bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and Arteriovenous fistula reconstruction for immature arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Han Yu , Yanqing Chi , Baoxing Wang
Published: May 2023

Background
To access the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and arteriovenous fistula reconstruction for immature arteriovenous fistula, compare the long-term patency and post-operative complications between them.
Materials and Methods
The medical records and Hemodialysis record sheets from 44 patients between May 2020 and January 2022 who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or arteriovenous fistula reconstruction treatment for immature autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery they received, including 25 patients in the PTA group and 19 patients in the AVF reconstruction group. Clinical outcomes were included, such as the primary and secondary patency rates following the procedure, maturation time, peak systolic velocity (PSV) of brachial artery, maximum pump-controlled blood flow at initial dialysis, and post-operative complications rates in the two groups.
Results
Technical and clinical success was achieved in 100% of the 44 cases. For patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, the primary patency rate at 3, 6, and 9 months was 84.0%, 68.0%, 60.0%, and the secondary patency rate was 92.0%, 84.0%, 80.0%, respectively. And for patients who underwent arteriovenous fistula reconstruction, the primary patency rate at 3, 6, and 9 months was 89.5%, 73.7%, 68.4%, and the secondary patency rate was 100.0%, 94.7%, 94.7%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of patency rates (p > .050). In patients whose maturation was successful, the average maturation time of fistula after the PTA procedure was 19.36 ± 13.94 days, and 58.63 ± 18.95 days for the reconstruction procedure (p < .010). The PSV of brachial artery before and after the procedure was 87.64 ± 23.87 cm/s and 153.20 ± 21.69 cm/s in PTA group, for reconstruction group, the number was 86.26 ± 20.59 cm/s and 151.26 ± 29.94 cm/s, respectively. No statistically significant differences (p > .050). The maximum pump-controlled blood flow at initial dialysis was 232.60 ± 16.72 ml/min in PTA group, which was significantly higher than 197.11 ± 10.45 ml/min in reconstruction group (p < .010). Subcutaneous hematoma, restenosis, thrombus formation, and pseudoaneurysm were major complications in PTA group. Restenosis, thrombus formation, and pseudoaneurysm were major complications in reconstruction groups, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p > .050).
Conclusion
The efficacy of PTA is similar to that of arteriovenous fistula reconstruction for immature arteriovenous fistula. While, PTA can dramatically reduce the maturation time, and increase the maximum pump-controlled blood flow at initial dialysis after operation.
Developing a whole exome sequencing-based homologous recombination deficiency test of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Lin Po-Han , Kuo Kuan-Ting , Hwu Wuh-Liang , Huang Hsien-Neng , Lin Tzu-Ying , Chen Chieh-Min , Cheng Wen-Fang , Chiang Ying-Cheng
Published: May 2023

Background:
Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) test is an important tool to stratify epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients for maintenance therapy. Using whole exome sequencing (WES)-based platform can provide information of gene mutations and HRD score, however, the clinical value of WES-based HRD test was less validated in EOC.
Methods:
We evaluated the performance of WES-based HRD test by using scarHRD software (https://github.com/sztup/scarHRD) in 44 EOC patients. Samples were concordantly examined using Myriad myChoice® and ACT Genomics. The correlation between HRD status and clinical outcomes was analyzed among the three tests.
Results:
A high correlation of HRD scores was observed between our WES-based scarHRD test and Myriad (coefficient 0.82, p < 0.001). Compared with positive HRD status in Myriad test, our WES-based scarHRD test had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 93.5%, 76.9%, 90.6%, and 83.3%, respectively. Positive HRD status by our WES-based scarHRD test and Myriad test both were highly associated with advanced FIGO stage and sensitive platinum-response. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, optimal debulking surgery (hazards ratio [HR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.84, p = 0.017) and positive HRD status of our test (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20–0.90, p = 0.026) were independent factors for the lower risk of disease recurrence. However, the positive HRD status either by Myriad or ACT genomics was not significantly associated with an inferior trend of recurrence.
Conclusions
Our WES-based scarHRD test provides comprehensive information about gene mutations and HRD scores. It is a new feasible option to determine the HRD status in EOC patients.
Genetically determined watercress intake and risk for bone mineral density
Authors: dai zhicheng , Lin Longshuai , Liu Yuan , He Enjun , guo weihong , Chen Chen , Guouo Zengya , Wang Hongjie , zhao qinghua
Published: May 2023

Purpose: It has been previously shown that watercress intake increases the expression of type I collagen and promotes human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells of osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation. However, there have been no randomized controlled clinical trials of watercress intake in bone mineral density (BMD). It remains to be clarified if watercress intake leads to an increase in BMD. In this study, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the causal effect of watercress intake on susceptibility to BMD.
Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with watercress intake phenotypes, used as instrumental variables, were extracted from public genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. We take the intake of watercress as the exposure and BMD as the outcome. By using MR, it is possible to investigate whether there is a causal association between the exposure and the outcome.
Results: Using the IVW-fixed(Inverse variance weighted, fixed effects) and IVW-random methods(Inverse variance weighted, multiplicative random effects), we found the evidence to report the causal associations between the watercress intake and femoral neck BMD , but the intake of watercress has nothing to do with lumbar spine BMD and forearm BMD（Table 1）.
Conclusion: The present study suggested a harmful role of watercress intake on the risk for femoral neck BMD. Further studies elucidating the underlying mechanism are warranted.
Relationship between autonomic nervous function and brain functions such as memory and attention
Authors: Tatsumi Sakura , Kuratsune Daisuke , Kuratsune Hirohiko
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between autonomic nervous function and brain functions, such as memory and attention, during the kana picking test (KPT). Eleven female college students (21 years old) participated in the study. Each participant performed the KPT 10 times while their autonomic nervous function was analyzed using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Autonomic function was assessed at four time intervals with participants' eyes open. In the KPT, participants were asked to circle Japanese vowels in a 400-character story written in Hiragana, and attention was evaluated using the "kana picking score" (KPS). In the memory test, comprehension and memory were evaluated based on 10 descriptive questions about the content of the story. The results showed that the higher the KPS, the higher the memory scores (r = 0.309, p < 0.01). The log low-frequency component power (LF), log high-frequency component power (HF), log (LF + HF), and log LF/HF scores significantly decreased during the interval B. Log LF, log HF, and log (LF + HF) recovered during the interval C, and log LF/HF recovered during the interval D. The KPS had a positive correlation with log LF and log (LF + HF) at intervals A, C, and D. Additionally, the KPS was positively correlated with log HF at all intervals. However, at interval B, the KPS was negatively correlated with log LF/HF. Memory scores showed a positive correlation with log LF, log HF and log (LF + HF) at all intervals and a negative correlation with log LF/HF at all intervals. Furthermore, memory scores were negatively correlated with the amounts of changes of Δlog LF, Δlog HF and Δlog (LF + HF) between intervals B and C. These results indicate that autonomic nervous function is related to learning situations, such as attention, comprehension, memory, and memory recall. Therefore, the assessment of autonomic nervous function could be useful for evaluating learning and work efficiency.
Based on Aptamer-carbon quantum dots and silver nanoparticles FRET sensor for sensitive detection of E. coli
Authors: Bai Xiaolian , Ga Lu , Ai Jun
Published: May 2023

In this work, carbon quantum dots were prepared from grapefruit peel as carbon source by microwave heating method. The prepared carbon quantum dots CQDs were analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM analysis, XPS analysis, etc., as well as their optical properties were also investigated. The prepared CQDs have high green fluorescence with excitation wavelength of 320 nm and maximum emission wavelength of 415 nm. the average particle size is about 7.4 nm, uniform dispersion and good stability. And a FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) based fluorescence method was constructed by combining carbon quantum dots with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the rapid detection of E. coli. Its fluorescence transduction is based on the spectral overlap between the donor (CQDs) emission and the acceptor (nanoparticles) absorbance. The fluorescence of the aptamer-attached CQDs is burst in the presence of and silver nanoparticles. Upon addition of the specific E. coli solution, an aptamer-target complex is formed and the preferential interaction of the aptamer with the specific bacteria leads to the release of CQDs and Ag NPs. After incubation time, the bacterial cells are centrifuged, leading to the precipitation of E. coli aptamer couples and Ag NPs, resulting in the recovery of CQDs fluorescence. This method allows specific detection of E. coli in a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. The final results showed that the linear range of the sensor was 2×103 ~ 2×108 CFU·mL− 1 and the detection limit for E. coli was as low as 77 CFU·mL− 1.
Optimization method of college students' entrepreneurial path based on improved multi-objective gray wolf algorithm
Authors: Qiu Baorong
Published: May 2023

Fromperspectives, and they can be classified into three categories according to different viewpoints: "platform theory", that is, the entrepreneurial environment is regarded as the government and society for entrepreneurs to create new A public platform built by enterprises; "factor theory", that is, the entrepreneurial environment is understood as a combination of various factors affecting entrepreneurial behavior; "system theory", that is, the entrepreneurial environment is regarded as a complex integrated into various entrepreneurial environment elements. The system believes that the entrepreneurial environment refers to the situation around the entrepreneur, which is of course, because the connotation and extension of the entrepreneurial environment are very rich, it is difficult to accurately define its concept. Drawing on the viewpoints of "factor theory" and "system theory", the author believes development of college students and their innovative careers.With the advent of the Internet era, more and more college students use the Internet to start businesses. If college students want to realize their own value through entrepreneurship, they need to choose their own development path. The optimization of it, namely, the optimization of entrepreneurial opportunities, the optimization of entrepreneurial resources, and the optimization of entrepreneurial teams. In order proposes two improvement strategies based on the analysis of the individual movement of the gray wolf when the algorithm is optimized. The second is to improve the control parameter adjustment strategy, and use the power function instead of the linear function. This paper analyzes choice by optimizing the entrepreneurial path to further improve the entrepreneurialone, it provides a favorable environment.
Prediction of Dexter’s Soil Quality Index Using Soil Physical, Chemical, and Geophysical Properties
Authors: Mesri Samira , Ghorbani-Dashtaki Shoja , Shirani Hossein , Kamkar-Rouhani Abolghasem , Motaghian Hamidreza
Published: May 2023

Dexter’s soil physical quality index (the S index), which is defined as the slope of the soil-water characteristic curve at the inflection point, can properly describe the soil physical quality. This study was conducted to derive a model to predict the S index using soil physical, chemical, and geophysical properties. For this, 72 soil samples were collected, and some of the physical, geophysical, and chemical properties of the soil samples were measured. The soil water content was measured using sand-box and pressure plate apparatus. RETC software was also used to determine the parameters of the van Genuchten equation. These parameters were employed to find the slope of the moisture curve at the inflection point as an indicator of soil physical quality. The decision tree analysis was applied to derive the proper model for predicting the S index using different combinations of chemical, physical and geophysical soil properties in 4 scenarios and the most important predictor(s) were determined in each scenario. The effective factors on the S index in the first and third scenarios included the moisture and the mean weight diameter of aggregates; while in the second and fourth scenarios in which some of chemical properties were replaced by geophysical and structural properties, the dielectric constant and mean weight diameter of aggregate were the most influential factors on the S index. The coefficient of determination of 0.86 was obtained as a result of correlation between the measured and predicted data in the first and third scenarios, while in the second and fourth scenarios, it was obtained as 0.87. Considering the values of %RMSE, the modeling in all four scenarios can be regarded as successful. However, the % RMSE value in the second and fourth scenarios was less than that in the first and third scenarios.
Effective methods for immobilization of non-adherent Pv11 cells while maintaining their desiccation tolerance
Authors: Fuse Hiroto , Kikawada Takahiro , Cornette Richard
Published: May 2023

Pv11 is the only animal cell line that can be preserved in the dry state at room temperature. Pv11 was derived from embryos of the sleeping chironomid Polypedilum vanderplanki, which displays an extreme form of desiccation tolerance known as anhydrobiosis. Pre-treatment with a high concentration of trehalose for 48 h allows Pv11 cells to enter anhydrobiosis. In the dry state, Pv11 cells preserve transgenic luciferase while retaining its activity; thus, these cells could be utilized as a vessel for dry-preserving valuable biological materials without loss of activity. However, Pv11 cells grow in suspension, which limits their applicability; for instance, they cannot be integrated into microfluidic devices or used in devices such as sensor chips. Therefore, in this paper, we sought to develop an effective immobilization system for Pv11 cells that, crucially, allows them to maintain their anhydrobiotic potential even when immobilized. First, we examined the effectiveness of various immobilization systems commonly used in standard cell cultures and found that Pv11 cells exhibited a very high adhesion rates with both biocompatible anchor for membrane (BAM) and Cell-Tak coatings. We also found that Pv11 cells immobilized well to uncoated glass if handled in serum-free medium. Next, we investigated whether immobilized Pv11 cells could retain their anhydrobiotic ability. While trehalose treatment of Pv11 cells prior to immobilization allowed them to retain a high level of both desiccation tolerance and proliferative potential after rehydration, trehalose treatment of Pv11 cells after immobilization resulted in a significant decrease in desiccation tolerance. Thus, it is important to induce anhydrobiosis before immobilization. In summary, we report the successful development of a protocol for the dry preservation of immobilized Pv11 cells.
On the design and implementation of a mixed-platform collaborative virtual RAS planner
Authors: Palma Belén , Portalés Cristina , Coma Immaculada , Gimeno Jesús , Casas Sergio
Published: May 2023

Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) represents an important step forward in the field of minimally invasive surgery. However, the learning curve of RAS is steep, and a systematic planning of surgical robot setups should be performed to leverage the features of RAS. For this reason, in this paper we show the design and implementation of a mixed-platform collaborative application, creating an interactive virtual shared environment that simulates RAS during the surgery planning phase. The proposed application allows one or more experts to plan together the different phases of an RAS-based surgical procedure, while integrating different levels of immersion to enhance computer-assisted training. We have tested our application with a total of four domain experts. Our results show that experts found the system excellent in terms of usability and useful to prepare and discuss surgical planning with RAS.
Integrated Analysis and Validation Reveal CYTH4 as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Wang Hong , Xiao Yishu , Zhou Wei , Li Yonghui
Published: May 2023

Background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematological malignancy with high mortality rates, and the clinical and genomic heterogeneity of AML has complicated therapy development. Identifying novel markers is urgently in need for AML. Cytohesins are a subfamily of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) activating ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family GTPases. While previous studies have reported the important roles of cytohesins in various cancers, their function in AML remains unclear. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the prognostic impact of cytohesin-4 (CYTH4) and investigate the underlying molecular functions.
Methods
We obtained RNA sequencing data and AML clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets to investigate gene expression and survival. Using R software, we identified differentially expressed genes between the high-CYTH4 group and the low-CYTH4 group. We conducted functional enrichment analysis by performing GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses. CIBERSORTx tool was used to explore the proportions of different immune cell types. We also evaluated the molecular function of CYTH4 by examining cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, and colony-forming ability using CYTH4-knockdown AML cell lines.
Results
CYTH4 was significantly overexpressed in AML when compared with other cancers and normal tissues. High CYTH4 expression was associated with old age (p = 0.014), complex karyotype (p = 0.048), and higher risk status (p = 0.001). Patients with high CYTH4 expression had poor overall survival (OS) (high vs. low, HR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.04–2.45, p = 0.032) and event-free survival (EFS) (high vs. low, HR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.13–2.94, p = 0.013), and these patients could benefit from transplantation (transplantation vs. chemotherapy, HR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.20–0.60, p = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed high CYTH4 expression was independently associated with inferior OS (HR = 1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.03, p = 0.017) and EFS (HR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.03, p = 0.034). Functional analysis showed that CYTH4 was involved in immunoregulation. In vitro validation showed knockdown of CYTH4 adversely affected cell growth and induced cell apoptosis.
Conclusions
CYTH4 is highly expressed in AML and can potentially function as a prognostic biomarker.
A Secure Optical Body Area Network Based on Free Space Optics and Time-Delayed 2D-Spectral/Spatial Optical CDMA
Authors: Kanwal Firdos , Armghan Ammar , Imtiaz Waqas A. , Haq Anwar Ul , mirza jawad
Published: May 2023

Free space optics (FSO) based optical body area networks (OBANs) are getting massive attention as an opportunity to address the limitations of radio frequency (RF) based counterparts. This boom in research interest is primarily due to multitude of benefits including, high capacity, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), rapid installation, cost efficiency, license-free use of spectrum etc. The secure transmission of private health data of patients in OBANs over an insecure FSO channel is a challenging task. Therefore, this paper proposes a low cost, flexible, and secure OBAN based on FSO technology and time-delayed two dimensional (2D) spectral/spatial optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA) system. The proposed architecture consists of eight sensors attached to the bodies of patients operating at the rate of 50 kbps. Data from each sensor is encoded using a 2D spectral/spatial double weight-zero cross correlation (DW-ZCC) code. The 2D encoded optical signals are then time delayed to eliminate the multiple parallel FSO channels between the transmitter and medical center. The combined optical signal is transmitted via 1 km of FSO channel towards remote medical center. Received signal is decoded and data of each sensor is recovered after photo-detection at medical center for further analysis. The FSO channel between transmitter and medical center is modeled using Log-normal channel model. The overall performance of the sensors is analyzed using Bit-error rate (BER) plots for distinctive climate conditions. Secure and error free transmission of sensors data is successfully achieved for different weather conditions between the patients and remote medical center while achieving low receiver sensitivities.
Use and efficacy of dry-mouth interventions in Sjögren’s Disease patients and possible association with perceived oral dryness and patients’ discomfort
Authors: Assy Zainab , Santen J. S. , Brand H. S. , Bikker F. J.
Published: May 2023

Objectives Sjögren’s Disease (SjD) patients use various interventions to relief their oral dryness. However, the use and efficacy of these interventions have only partially been evaluated. The present study aims to investigate whether there is an association between the perceived oral dryness and discomfort of SJDpatients and their use of specific interventions.Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was performed among SjD patients, who completed several questionnaires to assess the severity of their oral dryness and an inventory of dry-mouth interventions. The perceived efficacy of each intervention was reported on a 5-point Likert-scale.Results The questionnaires were returned by 92 SjD patients. For relief of oral dryness, they mostly used “eating fruit’’, “drinking tea’’, “moistening the lips’’, “drinking water’’ and “drinking small volumes’’ (> 50%). Three interventions had a frequency of use ranging from 2–6 times/day, whereas, “drinking water’’ and “drinking small volumes’’ showed higher frequencies (> 14). The highest overall efficacy (≥ 3.5) was reported for “chewing gum’’ and “using a mouth gel’’. Furthermore, various dry-mouth interventions showed significant associations with oral dryness scores and/or patients’ discomfort. For example, “drinking small volumes” and “using XyliMelts” were associated with the Bother Index score.Conclusion Great variation was found in the use of dry-mouth interventions by the participants and the severity of the oral dryness and/or patients’ discomfort seemed to affect their choice of intervention. Notably, the mostly used interventions did not show the highest reported efficacy.Clinical relevance: These findings might help SjD patients and clinicians in their choice for effective dry-mouth interventions.
Trace determination of Cr (VI) and Cr in tomato samples: risk assessment in a mining area in Iran
Authors: Dizaji Rana , Abbasi Khadijah , Abdi Khosrou M , kamali Koorosh
Published: May 2023

To assess food safety, the determination of the highly toxic Chromium (VI) concentration in vegetables is important. Accurate and efficient determination of Cr(VI) in agricultural products, due to complex matrices, still remains a challenge. In this study, we aimed to determine the Cr(VI) concentration in tomatoes grown in farmlands, which is potentially contaminated by Pb and Zn mines and factories. We used an alkaline extraction at 80°C, for 5min containing 50 mM EDTA and dispersive liquid liquid miroextraction (DLLME) by spectrophotometric assay. Method validation, including spiking recoveries, showed satisfying results for Cr(VI) determination. Tomatoes were collected from two case studies: A) farmland, where the average concentrations of total Cr in soils was 73,775.51 µg kg− 1 and B) farmland with an average Chromium 24083.68 µg kg− 1. The average concentrations of Cr(VI) and total Cr in tomatoes from the contaminated case study A were 341.037 ± 55.2037 µg kg− 1 and 2539.731 ± 268.3714, respectively, while the lowest average Cr(VI) value was found to be 98.93917 ± 51.13807 and total Cr was 1243.09 ± 562.4392 µg kg− 1, attributed to case study B. In site(A), The total Cr in soil correlated with the Cr in tomatoes (r = 0.548), while a relatively low correlation was found for Cr (VI) in tomatoes (r = 0.309). The evaluation of the potential human health risks associated with tomatoes indicated that inhabitant children are at considerable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.
Determination of electrical facies using MRGC and ANN clustering methods
Authors: Eftekhari Seyedeh Hajar , Memariani Mahmoud , Maleki Zahra , AleAli Seyed Mohsen , Kianoush Pooria
Published: May 2023

The present research was performed on Iran's most crucial reservoir formation (Asmari Formation) in the Mansouri oil field in southwest Iran. This Formation is generally composed of carbonate lithologic, but it has sandstone layers in some zones. It is also the youngest reservoir rock in Iran. In the first step, the lithology of the Asmari Formation was determined by cross-lithology diagrams, and a combination of lime, dolomite, anhydrite, and sandstone with shaley layers was estimated. Also, in the sequence of this geological/reservoir zoning formation, five zones were identified with different geological/reservoir conditions, and the average of each of these petrophysical parameters was calculated in each zone, with the best reservoir quality in zones 3 and 5 with sandstone/shale lithology. Also, this study determines facies clustering methods MRGC and ANN and reading of gamma, neutron, density, acoustic and resistivity diagrams, facies having common geological/reservoir conditions in different subdivisions. For this purpose, the combined log readings of DT, RHOB, GR, Sw, NPHI, and PHIE were used. After applying the software (Geolog) method, an optimal model with 8 clusters (facies) was obtained. The reservoir features and plots in the software for better separation of rock species studied. Finally, five facies with different lithological compositions and reservoir conditions were identified in this study. The information obtained from determining electrical facies by clustering method determines the reservoir zone from non-reservoir and qualitatively (good, medium, and poor) of Mansouri oilfield were achieved.
Impacts of landscape pattern evolution on typical Ecosystem Services in Ganjiang River Basin, China
Authors: Wu Shiwen , Song Xu , Huang Yun , Wu Hanqing , Liu Zhong , Zhu Jinqi , Wan Wei , Zheng Bofu
Published: May 2023

Understanding the response mechanism of ecosystem services (ES) to landscape patterns is of great significance for regional landscape planning and sustainable development. In this study, the landscape index and InVEST model were used to quantitatively analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of landscape patterns and ES in the Ganjiang River Basin of China from 1990 to 2020. Furthermore, the bivariate Moran's I method and spatial error model (SEM) were used to test the spatial correlation between landscape index and ES. The results showed that (1) cropland decreased and construction land increased, and the overall landscape tended to be fragmented, the patch shape tended to be complicated, and landscape diversity increased from 1990 to 2020. Water conservation (WC) and soil conservation (SC) capacity increased by 10.56 mm and 16.24 t hm–2 a–1, respectively, whereas carbon storage (CS) decreased by 1.22 t hm–2 a–1. (2) The responses of different typical ES to landscape patterns were different in landscape index and response degree. Typical ES negatively responded to Shannon’s diversity index and patch density. WC was sensitive to the Splitting Index, whereas SC and CS were more responsive to the average patch area. (3) The overall purpose of territorial spatial planning within a basin should be to reduce the fragmentation and heterogeneity of the landscape. According to four local aggregation patterns of landscape index and ES, corresponding measures can be taken according to local conditions in different regions. The results can provide a quantitative basis for landscape management and ecological construction in the Ganjiang River basin and scientific guidance for the Yangtze River conservation strategy.
Complement might be the Link between Diabetic Kidney Disease and Immunology: Identification of the Shared Gene Signatures and Molecular Mechanism in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Immune-Related Kidney Diseases
Authors: Dong Zhaocheng , Cao Zijing , Geng Yunling , Zhang Yifei , Wu Yun , Wang Ying , Zhang Chao , Liu Baoli , Liu Yu Ning , Liu Wei Jing
Published: May 2023

Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), which is the main cause of end-stage renal disease and renal replacement therapy. In recent years, more and more studies have described the immune-related mechanisms of kidney injury such as inflammation. But anti-inflammatory therapies are difficult to gain effect. Methods To explore immune-related mechanisms of DKD, we compared it with immune-related kidney diseases using bioinformatics analysis. We searched for DKD and membranous nephropathy (MN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), lupus nephritis (LN) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We downloaded RNA sequences and patient information for these five kidney diseases. We used Metascape software to analyze the enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and shared genes in these diseases. By drawing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network map, we screened out the hub genes, and used receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve to perform diagnostic tests. Results We found that DKD shares 66 pathways with MN, 9 pathways with IgAN, 85 pathways with LN, and 54 pathways with AAV. Among them, the number of up-regulated pathways shared in the glomeruli was the largest. These pathways were mainly immune related pathways such as inflammation. We further analyzed the shared genes between DKD and LN or AAV, and found that the hub genes were C1QA, C1QB, C1R and C1S. These genes are associated with complement activation. Moreover, compared with healthy controls, their abnormal expression levels have diagnostic significance for DKD. At last, we used a network meta-analysis to confirm that current anti-inflammatory therapy is difficult to effectively treat DKD. Conclusions This study suggests that although there may be an immunological cause of renal injury in DKD, complement activation plays the key role in the occurrence and development of DKD. This would provide potential targets for novel therapies of DKD.
Proximity effect between Cu2(OH)3Cl and copper metal
Authors: Pimentel Dyvison Pedreira
Published: May 2023

The change in the spin state of a normal metal in contact with a highly frustrated antiferromagnetic insulator is shown experimentally. Dicopper chloride trihydroxide [Cu2(OH)3Cl] was used as the antiferromagnetic insulator and Copper (Cu) as the normal metal. By the application of a voltage, a conductive path of copper immersed in an antiferromagnetic insulator was created. Cu2(OH)3Cl is a highly insulating antiferromagnet with magnetic transitions at TN1 ~ 18 K and TN2 ~ 6.4 K. Thus, the electric current must flow in the copper path. One can clearly observe a change in resistance as a function of copper temperature that is related to a change in the ordering of the copper spins that was induced by the antiferromagnetic transitions of Cu2(OH)3Cl due to the proximity effect of this layer.
Dapagliflozin Improves Podocytes Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy via Regulating Cholesterol Balance Through KLF5 Targeting the ABCA1 Signalling Pathway
Authors: Wang Qinglian , Zhang Xinyu , Sun Jingshu , Wang Simeng , Chen Dandan , Shu Jianqiang , Chong Nannan , Xu Ying
Published: May 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the more prevalent microvascular complications in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, is attributed as the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lipotoxicity in podocytes caused by hyperglycemia has already been recognised as a significant pathology change, resulting in the deterioration of the glomerular filtration barrier. Research has demonstrated how dapagliflozin, a kind of SGLT2i, exhibits a multifaceted and powerful protective effect in DN, entirely independent of the hypoglycemic effect, with the specific mechanism verified. In this present study, we find that dapagliflozin has the potential to alleviate apoptosis and restore cytoskeleton triggered by high glucose (HG). We also discover that dapagliflozin could mitigate podocyte cholesterol accumulation by restoring the expression of ABCA, which is the key pathway for cholesterol outflows. This research also mechanistically demonstrates that the protective effect of dapagliflozin can be mediated by KLF-5, which is the upstream transcription factor of ABCA1. Results of in vivo experiments also show that dapagliflozin has the potential to alleviate apoptosis and cholesterol accumulation induced by diabetes mellitus condition. The expression of ABCA1 and KLF-5 is also restored by dapagliflozin in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that dapagliflozin offers significant potential in alleviating podocyte injury and cholesterol accumulation triggered by high glucose. In terms of the mechanism, we herein reveal that dapagliflozin could accelerate cholesterol efflux by restoring the expression of ABCA1, which is directly regulated by KLF-5.
Isospectral drum simulations using FreeFem++
Authors: Costa Masterson M. , de Carvalho Pitágoras P.
Published: May 2023

This research presents a program implemented in the software FreeFem++ to calculate approximate numerical solutions by the finite element method in twoisospectral regions. The original discovery of these domains was made by Gordon, Webb and Wolpert in 1992. The main objective of this work is to examinethe relative differences in corresponding eigenvalues. This paper is a pioneer in demonstrating numerical simulations performed on the well-known problem “Can you hear the shape of a drum?” produced by Mark Kac.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 35J86 · 58J53 · 65N30 · 65K05
Biogenic copper oxide nanomaterials development, characterization, antibacterial potential, antioxidant activity and in vitro toxicity estimation
Authors: Tyagi Shruti , Kumar Arvind , Tyagi Pankaj Kumar
Published: May 2023

This study describes the use of an extract from Cassia fistula Linn (Cf) leaves to produce biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) employing a green synthesis approach. UV-Vis, FTIR, DLS, XRD and TEM studies are implemented to characterize the synthesized CfBio-CuONPs. A maximum peak was produced by the CfBio-CuONPs at 272 nm. The CfBio-CuONPs were crystalline, according to XRD measurements. The O-H group, aromatic group, and other functional groups were present in the FTIR spectrum of CfBio-CuONPs. The spherical, 15–25 nm-diameter CfBio-CuONPs were investigated using TEM to determine their size and shape. The antibacterial potential of the synthesized CfBio-CuONPs was then examined against four pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and it was found that E. coli had the highest zone of inhibition (282.4), followed by B. subtilis (272.01), P. aeruginosa (240.97), and S. epidermidis (231.2). The maximum antioxidant activity (73% 1.54%) of CfBio-CuONPs was detected at a dose-dependent concentration of 2000 g/ml. On the other hand, the toxtrak test was used to determine the in vitro toxicity of CfBio-CuONPs and evaluate the percentage inhibition (%PI). According to the data, CfBio-CuONPs have a substantially stronger toxic effect value/PI against E. coli (93.52%) than against P. aeruginosa (92.65), B. subtilis (91.25%), and S. epidermidis (82.89%). These results also show that CfBio-CuONPs are more effective in killing harmful bacteria than antibiotics. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that CfBio-CuONPs are superior to chloramphenicol and close to gentamycin in their ability to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms. The ecotoxicological consequences may benefit from these findings.
MINAT PEMUDA GAMPONG ALUE IE MIRAH DALAM BERWIRAUSAHA
Authors: Darmawan Zaki , Fakhurrazi Fakhurrazi
Published: May 2023

Abstrak: Penelitian ini mengkaji tentang Minat Pemuda Gampong Alue Ie Mirah dalam Berwirausaha (Studi Kasus di Kecamatan Indra Makmur Kabupaten Aceh Timur). Penelitian ini berfokus pada faktor pendorong minat pemuda Gampong Alue Ie Mirah dalam berwirausaha serta upaya yang dilakukan untuk sukses. Teori yang digunakan pada penelitian ini yaitu teori motivasi perspektif McClelland. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa factor pendorong minat pemuda di Gampong Alue Ie Mirah dalam berwirausaha adalah (a), tempat tinggal di dalam pasar mendukung untuk membuka usaha; (b) keinginan memperoleh kesuksesan; (c) pemuda tidak ingin ketergantungan pada orang tua; (d) terbukanya lapangan pekerjaan; (e), keinginan mendongkrak perekonomian keluarga pada pemuda dari keluarga miskin; (f), dapat meningkatkan kepercayaan diri; (g), memberikan harta pribadi kepada pemuda; (g) adanya pengalaman bekerja. Strategi pemuda dalam mengembangkan usaha adalah (a), merencanakan usaha terlebih dahulu; (b) menyiapkan modal usaha; (c) menentukan lokasi usaha; dan (d) mengelola waktu usaha dan sekolah..

Kata Kunci: Minat; Pemuda; Wirausaha

 

Abstract: This research examines the interests of Youth Gampong Alue Ie Mirah in Entrepreneurship (Case Study in, Indra Makmur District, East Aceh district). This research focuses on factors driving youth interest in Gampong Alue Ie Mirah in entrepreneurship and effort made to succes. The theory used in this study is the McClelland perspective theory of motivation. This study uses a qualitative method using a descriptive approach. The results of this study indicate that the causes of youth in Gampong Alue Ie Mirah being interested in entrepreneurship are (a), housing in the market supports opening a business; (b) the desire to achieve success; (c) youth do not want to depend on their parents; (d) the opening of employ opportunities; fifth, the desire to boost the family economy for young people from poor families; (e), can increase self-confidence; (f), giving personal property to youth; (g) work experience. The youth strategy in developing a business is (a), planning the business beforehand; (b) preparing business capital; (c) determine the location of the business; and (d) managing business and school time.

Keywords: Motivation; Youth; Entrepreneurs
Chromatography-Spectroscopic Isolated MO11 (Moringa oleifera) and MS06 (Musa sapientum) Positively Immunomodulated ACE2 Levels in Blood, Kidney and Liver of Rats
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, O. Ameen Mubarak , A. Akinlolu Adelaja ,   Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria
Published: May 2023

Moringa oleifera (MO) and Musa sapientum (MS) are ethno-medicinal plants, while cadmium is a carcinogen. SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 for host’s cell invasion and infection. This study evaluated the effects of MO11 (isolated from MO leaves) and MS06 (isolated from MS suckers) on ACE2 levels in cadmium chloride (CdCl)-induced toxicity in rats. Twentyfour adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 4). Group 1 was control. Groups 2–4 received single 1.5 mg/kg bodyweight of CdCl (i.p.) (Day 1). Groups 3 and 4 were post-treated with MO11 and MO11 + MS06 doses, respectively (Days 1–17). Groups 5 and 6 received only MO11 and olive oil (vehicle), respectively (Days 1–17). MO leaves and MS suckers were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures using chromatography and spectroscopic techniques. ACE2 levels (ELISA) were evaluated in blood, kidney and liver of rats. MO11 and MS06 were the most active antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds isolated from MO leaves and MS suckers, respectively. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed presence of therapeutic compounds and amino-acids in MO11 and MS06, which are part of 14 shared amino-acids used by SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 for ACE2-binding. Post-treatments of CdCl-exposure with MO11 and MS06 showed decreased ACE2 levels in Group 4 (20.63 ± 4.33 ng/mL and 16.11 ± 0.49 ng/mL in blood and kidney samples, respectively), compared with Group 2 (39.39 ± 3.15 ng/mL and 85.39 ± 3.10 ng/mL in blood and kidney samples, respectively). In conclusion, MO11 and MS06 possess significant ethno-medicinal potentials, may compete with SARS-CoV-2 for ACE2 binding, and are recommended for evaluations as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme on Antimicrobial Utilisation, Cost and Bacterial Resistance in a Malaysian Public Tertiary Hospital
Authors:   Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia, Abdul Aziz Azrina , Chong Chee Ping ,   Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Idris Najihah ,   Department of Medical, Hospital Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia, Wan Ismail Wan Alifah ,   Department of Microbiology, Hospital Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia, Saidin Hamimah ,   Department of Microbiology, Hospital Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia
Published: May 2023

Antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) was introduced as one of the strategies to curb the rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organism. The findings on the programme establishment are important in strengthening ASP measures. This study aimed to assess the impact of ASP implementation on the antimicrobial utilisation, antimicrobial cost and the MDR bacterial resistant rate before and after the programme initiation. A retrospective cohort study involving adult inpatient in a public tertiary hospital was conducted between pre-ASP implementation in year 2015 and post-ASP implementation from year 2016 to 2019. The statistical analysis of Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used depending on the data distribution. The mean defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 patient days for ASP targeted antibiotics was significantly decreased by 17% from 161.52 DDD per 1,000 patient days in pre-ASP period to 134.49 DDD per 1,000 patient days in post-ASP period mainly from the usage of third generation cephalosporin, carbapenem and colistin. The annual expenditure for ASP targeted antibiotics had significant monetary reduction from RM30,580.50 in pre-ASP period to RM20,590.60 during post-ASP period. Significant reduction in the mean MDR bacterial resistant rate were notable for extended spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli (27.48%–17.85%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (22.25%–15.73%) and MDR Acinetobacter spp. (71.46%–49.34%). The implementation of ASP leads to significant reduction on the ASP targeted antibiotics utilisation, antimicrobial cost and MDR bacterial resistance rate. These outcomes are beneficial in justification and expansion of ASP activities in Malaysia.
Medication Non-Adherence and Cost Associated with Hospitalisation of Hypertensive In-Patients in a Tertiary Hospital, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, Ipingbem Aduke Elizabeth , Erhun Wilson Oyekigho ,   Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, Adisa Rasaq ,   Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Published: May 2023

The study aimed at estimating the cost of hospitalisation associated with medication non-adherence (MNA) among hypertensive in-patients in a tertiary healthcare facility in southwestern Nigeria. It involved a cross-sectional retrospective review of 322 medical records of hypertensive in-patients at the University College Hospital between 2013 and 2015. Physician’s documentation of MNA in the patients’ medical records prior to admission determined the eligibility into the study. Direct medical costs mainly consultation, medications, laboratory costs for individual patients during hospitalisation were calculated using out-of-pocket payer’s perspective approach. Data were summarised with descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine relationship between length of stay in hospital, cost of management and number of comorbidities at p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Of the 322 medical records of hypertensive in-patients evaluated within the 3-year study period, 230 (71.4%) had a documentation of MNA. The average age was 55.9 ± 15.7 years old. Artisans/self-employed (n = 82; 35.7%) and petty traders (n = 61; 26.5%) made up the majority of the patients. The total cost of hospitalisation for the period studied was USD100,461.40 for all the patients, with an average of USD52.00 ± 28.10/patient/day, more than a quarter of which was spent on pharmaceuticals. Similarly, the costs of management also increased with increase in length of hospitalisation (Pearson’s product moment correlation r = 0.539, p = 0.000). The number of comorbid diseases increased the length of hospitalisation (r = 0.133, p = 0.044). Cost associated with hospitalisation in relation to MNA is high among the studied participants. There is a need to develop strategies to enhance medication adherence among patients with hypertension.