bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluasi Teknologi Tumpangsari Kedelai dengan Padi Gogo dan Jagung
Authors: Taufiq Abdullah , Sundari Titik , Harsono Arief , Harnowo Didik , Mutmaidah Siti , Baliadi Yuliantoro , Wijanarko Andy , Nugrahaeni Novita
Published: November 2020

Tumpangsari (TS) kedelai dengan padi gogo atau jagung merupakan salah satu strategi meningkatkan luas panen dan produksi kedelai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan model tanam TS padi gogo (pg)+ kedelai (kd) dan TS jagung (jg)+ kedelai (kd) yang optimal. Penelitian dilaksanakan di IP2TP Kendalpayak mulai Oktober 2018 hingga Januari 2019. Perlakuan terdiri atas kombinasi empat model tanam  dengan dua varietas kedelai (Dega 1 dan Dena 1) termasuk pemupukannya pada TS pg+kd dan TS jg+kd. Varietas padi gogo dan jagung berturut-turut Inpago 10 dan Bima 19. Model tanam (M) pada TS pg+kd terdiri atas: M1: 75% pg + 91% kd tanpa pupuk, M2: 37% pg + 91% kd tanpa pupuk, M3: 37% pg + 152% kd dipupuk 23-36-30 kg/ha N, P, K + 1 t/ha pupuk kandang (pukan), dan M4: 18% pg+72% kd dipupuk 23-36-30 kg/ha N, P, K + 1 t/ha pukan. Padi gogo ditanam bersamaan dengan kedelai, dengan dosis pemupukan 144,5-52,5-52,5 kg/ha N, P, K + 1 t/ha pukan. Model tanam pada TS jg+kd terdiri atas: M1: 150% jg ditanam 3 minggu setelah kedelai + 114% kd dipupuk 38-15-15 kg/ha N, P, K, M2: 150% jg + 114% kd dipupuk 107-15-15 kg/ha N, P, K + 2,5 t/ha pukan, M3: 150% jg + 227% kd dipupuk seperti pada M2, dan M4: 52% jg + 70% kd dipupuk 23-36-36 kg/ha N, P, K + 1 t/ha pukan. Dosis pemupukan jagung 167,5-52,5-52,5 kg/ha N, P, K + 1 t/ha pukan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa model tanam optimal pada TS padi gogo + kedelai adalah Model 1 dan Model 2 menggunakan kedelai varietas Dega 1, dengan keuntungan masing-masing Rp9.086.500 dan Rp8.896.500/ha. Model yang optimal pada TS jagung + kedelai adalah Model 1 menggunakan kedelai varietas Dega 1 dengan keuntungan Rp20.121.400/ha. Masing-masing model tanam tersebut mempunyai keunggulan dalam hal produktivitas dan perolehan keuntungan dibandingkan model lainnya yang diuji. Oleh karena itu, pada TS padi gogo + kedelai dengan Model 1 atau Model 2 atau pada TS jagung + kedelai dengan Model 1 lebih dianjurkan menggunakan kedelai varietas Dega 1 dibandingkan Dena 1.
Prospek Pengembangan Kacang Hijau Berdasarkan Peta Bisnis di Kabupaten Sumba Timur, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Authors: Rozi Fachrur , Wijanarko Andy , Kuntyastuti Henny
Published: November 2020

Peluang peningkatan produksi kacang hijau di Sumba Timur, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) masih terbuka luas walaupun ditemui adanya faktor pembatas dalam pengembangannya. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengidentifikasi permasalahan kacang hijau secara teknis dan sosial ekonomi, serta menyusun model dan strategi pengembangannya berdasarkan posisi peta bisnisnya. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode survei menggunakan pendekatan PRA dan pengambilan sampel secara ‘purposive’. Pengolahan data dengan analisis SWOT. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kacang hijau potensial dikembangkan di Sumba Timur, tetapi terdapat kendala faktor internal dan eksternal (lingkungan). Potensi pengembangan kacang hijau di Sumba Timur ditunjukkan oleh faktor penguat berupa teknologi budi daya yang telah tersedia dan kesesuaian lahan untuk bertanam kacang hijau yang merupakan pengaruh internal usahatani. Pengaruh eksternal yang mendukung pengembangan kacang hijau adalah faktor peluang terdiri atas harga kacang hijau dan permintaan pasar yang tinggi. Selain itu juga ditemukan kelemahan pada faktor internal seperti produktivitas rendah, modal terbatas, kelompok tani pasif dan rasa puas petani dengan kehidupan yang ada (petani ‘laggard’). Pengaruh eksternal yang berpeluang menghambat pengembangan kacang hijau adalah rendahnya infrastruktur, kelangkaan tenaga kerja, serangan hama dan adanya tanaman kompetitor, misalnya jagung. Dengan menganalisis data yang diperoleh, disusun strategi dan prospek pengembangan kacang hijau pada kondisi skala usaha menguntungkan. Strategi jangka pendek yang dapat dilakukan adalah strategi (S-O), yaitu peningkatan kapasitas hasil melalui pengelolaan intensif menggunakan teknologi baru (varietas dan teknik budi daya). Model yang sesuai untuk pengembangan kacang hijau di Sumba Timur NTT adalah model pengembangan kawasan usahatani kacang hijau berbasis korporasi.
MORPHOMETRY OF BLUE LAND CRAB (CARDISOMA GUANHUMI) BURROWS: ICHNOLOGICAL CONTEXT AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: SPARACIO CHRISTOPHER A. , BUYNEVICH ILYA V. , CURRAN H. ALLEN , KOPCZNSKI KAREN
Published: November 2020

A large brachyuran, the blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumiLatreille, 1825) is a keystone species and a prolific burrower in a variety of low-latitude supratidal habitats; however, few studies have addressed its ichnological aspects. Here we present a detailed morphological assessment of C. guanhumi burrows and make comparisons to Macanopsis plataniformis, a trace fossil thought to be constructed by a similar brachyuran. Using nine burrow casts from a mangrove wetland on San Salvador Island, Bahamas, 29 dimensionless morphometric parameters were compared. Results of Bray-Curtis tests show high overall similarity index (0.85) between casts, with complexity, tortuosity, and opening inclination angle having moderate to high similarity (> 0.8). End chamber angle of the blue land crab has highest similarity both within the modern morphometric parameter dataset (> 0.9) and to that of M. plataniformis (0.88). The large terminal chamber is particularly important because of its high preservation potential, as a repository for organic remains, and as a reliable water table (∼ sea-level) indicator. Cluster analysis suggests size-independent Macanopsis-resembling burrow morphology among different extant taxa can be discriminated via quantitative neoichnological methods. Our findings demonstrate how a quantitative assessment of modern burrows and their likely counterparts from the sedimentary record can help constrain tracemaker identity and aid paleoenvironmental reconstruction of low-energy microtidal settings.
Detecting pertussis in the Highlands region of Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Castañon-Ortíz Jazmín Guadalupe , Sánchez-Pérez Héctor J , Flores-López Mercedes , León-Cortés Jorge , Schlie-Guzmán Adelina , Gutiérrez-Jiménez Javier , Gutiérrez-Ferman Jessica Lizzeth , Garza-González Elvira , Martín-Mateo Miguel , Romero-Sandoval Natalia , Bencomo-Alerm Allied , Gómez-Velasco Anaximandro
Published: November 2020

Objective. To determine the rate of Bordetella pertussis infection in children admitted to a paediatric emergency hospital service.Material and methods. The positivity rate to B. pertussis infection was determined in 344 enrolled children under five-year old measured by culture, RT-PCR, clinical and laboratory predictors.Results. The positive rate of B. pertussis infection was 5.40% (95%CI=2.24-13.05) by culture, 16.12% (95%CI=2.42-29.84) by RT-PCR, and 36.66% (95%CI=18.36-54.97) by the laboratory predictor.Conclusions. Clinical and laboratory predictors represent a suitable tool to improve the diagnosis and prevention of pertussis by health services in the region of study.
Prevalencia y factores psicológicos asociados con conducta suicida en adolescentes. Ensanut 2018-19
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Leonor , Fonseca-Pedrero Eduardo , Séris-Martínez Marina , Vázquez-Salas Argelia , Reynales-Shigematsu Luz Myriam
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de conducta suicida y suasociación con factores psicológicos en adolescentes mexicanos.Material y métodos. Estudio transversal provenientede la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut2018-19). Se estimaron modelos de regresión logística, con loque se obtuvieron razones de momios (RM) con intervalosde confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados. La prevalencianacional de ideación e intento de suicidio fue de 5.1 y 3.9%,respectivamente; fue más alta en Guanajuato (ideación: 9.0%,intento: 7.8%). Factores asociados. Ideación suicida: tabaco (RM=2.19; IC95%: 1.56-3.09), alcohol (RM= 1.98; IC95%: 1.53-2.60),sintomatología depresiva (RM= 5.67; IC95%: 4.56-7.07), abusosexual (RM= 6.67; IC95%: 4.60-9.66). Intento de suicidio: tabaco(RM= 2.09; IC95%: 1.42-3.07), alcohol (RM= 2.15; IC95%: 1.65-2.80), sintomatología depresiva (RM= 6.05; IC95%: 4.75-7.73),abuso sexual (RM= 6.86; IC95%: 4.65-10.13). Conclusiones.Debido al incremento de la conducta suicida en adolescentesmexicanos, es necesario implementar políticas públicas preventivasque articulen programas de salud mental, adiccionesy violencia.
Perfiles poblacionales asociados con la asistencia a servicios preventivos para tamizaje de diabetes e hipertensión. Ensanut 2018-19
Authors: Villalobos Aremis , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A , Romero Martínez Martín , Rojas-Martínez Rosalba
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Presentar el perfil de la población de 20 añoso más que acude a realizarse una prueba de detección dediabetes y de hipertensión. Material y métodos. Coninformación de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición2018-19, se obtuvieron dos modelos de regresión logísticamúltiple con variables asociadas con la detección de diabetese hipertensión. Se generaron perfiles basados en combinacionesde las variables incluidas en el modelo. Se graficaronlos incrementos de las probabilidades de acuerdo con losperfiles. Resultados. La población cuyas probabilidadespredichas son las más altas para acudir a detección correspondea adultos con antecedente familiar de la enfermedad,con comorbilidad asociada y estilos de vida poco saludables.Conclusiones. El sistema de salud debe buscar personascon el mayor riesgo de desarrollar o tener diabetes e hipertensiónsin diagnóstico, mediante cuestionarios de riesgotipo score. A esta población se les deberán hacer estudios detamizaje y, en su caso, diagnósticos.
Cigarros con cápsulas de sabor en México: prevalencia, proporción de uso entre fumadores y predictores de consumo. Ensanut 2018-19
Authors: Zavala-Arciniega Luis , Gutiérrez-Torres Daniela Sarahí , Reynales-Shigematsu Luz Myriam , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Inti , Fleischer Nancy L , Meza Rafael , Thrasher James F
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Calcular la prevalencia de consumo de cigarroscon cápsula de sabor, la proporción de uso entre los usuariosde tabaco en la población mexicana de 10 años o más, y losfactores asociados a su consumo. Material y métodos. Seutilizó la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19. Seutilizó un modelo Poisson para obtener la razón de prevalenciasdel uso de cigarros con cápsulas de sabor ajustando porsexo, edad, educación e índice de bienestar. Resultados. El6.6% de los mexicanos fuma cigarros con cápsulas de sabor, loque corresponde a 43% del total de usuarios de tabaco. Lasmujeres, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes son los grupos conla mayor proporción de consumo. Conclusiones. Méxicotiene una alta prevalencia de consumo de cigarros con cápsulade sabor. Para reducirla, se deben implementar políticas paraprohibir la venta de cigarros con saborizantes y eliminar losdiseños atractivos en las cajetillas de los cigarros.
Situación de las prácticas de lactancia materna y alimentación complementaria en México: resultados de la Ensanut 2018-19
Authors: González-Castell Luz Dinorah , Unar-Munguía Mishel , Quezada-Sánchez Amado D , Bonvecchio-Arenas Anabelle , Rivera-Dommarco Juan
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Actualizar prevalencias de indicadores de prácticasde lactancia materna y alimentación complementaria(PLMAC) en menores de 24 meses en México. Materialy métodos. Análisis de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud yNutrición (Ensanut 2018-19) con diseño probabilístico. Población:Mujeres 12-59 años y sus hijos <24 meses. Cálculode indicadores propuestos por la Organización Mundial dela Salud (OMS) por variables sociodemográficas utilizandoel diseño muestral. Se usó la prueba de Wald para compararentre categorías. Resultados. El 28.3% de los niños <6meses recibió lactancia materna exclusiva (LME), 42.9% de losniños <12 meses consumió fórmula infantil y 29% continuólactando a los dos años. Sólo 49.4% de los niños de 6-11meses consumió alimentos ricos en hierro. Conclusiones.Existen mejoras en las prácticas de lactancia materna, aunquelas cifras siguen siendo bajas. Se requiere de la contribución detodos los sectores de la sociedad para mejorar las prácticasde alimentación infantil.
La lactancia materna exclusiva desde la mirada de los profesionales de la salud: estudio cualitativo en un hospital de segundo nivel de atención en San Luis Potosí
Authors: Mota-Castillo Pedro Javier , Pelcastre-Villafuerte Blanca Estela , Turnbull-Plaza Bernardo , Hernández-Ibarra Eduardo
Published: November 2020

No disponible
Condiciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y estado nutricional de los adultos mayores en México
Authors: Salinas-Rodríguez Aaron , De la Cruz-Góngora Vanessa , Manrique-Espinoza Betty
Published: November 2020

Objetivo. Generar un diagnóstico actualizado de las condicionesde salud, síndromes geriátricos y estado nutricionalde los adultos mayores mexicanos. Material y métodos.Estudio descriptivo con una muestra de 9 047 adultos mayoresde 60 años o más con representatividad nacional. Se analizaronindicadores relacionados con las condiciones de salud,síndromes geriátricos y el estado nutricional. Se reportan lasprincipales prevalencias así como pruebas de diferencias deproporciones y medias. Resultados. Los adultos mayorescon mayor edad, mujeres y residentes de áreas rurales mostraronlas mayores prevalencias de padecimientos crónicos,síndromes geriátricos y mala nutrición. Conclusiones. Losresultados de este estudio ofrecen un panorama actualizadode las condiciones de salud, síndromes geriátricos y estadonutricional de los adultos mayores mexicanos, y muestranlas principales necesidades de salud que este grupo etarioenfrenta, las cuales a su vez representan un reto para elsistema de salud en México.
Aspectos clave del proceso de adaptación cultural de una empresa a un mercado meta
Authors: Cárdenas-Ontibón Laura Vanesa , Roa-Briceño Laura Andrea , Segura-Hernández Gabriela , Vásquez-Vásquez Paula Andrea
Published: November 2020

El presente documento contiene la información correspondiente a un estudio de caso realizado a la empresa china Fuyao Glass Industry Group en su proceso de adaptación cultural al mercado estadounidense. La ejecución de esta investigación tuvo como objetivo ampliar el campo del reconocimiento de las barreras de entrada, en particular las barreras culturales, por las que puede atravesar una empresa en busca de desarrollar sus actividades y ampliar su mercado en otra cultura. Por esta razón y mediante la recolección de información a través del estudio de caso, se identificaron las siguientes barreras de entrada para la empresa estudiada: a) barrera lingüística, b) carencia de sinergia e inteligencia cultural, c) problemas en la gestión de la diversidad e imposición cultural, y d) omisión de los factores del mecanismo internacional de ambiente organizacional. Así pues, el análisis permite establecer que al comprender de manera objetiva aquellas perspectivas culturales generales que representan un potencial riesgo para la empresa, es posible efectuar planes o estrategias de contingencia orientados a disminuir estas barreras e impulsar el crecimiento empresarial en diferentes culturas. De igual forma, la investigación también aporta significativamente a la asimilación de la interculturalidad en el ámbito empresarial, así como sobre su importancia y alcance en el panorama internacional.
Closing the Gap in Human Factors Everybody Has a Role To Play
Authors: Nazaruk Marcin , Thorogood John
Published: November 2020

Human factors is a broad technical discipline focused on enhancing people’s performance in complex organizations where people interact with equipment and processes over time and across levels of hierarchy. Despite this relatively clear definition, human factors is still poorly understand and doesn’t yet yield the full potential that the practical insights and actions can produce.

Despite a substantial effort on the part of many industry bodies, including the UK Energy Institute (EI) and the International Oil and Gas Producers Association (IOGP), to raise awareness of human-factors principles, with some exceptions in a few organizations, progress on implementation has been slow. Momentum is now finally building with the formation of the Human Performance Oil and Gas Group (HPOG), which is designed to be an industry membership organization modeled on the highly successful Dropped Objects Prevention Safety initiative, DROPS. Its purpose is to embed human factors concepts into practical organizational processes and operational procedures.

There is a common misconception that human-factors skills are solely for frontline employees and once suitably trained, their behavior will change and performance will improve. This approach rests on the belief that the behavior of frontline operators is the source of all problems, which is wide of the mark. Human factors is a challenge for the organization as a whole and extends beyond simply understanding how the human brain works or silver-bullet solutions such as training crew resource-management skills.
Elevation of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein Levels Reflects Renal Interstitial Inflammation in Drug-Induced Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis
Authors: Zheng Xi-zi , Gu Yang-hui , Su Tao , Zhou Xu-jie , Huang Jun-wen , Sun Ping-ping , Jia Yan , Xu Da-min , Wang Su-xia , Liu Gang , Yang Li
Published: November 2020

Background: A renal biopsy is needed to define active inflammatory infiltration and guide therapeutic management in drug-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (D-ATIN). However, factors such as various contraindications, refusal of informed consent and limited technical support may stop the biopsy process. It is thus of great importance to explore approaches that could deduce probable pathologic changes.Methods: A total of 81 biopsy-proven D-ATIN patients were enrolled from a prospective cohort of ATIN patients at Peking University First Hospital. The systemic inflammation score (SIS) was developed based on the CRP and ESR levels at biopsy, and patients were divided into high-SIS, median-SIS, and low-SIS groups. The demographic data, clinicopathologic features, and renal outcomes were compared.Results: The SIS was positively correlated with inflammatory cell infiltration and was inversely correlated with interstitial fibrosis. The number of interstitial inflammatory cells increased significantly with increasing SISs. The proportions of neutrophils and plasma cells were the highest in the high-SIS group compared with the other two groups. Prednisone (30–40 mg/day) was prescribed in all patients. The high-SIS group tended to have more favorable renal restoration than the other two groups. By 12 months postbiopsy, a decreased eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) was observed in 66.7% of medium-SIS patients, 32.4% of high-SIS patients, and 30.4% of low-SIS patients.Conclusion: The SIS was positively correlated with active tubulointerstitial inflammation and therefore could help to aid therapeutic decisions in D-ATIN.
Application of an Integrated Model Based on Bivariate and Multivariate Method in Landslide Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Hu Han , Wang Changming , Liang Zhu
Published: November 2020

Landslides usually result in human losses and economic damages in mountainous areas especially for Himalayan areas. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is a key approach for avoiding hazard and risk. This study aims to explore an improved model combining multivariate and bivariate statistical methods for LSM. Four models were established as logistic regression (LR), LR integrated with certain factor (CF), LR integrated with frequency ratio (FR) and LR integrated with information value method (IV) and their performance was compared in LSM. Firstly, a landslide inventory map with 313 determined landslide events was prepared and 12 predisposing factors were selected. Secondly, the dataset was randomly divided into two parts, 75% of which was used for modeling and 25% for validation. Finally, area under the curve (AUC) and statistical metrics were applied to validate and compare the performance of the models. Results show that the performance of IVLR model is the best (AUC 0.792 and accuracy=78.8%). Besides, the LSM constructed by IVLR model did a reasonable job at predicting the distribution of susceptible areas. It identified the major factors and intervals of high susceptibility that profile curvature greater than 0.1, less than 2 km from the stream, maximum elevation difference greater than 1200 m and rainfall between 440 and 450 mm were prone to landslide. The conclusion reveals that the quality of LSM can be improved by comparing and combining the bivariate and multivariate methods, which serve as a more effective guide for land use planning in the study area or other highlands where landslides are frequent.
Structural Comparison of Acinetobacter baumannii β-ketoacyl-acyl Carrier Protein Reductases in Fatty Acid and Aryl Polyene Biosynthesis
Authors: Lee Woo Cheol , Choi Sungjae , Jang Ahjin , Son Kkabi , Kim Yangmee
Published: November 2020

Some gram-negative bacteria harbor lipids with aryl polyene (APE) moieties. Biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs) for APE biosynthesis exhibit striking similarities with fatty acid synthesis (FAS) genes. Despite their broad distribution among pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria, the detailed roles of the metabolic products of APE gene clusters are unclear. Here, we determined the crystal structures of the β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase ApeQ produced by an APE gene cluster from clinically isolated virulent Acinetobacter baumannii in two states (bound and unbound to NADPH). An in vitro visible absorption spectrum assay of the APE polyene moiety revealed that the β-ketoacyl-ACP reductase FabG from the A. baumannii FAS gene cluster cannot be substituted for ApeQ in APE biosynthesis. Comparison with the FabG structure exhibited distinct surface electrostatic potential profiles for ApeQ, suggesting a positively charged arginine patch as the cognate ACP-binding site. Binding modeling for the aryl group predicted that Leu185 (Phe183 in FabG) in ApeQ is responsible for 4-benzoyl moiety recognition. Isothermal titration and arginine patch mutagenesis experiments corroborated these results. These structure-function insights of a unique reductase in the APE BGC in comparison with FAS provide new directions for elucidating host–pathogen interaction mechanisms and novel antibiotics discovery.
Effectiveness of an out-of-pocket cost removal intervention on health check attendance in Japan
Authors: Murayama Hiroshi , Takahashi Yuta , Shimada Seitaro
Published: November 2020

Background: Annual health checks are important for identifying individuals at high risk for cardiometabolic diseases. In Japan, there is a nationwide program focused on providing specific health checks to screen for such high-risk individuals aged 40–74 years. However, there are socioeconomic disparities in health check attendance rates, and an intervention to lower financial barriers could be useful for increasing health check utilization. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an out-of-pocket (OOP) cost removal intervention on health check attendance in Japan.Methods: Data were obtained on beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance system of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2018, Yokohama started an intervention to remove OOP costs for specific health checks for all National Health Insurance beneficiaries. We analyzed data from 2015−2018 (131,295 people aged 40–74 years; 377,660 observations). Specific health check utilization in each year was set as the outcome variable.Results: A generalized estimating equation showed that people were more likely to receive specific health checks in 2018 (after the OOP cost removal intervention started) than in 2017 (immediately before the intervention; odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.167 [1.149–1.185]), after adjusting for age, gender, tax exemption (a proxy variable for annual income), and residential area. Contrastingly, the likelihood of receiving specific health checks in 2015 and 2016 was almost the same as that in 2017 (1.025 [1.008–1.042] in 2015, and 0.959 [0.945–0.974] in 2016). Subgroup analyses revealed that the effectiveness of the OOP cost removal intervention was greater among the older age group and those who did not receive a tax exemption (i.e., those with relatively higher income). Conclusions: The present study showed that the OOP cost removal intervention could promote specific health check utilization. This indicates that financial incentives could motivate people’s behavior regarding health check attendance. However, as the effectiveness differed by age and income level, policymakers should consider the possibility that removing OOP costs widens the disparities in health check access.
Optic Disc Vascular Density in Normal-Tension Glaucoma Eyes with or without Branch Retinal Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Baek Jiwon , Jeon Soo Ji , Kim Jin Ho , Park Chan Kee , Park Hae-Young
Published: November 2020

We analyzed the vascular densities (VDs) of the optic disc areas in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) according to branch retinal vessel occlusion (BRVO) status. The VDs of the optic discs and peripapillary areas of 68 patients with NTG + BRVO (eyes with BRVO and fellow eyes with NTG alone) and 37 patients with NTG alone (controls) were measured on binarized angiographic images obtained via swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Disc VDs were subdivided into large vessel and small vessel VDs. VD measurements were compared among groups and correlations were assessed. The small vessel and large vessel VDs of the optic disc and peripapillary area differed significantly among eyes in the control, NTG alone, and NTG + BRVO groups (all P < 0.001). More optic disc VDs were significantly larger and fewer were significantly smaller in eyes with BRVO, compared to fellow eyes and control eyes. Large optic disc VD was negatively correlated with small optic disc VD (r = -0.697, P < 0.001). Peripapillary VD was lower in eyes with BRVO than in control eyes, but not in fellow eyes (P < 0.001 and P = 0.975, respectively). In conclusion, significant disc and peripapillary VD changes were observed in eyes with BRVO. However, larger optic disc VD and smaller VD were observed in fellow eyes with NTG alone, but not in control eyes, suggesting that larger optic disc VD may contribute to NTG development in patients with BRVO.
Unique Niche-specific Adaptation of Fructophilic Lactic Acid Bacteria and Proposal of Three Apilactobacillus Species as Novel Members of the Unique Group 
Authors: Maeno Shintaro , Nishimura Hiroya , Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Dicks Leon , Arita Masanori , Endo Akihito
Published: November 2020

Background: Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) found in D-fructose rich niches prefer D-fructose over D-glucose as a growth substrate. They need electron acceptors for growth on D-glucose. The organisms have share carbohydrate metabolic properties. Fructobacillus spp., Apilactobacillus kunkeei, and Apilactobacillus apinorum are members of this unique group. Here we studied the fructophilic characteristics of recently described species Apilactobacillus micheneri, Apilactobacillus quenuiae, and Apilactobacillus timberlakei.Results: The three species prefer D-fructose over D-glucose and only metabolize D-glucose in the presence of electron acceptors. The genomic characteristics of the three species, i.e. small genomes and thus a low number of coding DNA sequences, few genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and partial deletion of adhE gene, are characteristic of FLAB. The three species thus are novel members of FLAB. Reduction of genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism in accordance with reduction of genome size were the common characteristics of the family Lactobacillaceae, but FLAB markedly reduced the gene numbers more than other species in the family. Pan-genome analysis of genes involved in metabolism displayed a lack of specific carbohydrate metabolic pathways in FLAB, leading to a unique cluster separation.Conclusions: The present study expand FLAB group. Fructose-rich environments have induced similar evolution in phylogenetically distant FLAB species. These are examples of convergent evolution of LAB.
Mapping the recovery of critically ill COVID19 patients by high-dimensional profiling identifies longitudinal blood immunotypes
Authors: PA Penttilä , S Van Gassen , D Panovska , L Vanderbeke , Y Van Herck , K Quintelier , A Emmaneel , J Filtjens , B Malengier-Devlies , K Ahmadzadeh , P Van Mol , DM Borras , A Antoranz , F Bosisio , E. Wauters , P Matthys , Y Saeys , A Garg , J Wauters , F De Smet
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major burden on health-care and economic systems across the globe. Even though a majority of the population only develops minor symptoms upon SARS-CoV2 infection, a significant proportion are hospitalized at intensive care units (ICU) requiring critical care. While insights into the early stages of the disease are gradually expanding, the dynamic immunological processes occurring in critically ill patients throughout their recovery at ICU are far less understood. Here, we have analysed longitudinally collected, whole blood samples of 40 surviving COVID-19 patients during their recovery at ICU using high-dimensional cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) and cytokine multiplexing. Based on the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), we defined 4 sequential immunotypes during recovery that correlated to various clinical parameters, including the level of respiratory support at concomitant sampling times. We also identified classical monocytes as the first immune cell type to recover by restoring HLA-DR-positivity and by reducing the immunosuppressive CD163+ monocyte population, followed by the recovery of CD8+ and CD4+ T cell, and mDC populations. The identified immunotypes also correlated to aberrant cytokine and acute-phase reactant levels. Finally, integrative analysis of cytokines and immune cell profiles showed a shift from an initially dysregulated immune response to a more coordinated immunogenic interplay, highlighting the importance of longitudinal sampling to understand the pathophysiology underlying recovery from severe COVID-19.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Preeclampsia, Low Birth Weight and Postpartum Hemorrhage in Northern Ghana
Authors: Ahenkorah Benjamin , Sakyi Samuel , Helegbe Gideon , Owiredu Eddie , Ofosu Winfred , Der Edmund , Ephraim Richard , Amoani Benjamin , Arthur Priscilla , Apio Dominic , Cheetham Susanna , Gyan Ben
Published: November 2020

Background: The study evaluated the risks for developing low birth weight (LBW), preeclampsia (PE) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in relation to maternal socio-demographic, obstetric characteristics and clinical laboratory information obtained at 1st antenatal care (ANC) visit.Methods: The study included 268 pregnant women attending 1st ANC visit at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic and obstetric data from respondents. The main variables were LBW, PPH, PE, mode of delivery, residency, gestational age at 1st ANC visit, maternal age, sickling positivity, Hb at 1st ANC visit, Hb genotype and G6PD status. Odds ratio [OR, 95% confidence interval (CI)] for the association between sociodemographic, obstetric characteristics and clinical variables in relation to PE, LBW and PPH were assessed using logistic regression model.Results: The prevalence of PE, LBW and PPH were 25.4% (68/268), 15.7% (42/268) and 6.0% (16/268), respectively. For PE, delayed 1st ANC visit (AOR=16.82, 95% CI (3.61-78.5), p=0.000) and younger maternal age (AOR= 15.19, 95% CI (1.85-124.56), p=0.011) were independently associated with higher odds whereas vaginal delivery (AOR=0.32, 95% CI (0.15-0.71), p=0.015) was independently associated with reduced odds. Delayed 1st ANC visit (AOR=0.12, 95% CI (0.03-0.47)), p=0.002) independently reduced the risk of PPH whereas the male gender (AOR=7.75, 95% CI (1.60-37.51), p=0.011) independently increased the risk of PPH. Lastly, delayed 1st ANC visit (AOR=3.26, 95% CI (1.05-10.10), p=0.041) was independently associated with increased odds of LBW whereas vaginal delivery (AOR=0.36, 95% CI (0.17-0.74), p=0.006) was an independent risk factor for LBW in the multivariate model.Conclusion: The study identified delayed ANC visit as an independent risk factor for PE, LBW and PPH in Northern Ghana. Vaginal delivery and younger maternal age were also independent risk factors for PE. Additionally, the male gender was independently associated with PPH whereas vaginal delivery was independently associated with LBW. We recommend that public health education for pregnant women that highlights the importance of early ANC visit be enhanced. This will facilitate early identification and intervention for women with risk of foeto-maternal complications. Younger women should be educated on the dangers 48 of early marriages with its attendant foeto-maternal complications.
Registration-Free Workflow for Electromagnetic and Optical Navigation in Orbital and Craniofacial Surgery
Authors: Schreurs Ruud , Baan Frank , Klop Cornelis , Dubois Leander , Beenen Ludo , Habets Petra , Becking Alfred , Maal Thomas
Published: November 2020

The accuracy of intra-operative navigation is largely dependent on the intra-operative registration procedure. Next to accuracy, important factors to consider for the registration procedure are invasiveness, time consumption, logistical demands, user-dependency, compatibility and radiation exposure. In this study, a workflow is presented that eliminates the need for a registration procedure altogether: registration-free navigation. In the workflow, the maxillary dental model is fused to the pre-operative imaging data using commercially available virtual planning software. A virtual Dynamic Reference Frame on a splint is designed on the patient’s fused maxillary dentition: during surgery, the splint containing the reference frame is positioned on the patient’s dentition. This alleviates the need for any registration procedure, since the position of the reference frame is known from the design. The accuracy of the workflow was evaluated in a cadaver set-up, and compared to bone-anchored fiducial, virtual splint and surface-based registration. The results showed that accuracy of the workflow was greatly dependent on tracking technique used: the workflow was the most accurate with electromagnetic tracking, but the least accurate with optical tracking. Although this method offers a time-efficient, non-invasive, radiation-free automatic alternative for registration, clinical implementation is hampered by the unexplained differences in accuracy between tracking techniques.
Boosting Phonological Fluency Following Leftward Prismatic Adaptation: A New Neuromodulation Protocol for Neurological Deficits?
Authors: Turriziani Patrizia , Chiaramonte Gabriele , Mangano Giuseppa Renata , Bonaventura Rosario Emanuele , Smirni Daniela , Oliveri Massimiliano
Published: November 2020

Prism adaptation (PA) has been recently shown to modulate a brain frontal-parieto-temporal network, with an increase of excitation of this network in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the side of prismatic deviation. This effect raises the hypothesis that left prismatic adaptation, modulating the excitability of frontal areas of the left hemisphere, could modulate subjects’ performance on linguistic tasks that map on those areas.To test this hypothesis, sixty-one healthy subjects participated in experiments in which leftward, rightward or no-PA were applied before the execution of a phonological fluency task, i.e. a task with strict left hemispheric lateralization and mapping onto frontal areas.Leftward-PA significantly increased the number of words produced compared with the pre-PA (p = .0017), R-PA (p=.00013) and no-PA (p=.0005) sessions. In contrast, rightward-PA did not significantly modulate phonological fluency compared with the pre-PA (p = .92) and no-PA (p = .99) sessions.The effect of leftward PA on phonological fluency correlated with the magnitude of spatial aftereffect, i.e. the spatial bias towards the side of space opposite to prismatic deviation following prisms removal (r = .51; p = .04).The present findings document for the first time modulation of a language ability following prismatic adaptation. The results could have a huge clinical impact in neurological populations, opening new strategies of intervention for language and executive dysfunctions.
Outcome of Closed Reduction of Developmental Dysplasia of Hip Before First Year of Age, A Retrospective Cohort Study, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlShayhan Fahad , Alsiddiky Abdulmonem , Barri Raghad
Published: November 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Long-Term Outcomes of Hemostatic Therapy for Gastrointestinal Variceal Bleeding and the Transition of Hemostatic Therapy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Shibata Kumiko , Yokoyama Keiji , Yamauchi Ryo , Higashi Tomotaka , Kitaguchi Takanori , Uchida Yotaro , Fukuda Hiromi , Tsuchiya Naoaki , Takata Kazuhide , Tanaka Takashi , Morihara Daisuke , Takeyama Yasuaki , Shakado Satoshi , Sakisaka Shotaro , Hirai Fumihito
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal varices are dilated submucosal veins in the gastrointestinal lumen associated with portal hypertension and represent important complications of liver cirrhosis (LC). Gastrointestinal variceal bleeding has serious life-threatening outcomes; although hemostatic therapy is possible in many cases, there are only a few studies reporting the detailed course of patients with variceal bleeding after hemostatic therapy and the transition of hemostatic therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic hemostatic therapy for gastrointestinal variceal bleeding and of the transition of hemostatic therapy.METHODS A total of 125 patients who underwent emergency hemostatic therapy for gastrointestinal variceal bleeding between April 2006 and June 2020 were included. Data on the bleeding site, therapeutic method, primary therapeutic success rate, cumulative survival rates, factors associated with prognosis, recurrence rates, re-bleeding rates after treatment, and causes of re-bleeding were analyzed. Additionally, patients were classified into two groups: the previous term and the latter term. Patients’ background, therapeutic method, and treatment results were compared between the groups.RESULTS Overall, 94.4% had cirrhosis. The average Child-Pugh (CP) score (CPS) was 8.90. The rate of successful primary hemostasis was 98.4%, and 5.6% died within two weeks, all with a CPS ≥9. The respective one- and five-year survival rates for CP grade A/B were 81.3% and 55.4%, while those for CP grade C were 58.1% and 17.8%. CP grade C or hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly associated with poor prognosis. In total, 21.6% experienced variceal re-bleeding, and 62.9% of variceal re-bleeding cases were triggered by alcohol consumption. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with and without variceal re-bleeding. There was no significant difference in post-treatment survival between the previous and latter terms. In the latter term, the number of cases caused by alcohol consumption increased.CONCLUSIONS The hemostasis rate for variceal bleeding was high. Multidisciplinary treatment and continuation of proper management after treatment are crucial. Alcohol consumption increased variceal re-bleeding in the post-direct-acting antivirals era.
Simultaneous Removal of SO2 and NOx From Flue Gas by Low-temperature Adsorption Over Activated Carbon
Authors: Wang Shiqing , Fan Qixiang , Xu Shisen , Gao Shiwang , Xiao Ping , Jiang Minhua , Zhao He , Huang Bin , Liu Lianbo , Niu Hongwei , Wang Jinyi , Guo Dongfang
Published: November 2020

An exceptional phenomenon has been observed that nitrogen monoxide can be effectively adsorbed over activated carbon at cold temperatures with the presence of oxygen. Based on this finding, a novel low temperature adsorption process is developed to simultaneously remove SO2 and NOx from flue gas with a target of near-zero emission. In this study, the adsorption characteristics of NO and SO2 over activated carbon at various temperatures (-20, 0, 20 and 80℃) are experimentally investigated. For NO-O2 co-adsorption, NO-NO2 equilibriums with increasing NO2 concentration along the the adsorption bed are established due to the catalytic oxidation of NO over activated carbon. Co-adsorption of NO-NO2 occurs at each cross section of the adsorption bed and the adsorption capability increases along the adsorption bed with increasing NO2 concentrations. The oxidation rate of NO can be significantly enhanced at cold temperatures, which leads to an extraordinary improvement of NO adsorption. At a space velocity of 5000h-1 and an initial NO concentration of 200 ppmv, the breakthrough time increases from 3.49 to 1591.75 minutes when the temperature decreases from 80 to -20℃. In addition, the adsorption capacity of SO2 is also dramatically increased at cold temperatures. At a space velocity of 5000h-1 and an initial SO2 concentration of 1000 ppmv, the breakthrough time increase from 20 to 265 minutes when the temperature decreases from 80 to -20℃. A pilot-scale testing platform with a flue gas flowrate of 3600 Nm3/h is developed to validate this novel adsorption process for simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification. Emission of both SO2 and NOx is less than 1mg/Nm3, and the predicted energy penalty is about 3% of the net generation.
Optical Coherence Tomography-based Factors Associated With Visual Loss in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Endo Hiroaki , Kase Satoru , Tanaka Hikari , Takahashi Mitsuo , Katsuta Satoshi , Suzuki Yasuo , Fujii Minako , Ishida Susumu , Kase Manabu
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between retinal structures and visual acuity in diabetic patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). This study was a retrospective observational study conducted at a single medical center in Japan. Evaluation of retinal images was analyzed using spectral domain OCT. Twelve factors including central retinal thickness, length of disorganization of retinal inner layer (DRIL), number of inner hyperreflective foci, number of outer hyperreflective foci, height of intraretinal fluid, height of subretinal fluid, length of external limiting membrane disruption, length of external ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and FAZ circularity were analyzed based on OCT/OCTA findings. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate the OCT-based factors that could be correlated with poor visual acuity in treatment-naïve diabetic eyes. A total of 183 eyes of 123 diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 61.9 ± 12.3 years, 67 men and 57 women) and 62 eyes of 55 control subjects (mean age 64.4± 12.5 years, 15 men and 40 women) was enrolled in this study. Multiple regression analysis showed that OCT-based factors correlated with visual acuity were length of DRIL (β = 0.24、P < 0.01), length of EZ disruption (β = 0.35、P < 0.001), and FAZ circularity (β = -0.14、P < 0.05). The other factors showed no significant correlation. In conclusion, the length of DRIL, length of EZ disruption, and FAZ circularity measured by OCT were identified as related factors for visual impairment in treatment-naïve diabetic eyes.
Lipidomic Analyses Uncover Apoptotic and Inhibitory Effects of Pyrvinium Pamoate on Cholangiocarcinoma Cells via Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Dysfunction
Authors: Kittirat Yingpinyapat , Phetcharaburanin Jutarop , Promraksa Bundit , Kultawatsiri Thanaporn , Wangwiwatsin Arporn , Klanrit Poramate , Sa-Ngiamwibool Prakasit , Jarearnrat Apiwat , Thongchot Suyanee , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Loilome Watcharin , Li Jia , Saya Hideyuki , Namwat Nisana
Published: November 2020

Pyrvinium pamoate (PP), an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug, has been validated as a highly potent anti-cancer agent. PP inhibits several crucial functions of cancer cells, and it has been patented recently as a potential chemotherapeutic drug for various cancers. The current study investigated the ability of PP in anti-proliferative activity and focused on the lipidomic profiles revealing the alteration of specific lipid species in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells. PP inhibited CCA cell viability by suppressing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP production, leading to apoptotic cell death. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with multivariate statistical analysis were performed to investigate lipid alteration of PP-induced apoptosis in CCA cells. The lipidomic analyses showed the altered lipid signatures of CCA cell types including S-acetyldihydrolipoamide, methylselenopyruvate and triglycerides that were increased in PP-treated CCA cells. In contrast, the levels of sphinganine and phosphatidylinositol were lower in the PP-treated group compared with its counterpart. Moreover, the orthogonal partial-least squares for regression analysis revealed that PP-induced MMP dysfunction, leading to inhibition of ATP contents, was significantly associated with triglyceride production, a characteristic of apoptotic cells. These alterations indicated that PP could suppress the MMP function, which caused inhibition of CCA cell viability through apoptotic induction resulting in lipid accumulation in CCA cells. These findings can provide new insight on an anti-cancer mechanism of PP under apoptotic induction ability that could be a promising therapeutic strategy for CCA treatment.
Pre-diagnostic Circulating Concentrations of Fat-soluble Vitamins and Risk of Glioma in Three Cohort Studies
Authors: Yue Yiyang , Creed Jordan , Cote David , Stampfer Meir , Wang Molin , Midttun Øivind , McCann Adrian , Ueland Per , Furtado Jeremy , Egan Kathleen , Smith-Warner Stephanie
Published: November 2020

Few prospective studies have evaluated the relation between fat-soluble vitamins and glioma risk. Using three cohorts—UK Biobank (UKB), Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), we investigated associations of pre-diagnostic concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins D, A, and E with incident glioma. In 346,785 participants (444 cases) in UKB, associations with vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression. In NHS (52 cases, 104 controls) and HPFS (32 cases, 64 controls), associations with 25(OH)D, vitamin A (retinol), and vitamin E (α- and γ-tocopherol) were assessed using conditional logistic regression. Our results suggested plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D and retinol were not associated with glioma risk. Comparing the highest to lowest tertile, the multivariable hazard ratio (MVHR) for 25(OH)D was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-1.11) in UKB and the multivariable risk ratio (MVRR) was 1.08 (95%CI: 0.55-2.09) in NHS and HPFS. In NHS and HPFS, the MVRR for the same comparison for retinol was 1.16 (95%CI: 0.56-2.38). Nonsignificant associations were observed for α-tocopherol (MVRRtertile3vs1=0.61, 95%CI: 0.29-1.32) and γ-tocopherol (MVRR tertile3vs1=1.30, 95%CI: 0.63-2.69) that became stronger in 4-year lagged analyses. Further investigation is warranted on a potential association between α- and γ-tocopherol and glioma risk.
A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Dengue Spread in a Brazilian Dry Climate Region
Authors: Filho Aloísio Nascimento , Murari Thiago , Ferreira Paulo , Saba Hugo , Moret Marcelo
Published: November 2020

We investigated the relation between the spread, time scale, and spatial arrangement of dengue in Bahia, a Brazilian dry climate region, for the period 2000 to 2009. The degree of cross-correlation is calculated for 15 economic regions. We apply a multiscale statistical analysis to datasets of dengue cases in order to verify the effect of infection dispersal on the economic regions from the metropolitan region of Salvador. Our empirical results support a signiﬁcant and persistent cross-correlation between most economic regions, reinforcing the idea that there are no economic, environmental or climatic barriers to the spread of dengue. Our main contribution lies in the cross-correlation results revealing multiple aspects related to the propagation of dengue for dry climate regions.