bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and viral characteristics of undiagnosed HIV infections in Botswana
Authors: Bhebhe Lynnette , Moyo Sikhulile , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Pretorius-Holme Molly , Yankinda Etienne K. , Manyake Kutlo , Kgathi Coulson , Mmalane Mompati , Lebelonyane Refeletswe , Gaolathe Tendani , Bachanas Pamela , Ussery Faith , Letebele Mpho , Makhema Joseph , Wirth Kathleen E. , Lockman Shahin , Essex Max , Novitsky Vlad , Ragonnet-Cronin Manon
Published: April 2022

Background: HIV-1 is endemic in Botswana. The country’s primary challenge is identifying persons living with HIV who are unaware of their status. We evaluated factors associated with undiagnosed HIV infection using HIV-1 phylogenetic, behavioural, and demographic data. Methods: As part of the Botswana Combination Prevention Project, 20% of adults residing in 30 villages were tested for HIV and followed from 2013 to 2018. A total of 12,610 participants were enrolled, 3,596 tested HIV-positive at enrolment, and 147 participants acquired HIV during the trial. Extensive socio-demographic and behavioural data were collected from participants and next-generation sequences were generated for HIV-positive cases. We compared three groups of participants: 1) those previously known to be HIV-positive at enrolment (n=2,995); 2) those newly diagnosed at enrolment (n=601) and 3) those who tested HIV-negative at enrolment but tested HIV-positive during follow-up (n=147). We searched for differences in demographic and behavioural factors between known and newly diagnosed group using logistic regression. We also compared the topology of each group in HIV-1 phylogenies and used a genetic diversity-based algorithm to classify infections as recent (<1 year) or chronic (≥1 year).Results: Being male (aOR=2.23), younger than 35 years old (aOR=8.08), educated and married was associated with undiagnosed HIV infection (p<0.001). Inconsistent condom use (aOR=1.76), multiple sexual partners (aOR=1.73) and repeated HIV testing (aOR=3.96) increased the odds of having undiagnosed HIV infection, while knowledge of one’s partner’s positive HIV status decreased those odds as compared to knowing one’s partner to be negative (aOR=0.077, p<0.001). The genetic diversity-based algorithm classified most incident infections as recent (75.0%), but almost none of known infections (2.0%). The estimated proportion of recent infections among new diagnoses was 37.0% (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that those with undiagnosed infections are likely to be younger, educated, married, men who do not consistently use condoms with their partners. Notably, these men have been tested for HIV previously, and a sizeable proportion had recent infections based on a genetic diversity-based classifier, suggesting that they are aware of their risk. In the era of “test and treat all”, these identified predictors may help better prioritize groups for prevention and testing.
The impact of Covid-19 on Professional Identity Formation: An international qualitative study of medical students’ reflective entries in a Global Creative Competition
Authors: Moula Zoe , Horsburgh Jo , Scott Katie , Durley Tom , Kumar Sonia
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic, which affected medical students globally, could be viewed as a disorientating dilemma with the potential to offer opportunities for transformative learning. In 2021 the Medical Education Innovation and Research Centre at Imperial College London launched a Global Creative Competition as a platform for medical students to reflect on their experiences during the pandemic. Methods: 648 creative pieces with written reflections were submitted by medical students from 52 countries. 155 students from 28 countries consented for their entries to be included in this study. The reflections were analysed thematically and independently by three reviewers to explore how the pandemic impacted students’ professional identity formation (PIF).Results: The pandemic increased students’ awareness of the social and global role of doctors in addressing health inequities. Students felt part of a wider healthcare community and showed greater appreciation towards person-centred care. Students also became more aware of their personal needs, priorities, and the importance of self-care.Discussion: In agreement with Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning (2003), the pandemic led students to re-examine pre-existing epistemic and sociocultural assumptions concerning the role of doctors and explore new perspectives of what it means to be a doctor. In accordance with Cheng’s theory of coping flexibility (2021), students developed both emotion-focused coping strategies (e.g., arts engagement) and problem-solving strategies (e.g., volunteering), suggesting they were able to adjust psychologically and develop agency. However, students experienced tension between their sense of duty and sense of wellbeing, highlighting the need for medical educators to facilitate PIF by supporting students with conflicting emotions.Conclusion: Medical educators should encourage students to reflect on their identity formation while encountering disorientating dilemmas. The inclusion of arts and humanities within the medical curriculum is strongly recommended to provide an avenue for students to access and express complex emotions and experiences.
Geniposide alleviates neuropathic pain in CCI rats by inhibiting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway and Ca2+ channels
Authors: Zhang Dan-dan , Chen Qiao-qiao , Li Yao
Published: April 2022

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common disorder plaguing modern people, and there is a lack of active treatment. The EGFR pathway can promote NP nociceptive sensitization and can be a potential therapeutic target. Gardenoside is abundant in natural plants and has various pharmacological activities, such as analgesia and anti-inflammation, which can improve NP, but the specific mechanism has not been elucidated. The present study first predicted and molecularly docked Geniposide targets, suggesting that Geniposide may play a role in improving NP by targeting EGFR, and further clarified that Geniposide alleviates NP and can improve the inflammatory response by establishing a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, while administration of an EGFR agonist weakens the above effects of Geniposide. The analysis of transcriptome data further suggests that Geniposide not only improves CCI symptoms by weakening the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway but also may exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the Ca2+ signaling pathway. The above results affirm the potential value of Geniposide in the treatment of NP and lay the foundation for further clinical application.
Religion, Politics and COVID-19 Risk Perception Among Urban Residents in Malawi
Authors: Mbeya Ruth Agather , Chilanga Emmanuel , Dzimbiri Mastano , Mwanjawala Patrick , Keller Amanda
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Majority of Malawians have not yet adopted COVID-19 mitigation measures despite having knowledge about its infectivity, morbidity, and fatality. Understanding drivers of hesitancy to adoption of COVID-19 mitigation measures is critical as it can inform prevention programs. This study explores Malawians’ COVID-19 risk perception, and the associated constraints in the adoption of mitigation efforts. A Health Belief Model (HBM) approach was used to understand perceived factors that undermine public health COVID-19 messages to reduce the spread of the pandemic in Malawi.Methods: The study applied rapid appraisal and photovoice qualitative inquiry to comprehend risk perception regarding COVID-19. We purposively selected 33 participants from three major cities in Malawi. Audio and video interviews were transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were coded manually to derive key themes and concepts.Results: The study identified that social factors particularly religious and political beliefs influenced COVID-19 risk perception. Specific religious beliefs pertaining to individuals recognizing signs of the ‘Christian apocalypse’ were particularly associated with lower risk perceptions. Politically, participants believed COVID-19 lockdown measures were a ploy by the then-ruling party to remain in power.Conclusion: The study suggests that religious beliefs and political environment undermine self -perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 among urban dwellers in Malawi. We recommend that diverse actors in Malawi should collaborate to promote the dissemination of accurate COVID-19 discourses and reduce the severity of the pandemic’s impact in Malawi.
A novel approach for emergency decision-making based on q-rung orthopair fuzzy set
Authors: Chen liuxin , Wang Yutai , Yang Dongmei
Published: April 2022

Emergency decision-making (EDM) looks more like a round of game between man and nature, what
decision-makers (DMs) must consider is to protect lives and properties to the utmost extent in the face of
natural disasters. Due to time constraints and information loss, attribute weights and expert evaluations
are usually difficult to obtain efficiently. To solve this problem, a combined BN-OA-ZSG method based on
the q-rung orthopair set (q-ROFS) that has the great inclusive ability to express information is put forward.
Firstly, a novel inference framework of the Bayesian network (BN) is proposed to dynamically determine
the attribute weights with dependencies. Then a non-convex optimal aggregation (OA) model with fuzzy
constraints is put forward, which can aggregate evaluations of different experts. After that, a programming
model based on finite two-person zero-sum game theory (ZSG) is proposed to select optimal alternative.
Finally, an illustrative example of the heavy rainfall EDM problem is purposed, and a series of comparative
analyses are presented to verify the rationality and superiority of the proposed method.
Multi-Purpose Optimal Reservoir Operation Using Many Objectives Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Salmani Sadra , Shourian Mojtaba
Published: April 2022

Due to global water scarcity and also reduced surface water runoff due to increasing water consumption and climate change effect, the optimal operation of reservoirs has become an interested topic for water resources management specialists. In the present study, since more than three objectives are considered for the Azad Dam operation in Iran, the many-objective particle swarm optimization (MaOPSO) algorithm is used for the optimal operation of the reservoir. Four objectives are defined as maximizing water supply, water supply reliability and mean annual energy generation while minimizing the violation of the downstream river flow over a pre-defined safe flow rate. Running MaOPSO and comparing a sample solution with the objective functions values obtained by simulating the present situation over a 7-year operation period indicates 42.8% increase in water supply, 7.9% increase in water supply reliability, 4.39% decrease in hydropower generation and 57.2% decrease in over flowing cases. Sensitivity analysis on the safe discharge, as one of the effecting parameters, shows the direct effect of this criterion on reducing the damages as one of the objectives for the reservoir operation.
Relieving the bile ducts prior to pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Farooqui Waqas , Penninga Luit , Burgdorf Stefan Kobbelgaard , Krohn Paul Suno , Storkholm Jan Henrik , Hansen Carsten Palnæs
Published: April 2022

IntroductionObstructive jaundice is a common problem in pancreatic and periampullary tumors, but preoperative biliary drainage in patients with hyperbilirubinemia is still controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the risk and complications after preoperative drainage of biliary obstruction in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.MethodA retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 1st, 2015 to September 30th, 2021. Patients who had preoperative bile duct drainage were compared to patients without intervention. Type of interventions, complications and outcome after surgery were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. ResultsOf 722 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, 389 patients had preoperative drainage of the bile ducts by ERC or PTC. There was an incidence of 27% drainage-related complications, all categorized as minor (Clavien-Dindo <3) and mainly related to PTC-aided drainage. After pancreaticoduodenectomy, 23% of patients who had preoperative biliary drain, had minor complications. Patients without biliary drainage had a higher risk of a complicated postoperative course (p= 0.001) and had a higher 30-day (p= 0.002) and 90-day mortality (p= 0.025). ConclusionOur study found preoperative bile duct drainage to be a safe procedure without severe complications. Patients undergoing preoperative bile duct drainage had fewer post-pancreatoduodenectomy complications and lower mortality.
Binding affinity and mechanisms of potential antidepressants targeting human NDMA receptors
Authors: Ye Simin , Han Yanqiang , Wei Zhiyun , Zhang Yongli , Li Jinjin
Published: April 2022

Depression, a mental disorder that plagues the world, is a burden on many families. There is a great need for new, fast-acting antidepressants to be developed. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NDMA) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor that plays an important role in learning and memory processes and is considered as a potential target to treat depression. However, due to the unclear binding sites and pathways, the mechanism of drug binding lacks basic explanation, which brings great complexity to the development of new drugs. In this study, we investigated the binding affinity and mechanisms of an FDA-approved antidepressant (s-ketamine) and seven potential antidepressants (r-ketamine, memantine, lanicemine, dextromethorphan, Ro 25-6981, ifenprodil, and traxoprodil) targeting the NDMA receptor by ligand-protein docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicated that Ro 25-6981 has the strongest binding affinity to the NDMA receptor among the eight selected drugs, suggesting its potential effective inhibitory effect. We also calculated the critical binding site residues at the active site and found that residues Leu124 and Met63 contributed the most to the binding energy by decomposing the free energy contributions on a per-residue basis. We further compared s-ketamine and its chiral molecule r-ketamine, and found that r-ketamine had a stronger binding capacity to the NDMA receptor. This study provides a computational reference for the treatment of depression targeting NDMA receptors, and the proposed results will promisingly provide potential strategies for further antidepressant development and useful resource for future discovery of fast-acting antidepressant candidates.
Comparing outcomes in recurrent versus de novo metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Miotke Laura , Nevala-Plagemann Christopher , Jian Ying , Florou Vaia , Haaland Benjamin , Garrido-Laguna Ignacio
Published: April 2022

Background: A majority of patients undergoing curative intent surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) will unfortunately develop recurrent disease. Optimal management of these patients remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated clinical outcomes of patients with recurrent PDAC who received systemic therapy and compared outcomes to patients with de novo metastatic PDAC. Methods: Patients diagnosed with metastatic PDAC between 2014 and 2019 were included using a real-world database. Patients were characterized as either de novo or recurrent based on the date of metastatic diagnosis and history of surgical resection. Overall survival (OS) was summarized within groups via Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and compared using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: We included 5170 patients with metastatic PDAC, of which 1101 (21.3%) were classified as having recurrent disease. Median OS for the recurrent group was significantly greater at 10.8 m (95% CI 9.9-11.7) than in the de novo group at 7.3 m (95% CI 7.0-7.7, p< 0.001). We did not observe a significant difference in OS based on when patients recurred after surgery: 10.0 m (95% CI 8.7-11) within six months of surgery versus 11.6 m (95% CI 10-12, p=0.256) greater than six months from surgery. Conclusions: These data support the inclusion of patients with recurrent PDAC in clinical trials for advanced disease, including those who develop recurrent disease within six months of surgery. Due to observed differences in survival, randomization should be stratified by disease presentation (recurrent vs de novo).
Electronic structure and ultraviolet spectrum of p-C6H4-connected cyclo[10]carbon
Authors: CHEN Xin
Published: April 2022

Geometry optimization of p-C6H4-connected cyclo[10]carbon (p-C6H4-C10) was carried out at M062X/6-311G (d, p) level. Based on TD-DFT M062X/6-311G (d, p) method, the first 20 excited states were calculated at gas phase. Three kinds of bond orders (Mayer, Laplacian, and Wiberg), UV spectrum, density-of-states (DOS), electron-hole distributions, localized orbital locators (LOL), and infrared (IR) spectrum were calculated. Calculation results showed that longer C-C bond orders of Mayer, Laplacian, and Wiberg methods are about 2.37-2.68 Å, while shorter C-C bond orders of three methods are about 1.14-1.21 Å. π-electron delocalization analyses results prove π-electron delocalization of p-C6H4-C10 is more likely to occur on shorter C-C bonds rather than longer C-C bonds, and inside / outside of the ring plane rather than above / below the ring plane. p-C6H4-C10 have two absorption peaks located at about 319 nm and 236 nm, respectively. And the two absorption peaks are mainly contributed by tansitions from S0 to S2, S3, S19, and S20. All these transitions can be attributed to p→p*. Electron-hole analyses results proved these four excitations are all local electron excitation (LE). DOS analyses results indicate that in the region of -21.77 eV– 5.44 eV, molecular orbitals are mainly contributed by phenyl rings.
QBRSMN: Design of a QoS-aware bioinspired routing model for sleep scheduled multimedia networks
Authors: Doorwar Minaxi , Malathi P
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
TRPM2 regulates the excitability of hippocampal neurons through Kv7 channel in epilepsy
Authors: Ying Yingchao , Gong Lifen , Tao Xiaohan , Yao Yinping , Ding Junchao , Liu Jiajing , Chen Chen , Zhu Tao , Jiang Peifang
Published: April 2022

Transient receptor potential Melastain2 (TRPM2) ion channel is a non-selective cationic channel that can permeate Ca2+ and is highly expressed in the brain, especially in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, which are critical for cognitive function. Current research evidence indicates that TRPM2 is closely associated with various neurological diseases such as epilepsy. In this study, TRPM2 gene knockout mice were used to study the effect of TRPM2 on the susceptibility to epilepsy in mice and the specific mechanism of the impact of TRPM2 on epilepsy by affecting neuronal excitability. In PTZ chronic kindling epilepsy model, we have found that TRPM2 knockout mice were more susceptible to epilepsy than WT mice. Furthermore, the neuronal excitability in the hippocampal CA1 region of TRPM2 knockout mice is significantly increased. Compared with WT group, there were no significant differences in the input resistance and afterhyperpolarization of CA1 neurons in TRPM2 knockout mice. Firing adaptation rate of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons of TRPM2 knockout mice is lower than that of WT mice. We found that activation of Kv7 channel by retigabine reduced the firing frequency of action potential in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of TRPM2 knockout mice. However, inhibiting Kv7 channel increased the firing frequency of action potential in hippocampal pyramidal neurons of WT mice. In animal models, we confirmed that activation of Kv7 channel can effectively reduce epileptic seizures in TRPM2 knockout mice. These results suggest that hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in TRPM2 knockout mice may increase neuronal excitability by inhibiting the Kv7 channel, thus affecting the susceptibility to epilepsy. This study carefully explores the reasons why TRPM2 knockout is more susceptible to epilepsy, which is helpful to understand the occurrence and development of epilepsy, and provides new ideas for the treatment technology and methods of epilepsy.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on the Yield and Yield Components of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties in Metema and Tach-Armachiho Districts, North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Wassie Tesfa Kassahun , Feleke Tilahun Tadesse , Dejenie Tesfaye Wossen , Wubie Asaye Birhanu
Published: April 2022

Background
The study was conducted in 2018/19 main cropping season at two locations in North-western Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates on earliness, growth, and yield and yield components of cotton varieties. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a factorial arrangement of five N rates (0, 23, 46, 69, and 92 kg ha− 1) and two cotton varieties (Sisiku-02 and Delta pine-90).
Results
Significant main effect of N rates was observed for most of cotton phenological traits, plant height, number of main stem nodes and number of first fruiting branch nodes, average boll weight, cottonseed yield, lint yield and total cotton, whereas N fertilizer rates did not show difference regarding on days to initial flowering and lint percentage in both sites and days to initial squaring and height to node ratio at Tach-Armachiho, number of bolls per plant at Metema site. Main effect of varieties showed significant difference for all phonological traits, average boll weight, cottonseed, and lint yield and lint percentage for both sites. Significantly higher plant height, height to node ratio, number of first fruiting branch nodes and total boll numbers was recorded at Metema experimental site, while number of main stem nodes was non-significant due to main effect of varieties. However, in Tach-Armachiho main effects of varieties were non-significantly affected total boll numbers and most growth parameters except total dry matter production. The total dry matter production of the cotton plant in a plot was significantly influenced by their interaction effect at Metema. The maximum cottonseed yield, lint yield and total cotton yield were obtained at 92 kg ha-1 N rate at Metema and Tach-Armachiho sites. The higher lint yield and lint percentage were recorded on variety Sisiku-02, while higher cottonseed yield was found from variety Delta pine-90 in both sites. Similarly, the result of economic analysis showed that the maximum net benefit was obtained at main effect of 92 kg ha-1 N rate and Sisiku-02 variety.
Conclusions
Based on lint yield and economic analysis, use of Sisiku-02 variety with 92 kg ha-1 nitrogen rate is promising for cotton production in study areas and similar agro-ecologies
Prediction and validation of short- to long-term earthquake probabilities in inland Japan using the hierarchical space-timeETAS and space-time Poisson process models
Authors: Ogata Yosihiko
Published: April 2022

A hierarchical space-time version of the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (HIST-ETAS) model was constructed for an optimally adapted fit to diverse seismicity features characterized by anisotropic clustering as well as regionally distinct parameters. This manuscript validates this elaborate model for short-term prediction based on several years of recent inland Japan earthquakes as a testing dataset, by evaluating the results using a log-likelihood ratio score. To consider intermediate- and long-term performance, several types of space-time Poisson models are compared with the background seismicity rate of the HIST-ETAS model. Results show firstly that the HIST-ETAS model has the best short-term prediction results for earthquakes in the range of magnitudes from M4.0 to M5.0, although, for the larger earthquakes, sufficient recent earthquake data is lacking to evaluate the performance. Second, for intermediate-term predictions, the optimal spatial nonuniform Poisson intensity model has a better forecast performance than the seismic background intensity of the HIST-ETAS model, while the uniform rate Poisson model throughout all of inland Japan has the worst forecast performance. For earthquakes of M6 or larger, the performance of retrospective long-term forecasts was tested in two ways. First, a retrospective forecasting experiment divided the entire period from 1885 to the present into two parts, with the recent ~ 30 years as the forecast period. Second, the historical damaging earthquake data (599–1884) were spatially validated using century data from 1885 to the present. In both validations, it was determined that the spatial intensity of the inland background seismic activity of the HIST-ETAS model is much better than the best-fit nonuniform Poisson spatial model, leading to the best results. The findings of this study will be critical for regional earthquake hazard planning in Japan and similar locations worldwide.
Rationale and Design of the ‘NEurodegeneration: Traumatic brain injury as Origin of the Neuropathology’ (NEwTON) Study: a Prospective Cohort Study of Individuals at Risk for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Amerongen Suzan van , Caton Dewi K. , Ossenkoppele Rik , Barkhof Frederik , Pouwels Petra J.W. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Rozemuller Annemieke J.M. , Hoozemans Jeroen J.M. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. , Scheltens Philip , Vijverberg Everard. G.B.
Published: April 2022

Background
Repetitive head injury in contact sports is associated with cognitive, neurobehavioral and motor impairments and linked to a unique neurodegenerative disorder: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). As the clinical presentation is variable, risk factors are heterogenous, and diagnostic biomarkers are not yet established, the diagnostic process of CTE remains a challenge. The general objective of the NEwTON study is to establish a prospective cohort of individuals with high risk for CTE, to phenotype the study population, identify potential fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers and measure clinical progression of the disease. The present paper explains the protocol and design of this case-finding study.
Methods
NEwTON is a prospective study that aims to recruit participants at risk for CTE, with features of the traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (exposed participants), and healthy unexposed control individuals. Subjects are invited to participate after diagnostic screening at our memory clinic or recruited by advertisement. Exposed participants receive a comprehensive baseline screening, including neurological examination, neuropsychological tests, questionnaires and brain MRI for anatomical imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). Questionnaires include topics on life-time head injury, subjective cognitive change and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Optionally, blood and cerebrospinal fluid are obtained for storage in the NEwTON biobank. Patients are informed about our brain donation program in collaboration with the Netherlands Brain Brank. Follow-up takes place annually and includes neuropsychological assessment, questionnaires and optional blood draw. Testing of control subjects is limited to baseline neuropsychological tests, MRI-scan and also noncompulsory blood draw.
Results
To date, 27 exposed participants have finished their baseline assessments. First baseline results are expected in 2023.
Conclusions
The NEwTON study will assemble a unique cohort with prospective observational data of male and female individuals with high risk for CTE. This study is expected to be a primary explorative base and designed to share data with international CTE-related cohorts. Sub-studies may be added in the future with this cohort as backbone.
The spread of electric field within the cochlea is not predictive for speech perception: an analysis of different devices including custom-made electrodes for subtotal cochleoectomy
Authors: Wagner Luise , Plontke Stefan K , Rahne Torsten
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveCochlear implants (CIs) can restore hearing not only in patients with profound hearing loss and deafness, but also in patients following tumour removal of intracochlear schwannomas. In such cases, design and placement differ from conventional electrode insertion, in which the cochlea remains filled with fluid. Despite these technical and surgical differences, previous studies have tended to show positive results in speech perception in tumour patients. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the ability to predict speech recognition outcomes using individual electric field distributions based on different electrode designs and investigate special tumour cases.Study designIn a retrospective analysis in a university tertiary center electric field distributions were compared between two groups of electrode designs implanted between 2009 and 2020 i.e., between lateral wall electrodes and custom-made perimodiolar electrode carriers from the same company. The voltage gradients were then correlated with speech recognition results.ResultsDifferences in electrical field distributions were found between lateral wall electrodes and the custom-made perimodiolar electrodes, whereas a significant correlation to scores in speech recognition cannot be demonstrated.ConclusionPrediction of speech recognition outcome based solely on electric field propagation results seems not feasible, although significant differences in field distribution between electrode arrays can be clearly demonstrated. This observation and its relevance to hearing treatment and speech recognition should therefore be further investigated in upcoming studies.
Fast Non-rigid Whole Brain Streamline Matching based on Fast Fiber k-NN and Group-wise MDS
Authors: Wang Junyan
Published: April 2022

Non-rigid whole-brain fiber streamline matching is a highly challenging technical problem in brain white matter analysis, largely due to the lack of reasonable vector-space representation and efficacious streamline distance measurement in the original curve space is computationally intractable. To address the issue of fast and accurate streamline distance measurement, we propose a fast fiber k-NN algorithm based on a strong relationship between point-wise K-NN and fiber-wise k-NN. Additionally , we propose a distance-preserving vector-space representation of the fiber streamlines based on a novel group-wise multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) technique. Based on the fast fiber k-NN and group-wise MDS, we propose a novel computationally tractable framework for non-rigid whole-brain white matter fiber matching. In this framework , our fast fiber k-NN algorithm is used to initialize the point-cloud matching in the vector space of the streamlines computed by the group-wise MDS. In our experiments, we show that our fast fiber k-NN algorithm reasonably approximates the exhaustive fiber k-NN search at a significantly reduced computational cost, the group-wise MDS effectively computes the vector representation in the aligned vector space, and our fast fiber matching method achieves higher accuracy for large displacement non-rigid whole-brain streamline matching compared to conventional image registration based streamline matching.
Changes in Preventive Behaviour After COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ngamchaliew Pitchayanont , Vichitkunakorn Polathep , Kaewkuea Narathip , Nonthasorn Netipong , Vonnasrichan Thanawat , Rongsawat Natthakarn , Rattanachai Leena , Chaipipattanakij Wannachai , Kamolnawin Sutthida
Published: April 2022

Background: To handle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both protective behaviours and mass vaccination are effective ways. However, it was found that if protective behaviours are abandoned after vaccination, the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate can be significantly higher. Therefore, compliance with protective behaviours is equally essential to control the infection. To measure changes in protective behaviours pre- and post-COVID-19 vaccination and its relationship with various types of vaccine regimens.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September 13, 2021, and January 14, 2022. Data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms and public posters. The questionnaire comprised demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine regimens, and protective behaviours. The vaccinated Thai population aged ≥ 18 years were surveyed.Results: Of the 469 vaccinated Thai population who responded, 67.4% were females, 57.4% were single, and 67.2% lived in an urban area. There were significant differences in median scores in handwashing (5.0 vs. 5.0, p-value<0.001), physical distancing (4.0 vs. 5.0, p-value=0.019), and avoiding social activity (4.0 vs 5.0, p-value=0.010) between pre-and post-vaccination. Approximately 70 to 90% of participants did not report changes in protective behaviours after vaccination; in fact, there were improvements in avoiding social activity, physical distancing, and handwashing (17.4%, 13.9%, and 12.7%, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed improvements in protective behaviours were significantly associated with the age group (between 18 and 24 years), non-healthcare workers, and those who lived in urban areas. No significant evidence of vaccine regimens was found relative to improved protective behaviours.Conclusions: This evidence revealed that Thai people did not relax their protective behaviours after vaccination; in fact, there was an improving trend. Demographic data were associated with improved protective behaviours significantly, but various vaccine regimens were not. These findings might be useful for implementing policy to maintain personal protective behaviours after vaccination against COVID-19.
ROTI Keograms based on CMONOC to characterize the ionopsheric irregularities in 2014
Authors: Li Jinghua , Ma Guanyi , Maruyama T. , Wan Qingtao , Fan Jiangtao , Zhang Jie , Wang Xiaolan
Published: April 2022

Ionospheric irregularities have been studied since ~70 years ago. With the development of global navigation satellite system (GNSS), GNSS networks have been used to get the characteristics of the irregularities, including the drift velocity, the structure, and the evolution and so on. In this paper, keograms based on the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) were used to characterize the irregularities over the area from 85 to 125°E in longitude and 11 to 35°N in latitude in 2014. Keograms were obtained for the rate of TEC index (ROTI) in each 0.5 longitude degrees and 30 minutes universal time pixel. The results showed that the occurrence rate of irregularities was high in the equinox months and December, and lowest in June in 2014. In equinox months the irregularities often appeared after sunset. In March the irregularities usually had long lifetime of ~5-7 hours and ~5 degrees apparent longitude scales. The long lifetime usually was accompanied by obvious eastward drift of ~100m/s and large vROTI. In September the irregularities had weaker ROTI and shorter lifetime than those in March. In June, they appeared ~2-3 hours later than those in equinoxes and drifted westward. And the summer irregularities had weakest ROTI and their latitude was ~30°N, much higher than those in equinoxes. In December, the irregularities had small patches with a longitude scale of ~2 degrees and short lifetime of ~2 hours. Different from the equatorial irregularities in equinox months, the solstice irregularities mainly appeared should be local phenomenon.
Older Adults’ Facial Characteristics Compared to Young Adults’ in Correlation With Edentulism: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Skomina Zala , Kočevar Dominik , Verdenik Miha , Hren Natasa Ihan
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND. Facial ageing is a result of superficial wrinkling and the changes of the underlying soft tissues and skeleton. The influence of tooth loss as geriatric characteristic on facial appearance is still poorly explained. The aim was to evaluate the facial characteristics of older adults in correlation with the dentition and compare them with young adults using a non-invasive 3D methodology. METHODS. 90 participants older than 65 years, classified into 3 subgroups (edentulous, partially edentulous, toothed) and 30 young adults were evaluated. Their faces were scanned with an optical Artec 3D-scanner. Cephalometric analyses were determined using the computer program RapidForm. An independent t-test and ANOVA were used for the comparisons. The pair-wise post-hoc tests were applied with respect to the significant differences (P < 0.05). RESULTS. Older adults' faces are wider and longer because of a longer middle facial height. Older adults have longer upper lip, larger nose, smaller nasolabial angle due to the nasal ptosis, narrower upper and lower lip vermilions and larger facial and lower facial height angles, resulting in a flat facial profile. The ageing facial changes are the most pronounced in the edentulous. In comparison with the toothed they have a smaller facial height due to the smaller lower facial height, larger nasolabial angle, smaller mouth width, shorter upper lip and narrower lip vermilions. Their profile is more flat and lips more retruded. CONCLUSIONS. The whole face proportions are changed in older adults and they are the most expressed with the tooth loss.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells protect against radiation-induced lung injury by regulating AngII/ACE2/Ang(1-7) axis
Authors: Niu Shiying , Cong Changsheng , Wang Zhaopeng , Sun Meili , Zhang Yueying
Published: April 2022

Background Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the most common complications of thoracic tumors radiotherapy. Since therapeutic strategies remains limited, the exploration of new approaches to treat RILI is on high demands. The use of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat RILI holds great promise. Here, we investigate the therapeutic potential of BMSCs in RILI. Methods C57BL/6 mice received thoracic irradiation except for the control group.Within 24 hours after irradiation, BMSCs were injected via the tail vein in BMSCs group. At 5 weeks after irradiation, H&E staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue and the expression of inflammatory factors. Electron microscopy was used to detect changes in cell structure.Immunofluorescence and western blot were uesd to detect the expression of ACE2, ACE and AT1R.. The expression of Ang II and Ang (1-7) was detected by ELISA. The expression of MasR mRNA in lung tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. Results we found that radiation obviously caused lung tissue injury, especially alveolar type II epithelial cells by H&E and electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence and western blot showed that ACE2 decreased significantly in irradiation group. After BMSCs injection, BMSCs significantly reduced RILI by H&E and immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence results showed that BMSCs migrated to injuried lung tissue and differentiated into alveolar type II epithelial cells to up-regulated AngII/ACE2/Ang(1-7) axis.Conclusions The study demonstrated that BMSCs may be transplanted into damaged lung tissue where they differentiated into AEC II to regulated AngII/ACE2/Ang(1-7) axis to alleviate RILI.
Development of surrogate models of clamp configuration for optical glass lens centering through finite element analysis and machine learning
Authors: Yu Kai Hung , Shiu Shiau-Cheng , Liu Chun-Wei
Published: April 2022

In this study, the clamping stress and force involved in the centering of optical glass lens were evaluated and quantified. On the basis of the key design parameters of the examined clamps, the finite element method was applied to measure clamping stress under various parameter combinations. Support vector regression, Gaussian process regression, and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system algorithm of surrogate models were established using the results obtained through finite element simulation. These surrogate models, which can predict clamping stress on the basis of key parameters, can reduce the time required to perform finite element analysis while providing references for optimizing clamp configuration.
Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices Among Caregivers and Their Children Aged 6-23 Months in Kisoro District, Uganda
Authors: Birungi Tracy Lukiya , Ejalu David Livingstone
Published: April 2022

Background: There is a wide number of risk factors for stunting and one that is most often corroborated by studies is complementary feeding practices. There was a need to ascertain the prevalence of and factors that lend to caregivers meeting requirements for the optimal complementary feeding practices in Kisoro district, a district with high stunting rates. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study that used secondary data obtained from the USAID/Uganda’s Integrated Community, Agriculture, and Nutrition (ICAN) Activity. Multi-stage sampling on the data was done to select entries for 384 caregivers of children aged 6-23 months in Kisoro district. The data was first proffered in Excel sheets and analysed using SPSS version 20. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to determine independent factors, at the 3 levels of the SEM, associated with optimal complementary feeding practices.Findings: The prevalence of introduction to solid, semi-solid or soft foods was the highest at 95.06%, and the prevalence for Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) was very low at 4.43%.At the settings level, type of occupation (AOR = 21.206; CI = 2.032 - 221.256; p=0.011) and community groups (AOR = 0. 426; CI = 0.219 - 0.828; p=0.012) were found to be statistically significant for association with minimum meal frequency. At the interpersonal level, household size (number of household members) (AOR = 0.346; CI = 0.128 - 0.936; p=0.037) was statistically significant for association with minimum dietary diversity amd minimum acceptable diet. Also, marital status was found to be statistically significant for association with continued breastfeeding (AOR = 13.245; CI = 1.763 - 100.248; p=0.012). At the intrapersonal level, age was associated with timely introduction of complementary foods (AOR = 1.731; CI = 1.040 - 2.883; p=0.035). While age was associated with minimum meal frequency (AOR = 2.208; CI = 1.097 - 4.445; p=0.026).Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the prevalence of MAD and MDD was very low in Kisoro district putting these children at a very high risk to become stunted.
Prevalence and associated factors of possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia: findings from a Chinese community-dwelling old adults cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Jia-zhi , Liu Chang-ge , Zhang Lin , Liu Ning , Wang Lei , Wu Jing-qiong , Wang Yi-zhao , Hao Hui-min , Cao Long-jun , Yuan Shi-lei , Huang Li-ping
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and analyse the associated factors of possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia among community-dwelling old adults in China, in order to provide effective strategies for early prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated community-dwelling old adults aged over 60 years. The basic information, morphological indices, body composition, physical activities were collected and assessed. Possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia were diagnosed by the criteria of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) in 2019. A multivariate logistic regression model with stepwise method was employed to identify factors associated with possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia.Results: In total 729 old adults from Tianjin were included in this study. 81 participants were diagnosed with possible sarcopenia (prevalence of 11.11%). 75 participants were diagnosed with sarcopenia (prevalence of 10.29%). Age (odds ratio (OR):1.047, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.055-1.090) and lower physical activities (low level OR:4.171, 95% CI:1.790-9.720; medium level OR:2.634, 95% CI:1.352-5.132) were significantly associated with possible sarcopenia. Age (OR:1.187, 95% CI:1.124-1.253), higher body fat percentage (OR:1.225, 95% CI:1.140-1.317), lower BMI (OR:0.424, 95% CI:0.346-0.519), lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores (OR:0.865,95% CI:0.781-0.958) and low physical activities (OR:4.638, 95% CI:1.683-12.782) were significantly associated with sarcopenia.Conclusion: Possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia are prevalent among community-dwelling old adults in China. Ageing and lower physical activities were both associated with possible sarcopenia and sarcopenia. Old adults with sarcopenia more likely have higher body fat percentage, lower BMI and lower cognitive function compared with those without this condition.
Molecular biomarker discordances of breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Are they related to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or intratumoral heterogeneity and is there any clinical significance?
Authors: Yilmaz Cengiz , Cavdar Demet Kocatepe
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency, clinical significance, and causes of molecular discordances between tru-cut biopsy and residual tumor in patients with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACTx). METHODS: Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) statuses; hormone expression levels; Ki-67 index; and tumor grade in tru-cut biopsy before NACTx and in the residual tumor after NACTx were evaluated and compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.RESULTS: The study included 102 women. Histopathologically, approximately 70% of the patients were partially responsive and 30% were unresponsive. The concordance and discordance rates between tru-cut biopsy and residual tumor were 95.1% vs. 4.9% (p = 0.180) for ER, 97.1% vs. 2.9% (p = 0.083) for PR, and 89.2% vs. 10.8% (p = 0.763) for HER2. Following NACTx, 15% of hormone receptor (HR)-negative patients and 5.7% of HER2(−) patients became positive, requiring adjuvant treatment. In particular, 18% of triple-negative patients became HR(+) and 12% became HER2(+). HER2 loss was detected in 40% HER2(+) patients. Ki-67 and PR expression significantly decreased in pathologically responsive patients (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004) and tumor grade increased in pathologically unresponsive patients (p = 0.034).CONCLUSION: NACTx alone cannot explain receptor discordance observed in breast cancers. HER2 loss and decreased PR expression levels are mainly associated with NACTx; whereas the receptor status turning positive, which has clinical significance for adjuvant treatment, is primarily associated with intratumoral heterogeneity. Therefore, immunohistochemical re-staining for biomarkers should be performed in residual tumors.
Giant stones in neobladder and accompanied with a leak of cystotomy repair site:Case report and literature review
Authors: Ye Xiaobo , Xu Yue , Qiu Zhi
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Neobladder urolithiasis is a rare but important long-term complication of orthotopic urinary diversion. A giant stone maybe grow asymptomatically for a few years or be discovered incidentally by a radiological examination. Open cystolithotomy is an effective intervention for the removal of large stones in neobladder. Case description: We report the case of a 62-year-old male patient, submitted to a radical cystoectomy with a T pouch orthotopic neobladder 16 years before. Computed tomography scan showed a giant stone in the lumen of the neobladder without evident of hydronephrosis. In view of the size of the stones, A open cystotomy was made over the neobladder and approximately 4 stones with dimensions varying from 0.8cm to 6.5cm, and weighing a total of 610g, were removed. The post-operative course has been characterized by a leak of neobladder cystotomy repair site and wound infection, which was resolved after timely cystostomy plus bilateral nephrostomy and complete patency of drainage. Conclusion: Calculi in neobladders often related with metabolic disturbs, mucus overproduction and inefficient voiding. In this case, a giant stone had been growing asymptomatically for a few years. Open surgical removal may be complicated or accompanied by cystotomy leak. but preferred, management option. As illustraeted in this case, timely cystostomy and bilateral nephrostomy and complete patency of drainage facilitate the healing of the cystotomy leak.