bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of The Transitional Probability Among Esophageal Cancer and Its Precancerous Lesions
Authors: YU Yong , XIE Yue , YANG Xue , WANG Jing-Xuan , CHEN Zhi-Yu , ZHAO Fei , MA Jian-Qiao , Wei Wen-Qiang , Qiao You-Lin , Yang Chun-Xia
Published: October 2020

Background: To estimate the transition probabilities of esophageal cancer (EC) and its precancerous lesions during the process of canceration by Markov model, which could provide important information for EC screening with regard to choosing reasonable screening and follow-up intervals.Methods: The transition probabilities among pathological stages were estimated by establishing Markov models for the natural history of EC and repeatedly adjusting and calibrating Markov models through comparing the modeled incidence and distributions of pathological stages (alone or combined) with observed data in real world condition. Results: In one year, the probabilities were 0.024, 0.05, 0.12 for people from health state progressing to mild dysplasia (mD), mild dysplasia (mD) to moderate dysplasia (MD), and moderate dysplasia (MD) to severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (SD/CIS), respectively. The age-specific transition probabilities were 0.08~0.18 for severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (SD/CIS) progressing to intramucosal carcinoma(IC), 0.4~0.87 for intramucosal carcinoma (IC) to submucosal carcinoma (T1N0M0) (SC), and 0.2~0.85 for submucosal carcinoma (T1N0M0) (SC) to invasive carcinoma (INC). The progression probabilities increased with age and the severity of the disease. Based on the estimated transition probabilities, we predicted the incidence of EC and distributions of its pathological stages. Comparisons between modeled results with observed data confirmed the validation of our transition probabilities.Conclusion: The estimating transition probabilities of EC and its precancerous lesions were reliable and could be used to address questions such as the optimal screening frequency, screening intervals, and health economic evaluation of screening strategies.
Evaluation of Health Surveillance System Attributes: The Case of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Kenya
Authors: Ng'etich Arthur Kipkemoi Saitabau , Voyi Kuku , Mutero Clifford Maina
Published: October 2020

Background: Control of preventive chemotherapy-targeted neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs) relies on strengthened health systems. Efficient health information systems provide an impetus to achieving the sustainable development goal aimed at ending PC-NTD epidemics. However, there is limited assessment of surveillance system functions linked to PC-NTDs that is hinged on optimum performance of surveillance system attributes. The study aimed to evaluate surveillance system attributes based on healthcare workers’ perceptions in relation to PC-NTDs endemic in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional health facility survey was used to purposively sample respondents involved in surveillance activities. Consenting respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their perceptions towards surveillance system attributes on a five-point likert scale. Frequency distribution for each point in the likert scale was analysed to determine health worker’s overall perception. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and estimated median values with corresponding interquartile ranges used to summarise reporting rates. Factor analysis identified variables measuring specific latent attributes. Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests examined associations between categorical variables. Thematic analysis was performed for the questionnaire open-ended responses.Results: Most (88%) respondents worked in public facilities with 71% in second-tier facilities. Regarding PC-NTDs, 55% of respondents perceived the surveillance system to be simple, 50% to be acceptable, 41% to be stable, 41% to be flexible, 51% to be useful and 25% to providing quality data. Facility locality, facility type, respondents’ education level and years of work experience were associated with perceived opinion on acceptability (p = 0.046; p = 0.049; p = 0.032 and p = 0.032) and stability (p = 0.030; p = 0.022; p = 0.015 and p =0.024) respectively. Median monthly reporting timeliness and completeness rates for facilities were 75 (58.3, 83.3) and 83.3 (58.3, 100) respectively. Higher-level facilities met reporting timeliness (p <0.001) and completeness (p <0.001) thresholds compared to lower-level facilities.Conclusion: Health personnel had lower perceptions on the stability, flexibility and data quality of the surveillance system. Reporting timeliness and completeness rates decreased in 2017 compared to previous surveillance periods. Strengthening all surveillance functions would influence health workers’ perceptions and improve surveillance system overall performance regarding PC-NTDs.
Capacity and Site Readiness for Hypertension Control Program Implementation in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Orji Ikechukwu Anthony , Baldridge Abigail S. , Omitiran Kasarachi , Guo Mainzhao , Ajisegiri Whenayon Simeon , Ojo Tunde M. , Shedul Gabriel , Kandula Namratha R. , Hirschhorn Lisa R. , Huffman Mark D. , Ojji Dike B.
Published: October 2020

Background: Nigeria faces an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), leading to an estimated 29% of all deaths in the country. Nigeria has an estimated hypertension prevalence ranging from 25% to 40% of her adult population. Despite this high burden, awareness (14-30%), treatment (<20%), and control (9%) rates of hypertension are low in Nigeria. Against this backdrop, we sought to perform capacity and readiness assessments of public Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) to inform Nigeria's system-level hypertension control program's implementation and adaptation strategies.Methods: The study employed a multi-stage sampling to select 60 from the 243 PHCs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) Service Availability and Readiness Assessment was adapted to focus on hypertension diagnosis and treatment and was administered to PHC staff from May 2019 – October 2019. Indicator scores for general and cardiovascular service readiness were calculated based on the proportion of sites with available amenities, equipment, diagnostic tests, and medications. Results: Median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of full-time staff was 5 (3-8), and were predominantly community health extension workers (median = 3 [IQR 2-5]). Few sites (n=8; 15%) received cardiovascular disease diagnosis and management training within the previous two years, though most had sufficient capacity for screening (n=58; 97%), diagnosis (n=56; 93%), and confirmation (n=50; 83%) of hypertension. Few PHCs had guidelines (n=7; 13%), treatment algorithms (n=3; 5%), or information materials (n=1; 2%) for hypertension. Most sites (n=55; 92%) had one or more functional blood pressure apparatus. All sites relied on paper records, and few had a functional computer (n=10; 17%) or access to internet (n=5; 8%). Despite inclusion on Nigeria’s essential medicines list, 35 (59%) PHCs had zero 30-day treatment regimens of any blood pressure-lowering medications in stock. Conclusions: This first systematic assessment of capacity and readiness for a system-level hypertension control program within the FCT of Nigeria demonstrated implementation feasibility based on the workforce, equipment, and paper-based information systems, but a critical need for essential medicine supply strengthening, health-worker training, and protocols for hypertension treatment and control in Nigeria.
Factors Associated With Participation in an Ongoing National Catch-up Campaign Against Rubella: A Cross-sectional Internet Survey Among 1,680 Adult Men in Japan
Authors: HORI AI , YOSHII SHIHO , ISAKA YUKARI , WADA KOJI
Published: October 2020

BackgroundSince 2019, aiming to eliminate periodic rubella outbreaks, the Japanese government has provided a rubella immunization program targeting men born in fiscal years 1972 to 1978, who lacked the opportunity to be vaccinated against rubella in childhood. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with participation in the rubella vaccination program among the first-year target population in 2019.MethodsA total of 11,754 adult men in Japan born in fiscal years 1972 to1978 living in seven rubella epidemic areas (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka) were selected from a list of a survey agency and invited to complete an Internet questionnaire in March 2020. Recruitment ended when the participants reached 1,680 individuals. Multivariable log binomial regression analyses were performed to explore the association between awareness of rubella prevention and rubella antibody testing in fiscal year 2019, adjusting for social characteristics.ResultsOf the 1,680 men aged 41–47 years who completed the survey, approximately half (51.3%) said that they had received a voucher for the rubella antibody testing and vaccination program. One-quarter (25.9%) of the respondents had used the voucher for rubella antibody testing in 2019, and 6.0% had used the voucher for rubella vaccination in fiscal year 2019. Respondents who understood the government recommendation for rubella antibody testing and vaccination for men of their generation (odds ratio [OR]: 5.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.01–7.53), those with acquaintances who had undergone rubella testing (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.22–1.59), and those who knew that about their lack of opportunity for rubella vaccination (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.11–1.60) tended to undergo rubella antibody testing. Receiving the most recent seasonal influenza vaccination (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10–1.43) and being able to confirm a rubella vaccination history (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.13–1.46) were also associated with rubella antibody testing.ConclusionsThe ongoing Japanese test-and-vaccinate rubella program has yet to achieve its participation rate goal for 2019. Further dissemination of the government recommendation to the population is necessary, along with improvements in the accessibility of the rubella vaccination program.
Association Between cardiometabolic risk factor and responsiveness to vitamin D supplementation: A New Approach using Artificial Neural Network analysis
Authors: Allahyari Elahe , Hanachi Parichehr , Mirmoosavi Seyed Jamal , Ferns Gordon A. , Bahrami Afsane , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAccumulating data have highlighted the prominence of supplementation as an effective approach for vitamin D deficiency. But individuals vary in their response to vitamin D supplementation. In this study, the effect of cardiometabolic risk factors were evaluate on magnitude of response to vitamin D supplementation by using novel statistical analysis, artificial neural networks(ANNs).Methods608 participants aged between 12 to 19 years old were assed in this prospective interventional study. Nine vitamin D capsules containing 50000IU vitamin D/weekly were given to all participants over the 9 week period. The change in serum 25(OH)D level was calculated as the difference between post-supplementation and basal levels. Suitable ANNs model were selected between different algorithms in the hidden and output layers and different numbers of neurons in the hidden layer. Then, the major determinants in predicting response to vitamin D supplementations were identified (Trial registration: IRCT201509047117N7; 2015-11-25; Retrospectively registered)ResultsSigmoid in both hidden and output layers with 4 hidden neurons had acceptable sensitivity, specificity and accuracy area under the ROC curve in our study. Baseline serum vitamin D (30.4%), waist to hip ratio (10.5%), BMI (10.5%), systolic blood pressure (8%), heart rate (6.4%), and waist circumference (6.1%) were the greatest importance in predicting the response in serum vitamin D levels. ConclusionWe provide the first attempt to relate anthropometric specific recommendations to attain serum vitamin D targets. With the exception of cardiometabolic risk factor, the relative importance of other factors and the mechanisms by which these factors may affect the response requires further analysis in future studies.
Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer Microenvironment and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Zhang An Zhi , Yuan Xin , Li Ya , Xie Yu Fang , Li Jiang Fen , Jiang Chen Hao , Li Fan Ping , Liang Wei Hua , Zhang Hai Jun , Liu Chun Xia , Pang Li Juan , Shen Xi Hua , Li Feng , Hu Jian Ming
Published: October 2020

Background In recent years, immunotherapy has developed rapidly and has gradually become one of the important methods for treatment of gastric cancer. The research on immune cells and immune-related genes in the tumor microenvironment greatly encourages the development of immunotherapy. Methods : The devolution algorithm (CIBERSORT) was applied to infer the proportion of 22 immune infiltrating cells based on gene expression profiles of gastric cancer tissue, which were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. The TCGA database was utilized to analyze the differential expression of immune-related genes, and explore the potential molecular functions of these genes.ResultsWe have observed the enrichment of multiple immune cells in the microenvironment of gastric cancer. Some of these cells are closely related to Fuhrman grade and TNM staging. Survival analysis showed that the infiltration level of CD8 + T cells, activated CD4 + memory T cells and M2 macrophages was significantly related to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The functional enrichment analysis of immune-related genes revealed that these genes were mainly associated with cytokine activation and response. Four significant modules were screened by PPI network and 20 key genes were screened from the modules, and the expression levels of CALCR and PTH1R are strikingly related to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.ConclusionsThe type and number of infiltrating immune cells in the microenvironment of gastric cancer, as well as immune-related genes are closely related to tumor progression, and can be used as important indicators for patient prognosis assessment.
Persistence of P. Falciparum Ring-stage Parasites 42 Days After Artemisinin and Non-artemisinin Combination Therapy in Naturally Infected Malians
Authors: Mahamar Almahamoudou , Lanke Kjerstin , Graumans Wouter , Diawara Halimatou , Sanogo Koualy , Diarra Kalifa , Niambele Sidi Mohamed , Gosling Roly , Drakeley Chris , Chen Ingrid , Dicko Alassane , Bousema Teun , Roh Michelle
Published: October 2020

BackgroundMalaria control in sub-Saharan Africa relies upon prompt case management with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Ring-stage parasites, measured by sbp1 quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), were previously reported to persist after ACT treatment and hypothesized to reflect temporary arrest of the growth of ring-stage parasites (dormancy) following exposure to artemisinins. Here, the persistence of ring-stage parasitemia following ACT and non-ACT treatment was examined. MethodsSamples were used from naturally infected Malian gametocyte carriers who received dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP-AQ) with or without gametocytocidal drugs. Gametocytes and ring-stage parasites were quantified by qRT-PCR during 42 days of follow-up. ResultsAt baseline, 89% (64/73) of participants had measurable ring-stage parasites. Following treatment, the proportion of ring-stage parasite-positive individuals and ring-stage parasite densities declined for all four treatment groups. Participants who received DP had 81% lower post-treatment ring-stage parasite density compared to participants who received SP-AQ (p<0.001). Gametocytocidal drugs did not influence ring-stage parasite persistence. Ring-stage parasite densities on days 14 and 28 after initiation of treatment were higher among individuals who subsequently experienced recurrent parasitemia compared to those who remained free of parasites until day 42 after initiation of treatment (pday 14=0.011 and pday 28=0.068). No association of ring-stage persistence with gametocyte carriage was observed. Conclusions Our findings of lower ring-stage persistence after ACT treatment without an effect of gametocytocidal partner drugs affirms the use of sbp1 as ring-stage marker. Lower persistence of ring-stage parasites after ACT treatment suggests the marker may not reflect dormant parasites whilst it was predictive of re-appearance of parasitemia.
Production and Purification of A Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Erythropoietin Fusion Protein and Optimization of an in Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model for Central Nervous System Drug Delivery
Authors: Chiu Po-Chuan , Shen Li-Jiuan
Published: October 2020

Drug delivery into the central nervous system (CNS) is a brilliant research field, and the development of protein production and purification procedures for novel therapeutic proteins is crucial. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein with tremendous neuroprotective potential, but its bulky size prevents easy penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). EPO-HBHAc is a promising cell-penetrating peptide modified protein for CNS diseases, necessitating an appropriate in vitro BBB model for further evaluation. The plasmid of EPO-HBHAc was constructed by DNA recombinant technology, and the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO-K1) cell expression system was selected to generate target proteins. His-tag and size exclusion purification were used to purify the target protein from the cell-conditioned medium; target proteins were further evaluated by western blotting and Coomassie blue staining. Moreover, the endothelial cells (bEnd.3) and astrocytes (CTX TNA2) were used to generate the in vitro BBB model, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular diffusion were measured to evaluate barrier integrity. The EPO-HBHAc plasmid was successfully constructed, and a stable cell line expressing EPO-HBHAc was generated. A higher protein expression level was observed in serum-containing medium than in serum-free medium. His-tag purification is not sufficient to remove impurities from target proteins, and thus size exclusion purification was performed to increase the purity of the protein of interest. In contrast, a higher TEER value and lower paracellular diffusion were observed in the co-culture model than in the mono-culture model. Furthermore, the higher TEER value was observed in inserts with a larger growth area (4.67 cm2) than in those with a smaller area (0.33 cm2). In conclusion, we demonstrated that some critical points might impact protein production and the in vitro BBB model construction in this study. Importantly, our research will provide valuable information in the field of CNS drug delivery.
Biomarkers for BCR-ABL1 as a Potential Therapeutic Option Among Adult Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Treated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors at Molecular Response in Multi-racial Malaysia: Hsa-mir-181a-5p for Decrement; hsa-mir-182-5p and hsa-mir-26a-5p for Increment.
Authors: Yacob Aliza Mohd , Muhammad Nor Asiah , Chang Kian Meng , Hisham Hamidah Akmal , Yusoff Yuslina Mat , Ibrahim Latifah
Published: October 2020

BackgroundTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) show a high success rate. However, low number of patients with long-term treatment-free remission (TFR) is observed. Molecular relapse after imatinib discontinuation occurred at 50% at 24 months with 80% occurrence within the first 6 months. One of the reasons for relapse is untimely TKIs discontinuation caused by large errors from estimates at very low-level or undetectable disease, thus warranted new biomarkers for CML. MethodsNext Generation Sequencing (NGS) was used to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) at molecular response in CML adult patients receiving TKIs treatment. A total of 86 samples were collected, 30 from CML patients responsive and 28 from non-responsive to imatinib therapy, and 28 from blood donors. NGS was conducted whereby 18 miRNAs were selected and validated by real time RT-qPCR in triplicate. ResultsHsa-miR-181a-5p was expressed significantly (p-value<0.05) with 2.14 and 2.3 fold down-regulation in both patient groups respectively while hsa-miR-182-5p and hsa-miR-26a-5p were significant only in the non-responsive group with 2.08 and 2.39 fold up-regulation respectively. The down-regulation was consistent with decreased amount of BCR-ABL1 in patients taking TKIs regardless of molecular responses. The up-regulation was consistent with substantial presence of BCR-ABL1 in CML patients treated with TKIs at molecular response. ConclusionTherefore, these miRNAs have potential as new therapeutic biomarkers for BCR-ABL1 status in adult CML patients treated with TKIs at molecular responses. These could improve current approaches and require further analysis to look for targets of these miRNAs in CML.
A Geospatial Examination of Specialist Care Accessibility and Impact on Health Outcomes for Patients With Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Nsw, Australia: A Whole  Population Record Linkage Study
Authors: Sharwood Lisa Nicole , Whyatt David , Vaikuntam Bharat P , Cheng Christiana L , Noonan Vanessa K , Joseph Anthony P , Ball Jonathon , Stanford Ralph E , Kok Mei-Ruu , Withers Samuel R , Middleton James W
Published: October 2020

BackgroundTimely treatment is essential for achieving optimal outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury, and expeditious transfer to a specialist spinal cord injury unit is recommended within 24 hours from injury. Previous research in New South Wales found only 57% of TSCI patients were admitted to specialist spinal cord injury unit for acute post-injury care; 73% transferred within 24 hours from injury. We evaluated pre-hospital and inter-hospital transfer practices to identify opportunities for improving care delivery. MethodsThis record linkage study included administrative pre-hospital, admissions and costs data for all patients aged ≥16 years with incident traumatic spinal cord injury in New South Wales (2013-2016). We investigated impacts of geographical disparities on pre-hospital and inter-hospital transport decisions from injury location using geospatial methods to better understand the post-injury care pathways impact on patient outcomes.ResultsInclusion criteria identified 316 patients, geospatial analysis showed that over half (53%, n=168) of all patients were injured within 60 minutes road travel of a SCIU, yet only 28.6% (n=48) were directly transferred to a specialist spinal cord injury unit. Direct transfers received earlier operative intervention (median (IQR) 12.9(7.9) hours), compared with patients transferred indirectly to specialist spinal cord injury unit (median (IQR) 19.5(18.9) hours), and had lower risk of complications (OR 3.2 v 1.4, p<0.001).ConclusionsGetting patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury patients to the right place at the right time is dependent on numerous factors; some are still being triaged directly to non-trauma services which delays specialist and surgical care and increases complication risks. More stringent adherence to recommended guidelines would prioritise direct specialist spinal cord injury unit transfer for patients injured within 60 minutes radius, enabling the benefits of specialised care.
A Simple and Efficient Automated Microvolume Radiosynthesis of [18F]Florbetaben
Authors: Lisova Ksenia , Wang Jia , Chao Philip H. , Dam R. Michael van
Published: October 2020

Background: Current automated radiosynthesizers are generally optimized for producing large batches of PET tracers. Preclinical imaging studies, however, often require only a small portion of a regular batch, which cannot be economically produced on a conventional synthesizer. Alternative approaches are desired to produce small to moderate batches to reduce cost and the amount of reagents and radioisotope needed to produce PET tracers with high molar activity. In this work we describe the first reported microvolume method for production of [18F]Florbetaben for use in imaging of Alzheimer’s disease.Procedures: The microscale synthesis of [18F]Florbetaben was adapted from conventional-scale synthesis methods. Aqueous [18F]fluoride was azeotropically dried with K2CO3/K222 (275/383 nmol) complex prior to radiofluorination of the Boc-protected precursor (80 nmol) in 10 μL DMSO at 130°C for 5 min. The resulting intermediate was deprotected with HCl at 90°C for 3 min and recovered from the chip in aqueous acetonitrile solution. The crude product was purified via analytical scale HPLC and the collected fraction reformulated via solid-phase extraction using a miniature C18 cartridge.Results: Starting with 270 ± 100 MBq (n=3) of [18F]Fluoride, the method affords formulated product with 49 ± 3% (decay-corrected) yield,> 98% radiochemical purity and a molar activity of 338 ± 55 GBq/μmol. The miniature C18 cartridge enables efficient elution with only 150 μL of ethanol which is diluted to a final volume of 1.0 mL, thus providing a sufficient concentration for in vivo imaging. The whole procedure can be completed in 55 min.Conclusions: This work describes an efficient and reliable procedure to produce [18F]Florbetaben in quantities sufficient for large-scale preclinical applications. This method provides very high yields and molar activities compared to reported literature methods. This method can be applied to higher starting activities with special consideration given to automation and radiolysis prevention.
Violence and Discrimination Among Ugandan Residents During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Katana Elizabeth , Amodan Bob Omoda , Bulage Lilian , Ario Alex R. , Fodjo Joseph Nelson Siewe , Colebunders Robert , Wanyenze Rhoda K.
Published: October 2020

Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Many countries in Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive, implemented lockdowns, curfew, banning of both private and public transport systems and mass gatherings to minimize spread. Media reports indicated that cases of violence and discrimination had increased in Uganda’s communities following the lockdown. We estimated the incidence and factors associated with experiencing violence and discrimination among Ugandans during the COVID-19 lockdown to inform control and prevention measures.Methods: In April 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional study under the International Citizen Project (ICP) to assess adherence to public health measures and their impact on the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda. We abstracted and analyzed data on violence and discrimination from the ICP study. We performed descriptive statistics for all the participants’ characteristics and created a binary outcome variable called experiencing violence and/or discrimination. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with experiencing violence and discrimination.Results: Of the 1,726 ICP study participants, 1,051 (58.8%) were males, 841 (48.7%) were currently living with a spouse or partner, and 376 (21.8%) had physically attended work for more than 3 days in the past week. Overall, 145 (8.4%) experienced any form of violence and/or discrimination by any perpetrator, and 46 (31.7%) of the 145 reported that it was perpetrated by a law enforcement officer. Factors associated with experiencing violence or discrimination were: being male (AOR= 1.60 CI:1.10-2.33), having attended work physically for more than 3 days in the past week (AOR=1.52 CI:1.03-2.23), and inability to access social or essential health services since the epidemic started (AOR=3.10 CI:2.14-4.50).Conclusion: A substantial proportion of Ugandan residents experienced violence and/or discrimination during the COVID-19 lockdown, mostly perpetrated by law enforcement officers. Mitigation of violence and/or discrimination, as well as increased access to health and social services should be integrated into control measures in large-scale public health emergencies.
Transportation Route Optimization of Municipal Solid Waste Using Network Analyst tool, Case of Jimma town, Southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Gudeta Beekan Gurmessa , Feyisa Fikadu Fufa , Kitesa Wagari Mosisa
Published: October 2020

Transportation of municipal solid waste to disposal sites takes a large percentage of its overall management costs. The objective of this study is to optimize the transportation route of municipal solid waste using the Network Analyst tool for Jimma town. The input data in the present study were coordinates of individual municipal solid waste collection container location and disposal site location, master plan, and road shapefile. Network Analyst, an extension of ArcGIS was the main software used in the study. The result obtained includes the proposed number and location of MSW container and the best possible route for the evacuation of municipal solid waste from individual container location to the disposal site. The minimum average distance to transport loaded containers from individual collection container locations to the disposal site and empty container to its location that optimized by the network analyst tool was 17.94 km. It is therefore recommended that the urban authority should do route planning for municipal solid waste collection vehicles within the urban area.
Metabolome and Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Anthocyanin Contents and Anthocyanin-Related Genes of Chimeric Leaves in Ananas comosus Var. Bracteatus
Authors: Zhou Xuzixin , Xue Yanbin , Mao Meiqin , He Yehua , Adjei Mark Owusu , Yang Wei , Hu Hao , Liu Jiawen , Feng Lijun , Zhang Huiling , Luo Jiaheng , Li Xi , Sun Lingxia , Huang Zhuo , Ma Jun
Published: October 2020

Background: Ananas comosus var. bracteatus is a colorful plant used as a cut flower or landscape ornamental. The unique foliage color of this plant includes both green and red leaves and, as a trait of interest, deserves investigation. In this study, green and red parts of chimeric leaves of Ananas comosus var. bracteatus were sampled and anthocyanin accumulation differences were comparatively analyzed at phenotypic, cellular and molecular levels.Results: A CIELAB results indicated that the a* values and L* values samples had significant differences between two parts. Freehand sections showed that anthocyanin presented limited accumulation in the green leaf tissues but obviously accumulation in the epidermal cells of red tissues. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed by RNA-seq and LC-ESI-MS/MS. Among the 508 identified metabolites, 10 kinds of anthocyanins were detected, with 6 significantly different between the two samples. The cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside content that accounts for nearly 95.6% in red samples was significantly higher than green samples. RNA-Seq analyses showed that 11 out of 40 anthocyanin-related genes were differentially expressed between the green and red samples. Transcriptome and metabolome correlations were determined by nine quadrant analyses, and 9 anthocyanin-related genes, including MYB5 and MYB82, were correlated with 7 anthocyanin-related metabolites in the third quadrant in which genes and metabolites showing consistent change. Particularly, the PCCs between these two MYB genes and cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside were above 0.95. Conclusion: Phenotypic colors are closely related to the tissue structures of different leaf parts of Ananas comosus var. bracteatus, and two MYB transcription factors might contribute to differences of anthocyanin accumulation in two parts of Ananas comosus var. bracteatus chimeric leaves. This study lay a foundation for further researches on functions of MYBs in Ananas comosus var. bracteatus and provides new insights to anthocyanin accumulation in different parts of chimeric leaves.
Effect of Antiangiogenic-Based Treatment and Systemic Inflammatory Factors on Outcomes in Patients With BRAF v600-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Real-World Study in Spain
Authors: Lago Nieves Martinez , Montes Ana Fernández , Rúa Marta Covela , Vázquez Elena M. Brozos , Gómez Juan C. De la Cámara , Méndez Jose C. Méndez , Fernández Mónica Jorge , Castiñeiras Antía Cousillas , Rendo Cristina Reboredo , Ron David Arias , Campos Marta Carmona , Insua Yolanda Vidal , Augusto Maria L. Pellón , Villarroel Paula González , Suarez Begoña Graña , Fernández Mercedes Salgado , Maseda Alberto Carral , Rivera Francisca Vázquez , Folgar Sonia Candamio , López Margarita Reboredo
Published: October 2020

Background Outcomes are poorer in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with BRAF V600E mutations than those without it, but the effect of these mutations on treatment response is unclear. This real-world study assessed the effects of antiangiogenic-based treatment and systemic inflammatory factors on outcomes in patients with BRAF V600-mutated mCRC.Methods/patients This real-world, multicenter, retrospective, observational study included patients with BRAF V600-mutated mCRC treated in eight hospitals in Spain. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were also assessed. The effect of first- and second-line treatment type on OS, PFS, ORR, and DCR were evaluated, plus the impact of systemic inflammatory markers on these outcomes. A systemic inflammation score (SIS) of 1–3 was assigned based on one point each for platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ≥200, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥3, and serum albumin <3.6 g/dL.Results Of 72 patients, data from 64 were analyzed. After a median of 69.1 months, median OS was 11.9 months and median first-line PFS was 4.4 months. First-line treatment was triplet chemotherapy-antiangiogenic (12.5%), doublet chemotherapy-antiangiogenic (47.2%), doublet chemotherapy-anti-EGFR (11.1%), or doublet chemotherapy (18.1%). Although first-line treatment showed no significant effect on OS, antiangiogenic-based regimens were associated with prolonged median PFS versus non-antiangiogenic regimens. Negative predictors of survival with antiangiogenic-based treatment were NLR, serum albumin, and SIS 1–3, but not PLR. Patients with SIS 1–3 showed significantly prolonged PFS with antiangiogenic-based treatment versus non-antiangiogenic-based treatment, while those with SIS=0 showed no PFS benefit.Conclusions Antiangiogenic-based regimens, SIS, NLR, and albumin were predictors of survival in patients with mCRC, while SIS, NLR and serum albumin may predict response to antiangiogenic-based chemotherapy.Trial registration GIT-BRAF-2017-01.
Sustained CO2-photoreduction activity and high selectivity over C, Mn-codoped ZnO core-triple shell hollow spheres
Authors: Sayed Mahmoud , Kuang Panyong , Low Jingxiang , Zhang Liuyang , Yu Jiaguo
Published: October 2020

Solar conversion of CO2 into energy-rich products is one of the sustainable solutions to lessen the global energy shortage and environmental crisis. Pitifully, it is still challenging to attain reliable and affordable CO2 conversion. Herein, we demonstrate a facile one-pot approach to design core-triple shell Mn, C-codoped ZnO hollow spheres as efficient photocatalysts for CO2 reduction. The Mn ions, with switchable valance states, function as “ionized cocatalyst” to promote the CO2 adsorption and light harvesting of the system. Besides, they can capture photogenerated electrons from the conduction band of ZnO and provide the electrons for CO2 reduction. This process is continuous due to the switchable valence states of Mn ions. Benefiting from such unique features, the prepared photocatalysts demonstrated remarkably selective CO2 conversion into CH3OH (yielding ten times higher than that of commercial ZnO). This work is endeavoured to shed light on the role of ionized cocatalyst towards sustainable energy production.
Composition and spatio-temporal variation of soil arthropods in the wetland of the Daxia River on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Delai Chen , Liu Changzhong , Ma Zhengxue , Su Jingjing
Published: October 2020

The Daxia River Basin on the eastern edge of the Chinese Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is one of the typical distribution regions of alpine wetlands and a global biodiversity hotspot. The aim of this study is to analyze the composition and spatio-temporal distribution of the soil arthropods, and to use them as an indicator for the soil environment in the wetland. The soil arthropods of 32 taxa and 7706 individuals were collected from the soil samples at two soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm depth) in each habitat of six habitats along the Daxia River in cold season and warm season between 2016 and 2017. The habitat of Tumenguan had a greater arthropod abundance than all other habitats in both cold season and warm season. A significant seasonal variation was observed in the composition, abundance and diversity of the soil arthropod community in each habitat. In cold season the dominant groups were Chironomidae larvae, Sejidae and Trombidiidae. In warm season the dominant groups were Chironomidae larva, Onychiurus, Pygmephorus and Tullbergia. The soil arthopod communities exhibited significant differences among the habitats at the 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth. The multivariate tests with the linear model redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed the significant impact of soil physical and chemical factors on the seasonal change of soil arthropod community. The results demonstrate that soil arthropods in the study area respond more actively to temporal changes than to habitat changes.
Positive Selection on Two Mitochondrial Coding Genes and Adaptation Signals in Hares (Genus Lepus) from China
Authors: Awadi Asma , Slimen Hichem Ben , Schaschl Helmut , Knauer Felix , Suchentrunk Franz
Published: October 2020

Background: Animal mitochondria play a central role in energy production in the cells through the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway. Recent studies of selection on different mitochondrial OXPHOS genes have revealed the adaptive implications of amino acid changes in these subunits. In hares, climatic variation and/or introgression were suggested to be at the origin of such adaptation. Here we looked for evidence of positive selection in three mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, using tests of selection, protein structure modelling and effects of amino acid substitutions on the protein function and stability. We also used statistical models to test for climate and introgression effects on sites under positive selection. Results: Our results revealed seven sites under positive selection in ND4 and three sites in Cytb. However, no sites under positive selection were observed in the COX1 gene. All three subunits presented a high number of codons under negative selection. Sites under positive selection were mapped on the tridimensional structure of the predicted models for the respective mitochondrial subunit. Of the ten amino acid replacements inferred to have evolved under positive selection for both subunits, six were located in the transmembrane domain. On the other hand, three codons were identified as sites lining proton translocation channels. Furthermore, four codons were identified as destabilizing with a significant variation of Δ vibrational entropy energy between wild and mutant type. Moreover, the PROVEAN analysis suggested that among all positively selected sites two fixed amino acid replacements altered the protein functioning. The statistical model runs indicated significant effects of climate on the presence of ND4 and Cytb protein variants, but no effect by trans-specific mitochondrial DNA introgresson.Conclusions: Positive selection was observed in several codons in two OXPHOS genes. We found that substitutions in the positively selected codons have structural and functional impacts on the encoded proteins. Our results are concordantly suggesting that adaptations have strongly affected the evolution of mtDNA of hare species with potential effects on the protein function. Environmental/climatic changes appear to be a major trigger of this adaptation, whereas trans-specific introgressive hybridization seems to play no major role for the occurrence of protein variants.
Optical Coherence Tomography Observed Fundus Changes of Hypertensive Disorders Complicating Pregnancy
Authors: Wang Wenying , Wang Zhi-xue
Published: October 2020

Background By optical coherence tomography(OCT) observed fundus changes of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy. Methods Inspected patients with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy accepted eye examination including corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination, fundus examination, OCT Results 1.OCT examination results of abnormal 148, which neurosensory serous retinal detachment 84eyes (56.76%), pigment epithelium and the IS / OS layer change 38 eyes (25.68%), optic disc oedema and retinal haemorrhage and other changes of 26 eyes (17.56%). 2. Between different phenotypes OCT of Patients with oedema, proteinuria, blood pressure and course had differences (P <0.05), and had a correlation between the two.3. Between different phenotypes OCT of Patients with gestational age, age, whether it is the first child was irrelevant (P> 0.05).4. Between different phenotypes OCT of Patients with visual acuity, fundus lesions and eye symptoms had differences (P <0.05), and had a correlation between the two (P <0.05). Conclusions OCT can understand the severity of fundus changes with hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy , and provide evidence about clinical diagnosis and treatment, prognosis.
Carbon Emissions and Life Expectancy in Nigeria
Authors: Osabohien Romanus , Aderemi Timothy , Akindele Dolapo Bose , Okoh Johson Ifenayi
Published: October 2020

Background: This study examines how carbon emissions affect life expectancy in NigeriaMethod: The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was applied in the study to examine how energy consumption impact on life expectancy in Nigeria. Data was sourced from the United States (U.S) Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical bulletin, International Energy Agency (IEA) and the World Development Indicators (WDI) for the period 1980-2017.Results: Findings showed that inter alia; carbon emissions are significant and negatively affect life expectancy. This finding implied that, on the average, carbon emissions is capable of reducing life expectancy by 0.35%.Conclusion: Based finding, the study concluded by recommending that the Nigerian government should embark on the alternative use of energy that emits lesser carbon. Thus, this will help attain the sustainable development goals of good health and well-being alongside with affordable, reliable and sustainable use of energy for all.
Diagnostic And Cultural Considerations to Improve The Identification Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Han Chinese Children
Authors: Lung For-Wey , Shu Bih-Ching
Published: October 2020

Objective: The trajectory and norm of children's development is needed to understand the idea of spectrum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The children's developmental growth trajectory from six to 66 months in the developmental dimensions of growth motor, fine motor, language, and social communication is investigated in the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study dataset (N=11,145).Results: The growth trajectory showed children's language development began to incline at 18 months, and peaked at 36 months. On the other hand, children's social development showed a steady growth from 18 to 66 months. Furthermore, the increase in the trajectory of children's language development prior to age three, compared to other developmental dimensions, may also increase the difficulty of diagnosis. The two-stage window screening method can be used in settings where the screening sample is larger in size, such as the community or primary care settings, and has found to be more time and cost efficient. Better understanding of the children's developmental trajectory can enhance autism spectrum disorder detection and intervention.
Study on the Predictive Effect of Fibrinogen on Vascular Calcification
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yang Yan , Gao Pengju , Zhang Zepeng , Fu Wenxiu , Zheng Lihua , He Xinqi
Published: October 2020

Background: The levels of fibrinogen (FIB), lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are related to vascular calcification (VC), but their predictive ability for VC has not been reported. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive efficacy of FIB, lipoprotein and HDL by retrospective analysis of FIB, lipoprotein and HDL levels in patients with VC. Methods: We collected the relevant indicators of 462 patients admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from August 2018 to July 2020, including 189 patients with vascular calcification (40.9%) and 273 patients without vascular calcification (59.1%).75% of the collected data is used for modeling (modeling group) and 25% for verification (verification group). Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the effects of FIB, lipoprotein and HDL on VC, and the predictive model ROC curve was used to evaluate its predictive efficiency.Results: The results of multivariate analysis showed that FIB, lipoprotein and HDL were independent predictors of VC. Then the models of the three factors are established respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the prediction model of FIB, lipoprotein and HDL was 0.8018, 0.7348 and 0.7019, respectively.Conclusions: Fibrinogen has a better predictive ability than high-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein in patients with arteriosclerosis.
COVID-19 underscores the urgency of just transition alongside green recovery
Authors: Zhang Yaxin , Zheng Xinzhu , Luo Huilin , Wang Can
Published: October 2020

Green recovery has been highly advocated as a promising strategy to balance climate actions and economic reset after COVID-19. However, the potential inequality risk associated with the green recovery hasn’t been fully assessed. Here, enabled by an extended adaptive regional input-output (E-ARIO) model, we quantify the short-term impacts of COVID and various recovery packages on labor demand and income equality. The findings reveal that in the pandemic, low- and medium-income labor suffered more income decrease (by 36%) than those with high-level income (by 24%), leading to a 24% increase of income inequality at the global level (measured by the Oshima coefficient). The high-income labor benefits more from a low-carbon pathway to economic recovery, which further exacerbates the income inequality across the world by 3 ~ 5% compared to those in a traditional, carbon-intensive recovery scenario. The findings reveal the tradeoffs between income equality and green development and underscore the urgency of just transition alongside green recovery.
Ocean Fronts and Eddies Remotely Forcing Atmospheric Rivers and Heavy Precipitation
Authors: Liu Xue , Ma Xiaohui , Chang Ping , Jia Yinglai , Fu Dan , Xu Guangzhi , Wu Lixin , Saravanan R. , Patricola Christina
Published: October 2020

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are responsible for over 90% of poleward water vapor transport in the midlatitudes and can produce extreme precipitation when they make landfall1-2. However, despite of recent improvements, weather and climate models still have difficulty simulating and predicting the timing and location of landfalling ARs and associated extreme precipitation3-5, highlighting the need to better understand AR dynamics. Here, using high-resolution climate models and observations, we demonstrate for the first time that mesoscale sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with the Kuroshio front and eddies can exert a remote influence on landfalling ARs and related heavy precipitation along the West Coast of North America. Inclusion of the mesoscale SST forcing in the simulations results in approximately a 40% increase in landfalling ARs and up to a 30% increase in heavy precipitation in mountainous regions. The modeling results further show that this remote impact occurs within two weeks, implying the potential influence of the dynamical processes on AR predictability at subseasonal-to-seasonal time scales. A proposed mechanism for the influence of mesoscale SST forcing on ARs is the asymmetrical response of the atmosphere to warm vs. cold mesoscale SSTs over the eddy-rich Kuroshio Extension region, which results in a net increase of moisture flux above the planetary boundary layer, prompting AR genesis via enhancing moisture transport into extratropical cyclones in the presence of mesoscale SST forcing.