bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of secure communication scheme in MQTT: TLS vs AES cryptography
Authors: Dewanta Favian , Yustiarini Baiq Yuniar , Indrakusumo Radityo Harsritanto Bangun
Published: November 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology requires low latency communications. One of the lightweight protocols in the IoT is the MQTT protocol. However, the MQTT protocol is not equipped with the appropriate security mechanism. As a consequence, the MQTT messages are easily eavesdropped and modified by the attackers. This research studies the use of AES cryptography-based communication scheme against the TLS-based communication scheme, which can be used to create end-to-end secure communication channels from the MQTT publishers to the MQTT subscribers. Experimental results show that the TLS-based communication scheme possess the highest cost in terms of communication delay and network cost among all schemes in the experiment. Eventually, the AES-based MQTT communication scheme is more appropriate for IoT environments because of its communication delay and network cost, which are considerably equal to the plaintext-based MQTT communications.
Responses of Caribbean Mangroves to Quaternary Climatic, Eustatic and Anthropogenic Drivers of Ecological Change: a Review
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: November 2022

Mangroves are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems. Understanding how these ecosystems responded to past natural and anthropogenic drivers of ecological change is essential not only for understanding how extant mangroves have been shaped, but also for informing their conservation. This paper reviews the available paleoecological evidence for Pleistocene and Holocene responses of Caribbean mangroves to climatic, eustatic and anthropogenic drivers. The first records date from the Last Interglacial when global average temperatures sea levels were slightly higher than the present and mangroves grew in locations and conditions similar to today. During the Last Glaciation temperatures and sea levels were significantly lower and Caribbean mangroves grew far from their present locations, on presently submerged sites. Current mangrove configuration was progressively attained after Early Holocene warming and sea-level rise, in the absence of anthropogenic pressure. Human influence began to be important in the Mid-Late Holocene, especially during the Archaic and Ceramic cultural periods, when sea levels were already at their present position, and climatic and human drivers were the most influencing factors. During the last millennium, the most relevant drivers of ecological change have been the episodic droughts linked to the Little Ice Age and the historical developments of the last centuries.
IoT and Drone Based Health Monitoring of Patients
Authors: Sadasivam Meivel , D Faridha Banu , Sindhwani Nidhi , Anand Rohit , Kannan Ramani
Published: November 2022

Without the use of medicine drones, users are responsible for transporting goods at a high cost. The goal of this patient monitoring system is to identify people's health and, if necessary, administer medicine. The transportation drone is capable of finding healthcare information in a 360-degree rotation within the transportation infrastructure. IoT: Drone doctors are critical for the transportation of small gadgets such as drug treatments, blood leakages, and vaccines in the critical conditions of a heart patient, in the event of failure of traffic location infrastructure, highway roads, or hospitals due to intense climate or site visitor congestion, and for the transportation of small gadgets such as drug treatments, blood leakages, and vaccines. When transmission is difficult, the self-maintaining drone is the format for quickly transporting drug treatments to the appropriate locations. The shipping drone equipped with an Ardupilot can drive in autopilot mode, which guides the drone to its destination. It has a 7-minute flying period and can deliver up to 2 kg of medicine. When the detected heartbeat is 94bpm and the fever range is 101 degrees, a method has been presented in which an IoT Drone Doctor (IDD) System distributes the first AID box to vulnerable patients and heart patients.
Environment Modification Mediates Seed-to-seed Interactions between Dominant Species in the Yangtze River Estuary
Authors: Wang Cheng-huan , Yu Zhen-lin , Yasenjiang Yuerenisha , Tang Long , Gao Yang , Zou Chun-jing
Published: November 2022

Plant community assembly is the central issue in community ecology. As plant traits differ in different life history stages, the form, intensity and mechanism of interspecific interactions may change with the ontogenetic process of plants. However, our understanding of interspecific interaction mechanisms during germination is still limited. Here, we conducted a laboratory germination experiment using 5 dominant species in Chongming Dongtan (Spartina alterniflora, Scirpus mariqueter, Phragmites australis, Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare) to assess their germination performance in control (monoculture), allelopathy and mixture treatments. The results indicated that seeds could affect germination performance of neighbours through both allelopathy and microenvironment modification. Salinity of the solution in petri dishes after germination decreased in all treatments, and was negatively correlated with the number of total germinated seeds. Seed leachate of invasive Spartina alterniflora inhibited the germination of native Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis, but not the two halophytes Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare. The salt absorption by Spartina alterniflora seeds had the opposite effects compared with that of its seed leachate. On the other hand, seed leachate of native species promoted the germination of invasive Spartina alterniflora. The effect of microenvironment modification of Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis was positive, whereas that of Suaeda glauca and Tripolium vulgare was neutral or negative. Considering seed-to-seed interactions is an important perspective to understand the underlying mechanisms of community dynamics, species diversity maintenance and invasion of alien species, and can improve the effectiveness in the management of invaded coastal wetlands.
The Hypervolume Newton Method for Constrained Multi-objective Optimization Problems
Authors: Wang Hao , Emmerich Michael , Deutz André , Hernández Víctor Adrián Sosa , Schütze Oliver
Published: November 2022

Recently, the Hypervolume Newton method (HVN) has been proposed as fast and precise indicator-based method for solving unconstrained bi-objective optimization problems with objective functions that are at least twice continuously differentiable. The HVN is defined on the space of (vectorized) fixed cardinality sets of decision space vectors for a given multi-objective optimization problem (MOP) and seeks to maximize the hypervolume indicator adopting the Newton-Raphson method for deterministic numerical optimization. To extend its scope to non-convex optimization problems the HVN method was hybridized with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), which resulted in a competitive solver for continuous unconstrained bi-objective optimization problems. In this paper, we extend the HVN to constrained MOPs with in principle any number of objectives. We demonstrate the applicability of the extended HVN on a set of challenging benchmark problems and show that the new method can be readily be applied to solve equality constraints with a high precision problems, and to some extend also inequalities. We finally use HVN as local search engine within a MOEA and show the benefit of this hybrid method on several benchmark problems.
High-Iron Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) Valorisation Using Hydrochemical Conversion of Goethite to Magnetite
Authors: Shoppert Andrei , Valeev Dmitry , Diallo Mamodou Malal , Loginova Irina , Beavogui Marie Constance , Rakhmonov Abdukhakim , Ovchenkov Yevgeniy , Pankratov Denis
Published: November 2022

Bauxite residue (BR), also known as red mud, is a by-product of the production of alumina via the Bayer process. Because of the high sodium oxide and other impurities content, this material is not used to obtain iron or other iron-containing products. In this paper, the hydro-chemical conversion of goethite (FeOOH) to magnetite (Fe3O4) in high-iron BR from the Friguia alumina refinery (Guinea) by Fe2+ ions in highly concentrated alkaline media was studied. The simultaneous extraction of Al and Na made it possible to obtain a product containing more than 96% Fe3O4. The results show that the magnetization of Al-goethite and Al-hemetite accelerates the dissolution of the Al from the iron mineral solid matrix and from the desilication product (DSP). After ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O) was added directly at the FeO:Fe2O3 molar ratio of 1:1 at 120 °C for 150 min in the solution with the 360 g L-1 Na2O concentration, the alumina extraction ratio reached 96.27% for the coarse bauxite residue size fraction (Sands) and 87.06% for fine BR obtained from red mud. The grade of iron (total iron in the form of iron element) in the residue can be increased to 69.55% for Sands and 58.31% for BR. The solid residues obtained after leaching were studied by XRD, XRF, TG-DTA, VSM, Mössbauer spectroscopy and SEM to evaluate the conversion and leaching mechanisms and the recovery ratio of Al from different minerals. The iron-rich residues can be used in the steel industry or as a pigment.
Integrated 0.35 µm CMOS Control Circuits for High Performance Voltage-Mode DC-DC Boost Converter
Authors: Lee Chan-Soo , Gendensuren Munkhsuld , Ahn Bierng-Chearl , Choi Seong-Gon
Published: November 2022

The integrated DC-DC converter is appropriate for use in many domains, namely, display, cellular, and portable applications. This paper presents an integrated monolithic voltage-mode DC-DC boost converter with a low-power control circuit. The driver circuit requires an integrated converter to power up a digital logic circuit and converts the unregulated DC input to the controlled DC output at the desired voltage level. It is the integration of both power switches and control circuitry within the same CMOS technology to buck down and boost voltages using a switch mode regulator. In order to increase power efficiency in the DC-DC boost converter that provides low-power operation with a small chip size, a low-voltage operation is applied to the unique circuit characteristic. The operational transconductance amplifier(OTA), comparator, and oscillator in the control circuit are designed with the supply voltage of 3.3V and the operating frequency of 5.5 MHz. A compensator is used to create a pole that has sufficient phase margin for high stability. The DC- DC boost converter is measured in both experiment and simulation. Testing of the proposed circuit on the 0.35μm CMOS process shows that the output transient time of the amplifier can be controlled within of 7μsec and the output voltage is accurately controlled with a ripple ratio of 3%.
Potencial ilustrativo y funciones epistémicas de la imagen en investigaciones multidisciplinarias sobre el hábitat contemporáneo de la pobreza
Authors: Krieger Peter
Published: November 2022

This study analyses the epistemic functions of images in the geographic and sociological discourses on poverty habitat in the megacities of the global south by focusing on Mexico city. Based on a conceptual and methodological review of art history from Bildwissenschaft perspective (visual studies), this paper aims to examine the poverty habitat by describing its typologies, patterns, encodings and possible effects of its visual constructions. This contribution outlines the utility of this type of research, the function of inter and transdisciplinary studies in this field and its fundamental ethic dimension.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Myocardial Remodeling in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure of Ischemic Origin
Authors: Zakirova A. N. , Zakirova N. E. , Nizamova D. F.
Published: November 2022

Aim. To study the presence and nature of correlations between the level of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and structural and functional parameters of the heart in the development of myocardial remodeling and fibrosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic origin.Material and methods. The study included 120 men with class II-IV CHF who have history of myocardial infarction, which are divided into 3 groups depending on the CHF class. The control group included 25 healthy men. Assessment of left ventricular (LV) structural-functional state was carried out by echocardiography. Investigation of IGF-1 and N-terminal precursor indices of cerebral natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) was performed by enzyme immunoassay.Results. Patients with class II CHF were hyperexpression of IGF-1, with class III CHF were registered low-normal level, with class IV CHF was established a deficiency of IGF-1. The most significant structural-geometric rearrangement of LV and significant deficit of IGF-1 recorded in patients with class IV CHF (95,6±7,02 ng/ml with class IV CHF versus 178,3±11,36 ng/ml and 124,3±9,14 ng/ml with class II and III CHF; р<0,05). In patients of class III-IV CHF, correlation relationships between IGF-1 level and echocardiographic parameters (LV myocardial mass index are established: r=-0,59, p=0,05; end systolic volume index: r=-0,55, p=0,05; value of LV ejection fraction: r=0,61, p=0,05). Significant negative correlation are established in patients with class III-IV CHF between IGF-1 level and NT-pro BNP levels (r=-0,51; р=0,05).Conclusion. The intensity of myocardial remodeling and fibrosis processes in patients with a progressive course of CHF is related to deficit of IGF-1 and is associated with a high level of activity of natriuretic peptides.
Thrombocytopenia Induced by Direct Oral Anticoagulants: a Clinical Case and Literature Review
Authors: Tatarsky B. A. , Kazennova N. V.
Published: November 2022

The last decade has dramatically changed the strategy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Direct oral anticoagulants have replaced vitamin K antagonists: either direct thrombin blockers (dabigatran) or factor IIa blockers (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban). According to the regulatory domestic and foreign documents, the use of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation has priority in comparison with vitamin K antagonists, since they have a predictable anticoagulant effect, the possibility of taking fixed doses without the need for routine anticoagulant monitoring, rapid onset and termination of action, relatively low potential for food and drug interactions. Direct oral anticoagulants are used for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation, for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have undergone surgery on the knee or hip joints, for emergency treatment and secondary prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Alertness to side effects tends to focus on the likelihood of bleeding, with the possibility of other side effects of direct oral anticoagulants receiving less attention or going unnoticed. These mainly include liver damage, kidney damage and a number of other rare adverse reactions. The finding of isolated thrombocytopenia in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants may be associated with a high risk of life-threatening bleeding. The article analyzes published data on the occurrence of thrombocytopenia associated with the intake of direct oral anticoagulants, and presents a clinical case of thrombocytopenia while taking apixaban.
Assessment of Drug Related Problems and Pharmacist Interventions in Inpatients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Biradar S. M. , Kohima B. , Nayak V. , Nandikol S. , Warad V. , Byakod S. M. , Hunasagi B. S. , Awasthi S. R.
Published: November 2022

Aim.To identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of drug-related problems (DRPs) and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.Material and Methods.An Observational and Prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of medicine department of general and intensive/critical care units for a period of 6 months to identify and evaluate the nature and incidence of DRP’s and to manifest the role of a pharmacist in ensuring safe and efficient use of medications with cardiovascular disease patients by using PCNE Classification to assess and report drug-related problems.Results.Of 94 Patient profiles were evaluated out of which 78 (82.9%) patient profiles were identified with 208 DRPs. Among 208, 140 (67.3%) drug interactions, 15 (7.2%) untreated indication, 12 (5.8%) adverse drug reactions, 10 (4.8%) drug use without indication, 8 (3.8%) drug underused, 8 (3.8%) duration of treatment too short, 5 (2.4%) dose unclear, 4 (1.9%) inappropriate drug form, 3 (1.4%) duration of treatment too long, 2 (1.0%) too many drugs prescribed for an indication, 1 (0.5%) drug overused. For 208 DRPs identified and provided with 74 interventions which includes 30 (41.6%) drug discontinuation, 24 (33.3%) addition of a new drug, 4 (5.55%) change of dosage form, and 14 (19.4%) decrease the dose.Conclusion.The present study revealed that patients with cardiovascular diseases suffer from numerous DRPs that can be identified, resolved, or prevented to some extent by pharmacist intervention. Hence the study addresses the importance of clinical pharmacist in the management of DRPs among cardiovascular patients.
Work Life Balance and Level of Satisfaction Among Women Teachers Assigned In The Northernmost Part of The Province of Surigao Del Sur, Philippines
Authors: Mercado Jillard O.
Published: November 2022

"Research Aims - This research intends to study the extent of work-life balance and the level of satisfaction among women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del Sur and to determine if there is a significant relationship between them. Design/methodology/approach - This study used the descriptive normative and correlation method. The adopted questionnaire was modified and used. A total of 226 women teachers were chosen as respondent but only 210 participated. The data gathered from the questionnaire were tallied, tabulated, analyzed and presented in tables. Research Findings - The result shows that majority of the teachers answered “moderate extent” to the work life balance under personal and work environment and mostly “satisfied” on the level of satisfaction. It concludes that there is a significant relationship between the work life balance and level of satisfaction. Theoretical Contribution/Originality – Significant relationship between the work life balance and the level of satisfaction were tested in this study and showed that there is a relationship of work and life balance and the level of satisfaction among women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del Sur. Managerial Implications in the South Asian Context – Managers or administrators in Southeast Asian context especially in the education sector have to consider not only the work of their women employees in their institution but also their personal life because once these two balanced; this could lead to high level of job satisfaction. As an effect, this could heighten the level of commitment and their loyalty. Research limitations and recommendation – This study limits only to women teachers assigned in the northernmost part of the province of Surigao del sur. This paper offers for further research to other sectors."
The Effect of Enterprise Risk Management Practice on SME Performance
Authors: Yakob Sajiah , B.A.M. Hafizuddin-Syah , Yakob Rubayah , Raziff Nur Aufa Muhammad
Published: November 2022

"Research Aims - This study aims to identify the effect of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) performance. Design/methodology/approach - This study employed a multiple regression analysis. SME performance was treated as dependent variable, whereas ERM was the independent variable. Research Findings - Multiple regression analysis indicated that ERM has a significant effect to- wards firm performance. However, only one of the ERM elements namely objective determination has a significant effectt on SME performance. Theoretical Contribution/Originality - This study contributes to the body of knowledge from the standpoint of ERM by testing the effect of each element of ERM described under the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commissions (COSO) towards firm performance. Per- haps, each element of the ERM might has different effect towards an organization. Thus, Resource Based View (RBV) Theory was supported which hold that the organisational resources are the main factor to influence the organisational performance. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian context - ERM conducted in SMEs are expected to be able to develop strategies in minimising the risks that may or may not be faced by SME firms. In fact, an effective risk management can assist SME managers and owners in achieving their de- fined business objectives. Thus, risk management enhances the firm’s value, maximise profitability, and consequently improve SME performance. Research limitation & implications - This study has improved the measurement of ERM practices among SMEs and identified ERM elements that affect SME performance in particular."
The Allocative Efficiency Analysis in the Rice Farming Production
Authors: Salam Muslim , Maulidiyah Rafiqah , Amiruddin Achmad , Diansari Pipi , Muslim Ahmad Imam
Published: November 2022

The study aimed to analyze the effect of the application of production inputs on rice farming production and to analyze the allocative efficiency. The study was conducted in Bantaeng Regency. The primary data employed were collected from 36 farmers who owned 82 rice fields in total. The FPCD Model and AE Analysis were applied for the data analysis. The model showed that there were five variables (land area, seeds, ZA fertilizer, NPK fertilizer, and labor) had positive and significant effects on the rice farming production. Meanwhile, the result of EA Analysis showed that the variable of land area, seeds, and ZA fertilizer had not been efficient yet and the labor was not efficient. In increasing the rice farming production, the farmers are encouraged to cultivate more rice fields, apply for more certified seeds, ZA and NPK fertilizers, as well as reduce the number of labors used for production’s efficiency.
Farmer perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on agriculture: A case study from Madura Island, Indonesia
Authors: Setiani Setiani , Setiawan Eko , Huang Wen-Chi
Published: November 2022

The worldwide COVID-19 epidemic has had a great impact on farming and socioeconomic institutions all over the globe.This study aims to understand farmer knowledge and perceptions of the impacts of the one-year COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural systems. We purposefully picked 400 farmers from four regencies in Madura Island, Indonesia. The survey was administered from April to August 2021. Maize, rice, peanuts, tobacco, cassava, and chili peppers are the five most cultivated plants, while chicken and cattle are the main livestock raised. Farmers’ perceptions, measured on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1—not affected, to 5—severely affected), showed that COVID-19 had an average minor to moderate effect (average score of 2.49±0.9) on the agriculture system. The greatest impact is on farm income (average scale of 3.76±0.79), while the ability to plant crops in the upcoming season is the lowest (average scale of 1.2±0.56).
THE EFFECT OF VIDEO PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ON STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILL
Authors: Iin Wahyudi
Published: November 2022

This research is entitled “Effectiveness of Video Project-Based Learning on students' English skills. This research employed a pre-experimental method. The data in this study were collected through a speaking test; pre-test and post-test. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of the use of video project-based learning methods on students' English skills. Thus, there are 35 samples involved in this study they were students from the English language study program, faculty of teacher training and education at the University of Lakidende Unaaha for the 2020/2021 academic year. The results of this study, in this case the paired sample T test, showed that the students' pre- test and post-test results were at level .00 or P .05, which means that project-based learning can significantly improve students' speaking skills. In addition, the application of this video project learning method is proven to increase students' self-confidence in speaking using English. This study provides suggestions for future researchers to focus on mastering or improving other skills.
Neural stem cell-derived exosomes protect spinal cord injury by the transfer of miR-31-5p
Authors: Jiang Dongdong , Luo Yongjun , Wu Xiaoshu , Huang Chenyu , Zhang Qiaofeng , Jiang Chunzhi , Yao Qingqiang , Jiang Fei , Tang Pengyu
Published: November 2022

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic damage that causes changes in its motor function permanently. Reactive astrocytes is a pathological feature of spinal cord injury (SCI). Exosomes take part in the transportation of miRNAs and play an a novel platform for intercellular communication in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the effect of miRNAs in Neuronal stem cells (NSCs) derived exosomes in SCI was unknown. in vivo SCI model and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of exosomes. NSCs-derived exosomes promoted motor function recovery by shifting astrocytes from the A1 to A2 phenotype. microarray analysis of miRNA showed that miR-31-5p was the most enriched in NSCs-derived exosomes. Bioinformatics, RIP, and luciferase activity predicted IL34 was the target downstream gene of miR-31-5p. Western bloting examined IL34/STAT3 signaling pathway involved in modulating atrocities by the exosomal miR-31-5p. Rescue experiments evaluate that exosomal miR-31-5p shifting astrocytes A1 to A2 phenotype by inhibiting IL34/STAT3 signaling cascades, and promoted motor function recovery in mice after SCI.
Laparoscopic hernia repair in patients with peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Cui Changjin , Zhang Lei , Luan Li , Liu Qiaonan , Cheng Yugang , Li Bo
Published: November 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of laparoscopic hernia repair in patients experiencing hernia while undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
Methods
The clinical data of 9 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis complicated by abdominal hernia admitted for repair from July 15, 2020 to April 18, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and the therapeutic effect of the surgical approach was determined.
Results
From July 15, 2020 to April 18, 2022, 9 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis experienced an abdominal wall hernia, all of whom underwent laparoscopic hernia repair in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. Moreover, 7 patients presented with inguinal hernia, among whom 3 exhibited intraoperative bilateral inguinal hernia, all of whom underwent conventional TAPP surgery. Moreover, 2 cases presented with umbilical hernia, repaired by IPOM. All surgeries were successful without requiring conversion to open surgery. The mean follow-up time was (8.33±7.61) months, and no recurrence or chronic pain was reported. One patient died due to a car accident.
Discussion
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a feasible and effective intervention for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis complicated by an abdominal hernia. The advantages of laparoscopic hernia repair over open surgery include simplicity of the surgical approach, accelerated recovery, a reduced incidence of complications, the allowance of simultaneous observation of the contralateral inguinal region intraoperatively, and simultaneous fixation of the dialysis tube as needed. Given these observed advantages, laparoscopic hernia repair should be considered as a safe and effective surgical method for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis complicated by abdominal hernia.
Managing postoperative atrial fibrillation after open-heart surgery using transdermal β1 blockers
Authors: Yamamoto Kenji , Miwa Senri , Yamada Tomoyuki , Setozaki Shuji , Hamuro Mamoru , Kurokawa Shunji , Enomoto Sakae
Published: November 2022

Background
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after open-heart surgery is a non-negligible complication. We aimed to describe the efficacy of a transdermal patch of bisoprolol for managing POAF and flutter in thoracic surgical procedures.
Methods
We analyzed 384 patients who underwent open-heart surgery at our hospital and received oral bisoprolol to prevent POAF. Among them, 65 patients (16.9%) also received a 4-mg transdermal patch of bisoprolol to control heart rate due to POAF. We applied the bisoprolol transdermal patch when the heart rate was > 80 bpm and removed it at ≤ 60 bpm; an additional patch was applied when the heart rate was > 140 bpm. Heparin calcium injections were administered twice daily for anticoagulation between 2 and 6 days postoperatively.
Results
The average number of prescriptions for transdermal patches of bisoprolol during hospitalization was 1.8 ± 1.1 (1–5). The median first prescription date was on postoperative day 2 (range: days 0–37). Sinus rhythm recovered within 24 h in 18 patients (27.7%). Eight patients (12.3%) were switched to continuous landiolol infusion due to persistent tachycardia. In three patients, the transdermal patch was removed due to severe bradycardia. Fifteen patients experienced persistent atrial fibrillation and were treated with electrical cardioversion during hospitalization. We did not observe any serious complications that could be directly attributed to bisoprolol transdermal patch use.
Conclusions
Single-use bisoprolol transdermal patch may help control heart rate during the initial treatment of POAF after open-heart surgery.
Causal relationship between controllable risk factors and knee osteoarthritis: a Mendelian randomized study
Authors: Luo Pan , Yang Mingyi , Wan Xianjie , Xu Peng
Published: November 2022

Background:Current knowledge of the nature and treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have shown that an effective prevention strategy and treatment to identify and avoid risk factors in the early stage of KOA are required. Therefore, we hope to be able to determine some modifiable risk factors for KOA through MR analysis from a genetically informed perspective to achieve early prevention to reduce the prevalence of KOA in the population.
Methods: In our research, we used a series of quality control steps to identify eligible instrumental SNPs that were strongly related to exposure. We used numerous dependable analytical methods (Inverse-variance weighting, MR-PRESSO method, weighted median, MR–Egger regression, and MR. RAPS method) that consist of two MR extrapolation hypotheses to make our conclusions more robust and credible. The MR–Egger intercept test, Cochran’s Q test, and “leave-one-out” sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneities, and stability of these genetic variants on KOA. Outlier variants identified by the MR-PRESSO outlier test were removed step-by-step to reduce heterogeneity and the effect of horizontal pleiotropy.
Results: Through Two- sample MR analysis, we found that there was a causal relationship between obesity and KOA, and obesity was positively correlated with the incidence of KOA (IVW: beta (95% CI), 0.144 (0.089, 0.199); OR (95% CI) 1.155 (1.093, 1.221); p =3.09e-7). The genetic predisposition to smoking was associated with a decreased risk of KOA (IVW: beta (95% CI), 0.178 (0.045, 0.311); OR (95% CI), 1.195 (1.046, 1.365); p =0.008). Based on the IVW model, there was a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and KOA (IVW: beta (95% CI), 0.347 (0.003, 0.692); OR (95% CI) 1.416 (1.003, 1.998); p =0.047).
Conclusion: Our two-sample MR analysis confirmed that some controllable risk factors (smoking, drinking and obesity) can lead to KOA from a genetic point of view, which provides an important clue for the prevention and treatment of KOA.
Effects of lifestyle risk behaviour clustering on cardiovascular disease among UK adults: latent class analysis with distal outcomes
Authors: Tegegne Teketo Kassaw , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful , Maddison Ralph
Published: November 2022

Background: Lifestyle risk behaviours such as smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet account for a considerable disease burden globally. These risk behaviours tend to cluster within an individual, which could have detrimental health effects. In this study, we aimed to examine the clusteringeffect of lifestyle risk behaviours on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk among adults in the United Kingdom (UK).
Methods: We performed a latent class (LC) analysis with distal outcomes using the UK Biobank baseline (2006-2010) data. First, we estimated LC measurement models, followed by an auxiliary model conditional on LC variables. We reported continuous (mean difference - MD) and binary (odds ratio - OR) outcomes with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: We included 283,172 and 174,030 UK adults who had data on CVD and CVD risk, respectively. Multiple lifestyle risk behaviour clustering (physically inactive, poor fruit & vegetable intake, high alcohol intake, and prolonged sitting) had a 3.29 mean increase in CVD risk compared to high alcohol intake. In addition, adults with three risk behaviours (physically inactive, poor fruit & vegetable intake, and high alcohol intake) had 25.18 higher odds of having CVD than those with two risk behaviours (physically inactive, and poor fruit & vegetable intake). Social deprivation, gender and age were also associated with CVD.
Conclusion: Individuals' LC membership with two or more lifestyle risk behaviours negatively affects CVD. Interventions targeting multiple lifestyle behaviours and social circumstances should be prioritized to reduce the CVD burden.
Relationship of life-satisfaction and self-efficacy with prognostic markers in patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Kondo Kaoru , Nagai Kojiro , Shima Hisato , Yokota Narushi , Minagawa Naoto , Koezuka Yasuhiko , Ichien Go , Doi Toshio , Minakuchi Jun
Published: November 2022

Objective: A questionnaire suggestive of patients’ health status is needed to assess their quality of life and improve their self-management skills.
It is a descriptive, cross-sectional and multicenter study. The aim of this study was to assess the life-satisfaction and self-efficacy questionnaires verified in Japan which was more related to the biochemical and nutritional markers in patients receiving hemodialysis. A total of 196 outpatients receiving hemodialysis in four dialysis centers were included. The responses to the life-satisfaction and self-efficacy questionnaires were collected. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were obtained including life circumstances, in addition to nutritional indices such as normalized protein catabolism rate, creatinine generation rate and geriatric nutritional risk index.
Results: Life-satisfaction scores were related to prognostic nutritional markers such as normalized protein catabolism rate and creatinine generation rate. Female sex and non-diabetic patients were more satisfied with the life undergoing hemodialysis. Elderly patients had higher self-efficacy scores, which was related to their life-satisfaction scores. However, self-efficacy scores were not associated with the biochemical and nutritional markers. This life-satisfaction questionnaire was simple and useful to assess the patient’s condition.
COVID-19 and severe rhabdomyolysis causing acute kidney injury and life-threatening hyperkalemia: A case report
Authors: Geeting Danielle , Alibrahim Omar , Patel Mital , Kumar Reeti , Mallory Palen
Published: November 2022

Introduction
Though initially believed to primarily be a respiratory pathogen, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has manifested as a virus that has the potential to affect multiple organ systems causing a wide variety of disease and symptomatology.
Case Presentation
Here we present a teenager with acute COVID-19 who presented to the hospital with severe rhabdomyolysis causing life-threatening hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury requiring treatment with emergent renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit.
Conclusions
Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury are increasingly recognized as complications of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and require vigilance given the associated risk of morbidity and mortality.
Tumor size as a significant prognostic factor in T1 gastric cancer: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database analysis
Authors: Xiao Xueyan , Wang Weijun , Gao Beibei , Pang Suya , Wang Zeyu , Jiang Weiwei , Lin Rong
Published: November 2022

Background
It has previously been observed that the prognostic value of tumor size varied according to different stages patients enrolled in gastric cancer. We aimed to investigate the influence of T stage on the prognostic and predicting value of tumor size.
Material and Methods
A total of 13585 patients with stage I–III gastric cancer were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Uni and multi regression analysis stratified by T stage were performed. C-index and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve were applied to assess discrimination ability of tumor size and other factors. Nomograms were constructed to further assess the performance of tumor size in a specific model. Calibration ability, discrimination ability, reclassification ability and clinical benefits were executed to judge the performance of models.
Results
Stratified analyses according to T stage illustrated that with the increase of T stage, the effect of tumor size on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) significantly decreased. Moreover, tumor size showed superior discrimination ability in T1 gastric cancer, outperformed other prognostic factors in predicting both CSS (C-index: 0.666, AUC: 0.687) and OS (C-index: 0.635, AUC: 0.660). The cox regression model included tumor size showed better performance than the model excluded tumor size in every aspect.
Conclusion
T stage had a negative impact on the predicting value of tumor size. Tumor size showed significant prognostic value in T1 gastric cancer, which may be effective in clinical practice.
The impact of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health service access and provision in Botswana: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ryan Rebecca , Mussa Aamirah , Mechie Imogen , Ensor Samuel , Simon Selebaleng , Ramontshonyana Kehumile , Ndlovu Neo , Morroni Chelsea
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Measures intended to curb COVID-19 transmission and mortality may have indirect effects on access to, provision, and uptake of essential healthcare services including sexual and reproductive health (SRH). These indirect effects may disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups through impaired delivery of contraception, antenatal and HIV care services. In Botswana, SRH needs were significant prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a high HIV prevalence, high rates of unintended pregnancy and a high maternal mortality ratio. We aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on SRH access and provision in Botswana.Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Botswana over a 5-week period in early 2021. Data were collected through an online survey disseminated as part of the International Sexual Health and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) Survey. Respondents answered questions on SRH, including sexual behaviours, access to contraception, antenatal and postnatal care and HIV management, in the 3 months before and during Botswana’s COVID-19 restrictions.Results: 409 participants (82% female) completed the survey. 87% (n = 356) reported following COVID-19 restrictions ‘a lot’ or ‘very strictly’. 54% (n = 221) reported worsening of their household economic situation since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, and a quarter reported a relationship breakdown with their partner. Since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, respondents reported difficulties in accessing contraception (15%); STI/HIV treatment (15%) and maternity services (29%). Reasons for hindered access to SRH services included movement restrictions or lack of transport; closure of, inaccessibility of, or lack of appropriately-trained staff at healthcare facilities; and fear of acquiring COVID-19. Contraception use reflected that of previous studies conducted in Botswana with condom use predominating (49%) and limited long-acting reversible contraceptive coverage (13%).Conclusion: Botswana’s COVID-19 restrictions had indirect effects on the breadth of SRH services studied, resulting in reduced access to contraception, maternity care and HIV treatment. Prioritisation of SRH services in future national emergencies may minimize disruption to SRH care and prevent avoidable harms including unintended pregnancies, maternal and neonatal mortality, and HIV transmission. Achieving better coverage of long-acting contraceptives may help to mitigate against disruptions to contraception access.
Characterization of biliary microbiota dysbiosis in acute cholecystitis: A reduction in the biodiversity of the bile microbiome
Authors: Shen Danfeng , Xu Jingjing , Chang Peng , Xu Haibin , Zhu Zhiqiang , Shen Ye
Published: November 2022

Background
Previous studies have shown that bacterial infections are closely associated with most common biliary diseases, such as biliary tract infection and gallbladder stone formation. Acute cholecystitis usually occurs in patients with acute infections of the biliary system, and severe infections can easily lead to life-threatening sepsis. This study explored the structural differences in the bile microbiome in patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis and the relationship with acute and chronic cholecystitis.
Results
A total of 18 patients in the acute cholecystitis group and 8 patients in the control group were enrolled in the analysis. The composition of the biliary microbiota significantly differed between acute cholecystitis patients and chronic cholecystitis controls. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the microbial communities obtained from the chronic cholecystitis controls clustered separately from those from the acute cholecystitis patients. We observed that many kinds of bacteria, such as Burkholderia, Bradyrhizobium, Phreatobacter and Comamonas, were significantly higher in chronic cholecystitis controls than in acute cholecystitis patients.
Conclusions
The diversity of the bile microbiome in patients with acute cholecystitis is lower than that in patients with chronic cholecystitis. Patients with acute cholecystitis may have a bile microbial imbalance that might related to acute infections.
Tamoxifen, associated to the conservative CKD treatment, promoted additional antifibrotic effects on experimental hypertensive nephrosclerosis
Authors: Fanelli Camilla , Ornellas Felipe M , Celestrino Giovanna A , Carmagnani Danielly N , Francini Ana LR , Noronha Irene L
Published: November 2022

CKD progression depends on the activation of an intricate set of hemodynamic and inflammatory mechanisms, promoting renal leukocyte infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis, leading to renal function loss. There are currently no specific drugs to detain renal fibrogenesis, which is a common end-point for different nephropathies. Clinical therapy for CKD is mostly based on the management of hypertension and proteinuria, partially achieved with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers, and the control of inflammation by immunosuppressive drugs. The aim of the present study was to verify if the administration of tamoxifen (TAM), an estrogen receptor modulator, clinically employed in the treatment of breast cancer and predicted to exert antifibrotic effects, would promote additional benefits when associated to a currently used therapeutic scheme for the conservative management of experimental CKD. Wistar rats underwent the NAME model of hypertensive nephrosclerosis, obtained by daily oral administration of a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, associated to dietary sodium overload. The therapeutic association of TAM to losartan (LOS), and mofetil mycophenolate (MMF) effectively reduced the severe hypertension, marked albuminuria and glomerular damage exhibited by NAME animals. Moreover, the association also succeeded in limiting renal inflammation in this model, and promoted further reduction of ECM interstitial accumulation and renal fibrosis, compared to the monotherapies. According to our results, the association of TAM to the currently used conservative treatment of CKD added significant antifibrotic effects both in vivo and in vitro, and may represent an alternative to slow the progression of chronic nephropathy.
Semiochemical release and ontogenetic changes in a primary scent gland of Podisus maculiventris
Authors: Aflitto Nicholas C. , Dittmar Abigail G. , Ugine Todd A. , Thaler Jennifer S.
Published: November 2022

Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug) is a generalist predator studied for its biocontrol potential. This species has a large dorsal abdominal gland (DAG) that releases pheromones that can also be important semiochemicals for other organisms. Despite our growing understanding of gland development, the conditions that elicit releases are largely unknown. To determine if male age or gland development affects the chemical composition and release behavior, we dissected adult male bugs and profiled the chemical composition of the male DAG 1, 7, and 14 d post-eclosion. To determine if gland development is related to sexual maturity, we counted the number of sperm present in the seminal vesicles at the same time points. Finally, we measured the diurnal release patterns of different aged males and in various male-female combinations. We observed that newly eclosed adults have under-developed glands and male seminal vesicles contained few sperm. One week post-eclosion the DAG contained previously reported pheromone compounds and males contained many sperm. Mirroring the trend in reproductive maturation and gland development, the number of pheromone releases increased with age and the majority of releases followed a scotophase pattern unaffected by sexual composition. These findings link male age to 1) dorsal abdominal gland development 2) release behavior and 3) sexual maturity, which will help our understanding of when these olfactory cues are present for other organisms, like prey, to perceive.
Construction and evaluation of the SV40-LT and hTERT overexpression MDCK cell lines
Authors: Liu Wenkai , Wang Jiamin , Liu Zhenbin , Ma Guilan , Qiao Zilin , Ma Zhongren , Li You , Wang Mingming
Published: November 2022

Research on establishing continuous cell line (CCL) has gained much attention recently, especially for its promising usage as an alternative substrate for vaccine production. In order to set up a ready-for-use protocol for potentially immortalizing animal originated cells, this study used MDCK as the pilot cells to explore the method using hTERT and SV40-LT genes transfected through liposome and lentivirus. Results showed that hTERT transfection with liposome and lentivirus, and SV40-LT with lentivirus could be successfully expressed in MDCK cells. Transfection efficiency of lentivirus was higher than liposome, and SV40-LT was easier to induce cell proliferation than hTERT. No mutation occurred during the passage and the original phenotype was maintained. The study provided a reference and potential method for the subsequent immortalization of primary cells.