bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic, Behavioral, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the Saudi Population: Results from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study (PURE-Saudi)
Authors: Alhabib Khalid , Batais Mohammed A , Almigbal Turky H , Alshamiri Mostafa Q , Altaradi Hani , Rangarajan Sumathy , Yusuf Salim
Published: July 2020

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to assess associated demographic, behavioral, and CVD risk factors as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study.MethodsPURE is a global cohort study of adults ages 35–70 years in 20 countries. PURE-Saudi study participants were recruited from 19 urban and 6 rural communities randomly selected from the Central province (Riyadh and Alkharj) between February 2012 and January 2015. Data were stratified by age, sex, and urban vs rural and summarized as means and standard deviations for continuous variables and as numbers and percentages for categorical variables. Proportions and means were compared between men and women, among age groups, and between urban and rural areas, using Chi-square test and t-tests, respectively.ResultsThe PURE-Saudi study enrolled 2047 participants (mean age, 46.5 ± 9.12 years; 43.1% women; 24.5% rural). Overall, 69.4% had low physical activity, 49.6% obesity, 34.4% unhealthy diet, 32.1% dyslipidemia, 30.3% hypertension, and 25.1% diabetes. In addition, 12.2% were current smokers, 15.4% self-reported feeling sad, 16.9% had a history of periods of stress, 6.8% had permanent stress, 1% had a history of stroke, 0.6% had heart failure, and 2.5% had coronary heart disease (CHD). Compared to women, men were more likely to be current smokers and have diabetes and a history of CHD. Women were more likely to be obese, have central obesity, self-report sadness, experience stress, feel permanent stress, and have low education. Compared to participants in urban areas, those in rural areas had higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, and lower rates of unhealthy diet, self-reported sadness, stress (several periods), and permanent stress. Compared to middle-aged and older individuals, younger participants more commonly reported an unhealthy diet, permanent stress, and feeling sad.ConclusionThese results of the PURE-Saudi study revealed a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle and CVD risk factors in the adult Saudi population, with higher rates in rural vs urban areas. National public awareness programs and multi-faceted healthcare policy changes are urgently needed to reduce the future burden of CVD risk and mortality.
The efficacy of a motorized lower-limb prosthetic device: a pilot study
Authors: Ghillebert Jo , Geeroms Joost , Flynn Louis , Bock Sander De , Govaerts Renée , Crea Simona , Vitiello Nicola , Lefeber Dirk , Roelands Bart , Meeusen Romain , Pauw Kevin De
Published: July 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.
Comparing Non-invasive Diagnostic Methods for Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis: A Prospective Study
Authors: Raksasuk Sukit , Rojwatcharapibarn Satit , Srithong Thatsaphan
Published: July 2020

Background

International guidelines recommended screening for AVF stenosis using various non-invasive methods. The previous studies have reported conflicting results. This study aims to evaluate the utility of the different non-invasive AVF flow measurements for detecting AVF stenosis.

Methods

We evaluated 23 HD patients with the clinical suspicion for AVF stenosis based on physical examination or high venous pressures during. Patients underwent all three non-invasive measurements including ultrasound dilution, urea dilution, and Doppler ultrasonography. Fistulography was performed to confirm the degree of AVF stenosis in all patients.

Results

Fistulography revealed AVF stenosis in eighteen patients, twelve of whom had severe stenosis (greater than 50% stenosis). About the location of the stenotic lesions, eight were at the inflow site, six at the outflow site, and four at both sites. In those AVFs with severe stenosis, median access flows were 625 mL/min by ultrasound dilution method, 615 mL/min by urea dilution method, and 590 mL/min by Doppler ultrasonography. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that Doppler ultrasonography had a high discriminative ability and the averaged areas under the curves were 0.933 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 0.99) for stenosis and 0.929 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.99) for severe stenosis. The sensitivity of each method for prediction of access stenosis was 73%, 73%, 80% by using the ultrasound dilution, urea dilution, and Doppler ultrasonography methods, respectively. The specificity of each method was 40%, 80%, and 100% respectively. Physical examination showed 80% sensitivity and 80% specificity for detecting AVF stenosis. The combination of non-invasive access flow measurement with physical examination increased the sensitivity for detection of AVF stenosis to 80%, 93%, and 93% respectively.

Conclusions

Doppler ultrasound combine with physical examination, was more accurate than other non-invasive methods for detection of AVF stenosis.
Effects of remifentanil-propofol combined with dexmedetomidine on cognitive dysfunction in elder patients after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Fangjun , Xie Dan , Xu Hongchun , Ye Qin , Wu Le , Gao Xiaopei
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUNDClinical study indicated that infusion of dexmedetomidine without loading dose intraoperative provided smooth and haemodynamically stable emergence, and improved quality of recovery with fewer postoperative side effects and analgesic requirements 9 . The objective is to determine remifentanil-propofol combined with dexmedetomidine during general anesthesia would decrease the incidence and severity of postoperative emergence agitation, anxiety and depression, and without effect on the cognitive dysfunction in elder patients.METHODS120 elder patients scheduled for ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were randomly allocated to PR group administered the normal saline, and PRD group administered dexmedetomidine 0.4 µg.Kg -1 .h -1 intravenously after induction of anesthesia, and stopped 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the scores of richmond agitation sedation, mini mental state examination, state-trait anxiety inventory, zung self-Rating depression scale, and the arabic numeral memory. The secondary outcome was the duration of surgery, and time to spontaneous respiration, recovery and extubation.RESULTSThe dosage of propofol and remifentanil decreased more significantly in PRD group ( P< 0.001). The RASS scores in the PRD group was significantly lower than in PR group at t 1-3 ( P< 0.001). The MMSE scores were lower at T 1 - 2 in two groups ( P< 0.001). Compared to PR group, the ZSDS scores and STAI scores at T 1 - 2 were lower in PRD group ( P <0.005). The recalled arabic numbers were lower at T 2 in PR group ( P< 0.001).CONCLUSIONDexmedetomidine administration could reduce both the dosage of remifentanil and propofol during surgery, and the incidence and severity of postoperative emergence agitation, anxiety and depression in elderly patients.Trial registrationthe Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900021254, Registered 3 February 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ChiCTR1900021254.
Metadichol®, a Novel Nano Lipid Formulation that Inhibits SARS-COV-2 and a Multitude of Pathological Viruses in vitro
Authors: Raghavan Palayakotai
Published: July 2020

BackgroundNew pathogenic virus outbreaks, occurring with increasing regularity, are leading us to explore novel approaches, which will reduce the reliance on time-consuming vaccine modes to halt the outbreaks. The requirement is to find a universal approach to disarm any new and as yet unknown viruses as they appear. A promising approach could be targeting lipid membranes, which are common to all viruses and bacteria.The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) has reaffirmed the importance of interactions between components of the host cell plasma membrane and the virus envelope as a critical mechanism of infection. Metadichol®, a nano lipid emulsion, has been examined and shown to be a strong candidate to help stop the proliferation of SARS-COV-2.Naturally derived substances, such as long-chain saturated lipid alcohols, reduce the infectivity of various types of viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS-COV-2, by modifying lipid-dependent attachment to human host cells. SARS-COV-2 uses the receptor ACE2 for entry and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. MethodsMetadichol was tested against TMPRSS2 ana ACE2 invitro using commercial available kits. Also it was tested against the live virus in Caco2 cells to test for inhibition of viral replication of SARS-COV-2.ResultsMetadichol®, a nano lipid formulation of long-chain alcohols, has been shown to inhibit TMPRSS2 (EC50 96 ng/ml). Compared to the inhibitor camostat mesylate (EC50 26000 ng/ml), it is 270 times more potent. Additionally, Metadichol® is also a weak inhibitor of ACE2 at 31 µg/ml. Further a live virus assay in Caco2 cells, Metadichol® inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication with an EC90 of 0.16 µg/ml.ConclusionsMetadichol inhibits SARS-COV-2 virus and since it a non toxic molecule can be easily tested in humans and as it has LD 50 of over 5000 mg/kilo and could help mitigate the crisis facing the world today.
Interleukin-21 reduces Listeria monocytogenes secondary infection via CD8+ effector memory T cells
Authors: Gazi Md. Yeashin , Takeda Yuji , Nara Hidetoshi , Araki Akemi , Nemoto Nobuhito , Asao Hironobu
Published: July 2020

Background/Purpose: Interleukin-21 (IL-21), which is a member of the common γ-chain cytokine family, is mainly produced by CD4+ T cells and has broad impact on immune responses. IL-21 isoform is a splicing variant of IL-21 and is functionally similar to conventional IL-21. We established IL-21 isoform transgenic (IL-21isoTg) mouse, which constitutively expresses IL-21 isoform specifically in T cells. IL-21isoTg mouse possesses high amount of CD8+ T cells in normal physiological condition. The purpose of this study is to determine whether CD8+ T cells in the IL-21isoTg mouse work against intracellular bacteria infection.Methods: Wild type (WT) and IL-21isoTg mouse are orally inoculated Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) on day 0, and 15 days after primary infection. Bacterial load in each organs, and T cell responses are analyzed.Results: IL-21isoTg and wild type (WT) mouse had similar bacterial load after L. monocytogenes primary infection. On the other hand, after secondary challenge infection, IL-21isoTg mouse exhibited reduced bacterial load in some organs compared to WT. Analysis of T cell response after primary infection showed that IL-21isoTg mouse induced higher levels of CD8+ effector memory T (TEM) cells than WT.Conclusion: IL-21-induced CD8+ TEM cells might eventually reduce the bacterial load in organs after secondary challenge infection in IL-21isoTg mouse. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that IL-21 is a pivotal factor involved in eliminating intracellular bacteria, probably through CD8+ TEM cells.
Social trust and emotional health in older adults in China: The mediating and moderating role of subjective well-being and subjective social status
Authors: Chen Hongsheng , Zhu Zhenjun
Published: July 2020

Background

China is becoming an aging society. The emotional health of the elderly is gaining importance. Social trust is an important factor affecting emotional health, but existing studies have rarely considered the various effects of different types of social trust on elderly emotional health. Few studies have analysed the role of subjective well-being and subjective social status in the relationship between social trust and elderly emotional health.
Methods

Using the data of the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey 2016 (CLDS 2016) and regression models, this study selected 3767 respondents aged 60 years and above to analyse the impact of social trust on their emotional health. Social trust was divided into three categories: trust in family members, trust in friends, and trust in neighbours. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess emotional health, and the respondents’ self-assessment scores were adjusted.
Results

Trust in family members was significantly and positively associated with emotional health (coefficient = 2.854, P < 0.01) and subjective well-being (coefficient = 0.189, P < 0.01). Trust in friends was significantly and positively associated with emotional health and subjective well-being (coefficient = 1.703, P < 0.01; coefficient = 0.171, P < 0.01, respectively). Trust in neighbours was significantly and positively associated with emotional health and subjective well-being (coefficient = 1.461, P < 0.01; coefficient = 0.186, P < 0.01; respectively). Subjective well-being effectively reduced the impact of social trust in family, friends, and neighbours on the emotional health of the elderly by 0.378, 0.341, and 0.370, respectively. Trust in family members, friends, and neighbours, significantly and positively affected respondents’ subjective social status (coefficient = 0.115, P < 0.05; coefficient = 0.095, P < 0.05; coefficient = 0.121, P < 0.01, respectively). Subjective social status effectively reduced the impact of social trust in family, friends, and neighbours on the emotional health of the elderly by 0.092, 0.076, and 0.096, respectively. The positive relationship between trust in family members and emotional health was weakened by subjective well-being, and that between trust in neighbours and emotional health was weakened by subjective social status.
Conclusions

Family relationships play an important role in maintaining the emotional health of the elderly. In response to population ageing, more social policies must be introduced to care for the elderly and help them lead a happy and satisfactory life.
Linkage of Sustainability to Environmental Impact Assessment Using Ecosystem Services Concept; Lessons from Thailand
Authors: Swangjang Kanokporn
Published: July 2020

Ecosystem Services (ES) could support Environmental Assessments (EAs) purpose towards sustainable approaches. This study systematically analyzed the ES contents of Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) to ascertain whether they addressed appropriate data that could be used as a tool for sustainable project implementation. Three levels of EISs including Environmental Health Impact Assessments (EHIA), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) were analyzed. The results indicated that the quality of EISs which reflect the ES depended primarily on the project type. Relationships among ecological, social and economic components, based on land use consideration were crucial to consider the supply of resources and the demands made by the project. However, indirect effects, especially residual and cumulative impacts and alternative evaluations were lacking. Mitigation and monitoring specifications were satisfied, but could not guarantee the efficiency of project control due to lacking of mitigation hierarchy. The weakness of ecological impact analysis directly concerned biodiversity compensation, which links to net loss and net gain in ecosystem.The possibility of ES integration in EAs was reflected by the limitations and opportunities detailed in the content which was finally developed.
6-phosphofructo-2-kinase as therapeutic targets in cancer based on an integrated pan-cancer study6-phosphofructo-2-kinase as therapeutic targets in cancer based on an integrated pan-cancer study
Authors: Qin Haimei , Wang Junli , Liao Biyun , Liu Zhonglin , Shi Feng , Wang Rong
Published: July 2020

Background: Warburg effect confirm that tumor cells prefer to use glycolysis to perform metabolism glucose metabolism. PFKFB enzymes involve the activity of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase in the metabolism of glycolysis. But their roles in immunity and the regulation of tumor microenvironment has not been fully understood. Methods: We performed a comprehensive analysis of PFKFB in with immune subtypes, tumour microenvironment, and drug sensitivity from data of pan-cancer. Data of 33 cancer subtypes including RNA-Seq, clinical phenotype, stemness scores of mRNA (RNAss) and DNA-methylation (DNAss), and immune subtypes was downloaded from TCGA. NCI-60 data and RNA-seq data were acquired from the CellMiner. Perl language and R language with packages were used to deal with data. Results: Expression of PFKFB family emerges different heterogeneity in different cancer. PFKFB1, PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 predicted poor prognosis of patients with multiple cancers. All members are associated with immune response. PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 involved tumor microenvironment of pan-cancer. Importantly, our study found that PFKFB genes, especially PFKFB2 and PFKFB4 may contribute to drug resistance in cancer cells. Conclusions: PFKFB family member possess special characters in each cancer based on gene expression and their correlation with immune infiltrates, tumor microenvironment. PFKFB2 and PFKFB4 may act as therapeutic targets in cancer.
Location of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in Zone III Using External Landmark Without Fluoroscopy: A CTA-based Retrospective Study
Authors: Weng Danlei , Qian Anyu , Zhou Qijing , Xu Jiefeng , Xu Shanxiang , Zhang Mao
Published: July 2020

Background

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) can timely prevent the wounded from massive hemorrhage. We aim to study whether the combination of the xiphoid process and the umbilicus could guide the placement of REBOA in zone III without fluoroscopy.
Methods

We conducted a retrospective study in a university hospital that included 57 subjects who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) from April to December in 2019. External distances and intravascular lengths were measured by three-dimensional reconstruction CT images on the workstation, including the distances from the femoral artery to the xiphoid process (FA-Xi), the midpoint between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus (FA-mXU), the umbilicus (FA-Ui), the midpoint of the zone III (FA-mZIII), the lowest renal artery (FA-LRA), and aortic bifurcation (FA-AB). The relationship between external landmarks and REBOA catheter positioning in zone III was studied, involving the quartering distances between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus, the distance below the xiphoid process and that above the umbilicus. The predicted accuracy and safety margin of the balloon (distal and proximal) were calculated by curvature plane reconstruction. The probability of balloon positioning in zone III using these three methods was compared by Chi square test.
Results

The average length of aortic zone III was 9.4 cm (SD = 10.0), and that of FA-mZIII on the right and left sides were 24.4 cm (SD = 2.1) ,23.8 cm (SD = 2.1), respectively. FA-Xi was significantly longer than FA-LRA, and FA-Ui was significantly shorter than FA-AB (P < 0.05). Using the quartering distances between the xiphoid and the umbilicus, the distance below the xiphoid, the distance above the umbilicus to predict the length of REBOA catheter positioning in zone III showed no statistically significant difference. Using FA-mXU to predict the accuracy of catheter positioning in zone III on the left and right sides were 84.2% and 86%. Although there was a little difference between the left side of FA-mZIII and FA-mXU, there were no statistical differences on the right side.
Conclusions

The midpoint between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus is a good external landmark to guide the placement of REBOA in zone III without fluoroscopy.
Effectiveness of a Polyphenolic Extract (Lippia Citriodora and Hibiscus Sabdariffa) on Appetite Regulation in Overweight and Obese Grade I Population: A 8 weeks Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Serna Ana , Marhuenda Javier , Arcusa Raúl , Pérez-Piñeiro Silvia , Sánchez-Macarro Maravillas , Victoria-Montesinos Desiree , Cánovas Fernando , Jones Jonathan , Caturla Nuria , López-Román Javier
Published: July 2020

Background: Polyphenols have shown capacity to improve appetite sensation, leading to enhanced control of body weight. However, despite being related with hunger-related hormones, metabolic and mechanism is not well known.Methods: The effectiveness of a nutraceutical composed of extract to Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdarrifa (Lc-Hs) for controlling satiety and hunger was analyzed in a placebo controlled (Pla) clinical intervention. The study was divided in two 60 days periods separated by 30 days length washout period. At the end of each period, volunteers (n=33; both sexes) were proposed to eat an ad-libitum meal. Meanwhile, appetite sensation was determined by visual analog scales at different times. Moreover, blood extraction was performed to evaluate hunger-related hormones (insulin, leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, GLP-1 and peptide YY) and glycemic and lipid profile. Results: A decrease in appetite sensation was observed in Lc-Hs group, showing higher satiety quotient (Pla = 3.36 ± 2.33 %/kcal; Lc-Hs = 5.53 ± 2.91 %/kcal; p<0.0001). Area under the curve was higher in Pla compared to Lc-Hs during the test, from baseline to minute 240 (240 (Pla 9136.65 ± 2261.46 % x min-1; Lc-Hs 8279.73 ± 2745.71 % x min-1; p<0.014). Leptin values varied from baseline (Pla 12.36 ± 1.98 ng/mL; Lc-Hs 13.13 ± 1.99 ng/mL) to the end of the study (Pla 12.60 ± 2.02 ng/mL; Lc-Hs 12.06 ± 2.05 ng/mL; p<0.047). GLP-1 values varied (p<0.001) in Lc-Hs group from baseline (4.34 ± 0.49 ng/mL) to the end of the study (3.23 ± 0.52 ng/mL).Conclusion: The supplementation with the Lc-Hs extract decreases appetite sensation in overweight and obese population, reducing calorie intake after an ad-libitum meal. Due to variation on hunger-related hormones and the relationship between satiety feeling, it would be interesting to develop future research focused on the variation of the hormones themselves.
Agreement of Primary Outcomes in Chiropractic-Related Clinical Trials Registered in clinicaltrials.gov with Corresponding Publication.
Authors: Cote Robert , Perle Stephen , Martin Derek
Published: July 2020

Introduction:Previous analysis of registered clinical trials has found a disappointing number of study protocols result in publications which change what the registered a priori primary outcome measure is. Likewise, there is a disappointing rate of unpublished trials. Similar research has not been published on chiropractic-related studies. Primarily this investigation determined if reported primary outcomes in chiropractic-related clinical trials registered in clinicaltrials.gov match their published results. Secondarily, other outcome measures and publication status are assessed.Methodology:Clinicaltrials.gov was searched for chiropractic-related trials, using the search terms “chiropractic”, “chiropractor”, and having a completed status. Publication status was determined by searching PubMed (pubmed.gov), Index to Chiropractic Literature (chiroindex.org), and Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) through 29 May 2020. If the study was published, outcome measures were compared between the clinicaltrials.gov entry and the published paper to assess for consistency by two independent investigators. If there was disagreement between investigators, a third evaluated the data and decided if the published paper agreed with the clinicaltrials.gov entry.Results:Within clinicaltrials.gov 171 chiropractic-related protocols were identified. Twenty-five (25) had results posted and 102 were published. Twenty-nine of those entries produced multiple papers consisting of protocols, plot/feasibility studies, clinical trials, and poster presentations. Of the 102 studies published, 92 (90.2%) had agreement between their primary outcome and the listed entry on clinicaltrials.gov and 82 (80.4%) agreed with the secondary outcomes in the registered protocol. Entries on clinicaltrials.gov had a 59.6% (102/171) publication rate and a 14.6% (25/171) rate of displaying their results. Conclusion:A modest rate of agreement (90.2%) between clinicaltrails.gov entries and the 102 published papers (59.6% publication rate) were found. While chiropractic-related clinical trials are fewer in number compared to medical trials, chiropractic-related research has a substantially better rate of primary and secondary outcome concordance with registered protocols and a better publication rate. Investigators need to continue to upload results onto clinicaltrials.gov and seek publication regardless of the study findings. It is important to publish negative results so as not to introduce publication bias into systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Both positive and negative findings are important when evaluating treatments and determining the best care for patients.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Grade IV Steroid Refractory GI-GvHD: Interim Results a Non-randomized, Open-label, Phase 1 Clinical Study
Authors: Zhao Ye , Li Xuwei , ZHOU YUJING , MA XIAO , CHEN FENG , HU XIAOHUI , Jin Song , He Xuefeng , Gao Jin , Zhu Baoli , Wu Depei , Qi Xiaofei
Published: July 2020

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) tract graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) is a major cause of post-allo-HCT morbidity and mortality. Patients with steroid-refractory GI-GvHD face a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Here, we report an interim analysis on the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treating steroid-refractory GI-GvHD.Methods: We did a non-randomized, open-label, phase 1 clinical study on patients with grade IV steroid-refractory GI-GvHD. FMT efficacy was evaluated using indexes of abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody purulent stool at 14 and 21 days after the diagnosis of steroid-refractory GI-GvHD. The primary outcomes referred to clinical complete remission or partial remission. Secondary outcomes referred to EFS (event free survival) and OS (overall survival) at Day 90 and the end of the research. Safety was evaluated according to adverse events during FMT and the whole follow-up period. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT03148743.Results: A total of 56 patients with steroid-refractory GI-GvHD were enrolled. Of them, 24 patients with grade IV steroid-refractory GI-GvHD were assigned to FMT and 18 to the control group. The characteristics of the two group patients at baseline were similar. At Day 14 after FMT, 13 (54.2%) patients in FMT group and none (0%) of 18 control group achieved clinical remission (p<0.05), while 20(83%) patients in FMT group and 7(39%) in control group showed effective response (clinical remission+partial remission) (RR 7.86, 95% CI 1.88–32.9; p=0.005). At Day 21, the clinical remission was significantly greater in FMT group than in control group (14 (58.3%) of 24 vs 3(16%) of 18; RR 6.0, 95% CI 1.22–29.45; p=0.027). Within a follow up of 90 days, the FMT group showed better OS (HR, 7.0; 95% CI, 1.53-32.08; p=0.012). At the end of the research, the median survival time was >600 days in FMT group and 107 days in control group (HR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.58-14.14; p=0.005). Both the EFS (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.95; p=0.055) and OS (HR, 5.97; 95% CI, 1.52-23.43; p=0.01) kept increasing during the follow-up in FMT group. Overall, the mortality rate was lower in FMT group (HR, 5.97; 95% CI, 1.52-23.43; p=0.01). No difference was observed in the occurrence of other side effects, such as hemorrhagic cystitis, infection of bacteria & fungi, CMV&EBV, septicemia, TMA, cardiac events, thrombocytopenia and epilepsy.Conclusions: The diversity of intestinal microbiota can be affected by allo-HSCT. FMT is effective and safe in treating grade IV steroid refractory GI–GvHD.
Association Of Gut Microbiota During Early Pregnancy With Risk Of Incident Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Hu Ping , Chen Xiuyi , Chu Xufeng , Fan Mengran , Ye Yi , Wang Yi , Han Maozhen , Yang Xue , Yuan Jiaying , Zha Li , Zhao Bin , Yang Chunxia , Qi Xiaorong , Ning Kang , Debelius Justin , Ye Weimin , Xiong Bo , Pan Xiongfei , Pan An
Published: July 2020

Background: We aimed to assess gut bacterial biomarkers during early pregnancy and subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Chinese pregnant women.Methods: Based on the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort study, we conducted a nested case-control study among 201 incident GDM cases and 201 matched controls individual matched on age, gestational week, and date of fecal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected during early pregnancy, and GDM was diagnosed at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Community DNA isolated from fecal samples and V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries were sequenced. Results: In GDM cases versus controls, Rothia, Actinomyces, Bifidobacterium, Adlercreutzia, and Coriobacteriaceae, and Lachnospiraceae spp. were significantly reduced, while Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae spp. and Veillonellaceae were over-represented. It was also found that the abundance of Staphylococcus relative to Clostridium, Roseburia and Coriobacteriaceae as reference microorganisms were positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 1-h postprandial glucose, and 2-h postprandial glucose levels. Conditional Logistic regression showed that 4 microbial taxa during early pregnancy were associated with subsequent GDM risk, including Actinobacteria, Coriobacteriaceae, genus 26 of Coriobacteriaceae and an unknown specie of the Coprococcus.Conclusion: Gut microbiota during early pregnancy was associated with subsequent risk of GDM. Several beneficial and commensal gut microorganisms showed inverse relations with incident GDM, while opportunistic pathogenic members involving in GDM development, where they positively correlated with clinical measurements on OGTT. Our study provided promising biological markers that may be used in monitoring pregnant women’s health and developing therapeutic interventions on GDM at early stage of gestation.
A Qualitative Exploration Of Parents’ Experience And Perceptions Comparing Individual To Group Sports In Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Authors: Fondacaro Daniel Vella , Camilleri Nigel
Published: July 2020

Background: Young people (YP) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may prefer individual to group physical activity (PA). Levels of PA may differ with disorder severity and age. This study explores parents’ experiences with YP suffering from ASD when choosing between group and individual PA.Method: Retrospective case note reviews identified 701 new referrals received by the National Child and Young People’s Services, Malta, between 2016 to 2017. Of them, 24 received a diagnosis of ASD without co-morbidities and 10 were chosen via purposive random sampling. An 11-component semi-structured interview guide was created specifically for use in this study. Parents were interviewed and a thematic analysis was carried out.Results: Only one young person carried out PA which met the World Health Organisation recommendations. More parents (group only: n=3; 30%, both: n=6 ; 60%) preferred group PA for their children, while more YP (individual only: n=4; 40%, both: n=4 ; 40%) preferred individual PA. Parents described both group and individual PA having benefits. Most parents felt ‘misrepresented' and wanted to have more ASD-friendly sports facilities developed in for YP in Malta. Long hours of screen time was also a major parental concern. Younger age and more severe ASD were associated with higher levels of PA. Lower levels of PA, older age and milder ASD were associated with higher use of technology.Conclusion: This study reported on the parents’ perceptions on PA and discusses a possible link between ASD severity, PA, age and technological devices. The recommendations from this study are aimed at informing the development of sport services to be outsized as a form of therapy in Malta.
Movement Patterns of Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
Authors: Romero Mareike Donaji Duffing , Matley Jordan K. , Luo Jiangang , Ault Jerald S. , Pittman Simon J. , Nemeth Richard S.
Published: July 2020

Background Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are highly migratory species ranging along continental and insular coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite broad geographic distribution and importance as recreational fisheries, little is known about space-use patterns of tarpon within the Eastern Caribbean. Acoustic telemetry was used to track tarpon (n=14, 61- 95cm-FL) from September 2015 to February 2018 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to understand horizontal and vertical movements during diel, crepuscular and seasonal periods and under different environmental conditions. ResultsEight tarpon were transient while four had >80% residency and average activity space of 0.76 km2 (range = 0.075-1.174 km2) within a small (~1.8km2) bay. Tarpon occurred in <18 m depth with occasional movements to deeper water, including during hurricanes. Activity was greater during day compared to night, with peaks during crepuscular periods. During the day tarpon primarily utilized the waters along the St. Thomas airport and at night tarpon typically remained in a small shallow lagoon. However, when temperatures in the lagoon exceeded 30 °C, tarpon moved to cooler, deeper waters outside the lagoon. ConclusionThis study showed distinct and mostly non-overlapping home ranges except when seasonally abundant food sources were present and provided a unique perspective on the effects of extreme environmental conditions on tarpon movement and habitat use. These metrics are useful for management of tarpon, particularly under changing climatic conditions.
Cognitive training in fully immersive virtual reality improves visuospatial function and fronto-occipital functional connectivity in a pre-dementia state: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kang Jae Myeong , Kim Nambeom , Lee Sook Young , Woo Soo Kyun , Yeon Byeong Kil , Lee Jun-Young , Youn Jung-Hae , Ryu Seung-Ho , Cho Seong-Jin
Published: July 2020

BackgroundCognitive training has potential in staving off cognitive decline. Recent studies using semi-immersive virtual reality (VR)-assisted cognitive training have shown inconsistent results. We aimed to test the hypothesis that cognitive training using fully immersive VR, which may facilitate visuospatial process, would improve visuospatial function, comprehensive neuropsychological functions, psychiatric symptoms, and functional connectivity (FC) of the visual network in the resting brain in pre-dementia state.MethodsParticipants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were randomly assigned to a VR (n = 23) or a control group (n = 18). VR group participants received multi-domain cognitive training in a fully immersive VR environment twice a week for one month. Both groups were evaluated for cognitive function using comprehensive neuropsychological tests including the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copy task, for psychiatric symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-positive affect (PANAS), Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), and Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s disease, as well as resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) at baseline and post-training. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to compare the effect of the cognitive training between the groups. Seed-to-voxel based analyses were used to find the cognitive improvement-related FC in the visual network of the brain.ResultsAfter VR cognitive training, the VR group showed improvements in the RCFT copy task (F = 15.44, p < 0.001), the PANAS-positive (F = 8.28, p < 0.001), and the AES (F = 21.28, p = 0.006) compared to the control group. rsfMRI revealed that improvement in the RCFT copy task was associated with frontal-occipital FC increase in the VR group compared to the control group.Conclusions and relevanceFully immersive VR cognitive training had positive effects on visuospatial function, positive affect, apathy, and frontal-occipital FC in older adults at pre-dementia state. Future trials using VR cognitive training with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design over a longer duration may observe greater improvements in cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and brain FC.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service, conforming to the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP), KCT0005243. Registered 22 July 2020 – retrospectively registered, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=17055<ype=&rtype=
COVID-19 Pandemic: Home Confinement Problems and Mental Health
Authors: Parrado-González Alberto , León-Jiménez Victor , León-Jariego José C.
Published: July 2020

Home confinement during the COVID-19 crisis causes problems in everyday life that can affect people's mental health. In this context, the purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most frequent problems experienced during the home confinement, (2) to analyse whether these problems vary according to socio-demographics; and (3) to study the influence of home confinement on mental health. One thousand five hundred sixty-nine participants living in Spain during the COVID-19 lockdown answered an online survey including questions about socio-demographics, problems of home confinement and mental health. We used factor analysis to group the home confinement problems into identifiable categories. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods for comparison between socio-demographics were used, and the influence of subsets of home confinement problems on mental health was analysed by multiple linear regression.The 16 evaluated problems were grouped into three factors: “Anger and Frustration”, “Deprivation of Social Contact”, and “Living Together Issues”. The most frequent problem was “missing somebody”, while “being afraid of going mad” was the least frequent one. Women, young people, people with less space at home, and teleworkers and non-working people during the lockdown period reported more home confinement problems. The Anger and Frustration factor was the one most related to mental health. These results highlighted the problems that people had to face during home confinement and their influence on mental health. Finally, the paper suggests designing specific strategies to cope with these problems according to participants’ socio-demographics.
Competitive adsorption geometries for the arsenate As(V) and phosphate P(V) oxyanions on magnetite surfaces: Experiments and theory
Authors: Liang Xiaoliang , Lin Xiaoju , Wei Gaoling , Ma Lingya , He Hongping , Santos-Carballal David , Zhu Jianxi , Zhu Runliang , De Leeuw Nora H.
Published: July 2020

In the present study, the competitive adsorption geometries for arsenate and phosphate on magnetite surfaces over a pH range of 4–9 were investigated using in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and two-dimensional correlation analysis (2D-COS). The adsorption energies and infrared vibrational frequencies of these surface complexes were also calculated by first-principles simulations. Arsenate and phosphate have different preferences for the magnetite surface in the presence of aqueous solvent at both acid and alkaline pH. For the adsorption of phosphate, mono-protonated monodentate mononuclear (MMM) complexes dominated at acid pH, while non-protonated bidentate binuclear (NBB) complexes were dominant at alkaline pH. Arsenate mainly formed bidentate binuclear (BB) complexes with some outer-sphere species, both of which were more prevalent at acid pH. The pre-absorbed inner-sphere arsenate species were scarcely affected by the introduction of phosphate. However, the pre-absorbed phosphate oxyanions, especially the MMM complexes, were significantly substituted by BB arsenate at the magnetite surfaces. The adsorption affinity of phosphate and arsenate species for magnetite surface was found to increase in the following order: MMM phosphate complex < NBB phosphate complex < BB arsenate complex, which was consistent with the calculated adsorption energies. The simulated infrared vibrational frequencies for the most favorable adsorption modes of each oxyanion display distinctive patterns, and their trends are in excellent agreement with experimental data.

The effects of pH, adsorption sequence, and mineral species on the competitive adsorption between arsenate and phosphate oxyanions are also discussed, and their different competing ability and stability on the magnetite surfaces can be ascribed to the variations in adsorption geometry and strength of binding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aiming to distinguish the stability of the different phosphate and arsenate complexes on magnetite by employing a combined approach of in situ spectroscopy and DFT simulations. Our results provide molecular-level insight into the geometries and relative stabilities of the adsorption of phosphate and arsenate on magnetite surfaces, which is useful for interpretation of the mobility and bioavailability of these anions.
Crystal structures of K-cymrite and kokchetavite from single-crystal X-ray diffraction
Authors: Romanenko Alexandr V. , Rashchenko Sergey V. , Sokol Alexander G. , Korsakov Andrey V. , Seryotkin Yurii V. , Glazyrin Konstantin V. , Musiyachenko Kira
Published: July 2020

We determined for the first time the crystal structures of high-pressure K-cymrite (KAlSi3O8⋅H2O) and its dehydrated form kokchetavite (KAlSi3O8) using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The K-cymrite structure has been successfully refined in the hexagonal space group P6/mmm [a = 5.3361(3) Å, c = 7.7081(7) Å, V = 190.08(3) Å3, R1 = 0.036 for 127 unique observed reflections], which is in agreement with previous models from powder X-ray diffraction. In contrast, kokchetavite shows superstructural reflections, suggesting a different unit cell and a space group of P6/mcc [a = 10.5757(3) Å, c = 15.6404(6) Å, V = 1514.94(10) Å3, R1 = 0.068 for 1455 unique observed reflections]. Upon dehydration, single-crystal grains of K-cymrite transform into single-crystal grains of kokchetavite. The latter questions a previous interpretation of kokchetavite crystals in mineral inclusions as a product of direct crystallization from fluid/melt. The Raman spectrum of K-cymrite shows a strong polarization dependence, which is important in identification of the mineral inclusions.
Exponentially long lifetime of universal quasi-steady states in topological Floquet pumps
Authors: Gulden Tobias , Berg Erez , Rudner Mark Spencer , Lindner Netanel
Published: July 2020

We investigate a mechanism to transiently stabilize topological phenomena in long-lived quasi-steady states of isolated quantum many-body systems driven at low frequencies. We obtain an analytical bound for the lifetime of the quasi-steady states which is exponentially large in the inverse driving frequency. Within this lifetime, the quasi-steady state is characterized by maximum entropy subject to the constraint of fixed number of particles in the system's Floquet-Bloch bands. In such a state, all the non-universal properties of these bands are washed out, hence only the topological properties persist.
Foliar fertilizer and biostimulant to enhance performance of Urochloa hybrid in two different seasons
Authors: Lima Luara Cristina de , Barbero Leandro Martins , Lana Regina Maria Quintão , Basso Fernanda Carvalho , Cardoso Atalita Francis , Camargo Reginaldo de
Published: July 2020

Technologies that promote forage production provide gains of income in beef cattle. The objective of this research was to evaluate forage production, morphological components and nutritive value of pasture of Urochloa hybrid Convert HD364, with application of biostimulant, foliar fertilizers and urea. A completely randomized design with 7 treatments and 3 replications was used. The treatments consisted of T1 (control: no fertilization), T2 (urea), T3 (Fertmicro), T4 (FertN), T5 (biostimulant), T6 (Fertmicro+biostimulant), T7 (FertN+biostimulant). The leaf content and accumulation of macro and micronutrients, accumulation of dry mass and rate of forage accumulation, concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, morphological components were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using the Tukey test at the 5% significance level for the comparison of mean values. The use of foliar fertilizers, nitrogen fertilizer and biostimulant promoted accumulation of forage dry mass, leaf, stem and dead material and higher rates of accumulation of dry mass of stem and dead material of Urochloa hybrid Convert HD364.
Salt effect of potassium fertilizer on productivity and technological quality of sugarcane
Authors: Rocha Igor Tenório Marinho da , Freire Fernando José , Oliveira Emídio Cantídio Almeida de , Souza Edivan Rodrigues de , Freire Maria Betânia Galvão dos Santos , Neto Djalma Euzébio Simões , Silva Aníbia Vicente da
Published: July 2020

The K is important for sugar concentration in sugarcane, but the salt effect on K fertilizer may reduce the productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate productivity of sugarcane, to establish soil and plant K critical levels, and to determine a saline limit of the soil with maximum agronomic efficiency. The sugarcane variety RB992506 was cultivated in the field in Oxisol (Kandic) dystrophic with very sandy and low K content, mainly in subsurface. Six doses of K2O were used: 0; 25; 50; 100; 200; 250 kg ha-1. We evaluated soil and leaf K content, electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste, productivity and technological quality of the sugarcane. The application of K promoted increase in soil and leaf K levels, increasing also both productivity and the sugar concentration. The dose of maximum agronomic efficiency was 150 kg ha-1 of K2O and production of 116 Mg ha-1. High doses of K (> 200 kg ha-1 of K2O) decreased the productivity due to elevated soil salinity by the application of K fertilizer. The critical levels of K were 0.18 cmolc dm-3 in the soil and 9.53 g kg-1 in the plant and were associated with low doses of K (< 25 kg ha-1 of K2O). The salinity limits that reduced productivity were 1.38 dS m-1 in the surface layer and 1.19 dS m-1 in the subsurface, suggesting that these critical levels and limits can be used to evaluate the fertility of sandy soils cultivated with sugarcane in tropical regions.