bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Households' Willingness to Pay for Improved Solid Waste Management Services in Gondar city, Ethiopia: Evidence from a double-bounded Dichotomous Contingent Valuation Method
Authors: Wegedie Kassahun Tassie , Eyasu Anteneh Mulugeta , Yizengaw Yenesew Sewnet , Shiferaw Getnet Asifaw
Published: December 2020

Background: Waste is a byproduct of human life. Nowadays, municipal solid waste is being produced in excessive amounts and in this way, both developing and developed countries are facing challenges regarding generation of waste. Economic development, urbanization and improved living standards in cities have contributed to increase in the amount and complexity of solid waste produced. Methods: this study aims to Analysis of households' willingness to pay for improved solid waste management Services in Gondar city, Ethiopia: evidence from a double-bounded dichotomous contingent Valuation Method.Result: A total of 222 randomly selected households were interviewed to address the objective of this study. Finally, the survey result indicated that 192(87.3%) of sample households were willing to pay for improved solid waste management services. Following this, the one and double-bounded dichotomous contingent valuation result revealed that the mean willingness to pay estimated from the Double Bounded dichotomous CVM and open ended formats were 34.48 and 17.0756 ETB[1] per month per households respectively. The total WTP was obtained by adding the WTP of the total households in each stratum, and is equal to 941361ETB and 1900848 ETB for open ended and double bounded format, respectively. Additionally, the bivariate probit model result demonstrated that income and education have positive and significant effects on willingness to pay bid amounts. The results, age, marital status, Bid1 and Bid2 have a negative and significant effect on households’ amount of willingness to pay for better solid waste management services. Conclusion: When allocating service charges the city municipality considers amount of solid waste generation and income level of the households. The study results show that when educational status of the households increases and increase their willing to participate in planned improved solid waste management service. Thus, awareness creation is importance for better solid waste management. Additionally the city municipality facilitates a learning media for uneducated households to come up with at least secondary education level.
Impact of Interstitial Lung Disease on Mortality in ANCA-associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Peining , Ma Jing , Wang Guangfa
Published: December 2020

Background: Several retrospective series and case reports have described the association of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and ANCA-associated vasculitis（AAV）. However, the relationship between the ILD and mortality in AAV patients have not been established so far. This study aims to estimate the relevance of AAV-associated-ILD（AAV-ILD）and mortality risk by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). PubMed, Embase.com and the Cochrane Library (Wiley) were searched for original observational studies. Summary estimates were derived with a random-effects model and reported as risk ratio（RR）, tested for publication bias and heterogeneity. Results: Ten retrospective cohort studies were included, comprising 526 AAV-ILD patients enrolled from 1974 to 2018. Meta-analysis yielded a pooled RR of 2.90 (95% confidence interval 1.77 to 4.74) for death among those with AAV-ILD compared with control group. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the meta-RR result was not skewed by a single dominant study.Conclusion: ILD might be associated with a higher mortality risk in AAV patients.
Health-related Quality of Life in Medical Personnel on the Peace Ark Hospital Ship During a Long Voyage: A Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Xu , Tang Bihan , Han Yingnan , Zhang Hailing , Hu Chaoqun , Zhao Fangjie , Zhang Lulu
Published: December 2020

Background The Chinese hospital ship “Peace Ark” has conducted nine overseas humanitarian missions. Methods Research indicated long-distance voyages significantly impact seafarers’ physical and mental health. This study investigated changes in and influencing factors for medical professionals’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during a 2017 humanitarian mission (8 countries, 155 days). Using a cohort study design, 90 medical professionals’ HRQoL was assessed (via the SF-12) pre-voyage and after 5 months at sea. Results Pre-voyage, mean physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS) scores were 52.34 (SD 5.07) and 53.03 (SD 6.40), respectively—significantly higher than in the general Chinese population (p < 0.0001). Afterwards, PCS and MCS scores declined by 3.9867 (SD 6.03) and 5.70 (SD 7.03), respectively. PCS scores were negatively associated with female gender (p = 0.004). Compared to administrative staff, doctors (p < 0.001) and nurses (p < 0.001) showed less deviation in PCS scores. Lower MSC scores were associated with older age (p = 0.011) and less family support (p = 0.0165). Conclusions Long-term voyages negatively impacted HRQoL in medical personnel. Thus, prior to similar future humanitarian missions, selection criteria and training procedures for medical personnel should be optimized, thereby increasing their confidence and social support.
The Association Between COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality with Socioeconomic Development - A Global Ecological Study
Authors: Torkian Samaneh , Kazemi Samira , Eslahi Marzieh , Khatooni Elham , Etesami Reza , Khanjani Narges , Rashti Roya
Published: December 2020

Background: There is some evidence about the role of human development in the incidence and mortality of some diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between COVID-19 incidence and mortality with development indexes in different regions of the world.Methods: This ecological study was conducted on data from January 11 to August 23, 2020. The development indexes included were Human development index (HDI), Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), the Gini Coefficient, Gender Development Index (GDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII) and their components. The development indexes was obtained from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). COVID-19 cases and mortality data of the countries involved in the pandemic were obtained from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Data was analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficients and negative binomial regression through SPSS26. Results: The highest and lowest incidence and mortality rates were in the AMRO and WPRO regions, respectively. The development indexes had no a significant linear correlation with COVID-19 incidence and mortality except in WPRO, where there was direct significant correlation between life expectancy at birth and inequality adjusted life expectancy with COVID-19 incidence and mortality (P<0.05).Conclusions: Our findings suggests limited evidence that countries level of development may directly influence morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. However, with regard to the ecological nature of this study, the reason for this association is difficult to determine.
Senkyunolide I Protects Against Sepsis-associated Encephalopathy by Attenuating Sleep Deprivation in a Murine Model of Cecal Ligation and Puncture
Authors: Xie Jian , Zhao Zhen-zhen , Li Peng , Zhu Cheng-long , Guo Yu , Wang Jun , Deng Xiao-ming , Wang Jia-feng
Published: December 2020

Background: Sepsis may lead to sleep deprivation, which will promote the development of neuroinflammation and mediate the progression of sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE). Senkyunolide I, an active component derived from an herb medicine, has been shown to provide sedative effect to improve sleep. But its role in sepsis is unclear. The present study was performed to investigate whether Senkyunolide I protected against SAE in a murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Methods: The male C57BL/6 mice were used to investigate the effects of Senkyunolide I on SAE. The related protein of the sleep deprivation and inflammatory signaling pathway was detected by western blot. The activation of microglia and the neuronal apoptosis were separately detected by immunofluorescence staining and TUNEL staining.Results: Here, we showed that Senkyunolide I treatment improved the 7-day survival rate and reduced the excessive release of cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. A fear conditioning test was performed and the result showed that Senkyunolide I attenuated CLP-induced cognitive dysfunction. Senkyunolide I treatment also decreased the phosphorylation levels of inflammatory signaling proteins, including p-ERK, p-JNK, p-P38, p-P65, and the level of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, in the hippocampus homogenate. The sleep deprivation was attenuated by Senkyunolide I administration, as demonstrated by the modification of the BDNF and c-FOS expression. When sleep deprivation was induced manually, the protective effect of Senkyunolide I against inflammatory responses and cognitive dysfunction was reversed. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that Senkyunolide I could protect against sepsis-associated encephalopathy in a murine model of sepsis via relieving sleep deprivation.
All-dielectric Phase-gradient Metasurface Performing High-efficiency Anomalous Transmission in the Near-infrared Region
Authors: Wu Tiesheng , Liu Zhihui , Wang Yiping , Zhang Huixian , Yang Zuning , Yang Dan
Published: December 2020

We propose and numerically demonstrate a phase-gradient metasurface with high anomalous transmission efficiency and great anomalous refraction angle, which consists of discontinuous regular hexagonal nanorods supported by a quartz substrate. The metasurface achieves high anomalous transmission efficiency and full 2 phase shift for the wavelength range of 1400-1600 nm. At the central wavelength around 1504 nm, the total transmission efficiency reaches 97.9%, and the desired anomalous transmission efficiency is up to 96.1% with an anomalous refraction angle as large as 30.09°. By adjusting the period and the number of nanorods in one unit cell, the anomalous refraction angle can reach 68.03°, and the anomalous transmission efficiency exceeds 60% within a bandwidth of 50 nm. Theresults are more excellent than those of most present phase-gradient metasurface structures. The superior performance of the proposed structure may pave the way for its application in wavefront control optical devices.
Provenance Identification of the Inkslab Unearthed from Liangfu Gao’s Grave of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) in Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Authors: Wang Tongyang , Gong Yangmin , Wang Shiming , Xiao Lin , Yang Tao
Published: December 2020

In order to infer the provenance of ancient inkslab excavated from Liangfu Gao’s Grave of the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE) in Chengdu, a multi-analytical approach, including polarizing microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the complete characterization of the ancient inkslab and the collected sample materials of this inkslab. The comparison of the results about mineral structure, major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) suggested that this unearthed inkslab of Song dynasty was Pu inkslab, which was famous in Pujiang County of Chengdu, and conjectured that its particular structure made it show the good inking performance. This work provided a reliable basis for the study of the historical and cultural inheritance of the Gao family, providing more direct evidence for the produce and development of the inkslab in the Song Dynasty.
Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score Predicts Short-Term Outcomes of Patients with Gastric Cancer after Laparoscopy-Assisted Radical Gastrectomy
Authors: Qian Yun , Liu Huaying , Pan Junhai , Yu Weihua , Lv Jiemin , Yan Jiafei , Gao Jiaqi , Wang Xianfa , Ge Xiaolong , Zhou Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: As an emerging prediction tool, the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score has shown good assessment ability of postoperative outcomes in cancer patients. This study assessed the role of the preoperative CONUT score in short-term outcomes of gastric cancer (GC) after laparoscopic gastrectomy.Methods: Three hundred and nine patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy from January 2016 to June 2019 were analyzed, retrospectively. GC patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal cut-off value of the CONUT. The clinical characteristics and postoperative complications were analyzed and evaluated in two groups. The risk factors of complications were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: 309 patients received laparoscopic gastrectomy, and 91 (29.4%) patients suffered from postoperative complications. The preoperative CONUT score showed a good predictive ability for postoperative complications (area under the curve (AUC)=0.718, Youden index=0.343) compared with other indexes, with an optimal cut-off value of 2.5. Patients with high CONUT score suffered a significantly higher incidence of overall complications (P<0.001). Age, haemoglobin level, C-reactive protein level, red blood cell level, CONUT scores, type of operative procedure, pathological TNM classification of T1, T4, N0, and N3, and pathological stage of I and III were associated with postoperative complications (P<0.05). Furthermore, preoperative CONUT score was identified as an independent risk predictor of postoperative complications (P=0.012; OR=2.433; 95% CI: 1.218-4.862) after multivariate analysis.Conclusions: The preoperative CONUT score is a practical nutritional assessment for predicting short-term outcomes in patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Masquerading as Vogt-koyanagi-harada Disease
Authors: Arce Ana , Relaño Naiara , Artaraz Joseba , Fonollosa Alex
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To report a case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.Case Report: A 61-year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography showed bilateral exudative retinal detachment and fluorescein angiography pinpoint leakage. The patient was diagnosed with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. Blood analysis revealed increased percentage of blast cells (69%) and bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia. He received chemotherapy treatment with multiple drugs including asparaginase, which caused hepatic disease and patient’s death despite ocular findings improvement.Conclusions: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia may present as a bilateral exudative retinal detachment and can mimic VKH. Therefore, clinicians should take into consideration the possibility of leukemia in such patients. This fact stresses out the importance of multidisciplinary management of uveitis conditions.
Improvement of Cost Performance Based on Bim Quantity Take-off Hospital Structure Work
Authors: Husin Albert Eddy , Meisaroh Myrna , Rahmawati Diah Ika , Kussumardianadewi Bernadette Detty
Published: December 2020

Indonesia's population is ranked 4th in the world after India and the United States, as well as the global Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia is also recorded with the most cases of infections and deaths due to Covid-19 in ASEAN, therefore Hospitals in Indonesia has not been able to represent the need for beds and health services. Therefore, the hospital building construction project has become a driven demand for the fulfillment of health services for the Indonesian population. Estimation is one of the causes of the cost overrun. Implementation of Building Information Modeling Quantity take-off (BIM QTO) in hospital structural work can be done if the cost breakdown is ≤ 24%. Statistical analysis by using the Relative Importance Index (RII) has a result in 10 rankings of factors that influence the implementation of BIM QTO, namely drawing, completeness Bill of Quantity (BoQ), TOR & specifications, cost reduction, preparation of activities in the work breakdown structure, cost breakdown, 3D modeling details, Data Interoperability, Quantity Take Off, Subcont & Supplier pricing, and cost database. Study cases with the implementation of BIM QTO on hospital building structures work cost efficiency up to 6.18%.
Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency And Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6-59 Months In Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hune Yidrsail , Asaye Hirut , Negesse Ayenew , Temesgen Habtamu , Yirga Tadesse , Mekonnen Habtamu
Published: December 2020

Background: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. It fondes both animal and plant sources in the form of retinol from animal sources or beta-carotene from plant source foods. Due to increased nutrient need and the severity of the potential health consequences are associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD), preschool children and pregnant women are considered as the most at risk segments of the community. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of VAD and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Dera woreda, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6-59 months in Dera woreda from December 1/2018 to January 1/2019. Multistage random sampling was used to select the required samples (267). Data were coded and entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was fitted. Both bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with VAD. Those variables that were showed significant association in multivariable association at P value less than 0.05 declared as statistically significant factors of VAD among children age 6-59 months. Results: Two hundred sixty seven mother-children Pairs were included in the study making a response rate of 94.7%. The overall prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency among children age 6-59 months was 7.8% (95% CI (4.7, 11.3). Antenatal care follow up (AOR: 0.446,95 % CI (0.155, 0.980)); birth interval within 2 year (AOR: 0.392, 95 % CI (0.107, 0.839)), and age group of24-35 months (AOR; 1.206, 95 % CI (1.037, 6.129)) were significantly associated with vitamin-A deficiency. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in this study was found to be lower than the national and regional prevalence. According to this study, VAD is a mild public health problem. Age of children, birth interval, ANC follow up, remain the most important associated factors for vitamin A deficiency. Therefore to decrease the prevalence of VAD, ANC service should be strengthened and we should focus on older children birth interval and age- based food needs.
Effect of Dissolved Oxygen and Acid on the Yield of 2,3-butanediol by Saccharomyces Cerevisiae W141
Authors: Yin ZiLiang , Liu DeAn , Ye ZeMing , Ge Jingping
Published: December 2020

Background: The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a promising host cell to produce 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO). However, the fermentation environment restricts 2,3‑BDO yield, productivity, and titre from engineered yeast. In the present study, we propose a strategy in which a suitable dissolved oxygen content and acid stress level can improve the 23-BDO yield of S. cerevisiae W141. Five different concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were evaluated and noxE overexpression was performed to disrupt the intracellular redox balance and alter the NADH content associated with 2,3‑BDO synthesis, which can significantly increase or inhibit 2,3‑BDO yield.Results: The five assayed short-chain fatty acids have different effects on the fermentation characteristics of yeast, were formic, butyric and valeric acids can inhibit the synthesis of 2,3‑BDO. Only low concentrations of acetic and propionic acids could significantly increase the yield of 2,3‑BDO, especially when 1 g/L acetic acid was added, which stimulated the expression of acid stress-related genes in S. cerevisiae W141 (haa1p and hog1p) and increase the 2,3-BDO yield by 29.74%. To further verify that acid stress primarily disrupts the intracellular redox balance by altering the NADH content, we constructed a S. cerevisiae strain, W141-E, which overexpresses the noxE gene of Lactobacillus. After adding 1 g/L acetic acid, the 2,3‑BDO yield from in S. cerevisiae W141-E increased by 43.64%, confirming the validity of our strategy. When the optimized fermentation oxygen content was 0.6 vvm, the 2,3‑BDO yield from S. cerevisiae was greatly improved after the addition of acetic acide.Conclusions: In the present study, we demonstrated that a suitable dissolved oxygen and acid stress are highly effective for increasing the 2,3-BDO yield from S. cerevisiae W141. 2,3-BDO biosynthesis was heavily dependent on the intracellular NADH content, which is closely associated with glycolysis and the TCA cycle and is likely important for the production of 2,3-BDO by S. cerevisiae.
Implementation of Foodcare a Hospital Nutritional Care Concept: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rasmussen Nanna Møller Lykkegaard , Erichsen Alexander , Christensen Allan Stubbe , Frederiksen Kirstine Guld , Okkels Signe Loftager , Viggers Lone
Published: December 2020

Background: Different attempts have been made to improve nutritional care and food intake in hospital inpatients. One way may be to improve the individual customisation of meals and meal time points. This pilot study compared the food concept FoodCare consisting of customised meals served on demand and standardised meals served at fixed time points concerning energy and protein intake in medical inpatients. Method: A pilot study including medical lung inpatients at a Danish regional hospital. The control group received a set menu with limited choices served at fixed times. The intervention group received a menu of customised dishes prepared by food professionals and served on demand. Results: Twelve patients were included in the control group and 26 patients in the intervention group. In the intervention group, the tendency showed an increased energy (8.8 ± 2.7 MJ (mean ± SD) compared with the control group of 7.3 ± 2.0 MJ, p=0.10) and protein intake (74 ± 26 grams compared with the control group of 60 ± 18 (mean ± SD) grams, p=0.08). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that a self-selected menu served on demand may potentially increase energy and protein intake in medical inpatients. The concept should be further tested in a randomised control trial with a sufficient sample size.
Hepatic Lipidomics Reveals the Homeostasis and Profile of Sphingomyelin from Yak Butter in Normal-Fat Diet-Fed Rats
Authors: LUO Xin , SUN Wancheng , LUO Yihao
Published: December 2020

Background: Dietary sphingomyelin was showed to inhibit the uptake of lipids in mice fed with a high-fat diet, however, the effect of sphingomyelin on normal diet was on reported. The current study aims to examine the effects of sphingomyelin extracts from yak butter on hepatic steatosis and inflammation in C57/B6J mice fed with a normal diet. Methods: A UHPLC-QTOF-MS based lipidomics method was utilized to screen the liver metabolites and predict the dominant potential metabolic pathways after sphingomyelin feeding. Results: The results showed that sphingomyelin extracts reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets, suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IFN -γ, IL-6 and TNF - α, synchronously, promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10, IL-4 and IL-1Ra. In addition, sphingomyelin extracts exhibited the modulation on liver lipid metabolism when supplement sphingomyelin in normal diet for one month and five months. Specifically, 16, 68 different metabolites and 2, 6 metabolic pathways were identified by quantitative lipidomics, respectively. Six CERs including Cer(d18:1/18:0), Cer(d18:1/20:0), Cer(d17:1/22:0), Cer(d17:1/24:1), Cer(d17:1/24:0) and Cer(d17:0/26:1), six SMs including SM(d15:0/24:1), SM(d14:0/26:1), SM(d14:1/24:1), SM(d15:1/22:0), SM(d15:1/24:1) and SM(d19:1/26:1), and PS(18:1/22:6) were identified and can be used as potential biomarkers of steatosis and inflammation.Conclusions: This study highlighted the effects of yak butter sphingomyelin on hepatic steatosis, tissue inflammation and lipid metabolism of mice under a normal diet.
Comparison of citrate anticoagulation strategies in hemodialysis patients at high risk of bleeding: a multicenter prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Chen Shasha , Xu Mingjie , Wang Amanda Y , Liao Jinlan , Xu Wenhua , Jiang Lei , Yang Bin , Xiong Ying , Wang Shaoqing , Zhou Xiaoyan , Li Zan , Zhao Jiawei , Zhang Xuehui , Wang Dongmei , Lin Min , He Jia , Li Yan , He Qiang , Liu Li , Li Guisen , Hong Daqing
Published: December 2020

Background

To explore the effect of different citrate anticoagulation strategies and provide reference for prospective large sample RCT, we collected RCA strategies from different centers systematically and prospectively to compare the effectiveness and safety of different RCA strategies in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Methods

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in eight centers in Sichuan, China. RCA strategies were divided into three groups: RCA-one (Prefilter trisodium citrate infusion only); RCA-two (pre and post filter trisodium citrate infusion); RCA + saline (Prefilter trisodium citrate and post filter normal saline infusion). The blood flow ranged from 150–260 ml/min and citrate was infused at a rate of 180–260 mL/h.
Results

Totally 195 patients with 481 sessions of RCA were enrolled, including 141 patients, 337 sessions in the RCA-one group, 51 patients,133 sessions in the RCA-two group and 3 patients, 11 sessions in the RCA + saline group. The proportion of complete scheduled dialysis time was 97, 99.7 and 97.7% (p = 0.037) in three groups respectively, the majority of the adverse events were hypotension (5.5%), muscle cramps (0.8%), and access dysfunction (2.0%), most of which were mild in intensity. Blood coagulation score < 3 in venous expansion chamber were 83.1, 94.6 and 70%, respectively (p < 0.001). Blood coagulation score < 3 in dialyzer were 95.3, 96.1 and 90%, respectively (p = 0.83). Serum calcium levels before the venous line in RCA-two was significantly decreased at 2 h after treatment(p = 0.03). The serious clotting score (= 3) in venous expansion chamber in the RCA-two group was significantly lower than the RCA-one and saline group (p < 0.001). RCA-two had the lowest percentage of adverse events including hypotension (p = 0.023) and muscle cramps (p = 0.001) than other groups.
Conclusion

Citrate anticoagulation is safe and effective in general hemodialysis. Our study shows no significant difference in the circuit survival time among the three administrative strategies of citrates. Administration of citrate to both arterial and venous line appeared to provide better anticoagulation of intravenous jug and had the lowest percentage of adverse events.
Angiography significantly decreased serum levels of IL-8 independent of artery stenosis
Authors: Zare Lida , Eidi Akram , Safarian Mohammad , Arababadi Mohammad Kazemi
Published: December 2020

Background

Angiography is a safe cardiovascular technique for the diagnosis and treatment of the cardiovascular disorders. The potential effects of angiography on the cytokines are yet to be clarified completely. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are the important pro-inflammatory cytokines that participate in the pathogenesis of artery stenosis. The aim of his project was to study the angiography effects on the serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α.
Methods

Fifty-five participants in three groups, without, with one and with more than one artery stenosis, were explored in this project. Serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α were measured in the participants before and after angiography using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique.
Results

Serum levels of IL-8, but not TNF-α, were significantly decreased following angiography. X-ray doses had moderate positive correlation with serum levels of TNF-α in the patients with more than one artery stenosis. Serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-α were not different among male and female participants in all groups.
Discussion

Angiography may be a protective factor for inflammation in IL-8 dependent manner. Using angiography in the patients with more than one artery stenosis needs to be executed cautiously.
Preexisting resistance in cotton bollworm increases the risk of resistance to the concurrently planted Bt cotton and Bt maize
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Xu Feng , Huang Yunxin , Feng Hongqiang , Wan Peng
Published: December 2020

Background

Transgenic maize expressing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may be commercially planted in northern China where Bt cotton has been planted for more than two decades. While Bt maize brings additional benefits for insect control, it complicates the resistance management of cotton bollworm (CBW), Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), a common target of Bt cotton and Bt maize.
Results

We used a two-locus population genetic model to assess the risk of resistance in CBW when Bt cotton and Bt maize are planted concurrently. Results of model simulations showed that planting Bt maize together with Bt cotton significantly increases the risk of resistance if Bt cotton and Bt maize share a similar Bt toxin. The risk of resistance is higher in the case of one-toxin Bt maize than in the case of two-toxin Bt maize. Parameters associated with the preexisting resistance in CBW all could impact on the risk of resistance but with different extents. Among them, the most notable ones are the dominance of resistance and fitness cost, which can dramatically affect the risk of resistance, especially when the proportion of natural refuges is reduced.
Conclusions

We concluded that the preexisting resistance in CBW to Bt cotton can significantly increase the risk of resistance when Bt maize and Bt cotton are planted concurrently and that using two-toxin Bt cotton and maize instead of one-toxin ones are needed in order to reduce the risk of resistance.
Recent demographic histories of temperate deciduous trees inferred from microsatellite markers
Authors: Cao Yu , Zhang Da-Yong , Zeng Yan-Fei , Bai Wei-Ning
Published: December 2020

Background

Accurate inference of demographic histories of temperate tree species can aid our understanding of current climate change as a driver of evolution. Microsatellites are more suitable for reflecting recent historical events due to their high mutation rates. However, most programs analyze microsatellite data following a strict stepwise mutation model (SMM), which could cause false detection of population shrinkage when microsatellite mutation is not according with SMM.
Results

This study aims to reconstruct the recent demographic histories of five cool-temperate tree species, Quercus mongolica, Q. liaotungensis, Juglans cathayensis, J. mandshurica and J. ailantifolia, in eastern Asia by using 19 microsatellite markers and two methods considering generalized stepwise mutation model (GSM) (MIGRAINE and VarEff). Both types of software revealed that all populations experienced expansions after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In particular, J. cathayensis experienced a more serious bottleneck in its history than the other species, leading to a smaller effective population of ancestors, while Q. mongolica showed only a moderate increase in population size and remained stable after the expansion. In addition, the point estimates of the multistep mutation proportion in the generalized stepwise mutation model (pGSM) in all populations were between 0.50 and 0.65, which indicates that when inferring population demographic history of the above forest species using microsatellite molecular markers, it is better to assume a GSM rather than a SMM.
Conclusions

This study provides the first direct evidence that five cool-temperate tree species in East Asia have experienced expansions after the LGM using microsatellites data. Moreover, since the mutation model of microsatellite have a vital influence on demographic inference, combining multiple software programs such as MIGRAINE and VarEff can effectively reduce unnecessary errors caused by inappropriate model selection and prior setting.
Evaluation of the potential of organ glucose metabolism by 18F-FDG accumulation with insulin loading in super-aged mice compared with young normal mice
Authors: Zhao Jingmin , Tan Chengbo , Imai Ryota , Ukon Naoyuki , Shimoyama Saki , Maejima Yuko , Omiya Yuji , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Ito Hiroshi , Nan Guangxian , Zhao Songji , Shimomura Kenju
Published: December 2020

It is important to determine the functional changes of organs that occur as a result of aging, the understanding of which may lead to the maintenance of a healthy life. Glucose metabolism in healthy bodies is one of the potential markers used to evaluate the changes of organ function. Thus, information about normal organ glucose metabolism may help to understand the functional changes of organs. [18F]-Fluoro-2-deoxy-2-D-glucose (18F-FDG), a glucose analog, has been used to measure glucose metabolism in various fields, such as basic medical research and drug discovery. However, glucose metabolism changes in super-aged animals have not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in glucose metabolism in organs and brain regions by measuring 18F-FDG accumulation and 18F-FDG autoradiography with insulin loading in super-aged and young wild-type mice. In control groups, the levels of 18F-FDG accumulation in the blood, plasma, muscle, lungs, spleen, pancreas, testes, stomach, small intestine, kidneys, liver, brain, and brain regions, namely, the cortex, striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus, were all significantly higher in the super-aged mice. After insulin loading, the 18F-FDG accumulation levels showed negative changes in the pancreas and kidneys, as well as in the cortex, striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus in the super-aged mice, whereas positive changes were observed in those in the young mice. These results demonstrate that insulin loading decreases effect on 18F-FDG accumulation levels in some organs of the super-aged mice. Therefore, aging can increase insulin resistance and lead to systemic glucose metabolism dysfunction.
High incidence of stroke and mortality in pediatric critical care patients with COVID-19 in Peru
Authors: Munoz Alvaro Coronado , Tasayco Jaime , Morales Willy , Moreno Luis , Zorrilla David , Stapleton Angie , Seminario Ricardo , Pajuelo Patricia , Reyes Giuliana , Estupinan Matilde , Ortiz Manuel , Dominguez Jesus
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Pediatric critical care patients with COVID-19 treated in Peru have higher mortality than those previously reported from other countries. Pediatric providers have reported a high number of patients without comorbidities presenting with hemorrhagic strokes associated with COVID-19. We present a study analyzing the factors associated with mortality in this setting.Methods: Prospective case-control study that included patients < 17 years old admitted to a pediatric critical care unit with a positive test confirming COVID-19. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were laboratory results and length of stay. Fisher’s exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for the analysis.Results: Forty-seven patients were admitted to critical care. The mortality of our study is 21.3%. The mortality of patients with neurological presentation was 45.5%, which was significantly higher than the mortality of acute COVID-19 (26.7%) and MIS-C (4.8%), p 0.18. Other risk factors for mortality in our cohort were strokes and comorbidities. Only one patient presenting with hemorrhagic stroke had an undiagnosed comorbidity.Conclusion: Cerebrovascular events associated with COVID-19 in pediatric patients, including infants, must be recognized as one of the more severe presentations of this infection in pediatric patients.
Assessing immune infiltration and the tumor microenvironment for the diagnosis and prognosis of sarcoma 
Authors: Zhu Naiqiang , Hou Jingyi
Published: December 2020

Background: Sarcomas, cancers originating from mesenchymal cells, are comprehensive tumors with poor prognoses, yet their tumorigenic mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we characterize infiltrating immune cells and analyze immune scores to identify the molecular mechanism of immunologic response to sarcomas.Method: The “CIBERSORT” algorithm was used to calculate the amount of L22 immune cell infiltration in sarcomas. Then, the “ESTIMATE” algorithm was used to assess the “Estimate,” “Immune,” and “Stromal” scores. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to identify the significant module related to the immune therapeutic target. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed using the “clusterProfiler” package in R for annotation and visualization. Results: Macrophages were the most common immune cells infiltrating sarcomas. The number of CD8 T cells was negatively associated with that of M0 and M2 macrophages, and positively associated with M macrophages in sarcomas samples. The clinical parameters (disease type, gender) significantly increased with higher Estimate, Immune, and Stromal scores, and with a better prognosis. The blue module was significantly associated with CD8 T cells. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the blue module was mainly involved in chemokine signaling and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. CD48, P2RY10 and RASAL3 were identified and validated at the protein level. Conclusion: Based on the immune cell infiltration and immune microenvironment, three key genes were identified, thus presenting novel molecular mechanisms of sarcoma metastasis.
Mutations in CD14 gene may have significant effect on mastitis resistance/susceptibility of buffalo.
Authors: Pal Aruna , Pal Abantika , Sharma Arjava , Bhattacharya Tarun kumar
Published: December 2020

Background: CD14 is an important pattern recognition receptor having innate immune function and has antibacterial activity. It binds with LPS of gram-negative bacteria, arachidonic acid, and lipoteichoic acid. Being a receptor, it binds with the pathogen with the help of other cytokines. Mutations in CD14 affect the binding ability which in turn affects the biological potentiality. Method: The present study was conducted on 228 nos. of buffaloes pertaining to four different breeds as Murrah, Mehsana, Surti and Bhadawari. CD14 gene was characterized and polymorphism was detected through Single nucleotide conformation polymorphism. Association study was conducted for different variants of CD14 with mastitis in buffalo, detected through somatic cell count, california mastitis test.Result:Eight variants of CD14 were detected and mutational hotspots were detected in bubaline CD14 with 58 number of non-synonymous SNP, out of which 18 were observed to be deleterious and 34 as thermodynamically unstable. In the present study, we had detected the mutations in CD14 gene and its association with the somatic cell score and other indicators for mastitis. In-silico studies were conducted to understand the molecular mechanism how the mutations affect the biological potentiality by analyzing different domains and structural analysis along with various post-translational modification sites.Conclusion: Deleterious mutations were observed in CD14 gene which have significant effect on mastitis of buffalo. It may be employed for marker assisted selection, therapeutic application of recombinant CD14, gene therapy, transgenic or gene edited animal production with wild type CD14 resistant to mastitis as future strategy.
The clinical application of preoperative self-anticipated pain score and the correlation with surgical pain after elective surgery - a prospective observational study
Authors: Chang Wei-Shu , Hsieh Yi-Ting , Chen Moa-Chu , Chang Shu-Ching , Chen Tzu-Shan , Chang Yun-Chi , Lam Chen-Fuh , Tsai Yu-Chuan
Published: December 2020

Background: Current principles of postoperative pain management are primarily based on the types and extent of surgical intervention. This clinical study measured patient’s self-anticipated pain score before surgery, and correlated the scores with the pain levels and analgesic requirements after surgery.Methods: This prospective observational study recruited consecutive patients who received elective surgery in the E-Da Hospital, Taiwan from June to August 2018. Patients were asked to subjectively rate their highest anticipated pain level (numerical rating scale, 0-10) for the scheduled surgical interventions during their preoperative anesthesia assessment. After the operation, the actual pain intensity (NRS 0-10) experienced by the patient in the post-anesthesia care unit and the total dose of opioids administered during the perioperative period were recorded. Pain scores ³4 on NRS were regarded as being unacceptable levels for anticipated or postoperative pain.Results: A total of 996 patients were included in the study. Most of the patients (86%) received general anesthesia and 73.9% of them had a history of previous operation. Female anticipated significantly higher overall pain intensities than the male patients (adjusted odd ratio 1.532, 95% confidence interval 1.125-2.086; P=0.007). Patients who took regular benzodiazepine at bedtime (P=0.040) and those scheduled to receive more invasive surgical procedures were most likely to anticipate for higher pain intensity at the preoperative period (P<0.001). Although higher anticipated pain scores (NRS³4) were associated with higher postoperative pain levels (P=0.021) and higher total equivalent opioid dose (P=0.001) for acute pain management during the perioperative period, these surgical patients actually experienced less pain than they anticipated at the post-anesthesia care unit.Conclusion: This observational study found that patients who are female, use regular benzodiazepines at bedtime and scheduled for more invasive surgeries anticipate significantly higher surgery-related pain. Therefore, appropriate preoperative counseling for analgesic control and the management of exaggerated pain expectation in these patients is necessary to improve the quality of anesthesia delivered and patient’s satisfaction.
Clonazepam versus Lorazepam in the Treatment of Methamphetamine-Poisoned Children: A Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: Farnaghi Fariba , Rahmani Razieh , Hassanian-Moghaddam Hossein , Zamani Nasim , McDonald Rebecca , Gholami Narges , Gachkar Latif
Published: December 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of oral clonazepam versus oral lorazepam following initial parenteral benzodiazepine administration to control methamphetamine-induced agitation in children. Methods: In a single-center clinical trial, intravenous diazepam (0.2 mg/Kg) was initially administered to all methamphetamine-poisoned pediatric patients to control their agitation, followed by a single dose of oral clonazepam (0.05 mg/Kg; n=15) or oral lorazepam (0.05 mg/Kg; n=15) to prevent relapse of toxicity. Results: The median age [IQR] (range) was 15 [ 10, 36] (6-144) months. The source of poisoning was methamphetamine exposure from oral ingestion in 23 (76.7%) and passive inhalation in 7 (23.3%) patients. The most common symptoms/signs were agitation (29; 96.7%), mydriatic pupils (26; 86.7%), and tachycardia (20; 66.6%). Two in each group (13.3%) needed re-administration of intravenous diazepam due to persistent agitation. There was no report of benzodiazepine complications in either group. Conclusions: Clonazepam and lorazepam treatment was equally effective at similar doses. However, considering the higher potency of clonazepam, it seems that lorazepam is the safer benzodiazepine for oral maintenance treatment of methamphetamine-induced agitation in children and can be used with minimal complications. Trial registration: IRCT20180610040036N2, April 18 th , 2020. Retrospectively registered
Validation of the Arabic version of the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) among antenatal and postnatal women
Authors: Jr Hoda , Alfarhan Thikrayat , Alsuraimi Anas
Published: December 2020

Background Anxiety among women in the perinatal period is common. Assessing the severity of perinatal anxiety will help monitor the progress of the patient through the stages of anxiety and facilitated the treatment. This study assesses the validity and reliability of the “Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale” (PASS) in the Arabic language. Methods The PASS was translated into Arabic. 217 women in the antenatal and postnatal phase participated (92 antenatal and 125 postnatal) answered to PASS, GHQ12, EPDS-10, and DASS-21. Content validity, factor analysis, internal consistency, and test retest reliability were assessed. Results Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) were .88 and 0.79; respectively. The scale loaded on four components: acute anxiety, social anxiety, and dissociation; specific fears and trauma; general anxiety and adjustment; and perfectionism and control. Cronbach’s Alpha value for the scale was 0.78 and test retest correlation coefficient was 0.94. PASS significantly correlated with EPDS-10 (rho=0.46), GHQ-12(rho=0.58), the three components of DASS-21 (0.47, 0.50, and 0.43; respectively), and experiencing adverse life events Conclusion The Arabic translated version of the PASS showed reasonably adequate validity and reliability and can be used to screen for anxiety disorder among women in the perinatal phase.
Psychometric Properties of a New Self-Report Measure of Medical Student Stress using Classic and Modern Test Theory Approaches
Authors: Mosquera Matthew Joseph , Kaat Aaron , Ring Melinda , Agarwal Gaurava , Glickson Sydney , Victorson David
Published: December 2020

Background. Medical students face significant stressors related to the intense rigors of their training and education. Accurate measurement of their stress is important to quickly identify, characterize and ameliorate these challenges. Existing measures have limitations that modern measurement approaches, such as item response theory (IRT), are able to address. This study presents the calibration and validation of a new IRT-based measure called the Medical Student Stress Scale (MSSS).Methods. Following rigorous measurement development procedures described elsewhere, the authors created and tested a pool of 35 items with 348 1st – 4th year medical students along with demographic and external validity measures. Psychometric analysis included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, IRT modeling, and correlations with legacy measures.Results. Of the original 35 items, 22 were retained based on their ability to discriminate, provide meaningful information, and perform well against legacy measures. The MSSS differentiated stress scores between male and female students, as well as between year in school.Conclusion. Developed with input from medical students, the MSSS represents a student-centered measurement tool that provides precise, relevant information about stress and holds potential for screening and outcomes-related applications.