bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Robot: Automatic Speech Recognition Application for Automation and STEM Education
Authors: Tran Duy Thanh , Truong Dang Huy , Le Hoanh Su , Huh Jun-Ho
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, Robots are widely applied in life as well as industrial production, medicine, rescue, learning and entertainment. There are many types of robots using different modern technologies that are divided into groups such as Robot Manipulator, Movement Robot, Biomimetic robot, each type is applied according to its own role. Robots are also applied in training, especially in STEM training. In this paper, we propose technical models to design Mobile Robot combined with Android OS Tablet with user interaction screen, voice control model and AIDL IPC interactive model for remote control. Mobile Robot's motion as well as giving a layered UML Model for motion handling towards open source. We research the Mobile Robot using RockChip AI Processor RK3399Pro, which focuses on understanding the structure and operating mechanism of the AI Processor that RockChip Robot uses, along with researching Android with IPC AIDL architecture and with Automatic Voice Recognition technology to control Robot to turn left, turn right, move forward, backward, jump or stop motion by voice with three languages: Korean, English and Vietnamese. From there, it will serve as a foundation for the research and development of a system to support students in learning by interacting with robots through voice in the form of gamification of the curriculum, especially for extensive research on training programs, created in the STEM field.
Differential expression of m5C RNA methyltransferase genes NSUN6 and NSUN7 in Alzheimer’s disease and Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Grovas-Saltijeral Adriana Perez , Rajkumar Anto P. , Knight Helen Miranda
Published: September 2022

Epigenetic processes have become increasingly relevant in understanding disease modifying mechanisms. 5-methylcytosine methylation of DNA (5mC) and RNA (m5C) have functional transcriptional and RNA translational consequences and are tightly regulated by writers, readers, and erasers effector proteins. To investigate the involvement of 5mC/5hmC and m5C effector proteins contributing to the development of dementia neuropathology, RNA-sequencing data for 32 effector proteins across four brain regions was examined in 51 aged non-affected and 56 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) individuals obtained from the Aging, Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study. Gene expression profiles were compared between AD and controls, neuropathological Braak and CERAD scores and in individuals with a history of TBI. We found an increase in DNA methylation writers DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B mRNA and decrease in reader UHRF1 mRNA in AD samples across three brain regions while the DNA erasers GADD45B and AICDA showed changes in mRNA abundance within neuropathological load groupings. RNA methylation writers NSUN6 and NSUN7 showed significant expression differences with AD and, along with the reader, ALYREF, differences in expression for neuropathologic ranking. A history of TBI was associated with a significant increase in the DNA readers ZBTB4 and MeCP2 (p < 0.05) and decrease in NSUN6 (p < 0.001) mRNA. These findings implicate regulation of protein pathways disrupted in AD and TBI via multiple pre- and post-transcriptional mechanisms including potentially acting upon tRNAs, enhancer RNAs, as well as nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling and cytoplasmic translational control. The targeting of such processes provides new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative brain conditions.
Effect of an Artificial Intelligence-assisted Antibiotic Susceptibility Test on Reducing the Mortality Rate of and Antibiotics Use in Patients with Bacteremia: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Hsin-Yao , Chung Chia-Ru , Tseng Yi-Ju , Huang Yhu-Chering , Yu Jia-Ruei , Chen Chao-Jung , Lin Ting-Wei , Huang Wan-Ting , Lee Tzong-Yi , Horng JT , Lu Jang-Jih
Published: September 2022

No mass spectrometry-based antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) AI system has been robustly validated and truly deployed in real-world settings. In the study, an AI-assisted AST prediction system XBugHunter was extensively validated and deployed. A total of 90,064 consecutive patients were included in the models development. During the deployment, 155 consecutive patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) was analyzed, whereas the historical control cohort included 455 patients. The predictive sensitivity and specificity for S. aureus (oxacillin) were 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. The reduction on AST turnaround time was 34.06 h. Death within 28 days was 13.55% for the SAB patients in the XBugHunter intervention group, which was significantly lower than 17.58% in the historical control cohort. Totally, 114.77 defined daily doses of inappropriate antibiotics were avoided by deploying XBugHunter. This work showed that XBugHunter can prevent inappropriate antibiotic use, and the adjustment in antibiotic treatment can yield a lower mortality rate.
From Collaborative Care to Population-based Management for Depression in Primary Care: Development of Clinical Databases and Applications for Quality Improvement and Research
Authors: Savitz Samuel Thomas , Kurtzhals Aaron , Drews Maureen , Breitinger Scott A. , Sawchuk Craig N , Leasure William , Brennan RoxAnne M , Lebow Jocelyn , Angstsman Kurt B , Williams Mark D.
Published: September 2022

Background: To describe the process of developing an evolving database for Mayo Clinic primary care patients who screen positive for depression. The databases will support a broad use of these data for current and future quality improvement and research efforts. The description of their development will serve as an example for other institutions attempting to create similar data resources.
Methods: The adult database (patients aged ³ 18) has data from 2007 and the adolescent database (patients aged 12 to < 18) from 2011. To be included, a patient had to be eligible for collaborative care model as a primary care patient with at least moderate symptoms of unipolar depression. The patient did not have to be enrolled in collaborative care model. The main domains of measurement are demographics, social determinants of health, mental health and substance abuse conditions, other comorbidities, interaction with collaborative care model, and questionnaire results. The data is being continuously updated as new data becomes available.
Results: The adult database currently includes 117,619 unique patients with a mean age of 44.7 years, and is 66.4% female, and 88.1% non-Hispanic white. The adolescent database includes 14,684 unique patients with a mean age of 14.8 years, is 66.7% female, and 79.7% non-Hispanic white.
Conclusions: These large, longitudinal, and evolving databases are a key step towards developing a learning environment to improve quality of care and conduct population-based research for patients with depression in primary care settings.
The Effect of Organizational Culture on Organizational Commitment During Covid-19: Evidence From Debre Markos Referral Hospital
Authors: Asresie Gessesse Gizachew , Birara Mulugeta Belayneh , Gebrie Tadesse Asmare
Published: September 2022

During the covid-19 pandemic, a number of workers refused to provide services and attendance at their workplaces, and forgot about their organizational commitments. Today the industry setup is shifting in relation to the worldwide epidemic of Covid-19. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of organizational culture on employee commitment during covid-19 in debre Markos referral hospital. The study employed explanatory research design and qualitative research approach. To achieve the objectives of the study, 244 sample respondents were taken by using simple random sampling techniques from total populations of 627 employees. The data was gathered through a five point lickert scale standardized questionnaire from target respondents. After gathering the required data the study employed descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis methods for instance, mean and standard deviations, correlation, and multiple regressions. The regression analysis has been used to determine the effect of supportive organizational culture, innovative organizational culture and bureaucratic organizational culture on organizational commitment during covid-19. The findings of the study reveal that innovative and supportive organizational culture factors have a positive significant effect on organizational commitment. On contrary, bureaucratic organizational culture traits, has not significant effect on organizational commitment in the study area.
Correlates of host-associated bacterial diversity in New Zealand cicadas and hybrids
Authors: Haji Diler , Vailionis Jason , Stukel Mark , Gordon Eric , Lemmon Emily Moriarty , Lemmon Alan R. , Simon Chris
Published: September 2022

Host-microbe interactions are intimately linked to eukaryotic evolution, particularly in sap-sucking insects that often rely on obligate microbial symbionts for nutrient provisioning. Cicadas (Cicadidae: Auchenorrhyncha) specialize on xylem fluid and derive many essential amino acids and vitamins from intracellular bacteria or fungi (Hodgkinia,Sulcia, andOphiocordyceps) that are propagated via transmission from mothers to offspring. Despite the beneficial role of these symbionts in nutrient provisioning, they are generally not considered to function within the gut where microbiota may play dietary roles. Here, we investigate the relative abundance and impact of host phylogeny and ecology on gut microbial diversity in cicadas using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing data from 197 wild-collected cicadas and new mitochondrial genomes across 38 New Zealand cicada species, including natural hybrids between one species pair. We find low abundance and a lack of phylogenetic structure and hybrid effects but a significant role of elevation in explaining variation in gut microbiota.
Genomic attributes of Vibrio cholerae responsible for a massive cholera outbreak in Bangladesh, 2022
Authors: Alam Munirul , Monir Md Mamun , Islam Mohammad Tarequl , Mazumder Razib , Mondal Dinesh , Nahar Kazi Sumaita , Sultana Marzia , Morita Masatomo , Ohnishi Makoto , Huq Anwar , Watanabe Haruo , Qadri Firdausi , Rahman Mustafizur , Thomson Nick , Seed Kimberley , Colwell Rita R. , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: September 2022

Bangladesh is currently experiencing one of the worst cholera outbreaks in its history. The icddr,b hospital has treated a record number of patients, more than 1400 per day and ca. 40,000 diarrheal cases from the end of March through April 20221. A recent genomic study showed temporal progression of two lineages, BD-1 and BD-2, with the former linked to the 7th pandemic wave-3 global clade and the latter predominant in endemic cholera in Dhaka during 2013 and 20172. Here, we present genomic attributes of V. cholerae O1 responsible for the 2022 Dhaka cholera epidemic and genome phylogeny of 960 7th pandemic El Tor strains from 88 countries. Results show the Dhaka cholera etiological agent clustered with the 7th pandemic El Tor wave-3 global clade, but comprises a new subclade, BD-1.2, for which the most recent common ancestor appears to be of the globally distributed sublineage predominantly associated with recent endemic cholera in India. Results also suggest BD-1.2 was present in Bangladesh since 2016. However, it was not until 2018 that strains of the subclade successfully established dominance over the BD-2 during an expansion of the wave-3 global clade. It is concluded that the recent shift in predominant lineage and the observed genetic changes including serotype switch in BD-1.2 from Ogawa to Inaba may explain the increasing number of infections and massive outbreak of cholera during 2022 in Bangladesh.
The Proteomics and Metabolomics Studies of GZU001 on Promoting the Merisis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Roots
Authors: Zheng Zhiguo , Chen Shunhong , Wei Panpan , Guo Shengxin , Yu Gang , Wu Jian
Published: September 2022

Background
Plant growth regulators are chemicals that regulate plant growth and development, which can regulate hormonal balance and affect plant growth, thereby increasing crop yield and/or improving crop quality. We discovered a novel compound (GZU001), a potential plant growth regulator, that significantly promoted root elongation in maize. However, an underlying potential mechanism is still under study.
Results
To explore the response pathway and regulation mechanism of GZU001 in promoting maize root elongation, the current study used a combination of metabolomics and proteomics study. From the appearance, we can see that both roots and plants of maize treated with GZU001 are significantly improved. In the metabolic process of maize roots, glucose not only acts as a nutrient molecule, but also plays a dual role as a signal molecule, which plays an important role in promoting plant growth and development. In total, 101 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) and 79 differentially expressed metabolites were identified. The current study identified altered proteins and metabolites associated with physiological and biochemical processes. These processes are mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism and secondary metabolism, indicating that the enhancement of primary metabolism after GZU001 treatment is beneficial to the growth and development of maize, and plays an important role in maintaining metabolism and growth and development.
Conclusions
This study recorded the changes of related proteins and metabolites in maize roots after GZU001 treatment, and provided evidence for the action mode and mechanism of this compound in plants.
Negative appendectomy rate in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis
Authors: Chaochankit Wongsakorn , Boocha Aeraungkoon , Samphao Srila
Published: September 2022

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute lower abdominal pain leading patients to the emergency department. This study aims to find the negative appendectomy rate in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis from 2015-2019.
Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study in the patients preoperatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy from January 2015 to December 2019. Negative appendectomy is defined as the final pathologic results confirmed normal, congestion or peri-appendicitis.
Results: The study population was 892 patients which was 54.3% female. The five-year negative appendectomy rate was 8.6% (n=77) and 70% in female (n=54). The factors associated with increasing the negative appendectomy rate were female (OR 2.23, P=0.003), age £ 40 years old (OR 2.35, P=0.003), and no history of diarrhea (OR 2.42, P=0.017). Whereas the factors related to decline in the negative appendectomy rate were white blood cell count (WBC) ≥10,000 (OR 0.39, P=0.016), neutrophil (N) ≥75% (OR 0.28, P< 0.001), and positive appendicitis from ultrasonography of abdomen (OR 0.04, P<0.001) or computed tomography of abdomen (OR 0.07, P< 0.001).
Conclusion: The negative appendectomy rate was less than 10% in this study. Female, age 40 £ years old and history of diarrhea were related to increase in negative appendectomy. The factors that related to decline in negative appendectomy were leukocytosis with cells shift to the left, positive acute appendicitis from abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan. However, to request the further imaging studies to diagnose patients with suspected acute appendicitis depends on the risk and benefit to each patient and the choice of investigation.
Horro and their crossbred dairy cow’s reproductive performance in Ethiopia subhumid tropical environments
Authors: Jalata Beshatu , Goshu Habtamu Abera , Mediksa Tesfaye , Bekele Dereje , Aliye Mohammed
Published: September 2022

The estrus detection system, proper time of insemination, feeding, and health care practices each make a significant contribution towards the herd's optimal breeding efficiency and lifetime production. In the subhumid environments of Ethiopia, the age at first calving, days open, calving to first heat, and services per conception are economic traits in the reproductive performance of Horro and theircrossbreddairy cows. As a result, data collected at Ethiopia's Bako Agricultural Research Center from 1980 to 2019 were used to study the reproductive performance of Horro and their crosses with Holstein Friesian and Jersey dairy cows. The overall mean ± standard error of age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), number of services per conception (NSP), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), conception rate (CR), and replacement rate (RR) were 29.2±0.2 months, 39.8±0.2months,1.76±0.4, 13.2±0.3 months, 94.3±4.3 days, 75.0±1.3%, and 28.4±0.3%, respectively.At 60 and 90 days, the odds ratio of the nonreturn rate (NRR) was 0.22 and 0.96, respectively.The breeds (sire and dam) and birth period had a significant (P< 0.001) influence on AFS and AFC, whereas season and dam parity had a significant influence on CI and DO.Inconsistent management in feeding, heat detection, inseminator skills, insemination time, health, and other husbandry practices may result in extended periods of AFS, AFC, CI, and DO. To improve the reproductive performance of Horro and their crosses with Holstein Friesian and Jersey dairy cows in Ethiopia's subhumid environments, we should focus on increasing management factors.
Tuberculosis, a Rare Cause of Hands Tenosynovitis: Two Case Reports
Authors: Çıracıoğlu Ayşe merve , Erdoğan Suheyla Dal , Sarıçimen Gizem , Özgen Merih
Published: September 2022

Introduction: A tenosynovitis is a rare form of tuberculosis. It may be overlooked or misdiagnosed due to non-specific findings. These delays in diagnosis and treatment can cause serious complications. Case Presentation: In these case reports, two patients with complaints of pain and swelling in the wrist flexor tendons received various diagnoses such as inflammatory arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. These patients who did not respond to the treatment were diagnosed with tuberculosis tenosynovitis as a result of the microbiological and histopathological evaluation. The patients showed significant improvement with antituberculosis treatment and surgical treatment was not needed. Conclusion: It is important for early diagnosis and prevention of appropriate complications in tuberculosis tenosynovitis.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stages IB3 and IIA2 Cervical Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Trial
Authors: Hu Yingjie , Han Yingyan , Shen Yuanming , Chen Jing , Chen Yaheng , Chen Yile , Tang Junying , Xue Min , Hong Li , Cheng Wenjun , Wang Danbo , Liang Zhiqing , Wang Yifeng , Zhang Qinghua , Xing Hui , Zhang Yu , Yi Cunjian , Yu Zhiying , Chen Youguo , Cui Manhua , Ma Cailing , Yang Hongying , Li Ruizhen , Long Ping , Zhao Yu , Qu Pengpeng , Tao Guangshi , Yang Lihua , Wu Sufang , Liu Zhihua , Yang Ping , Lv Weiguo , Xie Xing , Ma Ding , Wang Hui , Li Kezhen
Published: September 2022

Background
Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been widely used in developing countries for the treatment of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IB3 and IIA2 cervical cancer. However, the effectiveness of NACT and treatment options for NACT-insensitive patients have been concerning. This study will assess prognostic differences between NACT and primary surgery treatment (PST), determine factors associated with prognosis, and explore better adjuvant treatment modalities for NACT-insensitive patients.
Methods
This study analyzed clinical characteristics, pathological characteristics, treatment options, and follow-up information of 774 patients with FIGO stages IB3 and IIA2 cervical cancer from 28 centers from January 2016 to October 2019 who participated in a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial.
Results
For patients undergoing NACT, the 5-year OS and PFS rate was 85.8% and 80.5% respectively. They were similar in the PST group. There was no significant difference in OS and PFS between clinical response (CR)/partial response (PR) groups and stable disease (SD)/progressive disease (PD) groups. Apart from deep cervical invasion affecting OS for patients undergoing NACT, no other clinical and pathological factors were associated with OS. 97.8% of NACT-insensitive patients opted for surgery. If these patients did not have intermediate- or high-risk factors, whether they had undergone postoperative adjuvant therapy was irrelevant to their prognosis, whereas for patients with intermediate- or high-risk factors, adjuvant chemotherapy resulted in better PFS (chemotherapy vs. no therapy, p<0.001; chemotherapy vs. radiotherapy, p=0.019) and OS (chemotherapy vs. no therapy, p<0.001; chemotherapy vs. radiotherapy, p=0.002).
Conclusions
NACT could be a choice for patients with FIGO stages IB3 and IIA2 cervical cancer. The main risk factor influencing prognosis in the NACT group is deep cervical invasion. After systematic treatment, insensitivity to NACT does not indicate a poorer prognosis. For NACT-insensitive patients, Chinese prefer surgery. Postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with no intermediate- or high-risk factors does not improve prognosis, and chemotherapy in patients with intermediate- and high-risk factors is more effective than radiation therapy and other treatments.
Trial registration
The study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03308591); date of registration: 12/10/2017.
Digital Document Analysis Using Weighted Score Convolutional Neural Network and Arc Factored Graph Based Dependency Parsing
Authors: D Rekha D Rekha , V Ramaswamy V Ramaswamy
Published: September 2022

Digital document analysis is one where software analysts review documents for assessing an appraisal theme. Digital document analysis can be utilized for obtaining available documents in order to extract relevant data. Most of the research work focuses on a semi-supervised based framework for better parsing performance and traditional statistical setting. However, an inappropriate selection during digital documents analysis may lead to entire process being falsified there by reducing the overall accuracy. To address this issue, in our work, a novel method called, Weighted Score Convolutional Network and Arc-factored Graph-based Dependency Parsing (WSCN-AGDP) is proposed. WSCN-AGDP is split into two sections. First section is concerned with the extraction of relevant features (i.e., words from sentences) by employing Stouffer’s Weighted Score-based Convolutional Neural Network model. In the second section, using the extracted features, Graph-based Dependency Parsing is performed by utilizing Spearman Correlated Arc-Factored model. Four indices were calculated namely, digital document parsing time, parsing overhead, false positive rate and precision are being used to quantitatively assess and rate the algorithms. Different document sizes acquired from Reuters-21578 dataset are considered. Experiments have been conducted to analyze the methods.
Cellular gp96 upregulates AFP expression by blockade of NR5A2 SUMOylation and ubiquitination in HCC
Authors: Qian Liyuan , Liang Zhentao , Wang Jiuru , Li Xin , Zhao Jingmin , Li Zihai , Chen Lizhao , Liu Yongai , ju Ying , Li Changfei , Meng Songdong , Wang Zihao
Published: September 2022

AFP is the most widely used biomarker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, a substantial proportion of HCC patients have either normal or marginally increased AFP levels in serum, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we provided in vitro as well as in vivo evidence that heat shock protein gp96 promoted AFP expression at the transcriptional level in HCC. NR5A2 was identified as a key transcription factor regulated by AFP and its stability was enhanced by gp96. A further mechanistic study by CO-IP, GST-pull down and molecular docking showed the competitive binding of gp96 and SUMO E3 ligase RanBP2 to NR5A2 at the sites spanning from aa 507 to 539. The binding of gp96 inhibited SUMOylating, ubiquitination, and subsequent degradation of NR5A2. In addition, clinical analysis of HCC patients indicated that gp96 expression was positively correlated to serum AFP levels in tumors. Therefore, our study uncovered the novel regulatory mechanism of gp96 on the stability of its client proteins by directly affecting their SUMOylation and ubiquitination. These findings will help in designing more accurate AFP-based HCC diagnosis and progression monitoring approaches.
Early ECMO Initiation as a Bridge for Central Airway Obstruction Patients Caused by Neck and Chest Tumors to Emergency Surgery Operations
Authors: Liang LianJing , Su ShiTong , He YaRong , Peng YaLan , Xu ShuYun , Liu Yang , Zhou YaXiong , Yu HaiFang
Published: September 2022

Central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors is a very dangerous oncological emergency with high mortality. Unfortunately, due to its rare literature, no clear evidences or definitive guidelines are currently available for this life-threating condition. Providing effective airway managements, adequate ventilatory and emergency surgical interventions is very important. However, traditional airway managements and respiratory support has only limited effect. In our center, using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a novel approach to manage patient with central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors has been adopted since 2021. We aim to show the feasibility: using early ECMO to manage difficult airway, provide oxygenation and support surgical procedure for patients with critical airway stenosis caused by neck and chest tumors. Clinical records of patients admitted for central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors to the Emergency Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2021 to December 2021 were collected. Clinico-pathological characteristics, details of ECMO, surgical management, and outcomes were analyzed. Three patients were admitted; Acute dyspnea and cyanosis were the most frequent symptoms at diagnosis. Laboratory findings showed abnormal descending arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). Meanwhile, CT always revealed abnormal findings: central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumor/mass. All cases (3/3) had definite difficult airway. All cases received ECMO support immediately and emergency surgical procedure. Venovenous ECMO was the common mode for all cases. 3 patients weaned off ECMO successfully without any ECMO-related complications. Mean duration of ECMO was 3 hours (range: 1.5–4.5 hours). Under early ECMO support, difficult airway management and emergency surgical procedure were finished successfully for all cases (3/3). The mean ICU stay was 3.3 days (range: 1–7 days), and the mean general ward stay was 3.3 days (range: 2–4 days). Pathological examination demonstrated the etiology of critical airway stenosis caused by tumors for 3 patients. All patients (3/3) were discharged from hospital and no patients had readmissions. We show that early ECMO initiation is a safe and feasible approach to manage difficult airway for patients with severe central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors. Meanwhile, early ECMO initiation can provide security for airway surgical procedure.
Thrombocytosis in Thalassemia major
Authors: Naeem Mohammad Abdul , Aamir Mohammad , Ijaz Farhat , Amin Nayyar
Published: September 2022

BackgroundTo investigate underlying cause for thrombocytosis in children suffering from Thalassemia major.MethodsA cohort of (n=41) children suffering from Thalassemia major were included in the study. They had a persistent platelet count of > 400x109/l for a period of three months. Primary and secondary cause of thrombocytosis were sought as the underlying pathologies.ResultIn significant percentage (44%) of children no underlying cause for thrombocytosis was detected.ConclusionIn depth studies are required to find cause of thrombocytosis in children suffering from Thalassemia major.
Infection of neonatal mice with the murine norovirus strain WU23 is a robust model to study norovirus pathogenesis
Authors: Karst Stephanie , Peiper Amy , Helm Emily , Nguyen Quyen , Phillips Matthew , Williams Caroline , Shah Dhairya , Tatum Sarah , Iyer Neha , Baldridge Megan
Published: September 2022

Noroviruses are the leading cause of severe childhood diarrhea and foodborne disease worldwide. While they are a major cause of disease in all age groups, infections in the very young can be quite severe with annual estimates of 50,000-200,000 fatalities in children under 5 years old. In spite of the remarkable disease burden associated with norovirus infections in people, very little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms underlying norovirus diarrhea, principally because of the lack of tractable small animal models. The development of the murine norovirus (MNV) model nearly two decades ago has facilitated progress in understanding host-norovirus interactions and norovirus strain variability. However, the model remains limited because MNV strains tested thus far either do not cause intestinal disease or were isolated from extraintestinal tissue, raising concerns about translatability of research findings to human norovirus disease. Consequently, the field lacks a strong model of norovirus gastroenteritis and determinants of norovirus pathogenesis remain poorly defined. Herein, we provide a comprehensive characterization of a new small animal model system for the norovirus field that overcomes prior weaknesses. Specifically, we demonstrate that the WU23 MNV strain isolated from a mouse naturally presenting with diarrhea causes reduced weight gain and acute self-resolving diarrhea in neonatal mice of several inbred mouse lines. Moreover, our findings reveal that norovirus-induced diarrhea is associated with infection of subepithelial cells in the small intestine and systemic spread. Finally, type I interferons (IFN) are critical to protect hosts from norovirus-induced intestinal disease whereas type III IFNs exacerbate diarrhea. This latter finding is consistent with other emerging data implicating type III IFNs in the exacerbation of some viral diseases. This new model system should enable a detailed investigation of norovirus disease mechanisms and serve as a platform for testing antivirals.
Vitamin D attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in rats via mRNA regulation of IL- 6 and its receptor
Authors: Nikkholgh Ahad , Tavakoli Fatemeh , Alborzi Nasrin , Araste Fatemeh
Published: September 2022

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy. By integrating its membrane receptor complex (gp-80), IL-6 activates the signal guidance components (gp-130) and activates the hypertrophic signaling pathways. There is some evidence that 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D exerts anti-hypertrophic effects, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcitriol on the level of IL-6 and its receptor components in hypertrophied rat heart.
Methods: Male rats were divided into control, hypertrophy, vitamin D+hypertrophy, and propylene glycol+hypertrophy groups. The groups receiving vitamin D and propylene glycol were treated two weeks before induction of hypertrophy and two weeks after hypertrophy. Myocardial hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aortic stenosis. Mean arterial blood pressure was measured by cannulation of the left carotid artery and expression of genes was determined by RT-PCR.
Results: Blood pressure and heart to body weight ratio increased in hypertrophic groups compared to the control group (P<0. 01), but vitamin D administration decreased these parameters (P<0.05). Abdominal aortic stenosis increased IL-6 expression levels (P<0.001) and Vitamin-D decreased IL-6 mRNA levels (P<0.01). The expression of gp-80 in the hypertrophic group increased compared to the control group (P˂0.05) but vitamin D did not affect the expression of receptor subunits genes.
Conclusions: The data from this study suggest a possible mechanism for the anti-hypertrophic effects of vitamin D through the regulation of inflammatory responses during hypertrophy. Thus, vitamin D can reduce IL-6 expression levels, thereby reducing hypertrophy.
Oral ibuprofen versus oral ketorolac for children with moderate and severe acute traumatic pain: a randomized comparative study
Authors: Ghirardo Sergio , Trevisan Matteo , Ronfani Luca , Zanon Davide , Maestro Alessandra , Barbieri Francesca , De Nardi Laura , Amaddeo Alessandro , Barbi Egidio , Cozzi Giorgio
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Compare ibuprofen and ketorolac for children with trauma-related acute pain.
Methods: We conducted a multicentre randomized, double-blind, controlled trial in the Paediatric Emergency Department setting. We enrolled patients aged 8 to 17 who accessed the emergency department for pain related to a limb trauma that occurred in the previous 48 hours. At the admission, patients were classified based on numeric rating scale-11 (NRS-11) in moderate (NRS 4-6) and severe (NRS 7-10) pain groups. Each patient was randomized to receive either ibuprofen (10 mg/kg) or ketorolac (0.5 mg/kg) and the placebo of the not given drug in a double dummies design. NRS-11 was asked every 30 minutes until 2 hours after drug and placebo administration. The primary outcome was NRS-11 reduction at 60 minutes.
Results: Among 125 patients with severe pain, NRS-11 reduction after 60 minutes from drug administration was 2.0 (IQR 1.0-4.0) for ibuprofen and 1.0 (IQR 1.0-3.0) for ketorolac (p=0.36). Ibuprofen was significantly better, considering secondary outcomes, at 90 minutes with a lower median of NRS-11 (p 0.008), more patients with NRS-11 less than 4 (p 0.01) and a reduction of pain score of more than 3 NRS-11 points (p 0.01).
Among 87 patients with moderate pain, the NRS-11 reduction after 60 minutes from drug administration was 1.63 (±1.8) for ibuprofen and 1.8 (±1.6) for ketorolac, with no statistically significant difference.
Conclusions: Oral ibuprofen and ketorolac are similarly effective in children and adolescents with acute traumatic musculoskeletal pain.
ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT04133623
Interaction between Polymorphism of MTHFR C677 Gene and Riboflavin Intake as the Risk of Hypertension in a Region with High Prevalence
Authors: Sukmawan Renan , Hendrik Praise , Zahara Rita , Harlyjoy Beta , Setiani Rissa , - Taofan , Zamroni Dian , Widyantoro Bambang
Published: September 2022

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism is associated with decreased MTHFR enzyme activity that leads to hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism is also associated with lower affinity and faster unbinding of flavin adenine dinucleotide, a riboflavin-derived cofactor for MTHFR enzyme. Natuna is a district which once reported has the highest prevalence of hypertension in Indonesia, based on a national basic health research. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and riboflavin intake with hypertension in the Natuna district population. An analytic cross-sectional population study was conducted in the region. Data of demographic, physical examination, and food recall, as well as MTHFR genotyping from blood samples of study subjects were collected. The subjects were 268 adults, among which 128 (45.9%) had hypertension, 49 (17.5%) had mutant allele of MTHFR genotype (CT or TT), and 158 (56.4%) had low daily riboflavin intake. There was association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and hypertension [OR 3.387 (1.724 – 6.654), p = 0.001]. Post-hoc analysis showed that group of mutant MTHFR C677T genotype with low riboflavin intake showed strong association with hypertension [OR 19.320 (4.498–82.980), p<0.01]. Meanwhile, group with mutant MTHFR C677T genotype and normal riboflavin intake did not show a significant association with hypertension. As a conclusion, there was association between interaction of riboflavin intake and MTHFR C677T polymorphism with hypertension. This suggests possibility of riboflavin supplementation in population with high prevalence of hypertension especially those with MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism
A new SEIRPV mathematical model to study the evolution of Covid-19 in Morocco
Authors: BOUISSA Ayoub , TSOULI Najib
Published: September 2022

A new pandemic was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, this disease belongs to the coronavirus family and has spread rapidly to all countries in the world. As of March 05, more than 1161586 cases have been detected in Morocco, resulting in 16015 deaths with more than 1142892 recoveries. The objective of this paper is to propose a general fractional order SEIRPV model to study the dynamic behavior of COVID-19, and emphasizes the role of the environmental reservoir in the transmission and spread of this disease. This paper also allows us to study the effect of confinement of the susceptible population. Using some mathematical models and conditions, we can conclude that if R0 ≤ 1, the disease-free equilibrium point is unique and locally asymptotically stable as well as globally stable. When R0 > 1, the pandemic equilibrium point is also unique. In addition, the local asymptotic stability of the disease-free and pandemic equilibrium points exists, as well as the global stability. The theoretical results are validated through some numerical simulations to illustrate the evolution of the virus in Morocco using a Matlab program.
Balanced coexistence of reversible and irreversible covalent bonds in a conductive triple polymeric network enables stretchable hydrogel with high toughness and adhesiveness
Authors: Park Kyuha , Kang Kyumin , Kim Jungwoo , Jin Subin , Shin Mikyung , Son Donghee
Published: September 2022

The application of soft hydrogels to stretchable devices has attracted increasing attention in deformable bioelectronics owing to their unique characteristic, “modulus matching between material and organ.” Despite considerable progress, their low toughness, low conductivity, and absence of tissue adhesiveness remain substantial challenges associated with unstable skin-interfacing, where body movements undesirably disturb electrical signal acquisitions. Herein, we report a material design of a highly tough strain-dissipative and skin-adhesive conducting hydrogel fabricated through a facile one-step sol-gel transition and its application to an interactive human-machine interface. The hydrogel comprises a triple polymeric network where irreversible amide linkage of polyacrylamide (PAAm) with alginate (Alg) and dynamic covalent bonds entailing conjugated polymer chain of poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene)-co-(3-thienylboronic acid) (p(EDOT-co-TBA)) are simultaneously capable of high stretchability (1,300% strain), efficient strain dissipation (36,209 J/m2), low electrical resistance (590 Ω), and even robust skin adhesiveness (35.0 ± 5.6 kPa). Based on such decent characteristics, the hydrogel was utilized as a multifunctional layer for successfully performing either electrophysiological cardiac/muscular on-skin sensors or an interactive stretchable human-machine-interface.
Learning from pandemic: IMCU as a more efficient model of pediatric critical care organization
Authors: Brisca Giacomo , Tardini Giacomo , Pirlo Daniela , RomanengoMD Marta , Buffoni Isabella , Mallamaci Marisa , Carrato Valentina , Lionetti Barbara , Molteni Marta , Castagnola Elio , Moscatelli Andrea
Published: September 2022

Purpose:A variable proportion of children with COVID-19-related illness required pediatric intensive care admission (ICU), although, in many cases, only for monitoring, frequent and complex therapies, or for concerns related to relevant comorbidities or young age. This may have determined inappropriate admissions, waste of resources, ICU overcrowding and psychological effects on children and families.
Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) may represent an appropriate unit to care for children who need monitoring and treatment beyond what can be offered in a general pediatric floor but do not qualify for pediatric ICU admission.
Methods:We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all patients aged 0-18 with acute COVID-19 or meeting diagnostic criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, admitted to a newly established pediatric IMCU at Gaslini Hospital, Genoa, Italy, between 1 March 2020 and 31 January 2022.
Results:Among 550 patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 or MIS-C, 106 (19.2%) were admitted to IMCU. Three patients (2.8%) needed escalation to intensive care. Overall, the need for pediatric ICU admission was considerably low for both acute COVID-19 patients (0.8%) and MIS-C patients (3.1%) compared to literature data.
Conclusions: The IMCU represented an adequate setting for COVID-19 children who needed a higher level of care, but not requiring critical care, thus allowing
better ICU bed utilization and cost savings. Further studies are needed to better assess the impact of an IMCU on hospital costs, ICU activity, and long-term psychological effect among children and their families.
Perioperative outcomes using Lichtenstein-type open hernioplasty versus Nyhus-type preperitoneal hernioplasty in inguinal hernia: a comparative study with 1-year follow-up
Authors: Cabrera-Vargas Luis Felipe , Mendoza-Zuchini Andrés , Aparicio Brandon Steven , Pedraza Mauricio , Sajona-Leguia Walter Antonio , Arias Jhoan Sebastián Robledo , Lozada-Martinez Ivan David , Picón-Jaimes Yelson Alejandro
Published: September 2022

Background
Inguinal hernia are the most common defect of the abdominal wall in 75% and their treatment consists of surgical repair. The technique of choice is laparoscopic because of its overall benefits. However, when this is not available, open approaches may be a viable option. Currently the most commonly used open techniques are Lichtenstein and Nyhus. However, there are no long-term studies that have compared outcomes between these two techniques.
Methods
Retrospective comparative study that included patients undergoing open inguinal hernia correction with mesh, using Lichtenstein-type open hernioplasty versus Nyhus-type preperitoneal hernioplasty, in two centers in Bogota, Colombia, during a period of two years. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. A bivariate analysis was performed to compare groups, according to the complications presented between the two techniques.
Results
193 patients were included, of whom 53.36% were men and 58.03% (n = 112) were approached with the Nyhus technique. Non-absorbable suture fixation was performed in 100% of patients. Among the main complications, seroma (5.18%), pain (4.14%), bleeding (2.07%), recurrence (10.88%) and reoperation (0.51%) were observed, of which only recurrence showed a statistically significant difference, being lower in the Nyhus approach (3.57% vs. 20.67%; p < 0.001). No patients died.
Conclusions
Both Nyhus- and Lichtenstein-type hernioplasty techniques were shown to cause a low incidence of postoperative complications with zero mortality, with significantly lower recurrence using the Nyhus technique up to 1 year postoperatively.
External and Internal Dual-controls: Tunable Cavity and Ru-O-Co Bond Bridge Synergistically Accelerate the RuCoCu-MOF/CF Nanorods for Urea- assisted Energy-saving Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wang Yilin , Du Yunmei , Fu Ziqi , Wang Mengmeng , Fu Yunlei , Li Bin , Wang Lei
Published: September 2022

Currently, conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the merits of porosity and large specific surface area have prodigious development prospects in the field of electrocatalysis. However, the regulation of the cavity of the hollow MOFs and its research on the performance of urea-assisted water splitting are still challenges. Toward this aim, the hollow RuCoCu-MOF/CF nanorods with tunable cavities are directionally constructed by a self-sacrificial template strategy. Benefiting from the innovative morphological control and the unique Ru-O-Co bond bridge, RuCoCu-MOF/CF has superior performances for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). Surprisingly, a record-breaking voltage of 1.402 V drives a current density of 10 mA cm− 2 for urea-assisted overall water splitting under alkaline conditions, greatly promoting the development of energy-efficient hydrogen production technology. This work firstly constructed the MOF-based self-supporting electrode with ultra-high urea-assisted hydrogen production and urea degradation performances via the dual controls of the cavity size and chemical bond bridge. This points out the direction for the development of unique integrated electrodes for both hydrogen production and decontamination.
Synthesis, structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational studies of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine-2,4-dinitrophenol cocrystal
Authors: Sivaraman Shanmugam , Balakrishnan Chellakarungu , Suppuraj Palusamy , Meenakshisundaram Subbiah
Published: September 2022

Crystal structure of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine-2,4-dinitrophenol (ANDP) grown by slow evaporation solution growth method was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and it belongs to monoclinic system with centrosymmetric space group P21/n. The crystallinity and homogeneity of the material was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction which agrees well with the simulated pattern with varied intensities. The functional groups present in the molecule are identified by FT-IR analysis and the band gap energy was estimated using diffuse reflectance data by the application of Kubelka-Munk algorithm. The thermal stability of the compound was investigated by carrying out TG-DTA analysis. Theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory method to derive the dipole moment and hyperpolarizability. High value of first-order molecular hyperpolarizability (β) suggests that it is a potential microlevel NLO candidate.
National biodiversity strategies under-utilise the potential for individual behaviour change
Authors: Rode Julian , Soares Thais Moreno , Colléony Agathe , Turbe Anne , Chadwick Paul , Marselle Melissa
Published: September 2022

Biodiversity conservation is increasingly recognized as a main challenge for the sustainability agenda. With humans are at the epicentre of the biodiversity crisis, conserving nature requires changes in individual behaviour. This study reveals gaps regarding the incorporation of behaviour change into national biodiversity policy. A total of 1306 policy actions proposed by ten National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) from all world regions were coded for target actors, target behaviour and responsible agents as well as the policy options, intervention types and behavioural determinants listed in the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework. Results show that only 12% of the policy actions specified individual behaviours to be targeted, and only 3% of the policy actions were specific about how interventions and policies could enable behaviour change. Policy actions were aimed mostly at increasing people’s capabilities (i.e., providing information) or providing opportunities (i.e., resources), and rarely addressed the motivation of individuals.