bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modest effect of neurofeedback-assisted meditation using wearable device on stress reduction: A randomized, double-blind and controlled Study
Authors: Lee Eunyoung , Hong Jung Kyung , Choi Hayon , Yoon In-Young
Published: August 2022

A 2-week, randomized, double blind, and controlled study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of a neurofeedback wearable device for stress reduction. Participants were healthy adults with psychological stress and subclinical symptoms of depression or anxiety. Subjects practiced either neurofeedback-assisted meditation (n = 20) or neurofeedback non-assisted meditation (n = 18) for 12 minutes twice a day for a total of two weeks. Outcome variables were questionnaires of stress, mood, and sleep, quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG), and blood tests. Regarding the Perceived Stress Scale, the experimental group had a significantly decreased score compared to the control group (6.45 ± 0.95 vs. 3.00 ± 5.54, p = 0.037). State anxiety tended to have a greater effect in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.078). Depressive mood and sleep were also improved in each group, showing no difference between the two groups. There were no significant differences in stress-related physiological parameters such as stress hormone or qEEG between the two groups. In the satisfaction evaluation of device use measured at final visits, subjective device satisfaction was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.008). Thus, neurofeedback-assisted meditation using a wearable device can help improve subjective stress reduction compared to non-assisted meditation. These results support neurofeedback as an effective adjunct to meditation to relieve stress.
Assessment of Groundwater Potential Zone mapping approach for semi-arid environments using GIS-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multiple Influence Factors (MIF) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques in Buchakewadi Watershed, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Shinde S. P. , Barai V. N. , Gavit B. K. , Kadam S. A. , Atre A. A. , Bansod R. D.
Published: August 2022

Groundwater is an essential factor in the aquifer recharging and management for the drinking, irrigation, and economy. Currently unpredictable rainfall due to climate change and pollution on the earth's surface, these problems directly affect the demand for groundwater in the more affected area of the globe. In this study, we have selected two methods such as Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multiple Influence Factors (MIF), which would be applied for the groundwater potential zone maps. We have been prepared the nine thematic layers such as LULC, geomorphology, soil, drainage density, slope, lineament density, elevation, groundwater level, and geology maps using remote sensing and GIS techniques. These layers are integrated in the Arc GIS software with the help of AHP and MIF methods. We were identified into four classes, i.e., Poor, Moderate, Good, and Very Good based on AHP and MF methods. The groundwater potentials zones area is 241.50 (ha.). Poor, 285.64 (ha.) moderate, 408.31 (ha.) good, and 92.75 (ha.) very good using AHP method. However, the other groundwater potential zones area is shown as 351.29 (ha.) poor, 511.18 (ha.), moderate, 123.95 (ha.) good, and 41.78 (ha.) very good using MIF method. Both the groundwater potential zone maps have been validated with the water yield data using Arc GIS software 10.8. The ROC and AUC models' results are found to be 0.80 (good) and 0.93 (excellent) using MIF and AHP methods, respectively. The main purpose of this study is to identify the best method for demarcated the groundwater potential zone map, which method is better for preparation of watershed planning, and groundwater development policy, specific in basaltic rock and drought condition. The present study's framework 84work and results will be valuable to improving the efficiency of irrigation, conservation of rain water and maintain the ecosystem in India.
Artificial Molecular Network (AMoNet): graph learning for cancer survival prediction from targeted sequencing
Authors: Verlingue Loic , Massard Christophe , Calzone Laurence , Barillot Emmanuel
Published: August 2022

AMoNet (Artificial Molecular Networks) is a tool that aims to predict cancer patients’ survival when only targeted gene sequencing data are available. Outcome predictions from sparse data can benefit from new methods including deep learning. Our approach optimizes large recurrent directed molecular networks built from prior knowledge supported by speed-up computations and interpretations. Predictions suggested by the model simulations are available in a user-friendly interface.
The Recovery of Outpatient With Schizophrenia-in-remission in State Hospital, Ring Road Ibadan: a Social Support Examination
Authors: OMOKHABI Udukhomose Suleiman , ABIONA I. A.
Published: August 2022

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that influences social functions and social relationship of the schizophrenia patients. Schizophrenic patients frequently complain of diminished social support which is a critical factor in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Several studies have looked at the impact of social support on mental health. This study investigated the influence of social support on the recovery of outpatients with schizophrenia in remission. (OwSiR). The State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan that is noted to have largest mental health facility in Ibadan was purposively selected, while 261 OwSiR who met the DSM-IV criteria using the Kish sampling formular were purposively selected. The instruments used were Social Support; Instrumental (α=0.77), Emotional (α=0.89), Information (α=0.75) and Mental Health Recovery Scale (α=0.81). Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product moment correlation and Multiple regression at 0.05 level of significance. Respondents in the age group 20-24 years reported higher social support scores compared to those in the age group 45-49 years (p=0.045) and 50 years plus (p=0.007). The mean social support score of married respondents (159.44±20.09) was higher when compared to unmarried respondents (126±20.52) (t= -2.99, p=0.002). Mean social support across levels of educational qualification (F=3.63, p=0.014), revealed that respondents with secondary school qualifications have higher social support compared to those with tertiary education (p=0.01). Mean social support score across levels of living arrangement (F=3.50, p=0.032). Multiple comparison revealed that the difference exists between living with family members (p=0.038) and living with adult children. Also, social support was higher among respondents living with their spouse compared to living with an adult children (p=0.039). Instrumental support (r=0.63), emotional support (r=0.52) and informational support (r=0.55), had significant correlations with recovery of OwSiRs. Instrumental (β=0.16) and emotional support (β=0.11) had relative contribution to the recovery of OwSiRs, but information support did not. Male OwSiRs perceived that they had access to more social support than the females, while both male and female along with family caregivers agreed that informational support provision was low. The high cost and negative effects of the available drugs as well as social stigmatisation were the major challenges facing the recovery of OwSiRs.Instrumental and emotional support influenced the recovery of outpatients with schizophrenia-in-remission in State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan. These factors should be considered by mental health practitioners for improved recovery of outpatients with schizophrenia-in-remission in Ibadan.
Air Quality Estimation and Fatal Effect on Human Health –A Geoinformatics-Based Research on Million-Plus Cities around 500km Radius of Delhi, India
Authors: Pakrasi Debanjan , Nagalakshmi R. , Chowdhury Subhankar , Ghosh Sumit
Published: August 2022

Whilst the world is growing with various technological advancements and the latest innovations are making human life manageable, we have started negotiating to maintain the quality of the substance which keeps us alive - AIR. Where more than millions of people living in cities are affected by health issues, air pollution is coming up as one of the primary reasons for its deterioration. Million-plus cities are affected the worst in India. These cities need regular monitoring and management of air pollutants in and around the city and it is possible using GIS in wide spatial coverage. This paper will discuss the air quality of million-plus cities within the 500 km buffer from the Delhi-NCR region. A total of 14 major cities falls within this 500km buffer region. This study took the consideration of air quality data for the last 12 years starting from the year 2011 to the year 2022 and discussed the level of variation for NO2, SO2, and PM10. Data is collected from the CPCB website, several online sources, and state PCB websites for particular cities. During this research, it has been found that levels of NO2 and SO2 are satisfactory. However, the levels of PM10 are continuously rising every year, thereby failing to maintain the annual average standard (140 µg/m3). A discussion on adverse human health effect and future trends of air pollution is also presented in addition to the yearly application of IDW interpolation techniques for spatial analysis on the dataset.
Dendritic-cell subset devotes to the chaos of programmed cell-death patterns from systemic lupus erythematosus to lupus nephritis
Authors: Xu Ruoyao , Zhang Ying , Cao Qingtai , Liao Shen , Tang Youzhou , Zhuang Quan
Published: August 2022

Abnormal programmed cell death of immune cells relates to autoimmune diseases, but the programmed cell death pattern conditions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially lupus nephritis (LN), remain unclear. We analyzed bulk RNA-sequencing database and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profile from SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Besides, we ran renal tissue scRNA-seq from LN patients and normal controls collected in our hospital. There was an imbalance among three cell-death patterns both in SLE and LN: pro-inflammatory patterns pyroptosis and necroptosis were activated, but anti-inflammatory pattern apoptosis was inhibited. Additionally, we found that the cell-death pattern imbalance could be largely attributed to dendritic cell (DC) subsets, among which CLEC9A + cDC1 is a key subgroup devoting to it. This DC subgroup in LN renal tissue has peripheral circulatory origin. Additionally, we sorted out STING to be the upstream factor regulating three cell-death patterns in SLE. Therefore, we provided a novel insight for the role of DC subset in the cell-death patterns imbalance in the pathogenesis of SLE and LN.
“Boot Sign” of Anterior Femoral Condylar Resectional Shape during Total Knee Arthroplasty is more frequent in Asian Patients
Authors: Kim Seong Hwan , Park Yong-Beom , Baek Suk Ho , Lee Jeuk , Lee Han-Jun
Published: August 2022

Purpose
There is lack of intraoperative consensus on the distal femur anterior resected surface shape that allows reliable rotational alignment assessment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to evaluate the ratio and prevalence of anterior femoral resection surface intraoperatively.
Materials and Methods
The study included 234 osteoarthritis patients with varus knees and not valgus knees or deformities. The anteroposterior (AP) lengths after distal femoral resection were measured as the femoral lateral AP (FLAP) and femoral medial AP (FMAP) lengths. Based on the medial (MD) and lateral condyle (LD) vertical distance ratios of the femur anterior resected surface, the groups were classified into “boot sign”, “grand-piano”, and “butterfly sign” groups. Linear regression analyses were used to find the associated factors to the anterior femoral resection surface shape.
Results
Mean intraoperative femoral rotation and distal femoral cutting angles were 4.9° ± 1.2 and valgus 5.0° ± 0.7, respectively. Mean FLAP was 52.9 ± 4.2 mm. Mean MD/LD (0.61 ± 0.13) was lower than that of typical “grand-piano sign”. The morphological shape incidence of ‘boot sign’ was 62.4%. The MD/LD-associated factors were FLAP, intraoperative femoral rotation and distal femoral cutting angles. (R2 = 0.268)
Conclusion
The femur anterior resection surface shape in TKA was found in the “boot sign” rather than the “grand-piano sign” in Korean ethnics owing to an asymmetric morphology of femoral condyles. Ethnic differences, including distal femoral morphology, should be considered for assessment of the femoral rotation angle using the femur anterior resection surface shape.
General practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices surrounding the prescription of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation: a mixed-methods systematic review.
Authors: Selamoglu Melis , Erbas Bircan , Kasiviswanathan Karthika , Barton Chris
Published: August 2022

Background: General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in providing patients who smoke with health information, support and treatment to encourage them to quit smoking. Despite conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid, there is growing interest in the role e-cigarettes might play as an alternative to smoking tobacco. This systematic review aims to synthesise evidence from qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practice norms of GPs with respect to the use of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation. Methods: This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies from MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, EMBASE and grey literature were searched. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full-text articles to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. A data extraction form was used to extract relevant data from included papers and were quality appraised using the MMAT checklist. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to record the flow of papers and reasons for exclusion. Studies were included if they collected quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods data to determine knowledge, attitudes, social norms or perceived behavioural control of GPs for use of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids.Results: A total of 4056 abstracts were screened and 25 articles were included. Our findings showed that GPs had mixed views on recommending e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid. Some GPs were optimistic and had recommended e-cigarettes to their patients. Others were reluctant and disagreed that e-cigarettes are an effective method to quit smoking. Most GPs lacked knowledge and confidence in having discussions with patients around e-cigarette safety and efficacy as smoking cessation alternatives.Conclusion: This systematic review shows there are mixed views on e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids. Clear guidance on the role of e-cigarettes is needed to inform and upskill GPs about e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021227612
Effect of influenza vaccination on mortality and hospitalization in heart failure patients in a non-seasonal influenza transmission country
Authors: Maneesopit Chatpetch , Phrommintikul Arintaya , Bruminhent Jackrapong , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Yingchoncharoen Teerapat
Published: August 2022

Background: The association of influenza vaccination and heart failure (HF) hospitalization and mortality in Thai HF patients is unknown.Objective: To investigate associations between influenza vaccination and all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization in HF patients.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from two large tertiary care centers in Thailand (Ramathibodi hospital and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital) with newly diagnosed heart failure between 2013-2020 in an outpatient clinic. We examined the relationship between influenza vaccination and outcomes using a propensity-adjusted model.Results: Of 588 patients, 181 (31%) received influenza vaccination. During a mean follow-up of 57 months, influenza vaccination was associated with a 56% reduction in the risk of HF hospitalization or death (HF hospitalization or all-cause death: HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.31-0.63; p<0.001) in unadjusted analysis. After propensity score adjustment, influenza vaccination though was not associated with reduced risk of all-cause death but associated with reduced risk of HF hospitalization (HR 0.39; 95%CI 0.26-0.58; p<0.001).Conclusions: In patients with HF, influenza vaccination was associated with a reduced risk of HF hospitalization but not all-cause mortality.
Novel inflammation-based prognostic index for predicting survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Hirahara Noriyuki , Matsubara Takeshi , Kaji Shunsuke , Hayashi Hikota , Sasaki Yohei , Kawakami Koki , Hyakudomi Ryoji , Yamamoto Tetsu , Tanaka Wataru , Tajima Yoshitsugu
Published: August 2022

Background We focused on the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and devised an inflammation-based prognostic index (IBPI) as a prognostic marker of cancer-specific survival (CSS).MethodsWe reviewed the clinicopathological data of 480 patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic gastrectomy between January 2009 and December 2019. This study examined the significance of LMR, NLR, PLR, and IBPI as cancer-specific prognostic markers.ResultsIn univariate analysis, tumor diameter, histological differentiation, pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage, LMR, NLR, PLR, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and postoperative chemotherapy were significantly associated with CSS. In multivariate analysis, pTNM stage and CEA were the independent risk factors for CSS, although LMR, NLR, and PLR were not the independent risk factors for CSS. The IBPI formula was constructed using hazard ratios for three inflammation-based biomarkers with worse prognosis identified in the univariate analysis: LMR < 4.315, NLR ≥ 2.344, and PLR ≥ 212.01, which were each pointed as 1, with all remaining values pointed at 0. IBPI was calculated as follows: IBPI = 2.9 × LMR + 2.8 × NLR + 2.8 × PLR. The optimal cutoff value of IBPII was 2.9. On multivariate analysis, pTNM stage, CEA, and IBPI were independent prognostic factors for CSS. In the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, CSS in the high IBPI group was significantly worse than that in the low IBPI group.ConclusionIBPI was devised as a novel predictive index for prognosis, and its usefulness was clarified.
A small cysteine-rich protein identified from the Proteome of clubroot pathogen, Plasmodiophora brassicae, induces cell death in nonhost plants and host plants
Authors: Jiang Xuefei , Su Ying , Wang Maolin
Published: August 2022

Plasmodiophora brassicae is a devastating intracellular pathogen that causes clubroot disease in Brassicaceae plants, which also secrete various effector proteins promoting pathogen colonization and reprogramming host developmental processes. During screening for candidate effector proteins from the Proteome of P. brassicae, we identified a small secreted protein, PbEL04, which can trigger cell death associated with H2O2 accumulation and electrolyte leakage in the nonhost plant Nicotiana benthamiana. This ability to induce cell death was further validated using the recombinant protein produced by Escherichia coli. Moreover, PbEL04-triggered cell death did not require a signal peptide. Structural analysis showed that PbEL04 is a cysteine-rich protein consisting of four tandem EGF-like domains, few of which were homologous to other pathogens. In host plants, PbEL04 could induce cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts, and was highly expressed in the process of gall formation. Furthermore, the severity of clubroot disease was greatly reduced in the transgenic lines of PBRA_004448 compared with wild-type Arabidopsis Col-0 after being infected by P. brassicae. Taken together, our study identifies a new secretory protein involved in plant immune response in nonhost and host plants.
Three-dimensional shape distribution of lunar regolith particles collected by the Apollo and Luna programs.
Authors: Tsuchiyama Akira , Sakurama Takashi , Nakano Tsukasa , Uesugi Kentaro , Ohtake Makiko , Matsushima Takashi , Terakado Kazuo , Galimov Erik M
Published: August 2022

The shapes of regolith particles on airless bodies, such as the Moon and asteroids, are important to understand their formation and evolution on surfaces. Limited studies have shown that the three-dimensional (3D) shapes of lunar regolith particles are, on average, more equant (spherical) than those of asteroid Itokawa or fragments by impact experiments. Therefore, more studies are required to determine whether such a feature is common. Accordingly, we performed X-ray microtomography imaging of lunar regolith particles collected by the Apollo program by NASA and the Luna program by the Soviet Union to obtain their 3D shapes. The ten samples (65 to 1108 particles/sample) examined had varieties of sampling sites (maria and highlands), reflecting the difference in materials (basalts and anorthosites, respectively, in general), regolith maturities, particle size ranges (< 74 to 450 mm), and petrographic textures (monomineralic, polymineralic, and agglutinate). The 3D particle shape distributions regarding three-axial length ratios (L:I:S, where L, I and S are the longest, intermediate, and shortest lengths, respectively) showed that the average three-axial ratios were almost similar among the samples, irrespective of the sampling sites, maturities, and the size ranges [S/I = 0.769(8), I/L = 0.755(10), and S/L = 0.579(11) for whole samples]. The 3D shapes of lunar particles were more equant (spherical) than those of the particles collected from asteroid Itokawa and fragments by hypervelocity impact experiments which had the average ratios similar to the 2D silver ratio (S/I = I/L = 0.707 and S/L = 0.500). These findings showed that the balance between impact fragmentation and mechanical abrasion controls the 3D shapes of lunar particles because impact and particle motion on the Moon’s surface occur for a longer duration; however, impact fragmentation on this small asteroid surface primarily controls those of Itokawa particles.
The Effect of Systemic Administration of Zinc on The Gingival Crevicular Fluid Level of Total Oxidant Capacity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Stage II and III Periodontitis After Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Alqawi Abdulrahman A. , Mahmoud Enji A. , Darhous Mona S. , Shaker Olfat Gamil , Elbattawy Weam
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of zinc supplementation on the total oxidant capacity in the gingival crevicular fluid level of controlled type 2 diabetic patients with stage-II and III periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal therapy.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: ID: NCT03923829 on April 23, 2019. Twenty-eight controlled type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis stages II or III were randomly assigned into two groups, test and control where both received non-surgical periodontal therapy while the test group received 50 mg zinc one tablet/day for 12 weeks. Total oxidant capacity (TOC) level was measured in GCF of both groups at baseline and after 3 months. HbA1c level, GI, PPD and CAL were also reported at baseline and 3 months postoperatively.Results: After 3 months a statistically significant decrease in mean TOC µmol/L was reported in both groups being more significantly lower in test group. No significant difference in mean percentage HbA1c was reported after 3 months neither within each group nor between the two groups. In both groups there was a significant reduction in GI scores, PPD reduction and CAL gain after 3 months with no significant difference between them, while the test group showed significantly lower GI than the control group.Conclusions: Systemic administration of zinc supplements as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy might improve the clinical parameters and oxidative stress in T2DM patients with stage II-III periodontitis.Clinical Relevance:Zinc supplements can be an effective adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in type 2 diabetic patients with stages II or III periodontitis.
The Relationship between Behavioral and Mood Responses to Monetary Rewards in a Sample of Indian Students with and without Reported Pain
Authors: Tandon Tanya , Piccolo Mayron , Ledermann Katharina , Gupta Rashmi , Morina Naser , Martin-Soelch Chantal
Published: August 2022

Physical pain has become a major health problem among university students; many are affected by it each year worldwide. Several studies have examined the prevalence of pain-related impairments in reward processing in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries and very often fail to replicate findings in non-western cultural settings. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of physical pain symptoms in a sample of university students in India and replicate our previous study conducted on university students in Switzerland that showed reduced mood and behavioral responses to reward in students with significant pain symptoms. We divided the students into a sub-clinical group (N = 40) and a control group (N = 48) to test the influence of pain symptoms on reward processes. We used the Fribourg reward task and the pain sub-scale of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-27-plus) to assess the physical symptoms of pain. We found that 45% of the students reported high levels of physical symptoms of pain and interestingly, our ANOVA results did not show any significant interaction between reward and the groups neither for mood scores nor for the outcomes related to performance. These results might yield the first insights that pain-related impairment is not a universal phenomenon and can vary across cultures.
Four shades of red: optimizing the use of oviposition traps to monitor mosquito populations of arbovirus vectors in La Reunion
Authors: Brouazin Ronan , Claudel Iris , Lancelot Renaud , Dupuy Guillaume , Gouagna Louis-Clément , Dupraz Marlène , Baldet Thierry , Bouyer Jérémy
Published: August 2022

Recently, several epidemics caused by mosquito-borne viruses - including dengue viruses (DV) have occurred in La Reunion and other Indian Ocean islands.Aedes albopictusandAe. aegypti- two important DV vectors, co-occur in La Reunion.Aedes albopictusis the major DV vector, preponderant and widespread in the island.Aedes aegyptiis localized in certain areas and shows a peculiar ecology, compared to other tropical populations of the same species. This study aimed at providing users (researchers, mosquito control operators, health managers) with a locally-validated oviposition traps (ovitraps) to monitorAedespopulations.A field experiment was achieved in Saint-Joseph - where both mosquito species occur in sympatry, to assess the effect of different ovitrap settings on their detection probability and apparent density. Preliminary surveys indicated black plastic ovitraps were the best traps. Vacoa trees (Pandanus utilis) were the only observed breeding sites forAe. aegypti, shared withAe. albopictus. They were the experimental units in a design considering three factors: trap position in the trees (ground vs canopy), the oviposition surface used in the trap (blotting paper vs. vacoa leaf), and addition of organic matter (fish food) to the trap water.The addition of organic matter to trap water was not an important factor in this study. On the ground,Ae. aegyptieggs were only found when vacoa leaves were used for oviposition. Their detection and apparent density increased greatly when ovitraps were located in the tree canopy. The main factor forAe. albopictuswas the oviposition surface, with a strong preference for blotting paper. However, with vacoa leaves, the detection was also close to 100%. Further laboratory studies indicated larvae survival was lower for a high egg density, combined with blotting paper as the oviposition surface.When monitoring mixedAedespopulations in La Reunion, we recommend the use of black plastic ovitraps, filled with tap water, placed at 1.50-to-2.00-m high in vacoa trees, with vacoa leaves as the oviposition surface.
State-dependent alternations of implicit emotional dominance during binocular rivalry in subthreshold depression
Authors: Qiu Shiming , Luo Xu , Luo Yuhong , Wei Dandan , Mei Gaoxing
Published: August 2022

Background: Binocular rivalry, a phenomenon that individuals often experience back-and-forth perceptual alterations when two distinct monocular stimuli are presented to each eye simultaneously, has been reported as a biomarker in several psychiatric disorders. It is unclear whether abnormalities of binocular rivalry in depression could exist when emotional rivaling stimuli are used, and if so, whether the emotional binocular rivalry test could provide a trait-dependent biomarker or a state-dependent biomarker.Methods: Thirty-four individuals with subthreshold depression and thirty-one non-depressed individuals were recruited to perform a binocular rivalry task including implicit emotional processing. The participants were required to report their perceived orientations of the rival gratings in the foreground and simultaneously to neglect emotional face stimuli in the background. The participants were retested after an approximately 4-month time interval.Results: Compared to the non-depressed group, the depressive group showed significantly stronger implicit emotional dominance at the initial assessment. However, the abnormality was not observed at the follow-up assessment. More importantly, individuals displaying stronger emotional dominance at the initial assessment were more difficult for improvement in depressive severity at the follow-up assessment. No difference was found regarding the switching rate between the depressive group and the non-depressed controls.Conclusions: The abnormality on emotional dominance for individuals with subthreshold depression is associated with depressive symptoms over time. The current emotional binocular rivalry test may provide an objective state-dependent biomarker for distinguishing depressive individuals from healthy individuals.
The debate on the earthquake magnitude correlations: A meta-analysis
Authors: Petrillo Giuseppe , Zhuang Jiancang
Published: August 2022

Among the most important questions that await an answer in seismology, perhaps one is whether there is a correlation between the magnitudes of two successive seismic events. The answer to this question is considered of fundamental importance given the potential effect in forecasting models, such as Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) models. After a meta-analysis of 29 papers, we speculate that given the lack of studies carried out with realistic physical models and given the possible bias due to the lack of events recorded in the experimental seismic catalogs, important improvements are necessary on both fronts to be sure to provide a statistically relevant answer.
Surface-coated polymer nanocomposites containing z-aligned high-k nanowires as high-performance dielectrics at elevated temperatures
Authors: Cheng Sang , Li Yushu , Yang Mingcong , Fu Jing , Wang Rui , Hu Jun , He Jinliang , Li Qi
Published: August 2022

Recently, demands for high-performance polymer film capacitors at elevated temperatures have become more urgent. High dielectric constant is essential for dielectric materials to achieve substantial energy density at relatively low electric fields, which is of great significance to practical applications, while improving the permittivity of high-temperature polymer dielectrics without a remarkable deterioration in other electrical properties still remains a challenge. Here, a polymer nanocomposite containing z-aligned high-k nanowires sandwiched by e-beam evaporation deposited Al2O3 films was developed on account of the optimal structure proposed by the phase-field simulation. It is found that z-aligned nanowires are more effective in promoting the dielectric constant than random-aligned ones and a large increase in dielectric constant is observed at relatively low content of nanofillers. Outer insulating layers effectively suppress the electric conduction and improve the breakdown strength. Consequently, the nanocomposite with only 1 volume fraction of z-aligned nanowires exhibits a breakdown strength, electrical resistance and charge-discharge efficiency as high as neat PEI, but more than twice the discharged energy density than it at 150 °C. This work realizes the optimal structure predicted by simulation in experiment, obtaining high-permittivity high-temperature nanocomposites at no expense of other electrical properties and making it possible to achieve high discharged energy density at relatively low electric fields.
WITHDRAWN: Electrospun Pullulan-based Nanofibers to Prepare Modified Electrodes for Electrochemiluminescence Detection of Azithromycin
Authors: Wang Tongfei , Zhang Liwen , Li Xuenuan , Li Tianhao , Qin Danfeng , Tang Tingfan , Feng Jun , Cheng Hao
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a bio-based carbon nanofibers material was prepared by electrospinning, and carbon fiber was further prepared with pullulan as the carbon source and nitrogen source, and a new type of string-shaped bio-based carbon nanofiber was prepared. Using scanning electron microscopy, EDS Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, XPS X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and XRD X-ray Diffraction to detect and analyze the morphology structure and elements of the material, the above characterization results show that the pullulan-based nanofibers have crossover Type 3D fiber structure. The composite material elements are mainly composed of C elementsand O elements. The pullulan-based carbon nanofiber material can be used for the Electrochemiluminescence detection of azithromycin and exhibits high sensitivity. The detection range of this modified electrode for azithromycin is 1×10− 7-1×10− 4 µmol/L, and the linear correlation coefficient R2 = 0.996. The lower limit of detection (LOD) is 9×10− 8 µmol/L.The standard recovery rate of 10, 50, 70 µmol/L is 99.32–100.31%. Relative standard deviation is less than 5%, This method has good selectivity and high sensitivity, and can be used for the detection of azithromycin.
Clinical presentation, viral kinetics and management of human monkeypox cases from New Delhi, India 2022
Authors: Relhan Vineet , Sahay Rima R. , Shete Anita M. , Choudhary Aashish , Yadav Pragya D. , Sahoo BL , Brijwal Megha , Patil Deepak Y. , Kumar Suresh , PS Kannan Sabarinath , Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Abraham Priya
Published: August 2022

We describe the clinico-demographical, virological follow-up and management of five confirmed Monkeypox cases from New Delhi, India without any international travel history. The viral load kinetics and viral clearance was estimated in oropharyngeal swab (OPS), nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), EDTA blood, serum, urine and various lesion specimens at every fourth day of follow-up ranging from 5-24 post onset day (POD) of illness. All the five cases presented with mild to moderate grade intermittent fever, myalgia and lesions on the genitals, groins, lower limb, trunk and upper limb. Four cases had non-tender firm lymphadenopathy. No secondary complications or sexually transmitted infections were recorded in these cases except for HBV in one case. All the cases were mild and had good recovery. The high viral load was detected at POD 14 in lesion fluid, followed by lesion roof at POD 5, lesion base at POD 14 while urine, OPS and NPS at POD 5. The MPXV DNA was detected from 5 to 24 POD. These Monkeypox cases suggests the under diagnosed monkeypox infection in the community. This emphasizes the need for active surveillance of MPXV in high-risk population such as Men having sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW).
Distributional regression data analysis across different race/ethnic groups and poverty levels in the US adult population
Authors: Matabuena Marcos , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Petersen Alexander , Padilla Oscar Hernán Madrid , Cruz Borja del Pozo
Published: August 2022

Disparities in physical activity may contribute to the well-known racial/ethnic and poverty gaps in health and well-being (Winkleby et al. 1998). Recent developments in wearable technologies enable the continuous recording, at a high resolution, of the amount and intensity of physical activity performed by an individual over a period of time. Unlike previous self-reported (mostly leisure time) physical activity evidence (Saffer et al. 2013; Dogra, Meisner, and Ardern 2010), monitoring the full continuum of device-based physical activity intensity can help uncover critical information to plan, implement, and evaluate public health initiatives that promote evidence-based practice and policy, particularly among at-risk populations that would most benefit. Capitalizing on a representative sample of the US population who wore wrist accelerometers, this study examined the impact of race/ethnicity and poverty on detailed functional representations of device-based physical activity.
Limited sampling strategies for individualized BAX 855 prophylaxis in severe hemophilia A: in silico evaluation
Authors: Bukkems L.H. , Goedhart M.H.J. , Zwaan C. M. , Cnossen M. H. , Mathôt R. A.A.
Published: August 2022

PurposeLimited sampling strategies (LSS) lower the burden of PK-guided dosing, but an extensive evaluation of LSS for BAX 855 (Adynovi®) is currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a LSS for BAX 855 and combine this with a LSS of a standard half-life (SHL) FVIII concentrate in a clinical setting. MethodsIndividual PK parameters of BAX 855 were estimated for 10,000 virtual patients with severe hemophilia A using Monte Carlo simulations. Several LSS consisting of 2-6 samples were examined based on patient burden, bias and accuracy of clearance, elimination half-life, volume of distribution and trough levels at 72h (C72). Analyses were performed separately for adults and children <12 years.ResultsThe preferred LSS for BAX 855 consisted of three sampling points at 15-30 min, 48h and 72h for both adults (mean accuracy C72: 14.0% vs. 10.8% using six samples) and children (mean accuracy C72: 14.9% vs. 11.4% using six samples). The best strategy with two samples (peak, 48 hours) resulted in an adequate, but lower accuracy than strategies with ≥3 samples (mean accuracy C72: 22.3%). The optimal combination of the LSS of SHL FVIII and BAX 855 led to six samples during four clinical visits.ConclusionThis in silico study has identified that two to three samples are necessary to estimate the individual PK of BAX-855 adequately. These samples can be collected in one or two clinical visits. When combining PK profiling of SHL FVIII and BAX 855, six samples during four clinical visits are needed.
The bioinformatics and experimental analysis of CD276 for prognosis and immune infiltrates in colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Rui , Chai Chen , Ma Shoucheng , Guan Quanlin , Wu Dongjin
Published: August 2022

BackgroundColon adenocarcinoma (COAD), although the third-most common type of gastrointestinal tumors, still lacks specific biomarkers for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. CD276, an immune checkpoint, is upregulated in various cancers.This study aimed to evaluate the role of CD276 in tumorigenesis, prognosis and immunity for COAD.MethodsThe expression profile of CD276 gene in COAD was established by using RNA-sequencing transcriptomic data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The biological functions of CD276 were evaluated using the Metascape database and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The association between CD276 and immune cell infiltration was investigated by TIMER website. Correlation analysis was performed between CD276 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier final analysis were applied for identifying the prognostic role of CD276. ResultsCD276 expression was significantly elevated in COAD tumor (P < 0.0001). Functional annotation revealed many enriched GO-terms among which the activity of the growth factor, cell adhesion and corresponding cancer-related pathways were highly represented in high CD276 expression phenotype. High CD276 was associated with microsatellite instability (MSI) status, patients’ survival, and disease progression. Cox regression analysis revealed that CD276 was a risk factor for overall survival [hazard ratio (HR): 1.848, P = 2.64E−03], disease-specific survival (HR: 2.406, P = 5.35E−04), and progression-free interval (HR: 1.772, P = 2.04E−03). Moreover, CD276 level was significantly associated with tumor immune cell infiltration, biomarkers of immune cells, and immune checkpoint expression.ConclusionsOur analyses indicated that increased CD276 may contribute to COAD development by activing tumor‐promoting signal pathways and altering the immune microenvironment. It is believed that abnormal expression of CD276 has clinical prognostic value in COAD patients.
Screening and identification of azacyclonol and fexofenadine in human urine using LC–MS/MS
Authors: Saito Takeshi , Namera Akira , Yamamoto Rie , Tsuji Tomoatsu , Morita Seiji , Nakagawa Yoshihide
Published: August 2022

Azacyclonol metabolized from fexofenadine and pipradrol are structural isomers and are important biomarkers to determine fexofenadine or pipradrol intake. Detecting these two analytes by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) allows for their differentiation from structurally similar compounds. This study aimed to confirm the separation of azacyclonol and pipradrol through different chromatographic conditions in LC–MS. Urine samples were prepared by HLB and were separated in a high-performance reversed phase column. MS detection was achieved using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in positive ionization modes. Azacyclonol and pipradrol were differentiated by optimizing the gradient profile using LC–MS. We used a common Poroshell C18 column with acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid solution. Azacyclonol and fexofenadine were detected in the urine of patients who took fexofenadine. Fexofenadine is an important biomarker for the determination of azacyclonol and piradrol. LC–MS has been the dominant analytical technology for the quantitative bioanalysis of drugs and metabolites. Although some analytes do not require sufficient separation by LC according to selectivity by LC–MS, sufficient separation by LC is required for the separation of such position isomers.
Moxibustion regulates hypothalamic microglia M1-M2 polarization to against the aging of GnRH neurons
Authors: He Xinlu , Li Yi , Wang Qiang , Li Long , Li Xuezhi
Published: August 2022

With the current increase in population aging, anti-aging has become a popular area of current medical research. Previous studies have found that hypogonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in the hypothalamus is an important factor in multi-organ aging, and GnRH secretion and receptor levels are influenced by the intrahypothalamic environment. Therefore, using a 20-month-old natural aging rat model, we found no significant difference between moxibustion treatment in improving physiological status and serum sex hormone levels in aged rats compared with exogenous sex hormone supplementation. In contrast, moxibustion was found to promote the polarization of hypothalamic microglia by immunofluorescence double-labeling and PCR, thus promoting the activation of GnRH neurons and the secretion of GnRH. western blot analysis showed that it decreased the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-12, increased the levels of anti-inflammatory factors and neurotrophic factors TGF-β, IL-10, and GDNF, and improved the hypothalamic In conclusion, moxibustion can regulate the polarization of hypothalamic microglia and thus promote the activation of GnRH neurons to slow down aging.
Risk Analysis Index Predicts Complications and Discharge Outcomes after Brain Tumor Resection Better than Patient Age and Modified Frailty Index-5
Authors: Thommen Rachel , Hall Daniel , Miskimins Richard , McKee Rohini , Kassicieh Alexander , Kazim Syed Faraz , Rumalla Kavelin , Bowers Christian , Schmidt Meic , Kalakoti Piyush
Published: August 2022

PurposeTo evaluate the discriminative prognostic utility of the Risk Analysis Index-Administrative (RAI-A) as compared to the modified frailty index-5 (mFI-5) and patient age for postoperative outcomes of brain tumor resection (BTR) patients. MethodsPatients with BTR were queried from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSIQP) for the years 2015 to 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between frailty tools and postoperative complications and discharge outcomes.ResultsWe identified 30,951 patients that underwent craniotomy for BTR; the median age of our study sample was 59 (IQR 47-68) years old and 47.8% of patients were male. Overall, increasing RAI-A score, in an overall stepwise fashion, was associated with increased post-operative outcomes including in-hospital mortality, non-routine discharge, major complications, Clavien-Dindo Grade IV complication, and extended length of stay. The RAI-A tiers 41-45 and >45 were ~4 (Odds Ratio [OR]: 4.3, 95% CI: 2.1-8.9) and ~9 (OR: 9.5, 95% CI: 3.9-22.9) more times more likely to have mortality compared to RAI-A 0-20. Multivariable regression analysis (adjusting for age, sex, BMI, non-elective surgery status, race, and ethnicity) demonstrated that RAI-A was an independent predictor of all BTR outcomes.Conclusions and RelevanceIncreasing RAI-A score is a better predictor than the mFI-5 and increasing patient age for in-hospital complications and discharge outcomes in BTR patients. The RAI-A may help providers present better preoperative risk assessment for patients and families weighing the risks and benefits of potential BTR.
Virtual Social Interactions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effect of Interpersonal Motor Synchrony on Social Interactions in The Virtual Space
Authors: Probolovski Hila Gvirts , Ehrenfeld Lya , Sharmaa Mini
Published: August 2022

Although the link between synchrony and emotional contagion has been studied extensively during face-to-face interaction, the question of whether this association also exists in virtual settings has remained unanswered. Here, we examined whether this link exists during virtual social interactions and whether pro-social effects will be induced during those interactions. To this end, two strangers shared difficulties they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual social interaction. The findings revealed that spontaneous motor synchrony and emotional contagion can arise during a virtual social interaction between two strangers and that this kind of interaction has pro-social effects. It can thus be presumed that virtual social interactions may share similar characteristics and social effects with face-to-face interactions. Considering the tremendous changes COVID-19 epidemic has caused regarding social communication, these findings may provide grounds for developing new intervention protocols aiming at dealing with the consequences of social distancing.