bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus vaccine, and cervical screenings from 2004—2021: a Google Trends analysis in Japan
Authors: Niu Qian , Liu Junyu , Kawaguchi Asuka , Yoshinari Yuka , Nakata Sakura , Aoyama Tomoki , Nagai-Tanima Momoko
Published: June 2022

Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) established a global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in 2020; fortunately, it can be effectively controlled or prevented by the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Nevertheless, Japan has been experiencing an HPV vaccine crisis since 2013, with a vaccination rate of less than 1% lasting for seven years. We examined trend changes related to cervical cancer topics and assessed the feasibility and limitations of Google Trends as an indicator of public health surveillance.
Methods
We collected search query data from Google Trends and the annual number of cervical cancer cases from the National Cancer Center, Japan. We then conducted a chronological and geographical analysis of the public interest in the phrases “cervical cancer,” “HPV vaccine,” and “cervical screening” from 2004—2021. We calculated correlations between the annual number of cervical cancer cases and the search terms. We also detected change points in public search interest. Finally, we analyzed subregional-level search interest disparities.
Results
Japanese public search interest in “cervical cancer,” “HPV vaccine,” and “cervical screening” increased from 2010—2013. Subsequently, interest in “cervical cancer” and “cervical screening” remained stable and relatively high, while interest in “HPV vaccine” was suddenly minimal. The actual number of cervical cancer cases showed a strong correlation with search volumes for “cervical screening” (r = 0.953, p < .001) and “cervical cancer” (r = 0.898, p < .001), respectively. In 2020, the public reignited its interest in “HPV vaccine.” We detected six change points in these three topics around 2010, 2013, and 2020, which aligned with critical policy decisions. Prefectures’ public interest levels were different for these three topics.
Conclusions
The Japanese public retained low interest in “HPV vaccine” from 2013—2020, while interest in “cervical cancer” and “cervical screening” terms was relatively high. Encouragingly, the public reignited its interest in “HPV vaccine” in 2020, which is expected to promote vaccination. Google Trends can extend unique perspectives for authorities to understand public concerns nearly synchronously, but it has a limited interpretation in subregions.
Expansion of the osteocytic lacunar-canalicular system involved in pharmacological action of PTH revealed by AI-driven fluorescence morphometry in rabbits
Authors: Takakura Aya , Sato Takanori , Lee Ji-Won , Hirano Kyoko , Takao-Kawabata Ryoko , Ishizuya Toshinori , Iimura Tadahiro
Published: June 2022

Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder that is characterized by reduced bone mass. Its prevention and treatment are important healthcare issues for maintaining social activity in aged societies. Although bone fractures mostly occur at sites of weakened cortical bone, pathophysiological and pharmacological evaluations of bone mass have tended to be predominantly assessed in trabecular bone. To statistically characterize cortical bone remodeling, we originally established multimode fluorescence imaging and artificial intelligence-driven morphometric analyses in rabbits with well-defined cortical remodeling, similar to that in humans. We evaluated three distinct administration frequencies of teriparatide [TPTD; human parathyroid hormone, hPTH (1–34)]: once (1/w), twice (2/w), and seven times (7/w) a week, with the same total dose (140 μg/kg/week). Our analyses revealed significant expansions of the osteocytic lacunar-canalicular system and Haversian canals accompanied by the development of cortical porosity and endosteal naïve bone formation induced by a frequent administration regimen (7/w) of TPTD; however, once-weekly (1/w) and twice-weekly (2/w) administration of TPTD showed little effect. These findings demonstrate a clear contrast between the effects of frequent and infrequent administration of TPTD on cortical bone metabolism and suggest that osteocytic bone remodeling is involved in the pharmacological action of PTH.
VPC: A time-efficient control method for a hexapod wheel-legged robot based on velocity planning
Authors: Sun Junkai , Sun Zezhou , Li Jianfei , Wang Chu , Jing Xin , Wei Qingqing , Liu Bin , Yan Chuliang
Published: June 2022

Aiming at the problem that control methods of wheel-legged robot for future Mars exploration missions are too complex, a time-efficient control method based on velocity planning for a hexapod wheel-legged robot is proposed in this paper, which is named as velocity planning control. When foot end or wheel at knee contacts ground, the desired velocity of foot end or knee is transformed according to the velocity transformation of rigid body from the desired velocity of torso which is obtained by the deviation of torso position and posture. Furthermore, the torques of joints can be obtained by impedance control. When suspended, the leg is regarded as a system consisted of a virtual spring and a virtual damper to realize control of legs in the swing phase. Besides, leg sequences of switching motion between wheeled configuration and legged configuration are planned. According to complexity analysis, velocity planning control has lower time complexity and less times of multiplication and addition compared with virtual model control. Besides, simulations show that velocity planning control can realize stable periodic gait motion, wheel-leg switching motion and wheeled motion and the operation time of velocity planning control is about 33.89% less than that of virtual model control, which promises a great prospect for velocity planning control in future planetary exploration mission.
Targeted Modulation of Inflammatory Lymphocytes and Neurogenesis/Neuroprotection Associated Genes by Curcumin and a Novel Derivative of Curcumin on Mice Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model
Authors: Khosropour Saeid , Noori Shokoofe , Salehi Niloufar , Rezaeizadeh Hossein , Esmaeelzadeh Maryam , Salehi Peyman , Nikzamir Abdolrahim , Zarghi Afshin
Published: June 2022

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease that causes neurological disabilities mostly in young adults. Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenol found in Turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in autoimmune diseases including MS, although it has low bioavailability and solubility. In the present study, administration of CUR and FCUR, a potent synthetic derivative of CUR, on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), animal model of MS, was investigated. MOG-induced EAE mice were treated with placebo, 4 mg/Kg CUR, or 4 mg/Kg FCUR 10 days post immunization. After 20 days of treatment, mice were euthanized and subjected to ex-vivo examination. Protein was detected with ELISA and western blot. mRNA level was measured with qRT-PCR. The results showed that compared with the control group, in both CUR and FCUR treated groups, clinical score was improved. Histological H&E staining of spinal cord tissue demonstrated reduction in lymphocyte infiltration. Cytokine production of IL-6 and IL-17 decreased and TGF-β increased in the splenocytes and serum. Also the compounds stimulated mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β, FOXP3, GATA3, MBP, and Olig2, and inhibited IL-1, IL-17, IFN-γ, RORγt, and T-bet genes in spinal cord lymphocytes. However, no considerable effect on PDGFRα, nestin, GAS6, Tyro3, and MERTK regulation was observed. The reported results were more significant in FCUR treated group. In conclusion, this study suggests that CUR and FCUR can alleviate neurological symptoms, reduce inflammation, and increase remyelination and neuroprotection. However, the stronger preliminary efficacy of FCUR would render this newly synthesized derivative as a potent therapeutic candidate against MS.
The Ferroptosis Inhibitor Liproxstatin-1 Ameliorates LPS-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Mice
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Miao , Zhang Linlin , Ma Yulong , Li Hao , Cao Jiangbei , Song Jie , Mi Weidong , Zhang Xiaoying
Published: June 2022

The CNS inflammation is known to play a significant role in the mechanism of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) and iron homeostasis imbalance was reported to involve in this process by participating oxidative stress. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered, iron-dependent form of cell death which occurs in multiple neurodegenerative diseases characterized by cognitive dysfunction. However, the effect of ferroptosis in inflammation-related PND is unknown. In this study, we explored the role of ferroptosis in a mouse model of LPS-induced cognitive impairment. The results showed that ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 ameliorated LPS-induced memory impairment in MWM by attenuating ROS reaction (SOD, MDA) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), decreasing the activation of microglia and the inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). The iron deposition (iron content) and the expression alteration of ferroptosis-related proteins (TF, xCT, Fth, Gpx4, FtMt) were alleviated, and the mitochondrial injury and neuronal damage were weakened by liproxstatin-1 compared to the LPS model group. These findings suggested that ferroptosis could participate in the mechanism underlying LPS-induced cognitive dysfunction by taking part in iron metabolism imbalance, motivating oxidative stress, activating inflammatory cascade response and contributing further to neuronal damage.
Estimating Critical Value from Electrocardiogram using a Deep Ordinal Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wei Guodong , Di Xinxin , Zhang Wenrui , Geng Shijia , Zhang Deyun , Wang Kai , Fu Zhaoji , Hong Shenda
Published: June 2022

Critical values are commonly used in clinical laboratory tests to define health-related conditions of varying degrees. Knowing the values, people can quickly become aware of health risks, and the health professionals can take immediate actions and save lives. In this paper, we propose a method that extends the concept of critical value to one of the most commonly used physiological signals in the clinical environment - Electrocardiogram (ECG). We first construct a mapping from common ECG diagnostic conclusions to critical values. After that, we build a 61-layer deep convolutional neural network named CardioV, which is characterized by an ordinal classifier. We conduct experiments on a recently released large ECG dataset, and demonstrate that CardioV achieves a mean absolute error of 0.4984 and a ROC-AUC score of 0.8735. In addition, we find that the model performs better for extreme critical values and the younger age group, while gender does not affect the performance. The ablation study confirms that the ordinal classification mechanism suits for estimating the critical values which contain ranking information. Moreover, model interpretation techniques help us discover that CardioV focuses on the characteristic ECG locations during the critical value estimation process.
SIRT1's O-GlcNAcylation protects cold exposed-induced skeletal muscle damage through ameliorates mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Cao Yu , Zhang Meng , Li Ye , Lu Jing-Jing , Zhou Wan-Hui , Li Xiao-Shuag , Shi Hao , Xu Bin , Li Shi-Ze
Published: June 2022

Objective: O-GlcNAcylation, a nutrient sensing pathway involved in a myriad of cellular processes, it plays a key role in metabolism homeostasis. Cold stress disturbs cellular metabolic and energy homeostasis and is one of the causes of stress-induced illnesses. It is reported that O-GlcNAcylation has been shown to be upregulated during cold stress. Skeletal muscle and its residential mitochondria play an important role in maintaining the metabolic homeostasis of the whole body. Nevertheless, the mechanism of which O-GlcNAcylation adapts to cold stress in skeletal muscle remains unknown.Methods: To characterize the effect of O-GlcNAcylation on mouse skeletal muscle during cold exposure, this research investigated the effects of skeletal muscle structure, function, mitochondrial homeostasis, the deacetylation activity of SIRT1, acetylation expression levels and oxidative stress levels in Ogt mKO mice by cold exposure (4 ℃, 3 h a day, for 1 week). In order to understand the mechanism of O-GlcNAcylation on skeletal muscle homeostasis under cold stress, C2C12 cells was used as a model in vitro. C2C12 cells were treated with OGT inhibitor (Alloxan) and OGA inhibitor (Thiamet G) to decrease and enhance O-GlcNAcylation signals in mild hypothermia, respectively, and then recapitulated in vivo phenotype. Finally, the interaction between OGT and SIRT1 was demonstrated, and the O-GlcNAcylation of SIRT1 played an important role in the imbalance of skeletal muscle homeostasis induced by cold exposure.Results: Results showed that in addition to enhance cold stress-induced mitochondrial abnormalities, cell senescence, and collagen accumulation, Ogt deficiency was found to induce autophagy, mitophagy and oxidative stress level in skeletal muscle during cold exposure. And the results showed that the expression level of SIRT1 was reduced, concomitant with increased expression and acetylation of FoxO1 in wild type mice challenged with cold stress. Because the depletion of Ogt further reduced SIRT1, and increased FoxO1 in muscle challenged with cold stress. Furthermore, this study showed that OGT had a physiological interaction with SIRT1. Thr160 and Ser161 sites of SIRT1 could be O-GlcNAcylation, and overexpression of SIRT1 saved mitochondrial defects in C2C12 cells caused by cold exposure.Conclusion: Cold stress can cause skeletal muscle damage, and O-GlcNAcylation of SIRT1 is an important protection mechanisms of skeletal muscle’s adaptation to cold stress.
Fusing an exonuclease with Cas9 enhances homologous recombination in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Zhang Kun , Duan Xingpeng , Cai Peng , Gao Linhui , Wu Xiaoyan , Yao Lun , Zhou Yongjin
Published: June 2022

Background
The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is considered as an ideal host for the production of recombinant proteins and chemicals. However, low homologous recombination (HR) efficiency hinders its precise and extensive genetic manipulation. To enhance the homology-directed repair over non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), we expressed five exonucleases that were fused with the Cas9 for enhancing end resection of double strand breaks (DSBs) of DNA cuts.
Results
The endogenous exonuclease Mre11 and Exo1 showed the highest positive rates in seamless deletion of FAA1, and fusing the MRE11 to the C-terminal of CAS9 had the highest positive rate and relatively high number of clones. We observed that expression of CAS9-MRE11 significantly improved positive rates when simultaneously seamless deletion of double genes (from 76.7–86.7%) and three genes (from 10.8–16.7%) when overexpressing RAD52. Furthermore, MRE11 overexpression significantly improved the genomic integration of multi-fragments with higher positive rate and clone number.
Conclusions
Fusion expression of the endogenous exonuclease Mre11 with Cas9 enhances homologous recombination efficiency in P. pastoris. The strategy described here should facilitate the metabolic engineering of P. pastoris toward high-level production of value-added compounds.
Nuclear localization of platelet-activating factor receptor accounts for microglial phagocytosis in ischemic stroke
Authors: Yang Jin , Ji Juan , Sun Yu-Qin , Li Shang-Ze , Jiang Zi-Kai , Dong Yin-Feng , Sun Xiu-Lan
Published: June 2022

Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR), known as a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is extensively expressed in the plasma membrane of several cells. Several studies showed that nuclear PAFR performs distinct functions from cell surface. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of microglial PAFR by miR-98 overexpression can protect salvageable neurons from microglial phagocytosis in ischemic stroke; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Herein, we created PAFR knockout mice by Crispr/Cas9-mediated genome engineering and performed in vitro studies to determine whether nuclear PAFR is a crucial regulator of microglial phagocytosis in ischemic stroke. Our results demonstrated that nuclear PAFR recruited transcription factor Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) to trigger gene transcription of milk fat globule EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), which binds to the exposed phosphatidylserine, mediates primary phagocytosis of viable neurons during inflammation, and, in turn, enhances microglial phagocytosis. Membrane-permeable PAFR antagonist Apafant had greater therapeutic effects than membrane-impermeable antagonist Ginkgolide B in ischemic stroke. Our findings provide an explanation for the nuclear PAFR-mediated microglial phagocytosis and have implications for the selection of PAFR antagonists for use in the treatment of ischemic stroke based on the nuclear receptors target.
Evaluating the temporal changes of sinus density in patients with acute cerebral sinus vein thrombosis
Authors: khameneh Afshar Ghamari , Abbasi Bita , Amirkhiz Gisoo Darban Hosseini , Akhavan Reza
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Despite the studies performed to characterize the clot’s features in the acute phase in non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), no study has been conducted to evaluate the non-acute phase and the threshold density that warrants further evaluation. Herein, we assessed the temporal changes of sinus density in patients with acute CVST.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we searched our Picture Archiving and Communicating System (PACS) of our hospital between January 2015 and September 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients older than 18-year-old with acute CVST, with available Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Venography (CE-MRV) as the gold standard for confirming the presence and location of thrombosis. The readers were asked to assess the images regarding any subjective abnormal hyper- or hypo-attenuation within the venous sinus structures. Changes in the Hounsfield Unit (HU) of each venous segment during the time-course of the disease and the HU difference of affected sinus with other sinus segments were evaluated.Results: Out of 89 CT scan evaluations, 21 cases (23.6%) were performed in the acute, 38 (42.7%) presented in the subacute, and 30 (33.7%) presented in the chronic stage. In all involved venous sinuses, the mean blood density of various phases was a statistically significant difference. The agreement of the two radiologists to report the hypodense sinus sign was reported to be 0.7.(p-value <0.001).Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that quantitative measurement and qualitative findings of the hypodense sinus sign help to diagnose non-acute CVST better.
Development of two recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral-flow dipstick (RPA-LFD) techniques for the rapid visual detection of Aeromonas salmonicida
Authors: Zhou Shun , Zheng Xujia , Yang Zongrui , Huang Qing , Yi Jingyuan , Su Lin , Guo Baoshan , Xiu Yunji
Published: June 2022

Aeromonas salmonicida is the pathogen of furunculosis, causing a septicaemic infection that influences both salmonid and non-salmonid fish. Early diagnosis of these contagions is essential for disease surveillance and prevention, so that the rapid and sensitive approach is required. Herein, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay and RPA with a lateral flow dipstick (RPA-LFD) were produced for testing A. salmonicida. The RPA and RPA-LFD primer sets were devised based on the conserved fragment sequence of vapA gene. Then, RPA and RPA-LFD reaction systems were established, and the reaction temperature and time were optimized. After optimization, the RPA method was capable to test A. salmonicida within 10 min and the RPA-LFD method can detect A. salmonicida in only 5 min. The RPA and RPA-LFD methods exhibited high specificity with no cross-reaction with others strains. To assess sensitivity, a partial vapA gene was cloned, and serial plasmid dilutions were created ranging from 1×106 to 1×10− 1 copies/µL. The detection limit of RPA was 1×102 copies/µL and the detection limit of RPA-LFD was 1 copies/µL. For spiked turbot tissue samples, the sensitivity detecting of A. salmonicida was 1.2×101 CFU/mL and 1.2 CFU/mL by RPA and RPA-LFD, respectively. Therefore, our RPA and RPA-LFD assays exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity, which provided two simple, fast and dependable methods to conduct large-scale field investigations of A. salmonicida in resource-limited settings.
Technology and use of a Middle Palaeolithic toolkit. The example of the Ciota Ciara cave (NW Italy)
Authors: Berruti Gabriele L.F. , Daffara Sara , Fuselli Paola , Arzarello Marta
Published: June 2022

A technological and functional approach has been used to face the study of the lithic artefacts made in allochthonous raw materials from level 14 of the Ciota Ciara cave. The site it is the only reliable source of information about the Middle Palaeolithic peopling of north-western Italy. According to the results coming from different studies, the level 14 attests the phases of most intense frequentation of the cave, and it is the layer where allochthonous lithic raw materials are better represented. In a technological context already described as markedly opportunistic, where reduction sequences are strongly adapted to the characteristics of the local rocks available in the surrounding of the site, some tools and unretouched flake, made in raw materials collected at a distance between 2 and 30 km, have been introduced in the site. The present work is aimed to the understanding of the role of these artefacts within the technological organization of the Neanderthal groups that inhabited the cave. The obtained results indicate that these “exotic” artefacts were part of the mobile toolkit of the human groups of the Ciota Ciara cave and that they were multifunctional tools extensively used for different activities (mainly butchering activities). The obtained data led also to some observations about the technology of these Neanderthal groups and on their capability in terms of planning and forecasting during land mobility.
Population transcriptomic analysis identifies the comprehensive lncRNAs landscape of spike in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Yang Guang , Deng Pingchuan , Guo Qifan , Shi Tingrui , Pan Wenqiu , Cui Licao , Liu Xiaoqin , Nie Xiaojun
Published: June 2022

Background
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in eukaryotes and play crucial roles in plant growth and development as well as stress response. However, current lncRNA studies were mainly performed at the individual level and those associated with spike architecture remain elusive in wheat.
Results
In this study, RNA-seq of 186 spike samples were used to identify the lncRNA landscape in wheat spike. A total of 35,913 lncRNAs as well as 1,619 lncRNA-mRNA pairs comprised of 443 lncRNAs and 464 mRNAs were obtained. The lncRNAs displayed rather low conservation among wheat and other gramineous species. Genetic diversity analysis based on population genomics showed that obvious genetic bottleneck effect occurred on these lncRNAs during wheat domestication. Regulatory network analysis revealed that 122 lncRNA could act as ceRNA to involve in endogenous competition. Association analysis of candidate lncRNA-mRNA pairs identified 170 lncRNAs and 167 target miRNAs significantly associated with spike-related traits, including lncRNA.127690.1/TraesCS2A02G518500.1 (PMEI) and lncRNA.104854.1/TraesCS6A02G050300.1 (ATG5) were related to heading date and spike length, respectively.
Conclusions
This study provided the first pan-lncRNA data of bread wheat spike, which will contribute to the future use of lncRNA for improving the spike or yield-related traits in wheat and beyond.
Recovering Wavelengths from highly compressed speckle patterns by Deep learning
Authors: Wang Tianliang , Tao Jinchao , Wang Xu , Liang Qin , Tian Hongming , Zhou Pengwei , Qiu Yanqing , Mao Bangning , Meng Yanlong , Zhao Chunliu , Kang Juan , Wang Le , Li Yi
Published: June 2022

Recovering the wavelengths from disordered speckle patterns has become an exciting prospect as a wavelength measurement method due to its high resolution and simple design. In previous studies, panel cameras were often utilized as the speckle images receiver. However, high cost (especially at near infrared range), large size and low speed limit its application in optical communications, metrology and optical sensing. In this work, the speckle patterns were highly compressed into four intensities by using a quadrant detector (QD). And wavelengths still can be recovered through only four pixels instead of millions of pixels of a camera. A new CNN based demodulation algorithm, shallow residual network (SRN), was proposed to recognize the wavelengths from the highly compressed speckle images. Finally, a wavelength precision of 4 fm (~ 0.5 MHz) with an updating speed of ~ 1 kHz was achieved in the demonstrations. In addition, the SRN shows a broad measurement range and good noise robustness. Compared with camera based system, the QD detection scheme associated with the CNN algorithm provides a compact, high speed, and low cost method to examine the speckle patterns, which opens new routes in many other fields.
Improved functional survival after OHCA is associated with increased advanced airway management at the prefecture level: The All-Japan Utstein Registry
Authors: Onoe Atsunori , Kajino Kentaro , Daya Mohamud R. , Nakamura Fumiko , Nakajima Mari , Kishimoto Masanobu , Sakuramoto Kazuhito , Muroya Takashi , Ikegawa Hitoshi , Ong Marcus Eng Hock , Kuwagata Yasuyuki
Published: June 2022

Background
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has high incidence and mortality. The survival benefit of advanced airway management (AAM) for OHCA remains controversial. In Japan, AAM are performed for OHCA by EMS, however the relationship between resuscitation outcomes and AAM at the prefecture level has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to describe the association between AAM and neurologically favorable survival (CPC ≦ 2) at prefecture level.
Methods
This was a retrospective, population-based study of adult OHCA patients ( ≧ 18) from 2014 to 2017 in Japan. We categorized OHCA into four quartiles based on AAM by prefecture and assessed the CPC ≦ 2 for each quartile. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess impact of AAM on survival.
Results
Among 493,577 OHCA cases, 403,707 matched our inclusion criteria. They were classified into quartiles based on AAM by prefecture (G1: Lowest AAM group, G4: Highest AAM group). The number of CPC ≦ 2 survivors increased from G1 to G4. In the adjusted multivariable regression, higher AAM use was associated with CPC ≦ 2.
Conclusions
High prefecture AAM use was associated with neurologically favorable survival (CPC ≦ 2) in OHCA. Further studies are needed to better understand these finding.
Incidence of hepatitis E virus among elevated liver enzyme (ALT, AST) Sudanese patients, Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: Musa Myada Ahmed , Fawzi Amira Altom
Published: June 2022

Background
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection is a newly recognized serious threat to global public health and Africa is suspected to be among the most severely affected regions in the world.
Objective
This study aimed to detect the frequency of anti-hepatitis E IgM, among elevated liver enzyme patients.
Methods
The current study is descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between April to august 2016, Ninety Patients with high liver enzyme ALT&AST and non B non C hepatitis attended Ibn senaa hospital Khartoum north, Omdurman teaching hospital and bahri teaching hospital bahri north, sedan were collected and tested by using (ELISA) kit
Results
show that Out of the 90 samples tested in order to evaluate the effect of age on HEV seropositivity, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between HEV seropositivity and age group,
Conclusion
study demonstrates the high prevalence rate of HEV seropositivity among non-hepatitis patients with high level enzyme ALT, AST. This will raise the potential risk of HEV infection by blood transfusion and may be the source of the outbreak.
Preoperative imaging is essential for pathologically complete resection of the urachal remnant without unnecessary and excessive surgical invasion
Authors: NAKAGAWA Yoichi , SUMIDA Wataru , AMANO Hizuru , UCHIDA Hiroo , HINOKI Akinari , SHIROTA Chiyoe , MAKITA Satoshi , OKAMOTO Masamune , OGATA Seiya , TAKIMOTO Aitaro , TAKADA Shunya , KATO Daiki , GOHDA Yousuke
Published: June 2022

Background
We aimed to determine whether our policy of selecting the appropriate urachal remnant (UR) resection approach is valid. We performed preoperative imaging to examine whether the UR continued toward the bladder apex. If the UR continued toward the bladder apex, then we excised the UR and bladder apex using the trans-umbilical approach adding laparoscopy in needed. If preoperative imaging indicated that the UR ended near the umbilicus, then we resected the UR from the umbilicus to the duct end. Pathological evaluations were performed to determine the appropriateness of the surgical approach indicated by preoperative imaging.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed pediatric UR patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2021. Their background characteristics and surgical outcomes were evaluated.
Results
Twenty UR patients were evaluated (median age, 7 years; range, 8 days-12 years). The UR continued toward the bladder apex in 10 patients and ended near the umbilicus in 10 patients. Urachus tissue at the bladder site was observed when the UR and bladder apex were excised. When the UR was resected from the umbilicus to the duct end, urachus tissue was not pathologically detected at the resection margin.
Conclusions
Our policy leads to complete resection without excessive surgical invasion.
Prevalence and multidrug resistance of Enterococcus species isolated from chickens at slaughterhouses in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand
Authors: Noenchat Pattarakitti , Nhoonoi Chawakorn , Srith Thanawan , Lertpiriyasakulkit Sujeeporn , Sornplang Pairat
Published: June 2022

Enterococcus is a commensal bacteria found in humans and animals, which can cause human nosocomial infections. One of the most contaminated enterococcal sources is poultry meat. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of Enterococcus from chickens and their meat products at local slaughterhouses in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Between January 2021 and March 2022, 558 samples from 279 cloacal swabs and breast meat were collected from 31 local slaughterhouses. Then, the samples were screened for Enterococcus using modified de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar. Next, selected Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and cocci-shaped colonies were investigated for enterococcal confirmation using Enterococcosel Agar. However, the disk diffusion method investigated positive Enterococcus resistance profiles to 16 antimicrobial agents. Finally, selected phenotypic multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus isolates were further assessed to identify AMR genes by polymerase chain reaction. Investigations showed that although the prevalence of Enterococcus isolates from the chicken cloacal swabs and meat samples was 28.85% (161/558), most Enterococcus isolates were resistant to colistin, followed by cefoxitin, cephalexin, and streptomycin. These isolates also showed MDR prevalence (65.22%; 105/161) and 66 patterns. Furthermore, selected MDR Enterococcus (MDRE) from cloacal swabs and meat were positive for the resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase TEM (ESBL-TEM) genes at 71.43% (20/28) and 78.26% (18/23), respectively, whereas other AMR genes detected in the selected MDR enterococci from the cloacal swabs and meat were beta-lactamase TEM [blaTEM (0%, 1.96%)], class 1 integrase [intI1 (14.28%, 0%)], colistin [mrc–1 (3.57%, 0%)], and vancomycin [vanA (14.28%, 0%)]. This study indicated that phenotypic MDRE correlated with ESBL-TEM gene presence, leading to an AMR reservoir that can be transferred to other bacteria.
Absence of national framework challenges group-based education to adults with type 1 diabetes – A qualitative study.
Authors: Cairns Sophie Rodebjer , Sjöström Elisabeth Stoltz
Published: June 2022

Background
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia. The condition is treated with insulin therapy and involves self-administrating multiple daily doses of insulin, adjusted based on glucose, exercise, carbohydrate- and food intake. Dietitians in diabetes offer specialist evidence-based advice to patients and provide education in either individual or group settings. The purpose of this study was to explore dietitians’ perception of, and role in, group-based education as well as prospects for development. The study also focuses on the framework for group-based patient education.
Methods
This was a qualitative descriptive study conducted in Sweden using a strategic sampling of dietitians working in adult diabetes care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and data were analysed using a content analysis approach.
Results
This study included ten dietitians with a median experience of 14.5 years in diabetes care. The informants were all appreciative of patient education and how it benefited the patients being part of group processes, but the informants did also suggest that there were challenges for their personal and professional role. The main challenges reported was to adjust the level of depth and complexity to the information provided and the lack of possibility to individualize the education-sessions in a heterogenic group. None of the dietitians reported performing pre-assessment or follow-up audits on the group-based patient education.
Conclusions
This study addresses the requirement of a patient-centred approach to deliver a diabetes care that is equal, cost-effective and outcome driven. There was a great optimism and engagement from the informants to evolve group-based education to adults with T1DM, but the informants experienced a lack of framework that addressed the challenges suggested in this study, and of making group-based education a part of systematic and standardised care. Still, there were many examples of patient-centred care, and patients benefiting from group-based education. Therefore, we suggest that diabetes education in Sweden should be reviewed for a national standardization.
Characterization of the Effects of High Intensity Negative Current Pulses on Metal Transfer and Melting Rate in the AC-GMAW Process
Authors: Rosa Alisson Fernandes da , Cirino Luciano Machado , Schaeffer Claudio Marques , Schwedersky Mateus Barancelli , Silva Regis Régis Henrique Gonçalves e
Published: June 2022

The use of variants of the GMAW process has become an affordable option in industry. Alternating current Gas Metal Arc Welding (AC-GMAW) arises as one of them, providing additional degrees of freedom for process controllability and versatility. This study focused on the analysis of a complex waveform of the AC-GMAW process for welding stainless steel, employed in modern synergic programs, which has not been widely disseminated in the technical literature and assessed scientifically. The main objective was to characterize the effects of high intensity pulses in negative polarity over the process and to discuss the potential of this strategy, since it has not been used in conventional AC synergic programs. In order to bring to light information on the phenomena involved, such as the arc climbing on the wire electrode, advanced techniques of high-speed videography were used, synchronized with the acquisition of electrical welding process signals, as well as infrared thermography, to verify the evolution of the cooling of the piece after welding. The results grounded discussions on different AC-GMAW waveforms. The process´s electrical data, along with images of the arc and analysis of the wire melting and workpiece thermal behavior, showed that there was a significant visible increase in wire melting during the negative pulse. In addition, it evidenced how the negative electrode increment contributed to the increase in wire melting even at lower power and also showed the thermal effects on the workpiece.
RETRACTED: The Investigation of Apelin and Apelin Receptor Expressions in Mouse Endometrium During Peri-Implantation Period
Authors: Balci Cemre Nur , Golal Ezgi , Ustunel Ismail , Acar Nuray
Published: June 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Adopting Courtyards as a Passive Cooling Technique in Mid-rise Buildings – A Feasibility Study
Authors: M Sona
Published: June 2022

Courtyards have been an integral part of the buildings in tropical areas, through centuries. The study specifically focuses on analysing the efficiency of adopting courtyards as a passive cooling technique in mid-rise buildings the tropical setting of Calicut, Kerala. It examines the energy performance of courtyards in this context, with respect to natural ventilation combining the effect of the thermal comfort parameters – air temperature and air velocity. Furthermore, it establishes the factors that influence the micro-climate of the building that in turn affect its cooling capacity. The trend in cooling performance of the building is observed for a specific day and extrapolated for the entire year. The study further extends to understand the extent of feasibility of the use of courtyards, by establishing a relation between space utility of the building and its energy performance. It presents a holistic overview of the thermal performance of courtyards in a residential mid-rise building in Calicut, Kerala.
Sertoli cell survival and barrier function are regulated by miR-181c/d-Pafah1b1 axis during mammalian spermatogenesis
Authors: Feng Yue , Chen Dake , Wang Tiansu , Zhou Jiawei , Xu Wenning , Xiong Hao , Bai Rong , Wu Shang , Li Jialian , Li Fenge
Published: June 2022

Sertoli cells contribute to the formation of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), which is necessary for normal spermatogenesis. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as posttranscriptional regulatory elements in BTB function during spermatogenesis. Our previous study has shown that miR-181c or miR-181d (miR-181c/d) is highly expressed in testes from boars at 60 days old compared with at 180 days old. Herein, we found that overexpression of miR-181c/d via miR-181c/d mimics in murine Sertoli cells (SCs) or miR-181c/d-overexpressing lentivirus in murine testes perturbs BTB function by altering BTB-associated protein distribution at the Sertoli cell-cell interface and F-actin organization, but this in vivo perturbation disappears approximately six weeks after the final treatment. We also found that miR-181c/d represses Sertoli cell proliferation and promotes its apoptosis. Moreover, miR-181c/d regulates Sertoli cell survival and barrier function by targeting platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1b regulatory subunit 1 (Pafah1b1) gene. Furthermore, miR-181c/d suppresses PAFAH1B1 expression, reduces the complex of PAFAH1B1 with IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 1, and inhibits CDC42/PAK1/LIMK1/Cofilin pathway which is required for F-actin stabilization. In total, our results reveal the regulatory axis of miR-181c/d-Pafah1b1 in cell survival and barrier function of Sertoli cells, and provide additional insights into miRNA functions on the spermatogenesis process in mammals.
Alteration of rhesus macaque serum N-glycome during infection with the human parasitic filarial nematode Brugia malayi
Authors: Petralia Laudine M.C. , Santha Esrath , Behrens Anna-Janina , Nguyen D. Linh , Ganatra Mehul B. , Taron Christopher H. , Khatri Vishal , Kalyanasundaram Ramaswamy , Diepen Angela van , Hokke Cornelis H. , Foster Jeremy M.
Published: June 2022

Serum N-glycan profiling studies during the past decades have shown robust associations between N-glycan changes and various biological conditions, including infections, in humans. Similar studies are scarcer for other mammals, despite the tremendous potential of serum N-glycans as biomarkers for infectious diseases in animal models of human disease and in the veterinary context. To expand the knowledge of serum N-glycan profiles in important mammalian model systems, in this study, we combined MALDI-TOF-MS analysis and HILIC-UPLC profiling of released N-glycans together with glycosidase treatments to characterize the glycan structures present in rhesus macaque serum. We used this baseline to monitor changes in serum N-glycans during infection with Brugia malayi, a parasitic nematode of humans responsible for lymphatic filariasis, in a longitudinal cohort of infected rhesus macaques. Alterations of the HILIC-UPLC profile, notably of abundant structures, became evident as early as 5 weeks post-infection. Given its prominent role in the immune response, contribution of immunoglobulin G to serum N-glycans was investigated. Finally, comparison with similar N-glycan profiling performed during infection with the dog heartworm Dirofilaria immitis suggests that many changes observed in rhesus macaque serum N-glycans are specific for lymphatic filariasis.
Optoelectronic properties of C 66 H 54 Br 6 N 6 O 12 supramolecular nanotube by DFT studies
Authors: Aliabad H. A. Rahnamaye , Vahidi H.
Published: June 2022

In this work, the structural and optoelectronic properties of C66H54Br6N6O12 nanotubes, which is in the triclinic phase, have been studied by the Perdew- Burke- Ernzrhof Generalized Gradient Approximation (PBE- GGA). The semi metallic behaviors and the flat bands are observed in the band structure with 2.06 eV band gap. From the optical spectra, this nanotube is birefringence with Plasmon energies of 23.41, 23.36 and 23.55 eV at x, y and z direction, respectively. Cauchy coefficients have been obtained in the wavelength range of 550 to 850 nm. The results show that this nanotube cab be used in the optoelectronic devices like metallic carbon nanotube and glasses.
Intratumoral Heterogeneity of CRC Revealed by Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis, which Results in Poor Prognosis Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Lu Tianyu , Liu Shiying , Tao Quyuan , Xu Zewen , Zhao Tingxiu , Jin He , Zhu Shuang , Han Xue , Luo Jianfeng , Zhong Jiamin , Chen Xin-lin , Li Haiwen , Wang Yumei
Published: June 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease at the cellular and molecular levels. Its pathogenesis is complex and involves abnormalities of malignant cells and tumor microenvironment (TME). The characteristics of malignant cells and TME based on single cells are unknown. This study aimed to deeply understand the intratumoral heterogeneity of CRC, and to identify cell subclusters associated with poor prognosis.Methods: scRNA-seq analyses of the CRC patients were performed. Cell subclusters of TME (immune cells and stromal cells) and malignant cells were identified. Immune Checkpoint analysis, functional enrichment analysis, SCENIC analysis, pseudotime trajectory analysis and intercellular signal communication analysis were utilized to explore the characteristics of intratumoral heterogeneity. The correlation of cell subclusters and the prognosis of CRC patients were explored using the transcriptome sequencing data of CRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.Results: A total of 11 major cell types and 18 cell subclusters were identified. Malignant cells exhibited abnormal metabolic patterns, in which the leptin signaling pathway was downregulated and the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway was upregulated. Macrophages exhibited M2 polarization. TREM2 and SPP1 genes were highly expressed in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). CD8+ T cells tend to be exhausted. Based on the fraction of each cell cluster, TAMs, exhausted CD8+ T cells and myo-cancer-associated fibroblasts (mCAFs) were associated with a poor prognosis. The patients from the TCGA COAD-READ were divided into 3 groups. The patients in Group 2, which showed a higher proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells, had a poor prognosis. Conlusions: There were heterogeneity in malignant cells and TME of CRC. TAMs, exhausted CD8+ T cells and mCAFs were closely related to the poor prognosis of CRC.
Experimental research on the physical and mechanical properties and freeze-thaw resistant performance of rice straw-mortar composite materials
Authors: Zhao Rongfei , Qin Yan , Yi Xinyan , Zhang Huaqian , Gao Wei
Published: June 2022

Straw has relatively high tensile strength, as a kind of aggregate, combined with cement, gypsum and other bonding materials, which can improve the strength of the benchmark materials and control the initiation and propagation of microcracks. The physical and mechanical properties of straw-mortar composite materials are determined by the property of straw itself, the bonding capacity of matrix materials, the environment and other factors. In this study, three-factor and three-level regression analysis experiment was carried out by using Design-Expert software to obtain the optimal physical and mechanical properties and mix ratio of rice straw-mortar composite materials. The highest compressive strength, dry density and the lowest water absorption rate of rice straw-mortar composite materials were 3.06 MPa, 1.340 g·cm-3 and 20.8%, respectively, and the corresponding gypsum content, straw length, and straw content were 15%, 20 mm, and 15%, respectively. After 15 times freeze-thaw (F-T) between − 20 ℃ and 20 ℃, the strength loss rate, mass loss rate and water absorption rate of rice straw-mortar composites produced in different conditions varied from 32.2–47.3%, from 2.1–4.5%, and from 22.6–42.2%, respectively. The above experimental results indicated that the rice straw-mortar composite materials could meet the actual using demand of self-bearing wall whether to experience F-T, which laid a certain foundation for the popularization and application of rice straw-mortar composite materials in non-bearing wall.
First description of foetus of giant manta ray foetus Mobula birostris (Walbaum 1792) from Kochi, Kerala, Southwest India (North East Arabian Sea)
Authors: NAIR REKHA , Nair Vishnu , kts Sunil , km vishnupriya , at Sangeetha , S Pakirimuthu
Published: June 2022

Giant Manta Ray is assessed as Vulnerable by IUCN and has a very low reproductive capacity. India is also one of the major manta fishing countries; however, commerce in gill plates is not well documented. With information of these gentle giants scanty in literature, record of morphological and morphometric data pertaining to Mobula foetus from this region is very important. The disc length (DL) of the foetus recorded in Kochi was only 30 mm and the foetus already had pigmentation patterns in the ventral portion of the cephalic horn and displayed the presence of an umbilical attachment. The presence of the gravid female is not a solitary event and there are many such cases which may have gone unnoticed. Together with our recent findings, and previous records, this data reinforces the importance of the west coast as potential reproduction grounds for M. birostris. This information is crucial for the establishment and progression of conservation measures for this migratory species.