bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Uniaxial Strain On Characteristic Frequency of Scaled SiGe HBT With Embedded Stress Raiser
Authors: Kong Senlin , Wang Guanyu , Zhou Chunyu , Wen Jianhao , Ling Peng , Xiang Yingcong
Published: February 2022

In order to further improve the performance of scaled silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) and consider the compatibility with mature CMOS process, a novel SiGe HBT is designed by introducing the embedded Si1−yGey stress raiser into the collector. In the proposed HBT structure, the collector region is subjected to additional uniaxial stress, to enhance the characteristic frequency. The effect of embedded Si1−yGey stress raiser on the frequency performance with different Ge mole fractions is simulated and analyzed by employing SILVACO®TCAD tools. The simulation results show that the high frequency performance of the device can be significantly improved by applying additional uniaxial stress in the collector. At y = 0.3, the current gain of the device is increased by approximately 6% compared to the case where no stress is applied to the collector region (y = 0). Taking the uniform SiGe base case with the Ge fraction of 0.25 as an example, by adjusting the Ge fraction of the stress raiser, the peak values of fT and fmax reach about 507.7 GHz and 730.7 GHz, respectively. Compared with the traditional SiGe HBT without any additional stress in the collector region, fT and fmax are respectively increased by 29.1% and 71.5%. When y = 0.1, the proposed device has the best frequency characteristics due to the peak value of the fT ×fmax product.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting Online Teaching of Medical Courses for MBBS Students During the Novel Coronavirus Epidemic
Authors: Tian Fang , Miao Chaoyang , Guo Yanni , Ding Xiaofan , Yan Bingchun , Qian Li
Published: February 2022

Background: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBSS) students are the largest group of international students. Due to the breakout of COVID-19, most international students have returned to their home countries. From March 2020, the MBBS undergraduate students of Yangzhou University were taught online since March 2020. For MBBS students，the effect of online teaching remains unknown. Methods: This study was conducted in Yangzhou University in June 2021, including 295 MBBS international undergraduate students. The objective conditions, environment, teacher factors, personal factors, advantages, and disadvantages of online teaching were evaluated for each student by using a self-completed structured anonymous questionnaire. At the same time, Pearson chi-square analysis was conducted to evaluate the factors affecting online teaching satisfaction (teaching attitude, teacher-student interaction, teacher evaluation, learning effect, online teaching management). Results: Most students’ hardware was well equipped and their network could meet the need of online learning (240 of 280, 85.71%). Most students (263 of 280, 93.93%) had a quiet environment during online teaching. With respect to factors conducive to online teaching, students rated the importance of teachers from the aspects of knowledge level, teaching methods, class attitude, interaction with students, English proficiency, homework correction and pre-class guidance. In terms of students' attention, 76.78% students' attention was concentrated and 85.36% students had a positive attitude towards online teaching. Four factors (teaching attitude, teacher-student interaction, learning effect and management of online teaching) appeared to be associated with teaching effect satisfaction. Conclusion: This study investigates the various factors involved in conducting online education during the pandemic and provides suggestions for improving the quality and effectiveness of online education for MBBS students.
Factors Associated with Microdamage to Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscope: Prospective Ex Vivo Post-Use Analysis
Authors: Sugino Teruaki , Taguchi Kazumi , Unno Rei , Hamamoto Shuzo , Ando Ryosuke , Okada Atsushi , Yasui Takahiro
Published: February 2022

This prospective ex vivo study investigated microdamage to single-use flexible ureteroscopes (fURS) after ureteroscopy and endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). The performance of 30 WiScope devices (OTU Medical, San Jose, CA, USA) was examined immediately after use, dividing them into three equal groups: ureteroscopy and ECIRS in the prone and supine positions. The overall scope microdamage assessment included the scope deflection, bending radius, resolution, and water flow rate. Additionally, we analyzed the association between scope status and surgical parameters. The deflection, bending radius, and resolution remained similarly above the thresholds in all groups. However, the water flow rate was below the threshold in seven scopes (70%) in the ureteroscopy group and none in the ECIRS groups (P = 0.001). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that basket wire catheter use was associated with an increased risk for overall scope microdamage (odds ratio [OR], 22.70; P = 0.006 and OR, 22.40; P = 0.019, respectively). Stone size, total laser energy, and surgical position were not associated with a risk for scope microdamage. In conclusion, ureteroscopy was more closely associated with scope damage than ECIRS, and basket wire catheter use seemed to inflict more damage to the fURS.
Diet Quality and Dietary Acid Load in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: Results From Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study
Authors: Fereidouni Sahar , Hejazi Najmeh , Homayounfar Reza , Farjam Mojtaba
Published: February 2022

Background: Dietary intake is a determining factor in the morbidity and the mortality of chronic disorders. However, not many documents have investigated this relationship. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Alternative healthy eating index (AHEI), Mediterranean dietary score (MDS), DASH score, and dietary acid load with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Method: 2158 CVD patients (mean age of 54.73 ± 8.62 years) from the Fasa Cohort Study, Iran participated in the current study. Diet quality indices including DII, AHEI, MDS, DASH, and dietary acid load (NEAP score) were computed using a validated 125-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Cox regression analyses were used to determine HRs and 95% CIs. Results: During a follow-up of 3 years, we documented 59 CVD deaths. After adjusting for relevant confounders (age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, family history of CVD, and HTN) in the final model, we found that higher DII scores and dietary acid load were significantly related to increased mortality due to CVD (HR =1.11; 95% CI =1.01-1.24 and HR =1.02; 95% CI =1.01-1.03). However, the DASH score was insignificantly associated with decreased CVD mortality by 20.4% (HR =0.79; 95% CI =0.57-1.09). There was no significant relationship among AHEI score, MDS, and CVD mortality. Conclusions: This study showed that increasing dietary acidity and the use of inflammatory food compounds could contribute to CVD mortality. Also, adherence to the DASH diet may be associated with a reduced CVD mortality.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Parsaei Amirhossein , Mehdipour Aida , Ghadimi Hamidreza , Kooshki Ashkan Mohammadi , Shajari Parisa , Masoumi Maryam , Torabi Pouya , Azizi Hossein , Amini Behnam , Karimi Hanie , Dehghanbandaki Hojat , Moradi Soroush
Published: February 2022

BackgroundCompared to the healthy population, the psychological impact of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) on patients' lives could dramatically lower their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Our goal is to analyze OHRQoL in RA patients and look into the role of disease activity, dental health index, and Temporomandibular disorders score in maintaining their oral health.MethodsIn a cross-sectional comparative study, we compared a random sample of 40 RA patients with 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls in terms of oral health and OHRQoL. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), number of decayed, filled, or missing teeth (DMFT), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) were among the oral health factors studied (OHIP-14). This study also looked at the link between the RA disease activity score (DAS28) and oral health factors.ResultsRA patients had a significantly higher mean than healthy controls in total oral function, total psychosocial impact, OHIP-14 sum score, OHIP-14 extent score, TMD score and the number of missed teeth (Mann-Whitney U test, P-value<0.05). After adjustment for DMFT, only the oral function score of OHIP-14 had a significant correlation with disease activity (Mann-Whitney U test, P-value<0.05). The TMD sum score significantly correlated with disease activity regardless of adjustment for DMFT (Spearman's Correlation test, P-value<0.05 for both). The number of decayed teeth and missed teeth showed a positive correlation with increased disease activity (Coefficient =0.239 and 0.245, P-value<0.05 for both).ConclusionsPatients with RA are less satisfied with their oral health than healthy controls. In RA patients, the number of missing teeth and temporomandibular disorders was substantially greater, and the number of missing teeth and temporomandibular diseases increased significantly with increased disease activity. Although OHRQoL was inversely connected with RA activity, after correcting for decaying, missing, and filled teeth, only the oral function score of OHIP-14 exhibited a slight connection to DAS28.
Ganoderma lucidum Methanolic Extraction as a Potent Phytoconstituent: Characterization, in-vitro Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Gholami Ahmad , Omidifar Navid , Chiang Wei-Hung , Neralla Vijayakameswara Rao , Yousefi khadije , Shokripour Mansoureh
Published: February 2022

Background: Ganoderma lucidum has attracted tremendous attention due to its exceptional antimicrobial and anticancer properties that can be delicately tuned by controlling the initial extraction content and concentration. In the present experiment, we detailed the characterization, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic performance of Ganoderma lucidum as a potential multi-functional therapeutic agent.Methods: In this study, we used FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and HPLC techniques to evaluate the samples, which were then followed by disc diffusion and microdilution broth methods to test its antibacterial effects against four Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MTT assay was applied to determine the cytotoxic activity of this natural product against MCF-7 and K562 cancer cell lines.Results: The results revealed that the inhibitory effects of this product had higher antibacterial activity against E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The IC50 values of 0.5 and 0.75 mg/mL were obtained for MCF-7 and K-562 cancer cell lines, which confirmed the higher anticancer activity of the GLME against breast cancer cells compared to blood cancer cells.Conclusions: Hence, these data provide pioneer insights into the therapeutic usage of Ganoderma lucidum for treating breast and blood cancers. This work is motivated by research studies looking for pharmacological products to address chronic and acute diseases, where further resources and studies are required to explore such products' adverse effects and toxicity.
Reliance on immunity from prior infection is not secure for hospital infection control
Authors: Parker Eleanor , McClure Myra O , Tedder Richard S
Published: February 2022

There has been much discussion on the general principle of "naturally-acquired” immunity arising from recovery from SARS CoV 2infection, and this recovery state contributing to the prevalence of immunity to reinfection, often referred to as Herd Immunity. This has led to the belief that hospital staff previously infected are safe and do not require vaccine. We demonstrate here that this may be a misplaced notion because the avidity with which the antibody from a person recovered from corona virus infection, even if of a high titre, is low. Effete antibody of low avidity is, therefore, unlikely to impact on the incidence of infection in the population, or indeed protect the individual. By contrast, a single immunisation of a previously-recovered individual by vaccine significantly increases the antibody avidity.
The Effect of appointment spacing model of care on virological suppression and associated factors among HIV positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy at public health facilities of Debre Markos town, northwest Ethiopia: Interrupted time series design.
Authors: Belay Yizengaw Dememew , Moges Nurilign Abebe , Teshome Muluken , Tefera Kenaw Tegegne
Published: February 2022

Background
Appointment spacing model (ASM) of care is crucial for HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in order to improve service quality, and patient’s clinical outcomes including viral suppression. However, there is a paucity of information about the effectiveness of ASM on viral suppression. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level and trends of virological suppression and associated factors among clients on antiretroviral therapy enrolled into ASM in northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
An interrupted time-series study design was conducted among 272 adults HIV clients who were stable and enrolled in ASM. They were selected by using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected from the patient′s charts, registration books, and computer databases using abstraction sheets. Regression coefficients with a 95% confidence interval (CI) computed and variables having less than 0.05 P-value in the segmented regression model were considered significant predictors of virological suppression.
Result
This study revealed that virological suppression was decreased from the baseline of 99.22–96% after the implementation of ASM. The trends of virological suppression were significantly decreased by 1.38(95%CI: -2.2, -0.5, P-value=0.0007) after the implementation of ASM. Poor adherence was the most influential variable that caused level and trend decrements over time (P-value=0.04).
Conclusion
The level of virological suppression was significantly reduced after the implementation of ASM. The most significant factor associated with decreased levels and trends over time was poor adherence. It would be beneficial to assess and maintain good adherence of clients on antiretroviral therapy throughout the clinical visit during the implementation of ASM.
Comparative analysis of benign and malignant parotid gland tumors: A retrospective study of 992 patients
Authors: Lee Dong Hoon , Jung Eun Kyung , Lee Joon Kyoo , Lim Sang Chul
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed and compared the clinical characteristics of benign and malignant parotid gland tumors.PATIENTS and METHODS: A total of 992 patients who underwent surgical treatment for parotid gland tumors from January 2010 to December 2020 were included in this study. This study population was subdivided into benign (n = 812, 81.9%) and malignant parotid gland tumors (n = 180, 18.1%).RESULTS: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor and mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor. The patients with malignant parotid gland tumors were older than the patients with benign lesions. The duration of symptoms was longer in patients with benign parotid gland tumors compared to those with malignant lesions. The size of the malignant tumors was larger than that of the benign lesions. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology had a diagnostic sensitivity of 50.3%, diagnostic specificity of 98.7%, a positive predictive value of 89.5%, a negative predictive value of 89.9%, and accuracy of 89.9% for diagnosing malignant parotid gland tumors. For benign parotid gland tumors, superficial parotidectomy was most frequently performed, and for malignant parotid gland tumors, total parotidectomy was most frequently performed. Facial palsy was observed in 19.4% of the patients with malignant parotid gland tumors compared to 5.4% of those with benign tumors.CONCLUSION: The clinical features of benign and malignant parotid gland tumors showed differences in age, symptoms, duration of symptoms, size and site of the parotid tumors, surgical procedures, and postoperative facial nerve palsy.
Reliability and Feasibility of Visual Grading Systems and Quantitative Indexes on [99mTc]Tc-DPD Imaging for Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Bae Sungwoo , Gil Joonhyung , Paeng Jin Chul , Park Eun-Ah , Lee Seung-Pyo , Choi Hongyoon , Kang Keon Wook , Cheon Gi Jeong , Lee Dong Soo
Published: February 2022

Background: We aimed to evaluate the reliability and feasibility of visual grading systems and various quantitative indexes of [99mTc]Tc-DPD imaging for cardiac amyloidosis (CA).Methods: Patients who underwent [99mTc]Tc-DPD imaging with suspicion of CA were enrolled. On the planar image, myocardial uptake was visually graded using Perugini’s and Dorbala’s methods (PS and DS). As [99mTc]Tc-DPD indexes, heart-to-whole body ratio (H/WB) and heart-to-contralateral lung ratio (H/CL) were measured on planar image. SUVmax, SUVmean, total myocardial uptake (TMU), and C-index were measured on SPECT/CT. Inter-observer agreement of the indexes and their association with visual grading and clinical factors were evaluated.Results: A total of 152 [99mTc]Tc-DPD images, of which 18 were positive, were analyzed. Inter-observer agreement was high for both DS (k = 0.95) and PS (k = 0.96). However, DS showed a higher correlation with quantitative indexes than PS. Inter-observer agreement was also high for SPECT/CT indexes, particularly SUVmax. SUVmax was significantly different between different DS groups (P = 0.014–0.036), and showed excellent correlations with H/WB and H/CL (r = 0.898 and 0.910). SUVmax also showed significant differences between normal, AL, and ATTR pathology (P = 0.022–0.037), and a significant correlation with extracellular volume on cardiac MRI (r = 0.772, P < 0.001).Conclusions: DS is a visual grading system for CA that is more significantly matched with quantitative indexes than PS. SUVmax is a reliable quantitative index on SPECT/CT, with a high inter-observer agreement, correlations with visual grade and cardiac MRI findings.
Mitigating Inequalities In Community Care Needs Of Older Adults With Dementia: An Integrated Model Of Community Care Operated Under The Proportionate Universalism Principle
Authors: Chan Siu-Ming , Chung Gary Ka-Ki , Kwan Michelle Ho-Wing , Woo Jean
Published: February 2022

Background: With reference to the medico-social integrated day care model of the Cadenza Hub for older people with dementia, we examined whether services subsidized by the publicly funded graded financial support of the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly (CCSV) could mitigate social inequalities in community care needs of older adults and their caregivers.Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews with 14 caregivers of active day care service users with dementia were conducted between June and August 2021. The transcribed data were closely read to capture key themes using thematic analyses.Results: The emerged themes included (i) Tremendous caregiving burden in the absence of community care support; (ii) Struggle in choosing care services; (iii) Benefits of the day care service; (iv) Financial support to ensure equitable access to community care; and (v) The role of NGO and social worker in bridging the information gap. Conclusions: The integrated day care of the Cadenza Hub appeared to have addressed the unmet needs of older adults with dementia and their caregivers, including the socioeconomically disadvantaged with the CCSV support.
Occurrence of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in protected agriculture soils and implications for human health exposure
Authors: Li Xianxu , Li Na , Wang Can , Wang Anyu , Kong Wenjia , Song Peipei , Wang Jun
Published: February 2022

In order to understand the occurrence of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in protected agriculture soils and assess their potential health risks to humans, this study explored six priority PAEs in representative protected agricultural soils, and conducted a health risk assessment of PAEs homologs in humans. Results showed that bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were the most abundant PAEs congeners in the present study, with mean concentrations of 318.68 µg/kg and 137.56 µg/kg, respectively. Di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) concentrations were relatively low, and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were not detected in all samples. DBP concentrations in soils were higher than the allowable concentration standard value. Additionally, soil pH and organic matter were key environmental parameters which may play the vital roles to the occurrence of organic pollutants. Heath risk assessment results indicated that dermal contact was the predominant human exposure route under non-dietary conditions. Furthermore, children obtained higher health risk scores than adults, suggesting that children may be more vulnerable to PAEs than adults. In summary, the overall health risk scores were at an acceptable level, which revealed PAEs in protected agricultural soils posed an insignificant health risk to neither adults nor children. These results provide insights for assessing soil environmental safety and ecological risks in protected agricultural soil.
Serum creatinine / cystatin C ratio is a surrogate marker for sarcopenia in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ohkubo Hirotsugu , Fujita Kohei , Nakano Akiko , Takeda Norihisa , Fukumitsu Kensuke , Fukuda Satoshi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiro , Uemura Takehiro , Tajiri Tomoko , Maeno Ken , Ito Yutaka , Oguri Tetsuya , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Murase Takayuki , Niimi Akio
Published: February 2022

Background: The serum creatinine / cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio has attracted attention as a marker for sarcopenia, but has not been studied in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to confirm the utility of the serum Cr/CysC ratio in predicting sarcopenia and to investigate its clinical relevance.Methods: This cross-sectional study prospectively enrolled patients with stable IPF. IPF was diagnosed through multidisciplinary discussions according to the 2018 international guidelines, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 consensus report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT), and King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD) questionnaire. The associations between serum Cr/CysC ratio and the presence of sarcopenia and other clinical parameters, including PROs scores, were examined.Results: A total of 49 Japanese patients with IPF with a mean age of 73.0 ± 7.7 years and a percent predicted forced vital capacity of 80.4 ± 15.5%, were enrolled. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 18 patients (36.7%), and the serum Cre/CysC ratio was 0.86 [0.76–0.94] (median [interquartile range]). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for detection of sarcopenia according to the serum Cr/CysC showed that the area under the curve, optimal cutoff value, specificity, and sensitivity were 0.85, 0.88, 0.65, and 0.94, respectively. Sarcopenia was identified in 13% of patients with a high serum Cr/CysC ratio (≥0.88) and 60% with a low serum Cr/CysC ratio (<0.88) (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the serum Cr/CysC ratio was an independent predictive marker of worse PROs evaluated using mMRC (P<0.05), CAT (P<0.05), and K-BILD (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that the serum Cr/CysC ratio can be used as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with IPF. Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to the serum Cr/CysC ratio because a lower serum Cr/CysC ratio is associated with worse PROs.
Comparison Of Intratracheal Administration Of Surfactant With Or Without Budesonide To Prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia – A Parallel Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Vemireddy Kiran , Panigrahy Nalinikanta , Jamalpuri Vijayanand , Venkatlakshmi Alla , Chirla Dinesh Kumar
Published: February 2022

Purpose : Despite improvements in preterm neonatal care, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not decreased. Systemic glucocorticoids minimize BPD, but they may interfere with brain development. The impact of intratracheal budesonide along with surfactant on the incidence of BPD in extremely preterm infants is unknown. Methods: This two arm parallel pilot trial over a period of 18 months recruited extreme preterm (<28 weeks) and extreme low birth weight (ELBW) neonates who were diagnosed with severe RDS (respiratory distress syndrome). Neonates were randomly allocated to one of two groups (54 intervention and 55 control). Intratracheal surfactant and budesonide were administered to the intervention group, while surfactant alone was administered to the control group. Results: The study population had a mean gestational age of 26.1 ± 0.2 weeks and birth weight of 770.5 ± 31.5 grams. Death ( RR 0.65 [0.30-1.38]; p = 0.267) and combined BPD or death (RR 0.88 [0.73-1.06]; p = 0.211) exhibited a non-significant decreasing trend; however, a significant reduction in the combined outcome of severe BPD or death (RR 0.57(0.33-0.97);p=0.040) was observed in the intervention group. Conclusion: Intratracheal budesonide with surfactant administration is feasible . This may minimize severe BPD or death in extremely preterm infants with severe RDS without any harm.
Improving copper stress tolerance in Mentha suaveolens L. by foliar application of salicylic acid
Authors: ES-SBIHI Fatima , Zakaria HAZZOUMI , Khalid AMRANI JOUTEI
Published: February 2022

Background: Higher absorption and translocation of copper (Cu) in plant tissues can cause serious physiological and biochemical alterations. Salicylic acid (SA) is a signaling molecule responsible for inducing stress tolerance in plants. Therefore, SA spray could provide protection against several types of stress such as Cu toxicity. In this sense, a pot study was conducted to find out whether SA spraying (0.5 and 1 mM) could remedy the Cu (40 mM) toxicity in Mentha suaveolens plants Results: Cooper stress caused a strong accumulation of Cu in the roots with a translocation of this metal to the leaves. Excessive accumulation of this metal decreased Ca, K and p contents. Copper stress also increased H2O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation. However, SA spraying on these stressed plants decreased Cu concentrations in various parts of the plant. This decrease in Cu contents is accompanied by an increase in K, P and Ca concentrations. SA exerted also a remedial effect on the essential oils performance mainly at 0.5 mM. The histological study of the leaves of the Mentha suaveolens showed the presence of peltate and capitate glands which differ in size, stem and head. Copper decreased glands density but SA spraying increased glands number. Cu caused a variation in essential oils composition. Conclusion: SA at 0.5 mM gives the best quality essential oils of all treatments. This concentration showed the greatest contents of the majority compounds (1,8-cineole, thujanone, camphor and Pulegone).
When Did the Chicken Cross the Road: Archaeological and molecular evidence for ancient chickens in Central Asia
Authors: Spengler Robert , Peters Carli , Richter Kristine , Mir-Makhamad Basira , Stark Sören , Fernandes Ricardo , Maksudov Farhad , Sirojidin Mirzaakhmedov , Husniddin Rahmonov , Wilkin Shevan , Schirmer Stefanie , Ashastina Kseniia , Begmatov Alisher , Frachetti Michael , Hermes Taylor , Kidd Fiona , Omelchenko Andrey , Huber Barbara , Boivin Nicole , Wang Shujing , Lurje Pavel , von Baeyer Madelynn , Martello Rita Dal
Published: February 2022

The origins and dispersal of the chicken across the ancient world remains one of the most enigmatic questions regarding Eurasian domesticated animals1,2. The lack of agreement regarding the timing and center of origin is due, in large part, to issues with morphological identifications, a lack of direct dating, and poor preservation of thin bird bones. Historical sources attest to the prominence of chickens in southern Europe and southwest Asia by the last centuries BC3. Likewise, art historical depictions of chickens and anthropomorphic rooster-human chimeras are reoccurring motifs in Central Asian prehistoric and historic traditions4-6. However, when this ritually and economically significant bird spread along the trans-Eurasian exchange routes has remained a mystery. Here we show that chickens were widely raised by people at villages across southern Central Asia from the third century BC through medieval periods for their eggs and likely also meat. In this study, we present archaeological and molecular evidence for the cultivation of chickens for egg production from 12 different Central Asian archaeological sites spanning a millennium and a half. These eggshells were recovered in high abundance at all of these sites, suggesting that chickens were widely raised by people at villages across southern Central Asia from the third century BC through medieval periods and that they were an important part of the overall diet. Contrary to views that ancient peoples of Central Asia were primarily herding sheep, goat, and cattle, these data show that chicken was also important in the subsistence economy and that it was widely spread along the ancient Silk Road.
The transcriptomic data of about 5,000 breast tumors reveals novel biomarkers
Authors: Rahmati Yazdan , Davarinejad Omran , Mohammadi Payam , Shirmohamadi Maryam , Ghavi Davood , Golmohammadi Farzaneh , Foruzandeh Zahra , Alivand MohammadReza
Published: February 2022

The high mortality rate in Breast Cancer (BC) is largely due to the difficulty of early detection and inadequate accuracy of the current diagnostic approaches. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs characterized by their short length of 22 nucleotides-length, which have been found with regulatory functions in gene expression and their dysregulation are associated with a wide variety of human diseases such as various types of cancer including BC. In this study, we investigated serum and tumor miRNA profiles from more than 1500 breast cancer miRNA expression profiles from GEO and also more than 2500 patients by TCGA database. After data analysis by some packages like Limma, MetaDE, and WGCNA, we selected 6 hub miRNAs. Then by collecting serum samples of 100 breast cancer patients, real-time PCR was performed and the diagnosis performance of hub miRNAs was evaluated by ROC curve. Due to more validation, Kaplan-Meier Plot of hub miRNAs evaluated by 1262 BC samples using METABRIC database. Therefore by considering internationally and locally data, we succeeded to identify the more prevalent and effective breast cancer biomarkers including Hsa-miR-151a-5p, Hsa-miR-34a-5p, Hsa-miR-1307-3p, Hsa-miR-450b-5p, Hsa-miR-501-3p, and Hsa-miR-532-5p.
The Role Of Apelin And Protamine Sulphate In Bile Duct Ligation Induced Liver Fibrosis In Rats
Authors: Moursi Suzan M. M. , Bahaie Eman El , Abdelhamid Amira M. , El-sayed Sherein F.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of protamine sulphate as an apelin receptor blocker on cholestatic liver fibrosis persuaded by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in experimental rats and examine some related mechanisms. Methods: Three groups of adult male Wistar rats were included: control (sham-operated), BDL and BDL+ protamine sulphate groups. All groups were examined after 4 weeks for serum apelin, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hepatic interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, (GPx) malondialdehyde (MDA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and hydroxyproline content and for extracted livers histopathological studies. Results: BDL significantly increased serum apelin, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, hepatic IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, TGF-β and hydroxyproline content, but it significantly reduced serum albumin level and hepatic GPx and SOD activities. Serum level of apelin significantly revealed positive correlations with TNF-α, MDA, TGF-β and hydroxyproline content. On the other hand, protamine sulphate significantly attenuated these changes, with no effect on either serum apelin or bilirubin levels, in treated group. It also improved the hepatic histopathological changes. Conclusion: Protamine sulphate, may be through its apelin receptor blockade, ameliorated cholestatic liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis induced by BDL.
Placental abruption: assessing trends in risk factors over time
Authors: schur Erga , BAUMFELD YAEL , ROTEM REUT , WEINTRAUB ADI Y. , PARIENTE GALI
Published: February 2022

Purpose To evaluate changes in the independent contribution of different risk factors for placental abruption over time. Methods In this retrospective nested case control study, trends of change in ORs for known risk factors for placental abruption occurring in three consecutive eight-year intervals were compared. A univariate assessment of factors associated with placental abruption and two multivariable logistic regression models were constructed in order to identify independent risk factors for placental abruption. Trends of change in the incidence and specific contribution of various risk factors were compared along the study time period. Results During the study period 295,946 pregnancies met the inclusion criteria, of these, 2170 (0.73%) were complicated with placental abruption. Using logistic regression models, previous cesarean delivery, in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, polyhydramnios and inadequate prenatal care were recognized as independent risk factors for placental abruption. While the relative contribution of IVF pregnancy and polyhydramnios to the overall risk for abruption decreased over the course of the study, previous cesarean delivery became a stronger contributor for placental abruption. Conclusion In our study, a change over time in the specific contribution of different risk factors for placental abruption has been demonstrated.
Association Between Hemoglobin A1c and Cerebral Microbleeds in Community-based Stroke-free Individuals: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yu Miaoxin , Jia Yanan , Yang Dandan , Zhang Runhua , Jiang Yong , Zhang Guitao , Qiao Huiyu , Han Hualu , Shen Rui , Ning Zihan , Zhao Xihai , Liu Gaifen
Published: February 2022

Background: The association between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between HbA1c and CMBs in community-based individuals without stroke or transient ischemic attack and whether it differs between individuals with and without diabetes mellitus.Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited individuals from a community in Beijing, China from January 2015 to September 2019. All individuals completed the questionnaires and underwent blood tests and brain magnetic resonance imaging. A susceptibility-weighted imaging sequence was used to detect CMBs, defined as small, round, and low-signal lesions with a diameter <10 mm. The association between HbA1c and CMBs was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for demographics, medical history, and blood sample test results. Subgroup analyses stratified by history of diabetes mellitus were performed.Results: CMBs were detected in 119 (21.88%) individuals. HbA1c was independently associated with CMBs after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [OR],1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.22). In 87 patients with diabetes mellitus, the multivariable logistic analysis showed that HbA1c was significantly associated with CMBs (adjusted OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.04–2.69), whereas in individuals without diabetes mellitus, no significant association was observed between HbA1c and CMBs (adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.50–2.30).Conclusions: HbA1c is associated with CMBs in participants without stroke or transient ischemic attack, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus. This finding suggests that the status of glycemic control warrants attention for the prevention of CMBs. It would be beneficial to manage HbA1c strictly to control the risk of CMBs, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Prodromal characteristics of Dementia with Lewy Bodies: baseline results of the Memento nationwide cohort
Authors: Blanc Frederic , Bouteloup Vincent , Paquet Claire , Chupin Marie , Pasquier Florence , Gabelle Audrey , Ceccaldi Mathieu , Sousa Paulo Loureiro , Krolak-Salmon Pierre , David Renaud , Fischer Clara , Dartigues Jean-François , Wallon David , Moreaud Olivier , Sauvée Mathilde , Belin Catherine , Harston Sandrine , Botzung Anne , Albasser Timothée , Demuynck Catherine , Namer Izzie , Habert Marie-Odile , Kremer Stéphane , Bousiges Olivier , Verny Marc , Muller Candice , Philippi Nathalie , Chene Geneviève , Cretin Benjamin , Mangin Jean-François , Dufouil Carole
Published: February 2022

Background: Isolated subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and mild neurocognitive impairment (MCI) are prodromal phase of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Memento is a nationwide study of patients with SCI and MCI with clinic, neuropsychology, biology and brain imaging data. We aimed to compare SCI and MCI patients with symptoms of prodromal DLB to others in this study at baseline. Methods: Participants of the French Memento cohort study recruited for either SCI or MCI. Among them, 892 were included in the Lewy sub-study, designed to search specifically for symptoms of DLB. Probable prodromal DLB group (pro-DLB) was done using a two-criteria cut-off score among the four core clinical features of DLB. This Pro-DLB group was compared to two other groups at baseline: one without any core symptoms (NS group), and the one with one core symptom (1S group). A comprehensive cognitive battery, questionnaires on behavior, neurovegetative and neurosensory symptoms, brain 3D volumetric MRI, CSF, FDG PET and amyloid PET were done.Results: The Pro-DLB group comprised 148 patients (16.6%). This group showed more multidomain (59.8%) MCI with slower processing speed and a higher proportion of patients with depression, anxiety, apathy, constipation, rhinorrhea, sicca syndrome, and photophobia. The Pro-DLB group had isolated lower P-Tau and on brain MRI widening of sulci including fronto-insular, occipital, and olfactory sulci (FDR corrected). Conclusions: Patients with symptoms of prodromal DLB are cognitively slower, with more behavioral disorders, autonomic symptoms, and photophobia. Biomarkers confirmed the non-Alzheimer profile. The occipital, fronto-insular, and olfactory bulb involvement on brain MRI was consistent with symptoms and known neuropathology. The next step will be to study the clinical, biological, and imaging evolution of these patients.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01926249 .
Exploring consumers’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility and negative responses to e-commerce service failures: A stress and coping perspective
Authors: Zeng Fan , Yu Wentao , Wu Yihan
Published: February 2022

The current study investigates whether consumers’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reduces their negative responses to e-commerce service failures through applying the transactional theory of stress and coping. The data are collected from 297 student consumers through a self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that consumers’ perceptions of CSR negatively influenced their attributions of responsibility for experiencing e-commerce service failures. The attributions of responsibility negatively influenced the feelings of guilt but positively influenced the feelings of regret. Guilt is negatively related to behaviors of engaging in negative word-of-mouth and reducing dependence on platforms, while regret is positively related to these consumers’ behaviors. The current study contributes to the existing literature by expanding our understanding of relationships among perceptions of CSR, attributions of responsibility, negative emotions and responses. Yet our study provides theoretical support for improving CSR strategies and policies in the field of e-commerce.
Evidence to support the mechanical advantage hypothesis of grasping at low force levels
Authors: Rajakumar Banuvathy , SKM Varadhan
Published: February 2022

Grasping an object is one of the several tasks performed by human hands. Object stabilization while grasping is a fundamental aspect to consider for the safety of grasped objects. Fingertip forces re-distribute to establish equilibrium when systematic variations are introduced to objects held in hand. During torque variations to the grasped handle, the central nervous system prefers to support the mechanical advantage hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, during torque production tasks, fingers with longer moment arm for normal force produce greater normal force than the fingers with shorter moment arm. The current study was performed to examine and confirm the factor that causes the central nervous system to employ this strategy. In addition to minimising the thumb’s contribution to hold the handle, thumb normal force was restricted to a minimal level. Such a restriction made the task even more challenging. Therefore, it was confirmed that the challenging task induces the central nervous system to employ the mechanical advantage principle.
Cas9-sgRNA target residence alters DNA double strand break repair pathway choices in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing
Authors: Xie An-Yong , Liu Si-Cheng , Feng Yi-Li , Sun Xiu-Na , Chen Ruo-Dan , Liu Qian , Xiao Jing-Jing , Xiang Ji-Feng , Chen Guo-Qiao , Yang Yi , Lou Chao , Li Hao-Dan , Xu Shi-Ming , Lin Hui
Published: February 2022

Given its different target-binding affinity and varying residence time after DNA cleavage, the Cas9-sgRNA complex that remains bound to cleaved DNA may influence DNA double strand break (DSB) repair pathway choices, contributing to highly heterogeneous mutations in genome editing. Here, we found that DSB repair pathway choices vary significantly at different sites for Cas9-induced DSBs. Reduced target-binding affinity of Cas9-sgRNA promotes a bias toward classical NHEJ (c-NHEJ), but inactivation of c-NHEJ aggravates off-target activities. By dislodging Cas9-sgRNA from the cleaved target, local DNA replication suppresses c-NHEJ in favor of other DSB repair pathways by altering DSB configuration and repair timing. It also results in sister chromatid fusion, which may promote chromosomal breakage-fusion-bridge cycles. This suggests that varying Cas9-sgRNA target-binding affinity or residence duration modulate DSB repair pathway choices for Cas9-induced DSBs and widen the mutational spectra in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
High-flow Nasal Cannula and Prone Positioning Improve Outcomes of Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Miyata Nobuyuki , Yoshimura Yukihiro , Sasaki Hiroaki , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Miyazaki Kazuhito , Tsuboi Sayaka , Yamaguchi Yoshikazu , Sugawara Yoh , Hayami Hajime , Tachikawa Natsuo
Published: February 2022

Background:
Non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV or IMV) is used to treat critically ill patients with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the mortality rate for these remains high. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an alternative device and prone position (PP) is a therapeutic option. However, there is also no evidence to support the efficacy of these methods for patients with COVID-19. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic combination of early high-flow nasal cannula and the prone position.
Methods:
We conducted an observational, retrospective, single-center study. We enrolled COVID-19 patients with HFNC support admitted to our hospital between February 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. We considered the threshold level for HFNC use as Oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 90% and respiratory rate > 20 breaths/min with a non-rebreather mask at 7 L/min or more. SpO2 as measured by pulse oximetry to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (S/F) ratio was calculated to estimate the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to FiO2 ratio. The primary outcome was the all-cause 28-day mortality. The secondary outcome was intubation rates, time until liberation from HFNC and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the hospital. Continuous variables with normal distribution are shown as mean ± standard deviation, others as median and interquartile range, and categorical variables as counts and percentages.
Results:
A total of 451 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Of these, 54 (12%) patients required HFNC. The median S/F ratio before HFNC initiation was 103.9, and the worst median S/F ratio with HFNC was 181. Six patients (11%) died. If we exclude patients who are not eligible for IMV due to their PS, the presence of comorbidities, or the wishes of the patient or their family, only two patients (4%) died. IMV or NIV was required in five patients (9%), of whom three patients died. The median duration of HFNC use, ICU stay, and hospitalization were seven, seven, and 23 days, respectively.
Conclusion:
The combination therapy of early HFNC and PP has the potential to improve the mortality rate and reduce intubation.
Deep Learning Features Encode Interpretable Morphologies within Histological Images
Authors: pour Ali Foroughi , White Brian , park Jonghanne , Sheridan Todd , Chuang Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are revolutionizing digital pathology by enabling machine learning-based classification of a variety of phenotypes from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole slide images (WSIs), but the interpretation of CNNs remains difficult. Most studies have considered interpretability in a post hoc fashion, e.g. by presenting example regions with strongly predicted class labels. However, such an approach does not explain the biological features that contribute to correct predictions. To address this problem, here we investigate the interpretability of H&E-derived CNN features (the feature weights in the final layer of a transfer-learning-based architecture). While many studies have incorporated CNN features into predictive models, there has been little empirical study of their properties. We show such features can be construed as abstract morphological genes (“mones”) with strong independent associations to biological phenotypes. Many mones are specific to individual cancer types, while others are found in multiple cancers especially from related tissue types. We also observe that mone-mone correlations are strong and robustly preserved across related cancers. Importantly, linear mone-based classifiers can very accurately separate 38 distinct classes (19 tumor types and their adjacent normals, AUC=97.1% +/- 2.8% for each class prediction), and linear classifiers are also highly effective for universal tumor detection (AUC=99.2% +/- 0.12%). This linearity provides evidence that individual mones or correlated mone clusters may be associated with interpretable histopathological features or other patient characteristics. In particular, the statistical similarity of mones to gene expression values allows integrative mone analysis via expression-based bioinformatics approaches. We observe strong correlations between individual mones and individual gene expression values, notably mones associated with collagen gene expression in ovarian cancer. Mone-expression comparisons also indicate that immunoglobulin expression can be identified using mones in colon adenocarcinoma and that immune activity can be identified across multiple cancer types, and we verify these findings by expert histopathological review. Our work demonstrates that mones provide a morphological H&E decomposition that can be effectively associated with diverse phenotypes, analogous to the interpretability of transcription via gene expression values. Our work also demonstrates mones can be interpreted without using a classifier as a proxy.
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Authors: Sita Yuliastuti Amijaya  , Rimal Junior Oys Dimu
Published: February 2022

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