bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clostridium perfringens Sialidase Interaction with Neu5Ac α-Gal Sialic Acid Receptors by In- Silico Observation and Its Impact on Monolayers Cellular Behaviour Structure
Authors: Kurnia Ryan Septa , Silaen Otto Sahat Martua , Harun Vivi Hardianty , Krisnamurti Desak Gede Budi , Indrawati Agustin , Poetri Okti Nadia , Natih Ketut Karuni Nyanakumari , Tarigan Simson , Ibrahim Fera , Sudarmono Pratiwi Pudjilestari , Soebandrio Amin , Nugroho Christian Marco Hadi
Published: February 2023

Bacterial sialidase hydrolyzes sialic acid receptors, preventing viral infections. Previous study reported Clostridium perfringens sialidase has inhibited viral infection in cell culture and animal models. Since the receptors have not been independently demonstrated, the effects of sialidase on host cells and their behavior are still poorly known. This study aims to evaluate C. perfringens sialidase based antiviral drugs using computational screening and in vitro approach to demonstrate interaction between enzyme-based drugs and ligand in host cells. Insilico study was carried out by molecular docking analysis used to predict the interactions between atoms that occur, followed by genetic characterization of sialidase from wild isolate. Sialidase which has undergone further production and purification processes exposed to chicken embryonic fibroblast cell culture, and observations based structural morphology of cell compared between treated cell and normal cell without treatment. Based on in-silico study shows that C. perfringens sialidase have an excellent binding affinity with Neu5Acα (2.3) Gal ligand receptor with Gibbs energy value (∆G) − 7.35 kcal/mol and Ki value of 4.11 µM. Wild C. perfringens isolate in this study have 99.1–100% similarity of plc gene, NanH, and NanI genes, while NanJ shows 93.18% similarity compared to reference isolate from GenBank. Sialidase at 750 mU and 150 mU may impact on the viability, cell count, and cell behavior structure of fibroblast cells by significance increased the empty area and perimeter of CEF cells, while at 30 mU sialidase shows no significant difference compared with mock control. Sialidase derived C. perfringens has the capacity to compete with viral molecules for attachment to hosts sialic acid based on in-silico analysis. However, sialidase treatment cause an impact on monolayer cell fibroblasts given exposure to high doses.
Simulation and Retrofitting of Mass Exchange Networks in Fertilizer Plants
Authors: Shoaib Abeer M. , Atawia Amr A. , Hassanean Mohamed H. , Bhrana Ahmed A.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a simulation technique for optimizing a hydrogen integration network. By applying this technique, the minimum fresh hydrogen consumption can be determined. Quantitative relationship between sources and sinks streams were studied to get the flow rates of coupled source and sink, hydrogen consumption and hydrogen concentration in each stream. The introduced technique was applied on twelve sources and twelve sinks with any purity of hydrogen concentration. The hydrogen integration network was designed through two steps, the first step considers applying the data given in the LINGO program, while the second step considers using the LINGO results in the introduced excel program to obtain the retrofitted hydrogen integration network. The proposed technique was applied on several case studies to achieve the minimum consumption of fresh hydrogen for the obtained hydrogen integrated networks. The introduced model for simulation and retrofitting of mass exchange networks is easy to understand and the results showed that this model is more efficient for fertilizer, petrochemical and refinery plants.
An LGR4 agonist activates the GSK3β pathway to inhibit RANK-RANKL signaling during osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages
Authors: Jang Yuria , Lee Hyeonjoon , Cho Yongjin , Choi Eunseo , Kim Bosun , Jo Suenghwan , Kim Beom Chang , Ko Young Jong , Lim Wonbong
Published: February 2023

The binding between receptor-activated nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) and its specific ligand (RANKL) during osteoclast development is an important target for drugs that treat osteoporosis. Recently, the leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) was reported as a negative regulator of RANKL-RANK signaling that suppresses canonical RANK signaling during osteoclast differentiation. Hence, LGR4 agonists may be useful in inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and effectively treating osteoporosis. In this study, we used bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and a mouse model of RANKL-induced bone loss to investigate the effect of a RANKL-derived mutant, (MT RANKL), which was previously developed based on the crystal structure of the RANKL complex. In the present study, the binding affinity of wild-type (WT) RANKL and MT RANKL for RANK and LGR4 was determined using microscale thermophoresis analysis, and the effect of the ligands on the AKT-GSK-3β-NFATc1 signaling cascade was investigated using western blotting and confocal microscopy. In addition, the immunopositive expression of LGR4 and the colocalization of LGR4 and MT RANKL were analyzed in a mouse model of RANKL-induced bone loss. The results showed that in osteoclast precursor cells, MT RANKL bound with high affinity to LGR4, decreased AKT phosphorylation, and increased GSK-3β phosphorylation, resulting in the inhibition of NFATc1 nuclear translocation. In the mouse model, MT RANKL upregulated LGR4 expression, colocalized with LGR4, and inhibited bone resorption. These results indicate that MT RANKL, which is derived from RANKL and inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through an LGR4-dependent pathway, may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Pro-phagocytic function and structural basis of GPR84 signaling
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Wang Yujing , Supekar Shreyas , Cao Xu , Zhou Jingkai , Dang Jessica , Chen Siqi , Jenkins Laura , Marsango Sara , Li Xiu , Liu Guibing , Milligan Graeme , Feng Mingye , Fan Hao , Gong Weimin , Zhang Cheng
Published: February 2023

GPR84 is a unique orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that can be activated by endogenous medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The signaling of GPR84 is largely pro-inflammatory, which can augment inflammatory response, and GPR84 also functions as a pro-phagocytic receptor to enhance the phagocytic activities of macrophages. In this study, we first showed that the activation of GPR84 by the synthetic agonist 6-OAU could synergize with the blockade of CD47 on cancer cells to induce phagocytosis of cancer cells by macrophages. Then, we determined a high-resolution structure of the GPR84-Gi signaling complex with 6-OAU. This structure revealed a completely occluded binding pocket for 6-OAU, the molecular basis of receptor activation involving non-conserved structural motifs of GPR84, and an unusual Gi-coupling interface. Together with computational docking and simulations studies, our structure also suggested the mechanism for the high selectivity of GPR84 for MCFAs and the potential routes of ligand binding and dissociation. Our results provide a framework for understanding GPR84 signaling and developing new drugs targeting GPR84.
Trans-ocular hypertension assessment
Authors: Afsharan Hadi , Anilkumar Vidyalakshmi , Silva Dilusha , Dwivedi Girish , Joo Chulmin , Cense Barry
Published: February 2023

Blood vessel walls are made of organized fibrous tissue with intrinsic birefringence. Even in its very early stages, hypertension can change the structure of a blood vessel wall. We showed that this structural change can be quantitatively measured non-invasively in the human retina using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). Organizational loss in vessel wall tissue was quantified in hypertensive patients and compared to data obtained from age-matched healthy subjects. The wall tissue in patients with hypertension was shown to be thicker, and exhibited lower birefringence, presumably due to a loss of tissue organization. The blood vessel wall birefringence index (BBI) combines vessel wall birefringence and thickness into one number and is introduced here to readily distinguish between blood vessel walls of hypertensive and healthy subjects. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, BBI showed 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity when discriminating normotensive (N = 11) and hypertensive (N = 11) subjects. Accurately determining the thickness of the blood vessel wall is not possible without polarization-sensitivity. Moreover, just blood vessel wall thickness or wall birefringence were not sufficient to achieve this high classification performance. Retinal vessel wall measurements with PS-OCT cannot be affected by a patient being anxious, by hormones or other blood values, since the measurement is intrinsic to the optical and mechanical properties of the vessel wall. Furthermore, this relatively low-cost system combines a very short imaging and analysis time with high sensitivity and specificity, making it highly suitable for low-cost screening.
Estimation of mercury released into the environment from the uncontrolled dumping of broken medical thermometers in hospitals in Cameroon, Africa
Authors: tetsopgang samuel
Published: February 2023

The yearly mercury released into the environment from discarded broken thermometers was estimated through questionnaires submitted to medical personnel in two major cities, namely Yaounde and Bertoua, in Cameroon. 83 medical personnel made up of 17 assistant nurses, 56 nurses + midwives and 10 physicians responded to have handled a total of 3216 units of thermometers made up of 85% Hg-added and 15% digital during consultations. 624 units, all Hg-added and making about 19% of thermometers got broken during heath consultations. This breakage led to the average annual disposal of 0.646 Kg of mercury. The mean rates of mercury release from broken thermometers were assessed to 0.056, 0.005 and zero, and 0.009, 0.002 and zero Kg per year, respectively, for assistant nurses, nurses + midwives and physicians in bigger and smaller cities, respectively. Assistant nurses alone disposed of 73%, 27% by nurses + midwives, and none released by physicians for the total of 222.52 Kg of mercury disposed of from broken thermometers by medical personnel in hospitals in Cameroon. Out of the total mercury estimation, 63.71% and 36.21% were disposed of by medical personnel in bigger and smaller cities, respectively. The circumstances of the accidental broken of these mercury-added thermometers will expose medical personnel, patients, and the public to this toxic chemical.
Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection successfully treated with a consecutive combined scheme therapy in an HIV- positive patient with AIDS
Authors: Vergori Alessandra , Baldini Francesco , Pinnetti Carmela , Grisetti Susanna , Mondi Annalisa , Matusali Giulia , Camici Marta , Maggi Fabrizio , Antinori Andrea
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Cases of persistent infection have already been widely described with some proposals for combination or extended course therapies in immunocompromised subjects, but nothing has been addressed in AIDS patients. We present a case of prolonged, mild SARS-CoV-2 infection that was successfully treated with a consecutive combined scheme of therapy.
Methods/Results
A prolonged shedding of SARS-CoV-2 was observed up to 92 days and the COVID-19 clinical manifestation was mild without evidence of pneumonia and/or acute respiratory insufficiency. The infection was not cleared after the first treatment with remdesivir IV as early treatment (for 3 days) suggesting a limited effect on SARS-CoV-2 in an immunocompromised individual. Several weeks later, a second therapeutic attempt was made with tixagevimab/cilgavimab 300/300 IM but SARS-CoV-2 RNA was still detected for further 5 weeks. A third attempt with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir determined the definitive viral clearance of SARS-CoV-2 after 92 days since the first detection.
Conclusion
Our data indicate that certain immunocompromised individuals may shed infectious virus longer and need a tailored and valuable therapeutics approach. Additional data from clinical trials are required to support a feasible approach to managing this vulnerable group of patients.
Landslide susceptibility modeling derived from remote sensing, multi-criteria decision analysis, and GIS techniques: A case study in the Southeast Bohol Province, Philippines
Authors: Tubog Michael Vincent , Villahermosa Ryan Lester , Perong John Glenn
Published: February 2023

Several landslide hazard susceptibility mapping has been done in the Philippines for the past decade to augment the need for vulnerability assessment. Being a karst region, the southeast Bohol province is accustomed to frequent landslide occurrences, causing hazard risks in adjacent communities. These landslides are generally controlled by both extrinsic (e.g., road network, fault) and intrinsic (e.g., geomorphologic and geologic) factors. Field observation denotes several occurrences along steep slopes and stream banks. However, the challenges in updating the landslide hazard susceptibility maps arose from the scarcity of updated field information. With data access limitations, this study aims to generate accurate and precise landslide susceptibility models using remote sensing and statistical-based analysis processed in Geographic Information System (GIS). This study uses open-sourced medium-resolution satellite data and digital elevation models are utilized to generate the 8 landslide factor maps. These maps were analyzed through Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Logic Overlay. The generated landslide susceptibility models were validated using Forest-based Classification and Regression (FBCR), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and ordinary linear regression. The AHP-based model shows significant accuracy and compatibility with the actual susceptibility of the site since the p-value of the map is 0.031 in ANOVA, while the Fuzzy-based model cannot be considered accurate since it generated a 0.266 p-value result. Moreover, both models were analyzed in FBCR and resulted in a p-value of 2.2x10-16 in the ordinary linear regression validation, making both significant landslide prediction models. This result denotes that medium-resolution satellite data can generate accurate and compatible landslide susceptibility and prediction models, and this process will give disaster risk reduction managers an avenue to generate landslide models that are not bounded by data access limitations.
Advancement in UV-Visible-IR Camouflage Textiles for Concealment of Defense Surveillance against Multidimensional Combat Backgrounds
Authors: Hossain Md. Anowar
Published: February 2023

Target detection of defense technology is being rapidly upgraded with modern surveillance technologies. The latest techniques of surveillance are already being implemented for defense applications. Self-protection and hiding from opposing forces are the key principle for protection of special team in defense. Camouflage textiles aims to create confusing objects for target detection of military personnel. These textiles are applied for military protection such as clothing, weapon, vehicle and location hiding nets/tents, etc. The urgent need of camouflage textiles have been formulated with a technical solution and implementation of right camouflage materials for concealment of defense target signature against dry leaves, green leaves, tree bark-woodland combat background; water-marine combat background; sand-desertland combat background; stone-stoneland combat background; snow-snowland combat background; sky combat background and ice-iceland combat background, concrete-concreteland combat background (DGTWSICB) in ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV-Vis-IR) spectrums. This hypothesis of optical & surveillance engineering has been coalesced for advancement of UV-Vis-IR-DGTWSICB camouflage textiles technology. The principle of camouflage engineering has been approached by broader spectrum probe in UV-Vis-IR rather than Vis ranges only. Furthermore, single formulation of camouflage textiles has been proposed for multidimensional CBs-DGTWSICB. Electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, electron energy, photonic signal and imaging mechanism in UV-Vis-IR have been presented for optical engineering of concealment, detection, recognition and identification of target signature against DGTWSICB. Spectrum relationship of camouflage materials and DGTWSICB materials have been illustrated and compared in UV-Vis-IR spectrums. Camouflage material design, method design & spectral design; adaptive camouflage; techniques for camouflage textile assessment for digital camera and hyperspectral camera imaging; image processing techniques and a hierarchical model have been demonstrated for augmentation of camouflage textiles in UV-Vis-IR illumination. Therefore, anticipated design of camouflage textiles may enhance high-performance innovation for modern surveillance of military protection related to digital camera, hyperspectral camera and radar. This hypothesis includes advance guideline for camouflage textiles design for CBs-DGTWSICB.
Causal Associations of Sleep Traits with Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Authors: Tian Shan-Shan , Huangfu Longtao , Bao Yanping , Ai Si-Zhi , Chang Suhua , Wang Qianwen , Zhu Ximei , Yan Wei , Shi Le , Deng Jia-Hui , Lu Lin
Published: February 2023

Inconsistent results regarding the relationship between sleep traits and cancer incidence and mortality exist. Using data from UK Biobank participants, we conducted multivariable Cox regression, linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization (MR), and survival curve analyses to simultaneously assess the independent impact of chronotype, sleep duration, and insomnia symptoms on pan-cancer risk and mortality, including all-cause mortality, 5-year cancer mortality, and cancer mortality among cancer patients. A definite evening chronotype, long sleep duration, and frequent insomnia symptoms were associated with higher pan-cancer risk and mortality among cancer patients and potential causal risk factors of mortality in patients with cancer. Long sleep duration also had a causal relationship with pan-cancer incidence. In addition, the current study showed that the genetically predicted morning chronotype was associated with a reduction in pan-cancer risk and mortality among patients with cancer. These results suggest that some sleep traits, such as longer sleep duration, evening chronotype, and insomnia, play individual and joint roles in pan-cancer risk and mortality among cancer patients, which could be beneficial from the morning chronotype. Our findings highlight the importance of sleep management in cancer prevention and prognosis.
Fishery resource management with migratory prey harvesting in two zones- Delay and Stochastic approach
Authors: Niranjan H , Srin M.N. , Murty A.V.S.N. , Viswanathan K.K.
Published: February 2023

In this work, we looked at a two-zone aquatic habitat where both prey and predators can access the zones. The prey alternates between two zones at random. The growth of prey in the absence of a predator is believed to be logistic in each zone. The inner steady state is determined. Around the interior steady state, the deterministic model's local and global stability is investigated. Furthermore, a stochastic stability study is performed in the neighbourhood of a positive steady state, using analytical estimates of population mean square fluctuations to investigate the system's dynamics in the presence of Gaussian white noise.
Extracellular vesicle-Serpine-1 affects neural progenitor cell mitochondrial functions and synaptic density: modulation by amyloid beta and HIV-1
Authors: András Ibolya E. , Serrano Nelson , Djuraskovic Irina , Fattakhov Nikolai , Sun Enze , Toborek Michal
Published: February 2023

Brain endothelial extracellular vesicles carrying amyloid beta (EV-Aβ) can be transferred to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) leading to NPC dysfunction. However, the events involved in this EV-mediated Aβ pathology are unclear. EV-proteomics studies identified Serpine-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, PAI-1) as a major connecting “hub” on several protein-protein interaction maps. Serpine-1 was described as a key player in Aβ pathology and was linked to HIV-1 infection as well. Therefore, the aim of this work was to address the hypothesis that Serpine-1 can be transferred via EVs from brain endothelial cells to NPCs and contribute to NPC dysfunction. HBMEC concentrated and released Serpine-1 via EVs, the effect that was potentiated by HIV-1 and Aβ. EVs loaded with Serpine-1 were readily taken up by NPCs, and HIV-1 enhanced this event. Interestingly, a highly specific Serpine-1 inhibitor PAI039 increased EV-Aβ transfer to NPCs in the presence of HIV-1. PAI039 also partially blocked mitochondrial network morphology and mitochondrial function alterations in the recipient NPCs, which developed mainly after HIV + Aβ-EV transfer. PAI039 partly attenuated HIV-EV-mediated decreased synaptic protein levels in NPCs, while increased synaptic protein levels in NPC projections. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying EV-Serpine-1 related Aβ pathology in the context of HIV infection. They are relevant to HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of neuropathology in HIV infection.
Association of maternal depression and hypothyroidism with infant gastroschisis: A population-based cohort study in Canada
Authors: Liu Shiliang , Hughes Claude , Yong Shin Jie , Chen Dunjin
Published: February 2023

Gastroschisis has increased globally over recent decades, and this increase has not been explained by identified risk factors. We conducted a population-based study of infants born in Canada, 2004–2020. We used “winter” months (i.e., September through June) and northern areas of residence as indicators of less sunlight/less active lifestyle, while “summer” (i.e., July and August) and southern areas were considered as reference. Rate of gastroschisis for infants conceived in winter (3.4 per 10 000) was higher than for infants conceived in summer (2.2 per 10 000; p < 0.001). Exposure to winter, and northern area hypothyroidism, substance or tobacco uses and depressive disorder were initially identified as risk factors for gastroschisis. There was a significant interaction between women < 24 years of age and 2-month conception intervals (rate ratio (RR): 1.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.70). The association of maternal depression (mean ratio 2.19, 95% CI 0.87–3.50, p = 0.001) with infant gastroschisis was mediated by hypothyroidism (mean ratio 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.07, p < 0.001), whereas substance use, hypothyroidism, tobacco smoking and gestational diabetes showed 5.5-, 3.1-, 2.7, and 1.2-fold associations, respectively, with maternal depression. In contrast to the summer conception interval of low gastroschisis risk, an elevated risk of gastroschisis spans the other ten months in association with higher levels of stress adaptation, thermoregulation and metabolism, reproduction, and growth effector hormones. Our findings suggest that periconception depression may play a causal role in offspring gastroschisis.
Effects of Soft and Hard Fillers on Electromechanical Properties and Performance of Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomer for Actuator Applications
Authors: Prabhakar Om Prakash , Sahu Raj Kumar
Published: February 2023

Desired ratio of high relative permittivity and low elastic modulus limits the application of silicon rubbers in various engineering fields as flexible electromechanical actuators. The relative permittivity can be improved by incorporating varieties of high-k particles and polymer reagents as plasticizers and crosslinkers into elastomer matrix. The present work investigates the effect of polyethylene glycol flakes (PEG as plasticizer) and titanium boride (TB) particles (high-k particle) as soft and hard fillers respectively, on electromechanical (EM) properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer composite for soft actuators. Elastomer composites filled with various concentrations of fillers are created and labeled accordingly to distinguish impact of fillers on EM properties. Uniform dispersion for fillers is confirmed by FESEM, EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis. Elastic modulus and relative permittivity are significantly influenced by filler contents for both fillers. Elastic modulus for lower concentrations (2 and 5 wt.%) of soft fillers (PEG) increases while 8 wt.% leads to as comparable to the base material (PDMS). Soft fillers (PEG) aid in maintaining low elastic modulus, whereas hard fillers (TB) increase electrical breakdown strength as well as dielectric loss with almost identical changes in relative permittivity for both composites. The maximum actuation strain of 30.8% and 26.2% is attained for an in-house fabricated linear actuator with 8 wt.% of PEG and TB particles, respectively. Methodology and results may be helpful in selection of fillers to improve the dielectric behavior of silicon elastomers depending on the acceptable range of their adverse effect on other properties.
The Way Ahead for the IPCC & Policymakers after the Sixth Assessment Report & COP27
Authors: Barker Terry
Published: February 2023

“... transformative action to achieve climate resilient development ... will help to break the mindset that for decades has kept us from moving beyond business as usual. ...The decisions taken here today reemphasize the critical importance of empowering all stakeholders to engage in climate action. ...” COP27 Closing Remarks by the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, 20 November 2022
“We should see where & when to go forwards by looking backwards to see how & why we came to be where we are.”
Martin Weitzman aptly called climate policy “a wicked ‘problem from hell’ for the following reasons: (1) the large-scale risks (non-linear), huge uncertainty and irreversibility; (2) the global and intergenerational dimensions (justice); and (3) its character of a global common-pool resource problem” (quoted in Kowarsch 2016 p. 33). Climate change with air pollution is a large-scale complex problem such that nearly all nations must be involved in its solution.
The IPCC has been set up to provide scientific evidence and advice to governments. It aims to be apolitical and policy neutral as the international equivalent of national committees, chaired by Chief Scientists. It provides the scientific evidence on climate change and covers the literature on the appropriate response strategies and their global and national consequences.
Looking back, the IPCC has evolved as an institution in response to policymakers’ expressed needs, i.e. leaders, who now are urgently calling for solutions. And, of course, the accumulating evidence of climate change and its dangerous effects. Looking forward, the IPCC faces a turning point: either it continues as before, with 7-year gaps between Assessment Reports, or switches to a timelier framework, dictated by the urgency of the problem. This paper considers both the past evolution of the IPCC and proposes radical changes in approach both in the timeliness of reports and in the coverage of the climate scenarios to include those made by governmental bodies.
Factors associated with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation failure in a COVID-19 Intermediate Care Unit
Authors: Farinha Inês , Cunha Alexandra Tenda da , Nogueira Ana Rita , Ribeiro André , Silva Carlos , Rua João , Trêpa João , Mateus José Eduardo , Costa Filipa
Published: February 2023

Background:
The use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in COVID-19 patients with hypoxaemia is still under debate. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of NIPPV (CPAP, HELMET-CPAP or NIV) in COVID-19 patients treated in the dedicated COVID-19 Intermediate Care Unit of Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Portugal, and to assess factors associated with NIPPV failure. Patients admitted from December 1st 2020 to February 28th 2021, treated with NIPPV due to COVID-19 were included. Failure was defined as orotracheal intubation (OTI) or death during hospital stay. Factors associated with NIPPV failure were included in a univariate binary logistic regression analysis; those with a significance level of p < 0.001 entered a multivariate logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 163 patients were included, 64.4% were males (n = 105). The median age was 66 years (IQR 56–75). NIPPV failure was observed in 66 (40.5%) patients, 26 (39.4%) were intubated and 40 (60.6%) died during hospital stay. Highest CRP (OR 1.164; 95%CI 1.036–1.308) and morphine use (OR 24.771; 95%CI 1.809-339.241) were identified as predictors of failure after applying multivariate logistic regression. Adherence to prone positioning (OR 0.109; 95%CI 0.017-0.700) and a higher value of the lowest platelet count during hospital stay (OR 0.977; 95%CI 0.960–0.994) were associated with a favourable outcome.
Conclusions:
NIPPV was successful in 59.5% of patients. Highest CRP during hospital stay and morphine use were predictors of failure. Adherence to prone positioning and a higher value of the lowest platelet count during hospital stay were associated with a favourable outcome.
Kombucha electronics
Authors: Adamatzky Andrew , Tarabella Giuseppe , Phillips Neil , Chiolerio Alessandro , D’Angelo Passquale , Nicolaidou Anna , Sirakoulis Georgios Ch.
Published: February 2023

A kombucha is a tea and sugar fermented by over sixty kinds of yeasts and bacteria. This symbiotic community produces kombucha mats, which are cellulose-based hydrogels. The kombucha mats can be used as an alternative to animal leather in industry and fashion once they have been dried and cured. Prior to this study, we demonstrated that living kombucha mats display dynamic electrical activity and distinct stimulating responses. For use in organic textiles, cured mats of kombucha are inert. To make kombucha wearables functional, it is necessary to incorporate electrical circuits. We demonstrate that creating electrical conductors on kombucha mats is possible. After repeated bending and stretching, the circuits maintain their functionality. In addition, the abilities and electronic properties of the proposed kombucha, such as being lighter, less expensive, and more flexible than conventional electronic systems, pave the way for their use in a diverse range of applications.
Major dietary patterns and dietary inflammatory index in relation to dyslipidemia; RaNCD Cohort Study
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Moradi Fardin , Sedighi Mohammad , Saber Amir , Moradi Shima , Bonyani Mitra , Najafi Farid
Published: February 2023

Dyslipidemia can increase risk of heart attack and stroke because blood can’t flow through your arteries easily. Dietary modification is an appropriate approach to reducing this phenomenon. This cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate major dietary patterns and dietary inflammatory index (DII) in relation to dyslipidemia. 5954 participants of Ravansar non- communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study were eligible for this study. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed based on the lipid profile under consideration of RaNCD physician. Dietary patterns were assessed by principal component analysis. The three identified dietary patterns included: 1) plant- based diet; 2) high protein and sugar diet; and 3) energy dense diet. DII also was calculated based on the dietary information. We found that higher adherence to DII was significantly increased odds of dyslipidemia after adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity (OR: 1.24; CI 95%: 1.09–1.42). Additionally, higher adherence to high protein and sugar diet and energy dense diet were significantly associated with higher odds for dyslipidemia (OR: 1.31; CI 95%: 1.16–1.49) and (OR: 1.28; CI 95%: 1.12–1.46). Nevertheless, following to plant based diet had no association with dyslipidemia. We did not any association even adjusted for the mentioned potential confounders. Our results highlighted that greater following to DII, high protein and sugar diet and energy dense diet can undesirable effects on dyslipidemia.
Organotypic Hippocampal Culture Model Reveals Differential Responses to highly similar Zika virus isolates
Authors: Oliveira Marina da Silva , Cassiano Larissa Marcely Gomes , Pioline Jeanne , Carvalho Ketyllen Reis Andrade , Salim Anna Christina Matos , Alves Pedro Augusto , Fernandes Gabriel Rocha , Machado Alexandre de Magalhães Vieira , Coimbra Roney Santos
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Zika virus (ZIKV) caused an outbreak in Brazil, in 2015, being associated to microcephaly. ZIKV has a strong neurotropism leading to death of infected cells in different brain regions, including the hippocampus, a major site for neurogenesis. The neuronal populations of the brain are affected differently by ZIKV from Asian and African ancestral lineages. However, it remains to be investigated whether subtle variations in the ZIKV genome can impact hippocampus infection dynamics and host response.

Objective

This study evaluated how two Brazilian ZIKV isolates, PE243 and SPH2015, that differ in a single missense amino acid substitution in the protein NS1, affect the hippocampal phenotype and transcriptome.

Methods

Organotypic hippocampal cultures (OHC) from infant Wistar rats were infected with PE243 or SPH2015 and analyzed in time series using immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR.

Results

Unique patterns of infection and changes in neuronal density in the OHC were observed for PE243 and SPH2015 between 8 and 48 hours post infection (p.i.). Phenotypic analysis of microglia indicated that SPH2015 has a greater capacity for immune evasion. Transcriptome analysis of OHC at 16 hours p.i. disclosed 32 and 113 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to infection with PE243 and SPH2015, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that infection with SPH2015 activates mostly astrocytes rather than microglia. PE243 downregulated biological process of proliferation of brain cells and upregulated those associated with neuron death, while SPH2015 downregulated processes related to neuronal development. Both isolates downregulated cognitive and behavioral development processes. Ten genes were similarly regulated by both isolates. They are putative biomarkers of early hippocampus response to ZIKV infection. At 5, 7, and 10 days p.i., neuronal density of infected OHC remained below controls, and mature neurons of infected OHC showed an increase in the epigenetic mark H3K4me3, which is associated to a transcriptionally active state. This feature is more prominent in response to SPH2015.

Conclusion

Subtle genetic diversity of the ZIKV affects the dynamics of viral dissemination in the hippocampus and host response in the early stages of infection, which may lead to different long-term effects in neuronal population.
Rheological and spectroscopic study of luminescent Eu3+ -doped gellan gum
Authors: Torres Francisco R. , Sarmento Victor Hugo V. , Barud Hernane S. , Caiut José Maurício A.
Published: February 2023

Gellan gum (GG) can be prepared in the form of a gel and be used as a versatile and functional biomaterial. GG can come in the acetylated (HAGG) and deacetylated (LAGG) forms. There are gaps in the study of these GG matrixes associated with lanthanide ions, well-known for their luminescent properties. In this work, we have doped HAGG and LAGG with Eu3+ ions and used the resulting HAGG_Eu and LAGG_Eu gels as structural probe in spectroscopic analyses. The presence of Eu3+ ions in the GG polymeric network gradually changed the viscoelastic properties of the HAGG_Eu and LAGG_Eu gels, as confirmed by oscillatory rheology analysis. The spectroscopic study of the films obtained from HAGG_Eu and LAGG_Eu revealed how the Eu3+ ion interaction occurs, thereby improving our understanding about their structures. To intensify the emission process in the LAGG_Eu films, we added the β-diketone ligand TTA (2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) to them, that acted as a sensitizer for Eu3+ ions. In conclusion, we have been able to obtain luminescent films based on GG. In addition, we have carried out an unprecedented structural study of the Eu3+-containing films, which have promising luminescent properties for use as new biocompatible systems.
Incidence of Intraoperative Hypotension during Non-cardiac Surgery in Community Anesthesia Practice: A retrospective observational analysis
Authors: Saasouh Wael , Christensen Anna L. , Xing Fei , Chappell Desirée , Lumbley Josh , Woods Brian , Mythen Monty , Dutton Richard P.
Published: February 2023

Background: Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is well-described in the academic setting but not in community practice. IOH is associated with risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This is the first report of IOH in the community setting using the IOH measure definition from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Merit-based Incentive Payment System program. Objectives: To describe the incidence of IOH in the community setting; assess variation in IOH by patient-, procedure-, and facility-level characteristics; and describe variation in risk-adjusted IOH across clinicians.
Methods: Design: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of retrospective data from anesthesia records in 2020 and 2021. Setting: Forty-five facilities affiliated with two large anesthesia providers in the U.S. Participants: Patients aged 18 years or older having non-emergent, non-cardiac surgery under general, neuraxial, or regional anesthesia. Cases were excluded based on criteria for the IOH measure: baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) below 65 mmHg prior to anesthesia induction; American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I, V, or VI; monitored anesthesia care only; deliberate induced hypotension; obstetric non-operative procedures; liver or lung transplant; cataract surgery; non-invasive gastrointestinal cases. Main Outcomes: IOH, using four definitions. Primary definition: binary assessment of whether the case had MAP < 65 mmHg for 15 minutes or more. Secondary definitions: total number of minutes of MAP < 65 mmHg, total area under MAP of 65 mmHg, time-weighted average MAP < 65 mmHg.
Results: Among 127,095 non-emergent, non-cardiac cases in community anesthesia settings, 29 percent had MAP < 65 mmHg for at least 15 minutes cumulatively, with an overall mean of 12.4 minutes < 65 mmHg. IOH was slightly more common in patients who were younger, female, and ASA II (versus III or IV); in procedures that were longer and had higher anesthesia base units; and in ambulatory surgery centers. Incidence of IOH varied widely across individual clinicians in both unadjusted and risk-adjusted analyses.
Conclusion: Intraoperative hypotension is common in community anesthesia practice, including among patients and settings typically considered “low risk.” Variation in incidence across clinicians remains after risk-adjustment, suggesting that IOH is a modifiable risk worth pursuing in quality improvement initiatives.
WITHDRAWN: Polypeptide-coated 5-FU/ICG co-delivery vehicle MSNs for cancer treatment with chemo/photothermal/photodynamic simultaneous therapy
Authors: Song Ping , Xu Guanglin , Gui Lin , Peng Guanglan , Li Wanzhen , Li Wenlong , Zhu Longbao , Zhang Weiwei , Ge Fei , Tao Yugui
Published: February 2023

Advances in material science, nanotechnology and biomedicine have rewritten many cancer treatment paradigms. The combined strategies based on nanomaterials for cancer treatment not only improve the efficacy of cancer treatment, but also avoid the limitations of traditional single cancer treatment. In this study, a novel nanoparticle 5-FU/ICG@MP has been synthesized, which is loaded with photosensitizer ICG and chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU using a mesoporous silica nanocarrier modified with amphiphilic polypeptide P14. The performance and surface morphology of the nanoparticles have been determined. The results indicated that the nanoparticles exhibit good dimensional stability, photothermal properties and efficient ROS generation. The in vitro anticancer activity of the nanoparticles was investigated based on cytotoxicity, apoptosis, live and dead staining, cell cycle and cell ultrathin section analysis. The results suggested that nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the cell activity of MCF-7 through chemotherapy combined with PDT and PTT. Finally, HE and TUNEL staining was used to analyze mouse organs and tumors. The nanoparticles induced apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo via multiple interaction between 5-FU and near infrared light triggered PTT and PDT. Therefore, the nanoparticles are effective drug delivery platform, which could simultaneously exerted chemo/photothermal/photodynamic treatment in furture.
Bioinformatic analysis of the potential common pathogenic mechanisms for psoriasis and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Zhou Yang , Han Lu , Wang Ziting , Fang Runan , Wan Yue , Yang Zeyu , Guan Ning , Li Jianhong
Published: February 2023

The pathogenesis of psoriasis and metabolic syndrome is relevant. However, the underlying biological mechanisms are not clear. A psoriasis training set was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (|log FC| > 1 and adjusted P-value < 0.05). Differentially expressed genes of metabolic syndrome were obtained from the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and DisGeNET databases. Crosstalk genes were obtained for multiple enrichment analysis after identifying the disease intersection. Significant crosstalk genes were screened with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model and random forest tree model. Genes with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) > 0.7 were selected for validation with two validation sets. Differential analyses of immune cell infiltration were performed on psoriasis lesion and control samples by the CIBERSORT and ImmuCellAI methods, and correlation analyses were performed between the screened significant crosstalk genes and immune cell infiltration. Significant crosstalk genes were analyzed based on the psoriasis area, severity index, and their responses to biological agents. Five signature genes (NLRX1, KYNU, ABCC1, BTC, and SERPINB4) were screened based on two machine learning algorithms, and NLRX1 was validated. The infiltration of multiple immune cells in psoriatic lesions and non-lesions was associated with NLRX1 expression. NLRX1 was found to be associated with psoriasis severity and response rate after the use of biologics. In conclusion, NLRX1 can potentially be a significant crosstalk gene for psoriasis and metabolic syndrome.
The Effect of Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Multicomponent Biopolymer/ Hydroxyapatite/Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Composite
Authors: Sari Yessie W. , Munir Ryaas M. , Saputra Angga , Sari Mona , Aminatun Aminatun , Suciati Tri , Yusuf Yusril
Published: February 2023

In this study, the synthesis of composite biomaterials consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA)/carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) with polymeric porous scaffolds is reported. Multicomponent biodegradable polymers were applied as the scaffold. These consist of alginate and chitosan. The effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) involvement in the multicomponent polymeric scaffold was also investigated. The scaffold was loaded with HA/CHA, as bone graft materials, at various compositions. Asian moon scallop shell (Amusium pleuronectes) was used as a calcium biogenic resource for HA and CHA synthesis The effect of the PVA and HA/CHA concentration was investigated. In the absence of the PVA, the morphological study showed that the samples had porous structures with good pore interconnectivity. The XRD analysis showed that PVA reduced the crystallinity of the bone graft. The HA/CHA crystals were homogeneously dispersed. The introduction of PVA reduced the pore size and the porosity but provide stiffer materials, indicating that PVA may improve the mechanical properties of the composite. Some samples also showed the presence of small and large pores. The weight percentage content of HA or CHA influenced the crystallinity, indicating the possibility for the fabrication of tailored bone substitute materials.
Collision tumor of a thyroid papillary and follicular carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Kawasaki Kanako , Kai Keita , Tanaka Nariyuki , Kido Shinichi , Ibi Arisa , Minesaki Akimichi , Yamauchi Moriyasu , Kuratomi Yuichiro , Aishima Shinichi , Nakashima Masahiro , Ito Masahiro
Published: February 2023

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are common differentiated thyroid cancers, but the detection of a collision tumor is an extremely rare event.
Case Presentation: The patient was a 69-year-old Japanese female with multiple cervical lymph node swellings and a thyroid tumor. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology of the enlarged lymph node revealed a cytological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total thyroidectomy, right cervical dissection and paratracheal dissection were performed. Histopathological immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses of resected specimens revealed a collision tumor of PTC and FTC. Multiple metastases of papillary carcinoma were found in the dissected lymph nodes. In the PTC lesion, IHC for BRAF (V600E) was positive but negative for the FTC lesion. Genetic analyses further revealed a TERT prompter C228T mutation in PTC and a NRAS codon 61 mutation in FTC. The patient died of recurrent cancer 8 months after surgery.
Conclusions: A case of a collision tumor of PTC and FTC is very rare, and even fewer cases have been subjected to genetic scrutiny. The present case was successfully diagnosed by pathological examination using IHC and genetic analyses. The TERT promoter mutation in the PTC lesion was consistent with the aggressive behavior of the cancer.
Going the Distance in Acoustic Neuroma Resection: Microsurgical Outcomes at High-Volume Centers of Excellence
Authors: Brandel Michael G. , Plonsker Jillian H. , Khan Usman A. , Rennert Robert C. , Friedman Rick A. , Schwartz Marc S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose: High-volume hospitals are associated with improved surgical outcomes for acoustic neuromas (ANs). Due to the benign and slow-growing nature of ANs, many patients travel to geographically distant cities, states, or countries for their treatment. However, the impact of travel burden to high-volume centers, as well as its relative benefit are poorly understood. We compared post-operative outcomes between AN patients that underwent treatment at local, low-volume hospitals with those that traveled long distances to high-volume hospitals.
Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to analyze AN patients that underwent surgery (2004–2015). Patients in the lowest quartile of travel distance and volume (Short-travel/Low-Volume: STLV) were compared to patients in the highest quartile of travel distance and volume (Long-travel/High-Volume: LTHV). Only STLV and LTHV cases were included for analysis.
Results: Of 13,370 cases, 2,408 met inclusion criteria. STLV patients (n = 1,305) traveled a median of 6 miles (Interquartile range [IQR] 3-9) to low-volume centers (median 2, IQR 1-3 annual cases) and LTHV patients (n = 1,103) traveled a median of 143 miles [IQR 103-230, maximum 4,797] to high-volume centers (median 34, IQR 28–42 annual cases). LTHV patients had lower Charlson/Deyo scores (p=0.001), mostly received care at academic centers (81.7% vs 39.4%, p<0.001), and were less likely to be minorities (7.0% vs 24.2%, p<0.001) or underinsured (4.2% vs 13.8%, p<0.001). There was no difference in average tumor size.
On multivariable analysis, LTHV predicted increased likelihood of gross total resection (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8-8.4, p<0.001), longer duration between diagnosis and surgery (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6, p=0.040), decreased length of hospital stay (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7, p<0.001), and greater overall survival (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.95, p=0.029). There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission on adjusted analysis.
Conclusion: Although traveling farther to high-volume centers increased the time between diagnosis and treatment for AN patients, they experienced superior postoperative outcomes compared to patients who received treatment locally at low-volume centers. Enabling access and travel to high-volume centers may improve AN patient outcomes.