bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling Choice: Debate on the Use of Hijab Religious Studies and Feminism in Malaysia
Authors: Saphire Anisya Olivia , Nurkhasanah Dini Septianti , Istighfarin Hanifah Pammula
Published: April 2022

Hijab is an important symbol for Malaysia as a country that implements Islamic values in its social system. However, Maryam Lee sees that the decision of Malaysian Muslim women to wear the hijab is largely influenced by social demands. Maryam also sees that women who decide to take off their hijab are often criticized by society. These views Maryam wrote in her book entitled Unveiling Choices. In this book, Maryam narrates her views and decision to remove the hijab. Maryam also explained that women should be freed in deciding whether to wear or take off the hijab. This study aims to understand Maryam Lee's view of the hijab and how Malaysians respond to it. Therefore, this study will also look at the position of the hijab for the Malaysian people, Maryam Lee's thoughts on hijab, and the public's response to Maryam's thoughts. This research was conducted using a descriptive qualitative research method, namely by describing the thoughts of Maryam Lee and the public's response to her thoughts. Feminist Standpoint Theory chosen to understand Maryam's views and the public's response to her views. The results show that Maryam's view of the hijab contradicts the general view of Malaysian society. So that Maryam's view has sparked pros and cons from Malaysian society, this polarity occurs because there are groups who see Maryam's thoughts as a form of deviation from Islamic identity while other groups consider Maryam's actions as a form of resistance to the patriarchal system that demands justice for Malaysian women.
Analysis of Indonesia-Netherlands Diplomatic and Consular Relations
Authors: Priambodo Gabriella Dewa
Published: April 2022

In order to improve the quality of international cooperation, the Indonesian nation must be able to improve the quality and performance of foreign officials so that they are able to carry out proactive diplomacy in all fields to build a positive image of Indonesia in the international world. Through this article, the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands will be analyzed specifically, both diplomatic and consular relations. The result,diplomatic relations between the governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands have been in accordance with Law Number 37 of 1999, but in practice it has not been implemented properly in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, so on this occasion I will discuss further about diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands which had temporarily interrupted by several influencing factors including the revocation of the Dutch embassy in Indonesia named Rob Swartbol due to protests against the execution by the Indonesian government against a Dutch citizen named Ang Kim Soe or vice versa the revocation of the Indonesian embassy in the Netherlands because it will be held consultations by their respective countries, both the Netherlands and Indonesia, on their embassies.
Indonesian Government’s Efforts to Cooperate with Malaysia’s Government in Protecting Educational Rights of Indonesian Migrant Workers Children (Case Study: Children of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Sabah)
Authors: Yuvanti Dita Aprilia
Published: April 2022

Indonesia and Malaysia are geographically close countries. That is one of the reason why many Indonesian Migrant Workers come to Malaysia to look for a job. Although Malaysian Immigration Agency has banned migrants from bringing their families with them, there are still 50.000 Indonesian children in Sabah who work with their parents. But these children do not get a proper education. This study aims to examine how Indonesian Government response and effort to fulfill the protection of the education rights of Indonesian migrant children in Sabah, Malaysia. Using the concept of Soft Power Diplomacy and Legal Protection for Children, this study concludes that the Indonesian government has sought legal protection and education for Indonesian children in Sabah from discrimination by establishing diplomatic relations with Malaysia, NGO Humana Child Aid Society, Kota Kinabalu Indonesian School, and the Community Learning Center.
The Role of Indonesian Diplomatic Representatives in Resolving Cases of Persecution of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia
Authors: Melania Chantika Wuragil Budhi
Published: April 2022

To achieve economic improvement and the welfare of its citizens, Indonesia is one of the countries that supports the practice of sending workers abroad or often referred to as Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (TKI). One of the leading destination countries for Indonesian migrant workers is Malaysia due to the geographical proximity and cultural similarities. However, the large number of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia is also proportional to the number of human rights violations experienced by Indonesian workers. Violations of rights such as embezzlement of salaries, physical torture, to murder often occur to Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. Based on the condition, the writer aims to analyze the role of the Indonesian government in protecting TKI who experience human rights violations in Malaysia through diplomatic representatives.
Analysis of the Indonesian Consulate General Role in Hong Kong and the Implementation of Consular Functions
Authors: Ashari Audila Andamita
Published: April 2022

In 1951, Indonesia established the office of the Consultant General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong to braid economic cooperation in the region. As one of the world's trade centers, Hong Kong is an important trading partner for Indonesia. On the other side, as a part of China, Hong Kong does not have sufficient natural and human resources to meet its needs. There is a sense of interdependence, making their relationship last until today. This paper aims to determine Indonesian Consulate General role in Hong Kong and the implementation of consular unctions. with liberalism theory and descriptive literature research methods, the author concludes that the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong organizes and participates in various trade economic activities. These efforts are said to be successful because they have had a positive impact on the development of the Indonesian economy.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Refusal of Surgical Treatment in Women 40 years and older with Breast Cancer in the United States between 2010 and 2017
Authors: Fwelo Pierre , Yusuf Zenab , Adjei Abigail , Huynh Gabriel , Du Xianglin
Published: April 2022

Purpose Although surgical resection is the main modality of treatment for breast cancer, some patients elect to refuse the recommended surgery. We assessed racial and ethnic differences in women 40 years and older who received or refused to receive surgical treatment for breast cancer in the United States and whether racial disparities in mortality were affected by their differences in the prevalence of refusal for surgical treatment Methods We studied 277,127 women with breast cancer using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data and performed multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the association between surgery status of breast cancer and race/ethnicity. Additionally, we performed Cox logistic regression analyses to determine the predictors of mortality outcomes. ResultsOf 277,127 patients with breast cancer, 1,468 (0.53%) refused to receive the recommended surgical treatment in our cohort. Non-Hispanic Black women were 112% more likely to refuse recommended surgical treatment for breast cancer compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts [adjusted odds ratio: 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.82-2.47]. Women who underwent breast conserving surgery [hazards ratio (HR): 0.15, 95% CI: 0.13-0.16] and mastectomy (HR:0.21, 95% CI: 0.18-0.23) had lower hazard ratios of mortality as compared to women who refused the recommended treatment after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Race/ethnicity was associated with refusal for recommended surgery, especially among non-Hispanic Black women. Also, surgery refusal was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and breast cancer-related mortality. These disparities stress the need to tailor interventions aimed at raising awareness of the importance of following physician recommendations among minorities.
Ketone Body Rescued Seizure Behavior of LRP1 Deficiency by Modulating Glutamate Transport
Authors: Zhang Jin-Ming , Chen Ming-Jie , He Jiong-Hui , Li Ya-Ping , Li Zhi-Cai , Ye Zi-Jing , Bao Yong-Hui , Huang Bing-Jun , Zhang Wen-Jie , Kwan Ping , Mao Yu-Ling , Qiao Jing-da
Published: April 2022

LRP1, the low-density lipoprotein receptor 1, would be a novel candidate gene of Epilepsy according to our bioinformatic results and the animal study. In this study, we explored the role of LRP1 in Epilepsy and whether Beta-hydroxybutyrate, the principal ketone body of the ketogenic diet, can treat epilepsy caused by LRP1 deficiency. UAS/GAL4 system was used to establish different genotype models. Flies were given Standard, High-sucrose, and ketone body food randomly. The bang-sensitive test was performed on flies and seizure-like behavior was assessed. In morphologic experiments, we found that LRP1 deficiency caused partial loss of the ellipsoidal body and partial destruction of the fan-shaped body. Whole-body and glia LRP1 defect flies had a higher seizure rate compared to the control group. Ketone body decreased the seizure rate in behavior test in all LRP1 defect flies, compared to Standard and High sucrose diet. Overexpression of glutamate transporter gene Eaat1 could mimic the ketone body effect on LRP1 deficiency flies. This study demonstrated that LRP1 defect globally or in astrocytes or neurons could induce epilepsy. The ketone body efficaciously rescued epilepsy caused by LRP1 knockdown. The results support screening for LRP1 mutations as discriminating conduct for individuals who require clinical attention and further clarify the mechanism of the ketogenic diet in Epilepsy, which could help Epilepsy patients making a precise treatment case by case.
Swallowing Disorders in Patients with Chiari Malformation Type I After Decompression Neurosurgery
Authors: de Oliveira Luciana B. , de Queiroz Moisés A. S. , Filho Leonardo Macêdo , Shlobin Nathan A. , Otamendi-Lopez Andrea , Barbosa Priscilla M. E. , Porto Andréa C. L. , Filho Euler N. Sauaia
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate postoperative swallowing disorders in patients diagnosed with CM I after decompression neurosurgery.METHODS: We selected 54 patients after decompression neurosurgery procedure for CM I from January 2017 to December 2019. We evaluated the speech-language assessment (CSLSA) 24-hours after post-surgical extubation. CSLSA observed aspects of posture, sensitivity, tone, and extra- and intraoral mobility of the FAO and visualizing the functions of breathing, phonation, articulation, chewing, and swallowing. We correlated the severity of the dysphagia and the presence of associated malformations in the CM I patients.RESULTS: In our study, 39 patients were female (mean age 41.3±47.1 years). Thirty-seven patients had associated malformations (p=0.0243): 21 patients syringomyelia, 11 basilar invagination and 5 syringomyelia and basilar invagination. Dysphagia was present in 37 of the cases (68.5%;p=0.0016). Dysphonia in 13 (24.1%;p=0.4785) and dysarthria in 3 (5.6%;p=0.0042). We observed in the CSLSA: orofacial hypomobility (29-patients–53.7%;p=0.0204), orofacial hyposensitivity (26-patients–48.1%; p=0.3023), reduced GAG reflex (24 patients–44.5%;p=0.1041), ineffective cough (19 patients–35.2%;p=0.0022), ineffective saliva swallowing (18-patients–33.3%;p=0.0396), dyspnea (13-patients–24.1%;p=0.4785), orofacial hypotonia (11-patients–20.4%;p=0.0004), altered cervical auscultation (10-patients–18.5%;p=0.0003), and dysarthria (3-patients–9.3%;p=0.0042). The presence of associated malformations significantly influenced the appearance of swallowing disorders, the severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia, the post-surgical complications (17-patients–31.5%;p<0.001), and the clinical outcomes (p=0.0029) of patients with CM type I. CONCLUSION: Decompressive neurosurgery for CM I had low rates of post-surgical complications overall. However, there was a high incidence of dysphagia. The presence of associated malformations is related with poorer prognosis and greater severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with CM I.
ABC score is an effective predictor of outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding
Authors: Sakong Heon , Moon Hee Seok , Choi Seong Woo , Kang Sun Hyung , Sung Jae Kyu , Jeong Hyun Yong
Published: April 2022

BackgroundRisk stratification is recommended for patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding. The ABC score is a new scoring tool with high accuracy for both upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the ABC score in predicting the outcomes of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.MethodsThis single-center retrospective study was conducted between October 2011 and March 2021. We identified 812 patients presenting with symptoms of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage who were diagnosed with ulcerative lesions on endoscopy. The association between the ABC score’s variables and the patients’ outcome was analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and t-test. Additionally, the performance of the score in predicting the patients’ outcome was validated using ROC curve analysis and compared to the performance of other scores.ResultsA total of 772 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were analyzed. The primary outcome measure (20 patients) was all-cause 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures (91 patients) included rebleeding within 30 days and need for radiologic/surgical intervention. Age (p = 0.013), serum albumin (p < 0.001), serum creatinine (p = 0.004), mental status (p < 0.001), and ASA score (p < 0.001) were factors associated with the primary outcome. The ABC score was 7, with a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 86.0%. It predicted the primary outcome with good accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.927; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.899–0.956), surpassing other scores. However, it was less accurate in predicting rebleeding (AUROC 0.630; 95% CI 0.563–0.697) and need for radiologic/surgical intervention (AUROC 0.641; 95% CI 0.550–0.732).ConclusionsThe ABC score is a good predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. However, it may not be suitable for predicting rebleeding or the need for radiologic/surgical interventions.
The therapeutic process – Client's perception of success promoting factors in an and ARFID – Qualitative study
Authors: Neiva Susana Maria Fernandes da Silva Albuquerque
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to analyze the perception that individuals have of success-promoting factors on their own therapeutic process. We intended to understand which aspects influenced their perception and which factors were considered relevant to the decision to seek help, not to abandon treatment and their motivation to change. The study involved patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and avoiding food intake disorder (ARFID), with intervention within the scope of different therapeutic models.Background: In Portugal, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with a significant increase in recent years, having been responsible for 4,485 hospitalizations between 2000 and 2014 in Portuguese public health services. Portugal has scarce research in eating disorders, although they are a serious mental health problem both in this country and in Europe.Methods: The study included a sample of 9 participants who responded to the request for participation posted on the different electronic platforms. The data recollection occurred through a semistructured interview, and the information was subjected to thematic analysis.Results: This study included a total of 9 participants, 5 with a diagnosis of AN and 4 with a diagnosis of ARFID. All the participants were women between 19 and 52 years of age (an average of 38.4 years). Similarities were found in both groups for and differences.Discussion: The desire to improve/not cause suffering to family members and the availability of social/emotional support were considered relevant aspects inherent to the client. One hundred percent of the participants considered that certain professional and personal qualities of the professional/therapist were the most relevant aspects to promote the success of the therapeutic intervention. The sample size of this study is small and therefore does not allow generalizations.Conclusions: The main objective of this study was to obtain knowledge that would allow professionals to reflect on their practice and adapt the intervention to the needs and concerns of the clients. Despite the limitations of the study, our participants provided detailed and relevant information, so we consider the results obtained to be pertinent for the proposed objective. Further research in these areas is needed to deepen the knowledge.
Reveal Postoperative Brain Glioma True Behavior by Real-time Tracking of tumor gene evolution information
Authors: Bu Yage , Sheng Zhiyuan , Deng Kaiyuan , Wu Shuang , Xu Sensen , Guo Guangzhong , Zhang Ziyue , Liu Guanzheng , Yu Jinliang , Gao Yushuai , Yan Zhaoyue , Bu Chaojie , Gu Jianjun , Kong Lingfei , Liu Gang , Wang Meiyun , Li Tianxiao , Hernesniemi Juha , Zemmar Ajmal , Bu Xingyao
Published: April 2022

Background
At present, the in vivo gene evolution of human glioma after surgery is unknown. We need to understand the real-time in vivo gene evolution information of the tumor to dynamically reflect the real behavior of the tumor, so as to drive therapeutic decisions. TISF-ctDNA can provide real-time in vivo gene information after surgery, and then reveal postoperative glioma behavior more realistically.
Methods
This retrospective, Single center, sample collection, validation study conducted at Zheng Zhou University People's hospital from July 1st, 2016, to November 1st, 2021, assessed patients with glioma who were receiving surgical treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The study including 69 patients, with radiological relapse identified in 44 patients forming the main cohort.
RESULTS
In the primary tumor, a total of 199 mutations were detected in 58 tumor tissue samples,12 patients (21%) with 1 mutation and 45 patients (79%) with multiple mutations,TP53 (44%) followed by IDH1(39%) and PTEN(25%), mean VAF from 2.1%-79.5%,with a median 40.5%.At or after a diagnosis of recurrence, A total of 613 gene mutations were found through TISF ctDNA sequencing, including TP53 (48%), NF1 (38%), PTEN (31%), mean VAF from 0.2%-34.14%, with a median 1.54%, and we also found Pseudo-progression and hypermutation associated with TMZ resistance. In the main cohort of 44 patients (mean age, 52 years) with a median follow-up of 190 days (20-1530 days), mean VAF of TISF ctDNA during follow-up was associated with relapse (hazard ratio, 4.058; 95% CI, 1.089 to 15.12; P = 0.0012). Similar outcomes were observed for tumor tissue (hazard ratio, 2.214; 95% CI, 1.003 to 4.887; P = 0.0165). Hypermutation was found in 3 patients in the cohort, and the in vivo evolution of hypermutation was tracked in 2 of these patients.
CONCLUSIONS
TISF ctDNA describes human glioma behavior, demonstrates the real tumor gene mutation landscape in vivo during treatment, providing prognostic and response data of clinical relevance.
Comparison of the clinical manifestations and chest CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiong Chun-lin , Lu Jian-guo , Chen Ting , Xu Rui
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare differences in clinical manifestations and radiographic findings between immunocompetent and immunocompromised pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) patients.MethodsAn extensive search for relevant studies was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences databases from inception to September 30, 2021. We included studies that compared the clinical manifestations and chest computed tomography (CT) findings between immunocompetent and immunocompromised PC patients. Study bias and quality assessment were performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS).ResultsNine studies involving 248 immunocompromised and 276 immunocompetent PC patients were included in our analysis. The NOS score of each eligible study was above 5, indicating moderate bias. The proportion of elderly patients (>=60 years old) in the immunosuppressed group was significantly higher than that in the immunocompetent group (OR=2.90, 95% CI (1.31-6.43), Z=2.63, p=0.01). Fever (OR= 7.10, 95% CI (3.84-13.12), Z= 6.25, p<0.000) and headache (OR= 6.92, 95% CI (2.95-16.26), Z=4.44, p<0.000) were more common in immunosuppressed patients. According to thin-section CT findings, lesions were more frequently distributed in the upper lobe (OR= 1.90, 95% CI (1.07-3.37), Z= 2.2, p=0.028) in immunocompromised individuals. The proportions of patients with cavity sign (OR= 5.11, 95% CI (2.96-8.83), Z= 5.86, p=0.00), ground-glass attenuation (OR= 5.27, 95% CI (1.60-17.35), Z= 2.73, p=0.01), and mediastinal lymph node enlargement (OR= 2.41, 95% CI (1.12-5.20), Z= 2.24, p=0.03) were significantly higher in immunocompromised patients.ConclusionNo significant differences in nonspecific respiratory symptoms were found between immunocompromised and immunocompetent PC patients. Nevertheless, fever and headache were more common in immunocompromised patients. Among the CT findings, cavity, ground-glass attenuation, and mediastinal lymph node enlargement were more common in immunocompromised individuals.
Extreme drought events diagnose along the Yellow River and adjacent area
Authors: Zhang Yongxiang , Wang Hongli , Shao Xuemei , Li Jinbao , Ren Guoyu
Published: April 2022

Drought is a major natural disaster that has long-lasting effects on economic and social activities in northern China and has regional distinctions in duration, severity, and spatial extent. In this study, tree-ring chronologies and historical archives in the Yellow River Basin and its surrounding areas were collected to investigate the dynamic process of the two extreme drought events for the past ~200 years. Here we directly employ the tree index instead of the climate indicator reconstruction to partly overcome the drought information loss during tree-ring based reconstruction. Identified drought history is improved significantly relative to the single indicator reconstruction and drought events are highly consistent with historical recorded ones. Two prominent drought events in the modern Chinese history were analyzed, namely the Ding-Wu Great Famine (1876-1879) and the extreme drought in northern China during the late-1920s. Unexpectedly, the most prestigious Ding-Wu Great Famine is lower than the extreme drought in the late-1920s in terms of drought duration, spatial extent and intensity. Our research further reveals that the drought events recorded in the historical records could be very different from actual events due to the influence of political and other factors. The analysis of spatial dynamics indicates that the potential mechanisms of the two drought events are also different. This is confirmed by research based on reanalysis data that the Ding-Wu Great Famine was caused by a typical strong ENSO event, while the mechanism of the extreme drought in the late-1920s was more complicated.
Coping with health injuries and problems: Psychometric an Iranian Scale for behavioral rehabilitation strategies in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mansourzadeh Azam , Asgari Mohamad reza , sayar soraya , omranifard victoria , Saeidi Abdolhadi , Bakhanian* Masoudeh
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria isolates from Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) patients in the Ahanta West District, Ghana
Authors: Aglomasa Bill Clinton , Adu-Asiamah Cynthia Kyerewaa A , Asiedu Samuel Opoku , Kini Priscilla , Amewu Emmanuel Kobla Atsu , Boahen Kennedy Gyau , Wireko Solomon , Amponsah Kingsley Isaac , Boakye Yaw Duah , Boamah Vivian Etsiapa , Kwarteng Alexander
Published: April 2022

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is associated with increased morbidity in secondary infections and is a global threat owning to the ubiquitous nature of resistance genes in the environment. Recent estimates put the deaths associated with bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019 at 4.95 million worldwide. Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a Neglected Tropical Disease, is associated with the poor living in the tropical regions of the world. LF patients are prone to developing acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA), a condition that puts them at risk of developing secondary bacterial infections due to skin peeling. ADLA in particular, worsens the prognosis of patients, but also leads to the usage of antibiotics as a therapeutic intervention. This may result in inappropriate usage of antibiotics due to self-medication and non-compliance, thereby exacerbating antimicrobial resistance in LF patients. In this perspective, we assessed the antimicrobial resistance in LF patients. We focused on antibiotic usage, antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and looked at genes coding for resistance in multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria isolates. Results: Amoxacillin (54%) and chloramphenicol (22%) were the most frequently used antibiotics by participants for self-medication. This is representative of the resistance profiles of the bacteria isolates. Penicillin and erythromycin were respectively the highest and least antibiotic that Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to. All Escherichia coli isolates were sensitive to meropenem, while they were all resistant to antibiotics such as tetracycline and ampicillin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were least resistant to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and ceftazidime. The incidence of multi-drug resistant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), cephalosporin resistant E. coli and carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa are respectively 15.38% (n=4), 40% (n=2) and 25% (n=2) in LF patients. Extended-spectrum betalactamase [ESBL] (blaxCTX-M) and mecA genes were implicated in the resistance mechanism of E. coli and MRSA, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings have shown presence of MDR isolates from filarial pathology patients presenting with chronic wounds and; thus, the need to prioritize antimicrobial resistance of multi-drug resistant bacteria into treatment strategies optimizing the morbidity management protocols. The findings in this study can potentially guide the choice of antibiotics for treating individuals presenting with filarial pathologies with wounds.
Revealing the effectiveness of environmental policy stringency and environmental regulation on environmental performance: does asymmetry matter?
Authors: Chen Mingxiang , Sohail Sidra , Majeed Muhammad Tariq
Published: April 2022

Environmental stringency policy shocks and air pollution tax have become fundamental policy tools for mitigating degradation of the environment but there are very limited studies available assessing their simultaneous effect in combating pollution emissions, especially in China. The study considers this gap by exploring the simultaneous effects of air pollution tax and environmental stringency policy shocks in the reduction of pollution emissions in China for the time 1993 to 2019. This study is a pioneer in assessing the simultaneous impact of these two policy instruments on pollution emissions in China. For empirical investigation, the study employed ARDL and NARDL estimation techniques. The long-run outcomes of ARDL reveal that environmental tax and environmental stringency policy results in mitigating pollution emissions. The results of NARDL show that positive shocks in environmental tax and environmental policy stringency result in alleviating pollution emissions, however, negative shocks in both policy instruments result in increasing pollution emissions in the long-run.
Ternary CE2Ba2 (E = As, Sb) Clusters: New Pentaatomic Planar Tetracoordinate Carbon Species with 18 Valence Electrons
Authors: Liu Fang-Lin , Guo Jin-Chang
Published: April 2022

18-valence-electron (ve) rule is one important guide for us to design planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) species. Using the “polarization of ligands” strategy, the new pentaatomic ptC species CE 2 Ba 2 (E = As, Sb) with 18 ve are designed in this work. Computer structural searches and high-level calculations reveal that the ptC CE 2 Ba 2 (E = As, Sb) species are global minima (GMs) on the potential energy surfaces, whose C center is coordinated by the interspaced E and Ba atoms. CE 2 Ba 2 (E = As, Sb) are also kinetically stable. Chemical Bonding analyses reveal that the ptC core is stabilized by two localized C-E σ bonds, one delocalized five-center two-electron (5c-2e) σ bond, and one delocalized 5c-2e π bond. One π and three σ bonds collectively conform to the 8-electron counting, which determines the stability of ptC CE 2 Ba 2 (E = As, Sb) species. Interestingly, the delocalized 2 π and 2 σ electrons render the ptC systems p/s double aromaticity. Additional 10 electrons contribute to peripheral lone pairs of E and E-Ba bonding.
Identification of core genes associated with the anti-atherosclerotic effects of Salvianolic acid B and immune cell infiltration characteristics using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Jin Zheng , Zhao Huanyi , Luo Yuan , Li Xiushen , Cui Jiayan , Yan Jing , Yang Pingzhen
Published: April 2022

Background：Atherosclerosis (AS) is the greatest contributor to pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life. Early intervention to mitigate AS is key to prevention of ASCVD. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is mainly extracted from root and rhizome of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge, and exerts anti-atherosclerotic effect. The purpose of this study was to screen for anti-AS targets of Sal B and to characterize immune cell infiltration in AS.Methods：We identified targets of Sal B using SEA (http://sea.bkslab.org/) and SIB (https://www.sib.swiss/) databases. GSE2289 dataset was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed KEGG analysis, GO analysis with Metascape (https://metascape.org/databae). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine the most relevant module associated with atherosclerotic plaque stability. Intersecting candidate genes were evaluated by generating receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and molecular docking was performed. Finally, immune cell types were identified using CIBERSOFT, the relationship between candidate genes and immune cell infiltration was evaluated.Results：MMP9 and MMP12 were been selected as candidate genes from 171 DEGs and turquoise module with 370 genes.ROC curve results showed that MMP9 (AUC=0.899, p=0.00013) and MMP12 (AUC=0.880, p=0.00038) were positively associated with advanced atherosclerotic plaques, and Sal B bound strongly to MMP9 and MMP12. The results of immune cell infiltration showed that naive B cells, memory B cells, regulatory T cells, gamma delta T cells, M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, activated dendritic cells, and resting mast cells may be involved in development of AS, and the candidate genes MMP9 and MMP12 were associated with these immune cells to different degrees. Conclusion：The anti-AS effects of Sal B may be related to MMP9 and MMP12 and associated with immune cell infiltration,which is expected to be used in the early intervention of AS.
Motor training is improved by concurrent application of slow oscillating transcranial alternating current stimulation to motor cortex
Authors: Sale Martin V. , Kuzovina Anastasiia
Published: April 2022

Physical exercise and neurorehabilitation involve repetitive training that can induce changes in motor performance arising from neuroplasticity. Retention of these motor changes occurs via an encoding process, during which rapid neuroplastic changes occur in response to training. Previous studies show that transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, can enhance encoding of a cognitive learning task during wakefulness. However, the effect of tACS on motor processes in the awake brain is unknown. In this study, twenty-eight healthy 18-35 year old participants received either 0.75Hz (active) tACS (or sham stimulation) for 30 minutes during a ballistic thumb abduction motor training task. Training-related behavioural effects were quantified by assessing changes in thumb abduction acceleration, and neuroplastic changes were quantified by measuring motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. These measures were reassessed immediately after the motor training task to quantify short-term changes, and then 24 hours later to assess longer-term changes. Thumb abduction acceleration in both active and sham stimulation conditions increased immediately after the motor learning, consistent with effective training. Critically, participants in the active group maintained significantly higher thumb acceleration 24 hours later (t26=2.0611, P=0.0294). There were no significant changes or inter-group differences in MEPs for both conditions. The results suggest that 0.75Hz tACS applied during motor training enhances the effectiveness of motor training, which manifests as enhancement in longer-term task benefits.
Task-dependent learning and memory deficits in the TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer’s disease: Three key timepoints from young adulthood to middle-age in females
Authors: Bernaud Victoria E. , Bulen Haidyn L. , Pena Veronica L. , Koebele Stephanie V. , Northup-Smith Steven N. , Manzo Alma A. , Sanchez Maria Valenzuela , Opachich Zorana , Ruhland Ashley M. , Bimonte-Nelson Heather A.
Published: April 2022

The TgF344 rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) provides a comprehensive neuropathology presentation, with age-dependent development of tau tangles, amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, neuronal loss, and increased gliosis. The behavioral trajectory of this model, particularly relating to spatial learning and memory, has yet to be fully characterized. The current experiment evaluated spatial working and reference memory performance, as well as several physiological markers of health, at 3 key age points in female TgF344-AD rats: 6-months, 9-months, and 12-months. At 6 months of age, indications of working and reference memory impairments were observed in transgenic (Tg) rats on the water radial-arm maze, a complex task that requires working and reference memory simultaneously; at 12 months old, Tg impairments were observed for two working memory measures on this task. Notably, no impairments were observed at the 9-month timepoint on this maze. For the Morris maze, a measure of spatial reference memory, Tg rats demonstrated significant impairment relative to wildtype (WT) controls at all 3 age-points. Frontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and dorsal hippocampus were evaluated for Aβ1-42 expression via western blot in Tg rats only. Analyses of Aβ1-42 expression revealed age-dependent increases in all 3 regions critical to spatial learning and memory. Measures of physiological health, including heart, uterine, and body weights, revealed unique age-specific outcomes for female Tg rats, with the 9-month timepoint identified as critical for further research within the trajectory of AD-like behavior, physiology, and pathology.
Early and Midterm results of Frozen Elephant Trunk Operation with Evita Open Stent-Graft in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: Results of a Multicentre Study
Authors: Widenka Kazimierz Jan , Kosiorowska Monika , Jakob Heinz , Pacini Davide , Hemmer Wolfgang , Grabenwoeger Martin , Sioris Thanos , Moritz Anton , Tsagakis Konstantinos
Published: April 2022

Background: Endovascular treatment of patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) is not recommended. Hybrid procedures such as frozen elephant trunk (FET), which combines stent-graft deployment and an integrated non-stented fabric graft for proximal grafting and suturing have not been previously evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of FET operation in patients with MFS. Methods: Between January 2005 and January 2017 out of 1049 patients 1020 who underwent the FET procedure were enrolled in the International E-vita Open Registry (IEOR). Included were patients, who met Ghent criteria for MFS. Early and midterm results were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative and follow-up computed tomography angiography scans were analyzed. Results: We analyzed 37 patients [mean age 38±11 years, 65% men]. Acute or chronic aortic dissection was present in 35 (95%) patients (14 and 21 patients respectively). Two (5%) patients had an aneurysm without dissection. Malperfusion syndrome was present in 4 patients. Twenty-nine (78%) patients had previous aortic surgical interventions. The 30-day and in-hospital mortality was 8 and 14% respectively. False lumen exclusion was presented in 73% in stented segment. The overall 5-year survival was 71% and freedom from reintervention downstream was 58% at 5 years. Of the nine patients who required reintervention for distal aortic disease one patient died.Conclusions: FET operation for patients with MFS can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity. In long-term follow up no reinterventions on the aortic arch were required. FET allows for easier second stage operations providing platform for surgical and endovascular reinterventions.
Stillbirths in Cameroon: An analysis of the 1998–2011 Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Amani Adidja , Nansseu Jobert Richie , Ndeffo Guy Ferdinand , Lekeumo Fabrice Zobel Cheuyem , Libite Paul Roger , Ateba Athanase A. , Bama Solange Ngo , Baye Martina Lukong , Enow Robinson Mbu
Published: April 2022

Background
Many countries including Cameroon have been finding it challenging to have accurate estimates of stillbirths, as there are no figures that have previously been routinely reported. The objective of this analysis was to estimate stillbirth rates and identify risk factors for stillbirth in Cameroon, using successive Demographic and Health Survey data.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected during the Demographic and Health Surveys carried out in 1998, 2004 and 2011. Stillbirth was defined as a late fetal death occurring at or beyond 6 months of gestation. Stillbirth rates were estimated over the total number of births.
Results
The crude stillbirth rate was 21,4‰ in 2004 and 24‰ in 2011 with respective standard errors of 1.8 and 1.3. The stillbirth rate tended to increase with the age of the mother (p < 0.001). The reduction of stillbirth rate has been extremely slow between 1998 and 2011, with an annual reduction rate of 1.5%. The study observed that residing in rural areas, low socio-economic status, and low level of education were risk factors associated with stillbirths.
Conclusion
The stillbirth rate remains very high in Cameroon, with a slow reduction rate over the last 20 years. Although some effort has been made, there is still a long way forward to bend the curve for stillbirths in Cameroon; supplementary strategies need to be designed and implemented, especially among rural women, the poor and less educated.
Effects of the inclusion of Ce and Ni species on K10-clay modified with Ti and their use as catalysts in the liquid-phase esterification systems
Authors: Rangel-Rivera P. , Rangel-Porras G. , Quiroga-Almaguer A. , Ramírez-Hernández A. , Bachiller-Baeza B. , Pfeiffer-Perea H.
Published: April 2022

The modification of clays including montmorillonites, is a common procedure that gives to the resulting material additional properties compared to the pristine clay. One of these procedures is the modification of the surface/matrix of the clay with inorganic species, to enhance their catalytic and adsorptive properties. In the present study, montmorillonite-clay K10 modified with particles of Ti species and Ti additionally modified with Ce and Ni species, were characterized by X-ray diffraction of powders (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), physisorption of N2 at 77K (BET and BJH), and thermal analysis (TA). Finally, clays were tested in the esterification of acetic acid and penta-1-ol in the liquid-phase. The effect of the inclusion of Ti species and the modified of Ti with Ce and Ni species was discussed in terms of the transformation of the nanostructure of the modified clay, and their contribution to the catalytic esterification performance.
Impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of CT-diagnosed appendicitis and its complications in the United Kingdom and Sweden
Authors: Torkzad Michael R. , Thorisson Arnar , Chabok Abbas , Nikberg Maziar , Andersson Roland E , Labruto Fausto
Published: April 2022

Aim
To compare the number of appendicitis cases and its complications, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden and the United Kingdom and the corresponding time period in 2019.
Method
Reports of emergency abdominopelvic CT performed at 56 Swedish hospitals and 38 British hospitals between April and July 2020 and a corresponding control cohort from 2019 were reviewed. Two radiologists and two surgeons blinded to the date of cohorts analysed all reports for diagnosis of appendicitis, perforation, and abscess. A random selection of cases was chosen for the measurement of inter-rater agreement.
Result
Both in Sweden (6111) and the United Kingdom (5591) fewer abdominopelvic CT scans were done in 2020 compared to 2019 (6433 and 7223, respectively); p < 0.001. In UK, the number of appendicitis was 36% lower in April-June 2020 compared to 2019 but not in Sweden. Among the appendicitis cases, there was a higher number of perforations and abscesses in 2020, in Sweden. In the United Kingdom, the number of perforations and abscesses were initially lower (April-June 2020) but increased in July 2020. There was a substantial inter-rater agreement for the diagnosis of perforations and abscess formations (K = 0.64 and 0.77).
Conclusion
In Sweden the number of appendicitis was not different between 2019 and 2020, however, there was an increase of complications. In the United Kingdom, there was a significant decrease of cases in 2020. The prevalence of complications was lower initially but increased in July. These findings suggest variability in delay in diagnosis of appendicitis depending on the country and time frame studied.
Vertebroplasty combined with facet joint block vs. vertebroplasty alone in relieving acute pain of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Dang Sha-Jie , Wei Wen-Bo , Wei Ling , Xu Jin
Published: April 2022

Objective: To compare the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with facet joint block (FB) and vertebroplasty alone on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted. 198 patients with OVCFs were randomly divided into two groups in the study: Group P (PVP, n=97), Group PF (PVP combined with FB, n=101). The Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured during pre-operation, 1 day, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation, respectively. The hospitalization time, operation time, complications, recurrence and the number of patients who applied Cox-2 inhibitors within 3 days after operation were compared in the two groups. Results: The VAS and ODI scores at each observation point of the post-operation significantly decreased than the pre-operation in both groups (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scores in Group PF significantly lower than that in Group P 1 day and 1 month after the operation (P < 0.05). The number of patients who applied Cox-2 inhibitors within 3 days after operation in group PF significantly lower than that in Group P (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in hospitalization time, operation time, complication rate, VAS and ODI scores at the pre-operation (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both PVP combined with FB and PVP alone are effective treatment methods for OVCFs. PVP combined with FB showed better back pain relief than PVP alone in the short term after the operation for OVCFs.
Reliability assessment of sodium ( 23 Na) MRI at 7.0 T in healthy human calf muscle and preliminary results on tissue sodium concentrations in subjects with Addison’s disease
Authors: TRATTNIG Siegfried , ZARIC Olgica , BEIGLBÖCK Hannes , JANACOVA Veronika , SZOMOLANIY Pavol , WOLF Peter , KREBS Michael , KRŠŠÁK Martin , JURAS Vladimir
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To determine the relaxation times of the sodium nucleus, and to investigate the reliability of quantitative, in vivo TSC measurements using sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na-MRI) in human skeletal muscle and explore the discriminatory value of the method by comparing TSCs between healthy subjects and patients with Addison’s disease. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, ten healthy subjects and five patients with Addison’s disease were involved. 23Na-MRI data sets were acquired using a density-adapted, three-dimensional radial projection reconstruction pulse sequence (DA-3DPR) with a modification for the relaxation times measurements. Differences in TSC between muscle groups and between healthy participants were analyzed using a nonparametric Friedman ANOVA test. An interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used as the reliability index.Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for evaluation of differences in TSC between study participants. Results: The mean T1 in the gastrocnemius medialis (GM), the tibialis anterior (TA), and the soleus (S) was 25.9±2.0ms, 27.6±2.0ms, and 28.2±2.0ms, respectively. T2*mono values were GM, 12.0±0.9ms; TA, 12.8±0.7ms; and S, 12.9±2.0ms. In healthy volunteers, TSC values in the GM were 20.0±1.0mmol/L, 14.1±0.9mmol/L in TA, and 12.8±0.8mmol/L in S, and were significantly different (p=0.0005). The ICCs for GM, TA and S were 0.784, 0.818, 0.807, respectively. In patients with Addison’s disease, TSC in GC, TA, and S were 10.2±1.0mmol/L, 8.4±0.6mmol/L, and 7.2±0.1mmol/L, respectively.Conclusions: TSC quantification in a healthy subject’s calf at 7.0 T is reliable; the technique is able to distinguish sodium level differences between muscles and between healthy subjects and Addison’s disease patients.