bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antisocial personality disorder and related factors of adolescents in multi-ethnic areas of China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Qiao , Wan Yu , Wang Jianhua , Yang Liying , Shen Fang , Ni Qinmin , Tan Qiu , Dong Liting , Yang Jing , Peng Hong , Zhang Shixiao , Huang Jibiao , Gao Xueyan , Fu Yanfen
Published: August 2022

Background Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) has a high incidence and does serious harm to society and families. Although it has received widespread attention, there is no research on the relationship between ASPD and ethnic groups. Therefore, our goal is to study the prevalence, potential risk factors and ethnic correlation of ASPD among adolescents in multi-ethnic areas of China.Methods We collected a sample of 2571 adolescents in China using a cross-sectional study. SPSS22.0 software was used with chi-square test for univariate analysis, logistics regression for multivariate regression analysis, to explore the distribution of ASPD and the relationship between social demographic factors.Results The positive rate of ASPD screening among adolescents in multi-ethnic areas in China is 24.2% (95%CI:22.5~25.8). Univariate chi-square test showed that gender, age, educational background, nationality, subjective family economic situation, single-child family, father's education level and mother's education level were related to the positive rate of ASPD screening, and the difference was statistically significant. Further logistics regression analysis showed that male (OR=3.541,95%CI: 2.915-4.301), Lisu nationality (OR=1.750,95%CI: 1.259-2.433) and single-child family (OR=,95%CI: 1.028-1.776) were independent risk factors for ASPD. Age ≥ 19 (OR=0.394,95%CI：0.219~0.712) and educational background of senior high school (OR=0.451,95%CI：0.311~1.106) are protective factors of ASPD.Conclusions High positive rate of ASPD screening among adolescents in multi-ethnic areas of China. Gender, age, educational background, nationality, subjective family economic situation, single-child family, father's education level and mother's education level are the influencing factors of ASPD. Male, Lisu nationality and single-child family were independent risk factors for positive ASPD screening, while age ≥ 19 years old and high school education were protective factors for ASPD.
Factors Affecting Health Insurance Utilization among Insured Population: Evidence from Health Insurance Program of Bhaktapur District of Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Sushmita , Ghimire Sailaja , Khanal Pratik , Sagtani Reshu Agrawal , Paudel Sudarshan
Published: August 2022

Background
The Government of Nepal introduced the family-based health insurance program in 2016 to increase financial protection and improve access to health care services. The aim of the study was to assess factors associated with the utilization of health insurance among insured population in an urban district of Nepal.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey using face-to-face interviews was conducted in 224 households of Bhaktapur district of Nepal. Household heads were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression with weighted analysis was done to identify predictors of service utilization among the insured residents.
Results
The prevalence of health insurance service utilization at the household level in the Bhaktapur district was 77.2% (n = 224). The number of elder members in the family (AOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.09–7.07), having family member with chronic illness (AOR 5.10, 95% CI 1.48–17.56), willingness to continue health insurance (AOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.47–3.25) and membership duration (AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05–1.24) were significantly associated with the utilization of the health insurance at the household level.
Conclusion
The study identified a particular group of the population who were more likely to utilize health insurance services, including the chronically ill and elderly. Health insurance program in Nepal would benefit from strategies to increase population coverage in health insurance, improve quality of health services, and retain members in the program.
Raising awareness for the lack of interest in STEM of primary school learners in Kazakhstan: experiences and perspectives
Authors: Ibrayeva Elvira Serikovna , Shaushekova Bayan Kyrykbayevna
Published: August 2022

The article deals with a specially developed program for the formation of STEM knowledge for primary schoolchildren in the system of additional education. The article listed the problems of the development of scientific and technical knowledge, emphasized the lack of interest and motivation of schoolchildren, lack of educational programs in the field of study. The article describes the experiences of foreign countries, the implementation of STEM in the educational process, which indicated the need to create a pedagogical system for the formation of scientific and technical knowledge. The purposes of this study is to identify the effectiveness of the model for the formation of knowledge in the field of STEM among students of junior classes in the system of additional education. The model of formation of knowledge in the field of STEM among younger schoolchildren in the system of additional education is described. Various methods of data collection were used during the three-year study with the participation of students of the experimental and control groups. Statistical significance of the obtained results was checked using Student's t-test. The comparative analysis of the data confirmed the differences in the dynamics of the formation of STEM competencies of junior schoolchildren in the experimental and control groups. The number of students experienced mental group, experiencing difficulties in scientific and technical activities, decreased to 53%. In the control group, improvement in each of the criteria averaged 6%, which is statistically insignificant. A model of the formation of STEM knowledge among younger schoolchildren in the system of additional education has been developed, which has confirmed its effectiveness for the development of students' ability to conduct scientific and technical activities, practical experiments in a game educational environment.
Clinical outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy in different triage methods
Authors: Jiang Fucheng , Yin Wenpeng , Jia Jianwen , Zhong Hongliang , Yang Hongchao , Huang Jvmei , Wang Yang , Liu He
Published: August 2022

Objective: We compare three treatment strategies for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for effectiveness and safety: 1) patients seen at a primary stroke center (PSC), started on emergency intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and then transported to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) [“drip and ship” (DS)]; 2) patients immediately transferred to CSC without starting IVT, for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) [“non-drip and ship” (non-DS)]; and 3) patients admitted directly to the CSC for assessment and subsequent bridging thrombolysis (BT) [“mothership” (MS)].Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients that underwent MT for AIS from November 2020 to November 2021 at our institution. Patients were divided into three groups: DS, non-DS, and MS, as defined above. Time course, multimodal CT features and clinical results were compared among the three groups, including onset-to-needle time (OTN), onset-to-groin time (OGT), onset-to-PSC time (OTP), PSC-to-groin-puncture time (PTG), door to needle time (DNT), door to puncture time (DPT), intravenous thrombolysis to puncture time (IVT-P), volumes of ischemic core and ischemic penumbra, postoperative modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score, postoperative hemorrhagic transformation and malignant edema, 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score and mortality.Results: The study included 41 patients, with 12, 12, and 17 patients in DS, non-DS, and MS groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics, such as age, gender, past history, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, did not differ among the three groups. OGT differed among the three groups (P <0.001). The DS group had a significantly longer OGT than the MS group (DS median, 390 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 326-500 minutes versus MS median, 235 minutes; IQR, 159-270 minutes; P <0.001), a significantly shorter OTP than the non-DS group (DS median, 94 minutes; IQR, 82-116 minutes versus non-DS median, 463 minutes; IQR, 335-787 minutes; P <0.001), and a longer PTG than the non-DS group (DS median, 271 minutes; IQR, 204-364 minutes versus non-DS median, 162 minutes; IQR, 111-240 minutes; P =0.002). OTN was longer in the MS group than the DS group (MS, 150.9 ± 48.8 minutes versus DS, 111.7 ± 47.7 minutes; P = 0.041). IVT-P was shorter in the MS group compared with DS (MS median, 56 minutes; IQR, 39.5-102 min versus DS median, 275 minutes; IQR, 186-390.75 min, P <0.001). No significant differences were present among groups in volume of the ischemic core, ischemic penumbra, rate of recanalization, malignant edema, hemorrhage transformation, number with mRS ≤2 at 3 months, or mortality at 3 months.Conclusions: DS is a safe and effective method, with no increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage transformation, malignant edema or death compared to non-DS and MS methods.
Scaling up the '24/7 BHU' strategy to provide round-the-clock maternity care in Punjab, Pakistan: A theory-driven, co-produced implementation study
Authors: Salway Sarah , Mumtaz Zubia , Bhatti Afshan , Dawson Jeremy , Barnes Amy , Jhangri Gian
Published: August 2022

BackgroundPakistan’s maternal mortality rate remains persistently high at 186/100,000 live births. The country’s government-run first-level health care facilities, the Basic Health Units (BHU), are an important source of maternity care for rural women. However, BHUs only operate on working days from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Recognizing this severely constrains access to maternity services, the government is implementing the ‘24/7 BHU Initiative’ to upgrade BHUs to provide round-the-clock care. Although based on a successful pilot project, initial reports reveal challenges in scaling up the initiative. This implementation research project aims to address a key concern of the Government of Punjab: How can the 24/7 Basic Health Unit (BHU) initiative be successfully implemented at scale to provide high quality, round-the-clock skilled maternity care in rural Punjab? MethodsThe project consists of two overlapping work packages (WP). WP1 includes three modules generating data at directorate, district and BHU levels. Module 1 uses document analysis and policy-maker interviews to explicate programme theory and begin to build a system model. Module 2 compares government-collected data with data generated from a survey of 1500 births to assess BHU performance. Module 3 uses institutional ethnographies in 4-5 BHUs in three districts to provide a detailed system understanding and identify processes that influence scale-up. WP2 includes two modules. First, two workshops and regular meetings with stakeholders integrate WP1 findings, identify feasible changes and establish priorities. Next, "change ideas" are selected for testing in one district and 2-3 BHUs through carefully documented pilots using the PDSA improvement approach. An integrated knowledge translation approach will engage key policy and practice stakeholders throughout the project. DiscussionThis theory driven implementation research project will co-produce significant new understandings of the wider system in which the ‘24/7 BHU’ initiative is being implemented, and actionable knowledge that will highlight ways the implementation processes might be modified to enable BHUs to meet service provision goals. This study will also produce insights that will be relevant for other South Asian and LMICs that experience similar challenges of programme scale-up and delivery of maternal health services to remote and marginalised communities.
Oral microbiota characteristics in Intra-oral halitosis patients and innovative therapeutic approaches
Authors: Huang Zhiqiang , Cheng Yongbo
Published: August 2022

Background: Intra-oral halitosis (IOH), defined as halitosis produced locally by the oral cavity except for systemic diseases, is one of the main causes of interpersonal interactions and psychological disorders in modern society. We compared the characteristics of different ecological sites of oral microbial in patients with IOH to propose a microbiota transplantation treatment based on the goal of restoring oral microecological balance.ObjectiveTo collect saliva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and jaw mucosa microbial samples from patients with IOH and healthy subjects to study the differences in microbial community composition in different ecological sites of their oral cavity, to explore the relationship between IOH and oral microbial, and to explore novel microbiological treatment approaches.MethodsThree healthy subjects (DZ group) and seven patients with IOH who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University with halitosis as their main complaint (KC group) were chosen at random among patients who visited the hospital between June 2017 and June 2022. Saliva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and jaw mucosa microbial samples were collected from both groups, and breath measurements and tongue scores were recorded independently in each. The microbiota in different ecological sites of the oral cavity was analyzed using the 16SrRNA method for taxonomic comparison, diversity analysis, and inter-group species difference analysis.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the microbiota diversity of saliva (Z=-1.709, P=0.087), tongue (Z=-0.342, P=0.732), and buccal mucosa (Z=-1.481, P=0.138), or jaw mucosa (Z=-0.342, P=0.732). Adonis analysis showed statistically significant differences only between salivary microbiota groups (R2=0.175, P=0.011), but not between tongue (R2=0.125, P=0.25), and buccal mucosa (R2=0.144, P=0.128), or jaw mucosa (R2=0.132, P=0.178). The structure of salivary microbiota was altered in the 2 groups of study subjects, and among the top 10 species in terms of abundance, the differences were statistically significant at the phylum level for the Spirochaetes (Z=-2.165, P=0.03), at the family level for the Pasteurellaceae (Z=-2.393, P=0.017), and the genus level for the Haemophilus and Actinobacillus (Z= -2.393, P=0.017). LEfSe analysis showed that the saliva of the KC group showed a higher abundance of Microbacterium, Megasphaera, Proteobacteria, Campylobacter, and Spirochaetales.ConclusionsAlteration of oral microbiota structure is the root cause of Intra-oral halitosis, and salivary microbiota transplantation may be a new strategy to restore oral microbiota structure and treat Intra-oral halitosis.
Extensive substrate recognition by the streptococcal antibody-degrading enzymes IdeS and EndoS
Authors: Sudol Abigail , Butler John , Ivory Dylan , Tews Ivo , Crispin Max
Published: August 2022

Enzymatic cleavage of IgG antibodies is a common strategy used by pathogenic bacteria to ablate immune effector function. The Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium secretes the protease IdeS and the glycosidase EndoS, which specifically catalyse cleavage and deglycosylation of human IgG, respectively. IdeS has received clinical approval for kidney transplantation in hypersensitised individuals, while EndoS has found application in engineering antibody glycosylation. Here, we present crystal structures of both enzymes in complex with their IgG1 Fc substrate, which was achieved using Fc engineering to disfavour preferential Fc crystallisation. The IdeS protease displays extensive Fc recognition and encases the antibody hinge. Conversely, the glycan hydrolase domain in EndoS traps the Fc glycan in a flipped-out conformation, while additional recognition of the Fc peptide is driven by the so-called carbohydrate binding module. Understanding the molecular basis of antibody recognition by bacterial enzymes will facilitate the development of next-generation enzymes for clinical and biotechnological use.
Pirfenidone affects human cardiac fibroblast proliferation and cell cycle activity in 2D cultures and engineered connective tissues
Authors: Meyer Friederike , Santos Gabriela Leao , Doan Thao Phuong , DeGrave Alisa Nicole , Lutz Susanne
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The anti-fibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD) is currently in clinical testing for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, however, its effects on human cardiac cells have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the impact of PFD on human cardiac fibroblasts (CF) in 2D culture as well as in 3D engineered connective tissues (ECT).
Methods
We analyzed proliferation by automated cell counting and changes in signaling by immunoblotting. We generated ECT with different geometries to modify the cellular phenotype and investigated the effects of PFD on cell number and viability as well as on cell cycle activity. We further studied its effect on ECT compaction, contraction, stiffening and strain resistance by ECT imaging, pole deflection analysis, and ultimate tensile testing.
Results
Our data demonstrate that PFD inhibits human CF proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.43 mg/ml and its anti-mitogenic effect was further corroborated by an inhibition of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and riboprotein S6 (rpS6) phosphorylation. In ECT, a lower cell cycle activity was found in PFD-treated ECT and fewer cells resided in these ECT after 5 days of culture compared to the control. Moreover, ECT compaction as well as ECT contraction was impaired. Consequently, biomechanical analyses demonstrated that PFD reduced the stiffness of ECT.
Conclusion
Taken together, our data demonstrate that the anti-fibrotic action of PFD on human CF is based on its anti-mitogenic effect in 2D cultures and ECT.
An improved normal sawing force model with spherical abrasive particles for ultrasonic assisted inner diameter sawing
Authors: Wang Lu-Lu , Pei Yong-Chen , Zhang Hang , Wang Bin , Liu Qin-Jian , Wang Dong-Xu , Wang Bao-Hua , Sui Wen-Chao
Published: August 2022

Ultrasonic assisted inner diameter machining is a common slicing method for hard and brittle materials, and the sawing force is the main factor affecting the quality of workpiece surface and tool life, so to explore the sawing force is to research the sawing process. An improved model of normal sawing force is proposed in this paper with spherical abrasive particles. A series of sawing experiments were carried out with alumina ceramics (99%) as typical hard and brittle materials to verify the correctness of the theoretical model and discuss the influence of machining parameters on the normal sawing force. In the experiment, the results show that the average error and the variance of the improved normal sawing force model are decreased obviously compared with the average error and the variance of the regular tetrahedral abrasive normal sawing force model. So, the model proposed in this paper is more accurate. The establishment of this model has guiding significance for the selection of process parameters, the improvement of processing efficiency and quality in subsequent actual production and processing.
Dopamine-Modified Hyaluronic Acid (DA-HA) As A Novel Dopamine-Mimetics With Minimal Autoxidation And Cytotoxicity
Authors: Kim Sunpil , Kim Ye-Ji , Park Kyoung Hwan , Huh Kang Moo , Kang Sun-Woong , Lee Changjoon Justin , Woo Dong Ho
Published: August 2022

Dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid (DA-HA) has been initially developed as an efficient coating and adhesion material for industrial uses. However, the biological activity and safety of DA-HA in the brain have not been explored yet. Here, we report a series of evidence that DA-HA exhibits similar functionality as dopamine (DA), but with much lower toxicity arising from autoxidation. DA-HA shows very little autoxidation even after 48-hour incubation. This is profoundly different from DA and its derivatives including L-DOPA, which all induce severe neuronal death after pre-autoxidation, indicating that autoxidation is the cause of neuronal death. Furthermore,in vivoinjection of DA-HA induces significantly lower toxicity compared to 6-OHDA, a well-known oxidized and toxic form of DA, and alleviates the apomorphine-induced rotational behavior in the 6-OHDA animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Our study proposes that DA-HA with DA-like functionalities and minimal toxicity can be an effective therapeutic substitute for L-DOPA in Parkinson’s disease.
A novel recombination protein C12ORF40/REDIC1 is required for meiotic crossover formation
Authors: Shi Qinghua , Fan Suixing , Wang Yuewen , Jiang Hanwei , Jiang Xiaohua , Zhou Jianteng , Jiao Yuying , Ye Jingwei , Xu Zishuo , Wang Yue , Xie Xuefeng , Zhang Huan , Li Yang , Liu Wei , Zhang Xiangjun , Ma Hui , Shi Baolu , Zhang Yuanwei , Zubair Muhammad , Shah Wasim , Xu Zhipeng , Xu Bo
Published: August 2022

During meiosis, at least one crossover must occur in each chromosome pair to ensure their accurate segregation. However, the mechanism of crossover formation is poorly understood. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized recombination protein, C12ORF40/REDIC1, essential for meiotic crossover formation. A homozygous frameshift mutation in C12orf40 was identified in two genetically unrelated infertile men with meiotic arrest. Subsequent analysis showed that REDIC1 forms discrete foci in the paired regions of homologous chromosomes depending on strand invasion. Mouse models mimicking the patients’ mutation showed reductions in crossover and bivalent formation, leading to spermatogenic failure. Notably, mutant spermatocytes displayed reduced numbers of MSH4 and TEX11 foci, accompanied by synaptic defects. Correspondingly, these phenotypes were also observed in our patients. Finally, biochemical results showed that the identified mutation impairs its ability to bind branched recombination intermediates. Therefore, our findings reveal a crucial role for C12ORF40/REDIC1 in meiotic crossover formation by stabilizing the recombination intermediates, providing prospective molecular targets for the clinical diagnosis and therapy of infertility.
Biodegradation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons Toluene and Xylene through native bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis RD20
Authors: Doley Ruby , Barthakur Manoj
Published: August 2022

A bacterial strain designated as RD20 isolated from oil contaminated soil and identified as Bacillus subtilis through biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, have the ability to degrade toluene and xylene, the mono-aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum contaminant. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis showed characteristic peaks, that reveals that the bacterial strain was able to degrade toluene and xylene efficiently within 7 days of incubation periods. Intermediate metabolites of toluene degradation in treated culture media were detected as benzeneacetic acid, acetic acid, 2-Propanol, 1,3-benzenediol, pivalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexanoic acid, pentane, propiolic acid, cyclopentane-1,2-diol, hexanedioic acid and propionic acid through GC-MS (Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry). Whereas Xylene degradation products detected through GC-MS were 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, propane, cyclopropane, hexane, acetic acid, benzyl alcohol, formic acid, propane, ethane, cyclobutane carboxylic acid, phenol, propanedioic acid, pentane, phthalic acid and succinic acid, respectively, which further confirms the biodegradation of the monoaromatic hydrocarbons. This bacteria is thus, suitable for application in bioremediation process in hydrocarbon contaminated sites.
Addressing energy poverty through technological and governance innovation
Authors: Anais Varo , Jiglau George , Grossmann Katrin , Guyet Rachel
Published: August 2022

Background
Energy poverty has gained much traction over the last decades, holding both high multidisciplinary conceptual value, but also profound implications from a social policy perspective, being closely linked to the quality of life and wellbeing. The goal of our study is to evaluate recent measures aimed at tackling energy poverty in Europe by analysing the extent to which they are innovative on the technological and governance dimensions. We do so by building an analytical tool which combines evaluation criteria along the two dimensions and by employing it for the analysis of twenty measures designed and employed in ten European countries, aimed at tackling energy poverty, selected with the support of an expert panel.
Results
We identify three types of innovative measures aimed at alleviating energy poverty: 1) measures with high technological scores, 2) measures with high governance scores, and 3) measures with high scores on both axes. The most successful measures have a clear goal of behaviour change. They incorporate different actors in sustainable partnerships and implement monitoring tools throughout the process. These are complementary to incorporating new technologies into the domestic sphere and promoting consumer awareness and consumption pattern transformation.
Conclusions
Our findings allow for a better perspective on the shape innovation takes in the context of energy poverty policies. Our research confirms that “innovation” is context-dependent and that the introduction of technological innovations has to be examined within the complexity of political, institutional and cultural context.
Initial experience of a novel ureteral silicone-covered metallic mesh stent in malignant ureteric obstruction
Authors: Choo Seol Ho , Boo Youngjun , Chung Jae Hoon , Han Deok Hyun
Published: August 2022

Purpose: To investigate initial experiences and outcomes of a retrograde inserted new silicone-covered metallic ureteric stent (Urexel™) for malignant ureteric obstruction.Methods: We reviewed the medical records for 12 consecutive patients who underwent Urexel™ stent placement for malignant ureteric obstruction from March 2020 to March 2021. The Urexel™ stent is a segmental metallic ureteric stent composed of a nitinol mesh covered with a silicone membrane. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and complications of this new metallic ureteric stent.Results: The mean age of patients was 58.0 ± 9.9 years, and the median follow-up was 4.5 (0.9–12.5) months. One of the 12 patients underwent bilateral stent insertion, Urexel™ stents were placed in a total of 13 ureteral units. There was no technical failure during stent placement. The mean length of obstructions was 10.3 ± 6.5 cm, and the mean length of the stent-indwelled segment of the ureter was 18.9 ± 4.5 cm. Balloon dilation was necessary in 38.5% (5/13 ureter units) of cases. The overall success rate was 76.9% (10/13). Stent migration was the cause of overall treatment failure in all three cases of failure, with elapsed time to failure of 0.9, 2.6, and 12.5 months. Stent migration occurred in three cases. Common complications included persistent pain, acute pyelonephritis, and lower urinary tract symptoms, but they were grade I or II.Conclusions: In this initial series of novel ureteral silicone-covered metallic mesh stents, Urexel™ showed favorable outcomes with a high success rate and acceptable complication rate in malignant ureteric obstructions.
Left ventricular global function index is associated with myocardial iron overload and heart failure in thalassemia major patients
Authors: Meloni Antonella , Positano Vincenzo , Pistoia Laura , Righi Riccardo , Missere Massimiliano , Grassedonio Emanuele , Schicchi Nicolò , Vallone Antonino , Gamberini Maria Rita , Cuccia Liana , Lisi Roberto , Cecinati Valerio , Spasiano Anna , Cademartiri Filippo
Published: August 2022

Purpose. The left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) is a comprehensive marker of cardiac performance, integrating LV morphology with global function. We explored the cross-sectional association of LVGFI with myocardial iron overload (MIO), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial fibrosis, and heart failure (HF) in β-thalassemia major (TM) patients. Methods. We considered 1352 adult TM patients (708 females, 32.79 ± 7.16years) enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network and 112 healthy subjects (50 females, 32.09 ± 6.08years). LVGFI and LVEF were assessed by cine images and MIO by multislice multiecho T2* technique. Replacement myocardial fibrosis was detected by late gadolinium enhancement technique. Results. LVGI and LVEF were significantly lower in patients with significant MIO (global heart T2*<20ms) than in patients without MIO and in healthy subjects but were comparable between TM patients without MIO and healthy subjects. In TM, LVGFI was significantly associated with LVEF (R = 0.733; p < 0.0001). Global heart T2* values were significantly associated with both LVGFI and LVEF, but the correlation with LVGFI was significantly stronger (p = 0.0001). Male sex, diabetes mellitus, significant MIO, and replacement myocardial fibrosis were the strongest predictors of LVGFI. Eighty-six patients had a history of HF and showed significantly lower global heart T2* values, LVEF, and LVGFI than HF-free patients. A LVGFI ≤ 44.9% predicted the presence of HF. The LVGFI showed a diagnostic performance superior to that of LVEF (area under the curve: 0.67 vs. 0.62; p = 0.039). Conclusion. In TM patients the LVGFI correlates with MIO and provides incremental diagnostic value for HF detection compared with LVEF.
Isolation, Identification and Pathogenic Effects of Trichoderma spp. from Auricularia auricula
Authors: Dang Hui , Kong Qianqian , Winchester William , Wan Xin , Lei Yu , Zhang Haisheng , Zhao Yu , Liu Xinyu , Xu Ben Bin , Zhang Baoshan , Wang Zhe
Published: August 2022

Auricularia auricula, one of the most important edible mushrooms, is affected heavily by Trichoderma. We collected the diseased samples from the main A.auricula cultivation regions to characterize the pathogen and study the effect of Trichoderma spp. on A.auricula species. We identified one Trichoderma species, T.pleuroticola, based on the internal transcribed spacer and morphology characteristics and two types of A.auricula strains, Heiwei 15 (HW 15) and Hei 29 (H 29) were tested in this work. The growth rate of T.pleuroticola was 3.26–3.52 times higher than that of A.auricula and advantageously competed for living space and nutrients. In confrontation culture, T.pleuroticola completely inhibited the mycelium growth of A.auricula and grew on it, resulting in the diverse impact on HW 15 and H 29. In addition, T.pleuroticola can produce metabolites with antibacterial activity. The inhibition rate of volatile metabolites to H-29 and HW 15 was 13.46% and 10.44%, and the inhibition rate of nonvolatile metabolites to H-29 and HW 15 was 36.04% and 31.49%, respectively. These antifungal activities of inhibiting the growth of A.auricula were abbtributed to the organic compounds from T.pleuroticola, nonanal, tyrosine, beta-sitosterol, and wortmannin, which were identified by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In short, T. pleuroticola was a highly pathogenic fungi in the production of A.auricula.
The whole-of-society approach of mass COVID-19 vaccination in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Wang Qian , Qu Zhiqiang , Tu Shiyi , Chen Xi , Hou Zhiyuan
Published: August 2022

Background It is vital to summarize the experiences of mass COVID-19 vaccination practice in countries with high vaccination coverage and provide implications for other countries. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination system and summarize the implementation experiences from health system perspectives in China.Methods We conducted a qualitative study to summarize the implementation experiences from health system perspectives in five representative cities in China late 2021. Semi-structured interviews and COVID-19 vaccination policy documents were collected and coded by thematic analysis approach. Interview guideline was developed according to six building blocks of health systems framework proposed by the WHO, including leadership and governance, health workforce, vaccination service delivery, financing, access to vaccines, and information system; and a new system building block, vaccination mobilization and communication, was added to the interview guideline.Results Totally 61 participants (nine vaccination program directors of CDCs, four government staffs, and 48 vaccination service workers) were interviewed. We found that China adopted a whole-of-society approach with adequate government engagement and linked health and non-health sectors as a whole to promote COVID-19 vaccination. Key measures included the collaboration of multi-system and multi-department from the governance perspective, allocation of sufficient health workers and resources, large-scale vaccination mobilization and communication, expansion of vaccine financing channels, localized production, and digital information systems. With vaccination system strengthening, the two-doses vaccination coverage reached 89.5% as of July 2022.Conclusions Our study stresses the importance of a government-led whole-of-society approach to promote mass vaccination, and the low vaccination coverage among the elderly should be paid the highest attention. The experiences and lessons from China may serve as a reference for other countries.
In(OTf)3 Catalyzed Regioselective Approach for Synthesis of Multi-Functionalized Benzopyranophenazine Derivatives as Latent Corrosion Inhibitors on Mild Steel in 1 M HCl
Authors: Leelakrishnan Saraswathi , Elumalai Dhanaseker , Jagadeesan Saranya , Nachimuthu Gunavathy , Jayabal Kamalraja
Published: August 2022

A rapid and regioselective strategy have developed for synthesis of multi-functional phenazine derivatives such as 3- amino-1- (2-hydroxy phenyl) -1H- benzo[a] pyrano [2,3-c] phenazine -2- carbonitrile benzo-pyrano-phenazine(BPP), 3-amino-1-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-c]phenazine-2-carbonitrile (MBPP)and 3-amino-1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-c]phenazine-2-carbonitrile(BBPP)using In(OTf)3as catalyst in simple one-pot multi-component reaction. Further, the regioselectivity of the product formation was confirmed by DFT studies. In addition, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their corrosion inhibition strength on mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid solution by using weight loss and electrochemical techniques in the first time. Interestingly, the inhibition efficiency was increased up to 98.64 % with an increase in the inhibitor concentration and it was decreased with increases in temperature. These results indicate that our synthesized compounds adopt the Langmuir isotherm model. Further, the polarization measurements clearly indicate that synthesized phenazine derivatives act as mixed-type inhibitors. Also, the electrochemical impedance studies (EIS) strongly revealed that these compounds inhibit corrosion by adsorption mechanism. Moreover, the efficiency of corrosion inhibitors was explained by the surface morphology of the inhibited and uninhibited specimens and was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the correlation between the inhibition performance of phenazines and their structural parameters was clearly examined by DFT calculations.
Brown Skua and South Polar Skua (Aves: Stercorariidae) A Hybridization Case or Same Species?
Authors: Mota Ana Carolina Marinho , Costa Erli Schneider , Torres João Paulo Machado , Araujo Jansen , Tormena Larissa Castro , Dantas Gisele Pires de Mendonça
Published: August 2022

Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarctica-lonnbergi) and South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) aoccur in the Antarctic Peninsula and are sympatric in distribution over about 500km. In this region hybridization between a male of South Polar Skua and a female Brown Skua producing a viable and fertile offspring has been reported. The present study aims to review the evolutionary history of South Polar Skua and Brown Skua to better understand the hybridization process between these species. To assess the evolutionary history between these species, 67 DNA samples were sequenced for AK1 locus, 70 samples for RAG1 locus and 96 samples for Cytb locus, sampling in King George and Elephant Island. Cytb and RAG1 loci showed greater genetic diversity in samples from hybrid birds than those of non-hybrid individuals and may reflect the outcome of the heterosis. Overall Brown Skua had higher genetic diversity than South Polar Skua. In addition, South Polar Skua showed probable populational expansion signals, in contrast to Brown Skua that showed population stability through time. However, our phylogenetic analysis did not corroborate the reciprocal monophyly between these species. Thus, South Polar Skua and Brown Skua show incomplete lineage sorting, indicating these species are a single taxonomic group.
Mainstreaming River sensitive urban planning approaches in Riverine cities-A case of Madurai city, Tamilnadu , India
Authors: P Jai Shankar , D Karthigeyan
Published: August 2022

Rivers and cities have a symbiotic connection in many ways, with interconnected surrounding ecosystems such as water bodies, channels, and natural drainage. However, rapidly changing climatic conditions, rising urbanisation, and out-of-date infrastructure exacerbate water difficulties by creating floods, water scarcity, and rehabilitation expenses on a scale that will surpass cities' capacity. The city-river connection is a strong, multi-generational link that must be considered when dealing with urban planning, infrastructure development, or even administration in the area, the Indian urban river management between city-river in riverine cities are in weaker relationship. Madurai city which is in banks of river Vaigai, there are concerns regarding Pollution in the rivers, drying up of river stretches, encroachment into floodplains, loss of river related biodiversity, and several others. Invariable development activities in the urban area to the river are the biggest cause for these issues and challenges. The Madurai's Master Plan dissatisfy to meet increasing urban development difficulties and challenges. The forthcoming Master Plan must plan for a river sensitive urban growth. This thesis research aims to include river sensitive planning within the city’s administrative boundaries, that views the river as a resource and guarantees that the city's development activities do not harm the river's health through environmentally inclusive development on both sides of the river, strengthening citizen-water connect, by enhancing quality of life, expanding opportunity while preserving the city’s character into a more resilient.
Association of 410L, 1016I and 1534C kdr mutations with pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and development of a one-step multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous detection of 1534C and 1016I kdr mutations
Authors: Sombié Aboubacar , Ouédraogo Mathias W. , Oté Manabu , Saiki Erisha , Sakurai Tatsuya , Yaméogo Félix , Sanon Antoine , McCall Philip , Kanuka Hirotaka , Weetman David , Badolo Athanase
Published: August 2022

Background: Since 2000, Burkina Faso has experienced regular dengue cases and outbreaks making dengue a health concern for the country. Previous studies in Burkina Faso reported the resistance of Aedes aegypti to pyrethroid insecticides associated with F1534C and V1016I kdr mutations. The current study reports high resistance of Ae. aegypti populations to pyrethroid insecticides supported by 410L/1016I/1534C kdr haplotypes; and a new multiplex PCR-based diagnostic of 1534C and 1016I kdr mutations is proposed. Methods: Larvae of Ae. aegypti were collected from three health districts of Ouagadougou in 2018. The resistance status of Ae. aegypti to pyrethroid insecticides was tested using CDC-bottle bioassays, and to malathion using WHO tube tests. Bioassay results were interpreted according to used protocols. Results: Females from each health district were strongly resistant to permethrin and deltamethrin (<20% mortality) but were fully susceptible to 5% malathion. The F1534C and V1016I kdr mutations were successfully detected using a newly-developed multiplex PCR, which was validated by comparison with fluorescent probe-based TaqMan assays for each mutation. The V410L kdr mutation was detected using an allele-specific-PCR, which was confirmed by TaqMan assays, and owing to novelty in local Ae. aegypti populations, also direct DNA sequencing. The 1534C kdr allele was near fixation, while V1016I and V410L kdr alleles were strongly correlated with allelic frequencies range from 0.5 to 0.7 across the three-health districts. The 1534C/1016I/410L haplotype was correlated with permethrin resistance (χ21=33.7; p<0.001) but not with deltamethrin resistance (χ21=0.03; p=0.86), however, the test power was limited by a low frequency of dead individuals. Conclusions: The trio of kdr mutations (F1534C, V1016I and V410L) may explain the high resistance to pyrethroids, however lack of substantial resistance to malathion suggests that this remains a viable option for dengue vectors control in Ouagadougou.
PV Fed EV Charging System Based on Re-Lift Luo Converter and DAB Converter
Authors: Kumar MuthuRam , Karuvelam Subha Karuvelam Subha
Published: August 2022

The insufficiency and soaring rate of fossil fuels, as well as growing concerns about global warming, have pushed Electric Vehicles (EV) to become a significant aspect of the future transportation system. The growth in adoption of EVs results in the need for broadly spread charging stations, hence a Photovoltaic (PV) based EV charging system is adopted, since the generation of power from PV is possible everywhere. An EV charging system with two converters is constructed in this research work, one of which is a re-lift Luo converter and the other is a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter. A re-lift Luo converter is adopted for conversion of the low PV voltage output to an enhanced voltage of higher level. The DAB converter is effective in providing the required galvanic isolation and allowing bidirectional power flow. The PV system’s output voltage fluctuates with changing weather conditions and solar irradiation. Hence, the operation of the re-lift Luo converter is controlled by using the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC), which is highly capable of addressing the uncertainties associated with PV output. The operation of the DAB converter is controlled by implementing Phase Shift (PS) control technique. MATLAB simulation is done to validate the proposed system's performance.
Professional resilience strategies utilized by occupational therapists to combat occupational stressors in health and social care settings
Authors: Ashby Samantha , Wales Kylie , Watkins Katrina
Published: August 2022

PurposeThe adoption of professional resilience strategies can foster and maintain career longevity in health and social care. This study investigates the professional resilience strategies used by occupational therapists to mitigate occupational stressors in workplaces and enhance career longevity.MethodCross-sectional survey. Participants were occupational therapy practitioners with two or more years work experience.ResultsThe survey was completed by 494 occupational therapists from 29 countries. The most used strategies were: Maintaining a belief in the value of occupational therapy, taking time for reflection on positive outcomes, using personal time management strategies, and engagement in informal and formal professional support networks.ConclusionsWhile health and social care workplaces inherently include occupational stressors, implementation of professional resilience strategies at service-level practitioner-level strategies and education-level assist in mitigating stressors and strengthen professional resilience. The identification of the strategies experienced occupational therapists use to counter occupational stressors and maintain professional resilience may enable practitioners and organizations to adopt effective strategies. For employers, cultivation of work-based professional resilience strategies which mitigate occupational stressors could improve the retention of occupational therapists in the workforce.
Environmental adaptability of the genus Carex-A case study of Carex heterostachya and Carex breviculmis in northwest China
Authors: Wang Xiaoqi , Feng Yuhan , Feng Xuewei , Liu Wanting , Hua Jinguo , Xie Fei , Ji Wenli
Published: August 2022

Carex heterostachya (CH) and Carex breviculmis (CB) are easy to develop lawns in a short period and exhibit high ornamental value in northwest China with high summer temperatures, uneven rainfall, and poor soil. Several questions are raised, including what type of plant functional traits has they formed for long-term survival and adaptation to this environment, which plant is more adaptable, as well as which leaf functional traits are critical to photosynthetic characteristics. After exploring the leaf functional traits of the two plants by gas exchange technology and field emission electron scanning technology, the following conclusions are drawn: (a) CB is a slow investment-return plant, which exhibits strong environmental adaptability and plasticity, and is resistant to barrenness, drought and shade. CH is a kind of quick investment-return plant, with high photosynthetic efficiency, well-developed transport tissue, and relatively shade-tolerant. The soil with low water content and poorer soil is suitable for CB cultivation, and CH is suitable for cultivation in the environment with sufficient light and rich nutrients. At the same time, both CB and CH can be used to enrich the diversity of understory landscape. (b) Carex have strong environmental adaptability, large variation in leaf structure traits, as well as strong plasticity. Leaf anatomical characters are stable, whereas there are differences in the interspecific variability and plasticity. (c) Specific leaf area (SLA) can serve as the main factor affecting the photosynthetic availability of Carex, the thickness of the stratum corneum(CUT), the thickness of the upper(UET) are secondary factors. These finding can provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and application of Carex and the expansion of turfgrass germplasm resources.
IL33-regulated NPM1 promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition via ERK/AP-1 signaling in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wang Yue , Cheng Demin , Li Ziwei , Sun Wenqing , Zhou Siyun , Peng Lan , Xiong Haojie , Jia Xinying , Li Wei , Han Lei , Liu Yi , Ni Chunhui
Published: August 2022

Background
Silicosis is a global occupational lung disease caused by the accumulation of silica dust. There is a lack of effective clinical drugs, and the pathogenic mechanisms remain obscure. Interleukin 33 (IL33), a pleiotropic cytokine, could promote wound healing and tissue repair via the receptor ST2. However, the mechanisms by which IL33 involves in silicosis progression need further exploration.
Results
Here, we demonstrated that the IL33 levels in the lung sections were significantly overexpressed after bleomycin (BLM) and silica treatment. ChIP assay, knockdown and reverse experiments were performed in lung fibroblasts to prove gene interaction following exogenous IL33 treatment or co-cultured with silica-treated lung epithelial cells. Mechanistically, we illustrated that silica-stimulated lung epithelial cells secreted IL33 and further promoted the activation, proliferation, and migration of pulmonary fibroblasts by activating the ERK/AP-1/NPM1 signaling pathway in vitro. Also, Treatment with NPM1 siRNA-loaded liposomes markedly protected mice from silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo.
Conclusions
In this study, we identified that NPM1 could involve in the progression of silicosis, which was regulated by IL33/ERK/AP-1 signaling. And treatment methods targeting this pathway may provide new anti-fibrotic clues in pulmonary fibrosis.