bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain of The Neck, Shoulders And Back Among Dentists At The Dental Hospital of The University Of Barcelona: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bayona-Baanders  , O Camps-Font , B Traboulsi-Garet , Sánchez-Garcés
Published: February 2022

Background: Musculoskeletal pain and disorders represents one of the greatest problems of dental professionals. The present study aimed to make an assessment of the work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMP) of the neck, shoulders and back of the professors at the Dental Hospital of the University of Barcelona (DHUB) during the last 12 months. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. WRMP were assessed using validated questionnaires. Descriptive and bivariate analysis of the data were performed. Results: 165 teachers received the survey, 70 responded and 43 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 86.05% of respondents reported WRMP during the last 12 months, with shoulders being the most common location. 83.78% of the dentists had gradual pain of moderate intensity. Nearly one-third of these periods of pain had negative consequences. Extreme cervical torsions and flexions during work have been found to be associated with WRMP in the shoulders. In addition, Body Mass Index (BMI) was related to lower back WRMP. Conclusions: Excessive cervical twists and flexions are predictors of shoulders’. A high BMI can be considered a trigger factor of lower back WRMP. Several strategies could reduce the impact of factors associated with WRMP. Further research is needed to prevent WRMP in dentists.
Impact of Urban Innovation on Urban Green Development in China's Yangtze River Economic Belt: Perspectives of Scale and Network
Authors: Tan Feifei , Yang Longxue , Lu Zhaohua , Niu Zhiyuan
Published: February 2022

Understanding whether and how urban innovation offers a sound solution to the dilemma of urban green development, is a crucial response to mitigate the detrimental effect on natural resources and environment for transitioning to sustainable urban development. To address the critical issue, we propose urban green development evaluation index system, and then examine how the urban innovation affect urban green development from the perspectives of government-scale, enterprise-scale and spatial correlation network, all of which are originally applied in the 108 cities of Yangtze River Economic Belt of China (YREB) during period 2006-2016. The evaluation results show that urban innovation promote urban green development, and both government-scale and enterprise-scale contribute to the effects. The constructed spatial correlation network of urban innovation illustrates the network structural form and reveals the network property, and further results tell that increasing network density and centrality would promote green development obviously. More specifically, the network density of urban innovation has been tied to the enhancement of urban green development, which is more significant in middle reaches than in lower and upper reaches of YREB. Similarly, optimizing the network’s degree centrality and closeness centrality can help facilitate urban green development in whole YREB. Thus, the research findings would provide new insights into the essence and driving forces from various scale and hidden network when exploring and seeking urban green development path.
J-shaped Association Between Serum Potassium and 30-day Mortality in Heart Failure: a Secondary Analysis of Cohort Study
Authors: Xu Huan Ying , Jiang Zi Qing , Chen Ying , Zuo Jun Ling , Wu Su Zhen , Zhou Xiao Liang
Published: February 2022

Background: Multiple observational studies suggest that the association between serum potassium and mortality is U-shaped in heart failure patients, but mostly failed to control for potential confounders of other electrolytes. We explored serum potassium in relation to 30-day mortality in heart failure patients by controlling serum sodium and calcium.Methods: Data were drawn from Electrolyte imbalances in an unselected population in an emergency department: a retrospective cohort study, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.f3h26j3. This study involved 31,966 patients aged 18 years or older at the emergency department in Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo, Norway, between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. 30-day mortality was examined according to seven predefined potassium levels: 2.60-3.40(hypokalaemia), 3.5–3.8, 3.9–4.1, 4.2–4.4, 4.5–4.7, 4.80-5.00, and 5.1–7.4(hyperkalemia) mmol/L. We estimated the risk of 30-day mortality using multivariable logistic regression, with serum potassium at 4.2–4.4 mmol/L as reference. Results: A total of 1810 patients were included, and 258 (14.25%) patients died within 30-day. After multivariable adjustment, the 30-day mortality significantly increased for patients with hyperkalemia (OR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.32,3.59), but not with normal serum potassium levels: 4.8-5.0mmol/L (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.62,1.87) , 4.5-4.7mmol/L (OR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.67,1.68), 3.9-4.1mmol/L (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.65,1.58), 3.5-3.8mmol/L (OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.42,1.20), nor with hypokalaemia (OR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.44,1.80). A J-shaped relationship between serum potassium and 30-day mortality was found, with a cut-off point at 4.8 mmol/L. When serum potassium exceeded 4.8 mmol/L, the risk of 30-day mortality increased 192 % for each 1 mmol/L increase in serum potassium (OR=2.92, 95CI: 1.74,4.89). Conclusions: J-shaped association between serum potassium and 30-day mortality in heart failure was found, with increased mortality when serum potassium exceeded 4.8 mmol/L.
Self-stabilization of levitating droplet clusters: A new idea and its experimental confirmation
Authors: Dombrovsky Leonid , Fedorets Alexander , Levashov Vladimir , Shcherbakov Dmitry
Published: February 2022

A method of self-stabilization of a droplet cluster levitating over the locally heated water surface is proposed for the first time. The physical analysis of the problem shows that the desired result can be reached by dissolving a small amount of sodium chloride in a layer of water. This is explained by simultaneous action of two processes with opposite effects on evaporation. On the one hand, when water evaporates, a thin layer of increased salt concentration that prevents evaporation is formed at its surface. On the contrary, diffusion of salt in water decreases the surface concentration of salt. Different combinations of water heating intensity and average salt concentration are expected to result in the stable size of nearly identical levitating droplets, when there is a balance between the droplet evaporation and the condensation of vapor from the ascending vapor-air flow. The predicted phenomenon has been observed experimentally. In a series of laboratory experiments, a range of parameters has been obtained for which self-stabilization of the droplet cluster takes place. An analysis of the combined problem of heat transfer, water evaporation, and salt diffusion in water made it possible to obtain the minimum required value of the salt concentration, which is very close to that obtained experimentally.
Do Physical Activity and COVID-19-Related Anxiety Affect Eating Disorders? Eating disordes and physical activity
Authors: Ahmadabadi Somayeh , Sedaghati parisa
Published: February 2022

Background

Eating disorder is one of the most common disorders among adolescents and young females. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between eating disorders (nutrition attitude) with nutrition knowledge, physical activity level, and COVID-19-related anxiety in female students.
Methods

The present research was a correlational and causal-comparative study. The statistical population consisted of all female students of Farhangian University of Mashhad (1500 students) in 2021, of whom 247 students were randomly selected. Out of whom, 107 students were active and 140 inactive. Nutrition knowledge, eating disorder, COVID-19-related anxiety, physical activity level, and health-related anthropometric parameters were assessed via the online survey. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression in SPSS software.
Results

The results showed that there was a significant difference between active and inactive students in nutrition knowledge (P=0.01), eating disorders (P=0.003), COVID-19-related anxiety, and physical activity level (P=0.001). Additionally, eating disorders correlated significantly with COVID-19-related anxiety and physical activity level (P=0.001). The linear regression results showed that COVID-19-related anxiety could predict eating disorders in female students (P=0.001). Despite a significant negative correlation between eating disorders and physical activity level, the regression model showed that the latter could not predict the former in female students (P>0.05).
Conclusion

According to the results, it can be said that in certain conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased anxiety levels can increase the prevalence of eating disorders. It seems that regular physical activity can indirectly reduce eating disorders by alleviating anxiety levels.
Effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case-management service on activity in an Emergency Department in the UK: a pragmatic difference-in-differences evaluation
Authors: Elston Julian , Gradinger Felix P. , Streeter Adam J. , Macey Stephen , Martin Susan
Published: February 2022

Background: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case management service that aimed to reduce ED attendance amongst frequent attenders, known to disproportionately contribute to demand. Evidence on the effectiveness of these services varies.Methods: A 24-month controlled before-and-after study, following 808 patients (128 cases and 680 controls (41 were non-compliant)) who were offered the service in the first four months of operation within a UK ED department. Patients stratified as high-risk of reattending ED within 6 months by a predictive model were manually screened. Those positively reviewed were offered a non-clinical, nurse-led, telephone-based health coaching, consisting of care planning, coordination and goal setting for up to 9 months. Service effectiveness was estimated using a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis. Incident rate of ED and Minor Injury Unit (MIU)) attendances and average length of stay in intervention recipients and controls over 12 months after receiving their service offer following ED attendance were compared, adjusting for the prior 12-month period, sex and age, to give an incidence rate ratio (IRR).Results: Intervention recipients were more likely to be female (63.3% versus 55.4%), younger (mean of 69 years versus 76 years), and have higher levels of ED activity (except for MIU) than controls. Mean rates fell between periods for all outcomes (except for MIU attendance). The Intention-to-Treat analysis indicated non-statistically significant effect of the intervention in reducing all outcomes, except for MIU attendances, with IRRs: ED attendances, 0.856 (95% CI: 0.631, 1.160); ED admissions, 0.871 (95% CI: 0.628, 1.208); Length of stay for emergency and elective admissions: 0.844 (95% CI: 0.619, 1.151) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.420, 1.454). MIU attendance increased with an IRR: 2.638 (95% CI: 1.041, 6.680)Conclusions: Telephone-based health coaching appears to be effective in reducing ED attendances by 14-15% and admissions by 12-13%, with shorter lengths of stay, in intervention recipients over controls. Future studies need to capture outcomes beyond acute activity, and better understand how services like this provide added value.
Detection of Myocardial Dysfunction using Global longitudinal strain with Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with vs without Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Thallapally Vinay Kumar , Bansal Raahat , Thandra Abhishek , Gupta Sonia , Aurit Sarah , Pajjuru Venkat S. , Anugula Dixitha , Ahmed Aboeta , Nahas Joseph
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder primarily involving the peripheral joints. Systemic involvement can occur, including myocardial dysfunction. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel diagnostic study that is recently being used to detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) by STE is more sensitive than standard echocardiographic parameters to detect occult cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

A systematic search of PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was performed to identify studies comparing the STE parameters between RA and non-RA patients.

Results

Left ventricular (LV) GLS was significantly lower in patients with RA compared to non-RA patients with a standard mean difference (SMD) of -1.09 (-1.48 to -0.70, P < 0.001). LV Global Circumferential Strain (GCS) was reported in five studies and it was found to be lower in RA patients with an SMD of -1.25 (-2.59 to -0.10; P < 0.0010). Meta-regression analysis studies failed to show any significant impact of disease duration, activity, age, sex, and BMI on LV GLS and RV GLS.

Conclusions

RA patients have lower LV GLS and LV GCS compared to controls suggesting impaired myocardial dysfunction. Further studies need to be done to delineate the importance of lower GLS in asymptomatic rheumatoid patients to guide disease management and risk factor modification in this selected population.
A Novel Feature Selection Method Based on Binary Differential Evolution and Feature Subset Correlation for Microarray Data
Authors: Xie Weidong , Chi Yuhuan , Wang Linjie , Yu Kun , Li Wei
Published: February 2022

Obtaining diagnostically important features from microarray data can help researchers understand diseases and study drugs. The challenges come from the high dimensionality, small sample size of the data and the high redundancy among features. To solve this problem, we propose a new hybrid feature selection method based on differential evolution algorithm. The proposed method the proposed method adopts a new binary quantization method to adapt to the characteristics of high-dimensional data, and improves the scaling factor and mutation operator to balance the global search performance and convergence speed of the algorithm. The proposed method also proposes the concept of feature subset correlation in the fitness function to ensure the low redundancy of feature subsets. The experimental results show that the proposed method is advanced and the selected features, are with low redundancy and can effectively distinguish between positive and negative samples.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta Isoforms and TGF-βR1 and TGF-βR2 Expression in Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Lomelí-Nieto José Alvaro , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco , Baños-Hernández Christian Johana , Navarro-Zarza José Eduardo , Godínez-Rubí Juliana Marisol , García-Arellano Samuel , Ramírez-Dueñas María Guadalupe , Parra-Rojas Isela , Villanueva-Pérez Arisbeth , Hernández-Bello Jorge
Published: February 2022

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, two processes associated with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) functions. In the present study, we investigated the expression of TGF-β isoforms in serum and the skin distribution of TGF-β and two receptors (TGF-βR1 and TGF-βR2) in SSc patients. A total of 56 SSc patients and 120 control subjects (CS) were included. The serum levels of TGF-β isoforms were quantified by immunoassay with magnetic microspheres, and the skin biopsies were processed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The soluble levels of the three active TGF-β isoforms were lower in SSc patients than in CS (p < 0.0001). However, sTGF-β1 and sTGF-β3 levels were positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in SSc patients. Additionally, sTGF-β2 and sTGF-β3 levels were positively correlated with the number of platelets in SSc patients. In skin biopsies, TGF-β1, TGF-βR1, and TGF-βR2 expression levels were higher in SSc patients than CS. In conclusion, this is the first study showing a joint decrease of the 3 active TGF-β isoforms in SSc patients. However, TGF-β1, TGF-βR1, and TGF-βR2 are possibly increased in clinically involved skin. Therefore, it is likely that a distinct role is played by TGF-β at the local (skin lesions) and systemic levels in SSc patients.
Alarmingly Low Physical Activity in Pakistani College Students Compared to American College Students
Authors: Jaffri Abbis , Jaffri Ume Abbiyha , Corbett R. O.
Published: February 2022

There are no studies that have investigated the physical activity (PA) trends in Pakistan, the 5 th most populated country in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify trends and differences in PA between intercollegiate students in Pakistan and the US. Three hundred (167 US; 133 Pakistani) intercollegiate students completed a cross-sectional survey used to gauge the PA levels, barriers, and literacy of intercollegiate students in both countries. American students are more likely (í µí±¥ 2 =97.27, p-value <.001) to be moderate to highly physically active in comparison to Pakistani students. American female students were more (í µí±¥ 2 =97.27, p-value <.001) active than female students in Pakistan. Independent t-test showed significantly more major barriers to PA in Pakistani intercollegiate students (6.860 ± 5.56) when compared to American intercollegiate students (3.78 ± 3.94). Out of all students 59.6%, regardless of nationality, correctly recounted the standard PA recommendations, with 1.2% of those students being Pakistani. Pakistani students were physically inactive, faced more barriers, and had lower literacy of PA. This is a novel yet extremely valuable data set for understanding the current trends in the PA status of college students in the fifth most-populated country, 60% of which is younger than 30 years of age.
A Phenotypic and Genetic Study of Semen Production and Semen Quality Traits Among Young and Adult Cattle Bulls in India
Authors: Bhave Kaustubh Gajanan , Koilpillai Thilak Pon Jawahar , Ragothaman Venkataramanan , Sontakke Shivaji , Joshi Gautami , Jadhav Rajesh , Khadse Jayant , Swaminathan Marimuthu , Ducrocq Vincent
Published: February 2022

Semen characteristics of 97,112 ejaculates from 399 adult bulls of 2 exotic breeds, 2 indigenous breeds and crossbred sub-populations with 50% and 75% of exotic inheritance, and of 3,293 ejaculates from 292 test bulls were analysed. The traits considered were: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total number of sperms, initial and post-thaw motility, and a theoretical number of doses produced from each given ejaculate. The objective was to measure the semen production potential of different genetic groups of cattle breeds, to identify factors affecting semen production and quality traits, and to assess the correlation between semen characteristics measure on test and adult bulls. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the effect of different fixed and random effects. For adult bulls, the first ejaculate of a bull on a particular day and longer collection intervals lead to better characteristics for all the parameters but short collection interval with two ejaculate on particular day lead to a larger number of total semen doses produced without hampering semen quality. Repeatability estimates for semen traits were found to be low to moderate. Low to moderate and negative bull correlation was observed between concentration and volume in all the breed groups while the correlations of bull effects of the two motility traits were comparatively large. The moderate to high correlation for all semen traits between their testing and when they are adult highlights the importance of andrology evaluation in predicting future semen production of AI bulls in order to discard the less productive bulls.
Vocabularies And Rituals of Climate Grief In Canada: A Typology
Authors: Zurba Melanie , Boyd Sara , Lamoureux Bryanne , Mendritzki Erica , Park Andrew , Busolo David , Binkley Lisa , Woodgate Roberta
Published: February 2022

Climate change has become a reality for many people across Canada. Environmental changes occurring in Canadian ecoregions include: increasing temperature, more severe storms, increasing wildfire occurrence, and decreasing sea ice thickness and duration. These events are impacting mental health due to the psychological experience of grieving and loss associated with climate change. In this study, we use the term ‘climate grief’ to describe the feelings connected to both the experienced and anticipated loss due to climate change. The purpose of this study was to explore the different ways that Canadian’s express and process climate grief. A scoping review was conducted to create a typology of existing vocabularies and rituals for expressing and processing climate grief. The results of the typology found that the primary types included peer-reviewed research, media, religious/spiritual practices, education, mental health support, social action gatherings, grey literature, guiding frameworks, and artistic expression. Secondary types included 25 subtypes and 37 tertiary types/approaches. It is important for governments and medical boards to have a proactive and not a reactive position in regard to mental and physical health effects from climate change. The way that people express and process feelings associated with climate change can provide important insights for developing climate change policy and programs. Furthermore, climate change strategies should include recognition of psychological wellbeing.
CircDDX17 enhances CVB3 replication by N6-methyladenosine regulation through miR-1248/NOTCH2 targeting
Authors: Shen Hongxing , Liu Tingjun , Li Yuhan , Wang Yan , Qiao Xiaorong , yang qingru , tong jing , Deng Xintao , wang hua
Published: February 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal mRNA modification in eukaryotes. m6A is necessary for RNA metabolism and function, and influences RNA viruses replication. Methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3) is a “writer” to regulating m6A. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), belonging to the genus Enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family, are species of non-enveloped, positive single-stranded RNA virus. CVB3 infection reduces circular RNA_DDX17 (circDDX17) expression level in HeLa and HL-1 cells, as in viral myocarditis (VM). CircDDX17 enhanced CVB3 replication in HeLa and HL-1 cells and regulated NOTCH Receptor 2 (NOTCH2) by targeting microRNA-1248 (miR-1248) as microRNAs (miRNAs) sponge. NOTCH2 interaction with METTL3, through m6A proteins like methyltransferase-like protein 14 (METTL14), AlkB Homolog 5 (ALKBH5), and YTH N6-Methyladenosine RNA Binding Protein 1 (YTHDF1) to improve CVB3 replication in host cells. Taken together, this study suggests that circDDX17 targets miR-1248 to regulate NOTCH2 expression and regulates METTL3 to enhance CVB3 replication in cells by m6A relation protein.
Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Monitoring System for Postoperative Flap Management in Diabetic Foot Patients
Authors: Park Jun Ho , Park Ji-Ung
Published: February 2022

Background: Various types of flaps are considered as reconstructive options for patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). However, flap reconstruction for DFU treatment is particularly challenging because of the relatively limited collateral perfusion in the distal lower extremity. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel postoperative monitoring procedure implemented in conjunction with NPWT immediately after flap operations for treating diabetic foot. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on DFU patients who underwent free flaps and perforator flaps from March 2019 through August 2021. The surgical outcomes of interest were the rates of survival and complications. On the third postoperative day, patients underwent computed tomography (CT) angiography to check for pedicle compression or fluid collection in the sub-flap plane. Monitoring time, as well as comparisons between NPWT and conventional methods, were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed between the two groups. Results: This study included 26 patients. Among DFU patients, the NPWT group included 14 flaps and the conventional monitoring group included 12 flaps. There was no significant intergroup difference in flap survival rate (p = 0.83). In addition, there was no significant intergroup difference in the diameters of perforators or anastomosed vessels before and after NPWT (p = 0.97). Compared with conventional monitoring, the novel NPWT monitoring system was associated with a significantly lower mean monitoring time per flap up to postoperative day 5. Conclusion: Although conventional monitoring is widely recommended, especially for DFU management, the novel NPWT monitoring system investigated in this study enabled effortless serial flap monitoring and was associated with reduced infection risk compared with conventional monitoring. The novel flap monitoring technique was safe for DFU patients and is a promising candidate for future recognition as the gold standard for flap monitoring.
An Analytical Literature Review on Environmental Innovations Concepts
Authors: POPA VASILE N. , POPA LUMINITA I. , (BUTNARIU) Anca N. IUGA
Published: February 2022

Background: The importance of environmental innovation concepts is growing in the private sector, in academia and at the level of government policies. The concept of environmental innovation is closely related to two other notions: eco-innovation and green innovation. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a clarification of the concept of environmental innovation and to provide an overview of the existing scientific literature in this field, identifying the most active authors, countries, publishers and relevant publications.Results: We created a matrix with a proposed eco-innovation model that is focused on the correlation between the measures related to the model application in the process of eco-innovation and the main areas of application.Conclusion: This review draws from the resource-based theory and investigates the interrelationships between three types of innovation (environmental innovation, eco-innovation, green innovation) and their impact on firm’s business performance using the proposed eco-innovation model. We found that the most active scholars are situated in US and Europe (i.e. USA, UK. Swiss, Germany, Singapore, Netherlands, Canada and France) and identified OECD as author of seven publications and Jens Horbach as author of six publications in the field of environmental innovations journals, leading the field.
Heterocomplexes between the Atypical Chemokine MIF and the CXC-Motif Chemokine CXCL4L1 Regulate Inflammation and Thrombus Formation
Authors: Brandhofer Markus , Hoffmann Adrian , Blanchet Xavier , Siminkovitch Elena , Rohlfing Anne-Katrin , Bounkari Omar El , Nestele Jeremy A. , Bild Alexander , Kontos Christos , Hille Kathleen , Rohde Vanessa , Fröhlich Adrian , Golemi Jona , Gokce Ozgun , Krammer Christine , Scheiermann Patrick , Tsilimparis Nikolaos , Kempf Wolfgang E. , Maegdefessel Lars , Megens Remco T.A. , Ippel Hans , Koenen Rory R. , Mayo Kevin H. , Gawaz Meinrad , Kapurniotu Aphrodite , Weber Christian , von Hundelshausen Philipp , Bernhagen Jürgen
Published: February 2022

To fulfil its orchestrating function in immune cell trafficking, a network of chemokines and receptors capitalizes on specificity, redundancy, and functional selectivity. The discovery of heteromeric interactions in the chemokine interactome has expanded the complexity within the network. Moreover, some inflammatory mediators, not structurally linked to classical chemokines, bind to chemokine receptors and behave as atypical chemokines (ACKs). We identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as an ACK that binds to the chemo­kine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR4 to promote atherogenic leukocyte recruitment. Here, we hypothesized that chemokine-chemokine interactions extend to ACKs and that MIF may form hetero­complexes with classical chemokines. We tested this hypothesis by an unbiased chemokine protein array. The platelet chemokine CXCL4L1, but not its variant CXCL4 or the CXCR2/CXCR4 ligands CXCL8 or CXCL12, was identified as a candidate interactor. MIF/CXCL4L1 complexation was verified by co-immunoprecipitation, surface plasmon-resonance analysis, and microscale thermo­phoresis, also establishing high-affinity binding. We next determined whether heterocomplex formation modulates inflammatory/atherogenic activities of MIF. Complex formation abrogated MIF-elicited T-cell chemotaxis as assessed in a 3D-matrix-based live cell-imaging set-up. Hetero­complexation also blocked MIF-triggered migration of microglia in cortical cultures in situ . Of note, CXCL4L1 blocked the binding of Alexa-MIF to a soluble surrogate of CXCR4 and co-incubation with CXCL4L1 attenuated MIF responses in HEK293-CXCR4 transfectants, indicating that complex formation interferes with MIF/CXCR4 pathways. As MIF and CXCL4L1 are platelet products, we finally tested their role in platelet activation. Multi-photon microscopy, FLIM-FRET, and proximity-ligation assay visualized heterocomplexes in platelet aggregates and clinical human thrombus sections. Moreover, heterocomplexes inhibited MIF-stimulated throm­bus formation under flow and skewed the lamellipodia phenotype of adhering platelets. Our study establishes a novel molecular interaction, adding to the complexity of the chemokine interactome and chemokine/receptor-network. MIF/CXCL4L1, or more generally, ACK/CXC-motif chemokine heterocomplexes may be target structures to modulate inflammation and thrombosis.
The Accuracy of Bladder Voiding Efficiency to Predict the Severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Benign Prostatic Enlargement Patients at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Ndola , Zambia
Authors: Kapesa By Philimon , Bowa Kasonde
Published: February 2022

Background
The management of Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) in low resource settings poses a major challenge in Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the accuracy of Bladder Voiding Efficiency (BVE) to assess lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) among BPE patients in a low resource setting.
Methods
From December 2017 to March 2018, patients with Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) were recruited into the study. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study. Participants had the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) recorded followed by evaluation of their Bladder Voiding Efficiency (BVE). The BVE was calculated as the ratio of the volume of Urine voided over total volume of Urine in the bladder at the time of the void. The data was analysed to show the Sensitivity and Specificity of BVE in symptomatic LUTS. The Pearson correlation co-efficient between IPSS and BVE was analysed.
Results
The study recruited 94 participants. The age range was 45 to 85 year. The mean age was 68.1 years. The sensitivity of BVE to detect severe LUTS was 97.97%, while the specificity of BVE to detect mild to moderate disease was 97.78%. The correlation coefficient between IPSS and BVE was negatively correlated at 0.89 and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The Bladder Voiding Efficiency (BVE) is a highly sensitive and specific test in our population to detect LUTS. It is well correlated to the International Prostate Severity Score (IPSS) in this study population.
A DFT Investigation of Triarylamine-α-Cyanoacrylic Acid Compounds: Structural, Electronic, And Nonlinear-Optical Properties
Authors: Chen Ziran , Zhang Yuhong , Li Yuan , Yu Wenhao
Published: February 2022

Using density functional theory and finite field method, nonlinear-optical properties of nine triarylamine-α-cyanocinnamic acid molecules was calculated at the theoretical level of M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) and WB97XD/6-311++G(d,p). Except for (E)-2-cyano-3-(4-(di([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)amino)phenyl)acrylic acid (a) which is D-p-A electronic structure, the remaining eight derivative molecules are all A-p-D-p-A structures. The calculation result showed that the lowest energy transition of the nine triarylamine derivatives molecules was the p–p* electron transition from HOMO to LUMO. Compared with those of the gas phase, the maximum absorption wavelengths of the molecules in ethanol solution exhibited a certain degree of redshift. The introduction of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds or carbon-carbon triple bonds between the biphenyl structure of molecule a has little effect on the second-order nonlinear-optical properties of the molecules. However, the introduction of carbon-carbon double bonds into the parent molecules improves the third-order nonlinear-optical properties. The introduction of a heterocyclic ring (furan ring or thiophene ring) between the cyano-cinnamic acid group branch and the triarylamine enhances the second-order and third-order nonlinear-optical properties, especially the second-order and third-order polarisability of the b3 and c3 molecules obtained by introducing a thiophene ring; these molecules had the highest polarisability values. The second- and third-order polarizabilities of the b3 molecule are 0.13×105 a.u. and 27.13×105 a.u., respectively, and the second- and third-order polarizabilities of the c3 molecule are 0.14×105 a.u. and 28.10×105 a.u., respectively. This suggests that the b3 and c3 molecules have beneficial second- and third-order nonlinear-optical properties, and can be used as the basis for the design of good second- and third-order nonlinear-optical materials.
Triiodothyronine Regulates the Number and Morphological Development of Supporting Cells of organ of Corti During Critical Periods of Cochlear Development
Authors: Bai Xue , Xu Kai , Chen Sen , Xie Le , Qiu Yue , Sun Yu
Published: February 2022

Thyroid hormones are essential for cochlear development and normal auditory function. In rodents, previous study reports that excessive triiodothyronine (T3) accelerates development of cochlear morphology and cause deafness. However, the mechanism of T3 induced hearing loss and its effect on the remodeling of the organ of Corti (OC) remain unclear. In this study, neonatal mice were given T3 at different time points, and then auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and morphological changes of the OC were analyzed at postnatal day (P) 18. Mice treated with T3 at P0 or P1 showed severe hearing loss with disordered stereocilia of the outer hair cells (OHCs), and impaired function of mechanoelectrical transduction of OHCs. In addition, we found that treatment with T3 at P0 or P1 resulted in overproduction of Deiter-like cells (Deiter’s cell, DC, a supporting cell in OC). These extra cells have phalangeal process structure similar to DC, and coupled with normal DC by gap junctions. Compared with the control group, the transcription levels of Sox2 and notch pathway related genes in the cochlea of T3 group were significantly down-regulated. Furthermore, T3 treatment combined with downregulation of Sox2 not only resulted in overproduction of DCs, but also led to a large number of ectopic outer Pillar cells (OPCs). This can induce a great change of morphology of OC, forming double tunnels of Corti structure. Together, our study provides new evidence for dual roles of T3 in regulating both hair cell and supporting cell development, suggesting that it is possible to increase the reserve of supporting cells.
A machine learning and geostatistical hybrid method to improve spatial prediction accuracy of soil potentially toxic elements
Authors: Molla Abiot , Zhang Weiwei , Zuo Shudi , Ren Yin , Han Jigang
Published: February 2022

Effective environmental management and contamination remediation require accurate spatial variation and prediction of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil. However, no single method has been developed to predict soil PTEs accurately. This study evaluated the ability of the advanced geostatistical method of empirical Bayesian kriging regression prediction (EBKRP), machine learning algorithms of random forest (RF), and the combination of RF and EBKRP to predict and map soil PTE content. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to assess model prediction performance. As identified by RF, soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), slope, and elevation were ranked as significant covariates to improve the prediction accuracy of PTEs in greenspace soil. Results showed that the RF method improved the prediction accuracy over the EBKRP method, and the improvement was from 24-40% for RMSE, 41-210% for R2, and 18-35% for MAPE. However, hybrid methods (RF-EBKRP) increased accuracy by comparing the individually predicted models with 345% and 33% in EBKRP and RF, based on R2, respectively. Moreover, the RF-EBKRP method decreased MAPE by 5.33-18.69% and 0.48-12.33% on average than EBKRP and RF, respectively. In conclusion, in addition to incorporating covariates into the models, combining kriging residuals with the machine learning method (RF-EBKRP) resulted in a promising approach for improving the distribution accuracy and mapping of PTEs in the soil.
Photophysical Behaviour of Novel Quaternary Pyrenoyl Salts and Their Sensitivity Towards Bile Salt Micellization
Authors: Saravanan M. , Dhivakar S. , Mohapatra M. , Rani S. Kutti , Vijayakumaran K.
Published: February 2022

The present work describes the synthesis and characterization of pyrene derivatives, N-(1-Pyrenoylmethyl)pyridinium bromide (PM-PB) and N-(1-Pyrenoylmethyl)-N,N,N-triethylammonium bromide (PM-TAB). Photophysical behavior of these molecules has been studied in various protic and aprotic solvents. Using steady state fluorescence intensity, fluorescence anisotropy and dynamic fluorescence lifetime studies, the sensitivity of these molecules towards the micellization process of bile salts has been monitored. These derivatives have been effectively used in estimating critical micellar concentration (CMC) of bile salt, sodium deoxycholate (NaDC).
Molecular Characterization of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolated From Sputum
Authors: Hao Yuqi , Jiang Yong’ang , Ishaq Hafiz Muhammad , Liu Wenke , Liao Wei , Chen Ping , Yang Fan
Published: February 2022

Background: K. pneumoniae is a common opportunistic pathogen responsible in clinical practice and an important pathogen of nosocomial infection. This study aimed to analyze the trend of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulent characteristics of K. pneumoniae isolated from sputum in clinics and to provide data for clinical treatment of K. pneumoniae infection disease. Results: The resistance rates of the 20 K. pneumoniae isolates against 13 antibiotics ranged from 15.0% to 80.0%. The detection rate of ESBLs was up to 55%, and blaSHV were the most prevalent ESBLs genes. Four strains (25.0%) of K. pneumoniae presented HMV phenotype, and 18 strains (90.0%) had the stronger biofilm-forming ability. wzi, wabG, fimH, mrkD were the most prevalent virulence genes. 10 strains were present capsule typing and the higher genetic diversity of colonizing K. pneumoniae in this region. K19 exhibited a strong positive correlation with imipenem resistance, and K1 showed strong correlations with magA. HMV phenotype show significantly negative correlations with multidrug-resistant. Conclusions: The antibiotic resistance of K. pneumoniae isolated from sputum in this hospital was serious, and these strains show the higher genetic diversity.
Local Calibration of a Weak Stiffness On-Machine Measuring Device with a New 3-D Calibrator
Authors: Lin Bin , LI Helin , Sui Tianyi , Huang Tian , Liu Haitao , Yu Fukan , Zhao Pengcheng , Jia Yueting , Zhu Fuan
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a new local calibration method for a weak stiffness on-machine measuring (OMM) device. First, the original volumetric error models’ union is established, and an equivalent dimensionality reduction algorithm is proposed to reduce the model’s dimensionality, thus, the novel equivalent volumetric error models’ union (EVEMU) is derived, which is more suitable for limited calibration data. For better flexibility and efficiency of error measurements, a new 3-D ball array calibrator is proposed, and its local calibration procedures can be executed directly in the 3-D space. Then, the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) regularization algorithm with oracle property is introduced to identify equivalent coefficients as well as select the optimal volumetric error sub-model of EVEMU, which can closely represent the real error state of the weak stiffness OMM device. Experiments demonstrated that methods proposed in this paper are effective, and provide new insights for the error compensation of similar devices.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation and the Impact of Follicular Fluid Metabolome and Cytokinome Profiles in Poor Ovarian Responders
Authors: Viardot-Foucault Veronique , Zhou Jieliang , Bi Dexi , Takinami Yoshihiko , Chan Jerry.K.Y. , Lee Yie Hou
Published: February 2022

Background: Poor ovarian responders (POR) are women undergoing in-vitro fertilization who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation, resulting in the retrieval of lower number of oocytes, and subsequently lower pregnancy rates. The follicular fluid (FF) provides a crucial microenvironment for the proper development of follicles and oocytes through tightly controlled metabolism and cell signaling. Conversely, dysregulated FF metabolism and cytokine production in POR could impart or reflect detrimental effects on oocytes. Androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have been proposed to alter the POR follicular microenvironment and induce metabolic changes but its utility in improving pregnancy rates remain uncertain, partially due to the unknown impact DHEA imposes on the FF metabolome and cytokine profiles. Methods: FF samples were collected from 52 POR patients who underwent IVF with DHEA supplementation (DHEA+) and without (DHEA-). The FF samples were split for profiling analyses using untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics and a large-scale multiplex suspension immunoassay covering 65 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Multivariate statistical modelling by partial least squares-discriminant regression (PLSR) analysis was performed for revealing metabolome-scale differences. Further, differential metabolite analysis between the two groups was performed by PLSR β-coefficient regression analysis and Student’s t-test. Results: Untargeted metabolomics identified 118 FF metabolites of diverse chemistries and concentrations which spanned three orders of magnitude. They include metabolic products highly associated with ovarian function – amino acids for regulating pH and osmolarity, lipids such fatty acids and cholesterols for oocyte maturation, and glucocorticoids for ovarian steroidogenesis. The FF metabolomic profiles of DHEA+ and DHEA- groups were notably distinct as classified by multivariate partial least squares regression analysis. Specifically, glycerophosphocholine, linoleic acid, progesterone, and valine were significantly lower in DHEA+ relative to DHEA-. Using the large-scale cytokine profiling assay, we observed significantly lower MCP1, IFNγ, LIF and VEGF-D levels in DHEA+ relative to DHEA. Conclusions: Collectively, our large-scale study characterized a diversity of metabolites and cytokines in the FF of POR individuals and identified several of these compounds associated DHEA supplementation.
Sequential Delivery of a Novel Triple Drug Combination via Crosslinked Alginate/lactoferrin Nanohybrids for Enhanced Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Salah Mai , Sallam Marwa A. , Abdelmoneem Mona A. , Teleb Mohamed , Elkhodairy Kadria A. , Bekhit Adnan A. , Khafaga Asmaa F. , Noreldin Ahmed E. , Elzoghby Ahmed O. , Khattab Sherine N.
Published: February 2022

While breast cancer remains a global health concern, the elaboration of rationally designed drug combinations coupled with advanced biocompatible delivery systems offers new promising treatment venues. Herein, we repurposed rosuvastatin (RST) based on its selective tumor apoptotic effect and combined it with the antimetabolite pemetrexed (PMT) and the tumor-sensitizing polyphenol honokiol (HK). This synergistic three-drug combination was incorporated into protein polysaccharide nanohybrids fabricated utilizing sodium alginate (ALG) and lactoferrin (LF), inspired by the stealth property of the former and the cancer cell targeting capability of the latter. ALG was conjugated to PMT and then coupled with LF conjugated to RST, forming core shell nanohybrids into which HK was physically loaded followed by cross linking using genipin. The crosslinked HK-loaded PMT-ALG/LF-RST nanohybrids exhibited fair drug loading of 7.86, 5.24 and 6.11% for RST, PMT and HK, respectively. It demonstrated an 8-fold decrease in the IC50 compared to the free drug combination, in addition to showing enhanced cellular uptake by MCF-7 cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy in a breast cancer-bearing mouse model confirmed the superiority of the triple cocktail-loaded nanohybrids, as demonstrated by suppression of tumor growth and inhibition of ki-67 and VEGF-1 expression in addition to upregulation of caspase-3 expression. Conclusively, our rationally designed triple drug-loaded protein/polysaccharide nanohybrids offer a promising, biocompatible approach for effective breast tumor suppression.
A Quick But Comprehensive Protocol For Isolation And Short-Term Expansion of Tregs From Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells For Treg Therapy In Animal Models And Human In-Vitro Studies
Authors: Mansourabadi Amir Hossein , Noorbakhsh Farshid , Hamidieh Amir Ali , Amirzargar Aliakbar
Published: February 2022

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are identified via a combination of different extracellular markers, mainly CD4+CD25+CD127dim/-, along with intracellular transcription factor FoxP3 and their main function is suppression followed by termination of pro-inflammatory immune responses. Tres represent approximately 1–4% of PBMCs. Hence, therapeutic use of Tregs requires access to an appropriate number of these cells with stable inhibitory potential in the culture medium as well as controlled plasticity in inflammatory conditions. However, based on past studies and experiences, Treg expansion has always faced different challenges in cell biology studies. As the conventional protocols require a complicated and long period of in-vitro expansion of Treg numbers.In this article, we described a feasible, quick, and simple protocol for isolation and expansion of Tregs from PBMCs for in-vitro studies. We also evaluated their suppressive effects and their plasticity for proving their functions although, their conversion to Th17 cells under pro-inflammatory conditions remains a challenge.