bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of retinol and carotenoids content in diet and serum with risk for Colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Han Xiaoyong , Zhao Rangyin , Zhang Guangming , Jiao Yajun , Wang Yongfeng , Wang Da , Yang Kehu , Cai Hui
Published: April 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is linked to serum and dietary retinol and carotenoids, according to clinical and epidemiological research. However, the findings are not consistent. As a result, we did this meta-analysis to determine the link between them.Methods: From 2000 through 2022, the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, as well as pertinent article references, were searched and filtered based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and literature quality ratings. High and low intake were used as controls, and OR (odds ratio) or RR (relative risk) and 95% confidence interval were extracted. The extracted data were plotted and analyzed using Stata12.0 software.Results: A total of 22 relevant studies were included, including 18 studies related to diet and 4 studies related to serum. For high and low intake or concentration controls, the pooled OR was as follows: β-carotene (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78-1.03), α-carotene (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.72 – 1.03), lycopene (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.81 – 1.07), lutein/zeaxanthin (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.87 – 1.07), β-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54 – 0.90), total carotenoids (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.81-1.15), retinol (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.89 – 1.10)，serum carotenoids (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58 – 0.93), serum retinol (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.26 – 1.49). Subgroup analysis was performed according to tumor type, study type and sex.Conclusions: Dietary intake of β-cryptoxanthin significantly reduced CRC risk and dietary β-carotene considerably decreased CRC risk in the male group. Alternatively, serum carotenoid concentrations were significantly inversely associated with CRC risk.
Experiences That Matter in Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study Using the CCC Framework
Authors: Sharp Steven , Ulack Christopher , Chiang Karl , Scalea Teresa Lanza Di , O’Hara Sarah , Siegel-Ramsay Jennifer , Strakowski Stephen , Suarez Joel , Teisberg Elizabeth , Wallace Scott , Almeida Jorge
Published: April 2022

Background: Bipolar disorder impacts every domain of living, but treatment is often focused only on core diagnostic symptoms. Care and quality of life can be improved by understanding the experience of people with the condition. Direct interviews with affected individuals offers a unique window into the lived experience of bipolar disorder.Methods: Thirty individuals participated in Experience Group sessions. Researchers conducted individual interviews (n=12) and group sessions (n=18). Audio files were transcribed and NVivo software processed initial thematic analysis. Data was analyzed using the Capability, Comfort, and Calm (CCC) framework of outcomes that matter most to people developed by Teisberg and Wallace (Liu et al. 2017; Teisberg et al. 2020).Results: Themes identified in the CCC framework included the struggle to maintain identity, employment disruptions, relationship loss, unpredictable nature of bipolar disorder, personal perception of diagnosis, social stigma, identifying appropriate medication medication, managing dismissive doctors, finding the right psychotherapist and navigating financial burden. Limitations: Limitations of our study include a small sample size and length of interview time. Researchers also had limited information about participants’ diagnoses and comorbidities. Conclusions: Qualitative data about bipolar disorder helps identify aspects of care and quality of life that are overlooked when focusing only on core diagnostic symptoms. Improved outcomes could be achieved by implementing care based on the lived experiences of people with bipolar disorder.
Physiological responses of rye seedlings to the combined stress of NaCl, ambrosia and freeze-thaw
Authors: Zhang Wei , Bao Guozhang , Liu Jiapeng , Xiao Jing , Dai Gejun , Wang Zhao , Yang Yinan , Xi Jinghui , Zhang Xin , Li Guomei , Zhao Hongwei
Published: April 2022

Background: Crops are often affected by NaCl, ambrosia and freeze-thaw stress simultaneously during their growth, and many areas in Northeast China are facing such serious ecological stress problems. In this experiment, the physiological responses of rye seedlings to NaCl and ambrosia stress in a freeze-thaw environment were studied by artificial simulation technique. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, soluble protein (SP) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr) were determined and analyzed. Results: The results showed that: After stress treatment, MDA and SP contents of rye seedlings increased by 19.48%-88.96% and 22.54%-107.30%, SOD and CAT activities increased by 4.42%-26.60% and 23.31%-64.68% and Pn and Tr decreased by 40.00%-71.67% and 20.00%-80.00%. Conclusion: In the face of stress, rye seedlings can reduce the damage caused by stress by increasing osmotic substance and antioxidant enzyme activity, so as to achieve the purpose of adapting to environment. The results revealed that combined NaCl, ambrosia and freeze-thaw stress had a significant superposition effect on plants compared with single NaCl, ambrosia and freeze-thaw stress.
Influence of machining parameters in longitudinaltorsional ultrasonic vibration milling titanium alloy for milling force
Authors: Zhao Mingli , Zhu Junming , Song Shijie , Xue Boxi , Zhao Bo
Published: April 2022

To study the effect of different parameters on milling force for longitudinal torsional ultrasonic vibration milling (LTUM) of titanium alloy, the kinematic theory of LTUM is combined with the model of milling transient cutting thickness to establish the milling force equation, and experiment was carried out. The experimental results showed that: Milling force was positively correlated with cutting speed, cutting depth, feed per tooth (milling force increased by about 40% in increasing the cutting speed from 40m/min to 100m/min, 300% in increasing the depth of cut from 0.1mm to 0.4mm, and 25% in increasing the feed per tooth from 0.01mm to 0.04mm). Milling force was negatively correlated with ultrasonic amplitude, tool helix angle (milling force reduced by about 22% in increasing the ultrasonic amplitude from 1µm to 4µm, and 23% in increasing the tool helix angle from 30° to 45°). The milling force was minimized when the ultrasonic amplitude was 4 µm, cutting speed was 60 m/min, cutting depth was 0.1 mm, feed per tooth was 0.01 mm/z, and tool helix angle was 40°. In further, the empirical model of milling force was established and accuracy was verified by experimental data.
Evaluating water use advantage of wheat-maize relay intercropping under rainfed condition using an improved approach
Authors: Ma Longshuai , Li Yinjuan , Wu Pute , Zhao Xining , Chen Xiaoli , Gao Xiaodong
Published: April 2022

Accurately assessing water consumption and water use efficiency in intercropping systems relative to sole crop systems is important for planting system planning. This study was conducted to improve water use evaluation method for wheat/maize (Triticum aestivum L./Zea mays L.) intercropping under rainfed conditions. Field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016 in Yangling, Shanxi Province, China. Three cropping patterns were tested: sole wheat, sole maize, wheat/maize intercrops. Method for evaluating water use advantage in intercropping was improved by considering water consumption of sole crops during the fallow period. Results showed that intercropping grain yield was higher than sole cropping yield. Before revising the water use period to account for water use during the non-crop period, the intercropping system had 20.3% greater water use, but 18.7% lower water use efficiency than the sole cropping system. After the revision accounting for non-growth period water use, intercropping had 8.1% less water use than sole cropping, and 5.3% greater water use efficiency. After revising the water use period, intercropped wheat used 24.5% less water and the intercropped maize used 11% more water than the corresponding sole crops, and the water use efficiency of intercropped wheat was 32.4% greater than sole wheat water use efficiency. The revised method accounting for water use during the non-growth portion of the crop production season resulted in a more objective evaluation of water utilization in the intercropping system. Wheat/maize intercropping increased both yield and water use efficiency, which is especially important for areas with limited water.
Low-cost Adaptation Options to Support Green Growth in Agriculture, Water Resources, and Coastal Zones
Authors: Salack Seyni , Sanfo Safietou , Sidibe Moussa , Daku Elidaa , Camara Ibrahima , Dieng Mame Diarra Bousso , HIEN Koufanou , Torou Bio Mohamadou , Ogunjobi Kehinde , Sangare Sheick K. , Kouame Konan Raoul , Koffi Yao Bernard , Liersch Stefan , Savadogo Moumini , Giannini Alessandra
Published: April 2022

The current and projected regional climate may strain investments in crop and livestock production systems, fisheries, and other water [natural] resources management in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, changes in some oceanic parameters across the Atlantic Ocean may lead to remarkably high vulnerability of coastal ecosystem, littorals, and the mangroves towards the mid-21st Century and beyond. Here, we identify the priority needs for adaptation and well-fitted adaptation options, deemed sustainable over the future climate, clean and low-cost in line with the countries' green economic emergence goals. Based on field evidence and customized simulation designs, the cost of these adaptation measures may likely decrease and benefit sustainable green growth in agriculture, water resources management, and coastal ecosystems of West Africa as hydroclimatic hazards grow to include pluviometric and thermal extremes. These adaption actions can be operationalized using sovereign wealth funds of governments, private sector investments, and scaled by global climate funds. However, their effectiveness requires sound policy, knowledge transfer, and relevant partnerships.
The observation of anterior segment in children with corneal dystrophy and an R124L mutation by optical coherence tomography and confocal microscopy
Authors: Zhou Xingtao , Fu Mengjun , Zhao Jing , Zhao Jingjing , Zhang Haorun , Wang Rui
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the anterior segment in children with corneal dystrophy (CD) and R124L mutations using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy.Methods: We investigated a family with prevalent CD and an R124L mutation; 59 individuals (14 patients; six male and eight female, aged 2-69 years, six children, 2:4 male: female ratio) from four generations were included. We observed corneal lesions through ophthalmologic examinations, OCT, and confocal microscopy. The mean follow-up was 4.60±3.91 years.Results: The mean age for childhood CD onset was 0.90±0.61 years. An Avelino DNA test revealed a heterozygous R124L mutation. Clinical manifestations included recurrent photophobia, tearing, and a foreign body sensation. Recurrence frequency decreased with age. Slit lamp microscopy revealed a rough corneal epithelium. The anterior matrix under the corneal epithelium and the anterior elastic layer were scattered with gray and white opacity. From onset to follow-up, the children’s visual acuity decreased from 0.34±0.12 to 0.55±0.17 LogMAR units. OCT showed uneven corneal epithelial thickness. The Bowman’s layer was replaced by abnormal substances in the anterior segment. Corneal deposits became increasingly thicker; the average thickness at the last follow-up was 102.78±10.13 μm. Confocal microscopy revealed uneven and reflective signals in the corneal upper cortex and subepithelium, with unclear boundaries and a loss of normal cell morphology.Conclusion: We report an early age of onset in a family with prevalent CD due to R124L mutations. Anterior OCT is a convenient, quick, and non-contact tool for screening and monitoring the pathological process of corneal dystrophy.
Reveal the Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Simiao Pills in the Treatment of Hyperuricemic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology with Molecular Docking
Authors: Geng Yin-Hong , Yan Jia-Hui , Han Liang , Chen Zhe , Tu Sheng-Hao , Zhang Lin-Qi , Song Chun-Dong , Duan Feng-Yang , Liu Ya-Fei
Published: April 2022

Objective. A network pharmacology integrated molecular docking strategy was used to predict the underlying molecular mechanism of Simiao pills (SMP) in the treatment of hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN). Methods. The active compounds and targets of SMP were screened by TCMSP database. Then, the disease databases such as CTD, DisGeNET, DrugBank, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD and PharmGKB were searched to determine the targets related to HN. STRING and Cytoscape software were applied to analysis and construct PPI network. R software was used to screen common targets, find the core targets of SMP in the treatment of HN, and perform Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis on the core targets, to clarify the core targets and mechanism of action of SMP in the treatment of HN. Finally, active compounds and core targets were selected for molecular docking verification by AutoDock Vina and Pymol software. Results. In this study, 65 related active compounds of SMP, 203 drug-related targets and 91 common targets of SMP and HN were screened. The network suggests that baicalein, kaempferol, quercetin, wogonin, beta-sitosterol and rutaecarpine may be the effective compounds of SMP in the treatment of HN. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses identified the mechanism. Molecular docking revealed that the active compounds in SMP showed strong affinity towards the core protein receptors.Conclusions. SMP has a synergistic mechanism of multi-molecules, multi-targets and multi-pathways in the treatment of HN, which provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the molecular mechanism of SMP in the treatment of HN.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients Treated with Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonist: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Teekaput Chutithep , Nadsasarn Angkana , Tanprawate Surat , Soontornpun Atiwat , Thiankhaw Kitti , Wantaneeyawong Chayasak , Teekaput Kanokkarn , Chai-Adisaksopha Chatree
Published: April 2022

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is an uncommon adverse event in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients treated with thrombopoietin receptor agonists. We reported two cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after eltrombopag administration. The first case is a 29-year-old ITP woman who recently initiated eltrombopag one month before admission. She presented with progressive headache, visual disturbance, and nausea for six days with unremarkable physical examination except for bilateral optic disc edema. She was treated with enoxaparin and switched to edoxaban when discharged. The second case is a 75-year-old man with a history of vaccine-induced ITP. He was initially treated with dexamethasone and eltrombopag. One month later, he developed acute cerebral venous thrombosis with hemorrhagic infarction in bilateral frontal lobes. Even though he was treated with intravenous heparin, his status was not improved. He received the best supportive care. The pathophysiology of TPO-RAs-associated cerebral venous sinus thrombosis remained unclear but might associate with platelet activation. Careful use and closed monitoring might prevent this event.
Toward a new IDS based on PV-DM (Paragraph Vector-Distributed Memory Approach)
Authors: Asry Chadia El , Douzi Samira , Ouahidi Bouabid El
Published: April 2022

Intrusion detection systems (IDS) have become increasingly important in recent years as a means of assuring network security and eliminating undesirable conduct. Intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are either software applications or hardware devices that monitor network traffic for indications of malicious activity or policy violations. The study offers a detection technique based on feature selection, the Distributed Memory Paragraph Vector (PV-DM), and machine learning clas-sifiers. We evaluated our proposed system using the NSL-KDD and UNSW-NB15 datasets. Experiments with multiclass classification demonstrate the efficacy of our approach, which achieves 98.92 percent accuracy, 98.92 percent precision, 95.44 percent recall, and 96.77 percent F1-score with only four features in NSL-KDD and 82.86 percent accuracy, 84.07 percent precision, 77.70 percent recall, and 80.20 percent F1-score with only six features in UNSW-NB15. Additionally, our proposed approach outperforms the standard LSTM model across the board.
AaCYPdwf, a new growth regulatory cytochrome p450 gene from Artemissia annua
Authors: Rayhan Mahmuda Umme , Islam Tofazzal , Kim Soo-un
Published: April 2022

Artemisia annua L. produces artemisinin (qinghaosu), which is inhibitory against malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum . Genetic engineering is thought to be one of the most reasonable approaches to enhance the production of artemisinin by A. annua plant. This study aimed to clone and investigate a growth regulatory cytochrome p450 gene from A. annua . We cloned a cDNA coding growth regulatory gene from A. annua . The gene had high homology with the steroid 23alpha-hydroxylase produced-gene of A. thaliana, Oryza sativa and Zinnia elegans . The full-length cDNA was 1708 bp long, containing an open reading frame of 1443 bp that encodes 480 amino acids. We transformed A. annua plants with the full-length cDNA driven by 35S promoter through Agrobacterium -mediated transformation. To identify the function of the gene, we applied RNAi gene silencing technique. The plants transformed with the full-length cDNA were normal in growth but the plants transformed with RNAi showed extreme dwarfism. The dwarfism in the gene silenced plants was rescued by the application of brassinolide and gibberellin hormones indicating that the mutants were deficient in the synthesis of a growth regulatory gene which we named AaCYPdwf . Phenotypic characteristics of mutant and phylogenetic analysis clustered the AaCYPdwf with other brassinolide producing genes. Our results suggest that AaCYPdwf is a new gene which likely involved in regulation of brassinosteroid biosynthesis in A. annua plants.
Development of high biodegradable sustainable films based on pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) pulp
Authors: Silva Alessandra Oliveira da , Fakhoury Farayde Matta , Fonseca Gustavo Graciano
Published: April 2022

This work aimed to develop films based on pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) pulp added of gelatin and plasticizer (glycerol or sorbitol) and characterize their properties and biodegradation in different soils. The films were presented with a good appearance, easy to handle and with a predominant yellowish color. The greater the addition of plasticizers (3.5%), the greater the elongation and the lower the tensile strength of the films. The higher the gelatin (7%) and the lower plasticizer (1.5%) concentrations, the higher the tensile strength. Thermal analysis allowed to observe a desirable characteristic for packing films: a band between 2Ɵ = 21 ° for both glycerol and sorbitol films, which is present in low crystalline films, reducing the incidence of light in the products. Films were at the most 100% degraded over a period of five to nine days. Thus, the films obtained are recommended to be utilized for food packaging applications.
Occupational exposure to pesticides and safety behavior among Iranian greenhouse farmers
Authors: Bagheri Asghar , Shirzadi Ziba , Sookhtanlou Mojtaba , Shokohian Ali , Bondori Abolmohammad , Damalas Christos
Published: April 2022

Farmers’ behavior in pesticide use is crucial for promoting safety in agriculture, yet little information exists in the literature with regard to greenhouse farmers. This work studied greenhouse farmers’ health symptoms from exposure to pesticides, behavior in using personal protective equipment (PPE), and explained behavior based on risk attitudes, knowledge of hazards of pesticide use, and experience in pesticide handling in Khuzestan province, Iran. Dizziness while preparing the solution and spraying was the most common symptom from pesticide exposure. PPE was used occasionally, most commonly the simple facemask. Most farmers had negative attitudes towards risks of pesticide use, but showed poor knowledge of pesticide risks and high experience of pesticide poisoning when working in the greenhouse. Based on structural equation modelling, the variables of attitude towards pesticide risks, knowledge of pesticides hazards, and experience of pesticide poisoning accounted for 84% of variability of greenhouse farmers’ behavior in PPE use during pesticide use. Knowledge of pesticide risks shaped farmers’ attitudes towards pesticide risk and attitudes towards pesticide risk had the maximum impact on safety behavior in PPE use. Training courses on the health risks posed by pesticide to human are necessary to improve safety behavior of greenhouse farmers.
Determining factors of Neonatal Mortality in Ethiopia: Investigation from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Sahile Abay , Bekele Dereje , Ayele Habtamu
Published: April 2022

Background: Neonatal mortality is the probability of dying during the first 28 days of life. Of approximately 5 million children who die in the first year of life in the world, about 3 million are within their first 28 days of birth. In Ethiopia, the neonatal mortality rate is high about 37 per 1000 live births, and the factors are not well documented. Then, this study aimed to determine the key factors that have a significant influence on neonatal mortality.Methods: About 5753 neonatal mortality-related data were extracted from Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (2019) data. A frequency distribution to summarize the overall data and Binary Logistic Regression to identify the subset of significant risk factors for neonatal mortality were applied to analyze the data.Results: About 36 per 1000 children died before the first 28 days of life with the highest about 15.9% of were in the Benishangul Gumuz region and the lowest about 2.4% of were in ty Addis Ababa. From the Binary logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio and 95% CI of age 25-34 (OR = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.106 - 0.653), Afar (OR= 0.384, 95% CI: 0.167 - 0.884), SNNPR (OR = 0.265, 95% CI: 0.098 - 0.720), Addis Ababa (OR= 5.741, 95% CI: 1.115 - 29.566), Urban (OR = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.090, 0.709), toilet facility (OR= 0.603, 95% CI: 0.404 - 0.900), single birth (OR= 0.261, 95% CI: 0.138 - 0.495), poorest (OR = 10.573, 95% CI: 2.166 - 51.615), poorer (OR = 19.573, 95% CI: 4.171 - 91.848), never breastfed (OR = 35.939, 95% CI: 25.193 - 51.268), public health delivery (OR = 0.302, 95% CI: 0.106 - 0.859), private health facility (OR= 0.269, 95% CI: 0.095 - 0.760). Conclusion: All regional states, specially Benishangul Gumuz, and the Somali region make remedial actions on public health policy, design strategies to improve facilities, and improve the capacities of stakeholders living in their region toward those major factors affecting neonatal mortality in the country.
An Immune-Related Gene Prognostic Index for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Sanhe , Wang Yiqi , Deng Kangli , Huang Lei , Peng Shubin , Wei Shaozhong , Duan Liqun
Published: April 2022

Background
Despite the advances in immunotherapy for bladder cancer in recent years, the efficacy is unsatisfactory as expected. In this study, we have conducted a reliable immune-related gene prognostic index to predict immunotherapy efficacy for bladder cancer based on public databases.
Methods
Differential expression analysis on comparing the tumor and normal samples in the merged TCGA-BLCA & GTEx databases was applied, and the differential expressed immune-related genes were sent to Weighted gene coexpression network analysis. Multivariable Cox analysis of genes among the three most significant coexpression modules was used to develop an immune-related gene prognostic index, and the merged three GEO dataset was used as an independent validation cohort. Further, a model that combined the index with other clinicopathologic features was also verified independently.
Results
11 genes were harvested to construct an immune-related gene prognostic index, both the index and clinicopathologic-index model were well verified in independent cohorts.
Conclusions
The immune-related gene prognostic index for bladder cancer was a reliable and useful marker to predict immunotherapy efficacy for bladder cancer.
Use of dexmedetomidine in patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Ting , Mei Qimin , Dai Shabai , Liu Yecheng , Zhu Huadong
Published: April 2022

PurposeDexmedetomidine is widely used in patients with sepsis. However, its effect on septic patients remains controversial. Therefore, the objective of this study is to summarize all randomized-controlled trials examining the use of dexmedetomidine in patients with sepsis.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for randomized-controlled trials comparing dexmedetomidine with other sedatives in adults with sepsis. We generated pooled relative risks and mean differences, and performed trial-sequential-analysis as well as cumulative meta-analysis. The primary outcome was mortality, whereas the secondary outcomes were ICU stays, duration of mechanical ventilation and ventilation-free days, incidence of total adverse events, incidence of delirium and levels of IL-6, TNF-α, alanine transaminase.ResultsTwenty-three randomized-controlled trials with 2,293 involved patients were identified. Compared to other sedatives, dexmedetomidine could decrease the all-cause mortality (RR 0.81; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.71–0.93; P < 0.05) and inflammatory response (levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at 24 h: SMD: -1.46; 95% CI -2.10, -0.83 , p＜0.05； SMD: -1.20; 95% CI -1.78, -0.62 , p＜0.05, respectively). Trial-sequential-analysis showed that it is not up to required information size but the cumulative Z curve crossed the trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit. Using cumulative meta-analysis, a steady reduction in mortality was observed after 2020. Risks of total adverse events were similar between dexmedetomidine and the other sedatives (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.50, 2.25, p = 0.87), but dexmedetomidine increases the risk of arrhythmias (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.15, 4.8; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%). ICU stays (SMD: −0.26; 95% CI −0.70,0.18, p = 0.24), duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of delirium (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.19, low certainty; P = 0.43)，the levels of alanine transaminase and creatinine changes at 24 h (Respectively: p = 0.17 and 0.30) were all not significantly reduced.ConclusionThe use of dexmedetomidine in comparison to other sedative agent reduces significantly the all-cause mortality and inflammatory response in patients with sepsis. Dexmedetomidine might lead to an increased incidence of arrhythmias, but its safety profile did not show significant differences in the incidence of the total adverse events.
QAAskeR+: A Novel Testing Method for Question Answering Software via Asking Recursive Questions
Authors: Xie Xiaoyuan , Jin Shuo , Chen Songqiang
Published: April 2022

Question Answering (QA) is an attractive and challenging area in NLP community. With the development of QA technique, plenty of QA software has been applied in daily human life to provide convenient access of information retrieval. To investigate the performance of QA software, many benchmark datasets have been constructed to provide various test cases. However, current QA software is mainly tested in a reference-based paradigm, in which the expected outputs (labels) of test cases are mandatory to be annotated with much human effort before testing. As a result, neither the just-in-time test during usage nor the extensible test on massive unlabeled real-life data is feasible, which keeps the current testing of QA software from being flexible and sufficient. In this work, we propose a novel testing method, QAAskeR+, with five new Metamorphic Relations for QA software. QAAskeR+ does not refer to the annotated labels of test cases. Instead, based on the idea that a correct answer should imply a piece of reliable knowledge that always conforms with any other correct answer, QAAskeR+ tests QA software by inspecting its behaviors on multiple recursively asked questions that are relevant to the same or some further enriched knowledge. Experimental results show that QAAskeR+ can reveal quite a few violations that indicate actual answering issues on various mainstream QA software without using any pre-annotated labels.
3D seismic response characteristics of a pile-mat-founded AP1000 nuclear-island building considering nonlinear hysteretic behavior of soil
Authors: Chen Guoxing , Zhu Shengdong , chen weiyun , Li Xiaojun , Juang Charng Hsein
Published: April 2022

Given the increase of nuclear power plants, it has become unavoidable for the pile-supported nuclear-island buildings to be constructed on the coastal deposits potentially influenced by strong earthquakes. The influences of the hysteresis nonlinearity of soil and the soil-pile-structure interaction (SPSI) have not yet been considered in the seismic response analysis of the nuclear-island building, although it is a vital issue. On the basis of a newly developed generalized non-Masing hysteretic constitutive model, a 3D integrated simulation method is proposed to evaluate the seismic responses of the pile-mat-founded nuclear-island building system subjected to multidirectional earthquake motions. This integrated method involves an explicit parallel algorithm framework, comprising the nuclear-island building modeling, the pile-mat foundation modeling, the inhomogeneous soil domain modeling, and the artificial boundary condition. The bedrock records of near-field, moderate-far field and far-field earthquake scenarios are assumed for determining the bedrock motions of the ultimate and operational safety earthquakes. For an actual pile-mat-founded AP1000 nuclear-island building, the simulation results show the complexity and significance of the coupling effect of the site, the tridirectional earthquake shaking, and the secondary nonlinearity of soil. Such a complex coupling effect significantly increases the seismic responses of the pile-mat-founded nuclear-island building. A notable finding is that the scenario of moderate-far field and far-field strong motions may have more destructive potential to the pile-mat-founded nuclear-island buildings than the scenario of near-field strong motions with the shorter durations and same amplitude. The results provide insights into the seismic design of the pile-mat-founded nuclear-island buildings, which could guide the design and construction of such similar facilities in the high seismic intensity regions.
Ethanol production from cellulosic materials of sugarcane scum by bio-fermentation and acid hydrolysis
Authors: Asadi Pouyan , baher elham , Vaezi Zahra , Tilami Salma Ehsani
Published: April 2022

Bioethanol is a promising candidate and the eco-friendly material for reducing greenhouse gases and it can be a good alternative to fossil fuels. We describe a development of framework for green fuel production. The production of bioethanol as a fuel has been investigated from sugarcane scum (bagasse, which can be hydrolyzed and fermented by high carbon content). In this process, carbohydrates were converted into monomers and then by fermentation of these monomers leads to the production of ethanol. Samples were prepared at different experimental conditions (Saccharomyces and acidic media for hydrolyzing) to carry out the fermentation process. Finally, identification and characterization of ethanol for the best condition was performed by GC-MS (500 gr bagasses, 0.25 gr yeast in acidic media and boiling temperature). The use of cheap yeast is a novelty of this work because it provides commercialization of bioethanol production which is very important in ethanol generation.
Characterization of the role of sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, on vase life and postharvest attributes of Alstroemeria aurea ‘Orange Queen’
Authors: Sadeghi Soheila , Jabbarzadeh Zohreh
Published: April 2022

Senescence is the important physiological process that impact the quality of cut flowers. Alstroemeria is one of the major cut flowers that has received a lot of attention in recent years due to its high yield, extremely beautiful flowers and variety of colors. In order to improve the vase life and other postharvest characteristics of Alstroemeria cut flowers ‘Orange Queen’, preharvest foliar application of sodium nitroprusside, nitric oxide (NO) donor at concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200 µM and short-term treatment (pulsing) after harvest at the same concentration were performed as a factorial trial base on a completely randomized design. In this experiment, vase life, solution uptake, relative fresh weight, relative water content, malondialdehyde and catalase activity were measured. It was observed that nitric oxide improved postharvest characteristics. Foliar application of 100 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) along with pulsing of 50 µM SNP interdependent on vase life time period was observed to be the optimal dose for improving relative fresh weight (RFW), relative solution uptake (RSU), relative water content (RWC), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in Alstroemeria cut flowers. Vase life markedly extended by preharvest application of 100 µM SNP + 50 µM SNP as pulsing from 7 day to 16 day and thus those inducer effects were dose- and time-dependent. Taken together, these results suggest that SNP plays a critical role in multiple modes of action to prolong vase life via maintaining RFW, RWC, scavenging free radical in term of enzymes antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation in ‘Orange Queen’ of Alstroemeria cut flowers.
Mental Health Clinicians’ Perceptions of Nature-Based Interventions Within Community Mental Health Services: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Olcon Katarzyna , Tambyah Rachel , Allan Julaine , Destry Pete , Astell-Burt Thomas
Published: April 2022

Background: Mental health conditions are one of the largest burdens of disease in Australia and globally. There is a need to seek innovative and alternative interventions that can prevent and alleviate mental health symptoms. Nature-based interventions (NBIs), namely programs and activities where individuals engage with natural environments with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing (e.g., nature walking groups), may be such an alternative. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of mental health clinicians on the potential benefits of, and barriers to, implementing NBIs within a community mental health setting. Methods: This study used a qualitative, exploratory research design. Fifteen mental health clinicians were recruited from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Australia, and interviewed (September-October 2021) about their perceptions of NBIs within mental health settings. The semi-structured interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic approach and managed with NVivo. Results: Mental health clinicians viewed spending time in nature as relaxing, refreshing, and therapeutic. Many described it as part of their lifestyle and encouraged consumers to engage in nature-based activities on their own time. If NBIs were to be introduced as part of mental health services, clinicians expressed willingness to promote to with their consumers. Clinicians listed many potential benefits of NBIs for mental health consumers including improved mood, calmness and relaxation, a sense of empowerment, and social connections. Despite these benefits, clinicians were concerned about a variety of barriers to NBIs including consumers’ mental health symptoms such as anxiety or lack of motivation, scepticism, and geographic accessibility, as well as organisational barriers such as policies around safety risk.Conclusion: Responding to the individual and organisational factors that could hinder the implementation of NBIs while building on the existing evidence of the positive impact of nature on health and wellbeing and, as demonstrated in this study, mental health clinicians’ interest and supportiveness of NBIs, mental health services should consider the implementation of NBIs as part of routine practice.
Parallel, Component Training in Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision
Authors: MBChB Deena Harji , Aldajani Nour , Cauvin Thomas , Chauvet Alexander , Denost Quentin
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThere has been widespread adoption of robotic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer in recent years. There is now increasing interest in training robotic novice surgeons in robotic TME surgery using the principles of component-based learning. The aims of our study were to assess the feasibility of delivering a structured, parallel, component-based, training curriculum to surgical trainees and fellows. MethodsA prospective pilot study was undertaken between January 2021 and May 2021. A dedicated robotic training pathway was designed with two trainees trained in parallel per each robotic case based on prior experience, training grade and skill set. Component parts of each operation were allocated by the robotic trainer prior to the start of each case. Robotic proficiency was assessed using the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) and the EARCS Global Assessment Score (GAS). Results Three trainees participated in this pilot study; performing a combined number of 52 TME resections. Key components of all 52 TME operations were performed by the trainees. GEARS scores improved throughout the study, with a mean overall baseline score of 17.3 (95% CI 15.1 – 1.4) compared to an overall final assessment mean score of 23.8 (95% CI 21.6 – 25.9), p=0.003. The GAS component improved incrementally for all trainees at each candidate assessment (p<0.001).Conclusion Employing a parallel, component-based approach to training in robotic TME surgery is safe and feasible and can be used to train multiple trainees of differing grades simultaneously, whilst maintaining high quality clinical outcomes.
Exosomes secreted from mesenchymal stem cells carry miRNA-486-5p to inhibit cell proliferation and EMT process to treat human lung cancer by down-regulating MIER3
Authors: Peng Jingcui , LI Bin , Hu Wenxia , LI Sa , Ding Cuimin
Published: April 2022

Exosomes are membrane-enclosed nanovesicles that shuttle active cargoes, such as mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs), between different cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to migrate to the tumor sites and exert complex functions over tumor progress. We investigated the effect of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs)-derived exosomal miRNA-486-5p on lung cancer. Frist, during the co-culture experiments, we found that both MSCs and MSCs-derived exosomal can inhibit the proliferation and EMT process of A549 cells.Then we verified that the exosomes carry miRNA-486-5p, and overexpression of miRNA-486-5p inhibits the proliferation and EMT process of A549 cells. In addition, miRNA-486-5p carried by MSCs-derived exosomes regulates MIER3 expression through binding to its 3’UTR. Furthermore, the silenced MIER3 inhibits the proliferation of A549 cells and the EMT process. Finally, we verified that the tumor necrosis area of mice was reduced, miRNA-486-5p expression increased, and the EMT process was inhibited after exosome treatment in vivo. In conclusion, MSC-derived exosomal miRNA-486-5p directly and negatively targets MIER3 to suppress lung cancer.
Registered Trials on Stem Cell Therapy in Liver Diseases: a Cross-sectional Study on ClinicalTrials.gov
Authors: Ren Danfeng , Cao Wenya , Liu Jinfeng , Yan Taotao , Yang Yuan , Zhu Li , Fu Shan , Ni Tianzhi , Zhang Ze , Zhao Yingren , He Yingli , Yang Nan
Published: April 2022

Background: Stem cells have the ability of self-renewal and differentiation into liver cells, suggesting as a promising therapy for liver diseases. However, the efficacy and safety for clinical application remain unknown for limited number of clinical trials. ClinicalTrials.gov contributes to the development of clinical practice. This study aimed to systematically analyze the registered trials on stem cell therapy in liver diseases based on ClinicalTrials.gov.Methods: We searched the registered trials on stem cell therapy in liver diseases on ClinicalTrials.gov up to 23 September 2021. We investigated the study type, source of stem cells, and kind of liver diseases of included trials and these characteristics were analyzed by SPSS18.0 software.Results: Five hundred and fifty-nine registered trials were initially identified on ClinicalTrials.gov and 92 trials were included ultimately. Among them, 84 trials were interventional trials and eight (8.70%) were observational trials. Twenty-four (28.57%) trails aimed to evaluate the efficacy, 16 (19.05%) to evaluate the safety, and 44 (52.38%) to evaluate both. For stem cell source, 73 trials (81.52%) used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including 26 with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, 22 with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, 20 with unclassified mesenchymal stem cells, and five with adipose tissue-derived stem cells. For liver disease classification, sixty trials focused on cirrhosis, 16 trials on liver failure, while eight trials on autoimmune liver disease. However, only 22 (23.91%) trials had been completed and four (4.35%) had available results on the website.Conclusions: Our study suggest that more stem cell therapy trials are needed in liver diseases and sponsors are encouraged to report the results.
TPNA10168, an Nrf-2 activator, stimulates glutathione production by inducing system Xc-, and g-glutamate cysteine ligase subunits in cultured mouse astrocytes.
Authors: Koyama Yutaka , Terada Natsumi , Nakamura Haruka , Ito Kyosuke , Kume Toshiaki , Izumi Yasuhiko
Published: April 2022

Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) is a transcription factor involved in cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and mediates the expression of various antioxidant-related molecules. We previously showed that TPNA10168, a novel Nrf-2 activator, has neuroprotective effects. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective action of TPNA10168, its effects on the expression of glutathione biosynthesis-related molecules in cultured mouse astrocytes were examined. Cultured astrocytes were prepared from the cerebra of 1-day-old C57BL/6N mice. mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. Treatment with TPNA10168 (30 µM) increased the astrocytic Nrf-2 protein level. Nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 and its binding to the Nrf-2 recognition DNA fragment were stimulated by TPNA10168. The mRNA and protein levels of system Xc−, a cystine/glutamate exchange transporter, in cultured astrocytes were increased by TPNA10168. TPNA10168 also increased the expression of γ-glutamate cysteine ligase subunits (γ-GCLm and γ-GCLc). Accompanied by the increased expression of system Xc−, γ-GCLm, and γ-GCLc, the production of astrocytic glutathione was increased by TPNA10168. The effects of TPNA10168 on the expression of system Xc−, γ-GCLm, and γ-GCLc were reduced by the Nrf-2 inhibitor ML385 (10 µM). Rotenone (2.5 nM) induced cell death in cultured astrocytes; however, this effect was alleviated by TPNA10168. The results suggest that Nrf-2-mediated astrocytic glutathione biosynthesis is one of the mechanisms underlying the cytoprotective action of TPNA10168.
Knockdown of miR-129-5p alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury via targeting surfactant protein D
Authors: Wu Miao , Bai Jiawei , Ma Chengtai , Wei Jie , Du Xianjin
Published: April 2022

An increasing number of microRNAs (miRs) have been shown to serve crucial roles in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of miR-129-5p on II/R injury in vitro and in vivo. It was revealed that the expression level of miR-129-5p was upregulated, whereas SP-D expression was downregulated in the intestinal tissues of I/R mice. Serum levels of diamine oxidase, FD-4 and D-lactic acid, which are commonly used indicators of intestinal mucosal permeability, were significantly decreased following miR-129-5p knockdown. By contrast, ZO-1 and E-cadherin expression levels were increased following miR-129-5p knockdown, as determined using IHC, which improved the function of the epithelial barrier. In addition, Caco-2 cells were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation, which can trigger II/R injury. miR-129-5p expression was increased, whereas SP-D expression was decreased by H/R exposure in vitro. Knockdown of miR-129-5p increased ZO-1 and E-cadherin expression in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of SP-D improved the function of the epithelial barrier, as indicated by increased transepithelial electrical resistance values and decreased paracellular flux of FD-4. It was also found that liver and lung injury triggered by II/R was attenuated by miR-129-5p knockdown. Collectively, the present study suggested that miR-129-5p knockdown mitigated II/R injury by targeting SP-D.
Individuality and stability of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) faecal microbiota through time
Authors: Eisenhofer Raphael , Brice Kylie L. , Blyton Michaela D.J. , Bevins Scott E. , Leigh Kellie , Singh Brajesh K. , Helgen Kristofer M. , Hough Ian , Daniels Chris , Speight Natasha , Moore Ben D.
Published: April 2022

BackgroundGut microbiota studies often rely on a single sample taken per individual, representing a snapshot in time. However, we know that gut microbiota composition in many animals exhibits intra-individual variation over the course of days to months. Such temporal variations can be a confounding factor in studies seeking to compare the gut microbiota of different wild populations, or to assess the impact of medical/veterinary interventions. To date, little is known about the variability of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) gut microbiota through time. Here, we characterise the gut microbiota from faecal samples collected at 8 timepoints over a month for a captive population of South Australian koalas (n individuals = 7), and monthly over 7 months for a wild population of New South Wales koalas (n individuals = 5).ResultsUsing 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we found that microbial diversity was stable over the course of days to months. Each koala had a distinct faecal microbiota composition which in the captive koalas was stable across days. The wild koalas showed more variation across months, although each individual still maintained a distinct microbial composition. Per koala, an average of 57 (± 16) amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were detected across all time points; these ASVs accounted for an average of 97% (± 1.9%) of the faecal microbial community per koala. ConclusionThe koala faecal microbiota exhibits stability over the course of days to months. Such knowledge will be useful for future studies comparing koala populations and developing microbiota interventions for this regionally endangered marsupial.