bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent algorithms in privacy-preserving authentication schemes and traceability with accuracy in VANETs for smart transportation
Authors: Shikka Rishi , R Kamalraj , SHAH PRADEEP KUMAR , Sutariya Kamal , Anwar Syed Rashid , Kumar Arvind
Published: March 2023

Vehicle Adhoc Network is used on the road, where vehicles serve as mobile nodes. VANET's primary uses include intelligent transportation and active security. The framework for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) relies heavily on VANETs. Intelligent Transportation Networks are sometimes used to refer to VANETs. In VANETs, however, authentication and user privacy remain crucial issues. This study proposes a novel method for privacy-based authentication algorithms that improve the accuracy of data transmission for smart VANET transportation. Here, a lightweight hybrid authentication-based privacy-preserving algorithm is used to improve privacy. Then, an effective congestion-based clustering algorithm is used to send the data. Throughput, QoS, latency, computational cost, and data transmission rate are the focus of the experimental analysis. Throughput, QoS, latency, computational cost, and data transmission rate were all achieved using the proposed method. The proposed method makes use of lightweight, efficient pseudonyms that can be used for both message authentication and as a trapdoor to provide conditional anonymity. The proposed method's ability to withstand a variety of security and privacy threats is demonstrated by the various attack scenarios we present.the proposed technique attained throughput 93%, QoS 55%, latency 62%, computational cost 63%, data transmission rate 69%.
Slow Slip Event in the Focal Area of the 1975 Kurile Tsunami Earthquake Inferred from Unusual Long-Term Seismic Quiescence
Authors: Katsumata Kei
Published: March 2023

In subduction zones, slow slip events (SSEs) have been observed in the portion deeper than the downdip edge of seismogenic zone. However, since it is far offshore from geodetic networks on land, shallow SSEs near the trench axis are hardly observed. Despite of less quantitative than seafloor geodetic observations, a method for inferring the shallow SSEs based on seismic quiescence was presented in this study. Unusual decrease in occurrence rate of M ≥ 5.0 earthquakes was found in the southwestern Kurile Islands. The occurrence rate was ∼1.3 events/year between 1977 and around 2004 and no earthquake was observed during 16 years after 2004. The spatial pattern of the seismic quiescence can be explained qualitatively by the Coulomb failure stress change due to shallow SSE and its fault plane is on the upper boundary of the subducting Pacific plate in the focal area of the 1975 tsunami earthquake.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and COSMIN Analysis
Authors: Wang Xin-ai , Li Wen-jing , Liu Hao , Xiao Hong-ling
Published: March 2023

Background:Functional dyspepsia (FD) as a non-organic disease, patient self-reporting of its symptoms becomes an important component of clinical outcome assessment. We performed a systematic review using Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines to identify the best available patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of FD.Methods:The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched four databases with no date limit, looking for previously confirmed PROMs for evaluating FD symptoms. An overall rating was then assigned based upon COSMIN guidelines, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the level of evidence for psychometric properties of included PROMs.Results:Thirty-three articles covering outcome indicators of 24 patient reports were included. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index (DSSI), Leuven Postprandial Distress Scale (LPDS), Functional Dyspepsia Symptom Diary (FDSD), and Experience Sampling Method-Patient Reported Outcome Measure (ESM‐PROM) showed sufficient content validity and internal consistency, resulting in a Class A recommendation.Conclusion:NDI, DSSI, LPDS, FDSD and ESM‐PROM are the best currently available PROM to assess FD. However, they failed to assess several important areas. Future research can be continuously improved on this basis.
Spatio-temporal characteristics and influencing factors of air quality in Hunan Province: investigation based on functional data model
Authors: Li Ke , Liu Ya , Meng Zhenju , Li Jiao
Published: March 2023

With rapid economic growth and restriction by the adverse geographical and meteorological conditions, air quality control and improvement in Hunan Province are difficult. Based on the daily air quality data of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2019, in this paper, functional data analysis techniques (including principal component analysis, regression model, time series prediction model) were used to study the spatial-temporal characteristics, influencing factors, and future development trends of Air Pollution Index (AQI). The results showed that (1) in terms of time, the proportion of AQI days increased from 79.2% in 2015 to 89.9% in 2019, (2) from the spatial dimension, the air quality of Hunan Province is worse in the eastern, central, and northern regions, (3) among the meteorological factors, temperature and rainfall contributed to the improvement of air quality, but wind speed did not contribute to air quality improvement, (4) regarding socio-economic factors, industrial structure and urbanization by country were the main reasons for the deterioration of air quality in Hunan Province. Compared with the traditional time series model, the forecast precision of the functional time series model was higher.
Assessing cultural safety in general practice consultations for Indigenous patients: Protocol for a mixed methods sequential embedded design study.
Authors: Brumpton Kay , Ward Raelene , Evans Rebecca , Neill Henry , Woodall Hannah , McArthur Lawrie , Gupta Tarun Sen
Published: March 2023

Assessment of cultural safety in general practice consultations for Indigenous patients is a complex notion. Design and development of any assessment tool needs to be cognisant that cultural safety is determined by Indigenous peoples and incorporates defined components of cultural safety and current educational theory. Consideration of how social, historical, and political determinants of health and well-being impact upon the cultural safety of a consultation is also important. Given this complexity, we assume that no single method of assessment will be adequate to determine if general practice (GP) registrars are demonstrating or delivering culturally safe care. As such, we propose that development and assessment of cultural safety can be conceptualised using a model that considers these variables. Methods: This protocol will be situated in a pragmatic philosophical position to explore cultural safety primarily from the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients’ perspective with triangulation and validation of findings with the GP and GP registrar perspective, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and the medical education community. The study will integrate both quantitative and qualitative data through three sequential phases. Data collection will be through survey, semi-structured interviews, an adapted nominal group technique, and a Delphi questionnaire. Data will be analysed through a content analysis approach to identify components of an assessment of cultural safety for GP registrars. Discussion: This study will be one of the first to explore how cultural safety, as determined by Indigenous peoples, can be assessed in general practice consultations. This protocol is shared to stimulate awareness and discussion around this significant issue and prompt other studies in this area.
Individual heterogeneity in ixodid tick infestation and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in a northern community of small mammalian hosts
Authors: Lindsø Lars , Anders Jason L. , Viljugrein Hildegunn , Herland Anders , Stigum Vetle M. , Easterday W. Ryan , Mysterud Atle
Published: March 2023

Heterogeneous aggregation of parasites between individual hosts is common and regarded as an important factor in understanding transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. Lyme disease is vectored by generalist tick species, yet we have a limited understanding of how individual heterogeneities within small mammal host populations affect aggregation of ticks and likelihood of infection. Male hosts often have higher parasite and infection levels than females, but whether this is linked to sexual body size dimorphism remains uncertain. Here we analysed how host species, sex, and body mass influenced Ixodes ricinus tick infestations and the infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in three species of small mammals involved in the enzootic transmission cycle of Lyme disease in Norway from 2018 to 2022. Larval and nymphal ticks were found on 98% and 34% of all individual hosts, respectively. In bank voles and wood mice, both larval and nymphal tick infestation and infection probability increased with body mass, and it increased more with mass for males than for females. In the common shrew, there was no marked sex difference and a weaker increase in tick burden with body mass, infection probability peaked at lower body mass, and females were more likely to be infected than males. Sex-biases in infestation did not correspond with level of sexual body mass dimorphism across species. This study contributes to our understanding of how individual heterogeneity among small mammalian hosts influences I. ricinus tick aggregation and prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. at northern latitudes.
The Selection of Chief Residents across Residency Programs at a Large Academic Medical Center
Authors: Mirabal Susan C. , O'Rourke Paul , Wright Scott
Published: March 2023

Background
Chief residents have a unique role in graduate medical education (GME). They not only connect residents with program and hospital leadership, but also advocate for the wellbeing and educational priorities of trainees. Previous studies have focused on describing the characteristics of chief residents (CRs), however little is known about how CRs are selected across GME programs.
Methods
One-on-one semi-structured interviews with all (n = 21) GME program directors at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine were conducted from January to March 2022. Investigators independently coded the transcripts using an inductive approach to categorize meaningful segments of text; this culminated in the identification of explanatory themes.
Results
From discussions with 21 program directors, four themes were identified: (1) identifying candidates: timing, recruitment, nominations, as well as the desirable attributes; (2) application processes: expression of intent, submission of materials, and participation in interviews; (3) selection: voting, discussions leading to consensus, and program director intimately involved in the choice(s); and (4) confidence in process and outcomes.
Conclusions
Our results provide a deeper understanding of the nuances associated with the selection of CRs. It is hoped that the descriptions of the similarities and differences across GME programs will prompt reflection about what is done at one institution such that all programs can consider what are the best practices to serve their individual goals and needs.
Linking Multivariate Statistical Methods and Water Quality Indices to Evaluate the Natural and Anthropogenic Geochemical Processes Controlling the Water Quality of a Tropical Watershed
Authors: Silva Débora Francisca Morais da , Silva Letícia Mariana Lopes , Garnier Jeremie , Araújo Daniel Ferreira , Silva Lidiane Amorim da , Mulholland Daniel Santos
Published: March 2023

The improvement of water management requires monitoring techniques that accurately evaluate water quality status and detect the effects of land use changes on water chemistry. This study aimed to evaluate how multivariate statistical methods and water quality indices can be applied together to evaluate the processes controlling water chemical composition and the overall water quality status of a tropical watershed. Thirty-four water samples were collected in the Formoso River basin, located on the border of the Amazon Forest. Water parameters were measured in situ using a multiparameter and in the lab using spectroscopic and volumetric techniques. The water quality dataset was interpreted through principal component analysis, multivariate linear regression, and water quality indices. Statistical methods allowed us to identify the sources and geochemical processes controlling water quality chemistry, which were carbonate dissolution, runoff/erosion, nutrient input due to anthropogenic activities and redox reactions in flooded zones. They were also used to create linear functions to evaluate the effects of land use changes on the geochemical processes controlling water chemistry. Conversely, the water quality indices provide information about the overall condition of the water. The Weight-Arithmetic Quality Index correctly evaluates water suitability for its multiple uses, according to the Brazilian guidelines. Conversely, the Ontario Water Quality Index is not suitable to evaluate the water quality of tropical rivers, since the usual higher water temperature and the low oxygen contents associated with tropical environments result in biased water quality evaluations by this index.
Guilt Detection in Text: A Step Towards Understanding Complex Emotions
Authors: Meque Abdul Gafar Manuel , Hussain Nisar , Sidorov Grigori , Gelbukh Alexander
Published: March 2023

We introduce a novel Natural Language Processing (NLP) task called Guilt detection, focused on detecting guilt in text. We identify guilt as a complex and important emotion that has not been studied in NLP before, and we aim to provide a more fine-grained analysis of it. To address the lack of publicly available corpora for guilt detection, we create a dataset called VIC, which contains 4622 texts from three existing emotion detection datasets that we binarize into guilt and no-guilt classes. We experiment with traditional machine learning methods using bag-of-words and term frequency-inverse document frequency features, achieving a 72% f1 score with the highest-performing model. Our study provides a first step towards understanding guilt in text and opens the door for future research in this area.
Adherence to a Lifestyle Monitoring System in Patients with Heart Disease: protocol for the Care-On prospective observational trial
Authors: Goevaerts Wilhelmina Francisca , Limpt Nicole Tenbült - Van , Kop Willem Johan , Birk Max Valentin , Liu Yunjie , Brouwers Rutger Willem Maurice , Lu Yuan , Kemps Hareld Marijn Clemens
Published: March 2023

Background
Lifestyle factors such as physical fitness, dietary habits, mental stress, and sleep quality, are strong predictors of the occurrence, clinical course, and overall treatment outcomes of common cardiovascular diseases. However, these lifestyle factors are rarely monitored, nor used in daily clinical practice and personalized cardiac care. Moreover, non-adherence to long-term self-reporting of these lifestyle factors is common. In the present study, we evaluate adherence to a continuous unobtrusive and patient-friendly lifestyle monitoring system using evidence-based assessment tools.
Methods
In a prospective observational trial (N = 100), the project investigates usability of and adherence to a monitoring system for multiple lifestyle factors relevant to cardiovascular disease, i.e., daily physical activity levels, dietary habits, mental stress, smoking, and sleep quality. Patients with coronary artery disease, valvular disease and arrhythmias undergoing an elective intervention are asked to participate. The monitoring system consists of a secured online platform with a custom-built conversational interface—a chatbot—and a wrist-worn wearable medical device. The wrist-worn device collects continuous objective data on physical activity and the chatbot is used to collect self-report data. Participants collect self-reported lifestyle data via the chatbot for a maximum of 4 days every other week; in the same week physiological data are collected for 7 days for 24 hours. Data collection starts one week before the intervention and continues until 1-year after discharge. Via a dashboard, patients can observe their lifestyle measures and adherence to self-reporting, set and track personal goals, and share their lifestyle data with practitioners and relatives. The primary outcome of the trial is adherence to using the integrated platform for self-tracking data. The secondary outcomes include system usability, determinants of adherence and the relation between baseline lifestyle behaviour and long-term patient-relevant outcomes.
Discussion
Systematic monitoring during daily life is essential to gain insights into patients’ lifestyle behaviour. In this context, adherence to monitoring systems is critical for cardiologists and other care providers to monitor recovery after a cardiac intervention and to detect clinical deterioration. With this project, we will evaluate patients’ adherence to lifestyle monitoring technology. This work contributes to the understanding of patient-centered data collection and interpretation, to enable personalized care after cardiac interventions in order to ultimately improve patient-relevant outcomes and reduce health care costs.
Trial registration:
Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR) NL9861. Registered 6th of November 2021.
Infrared Nano-Imaging of Dirac Magnetoexcitons in Graphene
Authors: Dapolito Michael , Tsuneto Makoto , Zheng Wenjun , Wehmeier Lukas , Xu Suheng , Chen Xinzhong , Sun Jiacheng , Du Zengyi , Shao Yinming , Jing Ran , Zhang Shuai , Bercher Adrien , Dong Yinan , Halbertal Dorri , Ravindran Vibhu , Zhou Zijian , Gozar Adrian , Carr G. L. , Li Qiang , Kuzmenko Alexey , Fogler Michael , Basov Dmitri , Du Xu , Liu Mengkun
Published: March 2023

Magnetic fields can have profound effects on the motion of electrons in quantum materials. Two-dimensional (2D) electron systems subject to strong magnetic fields are expected to exhibit quantized Hall conductivity, chiral edge currents, and distinctive collective modes referred to as magnetoplasmons and magnetoexcitons. Generating these propagating collective modes in charge-neutral samples and imaging them at their native nanometer length scales have thus far been experimentally elusive tasks. In this study, we visualize propagating magenetoexction polaritons at their native length scales and report their magnetic-field-tunable dispersions in near-charge-neutral graphene. Imaging of these collective modes and their associated opto-electrical responses at the sample edges is enabled by innovations to our cryogenic near-field optical microscope that allows us to nano-image the optical responses of 2D materials in magnetic fields up to 7 Tesla. This novel nano-magneto-optics approach represents a new paradigm for exploring and manipulating magnetopolaritons in specimens with low carrier doping via harnessing high magnetic fields.
Illness perception, self-efficacy, health literacy, adherence, and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication – a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Striberger Rebecka , Zarrouk Moncef , Kumlien Christine , Axelsson Malin
Published: March 2023

Background: Patients with intermittent claudication need lifelong treatment with secondary prevention to prevent cardiovascular events and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Illness perception, health literacy, self-efficacy, adherence to medication treatment, and quality of life are factors influencing patients’ self-management. Knowledge of these factors could be important when planning for secondary prevention in patients with intermittent claudication.
Aim: to compare illness perception, self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, and quality of life in relation to the sex and health literacy of patients with intermittent claudication. Further, it explored changes in self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, and quality of life during the first year after diagnosis.
Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted with 128 participants recruited from vascular units in southern Sweden. Data were collected through medical records and questionnaires regarding illness perception, health literacy, self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, and quality of life.
Results: In the subscales in illness perception, patients with sufficient health literacy reported less consequences and lower emotional representations of the intermittent claudication. They also reported higher self-efficacy and higher quality of life than patients with insufficient health literacy. In comparison between men and women in illness perception, women reported higher illness coherence and emotional representations associated with intermittent claudication compared to men. A multiple regression showed that both consequences and adherence were negative predictors of quality of life. When examining changes over time, a significant increase in quality of life was seen between baseline and 12 months, but there were no significant differences in self-efficacy and adherence to treatment.
Conclusion: Illness perception differs in relation to level of health literacy and between men and women. Further, the level of health literacy seems to be of importance for patients’ self-efficacy and quality of life. This illuminates the need for new strategies for improving health literacy, illness perception, and self-efficacy over time. For example, more tailored information regarding secondary prevention could be provided to strengthen self-management to further improve quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication.
Determining and predicting feed intake in crossbred sheep from weaning until maturity
Authors: Theron Pieter Gert , Brand Tertius Swanepoel , Cloete S.W.P. , Zyl J.H.C van
Published: March 2023

Access to simple, accurate feed intake models would facilitate decision-making in feedlots as feed costs are a major part of operational expenditure. This study aimed to develop genotype specific feed intake models for South African feedlot lambs. Four ram and four ewe lambs each of eight genotypes were raised under ideal growth conditions from weaning until one year of age. Feed intake and growth were monitored throughout this period. The intake data were then used to fit various models to predict daily feed intake, intake as percentage of body weight, cumulative intake and feed conversion ratio. No satisfactory univariate models could be found for the prediction of daily or percentage intake, but a good fit was found for cumulative intake data (R2 > 0.80). The slope parameters of these linear models show a strong correlation (72%) with feed conversion and can therefore also serve as proxies for feed conversion. A model was also developed that can predict feed conversion ratio with a moderate accuracy (R2 = 0.5) at a given body weight. The cumulative intake model was deemed accurate and simple enough for practical use.
Sirt1 ameliorated cardiac autophagic flux blockage via Prx2 during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Peng Yajie , Cui Jing , Shi Yangyang , Xu Xueli , Wei Bo
Published: March 2023

Cardiac autophagic flux is impaired in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R), leading to intracellular accumulation of autophagosomes and harmful substances, which further aggravates myocardial injury. Notably, Sirt1 has been proved to play an important role in regulating autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes under starvation. However, mechanisms for Sirt1 on MI/R induced autophagic flux impairment remain to be illuminated. Prx2, one member of peroxidoredoxins participating in the regulation of autophagy, is intimately connected to cell survival in MI/R. Therefore, it was necessary to verify the critical role of Sirt1 and Prx2 in the regulation of autophagic flux in MI/R. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) cardiomyocytes and MI/R mice were used to assess the role of Sirt1 and Prx2 in cardiac autophagic flux. We found that cardioprotective effect of Sirt1 was dependent on its cardiac autophagic flux regulation in vitro by Chloroquine (CQ), a specific inhibitor of autophagic flux. Adenovirus induced Sirt1 overexpression could promote autophagosome-lysosome fusion via activating Rab7 and Lamp2 leading to the enhanced autophagic flux against MI/R injury in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, knockdown of Prx2 aggravated autophagic flux arrest by decreasing expressions of autolysosome fusion proteins. Notably, such beneficial actions of Sirt1 were blocked by the Prx2 silence. Mechanically, our data uncovered a clue, for the first time that acetylation of Prx2 was significantly decreased by Sirt1 overexpression in cardiomyocytes or in whole hearts under physiological or pathological status. These findings have offered a direct proof and new perspective of post-translational modification in the understanding of autophagic flux and MI/R treatment.
Report of a phase 1 clinical trial for safety assessment of human placental mesenchymal stem cells therapy in patients with Critical limb ischemia (CLI)
Authors: Shirbaghaee Zeinab , Keshel Saeed Heidari , Rasouli Mehdi , Valizadeh Majid , Nazari Seyed Saeed Hashemi , Hassani Mohammad , Soleimani Masoud
Published: March 2023

Background
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is associated with increased risk of tissue loss, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic angiogenesis using cell-based treatments, notably mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), is essential for enhancing blood flow to ischemic areas in subjects suffering from CLI. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) in patients with CLI.
Methods
This phase I dose-escalation study investigated P-MSCs in nine CLI patients who were enrolled into each of the two dosage groups (20 × 106 and 60 × 106 cells), delivered intramuscularly twice, two months apart. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was the primary endpoint. The decrease in inflammatory cytokines, improvement in the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), maximum walking distance, vascular collateralization, alleviation of rest pain, healing of ulceration, and avoidance of major amputation in the target leg were the efficacy outcomes.
Results
All dosages of P-MSCs, including the highest tested dose of 60 × 106 cells, were well tolerated. During the 6-month follow-up period, there was a statistically significant decrease in IL-1 and IFN-γ serum levels following P-MSC treatment. The blood lymphocyte profile of participants with CLI did not significantly differ, suggesting that the injection of allogeneic cells did not cause T-cell proliferation in vivo. We found clinically substantial improvement in rest pain, ulcer healing, and maximum walking distance after P-MSC implantation. In patients with CLI, we performed minor amputations rather than major amputations. Angiography was unable to demonstrate new small vessels formation significantly.
Conclusion
The observations from this phase I clinical study indicate that intramuscular administration of P-MSCs is considered safe and well tolerated and may dramatically improve physical performance and minimize inflammatory conditions in patients with CLI.
Trial registration:
IRCT, IRCT20210221050446N1. Registered May 09, 2021.
Identifying Areas of Low-Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine: A New Objective Framework Incorporating Mobility Data
Authors: Tao Defeng , Agor Joseph , McGregor Jessina , Douglass Trevor , Gibler Andrew , Vergara Hector
Published: March 2023

Background
Methods have been proposed to identify areas of low access to resources that are embedded with subjective parameters. In this work, we propose and validate a new Mobility Data-Driven (MDD) framework to identify areas that have low access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods
We collected geospatial mobility data to an objective approach for determining areas of low access. We identify census tracts in Oregon with low access to the COVID-19 vaccine through two approaches: (1) An adapted United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food desert definition and (2) our proposed MDD framework. Ten spatial and social measures of access are utilized to compare these two approaches.

Results
Tracts identified by the MDD definition have lower spatial accessibility scores (0.072 – 0.162) than those identified by the USDA adapted definition (0.239 – 0.32). During the Spring season, the MDD identified census tracts have a higher rate of poverty (15.2%), unemployment (8.4%), uninsured individuals (7.1%), and a lower per capita income ($28,261). Moreover, we find that the proportion the American Indian and Alaskan Native population in MDD identified low-access census tracts is higher than that in USDA definition (4.85% versus 0.95%) which indicates the framework’s ability to capture known disparities in access amongst this population.

Conclusions
During the creation of plans for equitable distribution of a resource like the COVID-19 vaccine, leaders should utilize objective data (like mobility data) to assist them in determining parameters that represent a populations ability to obtain that resource. Our proposed framework provides a starting point for achieving this goal.
Abnormal hypo-methylation of CAP1 (adenylate cyclase associated protein 1) gene enhances biological characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Li Guoshu , Xie Shuanshuan , Wang Kai , Tan Min , Zhou Guo-Lei , Zhan Jushan , Zou Junyong , Fan Lihong , Wang Changhui
Published: March 2023

Background
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of lung cancer, which is a serious threat to human health. Adenylate cyclase associated protein 1 (CAP1) is an important functional protein, which is closely related to the occurrence and progression of cancer.
Methods
In this study, we used the CRISPR-dCas9-Dnmt3a system to target the CAP1 promoter to construct LUAD cell strains that can steadily up-regulate the methylation of CAP1 promoter. The methylation specific PCR and Massarray methylation sequencing were used to detect the methylation of CAP1 promoter. The western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect protein expression. The functional changes of LUAD cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay, wound healing assay and trans-well assay.
Results
In this study, we found that the CAP1 promoter was abnormally hypo-methylated in LUAD cells and tissues. The expression of CAP1 protein was higher in cancerous tissues compared to para-carcinoma tissues in early stage LUAD, and higher in A549, H1299 and PC9 cells than in Beas-2B control cells (P < 0.05). Up-regulating methylation of CAP1 promoter can reduce the expression of CAP1 protein, promote apoptosis of LUAD cells through Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 pathway, and inhibit the migration and invasion of LUAD cells by acting together with Actin and Cofilin. The methylation of CAP1 promoter is regulated by Dnmt3a, Tet1 and/or Tet2.
Conclusions
These results suggest that abnormal hypo-methylation of CAP1 gene enhances biological characteristics of LUAD cells and up-regulating methylation of CAP1 promoter may be a potential treatment for LUAD.
Novel SnO 2 @Cu 3 (BTC) 2 composites as a highly efficient Photocatalyst and Fluorescent Sensor
Authors: Deepika - , Heena - , Kaur Manpreet , Dhaliwal Karamjit Singh , Malik Ashok Kumar
Published: March 2023

A novel SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite was synthesized using a quick and affordable bottom-up approach via impregnation of SnO2 nanoparticles into the porous Cu3(BTC)2 metal-organic framework (MOF). The photocatalytic degradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye has been studied for the first time using this novel recyclable SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite. It was found that SnO2@Cu3(BTC)2 composite photo catalytically degrades methylene blue (MB) dye with a degradation efficiency of 85.12% within 80 min under solar irradiation. The most appropriate benefit of this composite is the easy recyclability up to numerous cycles with retention of its photocatalytic activity. Therefore, this cheaper and greener composite photocatalyst is more suitable for large-scale industrial applications than the traditional photocatalysts employed in the degradation of MB dye. Furthermore, this composite has also been investigated as a fluorescence sensor for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). It was observed that the 88.2% quenching of the intense fluorescent signal of this composite happens in the presence of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) showing it incredibly selectivity towards TNP with no interference of other NACs. With a detection limit of 2.82 µM, this composite exhibits outstanding sensitivity towards TNP. The Stern-Volmer plot for TNP is linearly fitted displays large quenching coefficient, correlation coefficient, and linear ranges KSV = 1.04x104 M-1, R2 = 0.9901, and 0-10 µM, respectively. This quenching response of this composite towards TNP was well-explained by the two mechanisms: one is photo-induced electron transfer (PET), and the other is fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), in addition to theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). Our findings imply that the synthetic composite can be used as a superior fluorescence sensor and photocatalyst.
Mechanical properties and long-term antibacterial activity of dental composite resins added with a strontium-modified phosphate-based glass microfiller
Authors: Go Hye-Bin , Lee Myung-Jin , Seo Ji-Young , Kwon Jae-Sung
Published: March 2023

Dental composite resins are widely used in dental restorations. However, their clinical application is limited by the occurrence of secondary caries. As strontium-modified phosphate-based glass is known to have long-term antibacterial properties, in this study, we incorporated a strontium-modified phosphate-based glass microfiller at 3, 6, and 9 wt.% concentrations into a commercially available composite resin and investigated the mechanical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus, and microhardness), ion release characteristics, and color of the resultant resins. In addition, we examined the antibacterial effects of the composite resins against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The mechanical properties of the Sr-modified phosphate-based glass groups differed only slightly from those of the control group (p > 0.05). However, the optical density at 600 nm of S. mutans incubated on the experimental group was significantly lower compared to that observed with the control (p < 0.05) both before and after thermocycling between 5 and 55 ℃ for 850 cycles (dwell time: 45 s). This study demonstrates that the addition of the Sr-containing phosphate-based glass filler to composite resins can enhance their long-term antibacterial activity and help prevent secondary caries.
Risk factors for preterm labor: An Umbrella Review of meta-analyses of observational studies
Authors: Mitrogiannis Ioannis , Evangelou Evangelos , Efthymiou Athina , Kanavos Theofilos , Birbas Effrosyni , Makrydimas George , Papatheodorou Stefania
Published: March 2023

Preterm birth defined as delivery before 37 gestational weeks, is a leading cause of neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. Understanding its multifactorial nature may improve prediction, prevention and the clinical management. We performed an umbrella review to summarize the evidence from meta-analyses of observational studies on risks factors associated with PTB, evaluate whether there are indications of biases in this literature and identify which of the previously reported associations are supported by robust evidence.
We included 1511 primary studies providing data on 170 associations, covering a wide range of comorbid diseases, obstetric and medical history, drugs, exposure to environmental agents, infections and vaccines. Only seven risk factors provided robust evidence. The results from synthesis of observational studies suggests that sleep quality and mental health, risk factors with robust evidence should be routinely screened in clinical practice, should be tested in large randomized trial. Identification of risk factors with robust evidence will promote the development and training of prediction models that could improve public health, in a way that offers new perspectives in health professionals.
Biophysical models resolution affects coral connectivity estimates
Authors: Saint-Amand Antoine , Lambrechts Jonathan , Hanert Emmanuel
Published: March 2023

Estimating connectivity between coral reefs is essential to inform reef conservation and restoration. Given the vastness of coral reef ecosystems, connectivity can only be simulated with biophysical models whose spatial resolution is often coarser than the reef scale. Here, we assess the impact of biophysical models resolution on connectivity estimates by comparing the outputs of five different setups of the same model with resolutions ranging from 250 m to 4 km. We show that increasing the model resolution around reefs yields more complex and less directional dispersal patterns. With a fine-resolution model, connectivity graphs have more connections but of weaker strength. The resulting community structure therefore shows larger clusters of well-connected reefs. Virtual larvae also tend to stay longer close to their source reef with a fine-resolution model, leading to an increased local retention and self-recruitment for species with a short pre-competency period. Overall, only about half of the reefs with the largest connectivity indicator values are similar for the finest and coarsest resolution models. Our results suggest that reef management recommendations should only be made at scales coarser than the model resolution. Reef-scale recommendations can hence only be made with models not exceeding about 500 m resolution.
Cheque Processing using Traditional Blockchain Issues and An Approach to Secure Processing
Authors: Natarajan M , Bharathi A.
Published: March 2023

Blockchain technologies, particularly cryptocurrency, have piqued the interest of academics, governments, and business in recent times. Despite the availability of a wide range of blockchain-based solutions, the lack of tools to analyses these dynamic and distributed networks may stymie the field's advancement. Many of the benefits of block chain technology can only be seen at large scales. This paper conducts a thorough investigation of blockchain-related concerns. Summarizes the issues with traditional blockchain techniques. The paper also offers a framework for secure transaction processing and suggests the steps involved in creating a blockchain. Furthermore, suggestions have been made for possible futre study directions in the topic. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current Applications that are based on the Blockchain Technology in various fields and to build a better model for an application that is used in the financial sector. It is necessary to adapt the banking system in the financial sector to the current situation in order to meet the requirements. Checks are processed using the present technique, which, although having certain restrictions, is more focused. Following the analysis, the study proceeded with the goal of resolving the limits of the system for the processing and clearing of cheques by shortening the amount of time required for processing and increasing the level of security. The disruptive nature of Blockchain technology was helpful in applying the technology to the creation of a secure system for the processing of cheques. In order to offer a sufficiently upgraded framework, already existing techniques for the processing of cheques were discovered, and their limitations were determined. To achieve the same goals, smart contracts were utilized to automatically finish the operation of check processing by issuing a valid tokenized cheque to update the information in IPFS blockchain. This allowed for the same goals to be achieved. The cheque processing system is composed of many stages, such as the administrator phase and the phase in which checks are generated by utilizing ERC20 tokens. This is to validate the tokenized check that was produced by a bank that has been granted permission. The subsequent step is known as the check details phase. After this, the user phase will come into play, at which point the beneficiary data will be entered. At this point, validation is carried out by signing the cheque and then cancelling the transaction after it has been initiated. After the completed transaction is published in the IPFS blockchain, the bank will validate the compliance features. In order to check for issues connected to the issue, several security technologies are utilized. The performance is evaluated, and then recommendations for enhancing the performance on mathematical models are provided.
Design and experimental study of Mechanical Milling deicing device
Authors: Zhu Zi-cheng , Chu Wei-jun , Diao Yan , Li Xiang-hui
Published: March 2023

To quickly and economically remove the accumulated ice and snow on airport runways, urban roads and bridge decks is an important subject to ensure smooth traffic and driving safety under the condition of snow and ice climate. Based on analysis of different mechanical deicing techniques and the combination of thermal and water jet cutting deicing methods, a mechanical milling deicing method was proposed. Through the establishment of a milling deicing cutting model and the force analysis of the deicing cutter, the optimal deicing angle of the milling cutter was obtained, and the rationality of the design of the milling deicing cutter was verified based on ANSYS. The feasibility of the design scheme is verified by the test of mechanical milling deicing device.
The Sherpa hypothesis: Phenotype-Protecting Disordered Proteins stabilize the phenotypes of neurons and oligodendrocytes
Authors: Norris Vic , Oláh Judit , Krylov Sergey , Uversky Vladimir , Ovadi Judit
Published: March 2023

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are central to many physiological functions and to various pathologies that include neurodegeneration. They can interact with numerous partner proteins. Here, we introduce the Sherpa hypothesis, according to which a subset of stable IDPs, which we term Phenotype-Preserving Disordered Proteins (PPDP), play a central role in protecting cell phenotypes from perturbations. To illustrate and test this hypothesis, we computer-simulate some salient features of how cells evolve and differentiate in the presence of either a single PPDP or two incompatible PPDPs. We relate this virtual experiment to the pathological interactions between two PPDPs, α-synuclein and Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein/p25, in neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we discuss the implications of the Sherpa hypothesis for aptamer-based therapies of such disorders.
Construction and validation of an IHC-based risk model predicting postoperative disease- free survival and overall survival in Chinese endometrial cancer patients
Authors: Li Xingchen , Yang Fengbo , Zhao Lijun , Wang Jianliu
Published: March 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to characterize the expression features base on three genes, including DUSP1, BUB1 and MCM7, and investigate their clinical significance in Chinese cohort with endometrial carcinoma.
Materials and methods. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for assessing the expression of DUSP1, BUB1, and MCM7 in these patients. The associations between the expressions of three genes and the clinicopathological features were analyzed. The risk model was finally validated in TCGA cohort.
Results: The expressions of DUSP1, BUB1, and MCM7 were associated with clinicopathological features (P＜0.05 for all). Patients with high expression level of DUSP1 and low expression level of BUB1 and MCM7 had better prognosis. The construction combining these three genes is an independent risk factor and had a high accuracy in predicting overall survival (OS, AUC=0.923) and disease-free survival (DFS, AUC=0.963). The three-gene risk signature was validated in TCGA-EC cohort, and the results showed a great precision for predicting OS and DFS (both AUC>0.7) in an external group.
Conclusions: Our study revealed a three-gene prognostic signature, including DUSP1, BUB1, and MCM7, and its related nomogram could guide personalized strategy, providing a basis for the molecular analysis in EC, thereby improving their OS and DFS.
MEX3A determines in vivo hepatocellular carcinoma progression and induce resistance to sorafenib in a Hippo-dependent way
Authors: Fang Shiji , Zheng Liyun , Chen Xiaoxiao , Guo Xiaoju , Ding Yiming , Ma Ji , Ding Jiayi , Chen Weiqian , Yang Yang , Chen Minjiang , Zhao Zhongwei , Tu Jianfei , Ji Jiansong
Published: March 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most common malignant tumor worldwide, and one of the most lethal malignancies. MEX3A, an RNA-binding protein, is profoundly implicated in tumor initiation and progression. But its role and potential mechanism in HCC remains fully unclear. In this study, MEX3A expression was upregulated in HCC tissue and cell lines. Knockdown or overexpression of MEX3A disturbed the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of HCC cells by modulating the activation of Hippo signaling pathway. The expression of MEX3A was negatively associated with sorafenib sensitivity and upregulated in sorafenib resistant HCC cells. MEX3A knockdown facilitated the expression of WWC1, a negative modulator of Hippo signaling pathway, and led to increase of the phosphorylation of LATS1 and YAP1. Pharmacological inhibition of LATS1 or WWC1 overexpression alleviated the proliferative and migrated suppression and increased sorafenib sensitivity, whereas WWC1 inhibition using genetic interference strategy showed opposite trend in MEX3A knockdown HCC cells. Importantly, MEX3A knockdown led to growth and lung metastasis inhibition using xenograft model established by means of subcutaneous or tail vein injection. In addition, a combination of MEX3A knockdown and WWC1 overexpression dramatically enhances the growth inhibition of sorafenib in vivo. Collectively, our results demonstrated that MEX3A may facilitate HCC progression and hinder sorafenib sensitivity via inactivating Hippo signaling. The present study suggested that targeting MEX3A can be served as a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Screening for Antibody Deficiencies in Adults by Serum Electrophoresis
Authors: Piza Cristina Frias Sartorelli de Toledo , Aranda Carolina Sanchez , Solé Dirceu , Jolles Stephen , Condino-Neto Antonio
Published: March 2023

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between calculated globulin (CG, total protein level minus albumin level) and the gamma globulin fraction (Gamma), obtained from serum protein electrophoresis with serum IgG levels in adults (≥ 18 years).
Methods
Using linear regression models, analyses of CG and Gamma levels correlation with IgG levels in adults were performed. Receiver-operator curves were created to determine cutoff values and the respective sensitivity and specificity measures.
Results
A total of 886 samples were analyzed. CG and Gamma were positively and statistically correlated with IgG levels (r2 = 0.4628 for CG, and = 0.7941 for Gamma, p < 0.0001 for both analyses). For the detection of hypogammaglobulinemia, i.e., IgG level below the reference value (6 g/L), a CG cutoff value of 24 g/L showed a sensitivity of 86.2% (95% CI 69.4–94.5) and a specificity of 92% (90.0-93.6). A Gamma cutoff value of 7.15 g/L yielded a sensitivity of 100% (88.3–100) and a specificity of 96.8 (95.3-97-8).
Conclusion
Both CG and Gamma levels determined by protein electrophoresis analysis may be used to screen for antibody deficiencies in adults, enabling earlier diagnosis of antibody deficiencies in a routine clinical setting.