bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning, expression, purification and amyloid degradation study of recombinant serrapeptase from Serratia marcescens
Authors: Venkataprasad R , Gopinath Shreya , Selvarajan Ethiraj
Published: April 2021

Background

Serrapeptase (SP) is a proteolytic enzyme which plays a prominent role in the degradation of dead tissue. It can also use as a therapeutic enzyme for the treatment of Insulin amyloids. It has reported that the SP protein has the fibrinolytic activity, but the activities towards insulin amyloid degradation not reported. Our study has focused the cloning and expressing SP gene and studying its cytotoxic reactivity studies and amyloids degradation.
Results

SP gene was cloned in pET-28 a (+), and the enzyme was expressed using E.coli BL 21 (DE3) strain. The clone was confirmed using colony PCR, sequencing and restriction digestion. Overexpression of enzyme and purification performed using IPTG and Ni-NTA column. The molecular weight of serrapeptase protein was determined using SDS-PAGE, which found to be 52 kDa. The purified enzyme showed a zone of clearance on casein plate, slight cytotoxic reactivity to PC-12 cells after 24 h contact and 25% insulin amyloid degradation confirmed after 24 h of incubation.
Conclusion

This study shows that cloning and the expression of SP will reduce the time and cost of production of SP from wild type strain which can be used for the treatment of amyloid-related diseases.
Correlates of Influenza Vaccination Among Underserved Latinx Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Bazargan Mohsen , Martinez-Hollingsworth Adrienne , Cobb Sharon , Kibe Lucy
Published: April 2021

Background: Vaccination is a powerful tool in the fight against seasonal influenza, among underserved, middle-age and older, Latinx adults. Yet, vaccine hesitancy and inconsistent uptake in this population continues to represent a substantial challenge to public health. A better understanding of factors impacting influenza vaccination behaviors in this group could result in more effective messaging and initiatives promoting universal vaccination among Latinx. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, we explore correlates of influenza vaccination uptake among underserved, Latinx, older adults. Our focus was on the role of socio-demographics, living arrangements, financial strain, access and satisfaction with medical care, and the presence of major chronic conditions in terms of vaccine uptake. Middle-aged and older Latinx residents diagnosed with diabetes and/or hypertension (n=165), were recruited from the South Los Angeles Service Plan Area (SPA), a historically under-resourced community. Bi-variate and multi-variate logistical regression were performed on survey data to explore independent correlates of influenza vaccination.Results: Almost half of underserved Latinx older adults in our study (45%) reported influenza vaccination within the 12 months prior to the study. The majority (~85%) reported receiving this recommendation from their primary care provider. However, one-third (30%) of those receiving this advice did not get the vaccine. A decreased likelihood of vaccination was significantly associated with living alone (p=0.026), lacking Medicare coverage (0.028), or higher levels of financial strain (0.020). Difficulty accessing medical care (p=0.008) or dissatisfaction with these experiences (p=0.001) were also strongly associated with decreased likelihood of vaccination. Participants diagnosed with COPD had 9.5 (CI: 1.76 – 51.3) higher odds of being vaccinated compared to those without; no correlation was detected for other chronic conditions.Conclusion: The high number of unvaccinated Latinx participants receiving a vaccine recommendation from a provider is consistent with studies among other ethnic/racial minority older adults and highlights the pivotal role of the provider in influenza vaccine adoption. Additional findings reflect negative impact of Social Determinates of Health (SDoH) on preventive care efforts in this group. Further efforts to quantify these associations are needed to explore structural and human factors impacting influenza vaccine uptake.
Host transcriptome alterations in vitro and in vivo following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection
Authors: Luo Yannian , Xu Juan , Zhou Mingzhen , Lei Xiaomei , Cao Wen , Wang Xiaojun , Qiao Ruili
Published: April 2021

Background. Exploring alterations in the host transcriptome following SARS-CoV-2 infection is not only highly warranted to help us understand molecular mechanisms of the disease, but also provide new prospective for screening effective antiviral drugs, finding new therapeutic targets, and evaluating the risk of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) early.Methods. We downloaded three gene expression matrix files from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and extracted the gene expression data of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and non-infection in human samples and different cell line samples, and then performed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), respectively. Thereafter, we integrated the results of GSEA and obtained co-enriched gene sets and co-core genes in three various microarray data. Finally, we also constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and molecular modules for co-core genes and performed Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis for the genes from modules to clarify their possible biological processes and underlying signaling pathway. Results. A total of 11 co-enriched gene sets were identiﬁed from the three various microarray data. Among them, 10 gene sets were activated, and involved in immune response and inflammatory reaction. 1 gene set was suppressed, and participated in cell cycle. The analysis of molecular modules showed that 2 modules might play a vital role in the pathogenic process of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The KEGG enrichment analysis showed that genes from module one enriched in signaling pathways related to inflammation, but genes from module two enriched in signaling of cell cycle and DNA replication. Particularly, necroptosis signaling, a newly identified type of programmed cell death that differed from apoptosis, was also determined in our findings. Additionally, for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, genes from module one showed a relatively high-level expression while genes from module two showed low-level. Conclusions. We identified two molecular modules were used to assess severity and predict the prognosis of the patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, these results provide a unique opportunity to explore more molecular pathways as new potential targets on therapy in COVID 19.
Metal Leaching from Antimicrobial Cloth Face Masks Intended to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Authors: Pollard Zoe A. , Karod Madeline , Goldfarb Jillian L.
Published: April 2021

Global health organizations recommend the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Seemingly overnight, companies whose primary business is in no way related to healthcare or personal protective equipment – from mattresses manufacturers to big box stores – transitioned into the “mask business.” One of many options on the market are antimicrobial face masks, some of which contain silver and/or copper that may leach out of these masks. We exposed ten face masks to deionized water, laundry detergent, and artificial saliva to quantify the leachable silver and copper as a result of mask washing and wearing. Leaching varied widely across brand, metal, and leaching solution, but in some cases was as high as 100% of the metals contained in the as-received mask after 1 hour of exposure. This could lead to a total adult body metal exposure of up to 900 µg/kg of silver and 75 µg/kg of copper by wearing a given mask over an 8-hour workday. While this exposure could be minimized by pre-washing the cloth masks, this would seem to eliminate any (perceived) antimicrobial properties as the metals are eliminated into wastewater and/or graywater.
Potential prognostic value of hsa-miR-18a in hepatocellular carcinoma and the underlying key down-stream gene CHRM2: a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis*
Authors: Fu Zile , Wen Shuzhan , Wei Tianchang , Gu Ruiqi , Chen Shuying
Published: April 2021

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Better prognosticators are warranted for HCC. Hsa-miR-18a has been considered implicated in the pathogenesis of several tumors including HCC.
Methods

Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to predict target genes and carry out enrichment analysis. Validated downstream genes of hsa-miR-18a were obtained from PubMed database. Differential expression analysis was conducted within the “edgeR” R package based on the TCGA datasets. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. All the visualizations were implemented by R.
Results

Bioinformatic analysis obtained a total of 90 target genes of hsa-miR-18a and revealed that target genes were involved in pathways essential for cancer onset and development such as cell cycle and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. A review of literatures found target genes of miR-18a indeed participating in the biological processes of HCC. CHRM2 was identified as a special gene after the intersection analysis of TCGA differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and predicted target genes. Survival analysis validated that hsa-miR-18a and CHRM2 significantly affected the prognosis of HCC patients.
Conclusion

There is a strong association between hsa-miR-18a with tumors including HCC via participating essential tumor-promoting pathways including cell cycle, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, etc. Furthermore, high miR-18a expression and low CHRM2 expression could lead to a poor prognosis in HCC. In conclusion, miR-18a could serve as an expectational prognostic biomarker in HCC.
Post-hoc biomarker analyses of T4a/T4b gastric cancer from patients recruited into SAMIT, a phase III randomized controlled trial
Authors: Oshima Takashi , Tsuburaya Akira , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Yoshikawa Takaki , Miyagi Yohei , Rino Yasushi , Masuda Munetaka , Guan Jia , Tan Patrick , Grabsch Heike , Sakamoto Junichi , Tanaka Shiro
Published: April 2021

Biomarkers for selecting gastric cancer (GC) patients likely to benefit from sequential paclitaxel treatment followed by fluorinated-pyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy were searched for using samples of patients recruited into SAMIT, a phase III randomized controlled trial. Total RNA was extracted from 556 GC patients and the expression of 105 genes were quantified using real-time PCR. Genes predicting positive effects of sequential paclitaxel on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or cumulative incidence of relapse were identified based on p-values associated with the interaction between the biomarker and sequential paclitaxel or monotherapy group. Low VSNL1 and CD44v expression predicted the positive effects of sequential paclitaxel in all above three endpoints. In the patient subgroup with combined low expression of both genes, sequential paclitaxel therapy was associated with a significantly improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.48 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30–0.78]; p < 0.01; interaction p-value < 0.01), particularly in patients with stage IIIB GC (HR = 0.39 [95% CI, 0.20–0.75]; p < 0.01; interaction p-value < 0.01). In this study, two biomarkers were identified. Our findings might open up the way for clinical trials on biomarker-oriented postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cancer.
COVID-19 Pandemics and Impacts on Medical Educators in China
Authors: Chen Meiling , Zou Shiqian , Wang Siyi , Akinwunmi Babatunde , Ming Wai-Kit
Published: April 2021

Background: Education informatization is still in the early stage in China. The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led medical educators passively incorporating information technology for remote medical teaching, in which challenges and opportunities have co-existed.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) explore the medical educators' perception and experience of online teaching in medical education before and after emergency remote teaching (ERT) experience during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) illustrate the medical educators' satisfaction on the contribution of online teaching on medical teaching, and (3) reveal the main challenges medical educators met when they conduct the ERT during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to demonstrate whether the challenges are a different by age or gender including some other factors.Methods: A web-based questionnaire was disseminated to the faculty of medical education departments at higher institutions in China. The collected quantitative data of the questionnaire were analyzed by using the SPSS software package. Descriptive statistics were conducted on demographic data and the perception and experience of medical educators before and after the COVID-19 were shown as the frequencies and percentages, while the teachers' opinions on contribution of online teaching on medical education were analyzed by descriptive statistics with means and standard deviations. Multiple response analysis combined with crosstabulation chi-square test was applied, and a P-value <.05 was considered to be statistically significant to exams the relationship between age as well as gender and difficulties met in online teaching respectively.Results: A total of 26 medical educators (65.38%, n=17 female and 34.62%, n=9 male) were valid participants. Total 57.69% (n=15) of them had used web-based teaching before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 43.21% (n=11) had not. The agreement level on the teaching effect of online teaching was medium, with a mean value of 2.55 (range from 1-5). The first two difficulties medical teachers came across in online teaching were the web-based instructional design (27%), and the unfamiliarity with web-based teaching tools (25 %). No significant difference in the types of difficulties encountered by different ages (P=0.969) or gender (P = 0.873) in online teaching.Conclusions: The majority of medical educators are open-minded to incorporating online teaching into their teaching practice in the future. However, medical educators in China commonly faced shared difficulties when they adopted online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identify these challenges and proposing some relevant suggestions to promote a further increase in the active adoption of information technology in medical education.
The Clinical Significance of the Extent of Positive Surgical Margins in Partial Nephrectomy performed for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Ziting , Tan Yi Quan , Lu Jirong , Goh Yen Seow Benjamin , Loh Kep Yong , Tiong Ho Yee
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to review the occurrences of extensive positive surgical margins and focal positive surgical margins after partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, comparing their associations and clinical outcomes with those with negative surgical margins. Materials and MethodsBetween 2014 to 2019, a total of 137 partial nephrectomies for cancer was performed. Pathological surgical margins were classified according to negative surgical margins (n=156), extensive positive margins (n=7), or focal positive surgical margins (n=15). Peri-operative data, functional and oncological outcomes were compared among the three groups.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics were comparable in all three groups except for gender, with a significantly greater proportion of male patients (P=0.02) with extensive positive surgical margins and focal positive surgical margins than negative surgical margins. Negative surgical margins was associated with shorter operative time compared with extensive and focal positive surgical margins. Pathologically, perinephric fat invasion was significantly associated (P<0.01) with positive surgical margins but there were no other differences in terms of cell type, grade and necrosis. There were a total of 4 local recurrences, all in the extensive positive surgical margins group with a median follow up period of 32.8 months.ConclusionsExtensive positive surgical margins and focal positive surgical margins share similar peri-operative associations when compared with negative surgical margins but have different pathological and oncological implications to each other. The higher association of pathological T3a stage with extensive positive margins may account for the finding that local recurrences exclusively occur in patients with extensive positive surgical margins.
Depressive symptoms as a mediator between impulsiveness and suicidal ideation among Chinese medical college students
Authors: Zhang Jingxuan , Zhang Xiaolin , Yang Guoyu , Feng Zhengzhi
Published: April 2021

Background: Suicidal ideation is thought to be of high risk for attempts and behaviours. Researches have suggested that depressive symptoms and impulsiveness can affect suicidal ideation, attempts and behaviours independently. But how they work together in influencing suicidal ideation remains unclear. This study is aiming to investigate the reciprocal associations among impulsiveness, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation and to confirm the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on impulsiveness and suicidal ideation through cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.Methods: The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11th version (BIS-11) and Self-rating Idea of Suicide Scale (SIOSS) were applied, as well as a list of demographic information. Multilinear regression and parallel process latent growth curve models were applied to conduct cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively.Results: (1) Participants with suicidal ideation scored higher in depressive symptoms and impulsiveness than those without suicidal ideation (P<10-5). (2) The three variables and the three dimensions of impulsiveness were significantly reciprocally correlated with each other (P<0.01). (3) For the impulsiveness total score, non-planning, motor and attention, the multilinear regression models fit well (adjusted R2>0.3, SRMR<0.05). Their indirect effects on suicidal ideation through depressive symptoms were all statistically significant (BIS-SDS-SIOSS, indirect effect coefficient=0.557, P<0.001; non-planning-SDS-SIOSS, indirect effect coefficient=0.480, P<0.001; motor-SDS-SIOSS, indirect effect coefficient=0.486, P<0.001; attention-SDS-SIOSS, indirect effect coefficient=0.504, P<0.001). (4) Four parallel process latent growth curve models fit well (RMSEA<0.05). The total indirect effect of impulsiveness on the growth rate of suicidal ideation through the initial level and growth rate of depressive symptoms was significant (indirect effect coefficient=-0.450, P=0.001). The indirect effects of non-planning and attention impulsiveness were -0.336 (P=0.005) and -0.314 (P=0.002), respectively. However, the indirect effect of motor function on the growth rate of suicidal ideation was not significant (coefficient=-0.379, P=0.067).Conclusions: This study mainly revealed that individuals with impulsive personalities might be at higher risk for and experience more rapid changes in suicidal ideation. The effects were indirect and mediated by depressive symptoms. This implies that impulsive personality with depressive symptoms is critical for suicide prevention and needs more attention.
The Network Structure of Resilience among Chinese Female Nursing Students
Authors: Wang Yifei , Wu Lin , Wang Mei , Sizhe Cheng , Yang Zelong , Ren Lei , Liu Xufeng
Published: April 2021

Background: Many nursing students will suffer from serious psychological problem. However, the intervention research on the psychological resilience of nurses is still in the exploratory stage and the efficiency of existing intervention methods remains variable because of limited comprehension of this relevant psychological construct. Therefore this study investigates the network structure of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in Chinese female nursing students to provide a novel understanding for resilience and targets for related interventions. Methods: This study was an online cross-sectional study conducted at three medical universities from 21 August 2020 to 25 August 2020. This study adopted the CD-RISC-10, with a total of 776 participants joined in. Network analysis was conducted and the main focus is strength centrality and predictability. Results: Three edges with strongest unregularized partial correlations existed in the final network, such as between item “Able to adapt to change” and item “Can deal with whatever comes”. The items with strongest strength centrality are “Thinks of self as strong person” and “Can achieve goals despite obstacles”. Conclusions: The results may help us to gain a deeper understanding of resilience and provide educational orientation on how to make students more resilient, which may be benefit in challenge overcoming for nursing students.
Evaluation of the association of ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism with different types of gliomas in patients in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Tavares Cléciton Braga , Campos-Verdes Larysse Cardoso , Lopes-Costa Pedro Vitor , Gomes-Braga Frsancisca das Chagas Sheyla Almeida , Junior Elmo Jesus Nery , Escórcio-Dourado Carla Solange Melo , Santos Alesse Ribeiro , Sousa Emerson Brandao , Pereira Renato Oliveira , Gebrim Luiz Henrique , Silva Benedito Borges da
Published: April 2021

Gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system with unclear etiology. However, hereditary factors may play an important role in glioma development, with mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being prominent among the genetic changes. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the ERCC2 gene rs13181 variant polymorphism between high- and low-grade gliomas in patients from Brazil’s Northeast region. Samples from glioma patients stored in paraffin blocks were used. DNA extraction was performed using the MagMAX™ FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra kit, and for genotyping, the Taqman assay probe C_3145033_10 corresponding to the SNP rs13181 of the ERCC2 gene was selected. Quantitative and categorical variables were analyzed using the t-test and Fisher’s exact test or Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Patients with low-grade gliomas were younger than those with high-grade gliomas (p = 0.003). Statistically significant differences were not observed in the expression of the GG, GT, and TT genotypes between low- and high-grade gliomas. The ERCC2 rs13181 genotypes found were TT, GG, and GT; however, no difference in the expression between different glioma types was observed.
The Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Lung Nodule, Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Authors: Zeng Ai-Ming , Chen Li-Da , Zhao Zhi-Wei , Chen Meng-Xue , Huang Jie-Feng , Lai Guo-Xiang , Lin Qi-Chang
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cancer risks gaining more and more attention. Data on the association between OSA and lung cancer risk are limited. This study is to investigate whether a link exists between Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scanning of the chest findings, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and OSA in patients suspected of OSA.Methods: The cross-sectional study included patients aged 18 years or older who underwent continuous nocturnal polysomnography at our sleep center between February 2019 and November 2020. All subjects underwent chest LDCT and CEA. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index(AHI) of ≥15/h were classified as clinically significant OSA group, whereas patients with an AHI ＜15/h were classified as control group.Results: A total of 277 patients were enrolled in the study. 176 patients were categorized into the OSA group, while 101 patients were categorized into the control group. There is no relationship between any OSA-related parameter and presence of lung nodule or presence of ≥6mm lung nodule in the binary logistic regression analysis. OSA group demonstrated a significant higher value of CEA than control group. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that lowest O2 saturation(β=-0.256, p＜0.001), smoking status (β=0.156, p=0.007) and age (β=0.153, p=0.008) were independent predictors of elevated CEA. Conclusion: In a group of patients suspected of OSA, we confirmed an independent correlation between nocturnal hypoxia and elevated CEA levels. OSA was not related with presence of pulmonary nodule or≥6 mm pulmonary nodule in LDCT.
Biosafety Assessment of Acinetobacter Strains Isolated From the Three Gorges Reservoir Region in Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans
Authors: Deng Yunjia , Du Huihui , Tang Mingfeng , Wang Qilong , Huang Qian , He Ying , Cheng Fei , Chen Yu , Xiao Guosheng
Published: April 2021

Acinetobacter is an important nosocomial pathogen frequently detected in backwater areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) region. We here employed Caenorhabditis elegans to perform biosafety assessment of Acinetobacter strains isolated from the backwater area in the TGR region and reference strains. Among 21 isolates and 5 reference strains of Acinetobacter, exposure to Acinetobacter strains of AC1, AC15, AC18, AC21, A. baumannii ATCC 19606T, A. junii NH88-14 and A. lwoffii DSM 2403T resulted in significant decrease in locomotion behavior and reduction in lifespan. In nematodes, exposure to Acinetobacter strains of AC1, AC15, AC18, AC21, A. baumannii, A. junii and A. lwoffii also resulted in significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, exposure to Acinetobacter isolates of AC1, AC15, AC18, and AC21 led to significant increase in expressions of both SOD-3::GFP and some antimicrobial genes (lys-1, spp-12, lys-7, dod-6, spp-1, dod-22, lys-8, and/or F55G11.4) in nematodes. The Acinetobacter isolates of AC1, AC15, AC18, and AC21 had different morphological, biochemical, and phylogenetical properties. Our results suggested that it exists the exposure risk of some Acinetobacter strains isolated from the TGR region for environmental organisms and human health, and Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to assess the biosafety of Acinetobacter isolates from the environment.
Corrosion Behavior of the Nickel/nickel Interface During the Copper Sacrificial Layer Releasing Process in Micro-Electroforming
Authors: Wang Lili , Ye Minheng , Wang Yingying , Tian Dong , Ye zuoyan , Wang Chao
Published: April 2021

The corrosion behavior of the Ni/Ni interface during the Cu sacrificial layer releasing process in micro-electroforming has been investigated. The XPS and SEM results reveal that the pre-existing passive layer and interfacial defects exist on the Ni/Ni interface. Compared with Ni base, the interface is prone to be attacked. Pitting corrosion occurs along interface boundary, which contains three main processes, pit initiation, pit growth and pits fusion, leading to a commensurate reduction in interfacial adhesion strength and ultimately structural integrity. The combination of the substrate modification and heat post treatment is an effective solution to avoid the localized corrosion. We believe that both the surface activation and thermally induced diffusion have worked.
Evaluation of Corneal Endothelium in Middle-Aged Keratoconus Eyes
Authors: Doğan Emine , Çakır Burçin , Aksoy Nilgün , Alagöz Gürsoy
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To investigate the corneal endothelial cell parameters and to evaluate the correlation with corneal topographic parameters in middle-aged non-treated keratoconus (KC) patients.
Materials and Methods

Thirty-six eyes of 21 KC patients in the middle decade (4th-5th) and age-gender matched 36 healthy eyes were included. Topographic parameters [(K1, K2 Sim K, central, thinnest pachymetry, anterior chamber depth (ACD)] were obtained with Galillei double scheimpflug analyzer. Patients were divided into stages according to mean keratometric values ​​(Mild < 45D,Moderate 45-52D, Severe > 52D, Advanced > 62 D). Endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) of cell areas and hexagonal cell percentage (HCP) obtained with specular microscopy were recorded.Corneal topography and specular microscopy parameters were compared between KC and healthy eyes. The correlation between topographic and specular microscopy parameters were analyzed.
Results

The mean age of the patients was 38.6 ± 6.0 and 37.8 ± 4.2 years in the KC and control group, respectively. Age and gender were statistically similar between the groups. ECD was 2772 ± 17 in the KC group and 2741 ± 30 cells / mm2 in the control group, and there was no statistical difference between the groups (p: 0.621). HCP was 63.5 ± 7.2, 67.4 ± 5.2 in KC and healthy eyes, respectively (p: 0.014); CV was 30.7 ± 5.2 and 28.6 ± 3.4, respectively (p: 0.058). Specular microscopy parameters were not statistically different according to KC stage. K1,K2,SimK, CCT, ACD did not correlate with ECD in patients.
Conclusion

Our results showed that endothelial cell morphology is significantly affected in middle-aged KC patients who have not been treated.
Association between maternal dietary quality and gestational diabetes mellitus based on the Diet Balance Index for Pregnancy
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Wang Ning , Luo Can , Zhao Rui , Du Yatan , Xie Huihui , Lu Yuxuan , Xu Yue , Wang Dongxia , Li Yan , Yang Xuefeng , Xiong Guoping , Hao Liping
Published: April 2021

Background: Maternal diet is critical to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but sparse studies have applied the Chinese Dietary Balance Index for Pregnancy (DBI-P) to assess the maternal dietary quality and its relationship with GDM. We aimed to examine the maternal dietary quality and its relationship with GDM risk using the newly developed DBI-P. Methods: We included 1122 pregnant women from the Tongji Birth Cohort (TJBC) in Wuhan, China. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to obtain the dietary information during pregnancy. The newly developed DBI-P, including DBI-P components and DBI-P dietary patterns, was applied to comprehensively evaluate the maternal dietary quality. GDM was diagnosed by the 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks gestation. We used a generalized linear regression model to examine the relationship between DBI-P components and blood glucose levels, and a logistic regression model to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and GDM. Results: A total of 179 participants (16.0%) were diagnosed with GDM. There is a widespread phenomenon of dietary imbalance among pregnant women in Wuhan. With per score increase in nuts and eggs, fasting blood glucose increase by 0.03 mmol/l (95% CI: 0.01, 0.05) and 0.01 mmol/l (95 %CI: 0.01, 0.03), respectively, while per score increase in fruits, 1-h post-load blood glucose decreased by 0.05 mmol/l (95% CI: -0.10, -0.01). Besides, compared with pattern E characterized by higher intake of total energy, total fat, fruits, and cooking oil, pattern B (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.99) and pattern C (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.81) were associated with a lower GDM risk. The associations between dietary patterns and GDM risk may be partly attributed to the intakes of dietary total fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, eggs, and cooking oil. Conclusions: Unfavorable dietary quality during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of GDM. The newly established DBI-P can provide an easy-to-implement tool to assess maternal dietary quality. These findings will provide new insights for the exploration of preferable dietary evaluation methods and prevention and control of GDM.
Confluences and Land Cover As Agents of Change: Temporal Habitat Variability Modifies the Movement and Assemblage Change of Headwater Fishes
Authors: Hubbell Joshua P. , Schaefer Jacob F.
Published: April 2021

Interspersed inputs of wood and sediment brings about morphological change at confluences and the extent to which these processes are modified by anthropogenic disturbance has ramifications for stream fish assemblages. In this study, we use three functional groups of headwater fishes to assess the influences of confluence size and land cover on habitat stability, distance moved, movement rate, and assemblage change in a Gulf Coastal Plain drainage in the southeastern United States using a 2X2 design. Our results suggest that differences in habitat stability were described by a hydrogeomorphic gradient, and urban reaches characterized by a confluence size > 0.6 displayed the greatest habitat instability. Water-column specialists in urban reaches were more likely to move when habitat change was limited, whereas movement by this functional group in forested reaches was more likely in response to greater habitat instability. Therefore, the distance moved by water-column specialists was related to land cover. Assemblage change also occurred at a more constant rate in urban reaches in response to habitat instability. There was little evidence that confluence size influenced movement or assemblage stability in these headwater assemblages. Our understanding of the extent to which land cover alters the geomorphic and ecological gradients associated with headwater confluences will be critical to ensure the conservation of sensitive species whose fitness is dependent on the integrity of these habitats.
Alpha-T: Learning to Traverse over Graphs with An AlphaZero-inspired Self-Play Framework
Authors: Wang Qi
Published: April 2021

The combinatorial optimization problems on the graph are the core and classic problems in artificial intelligence and operations research. For example, the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) are not only very interesting NP-hard problems but also have important significance for the actual transportation system. Traditional methods such as heuristics methods, precise algorithms, and solution solvers can already find approximate solutions on small-scale graphs. However, they are helpless for large-scale graphs and other problems with similar structures. Moreover, traditional methods often require artificially designed heuristic functions to assist decision-making. In recent years, more and more work has focused on the application of deep learning and reinforcement learning (RL) to learn heuristics, which allows us to learn the internal structure of the graph end-to-end and find the optimal path under the guidance of heuristic rules, but most of these still need manual assistance, and the RL method used has the problems of low sampling efficiency and small searchable space. In this paper, we propose a novel framework (called Alpha-T) based on AlphaZero, which does not require expert experience or label data but is trained through self-play. We divide the learning into two stages: in the first stage we employ graph attention network (GAT) and GRU to learn node representations and memory history trajectories, and in the second stage we employ Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) and deep RL to search the solution space and train the model.
Application of Business Intelligence (BI) To Nutritional Support for Successful Ventilator Weaning
Authors: Lo Shih-Ching , Li Yan-Ru , Li Zi-Yue , Lin Cheng-Hung , Lin Hsing-Chun
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to apply business intelligence (BI) to monitoring of ventilated patient nutritional status to determine appropriate strategies for ventilator weaning.We collected data on patient characteristics, nutrition delivered, and clinical outcomes. From October 2017 to July 2019, 322 ventilated patients were enrolled and divided into successful extubation and failed weaning groups. The mean age was 67.6±16.6 years, 201 patients were men (62.4%) and 121 were women (37.6%). Successful extubation group consisted of patients who underwent surgery (p=0.001), were treated for neurological issue (p=0.002), had higher weight before pre-weaning (p=0.02), and lost weight during the weaning process (p<0.001). Both groups were given the same nutritional intervention initially. Successful extubation group received significantly more calories and protein post-weaning (p=0.022 and 0.006). Successful weaning was associated with higher survival rate (p=0.016), shortened hospital stay (p=0.005), and reduced medical costs (p<0.001).We suggest 28 kcal/kg/day and protein 1.2 g/kg/day to optimize nutrition for successful ventilator weaning.
Detection and Prevention of Drop Attack in WANET Using Robust Scheme Method
Authors: P Vinoth kumar , K Venkatesh
Published: April 2021

Performance and protection are the main important factors of Wireless Ad-hoc Network. Network protection includes the protection, stability and parameters of WANET. This helps to avoid significant service disruptions and increases network productivity by making the network more efficient. Since wireless ad hoc networks lack concentrate network management, these methods are vulnerable to data attack. In selected intruder finding tests, the neighboring locations are not trusted to send messages below. It is important to expose the invalid node, which pulls the capture mode and separates it from the network by pushing its routing mechanism. In this paper, we introduce the Resistant Drop Attack (RDA) method to provide effective protection against data loss. An RDA network protocol is recommended to detect weak nodes in the network during a fixed-speed attack. The RDA protocol can be embedded with present Wireless Ad-hoc Network routing systems such as AODV and DSR. Using the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) improves the reliability of the route by blocking links at high speeds and verifying the nodes.
A Hybrid Multi-Dimensional Usability Evaluation Approach Proposal: A Case Study Related to Airline Firms’ Websites
Authors: Can Gülin Feryal , DELİCE Elif KILIÇ
Published: April 2021

This study aims to advance a new multi-dimensional usability evaluation approach (MDUEA) for websites including four phases In the first phase, components of usability evaluation as tasks, participants, usability criteria are determined. In the second phase, the Morae V3 package program used for the tests recording the user actions and the system usability scale (SUS) is performed by Morae at the end of the each task. In the third phase, Preference Selection Index (PSI), ENTROPY and The Criteria Importance through Inter criteria Correlation (CRITIC) are performed to obtain objective usability criteria weights considering a novel three-dimension initial decision matrices than, the weights obtained from these three techniques are aggregated via geometric mean operator. In the same phase, Rank Sum (RS), Rank Reciprocal (RR) and Rank Exponent (RE) methods are utilized to compute subjective criteria weights than, weights obtained from these three approaches are aggregated via using geometric mean operator. In the fourth phase, Combinative Distance-based Assessment (CODAS) is used to rank websites considering a new proposed threshold function value computation for objective criteria group and subjective criteria group separately.
Developmental Changes of The Central Sulcus Morphology In Young Children
Authors: Gajawelli Niharika , Deoni Sean , Ramsey Natalie , III Douglas C Dean , O'Muircheartaigh Jonathan , Nelson Marvin D , Lepore Natasha , Coulon Olivier
Published: April 2021

"The human brain grows rapidly in early childhood, reaching 95% of its final volume by age 6. Understanding brain growth in childhood is important both to answer neuroscience questions about anatomical changes in development, and as a comparison metric for neurological disorders. Metrics for neuroanatomical development including cortical measures pertaining to the sulci can be instrumental in early diagnosis, monitoring and intervention for neurological diseases. In this paper, we examine the development of the central sulcus in children aged 12 to 60 months from structural magnetic resonance images. The central sulcus is one of the earliest sulci to develop at the fetal stage and is implicated in diseases such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Williams syndrome. We investigate the relationship between the changes in the depth of the central sulcus with respect to age. In our results, we observed a pattern of depth present early on, that had been previously observed in adults. Results also reveal the presence of a rightward depth asymmetry at age 12 month at a location related to orofacial movements. That asymmetry disappears gradually, mostly between 12 and 24 months, and we suggest that it is related to the development of language skills."
How Does Gender Influence Oral Health and Quality of Life?
Authors: Skoskiewicz-Malinowska Katarzyna , Kaczmarek Urszula , Malicka Barbara
Published: April 2021

Background In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of ageing people and women have a longer life expectancy compared to men. This study aims to compare oral health parameters and conduct a psychometric assessment using standardised questionnaires in a group of the elderly of both gender aged 65 and more.MethodsThe survey involved 500 residents of Wroclaw, aged 65 and older, of both gender. There was an oral and questionnaire examination performed. QoL was evaluated using Euro-Quality of Life, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and Patient Health Questionnaire, which were validated for the Polish population. The relationship strength between psychometric scale scores and sociodemographic and clinical factors was determined by calculating Spearman's linear correlation coefficient values and regression coefficient values.ResultsThe prevalence of xerostomia assesed by the Challacombe scale was diagnosed significantly more frequently in women then men. (36.9% vs. 25.5%; p = 0.076). The men were significantly more likely to have high treatment needs (36.1% vs. 26.9%; p = 0.032) and they required urgent dental treatment (7.2% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.022). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of QoL evaluated by EQ-5D, EQ-5D VAS or OHIP-14 questionnaires in both subgroups (6.7±1.9 vs. 7.1±2.2, 66.1±18.6 vs. 67.9±20.9, 8.5±14.0 vs. 7.2±12.9; p > 0.05). Only women had higher severity of depressive symptoms measured using the PHQ-9 questionnaire (4.0±4.1 vs. 2.8±3.8; p<0.001).ConclusionIt can be concluded that the independent predictors which significantly affect the high QoL scores on the EQ-5D scale were found to be female gender, age below 75, high or middle income, independence in daily life, a low number of comorbidities, lack of oral treatment needs.
Deep learning of dynamic sea-level variability to investigate the relationship with the floods in Gothenburg
Authors: Sorkhabi Omid Memarian
Published: April 2021

It is important to study the relationship between floods and sea-level rise due to climate change. In this research, dynamic sea-level variability with deep learning has been investigated. In this research sea surface temperature (SST) from MODIS, wind speed, precipitation and sea-level rise from satellite altimetry investigated for dynamic sea-level variability. An annual increase of 0.1 ° C SST is observed around the Gutenberg coast. Also in the middle of the North Sea, an annual increase of about 0.2 ° C is evident. The annual sea surface height (SSH) trend is 3 mm on the Gothenburg coast. We have a strong positive spatial correlation of SST and SSH near the Gothenburg coast. In the next step dynamic sea-level variability is predicted with long short time memory. Root mean square error of wind speed, precipitation, and mean sea-level forecasts are 0.84 m/s, 48 mm and 2.4 mm. The annual trends resulting from 5-year periods, show a significant increase from 28 mm to 46 mm per year in the last 5 year periods. The rate of increase has doubled. The wavelet can be useful for detecting dynamic sea-level variability.
First report of Peronospora variabilis causing downy mildew disease in cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) in Bolivia
Authors: Rollano-Peñaloza Oscar Miguel , Palma-Encinas Valeria D. , Nogales-Ascarrunz Paola M. , Widell Susanne , Rasmusson Allan G. , Mollinedo Patricia A.
Published: April 2021

Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) is a semi-domesticated grain cultivated in the Andean highlands for millennia. Cañahua seeds have high nutritional value and it has become attractive because of its high resistance to frost, drought and saline soils. In May 2018, cañahua plants showed symptoms of the downy mildew disease caused by Peronospora variabilis which is known to heavily affect its tetraploid-relative quinoa. Besides the typical symptoms in the plant, visual confirmation of P. variabilis reproductive structures by microscopy was achieved. In order to verify the ability of P. variabilis to infect cañahua, an artificial infection in three cañahua varieties was performed. The three cañahua varieties were infected by P. variabilis and developed downy mildew disease symptoms. The pathogen identity was confirmed by PCR and Sanger sequencing of the PvCox2 and PvITS region. DNA sequence identification confirmed that the P. variabilis that usually infects quinoa can also infect cañahua plants. Therefore, cañahua when grown next to quinoa must be carefully watched for downy mildew disease symptoms because P. variabilis can be a potential threat for future large scale cañahua agriculture.
Dynamic response assessment of a frame buildingaffected by microseismic noise in the city of Ulan Bator
Authors:   Geological Institute SB RAS, Bazarov Artem D. , Lundenbazar Bilegjargal ,   East Siberia State University of Technology and Management, Komarov Andrey K. ,   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Ivanov Igor A. ,   Geological Institute SB RAS
Published: April 2021

During the long-term operation of buildings, damage is accumulated in structural elements leading to violations of strength bonds, especially during seismic impacts. Therefore, for buildings and structures located in areas having high seismic activity, periodic monitoring of the technical condition of buildings is recommended. Given the dependence of dynamic characteristics on the integral strength properties of structures, monitoring should be based on a study of the dynamic characteristics of building structures. The present studies were carried out using a microdynamic method based on a determination of the transfer functions between vibrations at the nodal points of the structure and microseismic noise measured at the building base. The actual mechanical properties of the supporting structures take into account the spatial work of the building as a whole under the action of loads. Affecting any design, earth-quakes are acknowledged to result in vibration effects leading to structural instability including base soils. The direction of mechanical impact development during an earthquake must also be taken into account. The paper presents the results of dynamic response studies into microseismic effects affecting an 8-storey frame building. The initial natural frequencies and modes of vibration are determined along with the damping constants to form a basis for the monitoring of the changes in the technical condition of the building following a given period of operation.