bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tools for early screening of autism spectrum disorders in primary health care – a scoping review
Authors: Sobieski Mateusz , Sobieska Aleksandra , Sekułowicz Małgorzata , Bujnowska-Fedak Maria Magdalena
Published: March 2022

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in early childhood. Early diagnosis of these disorders allows for the initiation of early therapy, which is crucial for the child's further functioning in society.

Objectives

This review aims to gather and present the existing ASD screening tools that can be used in primary care and adapted to different countries conditions linguistically and culturally.

Eligibility criteria

We searched for English-language publications on ASD screening tools for children aged 0–3 years suitable for use in primary care (i.e. free, requiring no additional training or qualifications).

Sources of evidence

Four databases were explored to find English studies on ASD screening tools intended for the rapid assessment of children aged 0–3.

Charting methods

The information sought (specific features of the questionnaires relevant to primary health care workers, psychometric and diagnostic values of a given cultural adaptation of screening tools, and the linguistic and cultural changes made) were extracted and collected to create profiles of these tools.

Results

We found 81 studies which met inclusion criteria and underwent full data extraction. Three additional data sources were included. These allowed to create 75 profiles of adaptations for 26 different screening tools and collect data on their psychometric values and characteristic features.

Conclusions

The results of our study indicate the availability of several diagnostic tools for early ASD screening in primary care setting concordant culturally and linguistically with a given population. They could be an effective method of accelerating the diagnostic process and starting personalized therapy faster. However, most tools have significant limitations – some are only available for research purposes, while others do not have scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness.
Time-to-positivity of Mycobacterium avium complex in broth culture associates with culture conversion
Authors: Mingora Christina M. , Garcia Bryan A. , Mange Kevin C. , Yuen Dayton W. , Ciesielska Monika , van Ingen Jakko , Flume Patrick A. , Dorman Susan E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Mycobacterial time to positivity (TTP) in liquid culture media has predictive value for longer term outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis, but has not been thoroughly studied in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease. This study sought to evaluate for association between TTP and sputum culture conversion to negative in pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).

Methods

Data from the CONVERT trial (NCT02344004) that evaluated efficacy of guideline-based-therapy with or without amikacin liposome inhalation suspension in adults with refractory MAC-PD (Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease) were analyzed. We evaluated TTP measures for sputum obtained prior to study treatment initiation and at monthly visits, assessing reproducibility of measures as well as association of TTP with culture conversion on treatment.

Results

Data from 71 participants with at least one screening visit TTP value were analyzed. For participants who provided more than one sputum sample at a given visit, there was moderate between-sample reliability, with median intraclass correlation coefficient 0.62 (IQR 0.50, 0.70). Median TTP at screening was longer in those participants who subsequently achieved vs. did not achieve culture conversion (10.5 [IQR 9.4] days vs. 4.2 [IQR 2.8] days, p = 0.0002). Individuals with culture conversion by study treatment month 6 were more likely to have a screening TTP > 5 days compared to those who did not achieve culture conversion (OR 15.4, 95% CI 1.9, 716.7, p = 0.0037) and had increasing TTPs over time.

Conclusions

TTP prior to and on treatment is associated with microbiological treatment response in patients with MAC-PD.
Retraction Note: Baicalein mediates inhibition of migration and invasiveness of skin carcinoma through Ezrin in A431 cells
Authors: Wu Bin , Li Ji , Huang Damao , Wang Weiwei , Chen Yu , Liao Youxiang , Tang Xiaowei , Xie Hongfu , Tang Faqing
Published: March 2022

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-11-527.
Clinical course of neonatal acute kidney injury: multi-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Pantoja-Gómez O. C. , Realpe S. , Cabra-Bautista Ginna , Restrepo J. M. , Prado O. L. , Velasco A. M. , Martínez G. E. , Leal S. , Vallejo A. , Calvache Jose Andrés
Published: March 2022

Background

Neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) has been associated with unfavorable outcomes, including increased mortality. We aimed to describe the clinical course and outcomes during the first 7 days after diagnosis in newborns with AKI in three neonatal intensive care units in Popayán-Colombia.

Methods

Multi-center prospective cohort study conducted between June 2019 and December 2020 in three NICUs after ethical approval. We included newborns between 2 and 28 days of life, first diagnosed with AKI using the KDIGO classification modified for newborns which consider increased serum creatinine values over baseline values as well as urine output over time in hours or both. Patients with chromosomal abnormalities, major kidney malformations, and complex congenital heart disease were excluded. Patients were followed for up to 7 days after diagnosis and the maximum KDIGO stage, recovery of kidney function, need for renal replacement therapy and cumulative incidence of death were evaluated.

Results

Over the 18 months of the study, 4132 newborns were admitted to the NICUs, and 93 patients (2.25, 95% CI 1.82–2.75%) developed neonatal AKI. 59.1% of the newborns were premature and there were no differences in severity according to gestational age. During follow-up, the maximum KDIGO was 64.5% for AKI-stage 1, 11.8% for AKI-stage 2, and 23.7% for AKI-stage 3. Kidney function recovery was higher in AKI-stage 1 patients vs. AKI-severe (AKI-stage 2 and 3) (95% vs. 48.5%). Five patients (5.4%) received renal replacement therapy and 15 died (16.1%), four in AKI-stage 1 vs. 11 in AKI-severe (6.7% vs 33.3%).

Conclusions

Newborns admitted to the NICUs can develop AKI regardless of gestational age, and it is more frequent between the second and ninth days of life. More patients whit AKI-stage 1 recover and die less than those in a severe stage.
The prevalence of barriers to rearing children aged 0–3 years following China’s new three-child policy: a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Kang Liangyu , Jing Wenzhan , Liu Jue , Ma Qiuyue , Zhang Shikun , Liu Min
Published: March 2022

Background

To further optimize birth policy, China implemented a new three-child policy to allow per couple to have up to three children on May 31, 2021.

Methods

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted among 18 to 49-year-old Chinese parents who had at least one child in June 2021. We calculated the prevalence of self-reported childrearing barriers and used univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression to analyze associated factors.

Results

94.7% of the respondents self-reported barriers to rearing children aged 0–3 years, and the biggest barrier included high time cost (39.3%), high parenting cost (36.5%) and high education cost (13.5%). Women (aOR 1.49, 95%CI 1.13,1.96) and people with college degree or above (aOR 3.46, 95%CI 2.08, 5.75) were associated with higher prevalence of childrearing barriers, and people who intended to have a second child (aOR 0.58, 95%CI 0.40, 0.83) and people who intended to have a third child (aOR 0.51,95%CI 0.37, 0.71) were less likely to report childrearing barriers. The biggest barrier was more likely to be high time cost for parents one of whom is only child (aOR1.21, 95%CI 1.03, 1.42) and physical factors for parents both of whom are only child (aOR 1.56,95%CI 1.08, 2.26).

Conclusions

The prevalence of barriers to rearing children aged 0–3 years was high among Chinese people of childbearing age who had children. Full consideration should be given to the barriers of people with different sociodemographic characteristics and people with fertility intention, thus making targeted childrearing policies and supporting measures to reduce the burden on people of childbearing age, encourage suitable couples to have a second or third child and then cope with China’s aging population.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as reversible intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts with hypoxia, fever and progressive jaundice: a case report and literature review
Authors: Hou Huan , Guo Cuiyan , Que Chengli , Nie Ligong , Zhang Qi , Zhao Hong , Nong Lin , Ma Wei , Wang Qian , Liang Zeyin , Wang Bingjie , Ma Jing , Wang Guangfa
Published: March 2022

Background

Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts is rare seen in a patient without lung involvement.

Case presentation

This is the first report of reversible intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts secondary to extrapulmonary lymphoma as one initial symptom. The patient presented as fever of unknown origin and dyspnea, and examinations of infection were negative. Diagnosis of DLBCL was finally confirmed through bone marrow and splenic biopsies. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts were diagnosed through 100% oxygen inhalation test and transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE). After the treatment of lymphoma, his respiratory failure was relieved. We rechecked the 100% oxygen inhalation test and TTCE, which both indicated that his intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts had resolved.

Conclusions

We speculated the prominent inflammation from active DLBCL was the most possible mechanism associated with the reversible intrapulmonary shunt in this patient. These findings will assist us to better understand the mechanism of intrapulmonary shunts.
The efficiency of natural wound healing and bacterial biofilm inhibition of Aloe vera and Sodium Chloride toothpaste preparation
Authors: Vajrabhaya La-ongthong , Korsuwannawong Suwanna , Ruangsawasdi Nisarat , Phruksaniyom Chareerut , Srichan Ratchaporn
Published: March 2022

Background

Prevention is a preliminary focus of periodontitis treatment. Rather than giving complicated treatment to a periodontitis patient, a variety of toothpastes have been suggested to prevent periodontal disease progression. Herbal toothpastes containing natural plant components for maintaining or increasing healing might be a treatment modality for improving oral hygiene. Aloe vera is a medicinal plant with active ingredients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, increased sodium in the environment inhibits microorganism growth. A toothpaste containing salt and aloe vera may be an option to provide good oral hygiene.

Aim

To assess the in vitro cell migration of human gingival fibroblasts and antimicrobial effects of an herbal toothpaste containing A. vera and Sodium chloride.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of 0.02% or 0.2% toothpaste solution on human gingival fibroblast cell line was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cell migration after treatment with 0.2% (v/v) toothpaste was determined using a Boyden Chamber assay. The effect of the toothpaste on inhibiting Porphylomonas gingivalis planktonic and biofilm growth was compared with Chlohexidine (CHX) using a Disk Diffusion and Biofilm susceptibility test, respectively. The results of the cytotoxicity assay, inhibition zone and percentage of live cells in the biofilm were statistically analyzed with One-way analysis of variance. Cell migration and biofilm inhibition were evaluated using the independent sample t-test and multiple t-test, respectively (p = 0.05).

Results

Neither test concentration of the toothpaste solution was toxic to the target cells. The 0.2% concentration was selected for the cell migration experiment. The herbal toothpaste formulation significantly increased cell migration compared with the control group (culture medium) (p = .02) The antimicrobial effect of this formulation on the P. gingivalis planktonic form was lower compared with 0.12% CHX (positive control group), however, it demonstrated greater P. gingivalis biofilm formation inhibition compared with the 0.12% CHX group.

Conclusions

The alternative use of an herbal toothpaste instead of a non-herbal toothpaste formulation should be considered for promoting oral health care. However, further clinical studies are necessary before it can be considered for patient use.
The effect of implementing mind maps for online learning and assessment on students during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study
Authors: Alsuraihi Amany A.
Published: March 2022

Background

In Saudi Arabia, the sudden shift from conventional (in-person) to online education due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected teaching and assessment methods. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of mind maps in this regard, measure students’ reactions to certain educational environment-related changes caused by the pandemic, and identify skills that students perceived they gained through mind mapping.

Methods

This study employed a non-intervention (cross sectional) design. Participants were King Abdulaziz University students from two medical physics courses (second and fourth level). Data were collected twice (after the first and last mind mapping assignments), and responses were analyzed using a paired t-test. Overall student results were compared against overall student performance in the previous term using chi-squares test hypothesis testing. The data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software.

Results

The results of the paired t-test showed no significant differences between students’ mean satisfaction in both surveys. Nevertheless, students’ responses revealed their satisfaction with using mind maps. Moreover, students believed that they gained skills like organizing and planning, decision making, and critical thinking from the mind map assignments. The chi-squares test (Chi-square = 4.29 <$${x}_{\mathrm{0.05,4}}^{2}$$x0.05,42 = 9.48 andp-value = 0.36 > 0.05) showed no differences in students’ grade distribution between the two terms of 2020 (pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic) despite the change in assessment style post-pandemic commencement.

Conclusions

Mind mapping can be adapted as an online teaching and assessment method. Additionally, student support and education institution-level effective communication can reduce stress during challenging times.
Testing the contextual Interaction theory in a UHC pilot district in South Africa
Authors: Michel Janet , Mohlakoana Nthabiseng , Bärnighausen Till , Tediosi Fabrizio , Evans David , McIntyre Di , Bressers Hans T. A. , Tanner Marcel
Published: March 2022

Background

World-wide, there is growing universal health coverage (UHC) enthusiasm. The South African government began piloting policies aimed at achieving UHC in 2012. These UHC policies have been and are being rolled out in the ten selected pilot districts. Our study explored policy implementation experiences of 71 actors involved in UHC policy implementation, in one South African pilot district using the Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT) lens.

Method

Our study applied a two-actor deductive theory of implementation, Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT) to analyse 71 key informant interviews from one National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot district in South Africa. The theory uses motivation, information, power, resources and the interaction of these to explain implementation experiences and outcomes. The research question centred on the utility of CIT tenets in explaining the observed implementation experiences of actors and outcomes particularly policy- practice gaps.

Results

All CIT central tenets (information, motivation, power, resources and interactions) were alluded to by actors in their policy implementation experiences, a lack or presence of these tenets were explained as either a facilitator or barrier to policy implementation. This theory was found as very useful in explaining policy implementation experiences of both policy makers and facilitators.

Conclusion

A central tenet that was present in this context but not fully captured by CIT was leadership. Leadership interactions were revealed as critical for policy implementation, hence we propose the inclusion of leadership interactions to the current CIT central tenets, to become motivation, information, power, resources, leadership and interactions of all these.
Oxidative cleavage of cellulose in the horse gut
Authors: Liu Ning , Yu Weishuai , Guo Xiuna , Chen Jinyin , Xia Donghui , Yu Jie , Li Duochuan
Published: March 2022

Background

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) belonging to the auxiliary activity 9 family (AA9) are widely found in aerobic fungi. These enzymes are O2-dependent copper oxidoreductases that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose. However, studies that have investigated AA9 LPMOs of aerobic fungi in the herbivore gut are scare. To date, whether oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the herbivore gut is unknown.

Results

We report for the first time experimental evidence that AA9 LPMOs from aerobic thermophilic fungi catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose present in the horse gut to C1-oxidized cellulose and C1- and C4-oxidized cello-oligosaccharides. We isolated and identified three thermophilic fungi and measured their growth and AA9 LPMO expression at 37 °C in vitro. We also assessed the expression and the presence of AA9 LPMOs from thermophilic fungi in situ. Finally, we used two recombinant AA9 LPMOs and a native AA9 LPMO from thermophilic fungi to cleave cellulose to yield C1-oxidized products at 37 °C in vitro.

Conclusions

The oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the horse gut. This finding will broaden the known the biological functions of the ubiquitous LPMOs and aid in determining biological significance of aerobic thermophilic fungi.
Highly sensitive near-infrared SERS nanoprobes for in vivo imaging using gold-assembled silica nanoparticles with controllable nanogaps
Authors: Bock Sungje , Choi Yun-Sik , Kim Minhee , Yun Yewon , Pham Xuan-Hung , Kim Jaehi , Seong Bomi , Kim Wooyeon , Jo Ahla , Ham Kyeong-Min , Lee Sung Gun , Lee Sang Hun , Kang Homan , Choi Hak Soo , Jeong Dae Hong , Chang Hyejin , Kim Dong-Eun , Jun Bong-Hyun
Published: March 2022

Background

To take advantages, such as multiplex capacity, non-photobleaching property, and high sensitivity, of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based in vivo imaging, development of highly enhanced SERS nanoprobes in near-infrared (NIR) region is needed. A well-controlled morphology and biocompatibility are essential features of NIR SERS nanoprobes. Gold (Au)-assembled nanostructures with controllable nanogaps with highly enhanced SERS signals within multiple hotspots could be a breakthrough.

Results

Au-assembled silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) (SiO2@Au@Au NPs) as NIR SERS nanoprobes are synthesized using the seed-mediated growth method. SiO2@Au@Au NPs using six different sizes of Au NPs (SiO2@Au@Au50–SiO2@Au@Au500) were prepared by controlling the concentration of Au precursor in the growth step. The nanogaps between Au NPs on the SiO2 surface could be controlled from 4.16 to 0.98 nm by adjusting the concentration of Au precursor (hence increasing Au NP sizes), which resulted in the formation of effective SERS hotspots. SiO2@Au@Au500 NPs with a 0.98-nm gap showed a high SERS enhancement factor of approximately 3.8 × 106 under 785-nm photoexcitation. SiO2@Au@Au500 nanoprobes showed detectable in vivo SERS signals at a concentration of 16 μg/mL in animal tissue specimen at a depth of 7 mm. SiO2@Au@Au500 NPs with 14 different Raman label compounds exhibited distinct SERS signals upon subcutaneous injection into nude mice.

Conclusions

SiO2@Au@Au NPs showed high potential for in vivo applications as multiplex nanoprobes with high SERS sensitivity in the NIR region.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Catalonia, Spain, three and a half years after its introduction
Authors: Royo-Bordonada Miguel Ángel , Fernández-Escobar Carlos , Gil-Bellosta Carlos José , Ordaz Elena
Published: March 2022

Background

The World Health Organisation urges countries to levy specific excise taxes on SSBs. Currently, more than 50 countries have introduced some type of tax on SSBs. In March 2017, the Autonomous Region of Catalonia approved the introduction of a tiered excise tax on SSBs for public health reasons. To evaluate the effect of the Catalonian excise tax on the price and purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and their possible substitutes, i.e., non-sugar-sweetened beverages (NSSBs) and bottled water, three and half years after its introduction, and 1 year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We analysed purchase data on soft drinks, fruit drinks and water, sourced from the Ministry of Agriculture food-consumption panel, in a random sample of 12,500 households across Spain. We applied the synthetic control method to infer the causal impact of the intervention, based on a Bayesian structural time-series model which predicts the counterfactual response that would have occurred in Catalonia, had no intervention taken place.

Results

As compared to the predicted (counterfactual) response, per capita purchases of SSBs fell by 0.17 l three and a half years after implementing the SSB tax in Catalonia, a 16.7% decline (95% CI: − 23.18, − 8.74). The mean SSB price rose by 0.11 €/L, an 11% increase (95% CI: 9.0, 14.1). Although there were no changes in mean NSSB prices, NSSB consumption rose by 0.19 l per capita, a 21.7% increase (95% CI: 18.25, 25.54). There were no variations in the price or consumption of bottled water. The effects were progressively greater over time, with SSB purchases decreasing by 10.4% at 1 year, 12.3% at 2 years, 15.3% at 3 years, and 16.7% at three and a half years of the tax’s introduction.

Conclusions

The Catalonian SSB excise tax had a sustained and progressive impact over time, with a fall in consumption of as much as 16.7% three and half years after its introduction. The observed NSSB substitution effect should be borne in mind when considering the application of this type of tax to the rest of Spain.
Improvement of the anticancer efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade via combination therapy and PD-L1 regulation
Authors: Wu Mengling , Huang Qianrui , Xie Yao , Wu Xuyi , Ma Hongbo , Zhang Yiwen , Xia Yong
Published: March 2022

Immune checkpoint molecules are promising anticancer targets, among which therapeutic antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have been widely applied to cancer treatment in clinical practice and have great potential. However, this treatment is greatly limited by its low response rates in certain cancers, lack of known biomarkers, immune-related toxicity, innate and acquired drug resistance, etc. Overcoming these limitations would significantly expand the anticancer applications of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and improve the response rate and survival time of cancer patients. In the present review, we first illustrate the biological mechanisms of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints and their role in the healthy immune system as well as in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway inhibits the anticancer effect of T cells in the TME, which in turn regulates the expression levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 through multiple mechanisms. Several strategies have been proposed to solve the limitations of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, including combination therapy with other standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, other immunotherapies and even diet control. Downregulation of PD-L1 expression in the TME via pharmacological or gene regulation methods improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Surprisingly, recent preclinical studies have shown that upregulation of PD-L1 in the TME also improves the response and efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. Immunotherapy is a promising anticancer strategy that provides novel insight into clinical applications. This review aims to guide the development of more effective and less toxic anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies.
Retraction Note: Genipin suppression of growth and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma through blocking activation of STAT-3
Authors: Hong Ming , Lee Selena , Clayton Jacob , Yake Wildman , Li Jinke
Published: March 2022

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-020-01654-3.
Cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the foot function index in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability
Authors: Amri Mohammed I. , Alzhrani Msaad M. , Alanazi Ahmad D. , Alqahtani Mazen M. , Kashoo Faizan Zaffar
Published: March 2022

Background

The English version of the Foot Function Index (FFI) is a reliable and valid tool for measuring pain and functional instability due to chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). However, its use among Arabic speakers with CLAI is limited because of the unavailability of the Arabic version of the FFI (FFI‐Arb). This study aimed to translate, cross‐culturally adapt and validate the FFI from the original English version into Arabic.

Methods

The FFI questionnaire was translated using the Beaton guidelines. Two‐hundred‐and‐thirty native Arabic‐speaking participants with CLAI were recruited from different physiotherapy clinics in Saudi Arabia. The convergent validity of the FFI‐Arb was tested using the Spearman correlation with the Arabic version Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT‐Arab). Test‐retest reliability was tested among 92 participants who completed the form again after seven days.

Results

Two‐hundred‐and‐thirty participants were enrolled (mean age = 32.09, Standard deviation (SD) = 8.64 years old). There was excellent internal consistency for the three subscales of FFI: pain (0.95), disability (0.97), and activity limitation (0.86), as for the total score (0.98). Convergent validity was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation between the new translated versions of FFI‐Arb and CAIT‐Arab. The total FFI‐Arb and CAIT‐Arab scores were moderately correlated (rho = − 0.569; p < 0.001). Subscales of FFI‐Arb, such as pain, disability, and activity limitation, were also moderately correlated with CAIT‐Arab (rho = − 0.565, rho = − 0.561, rho = − 0.512; p < 0.001). The construct validity was confirmed by principal component analysis (factor analysis) showing a three‐factor structure (eigenvalue 1) of FFI‐Arb with a total variance of 77.3%. Test‐retest reliability was excellent for the total score of the FFI‐Arb and all its subscales (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.984–0.999).

Conclusions

The FFI‐Arb is a reliable and valid tool for Arabic‐speaking patients with CLAI. The FFI‐Arb can be utilized in hospitals and clinics in Arabic speaking countries.
Green and simple production of graphite intercalation compound used sodium bicarbonate as intercalation agent
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Guogang , Zhang Long
Published: March 2022

In view of the technical difficulties in the preparation of graphite intercalation compound (GIC) such as complex processes, the need to use strong acid reagents, and the product containing corrosive elements. A novel, efficient and simple method used sodium bicarbonate as intercalation agent was developed, which combined with mechanical force and chemical method for the green production of GIC. The production parameters were optimized by the single factor experiments, the optimal conditions were the ball mill speed 500 r/min for 4 h (6 mm diameter of the stainless-steel beads as ball milling media), the decomposition temperature 200 ℃ for 4 h, and 1:1 mass ratio of flake graphite to sodium bicarbonate. SEM results revealed that the prepared product appears the lamellar separation, pores, and semi-open morphology characteristic of GIC. FT-IR results indicated that the preparation method does not change the carbon-based structure, and the sodium bicarbonate intercalant has entered the interlayer of graphite flakes to form GIC. XRD results further showed that the GIC products still maintained the structure of carbon atoms or molecules, and the sodium bicarbonate intercalation agent has entered the interlayer of the graphite, and increased the interlayer distance of the layered graphite. The expandability of GIC products was studied, and the results show that it was expandable, and the expandable volume of GIC products prepared under optimal conditions has reached 142 mL/g. The theoretical basis for large-scale production was provided by studied the mechanism of the preparation method and designed the flow chart. The method has the advantages of simple process, products free of impurities, no use of aggressive reagents, process stable, and does not pollute the environment, being favorable to mass production, and provided new preparation method and idea for two-dimensional nanomaterials with preparation technical difficulties.
Three-week exercise and protein intake immediately after exercise increases the 6-min walking distance with simultaneously improved plasma volume in patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease: a preliminary prospective study
Authors: Sato Chika , Kamijo Yoshi-ichiro , Sakurai Yuta , Araki Shohei , Sakata Yuki , Ishigame Ayana , Murai Kota , Yoshioka Izumi , Tajima Fumihiro
Published: March 2022

Background

Blood volume (BV) is a critical factor for physical endurance in chronic stroke patients, while hypervolemia can worsen hypertension in these patients. This prospective study assessed whether rehabilitation combined with protein supplementation immediately after each exercise for 3 weeks would improve plasma volume (PV) and BV as well as physical endurance without worsening hypertension.

Methods

Ambulatory patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease who received a 3-week rehabilitation program with high protein jelly (intervention group [PG]; n = 8; 10-g protein) or protein-free jelly (control group [CG]; n = 8) consumed within 30 min after each exercise. PV and BV were assessed while measuring the 6-min walking distance (6MWD), peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), strength of knee extension, and resting blood pressure before and after the intervention. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine whether there was an interaction of time × group. The difference between before and after intervention or between the groups by post-hoc test (Tukey’s test) at the level ofP < 0.05.

Results

The 6MWD increased only in the PG (P = 0.001; an interaction of Group and Time,P = 0.037). PV and BV increased only in the PG (P < 0.05). VO2peakand strength of knee extension in the paralysed limb increased in both groups (P < 0.05). The resting blood pressure did not worsen after the intervention.

Conclusions

In chronic post-stroke patients, 3-week rehabilitation combined with protein intake immediately after exercise increased 6MWD simultaneously with increased PV and BV, but it did not increase resting blood pressure. The present regimen is acceptable and effective for ambulatory patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease.

Name of the registryExamining effects of protein supplementation on functional improvement during rehabilitation intervention in chronic stroke patients

Trial registration numberUMIN000028009; date of registration: 30/06/2017. This study was registered prospectively.
In vitro antibacterial, non-cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Boscia Senegalensis and Tapinanthus dodoneifolius, plants used by pastoralists in Cameroon
Authors: Vougat Ngom Ronald Romuald Bebey , Foyet Harquin Simplice
Published: March 2022

In the Far North Region of Cameroon, pastoralists use the leaves ofBoscia senegalensisand the stem ofTapinanthus dodoneifoliusto treat common animal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial, non-cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials of these plants. To achieve this, four extracts (water, methanol, chloroform and hexane) of both plants obtained by successive fractionation were used. Antibacterial activities of the different extracts were evaluated against three bacterial reference strains including Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coliandSalmonella typhi) using agar disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Human colon cancer cells were used to screen their toxicity. 2,2-Ddiphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferrous ion chelating assays have been used to investigate the antioxidant activities of the best extract of each plant after antibacterial assay. A sensitive inhibitory effect was observed againstS. aureuswith hexane extract ofB. senegalensisand methanolic extract ofT. dodoneifolius. In addition, the results showed that both plant extracts are not toxic. The hexane and methanolic extracts ofB. senegalensisandT. dodoneifolius, respectively, showed higher antioxidant activities, but the hexane extract demonstrate a strong hydrogen donating ability or the electron transfer reaction in comparison with vitamin C used as standard. This finding may support the traditional use of both plants for managing animal diseases in the Far North of Cameroon.
Multi-Recipient encryption with keyword search without pairing for cloud storage
Authors: Yang Ningbin , Zhou Quan , Huang Qiong , Tang Chunming
Published: March 2022

With the rapid development of cloud computing technology and communication technology, cloud storage has become a tool used by people in daily life. Cloud storage service enables users to outsource data to cloud servers and retrieve desired document efficiently. Individual privacy in outsource data are very sensitive and should be prevented from any leakage. Public-key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) scheme resolves this tension, while public-key authentication encryption with keyword search (PAEKS) scheme improve its keyword guessing attacks problem potentially. Whereas, the loss of keyword privacy, the limitation of single user interaction and low efficiency make PEKS/PAEKS schemes far from enough in practical applications.In this paper, we develop a multi-recipient public key encryption scheme with keyword search without pairing (MREKS) for cloud storage under public key infrastructure. The proposed scheme has the merits of supporting multi-recipient keyword search way as well as requiring no expensively bilinear pairing operations under standard model. We present a concrete and efficient construction of MREKS, and prove its security based on discrete logarithm assumptions. Furthermore, we embed the algorithm of data plaintext encryption and decryption into the scheme, which makes the scheme more practical. We show that our scheme enjoys much more efficiency than previous PEKS/PAEKS scheme in the simulation experiment, especially the keyword encryption is optimized by 79.5%.
An evaluation framework and empirical evidence on the effect of pay-for-results programs on the development of markets for welfare-enhancing agricultural technologies
Authors: Narayan Tulika A. , Geyer Judy , Mainville Denise , Ness-Edelstein Betsy
Published: March 2022

Background

Donors and international development organizations increasingly recognize that private sector investment and creativity are needed to enhance global food security. Pay-for-results schemes are receiving greater attention as a means to catalyze private sector investment in sustainable, inclusive markets for goods and technologies that achieve food security and agriculture development goals. In pay-for-results schemes, the development organization promises prizes to private sector actors for achieving pre-specified goals.

Method

We describe an evaluation framework to help development organizations learn from both successful and failed pay-for-results projects to achieve agriculture and food security outcomes. Applying the evaluation framework, we describe the findings from four pay-for-results projects sponsored by AgResults, a multilateral initiative funded by development organizations from four countries (Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Results

The lessons highlighted from these examples illustrate the importance of structuring the prize to encourage the creation of competitive agricultural markets; aligning the prize structure with the development goal of improving smallholder farmers’ food security; and constructing a theory of change that reflects a thorough understanding of the baseline market, enabling environment, and underlying assumptions about competitors’ response to the prize.

Conclusions

Our work has several policy implications:

Under certain conditions, pay-for-results mechanisms can help develop competitive, smallholder-inclusive agricultural markets and reduce food insecurity.

Prize competitions offering multiyear, proportional prizes are more conducive than grand prizes to fostering the development of competitive agricultural markets.

The enabling environment plays a significant role in pay-for-results mechanisms’ success or failure.

Private sector-led actions alone may not be sufficient to adequately address the targeted development challenge.
Research on Angle Connector in Composite Beam
Authors: Ding Kewei , Zhang Xinqi , Liu Yunlin , He Shulin , Wang Jingfeng , Shen Wanyu
Published: March 2022

As a critical component for steel beam and concrete slab to work together, the strength of the shear connector affects the flexural load capacity and stiffness of the composite beam. Connectors were generally studied for longitudinal shear resistance. However, transverse shear needs to be considered when the main beam is far away and the transverse connection is weak. In this paper, an angle connector pre-embedded in the precast slab was proposed, and its pre-embedded position makes it exhibit better transverse shear resistance. To assess the strength, stiffness, and slip capacity of the angle connector, two groups of composite beam with precast slabs negative moment flexural were tested, then several finite element groups were simulated in push-out test. The test variable was the existence of angle connectors, and the variables simulated were the yield strength of the angle connector and its flange thickness. The results showed that the composite beam with angle connectors has greater stiffness than ordinary ones, with little difference in flexural strength capacity and less slippage. The results show that angle connectors can replace extending rebars in precast slabs, which will reduce construction costs. In addition, a new design equation was proposed, including the yield strength of the connector and the thickness of its flange which are not unified in the current equations. The simulations determined the strength of the angle connectors in relation to the yield strength of the angle connector and its web thickness.
Selective biosynthesis of retinol in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Hu Qiongyue , Zhang Tanglei , Yu Hongwei , Ye Lidan
Published: March 2022

The vitamin A component retinol has become an increasingly sought-after cosmetic ingredient. In previous efforts for microbial biosynthesis of vitamin A, a mixture of retinoids was produced. In order to efficiently produce retinol at high purity, the precursor and NADPH supply was first enhanced to improve retinoids accumulation in the S. cerevisiae strain constructed from a β-carotene producer by introducing β-carotene 15,15ʹ-dioxygenase, following by screening of heterologous and endogenous oxidoreductases for retinal reduction. Env9 was found as an endogenous retinal reductase and its activity was verified in vitro. By co-expressing Env9 with the E. coli ybbO, as much as 443.43 mg/L of retinol was produced at 98.76% purity in bi-phasic shake-flask culture when the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene was added to prevent retinoids degradation. The retinol titer reached 2479.34 mg/L in fed-batch fermentation. The success in selective biosynthesis of retinol would lay a solid foundation for its biotechnological production.

Graphical Abstract
Nemaline myopathy in newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s overlap syndrome complicated by macrophage activation syndrome
Authors: Vogel Christina , Manwani Poonam , Cornford Marcia E. , Heinze Emil R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Nemaline myopathies are congenital or acquired muscle disorders that typically present in childhood but can occasionally occur in adults with underlying malignant, infectious or autoimmune disorders. There is a great genetic heterogeneity as well as clinical variability among the disease.

Case presentation

Here, we present a case of nemaline myopathy in a young woman who was newly diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s overlap syndrome complicated by macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). She had no personal or family history of myopathy and was reporting progressive thigh weakness. A muscle biopsy revealed type 1 myofiber predominance with granular material in atrophic myocytes consistent with nemaline myopathy. Her symptoms markedly improved with immunotherapy for her SLE and MAS supporting the diagnosis of sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy (SLONM) associated with her autoimmune disease.

Conclusions

SLONM is a type of nemaline myopathy that presents in adults and can occasionally be associated with autoimmune disease. In these cases, treatment of the underlying disorder with immunosuppression appears to improve symptoms of myopathy.
Energy management system for a small-scale microgrid
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Mubashir , Kumar Shubash , Lal Chaman , Kumar Chandar
Published: March 2022

In recent years, the power system has been evolved into microgrids, which are little pockets of self-contained entities. Different distributed, interconnected generation units, loads, and energy storage units make up a typical microgrid system. The increased energy efficiency of these units on microgrids is gaining popularity day by day. Because of their stochastic behavior, renewable generation causes an imbalance in the power system, which needs microgrid energy management. To solve these issues, a variety of novel approaches have been explored in the literature. For the stand-alone microgrid in this research, efficient energy management and control mechanism is adopted. A photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, and a battery energy storage device make up this stand-alone microgrid. The power stability of the hybrid system is ensured by a sophisticated controller. The main purpose of this study is to regulate the DC/DC bidirectional converter (DBC), which connects the Li-ion battery to the DC bus of the stand-alone microgrid. This paper describes the development of a wind/photovoltaic power generation system to the load, as well as MPPT techniques like perturb and observe (P&O). The system is simulated and the results are presented using MPPT techniques. There is no requirement for a specific power model in the suggested method. Only power and voltage system data are used by DBC. A stand-alone microgrid system was simulated using MATLAB.
Fracture prediction based on walkaround 3D3C vertical seismic profiling data: A case study from the Tarim Basin in China
Authors: Yang Yuyong , Lu Jun , Li Haiying , Qi Qiaomu , Zhou Huailai
Published: March 2022

Natural fractures are well developed in the Sangtamu carbonate formation, which is the primary oil and gas production unit in the Tarim Basin, China. The analysis of converted waves via S-wave splitting (SWS) is an effective tool for predicting natural fractures in carbonate units. Compared with surface seismic data measurements, vertical seismic profiling (VSP) is more advantageous for acquiring and imaging converted waves. At present, there is a lack of robust methods on using 3D3C VSP data for fracture prediction. We propose an innovative workflow for predicting the spatial fracture distribution with the first ever application of SWS analysis to a 3D3C VSP data set. Instead of traditional Cartesian coordinates, we generate image bins based on a polar coordinate system to obtain accurate P-to-S converted waves of different azimuth angles. This is followed by a two-step SWS analysis. First, we conduct a multidirectional SWS analysis to estimate the fracture-induced anisotropy in the upper layers. Then, the wavefield of the target layer is corrected using time compensation and coordinate rotation. Finally, we apply SWS analysis again to obtain the azimuth and spatial intensity of the fractures in the target layer. We find that there is an overall good agreement in the fracture densities derived from the VSP waveforms and well-log data. The areas with high fracture development, as indicated by the SWS and ant-tracking analyses, also are consistent. Our study indicates that azimuth processing of walkaround 3D3C VSP combined with SWS analysis can serve as a quantitative diagnostic tool for fractures in a carbonate reservoir.
Normal amygdala morphology in dissociative identity disorder
Authors: Reinders Antje A. T. S. , Dimitrova Lora I. , Schlumpf Yolanda R. , Vissia Eline M. , Nijenhuis Ellert R. S. , Jäncke Lutz , Chalavi Sima , Veltman Dick J.
Published: March 2022

Studies investigating the structure of the amygdala in relation to dissociation in psychiatric disorders are limited and have reported normal or preserved, increased or decreased global volumes. Thus, a more detailed investigation of the amygdala is warranted. Amygdala global and subregional volumes were compared between individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID: n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 42). Analyses of covariance did not show volumetric differences between the DID and control groups. Although several unknowns make it challenging to interpret our findings, we propose that the finding of normal amygdala volume is a genuine finding because other studies using this data-set have presented robust morphological aberrations in relation to the diagnosis of DID.
Parathyroidectomy vs Cinacalcet Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Komaba Hirotaka , Hamano Takayuki , Fujii Naohiko , Moriwaki Kensuke , Wada Atsushi , Masakane Ikuto , Nitta Kosaku , Fukagawa Masafumi
Published: March 2022

Context

Parathyroidectomy (PTx) and cinacalcet are both effective treatments for secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients, but limited data exist comparing the long-term outcomes of these interventions.

Objective

We aimed to compare the risk of mortality among hemodialysis patients who underwent PTx and those who started treatment with cinacalcet.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, comprising patients from the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Renal Data Registry, patients who had intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels ≥ 300 pg/mL in late 2007 and underwent PTx or started treatment with cinacalcet in 2008 to 2009 were matched by propensity score at 1:3. PTx and cinacalcet were compared for all-cause mortality within 6 years.

Results

Among eligible patients, 894 patients who underwent PTx were matched with 2682 patients who started treatment with cinacalcet. The median baseline intact PTH levels were 588 pg/mL and 566 pg/mL in the PTx and cinacalcet groups, respectively. PTx resulted in greater reductions in intact PTH, calcium, and phosphorus levels compared with cinacalcet. During the 6-year follow-up period, 201 patients (22.5%) in the PTx group and 736 patients (27.4%) in the cinacalcet group died. PTx was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared with cinacalcet (hazard ratio, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67-0.91]; P = 0.002). This association was more pronounced in patients with intact PTH levels ≥ 500 pg/mL and in patients with serum calcium levels ≥ 10.0 mg/dL (both P for interaction < 0.001).

Conclusion

PTx compared with cinacalcet is associated with a lower risk of mortality, particularly among patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.