bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HDAC6 Inhibition Rescues Oxidative Stress-derived Neuronal Apoptosis Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage Via MDH1 Acetylation
Authors: Wang Miao , Zhou Chao , Yu Lu , Kong Delian , Ma Weijing , Lv Bingchen , Wang Yan , Wu Weifeng , Zhou Mingyue , Cui Guiyun
Published: February 2022

Oxidative stress is implicated in functional recovery after brain damage caused by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) plays an important role in initiation of oxidative stress. However, studies have not explored the role and mechanism of HDAC6 in mediating oxidative stress in ICH. Our study revealed HDAC6 knockout mice are resistant to ICH-induced oxidative stress and the resultant neuronal apoptosis, as analyses performed through MDA and NADPH/NADP+ assays, ROS detection and determination of expression levels apoptosis-related protein through western blot. Further mechanistic studies showed that HDAC6 binds to Malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1) and mediates MDH1 acetylation on lysine residues at position 121 and 298. ICH associated damaging agents reduce the level of MDH1 acetylation by promoting the interplay between HDAC6 and MDH1. Whereas, acetylation of MDH1 increases when HDAC6 is inhibited. Functional verification of acetylation MDH1 demonstrates that non-acetylation mutant MDH1, rather than its acetylation resistant mutant, protects neuron from oxidative injury. In addition, HDAC6 inhibition failed to mediate brain damage alleviation when MDH1 was knockdown. Overall, the findings of the present study indicated the protect effect of HDAC6 inhibition resistance to brain damage during ICH requires MDH1 acetylation.
Ultrafast Femtosecond Laser Maskless Patterning for Multitype Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Yuan Yongjiu , Jiang Lan , Li Xin , Liang Misheng , Xu Chenyang , Ma Le , Wu Junrui , Huang Junqi , Zhao Yang , Qu Liangti
Published: February 2022

Downsizing electrode architectures provides great potential for the fabrication of microscale energy storage devices. With their extended voltage window and high energy density, asymmetric microsupercapacitors (MSCs) play an essential role in various applications. However, the efficient manufacturing of asymmetric MSCs remains challenging. Herein, maskless lithography–based ultrafast fabrication of multitype micron-sized planar MSCs in one step through temporally and spatially shaped femtosecond laser is presented. MSCs are only 10 × 10 µm2 in size and have a minimum line width of 200 nm. MXene and 1T-MoS2 can be combined with laser-induced MXene-derived TiO2 and 1T-MoS2-derived MoO3 to form various types of asymmetric and symmetric MSCs in the same material system within seconds. The asymmetric MSC exhibits an ultrahigh speciଁc capacitance (220 mF cm−2 and 1101 F cm−3), cycling stability (98.3% capacitance retention after 15,000 cycles), energy density (0.495 Wh cm−3) and power density (28 kW cm−3). This versatile strategy overcomes the current limitations of MSC manufacturing. Multitype MSCs fabricated herein have high resolution, enhancing the feasibility and flexibility of the preparation of microscale energy storage devices.
Is the Local Energy Conservation Law Valid inside the Electronic Device of Charged Capacitors?
Authors: Jeong Eue-Jin
Published: February 2022

The energy conservation is one of the most fundamental and well established principles in physics. Emmy Noether extended the energy conservation principle to the quantum field theoretical domain in empty space by relating the time translation invariance of the universe with energy conservation. While this is the case in open empty space, it seems that the local space enclosed by conducting metallic plates has unexpected property suggesting that the energy conservation principle does not necessarily apply to localized bound system of capacitors in electrodynamics. This point of view was raised by noticing the fact that the spherical capacitor has calculable electrostatic self-potential energy in both the inner and outer shells respectively which was not taken into account in the conventional consideration of the total energy stored in the capacitors. It seems like the concept of moving charges one by one into the capacitor plates has helped bypassing the necessary steps to account for the additional repulsive self-potential energy that accumulates simultaneously in both of the capacitor plates in the process of charging the capacitor. We present the dynamics of the repulsive potential energy stored in capacitors and discuss its physical reality in relation to the anomalous energy devices reported in the past.
Genetic Profiles to Identify Talents in Elite Endurance Athletes and Professional Football Players
Authors: Varillas-Delgado David , Morencos Esther , Gutiérrez-Hellín Jorge , Aguilar-Navarro Millán , Muñoz Alejandro , Láiz Nuria Mendoza , Perucho Teresa , Maestro Antonio , Tellería-Orriols Juan José
Published: February 2022

Background
The genetic profile that is needed to identify talents has been studied extensively in recent years. The main objective of this investigation was to approach, for the first time, the study of genetic variants in several polygenic profiles and their role in elite endurance and professional football performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies to the non-athlete population.
Methods
Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 452 subjects; 292 professional athletes (160 elite endurance athletes and 132 professional football players) and 160 non-athlete subjects. Genotyping of liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle performance was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Nucleotide Primer Extension (PCR-SNPE). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile was quantified using the genotype score (GS) and total genotype score (TGS).
Results
Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between professional athletes and the non-athlete population in liver metabolism, iron metabolism and energy efficiency, and muscle performance (p<0.001). The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being a professional athlete against a non-athlete in liver metabolism (OR: 1.965; 95% CI: 1.285–3.016; p=0.002), iron metabolism and energy efficiency (OR: 2.213; 95% CI: 1.425-3.438; p<0.001), and muscle performance (OR: 2.700; 95% CI: 1.750-4.165; p<0.001) in the polymorphisms studied.
Conclusions
Genetic distribution in professional athletes as regards endurance (professional cyclists and elite runners) and professional football players shows genetic selection in these sports disciplines.
IGF2BP3 promotes progression of colorectal cancer and mediates cetuximab resistance by stabilizing EGFR mRNA in an m6A-dependent mechanism
Authors: Jiao Hongli , Chen Lijie , Liu Huiye , Xiao Zhiyuan , Qiu Ting , Zhang Dan , Zhang Lingjie , Han Fangyi , Chen Guojun , Xu Xuemei , Zhu Jionghua , Wang Shuyang , Ding Yanqing , Ye Yaping
Published: February 2022

Background: Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), an RNA-binding protein, is associated with tumorigenesis and progression. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of IGF2BP3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) oncogenesis, progression, and drug resistance remain largely unclear.Methods: Transcriptome-sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the expression of IGF2BP3 in CRC. Gene enrichment analysis and qPCR were used to assess the downstream targets of IGF2BP3. The molecular mechanisms of IGF2BP3 on CRC progression were explored through RNA stability assay, m6A dot-blot, luciferase reporter assay, and MeRIP assay. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of IGF2BP3 on oncogenesis, progression and sensitivity to cetuximab of CRC. Results: IGF2BP3 was upregulated in CRC tissues. Clinically, elevated IGF2BP3 level was predictive of a poor prognosis. Functionally, IGF2BP3 enhanced CRC tumorigenesis and progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IGF2BP3 promoted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA stability and translation, then further activated the EGFR pathway by serving as a reader in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent manner by cooperating with METTL14. Furthermore, IGF2BP3 increases drug resistance of CRC cells to the EGFR-targeted antibody cetuximab. Conclusions: IGF2BP3 upregulation serve as an important oncogene in the development of CRC. It stabilizes EGFR mRNA via an m6A-dependent manner and further promotes CRC progression and drug resistance to cetuximab. Targeting IGF2BP3 and m6A modification offers rational therapeutic targets in CRC patients.
Geothermal Renewable Energy Prospects of The African Continent Using GIS
Authors: Elbarbary Samah , Zaher Mohamed Abdel , Saibi Hakim , Fowler Abdel-Rahman , Saibi Kamal
Published: February 2022

Geothermal energy potential is identified through the deep investigation of geological, geothermal, and geophysical information over a small area; however, this task is both expensive and complex. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can integrate different types of data (or thematic layers) over large regions and use them to identify regions of high geothermal potential. In this study, a GIS tool is used to construct the first regional-scale geothermal potential map of Africa from different datasets. The key objective of this study is to estimate the geothermally promising areas within Africa by integrating geological thematic layers (rock units and faults), geophysical layers (heat flow derived from aeromagnetic data and seismicity), and geothermal layers (hot springs and volcanoes) within the GIS database. A weighted overlay technique within the GIS environment is applied to these data to generate the geothermal potential map. The result shows 14 regions with a high geothermal favorability index. The geothermal potential map of Africa is useful for targeting and exploring new geothermal renewable energy sites and can reduce exploration costs and pinpoint investigation areas during preliminary geothermal studies.
Multifaceted Defects in Monocytes in Different Phases of Chronic HBV Infection: Persistence After Antiviral Therapy
Authors: Dey Debangana , Pal Sourina , Chakraborty Bidhan Chandra , Bhadra Soham , Ghosh Ranajoy , Banerjee Soma , Ahammed SK Mahiuddin , Chowdhury Abhijit , DATTA SIMANTI
Published: February 2022

Background
Monocytes play an important role in the control of microbial infection but monocyte biology during chronic HBV infection (CHI) remains inadequately studied. We investigated the frequency/phenotype/functions of monocytes in different phases of CHI namely, Immune-tolerant (IT), HBeAg-positive/HBeAg-negative (EP/EN) chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Inactive carriers (IC), identified factors responsible for their functional alterations and determined the impact of antiviral-therapy on these cells.
Methods
Multicolor flow cytometry/cell-sorting/co-culture experiments/confocal microscopy were performed.
Results
HLA-DR+CD14++CD16− classical-monocytes were found to be significantly reduced while HLA-DR+CD14++CD16+ intermediate- and HLA-DR+CD14+CD16++ non-classical-monocyte-subsets were expanded in IT and EP-/EN-CHB than IC and healthy controls (HC). In comparison to IC/HC, monocytes (including all subsets) in IT/CHB exhibited diminished expression of TLR-2/TLR-4/TLR-9 and cytokines IL-12/TNF-α/IL-6 but produced higher levels of IL-10/TGF-β. Further, monocytes in CHB/IT showed impaired phagocytosis and oxidative response relative to IC/HC. In vitro assays indicated that high titres of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) present in IT/CHB and IL-4 in CHB triggered the functional defects in monocytes via induction of β-catenin. Additionally, monocyte-derived M1-macrophages of CHB/IT produced less pro-inflammatory and more anti-inflammatory cytokines than those of IC/HC whereas, monocytes in CHB/IT skewed the differentiation of CD4+-T-cells towards regulatory T-cell and Th2-dominated phenotype. Moreover, in CHB/IT, monocytes overexpressed chemokine-receptor CCR2, which coincided with increased intrahepatic accumulation of β-catenin+CD14+-cells. One-year of Tenofovir-therapy failed to normalize monocyte functions or reduce serum HBsAg/IL-4 levels.
Conclusions
Monocytes are functionally perturbed mostly in IT and EP-/EN-CHB phases. Targeting intramonocytic β-catenin or reducing HBsAg/IL-4 levels might restore monocyte function and facilitate viral clearance.
Necroptosis-related lncRNAs and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undoubtedly Secret
Authors: Ma Cuiqing , Ning Jingyuan , Sun Keran , Fan Xiaoqing , Jia Keqi , Wang Xiaofeng , Wei Lin
Published: February 2022

Background: The current study demonstrates that necroptosis is an important mechanism of carcinogenesis. However, the predictive value of necroptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma has not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study is to apply necroptosis-related lncRNAs to construct a predictive signature to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.Methods: The clinical and RNA-seq data were downloaded using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate and multivariate COX analysis was used to screen out suitable necroptosis-related lncRNAs, and then predictive signature was constructed. The TCGA data were randomly divided into high- and low-risk groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) of the two groups to verify the predictive signature. Finally, a prognostic correlation model for predicting disease-freesurvival （DFS）in hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） was constructed and validated.Results: We had screened out 9 necroptosis-related lncRNAs (BACE1-AS, LINC01188, LUCAT1, PI3KCD-AS2, Z83851.1, AC009283.1, AC012360.2, AC015908.3, AC103760.1), which were used to construct a predictive signature, and draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve by the high- and low-risk group. It was found that the area under the curve (AUC) of risk score was 0.874, and the AUC values of 1-,3-,and 5-years were 0.8, 0.759, 0.787. The TCGA data were randomly divided into two cohorts. In two cohorts, The OS of the high-risk groups were significantly lower than that of the low-risk groups, and the AUC of the ROC curves of the two cohorts were 0.851, 0.804, 0.802 and 0.735, 0.716, 0.76 at 1-, 3-, and 5-years. After quantifying immune cell subsets and related functions, it was found that the infiltration of active dendritic cells (aDCs), macrophages, mast cells, natural killer cells (NK), T regulatory cells (Tregs) were significantly different, and the expressions of immune checkpoints CD86, LAIR1, CTLA4, VTCN1, TNFRSF18, CD80, CD276, HHLA2, TNFSF4, TNFRSF8, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF9, LGALS9, HAVCR2 and TNFSF15 were also significantly different.Conclusion: This predictive signature can accurately predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and provide guidance for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
Predicting survival and risk stratification based on nomogram for locally advanced cervical cancer patients of the 2018 FIGO staging system treated with radiochemotherapy in southern China: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Xinshu , Huang Lulu , Jiang Li , Ma Shanshan , Shen Meizhu , Que Yanmei , Que Jinting , Qin Nianqun , Wu Fang
Published: February 2022

Background: Concurrent chemoradiation has been the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer patients worldwide. This study was conducted to construct the nomogram of prognosis and risk stratification for locally advanced cervical cancer in southern ChinaMaterial and Methods: The medical records of 258 LACC patients who mostly received cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation and high-dose-rate intracavity brachytherapy at the first affiliated hospital of Guangxi Medical University were analyzed. Stepwise selection of 22 factors with the Elastic net method was used to obtain a predictive model and construct nomograms for both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Results: The median follow-up period was 47 months. The 3-year and 5-year OS were 73.7% and 65.9%, respectively, while the 3-year and 5-year PFS were 68.1% and 60.2%. In the multivariable analysis, different cumulative cisplatin dose (<180mg/m2: HR: 0.099, 95% CI: 0.010–0.909, p=0.040; 180-200mg/m2: HR: 0.058, 95% CI: 0.006-0.545, p=0.012; >200mg/m2: HR: 0.050, 95% CI: 0.006–0.520, p=0.012), bulky tumors (HR: 1.869, 95% CI: 1.127–3.098, p=0.015), ICBT (HR: 0.385, 95% CI: 0.218–0.681, p=0.001), and thrombocytopenia pre-treatment (HR: 6.832, 95% CI: 1.169–39.902, p=0.032) had significant effect on PFS, and OS was influenced by bulky tumors (HR: 1.916, 95% CI: 1.100–3.336, p=0.021), ICBT (HR: 0.499, 95% CI: 0.252-0.986, p=0.045), thrombocytopenia pre-treatment (HR: 3.865, 95% CI: 1.367-10.922, p=0.010) and high neutrophilic granulocyte percentage level in early stages of the treatment (HR: 2.041, 95% CI: 1.172–3.552, p=0.011).Nomograms of the independent predictors were established (cross-validated concordance probability c=0.671 for PFS, and 0.673 for OS). Based on the scores of the nomogram, subgroups of risk stratification further constructed showed a statistically difference in survival (p<0.05).Conclusions: Our study shows the prognostic value of nomogram to predict survival and establish risk stratification for LACC patients from southern China. Future individualized tailoring of therapy should focus even further on the high-risk patient populations.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution of ESV In The Yellow River Basin And Its Response To Land Use Change
Authors: Yang Jie , Xie Baopeng , Zhang Degang
Published: February 2022

Evaluating the value of ecosystem services and clarifying their temporal and spatial characteristics can effectively assist regions in formulating targeted and localized sustainable ecological management strategies. This study takes the Yellow River Basin (YRB）in China as the research area, analyzes the ecosystem service value (ESV) and its spatial-temporal variation characteristics in this region, using the equivalent factor method and geospatial exploration method, introduces the elasticity coefficient, and explores the response of ESV change to land use change, based on the land use cover data from 1990 to 2020. The results show that from 1990 to 2020, the ESV of the YRB showed an overall increasing trend, mainly because the ecological construction project increased the forest land and grassland in the region, thus the ecosystem service function was improved. In the past 28 years, the spatial characteristics of ESV in the YRB are relatively stable. The high-value areas are mainly distributed in the upper Yellow River, while the low-value areas are mainly distributed in the lower Yellow River, but the cold spots and hot spots are reduced. The ESV barycenter coordinates show the direction of the transfer trajectory, which is first to the southwest, then to the northeast, and then to the southwest. From 2000 to 2010, the land use change in the YRB had a greater impact on ESV. Since 2010, the disturbance of ecosystem services by land use change has decreased. The elastic index of the upstream region and the Loess Plateau region is significantly higher than that of other regions, and the impact of land use change on ecosystem services is more obvious, which is mainly because the large-scale implementation of ecological construction projects has significantly improved the ecological function of the region. Our results is conducive to promoting the coordination of sustainable development and ecological protection in YRB, which is based on a comprehensive spatial-temporal assessment of ESV.
What is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic years on Deliveries and Home Based New Born Care in India?
Authors: Kumar Piyush
Published: February 2022

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to disruption of health services globally. I assessed the effect of the ongoing pandemic on the Deliveries and Home Based New Born Care (HBNC) in India. The author is curious and suspects a rise in maternal and neonatal mortality due to possible negative effects of COVID-19 on maternal institutional delivery and HBNC. Hence author decided to find out answer to the research question mentioned as title above.Methods:I conducted a retrospective cross-sectional comparative study among total numbers of women and newborn who have received delivery and HBNC care at different health facilities in 36 states and union territories across India during the pandemic years with pre-pandemic years (comparing 2020 and 2021(up to May) with previous two years of pre-pandemic era i.e. 2018-2019). The data for the research study is extracted from electronic records of HMIS (health management information system) of MoHFW (ministry of health and family welfare), Govt. of India and analysed with stata and Microsoft office.Results:The mean number of home deliveries attended by SBA [(Skill Birth Attendant) (Doctor/Nurse/ANM/ Midwife)] during the pandemic year 2021 with total number of observation of 5 months across India was 15491, for years 2020, 2019,2018 it was 16429.25 ,19006.58 , 21317.83 respectively with total number of observation of 12 months across India for these three years. This research study revealed that pandemic years have negative impact on number of home deliveries attended by SBA [(Skill Birth Attendant) (Doctor/Nurse/ANM/ Midwife)]. This research study revealed that pandemic years have negative impact on number of home deliveries attended by SBA [(Skill Birth Attendant) (Doctor/Nurse/ANM/ Midwife)]. There is a decrease of 27.33 % in mean number of home deliveries attended by SBA in 2021 as compared to 2018.Conclusions: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on Deliveries and Home Based New Born Care (HBNC) in India. More research is required to investigate the direct and indirect consequence of the pandemic on birth and provision of HBNC as well as the health facility type which are not performing well in providing respectful maternity care and newborn services during pandemic period. The facility based research analysis is under process by the author which will be available in next version of this article.
The early impacts of COVID-19 on people living with dementia: Part I of a mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Giebel Clarissa , Lion Katarzyna , Lorenz-Dant Klara , Suarez-Gonzalez Aida , Talbot Catherine , Wharton Emily , Cannon Jacqueline , Tetlow Hilary , Thyrian Jochen Rene
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The aim of this Part I systematic review was to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of people with dementia living either in the community or in residential care.
Methods

This review was registered on PROSPERO [CRD42021248050]. Five data bases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched in July 2021. Studies were included if they reported on the impacts of the pandemic on people living with dementia, either in the community or residential settings, and published in English, German, Polish, or Spanish. Risk of bias was assessed using the Standard Quality Assessment QualSyst.
Results

Forty papers from 33 studies reported on the effects of COVID-19 on people with dementia. Included studies were conducted across 15 countries, focusing on single-country evaluations except in one study. Three studies focused on people with dementia residing in care homes, whilst the remainder reported on those in the community. Studies were categorised into five impacts: Cognition; Independence and physical functioning; Behavioural symptoms; Well-being; and Access to care. All studies reported on the negative impacts of the pandemic on various aspects of people with dementia’s lives, including faster cognitive, physical, and behavioural deterioration, limited access to care, and poorer mental and social health.
Conclusions

Future restrictions need to consider the need for people with dementia to stay cognitively, physically, and socially stimulated to live well. Longitudinal research is required on the long-term impacts of the pandemic on the lives of people with dementia, including time to care home entry.
Preliminary investigations into the utilization of lipase cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEA) in the hydrolysis of lipid-rich wastewater
Authors: Ayinla Adenike Zainab , Ademakinwa Adedeji Nelson , Agboola Femi Kayode
Published: February 2022

This study utilized Rhizopus oryzae lipase (RoL) as a potential biocatalyst in the hydrolysis of oil-contaminated wastewater. Immobilization of the RoL occurred via the preparation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates of the RoL using ammonium sulphate (50% w/v) and glutaraldehyde (0.125% v/v) as the precipitant and cross-linker respectively. Characterization of the RoL-CLEA was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. Prior to the enzymatic treatment of the wastewater, the lipid concentration and the chemical oxygen demand levels were determined. The RoL-CLEA could be reused up to five cycles and its catalysis increased free fatty acid levels in the wastewater by 84.8% and 142.1% at 0.5% and 1% (w/v) CLEA respectively. There was an increase in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal by 7.6% and 29.5% from the oil-contaminated wastewater when 0.5% (w/v) and 1% (w/v) of the immobilized biocatalyst was used. In conclusion, the RoL CLEA is a unique biocatalyst in the treatment of oil-contaminated wastewater. Hence, there is the possibility of utilizing this biocatalyst for the large-scale remediation of oil-contaminated water bodies.
Pressure Sensitivity Improvement of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Using Cytop Fiber
Authors: Alshaikhli Zahraa , Alhasan Sarmad. F. H. , Khalid Farah G. , Salim Evan. T.
Published: February 2022

Recent demand for using FBG as a pressure sensor in a different industrial application makes several types of research to be conducted to enhance the pressure sensitivity. This paper demonstrates a combination method to enhance pressure sensitivity. Firstly, in this work FBG with polymer fiber named perfluorinated monomer (CYTOP) was used with specific parameters. Secondly, this FBG was covered by a patch of thin polymer material. However, the strain, temperature, and pressure sensitivity were recorded and compared with bare silica FBG. The temperature effect was reduced by using the cascade FBG technique. By applying force on the grating and changing of refractive index; the Bragg wavelength was shifting, making the CYTOP FBG responds more efficiently than silica FBG. This responsivity was leading to an improvement in pressure sensitivity. Experimental results illustrate that the enhanced CYTOP FBG based pressure sensor achieves pressure sensitivity up to 93.5 pm/KPs with a resolution of 0.005 KPa, which was 1500 times higher than bare FBG. The advanced CYTOP FBG based pressure sensor can be functionalized in a technical application for instance, structural health monitoring, pressure of oil wells application, explosion wave, and prevention of erosion.
Biodegradable and Biocompatible Subcutaneous Implants Consisted of pH-sensitive Mebendazole-Loaded/Folic acid-targeted Chitosan Nanoparticles for Murine Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Kefayat Amirhosein , Hosseini Maryam , Ghahremani Fatemeh , Jolfaie Nafise Arbab , rafienia mohammad
Published: February 2022

Background
Mebendazole (MBZ) is a well-known anti-parasite drug with significant anti-cancer properties. However, MBZ exhibits low solubility, limited absorption efficacy, extensive first-pass effect, and low bioavailability. Therefore, multiple oral administration of high dose MBZ is required daily for achieving the therapeutic serum level which can cause severe side effects and patients’ non-compliance.
Method
In the present study, MBZ-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles (CS-FA-MBZ) were synthesized, characterized, and used to form cylindrical subcutaneous implants for 4T1 triple-negative breast tumor (TNBC) treatment in BALB/c mice. The therapeutic efficacy of the CS-FA-MBZ implants was investigated after subcutaneous implantation in comparison with Control, MBZ (40 mg/kg, oral administration, twice a week for 2 weeks), and CS-FA implants, according to 4T1 tumors’ growth progression, metastasis, and tumor-bearing mice survival time. Also, their biocompatibility was evaluated by blood biochemical analyzes and histopathological investigation of vital organs.
Results
The CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely degraded 15 days after implantation and caused about 73.3%, 46.5%, 37.3% decrease in the mean tumors’ volume in comparison with the Control (1050.5±120.7 mm3), MBZ (561.7±70.3 mm3), and CS-FA (658.3±88.1 mm3) groups, respectively. Average liver metastatic colonies’ number per microscope field at the CS-FA-MBZ (8.6±1.9) group was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the Control (24.5±4.1), MBZ (14.1±2.5), and CS-FA (15.7±3.1) groups. In addition, the CS-FA-MBZ treated mice exhibited about 51%, 24%, and 17% more survival time (days) after the cancer cells injection in comparison with the Control, MBZ, and CS-FA groups, respectively. Moreover, the CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biocompatible based on histopathology and blood biochemical analyzes.
Conclusion
Taking together, CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biodegradable and biocompatible with high therapeutic efficacy in a murine TNBC model.
Shedding Light On An Undiscovered Aspect That Perfectly Mimics Cosmic Acceleration
Authors: Takkhi Karan R.
Published: February 2022

The comparison of redshift-distance relationship for high and low-redshift supernovae revealed the surprising transition of the Universe’s expansion from deceleration to acceleration. As compared to local supernovae, remote supernovae appear 10% to 25% dimmer as they are further away than expected. The expansion rate obtained for local supernovae is higher with low redshifts as compared to the expansion rate obtained for remote supernovae with high redshifts. Since observed redshifts in an expanding Universe provide an estimate of recession velocities, therefore, it is very disturbing to find that low recession velocities (just 1% of speed of light) indicate a faster rate of expansion (acceleration), whereas high recession velocities (60% of speed of light) indicate a slower rate of expansion (deceleration). In this paper, I unravel an undiscovered aspect that perfectly mimics cosmic acceleration. Rather than “cosmic deceleration that preceded the current epoch of cosmic acceleration”, I show in this paper, that “consecutive expansion epochs of the Universe that preceded the current epoch of cosmic expansion” were responsible for placing remote supernovae further away than expected. As a consequence of consecutive expansion, expansion began for remote structures in preceding expansion epochs before it did for local structures in the current (or more recent) expansion epoch; remote supernovae, quasars, and gamma-ray bursts are therefore not only further away than expected, but they also happen to yield a slower rate of expansion, thereby suggesting their deceleration even with “superluminal expansion”. As a result of consecutive expansion, preceding expansion epochs appear to be decelerating as compared to the expansion epoch that succeeds them. The analysis is based on the redshift-distance relationship plotted for 580 type Ia supernovae from the Supernova Cosmology Project, 7 additional high-redshift type Ia supernovae discovered through the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope from the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey Treasury program, and 1 additional very high-redshift type Ia supernova discovered with Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 on the Hubble Space Telescope. The results obtained by the High-Z Supernova Search Team through observations of type Ia supernovae have also been analysed. Studies incorporating quasars and gamma-ray bursts to determine how the expansion of the Universe has changed over time have been taken into consideration as well. The results obtained in this paper have been confirmed by plotting velocity-distance relationship, expansion rate vs. time relationship, expansion factor vs. time relationship, scale factor vs. time relationship, scale factor vs. distance relationship, distance-redshift relationship, distance modulus vs. redshift relationship, and Hubble residuals, moreover, the deceleration parameter (q0) is also found to be negative (q0 < 0).
The fate of discrete 1-form symmetries in 6d
Authors: Apruzzi Fabio , Dierigl Markus , Lin Ling
Published: February 2022

Recently introduced generalized global symmetries have been useful in order to understand non-perturbative aspects of quantum field theories in four and lower dimensions. In this paper we focus on 1-form symmetries of weakly coupled 6d supersymmetric gauge theories coupled to dynamical tensor multiplets.
We study the consistency of global 1-form symmetries corresponding to the center of the gauge groups, or subgroups thereof, by activating their background fields, which makes the instanton density fractional. In 6d, an instanton background for a given gauge theory sources BPS strings via tadpole cancelation. The non-trivial 1-form symmetry background configurations contribute to the charge of the BPS strings. However, Dirac quantization imposes restrictions on the consistent 1-form backgrounds, since they can in general lead to and induce fractional charges, thus making (part of) the putative higher-form symmetry inconsistent.
This gives explicit criteria to determine whether the discrete 1-form symmetries are realized. We implement these criteria in concrete examples originating from string compactifications. We also corroborate this by finding that a non-trivial fractional contribution is related to states which explicitly break the global 1-form symmetry appearing as massive excitations of the 6d BPS strings. For 6d theories consistently coupled to gravity, this hints at a symmetry breaking tower of states. When the fractional contributions are absent, the F-theory realization of the theories points to the gauging of the 1-form symmetry via the presence of non-trivial Mordell--Weil torsion.
Synthesis and Molecular Modeling Study of Two Bromo-Dimethoxybenzaldehydes
Authors: Borges Igor , Navarrete Angélica , Aguirre Gerardo , Aguiar Antônio , Oliveira Solemar , Camargo Ademir , Napolitano Hamilton
Published: February 2022

This work describes the synthesis, molecular structure, and packaging of the compounds 6-bromo-2,3-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (6-BRB) and 5-bromo-2,3-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (5-BRB). Characterization in the solid-state was carried out by X-ray diffraction, and the analysis of the interactions was described by the Hirshfeld surface, which helps in understanding the effect of replacing the bromine position in the aromatic ring. Both compounds (6-BRB and 5-BRB) crystallized in the space group P21/c and are stabilized with C–HO interactions, but only the 6-BRB has a halogen-type interaction. Theoretical calculations, carried out by the density functional theory at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory in gas phase, provided information on their electronic properties. The geometric properties were compared to experimental data, and the analyses of the frontier molecular orbitals and the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps were obtained to predict the physical-chemical properties. The supramolecular arrangements were analyzed throughout complexation interactions and corrected by counterpoise method. Hyperconjugation energies were employed to examine the stability of the intermolecular interactions of the compounds. The interaction intensities were determined through the topological parameters obtained through the quantum theory of atoms in molecules model.
Complicaciones en sitio de canulación en pacientes con oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea veno-arterial en una institución de Medellín
Authors: Gómez Gil María Fernanda , Marín Tangaerife Catalina , Serna Monsalve Bibiana Milena
Published: February 2022

El soporte con terapia ECMO es una técnica utilizada para dar soporte a pacientes críticamente enfermos. Se ha venido desarrollando a lo largo de los años, en la actualidad se conocen detalladamente las complicaciones más frecuentes que se pueden presentar, pero es necesario publicaciones enfocadas a las complicaciones en piel relacionadas con el sitio de canulación. Objetivo: identificar factores clínicos, personales y de estancia hospitalaria relacionados con el desarrollo de complicaciones en piel en pacientes soportados con ECMO veno-arterial con canulación femoral, con el fin de proponer acciones preventivas en el manejo. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo, comparativo de tipo observacional de 51 registros de historias clínicas de pacientes sometidos a soporte con terapia ECMO veno-arterial con canulación femoral en una institución de alto nivel de complejidad en la ciudad de Medellín entre agosto de 2015 y enero de 2020. Se analizaron variables demográficas, comorbilidades, uso de medicamentos, tiempo con el soporte y días de estancia hospitalaria Se contó con aprobación del comité de ética de la institución. Resultados: complicaciones en el 20% de los pacientes, siendo infección la más frecuente, con factores relacionados a su aparición como mayor tiempo transcurrido con el soporte, hipertensión arterial y uso de inmunosupresores, lo cual generó aumento en los días de estancia hospitalaria. Conclusión: La infección en el sitio de canulación fue la complicación más frecuente, y se relaciona con una mayor edad, la HTA, la administración de inmunosupresores y mayor tiempo de soporte con la terapia.
Evaluation of multisource precipitation input for hydrological modeling in an Alpine basin: a case study from the Yellow River Source Region (China)
Authors: Gu Pengfei , Wang Gaoxu , Liu Guodong , Wu Yongxiang , Liu Hongwei , Jiang Xi , Liu Tao
Published: February 2022

Alpine basins are typically poorly gauged and inaccessible owing to the harsh prevailing environment and complex terrain. In this study, two representative satellite precipitation products (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42RTV7 and Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) Final Run Version 06) and two reanalysis precipitation products (China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT model (CMADS) and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR)) in the Yellow River Source Region (YRSR) were selected for evaluation and hydrological verification against gauge-observed data (GO). Results show that the accuracy of these precipitation products in the warm season is higher than that in the cold season, and IMERG exhibits the best performance, followed by the CMADS, CFSR, and 3B42RTV7. Models that use the GO as input yielded satisfactory performance during 2008–2013, and precipitation products have poor simulation results. Although the model using the IMERG as input yielded unsatisfactory performance during 2014–2016, this did not affect the use of the IMERG as a potential data source for the YRSR. The model driven by the combination of GO and CMADS precipitation performed the best in all scenarios (R2=0.77, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE)=0.72 at the Tangnaihai station; R2=0.53, NSE=0.48 at the Jimai station).
River water treatment by continuous electrocoagulation: insights into removal of acetaminophen, and natural organic matter
Authors: Kumari Shweta , Kumar R. Naresh
Published: February 2022

River water was treated by continuous electrocoagulation (EC) for acetaminophen (AP), natural organic matter (NOM measured as UV254), and removal of elements. HRT at 40 min with 0.5 mg/L AP exhibited the best removal efficiency for NOM (55.9%) and AP (53.4%) removal. Except for aluminium, other elements in river water were removed completely. The EC sludge (floating and settled) XRD spectrum showed peaks from AP were reduced, and the few peaks left were from aluminium hydroxide formed by EC. Several bonds in functional groups of AP and NOM were significantly deformed. FESEM images revealed that the sludge was highly porous material as needed for adsorption. EDAX showed that floating sludge had slightly higher carbon compared with settled sludge whereas nitrogen was higher in settled sludge. Other element concentrations in both sludges were similar, proving that water treatment was due to electro-floatation, adsorption, and sweep flocs. Single-factor ANOVA showed significant variance at HRT for NOM (F4.066 = 92.67, p = <0.05) and AP (F4.066 = 20.59, p = <0.05) removal. Variance was significant between treatments at different drug concentrations for NOM (F3.478 = 88.53, p = <0.05) and AP (F3.478 = 529.85, p = <0.05) removal. NOM removal correlated well with AP removal during continuous electrocoagulation.
Transient Opening of the Blood-Brain Barrier by Vasoactive Peptides to
Increase CNS Drug Delivery: Reality Versus Wishful Thinking?
Authors: Smith-Cohn Matthew A. , Burley Nicholas B. , Grossman Stuart A.
Published: February 2022

Background:

The blood-brain barrier inhibits the central nervous system penetration of 98% of small molecule drugs and virtually all biologic agents, which has limited progress in the treatment of neurologic disease. Vasoactive peptides have been shown in animal studies to transiently disrupt the blood-brain barrier and regadenoson is currently being studied in humans to determine if it can improve drug delivery to the brain. However, there are many other vasoactive peptides that could potentially be used for this purpose.

Methods:

We performed a review of the literature evaluating the physiologic effects of vasoactive peptides on the vasculature of the brain and systemic organs. To assess the likelihood that a vasoactive peptide might transiently disrupt the blood-brain barrier, we devised a four-tier classification system to organize the evidence available.

Results:

We identified 33 vasoactive peptides with potential blood-brain barrier permeability-altering properties. To date, none of these are shown to open the blood-brain barrier in humans. 12 vasoactive peptides increased blood-brain barrier permeability in rodents. The remaining 23 had favorable physiologic effects on blood vessels but lacked specific information on permeability changes to the blood-brain barrier.

Conclusion:

Vasoactive peptides remain an understudied class of drugs with the potential to increase drug delivery and improve treatment in patients with brain tumors and other neurologic diseases. Dozens of vasoactive peptides have yet to be formally evaluated for this important clinical effect. This narrative review summarizes the available data on vasoactive peptides, highlighting agents that deserve further in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Survey on Structural Neuro Imaging for the Identification of Brain
Abnormalities in Schizophrenia
Authors: Prabha S. , Swathi N.
Published: February 2022

Background:

The importance of identifying the structural and functional abnormalities in
the brain in the early prediction and diagnosis of schizophrenia has attracted the attention of neuroimaging
scientists and clinicians.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to structure a review paper that recognizes specific biomarkers
of the schizophrenic brain.

Method:

Neuroimaging can be used to characterize brain structure, function, and chemistry by different
non-invasive techniques such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic
resonance spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography. The abnormalities in the brain can be used
to discriminate psychic disorder like schizophrenia from others. To find disease-related brain alterations
in neuroimaging, structural neuroimaging studies provide the most consistent evidence in most of
the studies.
The review discusses the major issues and findings in structural neuroimaging studies of schizophrenia.
In particular, the data is collected from different papers that concentrated on the brain affected
regions of different subjects and made a conclusion out of it.

Result:

In this work, a detailed survey has been done to find structural abnormalities in the brain from
different neuroimaging techniques. Several image processing methods are used to acquire brain images.
Different Machine learning techniques, Optimization methods, and Pattern recognition methods are
used to predict the disease with specific biomarkers, and their results are emphasized. Thus, in this
work, deep learning is also highlighted, which shows a promising role in obtaining neuroimaging data
to characterize disease-related alterations in brain structure.
Conselhos de empresa europeus no contexto português: dos obstáculos às boas práticas no setor metalúrgico
Authors: Costa Hermes Augusto
Published: February 2022

Almost three decades after the emergence of the European Works Councils (EWCs), obstacles persist to the functioning of that body of information and consultation of workers. After placing the topic within the framework of the Portuguese labour relations system and mapping out some of those obstacles, good practices are mentioned in the light of the metallurgical sector and the Volkswagen EWC. It is argued that, even though it should be looked at carefully, the experiences of good practices are crucial to face uncertainties and reinforce the potential for labour participation in multinationals.
Authenticity, Adversity and Accountability in the Context of Uniformed Leadership
Authors: Kouwenberg Jonathan A
Published: February 2022

On November 26, 2021, Commander Jonathan A. Kouwenberg from the Royal Canadian Navy, presented Authenticity, Adversity and Accountability in the Context of Uniformed Leadership at the 2021 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The presentation depicted the overarching characteristics of what comprises strong leadership, primarily the presence that leaders bring; methods of communication; and creating a culture of resiliency, accountability, and trust. Commander Kouwenberg’s presentation was followed by a question and answer period to allow conference attendees the opportunity to engage directly with panelists.
Communicating Uncertainty in Warning Intelligence
Authors: Mandel David
Published: February 2022

On November 23, 2021, Dr. David Mandel presented Communicating Uncertainty in Warning Intelligence at the 2021 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The primary concepts of Dr. Mandel’s presentation centered on the utilization of verbal versus numeric probabilities, the variability in understandings of verbal probabilities, and the relationship between confidence levels and event probabilities. Dr. Mandel’s presentation was followed by a question and answer period directed at a group of panelists allowing the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives to directly engage with the content of each speaker’s presentation.
Great Leadership is Timeless
Authors: Hennessy Michael
Published: February 2022

On November 26, 2021, Dr. Michael Hennessy, Professor of History and War Studies at Royal Military College of Canada, presented on Great Leadership is Timeless: Lessons from Outstanding Military Leaders. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The topics discussed included gaps in military leader development, valued traits of successful military leaders, and examples of great senior leaders.