bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-cell multiomics analysis reveals SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine-induced trained immunity modulated by epigenetic remodeling
Authors: Zhang Zijie , Wang Rong , Hu Huajie , Zhou Taicheng , Zhou Wei , Jiang Xinyu , Yan Shushu , Shi Tianpei , Qin Wanting , Li Xiaolu , He Yuqi , Wang Guodong , He Zhenli , Li Chunmei , Chen Yanli , Huang Dingli
Published: January 2024

Recent studies have revealed gene-expression signatures in response to vaccination; however, the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that are underlying vaccine-induced immune responses remains to be elucidated. Here, we analyzed a multiomics single-nucleus data of 267,485 nuclei at 10 timepoints after SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccination, which showed critical time points on gene changes in each celltype. We identified some epigenetically distinct monocyte subtypes, which were characterized by persistent chromatin remodeling at AP-1-targeted binding sites after the second dose, which were only transiently activated after the first dose. This remolded chromatin correspond to changes in cytokine and interferon pathways overtime. We found a coordinated regulation of IL1B, CXCL8, CCL3 and CSF2RA by c-Fos, c-Jun, IRF family and RUNX in myeloid cells. Pseudotime analysis revealed that CD14+ monocytes tend to differentiate towards a highly inflammatory state, while high-inflammation state is characterized by prolonged open chromatin after transcriptional termination. These findings demonstrate that two-dose vaccination stimulates persistent epigenetic remodeling of the innate immune cells and highlight the potential of temporal and spatial specific regulatory elements to optimizing vaccines.
Electrically tunable third-harmonic generation using intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces
Authors: Lee Jongwon , Park Seongjin , Yu Jaeyeon , Boehm Gerhard , Belkin Mikhail
Published: January 2024

Nonlinear intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces, which integrate giant nonlinear responses derived from intersubband transitions of multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with plasmonic nanoresonators, not only facilitate efficient frequency conversion at pump intensities on the order of few tens of kW cm− 2 but also enable electrical modulation of nonlinear responses at the individual meta-atom level and dynamic beam manipulation. The electrical modulation characteristics of the magnitude and phase of the nonlinear optical response are realized through the resonant properties of intersubband nonlinearity and Stark tunability. In this study, we report, for the first time, experimental implementations of electrical modulation characteristics of mid-infrared third-harmonic generation (THG) using an intersubband polaritonic metasurface based on MQW with Stark-tunable third-order nonlinear response. Experimentally, we achieved a 450% modulation depth of the THG signal, complete suppression of zero-order THG diffraction tuning based on local phase tuning exceeding 180 degrees, and THG beam steering using phase gradients. Our work proposes a new route for electrically tunable flat nonlinear optical elements with versatile functionalities.
Key determinants of health and wellbeing of dental nurses: a rapid review of over two decades of research
Authors: Opoku-Ansah Nana Adwoa , Gallagher Jennifer , Niven Victoria
Published: January 2024

Aim
To review the literature on the key determinants of health and well-being amongst dental nurses.
Method
Rapid review of the literature using Kangura’s approach across seven health and social science databases through OVID and the Cochrane Library, professional and health system databases. This approach was informed by past research done on other dental professionals. There was a two-stage review process where records were screened by the primary researcher with a second researcher independently reviewing 10% of the papers according to agreed inclusion and exclusion criteria by title, abstract and full text. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis of the included studies were done and quality assessment for risk of bias was made using a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.
Results
Out of 4,450 identified papers, 44 underwent full-text screening and 37 studies were included in the analysis. Four were of high quality, thirteen moderate-high, fourteen moderate-low and six low-quality studies. The overall well-being of dental nurses was good, and the determinants influencing well-being were grouped into micro-meso- and macro-level factors with evidence across the three domains. The determinant with the most evidence was workplace characteristics. Dental nurses with extended duties had higher job satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in anxiety, stress, burnout, and isolation among dental nurses.
Conclusion
The body of research indicates that dental nurses' health and well-being determinants are comparable to those of other dental professionals. Nurses in different countries had similar determinants. It is important to recognise and improve the determinants that affect their health and well-being to prevent burnout and exodus from the profession. There should be organisational and policy changes to help improve the well-being of dental nurses. Further investigation into dental nurses with longitudinal studies is needed.
Response of a phytoplankton community in a subtropical estuary to a pulse disturbance driven by a combo hurricane and rainfall event.
Authors: Quigg Antonietta , Claflin Noah , Kamalanathan Manoj , Labonté Jessica M. , Steichen Jamie L.
Published: January 2024

Water rather than wind was the major destructive force behind Hurricane Harvey, the category 4 storm that stalled over Texas in August 2017. Herein we present a unique examination of the phytoplankton community as it responded to the changing hydrodynamic conditions in Galveston Bay. We used traditional (primary productivity, pigments, Fluorescence Induction and Relaxation System, pulse-amplitude modulation fluorometer) and modern (imagining flow cytobot [IFCB], 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing) approaches to characterize the phytoplankton community and their physiological response. Phytoplankton communities transitioned from pre-storm estuarine to freshwater species and then began to transition back to an estuarine community with similar but not identical structure to that present before the storm. Further, phytoplankton communities were initially displaced by the flood waters, which lowered biomass and productivity despite the high nutrient concentrations and dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphate ratios of ~ 16. We found for cyanobacteria, factors such as time (i.e., sampling event after the storm), temperature (°C), salinity (psu), NH4+ (µM), NO3− (µM), and turbidity (Secchi and total suspended solids) were the most critical environmental factors that explained the variation in community composition relative to the major eukaryotic groups. Only factors such as time, followed by salinity, and NO3− played a crucial role for eukaryotes, with time having the most impact on diatoms. The results herein provide a greater understanding of the succession and natural variability of phytoplankton species following large flood events in subtropical estuaries, which are predicted to occur more frequently with increasing effects of climate change.
Report on simultaneous infection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 1 and type 2 in kits in China
Authors: Shi Lihui , Liu Yumei , Chang Chenhao , Wang Jianing , Zhang Zhikai , Wang Shuaishuai , zhang ziqiang
Published: January 2024

Diagnosis of the causes of rapid mortality in on rabbits was carried out on the basis of epidemiological and pathological profiling, using RT-PCR testing, gene sequencing and phylogenetic tree construction. In this experiment, samples were collected from two rabbit farms in Guizhou and Henan Provinces, China. Then the total RNA of liver tissue was extracted by Trizol method for RT-PCR amplification. The results showed that the specific target band was observed at 829 bp of RHDV2 and 591 bp of RHDV by agarose gel electrophoresis. Two different RT-PCR products amplified from one rabbit liver sample were named GZ-RHDV and GZ-RHDV2, respectively, and the other farm was named HN-RHDV and HN-RHDV2. Subsequently, four RT-PCR products amplified from two rabbit liver samples from different farms were selected for gene sequencing respectively, and the gene sequences were uploaded to NCBI for blast analysis. Finally, MEGA-7 software was used to construct the phylogenetic tree. The measured gene sequences were analysed by blast analysis and the amplification products in the liver samples showed a high degree of homology with domestic virus isolates. Among them, GZ-RHDV and HN-RHDV shared 98.50% and 98.69% homology with the Genbank accession number (MK814815.1), GZ-RHDV2 shared 99.35% homology with the Genbank accession number (OQ570963.1), and HN-RHDV2 shared 98.84% homology with the Genbank accession number (OQ570961.1). The above results confirmed that the cause of this mass mortality in rabbits on both farms was co-infection with RHDV and RHDV2. The sequenced liver samples from farms in Guizhou Province were selected to prepare virus suspension, and 60 day old rabbits immunized with RHDV vaccine were subcutaneously injected into the neck to identify the virulence of the virus. After 22 h, the infected rabbits developed typical clinical symptoms. For example, typical blood retention occurred in the mouth and nose, convulsions, opisthotonos, Mucoid secretion of anus, bleeding in liver, lung and heart, congestion and swelling in spleen were found during autopsy. The results showed that the classical vaccine had no protective effect on the mixed infection strain.
Association between smoking and Amnesia in Southwest Iran: Results from a Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Cheraghian Bahman , Rahimi Zahra , Hashemi Seyed Jalal , Torabipour Amin
Published: January 2024

Background: Amnesia is a cognitive impairment that manifests as a deficit in the retrieval of previous memories and the acquisition of novel information. There is some evidence indicating that smoking might be linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing memory issues and cognitive decline, such as Amnesia. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors associated with Amnesia and the connection between smoking and Amnesia.
This population-based cross-sectional study
Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the baseline of the Hoveyzeh cohort study in adults aged 35-70 years in southwest Iran between 2016 and 2018. Information on socioeconomic factors, demographic characteristics, history of stroke, history of epilepsy, and history of head trauma was collected. We assessed the relationship between smoking and Amnesia. Multiple logistic regression was employed to account for potential confounding variables.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 48.8 ± 9.2 years, and 40.2% were male. The overall prevalence of Amnesia was 4.2% (95% CI 3.8–4.6). The odds of having Amnesia was significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers (OR Adj=1.52 (95%CI:1.21–1.91)). Additionally, several other factors, including age, education level, type of residence, history of stroke, epilepsy, and history of trauma, were associated with Amnesia.
Conclusion: Our investigations revealed a direct correlation between smoking and Amnesia. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these associations, it will be imperative to conduct future longitudinal studies.
State-of-art approach for Indian Language based on NER: Comprehensive Review
Authors: Pandey Priya , Nathani Bharti
Published: January 2024

Named Entity Recognition (NER) is a fundamental task of natural language processing (NLP) that focuses on the identification and classification of named entities such as name of individual persons, location, organization and dates within the text. NER plays a pivotal role in various NLP applications, including information extraction, question answering, text summarization and sentiment analysis. Natural language processing's (NLPs) fundamental issue is named entity recognition (NER). While extensive research has been conducted on NER for English and Hindi, the complexities of Indian languages present unique challenges that require customized solutions. Working with NER for Indian languages is a difficult endeavor with limited resources available. This article provides a comprehensive review of NER approaches tailored for Indian languages. Indian languages pose unique challenges to NER due to their rich morphological and syntactic variations, script diversity and limited annotated data availability. This paper reviews the various techniques and methodologies employed in NER for Indian languages, including rule-based, machine learning and deep learning approaches. It analyzes the strengths and limitations of each approach. Additionally, this article examines the recent advancements in transfer learning and multilingual models, showcasing their potential in improving NER performance across Indian languages. This paper aims to guide researchers and practitioners in the development of NER systems for Indian languages and foster further advancements in this field. This article also provides a comprehensive review of the diverse approaches employed for NER in Indian languages, highlighting the strength and limitations as well.
How well can young adults and children discriminate between odors?
Authors: Cameron E. Leslie , Follett Sierra R. , Schwer Autumn S. Rajcevich
Published: January 2024

It is widely believed that people can distinguish between many odors although there is limited empirical evidence. Odor discrimination tasks are employed much less often than other measures of olfaction, but, interestingly, performance is typically ~ 75% correct. This less-than-perfect performance is rarely highlighted, although it suggests that people may not be as good at discriminating odors as is commonly believed. Odor discrimination is understudied in children, and although available evidence suggests that it improves with age, children perform better when the task is simpler. In the present study we explored odor discrimination in children and young adults with a relatively simple same-different task using common and uncommon odors. We found that children perform as well as adults, but that overall performance was less than perfect and depended on the odors to be discriminated. We found evidence that ability to discriminate between odors improves as the difference in pleasantness of the odors increases. In a second experiment, we tested this directly by exploring whether odors that differ in pleasantness and edibility, two dimensions that appear to be important in olfactory perception, are easier to discriminate than odors that are the same on those dimensions. We found further evidence that odors that differ in pleasantness are easier to discriminate.
Epidemiology and Patient Characteristics of Chronic Kidney Disease in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kashgary Abdullah , Hassanein Doha Elsayed
Published: January 2024

Introduction:
CKD is a global public health issue with rising mortality rates over the past two decades. In Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA), CKD is a substantial concern, however, data is scarce about CKD characteristics. The primary aim is to estimate CKD prevalence, characteristics and risk factors.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study using data from (Al Borg) a major laboratory provider between April 2014 and May 2023. The study included adult patients in KSA with at least two serum creatinine results over 6 months. Patients on renal replacement therapy and those with acute kidney injury were excluded. Data collected and analyzed included available patient demographics and medical characteristics. CKD-EPI equation 2021 was used to calculate eGFR.
Results:
The data set included 112,204 participants with a mean age of 44 years. Participants represented nearly all major cities in KSA with CKD prevalence ranging from 3-5%. CKD-group were older with males representing 53%.
Patients with CKD have higher serum uric acid, PTH, phosphorus, potassium, HBA1C, triglycerides, and lower cholesterol, hemoglobin, platelets, and phosphorus levels. The LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio was not different compared to non-CKD. Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent among study participants (60%) with a lower prevalence among patients with CKD.
Higher age, serum uric acid, and presence of proteinuria were the most significant predictors of the presence of CKD. Absence of proteinuria is associated with a tenfold reduction in the odds of having CKD (AOR 0.10 (95% CI (0.04-0.21).
Conclusion:
This study revealed a CKD prevalence of 4% with slight gender and geographic variation. Patients with CKD were older and exhibited distinct laboratory characteristics. Absence of proteinuria was associated with a tenfold reduction in the odds of having CKD, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.
Association of sleep duration with different degrees of myopia in Chinese students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yin Lei , Liu Pengling , Li Shiming , Wei Shifei , Sun Jinyan , Ren Fangfang , Song Yanwei , Xie Hongli , Guo Jinyun
Published: January 2024

Background: At present, there are many studies on the relationship between sleep duration and myopia, but the results are not consistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep duration and the degree of myopia among Chinese primary students in grade 1 to grade 5.
Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. From March to June2023, a total of 30653 students in grade 1 to grade 5 from 18 primary schools in Zhengzhou completed the questionnaire survey. The refractive error is divided into four grades: No-myopia (spherical equivalents (SE)＞-0.50 dioptres (D)), mild myopia (-3.00D＜SE≤-0.50D), moderate myopia (-6.00D＜SE≤-3.00D) and high myopia (≤-6.00D). Nighttime sleep duration was divided into two categories (＜8 h/d, ≥8 h/d). To evaluate the effect of sleep duration on myopia severity, stratified analyses were performed by sex and grades, with sleep duration ≥8 h/d as the reference for each stratum, and using ordinal logistic regression.
Results: There are differences in age, gender, class, and sleep duration among primary school students with different degrees of myopia (all P＜0.001). Among boys, the risk of one degree increase in myopia with sleep duration＜8h/d is 12.291 (95%CI:11.280, 13.393) times higher than that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. Among girls, the risk of one degree increase in myopia with sleep duration＜8h/d is 12.709 (95%CI:11.611, 13.912) times higher than that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. In different grades, in grade 1, the risk of myopia increased by one grade with sleep duration ＜8h/d was 5.197 (95%CI:4.520, 5.975) times that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. In grade 2, the risk of myopia grade one increased with sleep duration ＜8h/d was 8.783 (95%CI:7.642, 10.094) times that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. In grade 3, the risk of myopia with sleep duration ＜8h/d was 11.834 (95%CI:10.278, 13.625) times that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. In grade 4, the risk of myopia grade one increased with sleep duration ＜8h/d was 13.567 (95%CI:11.793, 15.608) times that with sleep duration ≥8h/d. In grade 5, the risk of myopia grade one increased with sleep duration ＜8h/d was 16.280 (95%CI:13.981, 18.957) times that with sleep duration ≥8h/d.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that sleep duration has a significant impact on the degree of myopia in Chinese primary school students. Students with sleep duration ＜8h/d had a faster decline in SE than those with sleep duration ≥8h/d, and the risk of high myopia was higher.
Effect of Oxygen Concentration on Homogeneous Ignition Point and Volatile Components of Bituminous Coal
Authors: LI Yulong , LIANG Jie , SU Xuechao , WANG Chaosheng , WU Wenjuan
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of oxygen concentration on the ignition of bituminous coal. Different oxygen concentrations and temperatures were used in the large-scale oxidation experiments to collect oxidized coals, which were then extracted with chloroform. And compare the critical ignition temperature of different mass samples. The liquid samples obtained were analyzed using GC-MS and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was also used to characterize the extracted oxidized coal. The results revealed that the critical ignition point of bituminous coal decreases by 216.38℃ when the mass sample increases from 5g to 300g. Furthermore, at the same temperature, an increase in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere was found to enhance the pyrolysis of bituminous coal. The oxidation activity of coal initially decreased and then increased with the temperature rise. The formation of ether bonds below 150℃ underwent oxidation and became exothermic above 175℃, which is the direct cause of coal seam fires.
Design and synthesis of N-aryl-2-trifluoromethyl-quinazoline-4-amine derivatives as potential Werner-dependent anticancer agents
Authors: Li Huimin , Yu Jia , Yu Gang , Cheng Sha , Wu Hui , Wei Jiaomei , Xu Guangcan , You Chang , Liu Kun , Wang Menghan , Meng Xueling , Luo Heng , Xu Bixue
Published: January 2024

To discover new Werner (WRN) helicase inhibitors, a series of N-aryl-2-trifluoromethyl-quinazoline-4-amine derivatives were designed and synthesized through structural optimization strategy and the anticancer activities of 25 new target compounds against PC3, K562, and HeLa cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay. Some of it exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against three different cancer cells. In order to further verify whether the anticancer activity of these compounds is dependent on WRN, the PC3 cells with WRN overexpression (PC3-WRN) were constructed to further study their anticancer potence in vitro, the inhibition ratio and IC20 values showed that compounds 6a, 8i, and 13a were more sensitive to PC3-WRN than the control group cells (PC3-NC). The further study demonstrated that 13a was the most sensitivity in PC3-WRN among these tested compounds. In summary, our research provided a series of N-aryl-2-trifluoromethyl-quinazoline-4-amine derivatives as potential WRN-dependent anticancer agents.
Nonequal-length quantum image encryption based on bitplane chaotic mapping and the Arnold transformation
Authors: Zhang Ru-Qing , Zhou Ri-Gui , Luo Jia
Published: January 2024

In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on encryption algorithms based on square images. However, relatively few studies have evaluated nonsquare images. In this paper, we propose a novel encryption algorithm for nonequal length images. This algorithm incorporates bitplane chaotic mapping and Arnold transformation. To implement the algorithm effectively, we first transform the plain image into two binary sequences of equal size. Then, we introduce a new diffusion strategy to mutually diffuse these two sequences. Next, we utilize a chaotic map to control the swapping of binary elements between the two sequences. This process allows for the permutation of bits from one bitplane to any other bitplane. Finally, we employ the Arnold transform to scramble the positional information of the image, resulting in the final encrypted image. Using the parameters of nonequal Arnold transformation and the initial value of the Lorenz chaotic map as keys not only simplify the transmission of keys, but also makes the cryptosystem have infinite key space for resisting brute force attacks. Experimental results and security analysis verify that the proposed quantum image encryption algorithm can encrypt nonsquare images, and has good performance in terms of nonstatistical properties, key sensitivity, robustness and so on. Moreover, simulation experiments based on Qiskit successfully verify the correctness and feasibility of the quantum image encryption algorithm.
The Pandemic Impacts on Surgery Residents Undergoing Plastic Surgery Rotation During the High and Low Waves of COVID-19 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wahdini Siti Isya , Seswandhana M. Rosadi , Dachlan Ishandono , Vityadewi Nurardhilah , Ramli Rianto Noviady , Witono Monica Agnes , Prawoto Almas Nur
Published: January 2024

Background: Activity restrictions in the pandemic era have led to drastic changes in the resident learning process during plastic surgery rotations, especially due to fluctuating COVID-19 incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery residents during plastic surgery rotation from residents' perspectives in Yogyakarta and to compare the different responses of residents who rotated during high- and low-wave cases.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all surgery residents at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta who underwent plastic surgery rotation from March 2020 until March 2022. A questionnaire consisting of 29 questions was distributed online using Google Forms. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, surgical activity, academic activity, learning adaptation and suggestions for improving clinical skills during rotation. We classified participants into two groups: the high wave (HW) group and the low wave (LW) group. The statistical methods used descriptive analysis and Fisher’s exact test to measure the effects of the size.
Results: A total of 43% of the registered residents responded to this questionnaire. Most residents (80%) experienced a 25-75% reduction in the number of plastic surgeries performed during their rotation. All the residents handled burn and wound cases, but the rarest cases handled by residents during rotation involved external genitalia (15%). Most residents agreed to experience a decrease in clinical competence but had more time to deepen the theoretical aspects of plastic surgery in their rotation (51% and 44%, respectively). There has been a great shift in learning resources toward online resources in both groups. Both groups prefer case-based learning to optimize online learning.
The HW group experienced significant difficulty in gaining competence due to resident restrictions in the outpatient polyclinic compared to the LW group (p<0,05). There was a significant difference in the least interesting topic to learn before the pandemic between the two groups (p<0,05).
Conclusion: Although the overall pandemic prevented residents from gaining clinical competence, interestingly, they had more time to explore the theoretical aspects of the disease. Technology has helped bridge learning due to restrictions from the pandemic, although there is room for improvement in the learning environment.
Interaction Effect of Different Sized Root Trainers, Growing Media and Pre-sowing Seed Treatments on Growth & Development of Myrica Esculenta Buch. Ham. Seedlings Under Nursery Condition
Authors: Das Jyotiraditya , Prabhakar Mukesh
Published: January 2024

Myrica esculenta Buch. -Ham. ex D. Don is a multipurpose, economically important plant belongs to family Myricaceae, well recognized for its medicinally therapeutic utilization in ancient Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine. Horticulturally, Fruits are edible and rich source of vitamin C & antioxidants. This is a slow-growing species and becoming endangered in The Himalayan region due to loss of natural habitat and anthropogenic activities. The hard seed coat creating the physical dormancy along with slow root growth in traditional polybag under nursery condition are the major concern in the growth and development of seedlings of this species. The combined performance of pre-sowing seed treatments, growing media and root trainers of different size in the production of seedlings of Myrica esculenta by soaking the seeds in beejamrita for varying periods (2 and 3 weeks) followed by sowing in different sized root trainers containing different media, have a profound effect on growth, biomass and quality parameters of the seedlings. The best result in germination and growth was recorded in seeds treated with beejamrita solution for 3 weeks and subsequently sown in root trainer of 250 cc containing growing media consisting soil + sand + vermicompost in ratio 1:1:1. Among various treatment combinations, seedlings raised under above treatment combination resulted maximum value for every growth parameter including shoot length (9.92 cm), collar diameter (1.56 mm), number of leaves (15), leaf area (9.70 cm2), root length (20.38 cm), number of secondary roots (20) and root thickness (2.07). All the seedling biomass parameters and quality parameters were recorded highest in the same treatment combination only. The results indicated that seedlings raised in the above-mentioned treatment combination was outperformed the best for production of quality seedlings of Myrica esculenta under nursery condition.
Stirring the Hydrogen and Butanol production from Enset Fiber via Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) process
Authors: Seid Nebyat , Wießner Lea , Aliyu Habibu , Neumann Anke
Published: January 2024

Background
Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels such as hydrogen and butanol has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of the energy system. Enset fiber is a promising feedstock to produce these biofuels. Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum DSM 14923 can produce hydrogen and butanol simultaneously; however, to achieve the best results, each product requires different fermentation conditions. This study aimed to optimize process parameters for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process to produce hydrogen and butanol from Enset fiber, and to investigate the impact of pH control in the SSF process in the bioreactor.
Results
The SSF process in bottles resulted in a elevated butanol concentration of 11.36 g/L with a yield of 0.23 g/g and a productivity of 0.16 g/L− 1h− 1 at the optimal process parameters of 5% (w/v) substrate loading, 16 FPU/g cellulase loading, and 100 rpm agitation speed from pretreated Enset fiber. A comparable result was observed in the bioreactor during the pH-uncontrolled SSF process; however, the butanol productivity decreased to 0.095 g/L− 1h− 1. Furthermore, the pre-hydrolysis simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF) process in the bioreactor with a 7% (w/v) substrate loading led to the highest butanol concentration and productivity of 12.84 g/L and 0.104 g/L− 1h− 1 respectively. By further optimizing the SSF process, we achieved 442.57 mmol of hydrogen with a yield of 198.27 mL/g-Enset fiber in the bioreactor under the optimal conditions of temperature 37°C, initial pH 8.0 and atmospheric pressure.
Conclusion
In this study, a scalable process for both products was developed to achieve similar results to bottle-scale experiments, indicating potential applicability on an industrial scale. This is the first study to combine C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum and Enset fiber for the SSF process and contributes to the development of sustainable energy sources.
Simple imaging biomarker predicts survival in anal squamous cell cancer treated with curative intent: a UK cohort study.
Authors: Wale Anita , Bernier Laurence , Tait Diana , Rao Sheela , Brown Gina
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of length of tumour (mrT stage) and depth of extramural spread (mrEMS) in anal squamous cell cancers (SCC) treated by chemoradiation with curative intent. Locally advanced anal SCC (T3-4 N+) have poorer prognosis, but it is unknown whether the lateral spread of the tumour (extramural spread beyond the bowel wall) also confers poor prognosis in anal SCC, as it does for rectal cancer. T stage and mrEMS can be readily assessed by pelvic MRI routinely undertaken to stage anal SCC.
Methods
125 patients were included. Baseline mrT, mrN and mrEMS were assessed with response to chemoradiation and outcomes. ROC curve was used to determine a binary cut-off for mrEMS according to 3-year progression free survival (PFS).
Results
43% were mrT3-4 and 38% were mrEMSpoor at baseline. 87% achieved mrCR. 3-year PFS and OS was 70.6% and 82%. On univariate analysis worse 3-year PFS was seen for mrT3-4 (HR 3.105), mrEMSpoor (HR 4.924) and failure to achieve mrCR (HR 20.591). By univariate analysis worse 3-year OS was seen for mrT3-4 (HR 4.134), mrEMSpoor (HR 10.251) and failure to achieve mrCR (HR 19.289). On multivariate analysis only mrEMSpoor and failure to achieve mrCR remained prognostic. mrN was not prognostic.
Conclusion
mrEMSpoor is a simple prognostic imaging biomarker for poorer survival which can be readily assessed by radiologists on routine imagin. mrEMS should be considered as a future stratification variable to identify high risk SCC and consider escalation of treatment and surveillance strategies.
Postoperative Ustekinumab Drug Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn’s
Authors: Moskow Joshua , Thurston Theresa , Saleh Adam , Shah Ayushi , Abraham Bincy P. , Glassner Kerri
Published: January 2024

Aims
This study investigated how post-operative ustekinumab levels relate to surgery type, endoscopic, biochemical, and clinical outcomes in patients with Crohn’s Disease.
Methods
A retrospective study of Crohn’s Disease patients with an operation related to Crohn’s Disease between 2016–2022. Patients were included if they had an ustekinumab trough level within two years post-operatively. Patients were separated into groups based on whether their ustekinumab trough levels were adequate, defined as ≥ 4µg/mL, or suboptimal < 4µg/mL. A subset of patients with ustekinumab levels taken within two years both before and after surgery was compared to non-surgical treatment escalated controls outside the initial patient set. Harvey-Bradshaw index was used to evaluate clinical disease activity. Rutgeert’s and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease were used to evaluate endoscopic disease activity. C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin values were collected to evaluate the molecular inflammatory disease state. CBC data was used to evaluate anemia.
Results
44 patients were identified that had ustekinumab levels after Crohn’s Disease related surgery. 13 of these patients had pre-operative levels and were compared to 26 non-surgical treatment escalated controls. Lower clinical disease activity was seen overall and specifically in ileocecal resection for patients with adequate post-operative ustekinumab levels. No relationship between ustekinumab levels and endoscopic disease activity post-operatively was found. Adequate levels of ustekinumab post-operatively yielded lower risk of anemia. Surgery itself did not have an impact on ustekinumab levels.
Conclusions
This study provided new insights into how post-operative ustekinumab levels impact several factors in patients having undergone Crohn’s Disease related surgery.
Clinical efficacy of Posterior and Combined Posterior-Anterior Surgical Approaches for Intractable Tuberculous Thoracolumbar Kyphosis: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Maihemuti Maierdanjiang , Wu Junshen , Dai Zhibing , Maimaiti Aierpati , Jiang Renbing
Published: January 2024

Background: Intractable spinal tuberculosis is extremely uncommon, its treatment is challenging and still controversial. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of posterior and combined posterior-anterior surgical approaches for intractable tuberculous thoracolumbar kyphosis.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 63 cases of intractable tuberculous thoracolumbar kyphosis.The cases were divided into Group P and PA, the P group was treated with posterior surgery alone, and the PA group was treated with the combined posterior-anterior surgery. The surgical efficacy was evaluated based on the clinical symptoms, Kyphotic angle correction rate, Sagittal Vertebral Axis (SVA), operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and surgical complications. Symptoms and function were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) spinal cord injury classification, the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), and the Kirkaldy-Willis functional score. The degree of implant fusion was evaluated according to the Eck fusion grading scale.
Results: The preoperative Kyphotic angles were 59.4°±12.6° and 102.9°±16.6°, and the improved postoperative Kyphotic angles were 19.9°±6.2° and 28.5°±9.6° for the P and PA groups, with correction rates of 65.5%±12.0% and 72.0%±9.5%, respectively. The Kyphotic angle losses were 3.1°±1.4° and 4.2°±1.7° at the last follow-up for the P and PA groups, respectively. The preoperative SVA were 27.6±10.7 mm and 39.1±18.6 mm, which postoperatively improved to 20.6±9.0 mm and 26.4±12.1 mm in the P and PA groups, respectively. All patients had an ASIA classification of E, except two patients in the PA group with a classification of D at the time of the final follow-up. All patients with bone grafting achieved grade I fusion. The Kirkaldy-Willis functional scores were 89.7% and 85.3% for the p and PA groups, respectively, except for two case (1P and 1 PA group)with broken rods. no tuberculosis recurrence, internal fixation loosening, breakage, and obvious loss of correction were found during the follow-up period.
Conclusions: Simple posterior surgery can achieve the desired clinical outcomes in patients with mild Intractable Tuberculous thoracolumbar kyphosis. However, in severe patients with accumulated multiple segments, combined posterior-anterior surgery is required for satisfactory deformity correction, complete lesion removal, and significant bone grafting support, making it a safe and reliable treatment method.
Utility of Molecular Markers in Predicting Local Control Specific to Lung Cancer Spine Metastases Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Authors: Shor Dana , Louie Alexander V. , Zeng Kang Liang , Menjak Ines , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Tseng Chia-Lin , Detsky Jay , Larouche Jeremie , Zhang Beibei , Soliman Hany , Myrehaug Sten , Maralani Pejman , Hwang David M. , Sahgal Arjun , Chen Hanbo
Published: January 2024

Background and purpose:
We report outcomes following spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the significance of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and timing of immune check point inhibitors (ICI) on local failure (LF).
Materials and methods:
165 patients and 389 spinal segments were retrospectively reviewed from 2009 to 2021. Baseline patient characteristics, treatment and outcomes were abstracted. Primary endpoint was local failure (LF) and secondary, overall survival (OS) and vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Multivariable analysis (MVA) evaluated factors predictive of LF and VCF.
Results:
The median follow-up and OS were: 13.0 months (range, 0.5–95.3 months) and 18.4 months (95% CI 11.4–24.6). 52.1% were male and 76.4% had adenocarcinoma. Of the 389 segments, 30.3% harboured an EGFR mutation and 17.0% were PD-L1 ≥ 50%. The 24 months LF rate in PD-L1 ≥ 50% vs PD-L1 < 50% was 10.7% vs. 38.0%, and in EGFR-positive vs. negative was 18.1% vs. 30.0%. On MVA, PD-L1 status of ≥ 50% (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.69, p = 0.004) significantly predicted for lower LF compared to PD-L1 < 50%. Lower LF trend was seen with ICI administration peri and post SBRT (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16–1.05, p = 0.062). On MVA, polymetastatic disease (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.84–5.85, p < 0.0001) and ECOG ≥ 2 (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.16–3.02, p = 0.011) significantly predicted for worse OS and absence of baseline VCF predicted for lower VCF rate (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10–0.39, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
We report a significant association of PD-L1 ≥ 50% status on improved LC rates from spine SBRT in NSCLC patients.
Inhibition of necroptosis mitigates paclitaxel-induced neuronal damage and cognitive impairment
Authors: Liu Lan-Lan , Zhao Shuang , Li Zhao , Li Hui-Zhou , Liu Xin , Wang Xiu-Li
Published: January 2024

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a first-line chemotherapy agent for treating many types of cancers, induces cognitive impairment and neuronal damage. However, PTX-induced a limited apoptosis of neurons is not consistent with a wide range of neuroinflammation. Here, we demonstrated that in addition to inducing apoptosis in hippocampal neurons (HT22 cells), PTX causes necroptosis, a programmed cell death, via activation of the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling pathway. Annexin V/PI dual labeling, flow cytometric analysis, image-based PI staining, and western blot techniques were used to evaluate PTX-induced necroptosis. Cell viability was determined using the CCK8 assay, whereas Ca2+ levels were measured using the Fluo-4 AM fluorescent probe. The number of cells that were positive for both Annexin V and PI staining was considerably higher in PTX-treated HT22 cells compared to those treated with the vehicle. Additionally, the nuclei of PTX-treated cells showed more diffuse necrotic staining with PI compared to the vehicle-treated cells. The Western blot study demonstrated a considerable increase in the expression of necroptotic proteins, including RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, and p-MLKL, following PTX treatment. The compound Necrotatin-1 (Nec-1), which specifically inhibits the protein RIPK1, effectively decreased the occurrence of necroptosis in HT22 cells triggered by PTX by lowering the excessive accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ overload. In addition, administration of Nec-1 in vivo rescued cognitive impairments in novel object recognition and Morris Water Maze tests in PTX-treated mice. These data suggest that PTX induces cognitive impairments through RIPK1-mediated necroptosis. Inhibition of necroptosis provided a potential therapeutic approach to reduce PTX-induced cognitive deficits.
Performance enhancement of a digital pulse position modulation for FSO communication systems impaired by interchannel crosstalk, pointing error, and ASE noise
Authors: Elsayed Ebrahim E. , Yousif Bedir B.
Published: January 2024

The performance evaluation and enhancement of a digital pulse-position modulation (DPPM) and on-off keying (OOK) modulation for the free-space optical (FSO) communication systems are investigated in this paper. We develop a moment generating function for the post-detection noise processes which takes into account a comprehensive set of the key amplifier and receiver parameters, including gain and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise characteristics of FSO communications. The impact of atmospheric turbulence, inter-channel crosstalk, scintillation, pointing error, and ASE noise has been taken into account. To reduce the turbulence-induced scintillation and optical power penalty, the use of an aperture averaging has been proposed in this paper. Such a system, which could provide a power-efficient, a low cost, excessive flexibility and reliable or considered a massive solution in the bandwidth provision for future access networks, and together for higher data rate. Numerical results show the superiority of DPPM with improved receiver sensitivity at a bit-error-rate of 10-12 about 9 dB for a coding level of 5 and FSO link length of 2500 m more than an equivalent OOK non-return-to-zero approach.
Association between trans fatty acids and Subtypes of breast cancer: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: liu Xinyu , Zhang Sheng , Fang Xuan
Published: January 2024

Conventional observational studies have revealed a potential correlation between trans fatty acids (TFAs) and breast cancer risk. However, there are inconsistencies among pertinent research findings, and well-powered analyses according to breast cancer subtypes have rarely been carried out. The relationship between TAFs and breast cancer subtypes was assessed using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Genetic instruments were obtained from the European Pedigree TFAs of the CHARGE Consortium (n = 8013). Outcome GWAS summary statistics were obtained from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) on 122,977 cases and 105,974 controls of European ancestry. Out of them, 69,501 cases were identified as estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, and 21,468 cases were identified as ER-negative. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) phenotype breast cancer cases were obtained from the FinnGen GWAS. Specifically, there were 12,783 instances of HER2-negative breast cancer (with 149,394 controls) and 7,729 cases of HER2-positive breast cancer (with 149,279 controls). We found that higher levels of circulating cis,trans-18:2 TFAs were positively associated with HER2-positive breast cancer (MR-Egger, p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 6.403, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.565–26.194; IVW random-effects, p = 0.03, OR = 3.368, 95% CI: 1.080–10.507). The results of this extensive MR study provided evidence for a correlation between cis, trans-18:2TFAs, and HER2-positive breast cancer risk. We found no evidence of a causative relationship between TFAs and other subtypes of breast cancer, despite observational studies reporting a correlation between TFAs and breast cancer.
Regional labor administrative punishment and labor income share of enterprises
Authors: Qin Xuerui
Published: January 2024

Labor administrative penalty is a type of administrative penalty imposed by the labor security administrative department for violations of labor security laws, regulations, or rules. The intensity of labor administrative punishment varies across regions. How will regional labor administrative punishment affect the labor income share of enterprises? This paper conducts an empirical test on the impact of regional labor administrative punishment on the internal income distribution structure of enterprises. The study is based on theoretical analysis and data of urban labor administrative punishment in China, as well as samples of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The labor income share of enterprises is analyzed from a perspective of internal income distribution structure. The results indicate that regional labor administrative punishment significantly increases the labor income share of enterprises. Even after excluding endogeneity and robustness tests, the conclusion remains valid. Regional labor administrative punishment can improve the quality of internal control of enterprises through information publicity and deterrent effect. Additionally, it can reduce the credit risk of enterprises by stabilizing labor relations. Improving internal control quality and reducing credit risk can increase the labor income share of enterprises. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of regional labor administrative punishment on increasing labor income share is heterogeneous. The effect is greater for state-owned enterprises and enterprises with low entity investment levels.
Spatio Temporal Variation of Air Quality Over Industrial Areas of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: SHARMA NAMAN , Jangra Mohan Singh , Aggarwal RK , Bhardwaj SK , Sahil Kartikey
Published: January 2024

In this study, we aimed to analyze and investigate some of the primary pollutants (SOx, NOx & RSPM) at industrial sites in the western Himalayan region. To achieve the objective, six industrial sites across the state of Himachal Pradesh were used to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns. To determine the trend of pollution we analyzed the data and divided it into annual, monthly, and seasonal basis, for the intensity of pollution, hotspots across the selected sites were delineated, while to check the dispersion of pollution windrose was made to know the spread of pollution based on the wind speed and direction. Our findings showed that NOx and RSPM values crossed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 50 µg m–3 & 60 µg m–3, while SOx remained under the permissible limits set up by NAAQS. The highest concentrations of all the pollutants occurred during the winter season while the lowest occurred during the monsoon season for the whole observed time period of study. The pollution sources for each of the industrial sites were determined based on the industrial profile for each industrial site adding to which vehicular emissions, biomass and solid waste burning, dust from a nearby unpaved road, and long-range transported pollutants were also found to be the sources of pollution. We conclude that RSPM was the major contributor of air pollution in the industrial areas of Himachal which exceeded the WHO as well as NAAQS values across all the industrial sites.