bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron Abundance in the Solar Photosphere: The Role of Ions, Non-LTE, Model Atmospheres, Oscillator Strengths, and Free Parameters
Authors: Foxon Floe
Published: April 2022

The photospheric iron abundance is important to understanding solar system formation and evolution, but methodological designs in the literature have produced significantly different abundance estimates. 315 original photospheric iron abundances were extracted from 70 primary publications identified through SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System and Google Scholar. Methodological characteristics corresponding to each abundance estimate were categorised, including the ion studied, local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) assumption, the atmospheric model and its dimensions, the source of oscillator strengths, and microturbulence velocity. A linear mixed-effects regression model was implemented to quantify the role these variables play in abundance estimates. The mean photospheric iron abundance across all sources was 7.44 ± 0.02 dex on the astronomical log scale. On the average, abundance estimates from Fe II lines were 0.106 dex higher than those from Fe I lines (main effect), after controlling for other factors. Compared to LTE estimates, NLTE estimates were higher by 0.098 dex (main effect). The role of LTE was different for neutral and ionised iron analyses. LTE abundance predictions were lower than NLTE predictions for Fe I, but higher than NLTE predictions for Fe II. Other differences are described for various model atmospheres and oscillator strengths. A subgroup analysis of 257 1D and <3D> model abundances suggests every 0.1 km s−1 increase in the microturbulence velocity parameter results in a 0.04 dex decrease in estimated abundance. These findings explain much of the differences in photospheric iron abundance estimates over time.
Corneal histopathology in Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Gun Eylul , Ozer Erdener
Published: April 2022

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a life-threatening, immune-mediated, acute inflammatory disorder of the mucocutaneous membranes. It affects people of almost any age and has a high mortality and morbidity rate. Therefore, histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis is essential. Ocular involvement occurs in more than 50% of the affected patients. Here, we report a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome with ocular involvement in a 10-year old boy that presented with complaints of pain, burning, stinging in both eyes, and decreased vision. Histopathological findings were consistent with the changes due to the syndrome. Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects various mucous membranes along with the skin. Ocular involvement may manifest both acutely and chronically and causes morbidities. Therefore, a careful clinical and histopathologic examination is required in order to give the correct diagnosis.
Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis, the Cause of Non-bilious Vomiting of a 3-day-old Male Infant with Situs Inversus Totalis; A Case Report
Authors: Khanghah Ali Samady , Atqiaee Khashayar , Tabatabaey Ali
Published: April 2022

Background: The Synchronicity of Situs Inversus totalis (SIT) and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a rare phenomenon with only 2 reported cases in the literature. SIT is a mirror transposition of the major visceral organs, arranged along a left-right axis. Its prevalence is 0.1—0.6 per 10,000 live births. Rarely it is accompanied by neonatal intestinal obstruction, congenital heart defects, primary ciliary dyskinesia, renal disorders, biliary atresia, skeletal dysplasia, and mental retardation. IHPS is muscular hypertrophy of the pylorus, which results in gastric outlet obstruction leading to post-feeding non-bilious projectile vomiting. Its common age of involvement is three weeks to 3 months and is rarely reported in newborns. Case presentation: We have reported a case of synchronous SIT and IHPS in a 3-day-old newborn with classic symptoms. Following hemodynamic resuscitation, he underwent pyloromyotomy. The recovery and follow-up periods were uneventful, and the child's growth has resumed naturally.Conclusions: We present a patient with two extremely rare disorders leading to gastric outlet stenosis. In a newborn, even non-bilious vomiting can be a sign of a serious underlying condition and demands careful evaluation.
Behaviour Regulation, Locus of Control and the Role of Mental Health in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Asquith Emily , Bould Kiah , Catling Jon , Day Ed , Holt Andrew
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in wealthy societies, and if left untreated can become life-threatening. Current treatments prioritise diet and exercise management but patients frequently fail to make the necessary lifestyle changes. The current study aimed to identify factors which may influence patients’ behaviour in respect to adherence to treatment regimes. Methods: Novel areas of interest were investigated; locus of control, Behavioural regulation and a range of mental health measures, due to their links to either poor lifestyle choices or abnormal eating as identified in previous literature. Data was gathered using self-report questionnaires, from 96 participants, who were split into three groups, NAFLD patients, non-lifestyle liver disease patients and healthy controls, Results: Data was analysed using a MANOVA, and followed up with a Tukey post-hoc test. Three factors were found to be significant by group; cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and SAPAS score (measure of personality disorders). An association between personality disorders and NAFLD was identified Conclusion: it is suggested that NAFLD patients are screened for personality disorders and, if identified, treated prior to the commencement of diet and exercise management.
Effect of Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Elbasha Yara Ibrahim , Mesbah Noha M. , Abdel-Hamed Asmaa R. , Aboelmaaty Dina M. , Bakry Sayed , Mansour Ahmad , Elbeialy Adel
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Chronic inflammation causes articular bone and cartilage degeneration in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite recent advancements in the management of RA, adverse side effects and ineffective treatments remain a problem. Access to treatment is hampered by financial restrictions. As a result, medications that reduce inflammation and bone resorption that are both safe and less expensive are required. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently been identified as a potential therapy for RA. Aim of study: The aim of this study was to examine the anti-arthritic effect of rat bone marrow-MSCs, oligosaccharides and human placental extract, individually and combined on RA model, using Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats. Materials and methods: In female rats, RA was induced by injecting CFA in the paw of hind limb. Rat bone marrow-MSCs, oligosaccharides, and human placental extract (HPE) were given individually and in combination via intra-peritoneal route. Complete blood picture (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum cortisol, urea, uric acid and other biochemical parameters were measured to determine the safety and efficacy of the different treatments. Histopathological analysis of bone sections was carried out.Result: Combining oligosaccharides and HPE with rat-bone marrow MSCs had a favorable anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effect in CFA-induced arthritis in rats, with no negative effects on CBC, renal functions, serum cortisol, ESR, and liver enzymes. Histopathological analysis showed healing and remodeling of osteoporotic lesions in arthritic rats. Conclusion: Combination of rat MSCs, oligosaccharides and HPE has potential to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
A regularized Trefftz method for solving an inverse problem for the Laplace equation
Authors: Hadj Abdelhak , Saker Hacene
Published: April 2022

The present paper proposes a new regularized Trefftz method to recover the boundary value on a non-accessible boundary of an annulus from over determined data on the accessible boundary of that annulus. Considering that the available data have a Fourier expansion, we consider the Tikhonov damping factor in constructing our regularized scheme, which satisfies the boundary value problem. At the same time, the convergence estimates for the regularized solution will be established under an assumption for the exact solution. The finite term truncation of the series expansion allows us to match the boundary condition as accurately as desired. By the collocation method, we derive a system of linear equations that can be uniquely solved to obtain the coefficients and preset the regularization parameter and the damping factor to ensure adequate stability. The numerical efficiency of the proposed method is investigated with a high truncation number in comparison with the modified collocation Trefftz method.
Detection and isolation of a new member of Burkholderiaceae-related endofungal bacteria from a new thermophilic species in Mucorales
Authors: Takashima Yusuke , Yamamoto Kohei , Degawa Yousuke , Guo Yong , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Ohta Hiroyuki , Narisawa Kazuhiko
Published: April 2022

Thermophilic fungi in Mucorales (Mucoromycotina) have the potential to be opportunistic pathogens, causing mucormycosis. Among them, Burkholderiaceae-related endobacteria (BRE) are rarely found and the known range of hosts is limited to Rhizopus spp. The phylogenetic divergence of BRE has recently expanded in other fungal groups such as Mortierella spp. (Mortierellomycotina); however, it remains unexplored in Mucorales. Here, we found a thermophilic mucoralean fungus obtained from a litter sample collected from Haha-jima Island in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, Japan. The fungus was morphologically, phylogenetically, and physiologically characterized and proposed as a new species, Saksenaea boninensis sp. nov. Besides the fungal taxonomy, we also found the presence of BRE in isolates of this species by diagnostic PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene from mycelia, fluorescence microscopic observations, and isolation of the bacterium in pure culture. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of BRE revealed that it is distinct from all known BRE. The discovery of a culturable BRE lineage in the genus Saksenaea will add new insight into the evolutional origin of mucoralean fungus-BRE associations and emphasize the need to pay more attention to endofungal bacteria potentially associated with isolates of thermophilic mucoralean fungi causing mucormycosis.
Does foreign direct investment asymmetrically influence carbon emissions in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from nonlinear panel ARDL approach
Authors: Abdul-Mumuni Abdallah , Amoh John Kwaku , Mensah Barbara Deladem
Published: April 2022

While several existing panel studies have focused on the linear effect of foreign direct investment on carbon emissions, nonlinear panel studies on this subject remain thin on the ground. This paper examines the asymmetric effect of foreign direct investment on carbon emissions in 41 selected sub-Saharan African countries spanning from 1996 to 2018. In order to decompose foreign direct investment into positive and negative partial sum and examine possible asymmetric effects of the variables on carbon emissions, we used the nonlinear panel ARDL approach. This method accounts for cross-sectional variances that cause inherent heterogeneity in the slope coefficients. Our results show that carbon emissions respond asymmetrically to changes in foreign direct investment. The results further show that in the long run, a positive shock in foreign direct investment increases carbon emissions while a negative shock lowers them. It is recommended that comprehensive investment policies aimed at encouraging aimed clean technology and environmentally-friendly investments be implemented to ensure environmental sustainability.
Can environmental protection policies promote regional innovation efficiency: A difference-in-differences approach with continuous treatment
Authors: Zhang Jianqing , Tang Hengyun , Bao Minjun
Published: April 2022

Environmental regulation and innovative development are essential means to solve the negative externalities of environmental pollution. However, developing countries often face the dual pressures of environmental pollution and innovative development. This paper focuses on whether environmental protection policies (EPP) can achieve a win-win situation between green development and innovative development. Based on the panel data of 277 cities in China from 2006 to 2016, this paper studies the impact of China's EPP on urban innovation efficiency by using a time-varying difference-in-differences approach. Combined with the geographical features of Chinese cities, we further take urban form into the mediating effect analysis. The results show that: (1) EPP has a significant positive impact on innovation efficiency, and the result satisfies the parallel trend test. (2) The robustness test shows that EPP has technological innovation and diffusion effects. (3) The mediating effect test show that Urban form has a significant mediating effect on the impact of EPP on innovation efficiency. Therefore, environmental policies should be formulated considering the differences of urban form to achieve the optimal implementation effect.
The effect of omeprazole on urinary excretion of magnesium in children with peptic diseases
Authors: Famouri Fatemeh , Tavahen Nirvana , Gholami Hossein , Yazdi Maryam , Beni Motahar Heidari-
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of omeprazole on urinary excretion of magnesium in children receiving omeprazole for treatment of peptic disease. What is the effect of omeprazole on urinary fractional excretion of magnesium? Methods: This single-armed clinical trial study was conducted on 44 children with a diagnosis of acid peptic disease who was treated with omeprazole (1-2 mg/kg/day) for 3 months in Gastroenterology clinics of Imam Hossein hospital, 2021, Isfahan, Iran. Before and after the intervention, serum levels of magnesium and creatinine and urine magnesium and creatinine levels were measured by Pars Azmoon Kit based on the guideline of the kit. Then fractional excretion of magnesium (Mg) was calculated based on the formula. Results: The mean urinary magnesium levels before and after intervention were 4.96±2.48 and 1.46±0.63, respectively (P<0.001). A significant decrease in serum Mg level was also observed after treatment versus before treatment (1.37±0.03 vs. 1.9±0.2, P<0.01). The mean fractional Mg excretion before and after therapy were 5.2±1.2 and 1.7±0.63, respectively (P<0.01). Serum creatinine level before and after therapy was 0.62±0.19 and 0.67±0.13, respectively (p=0.053). Urinary creatinine level was increased after intervention by 20.80±18.77 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The cause of hypomagnesemia is not increased urinary loss of magnesium, conversely, the kidney effort to compensate for the drop in blood magnesium following omeprazole treatment, by reducing urinary excretion of it and saving magnesium ions in the body.
A new epidemic profile for human scabies in a general practice in the city of Tourcoing, northern France
Authors: Grujon Anaëlle , Quindroit Paul , Legrand Bertrand , Calafiore Matthieu , Rochoy Michaël , Staumont-Sallé Delphine , Beuscart Jean-Baptiste , Chazard Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Background: Scabies is a public health problem. In France, this disease accounts for several hundred million consultations in primary care each year. The objectives of the present study (with reuse of data collected routinely in primary care) were to estimate the incidence of scabies in a general practice and to describe the corresponding patient population.Methods: From January 2013 to June 2015, we conducted a real-life study of consultation data from a general practice in the Lille urban area of northern France. We estimated the incidence of scabies in the area, searched for factors that might influence disease occurrence and recurrence, and looked at how patients with scabies were managed.Results: The study included 177 patients (96 women). The incidence of scabies was similar in males and females. The infection was more common in early childhood (regardless of the sex) and in women aged 40-50. Scabies occurred more frequently during the colder months (e.g. 12.4% of all cases were recorded in January). We did not observe any significant associations between scabies and immune conditions or pre-existing comorbidities. All patients received scabicides: 163 received a systemic treatment only (ivermectin), 10 received a local treatment only (8 for benzyl benzoate and 2 for piperonyl butoxide with esdepallethrine), and 3 received both systemic and local treatments. Scabies recurred in 42 patients (23.7%; within 60 days in 16 cases (9.04%)). The median [1st & 3rd quartiles] time interval between diagnosis and recurrence was 28 days [22.3; 36.3]. The recurrence rate appeared to be significantly higher in winter than in other seasons: 68.8% of the recurrences occurred in the winter (p=0.021). Age did not appear to be a risk factor for recurrence (p=0.63).Conclusion: The present results show that scabies is now a common pathology in general practice and is most likely to affect children and young adults in urban areas. The age and sex distributions usually described are no longer relevant. Our results also emphasize the value of reusing data collected routinely data in primary care, which can open up exciting fields in medical research.
Genomic Characteristics of a Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain Coproducing Carbapenemases KPC-2 and NDM-5
Authors: Xiao Wei-qiang , Qu Yuan-ye , Wang Xiao-kun , Sun Ming-yue , Chang Yan-min , Xu Qing-xia
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study was to characterize the resistance gene of a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain coproducing carbapenemases KPC-2 and NDM-5.Klebsiella pneumoniae KPN-hnqyy, which is separated from the stool specimen of a patient, is resistant to all carbapenem antibiotics. Its MLST type is ST11. The genes of carbapenemases blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-5 are positive. The gene of conjugant blaKPC-2 is positive and that of conjugant blaNDM-5 is negative. Whole-genome sequencing shows that the strain contains one chromosome and three plasmids. The chromosome genomes of Klebsiella pneumonia such as KP69 and KP19-2029 are more than 99.9% similar to the chromosome genome of the strain studied; also, a similar IncR and IncFII resistance gene fusion region is contained in the different types of plasmids they carry: the blaKPC-2 gene is located in a structure—which evolved from the Tn3-△Tn4401-Tn1721/Tn1722 sequence—inside this fusion region with its ends inserted into the transposase IS26 gene; the blaNDM-5 gene is located on an I-shaped transposon containing the special plasmids of the insertion fragment in phages, with its ends inserted into the transposase IS26 gene, too.The Klebsiella pneumoniae KPN-hnqyy that carries both blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-5 may be derived from the blaKPC-2 carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae KP69 and KP19-2029 strains accidentally obtain the blaNDM-5 gene by the transfer of IS26 transposable elements. The wide transmission of Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 carrying the blaKPC-2 gene in China and its ability to obtain other carbapenemase genes through transposable element IS26 are well worth attention.
Predict the Risk of Dyslipidemia via Deep Neural Networks for Survival Data
Authors: Liang Hailun , Liang Dongzuo , Tao Lei , Zhang Xiaoshuai , Li Xiao , Zheng Da , Chen Yuhan , Yi Meixi , Tang Fang
Published: April 2022

Background: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke. Early detection and prevention of dyslipidemia can markedly alter cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cox proportional hazard model has been commonly employed for survival datasets to construct the prediction model. Recently, the data-driven learning algorithm began to be used to analyze right-censored survival data. However, there is no attempt to use deep neural networks in dyslipidemia prediction. The objective of this study is to predict the risk of dyslipidemia via deep neural networks for survival data.Methods: The study cohort was based on the routine health check-up data from 6,328 participants aged 19 to 90 years and free of dyslipidemia at baseline. A deep neural network (DNN) was used to develop risk models for predicting dyslipidemia. Cox Proportional Hazards (Cox) and Random Survival Forests (RSF) were applied in comparison with the DNN model. As our metric of performance, we use the time-dependent concordance index (Ctd-index).Results: The Ctd-index of the prediction models by using DNN was 0.802. The DNN model performed significantly better than Cox and RSF model (Ctd-index: 0.735 and 0.770, respectively). The improvement of DNN over the competing methods was statistically significant. Moreover, DNN provides performance gain on time intervals compared to conventional survival models.Conclusions: DNN is a promising method in learning the estimated distribution of survival time and event while capturing the right-censored nature inherent in survival data. DNN achieves large and statistically significant performance improvements over previous intuitive regression model and state-of-the-art data-mining methods.
High endothelial venules in intracranial germinomas: implications for lymphocytes infiltration
Authors: Chen Huiyuan , Li Guilin , Cui Yun , Zhang Qi , Li Bo , Liu Xing
Published: April 2022

Background
Reactive lymphocytes are substantial components of germinoma, which are believed to be related to the favorable prognosis of this intracranial tumor and better response to immunotherapy. However, the mechanisms managing the recruitment of lymphocytes are poorly understood. High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized blood vessels that play key roles in lymphocyte trafficking in Lymph nodes. These vessels are associated with lymphocytes infiltration in chronic inflammatory diseases and various malignant tumors, but their distribution and implications in germinoma are unknown.
Methods
This study investigated the presence and distribution of HEVs in 42 germinomas by immunohistochemical staining of peripheral node addressin (PNAd) and transmission electron microscopic examination. The correlation of the densities of HEVs with the extent of T and B lymphocytes infiltration and several clinicopathological characteristics were also analyzed to determine whether HEVs are responsible for lymphocytes recruitment and their roles in anti-tumor immunity in germinoma.
Results
PNAd-positive HEVs were detected in 31% (13/42) of germinomas, and their presence correlated with abundant infiltrating CD3 + T cells, CD20 + B cells and CD8 + Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (p = 0.0410, 0.0023, 0.0061, respectively). Higher HEVs density was also correlated with several clinicopathological parameters, which are recognized indicators for favorable prognosis in germinomas, including typical tumor location (p = 0.0093), lower tumor cell content (P = 0.0428), and younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.0121). Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis showed HEVs-associated genes mainly enriched in immune-related Gene Ontology terms, including innate immune response, inflammatory response, and B cell receptor signaling pathway. The xCell analysis revealed that germinomas with higher HEVs enrichment scores had increased levels of the immune score, microenvironment score, dendritic cells, CD8 + central memory T-cells, CD4 + memory T-cells, and B-cells.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that HEVs could contribute to lymphocytes recruitment in germinomas, thus may serve as a predictor of favorable prognosis and better response to immunotherapy in this intracranial tumor.
Risk Factors and Resilience Associated to Depressive Symptoms in Mexican Healthcare Workers During the Early Stages of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Borges Guilherme , Arias Sol Durand , Carmona-Huerta Jaime , Aldana-López Alejandro , Náfate-López Omar , Orozco Ricardo , Cordoba Gloria , Alvarado Rubén
Published: April 2022

IntroductionThe world has been marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an impact in everyone’s lives, but particularly in healthcare workers (HCW), whom have been exposed to higher workload, COVID exposure and stigma, all of which are known risk factors for mental health problems.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to report the prevalence of depression, risk factors and resilience related to the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among Mexican HCW.Method This is an observational cross-sectional study part of a larger international, prospective multicentric study “The COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErs Study” (HEROES). A convenience sample with a total of 2,127 HCW from two states of Mexico (Chiapas and Jalisco) were recruited. Depression was the main outcome, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A COVID-19 risk scale was developed with a total of 19 items. Resilience was studied with the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Model-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated.ResultsWe found moderate to severe depression in 16.6% of the study sample. HCW from Jalisco, medical staff, working in hospitals, and those with chronic illness and with a mental health history were more depressed. Regarding the COVID-19 related risk factors, we found more than double the prevalence of depression (2.14, 95%CI=1.64-2.8) for those exposed to ≥8 of the risk variables here studied. Depression was prevalent in 30% of HCW with low resilience, 13.3% with medium resilience and only 4.4% of those with high resilience. Discussion and conclusionCOVID-19 related risk factors increase the prevalence of depression in HCW, whereas resilience proved to be a protective factor (higher resilience, less prevalence of depression). This evidence proves the need to develop strategies to reduce the risk (developing measures to enhance trust in the workplace and anti-sigma campaigns) and enhance resilience (fostering wellness and building relationships) in HCW. Clinical Trial Registration: The COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErs (HEROES). Study. Identifier: NCT04352634
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Veterans Health Administration Sleep Services: A Comparative Survey Study
Authors: Sico Jason , Koo Brian B. , Perkins Anthony J. , Burrone Laura , Sexson Ali , Myers Laura J. , Taylor Stanley , Yarbrough W. Claibe , Daggy Joanne K. , Miech Edward J. , Bravata Dawn M.
Published: April 2022

Background To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep services within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) using separate surveys from “pre-COVID” and pandemic periods (N=140 VA facilities). Most sleep services were interrupted secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic: more than three-quarters of facilities that responded to the survey discontinued in-lab studies, approximately two-thirds suspended in-person positive airway pressure (PAP) clinics, and one-third stopped home sleep testing (HST). As the pandemic progressed, in-lab diagnostic and titration studies resumed at more than half of sites, less than half provided in-person PAP services, whereas all facilities restarted HST. Most expanded or started telehealth services. Infection control precautions were common. Increased stress, anxiety, fear, and burnout related to the pandemic and workflow changes were often reported by respondents. Methods Data from a pre-pandemic survey (September-November 2019) were combined with data from a pandemic-period survey (August-November 2020) to VA sleep medicine providers about their local sleep medicine services. Results A total of 67 (47.9%) facilities responded to the pandemic online survey. In-lab diagnostic and titration sleep studies were stopped at 91.1% of facilities during the pandemic; 76.5% of facilities resumed diagnostic studies and 60.8% resumed titration studies by the time of the second survey. Half of facilities suspended home sleep testing; all facilities resumed these services. In-person positive airway pressure (PAP) clinics were stopped at 76.3% of facilities; 46.7% resumed these clinics. Video telehealth was either available or in development at 86.6% of facilities and was considered a lasting addition to sleep services. COVID-19 transmission precautions occurred at high rates. Sleep personnel experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and burnout because of the pandemic and in response to unexpected changes in sleep medicine care delivery. Conclusions Sleep medicine services within the VA evolved during the pandemic with many key services being interrupted. The pandemic adversely affected sleep medicine personnel as they sought to maintain access to care. Trial RegistrationThis manuscript does not report on a clinical trial.
Sheds for Life: Health and Wellbeing outcomes of a tailored community- based health promotion initiative for Men’s Sheds in Ireland
Authors: McGrath Aisling , Murphy Niamh , Egan Tom , Richardson Noel
Published: April 2022

Background: Gender is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in designing community-based health promotion programmes. Men’s Sheds (‘Sheds’) are community-based informal environments that represent a safe space in which to engage cohorts of hard-to-reach (HTR) men in health promotion. Sheds for Life (SFL), the first structured health promotion initiative evaluated in Sheds, is a 10-week initiative co-designed with Shed Members (Shedders) and delivered directly in the Shed setting in Ireland. This research describes the health and wellbeing outcomes experienced by SFL participants. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse representation of Shedders (n=421) participating in SFL alongside a wait list control (n=86). Questionnaires assessing constructs of health and wellbeing were administered one-to-one in Sheds at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Descriptive data for health outcomes were generated for each time point and assessed for significant changes using inferential testing, while considering COVID-19 impact. Results: Outcomes related to subjective wellbeing, mental wellbeing, physical activity, social capital and healthy eating significantly increased post SFL (p<0.05). Mental wellbeing scores (SWEMWBS) post SFL remained significantly higher than baseline despite COVID-19 impact (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that the odds of a meaningful SWEMWBS change was significantly higher for shedders that had lower SWEMWBS (OR 0.804), less loneliness (OR 0.638) and lived alone (OR 0.456) at baseline. Shedders with lower SWEMBWS had higher odds of experiencing positive changes in life satisfaction (OR 0.911) and trust (OR 0.928), while Shedders who lived alone had also higher odds of experience positive changes in healthy eating (OR 0.481). Finally, inactive Shedders at baseline had higher odds of experiencing increased levels of physical activity (OR 0.582).Conclusions: Findings suggest that the inclusive, community-based SFL model is effective in engaging Shedders and facilitating positive and sustained changes in health and wellbeing outcomes. Using gender-specific approaches in the informal and safe environment of the Shed are effective in engaging men in structured health and wellbeing initiatives, particularly those who may be more vulnerable, isolated or lonely.Trial Registration: This study has been retrospectively registered with the ‘International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number’ registry (ISRCTN79921361) as of 05/03/2021
Decreasing Deuterium Concentration of Water: A Possible Tool in Colon Cancer Therphy
Authors: Yavari Kamal , Mahmoudabadi Zahra Zarei
Published: April 2022

Purpose Recent studies show that the depletion of naturally occurring deuterium can result in tumor regression in both in vitro and in vivo models. In the present paper we report the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of DDW discretely and in combination with 5-FU on HT29 colon cancer cells and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods HT29 cells were treated with decreasing deuterium concentrations of DDW individually, 5-FU alone and both from 24 to 72 h. Cellular cytotoxicity of the cells were determined by the MTT proliferation assay. The morphology and structure of the cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results We observed the changes in the cell cycle by flow cytometry and alterations in the cellular antioxidant enzymes by transmission chemiluminescence. Treatment with DDW especially in concentrations of 50 and 75ppm alone imposed inhibitory effects on the growth of the cell line and DDW augmented 5-FU inhibitory effects on HT29 cell lines. The cell cycle analysis revealed that DDW caused the cell cycle arrest in the G1/S transition, reduced the number of the cells in the S phase and significantly increased the population of cells in the G1 phase in HT29 cells. We observed that DDW induced the cellular antioxidant defense system. Under SEM examination, the control cells showed smooth surface and more extracellular matrix, while the DDW exposed group showed a rough surface and more microvillus on the cell surface. Conclusions We conclude that DDW is a promising new adjuvant anti-cancer agent with the potential for future clinical applications.
Acclimation to water stress improves tolerance to heat and freezing extremes in a common alpine grass
Authors: Sumner Emma , Venn Susanna E , Wevill Tricia , Williamson Virginia G , Gleadow Rosyln M
Published: April 2022

Alpine plants in Australia are increasingly exposed to more frequent drought and heatwaves, with significant consequences for physiological stress responses. Acclimation is a critical feature that allows plants to improve tolerance to environmental extremes through directly altering their physiology or morphology. Yet it is unclear how plant performance and tolerance is affected when heat and drought stress co-occur, and whether prior exposure affects responses to subsequent climate extremes. We grew a common alpine grass species under high or low watering treatments for three weeks before exposure to either none, one, or two heat stress events. We determined high and low thermal tolerance (LT 50 , mean temperature causing 50% irreversible damage to photosystem II) and growth. Physiological adjustments to low watering, including more negative water potentials and reduced growth, were also characterised by improved tolerance to extreme high and low temperatures. Shifts to higher heat tolerance was also evident with increasing exposure to heat stress events. These effects were mostly short-term, however, as prior exposure to heat and/or water stress had little to no effect on growth and thermal tolerance following the six week recovery period. We conclude that acclimation to increasingly frequent soil moisture deficits during summer should provide enhanced capacity to tolerate temperature extremes. As leaf temperatures increase with water stress, the risk of exceeding thermal tolerance limits may increase with a drying climate, and physiological acclimation may not adequately mitigate the effects of chronic water stress as would occur under a long-term drought.
Waterless cleaning technique for photovoltaic panels on dual-axis tracker
Authors: Dahlioui Dounia , Alaoui Soukaina Medaghri , Laarabi Bouchra , Barhdadi Abdelfettah
Published: April 2022

Several soiling mitigation solutions and cleaning techniques have been developed to maintain high efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels. First of its kind, the investigation of the adaptability of the cleaning systems to solar trackers has been performed. The majority of these systems are dedicated to fixed installations whereas only few systems that can be adapted to solar trackers as presented in the updated cleaning systems background. For this reason, this paper presents an innovative approach which consists of combining trackers with an integrated cleaning system that has been designed. Based on the conducted experimental study, a maximum of 7% in soiling losses has been found for the PV generator of 4 kWp equipped with a dual-axis tracker installed in Rabat-Morocco over almost one year. Consequently, a reduced cleaning prototype has been realized and tested to evaluate the energy recovery based on the performed cleaning. The automatic cleaning has presented a similar efficiency with the manual cleaning with a slight difference of 0.95 pp and an increase of energy of 11.5% in the arid region. Through the economic analysis carried out taking into account the gain in energy production, the automatic cleaning cost was 0.14 €/kWh. It has been found that the cleaning technique based on the telescopic arm would be more effective if the tracker is installed in an arid region where soiling is higher than Rabat. In this case the payback time of the cleaning solution is faster (8 to 9 years), hence its profitability.
Analysis of Clinical Cause and Management of Adult Intussusception: at a Single Institution Experience
Authors: Park Nahyeon , Kim Cheol Jung , Kuk Jung Cheol , Shin Eung Jin , Lim Dae Ro
Published: April 2022

The aim of the present study is to analyze the clinical outcomes of intussusception management in adult patients. The data of 56 patients who underwent treatment for adult intussusception from Jan. 2003 to Feb. 2021 were retrieved from a retrospective database and analyzed. The mean age of patients with adult intussusception was 49.9 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 4.8 days. The most common type of intussusception was entero-enteric type (n=30, 53.6%), and the second most common type was ileocolic (n=13, 23.2%). Small bowel intussusception was found in 40 patients (71.4%) and large bowel intussusception in 16 patients (28.6%). Emergency surgery was performed on 30 patients (53.6%). Among the causes of adult intussusception, tumorous lesion accounted for 60.7% (malignancy: 30.4%, benign: 30.4%) and the rate of no tumorous lesion was 39.3%. Forty-four (44) patients (78.6%) received surgical management and 12 patients (21.4%) received conservative management. Bowel resection was performed in 40 patients (71.4%) and manual reduction in 4 patients (7.1%). Conclusively, there are various causes and types of adult intussusception, and appropriate management should be provided to the patient after careful consideration of the cause and type of each intussusception case.
Cost-effectiveness of pegfilgrastim versus filgrastim for prevention of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with lymphoma: A systematic review
Authors: Gebremariam Girma Tekle , Mulu Atalay , Beyene Kebede , Sander Beate , Gebretekle Gebremedhin Beedemariam
Published: April 2022

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with lymphoma receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim is more effective than filgrastim as prophylaxis for FN. However, its usage has been limited because of its higher cost. Pegfilgrastim's value for money remains unclear.Objective: To systematically review the cost-effectiveness of pegfilgrastim compared to filgrastim for prevention of chemotherapy-induced FN among patients with lymphoma. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and Google Scholar. Only full-economic evaluations were included in the review. Data extraction was guided by the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist, and the quality of reviewed articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Cost-effectiveness data were rigorously summarized and synthesized narratively. Costs were adjusted to 2020 US$.Results: We identified eight full economic evaluation studies (two cost-utility analyses, three cost-effectiveness analyses, and three studies reporting cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses). Half of these studies were from Europe (n=4), the other half were from Iran, USA, Canada and Singapore. Six studies met >80% of the JBI quality assessment criteria. Cost-effectiveness estimates in the majority (n=6) of these studies were for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy with high-risk of FN (> 20%). The studies considered a wide range of baseline FN risk (17-97.4%) and mortality rates (5.8-8.9%). Reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from 2,199US$ to 8,871,600US$ per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, dominant to 44,358 US$ per FN averted, and 4,261US$-7,251US$ per life-year gained. The most influential parameters were medication and hospitalization costs, relative risk of FN, and assumptions of mortality benefit.Conclusions: Pegfilgrastim appears to be cost-effective primary prophylactic for preventing chemotherapy-induced FN in lymphoma patients. he findings could assist clinicians and healthcare decision-makers to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation for the management of chemotherapy-induced FN in settings similar to those studied.
Prevention of Variceal Rebleeding in Cirrhotic Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Molecularly-targeted Therapy: a randomized pilot study Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Versus Endoscopic plus β-blocker
Authors: Chen Yan , Ma Xuemei , Zhang Xuefeng , Lou Jing , An Linjing , Zhang Yu , Chang Xiujuan , Dong Zheng , Zhang Wei , Kong Huifang , Zhao Jun , Ding Huiguo , Liu Fuquan , Yang Yongping
Published: April 2022

Background Although transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding if standard therapy fails and for patients with high-risk of recurrent bleeding, no guidelines for the treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC patients are available. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TIPS with endoscopic+β-blocker for prevention of the rebleeding in such patients. Methods 106 consecutive advanced HCC patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) who had been treated with vasoactive drugs plus endoscopic therapy for variceal bleeding were randomly assigned to receive either TIPS (n=52) or endoscopic+β-blocker therapy (n=54) for the prevention of rebleeding. The primary endpoint was variceal rebleeding after randomization.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 16 months, rebleeding occurred in 14 patients in the endoscopic+β-blocker group and 3 patients in the TIPS group (P<0.001). Forty-nine patients died (38 in endoscopic+β-blocker group and 11 in TIPS group, P<0.001). The 6-, 12-, and 18-month overall survival rates were 95, 81, and 73% for TIPS group and 35, 21, and 15% for endoscopic+β-blocker group, respectively (P<0.001). Eight patients in endoscopic+β-blocker group received TIPS as rescue therapy, but two died. TKIs was discontinued in 32 patients, including 24 in the endoscopic+β-blocker group and 8 in the TIPS group (P<0.001). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to serious adverse events. Conclusions In advanced HCC patients receiving TKIs and presented with variceal bleeding, the use of TIPS was associated with significant reduction in rebleeding, improved a higher adherence to TKIs therapy, and prolonged survival.
Research on Multi-source Sparse Optimization Method and Its Application On Polymorphic-oscillatory signal separation
Authors: Yan Lu , Juan Du
Published: April 2022

In general, during the whole life cycle operation of mechanical system, its corresponding condition signal often presents multi-component polymorphic-oscillatory characteristic and is accompanied with strong interference noise. In order to identify system operating status, how to achieve polymorphic signal decomposition is an unavoidable focus. Weak signal features corrupted by heavy background noise can be effectively extracted through sparse decomposition. In order to solve the problems of classical sparse decomposition method, such as the lack of signal fidelity, the local optimal solution caused by the non-convex objective function, and the poor universality of the model, a novel multi-source sparse optimization objective function with convexity is constructed based on the generalized mini-max concave penalty function. Then the sparse coefficients of unilateral attenuation transient component, bilateral attenuation transient component and harmonic component are calculated respectively based on Laplace wavelet dictionary, Morlet wavelet dictionary and DFT dictionary using forward backward splitting algorithm. Ultimately, each distinct component can be extracted based on these sparse coefficients. Comparison with the classical resonance sparse signal decomposition (RSSD) based on L1-norm, signal adaptive decomposition and spectral kurtosis show that the proposed method can accurately preserve the amplitude of morphological components under the low SNR premise. Experimental case infers that the proposed method compared with double tree complex wavelet (DTCW) possesses potential value of application on mechanical system fault detection without the prior knowledge of specific number of faults.
Pyramiding of multiple strong-culm genes originating from indica and tropical japonica to the temperate japonica rice
Authors: Ookawa Taiichiro , Nomura Tomohiro , Kamahora Eri , Jiang Mingjin , Ochiai Yusuke , Samadi Ahmad , Yamaguchi Takuya , Adachi Shunsuke , Katsura Keisuke , Motobayashi Takashi
Published: April 2022

Severe lodging has recurrently occurred at strong typhoon’s hitting in recent climate change. The pyramiding of strong-culm genes are important for developing high-yielding varieties with a superior lodging resistance. To evaluate the effects of four strong-culm genes on lodging resistance, the temperate japonica near isogenic line (NIL) with the introgressed SCM1 or SCM2 locus of the indica variety, Habataki and the another NIL with the introgeressed SCM3 or SCM4 locus of the tropical japonica variety, Chugoku 117 were developed. Then, we developed the pyramiding lines with double,triple and quadruple combinations derived from step-by-step crosses among NIL-SCM1–NIL-SCM4. Quadruple pyramiding line (NIL-SCM1+2+3+4) showed the largest culm diameter and the highest culm strength among the combinations and increased spikelet number due to the pleiotropic effects of these genes. Pyramiding of strong culm genes resulted in much increased culm thickness, culm strength and spikelet number due to their additive effect. SCM1 mainly contributed to enhance their pyramiding effect. These results in this study suggest the importance of identifying the combinations of superior alleles of strong culm genes among natural variation and pyramiding these genes for improving high-yielding varieties with a superior lodging resistance.