bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blinatumomabe em pacientes pediátricos com leucemia linfoblástica aguda B em primeira recidiva de alto risco: um estudo de custo-efetividade
Authors: Beurden-Tan Chrissy , Ribeiro Rodrigo , Seber Adriana , Lee Maria Lucia , Marçola Marina , Schuetz Raphael , Loggetto Sandra Regina , Maiolino Angelo
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: Estimar a custo-efetividade do blinatumomabe como novo padrão no tratamento de consolidação de pacientes pediátricos com leucemia linfoblástica aguda de células precursoras B (LLA-B) em primeira recidiva de alto risco. Métodos: Um modelo de sobrevida particionado com horizonte lifetime e ciclo de quatro semanas foi construído na perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Sobrevida livre de eventos e sobrevida global foram extrapoladas com base no ensaio clínico 20120215, usando funções paramétricas. A taxa de desconto foi de 5%. O impacto de variações em pressupostos foi explorado em análises de cenário. Resultados: O custo lifetime com desconto para o caso base foi de R$ 351.615 para blinatumomabe contra R$ 97.770 para HC3 (grupo controle de quimioterapia-padrão), com ganho de 9,96 e 6,74 anos de vida ajustados para qualidade (QALYs), respectivamente. A razão de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) foi de R$ 78.873/QALY. Considerando um cenário sem descontos, a RCEI foi de R$ 33.731/QALY ganho. Os outros cenários com maior impacto na RCEI foram a exclusão do desperdício de blinatumomabe (isto é, considerando que a sobra em frasco-ampola de um paciente seria reaproveitada para outro paciente: R$ 35.751) e a alteração do tempo de infusão (troca de bolsa em 48 ou 96 horas em vez de 24 horas: R$ 35.515). A probabilidade de o blinatumomabe ser custo-efetivo foi de 65,7% na análise probabilística, considerando um limiar de R$ 95.501. Conclusões: Blinatumomabe é custo-efetivo para pacientes pediátricos com LLA-B derivada em primeira recidiva de alto risco na perspectiva do SUS.
Atualização do custo-efetividade por resposta de adalimumabe, etanercepte, guselcumabe, infliximabe, ixequizumabe, secuquinumabe e ustequinumabe no tratamento de psoríase em placas moderada a grave sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasile
Authors: Reininghaus Alexander , Gomes Rafael , Pires Bernardo , Bianco Juares , Picoli Renato , Santos Henrique , Duarte Gleison , Romiti Ricardo , Carvalho André
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: Os agentes biológicos representam um grande avanço no tratamento da psoríase em placas moderada a grave. No entanto, variações de eficácia, segurança e custos dos tratamentos podem dificultar a escolha do agente terapêutico. Este estudo teve como objetivo atualizar o custo por resposta dos agentes biológicos disponíveis para psoríase no ROL de Procedimentos e Eventos em Saúde (ROL) da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS). Métodos: Uma análise de custo por resposta foi utilizada para avaliar a razão de custo pelo desfecho Índice de Gravidade e Área da Psoríase (PASI) 90. Os resultados foram apresentados para o primeiro ano (ano I), que compreende a fase de indução e a fase manutenção até completar 52 semanas e foi realizada uma análise da efetividade do tratamento num cenário de orçamento fixo. Os custos dos tratamentos foram calculados com base nos preços de fábrica (PF18%) da Tabela da Câmara de Regulação do Mercado de Medicamentos de junho de 2021. Resultados: Para o ano I, o guselcumabe apresentou melhor resultado para custo por resposta (R$ 130.467) PASI 90, seguido por ixequizumabe, ustequinumabe, secuquinumabe, adalimumabe, infliximabe e etanercepte. No cenário com orçamento fixo, o guselcumabe demonstrou ser o agente capaz de tratar com sucesso (PASI 90) o maior número de pacientes, Conclusão: Sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar do Brasil, o guselcumabe apresentou o melhor custo por resposta PASI 90, sendo, assim, a terapia com melhor custo-efetividade no tratamento da psoríase em placas moderada a grave disponível no ROL.
Avaliação da bioequivalência entre duas formulações de rivaroxabana – 20 mg comprimido revestido – administradas em jejum e pós-prandial em voluntários sadios
Authors: César Isabela , Teixeira Leonardo , Duarte Florência , Bonetti Flávia , Carvalho Michel , Campos Daniel
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a bioequivalência entre duas formulações de rivaroxabana 20 mg comprimido revestido, sendo a formulação teste produzida por Sanofi Medley, Brasil e a formulação referência (Xarelto® ) comercializada por Bayer S/A. Métodos: Os estudos foram conduzidos em voluntários sadios de ambos os sexos e as formulações foram administradas em dose única, sob o estado de jejum e pós-prandial. Cada estudo foi conduzido de maneira independente, sendo ambos do tipo aberto, randomizado e com intervalo (washout) de sete dias entre os períodos. O estudo em jejum foi realizado em quatro períodos, com 48 voluntários, enquanto o pós-prandial foi realizado em dois períodos, com 36 voluntários. Resultados: Na administração em jejum, a razão entre a média geométrica da formulação teste e referência (T/R) de Cmáx foi de 100,77%, com intervalo de confiança de 90% (IC 90%) de 94,24% a 107,76%. Para ASC0-t, a razão T/R foi de 100,65%, com IC 90% de 96,13% a 105,39%. Na administração pós-prandial, a razão T/R de Cmáx foi de 110,63%, com IC 90% de 102,39% a 119,54%. Para ASC0-t, a razão T/R foi de 104,65%, com IC 90% de 98,44% a 109,12%. Conclusões: As formulações teste e referência foram consideradas estatisticamente bioequivalentes em ambas as condições de administração, de acordo com os critérios exigidos pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa). A formulação teste foi registrada na Anvisa e disponibilizada para comercialização, contribuindo, assim, para a ampliação da disponibilidade do tratamento para doenças tromboembólicas e para a redução de custos ao paciente e ao Sistema Único de Saúde.
Saúde, renda e obesidade: uma análise para os estados brasileiros
Authors: Ribeiro Márcio Luiz , Spolador Humberto
Published: May 2022

Objetivo: Neste artigo, foram estimados os efeitos da obesidade e de proxies para a saúde sobre o Produto Interno Bruto (PIB), a renda per capita e o rendimento do trabalho. Métodos: Modelos com dados em painel para as 27 unidades da federação. O estudo para os anos de 1993 a 2017 utilizou informações do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), do Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Ipea), do Ministério da Saúde e do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD). Resultados: Existe um percentual maior de obesos em estados das regiões Norte, Centro-Oeste e Nordeste do Brasil. Os indicadores de saúde e educação do Sudeste e do Sul foram relativamente altos, enquanto os rendimentos são relativamente baixos na maioria dos estados do Nordeste, com elevados níveis de obesidade. Os resultados sugerem que os investimentos em saúde e a escolaridade impactam positivamente a renda no nível dos estados. Conclusão: A obesidade é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo, e seus potenciais efeitos elevam os gastos com saúde e têm impactos negativos sobre a economia. No Brasil, embora entre 1960 e 2018 a expectativa de vida da população tenha aumentado em 21 anos, a população obesa aumentou desde a década de 1970, e em 2019 atingiu 25% da população total.
Modern Southern Junggar Foreland Basin System Adjacent to the Northern Tian Shan, Northwestern China
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Shengli , Wang Yanjun , He Zhiyuan , Wei Dongtao , Jia Dong , Chen Yan , Chen Guohui , Xue Fei , Li Yunjian
Published: May 2022

Building-up of the modern Tian Shan range due to the India-Eurasia collision induces the flexural subsidence of the southern Junggar block. The sedimentary infill and subsidence in the southern Junggar foreland basin recorded the growth of the northern Tian Shan. We analyze four seismic profiles, well logging data, and trends in stream morphology in the foreland basin to decipher its architecture, and stratigraphic and subsidence history. The southern Junggar foreland basin system can be divided into the northern Tian Shan wedge-top, Lakes Aiby-Fangcao-Baijiahai foredeep and Luliang forebulge and backbulge depozones. The seismic profiles present the active shortening structures in the wedge top and the northward thinning and onlapping Neogene-Quaternary foreland sequence in the foredeep. The growth strata and unconformities separating the growth and pregrowth strata in the upper part of the foreland sequence are identified in the wedge top depozone. This indicates that the competition between active local folding relief and regional bedrock subsidence determines erosion versus deposition in the wedge top. The logging data of well GQ2 reveal that the present wedge-top depozone evolved from distal lake sedimentation, probably in a foredeep setting, to a braided river in a modern piedmont setting. These lines of sedimentary evidence and the active shortening structures reveal the northward migration process of the southern Junggar foreland basin driven by the northward propagation of the Tian Shan since the Neogene. The north-northeast dipping topography of the northern Tian Shan thrust wedge controls the north-northeastward flowing of all the rivers in the wedge top, and these rivers’ flowing direction changes in the foredeep depozone where the tectonic landform flatten out. Growth of anticlines in the front of the wedge-top depozone may have triggered a northward migration of the meandering channel of the Manas river in its lower reach. The transition between the trends of the stream morphology in the wedge top and foredeep depozones suggests the control of the structures of the foreland basin system on trends in stream morphology.
Improving the Red-Black tree delete algorithm
Authors: ZEGOUR Djamel Eddine
Published: May 2022

Today, Red-Black trees are becoming a popular data structure typically used to implement dictionaries, associative arrays, symbol tables within some compilers (C++, Java …) and many other systems. In this paper, we present an improvement of the delete algorithm of this kind of binary search tree. The proposed algorithm is very promising since it colors differently the tree while reducing color changes by a factor of about 29%. Moreover, the maintenance operations re-establishing Red-Black tree balance properties are reduced by a factor of about 11%. As a consequence, the proposed algorithm saves about 4% on running time when insert and delete operations are used together while conserving search performance of the standard algorithm.
Peer Support in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A Systematic Review
Authors: Adriano Ada , Thompson Dean Mark , McMullan Christel , Price Malcolm , Moore David , Booth Lesley , Mathers Jonathan
Published: May 2022

Background: The support provided by people with the same condition, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has the potential to improve a range of psychosocial outcomes by allowing people with the disease to receive emotional support as well as to learn coping strategies from more experienced peers. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence on peer support interventions and their effectiveness on people with IBD.Methods: Bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, grey literature, and clinical trial registers were searched from inception to November 2021. Comparative and single-arm studies that evaluated interventions that were solely or contained in part peer support, on people with IBD and/or their carers were included. Effectiveness was evaluated in a range of outcomes relating to physical and psychosocial function, disease control and healthcare utilisation. Data for each of the outcomes were tabulated and presented in narrative synthesis. Study design specific tools were used to assess risk of bias in duplicate.Results: Fourteen completed studies and five ongoing studies met the inclusion criteria. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the studies in relation to the intervention type. Overall, no significant evidence of beneficial effects of peer support interventions on quality of life and other psychosocial outcomes was found. As all but one of the included studies analysed only the total effect of the interventions, it was not possible to isolate the effect of the peer support components. The appropriateness of outcomes and outcome measurement tools for the assessment of the effects of peer support interventions was a key issue. Conclusions: New randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate the (net) effects of peer support only. Agreement on the choice of reliable and validated measurement tools and on the outcomes to be targeted by standalone peer support interventions would provide a focus for further intervention design and evaluation.Systematic review registration: The protocol was accepted in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO CRD42020168817). This work was part supported by a grant from Bowel Research UK.
Analytical description and Numerical Simulation of Platform leveling mechanism
Authors: Aboelnor Mootaz Ebraheem
Published: May 2022

Design methodology of moving platform leveling mechanism is introduced based on operational limitation of ground level within tilt and pitch angles of “-2o to + 2o “ referenced to horizontal plane. Three point support platform leveling mechanism is designed such that it contains moving base (bottom platform), levelled platform (top platform) and leveling linkages (for tilt and pitch orientation restore). The proposed leveling mechanism operates such that leveling achieved by a sequential angular displacement of tilt link and pitch link. An analytical kinematics model based on loop-closure constraint equations is proposed describing the relation between platform tilt - pitch due to ground level status and corresponding tilt link and pitch link angular displacement to restore the top platform level parallel to reference horizontal plane. A 3D CAD model of the proposed leveling mechanism is constructed and a numerical simulation of tilt and pith links angular displacement to restore top platform leveling for different moving base orientation due to ground leveling status is carried out to validate the proposed mechanism kinematics and analysis of mechanism behavior while restoring top platform leveling.
Development and Validation of the Attitude towards Surrogacy Scale in a Polish Sample
Authors: Lutkiewicz Karolina , Bieleninik Łucja , Jurek Paweł , Bidzan Mariola
Published: May 2022

Background: Surrogacy is one of the options in reproductive medicine that raises a lot of ethical, legal and psychological controversy. Surveying attitudes toward surrogacy plays an important role in building awareness of this phenomenon in the society, which may help eliminate its stigma. In this study authors aimed to develop and validate a scale to examine the attitudes towards surrogacy in a polish population.Methods: In this study cross-sectional design was implemented. Development process of the Attitude towards Surrogacy Scale (ATSS) included items development based on literature reviews, other existing questionnaires, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability analysis using internal consistence coefficients. A pilot study using convenience sampling was conducted after consultation with the Expert Advisory Panel Board. The final survey, which was used in this study, consisted of 24 items, which were organized into the four subscales: general opinion on surrogacy and its social context (7 items), financing and legalizing surrogacy (8 items), the acceptance of surrogacy (4 items), and attitudes towards the intended parents and children born through surrogacy (5 items). 442 individuals participated in this study.Results: The final version of Attitude towards Surrogacy Scale (ATSS) consists of 15 items, grouped in three subscales: opinion on surrogacy ethical context, financing and legalizing surrogacy, and an acceptance of surrogacy.Conclusion: This is the first scale in Poland for the assessment of general attitudes towards surrogacy. This measure allows to capture the opinions towards three aspects of surrogacy: surrogacy’s ethical context, the financing and legalizing surrogacy, and acceptance of surrogacy. The scale can be addressed to various groups in the population, not only for studies related to reproductive medicine.
Theoretical model for glucose detection in urine samples using heterogeneous layered surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor
Authors: Salahuddin Mohammad , Jothilingam Sivapriya , Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Uniyal Arun , Pal Amrindra
Published: May 2022

The glucose detection in urine samples using surface plasmon resonance sensor is proposed in the current study.The dual silver metal nano layers ( 45 nm and 7 nm) with MXene (0.993 nm) and graphene (0.34 nm) is used following Kretschmann configuration. The zinc oxide (2nm) thin film is employed for adhesion purpose.The proposed sensor performance has been evaluated with different performance 1 Springer Nature 2021 LATEX template 2 Article Title parameters like sensitivity (S), full width half maximum (FWHM) , detection accuracy (DA) and quality factor (Q) .The highest values computed for glucose detection (10 g/dL) are 129.83 Degree/RIU (S), 3.31 Degree (FWHM) 0.302 Degree−1 (DA) and 39.2 RIU−1 (Q). The maximum sensitivity of 184 Degree/RIU with values of DA, FWHM and quality factor as 0.148 Degree−1 , 6.756 Degree, 27.23 RIU−1 has been evaluated for single MXene and nine graphene layers.
Identification and expression of functionally conserved circadian clock genes in lichen-forming fungi
Authors: Valim Henrique F , Grande Francesco Dal , Otte Jürgen , Singh Garima , Merges Dominik , Schmitt Imke
Published: May 2022

Lichen-forming fungi establish stable symbioses with green algae or cyanobacteria. Many species have broad distributions, both in geographic and ecological space, making them ideal subjects to study organism-environment interactions. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms that contribute to environmental adaptation in lichen-forming fungi. The circadian clock provides a well-described mechanism that contributes to regional adaptation across a variety of species, including fungi. Here, we identify the putative circadian clock components in phylogenetically divergent lichen-forming fungi. The core circadian genes (frq, wc-1, wc-2, frh) are present across the Fungi, including 31 lichen-forming species, and their evolutionary trajectories mirror overall fungal evolution. Comparative analyses of the clock genes indicate conserved domain architecture among lichen- and non-lichen-forming taxa. We used RT-qPCR to examine the core circadian loop of two unrelated lichen-forming fungi, Umbilicaria pustulata (Lecanoromycetes) and Dermatocarpon miniatum (Eurotiomycetes), to determine that the putative frq gene is activated in a light-dependent manner similar to the model fungus Neurospora crassa. Together, these results demonstrate that lichen-forming fungi retain functional light-responsive mechanisms, including a functioning circadian clock. Our findings provide a stepping stone into investigating the circadian clock in the lichen symbiosis, e.g. its role in adaptation and in synchronizing the symbiotic interaction.
Genetic parameters for visual scores, growth and carcass traits in Nellore Cattle
Authors: Soares Byanka Bueno , Brunes Ludmilla Costa , Baldi Fernando , Carmo Adriana Santana do , Pereira Letícia Silva , Carvalho Rafael Assunção , Narciso Marcelo Gonçalves , Amorim Sabrina Thaise , Sainz Roberto Daniel , Magnabosco Cláudio Ulhôa
Published: May 2022

Growth and carcass traits are essential selection criteria for beef cattle breeding programs. However, it is necessary to combine these measurements with body composition traits to meet the demand of the consumer market. This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters for visual scores, growth (pre and post-weaning weights), and carcass (rib eye area (REA), back and rump fat thickness) traits in Nellore cattle using Bayesian inference. Data from 12,060 animals belonging to the HoRa Hofig Ramos farm were used. Morphological traits were evaluated by the MERCOS methodology. The heritability estimates obtained ranged from low to high magnitude, from 0.15 to 0.28 for visual scores, 0.13 to 0.44 for growth, and from 0.42 to 0.46 for carcass traits. Genetic correlations between traits of visual scores and growth were generally of moderate to high magnitudes, however, visual scores showed low correlations with carcass traits, except between REA and sacral bone and structure. Selection for visual score traits can lead to favorable responses in body weight and vice versa. Morphological categorical traits can be used as complementary tools that add value to selection.
Carbon Emission Trading Scheme Pilot Program and the Degree of Corporate Environmental Information Disclosure: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Peilun , Zhang Huilin , Yang Caiting , Zhang Jiafeng
Published: May 2022

Improving the degree of corporate environmental information disclosure to increase their environmental responsibility, is a key measure to reduce carbon emissions and achieve "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality". This paper examines the effect of carbon emission trading scheme (ETS) pilot program on the degree of corporate environmental information disclosure by adopting the difference-in-difference (DID) method, using enterprises high-carbon emitting industries as the experimental group and the data of listed enterprises in seven pilot regions in China from 2006 to 2020. The study finds that ETS pilot program significantly improves the degree of corporate environmental information disclosure, specifically, the implementation of ETS pilot program significantly improves the degree of corporate environmental information disclosure by 40.18%. The finding is robust, passing the parallel trend test, and the results persist after changing the measure of the dependent variable, shortening the sample year span, adopting the PSM-DID method, adopting the difference-in-difference-in-difference (DDD) method, and performing placebo test. The mechanism is that the implementation of ETS pilot program will motivate companies to increase their investment in environmental protection and promote their technological progress, which makes them capable and confident to improve the degree their environmental information disclosure. Further study finds that the effect of ETS pilot program to improve the degree of corporate environmental information disclosure is more significant when the enterprises are in the eastern region, when the enterprises are larger, and when the enterprises are more profitable.
Evidence of Noncollinear Spin Texture in Magnetic Moiré Superlattices
Authors: Xie Hongchao , Luo Xiangpeng , Ye Zhipeng , Ye Gaihua , Ge Haiwen , Yan Shaohua , Fu Yang , Tian Shang-Jie , Lei Hechang , Sun Kai , He Rui , Zhao Liuyan
Published: May 2022

Moiré magnetism, parallel with moiré electronics that has led to novel correlated and topological electronic states, emerges as a new venue to design and control exotic magnetic phases in twisted magnetic two-dimensional (2D) crystals. Noncollinear spin texture emerging from twisted 2D magnets with collinear spins is the most profound consequence of moiré magnetism and forms the basis for realizing novel magnetic orders and excitations. Yet, no direct experimental observation of noncollinear spins in moiré magnets have been made despite recent theoretical and experimental efforts. Here, we report the evidence of noncollinear spin texture in 2D twisted double bilayer (tDB) magnet chromium triiodide (CrI3). By studying the magnetic field dependent magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) in tDB CrI3, we distinguished the noncollinear spins with a gradual spin flop process from the collinear spins with sudden spin flip transitions, and identified a net magnetization emerging from the collinear spins. By examining the twist angle dependence, we demonstrated that both noncollinear spins and net magnetization are present at twist angles from 0.5^o to 5^o, but are most prominent in the 1.1^o tDB CrI3. By tracking the temperature dependent MCD of the 1.1^o tDB CrI3, we further resolved a new critical temperature of 22 K, for the onset of the net magnetization and the softening of the noncollinear spins, which is dramatically suppressed from the Néel temperature of 45 K for natural few layers. Our results establish the emergence of noncollinear spins from magnetic moiré superlattices and provide a versatile platform to explore nontrivial magnetism with noncollinear spins.
A machine learning analysis of the relationship between some underlying medical conditions and COVID-19 susceptibility
Authors: Rezapour Mostafa , Varady Colin A.
Published: May 2022

For the past couple years, the Coronavirus, commonly known as COVID-19, has significantly affected the daily lives of all citizens residing in the United States by imposing several, fatal health risks that cannot go unnoticed. In response to the growing fear and danger COVID-19 inflicts upon societies in the USA, several vaccines and boosters have been created as a permanent remedy for individuals to take advantage of. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and the total case count for the Coronavirus across multiple states in the USA. Additionally, this paper discusses the relationship between several, selected underlying health conditions with COVID-19. To discuss these relationships effectively, this paper will utilize statistical tests and machine learning methods for analysis and discussion purposes. Furthermore, this paper reflects upon conclusions made about the relationship between educational attainment, race, and COVID-19 and the possible connections that can be established with underlying health conditions, vaccination rates, and COVID-19 total case and death counts.
Engineering topological band conduction into KTaO3’s two-dimensional electron gases
Authors: Cheng Zhi Gang , Zou Yuting , Shin Hyungki , Wei Haoran , Davidson Bruce , Zou Ke
Published: May 2022

Two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) systems generated at oxide interfaces that exhibit novel physics phenomena have opened up a new era for oxide-based electronics, photonics, and spintronics. The recent discovery of superconductivity plus the strong spin-orbital coupling naturally existing in the 2DEGs of KTaO3 (KTO) makes KTO an exciting platform for the interplay of the electronic and spin degree of freedom to create new physical properties. By directly placing KTO’s 2DEGs next to another strongly-correlated oxide with nontrivial topological nodes, we reveal direct evidence of topological states in the electronic transport properties of the KTO’s 2DEGs, due to the electronic reconstruction caused by the proximity effect. This adds potential for new functionality in KTO heterostructures.
Is Consumers` Green Purchase Behaviour Influenced by Companies' Green Marketing Communication? An empirical Analysis
Authors: Correia Elisabete , Sousa Sara , Larguinho Manuela , Viseu Clara
Published: May 2022

This study aims to explore whether consumers` attention to companies` green communication influences their green purchase behavior. It also proposes to analyse the importance of consumers` characteristics, namely gender, education, and green attitudes in their attention to companies` green marketing communication. An online survey was carried out on the population residing in Portugal over 18 years of age, allowing to collect 690 valid responses. Data analysis techniques were used, including descriptive analyses, parametric and non-parametric tests, linear correlation and regression analysis. The achieved results allow us to affirm that consumers are attentive to the companies' green marketing communication. It was also identified a strong correlation between consumers` attention to companies` green marketing communication and green purchasing behavior. The results also confirm that individuals with higher educational levels, green attitudes and females are the most attentive to companies` green marketing communication.
Detection of Epstein–Barr virus infection in thymic epithelial tumors by nested PCR and Epstein–Barr-encoded RNA ISH
Authors: li Zhao , jianyong Ding , Yunlan Tao , kun zhu , Chen Gang
Published: May 2022

Background：Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is well known to be associated with a lot of tumors, including lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EBV associated gastric carcinoma and some other carcinomas with similar lymphoepithelioma-like features. However, the association between EBV and thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) is inconclusive as reports in this regard are not entirely consistent and the methods employed are of different sensitivity and specificity. The geographical difference of the patients is also one of the reasons for the different point of views. Methods：In our study, we examined 72 thymomas, including 3 cases of type A thymomas, 27 cases of type AB, 6 cases of type B1, 26 cases of type B2 and 10 cases of type B3 thymomas, and 15 thymic carcinomas to detect the viral genome at both DNA and RNA levels. The genome DNA of fresh tissues were first screened by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which could be regarded as the most sensitive method to detect small amounts of DNA. Then all the tissue blocks were further submitted for viral localization by Epstein–Barr-encoded RNA (EBER) ISH. Results：Nested PCR results showed that none of type A, eight (29.6%) type AB, one (16.7%) type B1, fifteen (57.7%) type B2 and four (40.0%) type B3 were positive for EBV genome. None of them detected EBER expression except for one case of B2 thymoma. Fourteen (93.3%) thymic carcinomas were positive for EBV by nested PCR, of which three displayed weak nuclear signals within the tumor cells by EBER ISH. Conclusions：These results showed that nested PCR was a sensitive method for screening the EBV genome in thymic epithelial tumors. As the malignancy of thymoma increases, the rate of EBV infection became higher. Thymic carcinomas were well associated with the Epstein–Barr virus. We further analyzed the association between EBV infection and myasthenia gravis. We found that EBV infection rate was higher in the thymomas with myasthenia gravis. This gave us a hint that EBV may also played some roles in thymoma-related myasthenia gravis.
Siltation Process and Metals Sediment Profile in a Hydroelectric Power Plant Reservoir Located in the Brazilian Most Industrialized Region, Paraíba Do Sul River Basin, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Vieira Camille. D. , Oliveira Douglas. F. C. , Frota Maurício. N. , Viana Lude. Q. , Farias Cesar. A. S. , Gonçalves Rodrigo. A. , Godoy José Marcus de Oliveira
Published: May 2022

The middle Paraíba do Sul River region represents Brazil’s most industrialized area, where the largest steel industry in the country, the National Steel Company (Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional - CSN) is located, with an annual steel production of 5.8x106 tons. The Light hydropower complex is located downstream from the CSN. In the present study, four sediment cores samples were collected at the Vigário Reservoir. Following porosity profiling, three were selected for 210Pb dating. A high sediment accumulation rate (SAR) was observed, averaging 2.9 cm y− 1 for the last twenty years, which fits the mean SAR of 2.7 cm y− 1, for the 2001–20017 time interval, obtained based on bathymetric studies. Chromium and zinc, both associated to the CSN activities, presented a trend towards lower values during the last twenty years, attributed to the implementation of the ISO 14001 policy at the CSN. Chromium reached higher concentrations than the probable effect level (PEL), although actual values were close to the threshold effect level (TEL). Mercury concentration variations were attributed to sediment granulometry changes and not to eventual illegal gold mining activities along the middle of the Paraiba do Sul river, although mercury flux pointed out the contrary.
Accurate Clinical Toxicity Prediction using Multi-task Deep Neural Nets and Contrastive Molecular Explanations
Authors: Sharma Bhanushee , Chenthamarakshan Vijil , Dhurandhar Amit , Pereira Shiranee , Hendler James A. , Dordick Jonathan S. , Das Payel
Published: May 2022

Explainable machine learning for molecular toxicity prediction is a promising approach for efficient drug development and chemical safety. A predictive ML model of toxicity can reduce experimental cost and time while mitigating ethical concerns by significantly reducing animal and clinical testing. Herein, we use a deep learning framework for simultaneously modeling in vitro, in vivo, and clinical toxicity data. Two different molecular input representations are used; Morgan fingerprints and pre-trained SMILES embeddings. A multi-task deep learning model accurately predicts toxicity for all endpoints, including clinical, as indicated by the area under the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve and balanced accuracy. In particular, pre-trained molecular SMILES embeddings as input to the multi-task model improved clinical toxicity predictions compared to existing models in MoleculeNet benchmark. Additionally, our multitask approach is comprehensive in the sense that it is comparable to state-of-the-art approaches for specific endpoints in in vitro, in vivo and clinical platforms. Through both the multi-task model and transfer learning, we were able to indicate the minimal need of in vivo data for clinical toxicity predictions. To provide confidence and explain the model’s predictions, we adapt a post-hoc contrastive explanation method that returns pertinent positive and negative features, which correspond well to known mutagenic and reactive toxicophores, such as unsubstituted bonded heteroatoms, aromatic amines, and Michael receptors. Furthermore, toxicophore recovery by pertinent feature analysis captures more of the in vitro (53%) and in vivo (56%), rather than of the clinical (8%), endpoints, and indeed uncovers a preference in known toxicophore data towards in vitro and in vivo experimental data. To our knowledge, this is the first contrastive explanation, using both present and absent substructures, for predictions of clinical and in vivo molecular toxicity.
The clinical assessment of studies on orphan drugs in relation to the EMA’s authorization marketing decisions
Authors: Jakubowski Szczepan , Kawalec Paweł , Malinowski Krzysztof Piotr
Published: May 2022

Introduction Clinical evidence on effectiveness and safety for orphan drugs is limited. We aimed to assess the correlation between clinical robustness of studies on orphan drugs and the status assigned by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Methods We assessed all medicines with an orphan designation included in the EMA website as of June 1, 2020. Clinical data were collected from the European public assessment report (EPAR) documents for each drug, containing such information as clinical trial characteristics as well as drug safety and efficacy. Data were categorized, and statistical analysis was performed. Results We identified 968 trials reporting the results of 1342 clinical evaluations of 105 orphan drugs in a total number of almost 130 000 patients. In the multiple regression model analysis, each additional dose-response trial was associated with a 33-fold increase in the odds for the drug being under additional monitoring (p=0.02). Each additional randomized controlled trial was associated with a 91% reduction in the odds for additional monitoring (p=0.02). Each additional 100 patients participating in clinical trials was associated with a 58% reduction in the odds for exceptional circumstances (p=0.04). Each additional percent point for a share of studies with a follow-up longer than 2 years was associated with a 98% reduction in the odds for accelerated assessment (p=0.01).Conclusions Our quantitative analysis of the EMA authorization decision-making process revealed that the characteristics of a clinical trial and the quality of available evidence can be significantly associated with the odds for a specific status.
The Association between Body Mass Index, Abdominal fatness, Weight Change and the risk of Adult Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Parasuaraman Ganeshkumar , Ayyasamy Lavanya , Aune Dagfinn , Sen Abhijit , Nagarajan Ramya , Rajkumar Prabhu , Velusamy Saravanakumar , P Manickam , Sivaprakasam Satish
Published: May 2022

Obesity correlate with increasing risk of adult asthma. However, not all studies have found a clear association between overweight and the incidence of asthma, and data on other adiposity measures have been limited. Hence, we aimed to summarize evidence on association between adiposity and adult asthma. Relevant studies were retrieved through searches conducted in PubMed, and EMBASE up to March 2021. A total of fifteen studies (63,952 cases and 1,161,169 participants) were eligible for the quantitative synthesis. The pooled RR per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was 1.32 (95% CI 1.21–1.44, I2 = 94.6%, pheterogeneity<0.0001, n = 13), 1.26 (95% CI: 1.09–1.46, I2 = 88.6%, pheterogeneity<0.0001, n = 5) per 10 cm increase in waist circumference and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.221.44, I2 = 62.3%, pheterogeneity=0.05, n = 4) per 10 kg increase in weight gain. There was a significant on test of nonlinearity for BMI (pnonlinearity<0.00001), weight change (pnonlinearity=0.002), and waist circumference (pnonlinearity=0.02). The magnitude of the associations and the consistency of the results across studies and adiposity measures provide strong evidence that overweight and obesity, waist circumference and weight gain increases asthma risk. These findings support policies to curb the global epidemic of excess weight.
Effect of climate and phenological stage on fungal endophytes community in Sorghum bicolor leaves
Authors: Silva Rejane M. F. , Neto Walter P.P. , Oliveira Rafael J. V. , Bezerra Jadson D.P. , Bezerra José L. , de Lima Vitor Xavier , Vieira Larissa Cardoso , Tabosa José Nildo , Souza-Motta Cristina M. , Silva Gladstone A.
Published: May 2022

Endophytic fungi comprise a group of polyphyletic microorganisms of great diversity, which can be modulated by biotic and abiotic factors. In the present study, we analyzed the diversity and distribution of the endophytic fungal community associated with leaves of Sorghum bicolor crops in two areas of Brazilian forests and inferred the influence of climate and host phenology on their occurrence. The results obtained in this study showed that S. bicolor has a rich and diverse community of endophytic fungi distributed in Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota, with members of Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes as dominant groups. The community of endophytic fungi was influenced by two factors: rainfall and plant phenological stage. Filamentous fungi colonization increases as the post-blooming stage, and the fungal response is relative to its growth form. Further researches are needed to better understand the implications of endophytic-host association with sorghum crops.
An efficient supervised deep hashing method for image retrieval
Authors: Hussain Abid , li Heng-Chao , Ali Muqadar , Wali Samad , Hussain Mehboob , Rehman Amir
Published: May 2022

Recently, retrieving and searching for relevant images from large datasets has become increasingly challenging for researchers. Hashing methods that mapped raw data into a short binary code have attracted increasing attention from the researcher. Most existing hashing approaches map samples to a binary vector with a single linear projection. This paper introduces a CNN-based hashing method that uses multiple nonlinear projections to produce additional short-bit binary code. Applying a convolutional neural network, we obtain an end-to-end. In order to maintain similarity between images, a loss function was also designed. Moreover, it minimized the quantization error by providing a uniform distribution of the hash bits. Extensive experimental results from various image retrieval benchmarks show the superiority of the proposed method and demonstrate its efficient performance compared with other state-of-art methods.
Evaluation of the near-surface wind field over the Adriatic region: Local wind characteristics in the convection-permitting model ensemble
Authors: Vozila Andreina Belušić , Belušić Danijel , Prtenjak Maja Telišman , Güttler Ivan , Bastin Sophie , Brisson Erwan , Demory Marie-Estelle , Dobler Andreas , Feldmann Hendrik , Hodnebrog Øivind , Kartsios Stergios , Keuler Klaus , Lorenz Torge , Milovac Josipa , Pichelli Emanuela , Raffa Mario , Soares Pedro M.M. , Tölle Merja H. , Truhetz Heimo , de Vries Hylke , Warrach-Sagi Kirsten
Published: May 2022

We present the first evaluation of the wind field from the CORDEX-FPS ensemble of kilometer-scale simulations, with focus on the Adriatic region. Kilometer-scale climate models, also known as convection-permitting models (CPMs), produce a good representation of small-scale topographic features and consequently a more detailed depiction of dynamical and thermal circulation. These enable a reliable view of climate characteristics of the wind field, especially in coastal regions and over complex terrain, such as the Adriatic. We investigate the (potential) added value introduced by CPMs compared to classical “cumulus-parametrized” regional climate models (RCMs), reanalysis and station observations. For this purpose, wind components at 10 meter level are used at 3-hourly frequency. All simulations cover a 10-year period, extending from 2000 to 2009. In terms of the standard statistical parameters such as correlation coefficient and temporal standard deviation, CPMs are very dependent on their parent RCM performance. However, the orographic forcing emphasizes the potential added value and CPMs contain some fine spatial scale variability (i.e. stronger extremes by 25% and accurate wind direction) that is absent in coarser RCMs and reanalysis. The potential added value is higher in the cold season compared to the warm season due to the proportion of severe wind events. CPMs reproduce well the typical wind regimes along the Adriatic coast, namely Bora and Sirocco. The benefit of using CPMs is especially pronounced in simulating Bora maximum wind speeds in northern Adriatic and Sirocco frequencies in southern Adriatic. Based on our overall analysis, we conclude that CPMs provide added value compared to coarser models, especially in the complex coastal terrain.
Medication administration time: an independent risk predictor for hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Wen-Sheng , Huang Qian
Published: May 2022

Background: Hypotension following induction of general anaesthesia (GAIH) is common, and it's associated with adverse outcomes. Although demographic and dose-related factors have been investigated, it is unknown whether administration time has an effect.Methods: Our analysis included 142 individuals who underwent elective otorhinolaryngologic procedures between March 1, 2017 and August 31, 2017. Under intravenous anaesthesia, patients were intubated using a single lumen endotracheal tube. The occurrence of GAIH, defined as a 30% decline in MAP from baseline, was recorded, and the risk variables for GAIH, including demographical, dose-related, and time-related factors, were investigated.Results: The final analysis includes 123 of the 142 participants that were enrolled in our trial. GAIH occurred 15.45 percent of the time between entering the operating room and intubation, and 55.28 percent of the time between intubation and the commencement of surgery. Propofol's time to peak effect (Ppropofol) (less than -0.4 min or more than 0.6 min) was associated with a lower risk of GAIH (OR 0.354, 95 percent CI, 0.142–0.884, p=0.026).Conclusions: Medication administration, especially Ppropofol, is a risk factor for GAIH.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registered 04/05/2021 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=125840&htm=4
Utilization of aminoguanidine prevents cytotoxic effects of semen
Authors: Harms Mirja , von Maltitz Pascal , Mayer Benjamin , Deniz Miriam , Müller Janis , Münch Jan
Published: May 2022

Studies of human semen in cell or tissue culture are hampered by the high cytotoxic activity of this body fluid. Responsible for the cell damaging activity of semen are amine oxidases, which convert abundant polyamines such as spermine or spermidine in seminal plasma into toxic intermediates. Amine oxidases are naturally present at low concentrations in seminal plasma and at high concentrations in fetal calf serum, a commonly used cell culture supplement. We here show that in the presence of fetal calf serum, seminal plasma as well as the polyamines spermine and spermidine are highly cytotoxic to immortalized cells, primary blood mononuclear cells, and vaginal tissue. Thus, experiments investigating the effect of polyamines and seminal plasma on cellular functions should be performed with great caution, considering confounding cytotoxic effects. Addition of the amine oxidase inhibitor aminoguanidine to fetal calf serum and/or utilization of serum-free medium greatly reduced this serum-induced cytotoxicity of polyamines and seminal plasma in cell lines, primary cells and tissues, and thus should be implemented in all future studies analyzing the role of polyamines and semen on cellular functions.
Effects of computerized decision support in the context of a performance-based incentive intervention on maternal and neonatal health-worker performance in Upper East Region, Ghana: A qualitative study of professional perspectives
Authors: Aninanya Gifty Apiung , Williams John E. , Williams Afua , Otupiri Easmon , Howard Natasha
Published: May 2022

BackgroundComputerized decision support systems (CDSS) and performance-based incentives (PBIs) can improve health-worker performance. However, there is minimal evidence on the combined effects of these interventions or perceived effects among maternal and child healthcare providers in low-resource settings. We thus aimed to explore the perceptions of maternal and child healthcare providers of combined CDSS-PBI support on performance in twelve primary care facilities in Ghana’s Upper East Region.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study drawing on semi-structured key informant interviews with 24 nurses and midwives, 12 health facility managers, and 6 district-level staff familiar with the intervention. We analysed data thematically using deductive and inductive coding in NVivo 9 software.ResultsInterviewees suggested the combined CDSS-PBI intervention improved their performance, through enhancing knowledge of maternal health issues, facilitating diagnoses and prescribing, prompting actions for complications, and improving management. Some also reported improved and mortality. However, challenges described in patient care included CDSS software inflexibility (e.g. requiring administration of only one intermittent preventive malaria treatment to pregnant women), faulty electronic partograph leading to unnecessary referrals, increased workload for nurses and midwives who still had to complete facility forms, and power fluctuations affecting software. ConclusionsCombining CDSS and PBI interventions has potential to improve maternal and child healthcare provision in low-income settings. However, user perspectives and context must be considered, along with allowance for revisions, when designing and implementing CDSS and PBIs interventions.