bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver abscess in patients with thalassaemia: case series and a mini-review of the literature
Authors: Nishad Nilanga , Niriella Madunil Anuk , Premawardhena Anuja P. , Perera Harsha , de Silva Arjuna Priyadarsin , Kalubowila Dhananja Namalie , Jayasena Hiruni , Thebuwana Kunchana , Samarawickrama Vajira Tharanga , de Silva Hithanadura Janaka
Published: December 2022

Management of liver abscesses in patients with thalassaemia is a challenge due to difficult venous access, other organ dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and etc. Here we report four thalassaemia patients with liver abscess where three of them had presented repeatedly with liver abscesses and three of them developed Covid-19 infection as well followed by a mini review of previously reported cases.
Novel Insights into Systemic Sclerosis using a Sensitive Computational Method to Analyze Whole-Genome Bisulfite Sequencing Data
Authors: Yu Jeffrey C. Y. , Zeng Yixiao , Zhao Kaiqiong , Lu Tianyuan , Klein Kathleen Oros , Colmegna Inés , Lora Maximilien , Bhatnagar Sahir R. , Leask Andrew , Greenwood Celia M. T. , Hudson Marie
Published: December 2022

Background: Abnormal DNA methylation is thought to contribute to the onset and progression of systemic sclerosis. Currently, the most comprehensive assay for profiling DNA methylation is whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), but its precision depends on read depth and it may be subject to sequencing errors. SOMNiBUS, a method for regional analysis, attempts to overcome some of these limitations. Using SOMNiBUS, we re-analyzed WGBS data previously analyzed using bumphunter, an approach that initially fits single CpG associations, to contrast DNA methylation estimates by both methods.
Methods: Purified CD4+ T lymphocytes of 9 SSc and 4 control females were sequenced using WGBS. We separated the resulting sequencing data into regions with dense CpG data, and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were inferred with the SOMNiBUS region-level test, adjusted for age. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). We compared the results obtained by SOMNiBUS and bumphunter.
Results: Of 8268 CpG regions of >60 CpGs eligible for analysis with SOMNiBUS, we identified 131 DMRs and 125 differentially methylated genes (DMGs; p-values less than Bonferroni-corrected threshold of 6.05-06 controlling family-wise error rate at 0.05; 1.6% of the regions). In comparison, bumphunter identified 821,929 CpG regions, 599 DMRs (of which none had >60 CpGs) and 340 DMGs (q-value of 0.05; 0.04% of all regions).The top ranked gene identified by SOMNiBUS was FLT4, a lymphangiogenic orchestrator, and the top ranked gene on chromosome X was CHST7, known to catalyze the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix. The top networks identified by IPA included connective tissue disorders.
Conclusions: SOMNiBUSis a complementary method of analyzing WGBS data that enhances biological insights into SSc and provides novel avenues of investigation into its pathogenesis.
Presence of Endometrioma Decreased Blastocyst Formation Rate but Not Impair Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) outcome
Authors: Chang Jui-Chun , Yi Yu-Chiao , Chen Ya-Fang , Guu Hwa-Fen , Kung Hsiao-Fan , Chen Li-Yu , Chuan Shih-Ting , Chen Ming-Jer
Published: December 2022

Purpose: These study aims to assess the impact of endometrioma on patients who undergo ART treatment due to endometriosis.
Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in women ≤ 40 years of age who underwent ART treatment at an academic medical center between January 2014 and December 2020. Two-hundred-and-eight women had received IVF/ICSI treatment due to endometriosis and there were 89 patients’ presence of endometrioma. Patients were further divided into primary endometrioma, recurrent endometrioma and those having received cystectomy for endometrioma prior to IVF/ICSI. The control group included 624 infertile women without endometriosis.
Results: In the endometrioma subgroup (B) the blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower when compared with the endometriosis (A) and control groups (C). The cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) (60.5% versus 49.4% versus 56.9%, p=0.194 in A versus B, p=0.406 in A versus C, p=0.878 in B versus C) were comparable. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female age, total FSH dose and blastocyst formation rate were the significant variables in predicting CLBR (OR: 0.89, CI: 0.80–0.99, p < 0.025, OR:0.68 CI:0.53-0.88, p=0.003 and OR: 30.04, CI: 9.93–90.9, p < 0.001, respectively). The CLBRs were comparable 47.1%, 60% and 57.9% in the primary endometrioma, s/p cystectomy and recurrent endometrioma group.
Conclusion: Although the blastocyst formation rate was lower in the endometrioma group, CLBR was not worse than those who were in the endometriosis or control group. Cystectomy for endometrioma did not alter IVF/ICSI outcomes if ovarian reserve was comparable. Recurrent endometrioma did not worsen IVF/ICSI outcomes than primary endometrioma.
Lipid Profiling Leymus chinensis Root Insensitive to Ca Deprivation
Authors: Nan Yang , Dong Yanbin , Zhang Lili , Zhang Lijuan , Qi Zhi , Luan Haiye , Yang Ju
Published: December 2022

Background

Leymus chinensis (L. chinensis) is a perennial native forage grass widely distributed in the steppe of Inner Monoglia as the dominant species. Calcium (Ca) as an essential mineral element important for plant’s adaptation to its growth environment.

Results

In this study, significance of Ca for L. chinensis growth and membrane stability was investigated and compared with that for Arabidopsis. Previously it was found that Ca deprivation strongly inhibited Arabidopsis seedling growth, disrupted the plasma membrane stability and selectivity, accompanied with increasing fluid-phase based endocytosis and contents of all major membrane lipids. In contrast, L. chinensis seedlings growth and root endocytosis activity were not affected by Ca deprivation. The plasma membrane maintained high selectivity. The PC:PE ratio, an indicator of the membrane stability, is five times higher in the L. chinensis than the Arabidopsis. In addition, Ca deprivation did not affect contents of all major lipid types in L. chinensis. Ca deprivation increased the MDA contents and decreased the SOD activity in L. chinensis, which were opposite with Arabidopsis. L. chinensis roots have higher contents of PC, PI, MDGD, PG, CL, DGDG, LPC, but less of PE, DAG, TAG, PS, LPA, LPE, LPS than those in Arabidopsis roots. Moreover, 31 unique lipid species were found in L. chinensis, and 66 unique in Arabidopsis.

Conclusions

This study revealed that L. chinensis root has unique membrane lipid composition without much Ca dependence, which might be accounted for the plant’s ability to distribute wide-range of natural environment.
Removal of Extracellular Vimentin in Blood Confers Resistance to Viral Infection
Authors: Kim Hae-Mi , Wang Mingda , Kim Sura , Park Jungha , Hong Seong-Tshool
Published: December 2022

The in vitro studies have repeatedly showed that extracellular vimentin (eVIM) promotes the penetration of viruses by acting as an adhesion factor, indicating that reduction of the eVIM density in the blood could be an effective approach to treat viral infections. However, despite its solid evidences, it has not been investigated previously whether circulating vimentin actually plays a pathogenic role during viral infections in vivo experiments. Here we provide in vivo evidence that eVIM plays a critical role during viral infections. Reduction of blood eVIM in the SARS-CoV-2-infected Roborovski SH101 hamster by i.v. injection of hzVSF-v13, a humanized anti-eVIM monoclonal antibody, treated COVID-19 by suppressing inflammation and viral replication. The overall therapeutic efficacy of hzVSF-v13 for COVID-19 was better than that of Remdesivir. We believe that this work provides an in vivo foundation for development of hzVSF-v13 as antiviral drugs to various other viral infections in addition to COVID-19.
Race Towards Environmental Sustainability in the G-20 Countries: Do Green Finance and Political Stability Play a Crucial Role
Authors: Çitil Mücahit , Ilbasmis Metin , Olanrewaju Victoria Olushola , Barut Abdulkadir , Karaoğlan Sadık , Ali Muhammad
Published: December 2022

As the negative repercussions of environmental devastation, such as global warming and climate change, become more apparent, environmental consciousness is growing across the world, forcing nations to take steps to mitigate the damage. Thus, the current study assesses the effect of green investments, institutional quality, and political stability on air quality in the G-20 countries for the period 2004–2020. The stationarity of the variables was examined with the Pesaran (2007) CADF, the long-term relationship between the variables by Westerlund (2007), the long-run relationship coefficients with the MMQR method proposed by Machado & Silva (2019), and the causality relationship between the variables by Dumitrescu & Hurlin (2012) panel causality. The study findings revealed that green finance investments, institutional quality and political stability increased the air quality, while total output and energy consumption decreased air quality. The panel causality reveals a unidirectional causality from green finance investments, total output, energy consumption and political stability to air quality, and a bidirectional causality between institutional quality and air quality. According to these findings, it has been found that in the long term, green finance investments, total output, energy consumption, political stability, and institutional quality affect air quality. Based on these results, policies implications were proposed.
The Modified Lymphocyte C-reactive Protein Score is a Promising Indicator for Predicting 3-year Mortality in Elderly Patients with Intertrochanteric Fractures
Authors: He Zile , Zhang Chuangxin , Ran Mingzi , Xu Shuai , Wang Zilin , Liu Yanhong , Li Hao , Lou Jingsheng , Mi Weidong , Cao Jiangbei
Published: December 2022

Background
Hip fractures are common in elderly patients, and almost all the patients undergo surgery. This study aimed to develop a novel modified lymphocyte C-reactive protein (CRP) score (mLCS) to simply and conveniently predict 3-year mortality in elderly patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on elderly patients who underwent intertrochanteric fracture surgery between January 2014 and December 2017. The mLCS was developed according to the value of CRP and lymphocyte counts. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for 3-year mortality after surgery. The performances of the lymphocyte CRP score (LCS) and mLCS to predict 3-year mortality were then compared using C-statistics, decision curve analysis (DCA), net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).
Results
A total of 291 patients were enrolled, of whom 52 (17.9%) died within 3 years after surgery. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, mLCS (hazard ratio (HR), 5.415; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.743–16.822; P = 0.003) was significantly associated with postoperative 3-year mortality. The C-statistics of LCS and mLCS for predicting 3-year mortality were 0.644 and 0.686, respectively. The NRI (mLCS vs. LCS, 0.018) and IDI (mLCS vs. LCS, 0.017) indicated that the mLCS performed better than the LCS. DCA also showed that mLCS had a higher clinical net benefit.
Conclusions
mLCS is a promising predictor that can simply and conveniently predict 3-year mortality in elderly patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery.
Perseverance, partnerships and passion: Ingredients for successful local government policy to promote healthy and sustainable diets
Authors: Barbour Liza R. , Woods Julie L. , Brimblecombe Julie K.
Published: December 2022

Background – Local government authorities are well-placed to invest in evidence-based food policies that promote a population-wide shift to healthy and sustainable diets. This study describes the contextual factors that facilitated or impeded policy-making related to healthy and sustainable diets within a ‘best-performing’ local government in Victoria, Australia.
Methods –Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), data from semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in developing the City of Greater Bendigo’s Food System Strategy were analysed using a seven-stage framework method.
Results – Semi-structured interviews (n=24) were conducted with City of Greater Bendigo employees (n=15) and key stakeholders working for local organisations (n=6) or at a state or national level (n=3). Interviewees mostly held positions of leadership (n=20) and represented diverse areas of focus from health (n=7), food systems (n=4) and planning and public policy (n=3). Data analysis revealed 12 cross-cutting themes; eight facilitating factors and four impeding factors. Facilitating factors included perseverance, community engagement, supportive state policy, effective leadership, a global platform and networks, partnerships, workforce capacity and passion, and the use of scientific evidence. Impeding factors included access to financial resources, prohibitive state and federal policy, COVID-related interruptions to community engagement and competing stakeholder interests. Overall, this study suggests that the City of Greater Bendigo’s success in developing an evidence-based local food system policy is built upon (i) a holistic worldview that embraces systems-thinking and credible frameworks, (ii) a sustained commitment and investment throughout the inner-setting over time, and (iii) the ability to establish and nurture meaningful partnerships built upon values of reciprocity and respect.
Conclusions – Despite insufficient resourcing and prohibitive policy at higher levels of government, this ‘best performing’ local government in Victoria, Australia developed an evidence-based food system policy by employing highly skilled and passionate employees, embracing a holistic worldview towards planetary health and harnessing global networks. Local government authorities aspiring to develop integrated food policy should nurture a workforce culture of taking bold evidence-informed policy action, invest in mechanisms to enable long-standing partnerships with community stakeholders and be prepared to endure a ‘slow-burn’ approach.
Can verbal autopsies be used on a national scale? Key findings and lessons from the South Africa National Cause-of-Death Validation Study.
Authors: Maqungo Monique , Nannan Nadine , Nojilana Beatrice , Nichols Erin , Morof Diane , Cheyip Mireille , Rao Chalapati , Lombard Carl , Price Jessica , Kahn Kathleen , Martin Lorna J , Bezuidenhout Francois , Laubscher Ria , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa , Glass Tracy , Awotiwon Oluwatoyin , Zinyakatira Nesbert , Funani Noluntu , Joubert Jané , Bradshaw Debbie , Groenewald Pamela
Published: December 2022

Background
The quality of cause of death (COD) statistics in South Africa has room for improvement. It is possible that supplementary use of verbal autopsy (VA) interviews for the deaths that occur outside of health facilities might be useful. This study describes the challenges and successes of collecting a national sample of VA interviews.
Methods
We recruited next of kin who registered deaths in 27 randomly sampled sub-districts across South Africa between September 2017 – April 2018. Trained fieldworkers (84) conducted face-to-face interviews using the WHO2016 verbal autopsy (VA) instrument. A team of physicians (51), trained in medical certification of cause of death and reading VAs, certified the underlying causes of death. Feasibility was assessed considering response rates, participation and quality of data. Cause specific-mortality fractions (CSMF) based on physician reviews and InterVA-5 automated software were compared with 2017 Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) data and assessed for plausibility against burden of disease estimates.
Results
Only 26% of the 36,976 total deaths registered in the sample area were identified during recruitment and 65% of the next of kin agreed to be contacted. A total of 5,375 VA were conducted (overall response rate of 55%) and 83% of physician reviewed VAs were judged to have good quality data for assigning underlying cause of death. Fifty-nine percent of the VAs occurred in the 27 sampled sub-districts, with the remainder ones coming from adjacent areas. Comparing the CSMFs, the physician reviewed VA identified 22.3% HIV/AIDS and InterVA-5 18.5% deaths, in line with burden of disease estimates, while Stats SA identified 4.9% HIV/AIDS deaths.
Conclusions
The study demonstrated feasibility of using VA on a national scale, but immense challenges in identifying and recruiting next of kin highlights the importance of formalising VAs within the country’s death notification system.
New approach for predicting nitrogen and pigments in maize from hyperspectral data and machine learning models
Authors: Silva Bianca Cavalcante , Prado Renato Mello , Baio Fábio Henrique Rojo , Campos Cid Naudi Silva , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Fernandes Thiago Feliph Silva
Published: December 2022

Fast diagnostics from hyperspectral data and machine learning (ML) models to predict nitrogen (N) content and pigments in maize crop is a challenge to optimize nitrogen fertilization. Therefore, this field research identifies which ML algorithms accurately estimate nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents in maize crop leaves at different phenological phases using hyperspectral band data. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme having four N doses (0, 54, 108, and 216 kg ha− 1) combined with five leaf collection seasons at phenological stages V6 to V14. The ML models tested were artificial neural networks – ANN, decision tree adapted for prediction problems – M5P, REPTree decision tree, random forest - RF, polynomial support vector machine – SVMP, and ZeroR - ZR (control). Pearson correlations were estimated between in situ variables and those predicted by ML models. Spectral bands 530–550 nm and 690–750 nm are effective wavelengths as well as RF and SVM are effective models for the estimation of nitrogen and pigment contents. These methods can be applied in precision farming practices and assist in decision making for N management in maize crop.
Ophthalmic complications during the dengue epidemic in Reunion Island in 2020: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Mbu-Nyamsi Digé , Vincent Muriel , Perez-Fontana Mariane , Best Anne-Laurence , Mesnard Charles , Villeroy Fréderic , Foucher Aurélie , Raffray Loic , Saint-Pastou Cecile , Bertolotti Antoine
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Dengue is an arboviral disease transmitted by the dengue virus, whose vectors are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The acute phase with its cohort of well-known symptoms is usually spontaneously favorable. Since 2020 in Reunion Island, a new symptom has appeared: the ocular damage of dengue fever, which has already been described in South Asia and South-East Asia. We therefore decided to describe the clinical, biological, ophthalmological, therapeutic, and outcomes of patients with ocular manifestations during dengue fever in Reunion Island in 2020.
Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients were included from January 2020 to August 2020 and then reassessed by teleconsultation 1 year later. The patients were identified from the French public health surveillance network by all ophthalmologists on the island. Medical data were collected directly from medical records.
Results: Twenty-eight patients were included. The mean age was 41.9 years. Ocular involvement occurred approximately 9.2 days after the onset of dengue symptoms. The main symptoms were scotoma (71.4%) and sudden decrease of visual acuity (39.2%). Eighteen patients (64.2%) had macular involvement. Fourteen patients were treated with oral or intravenous corticosteroids. Twenty-two (78.5%) patients were evaluated by telephone one year later. Scotoma and decreased visual acuity persisted in 15 patients. Thirteen patients (59%) were bothered by night driving, 32% of patients had reading difficulties and 27% of patients became sensitive to prolonged exposure to screens.
Conclusion: Ocular complications of dengue require early and collegial management to limit the risk of long-term sequelae. Further studies on the characteristics and complications of dengue fever are needed to better understand this disease.
Vaginal microbiome community state types and high-risk human papillomaviruses in cervical precancer and cancer in North-central Nigeria
Authors: Musa Jonah , Maiga Mamoudou , Green Stefan J. , Magaji Francis A. , Maryam Ali J. , Okolo Mark , Nyam Chuwang J. , Cosmas Nanma T. , Silas Olugbenga A. , Imade Godwin E. , Zheng Yinan , Joyce Brian T. , Diakite Brehima , Morhason-Bello Imran , Achenbach Chad J. , Sagay Atiene S. , Ujah Innocent A.O. , Murphy Robert L. , Hou Lifang , Mehta Supriya Dinesh
Published: December 2022

Background
High risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) have a causal role in cervical oncogenesis, and HIV-mediated immune suppression allows HR-HPV to persist. We studied whether vaginal microbiome community state types (CSTs) are associated with high-grade precancer and/or invasive cervical cancer (HSIL/ICC).
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of adult women with cervical cancer screening (CCS) at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Jos, Nigeria, between January 2020 and February 2022. Cervical swabs underwent HPV genotyping (AnyplexTM II HPV28). Cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL) sample was collected for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We used multivariable logistic regression modelling to assess associations between CSTs and other factors associated with HSIL/ICC.
Results
We enrolled 155 eligible participants, 151 with microbiome data for this analysis. Women were median age 52 (IQR:43-58), 47.7% HIV positive, and 58.1% with HSIL/ICC. Of the 138 with HPV data, 40.6% were negative for HPV, 10.1% had low-risk HPV, 26.8% had single HR-HPV, and 22.5% had multiple HR-HPV types. The overall prevalence of any HR-HPV type (single and multiple) was 49.3%, with a higher proportion in women with HSIL/ICC (NILM 31.6%, LSIL 46.5%, HSIL 40.8%, and 81.5% ICC; p=0.007). Women with HIV were more likely to have HSIL/ICC (70.3% vs. 29.7% among women without HIV). In crude and multivariable analysis CST was not associated with cervical pathology (CST-III aOR=1.13, CST-IV aOR=1.31). However, in the presence of HR-HPV CST-III (aOR=6.7) and CST-IV (aOR=3.6) showed positive association with HSIL/ICC.
Conclusion
Vaginal microbiome CSTs were not significantly associated with HSIL/ICC. Our findings suggest however, that CST could be helpful in identifying women with HSIL/ICC and particularly those with HR-HPV. Characterization of CSTs using point-of-care molecular testing in women with HR-HPV should be studied as an approach to improve early detection and cervical cancer prevention. Future longitudinal research will improve our understanding of the temporal effect of non-optimal CST, HR-HPV, and other factors in cervical cancer development, prevention, and control.
Remote Surveillance and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Household Members in King County, Washington
Authors: Rogers Julia H. , Emanuels Anne , Casto Amanda M. , Heimonen Jessica , O’Hanlon Jessica , Chow Eric J. , Ogokeh Constance , Rolfes Melissa A. , Han Peter D. , Hughes James P. , Uyeki Timothy M. , Frazar Christian , Chung Erin , Starita Lea M. , Englund Janet A. , Chu Helen Y.
Published: December 2022

Background: Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important to better understand transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Household contacts of infected individuals are particularly at risk for infection, but delays in contact tracing, delays in testing contacts, and isolation and quarantine pose challenges to accurately capturing secondary household cases.
Methods: In this study, 346 households in the Seattle region were provided with respiratory specimen collection kits and remotely monitored using web-based surveys for respiratory illness symptoms weekly between October 1, 2020, and June 20, 2021. Symptomatic participants collected respiratory specimens at symptom onset and mailed specimens to the central laboratory in Seattle. Specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR with whole genome sequencing attempted when positive. SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals were notified, and their household contacts submitted specimens every two days for fourteen days.
Results: In total, 1,371 participants collected 2,029 specimens that were tested; 16 individuals (1.2%) within 6 households tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period. Full genome sequences were generated from 11 individuals within 4 households. Very little genetic variation was found among SARS-CoV-2 viruses sequenced from different individuals in the same household, supporting transmission within the household.
Conclusions: This study indicates web-based surveillance of respiratory symptoms, combined with rapid and longitudinal specimen collection and remote contact tracing, provides a viable strategy to monitor households and detect household transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Trial Registration Identifier: NCT04141930
Cephalometric evaluation of pharyngeal airway space after orthodontic extraction treatment in Class II malocclusion: integration with subjective sleep quality assessment
Authors: Vejwarakul Weerayuth , Ko Ellen Wen-Ching , Lin Cheng-Hui
Published: December 2022

Objectives Orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions is typically used to relieve dental crowding and retract anterior teeth for lip profile improvement. The aim of the study is to compare the changes in regional pharyngeal airway space (PAS) after orthodontic treatment with Class II malocclusion and to identify the correlations between questionnaire results and PAS dimensions after orthodontic treatment.
Materials and methods In this retrospective cohort study, 79 consecutive patients were divided into normodivergent nonextraction, normodivergent extraction, and hyperdivergent extraction groups. Serial lateral cephalograms were used to evaluate the patients’ PASs and hyoid bone positions. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and STOP-Bang questionnaire were used for sleep quality evaluation and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk assessment, respectively, after treatment.
Results The greatest airway reduction was observed in hyperdivergent extraction group. However, the changes in PAS and hyoid positions did not differ significantly among 3 groups. According to questionnaire results, all 3 groups had high sleep quality and low risk of OSA, with no significant intergroup differences. Moreover, pretreatment-to-posttreatment changes in PAS were not correlated with sleep quality or risk of OSA.
Conclusions Orthodontic retraction with premolar extractions nither exhibit significant reduction in airway dimensions nor increase their risk of OSA.
Mendelian randomization study of sleep traits and risk of colorectal cancer
Authors: Dimopoulou Olympia , Fuller Harriett , Richmond Rebecca C , Bouras Emmanouil , Hayes Bryony , Dimou Niki , Murphy Neil , Brenner Hermann , Gsur Andrea , Marchand Loic Le , Moreno Victor , Pai Rish K , Phipps Amanda I , Um Caroline Y , Duijnhoven Franzel JB , Vodicka Pavel , Martin Richard M , Platz Elizabeth A , Gunter Marc J , Peters Ulrike , Lewis Sarah J , Cao Yin , Tsilidis Konstantinos K
Published: December 2022

A potential association of endogenous circadian rhythm disruption with risk of cancer development has been suggested, however, epidemiological evidence for the association of sleep traits with colorectal cancer (CRC) is limited and often contradictory. Here we investigated whether genetically predicted chronotype, insomnia and sleep duration are associated with CRC risk in males, females and overall and according to CRC anatomical subsites using Mendelian randomization (MR). The two-sample inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was applied using summary-level data in up to 58,221 CRC cases and 67,694 controls and genome-wide association data of genetic variants for self-reported sleep traits. Secondary analyses using alternative instruments and sensitivity analyses assessing potential violations of MR assumptions were conducted. Genetically predicted morning preference was associated with 13% lower risk of CRC in men (ORIVW = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.97, P = 0.01), but not in women or in both sexes combined. Τhis association remained consistent in some, but not all, sensitivity analyses and was very similar for colon and rectal cancer. There was no evidence of an association for any other sleep trait. Overall, this study provides little to no evidence of an association between genetically predicted sleep traits and CRC risk.
Perception and practice of patients with fixed orthodontic appliance regarding oral health: A cross-sectional study in Yazd, Iran
Authors: Zeighami Ayda , Maybodi Fahimeh Rashidi , Toodehzaeim Mohammad Hossein
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Good oral hygiene is the key factor required for uninterrupted orthodontic treatment and can be improved by professional supervision.
Aims: To report perception and practice of patients with fixed orthodontic appliance about oral health in Yazd, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 201 patients were selected by simple sampling method. A valid, reliable, researcher-made questionnaire with four parts was used: the first part contains demographic information of patients, the second part contained 7 questions about knowledge and the third part contained 7 attitudinal questions and the last part had 8 practical questions regarding oral health. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software, T-test and ANOVA. The level of significance in this study was considered less than 0.05.
Results: Out of 201 patients, 74 (36.8%) were men and 127 (63.2%) were women. 19.65 ± 6.03 with an age range of 10-37 years. The participants had a moderate knowledge and poor practice. No significant association was observed between the knowledge OR practice of patients with gender, age, education and duration of treatment (P-value>0.05).
Conclusion: It is suggested to adopt educational interventions in order to improve patients’ knowledge and practice about oral hygiene. Some individual attitudes such as considering orthodontic treatment during pregnancy as safe and the possibility of orthodontic treatment in adulthood, need to be corrected.
Childhood neglect and problematic smartphone use among Chinese young adults: the mediating roles of peer attachment and fear of missing out
Authors: Zhang Yan , Tan Ding-liang , Jiang Bo , Lei Ting-ting
Published: December 2022

Background: Research has revealed that childhood neglect may be a risk factor for problematic smartphone use among young adults in China. However, few studies have examined the mediating roles of peer attachment and the fear of missing out in the relationship between childhood neglect and problematic smartphone use. To fill this gap, the present study proposes a multiple mediation model to understand the relationships among childhood neglect, peer attachment, fear of missing out, and problematic smartphone use among young adults.
Methods: A total of 869 young adults in China completed questionnaires for evaluating different levels of the relationships between childhood neglect, peer attachment, the fear of missing out, and problematic smartphone use. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and MPLUS8.3.
Results: The results showed that childhood neglect was positively associated with problematic smartphone use among young adults in China. Moreover, peer attachment and the fear of missing out had partial mediating effects as well as sequential mediating effects in the relationship between childhood neglect and problematic smartphone use among young adults.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, peer attachment and the fear of missing out, as mediators, could be considered proximal factors affecting problematic smartphone use among young adults. These findings broaden our understanding of the psychological processes that underlie the association between childhood neglect and problematic smartphone use and afford practical guidance on reducing the risks associated with problematic smartphone use.
Malaria Parasitic Detection using a New Deep Boosted and Ensemble Learning Framework
Authors: Khan Saddam Hussain , Sadiq Muhammad , Liang Junwei , Hassnain Syed Agha
Published: December 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity - a longitudinal observational study
Authors: Moussiopoulou Joanna , Pross Benjamin , Handrack Mirjam , Keeser Daniel , Pogarell Oliver , Halle Martin , Falkai Peter , Scherr Johannes , Hasan Alkomiet , Roeh Astrid
Published: December 2022

Physical activity (PA) has positive effects on various health aspects and neuronal functions, including neuronal plasticity. Exceeding a certain exercise frequency and duration has been associated with negative effects. Our study investigated the effects of excessive PA with a marathon run (MA) and regular PA (training and recovery phases) on electrocortical activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). 30 healthy marathon runners (26 male, 45 ± 9 yrs) were enrolled in the study. Four resting-state 32 channel EEG recordings were conducted: 12 − 8 weeks before MA (T-1), 14 − 4 days prior to MA (T0), 1–6 days after (T2), and 13–15 weeks after MA (T3). Power spectrum analyses were conducted using standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and included the following frequency bands: delta (1.5-6 Hz), theta (6.5-8.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5–10 Hz), alpha2 (10.5–12.0 Hz), beta1 (12.5–18.0 Hz), beta2 (18.5–21.0 Hz), beta3 (21.5–30.0 Hz), and total power (1.5-30Hz). Statistical non-parametric mapping showed reduced power both in the alpha-2 (log-F-ratio= -0.705, threshold log-F-ratio = ± 0.685, p < 0.05) and in the delta frequency band (log-F-ratio= -0.699, threshold log-F-ratio = ± 0.685, p < 0.05) in frontal cortical areas after MA (T2 vs. T0). These effects diminished at long-term follow-up (T3). The results can be interpreted as correlates for subacute neuroplasticity induced by strenuous and prolonged PA. While previous studies reported an increase in alpha frequency during and directly postexercise, the adverse observation a few days after exercise cessation suggests counterregulatory mechanisms, whose complex origin can be suspected in subcortical circuits, changes in neurotransmitter systems and modulation of affectivity.
Advancing Hyper-Crosslinked Materials with High Efficiency and Reusability for Oil Spill Response
Authors: KARMELICH CALEB , Wan Zhijian , Tian Wendy , Crooke Emma , Qi Xiubin , Carroll Ann , Konstas Kristina , Wood Colin
Published: December 2022

Developing materials with high efficiency for recovering oil to mitigate the environmental impact of oil spills has always been a challenging task. A commercial melamine formaldehyde sponge was coated with an optimised superhydrophobic/superoleophilic hyper-crosslinked polymer and applied to the removal of crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions for the improvement of oil spill clean-up processes. The high surface area, porosity, hydrophobicity, and selectivity of oil over water made the HPCS ideal sorbent for efficient oil/water separation. The system was able to strip crude oil from water emulsions of 1000 ppm to a negligible level of 2 ppm oil with minimal amounts of the HPCS material. More importantly, the HPCS material could be reused via a simple mechanical compression process, and the uptake capacity was retained over ten cycles. For five cycles of oil adsorption/mechanical compression the HPCS was able to provide water filtrate with oil concentrations of under 15 ppm. This is an effective and economical recovery system, removing the need for consistent solvent washing and drying processes. These results suggest that the HPCS is a promising material for oil/water separation and recovery under challenging conditions.
Computational investigation of dimethoate and β-Cyclodextrin inclusion complex: molecular structures, intermolecular interactions and electronic analysis
Authors: Benaissa Amina , Bouhadiba Abdelaziz , Naili Noura , Chekkal Faiza , Khelfaoui Malika , Ibtissem Bouras , Karima Mehri , Madjram Mohamed Salah , Zouchoune Bachir , Mogalli Sulaiman , Malfi Najran , Nouar Leila , Madi Fatiha
Published: December 2022

The proposed study concerns the inclusion complexation of dimethoate (DMT) in the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) molecule cage using a 1:1 stoichiometry. The interactions between DMT and -CD were evaluated using PM7 and DFT in water and gas with base 6-31G(d,p); using the CAMB3LYP functional. All approaches agree with the optimal 3D structure, which includes full DMT inclusion in the CD cavity. Complexation, LUMO, and HOMO energies were computed. The natural bond orbital (NBO) and UV- visible calculations were determined and discussed. Additionally, the non-covalent intermolecular interactions between dimethoate and β-cyclodextrin are investigated through: reduced density gradient (RDG), non-covalent interaction (NCI) and independent gradient model (IGM) that the main forces stabilizing the examined inclusion complex are H-bond and Van Der Waals interactions. Furthermore, the energy decomposition analysis (EDA) emphasizes the importance of the H-bond as attractive interactions.
Three-dimensional oropharyngeal airway changes in adolescent patients treated with extractions: a preliminary study
Authors: Sun Jianwei , Qi Yizhe , Song Baolong , Li Yongming
Published: December 2022

Objectives: To evaluate three-dimensional oropharyngeal airway changes after the extraction treatment in adolescents.
Methods: Forty class I adolescents were selected, treated with extraction of four first premolars with non-maximum anchorage. The upper airway was reconstructed and segmented with Dolphin 11.8. The changes of oropharyngeal airway volume and cross-sectional area were measured. The measurements were analyzed with SPSS 26.0.
Results: Compared with pre-treatment, the palatopharyngeal volume, glossopharyngeal volume, total oropharyngeal volume and minimum cross-sectional area increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the minimum cross-sectional area of oropharynx was mostly located in the glossopharyngeal region. The cross-sectional area and the maximum anterior and posterior diameter of the uvula tip decreased significantly. Univariate correlation analysis showed that there was significant difference after the retraction of upper and lower central incisors (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that the retraction (OR=1.821,95% CI: -1.554~-0.060, P=0.042) of the mandibular central incisor was an independent risk factor for the decrease of the cross-sectional area of the uvula tip after tooth extraction.
Conclusions: With non-maximum anchorage, the effect of extractions on the oropharyngeal airway of skeletal class Ⅰ adolescents is generally small, but it will change the shape and is related to the retraction of anterior teeth.
Quantitative Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori and Clarithromycin Resistance
Authors: Kim Ilsoo , Maeng Lee-So , Kim Joon Sung , Kim Byung-Wook , Cheung Dae Young , Kim Jin Il , Park Soo-heon
Published: December 2022

Background
Identifying clarithromycin resistance is essential for eradicating Helicobacter pylori (HP). Therefore, we evaluated the performance of Allplex™ H.pylori & ClariR Assay (Allplex™) for diagnosing and detecting clarithromycin resistance in HP.
Methods
Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between April 2020 and August 2021 at Incheon St. Mary’s hospital were enrolled in this study. The diagnostic performances of Allplex™ and dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were compared with sequencing as the gold standard.
Results
A total of 142 gastric biopsy samples were analyzed. Gene sequencing revealed 124 HP infections, 42 A2143G mutations, 2 A2142G mutations, one dual mutation, and no A2142C mutation. DPO-PCR showed 96.0% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity for HP detection; the corresponding rates for Allplex™ were 99.2% and 100.0%. DPO-PCR showed 88.3% sensitivity and 82.0% specificity for A2143G mutation, and Allplex™ showed 97.6% and 96.0%. The Cohen’s Kappa coefficient for overall test results was 0.56 for DPO-PCR and 0.95 for Allplex™.
Conclusion
Allplex™ showed comparable diagnostic performance with direct gene sequencing and non-inferior diagnostic performance to DPO-PCR. Further research is required to confirm whether Allplex™ is an effective diagnostic tool for the eradication of HP
Decomposition of unpolarized fluorescence spectrum of uniaxially oriented 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene microcrystals into polarized fluorescence spectra
Authors: Hara Michihiro , Takeshita Tatsuya , Kurata Hiroyuki , Kimura Tsunehisa
Published: December 2022

Luminescence from solids such as crystals and aggregates is of growing academic and industrial interest. In this study, we report decomposition of the unpolarized fluorescence spectrum of uniaxially oriented 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene (TPB) microcrystals into four polarized spectra measured with polarizer (V: vertical and H: horizontal) and analyser (V: vertical and H: horizontal), where V and H indicate perpendicular and parallel to the layer of TPB molecules in the crystal, respectively. Resolved spectra were interpreted in terms of the molecular and excimer like (J- and H-dimer) emissions. The origin of the excimer like emissions was discussed in relation to the molecular packing in the crystal. It was shown that polarized crystal fluorescence can provide insight into the excitation/emission process in the crystal. Although preliminary, this study demonstrates the potential of polarized fluorescence to elucidate the luminescent mechanism.
Phylogenetic and morphological re-evaluation of Antherospora on Barnardia japonica collected in Japan
Authors: Hashimoto Akira , Shibata Saho , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: December 2022

Antherospora vaillantii is an anther smut fungus that was originally considered occurring on Muscari spp. around the world; however, cryptic species were revealed during recent taxonomic investigations, thus emphasizing the importance of host specificity. In Japan, A. vaillantii was identified on Barnardia japonica in 1936. Although the recent revelations indicate that it may be part of a complex based on the host plant genus, the phylogenetic placement of this Japanese species is currently unresolved. In this investigation, seven specimens of the A. vaillantii complex were collected from the Kanto area of Japan, and six new single teliospore isolates were established. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer sequences and large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S) region indicated that the new samples formed a monophyletic clade with other Antherospora spp. among Floromycetaceae lineage. Our samples were separated from other known species of Antherospora and formed a robust monophyletic clade in any analysis. Detailed morphological observations revealed that the new samples could be distinguished from other known Antherospora species. As a result, it is proposed that A. barnardiae can accommodate B. japonica parasites. The evolutionary processes of Floromycetaceae in relation to their Asparagaceous host plants have also been carefully discussed. Based on the morphological observations of the basidiospore ontogenic patterns, the familial concept of Floromycetaceae was redefined.
Mechanical performance and thermal stability of hardened portland cement -recycled sludge pastes containing MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles
Authors: Mohamed O. A. , El-dek S. I. , El-Gamal S. M.A.
Published: December 2022

Recently, recycling some industrial wastes becomes an essential way of the crucial challenges that mitigate their risks in the future. This work focused on utilization of recycled alum sludge (RAS) for partial replacing of Ordinary Portland cement (OPC), to contribute to solving the problems encountered by cement production as well as stockpiling of large quantities of water treated sludge waste, and to elaborate the particularities of different OPC-RAS blends by using MnFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles (NMFs). The outcomes of compressive strength, bulk density, water absorption, and stability again firing tests fastened the suitability of utilization of RAS waste for replacing OPC (maximum limit 10%) to prepare building material having enhanced strength and toughness. Inclusion of NMFs nanoparticles (0.5 mass%) in OPC pastes superseded with different quantities of RAS waste, motivates the configuration of hardened nanocomposites with improved physico-mechanical characteristics and stability against firing. Composite having 90% OPC-10% RAS – 0.5% NMFs represented the optimal choice for general construction application. TG/DTG, XRD, and SEM techniques affirmed the activity of NMFs particles, as they demonstrated the formation of enormous phases (as MH, CAHs, MnCSH, CSHs, CASHs, and CFH), especially 0.5% addition. These products boosted the robustness and degradation resistance of the nanocomposites upon firing.
Long non-coding RNA SOX2OT enhances cancer biological traits via sponging to tumor suppressor miR-122-3p and miR-194-5p in non- small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Dodangeh Fatemeh , Sadeghi Zahra , Maleki Parichehr , Raheb Jamshid
Published: December 2022

The oncogenic role of long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2-OT) has been demonstrated as a miRNA decay system that sponges to tumor suppressor miRNA including miR-122-3p in glioblastoma and miR-194-5p in glioblastoma, gastric and colorectal cancers. Although, the molecular function of SOX2-OT is still unknown in most cancer including lung cancer. As aim of current study, we evaluated downstream regulation function of SOX2-OT in A549 and Calu-3 lung cancer cell lines. We knock down SOX2-OT expression with using of RNA interference system that had significant decreased expression in A549 and Calu-3 cells. Then, expression of down-regulating miRNAs (miR-122-3p and miR-194-5p) evaluated that showed increased expression of miR-122-3p and miR-194-5p. Also, expression of miRNAs downstream mRNA including FOXO1 (Forkhead Box O1) and FOXA1 (Forkhead Box O1), changed. Recently, Critical roles of FOXO1 and FOXA1 proteins in pathways that involved in proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis has been demonstrated. Downstream changes in cellular traits, as evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, metastasis and apoptosis assays proved that biological behaviors of lung cancer cells influenced after SOX2-OT knockdown. Overall, results of current study bring up oncogenic role for SOX2-OT via regulation of miR-122-3p/FOXO1 and miR-194-5p/FOXA1 axes.