bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O caminho para a renovação de um discurso: Carlos Gomes e Maria Tudor no cenário da ópera italiana
Authors: Kerr Isaac William , Nogueira Lenita Waldige Mendes , Virmond Marcos da Cunha Lopes
Published: August 2022

Neste artigo propomos uma dupla discussão sobre a estética de Gomes em sua ópera Maria Tudor. Primeiramente, desejamos atualizar as pesquisas musicológicas sobre as novas descobertas da contribuição de Carlos Gomes como artífice privilegiado de um período de profundas transformações pelas quais passou a ópera italiana na segunda metade do século XIX. O sucesso conquistado por Gomes por meio de algumas de suas óperas ainda eclipsa suas maiores contribuições contidas em óperas esquecidas. Em um segundo momento, propomos revisitar Maria Tudor (1879), considerada seu maior fracasso. Se Maria Tudor permanece na história como ópera ultrapassada pelos procedimentos usados em sua época, por outro lado esconde muito das modificações que a geração de Gomes pretendia para o novo formato de ópera. Consideramos necessário retomar os primeiros autores que publicaram sobre o assunto, como Nicolaisen (1980), Kimbell (1991) e Budden (2002), até autores mais recentes, como Faustini (2007) e Baragwanath (2011). Deu-se também atenção à crítica periodista do secondo ottocento nas figuras de Alberto Mazzucato (Gazzetta Musicale di Milano) e Abramo Basevi (La Musica) para uma necessária contextualização do cenário desse período. Conclui-se que Carlos Gomes sacrificava, quando necessário, versos líricos em favor de recitativos e parlanti para sua protagonista, muito embora não lhe faltem belas melodias. O libreto de Maria Tudor oferecia menos oportunidades de declamação do que Gomes de fato buscava para suas cenas dramaticamente mais intensas. Um caminho incontornável para o discurso que culminará na nova ópera à qual Gomes deu contribuição ímpar.
The 12-Month Effects of the Trauma Collaborative Care Intervention
Authors:   Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC)
Published: August 2022

Background:

Studies have suggested that patient-centered collaborative care in the early phases of recovery may assist providers and patients in managing the multifactorial consequences of injury and may lead to better outcomes. This cluster-controlled trial, conducted at 12 U.S. Level-I trauma centers, was designed to evaluate the impact of the Trauma Collaborative Care (TCC) program on 1-year outcomes following severe musculoskeletal injury.

Methods:

Patients with high-energy orthopaedic trauma requiring surgical fixation were prospectively enrolled. Six sites implemented the TCC intervention as well as the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN), and the other 6 sites provided the standard of care. Participants were followed for 1 year, and a composite primary outcome measure composed of the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) Dysfunction Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) was assessed. A 2-stage, Bayesian hierarchical statistical procedure was used to characterize treatment effects. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to account for an error in the delivery of the intervention.

Results:

There were 378 patients enrolled at 6 trauma centers implementing the TCC program, and 344 patients enrolled at 6 trauma centers providing usual care. Patient utilization of treatment components varied across the intervention sites: 29% of patients in the intervention group received all 5 key components (TSN handbook education, peer visits, recovery assessment, and calls before and after recovery assessment). Posterior estimates of the intention-to-treat effect suggested that the intervention did not have an appreciable effect: the odds of the composite outcome for the TCC group increased by 5% (95% credible interval, −40% to 63%). The estimates of the effect of receiving all 5 key intervention components were similar.

Conclusions:

Despite prior work showing early positive effects, this analysis suggests that the TCC program as delivered did not have positive effects on patient outcomes at 1 year. It is not known whether programs that improve compliance or target specific subgroups would better meet the psychosocial needs of trauma survivors.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Maternal urine phthalate metabolite exposure and miscarriage risk: A nested case–control study of the Zunyi Birth Cohort
Authors: Wang Xia , He Caidie , Wu Nian , Tian Yingkuan , Wang Linglu , Liao Juan , Fang Derong , Liu Xiang , An Songlin , Chen Wei , Xiong Shimin , Liu Yijun , Xie Yan , Tian Kunming , Huang Jingyi , Yuan Hongyu , Chen Xiaoshan , Zhang Li , Li Quan , Shen Xubo , Zhou Yuanzhong
Published: August 2022

Phthalates (PAEs) are widespread persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors. Exposure to certain phthalate metabolites can increase miscarriage risk, but the associations between PAE exposure and the risk of miscarriage in humans are unclear. In addition, an insufficient number of studies have evaluated the possible threshold or dose-dependent effects of first-trimester PAE exposure on miscarriage risk. In a nested case–control study of the Zunyi Birth Cohort, we compared 150 pregnancies ending in miscarriage and 150 pregnancies with live births as controls. The levels of mono-methyl phthalate (MMP), mono-ethyl phthalate, mono-isobutyl phthalate, MiBP mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-octyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) in maternal urine collected in early gestation were measured. We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for miscarriage and each PAE as a continuous variable or quartile. Sensitivity analysis and multiple adjustments were performed on the results. A restrictive cubic spline was used to assess dose-dependent effects after controlling for maternal characteristics (e.g., age, educational level). This study identified monotonically increasing dose-dependent effects of MEHHP and MMP on the risk of miscarriage. The largest effect estimates were approximately 3–4-fold higher for the highest MBP (OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.32–5.01) or MMP quartile (OR = 3.57; 95% CI = 1.82–7.00) and 2-fold higher for the highest MEHHP quartile (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.10–4.11. Our research preliminarily obtained possible thresholds, for the risk of miscarriage, and the corresponding concentrations of MBP, MEHHP, and MMP were approximately 18.07, 2.38, and 0.80 µg/g Cr, respectively. First-trimester exposure to MBP, MEHHP, and MMP exceeding certain thresholds increases the risk of miscarriage. Thus, strong caution is needed, and preventative and control strategies are required to reduce the risk of PAE exposure.
In vivo Evaluation of the Antipsoriatic Effect of Alginate Hydrogel with Lavandin Essential Oil and Its Main Components after Topical Application
Authors: Sosnowska Katarzyna , Tomczykowa Monika , Winnicka Katarzyna , Kalemba Danuta , Tomczyk Michał
Published: August 2022

The essential oils obtained from Lavandula species possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. In our study, lavandin oil was hydrodestillated from Lavandula × intermedia (Lamiaceae), and new alginate-based hydrogel formulations containing lavandin oil, linalool, and linalyl acetate were prepared for the first time. Using the gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods fifty eight components of obtained essential oil were identified. Subsequently, the antipsoriatic activity of the created formulations was investigated by applying an imiquimod-induced mouse model. Alginate-based hydrogels were used as carriers for lavandin oil, linalool, and linalyl acetate. Pharmaceutical properties, such as viscosity and adhesiveness, which influence the contact time of the formulation to the skin, were also analysed using a viscometer and texture analyser, respectively. In addition, the histopathological examination of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice ear skin stained with H&E (haematoxylin and eosin) was conducted after applying the examined formulations. Additionally, the impact of lavandin oil, linalool, and linalyl acetate on the expression of CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3), CD68 (monoclonal mouse anti-human), and Ki67 (marker of proliferation Ki-67) were studied. Histopathological studies showed that alginate-based hydrogels with lavandin oil, linalool, and linalyl acetate decreased the mice ears’ oedema and the analysed psoriasis symptoms (parakeratosis epidermal thickening, hypertrophy of the spinous layer, inflammatory infiltrates, Munro's microabscesses, Kogoj's micro-pustules, and dermal papillae oedema). The prepared formulations inhibited proliferation of the cells (Ki67 staining method) and expression of CD3 and CD68. The most potent activity against the inflammation in psoriasis was the preparation containing 5% lavandin oil. The presented results suggest that the topical application of lavandin oil may be efficient against psoriasis due to the inhibition of cell proliferation and reduction in many T-cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes in mice ear skin with inflammation induced by imiquimod.
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome II presenting paradoxically as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: A case report and reappraisal of pathophysiology
Authors: Batta Akash , Gupta Amit Kumar , Singal Gautam , Mohan Bishav , Kumar Sushil , Jaiswal Bhavuk , Hatwal Juniali , Tandon Rohit , Singh Gurbhej , Goyal Abhishek , Singh Bhupinder , Mittal Naveen , Chhabra Shibba Takkar , Aslam Naved , Wander Gurpreet Singh
Published: August 2022

BackgroundTakotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare disease entity characterized by acute, non-ischemic, reversible myocardial dysfunction that mimics acute myocardial infarction. Activation and excessive outflow of sympathetic nervous system is believed to be central to the figure in the disease pathogenesis. Adrenocortical hormones potentiate the systemic actions of sympathetic nervous system and accordingly are essential for regulation of myocardial function. We present an unusual case of a middle-aged woman with primary adrenal insufficiency who presented paradoxically with TCM. Case presentation A 50-year-old woman with past history of hypothyroidism presented to emergency department with history of acute chest pain and syncope. There was no significant drug history or history of an emotional or physical stimulus prior to admission. Prominent pigmentation over the tongue and skin creases of hands were noted. On presentation she was in shock and had ventricular tachycardia which required electrical cardioversion. The subsequent electrocardiogram demonstrated diffuse T-wave inversions with prolonged QTC. There was apical hypokinesia on echocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers were elevated. There was persistent inotropic requirement. She had marked postural symptoms and a postural blood pressure drop of 50mm Hg was present. Initial laboratory parameters were significant for hyperkalemia (7.8mEq/L) and hyponatremia (128mEq/L). These findings prompted evaluation for adrenal insufficiency which was confirmed with appropriate tests. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome II was thus diagnosed based on the above findings. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronaries. The diagnoses of TCM was established in accordance with the International takotsubo diagnostic criteria. She was started on stress dose steroid replacement therapy and improved dramatically. At one month of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic and there was normalization of her left ventricular function. ConclusionsIntricate relationship and interplay exist between the steroid hormones and catecholamines in the pathogenesis of TCM. Steroid hormones not only potentiate the actions of catecholamines, they also regulate and channelize catecholaminergic actions preventing their deleterious effects on the cardiac tissue. Hence, both steroid deficiency and exogenous steroid replacement may precipitate TCM. Evidence from more such cases and larger perspective studies in the future will further improve our understanding of this complex disease process and its myriad associations.
A study on microzooplankton community from the coastal waters of eastern Arabian Sea: Emphasis on the dominance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates
Authors: S Sai Elangovan , Gauns Mangesh U
Published: August 2022

We studied the community composition of microzooplankton (MZP) from the surface waters off Candolim, Goa. The MZP communities were examined for the year 2013, covering different seasons and four stations (Near-shore: G3 & G4, offshore: G5 & G6). A total of 30 species belonging to 24 genera were recorded, which include loricate ciliates (LC: 14 species of 13 genera), aloricate ciliates (ALC: 5 species of 3 genera), heterotrophic dinoflagellates (HDS: 11 species of 8 genera) and copepod nauplii. The MZP abundance in the coastal waters varied spatially irrespective of different seasons, with higher abundance in the offshore stations (G5 & G6, 38–127 cells L-1) and lower abundance in the near-shore stations (G3 & G4, 20–97 cells L-1). The MZP community composition showed the dominance of HDS (16–85%) in the near-shore stations during most of the seasons and inferiority during NEM (16–18%,). Moreover, all the coastal waters (near and offshore) were dominated by HDS (58–85%) during spring inter-monsoon. The dominant species of HDS were Dinophysis apicata, Dinophysis caudata, Porocentrum micans, Protoperidinium breve, Protoperidinium latistriatum, and Protoperidinium granii. The statistical analysis (Spearman's rank correlation) depicts that the MZP abundance and community composition were mainly controlled by salinity (r = 0.4–0.7). Whereas the dominance of HDS in the coastal waters could be the reason for its mixotrophic nature and diverse feeding mechanism. Thus, a strong positive correlation between the HDS and LC (r = 0.73–0.92) showed the feeding ability of HDS in their relative community.
Peptides formed during simulated digestion of human colostrum: prospection of bioactivity
Authors: Campanhon Isabele B. , Aguiar Paula Fernandes , Bezerra Flávia Fioruci , Soares Márcia R. , Torres Alexandre Guedes
Published: August 2022

Breast milk is known to contain bioactive peptides that are released during digestion, being a major source of bioactive peptides to the new-born, some of which act against invading pathogens. However, the formation of bioactive peptides during digestion of human colostrum remains largely uninvestigated. This study aimed to investigate the formation of peptides during simulated digestion of human colostrum from adult women, and to prospect antimicrobial peptides. For this purpose, we used high-resolution mass spectrometry to monitor the release of peptides during simulated digestion. Bioinformatics was used for the prospection of antimicrobial activity of peptides. During simulated digestion (oral, gastric, and duodenal phases), 2318 peptide sequences derived from 112 precursor proteins were identified. At the end of simulated digestion, casein-derived peptide sequences were the most frequently observed. Among precursors, some proteins were seen for the first time in this study. The resulting peptides were rich in proline, glutamine, valine, and leucine residues, providing characteristic traits of antimicrobial peptides. From bioinformatics analysis, seven peptides showed potentially high antimicrobial activity towards bacteria, viruses, and fungi, from which the latter was the most prominent predicted activity. Antimicrobial peptides released during digestion may provide a defence platform with controlled release for the new-born.
Social Identity, Health Rights and Medical Ethics: An Analysis of the Attitudes of Caregivers of Public Health sector in the Medical Care of Transgender People in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: OUATTARA Zié Adama , BROU Kouamé Aristide , KOUADIO Lorraine Nadia , N'DRI Koffi Célestin
Published: August 2022

In Côte d'Ivoire, as in many other parts of the world, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in general, and transgender people in particular, face enormous difficulties in accessing care. They are victims of their social identity and are stigmatized and marginalized from the health care system. In most public health structures, their medical care is problematic due to the reluctance of health care providers. We are witnessing less responsible attitudes among some caregivers in public health sector. According to the literature, LGBT people are vulnerable to several diseases, including HIV/AIDS. As such, they require specific health care. This situation experienced by LGBT people constitutes a denial of the right to health and of medical ethics. Indeed, health is a universal right that advocates equal access to health care. As for medical ethics, it requires caregivers to have a humanitarian duty, probity, loyalty and respect for human life. Thus, regardless of the patient's status, social identity, the caregiver's vocation and duty is to administrate the necessary care, while respecting professional secrecy. Between law, ethics and attitudes, this socio-anthropological research conducted among caregivers and transgender people in particular, proposes to understand this paradox, this contradiction that results in Côte d’Ivoire. In other words, it analyzes the attitudes of caregivers in the medical care of transgender people in a context of universality of health, right to health and ethical principles governing the medical profession in Côte d’IvoireBouaké.
A nomogram for predicting the overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with liver metastasis
Authors: Xu Tian , Liu Chaoyuan , Liu Xianling , Chen Zui , Ma Fang , Fan Dan
Published: August 2022

Liver metastasis (LM) is correlated with dismal prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, which remains a clinical concern. Here, we developed a practical model for predicting the clinical survival of these patients by using the cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. In total, 2367 NSCLC patients with liver metastasis were recruited to establish the nomogram. Sex, age, race, grade, T stage, bone metastasis, brain metastasis, surgical resection, and chemotherapy were identified as independent predictors. By incorporating all these variables, the nomogram showed a robust discrimination with a concordance index (C-index) of 0.700 (95% CI 0.684–0.716) for the training dataset and 0.677 (95%CI 0.653–0.701) for the validation dataset. Excellent agreements between the predicted and observed overall survival were exhibited by calibration plots. Moreover, the decision curve analysis (DCA) and the risk classification system revealed favorable clinical applicability of the nomogram. This is the first study to build the prediction model focusing on the overall survival of NSCLC patients with LM. It provides a potential tool to promote personalized treatment strategies and guide future studies.
Cxcr4 regulates a pool of adipocyte progenitors to maintain adiposity in a sex-dependent manner
Authors: Steiner Benjamin , Benvie Abigail , Lee Derek , Jiang Yuwei , Berry Daniel
Published: August 2022

The sex-dependent distribution of mammalian white adipose tissue (WAT) drives the development of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. Here, we identify Cxcr4 acting in a sexual dimorphic manner to control a pool of proliferating adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) to direct female fat mass. We find that deleting Cxcr4 within the adipose lineage results in female, not male, lipodystrophy, which cannot be restored by high-fat diet consumption. We also show that Cxcr4 deletion causes an APC lineage shift at the expense of extinguishing a pool of proliferating APCs within female WATs. Changes within the APC lineage are accompanied by the upregulation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha, promoting estradiol hypersensitivity, and effectively stalling adipogenesis. Estrogen removal or administration of antiestrogens restores WAT expansion and accumulation in Cxcr4-deficient mice and APCs. These findings implicate Cxcr4 as an adipogenic rheostat of female APCs, which may have implications for new therapeutic strategies to target female adiposity.
Isotopic evidence for an intensified hydrological cycle in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Akhoudas Camille Hayatte , Sallée Jean-Baptiste , Reverdin Gilles , Haumann F. Alexander , Pauthenet Etienne , Chapman Christopher , Margirier Félix , Monaco Claire Lo , Metzl Nicolas , Meilland Julie , Stranne Christian
Published: August 2022

The hydrological cycle is expected to intensify in a warming climate. However, observational evidence of such changes in the Southern Ocean is difficult to obtain due to sparse measurements and a complex superposition of changes in precipitation, sea ice, and glacial meltwater. We here disentangle these signals using a unique dataset of salinity and seawater oxygen isotope observations collected in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Our results show that the atmospheric water cycle has intensified in this region between 1993 and 2021, increasing the salinity in subtropical surface waters by 0.07 g kg-1 per decade, and decreasing it in subpolar surface waters by -0.028 g kg-1 per decade. In the subpolar region, this salinity decrease is countered by a salinity increase of 0.008 g kg-1 per decade from reduced sea ice melt, and enhanced by a salinity decrease of -0.005 g kg-1 per decade from increased glacial melt. These changes extend the growing evidence for an acceleration of the atmospheric water cycle and a melting cryosphere that can be expected from global warming.
Saussurea costus phenolic extract as a novel material with gum arabic and chitosan for enhancement of shelf life and tomato quality during the cold storage process
Authors: El-Kholy Mohamed , Kamel Reham , Abdin Mohamed , fadly Enas El , Salama Mohamed Abdelbaset , Saleh Mohamed
Published: August 2022

In this study, aqueous solutions of gum arabic (G) and chitosan (CH) with Saussurea costus extract (SCE) were used as a novel edible coating for tomato surface during the storage process at 4°C. The stored tomatoes were evaluated in terms of physicochemical quality and antioxidant properties during storage (15 days). Coating revealed considerable variations between fruits which appeared in delaying ripening factors that were characterized by a reduction in weight loss (WL) and changes in total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid content (AAC), and firmness (FM) compared to uncoated fruits. Also, the total phenolic content (TPC) of coated samples was higher than the uncoated ones during the storage period. Using SCE in the edible coating of tomatoes showed a significant delay in WL, TPC, TA, TSS and AAC compared to uncoated tomatoes during storage period at 4°C.
Conservative Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis During Covid-19 Pandemic– a Case Control Study
Authors: Tan Audrey Poh Poh , Yap Te-Lu , Cheong Yee Ling , Rai Rambha , Choo Candy , Ong Caroline , Low Yee , Jacobsen Anette , Loh Amos , Ong Lin Yin , Chen Yong
Published: August 2022

Background
Our study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and cost-efficiency of antibiotic management versus laparoscopic appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) in children during the COVID-19 pandemic when resources were limited and transmission risks uncertain.
Method
In this prospective case-control study between Apr 2020 to Jan 2022, we analyzed the data of 139 children diagnosed with AUA meeting the following inclusion criteria: symptoms duration of ≤48 hours, appendix diameter ≤11 mm and no appendicolith. 78/139 cases were treated with antibiotics while 61 matched controls underwent upfront laparoscopic appendectomy. Antibiotic regimes were intravenous Ceftriaxone/Metronidazole or Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid for 48 hours, followed by oral antibiotics to complete total 10-days course.
Results
8/78 (10.3%) children had early failure (within 48hours) requiring appendectomy. 17/78 patients (21.8%) experienced late recurrence within mean follow-up time of 16.2±4.7 months. There were no statistical differences in peri-operative complications, negative appendicectomy rate, incidence of perforation and hospitalization duration between antibiotic and surgical treatment groups. Cost per patient in upfront surgical group was significantly higher ($6208.5±5284.0) than antibiotic group ($3588.6±3829.8; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Despite 21.9% risk of recurrence of appendicitis in 16.2±4.7 months, antibiotic therapy for AUA appears to be a safe and cost-effective alternative to upfront appendectomy.
U(1) dynamics in neuronal activities
Authors: Lin Chia-Ying , Chen Ping-Han , Lin Hsiu-Hau , Huang Wen-Min
Published: August 2022

Neurons convert the external stimuli into action potentials, or spikes, and encode the contained information into the biological nerve system. Despite the complexity of neurons and the synaptic interactions in between, the rate models are often adapted to describe neural encoding with modest success. However, it is not clear whether the firing rate, the reciprocal of the time interval between spikes, is sufficient to capture the essential feature for the neuronal dynamics. Going beyond the usual relaxation dynamics in Ginzburg-Landau theory for statistical systems, we propose the neural activities can be captured by the U(1) dynamics, integrating the action potential and the “phase” of the neuron together. The gain function of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron and the corresponding dynamical phase transitions can be described within the U(1) neuron framework. In addition, the phase dependence of the synaptic interactions is illustrated and the mapping to the Kinouchi-Copelli neuron is established. It suggests that the U(1) neuron is the minimal model for single-neuron activities and serves as the building block of the neuronal network for information processing.
Ginger extracted oil as an alternative for the emulsion to prepare chitosan microspheres for urea controlled release fertilizer
Authors: Faqir Yahya , Chai Yunlong , Wu Sanmei , Luo Tong , Liao Shiyu , Li Linqiu , Kalhoro Mohammad Talib , Tan Chengjia , Umer Niaz , Qambrani Jahansher , Ma Jiahua
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the potential of ginger essential oil in urea loading efficacy to prepare the controlled release chitosan microspheres. The ginger oil was extracted by applying the Clevenger apparatus for hydro-distillation, and the chemical composition was characterized by using FT-IR. The chitosan microspheres and urea loaded were formulated through modified emulsification and followed cross-linking procedure. Response surface test was used to evaluate various factors and levels related to preparation of microspheres. The nitrogen content, yield were observed in the present study. Furthermore, SEM and FT-IR were applied to characterize the microspheres. The results showed that the yield of the ginger oil was 6.0% and citral was observed as the most enriched compound, 89.05% in oil. Response surface analysis showed that the optimum preparation conditions were as follows: 2.094% of Span-80, 2.302% of acetic acid, and the crosslinking agent ratio of formaldehyde to glutaraldehyde was 1:8.148. Under these conditions, the theoretical value of nitrogen content of urea-loaded chitosan microspheres was 4.683%. The FT-IR results proved the authenticity of ginger oil, chitosan microspheres, and urea-loaded microspheres. The morphology of the microspheres was better in lower oil concentrations. The release test showed urea diffused uniformly in the microspheres after 48 hours. It is concluded that controlled release fertilizers can be formulated using ginger oil.
Multiple Site Decontamination in ICU patients: a real life pre/post study
Authors: MASSART Nicolas , DUPIN Clarisse , LEGRIS Eleonore , Fedun Yannick , BARBAROT Nicolas , LEGAY Francois , WATTECAMPS Guilhem , COMBE Florence LA , COMBE Béatrice LA , BOUJU Pierre , FREROU Aurélien , Muller Laura , RIEUL Guillaume , FILLÂTRE Pierre
Published: August 2022

Background: Decontamination regimen decreases acquired infection (AI) incidence but remains controversial, mostly because it contained a course of intravenous antibiotic. Multiple site decontamination (MSD), that do not included systemic antibiotics, has been less studied but is associated with lower risk of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), bloodstream infection (BSI) and multidrug resistant micro-organisms (MDRO) acquisition. We aimed to confirm these favorable outcomes. Methods: A prospective pre/post-observational study was conducted in 5 ICUs in western France. Among them, 4 implemented MSD whereas the last one applied standard care (SC) during all study period. Patients who required intubation were eligible for study and divided into two groups: MSD group if they were admitted in an ICU that already implemented MSD and SC group otherwise. Primary objective was AI incidence. Results: 1346 patients were available for analysis (334 in the MSD and 1012 patients in the SC group). In a multivariable Poisson regression model, MSD was independently associated with a decreased incidence of AI (IRR = 0.33; 95%CI [0.18-0.60] p<0.001). A non-parsimonious propensity-score matching resulted in 334 patient-pairs with well-balanced baseline characteristics. There were a lower incidence of AI (6.3% vs 20.7% p<0.001), VAP (3.6% vs 16.2% p <0.001) and BSI (3.0% vs 7.2% p = 0.029) in the MSD group as compared with the SC group. Five patients (1.5%) and 11 (3.3%) acquired a MDRO respectively (p=0.206).Conclusion: MSD is associated with a decrease risk of AI, VAP and BSI with no increase in MDRO acquisition.
Research on the protection and development of traditional villages under a combination of culture and tourism
Authors: Li Jianjing , Dai Zhijian
Published: August 2022

traditional Chinese villages have high historical, cultural, scientific, artistic, and economic values. This paper explores the characteristics and value of the village through in-depth research on the traditional village of Huotong Town, Fujian Province. It puts forward the specific content and strategy of protection. The protection and renewal strategy aims to better protect and inherit rural historical and cultural heritage and promote the sustainable development of traditional villages. In the context of the combination of culture and tourism, while protecting the cultural heritage of traditional villages, the tourism industry development plan is proposed so that the cultural industry and the tourism industry can integrate and penetrate each other, form a new development model, realize the optimization and upgrading of the two industries, and then better To protect the characteristics of traditional villages and inherit traditional village culture.
Phylogeny analysis of Pakistani SARS-CoV2 strains and screening of a list of natural compounds as the antiviral targets for viral M pro protein
Authors: Javaid Anum , Mahmood Malik Siddique , Batool Hina , Batool Sana , Ali Muhammad , Hamid Arslan , Khan Azmat Ullah , Saleem Mahjabeen , Ashraf Naeem Mahmood , Ahmed Sagheer , Irshad Asma , Maccee Fatima
Published: August 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 has become a global health concern. The vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are unable to barricade the reinfection in fully vaccinated individuals. Considering this dilemma, the recent research strategies are focused on the new candidates having antiviral potential with significant and consistent efficacies as well as the least side effects. In this study, we have screened plant-derived phytochemicals, antiviral compounds from PubChem, and natural compounds from the Hamdard products for identification of antiviral therapeutics against Spike (S) glycoprotein and main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. All these compounds were screened based on their binding affinities as predicted by molecular docking analysis and compounds having binding affinity values ≤ -10 kcal/mol were considered for analysis. Furthermore, from physicochemical assessment, drug-likeness initially nine compounds were identified as the antiviral targets for the selected viral proteins. Finally, after ADMET analysis and MD simulations, the compound 9064 with the lowest Root Mean Square Deviations (RMSD), Coul-SR interaction energy (-71.53 kJ/mol), and LJ-SR energy (-95.32 kJ/mol) was selected as the most stable drug candidate against COVID-19 main protease Mpro. The selected antiviral compound 9064 is an antioxidant flavonoid (Catechin or Cianidanol), which is previously known to have significant immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Recovery from COVID-19 related olfactory and gustatory dysfunction following omicron BA.1 subvariant infection: a six-month prospective study
Authors: Boscolo-Rizzo Paolo , Tirelli Giancarlo , Meloni Pierluigi , Hopkins Claire , Lechien Jerome R. , Madeddu Giordano , Cancellieri Emilia , Lazzarin Chiara , Borsetto Daniele , De Vito Andrea , De Riu Giacomo , Vaira Luigi Angelo
Published: August 2022

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and the recovery rate of self-reported chemosensory dysfunction 6-month after SARS-CoV-2 infection acquired during the predominance of the Omicron BA.1 subvariant.MethodsProspective study based on the sino-nasal outcome tool 22 (SNOT-22), item "sense of smell or taste" and additional outcomes. Results. Of 338 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 completing the baseline survey, 294 (87.0%) responded to the 6-month follow-up interview. Among them, 101 (34.4 %) and 4 (1.4 %) reported an altered sense of smell or taste at baseline and at 6 months, respectively. Among the 101 patients with COVID-19-associated smell or taste dysfunction during the acute phase of the disease, 97 (96.0%) reported complete resolution at 6 months. The duration of smell or taste impairment was significantly shorter in vaccinated patients (p=0.007).ConclusionsCompared with that observed in subjects infected during the first wave of the pandemic, the recovery rate from chemosensory dysfunctions reported in the present series of patients infected during the predominance of the Omicron BA.1 subvariant was more favourable with a shorter duration being positively influenced by vaccination.
Linking viscosity to equations of state using residual entropy scaling theory
Authors: Yang Xiaoxian , Xiao Xiong , Thol Monika , Richter Markus , Bell Ian H.
Published: August 2022

In our previous work (J. Chem. Eng. Data 2021, 66, 3, 1385–1398), a residual entropy scaling (RES) approach was developed to link viscosity to residual entropy (a thermodynamic property calculated with an equation of state, EoS) using a simple polynomial equation for refrigerants. Here, we present an extension of this approach to a much wider range of fluids: all pure fluids and their mixtures whose reference EoS and experimental viscosity data are available. A total of 84877 experimental points for 124 pure fluids and 351 mixtures are collected from 1846 references. The investigated pure fluids contain a wide variety of fluids from light gases with quantum effects at low temperatures to dense fluids and fluids with strong intermolecular association. More than 68.2% (corresponding to the standard deviation) of the evaluated experimental data agree with the RES model within 3.2% and 8.0% for pure fluids and mixtures, respectively. Compared to the recommended models implemented in the REFPROP 10.0 software (the state-of-the-art for thermophysical property calculation), if the dilute gas viscosity is calculated in the same way, our RES approach yields similar statistical agreement with the experimental data while having a much simpler formulation and fewer parameters. To use our RES model, a software package written in Python is provided in the supporting information.
Exploring the Relationship Between the Flow of Visual Representations of Ideas and Designers’ Creativity
Authors: Isa Siti Salwa , Liem Andre , Steinert Martin , Jamaludin Nor Lelawati
Published: August 2022

This study aims to explore how do prototypes, sketches and CAD models supported designers during the early idea, idea development and finalization stages in the engineering design process flow. Using mixed-methods study, designer´s roles and contributions were evaluated with respect to the achieved design quality. 81 Professional industrial designers were observed and interviewed after participating in five workshop sessions. After exploring different permutations of sketching, prototyping and CAD modelling, results indicate that starting with “Prototyping” in the early idea stage contributed significantly to more ideas of higher quality, broadening the ideation space. Using CAD-modelling too early in the engineering design process constrain ideation and prematurely limit solution spaces.
Factors associated with prolonged viral shedding in older patients infected with Omicron BA.2.2
Authors: Zhong Weijie Zhong , Yang Xiaosheng , Jiang Xiufeng , Duan Zhixin , Wang Wei , Sun Zhaoliang , Chen Wanghao , Zhang Wenchuan , Xu Jie , Yuan Xiaoling , Cheng Juan , Li Yi
Published: August 2022

Background
To explore the risk factors associated with the viral shedding time in the elder Chinese patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron.
Methods
Participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron were enrolled in a retrospective study, and divided into two groups according to the shedding time of omicron [≥ 10 days, "late clearance group" and < 10 days, "early clearance group"].
Results
180 patients were enrolled in the study (88 early, 92 late), with a median time of viral shedding was 10 days and a mean age of 77.02 years. When comparing patients between either group, prolonged SARS-CoV-2 omicron shedding was associated with old age (P = 0.007), unvaccinated (P = 0.001), delayed admission to hospital after illness onset (P = 0.001), D-dimer (P = 0.003) and methylprednisolone treatment (P = 0.048). In the multivariable analysis, vaccinated [OR], 0.319 [95% CI, 0.130–0.786], P = 0.013), paxlovid (OR, 0.259 [95% CI, 0.104–0.643], P = 0.004), and time from onset to admission (OR, 1.802 [95% CI, 1.391–2.355], P = 0.000) were significantly associated with viral clearance.
Conclusions
The older age, methylprednisolone therapy, and D-dimer were associated with prolonged duration of omicron viral shedding. The time from onset to hospitalization, unused paxlovid and unvaccinated were independent risk factors in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron.
Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy without fluoroscopy, a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tsang Chiu Fung , Mak Martin Siu Yip , Wong Albert Ho Gan , Wong Charles Ka Wai , Fung Victor Nicholas Cheuk Kay , Chun Tsun Tsun , Lai Terence Chun Ting , Lam Wayne , Ho Brian Sze Ho , Ng Ada Tsui Lin , Tsu James Hok Leung
Published: August 2022

BackgroundFluoroscopy has traditionally played an integral role in ureteroscopic lithotripsy in management of ureteral stones. However, with the growing awareness of the hazardous effects of radiation associated with fluoroscopy, some advocated use of fluoroless techniques. This study aims to determine the feasibility and radiation reduction in fluoroless ureteroscopic lithotripsy in ureteral stone at any level. Operative outcomes and complications are compared with conventional ureteroscopic lithotripsy with fluoroscopy.Patients and methodsFor this single centre, single blind, prospective randomised controlled trial, we recruited 60 patients with unilateral ureteral stones undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy from January 2017 to May 2018. Patients were randomly assigned to fluoroless ureteroscopic lithotripsy group or conventional ureteroscopic lithotripsy group in a 1:1 ratio using a random number generator. The primary outcomes were radiation dosage and fluoroscopy time. Secondary outcomes were endoscopic clearance rate, stone free rate, operative time and complication rate. ResultsRadiation exposure in fluoroless ureteroscopic lithotripsy group was significantly lower than the conventional ureteroscopic lithotripsy group from 5.50 +/- 6.14 mGy in conventional group to 0.12 +/- 0.65 mGy in fluroless group (p=.000). Fluoroscopy time was reduced from 40.3 +/- 43.1 second in conventional group to 0.9 +/- 4.9 seconds (p=.000) in fluroless group. No significant difference in surgical outcome were noticed between the two groups.ConclusionsFluoroless ureteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and feasible alternative to replace conventional ureteroscopic lithotripsy with fluoroscopy in management of ureteral stones with uncomplicated anatomy by experienced hands.
Geochemical characteristics of biotite and apatite from the Zhongdian porphyry Cu deposit belt in northwest Yunnan, China: An indicator of halogen fugacity and mineralization
Authors: Pan Yanning , Dong Guochen , Tsunogae Toshiaki , Wang Peng , Li Xuefeng , Dong Pengsheng
Published: August 2022

Copper mineralization at the Pulang (PL) super large porphyry deposit, Langdu (LD) medium-sized porphyry-skarn deposit and Songnuo (SN) porphyry prospect, Zhongdian Island, northwest Yunnan, China, is closely related to the emplacement of quartz monzonite porphyries. The chemical composition of biotite and apatite from those porphyries were analyzed to constrain the halogen fugacity and its control on mineralization. Our electron microprobe data show that biotites from PL deposit have higher MgO, SiO2, TiO2 and F content than that from LD or SN. In comparison to LD and SN, PL also display higher Mg (apfu) value and lower AlⅥ (apfu) in bitotite and higher F content but lower SO3 content and Ce2O3/ Y2O3 ratio in apatite. Application of Ti in biotite thermometry and apatite-biotite geothermometer shows that the crystallization temperature of biotite from PL is higher than that from SN or LD. The results suggest that oxygen fugacity and the magmatic sulfur and H2O contents couldn’t efficiently distinct PL from LD and SN. However, the halogen chemistry of biotite from PL is distinctly different from that from LD or SN by its lower IV (F), indicating that mineralized quartz monzonite porphyries from PL is formed in the late magmatic stage than that from LD and SN. And the mineralized porphyries display a remarkable negative linear (r = -0.96) in the ratio of log (f HF/f HCl) and log (f H2O/f HF), which can effectively distinguish PL from LD and SN. Compared with other porphyry Cu systems, only in mineralized systems, there is a remarkable positive linear relationship between IV (Cl) and log (f H2O/f HCl) ratios. Besides, the linear slope and intercept for log (f H2O/f HCl) ratios and IV (Cl) of biotite from potassic and phyllic alteration zone is significantly higher than those from other parts of the porphyries.
Toward Fast Belief Propagation for Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems via Heuristic Search⋆
Authors: Gao Junsong , Chen Ziyu , Chen Dingding , Zhang Wenxin , Li Qiang
Published: August 2022

Belief propagation (BP) approaches, such as Max-sum and its variants , are important methods to solve large-scale Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems (DCOPs). However, these algorithms face a huge challenge since their computational complexity scales exponentially with the arity of each constraint function. Current accelerating techniques for BP use sorting or branch-and-bound (BnB) strategy to reduce the search space. However, the existing BnB-based methods are mainly designed for specific problems, which limits their applicability. On the other hand, though several generic sorting-based methods have been proposed, they require significantly high preprocessing as well as memory overhead, which prohibits their adoption in some realistic scenarios. In this paper, we aim to propose a series of generic and memory-efficient heuristic search techniques to accelerate belief propagation. Specifically, by leveraging dynamic programming, we efficiently build function estimations for every partial assignment scoped in a constraint function in the preprocessing phase. Then, by using these estimations to build upper bounds and employing a branch-and-bound in a depth-first fashion to reduce the search space, we propose our first method called FDSP. Next, we enhance FDSP by adapting a concurrent-search strategy and leveraging the upper bounds as guiding information and propose its first heuristic variant framework called CONC-FDSP. Finally, by choosing to expand the partial assignment with the highest upper bound in each step of exploration, we propose the second heuristic variant of FDSP, called BFS-FDSP. We prove the correctness of our methods theoretically, and our empirical evaluations indicate their superiority for accelerating Max-sum in terms of both time and memory, compared with the state-of-the-art.
Metadichol® induced expression of neuronal transcription factors with Human fibroblast Dermal cells
Authors: Raghavan Palayakotai R
Published: August 2022

Background. Producing neurons from fibroblast cells has the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by neuron loss. Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing problem in the current aging, developed world populations. Metadichol® is a nontoxic nanoemulsion of long-chain lipid alcohols, currently available as an oral supplement. Methods and Findings. In this study, Metadichol® was used to treat human fibroblasts in vitro; we subsequently evaluated changes in the expression of neuronal transcription factors by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. We observed increased expression of critical transcription factors for neuronal development, such as ASCL1, NGN2. ND2, NR4A2, LMX1A, LHX3. ISL1, and FOXA2. Conclusions. These data suggest that Metadichol® is a promising putative neuronal remodeling agent. Its current availability and safety profile suggest that it could be rapidly available for in vivo testing, impossible thus far.
Wearable Sensor for Measuring Unsupported Sitting Balance in Humans with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Lei Yuming , Rios Victoria , Ji Jessica , Duhon Brandon , Boyd Hunter
Published: August 2022

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate unsupported sitting balance using a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based sensor in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). SETTING: A research lab in the United States of America. METHODS: cSCI participants and healthy controls maintained postural stability during unsupported sitting with eyes open or closed. Cumulative sway motion was calculated using the accelerometer data recorded by the head-mounted IMU sensor. Postural regulatory strategy following cSCI was investigated by analyzing the normalized power spectral density (PSD) in four frequency bands: 0-0.1 Hz (arising from visual regulation), 0.1-0.5 Hz (vestibular regulation), 0.5-1 Hz (cortical structures), and 1> Hz (proprioception and muscle control). RESULTS: We found significant increases in postural sway in cSCI participants compared with healthy participants during unsupported sitting. Normalized PSD was significantly increased in the low-frequency bands (0-0.1 Hz and 0.1-0.5 Hz) but decreased in the high-frequency band (1> Hz) for cSCI participants compared with healthy participants. CONCLUSIONS: cSCI participants relied less on proprioception and muscle control to maintain sitting balance than healthy controls. In contrast, the contributions of visual and vestibular systems to sitting balance were augmented following cSCI. These findings indicated that the change in postural regulatory strategy was ineffective in maintaining postural stability during unsupported sitting, highlighting the importance of proprioception and muscle control in seated postural stability in persons with cSCI.