bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Dose-Response Analysis to Acetylcholine – Pharmacodynamic Assessment by Polarized Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Henricson Joakim , Sjöberg Folke , Iredahl Fredrik , Strömberg Tomas , Wilhelms Daniel
Published: February 2022

Objective: Transdermal iontophoresis offers an in vivo alternative to the strain-gauge model for measurement of vascular function but is limited due to lack of technical solutions for outcome assessment. The aims of this study were to, after measurement by polarized reflectance spectroscopy (PRS), use pharmacodynamic dose-response analysis on responses to different concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh); and to examine the effect of three consecutively administered iontophoretic current pulses. Methods: The vascular responses in 15 healthy volunteers to iontophorised ACh (5 concentrations, range 0.0001% to 1%, three consecutive pulses of 0.02 mA for 10 minutes each) were recorded using PRS. Data were fitted to a four-parameter logistic dose response model and compared regarding ED50 values.Results: Vascular responses were quantifiable by PRS. Similar pharmacodynamic dose response curves (ED50 values) could be generated irrespectively of the ACh concentration. Linearly increasing maximum vasodilatory responses were registered with increasing concentration of ACh. A limited linear dose effect of the concentration of ACh was seen between pulses. Conclusions: Polarized reflectance spectroscopy is well suited for measuring vascular responses to iontophoretically administrated ACh. The results of this study support further development of iontophoresis as a method to study vascular function and pharmacological responses in vivo.
Genomic Prediction of Hybrid Performance: Comparison of the Efficiency of Factorial and Tester Designs Used as Training Sets in a Multiparental Connected Reciprocal Design for Maize Silage
Authors: Lorenzi Alizarine , Bauland Cyril , Mary-Huard Tristan , Pin Sophie , Palaffre Carine , Guillaume Colin , Lehermeier Christina , Charcosset Alain , Moreau Laurence
Published: February 2022

In maize breeding, the selection of the candidate inbred lines is based on topcross evaluations using a limited number of testers. Then, a subset of single-crosses between these selected lines is evaluated to identify the best hybrid combinations. Genomic selection enables the prediction of all possible single-crosses between candidate lines but raises the question of defining the best training set design. Previous simulation results have shown the potential of using a sparse factorial design instead of tester designs as the training set. To validate this result, a 363 hybrid factorial design was obtained by crossing 90 dent and flint inbred lines from six segregating families. Two tester designs were also obtained by crossing the same inbred lines to two testers of the opposite group. These designs were evaluated for silage in eight environments and used to predict independent performances of a 951 hybrid factorial design. At a same number of hybrids and lines, the factorial design was as efficient as the tester designs, and, for some traits, outperformed them. All available designs were used as both training and validation set to evaluate their efficiency. When the objective was to predict single-crosses between untested lines, we showed an advantage of increasing the number of lines involved in the training set, by (i) allocating each of them to a different tester for the tester design, or (ii) reducing the number of hybrids per line for the factorial design. Our results confirm the potential of sparse factorial designs for genomic hybrid breeding.
Acetabular Revision Surgery With Tantalum Trabecular Metal Acetabular Cup for Failed Acetabular Cage Reconstruction With Bone Allografts: a Retrospective Study With Mid- to Long-term Follow-up
Authors: Hsu Chen-Heng , Hu Chih-Chien , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Chang Yu-Han , Shih Hsin-Nung , Chen Chun-Chieh
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe acetabular cage reconstruction with bone allografts is one of the successful strategies to deal with the massive acetabular bone loss. However, the nonbiological fixation nature of cages can compromise long-term success. The tantalum trabecular metal acetabular cup (TM cup) has been used in acetabular revision surgery because of its increased initial stability and good bone ingrowth features. This study was to determine if the bone stock of acetabulum is enough to support the hemispheric TM cup after failed cage reconstruction with bone allografts.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our patients who received acetabular revision surgery with TM cups after failed cages reconstruction with bone allografts from 2006 to 2017. There were twelve patients (5 males and 7 females) including in this study at the mean age of 61.5 years (38 to 81) at re-revision surgery. The mean follow-up after re-revision surgery was 8.6 years (2.6 to 13.3). The endpoint was defined as the aseptic loosening of TM cup and reoperation for any causes. The change of bone stock of acetabulum between index revision and re-revision was assessed according to Gross classification for acetabular bone loss. ResultsOne patient died after eight years of follow-up with the cause not related to hip surgery. Two patients received two-stage revision arthroplasty due to PJI after 3.2- and 9.4-years follow-up. The bone stock of acetabulum was significantly improving between index revision and re-revision surgery (p < 0.0001). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 100% when aseptic loosening as the endpoint, and 90% and 75% at five- and ten-year when reoperation for any causes as the endpoint.Even the cage reconstruction with bone allografts will fail eventually, the bone stock of acetabulum will improve after union and incorporation between host bone and allografts. The restored bone stocks will facilitate further revision surgery with hemispheric TM cup. The biological fixation between host bone tantalum trabecular metal will provide longstanding stability of the TM cup.ConclusionsThe results of our study offered a viable option for patients with failed cage reconstruction with bone allografts.
Sparse Principal Component Analysis for Statistical Inference in the Presence of Multicollinearity: A Case Study of Environmental Exposures on All-cause Mortality in UK Biobank
Authors: Mamouei Mohammad , Zhu Yajie , Nazarzadeh Milad , Hassaine Abdelaali , Salimi-Khorshidi Gholamreza , Cai Yutong , Rahimi Kazem
Published: February 2022

Multicollinearity refers to the presence of collinearity between multiple variables and renders the results of statistical inference erroneous (Type II error). This is particularly important in environmental health research where multicollinearity can hinder inference. To address this, correlated variables are often excluded from the analysis, limiting the discovery of new associations. An alternative approach to address this problem is the use of principal component analysis. This method, combines and projects a group of correlated variables onto a new orthogonal space. While this resolves the multicollinearity problem, it poses another challenge in relation to interpretability of results. Standard hypothesis testing methods can be used to evaluate the association of projected predictors, called principal components, with the outcomes of interest, however, there is no established way to trace the significance of principal components back to individual variables. To address this problem, we investigated the use of sparse principal component analysis which enforces a parsimonious projection. We hypothesise that this parsimony could facilitate the interpretability of findings. To this end, we investigated the association of 20 environmental predictors with all-cause mortality adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, physiological, and behavioural factors. The study was conducted in a cohort of 379,690 individuals in the UK. During an average follow-up of 8.05 years (3,055,166 total person-years), 14,996 deaths were observed. We used Cox regression models to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Cox models were fitted to the standardised environmental predictors a) without any transformation b) transformed with PCA, and c) transformed with SPCA. The comparison of findings underlined the potential of SPCA for conducting inference in scenarios where multicollinearity can increase the risk of Type II error. Our analysis unravelled a significant association between average noise pollution and increased risk of all-cause mortality. Specifically, those in the upper deciles of noise exposure have between 5-10% increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to the lowest decile.
Circadian Rhythm and Circulating Cell-Free DNA Release on Healthy Subjects
Authors: Poulet Geoffroy , Hulot Jean-Sébastien , Blanchard Anne , Bergerot Damien , Xiao Wenjin , Ginot Frederic , Boutonnet-Rodat Audrey , Beinse Guillaume , Geromel Vanna , Pellegrina Laurence , Azizi Michel , Laurent-Puig Pierre , Benhaim Leonor , Taly Valerie
Published: February 2022

Background
In the last decade, clinical studies have investigated the clinical relevance of circulating cell-free-DNA (ccfDNA) as a diagnostic and prognosis tool in various diseases including cancers. However, limited knowledge on ccfDNA biology restrains its full development in the clinical practice. To improve our understanding, we evaluated the impact of the circadian rhythm on ccfDNA release in healthy subjects over a 24-hour period.
Methods
20 healthy male subjects underwent serial blood sampling (8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 AM, 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 12:00 PM, 4 AM (+1 Day) and 8 AM (+1 Day)). We performed digital droplet-based PCR (ddPCR) assays to target 2 DNA fragments (69 & 243 bp) located in the KRAS gene to determine the ccfDNA concentration and fragmentation profile. For control, half of the samples were re-analyzed by capillary miniaturized electrophoresis (BIAbooster system).
Results & discussion
Overall, we did not detect any influence of the circadian rhythm on ccfDNA release. Instead, we observed a decrease in the ccfDNA concentration after meal ingestion, suggesting either a post-prandial effect or a technical detection bias due to a higher plasma load in lipids and triglycerides. We also noticed a potential effect of gender, weight and creatinine levels on the ccfDNA concentration.
Intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands reduces cell population heterogeneity in embryogenesis
Authors: Hatakeyama Yudai , Saito Nen , Mii Yusuke , Shinozuka Takuma , Takemoto Tatsuya , Naoki Honda , Takada Shinji
Published: February 2022

Wnt signaling is required to maintain bipotent progenitors for neural and paraxial mesoderm cells, the neuromesodermal progenitor (NMP) cells that reside in the epiblast and tailbud. Since epiblast/tailbud cells receive Wnt ligands produced by one another, this exchange may average out the heterogeneity of Wnt signaling levels among these cells. Here, we examined this possibility by replacing endogenous Wnt3a with a receptor-fused form that can activate signaling in producing cells, but not in neighboring cells. Mutant mouse embryos showed a unique phenotype in which maintenance of many NMP cells was impaired, although some cells persisted for long periods. The epiblast cell population of these embryos increased heterogeneity in Wnt signaling levels as embryogenesis progressed and were sensitive to retinoic acid, an endogenous antagonist of NMP maintenance. Thus, mutual intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands in the epiblast cell population reduces heterogeneity and achieves robustness to environmental stress.
Transcatheter Arterial Steroid Injection Therapy Improves the Prognosis of Patients with Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Kuwano Akifumi , Okui Tasuku , Kohjima Motoyuki , Kurokawa Miho , Goya Takeshi , Tanaka Masatake , Aoyagi Tomomi , Takahashi Motoi , Imoto Koji , Tashiro Shigeki , Suzuki Hideo , Fujita Nobuhiro , Ushijima Yasuhiro , Ishigami Kousei , Tokunaga Shoji , Kato Masaki , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAcute liver failure (ALF) is a disorder defined by coagulopathy and encephalopathy with a poor prognosis. No effective therapies have been established except for liver transplantation (LT). We previously reported a subgroup of patients with acute liver injury who developed microcirculatory disturbance leading to intrahepatic hypoxia. This subgroup can be identified by a low serum ALT/LDH ratio that reflects intrahepatic hypoxia. We also established and reported transcatheter arterial steroid injection therapy (TASIT) as a new treatment of ALF. Here, we analyze the effectiveness of TASIT in a larger cohort and evaluate the impact on ALF patients with or without microcirculatory disturbance.MethodsWe conducted a single-center retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of TASIT in patients with ALF admitted at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2005 and March 2018. TASIT is performed by injecting methylprednisolone via the proper hepatic artery over 1 h for 3 days. One hundred ninety-four patients with ALF were enrolled in this study. Using a serum ALT/LDH ratio of 1.5 as a cut-off value, we stratified patients with ALF into high-LDH and low-LDH subgroups. ResultsOf the 87 patients given TASIT, 71 (81.6%) recovered without any complications and 16 (18.4%) died or underwent LT. Of the 107 patients not administered TASIT, 77 (72.0%) recovered and 30 (28.0%) progressed to irreversible liver failure. In the high-LDH subgroup, 52 (86.7%) of the 60 patients with TASIT recovered, and the survival rate was significantly higher than that in patients who did not receive TASIT. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the TASIT procedure was one of the significant prognostic factors in the high-LDH subgroup and was significantly associated with PT% improvement.ConclusionsTASIT is an effective treatment for patients with ALF, especially in those with microcirculatory disturbance.
Epidemiological analysis of Lung cancer in Erbil province of Iraqi Kurdistan: Incidence, Survival, Relative Risk Ratio, and Treatment Regimes in males and females
Authors: Mawlood Kurdistan Ibrahim , Kadir Dler Hussein , Al-Murrani Waleed
Published: February 2022

This study compares survival function, relative risk, incident rates and treatment regime between genders. A total of 590 cases of Lung Cancer admitted to Nanakali hospital, Erbil province of Iraqi Kurdistan, were collected for 5 years period between 1st January 2013 to 31st of December 2017. The follow-up of the cases continued till the 1st of April 2018 to complete the record. Chi-square, correlation, relative risks and basic exploratory data analysis were carried out. Simple linear regression was carries out for number of lung cancer among males and females. A multivariate Cox-regression model was used to determine the prognostic factors for lung cancer patients. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r) for total cases of Lung cancer (Males and Females) was equal to (0.875 ± 0.033 with P= 0.044) and R-square (Precision) of 0.766. The Prediction Regression equation that Female Lung Cancer (F) = 11.79 + 0.6714 Age group. This means any age group can be selected to predict for expected incidence. The prediction equation is that Male Lung Cancer cases = - 2.857 + 0.7690 Age group. The Regression coefficient is + 0.769 per 10 years of age and it is highly significant (P=0001).The result of multivariable cox regression model indicates that gender had no influence on survival outcome (HR ~= 0.81, 95%CI: 0.56 to 1.16, p=0.0.247). However, taking surgery and immune system are statistically significant prognostic factors for lung cancer patients. The model indicated that the risk of mortality increases by 92% if lung cancer patients do not take surgery (HR ~= 1.92, 95%CI: 0.31 to 0.97, p=0.039). Furthermore, the risk of mortality is reduced by 44% among those patients who took immune system. The study concludes that female patients survive longer than males and median survival probability in female is greater than male lung cancer patients. Taking surgery and immune system are statistically significant prognostic factors for lung cancer patients.
The ubiquitination landscape of the Influenza A Virus polymerase
Authors: Günl Franziska , Krischuns Tim , Henschel Lea , Wahrenburg Marius , Drexler Hannes , Leidel Sebastian , Cojocaru Vlad , Seebohm Guiscard , Mellmann Alexander , Schwemmle Martin , Ludwig Stephan , Brunotte Linda
Published: February 2022

During influenza A virus (IAV) infections, viral proteins are targeted by cellular E3 ligases for modification with ubiquitin. Here, we decipher and functionally explore the ubiquitination landscape of the IAV polymerase during infection of human alveolar epithelial cells by applying mass spectrometry analysis of immuno-purified K-ε-GG (di-glycyl)-remnant-bearing peptides. We identified 59 modified lysines across all three subunits, PB2, PB1, PA, of the viral polymerase of which 17 distinctively affected mRNA transcription, vRNA replication and the generation of recombinant viruses via non-proteolytic mechanisms.
Moreover, further functional analysis revealed that ubiquitination at K578 in the PB1 thumb domain is mechanistically linked to the dynamic structural transitions of the viral polymerase that are required for vRNA replication. Mutations K578A and K578R impeded cRNA stabilization and vRNA synthesis, respectively, and affected NP binding as well as polymerase dimerization. Collectively, our results indicate that ubiquitin-mediated disruption of the charge-dependent interaction between PB1-K578 and PB2-E72 is required to coordinate polymerase dimerization and facilitate vRNA replication, which demonstrates that IAV exploits the cellular ubiquitin system to modulate the activity of the viral polymerase for the regulation of viral replication.
Selective hydroxylation of carbon surfaces for long-lasting hydrophilicity by a green chemistry process
Authors: Wilsey Madeleine , Watson Kendra , Fasusi Omolade , Yegela Brian , Cox Connor , Raffaele Patrick , Mueller Astrid
Published: February 2022

We report the selective hydroxylation of carbon surfaces that rendered initially hydrophobic carbon fiber paper hydrophilic for more than five months. This long time of sustained hydrophilicity is unprecedented. Carbon fiber paper is an inexpensive, electrically conductive, high surface area material that is additionally nontoxic, biocompatible, robust, and scalable. But its hydrophobicity prevents widespread use in aqueous applications. Inhibition of overoxidation of carbon beyond hydroxylation is especially challenging because the first oxidation step is thermodynamically most difficult and subsequent oxidations are much easier. We achieved selectivity for less oxidized hydroxyls over carboxyls by an environmentally friendly, solution-processable, acid-free carbon surface functionalization treatment that is rapid, amenable to large scale applications, and did not damage carbon fibers and their network architectures. The development of this mild, green chemistry carbon surface treatment that provides selectivity for surface hydroxyls transforms the utility of carbon materials.
Multiplex PCR Detection of Five Common Respiratory Pathogens from Bronchoalveolar Lavages Using High Resolution Melting Curve Analysis
Authors: Ghorbani Jaber , Hashemi Farhad Bonakdar , Jabalameli Fereshteh , Emaneini Mohammad , Beigverdi Reza
Published: February 2022

Background

The study describes the application of the Multiplex High Resolution Melting curve (MHRM) assay for the simultaneous detection of five common bacterial pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli) directly from bronchoalveolar lavage samples.
Results

Our MHRM assay successfully identified all five respiratory pathogens in less than 5 hours, with five separate melting curves with specific melt peak temperatures (Tm). The different Tm were characterized by peaks of 78.1±0.4°C for S. aureus, 83.3±0.1°C for A. baumannii, 86.7±0.2°C for E. coli, 90.5±0.1°C for K. pneumoniae, 94.5±0.2°C for P. aeruginosa. The overall sensitivity and specificity of HRM were 100% and 88.8%, respectively.
Conclusions

Our MHRM assay offers a simple and fast alternative to culture approach for simultaneous detection of five major bacterial Lower respiratory tract infection pathogens. Utilization of this assay can help clinicians initiate prompt and appropriate antimicrobial treatment, towards reducing the morbidity and mortality of severe respiratory infections.
A Highly Compact Fabry Perot Cavity-Based MIMOAntenna with Decorrelated Fields
Authors: Tahir Farooq Ahmad , Khan Muhammad Umar , Hussain Rifaqat , Illahi Muhammad Umair
Published: February 2022

This work presents the design of a low profile Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity-based multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with low correlation coefficient. The fields of closely placed antenna elements are tilted by using a phase-gradient partially reflective surface (PRS), thereby decreasing the correlation coefficient. The PRS is designed in such a way that its reflection phase is complementary to that of the ground plane. The PRS decorrelates the fields of the two radiating elements when placed at a height of λ/10 above them resulting in a reduction of the correlation coefficient by almost 95% for an isotropic environment. This height is considerably less than λ/4, which has been reported previously.
Effect of Oral Health Promotion Interventions On Pregnant Women Dental Caries: A Field Trial
Authors: Deghatipour Marzie , Ghorbani Zahra , Mokhlesi Amir Hossein , Ghanbari Shahla , Namdari Mahshid
Published: February 2022

Background: Dental caries is a costly and very common disease, especially in pregnant women. Reasons such as not paying attention to oral health, poor diet and also lack of adequate education in this regard cause this to happen. Performing well-designed educational interventions using primary health system's forces, can improve oral health of pregnant women and help control this disease. We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness of some oral health interventions on pregnant women dental caries.Methods: A field trial study was done in comprehensive Health Centers in Varamin, Tehran, Iran to assess 439 mothers’ dental health status from pregnancy up to 2 years after delivery in intervention (n = 239) and control groups (n = 200). Mothers in intervention groups received oral health-related education consisted of nutritional and behavioral messages via either of four methods: A: comprehensive method including all following methods together (n = 74), B: group discussion by dentists (n = 59), C: face to face education by primary health care providers (n = 53), and D: social network applications (n = 53); while those in control group only received routine maternal and oral health care. We used a questionnaire to collect mothers’ demographic, socioeconomic and dental care behavior data and also performed oral examinations to assess their DMFT at baseline and 24 months after delivery to evaluate the effectiveness of these educational oral health interventions.Results: From 454 mothers participated the examination session, 18 pregnant women discontinued during the follow-ups and 439 were remained with mean age of 27.47. In the intervention group, the frequency of daily brushing among women increased from 64% at baseline to 85.6% at the last follow-up and the mean D significantly decreased nearly 1unit at same period (P <0.05). Most and least dental caries changes were in comprehensive intervention group and social network intervention group compared to other intervention groups, respectively.Conclusions: Performing educational interventions during and after pregnancy using various message delivery methods and messengers (oral health professionals and trained PHCPs), could improve oral health status and behaviors of pregnant and lactating mothers in a feasible and applicable manner.
Efficacy and safety of ivermectin in the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection: A randomized, double blind, placebo, controlled trial
Authors: Manomaipiboon Anan , Pholtawornkulchai Kitisak , Pupipatpab Sujaree , Suraamornkul Swangjit , Maneerit Jakravoot , Ruksakul Wiroj , Phumisantiphong Uraporn , Trakarnvanich Thananda
Published: February 2022

The emergent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has emphasized the requirement for therapeutic opportunities to overcome this pandemic. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that has shown to be effective against various agents, including SARS-CoV-2, and is under extensive research in clinical trials. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among adult hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, 72 patients (mean age 48.57 ± 14.80 years) were randomly assigned to either the ivermectin (n=36) or placebo (n=36) group, along with receiving standard care. The primary outcomes were a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result at day 7 and 14 of enrolment. The secondary outcomes were duration of hospitalization, frequency of clinical worsening, survival on day 28, and adverse events. At day 7 and 14, a negative RT-PCR result was not significantly different between the two groups. The other secondary outcomes were reported to be comparable. However, the time to resolution of many symptoms were shorter in the ivermectin group, albeit not significantly. No adverse events were reported. In conclusion, early symptomatic recovery was observed with no side effects after treatment with ivermectin and standard care in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients.
Unexpected occurrence of Aeromonas species in the cutaneous mucus of Barbour's seahorses (Hippocampus barbouri)
Authors: Ortega Rose Chinly Mae Huerte , Tabugo Sharon Rose , Martinez Joey Genevieve , Balcázar José
Published: February 2022

Because the skin microbiota is valuable for elucidating health status and common disorders in the host, this study aimed to describe the bacterial community composition of the skin of Barbour’s seahorse ( Hippocampus barbouri ) using high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Water and sediment samples from the surrounding environment were also analyzed for comparative purposes. The results revealed the presence of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated to the Aeromonas genus in the skin, whose abundance was slightly similar to the sediment samples. Given that some Aeromonas species are known to be important pathogens in humans and fish, these results may provide information to show the dependency of the skin microbial composition on the environment, as well as determine whether the presence of Aeromonas species has implications on seahorse health.
Small Heterocyclic Molecules as Anticancer Agents: Design, Syntheses and Evaluation Against MCF-7 Cell Lines
Authors: Varshney Roshni , Kumar Vimlesh , Fatima Gul Naz , Saraf Shailendra K.
Published: February 2022

Isatin and substituted isatin derivatives possess a broad spectrum of biological activities. These moieties also have a wide scope for substitution, particularly at positions N-1 and C-3. Therefore, the study focused at synthesizing some novel isatin/substituted isatin Schiff’s bases and screening them for anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 cell lines. All the compounds were synthesized by conventional methods in a two-step synthesis. Mannich bases of isatin were synthesized by reacting secondary amines and 37% formalin, which were then reacted with primary aromatic amines in the presence of glacial acetic acid to yield the title compounds. All the compounds were characterized by physical, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The synthesized analogues showed good activity against MCF-7 cell lines when compared to the standard drug, Doxorubicin. At a concentration of 10µg/ml, the analogues IDF 3B, IDF 3G, IDF 3H and IDF 3I showed percentage cell viability of 35.46227 ± 12.92, 34.37412 ± 5.39, 35.81035 ± 5.25, 36.19748 ± 3.27 respectively compared to percentage cell viability of 22.36828 ± 2.35 for the standard. The obtained data indicated that the analogues were effective against breast cancer, and therefore the isatin moiety could serve as the lead to the development of new anti-breast cancer agents.
Molecular dynamics analysis of amorphous ice transformations: elastic properties and nucleation
Authors: Garkul Anastasiia , Stegailov Vladimir
Published: February 2022

Unlike conventional first-order phase transitions, the kinetics of amorphous-amorphous transitions has been much less studied. The ultrasonic experiments on the transformations between low-density and high-density amorphous ice induced by pressure or heating provided the pressure and temperature dependencies of elastic moduli. In this article, we make an attempt to build a microscopic picture of these experimentally studied transformations using the molecular dynamics method with the TIP4P/Ice water model. We study carefully the dependence of the results of elastic constants calculations on the shear and compression rates. The system size effects are considered as well. The comparison with the experimental data enriches our understanding of the transitions observed. Our modelling gives new information on the nucleation mechanisms during transformations between low-density and high-density amorphous ices and, thus, helps answering the question about first-order nature of this transition.
Disease Burden of and Risk Factors for Stroke in Yunnan Province of Southwest China, from 1990 to 2017
Authors: Liu Lu , Yang Yixing , zhao Yuan , Zhang Tai
Published: February 2022

Background
There is an overall decreasing trend in stroke incidence and an increasing trend in its prevalence. Disease burden of stroke continues to increase with an increase in the absolute number. In-depth analysis of stroke burden trends in remote areas is extremely important. Our aim was to describe the disease burden of and risk factors for stroke in Yunnan, from 1990 to 2017.
Methods
The methodological framework and analytical strategies adopted in the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study were used.
Results
Age-standardized mortality associated with stroke decreased from 153.4% per 100,000 in 1990 to 113.8% per 100,000 in 2017. The prevalence of stroke in Yunnan province increased from 344 per 100,000 in 1990 to 870 per 100,000 in 2017, especially after 2010. The age-standardized rates of Years of life lost (YLLs), Years lived with Disability(YLDs), and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) decreased more significantly for women than for men. The age-standardized rates of DALYs and YLLs of stroke decreased by 24.3% and 28.4%, respectively, from 1990 to 2017, and the rate of YLDs increased by 32.5%. The top three risk factors for stroke were dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and tobacco consumption, and their percentage contributions to the DALYs were 67.5% (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): 60.7–73.4%), 51.5% (95% UI: 43.3–59.0%), and 29.1% (95% UI: 25.4–32.7%), respectively.
Conclusions
Disease burden of stroke was similar to that in developing countries and most risk factors associated with stroke were modifiable. Health institutions need to pay more attention to the education and public awareness among rural residents of Yunnan and allocate medical resources rationally.
Esophageal Varices: retrospective analysis of cases in Damascus Hospital and a review of the literature.
Authors: Kubtan Assem , dbiss Fahd
Published: February 2022

Background:

Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the tube that connects the throat and stomach (esophagus). This condition occurs most often in people with serious liver diseases. Hepatitis, alcohol, and obesity are well documented risk factors for esophageal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) monotherapy is the standard therapy for managing esophageal variceal hemorrhage. This study aims to evaluate esophageal varices risk factors and the used methods in treating esophageal varices in Syria.
Methods:

102 cases at Damascus Hospital were retrospectivly in this study. The averages of the comparative independent groups were compared using parametric tests (T-Test Independent Samples, One way ANOVA) with the test for homogeneity to compare group variance and dimensional comparisons using LSD and Games-Howell
Results:

102 patient were included in the study, of them 66 (65.3%) were males and 35 (34.7%) were females and 52 (51.5%) were smokers. Most of patient had complained from cirrhosis 46 (45.1%), hemorrhagic vomiting 30 (29.4%), and dark stools 18 (17.6%). Esophageal varices were diagnosed by endoscopy 81 (79.4%), and clinical examination 21 (20.6%). Bleeding esophageal varices were treated using endoscopic ligation 38 (80.9%), and injection histoacryl sclerotherapy 9 (19.1%). The most common cause of cirrhosis was significantly viral hepatitis B (p .(0.05>Esophageal varices degrees were significantly associated with smokers, diagnostic endoscopy, and endoscopic ligation (p .(0.05>
Conclusion:

More details have been identified regarding symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of esophageal varices in Syria. That leads to conduct better healthcare programs and stress the importance of regular health checkups. Furthermore, esophageal varices it was shown that had higher incidence rates among viral hepatitis B patients. Additional studies are required to determine management and to get better insight on the treatment
Production of Biopolymer Precursors Beta-Alanine And L-Lactic Acid From CO2 With Metabolically Versatile Rhodococcus Opacus DSM 43205
Authors: Salusjärvi Laura , Ojala Leo , Peddinti Gopal , Lienemann Michael , Jouhten Paula , Pitkänen Juha-Pekka , Toivari Mervi
Published: February 2022

Background: Hydrogen-oxidizing autotrophic bacteria are promising hosts for conversion of CO2 into chemicals. In this work, we engineered the metabolically versatile lithoautotrophic bacterium Rhodococcus opacus strain DSM 43205 for synthesis of polymer precursors. Either, a gene encoding aspartate decarboxylase (panD) or lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) were expressed for autotrophic and heterotrophic beta-alanine or L-lactic acid production, respectively.Results: Heterotrophic cultivations on glucose yielded 25 mg L-1 beta-alanine and 742 mg L-1 L-lactic acid, while under autotrophic cultivation conditions with the gaseous substrates CO2, H2 and O2, beta-alanine and L-lactic acid concentrations were 1.8 mg L-1 and 146 mg L-1, respectively. In electrobioreactors, where H2 and O2 were produced in situ by water electrolysis, a beta-alanine titer of 345 µg L-1 was reached from CO2.Conclusions: We demonstrate successful production of beta-alanine and L-lactic acid from CO2. This work demonstrates that R. opacus DSM 43205 can be readily engineered for the autotrophic production of chemicals and provides a basis for further metabolic engineering of its autotrophic metabolism to increase productivity and yield.
Workflow Scheduling for Intelligent Modern Medical System with Privacy Protection Constraints for Iaas Cloud Using Modified Grasshopper Algorithm
Authors: SARAVANAN T R , Jeyaraj Kalaivani , Nagarajan G
Published: February 2022

Cloud computing considered as perhaps the most popular figuring models. The IaaS cloud offers different processing assets to the clients on request premise. A work process in the cloud is addressed by a Direct Acyclic Graph where the hubs address the assignments and edges address the between reliance of the errand. Distributed computing offers profoundly unique climate in which the framework burden and status of asset changes often. As due to technical enhancements many people are affected with diseases a new intelligent modern medical system is developed. As the responsibility increments with expansion in Cloud Services and customers there is a need to deal with these solicitations or occupations. Effective work booking instrument with security insurance imperatives simultaneously as limiting both execution time and cost, likewise the work process planning calculations with other improvement destinations, for example, limiting energy utilization will be thought of. Assessment is done dependent on CPU time, response time, Time for Total Execution.. Finally, the show of arranged Work Scheduling Algorithm evaluates use different replication scenarios and shows the effectiveness over the existing state-of-art protocols.
The Turkish version of the İkigai-9 Scale: A validity and reliability study
Authors: Belice Tahir
Published: February 2022

The aim: İkigai, or well-being, has been associated with many positive outcomes in the physical and mental health of elderly people. In the present study, we conducted a validity and reliability study of the İkigai-9 scale in Turkish society and outlined its associations with facets of well-being.Methods: A translation, re-translation method was used to create linguistic equivalence of the İkigai-9 scale in the Turkish language. The correlations between the İkigai-9 Turkish version with the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale Short Form and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were studied. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with volunteers regarding the scale. Data were saved in excel files and analyzed with SPSS (IBM SPSS for Windows, ver.24).Results: The findings confirmed the validity and reliability of the İkigai-9 Turkish version using 382 participants. The total scores on the İkigai-9 Turkish version were correlated positively with mental well-being and negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and depression (p<0.05). Moreover, the total İkigai-9 Turkish version scores had a positive correlation with age (p<0.05) but did not differ according to gender (p>0.05).Conclusions: İkigai and studies related to the concept of mental well-being should be widened and expanded across nations. These studies could be beneficial to healthcare providers to attenuate the impact of suffering from various diseases. We present the İkigai-9 Turkish version for further study in both in the national and international contexts that healthcare workers could compare their results in other countries.
Enriched environment protects against depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in mice after striatal intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Chen Xuemei , Jia Peijun , Wang Junmin , Ren Xiuhua , He Jinxin , Wang Shaoshuai , Xing Yinpei , Chen Danyang , Zhang Xinling , Zhou Siqi , Liu Xi , Yu Shangchen , Li Zefu , Jiang Chao , Zang Weidong , Wang Jian
Published: February 2022

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) has a negative impact on neurologic outcomes and quality of life. Although depression after ischemic stroke has been studied clinically and preclinically, very little is known about the frequency and severity of depression after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Increasing evidence shows that exposure to an enriched environment (EE) after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury has neuroprotective effects in animal models, but its effects after ICH are unknown. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of an EE on long-term functional outcome in mice subjected to a collagenase-induced striatal ICH model. Mice were subjected to ICH only or ICH with EE for 6 h/day (8:00 am-2:00 pm). Depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated on day 28 with the sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, forced swim test, and light-dark transition experiment. Results: EE exposure reduced brain edema, improved neurologic function, attenuated depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, promoted spatial learning and memory, increased the expression of transcription factor Nrf2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and inhibited glutaminase activity in the ICH brain. However, in Nrf2-/- mice with ICH, EE did not mitigate depression-like behaviors on day 28. Conclusions: These findings indicate that EE improves long-term sensorimotor, emotional, and cognitive-behavior outcomes after ICH and that the underlying mechanism involves the Nrf2/BDNF/glutaminase pathway.
Electroacupuncture promotes remyelination and alleviates cognitive deficit via promoting OPC differentiation in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Yingwen , Yang Xiaomin , Cao Yunchuan , Li Xiaoguo , Xu Rui , Yan Jin , Guo Zongduo , Sun Shanquan , Sun Xiaochuan , Wu Yue
Published: February 2022

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating cerebral vascular disease which causes neurological deficits including long-term cognitive deficit. Demyelination of white matter is correlated with cognitive deficit in SAH. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medical treatment which protects against cognitive deficit in varies of neurological diseases. However, whether EA exerts protective effect on cognitive function in SAH has not been investigated. The underlying mechanism of remyelination regulated by EA remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of EA on cognitive deficit in a rat model of SAH. SAH was induced in SD rats (n = 70) by endovascular perforation. Rats in EA group received EA treatment (10min per day) under isoflurane anesthesia after SAH. Rats in SAH and sham groups received no treatment. The mortality rate, neurological score, cognitive function, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and remyelination in sham, SAH and EA groups were assessed at 21 d after SAH.EA treatment alleviated cognitive deficits and myelin injury of rats compared with that in SAH group. Moreover, EA treatment enhanced remyelination in white matter and promoted the differentiation of OPCs after SAH. EA treatment inhibited the expression of Id2 and promoted the expression of SOX10 in oligodendrocyte cells. Additionally, the cerebral blood flow (CBF) of rats was increased by EA compared with that in SAH group. EA treatment exerts protective effect against cognitive deficit in the late phase of SAH. The underlying mechanisms involve promoting OPC differentiation and remyelination in white matter via regulating the expression of Id2 and SOX10. The improvement of CBF may also account for the protective effect of EA on cognitive function. EA treatment is a potential therapy for the treatment of cognitive deficit after SAH.
Knowledge, Practice and Associated Factors of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Among Nurses Working at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Zegeye Alebachew Ferede , Kassahun Chanyalew Worku , Temechu Yemataw Zewdu
Published: February 2022

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is the source of about 20% of episodes of health-care acquired infections in acute care facilities and it is over 50% in long-term care facilities. To date, knowledge and practice of nurses towards catheter-associated urinary tract infection is still lower. However, in Ethiopia, there is no published scientific research describing the knowledge and practice of nurses on catheter-associated urinary tract infections prevention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, practice and associated factors of catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention among nurses working at university of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia, 2021Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral HospitalfromApril 01 to May01, 2021 among 423nurses. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire then coded and entered into EPI- Data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 23. All variables with P-value <0.25 in the binarylogistic regression analyses were included in the multivariable regression analysis. The degree of association was interpreted by using the adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals, and the significance level was declared at P-value <0.05. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to check the fitness of the model.Results: The knowledge and practice of nurses towards CAUTI prevention was 53% and 50% respectively. Good knowledge was associated with sex [AOR=1.84, 95% CI (1.09, 3.11)], work experience [AOR=2.36, 95% CI (1.09, 5.10)], working unit [AOR=6.9, 95% CI (2.11, 22.52)], received training [AOR=2.33, 95% CI (1.17, 4.65)] and had guideline [AOR=2.78, 95% CI (1.59, 4.88)]. Good practice was significantly associated with sex, work experience, good attitude and good knowledge towards CAUTI prevention [AOR=2.19, 95% CI (1.23, 3.88)], [AOR= 5.44, 95% CI (1.66, 17.84)], [AOR=3.06, 95% CI (1.65, 5.67)], and [AOR=5.28, 95% CI (2.86, 9.76)] respectively.Conclusions:Inthis study nearly half of nurses had good knowledge and practice towards CAUTI prevention. Sex, work experience, work unit, presence of guideline, and training were significantly associated with knowledge; while sex, work experience, good attitude and, knowledge were significantly associated with practice of nurses towards CAUTI prevention.
Higher Dietary Cost Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Northeast Central Chinese Adults
Authors: Zhai Junya , Ma Baihui , Wang Saiqi , Lyu Quanjun , Guo Lijun , Khatun Pipasha , Liang Rui , Cong Minghua , Kong Yongxia
Published: February 2022

Objectives: Food price is a determining factor in food choices. However, its relationship with diet quality is unclear in Chinese adults. This study aimed to examine daily energy-adjusted dietary cost (Chinese Yuan, CNY/2000kcal) concerning diet quality in northeast central Chinese adults. Methods: The food consumed by 680 Chinese adults from Henan province during the year 2020 was recorded by 24-h dietary recalls. Three dietary quality indices, namely the nutrient-rich foods (NRF) index, the mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and the energy density (ED), were adopted. Daily energy-adjusted diet cost was calculated by dividing the estimated daily diet costs (CNY/day) by the energy intake per day (kcal/day) and multiplying 2000. Results: Subjects who closely adhered to the NRF9.2, MAR, and ED paid daily ¥8.92, ¥13.17, and ¥14.34 more for food consumption, respectively, than those who weakly adhered to these dietary patterns. Furthermore, adjusted linear regression analysis revealed that an increase in ¥1 of the energy-adjusted diet cost per day was associated with a change of 0.494 units (P< 0.001), 0.003 units (P<0.001), and -0.018 units (P<0.001) in the NRF9.2, MAR, and ED, respectively. Conclusion: Higher energy-adjusted diet costs were associated with higher-quality diets. This might be of importance for public health policies in an effort to develop strategies to promote healthy diets by regulating food and diet costs.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in a Coastal Area, Southern China
Authors: He Juan , Guo Xujun , Lv Chunfang , Fan Yuzheng , Huang Yao , Lu Liuzhu , Emane Amel Kevin Alame , Takiff Howard Eugene , Liu Shengyuan
Published: February 2022

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are becoming more common, but the epidemiologic characteristics of NTM in much of the world remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for NTM infection in a southern coastal area of China.Results: 1759 individuals suspected of having tuberculosis were included in the analysis, of whom 140 (7.96%) had NTM isolated from their sputa. The NTM species identified by the Kraken 2/Bracken and Hain methods were highly consistent. M. abscessus complex bacilli were the most prevalent species isolated (n=58, 41.43%), followed by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (n=41, 29.29%). Residency in Shenzhen for more than 2 years (OR 4.205; 95% CI 1.851-9.552; P = 0.001) and a history of prior TB (OR 4.263; 95% CI 1.871-9.714; P = 0.001) increased the risk for NTM infections. Whole-genome sequencing data from many of the MAC isolates showed high genomic diversity and heterogeneity.Conclusion: M. abscessus was the most common causative NTM species found in symptomatic patients in this region. Living in Shenzhen for more than 2 years and having a previous history of TB were associated with an increased risk of NTM infection. MAC genomes are often heterogenous.