bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Prognostic Nomogram Based on Immune Scores in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients
Authors: Hui Xie , Jianfang Zhang , Li Qing
Published: June 2020

Background: Immunotherapy has significantly altered the treatment landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).However, there is no report on the prediction of overall survival (OS) of lung adenocarcinoma (LDAC) based on immune score. In this study,we aim to investigate the immune scores of the LADC and the prognosis-related factors and construct a nomogram for prognosis prediction.Methods:A total of 407 cases were included in the study.And the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with LADC and immune scores were download from TCGA database.We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Nomograms were framed from Cox models and internally validated by use of 1000 bootstrap.Model discrimination was assessed by using the concordance index (c-index) and the calibration curve.Results：Patients were divided into groups with low, moderate, or high Subgroups based on immune scores.This study shows that compared with patients with low and intermediate immune scores, only those with high immune scores had significantly improved OS (HR and 95% confidence interval[CI]:0.488 [0.327‐0.730]).The C‐index for OS prediction was 0.707(95% CI, 0.664‐0.750) .The calibration curves for prediction of 3-years and 5-years OS probabilities demonstrated good calibration and discrimination.Conclusions：High immune scores Subgroup is very significantly correlated with better OS in patients with LADC. Moreover, the nomograms for predicting prognosis may help to assess the survival of patients with LADC.
Gastric Cancer Surgical Experience from a single expert Western center: case series results
Authors: Graziosi Luigina , Marino Elisabetta , Avenia Stefano , Vannoni Maria Cristina , Donini Annibale
Published: June 2020

Background Surgical treatment plays a key role in the cure of gastric cancer. Our aim was to analyzed changes both in outcomes and in the epidemiology, over a time period of 15 years.Methods410 patients operated between January 2004 and December 2018 were enrolled. Patients were subdivided into 3 groups. The entire cohort was evaluated, and a more detailed analysys was made in patients that underwent a curative surgery. Survival outcomes and oncological surgical outcomes have been described and correlated with Overall Survival. Results Results showed an increase trend in gastric cancer operation over the time period analyzed ( p< 0.05).Overall and disease free survival did not vary in the different time periods. In patients treated with the intent to cure: 5- and 10-Year survivals were respectively: 44% and 34.7%; 5- and 10 years disease free survival were 50.7 and 49.4%. Type of lymphadenectomy and number of lymphondal harvested changed significantly over the time (p < 0.05). Conclusions Gastric surgery must be done in an experienced center to obtain oncological outcomes; in selected cases an extended lymphadenectomy could give survival benefit to patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.
Anxiety, depression and social support in Chinese pregnant women with a history of recurrent miscarriage: a prospective study
Authors: Qu Jia , Weng Xueling , Gao Ling-ling
Published: June 2020

Background: Women with a history of recurrent miscarriage(RM) are a more vulnerable population, caring for the pregnant women with a history of RM is quite needed. Although evidence suggests an association among anxiety, depression and social support. Yet, it is unclear about changes in and relationships between anxiety, depression and social support among the pregnant women with a history of RM throughout the pregnancy period. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in and relationships among anxiety, depression and social support across three trimesters of pregnancy in Chinese women with a history of RM. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study was employed. The study was carried out between September 2016 and October 2017 in a teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China. A convenience sample of 166 pregnant women with a history of RM completed the measures at their 6-12, 20-24 and 32-36 gestational weeks. data were collected by a master student with Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Results: Anxiety decreased from the early pregnancy to late pregnancy while depression first declined from early pregnancy to mid-pregnancy then remained to late pregnancy. Social support increased from early pregnancy to mid-pregnancy and then remained to late pregnancy. There were correlations in anxiety, depression and social support across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent in pregnant women with a history of RM, especially in early pregnancy, which merits clinical attention. Social support was an important buffer against anxiety and depression across the pregnancy. Interventions targeting women with RM may improve the health outcomes of women and their children.
A CRISPR/dCas9 toolkit for functional analysis of maize genes
Authors: Gentzel Irene , Park Chan Ho , Bellizzi Maria , Xiao Guiqing , Gadharve Kiran , Murphree Colin , Yang Qin , LaMantia Jonathan , Redinbaugh Margaret , Balint-Kurti Peter , Sit Tim , Wang Guo-Liang
Published: June 2020

Background: The C lustered R egularly I nterspaced S hort P alindromic R epeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system has become a powerful tool for functional genomics in plants. The RNA-guided nuclease can be used to not only generate precise genomic mutations, but also to manipulate gene expression when present as a deactivated protein (dCas9).
Results: In this study, we describe a vector toolkit for analyzing dCas9-mediated activation (CRISPRa) or inactivation (CRISPRi) of gene expression in maize protoplasts. An improved maize protoplast isolation and transfection method is presented, as well as a description of dCas9 vectors to enhance or repress maize gene expression. Additionally, we describe the utility of Foxtail Mosaic Virus (FoMV), a positive-sense RNA monocot virus, as a vector for delivering guide RNAs (gRNAs) to maize protoplasts in addition to whole plants.
Conclusions: We anticipate that this maize protoplast toolkit will streamline the analysis of gRNA candidates and facilitate genetic studies of important trait genes in this transformation-recalcitrant plant.
Identifying Characteristics of Frequent and Highly Frequent Users of the Emergency Department: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: An Byeung Ki , Lee Tiffany Jane , Kim Sang Mi , Cho Suck Ju , Park Joonbum
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Since the characteristics of frequent emergency department (ED) users are heterogeneous, it is impossible to mitigate the overcrowding of the ED without the basic data of diagnoses and risk factors of frequent ED users. Our study will provide invaluable information that will help predict patient demand for medical resources while also providing important information that can be used to improve emergency medical services.
Methods

This is the cross-sectional observational study using records from The Korea Health Insurance Review Agency. Frequent ED users were defined as patients who visited an ED more than 7–17 times per calendar year and highly frequent ED users were defined as patients who visited an ED eighteen or more times during the same period. The diseases were ranked by prevalence in each of the three ED frequency groups (less frequent, frequent, and highly frequent ED user groups). Our study then developed two logistic regression models comparing frequent users with less frequent users and highly frequent users with frequent users. Standardized ß values were used to rank risk factor importance.
Results

Although less frequent ED users composed 98.98% of all patients, they only consisted of 92.27% of all ED visits. Compared with less frequent users, a greater proportion of frequent ED users were aged 65 years or older and were insured by Medicaid or Veterans Affair Health Care Program. Frequent ED users were also most strongly defined by wound dressing follow-up visits and liver diseases (standardized ß value of 3.29 and 2.31). However, this study did not show highly frequent ED users differed from frequent ED users in regard to the different disease categories.
Conclusion

The diagnoses and risk factors related to frequent ED visits in Korea identified in this study will be an important reference for future research aimed at reducing ED overcrowding. By further analyzing the risk factors associated with frequent ED use, non-emergency administrative systems or medical facilities can be utilized to reduce the overload on the ED.
Mechanical ventilation of patients in helicopter emergency medical service transport: An international survey
Authors: Hilbert-Carius Peter , Struck Manuel , Hofer Veronika , Hinkelbein Jochen , Rognas Leif , Adler Jörn , Christian Michael D. , Wurmb Thomas , Bernhard Michael , Hossfeld Björn
Published: June 2020

Background: Mechanical ventilation in helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) environments is a procedure which carries a significant risk of complications. Limited data on the quality and performance of mechanical ventilation in HEMS are available in the literature. Method: We conducted an international survey to evaluate mechanical ventilation infrastructure in HEMS and collect data of transported ventilated patients. From June 20-22, 2019, the participating HEMS bases were asked to provide data via a web-based platform. Results: Fifty-three HEMS bases responded. Respondents were from Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland. Of the HEMS bases, all medical team leaders were physicians, mainly anesthesiologists (79%), the majority were board certified (92.5%) and trained in intensive care medicine (89%) and had a median (range) experience in HEMS of 9 (0-25) years. HEMS may provide a high level of expertise in mechanical ventilation whereas the majority of ventilators are able to provide pressure controlled ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure modes (77%). Data of 30 ventilated patients with a median (range) age of 54 (21-100) years and 53% male gender were analyzed. Conclusion: In this pilot study, the management of ventilated HEMS-patients was not associated with ventilation related serious adverse events. Individual circumstances of patients, training of medical crew and different technical and environmental resources are likely to influence management. Further studies involving ventilated patients are necessary to assess safety and process quality of mechanical ventilation in HEMS.
Clinical Characteristics and CT Manifestations of 143 Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Taizhou City, Zhejiang, China
Authors: Kuang Yani , He Susu , Lin Shuangxiang , Zhu Rui , Zhou Rongzhen , Ying Shuying , Li Renzhan , Lin Haiyong , Zhang Zhibang , Pang Peipei , Ji Wenbin
Published: June 2020

Background: In December 2019, the first case of pneumonia associated with the SARS-CoV-2 was found in Wuhan and rapidly spread throughout China, so data are needed on the affected patients. The purpose of our study was to find the clinical manifestations and CT features of COVID-19.Methods: All patients with COVID-19 in Taizhou city were retrospectively included and divided into non-severe group and severe group according to the severity of the disease. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations and imaging features of COVID-19 patients were analyzed, and the differences between the two groups were compared.Results: A total of 143 laboratory-confirmed cases were included in the study, including 110 non-severe patients and 33 severe patients. The median age of patients was 47 (range 4–86 years). Fever (73.4%) and cough (63.6%) were the most common initial clinical symptoms. Between two groups of cases, the results of aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, serum albumin, CR, glomerular filtration rate, amyloid protein A, fibrinogen, calcitonin level and oxygen partial pressure, IL – 10, absolute value of CD3, CD4, CD8 were different, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Therefore, these quantitative indicators can be used to help assess the severity. On admission, the CT showed that the lesions were mostly distributed in the periphery of the lung or subpleural (135 cases (98%)), and most of lesions presented as patchy (81%), mixed density (63%) shadow. Consolidation (68% vs 41%), bronchial inflation signs (59% vs 41%), and bronchiectasis (71% vs 39%) were more common in the severe group.Conclusions: Most of the cases of COVID-19 in Taizhou have mild symptoms and no death. In addition to clinical symptoms, some laboratory tests (such as absolute values of CD4 and CD8) and CT findings can be used to assess the severity of the disease.
CD14+CD16- Monocytes Are the Main Precursors of Osteoclasts in Rheumatoid Arthritis via Expressing Tyro3TK
Authors: Xue Jimeng , Xu Liling , Zhu Huaqun , Bai Mingxin , Li Xin , Zhao Zhen , Zhong Hua , Cheng Gong , Li Xue , Hu Fanlei , Su Yin
Published: June 2020

Background Monocytes as precursors of osteoclasts in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were well demonstrated, while monocyte subsets in osteoclast formation were still controversial. Tyro3 tyrosine kinase (Tyro3TK) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family involved in immune homeostasis, the role of which in osteoclast differentiation was reported recently. This study aimed to compare the osteoclastic capacity of CD14+CD16+ and CD14+CD16− monocytes in RA and determine the potential involvement of Tyro3TK in their osteoclastogenesis.Methods Osteoclasts were induced in CD14+CD16+ and CD14+CD16− monocyte subsets isolated from healthy control (HC) and RA patients in vitro and evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Then, the expression of Tyro3TK on CD14+CD16+ and CD14+CD16− monocyte subsets in peripheral blood of RA, osteoarthritis (OA), and HC were evaluated by flow cytometry, and their correlation with RA patient clinical and immunological features were analyzed. The role of Tyro3TK on CD14+CD16− monocytes in RA patient osteoclastogenesis was further investigated by osteoclast differentiation assay with Tyro3TK blockade.Results The results revealed that CD14+CD16− monocytes were the main source of osteoclasts. The expression of Tyro3TK on CD14+CD16− monocytes was significantly upregulated in RA patients compared with HC and OA patients, and positively correlated with the disease manifestations, such as IgM level, tender joint count and the disease activity score. Moreover, anti-Tyro3TK antibody could dose-dependently inhibited Gas6-mediated osteoclast differentiation in CD14+CD16− monocytes.Conclusions These findings indicate that elevated Tyro3TK on CD14+CD16− monocytes serves as a critical signal for osteoclast differentiation in RA.
The cultural practice of removing shoes indoors is relevant to the mortality rate of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Authors: Iwasaki Soshi , Takahashi Kazunobu , Yamakage Michiaki
Published: June 2020

Japan has had a lower number of SARS-CoV-2 cases than anticipated. Hence, we hypothesize that the habit of removing shoes indoors, which is practiced in various countries, might influence the SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns and COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality through transmission-based infection. There are significantly fewer COVID-19 deaths in countries that follow the cultural practice of removing shoes indoors.
Early gastric cancer with three gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors combined with synchronous colon cancer: A case report
Authors: Lee Sung Chul , Nam Kwangwoo , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: June 2020

Background: This study presented a rare case of early gastric cancer (EGC) with multiple gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) combined with synchronous colon cancer and to discuss the progress of treatment in this disease.Case presentation: We report our experience with a case of multiple tumors, which were found at the same time in the abdomen. The patient was a 77-year-old man who was referred for a gastric GIST. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed the known lesion (a gastric GIST) on the lesser curvature of the high body and a new lesion on the lesser curvature of the low body with suspicion of EGC. A computed tomographic scan confirmed the presence of a GIST in the stomach and revealed two new lesions. One was suspected to be a 4 cm submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the high body of the stomach. The other was a wall thickening of the descending colon, which demonstrated the possibility of malignancy. Colonoscopy confirmed synchronous colon cancer. Laparoscopic near-total gastrectomy with D1+ lymph node dissection and left hemicolectomy were performed sequentially without significant events. The patient was discharged without any postoperative complications.Conclusions: We report the case of a rare patient with EGC with multiple gastric GISTs combined with synchronous colon cancer.
A Combined Evidence Approach to Prioritize Nipah Virus Inhibitors
Authors: Kumari Nishi , Upadhyay Ayush , Kalia Kishan , Kumar Rakesh , Tuteja Kanika , Paul Priyanka Rani , Covernton Eugenia , Sharma Tina , Scaria Vinod , Bhardwaj Anshu
Published: June 2020

Nipah Virus (NiV) came into limelight due to an outbreak in Kerala, India. NiV causes severe disease and death in people with over 75% case fatality rate. It is a public health concern and has the potential to become a global pandemic. Lack of treatment has forced the containment methods to be restricted to isolation and surveillance. WHO’s‘R&D Blueprint list of priority diseases’ (2018) indicates that there is an urgent need for accelerated research & development for addressing NiV.In the quest for druglike NiV inhibitors (NVIs) a thorough literature search followed by systematic data curation was conducted. Rigorous data analysis was done with curated NVIs for prioritizing druglike compounds. For the same, more than 1800 descriptors of NVIs were computed and comparative analysis was performed with the FDA approved small molecules and antivirals. These compounds were further evaluated through PAINS filter to study their toxicity profile. Simultaneously, compounds were also prioritized based on the robustness of the assays through which they were identified. Our efforts lead to the creation of a well-curated structured knowledgebase of 182 NVIs with 98 small molecule inhibitors. The reported IC50/EC50 values for some of these inhibitors are in the nanomolar range – as low as 0.47 nM. In order to prioritize these inhibitors, we performed several tests and applied filters to identify drug-like non-toxic compounds. Of 98, a few compounds passed DruLito & PAINS filters exhibiting drug-like properties and were also prioritized in an independent screen based only the assay robustness. The NVIs have diverse structural features and offer a wide spectrum of ways in which they can be developed further as druglike molecules.We report a knowledgebase for furthering the development of NVIs. The platform has a diverse set of 98 NVIs of which a few have been prioritized based on a combined evidence strategy. The platform has the provision to submit new inhibitors as and when reported by the community for further enhancementof NiV inhibitor landscape.
Traumatic brain injury - the effects of patient age on treatment intensity and mortality
Authors: Skaansar Ola , Tverdal Cathrine , Rønning Pål Andre , Skogen Karoline , Brommeland Tor , Røise Olav , Aarhus Mads , Andelic Nada , Helseth Eirik
Published: June 2020

Background
Ageing is associated with worse treatment outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This association may lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy that affects treatment efficacy. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of treatment bias in patient outcomes by studying the intensity of diagnostic procedures, treatment, and overall 30-day mortality in different age groups of patients with TBI.
Methods
Included in this study was consecutively admitted patients with TBI, aged ≥ 15 years, with a cerebral CT showing intracranial signs of trauma, during the time-period between 2015–2018. Data were extracted from our prospective quality control registry for admitted TBI patients. As a measure of management intensity in different age groups, we made a composite score, where use of advanced TBI imaging, placement of intracranial pressure monitor, ventilator treatment, and evacuation of intracranial mass lesion each gave one point. Uni- and multivariate survival analyses were performed using logistic multinomial regression.
Results
A total of 1,571 patients with TBI fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median age was 58 years (range 15–98), 70% were men, and 39% were ≥ 65 years. Head injury severity was mild in 706 patients (45%), moderate in 437 (28%), and severe in 428 (27%). Increasing age was associated with less management intensity, as measured using the composite score, irrespective of head injury severity. Multivariate analyses showed that the following parameters had a significant association with an increased risk of death within 30 days of trauma: increasing age, moderate/severe TBI, Rotterdam CT-score ≥ 4, and low management intensity (composite score ≤ 3).
Conclusion
The present study indicates that the management intensity of hospitalised patients with TBI decreased with advanced age and that low management intensity was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality. This suggests that the high mortality among elderly TBI patients may have an element of treatment bias and could in the future be limited with a more aggressive management regime.
The Impact of Two Embryo Culture Media, SOF and Commercial BO, on Pre- and Post-Implantation Development of Cloned Sannen Goat Embryos
Authors: Hajian Mehdi , Jafarpour Farnoosh , Aghamiri Sayed Morteza , Varnosfaderani Shiva Rouhollahi , Rahimi Mohsen , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Spatial and Temporal Influence of Rainfall on Crustal Pore Pressure Changes Based on Seismic Velocity Monitoring
Authors: Andajani Rezkia Dewi , Tsuji Takeshi , Snieder Roel , Ikeda Tatsunori
Published: June 2020

Crustal pore pressure, which controls the activities of earthquakes and volcanoes, varies in response to rainfall. The status of pore pressure can be inferred from observed changes in seismic velocity. This study investigated the response of crustal pore pressure to rainfall in southwestern Japan based on time series of seismic velocity derived from ambient noise seismic interferometry. Considering the area heterogeneity, rainfall and seismic velocityobtained at each location were directly compared.We used a band-pass filter to distinguish the rainfall variability from sea level and atmospheric pressure, and then calculated the cross-correlation between rainfall and variations in S-wave velocity (Vs).A strong and mostly negative correlation between rainfall and Vs changes indicates variations in pore pressure (affecting Vs) in the deep formation due to groundwater level fluctuation. The results differ in each location, where most of the observation stations with clear negative cross-correlations were located in areas of granite. On the other hand, we could not observe clear correlations in steep mountain area, maybe because water flows through river without percolation.This finding suggests that geographical features contribute to the effect of rainfall in deep formation pore pressure. The time lag between rainfall and Vs variation constrains the permeability of the near-surface lithology, and hence the mechanism of infiltration, through the relationship of permeability to percolation rate. These analyses explain how fluctuations in the water table cause variations in pore pressure beneath confined formations with low permeability. In areas with high permeability, water percolates deeper and with longer time lags, demonstrating that lithology contributes to pore pressure changes associated with rainfall. Bylinking the variations in seismic velocity and crustal pore pressure spatially, this study shows that seismic monitoring may be useful in evaluating earthquake triggering processes or volcanic activity.
Immune cell confrontation in the papillary thyroid carcinoma microenvironment
Authors: Xie Zhenyu , Li Xin , He Yuzhen , Wu Song , Wang Shiyue , Sun Jianjian , He Yuchen , Lun Yu , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2020

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is classified as an inflammation-driven cancer. A systematic understanding of immune cell infiltration in PTC is essential for subsequent immune research and new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Methods

Three different algorithms, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), immune cell marker and CIBERSORT, were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration levels (abundance and proportion) in 10 data sets (The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA], GSE3467, GSE3678, GSE5364, GSE27155, GSE33630, GSE50901, GSE53157, GSE58545, and GSE60542; a total of 799 PTC and 194 normal thyroid samples). Consensus unsupervised clustering divided PTC patients into low-immunity and high-immunity groups. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to analyze the potential mechanisms that cause differences in the immune response.
Results

Compared with normal tissues, PTC tissues had a higher overall immune level, and the M2 macrophages, Tregs, monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells (DCs), mast cells (MCs), and M0 macrophages had higher abundances and proportions in PTC tissues. Compared with early PTC, advanced PTC had higher immune infiltration, and M2 macrophages, Tregs, monocytes, neutrophils, DCs, MCs, and M0 macrophages had higher abundances and proportions in advanced PTC. Compared to the low-immunity group patients, the high-immunity group patients presented with a more advanced stage, a larger tumor size, greater lymph node metastasis, higher tall-cell PTC, lower follicular PTC proportions, more BRAF mutations and fewer RAS mutations. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was the most significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway for key module genes.
Conclusions

In human PTC, M2 macrophages, Tregs, monocytes, neutrophils, DCs, MCs, and M0 macrophages played a tumor-promoting role, while M1 macrophages, CD8 + T cells, B cells, NK cells, and T follicular helper (TFH) cells (including eosinophils, γδ T cells, and Th17 cells, with weak supporting evidence) played an antitumor role. During the occurrence and development of PTC, the overall immune level was increased, and the abundance and proportion of tumor-promoting immune cells were significantly increased, indicating that immune escape had aggravated. Finally, we speculate that EBV may play an important role in changing the immune microenvironment of PTC tumors.
Diagnostic accuracy estimates for COVID-19 RT-PCR and Lateral flow immunoassay tests with Bayesian latent class models
Authors: Kostoulas Polychronis , Eusebi Paolo , Hartnack Sonja
Published: June 2020

The objective of this work was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of RT-PCR and Lateral flow immunoassay tests (LFIA) for COVID-19, depending on the time post symptom onset. Based on the cross-classified results of RT-PCR and LFIA, we used Bayesian latent class models (BLCMs), which do not require a gold standard for the evaluation of diagnostics. Data were extracted from studies that evaluated LFIA (IgG and/or IgM) assays using RT-PCR as the reference method. The cross-classified results of LFIA and RT-PCR were analysed separately for the first, second and third week post symptom onset. The SeRT-PCR was 0.695 (95% probability intervals: 0.563; 0.837) for the first week and remained similar for the second and the third week. The SeIgG/M was 0.318 (0.229; 0.416) for the first week and increased steadily. It was 0.755 (0.673; 0.829) and 0.927 (0.881; 0.965) for the second and third week, respectively. Both tests had a high to absolute Sp, with point median estimates for SpRT-PCR being consistently higher. SpRT-PCR was 0.990 (0.980; 0.998) for the first week. The corresponding value for SpIgG/M was 0.962 (0.905; 0.998). Further, Sp estimates for each test did not differ between weeks. BLCMs provide a valid and efficient alternative for evaluating the rapidly evolving diagnostics for COVID-19, under various clinical settings and for different risk profiles.
The Psychological State and Changes in the Routine of the Patients with Rheumatic Diseases during the First Month of the Lockdown of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak in Turkey
Authors: Seyahi Emire , Poyraz Burc Cagri , Sut Necdet , Akdogan Selma , Hamuryudan Vedat
Published: June 2020

Objective: We hypothesized that patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) would have increased psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak; therefore assessed their psychological symptoms and changes in their routine. Methods: A web-based study was conducted in a cross-sectional design in 3 groups of participants: 1. patients with RD, 2. hospital workers and 3. high-school teachers/non-medical academic staff. Psychiatric status was evaluated using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised scale.Results: We studied 771 patients with RD, 535 hospital workers, and 917 teachers/academic staff. Most of the patients with RD were unwilling to go to the hospital (86 %) while 22 % discontinued their medications (78%). Biological DMARDS were the most frequent drugs whose doses were altered. Only 4 % were willing to take hydroxychloroquine for protection. Moreover, the frequency of anxiety (20%), depression (43%) and post-traumatic stress (28%) among patients with RD were found to be comparable to that among the teachers/academic staff (23%, 43% and 29%, respectively), whereas significantly less than that among the hospital workers (40%, 62% and 46%, respectively) (p<0.0001). Female gender, over social media exposure, comorbid disease, or a psychiatric disorder were found to be independently associated with psychiatric symptoms in total study population. Conclusions: The majority of the patients were unwilling to attend outpatient visits and one fifth skipped or stopped their immunosuppressive agents. Psychiatric symptoms in patient’s and teacher’s populations were of considerable clinical concern, despite being significantly lower than that observed among the hospital workers.
Cross-sectional study on awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 among senior pharmacy students.
Authors: Hamza Marwa Samir , Badary Osama Ahmed , Elmazar Mohamed Mohey
Published: June 2020

Extraordinary actions have been implemented in an effort to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt. People’s adherence to control measures is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the disease. Therefore, in the present study we assessed pharmacy senior students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was created and it consisted of 12 questions testing their knowledge about COVID-19nclinical characteristics, transmission routes and prevention and control steps. Among senior pharmacy students (n=238), 70% were females and 63% were living in greater Cairo. Their main source of information included social media (70%), published articles (48%) and television (48%). The overall correct knowledge score was 83%. Most of the students displayed a good COVID-19 knowledge level (72.5% of the students). The students were least informed when trying to answer questions about hyper-coagulation, as a major cause for death in patients with severe COVID-19, and about the timings on the necessity to wear masks practice. Assessment of students’ attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 reflected that 87% of them were confident that health care teams and scientists could win the fight against the virus. In addition, 72% of students agreed that COVID-19 will be controlled successfully. The greater the students’ knowledge, the more confident they felt that COVID-19 will be controlled successfully (OR = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-4.72). Good behavioral practice towards COVID-19 control was confirmed when 87% of students answered that they didn’t go out to any crowded place. Females were 3.6 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–3.11) more likely to avoid going out than males. Bad behavioral practice became evident when approximately 50% of students admitted that they did not wear masks when they left their house. Therefore, more efforts should be taken to protect future pharmacists from this pandemic.
Identifying Indoor Plant Propagation Research and Education Needs of Specialty Crop Growers
Authors: Gibson Kristin E. , Lamm Alexa J. , Masambuka-Kanchewa Fallys , Fisher Paul R. , Gómez Celina
Published: June 2020

There are economic and knowledge-based challenges that must be addressed for indoor farms to be viable in the United States despite their potential benefits. A mixed-methods approach was used to identify the needs of specialty crop growers and stakeholders interested in or currently using indoor propagation environments to grow seedlings, cuttings, and tissue-cultured plants. An online survey evaluated specialty crop growers’ current use of indoor plant propagation environments and their needs related to indoor plant propagation. A focus group was then conducted to further understand the needs for indoor plant propagation by stakeholders. Industry participants were largely motivated to adopt indoor propagation environments to reduce crop losses (“shrinkage”), increase productivity per unit of land area, ensure faster germination or rooting, improve plant quality, and profit from anticipated economic benefits. Research and education priority areas identified by stakeholders included economic costs and benefits (including capital investment and energy costs), improved crop quality, production time, uniformity, reduced shrinkage, and strategies to improve light management indoors. Based on the results, research efforts must determine and prioritize the most important economic considerations and production advantages to fill important gaps in knowledge about indoor plant propagation.
Inclusive literature as an innovative marketing resource of publishing activities
Authors: Shpak Viktor , Osmolovska Olena , Masimova Larysa , Romaniuk Natalia
Published: June 2020

Inclusive literature as a component of the process of real involvement of people with disabilities in active social life remains out of the attention of researchers. The paper aims to study the state and existing problems in publishing literature for people with disabilities and the use of inclusive topics by Ukrainian publishers. The results were obtained due to the theoretical comprehension of the empirical materials, which were based on a survey of 42 operating various domestic publishing houses. The vast majority of them expressed an understanding of the importance of publishing literature about people with disabilities and accessible editions for them. One-third of those surveyed publishers have experience in publishing inclusive literature. About 24% of respondents have books in accessible formats. They mainly used such publishing or engineering technologies as books with large print, picture-books, and books with pictograms. The study also found that among a few current insurmountable restraining factors of development of inclusive literature is the commercial inexpediency of such projects. The results of this study will contribute to the formation of collective public opinion on the importance of inclusive literature and, consequently, the attraction of the financing of inclusive publications of patrons, sponsors, crowdfunding platforms, etc.
Proteins of penial mamilliform glands in closely related Littorina species (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda): variability and possible contribution to reproductive isolation
Authors: Lobov Arseniy , Babkina Irina , Maltseva Arina , Mikhailova Natalia , Granovitch Andrey
Published: June 2020

The forces driving reproductive isolation emergence during the process of sympatric speciation are still intensely debated. Mechanisms of gametic isolation (which are known to form rapidly in several models) take the central place in these debates. Nevertheless, the approximative capacity of a few investigated models to other taxa could be questioned, generating demand for the adoption of additional model organisms to study sympatric speciation. The group of closely related species of the genus Littorina (subgenus Neritrema) sympatrically inhabiting seashores are promising. In this study, we performed comparative proteomic analysis of penial tissues of four Neritrema species to identify potential effectors contributing to gametic isolation. Among 272 analyzed proteins, 13 mamilliform gland-specific proteins (possibly transferred to the female during copulation) were detected, as well as five proteins specifically expressed in the epithelium of the penial basal part. Eight of these proteins were species-specific and may be involved in the maintenance of reproductive barriers.
Analisis kompetensi pendidik PAUD pada alumni program studi PIAUD FIT IAIN Surakarta
Authors: Subandji Subandji , Shofa Mila Faila , Syamsiyati Rosida Nur
Published: June 2020

Pendidik PAUD yang berkualitas harus memiliki kompetensi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: 1) kompetensi profesional alumni program studi PIAUD FIT IAIN Surakarta, 2) kompetensi pedagogik alumni program studi PIAUD FIT IAIN Surakarta, 3) kompetensi sosial alumni program studi PIAUD FIT IAIN Surakarta, dan 4) kompetensi kepribadian alumni program studi PIAUD FIT IAIN Surakarta. Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Program Studi Pendidikan Islam Anak Usia Dini, Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah IAIN Surakarta. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh alumni Program Studi PIAUD tahun akademik 2017/2018, yang telah bekerja di berbagai lembaga PAUD dengan segala bentuknya yang berjumlah 91 orang. Teknik sampling yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teknik sampel jenuh. Maka jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 91 alumni. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode angket terbimbing. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kompetensi pedagogik alumni Program Studi PIAUD mencapai kategori tinggi dengan rata- rata 80,81%. Kompetensi kepribadian alumni Program Studi PIAUD mencapai kategori tinggi dengan rata-rata 82,95%. Kompetensi profesional alumni Program Studi PIAUD mencapai kategori cukup tinggi dengan rata-rata 78,71%. Kompetensi sosial alumni Program Studi PIAUD mencapai kategori tinggi dengan rata-rata 83,60%.
A New System for Surveillance and Digital Contact Tracing for COVID-19: Spatiotemporal Reporting Over Network and GPS
Authors: Wang Shaoxiong , Ding Shuizi , Xiong Li
Published: June 2020

The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has highlighted the importance of rapid control of the transmission of infectious diseases. This is particularly important for COVID-19, where many individuals are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms but can still spread the disease. Current systems for controlling transmission rely on patients to report their symptoms to medical professionals and be able to recall and trace all their contacts from the previous few days. This is unrealistic in the modern world. However, existing smartphone-based GPS and social media technology may provide a suitable alternative. We, therefore, developed a mini-program within the app WeChat. This analyzes data from all users and traces close contacts of all patients. This permits early tracing and quarantine of potential sources of infection. Data from the mini-program can also be merged with other data to predict epidemic trends, calculate individual and population risks, and provide recommendations for individual and population protection action. It may also improve our understanding of how the disease spreads. However, there are a number of unresolved questions about the use of smartphone data for health surveillance, including how to protect individual privacy and provide safeguards against data breaches.
Effectiveness of Using Mobile Technology to Improve Cognitive and Social Skills Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Literature Review (Preprint)
Authors: Leung Phil Wai Shun , Li Shirley Xin , Tsang Carmen Sze Oi , Chow Bellavista Long Ching , Wong William Chi Wai
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Mobile technology has become a necessity in the lives of people in many countries. Its characteristics and advantages also make it a potential medium of intervention for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to evaluate previous evidence, obtained in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), on the effectiveness of using mobile devices as the medium of intervention targeting social and cognitive skills among individuals with ASD.

METHODS

Literature search was conducted on electronic databases including Medline, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, Education Resources Information Centre, and Social Science Citation Index. Only RCTs published in English and after year 2000 were included for this review. Data extraction was carried out by 2 independent reviewers using constant comparative methods.

RESULTS

Totally 10 RCTs were identified. Most of the findings indicated that mobile devices could be an effective medium of intervention for people with ASD, among which 6 indicated significant intervention effects and 2 showed mixed findings. Effective intervention was more likely to be achieved in the studies that recruited older participants (aged over 9 years), targeting practical skills that could be readily applied in real life, or using pictures or materials that were highly relevant in daily life in the apps or mobile devices. Furthermore, the use of mobile devices was also reported to promote participation in the intervention among individuals with ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that mobile devices could be a promising means for the delivery of interventions targeting people with ASD. Although including a small number of studies was a limitation of this review, the results provided useful implications for designing effective mobile technology–assisted interventions for the ASD population in future studies.

CLINICALTRIAL
Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Using Electrogastrograms: Extraction and Genetic Algorithm–Based Selection of Informative Features (Preprint)
Authors: Alagumariappan Paramasivam , Krishnamurthy Kamalanand , Kandiah Sundravadivelu , Cyril Emmanuel , V Rajinikanth
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Electrogastrography is a noninvasive electrophysiological procedure used to measure gastric myoelectrical activity. EGG methods have been used to investigate the mechanisms of the human digestive system and as a clinical tool. Abnormalities in gastric myoelectrical activity have been observed in subjects with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to use the electrogastrograms (EGGs) from healthy individuals and subjects with diabetes to identify potentially informative features for the diagnosis of diabetes using EGG signals.

METHODS

A total of 30 features were extracted from the EGGs of 30 healthy individuals and 30 subjects with diabetes. Of these, 20 potentially informative features were selected using a genetic algorithm–based feature selection process. The selected features were analyzed for further classification of EGG signals from healthy individuals and subjects with diabetes.

RESULTS

This study demonstrates that there are distinct variations between the EGG signals recorded from healthy individuals and those from subjects with diabetes. Furthermore, the study reveals that the features Maragos fractal dimension and Hausdorff box-counting fractal dimension have a high degree of correlation with the mobility of EGGs from healthy individuals and subjects with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the analysis on the extracted features, the selected features are suitable for the design of automated classification systems to identify healthy individuals and subjects with diabetes.
Digital Technical and Informal Resources of Breast Cancer Patients From 2012 to 2020: Questionnaire-Based Longitudinal Trend Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mallmann Christoph A , Domröse Christian M , Schröder Lars , Engelhardt David , Bach Frederik , Rueckel Helena , Abramian Alina , Kaiser Christina , Mustea Alexander , Faridi Andree , Malter Wolfram , Mallmann Peter , Rudlowski Christian , Zivanovic Oliver , Mallmann Michael R
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Digitalization offers enormous potential in medicine. In the era of digitalization, the development of the use of digital, technical, and informal resources of breast cancer patients and factors influencing the degree of digitization of patients has been insufficiently researched.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the development of the use of digital technical and informal resources in a well-defined patient cohort.

METHODS

A longitudinal study on 513 breast cancer patients from 2012 to 2020 was conducted using a questionnaire that included the main aspects of the degree of digitalization, including digital device availability and use, stationary and mobile internet access and use, and communication and information seeking regarding breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (421/513, 82.1%) owned the technical resources to benefit from eHealth, used the internet to obtain information (292/509, 57.4%), and were willing to use new eHealth solutions (379/426, 89%). Two-thirds of the patients discussed information about their cancer on the internet with their doctor, one-third found additional treatment options on the internet, and 15.3% (44/287) of the patients stated that this had changed their cancer therapy. The degree of digitization is increasing yet still significantly depends on 3 factors: (1) age (whereas 100% [39/39] of the <59-year-old group used the internet in 2020, 92% of the 60 to 69-year-old group [11/12] and only 47% [6/13] of the >70-year-old group used the internet), (2) education (internet use significantly depended on education, as only 51.8% [59/114] of patients with primary school education used the internet, but 82.4% [126/153] with middle school education and 90.3% [213/236] with high school education used the internet; P<.001), and (3) household size (67.7% [111/164] of patients living alone used the internet, whereas 84.7% [287/339] of patients living in a house with ≥2 people used the internet; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

To implement digital solutions in health care, knowledge of the composition and degree of the use of digital technical and informal resources of the patient group for which the respective solution is developed is crucial for success.

CLINICALTRIAL

German Register of Clinical Studies DRKS00012364; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00012364