bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organic Matter And Anaerobic Cellulolytic Activity In Sediments of Ashtamudi Estuary, Kerala, India
Authors: Arya Dennison Bindhulekha , Vincent Salom Gnana Thanga , Reshma J.K , Salahudeen Junaid Hassan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Estuarine sediments are best suited for bioprospecting cellulose degrading microorganisms because of continuous input of cellulosic carbon from rivers and terrestrial runoff, and such sediments act as a substrate for decomposition by microbes. Sediment samples were collected from thirteen stations of Ashtamudi estuary, a tropical Ramsar site during April 2016 and January 2017 and analysed for environmental variables such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation- reduction potential, sulphate, total organic carbon (Corg), carbohydrate, protein, lipid and labile organic matter. Microcosm experiments were conducted in the sediment samples to compare native and substrate-induced cellulase enzyme activities in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions added with crystalline cellulose and cellobiose as substrates. Abundance of cellulolytic anaerobes in the roll tubes was higher with cellobiose than crystalline cellulose. Substrate induced enzyme activity was more than native enzyme activity [0.0012±0.0001- 0.004±0.002 (April 2016) and 0.004±0.001- 0.161±0.002 mg glucose h-1 (January 2017)] in the sediment samples and cellulolytic activity was more pronounced in thermophilic conditions during April 2016. Redundancy analysis indicated that salinity was the highest determining factor for explaining variations among bacterial abundance and activity during April 2016 and sediment lipid content during January 2017. The study reveals that estuarine sediments can act as a potential source of thermophilic cellulase enzyme producing bacteria, which needs to be further explored owing to their vast industrial applications.
The Cyclical Sine Model Explanation for Climate Change
Authors: Nierode Dale Erwin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Climate Change due to excessive buildup of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere from hydrocarbon combustion is one explanation (NASA greenhouse effect) for the Earth’s temperature increase since 1850. If this is true, then eliminating fossil fuel use is the only way to preserve our planet. However, there is another explanation for Global Warming/Climate Change that leads to the opposite conclusion – hydrocarbon energy will be needed well into the future to cope with future, excessively hot and cold temperature cycles. This paper will show that the Global Warming/Climate Change underway on Earth today is a totally natural occurrence with solid scientific and historical support. The Earth is currently in the upswing part of its normal temperature cycle. Very warm (Medieval Warming) and very cold (Little Ice Age) cycles have been historically documented on Earth for at least the last 3,000 years. This cyclicity has a repeated period of about every 1,500 years (Singer 2008). This explanation for the Earth’s temperature increases since 1850 is captured in a mathematical model called the Cyclical Sine Model. This model fits past climate cycles, measured temperatures since 1850, and correlates closely with the cyclicity of Bond Atlantic Drift Ice Cycles (Bond 1997), the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (NASA AMO), and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (NASA PDO). This model also quantitively explains the time span 1945-1975 when an impending ice age was feared (Time Magazine 1974). The Cyclical Sine Model is the best explanation for the Earth’s recent temperature increases.
Postpartum Haemorrhage in Anaemic Women: Assessing Outcome Measures for Clinical Trials
Authors: Brenner Amy Charlotte , Roberts Ian , Balogun Eni , Bello Folasade Adenike , Chaudhri Rizwana , Fleming Charlotte , Javaid Kiran , Kayani Aasia , Lubeya Mwansa Ketty , Mansukhani Raoul , Olayemi Oladapo , Prowse Danielle , Vwalika Bellington , Shakur-Still Haleema 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Maternal anaemia greatly increases the risk of PPH and over a third of all pregnant women are anaemic. Because anaemia reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, anaemic women cannot tolerate the same volume of blood loss as healthy women. Yet the same blood loss threshold is used to define PPH in all women. The lack of an established PPH definition in anaemic women means the most appropriate outcome measures for use in clinical trials are open to question. We used data from the WOMAN-2 trial to examine different definitions of PPH in anaemic women and consider their appropriateness as clinical trial outcome measures. Main body: The WOMAN-2 trial is assessing tranexamic acid (TXA) for PPH prevention in women with moderate or severe anaemia at baseline. To obtain an accurate, precise estimate of the treatment effect, outcome measures should be highly specific and reasonably sensitive. Some outcome misclassification is inevitable. Low sensitivity reduces precision, but low specificity biases the effect estimate towards the null. Outcomes should also be related to how patients feel, function, or survive. The primary outcome in the WOMAN-2 trial, a ‘clinical diagnosis of PPH’, is defined as estimated blood loss >500 ml or any blood loss within 24 hours sufficient to compromise haemodynamic stability. To explore the utility of several PPH outcome measures, we analysed blinded data from 4,521 participants. For each outcome, we assessed its: 1) frequency, 2) specificity for significant bleeding defined as shock index ≥1.0, and 3) association with fatigue (modified fatigue symptom inventory [MFSI]), physical endurance (six-minute walk test) and breathlessness. A clinical diagnosis of PPH was sufficiently frequent (7%), highly specific for clinical signs of early shock (95% specificity for shock index ≥1) and associated with worse maternal functioning after childbirth.Conclusion: Outcome measures in clinical trials of interventions for PPH prevention should facilitate valid and precise estimation of the treatment effect and be important to women. A clinical diagnosis of PPH appears to meet these criteria, making it an appropriate primary outcome for the WOMAN-2 trial.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03475342, registered on 23 March 2018; ISRCTN62396133, registered on 7 December 2017; Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR201909735842379, registered on 18 September 2019.
Research On Medical Insurance Policies Against Serious Illness Among Urban And Rural Residents In Shanghai Based On Micro-Simulation
Authors: Li Yang , Duan Guangfeng , Xiong Linping 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Urban and rural residents’ basic medical insurance (URRBMI) is an institutional arrangement for rural residents and unemployed urban residents in China. The serious illness medical insurance system (SIMIS) was established to provide additional medical cover. There are two ways in which medical expenses are covered. One is based on large expenses and provides proportional compensation for the individual’s own expenses after the URRBMI payment; the other is to pay for the treatment of some serious diseases after the URRBMI payment. At present, the SIMIS payment method in China is based on large expenses, and only a few areas, such as Shanghai, pay according to the treatment of serious diseases. This study aims to simulate and analyse the effect of the two payment methods on SIMIS in Shanghai. Methods: We developed a micro-simulation model to predict the number and characteristics of SIMIS participants among urban and rural residents in Shanghai and to simulate the process of medical treatment, medical consumption, and medical insurance payments for each insured person from 2020 to 2025. We then summarised and analysed the payment compensation effect, and compared it with Shanghai’s current policies.Results: Under the current financing standard, the payment of SIMIS according to high expenses is not sustainable and the compensation is insufficient and cannot effectively prevent or alleviate poverty.Conclusions: The policy of designing SIMIS according to national guidelines does not meet the development needs of Shanghai. Shanghai should take the current policy of paying compensation according to the treatment of serious illness as the policy basis, consider the security needs of patients with large medical expenses outside the scope of protection, and adjust policies appropriately to prevent poverty caused by illness.
Potentially Toxic Elemental Contamination in Wainivesi River, Fiji Impacted by Gold-mining Activities using Chemometric Tools and SOM Analysis
Authors: Kumar Satendra , I Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Hasanuzzaman Md. , Salam Roquia , Islam Md. Saiful , Khan Rahat , Rahman M. Safiur , Pal Subodh Chandra , Ali Mir Mohammad , Idris Abubakr M. , Gustave Williamson , Elbeltagi Ahmed 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in Wainivesi River, Fiji triggered by gold-mining activities is a major public health concern deserving attention. However, chemometric approaches and pattern recognition of PTEs in surface water and sediment are yet hardly studied in Pacific Island countries like Fijin urban River. In our study, twenty-four sediment and eight water sampling sites from the Wainivesi River, Fiji were explored to evaluate the spatial pattern, eco-environmental pollution, and source apportionment of PTEs. This analysis was done using an integrated approach of self-organizing map (SOM), principle component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and indexical approaches. The PTEs average concentration is decreasing order of Fe > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Mn > Co > Cd for water and Fe > Zn > Pb > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > Cd for sediment, respectively. Outcomes of eco-environmental indices including contamination and enrichment factors, and geo-accumulation index differed spatially indicated that majority of the sediment sites were highly polluted by Zn, Cd, and Ni. Cd and Ni contents can cause both ecological and human health risks. According to PCA, two sources such as point and geogenic sources for sediment and also two sources including weathering of rock-water and anthropogenic sources of PTEs for water were identified in the study area. The SOM analysis identified three spatial patterns e.g., Cr-Co-Zn-Mn, Fe-Cd and Ni-Pb-Cu in water and Zn-Cd-Cu-Mn, Cr-Ni and Fe, Co-Pb in sediment. Spatial distribution of entropy water quality index values depicted that northern and northwestern areas possess ‘poor’ to ‘extremely-poor’ quality water. The entropy weights indicated Zn, Cd and Cu as the major pollutants in deteriorating the water quality. Our finding provides a baseline database with eco-environmental and health risk measures for the Wainivesi river contamination.
Tim-3ScFv-Transforming Lactobacillus Inhibits Transplanted Tumour of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Zerong , Zhang Haibo , Hui Jialiang , Jiang Yaodong , Huang Zehai , Chen Zhuangfei , Zeng Weisen 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

T cell immunoglobulin-3(Tim-3) is an immune checkpoint molecule; Tim-3 antibody is suitable for treating malignant renal tumours. However, Tim-3 antibody drugs are expensive, which limits their application. To overcome the disadvantages of expensive immunotherapeutic drugs, Lactococcus lactis was used as the host bacteria to express Tim-3 single-chain antibody in the intestine, and its promotion of the mouse immune system and inhibitory effects on the transplanted tumour of kidney cancer in mice were tested.
Methods

Molecular cloning technology was used to construct plasmids pLAN-CTB-Tim3scFv and pLAN-Tim3scFv, which were transformed into Lactococcus lactis. The expression of the transformed bacteria was analysed using western blotting, and the immune activity of secreted proteins of the transformed bacteria was detected using ELISA in vitro. A subcutaneous transplanted tumour model of renal adenocarcinoma was constructed in RAG mice, and the promoting effect of transforming bacteria on the activation of mouse spleen lymphocytes, and its inhibitory effect on transplanted tumours in mice was analysed.
Results

(1) Transformed Lactococcus lactis NZ -CTB-Tim3scFv and NZ -Tim3scFv, which secrete CTB-Tim3scFv and Tim3scFv single-chain antibodies, were successfully constructed. (2) CTB-Tim3scFv secreted by NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv transformed bacteria showed immunological activity. (3) Compared with the NZ-Tim3scFv and NZ-Vector groups, the characteristics of the subgroups of splenic lymphocytes in the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group had a higher proportion of CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8a+, and CD3+CD69+ cells. Ki67 and CD31 expression in the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group was significantly reduced. The tumour volume of the NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv group increased the least, and was statistically different from that of the other two groups.
Conclusions

The Tim-3 single-chain antibody gene was successfully constructed and transformed in Lactococcus lactis. After feeding mice NZ-CTB-Tim3scFv transforming Lactobacillus, the CTB-Tim3scFv secreted by the transforming Lactobacillus promoted the proliferation and activation of spleen lymphocytes and inhibited volume growth, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis of the tumour in mice. In summary, apply transgenic lactobacillus secreting CTB-Tim-3scFv, to perform its role in anti-tumor immunotherapy through oral approach, is low cost and convenient. It is expected to become a new way of immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma.
PPARG, GNG12, and CD19 are Potential Independent Predictors of Central Nerve Recurrence in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Zhang Shan , Tu Yansong , Wu Qianmiao , Chen Huijun , Tu Huaijun , Li Jian 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objective: To identify biomarkers that can predict the recurrence of the central nervous system (CNS) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and establish a prediction model. Materials and Methods: The transcriptome and clinical data collected by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) collaboration group in the Phase II study (use for test group) and Phase I study (use for validation group) of ALL in children were downloaded from the TARGET database. Transcriptome data were analyzed by bioinformatics method to identify core (hub) genes and establish a risk assessment model. Univariate Cox analysis was performed on each clinical data, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed on the obtained results and risk score. The children ALL phase I samples collected by the COG collaboration group in the TARGET database were used for verification. Results: A total of 1230 differentially expressed genes were screened out between the CNS relapsed and non-relapsed groups. Univariate multivariate Cox analysis of 10 hub genes identified showed that PPARG (HR=0.78, 95%CI=0.67-0.91, p=0.007), CD19 (HR=1.15, 95%CI=1.05-1.26, p=0.003) and GNG12 (HR=1.25, 95%CI=1.04-1.51, p=0.017) had statistical differences. The risk score was statistically significant in univariate (HR=3.06, 95%CI=1.30-7.19, p=0.011) and multivariate (HR=1.81, 95%CI=1.16-2.32, p=0.046) Cox regression analysis. The survival analysis results of the high and low-risk groups were different when the validation group was substituted into the model (p=0.018). In addition, the CNS involvement grading status at first diagnosis CNS3 vs. CNS1 (HR=5.74, 95%CI=2.01-16.4, p=0.001), T cell vs B cell (HR=1.63, 95% CI=1.06-2.49, p=0.026) were also statistically significant. Conclusions: PPARG, GNG12, and CD19 may be predictors of CNS relapse in childhood ALL.
Comparative study on efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided transoral and transcutaneous core needle biopsy in patients with oral masses
Authors: Wei Ting , Lu Man , Li Juan , Hu Ziyue , Li Tingting , Cheng Xueqing , Wang Lu , Pu Wei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Ultrasound (US) guided transoral biopsy is a novel and safe procedure for obtaining tissue in patients with oral masses. However, this procedure is less commonly used in comparison to US guided transcutaneous biopsy. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of US-guided transoral and transcutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) in patients with oral masses.
Methods
From November 2019 to March 2021, consecutive patients with oral masses were randomly assigned to undergo US-guided transoral CNB (transoral group) and US-guided transcutaneous CNB from a submental approach (transcutaneous group). During the operation, procedure time, intra‑operative blood loss volume, diagnostic performance, rate of complications and pain level were recorded and compared.
Results
There were 112 patients (62 in the transoral group and 50 in the transcutaneous group) evaluated in this study. The postprocedural complication rate of the transcutaneous group was significantly higher than the transoral group (24% vs 0%, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in accuracy (95.2% vs 88%, P = 0.30), biopsy time (76±12 seconds vs 80±13 seconds, p=0.09), blood losses (2.6±0.5 ml vs 2.7±0.4 ml, p=0.17) and visual analogue score (p=0.327 and p =0.444 before and after the sampling procedure) between the two groups.
Conclusion
US-guided transoral CNB results in high rates of technical success and lower rates of postprocedural complications.
Identifying Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase as a Novel Regulator of Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Sullivan Kelly E. , Kumar Sheetal , Liu Xin , Zhang Ye , Koning Emily , Li Yanfei , Yuan Jing , Fan Fan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Pyrimidine catabolism is implicated in hepatic steatosis. Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase (DPYD) is an enzyme responsible for uracil and thymine catabolism, and DPYD human genetic variability affects clinically observed toxicity following 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administration. In an in vitro model of diet-induced steatosis, the pharmacologic inhibition of DPYD resulted in protection from lipid accumulation. Additionally, a gain-of-function mutation of DPYD, created through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) engineering, led to an increased lipid burden, which was associated with altered mitochondrial functionality in a hepatocarcionma cell line. The studies presented herein describe a novel role for DPYD in hepatocyte metabolic regulation as a modulator of hepatic steatosis.
Financial Inclusion and Its Influence on Economic-environmental Performance: Demand and Supply Perspectives
Authors: Liu Dong , Zhang Yuying , Hafeez Muhammad , ullah Sana 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In this study, we want to test the impact of financial inclusion on the economic growth and the environmental quality of OBOR economies. We have selected four different proxies of financial inclusion, two from the perspective of the supply side and two from the perspective of the demand side. For empirical analysis, we have applied 2SLS and GMM methods. In the economic growth model, among the variables of financial inclusion, only the variable of ATMS is positively significant when we apply the 2SLS approach and all others are insignificant, however, when we apply the GMM approach two variables i.e. ATMS and branches are positively significant implying that supply-side financial inclusion is vital for economic growth in OBOR countries. On the other side, the variables of financial inclusion, whether supply-side or demand-side, exerted a positive impact on the CO2 emissions irrespective of the estimation techniques i.e. 2SLS and GMM. These findings imply that financial inclusion, in general, causes CO2 emissions to rise.
Potentially Preventable Hospital Readmissions After Patients’ First Stroke—A National Population-Based Study In Taiwan
Authors: Chiou Ling-Jan , Lang Hui-Chu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Readmission is an important indicator of the quality of care. The purpose of this study was to explore the probabilities and predictors of 30-day and 1-year potentially preventable hospital readmission (PPR) after a patient’s first stroke. We used claims data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) from 2010 to 2018. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of 30-day and 1-year PPR. A total of 41,921 discharged stroke patients was identified. We found that hospital readmission rates were 15.48% within 30-days and 47.25% within 1-year. The PPR and non-PPR were 9.84% (4,123) and 5.65% (2,367) within 30-days, and 30.65% (12,849) and 16.60% (6,959) within 1-year, respectively. The factors of older patients, type of stroke, shorter length of stay, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), higher stroke severity index (SSI), hospital level, hospital ownership, and urbanization level were associated significantly with the 30-day PPR. In addition, the factors of gender, hospitalization year, and monthly income were associated significantly with 1-year PPR. The results showed that better discharge planning and post-discharge follow-up programs could reduce PPR substantially. Also, implementing a post-acute care program for stroke patients has helped reduce the long-term PPR in Taiwan.
TWIICE One powered exoskeleton: Effect of design improvements on usability in daily-life as measured by Cybathlon race performance
Authors: Vouga Tristan , Fasola Jemina , Baud Romain , Manzoori Ali Reza , Pache Julien , Bouri Mohamed 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

Spinal cord injury leading to paraplegia affects the mobility and physiological well-being of nearly one in a thousand people. Powered exoskeletons can temporarily restore the ability to walk. Their relevance in daily life is still limited because of low performance beyond even ground. Cybathlon is an international competition promoting improvements in assistive technology. In this article we present the latest design and results of testing of TWIICE One 2018, one of the competing devices in the 2020 race.
Methods

A person with a motor-complete spinal cord injury at thoracic level T10 participated as race pilot. Training ahead of the race took place over one week at a rate of 2-5 hours per week. Time to perform each of the 7 tasks of the competition was recorded together with the number of repetitions. Performance is compared over training time and against 2016 race results.
Results

Progression was observed in all tasks and accounted for by both user training and technology improvements. Final competition rank was second out of 7 participating teams, with a record time of 4'40" min. This represents an average of 40 % improvement with respect to comparable obstacles of the 2016 race, explaining the two ranks of improvement since then.
Conclusion

These results help understand which features had a positive impact on real life performance of the device. Understanding how design affects performance is a key information to create devices that really improve the life of people living with paraplegia.