bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic identification of key functional modules and genes in esophageal cancer
Authors: Wu Rui , Zhuang Hao , Mei Yu-kun , Sun Jin-yu , Dong Tao , Zhao Li-li , fan zhining , Liu Li
Published: February 2021

Background Esophageal cancer is associated with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Differential expression genes (DEGs) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) are important methods to screen the core genes as bioinformatics methods.Methods The DEGs and WGCNA were combined to screen the hub genes, and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the hub module in the WGCNA. The CCNB1 was identified as the hub gene based on the intersection between DEGs and the greenyellow module in WGCNA. Expression levels and prognostic values of CCNB1 were verified in UALCAN, GEPIA2, HCMDB, Kaplan–Meier plotter, and TIMER databases.Results We identified 1,044 DEGs from dataset GSE20347, 1,904 from GSE29001, and 2,722 from GSE111044, and 32 modules were revealed by WGCNA. The greenyellow module was identified as the hub module in the WGCNA. CCNB1 gene was identified as the hub gene, which was upregulated in tumour tissues. Moreover, esophageal cancer patients with higher expression of CCNB1 showed a worse prognosis. However, CCNB1 ‘might not play an important role in immune cell infiltration.Conclusion Based on DEGs and key modules related to esophageal cancer, CCNB1 was identified as the hub gene, which offered novel insights into the development and treatment of esophageal cancer.
A comparative analysis of the outcome of malaria case surveillance strategies in Sri Lanka in the prevention of re-establishment phase
Authors: Gunasekera W. M. Kumudunayana T. de A. W , Premaratne Risintha , Fernando Deepika , Munaz Muzrif , Piyasena M. G. Y. , Perera Devika , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Ranaweera K. D. N. Prasad , Mendis Kamini Nirmala
Published: February 2021

Background
Sri Lanka sustained its malaria-free status by implementing, among other interventions, three core case detection strategies namely Passive Case Detection (PCD), Reactive Case Detection (RACD) and Proactive Case Detection (PACD). The outcomes of these strategies were analysed in terms of their effectiveness in detecting malaria infections for the period from 2017-2019.
Methods
Comparisons were made between the surveillance methods and between years, based on data obtained from the national malaria database and individual case reports of malaria patients. The number of blood smears examined microscopically was used as the measure of the volume of tests conducted. The yield from each case detection method was calculated as the proportion of blood smears which were positive for malaria. Within RACD and PACD, the yield of sub categories of travel cohorts and spatial cohorts was ascertained for 2019.
Results
A total of 158 malaria cases were reported in 2017-2019. During this period between 666,325-725,149 blood smears were examined annually. PCD detected 95.6%, with a yield of 16.1 cases per 100,000 blood smears examined. RACD and PACD produced a yield of 11.2 and 0.3, respectively. The yield of screening the sub category of travel cohorts was very high for RACD and PACD being 806.5 and 44.9 malaria cases per 100,000 smears, respectively. Despite over half of the blood smears examined being obtained by screening spatial cohorts within RACD and PACD, the yield of both was zero over all three years.
Conclusions
The PCD arm of case surveillance is the most effective and, therefore, has to continue and be further strengthened as the mainstay of malaria surveillance. Focus on travel cohorts within RACD and PACD should be even greater. Screening of spatial cohorts, on a routine basis and solely because people are resident in previously malarious areas, may be wasteful, except in situations where the risk of local transmission is very high, or is imminent. These findings may apply more broadly to most countries in the post-elimination phase.
Potential clinical utility of MUC5B und TOLLIP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the management of patients with IPF
Authors: Bonella F. , Campo Ilaria , Zorzetto Michele , Börner Eda , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Theegarten Dirk , Taube Christian , Costabel Ulrich
Published: February 2021

Background: Genetic variants of TOLLIP and MUC5B, both on chromosome 11, have been reported to be associated with the development and/or prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the association of MUC5B and TOLLIP SNPs with disease outcome in IPF. 62 IPF patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) from our Institution were genotyped for SNPs within MUC5B (rs35705950) and TOLLIP (rs3750920 and rs5743890). Correlation of SNPs genotypes with survival, acute exacerbation (AE) or disease progression (defined as a decline of ≥ 5% in FVC and or >10% in DLco in one year) was investigated.Results: The MUC5B rs35705950 minor allele (T) was more frequent in IPF subjects than in HC (35% vs 9% p<0.001). TOLLIP SNPs alleles and genotype distribution did not differ between IPF and HC and did not vary according to gender, age, BMI and lung functional impairment at baseline. The minor allele (C) in TOLLIP rs5743890 was associated with worse survival and with disease progression in all performed analyses. The MUC5B rs35705950 or the TOLLIP rs3750920 minor allele, were not associated with disease progression or acute exacerbation. Conclusion: We confirm that the minor allele of MUC5B rs35705950 is associated with IPF. The minor allele of TOLLIP rs5743890 appears to be a predictor of worse survival and more rapid disease progression, therefore being of potential utility to stratify IPF patients at baseline.
Optically Transparent Vertical Silicon Nanowire Arrays for Live-Cell Imaging
Authors: Elnathan Roey , Holle Andrew , Young Jennifer , George Marina , Heifler Omri , Goychuk Andriy , Frey Erwin , Kemkemer Ralf , Spatz Joachim , Kosloff Alon , Patolsky Fernando , Voelcker Nico
Published: February 2021

Programmable nano-bio interfaces driven by tuneable vertically configured nanostructures have recently emerged as a powerful tool for cellular manipulations and interrogations. Such interfaces have strong potential for ground-breaking advances, particularly in cellular nanobiotechnology and mechanobiology. However, the opaque nature of many nanostructured surfaces makes non-destructive, live-cell characterization of cellular behavior on vertically aligned nanostructures challenging to observe. Here, a new nanofabrication route is proposed that enables harvesting of vertically aligned silicon (Si) nanowires and their subsequent transfer onto an optically transparent substrate, with high efficiency and without artefacts. We demonstrate the potential of this route for efficient live-cell phase contrast imaging and subsequent characterization of cells growing on vertically aligned Si nanowires. This approach provides the first opportunity to understand dynamic cellular responses to a cell-nanowire interface, and thus has the potential to inform the design of future nanoscale cellular manipulation technologies.
Influence of the position of the distal pressure measurement point on the Fractional Flow Reserve using in-silico simulations
Authors: Agujetas Rafael , Ferrera Conrado , González-Fernández Reyes , Nogales-Asensio Juan , Fernández-Tena Ana
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Metabolomic Study on Electroacupuncture Treatment of Chronic Alcoholism in Rats with Learning and Memory Disorders
Authors: dong tingting , chen bo , zhang peiyue
Published: February 2021

In recent years, electroacupuncture has been widely used in clinic, especially in the treatment of learning and memory dysfunction caused by chronic alcoholism, but its internal mechanism is not yet clear.In order to find the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment for learning and memory disorders caused by chronic alcoholism, we exposed SD rats to alcohol to build a model. After successful modeling, electroacupuncture stimulated Baihui and Dazhui points. Metabolic profile of the brain tissue of the needle group.Using LC-MS / MS technology for research, we found that electroacupuncture treatment can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of rats with chronic alcoholism, and at the same time can reduce the endoplasmic reticulum by affecting the levels of metabolites such as glutamate metabolism and lipid metabolism in the hippocampus.Neurotoxicity such as stress and oxidative stress promotes local energy metabolism, improves intracellular homeostasis, enhances the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus, protecting learning and memory ability.
Evaluation of cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant potential of Wedelia chinensis: possible implications in alleviating Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Islam Md. Aminul , Zaman Shahed , Biswas Kushal , Al-Amin Md. Yusuf , Hasan Md. Kamrul , Alam A.H.M.K. , Tanaka Toshihisa , Sadik Golam
Published: February 2021

Background

Wedelia chinensis has been reported as a folk medicine for the treatment of different diseases including neurodegenerative disease. Although the plant has been studied well for diverse biological activities, the effect of this plant in neurological disorder is largely unknown. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant potential of W. chinensis.
Methods

The extract and fractions of the plant were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity by modified Ellman method. The antioxidant activity was assessed in several in vitro models/assays such as reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and flavonoid content, scavenging of 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and hydroxyl radical, and inhibition of brain lipid peroxidation. Chromatographic and spectroscopic methods were used to isolate and identify the active compound from the extract.
Results

Among the extract and functions, aqueous fraction (AQF) and ethylacetate fraction (EAF) exhibited high inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 40.02 ± 0.164 µg/ml and 57.76 ± 0.370 µg/ml) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 31.79 ± 0.182 µg/ml and 48.41 ± 0.053 µg/ml). Similarly, the EAF and AQF had high content of phenolics and flavonoids and possess strong antioxidant activity in several antioxidant assays including DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power and total antioxidant activity. They effectively inhibited the peroxidation of brain lipid in vitro with IC50 values of 45.20 ± 0.995 µg/ml and 25.53 ± 0.042 µg/ml, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between total flavonoids and antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Activity guided chromatographic separation led to the isolation of a major active compound from the EAF and its structure was elucidated as apigenin by spectral analysis.
Conclusions

The potential ability of W. chinensis to inhibit the cholinesterase activity and peroxidation of lipids suggest that the plant might be useful for the management of AD.
Peripheral Neuropathy in HIV-infected children attending Care and Treatment Clinic, at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam: A Cross sectional study
Authors: Amiji Insiyah , Naburi Helga , Kija Edward , Mumburi Livin
Published: February 2021

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a neurological complication of untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or exposure to antiretroviral drugs. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated factors for peripheral neuropathy among children living with HIV, attending Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at MNH-CTC in Dar es Salaam between October - December 2019, where 383 HIV positive children aged 5 to 18 years were enrolled . Baseline characteristics were obtained from participant’s medical records at enrollment. Screening for peripheral neuropathy was done on each participant using the Pediatric modified Total Neuropathy Score (Ped m TNS) screening tool . Continuous variables were summarized as mean (± standard deviation) or median (Interquartile range) and differences compared using student t -test or Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and differences compared using chi square or Fisher’s exact test. Logistic regression models were applied to determine the independent predictors of peripheral neuropathy on multivariate analysis, reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsThe prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among HIV infected children was 14.1% (95% CI (10.8% - 18%). Common neuropathic presentation was numbness and tingling sensation, reduced ankle reflexes, loss of vibration sense and reduced light touch and sensation to pain limited to fingers and toes. Severe immunosuppression reflected by CD4 count < 200 cell/mm3 (OR=5.21; 95% CI 2.0 – 13.57; p = 0.001), high viremia ≥ 1000 copies/ml (OR=26.31; 95% CI 7.91 – 86.51; p <0.001), use of a combination regimen containing NRTI plus PI (OR= 5.67; 95% CI 2.11– 15.22; p = 0.01) and time interval of at least ≥ 6 months since last use of isoniazid (OR=3.35; 95% CI 1.41 – 7.91; p = 0.006) were independent predictors for peripheral neuropathy. ConclusionPeripheral neuropathy is common among HIV infected children attending CTC at MNH and its frequency increases with advanced disease. The choice of antiretroviral regimen and other medications with potentially neurotoxic effect should be carefully done. Early screening for peripheral neuropathy among HIV positive children should be done routinely in CTCs.
Floods Risk Mapping and Assessing Vulnerability of Morang, Nepal
Authors: Thapa Pawan , Thapa Narayan
Published: February 2021

Background: The impact of flooding rises due to unplanned settlements, especially in developing countries. This study tries to address these issues by mapping flood risk places and assessing their impact on population and household.Methods: This study used the dataset available in Google Earth Engine (GEE), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Central Bureau Statistics (CBS), Earth Data for preparing slope, drainage density, digital elevation model, rainfall, land use map, and soil map. These maps create using GEE and QGIS through overlay analysis that has two factors. The one is influence and other slopes, and it has provided high and low value according to its role on flooding.Results: The risk assessment shows around twenty-four percent population is at higher risk, whereas more than three thousand settlements are prone to flooding. It depicts a significant increasing trend of floods in the Morang district.Conclusion: This settlement risk map can help determine the flood safe and very high-risk areas in the Morang district. It will support residential places' planning by the local government, urban planners, and community people to reduce flooding risk.
“What Do You Think About Nephrology?” A National Survey of Internal Medicine Residents.
Authors: Nakhoul Georges , Mehdi Ali , Taliercio Jonathan , Arrigain Susana , Schold Jesse , Spencer Abby , Greenfield Jessica , Diwakar Amit , Snyder Grace , O'Toole John , Nally Joseph , Sedor John , Kao Patricia , Bierer S. Beth
Published: February 2021

Background

Interest in nephrology has been declining among residents but the reasons behind this observation are not well characterized. Our objective was to evaluate factors influencing internal medicine residents’ choice of subspecialty.
Methods

This is a mixed-method QUAL-QUAN design study that used the results of our previously published qualitative analysis on residents’ perception of nephrology to create and pilot a questionnaire of 60 questions. The questionnaire was distributed to 26 programs across the United States and a total of 1992 residents. We calculated response rates and tabulated participant characteristics and percentage of participant responses. We categorized choice of fellowship into 2 medical categories (Highly Desirable vs. Less Desirable) and fitted a logistic regression model of choosing a highly vs. less desirable fellowship.
Results

415 out of 1992 (21%) US residents responded to the survey. Of the 268 residents planning to pursue fellowship training, 67 (25%) selected a less desirable fellowship. Female sex was associated with significantly higher odds of selecting a less desirable fellowship (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.47, 4.74). Major factors deterring residents from pursuing nephrology were perception of inadequate financial compensation, broad scope of clinical practice and complexity of patient population. We observed a decline in exposure to nephrology during the clinical years of medical school with only 35.4% of respondents rotating in nephrology versus 76.8% in residency. The quality of nephrology education was rated less positively during clinical medical school years (median of 50 on a 0-100 point scale) compared to the pre-clinical years (median 60) and residency (median 75).
Conclusion

Our study attempts to explain the declining interest in nephrology. Results suggest potential targets for improvement: diversified trainee exposure, sub-specialization of nephrology, and increased involvement of nephrologists in the education of trainees.
Iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy after tumor excision: an alternative eye-sparing surgery for lacrimal gland carcinoma
Authors: Li Yang-jun , Wang Ping , Zhang Shao-bo , Ning Xiao-na , Guo Chen-jun , Zhang Qiong , Cheng Qi-lin
Published: February 2021

Background:To describe the preliminary suppressive effects of iodine 125 brachytherapy for malignant lacrimal gland tumors after excisionMethods:The study recruit 9 patients with lacrimal gland carcinoma from May 2017 to December 2020. All patients underwent eye sparing surgical tumor resection first and then received iodine 125 interstitial brachytherapy to prevent tumor recurrence. We look over whether tumor recurred or metastasized by detecting the visual function and CT/MRI/PET MRI of every patient.Results1 patient was lost visit. The median follow up period was 29 months of other 8 patients (range, 7 43 months). One patient experienced recurrence two years later but was free from local disease after iodine 125 seeds were implanted one more time. The vision of one female patient was lost due to the seeds moving to the optic nerve. In the remaining 6 patients the vision was no changed, and CT/MRI showed no tumor was recurrencedConclusions:Permanent iodine 125 strip implantation in the orbit can be used as an alternative eye sparing surgery for malignant lacrimal gland tumors after tumor excision. It can control tumor recurrence and maintenance of vision and good cosmesis.
Predictors and Prognostic Models for Early Discharge Planning of Hospitalized Acute Geriatric Patients, A Retrospective Study
Authors: Hoppe Annette , Hoppe Bernhard
Published: February 2021

Motivation: When treated for an acute disorder, older adults are vulnerable for functional losses and the need of care after discharge. In a specialised geriatric ward, patients get a comprehensive treatment complementary to medical care in order to maintain and improve mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) to facilitate the return to domesticity. The aim of this paper is to identify the relevant predictors for the impact of geriatric treatment on the status at discharge, which are then used in logistic models to predict a patient’s potential to reach a certain level of independence during treatment.Method: In a retrospective cohort study with 580 patients, we analysed the impact of acute geriatric early rehabilitation on the functional outcome after treatment. As a sufficient improvement of ADLs and mobility we defined as a suitable endpoint at least 60 Barthel Points (ADL) and the ability for „Timed-Up-and-Go-Test“(TUG) when discharged from acute hospital care. To identify relevant predictors in the set of the screening assessments at admission we used linear and logistic regressions as well as odds-ratios. Multivariate logistic models are used to predict the probability that at patient reaches the endpoint. Their predictive quality is tested on additional 120 test patients from a different cohort. Results: Statistical analysis shows that all patients improved during early rehabilitation significantly in ADLs and the physical function (TUG). Barthel-Score, walking distance and handgrip on admission are the strongest predictors for the outcome after geriatric treatment. Logistic models predict the outcome correctly in 70% to 80% of the cases. These models once established for a certain cohort of patients can be applied with similar accuracy to different sets of patients as well. Clinical condition, the medical treatment before admission, length of hospitalization, age or gender have no predictive quality.Discussion: We were able to show that all patients benefit significantly from early rehabilitation in an acute geriatric ward. Only a few assessments on admission related to physical function are sufficient to indicate the functional outcome after geriatric treatment. Logistic models based on these predictors are reliable with a generic predictive quality for the expected level of independence at discharge. This facilitates early discharge planning.Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered on 2nd July 2018 by the ethic commission of the hospital und filed under registration number (MG1/569/770/2019).
Learning objectives, what’s to gain in bedside teaching?
Authors: Verkleij S.P.C. , Graaf I.M. de
Published: February 2021

Background

Bedside Teaching (BST) is defined as teaching in presence of a patient. Literature is not clear on learning objectives in BST. The aim of this study is to investigate what the learning objectives of students are and whether students meet their objective.
Methods

Prospective cohort study. Sixty-three 5th year medical students filled in questionnaires before and after BST regarding their learning objective and educational experience. IBM® SPSS® statistics version 26 was used for statistical analysis, we performed Pearson’s Chi-square, Mann Whitney U, Mc Nemer and Fisher’s exact.
Results

Most mentioned themes in objectives were clinical reasoning, physical examination and history taking. Students who chose an objective that matched with the patient/topic were more likely to meet their objective (48.9% n = 22 vs 88,2% n = 66, p = 0.000), were more satisfied (84.4% n = 38 vs 98.5% n = 67, p = 0.006) and experienced more knowledge gain (80% n = 36 vs 97.1% n = 66, p = 0.006).
Conclusions

Students setting their own achievable learning objective in advance within BST has positive influence on the educational experience of students.
Weaving a story: narrative formation over prolonged time scales relies on cortical cohesiveness of distributed brain networks
Authors: Assouline Amir , Mendelsohn Avi
Published: February 2021

Forming narratives are of key importance to human experience, as it allows one to render large portions of information into relatively compacted stories for future retrieval, and give meaning to otherwise fragmented occurrences. The neural mechanisms that underlie coherent narrative construction of causally-connected information over prolonged temporal periods are yet unclear. Participants in this fMRI study observed consecutive scenes from a full-length movie either in their original order, enabling causal inferences over time, or in reversed order, impeding the formation of coherent narratives. In between scenes, we presented short periods of blank screens for analysis of post-encoding processing. Using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and inter-subject correlations, we aimed at exploring functional connections among brain networks that take part in enabling coherent narrative construction. We detected two separate networks that discerned between coherent and incoherent narrative conditions: a network associated with information processing, consisting of primary and high-order association cortices that showed increased functional connectivity among themselves, as well as a distributed fronto-parietal network. In addition, hippocampal activation was found to correlate with portions of the visual processing hierarchy in a time dependent manner, parallel to the unfolding of the narrative. We suggest that with the unfolding over time of causal relationships among presented scenes, top-down modulation of posterior association cortices and frontoparietal networks enables the integration and binding of incoming and previously acquired information to form coherent and concise narratives.
The portability of natural language processing methods to detect suicidality from unstructured clinical text in US and UK electronic health records
Authors: Cusick Marika , Velupillai Sumithra , Downs Johnny , Campion Thomas , Dutta Rina , Pathak Jyotishman
Published: February 2021

In the global effort to prevent death by suicide, many academic medical institutions are implementing natural language processing (NLP) approaches to detect suicidality from unstructured clinical text in electronic health records (EHRs), with the hope of targeting timely, preventative interventions to individuals most at risk of suicide. Despite the international need, the development of these NLP approaches in EHRs has been largely local and not shared across healthcare systems. In this study, we developed a process to share NLP approaches that were individually developed at King’s College London (KCL), UK and Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), US - two academic medical centers based in different countries with vastly different healthcare systems. After a successful technical porting of the NLP approaches, our quantitative evaluation determined that independently developed NLP approaches can detect suicidality at another healthcare organization with a different EHR system, clinical documentation processes, and culture, yet do not achieve the same level of success as at the institution where the NLP algorithm was developed (KCL approach: F1-score 0.85 vs. 0.68, WCM approach: F1-score 0.87 vs. 0.72). Shared use of these NLP approaches is a critical step forward towards improving data-driven algorithms for early suicide risk identification and timely prevention.
Heterologous production of Hyaluronic Acid in Nicotiana tabacum hairy roots expressing a human Hyaluronan synthase 2
Authors: nazeri arezoo , Niazi Ali , Afsharifar Alireza , Taghavi Seyed Mohsen , Moghadam Ali , Aram Farzaneh
Published: February 2021

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a unique polysaccharide with excellent physicochemical properties, is broadly used in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic fields. It is widely present in all vertebrates, certain bacterial strains, and even viruses while it is not found in plants, fungi, and insects. HA is naturally synthesized by a class of integral membrane proteins called Hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS). Thus far, industrial production of HA is carried out based on either extraction from animal sources or large-scale microbial fermentation. The major drawbacks to using these systems are contamination with pathogens and microbial toxins. Recently, the production of HA through recombinant systems has received considerable attention. Plants are eco-friendly ideal expression systems for biopharmaceuticals production. In this research, the optimized human hyaluronic acid synthase2 (hHAS2) sequence was transformed into Nicotiana tabacum using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The highest hHAS2 production in the tobacco hairy roots was 65.72 ng/kg (wet weight). The extracted HA was verified and quantified by the HA ELISA kit. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of HA with the highest concentration of 0.56 g/kg (wet weight) showed the maximum activity of 46%. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analyses revealed the high molecular weight HA with about > 0.8 MDa.
Gender Differences in Adverse Drug Events of Hydroxychloroquine: Analysis of Spontaneous Reports Submitted to FAERS
Authors: JI Huan-huan , SONG Lin , JIA Yun-tao
Published: February 2021

Background Several studies have investigated gender as a risk factor for the occurrence of adverse drug events (ADEs) and found that females are more likely to experience ADEs than male. Today, there is a poor knowledge about gender differences in safety profile of ADEs to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Identifying those gender differences in ADEs could reduce the experience of ADEs for patients with HCQ. Therefore, the aim of this explorative study was to investigate whether differences exist in reported ADEs of HCQ for male and female in the database of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods We performed a descriptive gender-related analysis and disproportionality analysis of HCQ safety data, obtained from the FAERS. Reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to quantify the signals of gender differences for specific drug-event combinations at system organ class (SOC) and preferred term (PT) level. Results Disproportionality analysis indicated that 8 SOCs with 12 ADEs were statistically significantly more reported in female than male, including electrocardiogram Qt prolonged, retinal toxicity, musculoskeletal disorder, hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction, among others, and 5 SOCs with 11 ADEs were reported more in male than female, including cardiac failure, renal failure, completed suicidal, photosensitivity reaction. Common adverse events are similar between female and male. However, serious ADEs were more frequently reported in males. Conclusions Therefore, the recognition of gender differences in ADEs may be helpful in prescribing medications, e.g. greater caution should be taken when prescribing HCQ to female with conduction disorder.
Erectile Dysfunction Among Testicular Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2020
Authors: Kerie Sitotaw , Workineh Yinager , Semachew Ayele , Ayalew Emiru , Menberu Melak
Published: February 2021

Background: Erectile dysfunction is one of the common complications of testicular cancer with the prevalence of 11.3% to 84%. It has devastating effects on men and partner’s quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and sexual experience. The findings of the previous studies on this matter were uneven and inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis is conducted in order to acquire a more recent and comprehensive result. Methods and materials: PubMed, Scopus, Goggle scholar, Science Direct, African Index Medicus, African Journal online, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. All necessary data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format. Data were analyzed using STATA 14 statistical software. A heterogeneity of studies was assessed using the I 2 statistics. Publication bias was checked by using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test. A random-effect model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Result: Fourteen full-text studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of erectile dysfunction among testicular cancer survivors was found to be 34.60% (95% CI: 25. 89, 43.30% [I 2 = 95.9%, p = 0.000]). Study design subgroup analysis indicated that the pooled prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 50.02% (95% CI: 22.78, 77.28% [I 2 = 96.1, p = 0.000]) and 27.36. % (95% CI: 19.23, 34.48% [I 2 = 91.6, P = 0.000]) in the case control and cohort studies respectively. Likewise, the level of erectile dysfunction was varied based on erectile dysfunction measuring tools and testicular cancer treatment modalities. Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of erectile dysfunction in testicular cancer survivors was found to be high. It had also a considerable discrepancy between the study designs, and measuring 3 tools and treatment modalities of testicular cancer. Therefore, there is a sound to diminish the high burden of this problem.
Searching for the Peak Google Trends and the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy
Authors: Brunori Paolo , Resce Giuliano , Serlenga Laura
Published: February 2021

One of the difficulties faced by policy makers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy was the monitoring of the virus diffusion. Due to changes in the criteria and insufficient resources to test all suspected cases, the number of ‘confirmed infected’ rapidly proved to be unreliably reported by official statistics. We explore the possibility of using information obtained from Google Trends to predict the evolution of the epidemic. Following the most recent developments on the statistical analysis of longitudinal data, we estimate a dynamic heterogeneous panel. This approach allows to takes into account the presence of common shocks and unobserved components in the error term both likely to occur in this context. We find that Google queries contain useful information to predict number patients admitted to the intensive care units, number of deaths and excess mortality in Italian regions.
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Treatment in Acromegalic Patients with Diabetes - A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Zaina Adnan , Grober Yuval , Abid Ali , Arad Eldad , Golden Elena , Badarny Samih
Published: February 2021

PurposeDiabetes mellitus (DM) represents one of the most frequent comorbidities in patients with acromegaly. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) represent an important class for diabetes management. However, limited data is reported regarding the use of this class in patients with acromegaly and diabetes.Methods Reporting data regarding patients with acromegaly and diabetes under treatment with SGLT2i.Results 34 acromegalic patients with diabetes were identified. Treatment with SGLT-2i was documented in nine patients, out of them 5 females and 4 males with a mean age (SD) of 61± 12 yr. The mean (SD) duration of treatment with SGLT2i was 27.5 ± 7.3 months. Mean HbA1c before and after SGLT-2i initiation was 8.1 ± 1.1% and 7.0 ± 0.9% respectively. Mean IGF-1 level (SD) before SGLT-2i initiation was 177 ± 68 ng/mL and the mean GH level (SD) was 0.7 ± 0.5 µg/L. All nine patients are still under treatment with SGLT2i and none of them had reported any adverse reaction related to SGLT2i.Conclusions The present article provides us for the first time with new data regarding the use of SGLT2i among acromegalic patients with diabetes.
Climate change will threaten endemic frogs in the Araucaria Forests of South America
Authors: Calixto Pedro de Oliveira , Brum Fernanda Thiesen , Crivellari Lucas Batista , Moura Mauricio O
Published: February 2021

Climate change threatens ecosystem dynamics and species with extinction. Endemic species with restricted geographic distribution are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and land use. Using a geographic distribution modeling approach with two future projections in time (years 2050 and 2080), two scenarios (lowest and highest carbon emissions), and land use, we predicted the trends in changing climatic areas for the future geographic distributions of seven species of endemic frogs in the Araucaria Forest of southeastern Brazil. Our results indicate that all species will lose important fractions, from 35–100%, of their current climatically suitable areas over the next 50 years. The impact of land use, on average, was 76% on all climatically suitable areas. Refugia and climatically suitable areas for all species will tend to move south, towards the current southern and easternmost areas of Araucaria Forest. Only a small fraction (3–10%) of the remaining climatically suitable areas will be within conservation units. Thus, climate change will bring severe reduction in area, and the area will move further south, for these seven species of small, dispersal-limited, endemic frogs of the Atlantic Forest. Planning will be necessary to provide refugia in the near future to protect and save these species and their habitats.
Oscillating Wire Arc Additive Manufacture of Rocket Motor Bimetallic Conical Shell
Authors: He Tianying , Yu Shengfu , Yu RunZhen , Zheng Bo
Published: February 2021

This paper studies the temperature field, dynamic strain and forming accuracy of the Oscillate-WAAM conical shell in the forming process and manufactures the WAAM conical shell part. The results show that compared with the offset filling WAAM, the oscillate-WAAM conical shell shows the following characteristics：the temperature difference value between the inner and outer walls of the shell is significantly reduced, the cooling rate doubled decreased, the interlayer temperature is above 300°C, as well as the average temperature gradient, the dynamic strain stability value and deformation are reduced by about 50%. Under the same process parameters, the travel speed of Oscillate-WAAM is low, which increased the heat input large and the interlayer temperature high. Meanwhile, the molten pool of Oscillate-WAAM is in consistent with the width of the shell. The molten pool simultaneous solidifying changes the stress state of printed shell form three-dimensional to two-dimensional. All above are conductive to stress release, and reduce the strain and deformation of components. The bimetallic rocket motor shell composed of HS600 and HS950 is manufactured by oscillate-WAAM. The section roundness of the shell is 0.31mm and the overall forming accuracy is ±0.625mm. The deposited metal in HS600 part of conical shell is composed of pearlite and pro-eutectoid ferrite. While the deposited metal of HS950 is composed of pearlite, acicular ferrite and bainite. The forming accuracy and mechanical properties of conical shell formed by Oscillate-WAAM meet the requirements.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Pollution Reduction Effect of Differentiated Coordinated Development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China
Authors: Xiong Li Xin , Ning Jia Jun , Dong Yun He , Dai Meng Meng
Published: February 2021

The pollution reduction effect of regional development could be analyzed more comprehensively from the perspectives of coordinated development and differentiated development. Based on the theory of regional coordinated development, this paper used panel data for cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2008 to 2017, adopted the spatial autocorrelation method and spatial econometric model to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of environmental pollution emission, regional coordination and differentiated development degree in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, analyzed the impact of regional differentiated coordinated development on pollution emission reduction in local and surrounding cities, and discussed the spatial spillover effect of regional differentiated coordinated development on pollution emission and its boundary test. The results showed that (1) at the overall level of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, coordinated regional development and differentiated regional development have significantly reduced pollution emissions and present complementary effects on pollution emission reductions; (2) an obvious spatial spillover effect was observed for the impact of regional coordinated and differential development on pollution reduction, a negative spatial spillover coefficient was observed for different urban economic circles, and an obvious inverted U-shaped trend occurred in the impact degree with increasing distance, with a 500 km range of urban economic circles considered a turning point; and (3) a heterogeneity test used the three major regions and sub-cities of the Yangtze River Economic Belt to verify and analyze the impacts of regional coordinated and differential development on pollution emissions, which showed that there was obvious spatial heterogeneity at different levels. Based on the above results, policy suggestions for decreasing pollution emissions in the process of differentiated coordinated development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt were proposed.
Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Using Electrocoagulation Process Coupled With Powdered Activated Carbon
Authors: Sher Farooq , Iqbal Sania Zafar , Rasheed Tahir , Hanif Kashif , Sulejmanović Jasmina , Zafar Fatima , Lima Eder C.
Published: February 2021

In this research an electrochemical technique in combination with powdered activated carbon (PAC) for the removal of micropollutants by adsorption as an advanced stage purification step from effluents of pilot plant wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The effluents of sedimentation tank comprised of wastewater plus PAC (WWPAC). The pilot plant mainly consists of two parts; the first one consists of electrocoagulation (EC) reactor and the second consists of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) discs and electroflotation (EF) setup. The electrocoagulation (EC) reactor is a fiber box consisting of two chambers and thirty four plates of one material (either Fe or Al) on the whole in one EC reactor while one cell has seventeen plates. Both types of electrodes have been tested with the outflow of sedimentation tank. The outflow from the sedimentation tank has been entered into the EC reactor for the determination of EC reactor efficacy for the successful accomplishment of EC process at the designed pilot plant for WW treatment. The effect of different operational parameters; PAC dosage (20 mg), electrode nature (Fe and Al), current density (0.34–2.02 A/m2) has been studied to find out the optimum conditions. Sludge volume index (SVI) of the sludge, thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analyses (DTA) and particle size distribution (PSD) of the flocs generated after the EC process has also been studied. The turbidity, pH and conductivity of effluents before and after EC treatment has also been carried out. This pilot plant research gave promising results for future work in advance wastewater treatment direction.
Cage-Like La4B24 and Core-Shell La4B290/+/-: Perfect Spherically Aromatic Tetrahedral Metallo-Borospherenes
Authors: Lu Xiao-Qin , Gao Cai-Yue , Wei Zhi-Hong , Li Si-Dian
Published: February 2021

Cage-like and core-shell metallo-borospherenes exhibit interesting structures and bonding. Based on extensive global searches and first-principles theory calculations, we predict herein the perfect tetrahedral cage-like Td La4B24 (1) and core-shell Td La4B29 (2), Td La4B29+ (3), and Td La4B29- (4) which all possess the same geometrical symmetry as their carbon fullerene counterpart Td C28, with four equivalent interconnected B6 triangles on the cage surface and four nona-coordinate La centers in four conjoined η9-B9 rings. In these tetra-La-doped boron complexes, La4[B@B4@B24]0/+/- (2/3/4) in the structural motif of 1+4+28 contain a B-centered tetrahedral Td B@B4 core in a La-decorated tetrahedral La4B24 shell, with the negatively charged tetra-coordinate B- at the center being the boron analog of tetrahedral C in Td CH4 (B-~C). Detailed orbital and bonding analyses indicate that these Td lanthanide boride complexes are spherically aromatic in nature with a universal La--B9 (d-p) σ and (d-p) δ coordination bonding pattern. The IR, Raman, and UV-Vis or photoelectron spectra of these novel metallo-borospherenes are computationally simulated to facilitate their spectral characterizations.
A Sustainable Filtering Material for Efficient Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds From Their Aqueous Mixtures
Authors: Lv Yong , Xi Xiangju , Xue Yijiao , Jiang Feng , Zhu Xianqi , Dai Lei , Chen Zhirong
Published: February 2021

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hazardous to the environment and human health. Thus, tremendous effort has gone into developing effective/efficient techniques for VOCs separation from their aqueous mixtures. In this work, a simple and versatile strategy was proposed to fabricate a new material for hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) separation, in which a self-assembling hydrogel consisting of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCN) and cationic guar gum (CGG) was used. Specifically, TOCN and CGG were deposited onto a filter paper via a layer-by-layer procedure, resulting in a TOCN/CGG hydrogel-coated filtering material, in which no crosslinking agent was used. The hydrogel is spontaneously formed by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. The as-prepared filtering material exhibits oil-repellence and underwater oleophobicity resulting from the formation of hydration layer on hydrogel, thus demonstrating good VOCs separation performance. One-layer of TOCN/CGG hydrogel coating (dried mass of 0.032 g·m-2) was proved to realize the VOCs separation (separation efficiency of around 99% and water flux of as high as 905.14 L·m-2·h-1). Further increase of the hydrogel layers has negligible influence on the separation efficiency although it decreases the water flux. This filtering material also exhibits good stability during recycling. Consequently, this TOCN/CGG self-assembling hydrogel-coated filtering material has great potential in VOCs-contaminated wastewater treatment.
Waterlogging Risk Assessment of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration in the Past 60 Years
Authors: Wang Yujie , ZHAI JIANQING , Song Lianchun
Published: February 2021

In the context of global climate change and rapid urbanization, the risk of urban waterlogging is one of the main climate risks faced by the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) urban agglomeration. In this study, we obtain the urban waterlogging risk index of the BTH urban agglomeration and assess waterlogging risks in the built-up area of the BTH for two time periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2019). We analyze the economic and social data as well as the climate data from 149 meteorological observation stations in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei provinces and consider the hazard, exposure, and vulnerability factors. The results showed that for the two time periods considered, the areas with the lowest (Level-1) waterlogging risk have decreased by nearly 50%, and the second-lowest (Level-2) ones have increased by nearly 55%. Although the areas at Level-3 and above have decreased by 17%, the variations in each city were quite different. Among them, the areas at Level-3 have increased by 52% and 51% in Beijing and Handan, respectively. During the years 1991–2019, the areas at Level-3 risk and above were mainly found in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Handan, and Xingtai. Among them, Beijing had the highest waterlogging risk index. In particular, the areas with Level-3 risk and above have increased by 76% in the past 30 years. The areas with the highest risk level (Level-4) of waterlogging in Beijing were mostly found in the downtown areas (Haidian, Chaoyang, Dongcheng, and Xicheng districts). This study provides a scientific background for urban waterlogging risk management and implementation of the national strategy for the development of the BTH region.
Secretomics: A Possible Biochemical Foot Printing Tool in Developing Microalgal Cultivation Strategies
Authors: Dixit Rakhi Bajpai , Raut Balu , Manjre Suvarna , Gawde Mitesh , Gocher Chandra , Shukla Manish R , Khopkar Avinash , Prasad Venkatesh , Griffin Thomas P , Dasgupta Santanu
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.