bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithospheric warping underlies the formation of back-arc basins
Authors: Orvos Peter
Published: April 2022

Back-arc basins represent intriguing phenomenon of the lithospheric evolution. They are the places of potential subduction initiation, what makes them highly important features within the theory of plate tectonics. The circumstances of their origin and life cycle are not well understood and whether the retreat of subduction is a cause or consequence of back-arc basin development remains an open issue. In the presented work, the new approach has been used, based on the model of thin shell warping. Within this concept, the plate warps due to proximity of translational boundary when its forward movement is constrained. During the process, the lithospheric slab can steepen and sink to the 660 km transition layer, reaching an amphitheatre-like geometry. The specific shape of deformation resembles the topology of several reference basins from the Western Pacific region. Results show that subduction retreat, back-arc extension and arcuate geometry may represent only different demonstrations of one underlying physical mechanism. Modelling suggests that the movement of plates and their interactions, together with the curvature of the Earth’s surface, could be responsible for the formation of back-arc basins.
Human basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor production by codon optimization in rice cell suspension culture
Authors: bastami Meysam , Hosseini Ramin
Published: April 2022

Human basic fibroblastic growth factor (hbFGF), possesses a wide range of highly important biological functions, including cell proliferation, protein synthesis and metabolism. This study is the first investigation to transfer a partly home-made hbFGF gene cassette into rice cells. The human bFGF coding sequence was optimized for expression in rice in order to improve its in vitro production. Following synthesis, the expression cassette was constructed by fusing the PCR- amplified Ram3D promoter and terminator sequences in two separate steps to the optimized hbFGF CDS. Then, the cassette was transferred into the pCAMBIA1304 shuttle vector. This vector also contained a signal peptide for the secretion of the recombinant protein into the culture medium. Rice (Oryza sativa cv. Kanto 51) seeds were cultured on the 2N6PG medium composing of the N6 basal medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D for callus induction. Callus transformation was performed by employing Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404. The integration of bFGF gene into the chromosomes of transgenic calli was verified by genomic DNA PCR. A transformed callus line expressing the highest level of bFGF (38.1 mg/kg FW) was recognized by ELISA and selected for the establishment of cell suspension culture. The developed transgenic rice cell culture was able to express and secrete the recombinant bFGF into the culture medium on day 3 after incubation of cells in the sucrose-free medium. The SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses detected the bFGF in the culture medium with a molecular weight of ~17 kDa under reducing conditions. The purification of bFGF was performed using HiTrap Heparin HP column. Interestingly, the activity assay indicated that the rice derived bFGF stimulated the proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells similar to the commercial bFGF.
Safety Assessment and Prophylactic Efficacy of Moringa stenopetala Leaf Extract through Mitigation of Oxidative Stress in BV-2 Microglial Cell
Authors: Adefegha Stephen Adeniyi , Mostardeiro Vitor , Morsch Vera Maria , Morel Ademir F. , Cruz Ivana Beatrice Manica , Somacal Sabrina , Schetinger Maria Rosa Chitolina
Published: April 2022

Moringa stenopetala is often consumed as food and used in folkloric medicine for the management of several diseases. Purpose: This study was set up in order to assess the effect of aqueous extract of Moringa stenopetala on cell viability and oxidative stress biomarkers in BV-2 microglial cells. Aqueous extracts of M. stenopetala were prepared, lyophilized and reconstituted in 0.5% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). Cells were treated with M. stenopetala extracts (0.1 - 100 µg/ml) for cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production tests. However, M. stenopetala extract (50 µg/ml) was used in the treatment of cells for the determination of protein carbonyl content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Incubation of BV-2 microglia cell with M. stenopetala extract maintained cell viability, diminished NO and ROS levels, and reduced protein carbonyl contents Chlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferol and quercetin derivatives were the main phenolic compounds identified in M. stenopetala leaf extract. These phenolic compounds present in M. stenopetala may be responsible for the mitigation of oxidative stress in BV-2 microglial cells.
Effects of a safe sex intervention on the commercial sexual behaviour of brothel sex workers in Bangladesh: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hasnain Md , Islam Asad , Smyth Russell , Tan HongQi Alexis , Wang Liang Choon
Published: April 2022

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, consisting of a combination of having information about sexually transmitted infections, especially human immune deficiency virus, and receiving training in negotiation to increase safer sexual behaviours among female sex workers and their clients. Methods. We implemented a randomized controlled study which recruited 1,332 female sex workers from eight different brothels in Bangladesh. The study consisted of a control and two treatments (T1 and T2). Participants in T1 took part in a safe sex information session and participants in T2 participated in a safe sex information session and received a counselling session in which they were taught the skills and techniques to negotiate with their clients to get them to wear condoms. Results. In this study we found no improvement in the sexual behaviour of female sex workers upon intervention. we find minimal differences in treatment effects between the control and treated participants. We did, however, find that participants in T2 were marginally more likely to engage in protected sexual transactions than T1 participants.Conclusions. Although the implemented intervention did not work, in this study, we examined several factors that might explain this result and help to develop future effective interventions.
The vaginal outlet: Anatomy and histology discoveries
Authors: Ostrzenski Adam
Published: April 2022

Purpose
The vaginal outlet (VO) anatomy and histology have not been described in scientific-clinical literature or traditional anatomy textbooks. The question of the present study is whether the VO has a different anatomical structure(s) and histology than the vaginal wall? The objectives are to describe VO’s gross and topographic anatomy, histology stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and document findings by digital photograms.
Methods
Ten fresh human adult female corpses were subjected to stratum-by-stratum anatomical, macro, and micro dissections in sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes. The multiple excisional biopsies were obtained from VO at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock locations and submitted to histological examination.
Results
VO consisted of specific anatomical structures in vertical orientation and fused with horizontally located the vaginal wall at the hymeneal plate level. VO had three identifiable anatomical-histological layers a) the hymeneal membrane, b) the hymeneal ring, c) the hymeneal plate, and had specific histological characteristics features that distinguish VO from the vaginal wall. In addition, the vaginal wall was connected to the vaginal outlet at the level of the hymenal plate, the deepest layer of the vaginal outlet.
Conclusions
The vaginal outlet is an anatomical structure consisting of the hymeneal membrane, hymeneal ring, hymeneal plate, and it is in vertical topographic orientation. Anatomically and histologically, it differs from the vaginal walls, and the vaginal wall fuses with the hymeneal plate.
Risk factors associated with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among women receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy: individual patient-based analysis of three prospective antiemetic trials
Authors: Yeo Winnie , Ngai Nicole TY , Yip Christopher CH , Mo Frankie KF , Yeo Victoria A , Ko Jonathan WH , Li Leung , Lau Thomas KH , Lai Kwai T , Pang Elizabeth , Yip Claudia CH , Kwok Carol CH , Molassiotis Alex
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Although risk factors related to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) have been identified by prior studies, there are only few studies evaluating risk factors associated with the contemporary antiemetic prophylaxis, including that of olanzapine/aprepitant- or NEPA- containing regimens. The present study aimed to identify the risk factors related to CINV development in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.Methods: Data from 304 patients who were enrolled to 3 previously reported prospective antiemetic studies were included. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to predict risk factors associated with the occurrence of CINV. Additionally, likelihood of treatment failure in relation to number of risk factors of individual patient was evaluated.Results: Multivariate analysis of the entire study group revealed that obese status (defined as body mass index >/= 25.0 kg/m2) and the use of olanzapine/aprepitant- or NEPA- containing antiemetic regimens were associated with high likelihood, while history of motion sickness was associated with lower likelihood, of complete response (CR) and ‘no nausea’ in the overall phase. History of vomiting in pregnancy was also associated with lower likelihood of overall CR. Patients with increasing number of risk factors had higher likelihood of treatment failure as well as shorter time to first vomiting. Those who did not achieve CR and ‘no nausea’ in the first cycle were less likely to achieve these parameters in the subsequent cycle of chemotherapy.Conclusions: This present study confirmed the previously reported risk factors to be important for CINV in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Further optimization of CINV control is required for patients with identifiable risk factors; olanzapine/aprepitant- or NEPA- containing prophylaxes are the preferred contemporary antiemetics regimens for Chinese breast cancer patients undergoing doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
A person-centred intervention remotely targeting family caregivers’ support needs in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation - a feasibility study
Authors: Kisch Annika M , Bergkvist Karin , Adalsteinsdóttir Sólveig , Wendt Christel , Alvariza Anette , Winterling Jeanette
Published: April 2022

Purpose Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an intensive curative treatment that increases family caregivers’ burden. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of remotely assessing and addressing family caregivers’ support needs in terms of demand and acceptability using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention (CSNAT-I) in the HSCT context.Methods CSNAT-I consists of an evidence-based tool and a five-stage person-centred process. The intervention was performed remotely by two designated nurses from two HSCT centres, one before HSCT and the second 6 weeks after (November 2020 to March 2021). To capture the experiences of using CSNAT-I, interviews were conducted with family caregivers and reflections were gathered from the designated nurses.Results Of 34 eligible family caregivers, 27 participated, 70% were partners and the rest children, siblings, or other relatives. The main support needs were: Knowing what to expect in the future and Dealing with your feelings and worries. The most frequent support actions according to CSNAT-I were psychological support and medical information. Four categories summarised family caregivers and designated nurses’ experiences: CSNAT-I was relevant and became an eye opener; Nurses’ experiences were important for enabling trustful CSNAT-I conversations; CSNAT-I provided family caregivers with support and a sense of security; and CSNAT-I gave family caregivers insight and enabled change. Conclusion Both family caregivers and designated nurses experienced that using CSNAT-I in an HSCT context was feasible and had the potential to provide valuable support for most of the participating family caregivers.
Heavy metals pollution in leachates and its impacts on quality of groundwater around Iringa municipal solid waste dumpsite.
Authors: Sanga Victor Fanuel , Pius Christina Fabian , Kimbokota Fikira
Published: April 2022

This paper presents the results on the heavy metals concentrations in leachates and on the quality of groundwater resources as impacted by leachates leaking from Iringa municipal solid waste dumpsite. The results on physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) that were analyzed by using an electronic multiparameter analyser in both leachates and groundwater samples are also presented. Heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn) were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Relatively higher electrical conductivity which ranged from 14090 ± 62.34 to 26700 ± 104.10 µS/cm and total dissolved solids (76930 ± 41.39–13360 ± 59.40 mg/L) than FAO irrigation water standard were recorded in all leachates. All leachates were identified to be alkaline in nature with pH ranging from 7.40 ± 0.02 to 9.10 ± 0.01; this signified older age of the Iringa municipal dumpsite which is at its methanogenic phase. Heavy metals analysis indicated no potential threat of Cd as its concentrations in all leachates were below the detection limit (< 0.01 mg/L). Meanwhile, the concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, and, Zn in all leachate samples were either above TBS guideline limits for wastewater reuse, or FAO standards for irrigation water. In all groundwater samples, total dissolved solids (446 ± 55.30–776 ± 52.34 mg/L) and pH (7.15 ± 0.02–7.6 ± 0.03) were within WHO acceptable range (pH = 6.5–8.5) for drinking water. Electrical conductivity (869 ± 89.64 to 1570 ± 105.50 µS/cm values) in three groundwater samples was above the WHO's desirable limit for drinking water. Whereas in some groundwater samples, the concentrations of Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn exceeded WHO guideline limits for drinking water quality, implying that the water is unsuitable for human consumption without treatment. The results of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) in groundwater samples indicated that both geologic and anthropogenic processes could be the possible source of heavy metals pollution in the groundwater. However, the presence of heavy metals can be used as tracers of groundwater contamination in the study area. Moreover, water quality indices (WQI) for all groundwater samples ranged from 169.07 to 220.72 translating from poor quality (≤ 100 WQI ≤ 199.99) to very poor quality ((≤ 200 WQI ≤ 299.99). Therefore, the present study calls for the proper management of solid waste in the Iringa municipality to reduce further pollution of groundwater reservoirs through leachate percolation.
Malnutrition Screening and Treatment in Pediatric Oncology: A systematic review
Authors: Franke Jessica , Bishop Chris , Runco Daniel V.
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Malnutrition and cachexia during pediatric cancer treatment worsen toxicity and quality-of-life. Clinical practice varies with lack of standard malnutrition definition and nutrition interventions. This systematic review highlights available malnutrition screening and intervention data in childhood cancer and the need for standardizing assessment and treatment.
Methods
Ovid Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies containing malnutrition as the primary outcome with anthropometric, radiographic, or biochemical measurements. Secondary outcomes included validated nutritional assessment or screening tools. Two authors reviewed full manuscripts for inclusion. Narrative analysis was chosen over statistical analysis due to study heterogeneity.
Results
The search yielded 234 articles and 17 articles identified from external sources. Nine met inclusion criteria with six nutritional intervention studies (examining appetite stimulants, nutrition supplementation, and proactive feeding tubes) and three nutritional screening studies (algorithms or nutrition support teams) each with variable measures and outcomes. Both laboratory evaluations (albumin, prealbumin, total protein) and body measurement (weight loss, mid-upper arm circumference) were used. Studies demonstrated improved weight, without difference between formula or appetite stimulant used. Screening studies yielded mixed results on preventing weight loss, weight gain, and survival.
Conclusion
Our review demonstrated a paucity of evidence for malnutrition screening and intervention in pediatric cancer treatment. While a variety of malnutrition outcomes, interventions, and screening tools exist, nutritional interventions increased weight and decreased complications. Screening tools decreased malnutrition risk and may improve weight gain. Potential age- and disease-specific nutritional benefits and toxicities also exist, further highlighting the benefit of standardizing malnutrition definitions, screening, and interventions.
Oligo replication advantage driven by GC content and Gibbs free energy
Authors: Qi Hao , Qiao Hongyan , Gao Yanmin , Wei Yanan , Li Jiaojiao , Liu Qian , Wang Zhaoguan
Published: April 2022

Large scale DNA oligo pools are emerging as a novel material in a variety of advanced applications. However, GC content and length cause significant bias in amplification of oligos. We systematically explored the amplification of one oligo pool comprising of over ten thousand distinct strands with moderate GC content in the range of 35–65%. Uniqual amplification of oligos result to the increased Gini index of the oligo distribution while a few oligos greatly increased their proportion after 60 cycles of PCR. However, the significantly enriched oligos all have relatively high GC content. Further thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that a high value of both GC content and Gibbs free energy could improve the replication of specific oligos during biased amplification. Therefore, this double-G (GC content and Gibbs free energy) driven replication advantage can be used as a guiding principle for the sequence design for a variety of applications, particularly for data storage.
Premature termination codon rs67047829 in ERV3-1 may be protective against obesity
Authors: Clark Jeremy S.C. , Podsiadło Konrad , Sobalska-Kwapis Marta , Marciniak Błażej , Rydzewska Kamila , Ciechanowicz Andrzej , Wetering Thierry , Strapagiel Dominik
Published: April 2022

Premature termination codons are usually single nucleotide polymorphisms which can have high, but ethnically-dependent, prevalence in a population. The aim of this fishing study was to assess all such premature termination codons (n=140) from a database (with 551915 exonic variants; HumanCoreExome-24 v1.0 and v1.1 BeadChip) with association with obesity in a large sample (n=5757) of the Polish population. Statistical analyses were conducted using regression models with body mass index (BMI) as a continuous variable. Interactions with year of birth and sex; and recessive, dominant and heterozygote models for males and females together and then separately were assessed. A significant association, which was interaction independent, was found between the ERV3-1: rs67047829 heterozygote model and BMI with both sexes together (p-value adjusted for year of birth and sex: 0.001; BMI for AA, GA, GG: means (standard deviations): 22.9 (3.68), 24.7 (4.44), 24.9 (4.59)). Corresponding values for males, but not for females, were also significant: (p=0.003; AA 22.2 (3.96), GA 23.8 (4.44), GG 24.3 (4.96)). As rs67047829 produces a stop codon in the Endogenous retrovirus group 3 member 1, envelope protein, the mRNA of which is highly expressed in adipose tissue, it is possible this premature termination codon provides protective effect against obesity.
Clinical-neuropsychological profile and quality of life in women who have suffered gender-based violence
Authors: Meneses Alexandra Yakeline Meneses , Gonzalo María Sol Fernández , Vicente Mercé Jodar
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Tandem Mass Tag-Based Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Mechanism Underlying the Interleukin-6-Mediated Regulation of Trophoblast Function in Preeclampsia
Authors: Han Qing , Zheng Shuisen , Zhang Huale , Yan Jianying
Published: April 2022

Objective we investigate the mechanism whereby interleukin-6 (IL-6), an important inflammatory marker, influences trophoblast function during preeclampsia. Methods Quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine the IL-6 mRNA and protein levels, respectively. CCK8 and transwell assays were used to detect how IL-6 affects the proliferation and invasion abilities, respectively, of HTR-8/SVneo cells; the tube-forming assay was used to detect how IL-6 affects the angiogenesis ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after their co-culture with HTR-8/SVneo cells. Using tandem mass tag-based proteomics analysis, we screened for different proteins before and after IL-6 stimulation; Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed to explore the functions and signal pathways associated with, these proteins. Results The IL-6 levels were higher in the placenta of preeclampsia group than in normal group. IL-6 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, but promoted the angiogenesis of HUVECs. Seventy differentially expressed IL-6 downstream proteins were identified; these were enriched with various biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and biological pathways. Conclusions IL-6 regulates trophoblast function by interacting with multiple proteins and pathways. Proteomics-based screening represents a macroscopic means for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying preeclampsia.
Demography of ethnic minorities and its effects on the genetic diversity of rice landraces in Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Liu Chunhui , Wang Yanjie , Jiao Aixia , Ma Xiaoding , Cui Di , Li Xiaobing , Han Bing , Chen Huicha , Ruan Renchao , Xue Dayuan , Han Longzhi
Published: April 2022

Ethnic minorities living in Guizhou Province have a long history of rice farming and traditional culture, and they produce numerous of rice landraces, which are rich in genetic variation. Therefore, studying the genetic structure and diversity of rice landraces in Guizhou has become a hot topic. However, the influence of ethnic minorities and their traditional farming system and culture on rice landraces remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure in 598 rice landraces in six eco-rice farming zones using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and the nucleotide variation between two similar populations collected during different periods using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotype analysis of six unlinked nuclear loci. The results were as follows: 1) The genetic diversity level of rice landraces in six different eco-rice farming zones of Guizhou Province was high (He = 0.7659), and the genetic background was rich. Qianxinan Miao and Buyi Autonomous Prefecture is the genetic diversity center of rice landraces in Guizhou, with the highest He (0.7549) and PIC (0.7278). 2) The neighbor-joining (N-J) tree and the STRUCTURE model showed the same genetic structure, and the population structure of japonica was correlated with geographical origin. Under the influence of the domestication of the Buyi, Miao and Dong people, rice landraces in the III and IV eco-rice farming zones were isolated into a subgroup, forming a special ecological type of landrace. 3) Nucleotide variation analysis was performed on similar rice landraces collected in 1980 and 2015. The results showed that after 35 years of domestication, the original dominant haplotypes could be preserved well, and the frequency of the most favorable haplotypes gradually increased, while the frequency of a few unfavorable haplotypes gradually decreased to adapt to the corresponding environment and traditional culture. This study can promote the protection and sustainable utilization of rice landraces and provide more valuable germplasm materials and information for rice breeding and basic research.
Th2 cells are associated with tumor recurrence following radiation.
Authors: Abdelhakiem Mohamed , Bao Riyue , Pifer Phillip M. , Molkentine David , Molkentine Jessica , Hefner Andrew , Beadle Beth M. , Heymach John , Luke Jason J. , Ferris Robert L. , Pickering Curtis , Wang Jing H. , Patel Ravi B. , Skinner Heath D.
Published: April 2022

Background
Curative treatment of the most aggressive solid tumors utilizes radiation therapy, either as a monotherapy or combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Previously, we linked the expression of PD-L1 with clinical radioresistance; however, the relationship between outcome following radiation and immune function is unclear.
Methods
We used two well-annotated cohorts to examine clinical outcomes. The discovery cohort included 94 patients diagnosed with Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who were treated uniformly with surgery and adjuvant radiation. The validation cohort consisted of 97 patients with similar treatment. Immune infiltrates in tumors were derived from RNAseq gene expression in tumor tissues using xCell. The association between each immune cell type and clinical outcomes was tested using Cox proportional hazards models. Immune cell types significantly associated with overall survival (OS), distant metastasis (DM), or locoregional recurrence (LRR) in the discovery cohort were examined in the independent validation cohort. Genes that carry nonsynonymous somatic mutations or have mRNA expression that is associated with the abundance of CD4 + T helper 2 (Th2) cell infiltrate in tumors were also identified in the full TCGA HNSCC cohort as well as non-overlapping cohorts from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC).
Results
In the discovery cohort, we identified intratumoral cell types significantly associated with OS (monocytes, CD4 + memory T cells & Th2 cells), DM (CD4 + memory T cells, sebocytes, and epithelial cells) or LRR (common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) cells, CD4 + memory T cells, Th2 cells, and immature dendritic cells (iDCs). However, only a positive association between high levels of Th2 cells and LRR was identified in the validation cohort. We also identified CREBBP/EP300 and CASP8 among the genes that carry somatic mutations significantly associated with the presence of Th2 cells. Additionally, pathway analysis of genes correlated with Th2 cells revealed potential repression of the antitumor immune response and activation of BRCA1-associated DNA damage repair in multiple cohorts.
Conclusions
Th2 infiltrate is enriched in HPV-negative HNSCC tumors and is associated with LRR in two independent cohorts of patients following surgery and radiation. Th2 infiltrate is associated with mutations in CASP8 and CREBBP/EP300 and pathways previously shown to impact the response to radiation. Further investigation is warranted to investigate the mechanisms underlying the role of Th2 cells in mediating radioresistance in HPV-negative HNSCC.
Transmissibility and control of tuberculosis: a modeling study based on four outbreaks in China
Authors: Liu Chan , Yang Meng , Chen Qiuping , Jia Jing , Zhao Zeyu , Xu Jingwen , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Gavotte Laurent , Frutos Roger , Chen Tianmu
Published: April 2022

Background: As the second largest burden country, China displays a high incidence of tuberculosis with frequent occurrence of outbreaks. Summarizing and analyzing the characteristics of tuberculosis outbreaks can help to quantify the transmissibility and to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention measures, providing thus technical support for prevention and control. Methods: We collected data on 4 tuberculosis outbreaks in Changsha city, Hunan Province. Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model was used to fit collected data and calculate transmissibility. Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Quarantined-Recovered (SEIQR) model was used to evaluate the effect of isolation. Effective reproduction number and prevalence rate were used to quantify the transmissibility of tuberculosis. Results: The number of male patients was higher than that of female patients in 4 outbreaks. Most student cases were distributed in high grades of high school and universities. The Reff of the 4 outbreaks were 15.22, 12.87, 13.47 and 2.70, respectively. Isolating 100% of the patients at first month could reduce the number of cases by 96.45%, 96.36%, 97.08% and 100.00%, respectively. The median Reff of 4 outbreaks in Changsha city was 13.17 (IQR 10.33-13.91). Conclusions: Early detection and isolation of cases are effective methods of prevention of tuberculosis outbreaks.
Sequential tocilizumab and tofacitinib treatment for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a case report
Authors: Zhang Ye , Ru Jinli , Zhang Jinxiu
Published: April 2022

Background: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is complex, difficult to cure, and has high morbidity and mortality rates. Herein, we report a case of a patient with sJIA who was treated with sequential tocilizumab and tofacitinib treatment.Case presentation: The patient was a 4-year-old girl who was hospitalised with recurrent fever and polyarticular pain in June 2020. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 15.32 × 109/L, platelet count of 676.8 × 109/L, serum ferritin level of 1,103.8 U/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 85.00 mm/h, c-reactive protein level of 146.00 g/L, and interleukin (IL)-6 level of 287.95 pg/ml. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody results were negative, and she was diagnosed with sJIA. The patient was started on a combination of ibuprofen, methotrexate, and tocilizumab, and her temperature decreased to the normal range without any recurrence. The painful joint swellings resolved significantly after 3 months of follow-up. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors inhibit the effects of many cytokines, particularly IL-6, and is economical and convenient. Therefore, we selected tofacitinib to replace tocilizumab for her treatment, whereas the other drugs remained unchanged. Arthritis symptoms disappeared gradually after 9 months of follow-up. In May 2021, due to a slight recurrence of upper respiratory tract infection, the patient was hospitalised, administered one dose of tocilizumab, and continued to take oral tofacitinib, which quickly relieved the patient's symptoms. By December 2021, the patient's condition was stable.Conclusions: The efficacy of treatment with sequential tofacitinib via tocilizumab in our patient with sJIA was found to be remarkable. IL-6 inhibitors sequential to JAK inhibitors could be a new option for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic joints.
Pulmonary embolism as a cause of suicide attempt by stabbing in the chest. Clinical dilemmas
Authors: Nożewski Jakub , Nowak Ewa , Dura Marta , Grześk Grzegorz , Kłopocka Maria
Published: April 2022

BackgroundPulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. While the conditions that rank 1st and 2nd manifest with characteristic symptoms, pulmonary embolism is a tricky, often oligosymptomatic disease. While in the case of stable patients, diagnosed with a low-risk disease, the treatment is predictable, in patients with co-existing medical conditions, anticoagulation treatment leads to serious bleeding in 7.22 out of 100 treated patients/year, with a mortality rate reaching 9%.Case presentationThis report presents a case of a male patient with self-inflicted knife chest wound as a result of severe chest pain due to massive pulmonary embolism, as well as the resulting clinical dilemmas.ConclusionsThe above case is a rarely seen concomitance. It describes an invariably rare attempt to deal with the untreatable pain of a pulmonary embolism. I will certainly be a guide for other doctors that it is possible to perform similar procedures without endangering the patient's life despite clear contraindication in guidelines.
Estimates of genomic heritability and genome-wide association studies for blood parameters in Akkaraman sheep
Authors: Arzik Yunus , Kizilaslan Mehmet , White Stephen N. , Piel Lindsay M.W. , Cinar Mehmet Ulas
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study was to estimate genomic heritability and the impact that genetic backgrounds have on blood parameters in Akkaraman sheep by conducting genome-wide association studies. Genomic heritability estimates for blood parameters ranged from 0.00 to 0.55, indicating that measured phenotypes have a low to moderate heritability. A total of 7 genome- and 13 chromosome-wide significant SNPs were associated with phenotypic changes in 15 blood parameters tested. Accordingly, SCN7A, SCN9A, MYADM-like, CCDC67, ITGA9, MGAT5, SLC19A1, AMPH, NTRK2, MSRA, SLC35F3, HDAC4, SIRT6, CREB3L3, OSBPL8, ZDHHC17, CSRP2, NAV3 and E2F7 genes as well as three undefined regions (LOC101117887, LOC106991526 and LOC105608461) were suggested as candidates. Most of the identified genes were involved in basic biological processes that are essential to immune system function and cellular growth; specific functions include cellular transport, histone deacetylation, cell differentiation, erythropoiesis, and endocytosis. The top significant SNP for HCT, MCH, and MCHC was found within a genomic region mainly populated by the MYADM-like gene family. This region was previously suggested to be under historical selection pressure in many sheep breeds from various parts of the world. These results have implications on animal breeding program studies due to the effect that the genetic background has on blood parameters, which underlying many productive and wellness related traits.
Development and validation of clinical risk score model for predicting progression of COVID-19 among Iranian patients
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Fatemeh , Noghabi Ali Delshad , Bilondi Sina Sabeti , Tavakolizadeh Mitra , Hajavi Jafar , Aalami Hosein , Sahebanmaleki Mohsen
Published: April 2022

There are few scoring systems within the clinical setting for early figuring out high-risk COVID-19 patients for severe illness and negative consequences. The present study aimed to create a risk prediction score that could identify patients whose disease is probably to progress at the time of hospitalization. From April to June 2021, 171 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to Bohlool hospital, Iran, were consecutively enrolled in this prospective study. First, the risk score prediction model was constructed the use of a logistic regression model. Then, the validation of the risk score was assessed in an independent sample of patients. 141 (82.5%) were recovered or showed symptomatic improvement. Nine patients (5.2%) had progressed to severe disease, while 21 patients (12.3%) died. Three independently significant variables, including IL-6, NLR, and lung involvement were included in the risk score. The discrimination ability of the risk score was good, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) 0.970 (95% CI: 0.935, 1.00) in the discovery dataset and 0.973 (95% CI: 0.923, 1.00) in the validation dataset. We discovered a risk score that might be utilized as a clinical diagnostic tool to identify COVID-19 individuals who are at increased risk of illness progression.
What Have We Learned from OpenReview?
Authors: Wang Gang , Peng Qi , Zhang Yanfeng , Zhang Mingyang
Published: April 2022

Anonymous peer review is used by the great majority of computer science conferences. OpenReview is such a platform that aims to promote openness in peer review process. The paper, (meta) reviews, rebuttals, and final decisions are all released to public. We collect 11,915 submissions and their 41,276 reviews from the OpenReview platform. We also collect these submissions' citation data from Google Scholar and their non-peer-reviewed versions from arXiv.org. By acquiring deep insights into these data, we have several interesting findings that could help understand the effectiveness of the public-accessible double-blind peer review process. Our results can potentially help writing a paper, reviewing it, and deciding on its acceptance.
Investigation of the Relationship of CO-RADS and CT Patterns with Laboratory Parameters in COVID-19 Patients and a New Perspective on the Total CT Scoring System
Authors: Aydin Nevin , Yildiz Pinar , Cansu Döndü Üsküdar , Gündogdu Elif , Mutluay Rüya , Yorulmaz Göknur , Tekin Melisa Sahin , Kocaturk Evin , Alatas İbrahim Özkan , Kartal Elif Doyuk , Erben Nurettin , Durmaz Gül , Kasifoglu Nilgun , Us Tercan , Sahin Garip , Bal Cengiz , Yilmaz Senay , Korkmaz Cengiz
Published: April 2022

Background: It is important to determine the correlation of the CO-RADS classification and computed tomography (CT) patterns of the lung with laboratory data. To investigate the relationship of CO-RADS categories and CT patterns with laboratory data in patients with a positive RT-PCR test. We also developed a structured total CT scoring system and investigated its correlation with the total CT scoring system.Method: The CT examinations of the patients were evaluated in terms of the CO-RADS classification, pattern groups and total CT score. Structured total CT score values were obtained by including the total CT score values and pattern values in a regression analysis. The CT data were compared according to the laboratory data. Results: A total of 198 patients were evaluated. There were significant differences between the CO-RADS groups in terms of age, ICU transfer, oxygen saturation, creatinine, LDH, D-dimer, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-TnT), CRP, structured total CT score values, and total CT score values. A significant difference was also observed between the CT pattern groups and oxygen saturation, creatinine and CRP values. When the structured total CT score values and total CT score values were compared they were observed to be correlated.Conclusions: Creatinine can be considered as an important marker for the CO-RADS and pattern classifications in lung involvement. LDH can be considered as an important marker of parenchymal involvement, especially bilateral and diffuse involvement. The structured total CT scoring system is a new system that can be used as an alternative.
Selective Outcome Reporting Bias Is Highly Prevalent in Randomized Clinical Trials of Periodontology
Authors: Souza Nathalia Vilela , Nicolini Alessandra Cardoso , Reis Isabella Neme Ribeiro , Sendyk Daniel Isaac , Cavagni Juliano , Pannuti Claudio Mendes
Published: April 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of a type of bias named Selective Outcome Reporting (SOR) in publications of RCTs on non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) and verify its associated factors. Materials and Methods: The protocols were searched and selected on the www.clinicaltrials.gov platform up to January 16, 2022. Corresponding publications were identified, and data extraction and discrepancy analysis were performed. The risk of bias was assessed according to the RoB2 tool. Results: One hundred forty-five studies (174 publications) were included. The prevalence of SOR was 49.7% and was unclear in nearly one third of studies (27.6%). Only 31.7% of the primary outcomes were completely described in the publications. The overall risk of bias was high in 60% of the included studies. SOR was associated with statistical significance (p < .001), and multiple publications of the same study (p = .005). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the high prevalence of SOR, highlighting the need to improve the quality of reporting of RCTs on NSPT studies. Clinical relevance: SOR is a concerning bias that can affect clinical practice as it increases the effect of the intervention, emphasizing positive results. The incidence of SOR can be reduced by the prospective registry of the study protocol and the complete definition of the outcome. Journal editors could instruct reviewers to check discrepancies between the protocol and the manuscript whenever such information is available.
Incomplete Kawasaki disease with retropharyngeal space abscess as the main manifestation: a case report and literature review
Authors: chen jun , Wen Yang
Published: April 2022

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood acute self-limiting systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. The diagnosis of KD is based upon clinician's recognition of a symptom pattern. However, manifestations of KD can be atypical, Deep neck infections (DNIs) is a rare manifestation of KD, which can mislead the clinician and delay diagnosis. The following case report describes a patient with incomplete Kawasaki disease (iKD) whose initial presentation a retropharyngeal abscess.Case presentation: A child with clinical manifestations of fever, neck pain, cervical lymphadenopathy, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) was reported. The anti-infective treatment was not effective. A retropharyngeal space abscess was detected on neck enhanced Computed Tomography (CT). On the third day following admission, the conjunctival hyperemia, red lips, and strawberry tongue appeared gradually. High-dose of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and oral aspirin were administered with rapid defervescence, fever and neck pain gradually disappeared, and the neck Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed that the abscess was completely resolved.Conclusion: KD with a retropharyngeal space abscess as the first manifestation is rare and may be related to Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus infection. When anti-infective treatment was not effective, it is very important to provide timely diagnosis and treatment in combination with other clinical features of KD.
Pediatric patient with Penetrating Brain Injury by a Pickaxe: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Mansilla Raíssa , Pinguelo Paulo Henrique Reigota , Pilon Bárbara Contarato , Amaral Luís Gustavo Duarte , Martins Fernando Jorge Monteiro , Silva Geraldo Luiz Paraguassu Correia da
Published: April 2022

Head trauma due to falls is often seen in children, however Penetrating Brain Injury (PBI) – the most life-threatening condition of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - is exceedingly rare. Herein, we report and discuss the challenges encountered in surgical and post-operative management of a 13-old-child patient with PBI by a pickaxe, admitted in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 3 and that not only survived, but also achieved a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after one year of postoperative follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pickaxe-induced brain injury on the American Continent and the youngest survivor of this trauma reported in literature.
Five-year kidney functional change from the new baseline kidney function after partial nephrectomy in patients with clinical T1 renal tumors
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Ikeda Takashi , Kondo Tsunenori , Fukuda Hironori , Ishihara Hiroki , Kobayashi Hirohito , Iizuka Junpei , Omae Kenji , Tanabe Kazunari , Ishida Hideki
Published: April 2022

Background: To investigate subsequent renal function from the new baseline in patietns who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal tumors, and analyze factors associated with the renal functional change.Methods: This study included 466 patients who underwent PN for stage 1 kidney tumors and were regularly followed up for at least 5 years. The new baseline kidney function was defined as eGFR at 6 months after surgery. Kidney function was evaluated at every year for five years after surgery, and kidney function change was calculated as eGFR at 6 months after surgery-eGFR at each year after surgery/eGFR at 6 months after surgery × 100 (%). Factors associated with kidney functional change were evaluated with multivariate cox regression analysis.Results: The median age of patients was 60 years, and 76% of them were male. The median preoperative eGFR was 68 ml/min/1.73m2, and 35% and 14% of the patients had hyptertension and diabetes mellitus (DM), respectively. The new baseline eGFR was 61 ml/min/1.73m2. The mean kidney function change from the new baseline was -0.7% at one year, -1.1% at two years, -2.7% at three years, -3.8% at four years, and -5.4% at five years. Multivariate analysis showed that DM, preoperative lower eGFR and high complexity tumors were significantly associated with decreased kidney function from baseline to five years after surgery.Conclusions: Kidney function sequentialy decreased from the new baseline after PN. DM, lower preoperative eGFR and high complexity tumor were independent predictors for deterioration of eGFR from the new baseline to 5 years postoperatively.
How does fracture treatment affect patients? Universal scoring of treatment outcome by using the FRESH- score
Authors: Frese Jasper , Beuge Carolin , Rau Yannick , Schulz Arndt-Peter , Wendlandt Robert
Published: April 2022

PurposeAs part of a fracture treatment registry, a questionnaire was developed to record the general state of health of the patients, the result of fracture treatment and complications. This resulted in the "Fracture Evaluation Since Hospitalization" score, or FRESH- score. The development and validation of the FRESH- score is the subject of this manuscript. MethodsFor validation, the EQ-5D-5L was used as a matching questionnaire. 237 patients were contacted via mail and received both questionnaires. The reliability was determined testing the internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha, convergent validity was tested with the Pearson correlation, construct validity was determined using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, as well as the paired t-test.ResultsCronbach's alpha for reliability was moderate at 0.57. Convergent validity using Pearson's correlation resulted in a moderate correlation with a coefficient of 0.41. Construct validity was determined using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, as well as the paired t-test. Both methods showed a high significance of p=0.0287 and a tendency p=0.0677, which represents a relationship between the two samples. Content validity was tested using missing values, which were low at 8% on average.ConclusionThe FRESH- score proved to be reasonable, reliable and sufficiently valid. Application with a larger samples would strengthen the validity of the questionnaire. The score fills a gap between existing questionnaires in orthopedics. An advantage of the FRESH- score is its concise set up and broad applicability.