the period. Streamflow simulated during this period indicates increases in those watersheds shows significant cropland increases and forest coverage decreases particularly in Wabi at Dodola, Maribo, Robe, and Erer watersheds. Flood indices (i.e., AMAX, SMW, SMSp, and SMSu) calculated from simulated daily streamflow under different LULC map indicates increasing in the middle and northwestern watersheds up to 1.83% and 0.44% respectively. The separation method performed to estimate the impact level of LULC change impact change on flood discharge shows that LULC change has comparable impact level with climate change on streamflow and flood values particularly in middle part of the basin.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of Glutathione S-transferase gene family in Cajanus cajan and their expression profiling under different developmental stages in anatomical tissues
Authors: Vaish Swati , Gupta Divya , Jain Muskan , Verma Mansi , Shukla Rajeev , Prakash Abhishek , Singh Nootan , Ansari Mohd Akram , Kaur Gurjeet , Basantani Mahesh Kumar
Published: October 2022

Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional conserved protein superfamily that is involved in various biological processes such as growth and development, cellular detoxification, stress biology, and various signaling processes. In the current study, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and characterization of the GST gene family were performed in the agriculturally important legume crop Cajanus cajan. A total of 68 GST genes were identified that belong to eight GST classes based on their conserved domains and motifs. Among 68 CcGST genes, 37 CcGST genes were found on seven Cajanus chromosomes and the remaining CcGST genes were found on the scaffold. Segmental and tandem duplication, both were the driving forces of CcGST gene family expansion. The conserved pattern of exon and intron structure among the different GST classes was observed. The secondary prediction showed the dominance of α- helices. Ser is the highly phosphorylated site in CcGSTs. The subcellular localization prediction of CcGSTs revealed their dominance in the cytoplasm. The physicochemical properties of major CcGST proteins reveal that they are acidic in nature. The expression profiling study revealed the high expression of CcGSTU38, CcGSTU40, CcGSTU44, CcGSTL3, CcGSTL4, CcEF1G1, CcEF1G2, CcDHAR2 and CcGSTF6 in most of the developmental stages in different anatomical tissues. The molecular docking study of highly expressed CcGSTU38 with eight herbicide safeners revealed its highest binding affinity with Fenclorim (-5.44 kcal/mol). This gene could be a potential candidate for future molecular characterization under herbicide stress. The results of the current study endow us with the further functional analysis of Cajanus GSTs in the future.
Response of rumen fermentation and microbiota to high-energy diet in fattening sheep
Authors: Ge Ting , Yang Chen , Li Bo , Huang Xiaoyu , Zhao Leiyun , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Tian Lintao , Zhang Enping
Published: October 2022

Background
In mutton sheep production, higher dietary energy is often used to achieve better animal performance. Whereas, changing the diet formula will affect rumen fermentation and microbiota of ruminants. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary energy on rumen fermentation and ruminal microbiota in fattening sheep. Fifteen 2-month-old white-headed Suffolk sheep (♂) × Hu sheep (♀) crossbred lambs were randomly divided into 3 treatments: 8.67 MJ/kg (LE, n = 5), 10.38MJ/kg (CON, n = 5), and 12.31 MJ/kg (HE, n = 5) based on the dietary energy of feeds fed.
Results
After 70 days of feeding, sheep were slaughtered, and the ruminal fluids were collected and analyzed to determine fermentation parameters, microbiota was determined using metagenomics sequencing. We found that there was no effect on the microbial cell protein (MCP) and butyric acid concentration was significantly high in the HE group. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that ACE and Chao indexes of the HE group were significantly decreased. Among the major classified taxa, 4 genera across all the kingdoms differed in relative abundance among the three dietary energy levels. Correlation analysis revealed that the relative abundances of Prevotella_brevis, Succiniclasticum_ruminis, Prevotellaceae_bacterium, and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium were significantly correlated with rumen fermentation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis further showed high-energy diet increased lipid metabolism. The expression of the Carbohydrate-Active enzymes (CAZy) gene indicated which participates in energy metabolism increased, but those which regulate plant cell wall degradation decreased in the HE group.
Conclusions
These results suggest that a high-energy diet had limited influence on the rumen fermentation pattern. Whereas, a high-energy diet changes rumen microbiota composition which leading microbial lipid metabolism enhanced and crude fiber's metabolism capacities weakened. Our results provide scientific evidence for fattening sheep production.