bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events” “A cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study: Tromsø 7”
Authors: Nermo Hege , Willumsen Tiril , Rognmo Kamilla , Thimm Jens , Wang Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson , Johnsen Jan-Are Kolset
Published: April 2021

Background The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of high dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic life events in an adult population.Method The study is based on cross-sectional questionnaire data from the 7th wave of the Tromsø Study, a study of the adult general population in the municipality of Tromsø carried out in 2015–2016. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety across potentially traumatic events, oral health, dental attendance (avoidance) and current mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Individuals with high and low dental anxiety scores were compared to investigate differences in the distribution of potentially traumatic events, current mental health symptoms, avoidance, sex and oral health, and hierarchical multivariable regression was used to study the influence of traumatic events on dental anxiety.Results High dental anxiety was reported by 2.9% of the sample and was most prevalent among women and in the youngest age groups. Individuals with high dental anxiety reported more current mental health symptoms, and they were more likely to report poorer oral health and more irregular dental visits compared to individuals with no or lower dental anxiety scores. Concerning traumatic life events, the reporting of painful or frightening dental treatment showed the biggest difference between those with high dental anxiety and low dental anxiety scores (a moderate effect). The hierarchical regression model indicated that reporting sexual abuse, traumatic medical treatment in hospital and childhood neglect significantly predicted dental anxiety in the step they were entered in, but only sexual abuse remained a significant individual contributor after controlling for current mental health symptoms.Conclusions The prevalence of high dental anxiety was lower than expected (2.9%), but dentally anxious individuals expressed a high burden of mental health symptoms, poor oral health and the avoidance of dental care. The regression analysis indicated that experiences with sexual abuse can also affect dental anxiety levels in the absence of generalised symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Face Masks may cause Visual Symptoms and Artifacts in Ophthalmic Patients
Authors: Ocansey Stephen , Akoto Yaw , Abraham Carl , Amoah-Smith Obed , Dzasimatu Selassie , Morny Enyam , Ntodie Micheal
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of mask wearing and the effect of masks on visual symptoms and clinical measurements in a sample of ophthalmic patients in Ghana. Methods: A clinic-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among ophthalmic patients who visited two primary care eye clinics in the Central Region of Ghana. Participants included 71 randomly sampled patients aged 18 years and above and consented to take part in the study. Their mean ages (SD) was 36.94±17.46 and they were made up of 27(38%) males and 44(62%) females. The patients responded to symptoms assessment questionnaire before their visual acuity (VA) for distance and near and IOPs with and without their face masks were measured. Results: The majority 45(63.4%) of the patients’ used fabric masks and 25(35.2%) reported ocular problems with the use of the masks. Of those who observed ocular problems, 8(32%) observed problems with the use of spectacles, and 5(20%) also observed problems with their vision. The mean difference in distance VA with and without face mask for the right eye was 0.08(0.36) and left eye was 0.05(0.25) MAR, indicating slight aberrations in vision. Mean differences in measurements with and without face masks were not statistically significantly different ( P < 0.05). A higher proportion of persons wearing KN95 experience nausea or headaches (ꭓ=18.610, p<0.001) and discomfort of wearing of nose mask (ꭓ=7.803, p=0.020). None of those wearing a fabric face mask reported of difficulty in accurately reaching for objects with the nose mask on. (ꭓ= 8.664, p=0.13). Conclusion: Face masks may exacerbate oculo-visual symptoms in ophthalmic patients, which practitioners must pay attention to.
Estimating Building Occupancy: A Machine Learning System for Day, Night and Episodic Events
Authors: Urban Marie , Stewart Robert , Basford Scott , Palmer Zachary , Kaufman Jason
Published: April 2021

Building occupancy research increasingly emphasizes understanding the social and physical dynamics of how people occupy space. Opportunities in the open source domain including social media, Volunteered Geographic Information, crowdsourcing, and sensor data have proliferated, resulting in the exploration of building occupancy dynamics at varying spatiotemporal scales. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, research into building occupancies through the development of a global learning framework that accommodates exploitation of open source authoritative sources, including governmental census and surveys, journal articles, real estate databases, and more, to report national and subnational building occupancies across the world continues through the Population Density Tables (PDT) project. This probabilistic learning system accommodates expert knowledge, experience, and open source data to capture local, socioeconomic, and cultural information about human activity. It does so through a systematic process of data harmonization techniques in the development of observation models for over 50 building types to dynamically update baseline models and report probabilistic diurnal and episodic building occupancy estimates. This discussion will explore how PDT is implemented at scale and expanded based on the development of observation model classes and will explain how to interpret and spatially apply the reported probability occupancy estimates and uncertainty.
Colossal Barocaloric Effects in The Complex Hydride Li2B12H12
Authors: Cazorla Claudio , Sau Kartik , Ikeshoji Tamio , Errandonea Daniel , Chu Dewei , Takagi Shigeyuki , Orimo Shin-ichi
Published: April 2021

Traditional refrigeration technologies based on compression cycles of greenhouse gases pose serious threats to the environment and cannot be downscaled to electronic device dimensions. Solid-state cooling exploits the thermal response of caloric materials to external fields and represents a promising alternative to current refrigeration methods. However, most of the caloric materials known to date present relatively small adiabatic temperature changes (|ΔT| ~ 1 K) and/or limiting irreversibility issues resulting from significant phase-transition hysteresis. Here, we predict the existence of colossal barocaloric effects (isothermal entropy changes of |ΔS| ~ 100 JK-1 kg-1) in the energy material Li2B12H12 by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, we estimate |ΔS| = 367 JK-1 kg-1 and |ΔT| = 23 K for an applied pressure of P = 0.1 GPa at T = 480 K. The disclosed colossal barocaloric effects are originated by an fairly reversible order-disorder phase transformation involving coexistence of Li+ diffusion and (BH)12-2 reorientational motion at high temperatures.
An Efficient Algorithm of the Unified Stochastic Particle Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook Method for the Simulation of Multi-Scale Gas Flows
Authors: Fei Fei , Ma Yang , Wu Jie , Zhang Jun
Published: April 2021

The unified stochastic particle method based on the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model (USP-BGK) has been proposed recently to overcome the low accuracy and efficiency of the traditional stochastic particle methods, such as the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, for the simulation of multi-scale gas flows. However, running with extra virtual particles and space interpolation, the previous USP-BGK method cannot be directly transplanted into the existing DSMC codes. In this work, the implementation of USP-BGK is simplified using new temporal evolution and spatial reconstruction schemes. As a result, the present algorithm of the USP-BGK method is similar to the DSMC method and can be implemented efficiently based on any existing DSMC codes just by modifying the collision module.
Perceptions of medical students and teachers to online medical education: online surveys in Eastern China
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Ying , Qian Wenyi , Yu Rongbin
Published: April 2021

Background: Due to the quarantine measures during the outbreak of COVID-19, medical schools in China had to shift to online education overnight. Researchers wanted to find out the underlying problems and issues worth exploring of online medical education in China so as to enlighten future improvement.Methods: Researchers distributed structured and self-administered surveys on “Wechat”and “Wenjuanxing”. 3 online surveys were given out to the medical students on Feb. 17, Feb. 24 and Mar. 20 and 1 online survey was distributed to the medical teachers on Mar. 20 in Eastern China. Results: 76.42% of the students were satisfied with online medical education and it hardly changed after a month. At first, the biggest challenge of learning online was the lagging platform. But as time passed by, it became the learning motivation. Most students thought it suitable to teach theoretical content online and inappropriate to teach practical classes online. The opinions of PBL, CBL and TBL online were divided. Only 36.27% courses had quiz. 12.40% courses were live-stream and 51.91% course teachers answered questions online. About four fifths parents would remind their children to study online. 69.27% of teachers chose to change or use more learning platforms online.80.61% of parents would remind their children to study online.Most student thought it necessary to re-teach after online education while most teachers did not think so.Conclusion: Generally speaking, the infrastructure in eastern China can meet the requirement of online medical education. Students were not sure whether online PBL, CBL and TBL education could fulfill the goal of the course. Lack of learning motivation was the biggest problem of learning online if the lagging platform issue was fixed. Teachers in China were not skilled enough to teach online. Online medical education efficacy evaluation of teachers and students was entirely different.
Improving water deficit tolerance of Salvia officinalis L. using putrescine
Authors: Mohammadi-Cheraghabadi Maryam , Modarres-Sanavy Seyed Ali Mohammad , Sefidkon Fatemeh , Rashidi-Monfared Sajad , Mokhtassi-Bidgoli Ali
Published: April 2021

To study the effects of foliar application of putrescine (distilled water (0), 0.75, 1.5, and 2.25 mM) and water deficit stress (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% available soil water depletion (ASWD)) on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes of sage, a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replications in the growth chamber. The results of qRT-PCR analysis showed that putrescine concentration, irrigation regime, and the two-way interaction between irrigation regime and putrescine concentration significantly influenced cineole synthase, sabinene synthase, and bornyl diphosphate synthase relative expression. The highest concentration of 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-thujone, β-thujone, cineole synthase, sabinene synthase, and bornyl diphosphate synthase were obtained in the irrigation regime of 80% ASWD with the application of 0.75 mM putrescine. There was high correlation between expression levels of the main monoterpenes synthase and the concentration of main monoterpenes. The observed correlation between the two enzyme activities of APX and CAT strongly suggests they have coordinated action. On the other hand, the highest PO and SOD concentrations were obtained with the application of 0.75 mM putrescine under the irrigation regime of 40% ASWD. Putrescine showed a significant increase in LAI and RWC under water deficit stress. There was an increasing trend in endogenous putrescine when putrescine concentration was increased in all irrigation regimes. Overall, the results suggest that putrescine may act directly as a stress-protecting compound and reduced H2O2 to moderate the capacity of the antioxidative system, maintain the membrane stability, and increase secondary metabolites under water deficit stress.
Prediction model for thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation: a retrospective study.
Authors: Ponomartseva Daria Aleksandrovna , Derevitskii Ilia Vladislavovich , Kovalchuk Sergey Valerevich , Babenko Alina Yurevna
Published: April 2021

Background: Thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation (TAF) is a recognized significant complication of hyperthyroidism. Early identification of the individuals predisposed to TAF would improve thyrotoxic patients’ management. However, to our knowledge, an instrument that establishes an individual risk of the condition is unavailable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to build a TAF prediction model and rank TAF predictors in order of importance. Methods: In this retrospective study, we have investigated 36 demographic and clinical features for 420 patients with overt hyperthyroidism, 30% of which had TAF. At first, the association of these features with TAF was evaluated by classical statistical methods. Then, we developed several TAF prediction models with eight different machine learning classifiers and compared them by performance metrics. The models included ten features that were selected based on their clinical effectuality and importance for model output. Finally, we ranked TAF predictors, elicited from the optimal final model, by the machine learning tehniques. Results: The best performance metrics prediction model was built with the extreme gradient boosting classifier. It had the reasonable accuracy of 84% and AUROC of 0.89 on the test set. The model confirmed such well-known TAF risk factors as age, sex, hyperthyroidism duration, heart rate and some concomitant cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension and conjestive heart rate). We also identified premature atrial contraction and premature ventricular contraction as new TAF predictors. The top five TAF predictors, elicited from the model, included (in order of importance) PAC, PVC, hyperthyroidism duration, heart rate during hyperthyroidism and age. Conclusions: We developed a machine learning model for TAF prediction. It seems to be the first available analytical tool for TAF risk assessment. In addition, we defined five most important TAF predictors, including premature atrial contraction and premature ventricular contraction as the new ones. These results have contributed to TAF prediction investigation and may serve as a basis for further research focused on TAF prediction improvement and facilitation of thyrotoxic patients’ management.
The effect of parenting experience during childhood on the later awareness of children’s rights: The mediating effects of self-esteem and emotional intelligence
Authors: LEE SEOYEON
Published: April 2021

A large body of literature has shown the close relationship between parents’ parenting attitudes and their parenting experiences during their own childhood. However, it is hard to find either theoretical or empirical studies explaining why and how such close relationships develop. This study fills this gap. To do so, we extensively review the related theories and hypothesize that mothers’ parenting experiences during their own childhood affect their later level of awareness of children’s rights through the mediation effects of two psychological factors: self-esteem and emotional intelligence. Applying structural equation modeling to a vast dataset acquired by surveying 1,011 Korean mothers we provide evidence that strongly supports the main hypothesis. We also find that this relationship holds in a roundabout way: while there is no direct relationship between mothers’ parenting experiences during childhood and their current level of awareness of children’s rights, the effects of the former on the latter are indirectly mediated by self-esteem and emotional intelligence. These findings may imply that psychological programs for parents can improve their emotional intelligence and self-esteem and thus improve their practices regarding children’s rights since psychological factors can change over one’s lifetime.
Use of Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents (LAMS) in the Management of Gastro Jejunostomy Stricture Following Roux En Y Gastric Bypass for Obesity.
Authors: Skidmore Adam Peter
Published: April 2021

Background Chronic strictures following Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) are a troublesome complication that can lead to significant morbidity. The use of stents has been described but the need for X-ray and risk of migration have meant limited use in the management of these strictures. Lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) have traditionally been used for management of pancreatic pseudocysts. They don’t require X-ray and are easy to deploy with a short learning curve. This paper explores the use of LAMS to treat post RYGB strictures and explores their safety and efficacy.MethodsA prospective study over a 4-year period looking at 14 patients with post RYGB strictures. These patients have been followed up for between 1 and 3 years. We have prospectively collected data on the efficacy and safety of LAMS in these patientsResults421 patients underwent RYGB in the study period. 14 of these patients developed a stricture that resulted in insertion of LAMS. There was no immediate complications and 12 patients had complete resolution of their stricture. There were no migration related issues.ConclusionLAMS are a safe and effective method to manage post RYGB strictures. They have a high rate of resolution of strictures and can be safely deployed across strictures with no immediate complication. Migration does not appear to be a problem. Insertion is straightforward and doesn’t appear to be associated with a long learning curve.
Teacrine Does Not Enhance Physical Performance or Training Status Over 8 Weeks
Authors: Cerqueira Henrique Santa Capita , Filho Hugo Tourinho , Junior Marcos Corrêa , Junior Carlos Eduardo Martinelli
Published: April 2021

Background: Fatigue is a condition that may affect physical performance during training sessions. Consequently, this will impact training performance, moreover in the performance of the individual in long-term. Caffeine is broadly utilized to this purpose, however contains several side effects. Thus, teacrine emerges as an alternative to the use of caffeine, providing the same benefits without the side effects. Thus, the current work had as an objective to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of supplementation with teacrine on physical performance and the training status of young amateur athletes. Methods: 22 subjects were divided into two groups – Teacrine Group (T) and Placebo Group (P) – and evaluated before and after the intervention period. Evaluations included physical tests and hormonal doses of IGF-I and IGFBP-3, utilized as markers of training status. Results: Results demonstrated that teacrine was not capable of promoting benefits in relation to physical performance of the subjects. Neither produced effects on serum secretion of IGF-I and its binding protein, IGFBP-3.Conclusion: Therefore, the findings of the present study do not support the use of teacrine for the purpose of increasing physical performance.
Intratumoral Administration of Astatine-211-labeled Gold Nanoparticle for Alpha Therapy
Authors: Kato Hiroki , Huang Xuhao , Kadonaga Yuichiro , Katayama Daisuke , Ooe Kazuhiro , Shimoyama Atsushi , Kabayama Kazuya , Toyoshima Atsushi , Shinohara Atsushi , Hatazawa Jun , Fukase Koichi
Published: April 2021

Background: 211At is a high-energy α-ray emitter with a relatively short half-life and a high cytotoxicity for cancer cells. Its dispersion can be imaged using clinical scanners, and it can be produced in cyclotrons without the use of nuclear fuel material. This study investigated the biodistribution and the antitumor effect of 211At-labeled gold nanoparticles (211At-AuNP) administered intratumorally.Results: AuNP with a diameter of 5, 13, 30, or 120 nm that had been modified with poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) thiol and labeled with 211At (211At-AuNP-S-mPEG) were incubated with tumor cells, or intratumorally administered to C6 glioma or PANC-1 pancreatic cancers subcutaneously transplanted into rodent models. Systemic and intratumoral distributions of the particles in the rodents were then evaluated using scintigraphy and autoradiography, and the changes in tumor volumes were followed for about 40 days. 211At-AuNP-S-mPEG was cytotoxic when it was internalized by the tumor cells. After intratumoral administration, 211At-AuNP-S-mPEG became localized in the tumor and did not spread to systemic organs during a time period equivalent to 6 half-lives of 211At. Tumor growth was strongly suppressed for both C6 and PANC-1 by 211At-AuNP-S-mPEG. In the C6 glioma model, the strongest antitumor effect was observed in the group treated with 211At-AuNP-S-mPEG with a diameter of 5 nm. Conclusions: The intratumoral single administration of a simple nanoparticle, 211At-AuNP-S-mPEG, was shown to suppress the growth of tumor tissue strongly in a particle size-dependent manner without radiation exposure to other organs caused by systemic spread of the radionuclide.
Changes in immune Cell Types in Breast Suggest a Decline in Immune Surveillance and Increased Immunosuppression with Age
Authors: Zirbes Arrianna , Joseph Jesuchristopher , Lopez Jennifer C , Sayaman Rosalyn W , Basam Mudaser , Seewaldt Victoria L , LaBarge Mark A
Published: April 2021

Background : A majority of breast cancers (BC) are age-related and we seek to determine what cellular and molecular changes occur in breast tissue with age that make women more susceptible to cancer initiation. Immune-epithelial cell interactions are important during mammary gland development and the immune system plays an important role in BC progression. The composition of human immune cell populations is known to change in peripheral blood with age and in breast tissue during BC progression. Less is known about changes in immune populations in normal breast tissue and how their interactions with mammary epithelia change with age. Methods : We quantified densities of T cells, B cells, and macrophage subsets in pathologically normal breast tissue from 122 different women who ranged in age from 24 to 74 years old. Donor-matched peripheral blood from a subset of 20 donors was analyzed by flow cytometry. Tissue immune cell densities and localizations relative to the epithelium were quantified in situ with machine learning-based analyses of multiplex immunohistochemistry-stained tissue sections. In situ results were corroborated with flow cytometry analyses of peri-epithelial immune cells from primary organoid preparations and transcriptome analyses of public data from bulk tissue reduction mammoplasties. Results : Proportions of immune cell subsets in breast tissue and donor-matched peripheral blood were not correlated. Density (cells/mm 2 ) of T and B lymphocytes in situ decreased with age. T cells and macrophages preferentially localized near or within epithelial bilayers, rather than the intralobular stroma. M2:M1 macrophage ratio increased with age and was accompanied by an increased density of M2 in the intralobular stroma. Transcriptional signature analyses suggested age-dependent decline in adaptive immune cell populations and functions and increased innate immune cell activity. Conclusions : T cells and macrophages are so intimately associated with the epithelia that they are embedded within the bilayer, suggesting an important role for immune-epithelial cell interactions. Age-associated decreased T cell density in peri-epithelial regions, and increased M2 macrophage density in intralobular stroma suggests the emergence of a tissue microenvironment that is simultaneously immune-senescent and immunosuppressive with age .
Biogeochemical Feedbacks to Ocean Acidification in a Cohesive Photosynthetic Sediment
Authors: Vopel Kay , Marshall Alexis , Brandt Shelly , Hartland Adam , Lee Charles K , Cary S. Craig , Pilditch Conrad A
Published: April 2021

Ecosystem feedbacks in response to ocean acidification can amplify or diminish the diel pH oscillations that characterize productive coastal waters. We report that benthic microalgae generate such oscillations in the porewater of cohesive sediment and ask how carbonation (acidification) of the overlying seawater alters these in the absence and presence of biogenic calcite. To do so, we placed a 1-mm layer of ground oyster shells (Treatment) or sand (Control) onto intact sediment cores free of large dwelling fauna, and then gradually increased the pCO2 in the seawater above half of the Treatment and Control cores from 472 to 1216 μatm (pH 8.0 to 7.6, CO2:HCO3- from 4.8 to 9.6 x 10-4). Vertical porewater [O2] and [H+] microprofiles measured 16 d later showed that this carbonation had decreased O2 penetration in all cores, indicating a metabolic response. In carbonated seawater: (1) sediment biogeochemical processes added and removed more H+ to and from the porewater in darkness and light, respectively, than in ambient seawater increasing the amplitude of the dark–light porewater [H+] oscillations, and (2) the dissolution of calcite decreased the porewater [H+] below that in overlying seawater, reversing the dark sediment–seawater H+ flux and decreasing the amplitude of diel [H+] oscillations. This dissolution did not, however, counter the negative effect of carbonation on sediment O2 penetration. We hypothesise that the latter effect and the observed enhanced acidification of the sediment porewater were caused by an ecosystem feedback: a CO2-induced increase in the microbial reoxidation of reduced solutes with O2.
Initial combination therapy with macitentan and tadalafil in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Marinescu Daniel , Christiansen David , Thenganatt John , Granton John Thomas
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Initial combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil has been demonstrated superior to either agent alone in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). More recently, the OPTIMA trial showed efficacy of another combination of endothelin receptor antagonist and phosphodiesterase 5-inhibitor, macitentan and tadalafil, as initial therapy for PAH. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of macitentan and tadalafil in a real-world clinical setting.Methods: This single centre, retrospective cohort study identified adult patients newly diagnosed with PAH between January 2014 and December 2017 who were started on macitentan and tadalafil. Patients were retrospectively followed for one year. Effectiveness was evaluated via change from baseline in disease risk profile based on a validated score incorporating World Health Organization functional class, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and hemodynamics on follow-up right heart catheterization. Secondary endpoints included change in 6MWD, BNP, and hemodynamic variables. Drug tolerability and adverse events were assessed.Results: The cohort included 46 patients, 8 of whom (17%) did not tolerate and discontinued either macitentan or tadalafil. Median time to follow-up was 161 days (IQR 72). 42% of patients with an initially moderate or high risk disease profile improved to low risk. Secondary endpoints showed a reduction in the geometric mean of pulmonary vascular resistance of 45% (95% CI 29, 57%) and improvement in 6MWD of 88m (95% CI 27, 148m).Conclusion: In a real-world setting, macitentan and tadalafil as initial combination therapy for PAH was well tolerated and yielded clinical benefit.
Adaptive Parameter Modulation of Deep Brain Stimulation in a Computational Model of Basal Ganglia-thalamic Network
Authors: Zhu Yulin , Wang Jiang , Chang Siyuan , Li Huiyan , Deng Bin , Liu Chen
Published: April 2021

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven to be an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Adaptive control strategies offer the potential to improve efficacy, limit side effects and save battery consumption via reducing the total amount of stimulation delivered. However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of DBS for PD remain poorly understood and are still under debate, which has hindered the development of closed-loop DBS. And during the chronically implanted phase, adaptive DBS needs to be further improved to maintain its advantages. In the design of new adaptive DBS, more insights into inaccuracies when establishing mathematical basal ganglia model, unknown external disturbance signal and dynamics of focal area should be considered. A controlled auto-regressive moving average is used as the representative description of stimulus-response relationship based on recursive extended least square method, where stimulation signal is applied to subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the feedback signal is selected as local field potential signal from globus pallidus (GPi). The generalized minimum variance algorithm is used for online update of stimulation frequency and amplitude in a closed-loop manner. Simulation results illustrated the efficiency of the proposed closed-loop stimulation methods in disrupting the aberrant beta band oscillation and restore normal firing pattern when compared with the PD state. Robustness of the adaptive algorithm was further verified through dynamic change of illness state.
Material Removal Rate of Double-faced Mechanical Polishing of 4H-SiC Substrate
Authors: Zhang Peng , Yang Jingfang , Qiu Huadong
Published: April 2021

Silicon carbide (SiC) has been a promising the-third-generation semiconductor power device material for high-power, high-temperature, substrate applications. It aims to improve the material removal rate (MRR), on the premise of ensuring the surface roughness requirements of the double-faced mechanical polishing of 6-inch SiC substrate. To obtain the relationship between any point on SiC substrate and polishing pads, the model about double-faced mechanical polishing has been built and the kinematics equations were created. Best optimized material removal rate parameters were obtained. MRR reached the maximum when speed rate of the outside ring gear to the inside sun gear m=-1, speed rate of lower plate to the inside sun gear n=5, SiC substrate distribution radius RB=75. The primary and secondary order of MRR (n>m>RB) was obtained. An accurate mathematical model of orthogonal rotary regression test of Tri-factor quadratic of MRR was established and the regression model was significant. Surface quality of SiC substrate was observed and characterized with SEM and AFM. It greatly provides a key guarantee for the next process of CMP, confirmed the importance of MRR to ultra-smooth polishing, and provides a guarantee for its application in semiconductor equipment and technology.
The effect of N-acetyl cysteine injection on renal function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery : A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zadeh Fatemeh Javaherforoosh , Shaker Zahra , Rashidi Mahboobeh , Akhondzadeh Reza , Hayati Fatemeh
Published: April 2021

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of N-acetyl cysteine on renal function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Method: In this randomized clinical trial conducted in Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, 60 candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery were selected and divided into two N-acetyl cysteine and control groups (30 people each).Intervention: Patients received 3 (2 intraoperative and 1 postoperative) doses of IV N-acetyl cysteine (100 mg/kg) (n=30) or placebo (n=30) over 24 hour. Prescription times were as follows: after induction of anesthesia, in the Next 4 hours, and in the 16 hours after on. Primary outcomes were serum levels of BUN and Cr, at baseline,4 and 48 hours after surgery. And also need renal replacement therapy (RRT). Secondary outcomes included the hemodynamic variables, Blood products transfusionResults: There were significant differences in BUN between groups at 4 h (P= 0.02) and 48h after surgery (P=0.001) There were significant differences in Cr level between groups at 4 h (P <0.001) and 48h after surgery (P=0.001). MAP at different times (at 4h p=0.002 and 48h after surgery P<0.001) were significantly different between the two groups. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the unit of Packed cell transfusion (P=0.002) and FFP transfusion (P<0.001).Conclusion: In the present study, we found that administration of N-acetyl cysteine can reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery and improved kidney functions.Trial registry: IRCT20190506043492N3 Registered at 2020.06.07
Bilirubin Adsorption Versus Plasma Exchange for Hyperbilirubinemia in Patients After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kan Ke , Zhang He , Zhong Kai , Zhang Haitao , Li Zeshi , Chen Zhong , Gu Suping , Xie Man , Pan Tuo , Cao Hailong , Wang Dongjin
Published: April 2021

Objective: Hyperbilirubinemia after cardiac surgery increases in-hospital mortality and is associated with poor prognosis. Our present study aimed to compare the efficacy of bilirubin adsorption (BA) and plasma exchange (PEX) in patients with hyperbilirubinemia after cardiac surgery.Methods: We retrospectively included patients who underwent BA treatment or PEX treatment due to severe hyperbilirubinemia after cardiac surgery in our center from 2015 to 2020. We collected examinations of urine and liver function before and after treatment and compared the in-hospital mortality and morbidity between two treatment groups. Results: A total of 56 patients were enrolled in this study, 14 patients received BA treatment and 42 patients received PEX treatment. BA group provided a statistically significant reduction in the TBil (p=0.016) and DBil (p=0.036) compared to PEX group. The in-hospital mortality was 85.7% (48/56) in the whole group, BA group had lower mortality than PEX group (71.4% vs. 90.5%, p=0.078). BA group showed better circulatory support, including lower risks of IABP (21.4% vs. 52.4%, p=0.044), ECMO (21.4% vs. 50.0%, p=0.061), re-intubation (64.3% vs. 40.5%, p=0.122) and ventricular arrhythmias (64.3% vs. 45.2%, p=0.217). The in-hospital mortality was still lower in BA treatment group than PEX treatment group (71.4% vs. 100%, p=0.049) in matched cohort.Conclusions: BA treatment had higher removal ability of bilirubin in patients with hyperbilirubinemia and could reduce the mortality and risks of poor clinical outcomes compared to PEX treatment. BA treatment should be considered as an effective treatment method for patients with higher TBil level or Dbil level.
Associations Between The Spiritual Well-Being (EORTC QLQ-SWB32) and Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30) of Patients Receiving Palliative Care for Cancer in Cyprus
Authors: Kyranou Maria , Nicolaou Marianna
Published: April 2021

Background: Spiritual well-being is increasingly investigated in relation to patients’ perceived quality of life and is generally thought as having the potential to support patients with cancer who receive palliative care. Until recently, questionnaires used to assess spiritual well-being were developed mainly in the US. The purpose of this study was to translate and use the EORTC- SWB32, a newly developed tool, validated recently in 4 continents, 14 countries, and in 10 languages, to explore relationships of spiritual well-being with quality of life in patients with cancer.Methods: One hundred four patients participated in this study with an average age of 59 years. Of those, 79% were dealing with metastatic cancer. Data collection took place in three oncology centers from two large cities in Cyprus. The acceptability of the translated items was tested. Two questionnaires were employed for the assessment of quality of life and spiritual well-being, developed by the same organization: the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-SWB32. The scores for each tool were analyzed separately and correlations between the two measures were explored. Results: Patients found the items of the SWB32 tool easy to understand and answer. They attested that filling the questionnaire prompted thoughts about their own spirituality. The mean score for Global Spiritual Well-Being was 60.4 (SD=23.7) and it was associated with the mean scores in the scales “Emotional functioning” and “Cognitive functioning” of the EORTC-QOL-C30 (0.42 and 0.40 respectively, p<0.01). The mean score for the “Relationship with God” scale (74.9, SD=29.7) reported by the Cypriot patients is high and compatible with the homogenous spiritual orientation of the island’s population.Conclusions: All subscales of the SWB32 tool demonstrated good internal consistency in this study. Significant associations were observed between dimensions of quality of life and spiritual well-being. Additionally, the participants found the items easy to answer consistent with the tool’s suggested clinical utility which lays the ground for the application of targeted interventions to enhance spiritual well-being.
Sex-Specific Differences and How to Handle Them in Early Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Passia Evangelia , Vis Marijn , Coates Laura , Soni Anuska , Tchetverikov Ilja , Gerards Andreas , Kok Marc , Vos Petra , Korswagen Lindy-Ann , Fodili Fouzia , Ruiterman Yvonne , Kaap Jos van der , Oosterhout Maikel van , Luime Jolanda
Published: April 2021

Objectives:The prevalence of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is the same in men and women, however, the latter experience a higher burden of disease and are affected more frequently by polyarthritis. Here, we performed an early PsA cohort analysis to assess sex-related differences in demographics, disease characteristics and evolution over 1 year including applied treatment strategies. Methods:Our study is embedded in the Dutch south-west Early Psoriatic Arthritis cohoRt. We described patient characteristics and treatment decisions. For the comparison across sexes and baseline and 1 year follow up, appropriate tests depending on the distribution were used. Results:273 men and 294 women with no significant differences in age and ethnicity were included. Women reported significantly longer duration of symptoms before diagnosis and significantly higher tender joint count, a higher disease activity, higher levels of pain and lower functional capacity. Although minimal disease activity (MDA) rates increased over time for both sexes, MDA remained significantly more prevalent among men at one year (58.1% vs 35.7%, p<0.00). Initially, treatment strategies were similar in both sexes with Methotrexate being the most frequently used drug during the first year. Women received Methotrexate for a shorter period [196(93-364) vs 306(157-365), p<0.00] and therefore received a lower cumulative dose compared to men. Retention time was shorter for all DMARDs and women had a delayed start on b-DMARDs. Conclusion:After 1 year of standard-of-care treatment women didn’t surpass their baseline disadvantages. Despite the overall improvement, they still presented higher disease activity, higher levels of pain and lower functional capacity score than men. The nature of these findings may advocate a need for sex specific adjustment of treatment strategies and evaluation in early PsA patients.
Tumor Protein D52 Is Upregulated in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells Under Hypoxia in a Hypoxia-inducible-factor-independent Manner and Is Involved in Cell Death Resistance
Authors: Abe Yuzo , Mukudai Yoshiki , Kurihara Mai , Houri Asami , Chikuda Junichiro , Yaso Atsutoshi , Kato Kosuke , Shimane Toshikazu , Shirota Tatsuo
Published: April 2021

Background. Tumor protein D52 (TPD52) reportedly plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, and is expressed strongly at the center of the tumor, where the microenvironment is hypoxic. Thus, the present study investigated the roles of TPD52 in the survival and death of OSCC cells under hypoxia, and the relationship with hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). We examined the expression of TPD52 in OSCC cells under hypoxic conditions and analyzed the effects of HIF on the modulation of TPD52 expression. Finally, the combinational effects of TPD52 knockdown and HIF inhibition were investigated both in vitro and in vivo.Results. The mRNA and protein levels of TPD52 increased in OSCC cells under hypoxia. However, the increase was independent of HIF transcription. Importantly, the observation was due to upregulation of mRNA stability by binding of mRNA to T-cell intercellular antigen (TIA) 1 and TIA-related protein (TIAR). Simultaneous knockdown of TPD52 and inhibition of HIF significantly reduced cell viability. In addition, the in vivo tumor-xenograft experiments showed that TPD52 acts as an autophagy inhibitor caused by a decrease in p62.Conclusions. This study showed that the expression of TPD52 increases in OSCC cells under hypoxia in a HIF-independent manner and plays an important role in the proliferation and survival of the cells in concordance with HIF, suggesting that novel cancer therapeutics might be led by TPD52 suppression.
Echocardiography at Bedside For Predicting Mortality of COVID-19 Patients Beyond Clinical Data – Data From the PROVAR-COVID Study
Authors: Pimentel Sander Luiz Gomes , Nascimento Bruno Ramos , Franco Juliane , Oliveira Kaciane Krauss Bruno , Fraga Clara Leal , Macedo Frederico Vargas Botinha , Raso Leonardo Arruda Moraes , Ávila Renata Eliane de , Santos Luiza Pereira Afonso , Rocha Rodrigo Tavares Lanna , Oliveira Renan Mello , Barbosa Márcia Melo , Sable Craig , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz Pinho , Beaton Andrea Zawacki , Nunes Maria Carmo Pereira
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Cardiac involvement seems to impact prognosis of COVID-19, being more frequent in critically ill patients. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, evaluated by bedside echocardiography (echo), in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Methods

Patients admitted in 2 reference hospitals in Brazil from Jul to Sept/2020 with confirmed COVID-19 and moderate/severe presentations underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation, and focused bedside echo (GE Vivid-IQ), at the earliest convenience, with remote interpretation. The association between demographics, clinical comorbidities and echo variables with all-cause hospital mortality was assessed, and factors significant at p < 0.10 were put into multivariable models.
Results

Total 163 patients were enrolled, mean age was 64 ± 16 years, 59% were men and 107 (66%) were admitted to intensive care. Comorbidities were present in 144 (88%) patients: hypertension 115 (71%), diabetes 61 (37%) and heart failure 22 (14%). In-hospital mortality was 34% (N = 56). In univariate analysis, echo variables significantly associated with death were: LV ejection fraction (LVEF, OR = 0.94), RV fractional area change (OR = 0.96), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, OR = 0.83) and RV dysfunction (OR = 5.3). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for clinical and demographic variables, independent predictors of mortality were age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.01–1.10, p = 0.023), LVEF (OR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.91–1.00, p = 0.48) and TAPSE (OR = 0.76, 95%CI 0.63–0.91, p = 0.005). The final model had good discrimination, with C-statistic = 0.78 (95%CI 0.68–0.88).
Conclusion

Markers of RV and LV dysfunction assessed by bedside echo are independent predictors of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, after adjustment for clinical variables.
The Importance Of A Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service In General Hospitals: A Brazilian 6-Years Experience
Authors: Konno Yoichi Takaki , Faria Fernanda Menezes de , Seno Gisele Zocoller , Sguerri Vinicius dos Santos , Olmos Ana Carolina Gonçalves , Oliveira Marília Capuço , Lazzaro Celina Dias e Santos , Filho Gerardo Maria Araújo
Published: April 2021

Background: The importance of consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) services have been progressively growing in all general hospitals.Methods: Data were collected from medical records of patients treated by the CLP service, from 2014 to 2020, including clinical-demographic data, characteristics of hospitalization, reason for request, treatment plan, and clinical outcome. For these analyses, the chi-square test, z-test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. The level of significance was set at 5%.Results: A total of 2,742 consultation requests were evaluated by the psychiatry team. The number of requests made grew by 109.64% over the years. In 58.21% of cases, the patient was in the ward, and 33% were requested by Internal Medicine. There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) in the distribution of reasons for request according to patients' characterization variables.Conclusions: This study sought to analyze the functioning and growth of CLP in a tertiary Brazilian general hospital. The present findings reinforce the importance of this service and the need to implement and develop CLP in general hospitals.
Torsiflex: an automatic generator of torsional conformers. Application to the twenty proteinogenic amino acids
Authors: Ferro-Costas David , Mosquera-Lois Irea , Fernandez-Ramos Antonio
Published: April 2021

In this work, we introduce TorsiFlex, a user-friendly software written in Python 3 and designed to find all the torsional conformers of flexible acyclic molecules in an automatic fashion. For the mapping of the torsional potential energy surface, the algorithm implemented in TorsiFlex combines two searching strategies: preconditioned and stochastic. The former is a type of systematic search based on chemical knowledge and should be carried out before the stochastic (random) search. The algorithm applies several validation tests to accelerate the exploration of the torsional space. For instance, the optimized structures are stored and this information is used to prevent revisiting these points and their surroundings in future iterations. TorsiFlex operates with a dual-level strategy by which the initial search is carried out at an inexpensive electronic structure level of theory and the located conformers are reoptimized at a higher level. Additionally, the program takes advantage of conformational enantiomerism, when possible. As a case study, and in order to exemplify the effectiveness and capabilities of this program, we have employed TorsiFlex to locate the conformers of the twenty proteinogenic amino acids in their neutral canonical form. TorsiFlex has produced a number of conformers that roughly doubles the amount of the most complete work to date.