bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liraglutide and the Management of Overweight and Obesity in People with Severe Mental Illness: Qualitative Sub-Study
Authors: Barnard-Kelly Katharine , Whicher Clare A , Price Hermione , Phiri Peter , Asher Carolyn , DPhil Robert C Peveler , Holt Richard , Rathod Shanaya
Published: September 2021

Background: People with severe mental illness are two to three times more likely to be overweight or have obesity than the general population and this is associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality. Liraglutide 3mg is a once daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist that is licensed for the treatment of obesity in the general population and has the potential to be used in people with severe mental illness.Aim: To gain an insight into the feasibility and acceptability of using liraglutide 3mg for the treatment of obesity in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders or first episode psychosis. Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with a purposive sub-sample of people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders or first episode psychosis and healthcare professionals with overweight or obesity who were treated with a daily injection of liraglutide 3mg in a double-blinded, randomised controlled pilot study evaluating the use of liraglutide for the treatment of obesity. Interviews were also conducted with healthcare professionals.Results: Seventeen patient participants were interviewed. Sixteen took part in the baseline interview, eight completed both baseline and follow-up interviews, and one took part in follow-up interview only. Mean interview duration was thirteen minutes (range 5-37 minutes). Despite reservations by some participants about the injections before the study, most of those who completed the trial reported no challenges in the timing of or administering the injections. Key themes included despondency regarding prior medication associated weight gain, quality of life impact of weight loss, practical aspects of participation including materials received and clinic attendance. Healthcare professionals reported challenges with recruitment, however, overall it was a positive experience for them and for participants. Conclusion: Liraglutide appears to be an acceptable therapy for obesity in this population with limited side effects. The quality of life benefits realised by several intervention participants reinforce the biomedical benefits of achieved weight loss.
Simultaneous Improvement of Lincomycin a Production and Reduction of Lincomycin B Levels in Streptomyces Lincolnensis Using a Combined Medium Optimization Approach
Authors: Zheng Xiu-hong , Ye Rui-fang , Ding Qi-hang , Hu Feng-xian , Zhang Hong-zhou , Lai Shen
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe current study aimed to optimize the culture and production parameters of industrial production of lincomycin A by Streptomyces lincolnensis using a statistical approach that could also reduce unwanted by-products. MethodsThe Plackett-Burman design, steepest ascent method, and response surface design were used to evaluate different factors that affect lincomycin A production. ResultsUsing an optimized S. lincolnensis fermentation medium, lincomycin A production was increased up to 4600 mg/L in shaking flasks, which indicated a 28.3% improvement over previous production in an un-optimized medium (3585 mg/L). Additionally, the concentration of lincomycin B by-product was reduced to 0.8%, which was 82.2% lower than that in the un-optimized medium. Further, quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed the optimized medium improved lincomycin A production by stimulating key genes in the lincomycin A biosynthesis pathway, as well as an osmotic stress gene. ConclusionsOptimizing the fermentation medium improved lincomycin A production and decreased that of the lincomycin B by-product, which could help cut production costs and simplify downstream separation processes. We found that osmotic stress reduced the concentration of lincomycin B, which could also help reduce fermentation by-product yields in other actinobacteria.
Molecular Subtyping and Prognostic Prediction Based on the Ferroptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Signature in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: zhu zhenpeng , Zhang Cuijian , Qian Jinqin , Feng Ninghan , Zhu Weijie , Wang Yang , Gong Yanqing , Li Xuesong , Lin Jian , Zhou Liqun
Published: September 2021

BackgroundRenal cell carcinoma is gradually characteristic of the accumulation of lipid-reactive oxygen species. And, the ferroptosis-related LncRNAs have been reported strongly correlated with tumorigenesis and progression. However, the further functions of ferroptosis-related LncRNAs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma have not been explored. MethodsAfter sample cleaning, data integration, and batch effect removal, we used the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) public database to screen out the expression and prognostic value of ferroptosis-related LncRNAs and then performed the molecular subtyping. The molecular subtyping was developed using the K-means. Then, the KEGG pathway enrichment and statistical analyses of the immune microenvironment and clusters were carried out. The outcomes indicated significant differences in the immune microenvironment and potential therapeutic targets between the two clusters. Then, LASSO Cox regression was performed to establish the 5-LncRNAs-based prognostic signature. The signature could accurately predict patient prognosis and be used as an independent clinical risk factor. And the 5 LncRNAs were validated in the cell lines and clinical samples. We then combined significant clinical parameters in multivariate Cox regression and prognostic signature to construct a clinical predictive nomogram, which provides appropriate guidance for predicting the overall survival of ccRCC patients.ResultsThe prognostic DEFRLncRNAs were identified, and 5 LncRNAs were finally utilized to establish the prognostic signature in the TCGA cohort, which was subsequently validated in the internal and external cohorts. Moreover, we conducted the molecular subtyping and divided the patients in the TCGA cohort into two clusters, showing the difference in the Hallmark pathways, immune infiltration, expression of the immune target, and drug therapy. Furthermore, the nomogram was established better to predict the clinical outcomes of the ccRCC patients. ConclusionsOur study conducted molecular subtyping and established a novel predictive signature based on the ferroptosis-related LncRNAs, which could accurately predict prognosis and potential therapeutic targets in ccRCC patients.
Evaluation of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Responsiveness by Erythrocyte Creatine in Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Hasegawa Shun , Nakamura Seishi , Sugiura Tetsuro , Tsuka Yoshiaki , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Matsumura Koichiro , Okumiya Toshika , Baden Masato , Shiojima Ichiro
Published: September 2021

Background: One of the main causes of anaemia in patients with end-stage renal disease is relative deficiency in erythropoietin production. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), a potent haematopoietic growth factor, is used to treat anaemia in haemodialysis patients. The effect of rHuEpo is usually assessed by haematological indices such as red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit, but erythrocyte indices do not provide information of the rapid change in erythropoietic activity. As erythrocyte creatine directly assess erythropoiesis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rHuEpo in haemodialysis patients by measuring erythrocyte creatine. Methods: rHuEpo dose was fixed 3 months prior to the enrollment and was maintained throughout the entire study period. Eerythrocyte creatine was measured with haematologic indices in 83 haemodialysis patients. Haemoglobin was also measured 3 months after. Results: rHuEpo dose (152.4±62.9 vs. 82.2±45.5 units/kg/week, P=0.0001) and erythrocyte creatine (2.07±0.73 vs. 1.60±0.41 µmol/gHb, p=0.0003) were significantly higher in 27 patients with haemoglobin <10g/dL compared to 56 patients with haemoglobin ≥10g/dL. There was a fair correlation between rHuEpo dose and erythrocyte creatine (r=0.55, P <0.0001). Increase in haemoglobin (>0.1g/dL) was observed in 37 patients, whereas haemoglobin did not increase in 46 patients. Erythrocyte creatine was significantly higher in patients with increase in haemoglobin compared to those without (2.04±0.64 vs. 1.52±0.39 µmol/gHb, p <0.0001). When 8 variables (rHuEpo dose, erythropoietin resistance index, C-reactive protein, intact parathyroid hormone, incidence of iron deficiency, presence of anaemia, erythrocyte creatine and reticulocyte) were used in the multivariate logistic analysis, erythrocyte creatine emerged as the most important variable associated with increase in haemoglobin (Chi-square=6.19, P=0.01). Conclusion: Erythrocyte creatine, a useful marker of erythropoietic capacity, is a reliable marker to estimate ameliorative effectiveness of rHuEpo in haemodialysis patients.
An ensonified bubble curtain blocks 4 species of invasive carp in a laboratory flume but also deters other fish, while sound alone is less effective overall and does not target carp
Authors: Feely Jane Rose , Sorensen Peter
Published: September 2021

Four species of invasive carp from Asia are advancing up the Mississippi River through its locks and dams and threatening to damage to its ecosystems. It has been hypothesized that sensory stimuli could be projected into locks to block the movement of these carp. Sound has garnered attention because carp are hearing specialists, so they might be targetable. A recent study demonstrated that when a broadband cyclic sound was projected into an air curtain to create an ensonified bubble curtain (EBC), it was especially effective at blocking bighead and common carp and less effective at blocking a native species that lacked hearing specializations, while sound alone was generally less effective. However, whether an EBC might be similarly and uniquely effective at blocking all species of carp, and what its effects might be on other fishes in general, has not yet been addressed. To answer these questions, this study examined the responses of 10 species of fishes including 4 carps, 2 native hearing specialists, and 4 native non-specialists in a darkened laboratory flume while either a cyclic sound was played on its own or projected into an air curtain. The EBC blocked all 4 carps 9297% of the time without habituation, but 5 native fish were also partially blocked. In contrast, sound alone only blocked 2 carps and affected the other fishes in ways not related to their hearing abilities. An EBC appears well suited to blocking carp invasions, especially if native fish movement is a secondary concern.
Incidence Trends of Gastric Cancer in Southern Iran: Adenocarcinoma and Non-Cardia Gastric Cancer Are More Rising Among Younger Ages
Authors: Hosseini-Bensenjan Mahanaz , Vardanjani Hossein Molavi , Khosravizadegan Zahra , Bagheri-Lankarani Kamran
Published: September 2021

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is still one of the major causes of cancer mortality. Due to health-related transitions, the epidemiology of GC subtypesmaybe changed. These changes may have profound effects on the clinical approaches, and public health management of GC. Iran, as a developing country, has experienced huge demographic and epidemiological transitions during recent decades. We aimed to investigate subtype-specific population-based incidence trends of GC in southern Iran.
Methods
We used data on GC incidence in southern Iran for 2001–2015. Data preparation and subtype grouping were done based on the ICD-O-3. Trends of age-standardized incidence rate (ASR), truncated ASRs, the incidence rate of early-onset, adenocarcinoma, and cardia GC, and age-gender specific rates were analyzed applying joinpoint regression modeling. Annual percentage change (APC) and its 95%confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.
Results
Overall APC was estimated at 7.2 for males and 8.7 for females. Estimated APCs for trends of overall GC, and gastric adenocarcinoma were stable for both genders during 2009 to 2015, while the trends of cardia GC were increasing for both genders. Estimated APCs for trends of non-cardia GC wasalso stable.
Conclusion
Overall trends of incidence of GC in southern Iran have been stable for the last decade. However, significant and different changes in the pattern of GC have occurred.Etiological and prognostic studies are needed in Iran for improvement of the GC management.
Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose Nanowhiskers from TEMPO Oxidized Sisal Fibers
Authors: FAN FANGWEI , ZHU MENGTING , FANG KAIYANG , CAO ENDI , YANG YINZHI , XIE JINPENG , DENG ZHONGMIN , CHEN YIREN , CAO XINWANG
Published: September 2021

Cellulose nanowhiskers as one kind of renewable and biocompatible nanomaterials evoke much interest because of its versatility in various applications. Herein, the sisal cellulose nanowhiskers with length of 100–500 nm, ultrathin diameter of 6–61 nm, high crystallinity of 74.74 % and C6 carboxylate groups converted from C6 primary hydroxyls were prepared via a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)/NaBr/NaClO system selective oxidization combined with mechanical homogenization. The effects of sodium hydroxide concentration in alkali pretreatment on the final sisal cellulose nanowhiskers were explored. It was found that with the increase of sodium hydroxide concentration, the sisal fiber crystalline type would change from cellulose I to cellulose II. The versatile sisal cellulose nanowhiskers would be particularly useful for applications in the nanocomposites as reinforcing phase, as well as in tissue engineering, filtration, pharmaceutical and optical industries as additives.
CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots As a Fluorescence Probes For Determination of Vitamin B1
Authors: Tirbandpaya Reza , Samadi-Maybodi Abdolraouf
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a new and fast method for determination of vitamin B1 (thiamine) using functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) as a sensor. In this study the core-shell CdSe/ZnS QDs with thioglycolic acid capping agents were synthesized by wet chemical method in aqueous solution. Electronic absorption was applied for size determination of the QDs, the average diameters of the synthesized quantum dots were calculated using wavelength of the first excitonic absorption peak. The methods of FESEM and FTIR were also used for characterization of the prepared samples. The results indicated that vitamin B1 could effectively quench the QDs emission and the fluorescence intensity decreased linearly with the concentration of vitamin B1 ranging from 10-7 to 10-4 molL−1 with limit of detection of 2×10-8 mol L−1. Determination of vitamin B1in pills from two pharmaceutical companies were used as real samples using this method .
Precise Determination of Optical Band Gap in Cr-Doped Semiconductor Nanowires
Authors: Anad N. S. , El-Fattah Zakaria M Abd , Attallah M. , Ahmed Hanaa M. , El-Okr Mohammed M. , El-Bahnasawy Hany H
Published: September 2021

Pristine and chromium-doped ZnO nanowires were prepared following the traditional co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction data identified a pure wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure characteristic for ZnO, irrespective of the doping level. The particle size, as deduced form Williamson–Hall plots, was found to be 45-55 nm for all samples. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a clear nanowires morphology for the pure and doped samples, while elemental analysis ensured the successful Cr-doping. Distinct spectroscopic signatures of Cr-doping were revealed from a detailed deconvolution process applied to optical spectra of doped samples, where Cr 3+ optical transitions were unambiguously identified at ~420 and ~665 nm. Particularly relevant, is the spectral decomposition here performed for the superimposed absorption edge (~385 nm) and Cr 3+ optical resonance at ~420 nm, allowing to claim practically doping-independent optical band gap behavior in the present doping regime. This is further supported by identifying the characteristic ZnO near edge photoluminescence peak (~ 392 nm) which maintains fixed wavelength after Cr-doping. These findings contrast earlier studies on Cr-doped semiconductor nanoparticles and glass systems where the optical band gap has been largely underestimated. We attribute the inconsistence band gap values reported in literature for Cr-doped semiconductors to the proximity of Cr optical transitions to the semiconductor absorption edge.
Effect of Socioeconomic Status on the Physical and Mental Health of the Elderly: The Mediating Effect of Social Participation
Authors: Zhang Yunfan , Su Dai , Chen Yingchun , Tan Min , Chen Xinlin
Published: September 2021

Background: Many studies have shown that socioeconomic status and social participation are important factors affecting the health status of the elderly. However, the specific mechanism and path are unclear. This research aimed to investigate the mediating effect of social participation on the association between the socioeconomic status and the health status of the elderly.Methods: A total of 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were obtained, including 10 197 elderly people over 65 years old. Bootstrap method was adopted to examine the mediating effect of social participation on the relationship of the socioeconomic status with the physical and mental health of the elderly. Socioeconomic status included three dimensions: income, education level, and main occupation before retirement. The physical and mental health of the elderly were measured with the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) and the Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE). The social participation of the elderly was the mediator variable, including group exercise and organised social activities. Results: The average scores of IADL and MMSE were 17.98 and 23.04, respectively. Group-exercise participation had a mediating effect between socioeconomic status and physical health of the elderly, and the highest proportion of the mediating effect of each subdimension was 62.84% (95% CI = 0.165, 0.285). The highest proportion of the mediating effect of group-exercise participation on the mental-health status of the elderly was 16.70% (95% CI = 0.072, 0.153). The mediating effect of interacting with friends between the socioeconomic status and the physical health of the elderly was 30.69% (95% CI = 0.037, 0.196) in each subdimension and 15.46% (95% CI = 0.012, 0.169) in mental health. Participation in organised social activities had a mediating effect only between the socioeconomic status and the physical health of the elderly, and the highest proportion of the mediating effect in each dimension was 13.97% (95% CI = 0.014, 0.088).Conclusion: The socioeconomic status of the elderly plays a mediating role in the process of influencing the physical and mental health of the elderly by participating in group exercise and organised social activities, as well as actively interacting with friends. It can significantly adjust the adverse effects of a disadvantaged socioeconomic status on improvements in physical and mental health to achieve better health outcomes.
Cellulose Nanofibers and Reducing Sugars from Soybean Straw: An Investigation of the Enzymatic Activity and the Biomass Concentration Effect by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Silva Natalia Cristina da , Esposto Bruno Stefani , Maniglia Bianca Chieregato , Tapia-Blácido Delia Rita , Tosi Milena Martelli
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the effect of different conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis on the production of nanofibers and reducing sugars from soybean straw. The milled and sieved lignocellulosic biomass underwent two an alkaline pretreatment using NaOH 5% (PT1) or 17.5% (PT2), bleaching (H2O2 4%) and enzymatic (Optimash VR™; Dupont, USA) treatments. The effects of the enzymatic activity and the pretreated soybean straw concentration were evaluated using a Rotational Compound Central Design (DCCR) 22. An increase in the enzymatic activity and a decrease in the concentration of soybean in the suspension enhanced the production of sugars. This effect was due to the higher ratio of enzymatic activity/soybean straw pretreated concentration. Enzymatic activity disfavoured the nanofiber production for PT1, but favoured for PT2, probably due to the higher defibrillation when higher alkaline concentration is used. For both materials (PT1 and PT2), the lower soybean straw concentration furnished more stable suspensions. The optimal condition for the simultaneous production of reducing sugars and nanofibers was 4.0 g of biomass and enzymatic activity of 600 CMCU. This study shows that soybean straw has great potential for the industrial production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars due to processing efficiency and low raw material cost.
Mitral Regurgitation Severity Dynamic During Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Treatment.
Authors: Bugała Kamil , Rubiś Paweł , Hołda Mateusz K , Konieczyńska Małgorzata , Bijak Piotr , Płazak Wojciech
Published: September 2021

Purpose: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) treatment leads to significant hemodynamic changes. The aim of our study was to quantitatively analyze the dynamics of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity (evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography) which occur during the treatment of ADHF and to correlate these changes with the clinical condition of patients as well as heart failure biochemical markers. Methods: The study included 27 consecutive adult patients (40.7% females, mean age 71.19±11.2 years) who required hospitalization due to signs of acute HF. Echocardiographic assessment was performed upon admission and discharge together with clinical and laboratory evaluation. Results: Significant reduction in dyspnea intensity [0-100 scale] (81.48±9.07 vs. 45.00±11.04 pts, p<0.001), body weight (84.98±18.52 vs. 79.77±17.49 kg, p<0,001), and NT-proBNP level (7520.56±5288.62 vs. 4949.88±3687.86 pg/ml, p=0.001) was found. The severity of MR parameters decreased significantly (MR volume 44.92±22.83 vs. 30.88±18.77 ml, p<0.001; EROA 0.37±0.17 vs. 0.25±0.16 cm2, p<0.001; VC 6.21±1.48 vs. 5.26±1.61 mm, p<0.001). Left atrial area (35.86±9.11 vs. 32.47±9.37, p<0.001) and mitral annular diameter (42.33±6.63 vs. 39.72±5.05. p<0.001) also underwent statistically significant reductions. An increase in LVEF was observed (34.73±13.88 vs. 40.24±13.19 %, p<0.001). In 40.7% of patients, a change in MR severity class (transition from a higher class to a lower one) was observed: 6/8 (75%) patients transitioned from severe to moderate and 6/18 (33.3%) patients transitioned from moderate to mild class.Conclusions: Treatment of ADHF leads to a significant reduction in MR severity, together with significant reductions in left atrial and mitral annular dimensions. Quantitative measurement of MR dynamics offer valuable assistance for ADHF management.
Ferroptosis-Related lncRNAs Signature is a Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study Based on TCGA Data
Authors: Hu Xiangjin , Wang Sailun , Guo Jia , Xiong Fang , Lv Jun
Published: September 2021

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent programmed cell death, and is characterized by intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as valuable prognostic factors for HCC patients, play a vital role in regulating ferroptosis. Methods RNA-sequencing datasets and ferroptosis-related genes were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Molecular Signature Database. we performed Pearson correlation analysis between the lncRNAs and ferroptosis-related genes, and subsequently used regression analysis (univariate Cox analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, and Lasso regression analysis) to screen the ferroptosis-related lncRNAs with prognostic value in HCC, the prognostic ferroptosis-related lncRNAs signature (FRLS) was finally constructed. In addition, we reevaluated the model in terms of survival, clinical characteristics, and immune microenvironment. Results Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed 34 differently expressed ferroptosis-related lncRNAs related to the prognosis of HCC. Among them, 12 ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (LUCAT1, LINC01224, THUMPD3-AS1, AC116025.2, LINC00942, SNHG10, AC131009.1, POLH-AS1, MKLN1-AS, LINC01138, LNCSRLR, AL031985.3) were regarded as independent prognosis predictors of HCC, and were incorporated into the construction of the prognostic FRLS. Patients were divided into two groups based on the prognostic FRLS. Kaplan–Meier survival plot showed that patients in the high-risk groups exhibited shorter overall survival (OS) than those in low-risk groups (P < 0.001). Compared with clinical data, the area under curve (AUC) values of the risk factors, decision curve analysis (DCA), the AUC values of different years and multivariate Cox regression suggested that the signature had better predictive power. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed the potential pathways of 12 ferroptosis-related lncRNAs, including sphingolipid-metabolism, mTOR signaling pathway, notch signaling pathway, homologous recombination, endocytosis, cell cycle, etc. Immune microenvironment including tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immune-related functions, checkpoint-related genes and N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-related mRNA were also significantly different between the two risk groups. Conclusions This study constructed 12 FRLS for HCC patients to predict survival, which may provide promising targets for the therapy of HCC.
Comparing The Effectiveness of Blended Learning and Traditional Learning in An Orthopedics Course.
Authors: Suwannaphisit Sitthiphong , Anusitviwat Chirathit , Tuntarattanapong Pakjai , Chuaychoosakoon Chaiwat
Published: September 2021

Background
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is driving medical schools to replace substantial parts of the traditional lecture method with online formats to maintain social distancing guidelines, and reduce face-to-face contact in the classroom. To our knowledge, there were a few studies comparing the effectiveness of traditional teaching and blended teaching based on the students’ final grades which the efficacy of online learning is still controversy. This study aims to compare the efficacy of blended teaching and conventional teaching in an orthopedics course.
Methods
This study was a retrospective cohort study which collected from fifth-year medical students between April 2019 and March 2021. The students were divided into two groups which based on years of education. The summative assessment was based on summing the MCQs plus KFs, the MEQ plus oral exam, OSCE, simulated-chart of patients, and OPD. All students were subjected to the same end of course quizzes with no difference between the groups regarding the kinds of knowledge tested. The results of these quizzes were used to compare the effectiveness of the conventional teaching in 2019 and the blended teaching in 2020. The paired t-test was used to analyze the data.
Results
A total of 252 students were enrolled in this study, of whom 128 and 124 patients were in traditional teaching group or blended teaching, respectively. The grade point averages of the students were 3.2 ± 0.4 and 3.3 ± 0.4 in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021, respectively, without significant difference (p = 0.06). The scores in blended learning group were higher than in the traditional learning group in all assessment tools (MCQ, KF, Oral, and OSCE scores) except the MEQ.
Conclusions
Blended learning was as effective as traditional learning for teaching medical students. However, well-designed, randomized controlled trials are needed to further analyze the educational structure and investigate the factors related to the effectiveness of this type of learning.
Evaluation of Pulmonary Function Among Detergent Powder Factory Workers-A Cross Sectional Study in Semnan, Iran
Authors: Malek Farhad , Ranjbari Elham , Mirmohammadkhani Majid , Pahlevan Daryoush
Published: September 2021

Occupational respiratory diseases are the most prevalent occurring work-related diseases that contribute to global health concerns. The present study aimed to assess pulmonary function among detergent powder factory workers. In a cross-sectional study, 305 employees working at a detergent powder company in Semnan, Iran were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, health- and job-related information were recorded using a checklist. Subsequently, spirometer was used at baseline, before and after shift-working for recording respiratory ailments and pulmonary function tests (PFT). According to the results, the mean percentage of all spirometric indices significantly reduced after shift-work including forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.01), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (P < 0.01), FEV1/FVC ratio (P = 0.038), peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P = 0.13) and forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF (25–75)) (P < 0.01). Although the mean percentage of FEV1 significantly improved upon wearing the protective mask (P = 0.014). Moreover, FVC and FEV1 indices were significantly loss in smoking workers than in non-smoking participants (P = 0.005 and P = 0.003, respectively). This study revealed that using effective preventive measures such as masks would be helpful to promote health conditions. However, despite the occupational health programs for preventing and reducing work-related respiratory diseases, these can be considered as a serious threat for detergent powder factory workers that need to apply more control strategies and health assessment.
Fus2Net: A Novel Convolutional Neural Network for Classification of Benign and Malignant Breast Tumor in Ultrasound Images
Authors: Ma He , Tian Ronghui , Li Hong , Sun Hang , Lu Guoxiu , Liu Ruibo , Wang Zhiguo
Published: September 2021

Background: The rapid development of artificial intelligence technology has improved the capability of automatic breast cancer diagnosis, compared to traditional machine learning methods. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) can automatically select high-efficiency features, which helps to improve the level of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). It can improve the performance of distinguishing benign and malignant breast ultrasound (BUS) tumor images and makes rapid breast tumor screening possible. Results: The classification model was evaluated by using BUS tumor images without training. Evaluation indicators include accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and Area Under Curve (AUC) value. The results in the Fus2Net model had an accuracy of 92%, the sensitivity reached 95.65%, the specificity reached 88.89%, and the AUC value reached 0.97 for classifying BUS tumor images. Conclusions: The experiment compared the existing CNN categorized architecture, and the Fus2Net architecture we customed has more advantages in a comprehensive performance. The obtained results demonstrated that the Fus2Net classification method we proposed can better assist radiologists in the diagnosis of benign and malignant BUS tumor images. Methods: The existing public datasets are small and the amount of data suffer from the balance issue. In this paper, we provide a relatively larger dataset with a total of 1052 ultrasound images, including 696 benign images and 356 malignant images, which were collected from a local hospital. We proposed a novel CNN named Fus2Net for the benign and malignant classification of BUS tumor images and it contains two self-designed feature extraction modules. To evaluate how the classifier generalizes on the experimental dataset, 10-fold cross validation was employed. Meanwhile, to solve the balance of the dataset, the training data was augmented before being fed into the Fus2Net. In the experiment, we used hyperparameter fine-tuning and regularization technology to make the Fus2Net convergence.
A Feasible Molecular Diagnostic Strategy for Rare Genetic Disorders Within Resource- Constrained Environments
Authors: Mudau Maria Mabyalwa , Seymour Heather , Nevondwe Patracia , Kerr Robyn , Spencer Careni , Feben Candice , Lombard Zané , Krause Amanda , Carstens Nadia
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe timeous and accurate diagnosis of rare genetic disorders is critical, as it enables a better understanding of patient management, prognosis and more personalized treatment. A confirmed genetic diagnosis also enables accurate genetic counselling for affected individuals and their relatives by offering options for prenatal and cascade testing. In a resource-constrained environment such as the South African State healthcare system, the challenge is to design appropriate and cost-effective assays that will enable accurate genetic diagnostic services in patients of African ancestry across a broad disease spectrum. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed testing approaches for many Mendelian disorders, but this technology is still relatively expensive to implement. The paucity of baseline genetic data on African populations adds to the complexity of implementing an appropriate NGS-based service and interpretation of results.ResultIn the current study, the approach taken aimed at balancing NGS cost, efficiency, data quality as well as diagnostic utility of results. As a proof of concept, we describe a feasible diagnostic strategy for genetic disorders frequently seen in our genetics clinics (RASopathies, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, CHARGE syndrome and other phenotypically overlapping syndromes. The custom-designed targeted NGS gene panel enabled mutation screening for these disorders that range in incidence from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 100 000 newborns. Samples were batched during sequencing and analyzed selectively based on the clinical phenotype. This study had an overall diagnostic yield of 54.5%. ConclusionThe strategy employed is cost-effective as it allows batching of samples from patients with different diseases in a single run, an approach that can be utilized with rare and less frequently ordered molecular diagnostic tests. The subsequent selective analysis pipeline allowed for timeous reporting back of patients results. This is feasible and can be employed for the molecular diagnosis of a wide range of rare monogenic disorders in resource-constrained environment.
Assessing Stigma Towards Chronic Insomnia: The Role of Health Status and Life Quality
Authors: He Shuo , Ke Xue-Jia , Wu Yan , Kong Xiao-Yi , Zhang Ping , Wang Yun , Xia Deng-Zhi , Sun Hui-Qin , Chen Gui-Hai
Published: September 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the stigma and related influencing factors in patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID).
Methods

A total of 70 CID patients and 70 healthy controls (CON) were enrolled in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) were used to assess sleep quality and depressive symptoms, respectively. The Chinese-Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA-C) was used to assess cognitive function. Stigma and life quality were measured using the Chronic Stigma Scale and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).
Results

The ratio of individuals with stigma was significantly different between CID and CON groups (C2 = 35.6, p < 0.001). Compared with the CON group, the CID group had higher scores for total stigma (U = 662.0, p < 0.001), internalized stigma (U = 593.0, p < 0.001), enacted stigma (U = 1568.0, p < 0.001), PSQI (U = 2485.0, p < 0.001) and HAMD-17 (U = 69.5, p < 0.001) as well as lower scores for MoCA-C (U = 3997.5, p < 0.001) and SF-36 for the items of physical role (U = 1560.5, p < 0.001), body pain (U = 1633.5, p < 0.001), general health (U = 1194.0, p < 0.001), vitality (U = 1169.5, p < 0.001), social function (U = 1703.0, p = 0.001), emotional role (U = 1451.5, p < 0.001), mental health (U = 1147.0, p < 0.001) and health transition (U = 1341.0, p < 0.001). Partial correlation analysis showed that different items of the Chronic Stigma Scale were positively correlated with illness duration, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores, while negatively correlated with one or more items of the SF-36. Multivariate regression analysis showed that illness duration and the mental health domain of the SF-36 were independent risk factors for one or more items of stigma in CID patients.
Conclusion

Patients with CID have an increased risk of stigma. Moreover, illness duration and mental health may be primary factors related to stigma.
Influence of Biobased Polyol Type On The Properties of Polyurethane Hotmelt Adhesives For Footwear Joints
Authors: Carbonell-Blasco M.P. , Pérez-Limiñana M.A. , Ruzafa-Silvestre C. , Arán-Ais F. , Orgilés-Calpena E.
Published: September 2021

The implementation of a Circular Economy model, promoted by the increasingly stricter European policies, demands a comprehensive approach to resource efficiency. In this sense, polyurethanes, one of the most used polymers worldwide, are strongly dependent of non-renewable fossil resources. Thus, boosting the production of new polyurethanes / a new polyurethane based on more sustainable raw materials is crucial to move towards the footwear industry decarbonisation. INESCOP, aware of the footwear industry’s environmental impact, focuses on reducing or removing fossil-based raw materials and opts for eco-friendly ones. These sustainable raw materials provide polyurethane adhesives with additional beneficial non-toxicity and sustainable characteristics, without harming their properties during their useful life. Therefore, the aim of this study is to synthesise and characterise reactive hotmelt polyurethanes from biomass and CO2-based polyols as bioadhesives for the footwear industry. The influence of biobased polyols on the polyurethane structure, and therefore, on their final properties was analysed by different experimental techniques in order to assess their viability for the upper to sole bonding process.
CTPS1 Promotes Malignant Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer With Transcriptional Activation By YBX1
Authors: Lin Yuxiang , Zhang Jie , Li Yan , Guo Wenhui , Chen Lili , Chen Minyan , Chen Xiaobin , Zhang Wenzhe , Jin Xuan , Jiang Meichen , Xiao Han , Wang Chuan , Song Chuangui , Fu Fangmeng
Published: September 2021

Background: Cytidine nucleotide triphosphate synthase 1 (CTPS1) is a CTP synthase which play critical roles in DNA synthesis. However, its biological regulation and mechanism in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has never been reported yet.Methods: The expression of CTPS1 in TNBC tissues was determined by GEO, TCGA databases and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effect of CTPS1 on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and tumorigenesis were explored in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the transcription factor Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) was identifed by bioinformatics methods, dual luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assays. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to assess the association between YBX1 and CTPS1 expression. Results: CTPS1 expression was significantly upregulated in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Higher CTPS1 expression was correlated with a poorer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in TNBC patients. Silencing of CTPS1 dramatically inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion ability and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937 cells. Xenograft tumor model also indicated that CTPS1 knockdown remarkably reduced tumor growth in mice. Mechanically, YBX1 could bind to the promoter of CTPS1 to promote its transcription. Furthermore, the expression of YBX1 was positively correlated with CTPS1 in TNBC tissues. Rescue experiments confirmed that the enhanced cell proliferation and invasion ability induced by YBX1 overexpression could be reversed by CTPS1 knockdown. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that YBX1/CTPS1 axis plays an important role in the progression of TNBC. CTPS1 might be a promising prognosis biomarker and potential therapeutic target for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
Spectrofluorimetric Approach For Quantification of Cyclizine In The Presence of Its Toxic Impurities In Human Plasma; In Silico Study And ADMET Calculations
Authors: Fares Michel , Abdelwahab Nada S. , Sayed Ghada M. EL , Hegazy Maha A. , Abdelrahman Maha M.
Published: September 2021

Cyclizine (CYZ); an antiemetic compound; is widely misused for its euphoric or hallucinatory effects, either by oral or intravenous routes. The concomitant abuse of CYZ among addicted adolescents contributes to neuromuscular disorders that are life-threatening. Consequently, with the company of 1-Methylpiperazine (MPZ) and diphenylmethanol (DPM, Benzhydrol) as pharmacopoeia-reported CYZ impurities, a novel spectrofluorimetric assay for the detection of CYZ, has been established either in human plasma samples or in its parenteral formulation. The native fluorescence of CYZ has been investigated under various conditions. Different parameters affecting relative fluorescence intensity of CYZ including diluting solvent, surfactant, plasma protein solvent, and pH were studied and optimized. The linearity obtained between the fluorescence intensity at emission wavelength 350 nm after excitation at 244 nm and the corresponding CYZ concentrations was in the range 10–1000 ng/mL for measurement of CYZ either in pure form or in human plasma samples, with a appropriate correlation coefficient (r = 0.9999) and 3.10 ng/mL as the limit of detection and 9.41 ng/mL as the limit of quantitation. The suggested procedure was created and validated in accordance with ICH guidelines for quantification of CYZ either in its pure form or its dosage form, and FDA guidelines for the assay of CYZ in human plasma. Finally, in silico study and ADMET predictions were conducted for the studied drug impurities to estimate their pharmacokinetic behaviors. The results showed that both CYZ impurities have higher cellular permeability and maximum tolerated doses, DPM has higher BBB and CNS permeability than MPZ, while MPZ exceeds DPM in total clearance and volume of distribution.
Measuring The Impact of Risk On LCOE(Levelized Cost of Energy) In Geothermal Technology
Authors: Langat Antony Kipkirui , Yoon Yongbeum , Park Soojin
Published: September 2021

Geothermal technology has a high level of uncertainty and, thus, requires thorough risk analysis for economic decisions. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is a basic economic analysis widely used in determining an investment or energy mix. Many reputable institutions and government agencies provide LCOE, to which they apply different levels of discount rates to reflect project risk. It is a proxy for the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). Theoretically, determining whether using a higher discount rate for a risky project is appropriate in calculating LCOE has not been scrutinized. The purpose of this paper is to propose a certainty equivalent method of LCOE as an alternative way of reflecting risk. We present a theoretical background and formula based on the utility theory, improving the probabilistic LCOE estimation methodology of previous studies. We also perform scenario analysis to show how the LCOE with certainty equivalent model moves over the change of risk in major input factors, whereas traditional LCOE does not. Additionally, we suggest that the traditional LCOE should be used prudently, recognizing it can distort the result when an individual project has a different level of risk from the industry average.
Reconstruction of a Global Gene Regulatory Network for Streptomyces Coelicolor: Curation, Inference, and Assessment
Authors: Zorro-Aranda Andrea , Escorcia-Rodríguez Juan Miguel , González-Kise José Kenyi , Freyre-González Julio Augusto
Published: September 2021

Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is a model microorganism for the study of Streptomycetes, antibiotic production, and secondary metabolism in general. However, little effort to globally study its transcription has been made even though S. coelicolor has an outstanding variety of regulators among bacteria. We manually curated 29 years of literature and databases to assemble a meta-curated experimentally-validated gene regulatory network (GRN) with 5386 genes and 9707 regulatory interactions (~41% of the total expected interactions). We performed network inference using several methods (including two proposed here) for motif detection in DNA sequences and GRN inference from transcriptomics to tackle network incompleteness, using a community integration approach to reduce false positives. Further, we contrasted the structural properties and functional architecture of the networks to assess the predictions’ reliability, finding the inference from DNA sequence data to be the most trustworthy. The inferences allowed us to identify putative novel transcription factors for key Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory proteins (SARPs). Finally, we studied the conservation of the system-level components between S. coelicolor and Corynebacterium glutamicum and identified the basal machinery as the common signature between the two organisms. The curated networks were deposited in Abasy Atlas (https://abasy.ccg.unam.mx/) while the inferences are available as supplementary material.
Characterization of Mechanical Properties of Jute/PLA Composites Containing Nano SiO2 Modified By Coupling Agents
Authors: Song Xueyang , Fang Cuicui , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Ping , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2021

Although jute fibers-reinforced PLA composites shows strong application prospects, their low mechanical properties limit their applications to some extent. In this paper, nano-SiO2 particles as well as modified nano SiO2 by coupling agents which can efficiently improve the strength and toughness of composite materials are introduced into the PLA matrix. The bending, stretching and thermal properties of designed jute/PLA nonwoven composites were studied. The study shows that the nano-SiO2 particles are beneficial to the interface performance between the PLA matrix and jute leading to improvement in the mechanical property and thermal stability. Moreover, thermomechanical properties indicate that the addition of SiO2 can improve the jute/PLA interfacial adhesion and increase the glass transition temperature of the material. Finally, toughening mechanism of nano-SiO2 particles in the jute/PLA composite was analyzed.
Numerical Study On The Internal Irreversible Flow Loss of Single Screw Expanders
Authors: Shen Lili , Wu Yuting , Wang Wei , Lei Biao , Duan Wei , Zhi Ruiping
Published: September 2021

As a type of positive displacement expander, single screw expander (SSEs) can be widely applied in the energy storage systems and waste heat recovery field. The irreversible losses (such as leakage, flow, heat transfer, intake and exhaust pressure loss…) have great influence on the expander performance. However, irreversible flow loss in the expander is nearly impossible to investigate experimentally and theoretically. In this paper, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of SSE using mesh deformation approach was presented. The CFD model was validated by the experimental results. Field distribution of pressure, temperature and velocity of SSE were carried out. An energy loss factor based on entropy production principle was used to measure the irreversible flow (including leakage) loss. The energy loss caused by direct dissipation and turbulent fluctuation dissipation was compared. The energy loss of different region was investigated. Results show that energy loss of the turbulent dissipation is far more than that of direct dissipation. The energy loss factor decreases from 0.547 to 0.221 when the rotation speed changes from 2000rpm to 4000rpm. The shaft efficiency increases from 39.8% to 52.1% with the internal volume ratio from 3 to 5.