bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-chain fatty acids alter transcription of Helicobacter pylori virulence and regulatory genes
Authors: Valdez-Salazar Hilda A. , Ares Miguel A. , Fernández Francisco J. , Ibarra J Antonio , Torres Javier , Bustamante Víctor H. , De la Cruz Miguel A.
Published: November 2021

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is one of the most important risk factors for developing gastric cancer (GC). The type IV secretion system (T4SS) encoded in the cag pathogenicity island is the main virulence factor of H. pylori associated with GC. Additionally, other virulence factors have been shown to play a role in the H. pylori virulence, such as vacuolizing cytotoxin (VacA), urease, flagella, and adhesins. Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are signaling molecules that affect the transcription of virulence genes in several pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella enterica, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the effect of LCFAs on the transcription of H. pylori virulence and regulatory genes remains unknown. Here we analyzed whether the transcription of virulence genes that encode T4SS and cellular envelope components, flagellins, adhesins, toxins, urease, as well as the transcription of different regulatory genes of the H. pylori strain 26695, are altered by the presence of five distinct LCFAs: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Palmitic and oleic acids up-regulated the transcription of most of the virulence genes tested, including cagL, cagM, flaB, sabA, mraY and vacA, as well as that of the genes encoding the transcriptional regulators NikR, Fur, CheY, ArsR, FlgR, HspR, HsrA, Hup, and CrdR. In contrast, the other LCFAs differentially affected the transcription of the virulence and regulatory genes assessed. Our data show that LCFAs can act as signaling molecules that control the transcription of the H. pylori virulome.
Study and Design of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (0.5 kW) Using Software Solid Works
Authors: Donnou Hagninou E. V. , Boro Drissa , Fabiyi Jean Noé , Tovoeho Marius , Akpo Aristide B.
Published: November 2021

In the present work, the study and design of a horizontal axis wind turbine suitable for the Cotonou site were investigated on the coast of Benin. A statistical study using the Weibull distribution was carried out on the hourly wind data measured at 10 m from the ground by the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) over the period from January 1981 to December 2014. Then, the models, techniques, tools and approaches used to design horizontal axis wind turbines were presented and the wind turbine components characteristics were determined. The numerical design and assembly of these components were carried out using SolidWorks software. The results revealed that the designed wind turbine has a power of 571W. It is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator and has three aluminum blades with NACA 4412 biconvex asymmetrical profile. The values obtained for the optimum coefficient of lift and drag are estimated at 1.196 and 0.0189 respectively. The blades are characterised by an attack optimum angle estimated at 6° and the wedge angle at 5°. Their length is 2.50 m and the maximum thickness is estimated at 0.032 m for a rope length of 0.27 m. The wind turbine efficiency is 44%. The computer program designed on SolidWorks gives three-dimensional views of the geometrical shape of the wind turbine components and their assembly has allowed to visualize the compact shape of the wind turbine after export via its graphical interface. The energy quantity that can be obtained from the wind turbine was estimated at 2712,718 kWh/year. This wind turbine design study is the first of its kind for the study area. In order to reduce the technological dependence and the import of wind energy systems, the results of this study could be used to produce lower cost wind energy available on our study site.
Efficacy of Oral Clonidine as Premedication on Intraoperative Bleeding and Consumption of Inhalational Agent in Patients Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Chakole Vivek , Shankar Shilpa , Kota Sneha , Sen Jayashree , Madavi Sheetal , Vaishnav Devavrat
Published: November 2021

Aim: To study the efficacy of oral clonidine on intraoperative bleeding and consumption of inhalational agent in patients undergoing FESS under general anesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective, comparative observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anesthesiology, AVBRH, from June 2020 to May 2021.

Methodology: A total of 30 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria scheduled for FESS were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 15 each; GROUP C (Clonidine group, n=15) who received tab clonidine 5 mcg/kg, 90 minutes before surgery and GROUP M (Multivitamin group, n=15) who received multivitamin tablet. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) or absolute values were used to indicate data; comparison of qualitative data were done using Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test and quantitative variables using the student ‘t’ Test. P value < 0.05 was taken as statistically        significant.

Results: Bleeding was considerably less in the group C [1.65 ± 0.4] as compared to group M [2.20 ± 0.6] and is statistically significant [ P value = 0.006]. The mean MAC value (%) of sevoflurane consumption is lesser in the group C [1.25 ±0.25] than the group M [1.30 ±0.20] but not statistically significant (P value = 0.55). The mean dose (microgram) of fentanyl requirement was more in group M [ 120 ±20] than the group C [100 ± 25] and this was statistically significant (P value = 0.02).

Conclusion: Oral Clonidine can be used as an excellent premedication and provides cost effective method to attain controlled hypotension as there is lesser requirement of costly inhalational agent and other analgesic drugs. Also, it maintains better hemodynamic stability with fewer side effects.
Diffusion gravity and its consequences
Authors:   Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Zakir Zahid
Published: November 2021

Diffusion quantum mechanics (DQM), proposed recently (Zakir, 2020-21), describes a conservative diffusion of classical particles in a fluctuating classical scalar field and, in a homogeneous field, derives the formalism of quantum mechanics. In an inhomogeneous scalar field, DQM reproduces gravitation, and in the present paper, the following theory of diffusion gravity and its various consequences are considered. In DQM a part of the energy of the scalar field is transferred to particles as their fluctuation energy (“thermal” energy), appearing as their rest energy (mass). The resulting local decrease in the field’s energy density around a macroscopic body generates “thermal” diffusion flux of particles to this region. The properties of this “thermal” part of conservative diffusion are similar to gravitation. A high matter concentration in some region reduces the local energy density of scalar field sufficiently to reduce the local intensity of fluctuations. Due to the conservativity of diffusion, the increments in the drift velocity of particles are cumulative, and “thermal” diffusion acceleration arises, independent on the particle’s mass. The world lines become curved, and all processes with particles slowdown, which means time dilation. On hypersurfaces of simultaneity t = const, where the scalar field is defined, effective metrics, connection, and curvature arise. They obey to Einstein’s equations following from balance between energies of matter and background scalar field.
Spatiotemporal Dynamic Assembly/Disassembly of Organelle‐Mimics Based on Intrinsically Disordered Protein‐Polymer Conjugates
Authors: Zhao Hang , Ibarboure Emmanuel , Ibrahimova Vusala , Xiao Ye , Garanger Elisabeth , Lecommandoux Sébastien
Published: November 2021

Design of reversible organelle‐like microcompartments formed by liquid–liquid phase separation in cell‐mimicking entities has significantly advanced the bottom‐up construction of artificial eukaryotic cells. However, organizing the formation of artificial organelle architectures in a spatiotemporal manner within complex primitive compartments remains scarcely explored. In this work, thermoresponsive hybrid polypeptide‐polymer conjugates are rationally engineered and synthesized, resulting from the conjugation of an intrinsically disordered synthetic protein (IDP), namely elastin‐like polypeptide, and synthetic polymers (poly(ethylene glycol) and dextran) that are widely used as macromolecular crowding agents. Cell‐like constructs are built using droplet‐based microfluidics that are filled with such bioconjugates and an artificial cytoplasm system that is composed of specific polymers conjugated to the IDP. The distinct spatial organizations of two polypeptide‐polymer conjugates and the dynamic assembly and disassembly of polypeptide‐polymer coacervate droplets in response to temperature are studied in the cytomimetic protocells. Furthermore, a monoblock IDP with longer length is concurrently included with bioconjugates individually inside cytomimetic compartments. Both bioconjugates exhibit an identical surfactant‐like property, compartmentalizing the monoblock IDP coacervates via temperature control. These findings lay the foundation for developing hierarchically structured synthetic cells with interior organelle‐like structures which could be designed to localize in desired phase‐separated subcompartments.
Informed cover measurement: Guidelines and error for point‐intercept approaches
Authors: Drezner Taly Dawn , Drezner Zvi
Published: November 2021

Premise

The point‐intercept method is one of the most commonly used approaches to measure species cover in ecosystems worldwide. In this approach, multiple points are sampled for presence/absence of a species, and the number of present points divided by the total number of sampled points provides an estimate of percent cover. Our purpose is to mathematically analyze the accuracy of the point‐intercept approach and establish guidelines for its use.

Methods

We developed formulas that analyze the point‐intercept method and confirmed their effectiveness using simulations.

Results

We find that a point‐intercept spacing of at least 80% of the largest plant diameter provides the most reliable results. We present a user‐friendly spreadsheet that calculates the number of intercepts needed for fieldwork, as well as the standard deviation, expected deviation, and confidence interval of the collected data.

Discussion

We provide a variety of guidelines for establishing field protocols based on our results, including dealing with rare species and combining results for multiple species. Quadrat characteristics (intercept spacing, number of point intercepts) can now be easily calculated to guide research design prior to fieldwork; after fieldwork is complete, the accuracy of this technique can (and should) be reported in all future ecological studies in which it is used.
CAMSAP3 depletion induces lung cancer cell senescence‐associated phenotypes through extracellular signal‐regulated kinase inactivation
Authors: Wattanathamsan Onsurang , Chetprayoon Paninee , Chantaravisoot Naphat , Wongkongkathep Piriya , Chanvorachote Pithi , Pongrakhananon Varisa
Published: November 2021

Background

Cellular senescence is an aging‐related process found in cancer cells that contributes to irreversible growth arrest and tumor aggressiveness. Recently, calmodulin‐regulated spectrin‐associated protein 3 (CAMSAP3), a minus‐end microtubule‐stabilizing protein, has received increasing attention in cancer cell biology. However, the biological role of CAMSAP3 on senescence in human lung cancer remains incompletely understood.

Methods

The function of CAMSAP3 on the regulation of cellular senescence‐associated phenotypes in human non‐small cell lung cancer H460 cells were determined in CAMSAP3 deletion (H460/C3ko) cells. The effects of CAMSAP3 on cell proliferation were investigated using MTT and colony formation assays. The cell cycle activity was evaluated by flow cytometry and the senescence‐associated phenotypes were observed by SA‐β‐Gal staining. Quantitative RT‐PCR and westen blot were used to evaluate the expression of cell cycle and senescence markers. Moreover, the interaction of CAMSAP3‐ERK1/2 and possible partner protein was quantified using immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence. Lastly, an xenograft model were performed.

Results

CAMSAP3 knockout promotes lung cancer cell senescence‐associated phenotypes and induces G1 cell cycle arrest. Mechanistic investigation revealed that phosphorylated ERK (p‐ERK) was markedly downregulated in CAMSAP3‐deleted cells, suppressing cyclin D1 expression levels, and full‐length CAMSAP3 abrogated these phenotypes. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that vimentin, an intermediate filament protein, is required as a scaffold for CAMSAP3‐modulating ERK signaling. Furthermore, an in vivo tumor xenograft experiment showed that tumor initiation is potentially delayed in CAMSAP3 knockout tumors with the downregulation of p‐ERK and cyclin D1, resulting in a senescence‐like phenotype.

Conclusion

This study is the first to report an intriguing role of CAMSAP3 in lung carcinoma cell senescence‐associated phenotypes via the modulation of p‐ERK/cyclin D1 signaling.
Tear antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2: implications for transmission
Authors: Selva Kevin J , Davis Samantha K , Haycroft Ebene R , Lee Wen Shi , Lopez Ester , Reynaldi Arnold , Davenport Miles P , Kent Helen E , Juno Jennifer A , Chung Amy W , Kent Stephen J
Published: November 2021

Objectives

SARS‐CoV‐2 can be transmitted by aerosols, and the ocular surface may be an important route of transmission. Little is known about protective antibody responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 in tears after infection or vaccination. We analysed the SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA responses in human tears after either COVID‐19 infection or vaccination.

Methods

We measured the antibody responses in 16 subjects with COVID‐19 infection for an average of 7 months before, and 15 subjects before and 2 weeks post‐Comirnaty (Pfizer‐BioNtech) vaccination. Plasma, saliva and basal tears were collected. Eleven pre‐pandemic individuals were included as healthy controls.

Results

IgG antibodies to spike and nucleoprotein were detected in tears, saliva and plasma from subjects with prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in comparison with uninfected controls. While receptor‐binding domain (RBD)‐specific antibodies were detected in plasma, minimal RBD‐specific antibodies were detected in tears and saliva. By contrast, high levels of IgG antibodies to spike and RBD, but not nucleoprotein, were induced in tears, saliva and plasma of subjects receiving 2 doses of the Comirnaty vaccine. Increased levels of IgA1 and IgA2 antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens were detected in plasma following infection or vaccination but were unchanged in tears and saliva. Comirnaty vaccination induced high neutralising Abs in the plasma, but limited neutralising antibodies were detected in saliva or tears.

Conclusion

Both infection and vaccination induce SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG antibodies in tears. RBD‐specific IgG antibodies in tears were induced by vaccination but were not present 7 months post‐infection. This suggests the neutralising antibodies may be low in the tears late following infection.
The role of Primary Health Networks in cardiovascular disease prevention: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Cornell Samuel , Pickles Kristen , Crosland Paul , de Wet Carl , Trevena Lyndal , Bonner Carissa
Published: November 2021

Background

Since the inception of PHNs in Australia, their role in implementing chronic disease prevention activities in general practice has been unclear. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the views of PHN staff on the role of PHNs in promoting prevention, with a focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention.

Methods

Content analysis of PHN Needs Assessments was conducted to inform interview questions. Twenty‐nine semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 32 PHN staff, between June and December 2020, in varied roles across 18 PHNs in all Australian states and territories. Transcribed audio recordings were thematically coded, using the Framework Analysis method to ensure rigour.

Results

We identified three main themes: (a) Informal prevention: All respondents agreed the role of PHNs in prevention was indirect and, for the most part, outside the formal remit of PHN Key Performance Indicators (KPIs.) Prevention activities were conducted in partnership with external stakeholders, professional development and quality improvement programs, and PHN‐funded data extraction and analysis software for general practice. (b) Constrained by financial incentives: Most interviewees felt the role of PHNs in prevention was contingent on the financial drivers provided by the Commonwealth government, such as Medicare funding and national quality improvement programs. (c) Shaped through competing priorities: The role of PHNs in prevention is a function of competing priorities. There was strong agreement amongst participants that the myriad competing priorities from government and local needs assessments impeded prevention activities.

Conclusions

PHNs are well‐positioned to foster prevention activities in general practice. However, we found that PHNs role in prevention activities was informal, constrained by financial incentives and shaped through competing priorities. Prevention can be improved through a more explicit prevention focus at the Commonwealth government level. To optimise the role of PHNs, therefore, requires prioritising prevention, aligning it with KPIs and supporting stakeholders like general practice.
Crisis and change: How COVID‐19 exacerbated institutional inequality and how institutions are responding
Authors: Marsicano Christopher R. , Barnshaw John , Letukas Lynn
Published: November 2021

This article explores how the global Coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic impacted United States higher education over the course of the first year from Spring 2020–Spring 2021. Utilizing a case study methodology, blending proprietary, closely held, public use, and archival data, we find that political and institutional factors shaped the decision to return to in‐person instruction or remain online in fall 2020, which in turn, influenced the enrollment and financial health of institutions in that semester and beyond. Although nearly every institution of higher education was impacted, we find that those most adversely impacted are 2‐year public and 4‐year private baccalaureate institutions. Despite considerable challenges resulting from COVID‐19, we highlight several practices of how systems and institutions are innovating and how this work can be replicated to positively impact higher education for years to come.
A deep matrix completion method for imputing missing histological data in breast cancer by integrating DCE‐MRI radiomics
Authors: Fan Ming , Zhang You , Fu Zhenyu , Xu Maosheng , Wang Shiwei , Xie Sangma , Gao Xin , Wang Yue , Li Lihua
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Clinical indicators of histological information are important for breast cancer treatment and operational decision making, but these histological data suffer from frequent missing values due to various experimental/clinical reasons. The limited amount of histological information from breast cancer samples impedes the accuracy of data imputation. The purpose of this study was to impute missing histological data, including Ki‐67 expression level, luminal A subtype, and histological grade, by integrating tumor radiomics.

Methods

To this end, a deep matrix completion (DMC) method was proposed for imputing missing histological data using nonmissing features composed of histological and tumor radiomics (termed radiohistological features). DMC finds a latent nonlinear association between radiohistological features across all samples and samples for all the features. Radiomic features of morphologic, statistical, and texture were extracted from dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) inside the tumor. Experiments on missing histological data imputation were performed with a variable number of features and missing data rates. The performance of the DMC method was compared with those of the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) and collaborative filtering (MCF)‐based data imputation methods. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess the performance of missing histological data imputation.

Results

By integrating radiomics from DCE‐MRI, the DMC method showed significantly better performance in terms of AUC than that using only histological data. Additionally, DMC using 120 radiomic features showed an optimal prediction performance (AUC = 0.793), which was better than the NMF (AUC = 0.756) and MCF methods (AUC = 0.706; corrected p = 0.001). The DMC method consistently performed better than the NMF and MCF methods with a variable number of radiomic features and missing data rates.

Conclusions

DMC improves imputation performance by integrating tumor histological and radiomics data. This study transforms latent imaging‐scale patterns for interactions with molecular‐scale histological information and is promising in the tumor characterization and management of patients.
Juvenile Silver Carp and Bighead Carp as Forage for Predatory Fish in the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River
Authors: Anderson Cory A. , Anderson Rebekah L. , Wang Jun , Gillespie Neil , Lampo Eli G. , McClelland Nerissa N. , Solomon Levi E. , Pendleton Rich , Lamer James T.
Published: November 2021

Increasing numbers of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis (commonly called “bigheaded carp”) in the Illinois River have led to concerns about the impact that their invasion has on native food web dynamics. Bigheaded Carp recruited in large numbers in the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River during the summer of 2014. This provided an opportunity to determine whether native piscivorous fish prey upon invasive carp when they are abundant. Using electrofishing and fyke nets in the LaGrange Reach (August 1–November 8, 2014), we sampled native predatory fish (n = 1,472) for stomach content analysis. Fish community data from the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program’s Long-Term Resource Monitoring was used to quantify prey abundance (fish < 100 mm) in the study area and indicated that bigheaded carp represented 9% of available prey. Stomach content analysis revealed that the frequency of occurrence of juvenile bigheaded carp was greater than 15% in Shortnose Gar Lepisosteus platostomus, White Bass Morone chrysops, Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, White Crappie Pomoxis annularis, Yellow Perch Perca flavescens, Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens, and Yellow Bass Morone mississippiensis. Predators sampled in August and September foraged more heavily on juvenile bigheaded carp than those sampled in October and November. Electivity analysis suggested that juvenile bigheaded carp were selected over native forage by White Bass, Black Crappie, and Shortnose Gar, as these predators continued consuming them even as availability declined. Our results imply that native piscivores in the Illinois River consume and sometimes prefer juvenile bigheaded carp as prey. These results suggest that native predators might play a role in regulating bigheaded carp recruitment and that negative impacts to predators in areas of dense carp populations might be somewhat mitigated by the consumption of juvenile bigheaded carp.
Unique vesicular nano‐architecture of thiobarbiturate derived chitosan with excellent hydrophilicity
Authors: Mandal Piyali , Mukherjee Madhumita , Patra Diptendu , Shunmugam Raja
Published: November 2021

The natural polymer chitosan is conjugated with hydrophilic thiobarbiturate entity which makes the whole molecule amphiphilic as well as water‐soluble. The water solubility of this molecule leads to an interesting supramolecular architecture via self‐assembly. The monomers are synthesized via Friedel Crafts alkylation and ring‐closing reaction where homopolymers derivatives undergo coupling and thiol‐ene click reaction. The monomer and the modified polymers are well characterized through conventional spectroscopic techniques. The self‐assembly behavior is then confirmed through critical aggregation concentration study and dynamic light scattering. The field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images provide the architectures' fascinating morphology. Finally, the loading and release of doxorubicin drug are performed to investigate the biomedical applications.
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: Still Growing and Improving
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyu , Tang Baolin , Sun Zimin
Published: November 2021

Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) has been performed in the clinic for over 30 years. The biological and immunological characteristics of umbilical cord blood (UCB) have been re-recognized in recent years. UCB, previously considered medical waste, is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are naïve and more energetic and more easily expanded than other stem cells. UCB has been identified as a reliable source of HSCs for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). UCBT has several advantages over other methods, including no harm to mothers and donors, an off-the-shelf product for urgent use, less stringent HLA match, lower incidence and severity of chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), and probably a stronger graft-vs-leukemia effect, especially for minimal residual disease-positive patients before transplant. Recent studies have shown that the outcome of UCBT has been improved and is comparable to other types of allo-HSCT. Currently, UCBT is widely used in malignant, nonmalignant, hematological, congenital and metabolic diseases. The number of UCB banks and transplantation procedures increased exponentially before 2013. However, the number of UCBTs increased steadily in Asia and China but decreased in the United States and Europe year-on-year from 2013 to 2019. In this review, we focus on the development of UCBT over the past 30 years, the challenges it faces and the strategies for future improvement, including increasing UCB numbers, cord blood unit selection, conditioning regimens and GVHD prophylaxis for UCBT, and management of complications of UCBT.
Comparison of genomic selection models for exploring predictive ability of complex traits in breeding programs
Authors: Merrick Lance F. , Carter Arron H.
Published: November 2021

Traits with a complex unknown genetic architecture are common in breeding programs. However, they pose a challenge for selection due to a combination of complex environmental and pleiotropic effects that impede the ability to create mapping populations to characterize the trait's genetic basis. One such trait, seedling emergence of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from deep planting, presents a unique opportunity to explore the best method to use and implement genetic selection (GS) models to predict a complex trait. Seventeen GS models were compared using two training populations, consisting of 473 genotypes from a diverse association mapping panel phenotyped from 2015 to 2019 and the other training population consisting of 643 breeding lines phenotyped in 2015 and 2020 in Lind, WA, with 40,368 markers. There were only a few significant differences between GS models, with support vector machines reaching the highest accuracy of 0.56 in a single breeding line trial using cross‐validations. However, the consistent moderate accuracy of the parametric models indicates little advantage of using nonparametric models within individual years, but the nonparametric models show a slight increase in accuracy when combing years for complex traits. There was an increase in accuracy using cross‐validations from 0.40 to 0.41 using diversity panels lines to breeding lines. Overall, our study showed that breeders can accurately predict and implement GS for a complex trait by using nonparametric machine learning models within their own breeding programs with increased accuracy as they combine training populations over the years.
Schmerzen, Schmerzmitteleinnahme und mentale Gesundheit von Intensivpflegenden in Deutschland
Authors: Hönl Ann-Kathrin , Jantz Florian , Möckel Luis
Published: November 2021

Ziel der Studie

Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Schmerzprävalenz, das Ausmaß der Schmerzmitteleinnahme sowie die mentale Gesundheit bei Intensivpflegenden zu untersuchen.

Methoden

Bei dieser Studie handelte es sich um eine Befragung von Intensivpflegenden aus Deutschland. Neben selbstentwickelten Items wurde die Kurzversion der Depressions-Angst-Stress-Skala (DASS-21) abgefragt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 432 Intensivpflegende (82,87 % Frauen) in die Analyse eingeschlossen. 36,81 % (95 %-Konfidenzintervall [95 %-KI] 31,31 %; 42,99 %) der Teilnehmenden gaben an, unter wiederkehrenden Schmerzen zu leiden, und 18,52 % (95 %-KI 14,68 %; 23,05 %) gaben an, unter chronischen Schmerzen zu leiden. Signifikant mit chronischen Schmerzen assoziiert waren das Körpergewicht (adjustierte Odds Ratio [AOR]: 1,02 [95 %-KI 1,01; 1,03]; p = 0,006) und das Geschlecht (Männer AOR: 0,33 [95 %-KI 0,14; 0,78]; p = 0,012) sowie mit wiederkehrenden Schmerzen das Geschlecht (Männer AOR: 0,59 [95 %-KI 0,31; 1,00]; p = 0,049) und das Vorliegen von Schlafproblemen (AOR: 2,16 [95 %-KI 1,41; 3,31]; p ≤ 0,001). Schmerzmittel wurden von 52,61 % der Studienteilnehmenden mit chronischen/wiederkehrenden Schmerzen eingenommen (häufigster Wirkstoff: Ibuprofen [81,67 %]). Teilnehmende mit chronischen wie auch wiederkehrenden Schmerzen zeigten signifikant höhere Depressions‑, Angst- und Stresslevel im Vergleich zu denen ohne Schmerzen.

Schlussfolgerung

Diese Studie zeigt, dass ein großer Anteil der teilnehmenden Intensivpflegekräfte unter chronischen und wiederkehrenden Schmerzen leidet und diese mit verschiedenen Faktoren assoziiert sind.
Implementing a protocol to prevent incisional hernia in high-risk patients: a mesh is a powerful tool
Authors: Pereira-Rodríguez J. A. , Amador-Gil S. , Bravo-Salva A. , Montcusí-Ventura B. , Sancho-Insenser J. , Pera-Román M. , López-Cano M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The small bites (SB) technique for closure of elective midline laparotomies (EMLs) and a prophylactic mesh (PM) in high-risk patients are suggested by the guidelines to prevent incisional hernias (IHs) and fascial dehiscence (FD). Our aim was to implement a protocol combining both the techniques and to analyze its outcomes.

Methods

Prospective data of all EMLs were collected for 2 years. Results were analyzed at 1 month and during follow-up. The incidence of HI and FD was compared by groups (M = Mesh vs. S = suture) and by subgroups depending on using SB.

Results

A lower number of FD appeared in the M group (OR 0.0692; 95% CI 0.008–0.56; P = 0.01) in 197 operations. After a mean follow-up of 29.23 months (N = 163; min. 6 months), with a lower frequency of IH in M group (OR 0.769; 95% CI 0.65–0.91; P < 0.0001). (33) The observed differences persisted after a propensity matching score: FD (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.255–0.494; P < 0.0001) and IH (OR 0.394; 95% CI 0.24–0.61; P < 0.0001). On comparing suturing techniques by subgroups, both mesh subgroups had better outcomes. PM was the main factor related to the reduction of IH (HR 11.794; 95% CI 4.29–32.39; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Following the protocol using PM and SB showed a lower rate of FD and HI. A PM is safe and effective for the prevention of both HI and FD after MLE, regardless of the closure technique used.
A Systematic Study into the Factors that Affect the Predictive Accuracy of Multilevel VAR(1) Models
Authors: Lafit Ginette , Meers Kristof , Ceulemans Eva
Published: November 2021

The use of multilevel VAR(1) models to unravel within-individual process dynamics is gaining momentum in psychological research. These models accommodate the structure of intensive longitudinal datasets in which repeated measurements are nested within individuals. They estimate within-individual auto- and cross-regressive relationships while incorporating and using information about the distributions of these effects across individuals. An important quality feature of the obtained estimates pertains to how well they generalize to unseen data. Bulteel and colleagues (Psychol Methods 23(4):740–756, 2018a) showed that this feature can be assessed through a cross-validation approach, yielding a predictive accuracy measure. In this article, we follow up on their results, by performing three simulation studies that allow to systematically study five factors that likely affect the predictive accuracy of multilevel VAR(1) models: (i) the number of measurement occasions per person, (ii) the number of persons, (iii) the number of variables, (iv) the contemporaneous collinearity between the variables, and (v) the distributional shape of the individual differences in the VAR(1) parameters (i.e., normal versus multimodal distributions). Simulation results show that pooling information across individuals and using multilevel techniques prevent overfitting. Also, we show that when variables are expected to show strong contemporaneous correlations, performing multilevel VAR(1) in a reduced variable space can be useful. Furthermore, results reveal that multilevel VAR(1) models with random effects have a better predictive performance than person-specific VAR(1) models when the sample includes groups of individuals that share similar dynamics.
Instructors’ conceptualization and implementation of scaffolding in online higher education courses
Authors: Richardson Jennifer C. , Caskurlu Secil , Castellanos-Reyes Daniela , Duan Suzhen , Duha Mohammad Shams Ud , Fiock Holly , Long Yishi
Published: November 2021

This multiple case study explores how instructors conceptualize and employ scaffolding in online courses. Participants included full time faculty (n = 4) who have designed and taught at least one online course within the past 12 months. Data sources included pre-interview surveys, semi-structured interviews, and online course observations. Data were analyzed by employing a general analytical strategy for developing a case description (Yin, 2018). The results showed that (a) instructors define scaffolding as a support to help students achieve course outcomes and (b) instructors implement different types of scaffolding (i.e., conceptual, metacognitive, procedural, strategic, and motivational) in hard and soft scaffolding forms. The results also showed that instructors' conceptualization and implementation of scaffolding differed based on their discipline and teaching philosophy, and the unique features of online courses. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Identification of prognostic biomarkers associated with tumor microenvironment in ceRNA network for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a bioinformatics study based on TCGA database
Authors: Song Danlei , Wei Yongjian , Hu Yuping , Chen Xia , Zheng Ya , Liu Min , Wang Yuping , Zhou Yongning
Published: November 2021

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common histological type of esophageal cancer in the world with high incidence rate and poor prognosis. Infiltrated immune and stromal cells are vital components of tumor microenvironment (TME) and have a significant impact on the progression of ESCC. The competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis has been proved important in the molecular biological mechanisms of tumor development. However, there are few studies on the relationship between ceRNA and ESCC TME.

Methods

The proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the amount of stromal and immune cells in ESCC cases were calculated from The Cancer Genome Atlas database using the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE calculation methods. After stratified identification of differentially expressed genes, WGCNA and miRNA prediction system were applied to construct ceRNA network. Finally, PPI network and survival analysis were selected to discriminate prognostic signature. And the results were verified in two independent groups from Gene Expression Omnibus and Lanzhou, China.

Results

We found that high Stromal and ESTIMATE scores were significantly associated with poor overall survival. Three TME-related key prognostic genes were screened, namely, LCP2, CD86, SLA. And the expression of them was significantly correlated with infiltrated immunocytes. It is also found that ESTIMATE Score and the expression of CD86 were both related to TNM system of ESCC.

Conclusions

We identified three novel TME-related prognostic markers and their lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA pathway in ESCC patients, which may provide new strategies for the targeted therapy.
3D structural and stratigraphic characterization of X field Niger Delta: implications for CO2 sequestration
Authors: Yahaya-Shiru Mariam , Igwe Ogbonnaya , Obafemi Seyi
Published: November 2021

Carbon capture and sequestration technology has been a ground-breaking tool in tackling carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide but has limitedly been researched and practised in Africa at present. Considering the vast growth and developmental level in the continent, there is a need to consider this option of mitigating global climate change. In this study, a systematic and process-based incorporation of seismic and well logs datasets was used to characterize the structural and stratigraphic framework of sandstone reservoirs within the field in order to determine their capacities for effective CO2 sequestration. Petrophysical analysis, fault modelling as well as geostatistical techniques were used to build facies and property models which enabled a qualitative assessment of the sealing potential of faults associated with the reservoirs based on prediction of key properties such as shale gouge ratio, lithological juxtaposition, fault permeability and fault transmissibility across the fault faces. Nine water-bearing sandstone reservoirs (reservoirs A–J) with varying reservoir quality were identified in the field. The dominance of high SGR, low permeability, higher fault throws and low fault transmissibility values at the lower parts of the faults indicates the deeper structural traps of the field are low-risk zones and might serve as good storage areas for CO2.
Artificial neural networks applied for predicting and explaining the education level of Twitter users
Authors: Florea Alexandru Razvan , Roman Monica
Published: November 2021

This paper provides a novel procedure to estimate the education level of social network (SN) users by leveraging artificial neural networks (ANN). Additionally, it provides a robust methodology to extract explanatory insights from ANN models. It also contributes to the study of socio-demographic phenomena by utilizing less explored data sources, such as social media. It proposes Twitter data as an alternative data source for in-depth social studies, and ANN for complex patterns recognition. Moreover, cutting edge technology, such as face recognition, on social media data are applied to explain the social characteristics of country-specific users. We use nine variables and three hidden layers of neurons to identify high-skilled users. The resulted model describes well the level of education by correctly estimating it with an accuracy of 95% on the training set and an accuracy of 92% on a testing set. Approximately 30% of the analyzed users are highly skilled and this share does not differ among the two genders. However, it tends to be lower among users younger than 30 years old.
Attitude of pediatricians toward suspected cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aleissa Majed Abdualaziz , Sultana Khizra , Saleheen Hassan Nazmus , Aldihan Dalal Ahmad , Al-Omar Razan Hussain , Alharbi Rana Obaid , Allahidan Raghad Saleh , Alshagary Rema
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To assess the attitudes of pediatricians working at the Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNGHA) to report cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) and to determine the association between the demographic, cultural characteristics, and the attitude toward reporting.

Participants and Settings:

The participants included all pediatricians, from consultants to residents, employed at the Pediatric Department of the King Abdulaziz Medical City and King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital, Riyadh. Additional inclusion criteria were females and males, Saudis and non-Saudis, and age 20—60 years.

Methods:

A self-administered, hard copy questionnaire was distributed to 277 pediatricians, and the response rate was 58.48%. The sensitivity/specificity emphasis mean score was calculated. Categorical variables were tested against the sensitivity/specificity emphasis mean score using an ANOVA and an independent sample t-test. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured with Cronbach's alpha.

Results:

In total, 153 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The responses were inclined toward balanced (indecisive toward reporting) and high specificity (favors the decision not to report suspected CSA). No significant difference was found in the sensitivity/specificity mean score between the different levels of professionals, experience, age, gender, and number of prior child abuse-related courses. The skepticism scale showed, for the different professional levels, that the staff physician/resident believed the 3- to 5-year-old girls and boys to be genuine. The consultants/associate consultants believed 6- to 12- year and 13- to 17-year-old girls and boys to be true most of the time. Nearly half of the participants indicated that their reporting decision was affected by the possible consequences of reporting suspected CSA for the children's families and the social perceptions of sexually abused children as adults.

Conclusion:

The results highlight the low reporting rates of CSA cases. The findings suggest a lack of training and experience of the professionals in this area of assessing, detecting, and reporting CSA cases.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES USING THE ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING TRANSACTION
Authors: Eccleston-Turner Mark , Rourke Michelle
Published: November 2021

Access and benefit sharing (ABS) is a transactional mechanism designed to allow countries to trade access to their sovereign genetic resources for monetary and non-monetary benefits, with the ultimate goal of channelling those benefits into sustainable development and environmental conservation. Arguments about how pathogens are not the sort of genetic resources the world ought to conserve eventually gave way to a recognition that pathogens are indeed sovereign genetic resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol, and that the ABS transaction may be an effective way to deliver scarce vaccines to developing nations as benefits received in exchange for shared pathogen samples. This article argues that categorising vaccines as benefits given in exchange for access to pathogen samples creates opposing incentives for providers and users of virus samples and undermines the human right to health because it makes that right a commodity to be bought. The provision of pathogen samples to the global research commons and the fair and equitable distribution of medicines should be two parallel public goods to be pursued as goals in and of themselves. We conclude that the linking of these goals through the ABS transaction should be reassessed.
Slip Distribution and Footwall Topography of the Yanggao‐Tianzhen Fault (Northern Shanxi Graben): Implications for the Along‐Strike Variations in Fault Activity and Regional Deformation
Authors: Luo Quanxing , Li Chuanyou , Li Xinnan , Ren Guangxue , Dong Jinyuan
Published: November 2021

Spatial patterns in fault activity were examined along the Yanggao‐Tianzhen Fault (YTF) in the northern Shanxi Graben, North China. First, we reconstructed the distribution of fault slips and quantified slip rates at seven sites along the fault, based on satellite image interpretation, field investigation, topographic surveying, and optically stimulated luminescence dating. The T3terraces and their contemporaneous alluvial fans with a best‐estimate age of 31.7 ± 1.4 kyr were used as strain markers to estimate slip magnitudes. We determined vertical slip and dip‐slip rates of ∼0.10–0.31 mm/yr and ∼0.11–0.37 mm/yr, respectively, at the surface. Assuming fault dips of 40 ± 10° at seismogenic depths, we predicted extension rates of ∼0.17–0.55 mm/yr. This suggests that at least 10% and up to 28%–54% (95% confidence interval) of the total extension of the northern Shanxi Graben is inhomogeneously partitioned by different sections of the YTF. We also evaluated the along‐fault relative tectonic activity by analyzing of five widely used geomorphic indices: hypsometric integral, basin elongation ratio, asymmetric factor, valley‐floor‐width‐to‐height ratio, and mountain front sinuosity. The determined fault slip rates and geomorphic indices demonstrate that the most prominent fault activity center occurred in the middle of the fault, and that fault activity wanes toward the fault tips. Moreover, the fault activity is highly heterogeneous and fluctuates along the fault strike, which may be attributed to either fault segmentation and linkage or the possible strike‐slip component of motion along the fault. Further exploration of fault kinematics and paleoseismic history is warranted.
PERK signaling through C/EBPδ contributes to ER stress-induced expression of immunomodulatory and tumor promoting chemokines by cancer cells
Authors: Sheshadri Namratha , Poria Dipak K. , Sharan Shikha , Hu Ying , Yan Chunhua , Koparde Vishal N. , Balamurugan Kuppusamy , Sterneck Esta
Published: November 2021

Cancer cells experience endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to activated oncogenes and conditions of nutrient deprivation and hypoxia. The ensuing unfolded protein response (UPR) is executed by ATF6, IRE1 and PERK pathways. Adaptation to mild ER stress promotes tumor cell survival and aggressiveness. Unmitigated ER stress, however, will result in cell death and is a potential avenue for cancer therapies. Because of this yin-yang nature of ER stress, it is imperative that we fully understand the mechanisms and dynamics of the UPR and its contribution to the complexity of tumor biology. The PERK pathway inhibits global protein synthesis while allowing translation of specific mRNAs, such as the ATF4 transcription factor. Using thapsigargin and tunicamycin to induce acute ER stress, we identified the transcription factor C/EBPδ (CEBPD) as a mediator of PERK signaling to secretion of tumor promoting chemokines. In melanoma and breast cancer cell lines, PERK mediated early induction of C/EBPδ through ATF4-independent pathways that involved at least in part Janus kinases and the STAT3 transcription factor. Transcriptional profiling revealed that C/EBPδ contributed to 20% of thapsigargin response genes including chaperones, components of ER-associated degradation, and apoptosis inhibitors. In addition, C/EBPδ supported the expression of the chemokines CXCL8 (IL-8) and CCL20, which are known for their tumor promoting and immunosuppressive properties. With a paradigm of short-term exposure to thapsigargin, which was sufficient to trigger prolonged activation of the UPR in cancer cells, we found that conditioned media from such cells induced cytokine expression in myeloid cells. In addition, activation of the CXCL8 receptor CXCR1 during thapsigargin exposure supported subsequent sphere formation by cancer cells. Taken together, these investigations elucidated a novel mechanism of ER stress-induced transmissible signals in tumor cells that may be particularly relevant in the context of pharmacological interventions.