bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of surface gravity waves by internal waves
Authors: Lenain Luc , Pizzo Nick
Published: June 2021

Internal waves are a regular feature of the open ocean and coastal waters. As a train of internal waves propagate, their surface induced currents modulate the surface waves, generating a characteristic rough and smooth banded structure. While the surface expression of these internal waves is well known and has been observed from a variety of remote sensing instruments, direct quantitative observations of the directional properties of the surface gravity wave field modulated by an internal wave remain sparse. In this work, we report on a comprehensive field campaign conducted off the coast of Point Sal, CA in September 2017. Using a unique combination of airborne remote sensing observations, along with in-situ surface and subsurface measurements, we investigate and quantify the interaction between surface gravity and internal wave processes. We find that surface waves are significantly modulated by the currents induced by the internal waves. Through novel observations of ocean topography, we characterize the rapid modification of the directional and spectral properties of surface waves over very short spatial scales (O(100)m or less). Over a range of wavelengths (3-9m waves), geometrical optics and wave action conservation predictions show good agreement with the observed wavenumber spectra in smooth and rough regions of the modulated surface waves. If a parameterization of wave action source terms is used, good agreement is found over a larger range of wavenumbers, down to 4rad/m. These results elucidate properties of surface waves interacting with a submesoscale ocean current, and should provide insight into more general interactions between surface waves and the fine scale structure of the upper ocean.
A History of Development of Medical Missions and Catholic Evangelization in Sub-Saharan Africa From the Early Twentieth Century to the Present: Tracing Some Representative Founders and Orders in the Context of the Twentieth Century Church
Authors: Dailor Ellen M.
Published: June 2021

Although the care of the sick has been a charism of Catholic community since the beginning, and hospitals as we know them have developed since the fourth century, religious orders began to develop hospitals as part of their mission work during the colonial expansion of the seventeenth century. These early efforts, however, were primarily a response to the needs of the colonists as well as recognition that the poor who were sick required care in these regions. It can be argued that medical missions developed during the twentieth century as a response to the outreach of Protestants as well as the exposure of physicians to the needs in mission territories, and that their advancement and success impacted the attitudes of the popes and bishops of the twentieth century. This article examines several individuals and organizations who have contributed to the development of medical missions in Africa in modern times and trace the approach of the Church toward medical missions by exploring missionary religious orders, especially women’s religious orders, and papal and council documents. It primarily considers the role of medical missions in areas that had only a limited Catholic presence prior to nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and where Catholic health care and the local Catholic Church essentially developed together, and considers ways in which the growth of medical missions and the thinking of the Church developed together.
Transition to Widowhood Among Older Adults in Rural Areas: A Study From the Faroe Islands
Authors: Johannesen Elsa J. D. , Róin Ása
Published: June 2021

Studies have shown that losing a spouse can cause both physical and mental suffering for the bereaved. This qualitative study aimed to gather knowledge about how men and women in the Faroe Islands, a small-scale society in the North Atlantic Ocean, managed the transition to widowhood. Five women and three men were interviewed, their age varying from 67 to 74 years. A hermeneutic analytic method was applied. Our findings showed that managing the transition to widowhood followed two tracks, namely the process of loss and the process of restoration. For participants locked in either process, the transition caused severe disruption in daily living, while participants who managed to oscillate between the two processes appeared to manage the transition to widowhood and get on with their lives. Our findings, and those from other studies, point to the need to offer structured individual support for people who have lost their life partner.
Development of methods to measure the potential of a plaster to regulate indoor humidity
Authors: Lim Kiyomi D , Maskell Daniel
Published: June 2021

Moisture buffering utilises hygroscopic construction materials as a more sustainable approach to passively moderate indoor humidity. This study seeks to develop a reproducible test method to obtain a moisture buffering value of common building materials under conditions that reflect typical indoor environmental conditions. Temperature and humidity variations in sinusoidal profiles for two different materials, typically used to finish internal surfaces, have been studied to identify their potential moisture regulation behaviour. Outcomes were then combined and ranked indicating the potential of materials to passively regulate the indoor humidity and the need for robust methods of investigation.

Practical application: In response to current practice and materials’ testing procedures, a reproducible test method is considered to enable comprehensive understanding of a hydroscopic materials’ behaviour, where subsequent interpretation of their performance can be quantified. The practicality to consider the use of passive regulation using hygroscopic materials can then be justified to bring indoor RH closer to the optimal range without heavy reliance on mechanical solutions, achieving a more effective passive indoor climate monitoring. It is expected that the outcome of this investigation can potentially form the basis of further improvement on a standardised test method to obtain moisture buffering value of hygroscopic non-structural elements for pragmatic application during design integration process.
ERAS Protocols for Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Chorath Kevin , Luu Neil , Go Beatrice C. , Moreira Alvaro , Rajasekaran Karthik
Published: June 2021

Objective

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidenced‐based multidisciplinary programs implemented in the perioperative setting to improve postoperative recovery and attenuate the surgical stress response. However, evidence on their effectiveness in thyroid and parathyroid surgery remains sparse. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the clinical benefits and cost‐effectiveness of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

Data Source

A systematic review of Medline, Scopus, Embase, and gray literature was performed to identify studies of ERAS or clinical care protocols for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

Review Methods

Two reviewers screened studies using predetermined inclusion criteria. Our primary outcomes included hospital length of stay and hospital costs. Readmission and postoperative complication rates composed our secondary outcomes. Meta‐analysis was performed to compare outcomes for patients enrolled in the ERAS protocol versus standard of care.

Results

A total of 450 articles were identified; 7 (1.6%) met inclusion criteria with a total of 3082 patients. Perioperative components in ERAS protocols varied across the studies. Nevertheless, patients enrolled in ERAS protocols had reduced hospital length of stay (mean difference, –0.64 days [95% CI, −0.92 to −0.37]) and hospital costs (in US dollars; mean difference, –307.70 [95% CI, −346.49 to −268.90]), without an increase in readmission (odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.29‐1.94]) or complication rates (odds ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.82‐1.57]).

Conclusion

There is growing literature supporting the role of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. These protocols significantly reduce hospital length of stay and costs without increasing complications or readmission rates.
Do Federal Regulations Affect Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Research?
Authors: Spielman Daniel B. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Liebowitz Andi , Sharma Rahul , Overdevest Jonathan , Mattos Jose , Gudis David A.
Published: June 2021

Objective

The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have asserted that diverse demographic representation in clinical trials is essential. In light of these federal guidelines, the objective of this study is to assess the racial, ethnic, and gender demographics of patients enrolled in clinical trials registered with the NIH that evaluate chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) relative to the demographics of the US population.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Not applicable.

Methods

ClinicalTrials.gov was queried to identify all prospective clinical trials for CRSwNP. Individual study and pooled data were compared with national US census data.

Results

Eighteen studies were included comprising 4125 patients and evaluating dupilumab, mepolizumab, omalizumab, fluticasone/OptiNose, MediHoney, mometasone, and SINUVA. Women constituted 42.7% of clinical trial participants. Of the 4125 participants, 69.6% identified as White, 6.6% as Black, 20.8% as Asian, 0.1% as Pacific Islander, 0.4% as American Indian, 8.0% as Hispanic, and 2.4% as other. The racial, ethnic, and gender composition of the pooled study population differs significantly from national US census data, with underrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, Pacific Island, and American Indian individuals, as well as females (P <. 05).

Conclusion

The racial, ethnic, and gender demographics of patients enrolled in CRSwNP clinical trials registered with the NIH differ significantly from the demographics of the US population, despite federal guidelines advising demographically representative participation. Proactive efforts to enroll participants that better represent anticipated treatment populations should be emphasized by researchers, institutions, and editorial boards.
Reproductive toxicity of cadmium in pubertal male rats induced by cell apoptosis
Authors: Yi Lingna , Dai Juan , Chen Yong , Tong Yeqing , Li You , Fu Guoqing , Teng Zengguang , Huang Jufeng , Quan Chao , Zhang Zhibing , Zhou Ting , Zhang Ling , Shi Yuqin
Published: June 2021

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is widely present in modern industrial production. It is a known, highly toxic environmental endocrine disruptor. Long-term exposure to Cd can cause varying degrees of damage to the liver, kidney, and reproductive system of organisms, especially the male reproductive system. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Cd toxicity in the male reproductive system during puberty. Eighteen healthy 6-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (control group, low-dose group, and high-dose group) according to their body weight, with six in each group. Cd (0, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day) was given by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that Cd exposure to each dose group caused a decrease in the testicular organ coefficient and sperm count, compared with the control group. Cd exposure resulted in significant changes in testicular morphology in the 3 mg/kg/day Cd group. In the 1 and 3 mg/kg/day Cd groups, serum testosterone decreased and apoptosis of testicular cells increased significantly ( p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in each Cd exposure dose group decreased, but the content of malondialdehyde in the high-dose, 3 mg/kg/day Cd treatment group significantly increased ( p < 0.05). Although Cd exposure caused an increase in the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in the testicular tissues ( p < 0.05), Bcl-2 expression was unchanged ( p > 0.05). The expression level of Akt mRNA in testicular tissue of rats in the high-dose 3 mg/kg/day Cd group was increased ( p < 0.05). Our data suggest that Cd affected testosterone levels, and apoptosis was observed in spermatids.
Beliefs About Morphine in Palliative Care: Results From an Ecuadorian Sample
Authors: Hidalgo-Andrade Paula , Mascialino Guido
Published: June 2021

Background: Previous research unambiguously establishes the importance of knowledge and education about opioids and pain management in medical care. This article aimed at describing the perception of the general public on the uses and the risks of morphine in palliative care in an Ecuadorian sample, where training and access to those services is limited. Methods: We used an online recruited sample of 257 participants for this cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants responded to an online self-report survey regarding morphine’s effects and its relationship with addiction and death in a palliative care context. Results: Analyses indicate that there is a lack of understanding about the effectiveness of morphine and that, overall, participants did not associate morphine with death and dying. Results also show that people in health-related occupations did not differ from the general public in beliefs about the addiction and the effectiveness of morphine. However, occupation and education effects were noted for several other items, as well as whether the participants had direct experiences with palliative care as either a patient or a caregiver. Conclusions: There is still misinformation about opioids such as morphine in the general public and health professionals in Ecuador. Although personal experiences with pain control and palliative care are linked to better knowledge about opioids, education is still necessary to overcome the myths around them. Future research could address the found misconceptions to increase health literacy through education policies and interventions.
Preparation and characterization of a new type of symmetrical dicyclopentyl substituted cucurbit[6]uril
Authors: Zheng Jun , Zhang Lin , Yang Xinan , Meng Ye , Jin Yanmei , Gao Jie , Ma Peihua
Published: June 2021

A symmetrical dicyclopentyl substituted cucurbit[6]uril (CyP2Q[6]) was synthesized, and crystallized under the conditions of 3 mol/L hydrochloric acid solution and the induction of ZnCl2. The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffractometer, 1H NMR and MS, and the results show that the crystal belongs to the monoclinic crystal system with P21/n space group, a = 13.095 (2), b = 33.002 (6), c = 15.770 (3), α = 90°, β = 102.828(5)°, γ = 90°, Z = 4, and a macroporous honeycomb structure appears in the crystal.
Investigation of tip leakage flow unsteadiness and rotating instability in a centrifugal compressor impeller
Authors: Wang Wenli , Yang Ce , Hu Chenxing , Zhang Hang
Published: June 2021

A phenomenon called rotating instability was rarely reported in a centrifugal compressor, although some associated discussions can be found in axial compressors. This paper presents a numerical investigation on the unsteadiness of the tip leakage flow and rotating instability in an isolated centrifugal compressor impeller. A three-dimensional, unsteady full annuls simulation is performed under three different operating conditions. The tip leakage flow unsteadiness at the impeller inlet and inside the impeller passage is detected by the pressure fluctuation. During the throttling process, the temporal and spatial propagation characteristic of the tip leakage flow unsteadiness under the near stall operating condition is revealed based on the wavelet analysis, Fourier transform, and dynamic mode decomposition. Furthermore, the relationship between the tip leakage flow unsteadiness and the rotating instability is also discussed. The results show that the pressure fluctuation mainly concentrates in the tip region at the near stall operating condition, which indicates the occurrence and circumferential propagation of tip leakage flow unsteadiness. The circumferential propagation of the tip leakage flow unsteadiness induces a significant circumferential rotating pressure wave with a wave number of 9 and approximately 48.2% of the rotational speed of the impeller. The characteristic frequency of the tip leakage flow unsteadiness agrees well with the dominant mode frequency of rotating instability. Therefore, the tip leakage flow unsteadiness is assumed to be responsible for the rotating instability. During the throttling process, the formation and development of the rotating instability at near stall operating condition can be divided into three stages based on signal analysis: prior to rotating instability, generation and development, and rotating instability.
Realism and symbolic systems in the practice of scientific psychology
Authors: Sohail Roshni , Berg Lindsay , Cresswell James
Published: June 2021

Arocha offers a compelling take on the shortfalls associated with the predominant use of inferential statistics in behavioural research. We will show how the author draws upon an idealized view of the mature sciences. Rather than chasing subject-independent reality, we propose that a more fruitful approach to studying behavior lies in considering the reality of sociocommunally constituted human experience. Recognizing the interindividual, symbolic nature of human reality makes way for the discipline to address irreducible human-symbolic ontologies. Further, utilizing multiple symbolic systems enables critique essential for progress in science.
Emergence, convergence, and theory of mind
Authors: Hammond Stuart I.
Published: June 2021

Arocha’s critique of psychology is framed in the scientific realism of the late philosopher of science, Mario Bunge. Arocha draws on Bunge’s concept of emergence, the ontological postulate that the world is organized in systems with properties that its components lack. Although emergence is helpful to psychological theory and research, this commentary proposes another concept from Bunge’s philosophy, namely convergence, as a complementary path to improving psychological theory. Convergence is the epistemological postulate that, because the world is organized in systems, engaging with different areas of science, that is, taking a cross-disciplinary perspective, leads to a greater understanding of reality. Psychology often focuses narrowly and inwardly, resulting in theoretical commitments that are incommensurate with evidence in other sciences. After examining the relation between emergence and convergence, this commentary will provide an example of convergence using biology and sociology to unpack theory of mind.
The Performance Measurement Frameworks in Healthcare: Scopus Study
Authors: Zaadoud B. , Chbab Y. , Chaouch A.
Published: June 2021

Object:

The purpose of this article is to analyse and compare the frameworks of performance measurement in primary health care in the world. The objective is to determine whether the frameworks of performance measurement in primary health care have an influence on the performance of health centres.

Method:

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to: (a) identify a conceptual framework for measuring quality management systems; and (b) assess the effects of the conceptual framework on quality improvement and quality of care outcomes. We chose frameworks highly cited in the literature and analysed and compared these frameworks.

Results:

Eight dimensions were identified for assessing performance in primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in more than 50% frameworks: effectiveness, safety, accessibility, equity, efficiency, acceptability, patient-centredness and timeliness.

Conclusion:

Even if the links are not established within the framework of a scientific research, quality approaches are generally recognised as an essential tool to help establishments improve their quality of care and the safety of their patients. Until now, the evaluation of the quality of care in the 'PHCF' is not yet in place, a blatant need for performance measurement tools, relevant information, coherence between the operational and strategic levels, integration of organizational objectives in the measurement of performance in order to direct the structures towards a true management by quality.
Vibrational energy flow cancelling by loading a reverse excitation: Visualization and analysis
Authors: Ma Yingqun , Zhao Qingjun , Zhao Wei , Hao Long , Liu Binbin
Published: June 2021

Vibration control is a permanent and significant issue in all forms of structural dynamic analysis with the consistent objective being to minimize vibration levels. Considering that the propagation of vibration waves is essentially the transmission of vibrational energy flow (VEF), the fundamental requirement, therefore, is to minimize the VEF transmitted from sources to sinks and then to control and block the flow of vibration energy. Structural intensity (SI) method, combining forces with velocities to assess the magnitude and directions of VEF, is alternative to classical dynamic assessment methods offering insight into the transmission of VEF and studying additional phenomena which cannot be obtained by conventional dynamic analysis. In the field of noise, active noise control has been widely used in vehicles and headphones, which has achieved remarkable results by introducing a cancelling ‘anti-noise’ wave through an appropriate array of secondary sources. Analogically, it is considered whether the vibration of the structure can be attenuated by introducing a secondary reverse excitation (SRE) to offset the VEF transmitted in the structure. Therefore, this article combines the SI method and SRE to carry out related research on this issue. The rectangular plate with the circular hole subjected to the transient sinusoidal force, being widely used and found in various engineering branches, is taken as the research object. The developed simulation system consisting of the finite element tool and the in-house program is used to assess and visualize the instantaneous SI fields. The effects of the SRE acting on this structure on the transmission behaviours of VEF and the vibration suppression have been investigated in detail. Moreover, the transmission, conversion and balance relationships of the VEF have been derived from the general equation of motion and analysed as well. This study sheds new light on the vibration attenuation by introducing the secondary source from the perspective of VEF.
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Renal Transplantation in Individuals Undergoing Transplant Evaluation
Authors: Bruns Cassandra , Giese Jeannie , Phillippi David , Moore Deonna , Hall Patricia
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

The underutilization of kidney transplant as the preferred treatment for end-stage kidney disease is influenced by a lack of knowledge, poor attitudes, and various socio-demographic characteristics. Negative attitudes toward renal transplant disengage patients from the evaluation process and often hinder their likelihood of receiving a transplant.

Purpose:

Determine whether a standardized educational session successfully improves knowledge and attitudes toward kidney transplant. Explore which socio-demographic variables are associated with more negative baseline attitude scores.

Design:

The program evaluation utilized a pre-test/post-test design to assess attitudes and knowledge toward renal transplant before and after an educational session. The pre- and post-surveys were distributed to a convenience sample of 341 and 115 patients, respectively, between the months of September and December 2019.

Results:

Exposure to a kidney transplant education program resulted in greater levels of knowledge ( P = 0.019, d = 0.334). Individuals with no college education were found to have more negative baseline attitudes toward renal transplantation ( P = 0.048, d = 0.382).

Conclusion:

More research is needed to explore how knowledge, attitudes, and certain socio-demographic characteristics impact a patient’s intention to pursue kidney transplant. Uncovering reasons as to why certain populations of individuals have more negative baseline attitudes toward kidney transplant may also provide clinicians and transplant programs with valuable information on how pre-transplant education can be tailored to meet the needs of specific populations.
Implications of State Scope-of-Practice Regulations for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse Practitioner Roles
Authors: Gigli Kristin H. , Martsolf Grant R.
Published: June 2021

Nurse practitioner (NP) advocacy efforts often focus on attaining full practice authority. While the effects of full practice authority in primary care are well described, implications for hospital-based NPs are less clear and may differ because of hospitals’ team-based care and administrative structure. This study examines associations between state scope-of-practice (SSOP) and clinical roles of hospital-based pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) NPs. We conducted a national survey to assess clinical roles of PICU NPs including daily patient care, procedural, and consultation responsibilities as well as hospital-level administrative oversight practices. We classified SSOP as full or limited (reduced or restricted SSOP) practice. We present descriptive statistics and evaluate differences in clinical roles and hospital-level administrative oversight based on SSOP. The final sample included 55 medical directors and 58 lead (senior or supervisory) NPs from 93 of the 140 (66.4%) PICUs with NPs. There were no significant differences in daily patient care, procedural, or consultation responsibilities based on SSOP ( p > .05). However, NPs in full practice authority states were more likely to bill for care than those in limited practice states (66.7% vs. 31.8%, p = .003), while those in limited practice states were more likely to report to advanced practice managers (36.7% vs. 13%, p = .03). For PICU NPs, SSOP was not associated with variation in clinical responsibilities; conversely, there were differences in billing and reporting practices. Future work is needed to understand implications of variation in hospital-level administrative oversight.
Efficiency and Teamwork in Emergency Departments: Perception of Staff on Design Interventions
Authors: Ahmadpour Sahar , Bayramzadeh Sara , Aghaei Parsa
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

The goal of this study is twofold: (1) identifying design strategies that enhance efficiency and support teamwork in emergency departments (EDs) and (2) identifying design features that contribute to the spread of COVID-19, based on staff perception.

Background:

Due to increasing ED visits annually, an efficient work environment has become one of the main concerns in designing EDs. According to the literature, an efficient work environment and teamwork improve healthcare outcomes and positively impact staff satisfaction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, EDs faced various changes such as workflow and space usage. Few studies explored staff perceptions about the influence of design features on efficiency, teamwork, and the COVID-19 spread.

Method:

An online survey with 14 open- and closed-ended questions was distributed among ED staff members to collect data about unit design features that impact efficiency, teamwork, and the COVID-19 spread.

Results:

The central nursing station was one of the preferred configurations that increased efficiency and teamwork in EDs. Decentralizing disposal rooms in small-size EDs and decentralizing the medication room in large-size EDs with more than 65 exam rooms can decrease staff walking steps. Flexibility to expand treatment spaces on demand, one-way track circulation path, and changing the air pressure in COVID-19 treatment areas were some of the staff suggestions for future EDs.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge that EDs’ physical environments can impact efficiency and teamwork among staff and, consequently, healthcare outcomes. Compartmentalization of the ED layout can reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Social Science–Based Pathways to Reduce Social Inequality in Youth Outcomes and Opportunities at Scale
Authors: Nalani Andrew , Yoshikawa Hirokazu , Carter Prudence L.
Published: June 2021

Despite a recent call for an expanded research agenda that is more likely to produce tangible societal reductions in inequality, efforts to articulate how social scientists can actually pursue this agenda remain few and far between. The central question this article addresses is, What can social scientists do to deliver the forms of knowledge that may lead to a reduction of social inequalities in youth outcomes and opportunities at large scale? Drawing on conceptualizations of inequality that pay attention to mechanisms of distributional and relational inequality, and examples of initiatives from a diverse array of the social sciences, the authors delineate six pathways for the kind of research that may generate reductions in youth inequality at scale. The authors conclude with a set of proposals for what academic institutions can do to train and support researchers to carry out this research agenda.
Characterizing the properties of bisulfite sequencing data: maximizing power and sensitivity to identify between-group differences in DNA methylation
Authors: Seiler Vellame Dorothea , Castanho Isabel , Dahir Aisha , Mill Jonathan , Hannon Eilis
Published: June 2021

Background

The combination of sodium bisulfite treatment with highly-parallel sequencing is a common method for quantifying DNA methylation across the genome. The power to detect between-group differences in DNA methylation using bisulfite-sequencing approaches is influenced by both experimental (e.g. read depth, missing data and sample size) and biological (e.g. mean level of DNA methylation and difference between groups) parameters. There is, however, no consensus about the optimal thresholds for filtering bisulfite sequencing data with implications for the reproducibility of findings in epigenetic epidemiology.

Results

We used a large reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) dataset to assess the distribution of read depth across DNA methylation sites and the extent of missing data. To investigate how various study variables influence power to identify DNA methylation differences between groups, we developed a framework for simulating bisulfite sequencing data. As expected, sequencing read depth, group size, and the magnitude of DNA methylation difference between groups all impacted upon statistical power. The influence on power was not dependent on one specific parameter, but reflected the combination of study-specific variables. As a resource to the community, we have developed a tool, POWEREDBiSeq, which utilizes our simulation framework to predict study-specific power for the identification of DNAm differences between groups, taking into account user-defined read depth filtering parameters and the minimum sample size per group.

Conclusions

Our data-driven approach highlights the importance of filtering bisulfite-sequencing data by minimum read depth and illustrates how the choice of threshold is influenced by the specific study design and the expected differences between groups being compared. The POWEREDBiSeq tool, which can be applied to different types of bisulfite sequencing data (e.g. RRBS, whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), targeted bisulfite sequencing and amplicon-based bisulfite sequencing), can help users identify the level of data filtering needed to optimize power and aims to improve the reproducibility of bisulfite sequencing studies.
Cardioprotective effect of nicorandil on isoproterenol induced cardiomyopathy in the Mdx mouse model
Authors: Sullivan Rachel T. , Lam Ngoc T. , Haberman Margaret , Beatka Margaret J. , Afzal Muhammad Z. , Lawlor Michael W. , Strande Jennifer L.
Published: June 2021

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) associated cardiomyopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In an in vitro DMD cardiomyocyte model, nicorandil reversed stress-induced cell injury through multiple pathways implicated in DMD.We aimed to test the efficacy of nicorandil on the progression of cardiomyopathy inmdxmice following a 10-day treatment protocol.

Methods

A subset ofmdxmice was subjected to low-dose isoproterenol injections over 5 days to induce a cardiac phenotype and treated with vehicle or nicorandil for 10 days. Baseline and day 10 echocardiograms were obtained to assess cardiac function. At 10 days, cardiac tissue was harvested for further analysis, which included histologic analysis and assessment of oxidative stress. Paired student’s t test was used for in group comparison, and ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons.

Results

Compared to vehicle treated mice, isoproterenol decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening on echocardiogram. Nicorandil prevented isoproterenol induced cardiac dysfunction. Isoproterenol increased cardiac fibrosis, which nicorandil prevented. Isoproterenol increased gene expression of NADPH oxidase, which decreased to baseline with nicorandil treatment. Superoxide dismutase 2 protein expression increased in those treated with nicorandil, and xanthine oxidase activity decreased in mice treated with nicorandil during isoproterenol stress compared to all other groups.

Conclusions

In conclusion, nicorandil is cardioprotective inmdxmice and warrants continued investigation as a therapy for DMD associated cardiomyopathy.
Comparison of capillary, venous and buffy coat blood samples in detecting Plasmodium species among malaria suspected patients attending at Hamusite health center. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Abeje Getu , Gelaye Woyneshet , Alemu Getaneh
Published: June 2021

Background

Both capillary and venous blood samples have been interchangeably used for the diagnosis of malaria in Ethiopia. However, Plasmodium parasites are thought to be more concentrated in capillary than in venous blood. Hence, selecting a sample source where parasites are more concentrated is indispensable approach in order to maximize the accuracy of blood film microscopy. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the detection rate and the parasitemia level of Plasmodium species from conventional capillary and venous blood films, and buffy coat preparations.

Methods

A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from Feburary to March 2020 among 210 febrile patients attending Hamusite health center, northwest Ethiopia. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected and buffy coat was prepared from each sample. Thin and thick blood films were prepared, stained, and examined microscopically following standard protocol. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software version 20 and Med-Calc software version 19.3.

Results

Capillary blood buffy coat (61/210, 29.0%) had significantly higher detection rate as compared to capillary (48/210, 22.9%) and venous (42/210, 20.0%) blood films (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between capillary and venous blood films (p = 0.070) in detecting Plasmodium species. The highest and the lowest mean asexual stage parasite counts were found in capillary blood buffy coat (4692.88) and venous blood (631.43) films, respectively showing significant variations (p < 0.001). Mean gametocyte count was also highest in capillary blood buffy coat (3958.44). As compared to capillary blood buffy coat, the sensitivity of venous blood buffy coat, capillary blood film and venous blood film were 73.8, 78.7, 68.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Capillary blood buffy coat samples showed the highest sensitivity in detecting and quantitating malaria parasites that its use should be promoted in clinical settings. However, conventional capillary and venous blood films could be used interchangeably.
Radiomic analysis of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI predicts Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fan Yanfen , Yu Yixing , Wang Ximing , Hu Mengjie , Hu Chunhong
Published: June 2021

Background

Nuclear protein Ki-67 indicates the status of cell proliferation and has been regarded as an attractive biomarker for the prognosis of HCC. The aim of this study is to investigate which radiomics model derived from different sequences and phases of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI was superior to predict Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), then further to validate the optimal model for preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in HCC.

Methods

This retrospective study included 151 (training cohort: n = 103; validation cohort: n = 48) pathologically confirmed HCC patients. Radiomics features were extracted from the artery phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), hepatobiliary phase (HBP), and T2-weighted (T2W) images. A logistic regression with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regularization was used to select features to build a radiomics score (Rad-score). A final combined model including the optimal Rad-score and clinical risk factors was established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Delong test and calibration curve were used to assess the predictive performance of the combined model. Decision cure analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility.

Results

The AP radiomics model with higher decision curve indicating added more net benefit, gave a better predictive performance than the HBP and T2W radiomic models. The combined model (AUC = 0.922 vs. 0.863) including AP Rad-score and serum AFP levels improved the predictive performance more than the AP radiomics model (AUC = 0.873 vs. 0.813) in the training and validation cohort. Calibration curve of the combined model showed a good agreement between the predicted and the actual probability. DCA of the validation cohort revealed that at a range threshold probability of 30–60%, the combined model added more net benefit compared with the AP radiomics model.

Conclusions

A combined model including AP Rad-score and serum AFP levels based on enhanced MRI can preoperatively predict Ki-67 expression in HCC.
Overall trend towards headache remission during the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese patients with pre-existing headache highlights the role of family support
Authors: Gong Qiaoyu , Liu Shuping , Li Ruiting , Yao Lihua , Xiao Zheman
Published: June 2021

Background

The global status of the COVID-19 pandemic is not optimistic. This is a particularly vulnerable time for patients with pre-existing headache disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache patients in China.

Methods

A survey was conducted through an online survey platform on June 6, 2020. Demographic characteristics, the PHQ-9, the ISI, a COVID-19 questionnaire and a headache profile survey were included in the online questionnaire.

Results

Eventually, a total of 15,000 participants from China completed the online questionnaire. Among them, 2806 participants had pre-existing headache disorders. Our analysis showed reductions in the duration of headaches (3.414 ± 6.859 vs 4.033 ± 7.325 h, P<0.001), number of headache days per month (1.788 ± 2.989 vs 2.092 ± 3.694, P<0.001), and headache intensity (4.110 ± 1.609 vs 4.290 ± 1.680, P<0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoking (OR = 1.397, 95% CI 1.090 to 1.790, P = 0.008) and getting support from family members during social isolation (OR = 1.656, 95% CI 1.075 to 2.550, P = 0.022) were independent factors affecting the reduction in the duration of headaches. Education level (OR = 1.478, 95% CI 1.103 to 1.980, P = 0.009) and having a relative or acquaintance who contracted COVID-19 (OR = 0.643, 95% CI 0.458 to 0.902, P = 0.011) were the independent factors affecting the reduction in headache severity. Living in the Wuhan area, having symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19 and having relatives or acquaintances who had contracted COVID-19 were associated with the worsening of headaches.

Conclusions

Participants experienced an overall trend towards the improvement of headaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family support might play an important role in the improvement of headaches.
Down-regulation of EGFL8 regulates migration, invasion and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through activating Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhang Fang-Yong , Tan Guo-Qian , Chen Wei-Jia , Huang Biao , Yan Lun , Zhang Hao-Lu , Chen Shi , Jiao Yang , Wang Bai-Lin
Published: June 2021

Background

Our previous studies have reported the down-regulation of EGFL8 correlates to the development and prognosis of colorectal and gastric cancer. The present study is carried out to explore the expression pattern and role of EGFL8 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods and materials

EGFL8 expression in 102 cases of HCC tissues matched with adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues, a normal liver cell line and three liver cancer cell lines with different metastatic capacity was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Moreover, the clinicopathological features and prognosis of HCC patients were correlated with expression of EGFL8. Subsequently, the gain-and loss-of-function experiments were carried out to investigate the biological function of EGFL8 in HCC. We also used N-[N-(3,5-Difluorophenacetyl-L-alanyl)]-(S)- phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), an inhibitor for Notch signaling pathway, in these experiments to verify the involvement of Notch signaling pathway in the effects of EGFL8. Additionally, a mouse model was established to investigate the effect of EGFL8 on metastasis of HCC cells. The expression of Notch signaling pathway in HCC cells and xenograft mouse tumors were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistory.

Results

The expression of EGFL8 was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines and EGFL8 down-regulation correlated to multiple nodules, vein invasion, high TNM stage and poor prognosis of HCC. Interestingly, the expression levels of EGFL8 in three liver cancer cell lines were negatively associated with their metastatic capacity. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that EGFL8 obviously suppressed metastasis and invasion of HCC cells but slightly promoted apoptosis. Meanwhile, the expression of Notch signaling pathway was obviously suppressed in EGFL8 overexpressed HCCLM3 cells and xenograft mouse tumors generated from these cells but markedly elevated in EGFL8 depleted Hep3B cells. Furthermore, the up-regulated expression of Notch signaling pathway and effects induced by EGFL8 knockdown in Hep3B cells could be counteracted by DAPT treatment.

Conclusion

The down-regulation of EGFL8 was correlated to progression and poor prognosis of HCC and regulates HCC cell migration, invasion and apoptosis through activating the Notch signaling pathway, suggesting EGFL8 as a novel therapeutic target and a potential prognostic marker for HCC.
The status of health promotion lifestyle and its related factors in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Huang Shusheng , Qu Xiaoyuan , Yin Aitian
Published: June 2021

Objectives

This study aims to explore the status of Shandong Province, China residents’ health promotion lifestyle and its influencing factors, especially to explore how health attitude affects health promotion lifestyle, thus can make targeted recommendations for health promotion in China and similar areas.

Methods

1800 adults were selected from urban and rural areas of Shandong Province, China, using multistage stratified, cluster random sampling method. A survey was conducted face-to-face from March to May, 2018, using Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile and Health Attitude Questionnaire. The between-group measured data were compared by One-way ANOVA or t-tests. The correlation between the health attitude and health promotion lifestyle was examined by Pearson correlation. Logistic regression model was used to examine the related factors influencing health promotion lifestyle. Health promotion lifestyle is the dependent variable, and gender, education level, annual family per capita income and health attitude are the independent variables.

Results

The mean (SD) of HPLP-IICR total score of the participants was 82.12(16.63). 54.50% of the participants had poor or average health promotion lifestyle, while 45.50% had good or excellent health promotion lifestyle. Significant differences existed in health promotion lifestyle among different gender, education level, income level, marital status, and health attitude (Ps < 0.001). Multivariable Logistic regression model found that male (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.12–0.34), high school education level (OR = 0.57, 95% CI:0.17–0.41), junior middle school & below (OR = 0.42; 95% CI:0.12–0.33), annual family per capita income with < 10,000 CNY (OR = 2.53, 95% CI:1.24–2.06; OR = 2.14, 95% CI:1.08–3.12), low health affection (OR = 0.39, 95% CI:2.15–4.22), and low health behavioral intention (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 2.33–5.29) were statistically significant correlates of average or poor health promotion lifestyle.

Conclusions

The health lifestyle needs to be further promoted in Shandong Province, China. The government and social sectors are encouraged to make more efforts to improve the accessibility and quality of health services. Meanwhile, individual responsibility cannot be ignored as well. More affective factors and operable measures should be added to enhance health affection and health behavioral intention, so as to enhance health promotion lifestyle.
Evaluation of blood and tooth element status in asthma cases: a preliminary case–control study
Authors: Yalçın S. Songül , Emiralioğlu Nagehan , Yalçın Suzan
Published: June 2021

Background

Asthma is a common respiratory disorder; some data were present on the correlation between increased levels of some elements and the risk of asthma development. It was aimed to evaluate the levels of 13 selected blood and tooth elements (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, lead, mercury) in a well-controlled asthma group and the control group.

Methods

During the study period, 17 asthma patients and 26 age and gender-matched healthy children donated shed deciduous teeth having neither decay nor filling and enrolled for the study. The element levels in blood and teeth matrixes were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Differences in blood and tooth elements in groups were evaluated with generalized linear models after adjusting confounding factors.

Results

After adjusting the child’s “z scores of body mass index for age”, history of iron deficiency anemia, and status of parental smoking, the generalized linear model revealed significantly lower tooth magnesium levels, lower blood zinc levels, and lower blood zinc/copper ratio in the asthma group than the control group (p = 0.042, p = 0.034, p = 0.002, respectively). Other studied elements for tooth and blood matrixes were similar in groups.

Conclusion

Our study revealed some differences in tooth and blood element levels in the asthma group. Further studies on zinc and magnesium levels of severe asthma cases are necessary for the interpretation of the results.