bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exosome Component 4 Promotes Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion via the Wnt Pathway
Authors: Xiong Chang , Sun Zhongfeng , Yu Jinjin , Lin Yaying 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundOf gynecologic malignancies, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death, mainly due to the lack of sensitive tumor markers, which means it almost always presents at an advanced stage. Exosome Component 4 (EXOSC4) is involved in RNA degradation, but its role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unclear.MethodsThe expression levels of EXOSC4 in EOC and normal ovarian tissue specimens were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with EOC were evaluated after patients were classified into high and low EXOSC4 expression groups, and the Cox regression model was established to identify independent predictors of patient prognosis. The effects of EXOSC4 on proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion were examined in the SKOV-3 and HO8910 cell lines by lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle changes. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and c-myc were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression levels of β-catenin, cyclin D1, CDK4, c-myc, vimentin, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin were assessed by western blot. Wnt/β-catenin activation was measured by TCF/LEF reporter assay.ResultsEXOSC4 was significantly elevated in EOC tissues and cell lines. High EXOSC4 expression was correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and pathological grade, and identified as an independent predictor of shorter OS and PFS. EXOSC4 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion in EOC cell lines. Cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase after EXOSC4 knockdown. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and c-myc were decreased. β-catenin, cyclin D1, CDK4, c-myc, vimentin, and N-cadherin protein expression levels were reduced, while those of E-cadherin was increased. Wnt/β-catenin activity was suppressed after the EXOSC4 knockdown.ConclusionsEXOSC4 is involved in EOC. Knockdown of EXOSC4 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of EOC by suppressing the Wnt pathway. EXOSC4 is expected to be a novel biomarker and molecular target in EOC.
COVID-19: A New Horizon in Congenital Heart Diseases
Authors: Aghaei Moghadam Ehsan , Mohammadzadeh Shabnam , Sattarzadeh Badkoubeh Roya , Ghamari Azin , Rabbani Ali , Mohebbi Ali , Zeinaloo Aliakbar , Ashrafi Mahmoudreza , Kamran Niyoosha , Masoominasab Paniz , Mahmoudi Zahra , Zamani Mehryan Asma , Mirzaaghayan Mohammad Reza 
Published: December 2021

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that both children and adult patients with a history of congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study investigates the status of COVID-19 infection among children undergoing surgical repair within the past 2 years.Methods: All alive patients operated on in a tertiary referral center between March 2018 and March 2020 were recruited in the present study. Detailed demographics, past medical and surgical history, and physical examination were reviewed for each patient. During the COVID-19 pandemic, data regarding the patient's status were collected by telephone survey from April 15 to April 30, 2020.Results: A total number of 210 patients are analyzed in this study. Participants' median age was 21.59 months [interquartile range (IQR) = 12–54.67], and 125 (59.5%) were female. The median interval between surgery and COVID-19 assessment was 305 days (IQR = 215–400). In addition, 67 (32%) patients used angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (spironolactone and/or captopril). Sixteen patients (7.6%) were symptomatic and had positive chest CT results and/or RT-PCR compared to the previously reported prevalence of COVID-19 among the pediatric population (2.4% of children with &lt;18 years of age); the prevalence of COVID-19 among the patients operated on due to CHD in the present study was significantly higher (p = 0.00012). Two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU); one patient was discharged 2 weeks later with acceptable status, and one patient died 2 days after ICU admission due to cardiac and respiratory arrest and myocarditis. The complexity of the underlying cardiac disorders was not different between patients with low risk (p = 0.522), suspicious patients (p = 0.920), and patients positive for COVID-19 (p = 0.234). The ARB/ACE inhibitor consumption was not associated with the COVID-19 infection [p = 0.527, crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.407, 95% CI = 0.489–4.052].Conclusion: Children with a history of previous CHD surgery are more susceptible to infections, especially those infections with pulmonary involvements, as the lung involvement could cause worsening of the patient's condition by aggravating pulmonary hypertension. The results of the current study indicate that these patients are more prone to COVID-19 infection compared to the healthy children population.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Routinely Available Biomarkers to Predict Bacteremia in Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Secondary Analysis of the GPIP/ACTIV Pneumonia Study in France, 2009–2018
Authors: Dudognon Danaé , Levy Corinne , Chalumeau Martin , Biscardi Sandra , Dommergues Marie-Aliette , Dubos François , Levieux Karine , Aurel Marie , Minodier Philippe , Zenkhri Ferielle , Mezgueldi Ellia , Craiu Irina , Morin Laurence , Béchet Stéphane , Varon Emmanuelle , Cohen Robert , Cohen Jérémie F. ,   The Pneumonia Study Group
Published: December 2021

Objective(s): Blood cultures (BC), when performed in children seen in the emergency department with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), are most of the time sterile. We described the diagnostic accuracy of white blood cells (WBC), absolute neutrophils count (ANC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) to predict blood culture (BC) result in childhood CAP.Study Design: Secondary analysis of a prospective study carried out in eight pediatric emergency departments (France, 2009–2018), including children (≤15 years) with CAP. Analyses involved univariate comparisons and ROC curves.Results: We included 13,752 children with CAP. BC was positive in 137 (3.6%) of the 3,829 children (mean age 3.7 years) in whom it was performed, mostly with Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 107). In children with bacteremia, ANC, CRP and PCT levels were higher (median 12,256 vs. 9,251/mm3, 223 vs. 72 mg/L and 8.6 vs. 1.0 ng/mL, respectively; p ≤ 0.002), but WBC levels were not. The area under the ROC curve of PCT (0.73 [95%CI 0.64–0.82]) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) than that of WBC (0.51 [0.43–0.60]) and of ANC (0.55 [0.46–0.64]), but not than that of CRP (0.66 [0.56–0.76]; p = 0.21). CRP and PCT thresholds that provided a sensitivity of at least 90% were 30 mg/L and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively, for a specificity of 25.4 and 23.4%, respectively. CRP and PCT thresholds that provided a specificity of at least 90% were 300 mg/L and 20 ng/mL, respectively, for a sensitivity of 31.3 and 28.9%, respectively.Conclusions: PCT and CRP are the best routinely available predictive biomarkers of bacteremia in childhood CAP.
Polarization-Singular Approach to Imaging Mueller-Matrix Polarimetry in the Differential Diagnosis of Histological Sections of Biopsy of Tumors of the Uterus and Prostate
Authors: Dubolazov A. , Ushenko V. , Trifonyuk L. , Stashkevich A. , Soltys I. , Ushenko Y. , Tomka Y. , Ushenko A. , Gantyuk V. , Gorodensky P. 
Published: December 2021

The possibilities of the diagnostic use of the singular approach of the distributions of the number of characteristic values of the MMI is effective for differentiating the polarization properties of histological biopsy sections of benign and malignant tumours of the uterus and prostate. Within the framework of evidence-based medicine, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the azimuthal-invariant express (∼15 min) method of Mueller-matrix mapping of polarization-singular states in the differential diagnosis of uterine myoma and adenocarcinoma, as well as adenocarcinoma of the prostate with varying degrees of differentiation have been determined.
The Effectiveness of Technology-Based Interventions for Reducing Loneliness in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Jin Wenjing , Liu Yihong , Yuan Shulin , Bai Ruhai , Li Xuebin , Bai Zhenggang 
Published: December 2021

Objective: To systematically analyze the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for reducing loneliness in older adults.Methods: We searched relevant electronic databases from inception to April 2021, which included Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink, EMBASE, CNKI, and Wanfang. The following criteria were used: (i) study design—randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs, (ii) people—older adults (aged ≥ 60 years), (iii) intervention—technology-based interventions in which a core component involved the use of technology to reduce loneliness in older adults; and (iv) outcome—reduction of loneliness level in terms of rating scale scores. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. A third reviewer resolved any conflicts. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias for the included studies, and Review Manager 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis. A random effects model was adopted to measure estimates of loneliness reduction, and standard mean differences (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each intervention-control contrast, and the I2 statistic was applied to examine heterogeneity.Results: A total of 391 participants from six RCTs were included in the review. Of these, three studies were rated as low-quality, and the remaining three were rated as moderate-quality studies. The meta-analysis showed that the evidence regarding the effects on loneliness of technology-based interventions compared with control groups was uncertain, and suggested that technology-based interventions resulted in little to no difference in loneliness reduction compared to control groups (SMD = −0.08, 95% CI −0.33 to 0.17, p = 0.53). Two types of technology-based interventions were identified: smartphone-based video calls and computer-based training with Internet usage. The subgroup analysis found low-quality evidence to support the effectiveness of both intervention types (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI −0.25 to 0.24, p = 0.95, and SMD = −0.38, 95% CI −0.19, 0.64, p = 0.47, respectively).Conclusions: We found no current evidence to support that technology-based interventions were effective compared to different control conditions in reducing loneliness in older adults. This suggests that more research is needed to investigate the effects of technology-based interventions on loneliness in older adults.
Development of a Social Communication Questionnaire (QSC-ID) for People With Intellectual Disability in a Deaf Sample: A Pilot and Feasibility Study
Authors: Weber Chantal , Weber Christoph , Fellinger Johannes , Holzinger Daniel 
Published: December 2021

Background: Social communication (SC) includes the use and interpretation of verbal and non-verbal messages within a social context and thus requires more than knowledge of language. Social communication skills are essential for connecting and engaging with others, and SC deficits are often associated with emotional and behavioral problems. There is a lack of feasible instruments for assessing SC skills in individuals with intellectual disability (ID).Methods: A questionnaire on social communication in adults with ID (QSC-ID) comprising 20 Likert-scaled items was developed and completed on behalf of participants (n = 52) from three Austrian therapeutic living communities for people with ID and deafness by their living- and working-facility key caregivers. The sample of adults with hearing loss was considered ideal for the development of a measure of SC that is not restricted to a specific communication mode or overly related with language skills.Results: The preliminary results showed high construct validity. Correlations were high between SC and language, social skills, and severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate between SC and adaptive skills, and non-verbal intelligence and, as expected, low between SC and motor skills. Interrater reliability was found to be good or at least acceptable for all items. Total raw scores were well-distributed over the whole range—Cut-offs based on the 10th and 20th percentile are suggested to identify atypical and borderline SC skills. Caregiver feedback and completeness of data suggest that the questionnaire is highly feasible.Conclusion: Questionnaire on social communication in adults with ID is an easy-to-use caregiver-reported questionnaire for use with individuals with mild to severe forms of ID. Initial testing of validity looks promising. Further validation in populations with typical hearing is required. Due to substantial correlations between SC and structural language skills the calculation of specific SC cut-offs for different levels of linguistic skills should be considered when sufficient data is available.
Explaining Chinese Reactions to COVID-19 During the Outbreak: A Systematic Illustration
Authors: Yuan Meng 
Published: December 2021

Objective: This research attempts to explore systematically factors that influence public reactions during COVID-19 pandemic, including different measures of risk perceptions, public trust in different levels of governments, and attention to news.Methods: This research uses a national stratified random sample of Chinese population and multiple linear regressions to explore the potential predictors of public reactions to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).Results: This research found that the effects of attentions to news, provincial experience, trust in government, demographics, and political cultures on risk perceptions depend on measures of risk perceptions, risk judgments vs. cognitive vs. affective risk perceptions. Moreover, the effect of culture on trust in government is consistent across different levels of government, trust in local, provincial, and central governments; living in the epicenter of COVID-19 in China decreases trust in local/provincial government but not trust in central government; public attention to news can bring both positive (trust in government) and negative (negative affect) outcomes. Finally, it confirmed positive associations among risk perception, subjective knowledge, and attention to news.Conclusion: The findings suggest challenges for risk communication.
A Simple Predictive Index of the Abdominal Shape for Postoperative Complications After Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tao Wei , Cheng Yu-Xi , Liu Xiao-Yu , Zhang Bin , Yuan Chao , Peng Dong , Zhang Wei 
Published: December 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of abdominal shape on the short-term surgical outcomes.Methods: This was a retrospective study that included 425 patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy plus D2 lymph node dissection (LADG) from January 2013 to January 2021. The abdominal parameters, including the shortest distance of the pancreas from the anterior abdominal skin (PAAD), the lower sternum angle (LSA), the thickness of the subcutaneous fat at the navel level (SFT), the anteroposterior diameters (APD) and the left-right diameters (LRD) at the navel level, the distance from the xiphoid process to the navel (XND) and the distance from the xiphoid process to the pubis (XBD), were calculated by preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging. The parameters and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed.Results: In males, the number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly higher in patients with a lower APD group (p = 0.031). The operation time was significantly shorter in the lower body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007), lower LSA (p = 0.035), lower PAAD (p = 0.000), lower SFT (p = 0.004), lower APD (p = 0.000) and lower LRD (p = 0.014) groups. The estimated blood loss was significantly less in the lower BMI (p = 0.035), lower LSA (p = 0.001), lower PAAD (p = 0.012), lower SFT (p = 0.003), lower APD (p = 0.000) and lower LRD (p = 0.005) groups. The complications were fewer in the lower LSA (p = 0.012), lower APD (p = 0.043) and lower LRD (p = 0.023) groups. In females, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the lower PAAD (p = 0.027) and lower SFT (p = 0.004) groups, and the lower SFT group had fewer complications (p = 0.020). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, higher PAAD (p = 0.037, odds ratio = 1.030, 95% CI = 1.002–1.059) was an independent factor for predicting postoperative complications in males.Conclusion: Various abdominal shapes can affect the difficulty of LADG. Higher PAAD is a simple independent index for predicting postoperative complications in males.
Estudio de factibilidad para un parque acuático en el cantón Manta, Ecuador
Authors: Basurto Bravo Isabel Yaqueline , Buste Moreira Gabriela Dolores 
Published: December 2021

El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la factibilidad de un parque acuático en el cantón Manta, la metodología utilizada inicia con un diagnóstico situacional que describe las características físicas y demográficas del cantón; seguido de un análisis estratégico del sector turístico. Procediendo con un estudio de mercado, donde se analizó la oferta, demanda y competencia, mediante encuesta aplicada al turismo interno para identificar los gustos y preferencias; se aplicó una ficha de observación a los establecimientos de recreación, obteniendo el perfil competitivo. Consecutivamente se realizó un análisis técnico con el que se determinó el tamaño y la distribución e ingeniería del proyecto, se evaluaron los impactos físicos-ambientales a través de la matriz de Leopold. Finalmente se procedió a efectuar un análisis de factibilidad económica-financiera mediante varios indicadores, los cuales dieron como resultado la viabilidad del proyecto para el parque acuático en el cantón Manta.

Palabras clave: factibilidad; estudio de mercado; producto turístico; impacto ambiental; parque acuático.
Herramienta para determinar costos-producción de dulces “Asociación General de Artesanos” cantón Rocafuerte, Ecuador
Authors: Mendoza Vera Cristina , Velásquez Gutiérrez Martha Tatiana 
Published: December 2021

Los procesos de producción en el campo artesanal se dan de forma empírica, tradicionalmente sin conocimiento previo de técnicas o instrumentos que faciliten el trabajo como fuente de desarrollo socio económico, por ello; la presente investigación tiene como objetivo proponer una herramienta para determinar los costos de producción de dulces en la Asociación General de Artesanos del cantón Rocafuerte. La metodología utilizada fue de carácter no experimental, siendo los métodos inductivo-deductivo, descriptivo, histórico y de campo, con técnicas como encuestas, entrevistas y guías de observación. Esta investigación se delimitó mediante encuestas aplicadas a los miembros de la Asociación, también se realizó una entrevista al presidente de la organización, dando como resultado un instrumento donde se detallan los métodos y pasos a seguir para ejecutar el trabajo diario de los artesanos artífices; plasmados en tablas de Excel para una mayor comprensión.

Palabras clave: instrumento; costes; mano de obra; materia prima.
Revisión Teórica sobre la innovación en el desarrollo del turismo sostenible y su influencia socio ambiental.
Authors: Ruiz Cedeño Angélica , Villar Lopez Lidia , Ávila Zambrano José Leonardo 
Published: December 2021

En el presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la importancia de la innovación en el desarrollo del turismo sostenible y su influencia en el desarrollo socioeconómico. La metodología utilizada para la investigación consistió en un análisis teórico-conceptual en primer lugar de los principales aspectos teóricos sobre sostenibilidad e innovación y, en segundo lugar, la innovación en el desarrollo del turismo sostenible y su influencia socio ambiental en el Ecuador. De los resultados obtenidos se visualizó que la innovación del turismo sostenible se convierte en una herramienta clave para el desarrollo del sector turístico ya que, por medio de esta, se podrán tomar acciones correctivas para que este sea sostenible. Para ello se necesita que las políticas de desarrollo sustentable se materialicen como un conjunto de estrategias, planes y procesos a escala mundial, regional, nacional y local.

Palabras clave: I+D; sostenibilidad; socio ambiental; turismo sostenible