bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grip strength asymmetry and Activities of daily living in middle-aged and elderly Chinese Relevance studies
Authors: Yue Yuexue , Jia Yuling , Wang Xiuhong
Published: July 2022

Objective To investigate the association between grip strength asymmetry and the ability to perform daily activities in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.Methods Baseline data (2011) and second follow-up data from the China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS) included people aged 45 years or older in the study population. The survey included handgrip strength asymmetry, demographic, and health behaviour variables. Generalised estimating equationsanalysedd the longitudinal association between grip strength asymmetry and ADL.Results There were 8529 respondents at baseline, of which 4054 (47.53%) were male, and the mean age of the respondents was (58.64 ± 8.87) years, with the oldest being 101 years and the youngest 45 years. Seven thousand five hundred fifty-six cases (88.59%) with spouses and 5,078 patients (67.06%) of the respondents lived in rural areas. Regarding educational attainment, 72.24% of the respondents had primary school education or above. Table 2 presents the grip strength asymmetries of daily activity functioning. From baseline to the second follow-up visit, grip asymmetry increased from 40.46% to 41.76%, and the percentage of ADL impairment rose from 14.60% to 20.46%. Using a generalised estimating equation including baseline and second follow-up data to analyse the longitudinal relationship between grip asymmetry and ADL, the interaction term between grip asymmetry and time was statistically significant after accounting for all confounding variables, indicating that the association between grip asymmetry and ADL at baseline and second follow-up differed. After gender stratification, the interaction term for grip asymmetry and time to follow-up remained statistically significant in males and females, with a 1.22-fold increase in the odds of ADL impairment in those with grip asymmetry compared to those with grip asymmetry and a 1.30-fold increase in the odds of ADL impairment in males with grip asymmetry in the gender stratification at, a difference that was also significant in females (OR=1.17,p< 0.05). Regression results for covariates indicated that location of residence, literacy, alcohol consumption, falls, and gender was significantly associated with daily activity dysfunction. In contrast, literacy and smoking were not statistically significantly associated with ADL.Conclusion Older adults with grip asymmetry are at increased risk of ADL impairment; Grap asymmetry can be used as a valid screening tool for middle-aged and older Chinese adults to help identify those at higher risk of ADL impairment.
The feasibility of teleconsultations in unplanned primary care: a cross section intervention
Authors: Hertens Sarah , Mullen Chris Van der , Schoenmakers Birgitte
Published: July 2022

IntroductionSince 2000, an increasing misuse of emergency services in Belgium was noticed. In 2015, a multidisciplinary task-force designed a triage system. Trained operators and integrated triage protocols were installed in a call center for life-threatening and non-life-threatening care needs. MethodThis cross-sectional survey with intervention studied the feasibility of teleconsultations in unplanned care in a primary care setting. Medical doctors were present at the call center during the weekend and on public holidays in the period of 17 April 2021 to 21 November 2021. Their task was to call They called patients who had contacted the call center to perform a teleconsultation, without interfering with regular care. Results21 triage doctors participated in the study, they completed 59 surveys and conducted 551 teleconsultations. They perceived the quality of the consultations as good with an average score of 82.85 out of 100 on the sliding scale. The doctors gave an average score of 72.40 for the level of certainty for diagnosis and treatment. For 415 consultations, triage doctors judged that the consultation would gain certainty if followed by a physical examination. Video was mainly considered to be valuable in psychiatric problems, allergic reactions and skin problems. DiscussionThis study showed that teleconsultations are feasible in unplanned care. Videos add value in particular cases. Only few barriers are reported in terms of communication, technology and equipment.ConclusionTeleconsultations in unplanned primary care could be performed with a high quality and a sufficient level of certainty. The willingness to conduct teleconsultations in unplanned care is high. It would be useful in a future study to investigate the feasibility, obstacles and needs for implementation of video consultations as they may differ from teleconsultations.
Impact of Drought on Forest Cover Change in Yabelo Forest in Semi-arid Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Wolteji Bayisa Negasa , Gizawu Fayera , Gemeda Dessalegn Obsi
Published: July 2022

Drought is a key challenge of third world countries whose economies are based on agriculture. Also, lack of rainfall plays a major role in exacerbating climate change. Drought is resulting in a decline in vegetation greenness and plant mortality specifically in semi-arid region. In this study, satellite-based drought assessment was used to characterize drought, and its impact on forest in semi-arid region of Ethiopia. Drought severity and forest cover change were detected over the period between 2014, and 2022 using geographic information system and remote sensing techniques. Vegetation condition index (VCI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are used to detect drought severity over the past decades. Results show that 2015, 2017, 2019and 2022 were the most drought years. The spatial forest covers is significantly decreased during severe drought years. Minimum dense forest was observed in 2017and 2019 over spatial extend of 0.80 ha and 124.6 ha, respectively during drought years. To evaluate how precipitation deficit affect forest function, simple linear regression is performed. Result of (R2=0.49 and P=0.05) indicate that, nearly 50% of forest greenness is influenced by precipitation deficit. This study suggested that remote sensing indices are very crucial to characterize drought pattern at small “scale” particularly in assessment of drought impact on forest resource.
Density Functional Calculations of the Sequential Adsorption of Hydrogen on Single Atom and Small Clusters of Pd and Pt Supported on Au(111)
Authors: Meléndez-Rivera Joshua , Santana Juan A.
Published: July 2022

We have used density functional theory calculations to study the sequential adsorption of hydrogen on Pd and Pt atomic site catalysts such as single atom alloy catalyst (SAAC), single atom catalyst (SAC), and single clusters catalyst (SCC) of on Au(111). The results show that Pd systems tend to have near-zero free energy of hydrogen adsorption (Δ𝐺𝐻𝑎𝑑𝑠≈0) under various coverage conditions of adsorbed hydrogen. In the case of Pt systems, Δ𝐺𝐻𝑎𝑑𝑠≈0 only at high coverage conditions of adsorbed hydrogen. Such differences come from the preference of hydrogen for high-coordination and low-coordination sites on Pd and Pt, respectively. The low coordination of hydrogen results in multiple adsorption sites with Δ𝐺𝐻𝑎𝑑𝑠≈0 in SCC of Pt/Au. These results can help understand the different catalytic properties of Pd/Au and Pt/Au.
Separation or Integration? Further Insights from a Study of Chemical Datasets on Ancient Bronze Drums from South and Southeast Guangxi, China
Authors: Lu Qiuyan , Li Yanxiang , Zou Guisen , Gong Shiyang
Published: July 2022

Bronze drums of Type Beiliu and Type Lingshan are very remarkable among the eight types of bronze drum in China for their distinct ethnic features and huge form, representing the highest level of the bronze industry of Guangxi from the Han to Tang Dynasty. A total of 12 samples from drums of Type Beiliu and 7 from Type Lingshan are investigated in this study, providing a method to further discuss on the provenance of ore sources, ethnics and correlations between them. The analysis results reveal that the above two types of bronze drums share some common features in alloying patterns, lead isotope ratios and trace elements, while differing from each other for their characters (e.g., the decorative traditions). A conclusion can be drawn from this study that even though the above two types of bronze drums belong to different local powers, widely exchanging and communicating existing over ‘the boundary’, integration, as well as separation or confrontation, is suggested as the main status in an ancient ethnic society.
An Improved ANN-based Power Prediction Algorithm for Multi-type Jobs on Heterogeneous Computing Server
Authors: Jing Chao , Li Jiaming
Published: July 2022

This paper exploits the advantage of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to design and implement an improved algorithm of power prediction on heterogeneous computing server with various types of jobs.First, the impact of multi-type of jobs has been taken into account. We divide the jobs into four categories: CPU-intensive, memory-intensive, I/O-intensive and GPU-intensive. We collect the data trace from these jobs by a set of benchmarks.Then, based on the collected data trace, power prediction algorithm has been established, so that developing an improved ANN-based power prediction algorithm with CNN-BiLSTM neural network and attention mechanism.Last, the experiment has been conducted via real-world heterogeneous computing based platform.Compared with the traditional neural network based prediction algorithms and non-neural network based prediction algorithms, our proposed prediction algorithm has better performance in prediction accuracy on power consumption.
A rectilinear oscillation of two spheres in an unbounded viscous fluid under the influence of a magnetic field
Authors: El-Sapa Shreen , Albalawi Wedad
Published: July 2022

This study examines the unsteady creeping quiescent movement of two rigid spheres within an infinite Stokes fluid flow under the influence of a magnetic field. At the surfaces of rigid spherical particles, Stokes flow is allowed to no-slip. The particles vary in size and radii. A line connecting the centers of the rigid spherical particles moves at different speeds. The solutions are exposed at low Reynolds numbers. As a result of boundary collocation, the differential equations are semi-analytically derived. The drag coefficients estimate the interaction impacts between rigid spherical particles. The coefficients of unsteady drag are presented graphically and tabulated for various parameters. Additionally, it is noted that the Hartmann number and the frequency parameter have a significant effect. Known results in the literature have been used to examine the precision and convergence of our collocation technique.
Patellar instability caused bone loss in femoral trochlea is associated with activation of the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Ma Chen , Kou Wenguan , Cui Zhaoxia , Liu Wenfeng , Liu Changli , Wang Shengjie , Wang Fei
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Patellar instability (PI) is closely correlated with bone loss in the developmental femoral trochlea. However, the molecular mechanism of PI-induced bone loss is not precise. Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups. Mice in the experimental group underwent surgery to induce patellar instability. Distal femurs were collected at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. Micro-computed tomography and histological observations were conducted to investigate the morphology of the femoral trochlea and the change in bone mass. qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to evaluate the expression of JAK1 and STAT3 in the subchondral bone.Results: Subchondral bone loss in the femoral trochlea was observed beginning two weeks after surgery in the experimental group and deteriorated over time, with higher expression of JAK1, STAT3, and RANKL, and lower expression of OPG, which resulted in morphological changes in the femoral trochlea, such as a flatter trochlear groove and a larger sulcus angle.Conclusion: Patellar instability could induce subchondral bone loss in developmental femoral trochlea and result in trochlear dysplasia finally with the activation of the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. This study gives insights into the mechanism of bone loss in developmental trochlear dysplasia.
Prokaryotic communities throughout the desiccation of the hypersaline Tirez lagoon, Spain: analog to evaporitic basins on Mars?
Authors: Sanz Jose L. , Rodríguez Nuria , Sánchez-García Laura , Rojas Patricia , Uceda Esther , Carrizo Daniel , Amils Ricardo , Fairén Alberto
Published: July 2022

Tirez was a small and seasonal endorheic athalassohaline lagoon that was located in central Spain. In recent years, the lagoon has totally dried out, offering for the first time the opportunity to analyze its evolution to hyperaridity as an analog to similar processes in Meridiani Planum, Mars. In Meridiani, an early period of water ponding within enclosed basins evolved to a complete desiccation of the lagoons, leading to deposition of evaporitic sequences during the Noachian and well into the Hesperian. Here we describe (i) the microbial ecology of Tirez when the lagoon was still active 20 years ago, with prokaryotes adapted to extreme saline conditions; (ii) the composition of the microbial community in the dried lake sediments today, in many case groups that thrive in sediments of extreme environments; and (iii) the molecular and isotopic analysis of the lipid biomarkers that can be recovered from the sediments today. We discuss the implications of these results to better understanding the ecology of possible Martian microbial communities during the wet to dry transition at the end of the Hesperian, and how they may inform about research strategies to search for possible biomarkers in Mars after all the water was lost.
Luteolin alleviates inorganic mercury-induced liver injury in quails by resisting oxidative stress and promoting mercury ion excretion
Authors: Liu Yan , Guo Xinyu , Yu Lu , Huang Yuxiang , Guo Changming , Li Siyu , Yang Xu , Zhang Zhigang
Published: July 2022

I. Background: Inorganic mercury is a well-known toxic substance that can cause oxidative stress and liver damage. Luteolin (Lut) is a kind of natural antioxidant, which is widely found in plants. Therefore, we focused on exploring the alleviative effect of Lut on liver injury induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl2), and the potential molecular mechanism of eliminating mercury ions in quails. II. Methods and Results: Twenty-one-day-old male quails were randomly split into four groups: blank control group, Lut group, HgCl2 group, and HgCl2 + Lut group. The test period was 12 weeks. The results showed that Lut could significantly ameliorate oxidative stress, the release of inflammatory factors, and liver damage caused by HgCl2, and reduce the accumulation of Hg2+ in quail liver. Furthermore, Lut evidently increased the levels of protein kinase C α (PKCα), nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and its downstream proteins, and inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) production in the liver of quails treated by HgCl2. III. Conclusions: To sum up, our results suggest that Lut not only reduces the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, but also promotes the excretion of Hg2+ by promoting the PKCα/Nrf2 signaling pathway to alleviate HgCl2-induced liver injury in quails.
A Mediterranean-Style Diet in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease in adolescents
Authors: AhmadiVasmehjani Azam , Beigrezaei Sara , Nafei Zahra , Behniafard Nasrin , Aflatoonian Majid , Darabi Zahra , Salehi-Abargouei Amin
Published: July 2022

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of common esophageal diseases in adolescents. Recent evidence has shown that dietary patterns might be associated with GERD risk. The aim of this study was to assess the association between a Mediterranean style diet (MedDiet) and GERD in a large sample of adolescents living in central Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 5141 adolescents aged between 13-14 years. Dietary intake assessed by using a food frequency method. The GERD diagnosed using a six-item questionnaire, which askes about its symptoms including heartburn, sense of reflux, poor sleep, medication use, nausea and epigastric pain. A binary logistic regression used to evaluate the relationship between the MedDiet score and GERD and its associated symptoms.Results: The analyses revealed that after adjustment for all possible confounding variables, the adolescents in the highest adherence to the MedDiet score had lower odds of GERD [odds ratio (OR)= 0.53; 95% CI 0.35-0.80, Ptrend = 0.005)], sense of reflux (OR= 0.45; 95 % CI 0.26-0.77, Ptrend = 0.01) and poor sleep (OR= 0.54; 95% CI 0.31-0.96, Ptrend = 0.02) compared with those in the lowest adherence. This association remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors including of age, sex, watching TV and computer and BMI. No significant link found between MedDiet and other GERD symptoms.Conclusion: The present study reported an inverse association between adherence to a Mediterranean style diet and GERD among Iranian adolescents. Adherence to MedDiet may be an important strategy in preventing GERD in adolescents.
RETRACTED: Optimization of chip repose angle in dry hobbing machine considering minimum thermal accumulation on workbench
Authors: Li Bo , Yang Xiao , Du Yanbin , He Lang
Published: July 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Evaluation and comparison of different breast cancer prognosis scores based on gene expression data
Authors: Chowdhury Avirup , Pharoah Paul D. , Rueda Oscar M.
Published: July 2022

Background: Breast cancer is one of the three most common cancers worldwide and is the most common malignancy in women. Treatment approaches for breast cancer are diverse and varied. Clinicians must balance risks and benefits when deciding treatments, and models have been developed to support this decision-making. Genomic risk scores (GRS) may offer greater clinical value than standard clinicopathological models, but there is limited evidence as to whether these models perform better than the current clinical standard of care. Methods: PREDICT and GRSs were adapted using data from the original papers and modification of the genefu R package. Univariable Cox proportional hazards models were produced with BCSS as the outcome. Independent predictors of BCSS were used to build multivariable models with PREDICT. Signatures which provided independent prognostic information in multivariable models were incorporated into the PREDICT algorithm, and assessed for calibration, discrimination and reclassification.Results: Oncotype DX (ODx), EndoPredict, MammaPrint and Prosigna were univariable predictors of BCSS. ODx and MammaPrint demonstrated prognostic power independent of PREDICT in multivariable models for ER-positive patients; no score predicted BCSS in ER-negative patients. Incorporating these models into PREDICT had only a modest impact upon calibration (with absolute improvements of 0.3-0.8%), discrimination (with no statistically significant c-index improvements) and reclassification (with 6-9% of patients being reclassified). Conclusion: Addition of GRSs to PREDICT had limited impact on model fit or treatment received. This analysis does not support widespread adoption of current GRSs based on our implementations of commercial products.
Levels of bioavailable, and free forms of 25(OH)D after supplementation with vitamin D3 in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Santos Livia Marcela , Ohe Monique Nakayama , Pallone Sthefanie Giovanna , Nacaguma Isabela Ohki , Kunii Ilda Sizue , Silva Renata Elen Costa , Maeda Sergio Setsuo , Vieira José Gilberto Henriques , Lazaretti-Castro Marise
Published: July 2022

25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is the major metabolite for ascertaining vitamin D status, which circulates bound to a specific carrier (vitamin D-binding protein - VDBP). A portion that circulates unbound vary according to the VDBP genotype. This study evaluates the behavior of different forms of 25(OH)D, before and after supplementation with 14,000 IU of vitamin D3, weekly for 12 weeks, in individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism and controls. Fifty-six patients with active primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and 64 paired controls (CTRL), not taking vitamin D3 for the last three months, were enrolled. The genetic isotypes of VDBP were determined to calculate bioavailable and free 25(OH)D. A p<0.05 was considered significant.There were no statistical differences in free, bioavailable, and total 25(OH)D levels between PHPT and CTRL groups at baseline. The distribution of VDBP haplotypes 1s/1s, 1f/1f, 1s/1f, 2/2, 1s/2, and 1f/2 was similar between groups. After supplementation, all three forms of 25(OH)D proportionally increased within each group, although the percentage increment was lower in the PHPT group (p<0.05). Total 25(OH)D is better correlated with PTH in the PHPT group than bioavailable and free 25(OH)D (r=-0.41; p<0.05).The concentrations of total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D were similar in both PHPT and CTRL groups, and all forms increased proportionally after supplementation, although this increment percentage was higher in the CTRL group, with a subsequent reduction of PTH and AP. Total 25(OH)D correlated better with PTH than other forms, suggesting no advantages in measuring free or bioavailable 25(OH)D in these situations.
An Enhanced EDBF Framework: Constraint-Law-Method (CLM) for Improving Multi-parent Crossover Algorithms
Authors: ZUO Zhengkang
Published: July 2022

Empirical distribution-based framework (EDBF), as a general framework utilized in lots of muti-parent crossover algorithms (MCAs), makes MCAs much more efficient at each iteration. However, EDBF cannot work with the numerous parent chromosomes especially exceeding fifty. To address this problem, an enhanced EDBF framework, namely constraint-law-method (CLM), is proposed by adaptively changing the boundary of weight assigned to each parent chromosome according to the constraint law. Furthermore, CLM is compared with EDBF, ABPSO and RCBBFA algorithms on 20 benchmark functions in terms of convergence, efficiency and accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that CLM outperforms comparative algorithms on most of benchmark functions. As a general framework rather than a specific algorithm, CLM is easy to implement and can easily be accommodated to any existing MCAs. Finally, the C++ source code is available at https://github.com/ZhengkangZUO-2020/CLM-Framework-Codes .
Comparative study of preoperative sagittal alignment between patients with multi-segment cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Lianlei , Yuan Suomao , Tian Yonghao , Liu Xinyu
Published: July 2022

Background To compare preoperative sagittal alignment between patients with multi-segment cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods A total of 198 patients (110 men, 78 women; mean age, 58.8 ± 10.4 years) with severe cervical spondylosis underwent surgical treatment from September 2013 to December 2021. In total, 103 patients were diagnosed with multi-segment cervical OPLL, including continuous type (n = 31), segmental type (n = 31), and mixed type (n = 41). The remaining 95 patients had multi-segment CSM. Several clinical variables were assessed preoperatively, including Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, number of hand actions in 10 seconds, hand-grip strength, C2–C7 Cobb angle, C2–C5 Cobb angle, C5–C7 Cobb angle, C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis, C7 slope, T1 slope, K-line, K-line tilt, and range of motion (ROM).Results The JOA scores, number of hand actions in 10 seconds, hand-grip strength, and VAS scores were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). The C2–C7 and C5–C7 Cobb angles were significantly better in the OPLL group (p < 0.05). The CSM group had a larger ROM (p < 0.001). Within the OPLL group, the ROM was significantly different between the segmental type and continuous type (p < 0.05).Conclusion The sagittal alignment in patients with multi-segment cervical OPLL is good. However, patients with OPLL have greater loss of ROM than those with CSM. Studying the sagittal alignment could provide a theoretical basis for preoperative decision-making.
Antibiotic prescriptions for Oral Diseases in India: Pattern and Practices
Authors: Mathur Manu Raj , Nagrath Deepti , Mishra Vijay Kumar , Harris Rebecca , Saif Syed , Selvaraj Sakthivel , Mehta Aashna , Farooqui Habib Hasan
Published: July 2022

Introduction: The key objective of this research was to describe the prescription rate of various antibiotics for dental problems in India and to study the relevance of the prescriptions by analysing antibiotic type associated with different dental diagnoses, using a large scale nationally representative dataset. Methods: We used a 12-month period (May 2015 to April 2016) medical audit dataset from IQVIA (formerly IMS Health). We coded the dental diagnosis provided in the medical audit data to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) and the prescribed antibiotics for the diagnosis to Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) -2020 classification of World Health Organization. The primary outcome measure was the medicine prescription rate per 1,000 persons per year (PRPY1000). Results: Our main findings were -- 403 prescriptions per 1,000 persons per year in the year 2015 -2016 for all dental ailments. Across all ATC level 1 classification, ‘Diseases of hard tissues’ made up the majority of the prescriptions. ‘Beta-lactam’, ‘Penicillin,’ and ‘Cephalosporins’ were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for dental diagnoses followed by ‘Macrolides’ and ‘Quinolones’. ‘Dental caries’ , ‘Discoloration of tooth’, and ‘Toothache’ were the most common reasons for ‘Beta-Lactams’ and ‘Penicillin’ prescriptions. Conclusion: To conclude our study reports first ever country (India) level estimates of antibiotic prescription by antibiotic classes, age groups, and ICD-11 classification for dental ailments.
Correlation between serum liver fibrosis markers and early gastroesophageal varices among patients with compensated liver cirrhosis: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Mei Ling , Ma Ying , Zhao Lili , Chen QingLing , Zhou Li , Yang Hang , Liu Jie , Li Jia
Published: July 2022

Background and aim: portal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver diseases that is responsible for most clinical consequences of liver cirrhosis. In patients with portal hypertension, esophagogastric variceal bleeding is a leading cause of death. The majority of research focuses on high-risk esophageal and gastric varices and bleeding, with only a few on early varices. However, it is found that early intervention of gastroesophageal varices can better improve the prognosis and reduce mortality, there is still no relevant research. Ultrasonic endoscopy is a combination of endoscopy and ultrasonic imaging. It can detect varices around the esophagus and gastric based on a gastroscope, and detect esophageal collateral veins and perforating veins earlier, which is helpful for the early diagnosis of varices. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the correlation between serum fibrosis markers and early gastroesophageal varices in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods: This study included 477 patients with compensated cirrhosis. The selected patients were categorized into two groups. The early gastroesophageal varices group was gastroesophageal varices found by endoscopic ultrasonography, but not by gastroscopy, whereas the no gastroesophageal varices group was endoscopic ultrasonography and gastroscope without varices. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association of serum fibrosis markers with early gastroesophageal varices.Results: Among the 477 compensated liver cirrhosis patients 198 patients without gastroesophageal varices and 279 patients with early gastroesophageal varices. There was a positive correlation between serum fibrosis markers and early gastroesophageal varices. In univariate logistic regression analysis, patients with early gastroesophageal varices had lower platelet count (P = 0.034), higher aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.046), total bilirubin (P = 0.041), hyaluronic acid (P < 0.001), laminin (P < 0.001), type III procollagen (P = 0.005), type IV collagen (P = 0.002) and liver stiffness measurement (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that laminin（OR 1.011;95% CI 1.004-1.017, P=0.001） was an independent risk factor for predicting early gastroesophageal varices in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Conclusion: Higher laminin was independently associated with early gastroesophageal varices among patients with compensated cirrhosis.
Effect of bacterial vaginosis on preterm birth: A meta-analysis
Authors: Mohanty Trishna , Doke Prakash Prabhakarrao , Khuroo Sana Rafiq
Published: July 2022

Purpose Bacterial vaginosis is a common genital tract disorder. It can lead to preterm birth but its contribution and extent is equivocal. Bacterial vaginosis is a treatable cause of preterm birth if diagnosed and treated correctly. The study desired to confirm the relationship between bacterial vaginosis and preterm. Methods It was a meta-analysis. Articles published from 2008 to 2018 were included. The studies conducted to measure the strength of association between Bacterial Vaginosis and Preterm Birth by any statistical test were included. Studies with only conceptual aspects and qualitative data were excluded from the meta-analysis. Four search engines were identified, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and LILAC. Forest plots were plotted separately for Odds Ratio (OR) and Relative Risk. Results After extensive search 11 studies giving 14 relevant results with 20,894 participants were included. This meta-analysis proves that Bacterial Vaginosis is strongly associated with preterm birth. The risk of preterm delivery is >2-folds in women with bacterial vaginosis (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.29 to 3.41). The combined or pooled risk ratio (RR) of pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis having a preterm birth or preterm delivery is 1.52 (RR, 95% C.I.=1.33 to 1.74). Conclusion Our study shows a strong association between Bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth. The study concludes that investigation for bacterial vaginosis and management accordingly should be a part of the routine examination of a pregnant woman. The health system must initiate this strategy at the earliest to reduce prevalence of preterm births and thereby neonatal mortality.
A theoretical investigation of the substituent effect on the chemical reactivity of NHC(R2 )-B and NHC-B(R'2 ) Boriranes
Authors: Firozi Halimeh , Ghazanfari Dadkhoda , Razavi Razieh
Published: July 2022

The NHC-Boriranes are well-known compounds in main group chemistry and synthetic chemistry. In order to theoretically investigate of reactivity and thermodynamic properties of boriranes, all optimized geometries of six categories of substituted NHC(R2)-B and NHC-B(R'2) (where R or R' = NO2, CN, CHO, F, Cl, Br, H, Ph, CH3, C2H5, OCH3, OH, NH2) were performed using the density functional theory method (DFT) and 6-31G+(d) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Next, the band gap, electron affinity, ionization potential, electronegativity, chemical softness–hardness, and thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy and entropy are calculated. The results have shown that substituted groups not only have a leading role in the reactivity and stability of compounds but also they are a determination of the properties of molecules. The hard molecule has a large energy gap and a soft molecule has a small energy gap and the soft substituted structures of NHC(R2)-B and NHC B(R'2) Boriranes are more reactive than hard ones.
Characteristics of the cervical spine and cervical cord injuries in the elderly with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Authors: Okuwaki Shun , Funayama Toru , Koda Masao , Eto Fumihiko , Yamaji Akihiro , Yokogawa Noriaki , Sasagawa Takeshi , Ando Kei , Nakashima Hiroaki , Segi Naoki , Watanabe Kota , Nori Satoshi , Takeda Kazuki , Furuya Takeo , Yunde Atsushi , Nakajima Hideaki , Yamada Tomohiro , Hasegawa Tomohiko , Terashima Yoshinori , Hirota Ryosuke , Suzuki Hidenori , Imajo Yasuaki , Ikegami Shota , Uehara Masashi , Tonomura Hitoshi , Sakata Munehiro , Hashimoto Ko , Onoda Yoshito , Kawaguchi Kenichi , Haruta Yohei , Suzuki Nobuyuki , Kato Kenji , Uei Hiroshi , Sawada Hirokatsu , Nakanishi Kazuo , Misaki Kosuke , Terai Hidetomi , Tamai Koji , Shirasawa Eiki , Inoue Gen , Kakutani Kenichiro , Kakiuchi Yuji , Kiyasu Katsuhito , Tominaga Hiroyuki , Tokumoto Hiroto , Iizuka Yoichi , Takasawa Eiji , Akeda Koji , Takegami Norihiko , Funao Haruki , Oshima Yasushi , Kaito Takashi , Sakai Daisuke , Yoshii Toshitaka , Ohba Tetsuro , Otsuki Bungo , Seki Shoji , Miyazaki Masashi , Ishihara Masayuki , Okada Seiji , Imagama Shiro , Kato Satoshi
Published: July 2022

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can be complicated cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) by low energy trauma, which is increasing among the elderly and potentially life-threatening. However, the etiology and neurological outcome of CSCI with OPLL in the elderly remain unknown. Therefore, we conducted this multi-center retrospective cohort study, which identified 1,512 patients aged ≥ 65 years and diagnosed with CSCI on admission from 2010 to 2020. We analyzed the etiology in patients with OPLL. Moreover, we performed propensity score-adjusted analyses to compare the neurological outcomes between patients with and without OPLL. The primary outcome comprised the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale (AIS) grade and ASIA motor score (AMS). In 332 patients with OPLL, the men:women ratio was approximately 4:1. Half of all patients displayed low energy trauma-induced injury, and one-third of the patients had CSCI without a bony injury. The propensity score matching created 279 pairs. There was no significant difference in the AIS grade and AMS between the patients with and without OPLL during hospitalization, 6 months, and 12 months following injury. In summary, OPLL was not associated with neurological recovery in the elderly with CSCI.
The accuracy and temperature change on the root surface using guided endodontics in root canal preparation
Authors: Zhang Cuifeng , Zhao Xiao , Chen Cheng , Wang Jingyan , Gu Peiyu , Ma Junchi , Wu Daming , Li Jin
Published: July 2022

Background
Guided endodontics have high accuracy and are successful techniques that had been gradually used in endodontics in recent years. However, the guided bur produces excessive heat during continuous rotation and friction with root canal walls. It is not clear whether the degree of temperature increase may lead to periodontal ligament and alveolar bone damage.
Methods
Forty single-rooted premolars were scanned using CBCT and intra-oral scanner, and 3D-printed guided plates were made with the pre-designed access. A custom-made guided bur was used to prepare the access cavities. The postoperative CBCT data and pre-designed pathways were matched to evaluate the deviation between planned and virtual path. Another 18 single-rooted premolars were accessed with the guided plates and bur, ET20 and ProTaper F3, respectively. The temperature changes on the root surfaces were inspected with a thermocouple thermometer.
Results
The average deviation on the tip and the base of the bur were 0.30 mm and 0.28 mm (mesial/distal), and 0.28 mm and 0.25 mm (buccal/lingual). The average angle deviation was 3.62°. The mean root surface temperature rise of the guided endodontics group was 3.07℃, which was lower than that of the ProTaper F3 group (8.90℃) (P < 0.05) and was significantly lower than that of ET20 group (15.70℃) (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The access cavity preparation performed with guided endodontics has feasible accuracy and low temperature rise on the root surfaces, indicating their high reliability and safety in clinical applications.
Equity and Efficiency of Medical and Health Service System in China: 1991–2020
Authors: ZHAO Na , CHEN Kai
Published: July 2022

Background
Under the proposition of common prosperity, the high-quality development of Medical and Health Service System (MHS) in China is often characterized by equity and efficiency.This study aims to evaluate the equity and efficiency of the MHS in China from 1991 to 2020 – three decades of China’s MHS reform.
Methods
Data related to China’s MHS was obtained from the China Statistical Yearbook 1992–2021. The ratio of urban residents’ medical expenditure burden to rural residents’ medical expenditure burden was employed to evaluate the equity of China’s MHS.The DEA-Malmquist model was employed to evaluate the efficiency of China’s MHS. Finally, we creatively constructed an equity-efficiency coordination index model to examine the coordination degree between equity and efficiency of China’s MHS.
Results
From 1991 to 1997, rural residents’ relative burden for medical expenditure was much higher, compared with that of urban residents, and the growth rate surpassed that of urban residents. The equity of China’s MHS significantly improved from 1998 to 2007, and the medical expenditure burden of rural residents was reduced compared with those of urban residents. After 2007, the gap in the equity of China’s MHS slowly widened. The efficiency of China's MHS was high and stable from 1991 to 1995. It declined sharply from 1995, and rebounded after hitting bottom in 1998–1999. The efficiency of China's MHS returned to a high level in 2007 and remained stable since then.The evidence that there was extremely weak migration or no migration between equity and efficiency of China’s MHS in the past 30 years except for a weak degree migration from 1998 to 2000.
Conclusions
China’s MHS has undergone a comprehensive system reconstruction and reintegration over the previous 30 years, the equity and efficiency of China’s MHS have greatly improved. However, it is worth noting that the inequity between urban and rural residents’ medical burden still exists. The government can provide medical subsidies for rural residents to adjust resources allocation levels in both urban and rural areas, control the differences in medical expenditure burden between urban and rural residents to a reasonable range, and continuously improve the equity level of urban and rural in China’s MHS.
Discrete and synergistic impact of climatic conditions on COVID-19 transmission
Authors: Ali Mahwish , Farhat Syeda Mehpara , Abbasi Sumra Wajid , Sehar Shama , Ishtiaq Amna
Published: July 2022

Background
Owing to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, a large number of clinical trials and scientific studies are in progress to tackle this global crisis. Besides, various physical, social and environmental condition affecting the transmission of COVID-19 are also widely studied.
Methods
This study is a small attempt to highlight the effect of various climatic conditions such as average temperature, dew point, humidity, wind, precipitation and Air Quality Index (AQI)) on the transmission of COVID-19 cases on daily basis in Islamabad, Pakistan. Furthermore, the collected data was analyzed in terms of the Spearman's correlation and Quasi-Poisson regression model.
Results
Our results suggested that average temperature (with the average value 25.95°C) and dew point (with the average value 15.89°C) were positively correlated with the daily number of cases (with an average of 124 cases), while humidity was found to be negatively correlated. Other factors, i.e. precipitation, wind and AQI, do not indicate any significant relation with the daily reported cases.
Conclusion
This study might be helpful in minimizing transmission of COVID-19 at regional level and can be scale up to find out the correlation with various other environmental factors responsible for spread of COVID-19.
Ocular Injury from Nerf Toy Gun (Foam Dart Blasters): A Case Series
Authors: Cohen Shai , Shiuey Eric J. , Zur Dinah , Rachmiel Rony , Kurtz Shimon , Koursh Daphna Mezad , Waisbourd Michael
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To report clinical outcomes following ocular injury from Nerf guns - a spring-loaded toy guns that fire foam-coated darts or bullets at a relatively low velocity. These guns gained popularity in recent years among children and adolescents. Methods: Eleven patients with ocular injuries from Nerf guns were included in this retrospective, single-center study. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and anterior segment, glaucoma-related, and vitreoretinal complications were recorded at each visit.Results: The average age at presentation was 13.4 years and 82% were male. Mean initial VA was 6/12 (range 6/6 – 1/18); On initial examination, nine patients (82%) had hyphema, three (27%) had corneal abrasions, three (27%) had vitreous hemorrhage, and two (18%) had traumatic mydriasis. Four patients (36%) experienced glaucoma-related complications, including three (27%) with angle recession and three (27%) with increased IOP. Three patients (27%) were diagnosed with posterior segment injuries, including three (27%) with commotio retinae and one (9%) with severe retinal photoreceptor damage. No patients required surgical intervention. Conclusion: Foam dart blasters (i.e. Nerf guns) can cause severe blunt ocular trauma and permanent visual loss, illustrating the need for eye protection when handling these toys.
Diagnostic delay in children with inflammatory bowel disease: Results from the German-language patient registry CEDATA- GPGE 2014-2018
Authors: Leiz Maren , Knorr Melanie , Moon Kilson , Tischler Luisa , de Laffolie Jan , Berg Neeltje van den
Published: July 2022

Incidence and prevalence of pediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) are on the rise worldwide. Initial symptoms are often recognized with a delay, which reduces quality of life and may lead to an increased rate of complications. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic delay in PIBD and to identify potential influencing factors. Therefore, data of the German-language patient registry CEDATA-GPGE for children and adolescents with PIBD were analyzed for the period January 2014 to December 2018. There were 456 children identified in the data, thereof 258 children (57%) with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 198 children (43%) with Ulcerative colitis (UC). The median age was 13.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 10.9–15.0), 44% were females. The median diagnostic delay was 4.1 months (IQR = 2.1-7.0) in CD and 2.4 months (IQR = 1.2–5.1) in UC. UC was associated with earlier diagnosis than CD (hazard ratio = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.05–1.50; p = 0.01). Only a few factors influencing the diagnostic delay have been verified. Diagnostic delay improved over the years in participating centers, but the level of awareness needs to be high even in common symptoms like abdominal pain.
evaluation of choroidal vascular index and choroidal changes in migraine subgroups
Authors: Torun Isil Merve , Dikmen Nejla Tukenmez , Unsal Mirac Aysen , Sonmez Murat
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To investigate binarized choroidal structural parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and retina changes during the attack free period in migraine patients using enchanced depth imaging optic coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), compare the migraine patients with aura (MwA), without aura (MoA) and aura subgroups (visual, non- visual aura), with age -sex matched healthy subjects. Method: This observational, prospective, study included 102 migraine patients and 36 healthy controls. . Central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and choroidal thickness (CT) were measured using The Spectralis -OCT device. (SD-OCT). Choroid vascularity index (CVI) was evaluated by Image-J software. CVI was calculated as the proportion of the luminal area (LA) to the total choroidal area (TCA). RNFL, CMT, CT, CVI measurements were compared statistically.Results: Choroidal thickness at 1500 µm temporal of the fovea was found to be statistically significantly thinner in the MwA , MoA groups compared to the control group. (p≤0.01) There was a significant difference in subfoveal CT values of the MwA and the control group.(p<0.05). TCA and LA measurements were statistically different in MwA group compared to controls (p=0.011 and p= 0.006) The mean RNFL thickness of migraine patients with visual aura was found to be statistically significantly thinner than the migraine group with non-visual aura (98.73±8.4 and 109.4±16.8) (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the RNFL CMT, GCC, and CVI values in MwA, MoA, and control groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: We found that the choroidal thickness was significantly decreased in migraine patients , especially in MwA group.In visual aura subgroup the mean RNFL thickness was significantly decreased compared to non-visual aura subgroup.
Disorders of hippocampus facilitated by hypertension in purine metabolism deficiency is repressed by naringin, a bi-flavonoid in a rat model via NOS/cAMP/PKA and DARPP-32, BDNF/TrkB pathways
Authors: K Akintunde J. , S Abinu O. , F Taiwo K. , A Sodiq R. , D Folayan A. , D Ate A
Published: July 2022

Individuals who are hypertensive have a higher tendency of predisposition to other genetic diseases including purine metabolism deficiency. Therefore, the search for nontoxic and effective chemo protective agents to abrogate hypertension mediated genetic disease is vital. This study therefore investigated the repressive effect of naringin (NAR) against disorder of hippocampus facilitated by hypertension in purine metabolism deficiency. Male albino rats randomly assigned into nine groups (n = 7) were treated for 35 days. Group I: control animals, Group II was treated with 100 mg/kg KBrO3, Group III was treated with 250 mg/kg Caffeine, Group IV was treated with 100 mg/kg KBrO3 + 250 mg/kg Caffeine. Group V was administered with 100 mg/kg KBrO3 + 100mg/kg Haloperidol. Group VI was administered with 100mg/kg KBrO3 + 50 mg/kg NAR. Group VII was administered with 250 mg/kg Caffeine + 50 mg/kg NAR, Group VIII was administered with 100 mg/kg KBrO3 + 250 mg/kg Caffeine + 50 mg/kg NAR. Finally, group IX was treated with 50 mg/kg NAR. The sub-acute exposure to KBrO3 and CAF induced hypertension and mediated impairment in the hippocampus cells. This was apparent by the increase in PDE-51, arginase and enzymes of ATP hydrolysis (ATPase and AMPase) with a simultaneous increase in cholinergic (AChE and BuChE) and adenosinergic (ADA) enzymes. The hypertensive mediated hippocampal impairment was associated to alteration of NO and AC signaling coupled with lower expression of Brain derived Neurotrophic factor and its receptor (BDNF-TrkB), down regulation of Bcl11b and DARPP-32 which are neurodevelopmental proteins and hypoxanthine accumulation. However, these features of CAF mediated hippocampal damage in KBrO3 induced hypertensive rats were repressed by post-treatment with NAR via production of neuro-inflammatory mediators, attenuation of biochemical alterations, stabilizing neurotransmitter enzymes, regulating NOS/cAMP/PKA and DARPP-32, BDNF/TrkB signaling and restoring hippocampal tissues.