bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates L-NAME-induced Preeclampsia-like Symptoms in Rats Through Inhibition of the Inflammatory Response
Authors: Zheng Linmei , Tang Rong , Shi Lei , Zhong Mei , Zhou Zhongyi
Published: August 2020

Background Preeclampsia is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. This study aims to investigate whether VNS is safe for use during pregnancy and to explore the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of VNS in PE. Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly chosen to receive N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-containing water (preeclampsia-like mouse model) or saline (normal pregnancy control) daily at gestational days 14.5-20.5. VNS and the α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA, 1 mg/kg/d) were given daily at the same time.Results VNS decreased the high systolic blood pressure and urinary protein observed in the PE rats. In addition, VNS mitigated abnormal pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, VNS alleviated the inflammatory response by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines. VNS significantly increased the expression of α7nAChR and attenuated the activation of NF-κB p65 in the placenta.Discussion Our findings indicate that maternal VNS treatment is safe during pregnancy and has a protective effect in a pregnant rat model of preeclampsia induced by L-NAME.
Effect of Intrapartum Fever Associated With Epidural Analgesia on Short-Term Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Nulliparous Women: A Case Control Study
Authors: Zeng Huiqian , Lin Baohua , Zhang Huizhu , Guo Kaimin , He Ping , Lai Yumian
Published: August 2020

BackgroundThe effects of intrapartum fever associated with epidural analgesia in nulliparous women on the short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes are not well understood.Methods We included 2076 nulliparous women who received regular obstetric examination and gave birth at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. All cases were singleton full-term pregnancies, and all foetuses were in cephalic presentation. We allocated 817 women with temperature >38℃ during labour into the fever group and 1259 women with temperature ≤38℃ during labour to the non-fever group. The short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes in the two groups were compared. Results in the fever group, 8.3% of pregnant women converted to caesarean delivery. The conversion rate in the non-fever group was 5.2% (p = 0.004). The rates of mild neonatal asphyxia, severe neonatal asphyxia, and neonatal hospitalisation in the fever group were higher than those in the non-fever group (χ2 = 12.070, 6.325, and 6.821, respectively, all P<0.05). The 1194 pregnant women in the fever group who had vaginal deliveries spent 756.46 ± 256.43 minutes in the first stage of labour and 65.74 ± 47.63 minutes in the second stage, significantly longer than the 749 women who had vaginal deliveries in the non-fever group (P<0.001, P=0.001). The assisted delivery rate for vaginal delivery in the fever group was 49.0%, significantly higher than that in the non-fever group (2=49.738, P<0.001). The rates of mild neonatal asphyxia, severe neonatal asphyxia, neonatal acidosis, and neonatal hospitalisation with vaginal delivery in the fever group were higher than those in the non-fever group (2=15.375, 6.597, 22.265, and 7.322, respectively, and p<0.001, 0.010, <0.001, and 0.007, respectively).Conclusions Epidural analgesia-associated intrapartum fever in nulliparous women increased the rates of short-term adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, indicating that efforts are needed to prevent incidence of intrapartum fever due to administration of epidural analgesia.
Investigation and Simulation of Flood Inundation Hazard in Urban Areas in Iran
Authors: Khalaj Mohammad Rostami , Noor Hamzeh , Dastranj Ali
Published: August 2020

Extensive impervious area and the man-made streams are the characteristics of urban areas. In recent years, rapid urbanization has led to change of rural areas into urban areas, and urban runoff will increase as the result of spread and growth of impervious areas. Land use changes, increasing urbanization, unauthorized construction, inefficiency of sewage system and increased impervious surface in urban areas have significant impacts on inundation hazard. Therefore, to manage urban areas and prioritize regions to inundation elimination problems, the area most affected by inundation should be determined. In this study, the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is used to simulate the rainfall-runoff in the study area. The simulated runoff in the SWMM model is used as input to the HEC-RAS model and determines inundation hazard zones for 5, 25 and 50 return periods. Then, six factors such as distance from the main channel, slope, land use, drainage density, the main channel slope and elevation were selected to determine inundation hazard map using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results showed that the combined model (SWMM and HEC-RAS) was suitable to analyze urban inundation and determine inundation hazard zones on urban areas. Simulated results can be used to develop urban inundation hazard forecasts. In addition, the result of inundation hazard map indicates that 8.2 percent of the case study is determined as a high hazard zone.
Fighting the Bite during Pandemics: Florida Mosquito Control District Capabilities during the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Moise Imelda K , Whittingham Lola R. , Clark Marah , Omachonu Vincent , Xue Rui-De
Published: August 2020

Background
The national wide lockdown order imposed in early April 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak has complicated mosquito control activities across the United States (US), and Florida is no exception. Mosquito control districts and public health programs are the first line of defense against mosquitoes-borne pathogens in the state of Florida. The purpose of study is to understand how the COVID-19 outbreak has impact the capabilities of mosquito programs to implement key mosquito measures to mitigate emergence and/or re-emergence of arthropod-borne arboviral diseases.
Methods
In a self-administered online survey, we examined capabilities of all Florida mosquito control programs during the COVID-19 outbreak (both state-approved mosquito districts (N = 63) and public health programs (N = 27). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize information about characteristics of responding mosquito control districts and programs, implemented mosquito control and surveillance activities. We used Bivariate analysis to compare the characteristics of responding mosquito control districts and programs and the self-reported mosquito measures.
Results
Of the recruited programs, 77 completed the survey (85.6% response rate; 77/90). Of the responding programs, 57.5% (n = 42) were Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) programs, 21.9% (n = 16) were independent tax districts, 13.7% (n = 10) were municipal programs, and only 6.8% (n = 5) were either health or emergency departments. Except for arbovirus surveillance, most programs either fully or partially performed larval (61.8%) and adult (78.9%) surveillance; and for Aedes aegypti (71.9%, n = 46), Aedes albopictus (85.9%, n = 55), Culex quinquefasciatus (88.2%, n = 60), and Culex nigripalpus (90.5%, n = 57).
Conclusions
Findings underscore the importance of ongoing mosquito control activities and suggests that Florida mosquito control programs are vigilant and have significant capability to handle potential mosquito-borne disease threats, but arbovirus surveillance systems -- laboratory testing of mosquito pools and testing of human and nonhuman specimens for arboviruses are needed during pandemics as well.
Observation of Kondo hybridization with an orbital-selective Mott phase in 4d Ca2-xSrxRuO4
Authors: Kim Minsoo , Kwon Junyoung , Kim Choong H. , Chung Daun , Kim Younsik , Ryu Hanyoung , Jung Jongkeun , Kim Beom Seo , Song Dongjoon , Denlinger Jonathan , Han Moonsup , Yoshida Yoshiyuki , Mizokawa Takashi , Kyung Wonshik , Kim Changyoung
Published: August 2020

The heavy fermion state with Kondo-hybridization (KH), usually manifested in f-electron systems with lanthanide or actinide elements, was recently discovered in several 3d transition metal compounds without f-electrons. However, KH has not yet been observed in 4d/5d transition metal compounds, since more extended 4d/5d orbitals do not usually form flat bands that supply localized electrons appropriate for Kondo pairing. Here, we report a doping- and temperature-dependent angle-resolved photoemission study on 4d Ca2-xSrxRuO4, which shows the signature of KH. We observed a spectral weight transfer in the γ-band, reminiscent of an orbital-selective Mott phase (OSMP). The Mott localized γ-band induces the KH with an itinerant β-band, resulting in spectral weight suppression around the Fermi level. Our work is the first to demonstrate the evolution of the OSMP with possible KH among 4d electrons, and thereby expands the material boundary of Kondo physics to 4d multi-orbital systems.
Cerebral astroblastoma with oligodendroglial-like cells：A case report
Authors: Gu Jian , Yu Juan-Han , Xu Hongtao , Li Qingchang , Qiu Xueshan , Wang Enhua
Published: August 2020

Background: Astroblastoma is a rare tumor of the central nervous system, with unclear biological behavior and origin. Its histopathological features have been well established. However, to the best of our knowledge, astroblastoma with oligodendroglial-like cells have not been reported. Case presentation: Herein, we reported a case of astroblastoma with atypical pathological features. A 15-year-old girl presented with nausea, vomiting, headache and visual disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large neoplasm in the left temporal lobe. Histologically, the tumor showed solid and pseudopapillary structure. The tumor cells were radially arranged around blood vessels, with a single, prominent process, and as astroblastic pseudorosettes. More importantly, typical oligodendroglial-like cells were observed. In addition to membrane staining for EMA, immunohistochemical staining also showed that the tumor cells were positive for GFAP and Vimentin. The oligodendroglial-like cells were positive for GFAP, Vimentin, and Olig-2. The Ki-67 labeling index was about 4%. Sequencing for IDH1 codon 132 and IDH2 codon 172 gene mutations showed negative results. Furthermore, fluorescent analysis revealed neither 1p nor 19q deletion in the lesion. Based on these findings, the tumor was finally diagnosed as astroblastoma. Conclusions: Herein, we reported an extremely rare case of astroblastoma, which was morphologically characterized by the appearance of oligodendroglial-like cells.
Early visual quality outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction surgery for correcting high myopic astigmatism
Authors: Hou Xiangtao , Wu Xiaoying , Du Kaixuan , Wen Dan , Hu Shengfa , Hu Tu , Li Chenling , Tang Yanhui
Published: August 2020

Background: To evaluate early optical quality outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery for correcting high myopic astigmatism.Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 55 eyes from 37 patients who had preoperative myopic astigmatism of ≥2.00 diopters (D) who had been treated with SMILE surgery. Preoperatively, the mean cylinder was -2.41 ± 0.54 D (range, -2.00 D to -4.50 D). The preoperative and postoperative visual outcomes, refraction, and higher-order aberration (HOA) at 1 and 3 months were compared. Refractive astigmatism changes were analyzed by the Alpins vector method.Results: Three months after SMILE surgery, the average cylinder was -0.14 ± 0.31 D, and the average astigmatism vector was -0.09 D × 6.34°. The angle of error (AofE) was limited to within ±10°, and the magnitude of error was limited to within ±1.0 D in all patients. The correction index (CI) was 0.98 ± 0.07, the index of success (IOS) was 0.08 ± 0.13, and the flattening index (FI) was 0.97 ± 0.07. Significant positive correlations were found between IOS and |AofE| (P = 0.000); negative correlations were found between FI and |AofE| (P = 0.000). The postoperative total HOA, spherical aberration, vertical coma aberration, and trefoil 30° were increased significantly compared with preoperative measurements, and the increase in HOA was closely related to preoperative astigmatism (P < 0.05).Conclusions: SMILE has preferable outcomes for correcting high myopic astigmatism. Axis rotation during the surgery might influence the undercorrection of astigmatism. The increase of HOA after surgery is related to preoperative astigmatism.
The Analysis in the Burden of Lung Cancer Attributable to PM2.5 Exposure in China
Authors: wu xiaomei , Zhu Bo , Zhou Jin , Bi Yifei , Xu Shuang , Zhou Baosen
Published: August 2020

Objective Air pollution is the major contributor of lung cancer mortality, we want to analyze the long-term trends and the differences in lung cancer burden attributable to PM2.5 exposure between ambient air pollution and household air pollution.Methods The indicators (mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years rate, years lived with disability rate, and years of life lost rate) of lung cancer burden were obtained from GBD 2017. The joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess the magnitude and direction of trends from 1990 to 2017, and the age-period-cohort method was used to analyze the temporal trends of the indicators of lung cancer by age, period, and cohort.Results The age-standardized indicators showed an upward trend in ambient PM2.5 exposure (APE) and a downward trend in household PM2.5 exposure (HPE). The overall net drifts per year were above zero for APE and below zero for HPE, and the local drift values in APE and HPE increased by age groups. For the longitudinal age curves, the indicators of lung cancer burden for younger in APE or HPE were in a low level, and significantly increased from 45-49 age group to 90-94 age group. For the period RRs, the indicators of lung cancer burden in APE increased from 1990 to 2017, but decreased in HPE from 1990 to 2017. For the cohort RRs, the indicators of lung cancer burden in APE was on the upward trend before 1965, and fluctuated after from 1970 to 1990. The indicators of lung cancer burden in HPE was on the downward trend.Conclusions For lung cancer attributable to air pollution, China had changed from household air pollution to ambient air pollution. PM2.5 exposure had more harmful in male and older people. Ambient air pollution should be emphasized, China should strengthen implementation of effective public policies and other interventions.
The htrA Gene Plays an Important role During Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis Growth at High Temperature
Authors: Garduño Elena Escobar , Urzua Lucia Soto , Sotres Rogelio Rodriguez , Morales Luis Javier Martinez
Published: August 2020

htrA is a gene coding for the stress inducible HtrA protein, identified as a temperature stress response protein in several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Growth rates at several temperatures (30ºC, 37ºC and 42ºC) were compared for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YPIII wild strain and the isogenic mutant 1YPIII (htrA::Km), which was obtained by insertion of a kanamycin resistance cassette into the htrA gene.Y. pseudotuberculosis 1YPIII growth rates did not differ from the Y. pseudotuberculosis wild strain growth rates when cultivated at 30°C, which is consistent with a non-essential role for the HtrA protein at this temperature. However, 1YPIII mutant strain growth rate decreased by 18.73% at 37°C, and by 60.14% at 42°C, as compared to the Y. pseudotuberculosis YPIII wild strain growth rate. HtrA complementation in the strain 1YPIII/pAHTRA46 suppressed the differences in growth rates. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the absence of the HtrA protein in the 1YPIII mutant strain at any of the growth temperatures under analysis. In silico predictions were obtained for the three-dimensional structure of amino acid sequence belonging to HtrA from Y. pseudotuberculosis YPIII, Yersinia pestis CO92, using the protein data bank structure 1KY9:B from Escherichia coli, as template. The model's quality was found to be acceptable. Southern blot analysis shows a single htrA gene signal. These data indicate that the unique htrA gene in Y. pseudotuberculosis YPIII is required for the adaptive response of this species to high temperatures and although it is not a pathogenicity factor, it can be targeted by antibiotics.
Impact of Experienced HIV Stigma on Health is Mediated by Internalized Stigma and Depression: Results From the People Living With HIV Stigma Index in Ontario
Authors: Tian Jason Lo Hog , Watson James R , Ibáñez-Carrasco Francisco , Tran Billy , Parsons Janet A , Maunder Robert G , Card Kiffer G , Baral Stefan , Hui Christian , Boni Anthony R , Ajiboye Monisola , Lindsay Joanne D , Rourke Sean B
Published: August 2020

Background: Experiences of HIV stigma remain prevalent across Canada, causing significant stress and negatively affecting the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV. While studies have consistently demonstrated that stigma negatively impacts health, there has been limited research on the mechanisms behind these effects. This study aims to identify which dimensions of stigma have significant relationships with self-rated health and examine the mechanisms by which those types of stigma impact self-rated health and by extension, key real-life health outcomes.Methods: We recruited 724 participants to complete the People Living with HIV Stigma Index in Ontario, designed by people living with HIV to measure nuanced changes in stigma and discrimination. The present study utilizes data from externally validated measures of stigma and health risks that were included in the survey. First, we conducted multiple regression analyses to examine which variables had a significant impact on self-rated health. Results from the multiple regression guided the mediation analysis. A parallel mediation model was created with enacted stigma as the antecedent, internalized stigma and depression as the mediators, and self-rated health as the outcome. Results: In the multiple regression analysis, internalized stigma (coefficient = -0.20, p<0.01) and depression (coefficient = -0.07, p<0.01) were both significant and independent predictors of health. We found through mediation analyses that the relationship between enacted stigma and self-rated health is mediated in parallel by both internalized stigma [coefficient = -0.08, se = 0.03, 95% CI (-0.14, -0.02)] and depression [coefficient = -0.16, se = 0.03, 95% CI (-0.22, -0.11)].Conclusions: We developed a mediation model to explain how HIV stigma negatively impacts health. We found that that experiences of prejudice or discrimination (enacted stigma) can lead to internalization of negative thoughts regarding one’s HIV status (internalized stigma) and/or increased depressive symptoms which then may lead to worse overall health. Highlighting the importance of internalized stigma and depression has the potential to shape the development of targeted intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of stigma and improving the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.
How does Strong Interaction create
Authors: Yin Rui , Yin Ming , Wang Yang
Published: August 2020

Our experiment shows that the electrons at fixed place can exert both repulsion and attraction to the negative charges in the same time but at two sides of a boundary called critical radius, where the linear velocity of the electrons’ precession is equal to light speed. This is an uncovered natural law called Critical Cylindrical Effect (CCE) deduced from rotational relativity and proved by the experiments made in our lab. Ten screenshots of the experimental video are given in this paper. This experimental result denotes that both Coulomb’s law and the spin theory of quantum mechanics are incomplete. As an application of CCE, the strong interaction between two protons in nucleus is introduced. It just is the electromagnetic interaction suffered from CCEs of spin and precession.
Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Associated With COVID-19
Authors: Shahbaznejad Leila , Navaifar Mohammad Reza , Abbaskhanian Ali , Hosseinzadeh Fatemeh , Rezai Mohammad Sadegh
Published: August 2020

Background: Although symptoms and signs of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) in children are milder than adults, there are reports of more severe cases which was defined as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS). The purpose of this report is to describe possible association between COVID-19 and PIMS in children. Methods: From 28 March to 24 June 2020, 10 febrile children were admitted with COVID-19 infection showing characteristics of PIMS in a tertiary hospital in the north of Iran. Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings and therapeutic modalities were recorded and analysed. Results: The mean age of patients was 5.37±3.9 years (13 months to 12 years). Six of them were boy. Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, appendicitis, sepsis, urosepsis, prolonged febrile seizure, acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy, and COVID-19-related pneumonia were their first impression. All of them had increased C-reactive protein level and most of them had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lymphopenia, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Some of them had thrombocytopenia. Six of them were serologically or polymerase chain reaction positive for COVID-19, and 4 of them were diagnosed as COVID-19 just by chest computed tomography scan. Most of the patients improved without a residual sequel, except one who died with multiorgan failure and another case discharged with a giant coronary aneurysm.Conclusion: Children with COVID-19 may present symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and inflammatory syndromes. PIMS should be considered in children with fever and rash, seizure, cough, tachypnea, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Emotional Eating in Adults: the Role of Socio-demographics, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Self-regulation- Findings From a US National Study
Authors: Barak Roni Elran , Shuval Kerem , Li Qing , Oetjen Reid , Drope Jeffrey , Yaroch Amy L. , Fennis Bob M. , Harding Matthew
Published: August 2020

Background: Emotional eating, the tendency to overeat in response to negative emotions, has often been linked to weight gain. However, scant evidence exists examining prevalence and correlates of emotional eating among large samples of adults in the United States (US). Hence, we examine the relationship between individual and socio-economic factors, health behaviors, and self-regulation to emotional eating patterns among US adults. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 5,863 Family Health Habits Survey participants. Multivariable ordered logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between the frequency of the desire to eat when emotionally upset (never, rarely, sometimes, often, and very often) to the independent variables. Results: Analysis reveals that 20.5% of the sample tended to emotionally eat often or very often. Being female, non-Hispanic white, and of younger age were all related to a higher likelihood of emotional eating. Additionally, inability to delay gratification (impatience) was related to an 18% increased likelihood (95%CI 1.05-1.33) for emotional eating. Finally, emotional eating was significantly related to more frequent fast food consumption, and increased alcohol intake. Conclusions: Program planners might need to develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing emotional regulation skills while addressing these less healthful behaviors (e.g., fast-food intake) with the ultimate goal of obesity and chronic disease prevention. To examine the relationship between individual and socio-economic factors, health behaviors, and self-regulation to emotional eating patterns among adults.
WITHDRAWN: Pilot Evaluation of Obesity-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life Following a 12-Week Non-Randomized Lifestyle Intervention in Youth
Authors: Randhawa Sukhbir , Randhawa Navkiran , Hassanin Es-Haq , Yi-Frazier Joyce , Early Kathaleen Briggs
Published: August 2020

Youth health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured before and after a 12-week family and community-based intervention using the obesity-specific HRQOL tool, Sizing Me Up©. This project enrolled 68 youth (10.88 years ± 2 years; 54% male; 50% non-Hispanic white). In addition to total QOL, we used paired t-tests to examine the Sizing Me Up sub-scales: Emotion Physical, Social Avoidance, Positive Attributes and Teasing. A greater reduction in change score indicated a larger increase in quality of life sub-scale. Significant improvements from baseline to follow-up were found in the total HRQOL (mean change = -5.27, SD 10.76, p=0.00) and for the sub-scores of: emotion (mean change = -8.06, SD 16.85, p≤0.000) and teasing-related QOL (mean change = -5.65, SD16.79, p = 0.01). Social avoidance attributes improved between baseline and follow-up (mean change = -3.92, SD11.21, p=0.007). The Sizing Me Up© instrument detected significant and positive changes in quality of life after the intervention. Sizing Me Up© could provide a clinically meaningful tracking of quality of life among youth with obesity.
Validation of Extreme Ultraviolet Emission Spectra During Solar Flares 
Authors: Nishimoto Shohei , Watanabe Kyoko , Kawai Toshiki , Imada Shinsuke , Kawate Tomoko
Published: August 2020

X-rays and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emissions from solar flares rapidly change the physical composition of the Earth’s thermosphere and ionosphere, thereby causing space weather phenomena such as communication failures. To predict the effects of flare emissions on the Earth’s upper atmosphere, numerous empirical and physical models have been developed. We verify the extent of reproducing the flare emission spectra using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic calculation and the CHIANTI atomic database. To verify the proposed model, we use the observed EUV spectra obtained by the extreme ultraviolet variability (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We examined the “EUV flare time-integrated irradiance” and “EUV flare line rise time” of the EUV emissions for 21 events by comparing the calculation results of the proposed model and observed EUV spectral data. The proposed model succeeded in reproducing the EUV flare time-integrated irradiance of the Fe VIII 131 Å, Fe XVIII 94 Å, and Fe XX 133 Å, as well as the 55 to 355 Å and 55 to 135 Å bands. For the EUV flare line rise time, there was acceptable correlation between the proposed model estimations and observations for all Fe flare emission lines. These results demonstrate that the proposed model can reproduce the EUV flare emission spectra from the emitting plasma with relatively high formation temperature. This indicates that the physics-based model is effective for the accurate reproduction of EUV spectral flux.
Fast Recognition System for Tree Images based on Caffe Platform and Deep Learning
Authors: Li Zongchen , Zhang Wenzhuo , Zhou Guoxiong
Published: August 2020

Aiming at the difficult problem of complex extraction for tree image in the existing complex background, we took tree species as the research object and proposed a fast recognition system solution for tree image based on Caffe platform and deep learning. In the research of deep learning algorithm based on Caffe framework, the improved Dual-Task CNN model (DCNN) is applied to train the image extractor and classifier to accomplish the dual tasks of image cleaning and tree classification. In addition, when compared with the traditional classification methods represented by Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Single-Task CNN model, Dual-Task CNN model demonstrates its superiority in classification performance. Then, in order for further improvement to the recognition accuracy for similar species, Gabor kernel was introduced to extract the features of frequency domain for images in different scales and directions, so as to enhance the texture features of leaf images and improve the recognition effect. The improved model was tested on the data sets of similar species. As demonstrated by the results, the improved deep Gabor convolutional neural network (GCNN) is advantageous in tree recognition and similar tree classification when compared with the Dual-Task CNN classification method. Finally, the recognition results of trees can be displayed on the application graphical interface as well. In the application graphical interface designed based on Ubantu system, it is capable to perform such functions as quick reading of and search for picture files, snapshot, one-key recognition, one-key e
Indicator-Based Assessment of Coping and Adaptive Strategies Against Flood Hazards in Tal and Diara Regions of Malda District, West Bengal (India)
Authors: Rishi Hiranmay , Purkayastha Subrata
Published: August 2020

Malda district of West Bengal is extremely vulnerable to floods. Yet this district reports high density of population suggesting that the people here must have adopted coping and adaptive strategies to meet the flood menace which is almost an annual affair. This paper addresses and compares the preparedness, coping and adaptive strategies of the local people at household level living in two distinct physiographic units viz. Tal and Diara of Malda. Further, an attempt is made whether the distance from the river plays any role in the coping and adaptive strategy of the villagers. This paper is empirical in nature, primary data has been generated through field investigation in two sets of villages of Tal and Diara, conducted in the month of September and October 2018. Field data has been quantified and measured to assess the level of resilience of the people to flood hazard/disaster. UNDP technique has been used for developing preparedness, coping and adaptive indexes. The score ranges between 0 and 1, where higher the score higher is the level of resilience.
Image-Based Ultrasomics Classifiers: A Potential Method to Noninvasively Predict the Proliferation-Related Biomarker Ki67
Authors: yuan anna , Xu Guoze , Fang Guiting , Li Tong , Lai Xiaomin , Zhong Xing , Huang Furong
Published: August 2020

Objectives: The proliferation-related biomarker Ki67 is excellent in predicting the prognosis of breast cancer. 3D ultrasound imaging can provide information about coronal section images that help diagnose breast cancer. Our study aims to develop an ultrasomics method that extracts information related to Ki67 by analyzing the maximum transverse/sagittal/coronal section images of breast cancer mass. Methods: Our study retrospectively collected data on patients who had finished 3D ultrasound examinations and were pathologically diagnosed with breast cancer. Images met the criteria were segmented, and then regions of interest (ROIs) were outlined for extracting ultrasomics features, such as statistical, morphological, texture, filter, and wavelet features.Results: The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model selected 16 features that were closely related to the Ki67. The classification results of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under curve (AUC) of the transverse-sectional images were 0.6451, 0.8064, 0.7258, and 0.8065 (95% CI, 0.6915-0.9214), respectively; for sagittal-sectional images were 0.5806, 0.7741, 0.6774, and 0.6660 (95% CI, 0.5283-0.8037) respectively; for coronal-sectional images were 0.5806, 0.6774, 0.6290, and 0.7159 (95% CI, 0.5847-0.8471) respectively, and for a combination of three-section images were 0.7667, 0.7500, 0.7580, and 0.8510 (95% CI, 0.7537 -0.9483).Conclusions: The model classifier based on the transverse section images performed better than that based on the sagittal/coronal section images. The model classifier based on a combination of three-section images had a better outcome than that used only single section images. Image-based ultrasomics classifiers can noninvasively predict the Ki67 of breast cancer.
CCT6A, a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Ewing's Sarcoma
Authors: Jiang Jie , Liu Chong , Xu Guoyong , Liang Tuo , Yu Chaojie , Qin Zhaojie , Liao Shian , Xue Jiang , Zeng Haopeng , Zhang Zide , Lu Zhaojun , Wang Zequn , Chen Jiarui , Chen Tianyou , Li Hao , Zhan Xinli
Published: August 2020

Background: Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most prevalent malignancy among bone tissue tumors, and there is no adequate prognosis biomarker. The protein encoded by CCT6A is a molecular chaperone. Early studies have suggested that CCT6A is involved in the development of many cancers, however, there is no clear evidence of a role for CCT6A in ES.Methods: In this study, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of 32 Ewing sarcoma specimens from the GSE17618 dataset for differences in gene expression and overall survival, event-free survival, and gene expression in different subgroups. Results: After three screenings, we identified CCT6A as highly correlated with Ewing's sarcoma prognosis. Survival analysis showed low overall survival (OS) for CCT6A high expression (P=0.024). On the other hand, Cox regression analysis showed that CCT6A expression, event-free survival (EFS), and age were strongly associated with the prognosis of Ewing sarcoma, identified as independent poor prognostic biomarkers. (CCT6A: P=0.015; Age: P-value=0.026; EFS: P-value=0.001). Conclusion: The expression level of CCT6A is strongly associated with the prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma. High expression of the CCT6A gene may serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in patients with Ewing's sarcoma.
Parent-infant Closeness Increased by Close Collaboration With Parents Intervention - Before and After Study in Nine NICUs 
Authors: He Felix , Axelin Anna , Ahlqvist-Björkroth Sari , Raiskila Simo , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Lehtonen Liisa
Published: August 2020

Background Parent-infant closeness during neonatal hospital care brings many benefits for both infants and parents. We developed an educational intervention for neonatal staff, the Close Collaboration with Parents, to improve family-centered care during hospital care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on parent-infant closeness in nine hospitals in Finland.MethodsParents of hospitalized infants were recruited in the hospitals during 3-month periods before and after the Close Collaboration with Parents intervention. The data were collected using daily Closeness diaries. Mothers and fathers separately filled in the time they spent in the hospital and the time of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) with their infant during each hospital care day until discharge. Statistical analyses were done using a linear model with covariates.ResultsDiaries were kept before and after the intervention by a total of 170 and 129 mothers and 126 and 84 fathers, respectively. From the infant perspective, either of his/her parent was present on average 453 minutes per day before the intervention and 620 minutes after the intervention in the neonatal unit. In the adjusted model, the increase was 99 minutes per day (p=0.0007). The infants were in SSC on average 76 minutes per day before the intervention and 114 minutes after the intervention. In the adjusted model, SSC increased 24 minutes per day (p=0.0405).ConclusionThe Close Collaboration with Parents intervention increased parents’ presence and SSC in nine hospitals. This study suggests that parent-infant closeness may be one mediating factors explaining benefits of parenting interventions.
Influence of Depression on Physical and Mental Health in Patients with Angina
Authors: Alharbi Raed
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Angina is well known as chest pain caused by insufficient flow of oxygen-rich blood to the cardiac muscle. Although there are several studies showing an association between depression and angina, none of these studies investigated the influence of depression on the physical and mental health of adult patients with angina, which is the overall goal of this study.Methods: This study used a publicly open data source from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2017, in the United States. The BRFSS questionnaire relating to health, behaviors, and social life was administered to the United States residents through a telephone interview. There were 450,013 participants in this survey. Different statistical methods, including descriptive, inferential, and predictive methods, were conducted through the Statistical Analysis System (version 9.4) to accomplish the goal of this study. Results: Of the 450,013 participants in the BRFSS 2017, 25,389 were adult patients diagnosed with angina. Of these, 22,875 have depression. This study showed that depression had a statistically significant influence on physical and mental health in adult patients with angina.Conclusion: Depression has a significant influence on physical and mental health of adult patients with angina. Depression increased the physical health problems by 61.95% and mental health problems by 33.15% in adult patients with angina.
Long Non-Coding RNA FOXD1-AS1 Promotes the Progression and Glycolysis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Sustaining FOXD1 Expression
Authors: Wang Zhanwang , He Dong , Zhu Yuxing , Hu Xueying , Jin Yi , Gong Lian , Xiao Mengqing , Xiang Liang , Zeng Qinghai , Liu Jianye , Chen Xingyu , Zhang Yeyu , Cao Ke
Published: August 2020

Background: Increasing evidence have emphasized the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various human cancers progression. Forkhead box D1 antisense RNA1 (FOXD1-AS1) is a novel lncRNA and plays vital regulatory role in diverse biological processes of cancers. However, the biological function, molecular mechanism and clinical significance of FOXD1-AS1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is still unknown.Methods: Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR was conducted to detect the expression level of FOXD1-AS1. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments were performed to verify the functions of FOXD1-AS1 in proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and glycolysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Further bioinformatics analysis and experiments were carried out to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of FOXD1-AS1. Results: FOXD1-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and associated with poor survival in patients. Knockdown of FOXD1-AS1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis, and promotes apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, whereas over-expression of FOXD1-AS1 has the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we found that FOXD1-AS1 could upregulate the expression of FOXD1 through stabilizing the FOXD1 expression at mRNA and protein levels, and FOXD1 increased the glycolysis level by transcriptionally upregulating the expression of LDHA, PKM and ENO1, thus playing an oncogenic role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression. Conclusion: FOXD1-AS1 plays a critical regulatory role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The identified FOXD1-AS1/FOXD1 axis may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Synthesis and Application of Magnetic@Layered Double Hydroxide Multicore-Shell Nanostructure as a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Nanocarrier
Authors: Yousefi Vahid , Tarhriz Vahideh , Eyvazi Shirin , Dilmaghani Azita
Published: August 2020

Background: magnetic nanocomposites with a core-shell nanostructure has huge applications in different sciences especially in the release of the drugs, because of their exclusive physical and chemical properties. In this research, magnetic@layered double hydroxide multicore@shell nanostructure was synthesized by the facile experimentand is used as novel drug nanocarrier.Methods: Magnetic nanospheres were synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal route, and in following, layered double hydroxide nanoflakes were prepared on the magnetic nanospheres by coprecipitation experiment. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, VSM and TEM, respectively. After intercalation with Ibuprofen and Diclofenac as the anti-inflammatory drugs by using exchange anion experiment, the basal spacing of synthesized layered double hydroxides were compared with brucite nanosheets from 0.48 nm to 2.62 nm and 2.22 nm, respectively. Results: The results indicated Ibuprofen and Diclofenac were successfully intercalated into the interlay space of LDHs by bridging bidentate interaction. Besides, in vitro drug release experiments in pH 7.4, Phosphate-buffered saline (abbreviated PBS) showed the constant release profiles with Ibuprofen and diclofenac as model drugs with different lipophilicity and water solubility and size and steric effect. Conclusions: The Fe3O4@LDH-ibuprofen and Fe3O4@LDH-diclofenac had the advantage of the strong interaction between the carboxyl groups with higher trivalent cations by bridging bidentate, clarity and high thermal stability. We confirm, which Fe3O4@LDH multicore-shell nanostructure will have potential application for constant drug delivery.
An Assessment of Band Keratopathy Depth With Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Song Hee-Jun , Rand Gabriel M. , Chuck Roy S. , Kwon Ji-won
Published: August 2020

Background: To describe the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings in a series of patients with band keratopathy (BK) and discuss its possible clinical utility. Methods: A retrospective review of 31 eyes from 31 consecutive patients with BK from November 2013 to October 2018. Lesion depth and central corneal thickness (CCT) were outputted from AS-OCT (RS-3000 Advance, NAVIS-EX 1.5.5 Nidek CO LTD, Japan). Results: There were 20 cases of ocular trauma, 3 cases of retinal detachment, 2 cases of glaucoma, 2 cases of uveitis, 1 case of Coats’ disease, 1 case of complicated cataract surgery, 1 case of non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage, and 1 case of unknown etiology. Mean duration of the opacity per patient history was 22.4±11.3 (range 3-40) years. 26 eyes were no light perception (NLP), 3 eyes were light perception (LP) and 2 eyes were hand motion (HM). The calcium band as seen on AS-OCT corresponded to a hyperflective layer with posterior shadowing. The median depth of calcium was 100 µm (range 55-320) and the median CCT was 623 µm (range 534-785). The calcium depth was strongly correlated with the duration of the opacity per patient history (r=0.68, p<0.001). Conclusions: AS-OCT may be utilized to assess BK depth. This depth has a wide distribution that is positively correlated with the duration of the opacity per patient history. Future studies will be required to measure BK depth across patients with less severe vision loss, test the consistency of AS-OCT measurements across different instruments, and confirm its clinical utility.
Analysis of Genetically Determined Gene Expression Suggests Role of Inflammatory Processes in Etiology of Exfoliation Syndrome
Authors: Hirbo Jibril , Pasutto Francesca , Gamazon Eric , Evans Patrick , Pawar Priyanka , Berner Daniel , Sealock Julia , Tao Ran , Straub Peter , Konkashbaev Anuar , Breyer Max , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Reis Andre , Brantley Milam , Khor Chiea Chuen , Joos Karen , Cox Nancy
Published: August 2020

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is an age-related systemic disorder characterized by excessive production and progressive accumulation of abnormal extracellular material, with pathognomonic ocular manifestations. It is the most common cause of secondary glaucoma, resulting in widespread global blindness. We performed Transcriptomic Wide Association Studies using PrediXcan models trained in 48 GTEx tissues to identify genetically-determined gene expression changes associated with XFS risk, leveraging on results from a global GWAS that included 123,457 individuals from 24 countries. Twenty-eight genes in the chr15q22-25 region showed statistically significant associations in both single-tissue and multi-tissue analysis. Reduced models for these genes that excluded variants in LD with the known LOXL1 signal showed genome-wide significant association signals in nine genes, independently of LOXL1. Out of these ten genes, mRNA transcript levels for ARID3B, CD276, LOXL1, NEO1, SCAMP2, and UBL7 were significantly decreased in iris tissues from XFS patients compared to control samples. Genes with genetically determined expression changes in XFS were significantly enriched for genes associated with inflammatory conditions. We further explored the health consequences of high susceptibility to XFS using a large electronic health record and observed a higher incidence of XFS comorbidity with inflammatory and connective tissue diseases. Our results implicate a role for connective tissues and inflammation in the etiology of XFS. Targeting the inflammatory pathway may be a potential therapeutic option to reduce progression in XFS.
The Meridian-like High Thermal Line as the Evidence on Existence of Meridians in Human Body
Authors: cha yongchol , choe hyok , oh songjin , cha zinhwa , dong zhang
Published: August 2020

Background; The acupuncture meridian is the channel through which Qi & Blood flow, and acupuncture is having many thousands year history for treating various illnesses. However, there was no powerful evidence to prove the existence of meridians until now. Objectives; The purpose of this study is to explain that the meridian-like high thermal line (MLHTL) is the powerful evidence to prove the existence of meridians in human body. Methods; The meridian-like high thermal line inducing and the disease cure effect in the target organs connected along the meridians by the mineral pulse light stimuli, was researched and analyzed. Results; The meridian-like high thermal lines were induced along the classic meridians course at the human body surface, and simultaneously the internal refractory diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and angina pectoris were treated in the target organs connected along the meridians without drug use by the mineral pulse light stimuli. Conclusions; The meridian-like high thermal line is the powerful evidence to prove the existence of meridians in human body. From now on, MPL stimulator (Version 1) can induce MLHTL, and can show the non-drug cure effect in target organ connected along MLHTL.