bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical and Economical Methodology of H2S Content Control in Mature Water Supported Field: A Case Study in Gulf of Suez, Egyp
Authors: Esmail Mohamed Abdulmageed , Abdelhalem Tamer Hosny , Mohamed Islam Ibrahim , Elnahas Mohamed Hasan , Mohamed Hossam Sabry , Yehia Mohamed Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Microbial hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production is a complication in the oil and gas industry. Production of H2S by bacteria within oil reservoir is detrimental to both injection and production. This study determines the root cause of the problem with a scientific approach to control H2S content – in a mature field in Gulf of Suez (GOS) – by applying different methods of chemical treatments in injectors, subsequently leading to production of fluids and gases with sustaining lower H2S content. The field depends on injection of sulfate-rich seawater into hydrocarbon containing reservoirs for pressure maintenance for 50 years. H2S content in the reservoir was relatively low before proceeding the water-flooding project. Initially, microbiological induced corrosion in oil production and water injection pipping were detected, then a strategy for monitoring the process of microbial production of H2S and its build-up within a reservoir and mitigation of induced scale by bacterial action was created. Finally, chemical injection approaches were implemented to reduce sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) activity in the reservoir and to control / decrease H2S content in production fluids and gases.

Sharp increase in H2S content in production fluids and gases parallel with a decline in injection rate of water injection wells were the first signs of microbiological bacterial activity in piping and reservoir. In situ injection of biocide in production wells followed by soaking for 24 hours failed to decrease H2S content in production fluids. Continuous injection of oxygen scavenger with water stream in injection wells was the second trial that succeeded in decreasing H2S content in production wells, but only for short time, and then it increased yet again. This trial was the highest cost with low to moderate results. Last trial was to inject biocide with water stream in injection wells for three months, followed by H2S content observation in production wells. Chemical lab tests showed dramatic reduction of H2S content by 30 to 40% in some production wells in addition to tremendous improvement in injection rate of the injectors.

The case signifies the importance of root cause analysis and engineering problem solving techniques in finding a solution to reduce microbial hydrogen sulfide content caused by SRB action. Reduction of H2S allows opening of many shut-in producers that were producing high H2S content fluids and resulted in severe corrosion in addition to health, safety and environment (HSE) issues, particularly when assets were not designed to be operated in souring conditions.
Fatty acid synthesis suppresses dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid use
Authors: Worthmann Anna , Piel Sharlaine , Fischer Alexander , O'Farell Marie , Adak Sangeeta , Kloth Katja , Sundd Monica , Siffeti Hasibullah , Musfeldt Melina , Bierhals Tatjana , Heine Markus , Pauly Mira , Haumann Friederike , Kundu Suman , Fuh Manka , Neu Axel , Beysen Carine , Pertzborn Paul , Schlüter Hartmut , Knippschild Uwe , Tödter Klaus , Hempel Maja , Semenkovich Clay , Heeren Joerg , Scheja Ludger , Kubisch Christian , Schlein Christian
Published: March 2023

Metabolic diseases are closely linked to aberrant synthesis of endogenous fatty acids in the liver, called de novo lipogenesis (DNL), which is mediated by the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN). The composition of complex lipids consists of saturated or monosaturated fatty acids, which can be endogenously produced, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are strictly dietary. Compositional differences between individuals are insufficiently understood and may influence the onset and progression of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Here we show that DNL critically determines the use of dietary PUFA. A patient with a hypofunctional heterozygous de novo Arg2177Cys variant in FASN exhibited an elevated composition of PUFA, which was phenocopied by pharmacological inhibition of FASN with TVB-2640 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In mice, the incorporation rate of supplemented omega-3 PUFA during an obesogenic diet was increased by genetic or pharmacologic reduction of DNL. Mechanistically, we show that the FASN variant exhibited a cysteine-dependent, non-enzymatic acetylation of FASN, which resulted in hyperubiquitinylation and decreased protein stability. The study reveals that PUFA storage is an active, enzymatic process controlled by FASN, DGAT2 and MFSD2A and that combining FASN inhibition and PUFA supplementation exerts additive beneficial metabolic effects. These findings provide evidence that the success of PUFA supplementation may depend on the rate of endogenous DNL and that combined PUFA supplementation and FASN inhibition may be a promising approach in metabolic disease.
A pilot, prospective, randomized trial of IntuBrite® versus Macintosh direct laryngoscopy for paramedic endotracheal intubation in out of hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Kluj Przemyslaw , Fedorczak Michal , Gaszynski Tomasz , Ratajczyk Pawel
Published: March 2023

Background
Intubation in the case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is one of the most difficult procedures for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The use of a laryngoscope with a dual light source is an interesting alternative to classic laryngoscopes. However, there are as yet no prospective data concerning the use of double light direct laryngoscopy (DL) by paramedics in traditional ground ambulance agencies in OHCA.
Methods
We performed a randomized, cross-over, non-blinded trial in a single EMS in Poland within a group of 34 ground ambulances crews, comparing time and first pass success (FPS) for endotracheal intubation (ETI) in DL using the IntuBrite® (INT) and Macintosh laryngoscope (MCL) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We collected both patient and provider demographic information along with intubation details. The time and success rates were compared using an intention-to-treat analysis.
Results
Over a period of 40 months, a total of 86 intubations were performed using 42 INT and 44 MCL based on an intention-to-treat analysis. The FPS time of the ETI attempt (13.49 vs 15.55 seconds) using an INT which was shorter than MCL was used (p<0.05). First attempt success (34/42, 80.9% vs 29/44, 64.4%) was higher for INT than MCL but with no statistical significance.
Conclusions
We found a statistically significant difference in intubation attempt time when the INT laryngoscope was used. Intubation with INT higher first attempt success rates as compared to MCL with no statistical significance during CPR by paramedics.
A network Meta-analysis of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Authors: You Tianshu , Wu Siyu , Ou Xiaolan , Liu Ying , Wang Xu
Published: March 2023

Objective Rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that often leads to serious limitations in daily life. Herein, a network Meta-analysis using frequency theory was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of five rotator cuff repair techniques, including single-row repair, double-row repair, suture bridge repair, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and bone marrow stimulation, thus guiding clinical decision-making on rotator cuff repair. Methods PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing rotator cuff repair techniques published from inception to May 2022. Combined analysis and quality assessment were performed using software STATA15.1 and Review Manager5.3. Results A total of 51 articles were finally included, including 27 randomized controlled trials and 24 cohort studies. Results from the network Meta-analysis showed that: (1) In terms of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, platelet-rich plasma therapy, double-row repair, bone marrow stimulation, and single-row repair were significantly better than suture bridge repair. (2) In terms of Constant score, bone marrow stimulation was significantly better than double-row repair, single-row repair, and suture bridge repair. (3) In terms of visual analog scale score, platelet-rich plasma therapy was significantly better than double-row repair and suture bridge repair. (4) In terms of the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles score, platelet-rich plasma therapy and double-row repair were relatively better but not significantly different from the other treatments. (5) In terms of the risk of re-tear, the re-tear rate of platelet-rich plasma therapy and double-row repair was significantly lower than that of single-row repair and suture bridge repair. Conclusion Based on the results of network Meta-analysis and surface under the cumulative ranking, platelet-rich plasma therapy, bone marrow stimulation, and double-row repair have good overall rehabilitation effects. It is recommended to choose appropriate repair techniques as per the actual clinical situation.
The association between rs4994 polymorphism of the Beta3-Adrenergic Receptor with obesity in Vietnamese preschool-age children, independently of eating behaviors
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh , Do Thi Nhu Trang , Nguyen Thi Trung Thu , Le Thi Tuyet
Published: March 2023

Background: The Beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) gene codes for the β3 adrenergic receptor involved in control of energy balance by altering lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipocytes. A missense mutation in codon 64 of this gene caused the replacement Trp with Arg (Trp64Arg/rs4994). A cross-sectional study was performed with the joining of 708 non-obese children and 304 obese children in Hanoi. The objective of our study was to find out the association between rs4994 polymorphism of ADRB3 and obesity in Hanoi preschool-age children, considering their eating behaviors.
Results: The frequency of C allele in obese group was 16.4%, higher than that in the control group (11.7%, p = 0.003). After conducting univariate analysis, and multivariate analysis adjusted for eating behaviors, a significant association between rs4994 polymorphism and obesity was observed (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study indicated that ADRB3-rs4994 polymorphism can be considered as an independent risk factor for obesity in Vietnamese preschool children.
Barriers and facilitators to implementing Advanced HIV Disease screening at secondary referral hospital -Malawi: Asequential exploratory mixed method-study
Authors: Mithi Brany , Bula Agatha , Kapanda Lester , Ngwalangwa Fatsani , Sambala Evanson Z
Published: March 2023

Background
Malawi continues to register increased HIV/AIDs mortality despite increased expansion of ART services. One of the strategies for reducing AIDS related deaths outlined in the Malawi National HIV Strategic Plan (NSP) is scaling up screening for AHD in all antiretroviral therapy (ART) screening sites. This study investigated factors influencing the implementation of the advanced HIV disease (AHD) screening package at Rumphi District Hospital, Malawi.
Methods
We conducted a mixed method, sequential exploratory study from March, 2022 to July, 2022. The study was guided by a consolidated framework of implementation research (CFIR). Interviews were administered to key healthcare providers, purposively selected from various hospital departments. Transcripts were organized and coded using NVivo 12 software with thematically predefined CFIR constructs. Newly HIV-positive client records extracted from ART cards (July –Dec, 2021) were analyzed using STATA 14 which generated table of proportions, means and standard deviations.
Results
Out of 101 data records of the new ART clients reviewed, 60% {(n = 61) had no documented results for CD4 Cell count as a baseline screening test for AHD. Four major themes emerged as barriers: complexity of the intervention, poor work coordination, limited resources to support the expansion of point of care services for AHD, knowledge and information gap among providers. Technical support from MoH implementing partners and the availability of committed focal leaders coordinating HIV programs emerged as major facilitators of AHD screening package.
Conclusion
The study has identified major contextual barriers to AHD screening affecting work coordination and client linkage to care. Improving coverage of AHD screening services would therefore require overcoming the existing barriers such communication and information gaps.
Whole genome sequencing revealed a high level of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors in a multidrug-resistant Citrobacter freundii BAU_TM8 strain isolated from a domesticated duck in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Tarana , Islam Md. Saiful , Haider Najmul , Tonge Daniel , Hasan Badrul , Nuruzzaman Mohammad , Sadekuzzaman Mohammad , Kabir S. M. Lutful , Rahman Md. Tanvir , Khan Md. Shahidur Rahman
Published: March 2023

Citrobacter freundii is a prevalent source of nosocomial infections and a well-known cause of diarrheal diseases, and in recent years, it has also become increasingly resistant to a variety of antimicrobials. In this study, we screened and characterized a multidrug-resistant (MDR) C. freundii isolate obtained from a domesticated diseased duck to better understand the genetic variety, molecular epidemiology, and underlying factors linked to the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) of the isolate. The C. freundii BAU_TM8 strain was isolated using culturing, staining, biochemical, polymerase chain reaction, and Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight methods. The MDR properties of the strain were determined by a disk diffusion test. The complete genomic sequence of C. freundii BAU_TM8 was performed using the Illumina NextSeq2000 platform. The ARGs, VFGs, and genomic functional characteristics of the C. freundii BAU_TM8 strain were identified using several open-source databases. The sequence types of this strain was ST669, and the pathogenicity index of the strain was 0.919, indicating a highly virulent strain. Using phylogenetic analysis, this strain was closely related to two strains isolated from human and environmental samples in the USA and China, despite huge geographical distance. The C. freundii BAU_TM8 strain consisted of 40 AGRs encoding resistance to 19 antimicrobial categories, showing about 85% similarity with the phenotypic properties of the isolate. Moreover, the virulence factor database detected 66 VFGs in this strain. This strain contained 1581 subsystems, having 33% subsystem coverage and 2275 genes encoding amino acid derivatives, carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism, cofactors, vitamins, prosthetic groups, pigments, respiration, motility and chemotaxis, stress response, DNA metabolism, nucleosides and nucleotides, and others. The ubiquitous occurrence of ARGs and VFGs in the C. freundii BAU_TM8 strain detected in this study highlights the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance in humans, animals, and environments.
Low doses of lipopolysaccharide cause chronic inflammation in mice with chronic lung injury: specific roles for AMPK α2 knockout
Authors: Wan Binbin , Ning Yuyang , Zhang Yue , Yuan Yuting , Wu Ninghua , Liu Chao , Chen Qingjie
Published: March 2023

Background
Chronic inflammation leads to the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, cause a long-term vicious cycle of inflammation. It exacerbates tissue and cellular damage in the body, especially in the lungs. Long-term treatment of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can cause this systemic chronic inflammation. It was recently proposed that 5’-AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), as an energy sensor, which regulates metabolic pathways and the response to cell stress. AMPK consists of three subunits containing α, β and γ subunits. Rare reports have been made regarding the role of AMPK α2 as a catalytic subunit of AMPK in lung injury caused by LPS.
Methods
Experimental validation was performed using mouse lung sections. HE staining was used to detect pathological and microstructural changes. Western blot, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate protein expression.
Results
The structural alterations of the lung tissue in the AMPK α2 knockout group were noticeably better than those in the LPS group. IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α were all significantly lowered as well. Additionally, after AMPK α2 knockout, M-CSF, a marker of macrophage differentiation, was remarkable decreased. The relative levels of M2 type macrophage were significantly increased.
Conclusion
The results showed that AMPK α2 knockout reduces chronic inflammatory damage in the lung caused by LPS. This effect may be achieved by promoting macrophage differentiation into M2 type.
Prevalence of hyperuricemia, associated factors and its effect on risk of coronary artery disease among out-patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Uganda
Authors: Onchoke Verah Bella , Banturaki Amon , Onyanga Nixson , Nganda Ponsiano , Munyambalu Dalton Kambale , Lagoro Charles Abonga , Oling Grace Akumu , Muhumuza Joshua
Published: March 2023

Background: The burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) is on the rise in low-income countries and many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing an epidemic of diabetic complications. Patients who suffer from DM with hyperuricemia have a significantly increased risk of diabetic complications. There is paucity of data on the burden of hyperuricemia in Uganda. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of hyperuricemia, its associated factors, and its effect on the risk of coronary artery disease among out-patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Uganda.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital between May and August 2022 which recruited diabetic participants. A questionnaire was used to obtain patient data. Laboratory investigations were done including serum uric acid levels. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the data.
Results: Of the 210 participants, the majority were female (61.4 %) with a mean age of 55.34(12.36) years. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 38.57%. The factors that were independently associated with hyperuricemia were: the presence of systolic hypertension (p=0.047), use of furosemide (p=0.003), alcohol intake (p=0.014), impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (p<0.001) and abnormal total cholesterol (p<0.001). There was a significant positive moderately strong correlation between uric acid levels and the Framingham risk score (FRS) (p=<0.001).
Conclusion: Regular screening for uric acid levels in diabetic patients should be done to improve health outcomes through early diagnosis and treatment. Diabetic patients should also be educated on the effect of alcohol intake and advised on cessation.
Professional socialisation in the clinical training environment of anaesthetic technicians’: A qualitative study
Authors: Smith Mike , Hunter Inga
Published: March 2023

Background: Professional socialisation is important for developing professional identity among newly graduated health professionals. Benefits extend tojob satisfaction, work engagement, internal motivation, adjustment to professional roles, social acceptance, and a sense of belonging. The clinical environment plays an important role in determining positive or negative professional socialisation experiences. In New Zealand, the education programme for anaesthetic technicians (ATs) is transitioning from an apprenticeship model to a three-year Bachelor of Health Science. As both models include a significant element of clinical exposure, it is important that we understand what influences the professional socialisation experience. There is a lack of studies focused on professional socialisation with AT education. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of recent graduate ATs in the clinical environment to inform the ongoing development of the training programme.
Methods: This study used a qualitative, descriptive methodology. Five ATs were recruited in using purposive sampling in New Zealand during October 2020. All had graduated within the past 3 years. Semi-structured individual interviews explored participants’ interpretations of their professional socialisation experiences in the clinical environment. Data were analysed using standard qualitative analysis.
Results: Three main themes and eight subthemes emerged from the interviews: learning to behave (professionally and by following role models); learning to survive (in a hierarchical environment, with a derogatory view of being invisible, with a lost voice striving for acceptance and by conforming); and learning to thrive (with support from the professional ‘family’ and by learning about each other).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that ATs’ professional socialisation occurs in a challenging clinical context with competing professional identities and encompasses positive and negative learning experiences. In this environment, ATs’ student status may be perceived as weak and predispose them to conforming to survive. Academic and clinical education facilitators should be aware of the need to advocate for positive professional socialisation experiences. It is also important to enable an inter-professional identity to emerge to promote collaboration among future health professionals.
The effect of two different layer heights on the accuracy of 3-D Printed Orthodontic Models
Authors: Shendy Kareem , Fotouh Mona Abou El , Abbas Sharaf Eldeen , Sadat Shaimaa Abu El
Published: March 2023

Background: Additive manufacturing is widely used in the dental field. The accuracy of the printed object produced by additive manufacturer is considered questionable based on the printer’s type, resolution, and the layer height. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the 3D printed model by DLP technology at 50-µm and 100-µm layer height
Methodology: A desktop scanner, R700 desktop scanner (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used to scan an orthodontic typo-dent cast to acquire digital scans. A total number of (20) models were printed using a Digital Light Processing 3D printer and divided into two separate group. The 1st group (n=10) and the 2nd (n=10) groups were printed at 50-μm and 100-μm layer heights respectively. All printed models were digitally scanned. Assessment was performed using the GOM Inspect suite to register both the reference and 3D printed digital models to detect the deviation in both X, Y, and Z axes.
Results: In the molar area, 50-µm layer thickness showed statistically significant difference in the right side when compared with 100-µm while the left side showed no difference. In the premolar region, there was no statistically significant differences between both groups in the right side except for the z-axis. The canine area demonstrated that the 50-µm layer height was statistically significant lower in deviation than 100-µm group in all directions. There was a strong agreement between both observers that was statistically significant (ICC=0.965, 95%CI= (0.958:0.971), p<0.001).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study and the type and the parameters of the DLP printer used, the results of our research as a whole show that models printed at 50-μm display lower deviations in X, Y, and Z axes with a more consistent distortion pattern when compared to 100-μm models. Besides, the ideal thickness for high precision requirements is 50 µm, whereas, 100-μm could be used in printing diagnostic models.
Deformation evolves from shear to extensile in rocks due to energy optimization
Authors: McBeck Jessica , Cordonnier Benoît , Cooke Michele , Fattaruso Laura , Renard Francois
Published: March 2023

Determining how fracture network development leads to macroscopic failure in heterogeneous materials may help estimate the timing of failure in rocks in the upper crust as well as in engineered structures. The proportion of extensile and shear deformation produced by fracture development indicates the appropriate failure criteria to apply, and thus is a key constraint in such an effort. Here, we measure the volume proportion of extensile and shear fractures using the orientation of the fractures that develop in triaxial compression experiments in which fractures are identified using dynamic in situ synchrotron X-ray imaging. The fracture orientations transition from shear to extensile approaching macroscopic, system-size failure. Numerical models suggest that this transition occurs because the fracture networks evolve in order to optimize the total mechanical efficiency of the system. Our results provide a physical interpretation of the empirical internal friction coefficient in rocks.
Number of contiguous vertebral cross-links in the spine indicates bone formation: a cross- sectional study
Authors: Furukawa Mitsuru , Shibata Reo , Okuyama Kunimasa
Published: March 2023

Background: As an indicator to evaluate the risk of fracture in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, the maximum number of vertebral bodies’ bone cross-linked with contiguous adjacent vertebrae (max VB) was developed. This study retrospectively investigates the relationship between max VB, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone metabolic markers (BMM).
Methods: In this cross-sectional study (from April 2010 to January 2022), males (n = 114) with various max VB from the thoracic vertebra to the sacrum, measured using computed tomography scans, were selected to assess femur BMD and BMM. The association of max VB with the total type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), and bone turnover ratio (BTR = TRACP-5b/P1NP) as well as its relationship with femur BMD with P1NP and TRACP-5b, were investigated. Furthermore, the relationship between P1NP and TRACP-5b was investigated.
Results: P1NP increased in proportion to max VB and TRACP-5b increased in proportion to P1NP. Moreover, BTR was inversely proportional to max VB. Finally, femur BMD was inversely proportional to P1NP and TRACP-5b.
Conclusion: As max VB increased with P1NP—a potential osteogenesis indicator—and BTR was inversely proportional to max VB with compensatory TRACP-5b increase, max VB can be considered as a possible predictor of bone fusion.
General Ward Nurses Detection and Response to Clinical Deterioration in Three Hospitals at the Kenyan Coast: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Mbuthia Nickcy , Kagwanja Nancy , Ngari Moses , Boga Mwanamvua
Published: March 2023

Background
In low and middle-income countries like Kenya, critical care facilities are limited, which means acutely ill patients are managed in the general wards. Nurses in these wards are expected to detect and respond to patient deterioration to prevent cardiac arrest or death. This study examined nurses' vital signs documentation practices during clinical deterioration and explored factors influencing their ability to detect and respond to clinical deterioration.
Methods
This convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted in the general medical and surgical wards of three hospitals in Kenya's coastal region. Quantitative data on the extent to which the nurses monitored and documented the patients' vital signs 24 hours before a cardiac arrest (death) occurred was retrieved from patients' medical records. Additionally, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four purposefully drawn registered nurses working in the three hospitals' adult medical and surgical wards.
Results
This study reviewed 405 patient records and found that most of the documentation of the vital signs was done in the nursing notes and not the vital signs observation chart. During the 24 hours prior to death, respiratory rate was documented the least in only 1.2% of the records. Only a very small percentage of patients had any vital event documented for all six-time points. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified five broad themes related to detecting and responding promptly to deterioration. These were insufficient monitoring of vital signs, availability of equipment and supplies, staffing conditions and workload, lack of training and guidelines, and communication and teamwork constraints among healthcare workers.
Conclusion
The study showed that nurses did not consistently monitor and record vital signs in the general wards. The nurses worked in suboptimal ward environments characterised by inadequate and malfunctioning monitoring equipment, high workload due to staff shortages, communication and teamwork gaps, and little training on handling patient deterioration at the ward level; factors that negatively impact patient safety and outcomes. The findings provide an opportunity for future research to test interventions to improve nurses' assessment and management of clinical deterioration in general wards.
Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir plus Ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infected cirrhotic patients with or without HIV or HBV coinfection: Real-world experience from Southwest China
Authors: Yang Yongrui , Wu Ti , Lu Nihong , Huang Kang , Zhao Zhirong , Li Haiwen , Du Yingrong
Published: March 2023

Background: Evidence of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for refractory chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients was limited. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) plus Ribavirin (RBV) in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 (GT3) with or without HIV or HBV coinfection.
Methods: From June 2019 to December 2022, CHC GT3 patients who received SOF/VEL plus RBV (dosage of RBV depended on weight) for 12 weeks were enrolled. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed by clinical presentation . The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks off-therapy (SVR12). Adverse events (AE)were assessed during treatment.
Results:In total, 285 treatment-naive patients were recruited at the Kunming Third People’s Hospital. Mean age was 48.18±8.27 years-old and 74.04% (211/285) were male. All patients had GT3 HCV infection including 44 patients with GT3a and 241 patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3b (GT3b) . Among these patients, 39 with HCV/HIV,10 with HBV/HCV, and 1 with HBV/HCV/HIV coinfection. All patients had liver cirrhosis, and 46.67% (133/285) of patients had compensated cirrhosis (CC), while 53.33% (152/285) of patients had decompensated cirrhosis (DCC). 98.95% (282/285) patients achieved SVR12 with SOF/VEL plus RBV treatment for 12 weeks, including 97.72% (43/44) in GT3a and 99.17% (239/241) in GT3b. According to the condition for 285 patients with liver cirrhosis, the SVR12 rate in the CC group was : 99.25% (132/133), the SVR12 rate in the DCC group was: 98.68% (150/152). After 12 weeks of treatment, the APRI score and FIB-4 score in CC group and DCC group were improved, and the improvement in the compensated cirrhosis group was better than that in decompensated cirrhosis group (PAPRI=0.001, PFIB-4=0.001). Mean ALT (from 74±27.23U/L to 39.31±12.22U/L, p<0.05) and AST (from 73.98±25.54U/L to 44.17±15.56U/L, p<0.05) also significantly declined after treatment.1 patient had serious AE of hemolysis but recovered after 2-3 days of interruption of RBV. Most AEs were consistent with clinical sequelae of advanced liver disease or known toxicities of RBV.
Conclusion： SOF/VEL combined with RBV for cirrhotic GT3 hepatitis C patients all obtained high SVR12 (>95%), improved liver function during treatment, and for cirrhotic GT3 hepatitis C patients treatment with SOF/VEL combined with RBV is recommended as early as possible.
The large-scale expansion of rubber plantations in southern India: Major impacts and the changing nature of drivers
Authors: Vijayan Dhanya , Girindran Renoy , Sam Anu Susan , Sathyan Archana Raghavan , Kaechele Harald
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the major environmental and socio-economic impacts of an increase in the area of rubber plantations and the changing patterns of drivers of land use changes by combining geospatial technologies and socio-economic methods. Using a combination of geospatial techniques and socio-economic methods, we mainly analysed the rate of increase in area under rubber plantations, major impacts of land use changes and the changing drivers of land use changes. Our results shows that the area under rubber plantations has increased significantly within the study area, with the area under rubber plantations increasing from 30–74% of the total area within five decades. Impact assessment of land-use changes based on household surveys showed significant improvement in socio-economic conditions of the farmers however at the expense of severe environmental degradation. Our results also indicate that while areas under rubber plantations continue to increase, the drivers of land use changes have changed over time. Furthermore, it has been observed that in the past many interventions prioritized social and economic development and placed less emphasis on the ecological stability of the region. Perceptions of farmers revealed that the effects of ecological fragility already affected the economic robustness of the whole area. Therefore, we conclude that government interventions to support additional rubber cultivation should also focus on ecosystem stabilization in order to minimize the risk of an ecological catastrophe that would significantly affect the economic prosperity of the region.
Establishment and characterization of satellite muscle cells from olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus): Isolation, culture conditions, and myogenic protein expression
Authors: Krishnan Sathish , Ulagesan Selvakumari , Cadangin Josel , Lee Ji-Hye , Nam Taek-Jeong , Choi Youn-Hee
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Machine Learning in Molecular Communication and Applications for Health Monitoring Networks
Authors: Kumar Ashwini , K Sampath Kumar , Sharma Meenakshi , C Menaka , NAAZ ROHAILA , Vekriya Vipul
Published: March 2023

The world has been greatly affected by increased utilization of mobile methods as well as smart devices in field of health. Health professionals are increasingly utilizing these technologies' advantages, resulting in a significant improvement in clinical health care. For this purpose, machine learning (ML)as well as Internet of Things (IoT) can be utilized effectively. This study aims to propose a novel data analysis method for a health monitoring system based on machine learning. Goal of research is to create a ML based smart health monitoring method. It lets doctors keep an eye on patients from a distance as well as take periodic actions if they need to. Utilizing wearable sensors, a set of five parameters—the electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse rate, pressure, temperature, and position detection—have been identified. Kernelized component vector neural networks are used to choose the features in the input data. Then, a sparse attention-based convolutional neural network with a structural search algorithm was used to classify the selected features. For a variety of datasets, the proposed technique attained validation accuracy 95%, training accuracy 92%, RMSE 52%, F-measure 53%, sensitivity 77%.
Barrier composed of perforated resonators and boundary condition
Authors: Popov Igor , Trifanova Ekaterina , Bagmutov Alexander , Blinova Irina
Published: March 2023

We consider the Laplace operator with the Neumann boundary condition in a two-dimensional domain divided by a barrier composed of many small Helmholtz resonators coupled with the both parts of the domain through small windows of diameter 2a. The main terms of the asymptotic expansions in a of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are considered in the case when the number of the Helmholtz resonators tends to infinity. It is shown that such a homogenization procedure leads to some energy-dependent boundary condition in the limit. We use the method of matching the asymptotic expansions of the boundary value problem solutions.
FOXA1 phosphorylation by CDK4 prevents activation of novel chromatin regions and HER2 expression in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Shixiong , Palomeque Jose Angel , Santacana Gemma , Tena David , Galeotti Alice , Michou Ioanna , Kedra Darek , Sighn Sachin , Daviu Neus , Gutierrez-Fernández Javier , Portantier Marina , Aligue Rosa , Gavilà Joaquín , Brasó-Maristany Fara , Prat Aleix , Ezquerra Meritxell Bellet , Aviles Sandra Lopez , Hurtado Antoni
Published: March 2023

The use of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) induce transcription in breast tumors. The control mechanism of such genomic changes and their physiological relevance are not elucidated yet. Now, we identified chromatin activation of tumors treated with CDK4/6i. These chromatin changes induce an increase of HER2 expression and signaling. Mechanically, we demonstrate that CDK4/6 binds to FOXA1 and phosphorylates its chromatin binding domain. The loss of FOXA1 phosphorylation allows the binding of this pioneer factor to novel chromatin regions enriched with genes involved in Receptor Tyrosine Kinase signaling. Our study demonstrates that FOXA1 is a new substrate of CDK4 and that its phosphorylation limits the binding of FOXA1 to conventional chromatin regions. Moreover, when patients are treated with CDK4/6i, a dephosphorylated FOXA1 binds to additional chromatin regions. By doing so, FOXA1 leads to an increase of HER2 expression and of the activation of HER2-MEK-ERK pathway in breast cancer patients.
Construction and application of multipurpose metal-organic frameworks -based hydrogen sulfide probe
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Wang Xiaosong , Jiang Yuliang
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas derived from the sulfur industry and trace H2S in the environment can cause serious ecological damage while inhalation can cause serious damage and lead to disease. Therefore, the real-time and accurate detection of trace sulfur ions is of great significance for environmental protection and early disease detection. Considering the shortcoming of current H2S probes in terms of stability and sensitivity, the development of novel probes is necessary. Herein, a novel metal-organic frameworks （MOF）-based material, UiO-66-NH2@BDC, was designed and prepared for the visual detection of H2S with rapid response (<6 s) and low detection limit of S2- (0.13 μM) by hydrogen bonding. Based on its good optical performance, the UiO-66-NH2@BDC probe can detect S2- in various water environments. More importantly, UiO-66-NH2@BDC probe realize imaging S2- in cells and live zebrafish.
Animal feed as a lever to reduce methane emissions: a micro-econometric approach applied to French dairy farms
Authors: Letort Elodie , Dupraz Pierre
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study is to simulate a payment for environmental services scheme to reduce enteric methane emissions per litre of milk by incentivizing farmers to modify the diet of dairy cows. We estimated a milk yield function by distinguishing between types of fodder and concentrate feeds. Methane emissions were calculated from the technical relationship between different feed sources and milk productivity. The heterogeneity of the production conditions faced by the farmers was identified from a mixture model estimated by the EM algorithm. The results show that, with the introduction of the payment for environmental services, farmers reduce their methane emissions per litre of milk the more their production conditions, as reflected by the quality of their forage, are good.
Code JEL:Q12, Q58, C63
Hemodynamic evaluation of Norwood arch geometry compared to native arch controls
Authors: Blanch-Granada Aloma , LaDisa John F. , Samyn Margaret M. , Cava Joseph R. , Handler Stephanie S. , Gerardin Jennifer F , Goot Benjamin , Maadooliat Mehdi , Hraška Viktor
Published: March 2023

Background: The Norwood procedure creates a reconstructed neo-aorta to provide unobstructed systemic cardiac output (CO) for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) patients. We used patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations incorporating physiologic boundary conditions to quantify hemodynamics for reconstructed aortic arch geometries versus native aortic arches from a control group of single ventricle patients. We hypothesized that reconstructed arches from Norwood patients (n=5) would experience significant differences in time-averaged wall shear stress normalized to body surface area (TAWSSnBSA), oscillatory shear index (OSI), energy efficiency (Eeff), and energy loss (EL) versus controls (n=3).
Methods: CFD simulations were conducted using 3T cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), blood flow and pressure data. Simulations incorporated downstream vascular resistance and compliance to replicate patient physiology. TAWSSnBSA and OSI were quantified longitudinally and circumferentially. Global differences in Eeff and EL were compared. Significance was assessed by Mann–Whitney U test.
Results: Norwood patients had higher TAWSSnBSA distal to the transverse arch (TA) at locations of residual narrowing presenting following coarctation correction, as well as higher OSI within ascending aorta (AAo) and TA regions (p<0.05). EL correlated with patient features including cardiac output (r=0.9) and BT-shunt resistance (r=-0.63) but did not correlate with arch measurements or morphology.
Conclusions: These results indicate reconstructed arches from Norwood patients are exposed to altered WSS and energy indices linked to cellular proliferation and inefficiency in prior studies. These results may help clinicians further understand what constitutes an optimally reconstructed arch after confirmation in larger studies.
Improving effectiveness using nimotuzumab (NTZ) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on the 18F-FDG PET/CT maximum standardized uptake value
Authors: Fu Xiaobin , Li Tingting , Fei Zhaodong , Chen Chuanben
Published: March 2023

Background: This study was aimed towards improving the efficacy of nimotuzumab (NTZ) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18-FDG PET) as a predictive and prognostic indicator.
Method: 248 patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) who met the inclusion criteria of our study were subjected to PET/CT scan in our hospital prior to chemoradiotherapy from January 2012 to June 2019. Survival differences and independent factors between groups were assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Outcome measures included analysis of the cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).
Result: The optimal cutoff value for the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was 12.92 while the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) for the SUVmax was 0.596. The prognostic significance for overall survival (OS) with NTZ treatment (P=0.023) and SUVmax (P=0.014) was indicated by multivariate analysis. Exploratory subgroup survival analysis revealed that NPC patients with SUVmax >12.92 treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) plus NTZ had a significantly improved 3-year OS than those treated with CCRT alone (96.2% vs. 73.2%, P=0.047). However, in those with SUVmax ≤12.92 treated with CCRT plus NTZ there was no statistically significant difference from those treated with only CCRT (97.6% vs.94.3%, P=0.129). The treatment cost with nimotuzumab was $6317.61, this additional cost being only $274.68 extra for every 1% increase in the OS rate, as indicated by the cost-effectiveness analysis.
Conclusion: In LA-NPC patients with SUVmax >12.92, adding NTZ to CCRT improves overall survival and is cost-effective. However, the addition of NTZ was not effective for patients with SUVmax ≤12.92.
Cannulated screws vs. dynamic hip screw vs. hemiarthroplasty vs. total hip arthroplasty in patients with displaced and non-displaced femoral neck fractures: a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis of 5,703 patients
Authors: Ramadanov Nikolai , Jozwiak Katarzyna , Hauptmann Michael , Lazaru Philip , Marinova-Kichikova Polina , Dimitrov Dobromir , Becker Roland
Published: March 2023

Background: To identify the best operative procedure in human participants with a displaced or non-displaced femoral neck fracture comparing cannulated screw (CS) fixation, dynamic hip screw (DHS) fixation, hemiarthroplasty (HA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of surgical and functional outcomes, reoperation and postoperative complications.
Methods: We searched the following databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi RCTs until July 31st, 2022: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Clinical trials, CINAHL, and Embase. A pairwise and network meta-analysis was performed to simultaneously assess the comparative effects of the four operative procedures, using fixed-effects and random-effects models estimated with frequentist approach and consistency assumption. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for continuous variables and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were estimated for binary variables.
Results: A total of 33 RCTs, involving 5,703 patients (92% with a displaced and 8% with a non-displaced femoral neck fracture), were included in our network meta-analysis. Of them, 913 (16%) patients were operated with CS fixation, 372 (6.5%) with DHS fixation, 2,606 (46%) with HA in, and 1,812 (31.5%) with THA. CS fixation was best in operation time (CS: MD=-57.70, 95% CI -72.78;-42.62; DHS: MD=-53.56, 95% CI -76.17;-30.95; HA: MD=-20.90, 95% CI -30.65;-11.15; THA: MD=1.00 Reference) and intraoperative blood loss (CS: MD=-3.67, 95% CI -4.44;-2.90; DHS: MD=-3.20, 95% CI -4.97;-1.43; HA: MD=-1.20, 95% CI -1.73;-0.67; THA: MD=1.00 Reference). In life quality and functional outcome, measured at different time points with EQ-5D and the Harris Hip Score (HHS), THA ranked first and HA second (e.g. EQ-5D 2 years postoperatively: CS: MD=-0.20, 95% CI -0.29; -0.11; HA: MD=-0.09, 95% CI -0.17; -0.02; THA: MD=1.00 Reference; HHS 2 years postoperatively: CS: MD=-5.50, 95% CI -9.98; -1.03; DHS: MD=-8.93, 95% CI -15.08; -2.78; HA: MD=-3.65, 95% CI -6.74; -0.57; THA: MD=1.00 Reference). CS fixation had the highest reoperation risk, followed by DHS fixation, HA, and THA (CS: OR=9.98, 95% CI 4.60; 21.63; DHS: OR=5.07, 95% CI 2.15; 11.96; HA: OR=1.60, 95% CI 0.89; 2.89; THA: OR=1.00 Reference). Distinguishing between displaced and non-displaced fractures showed no relevant differences in our network meta-analysis.
Conclusion: In our patient cohort with displaced and non-displaced femoral neck fractures, HHS, EQ-5D, and reoperation risk showed an advantage of THA and HA compared to CS and DHS fixation. Based on these findings, we recommend giving preference to hip arthroplasty, and considering internal fixation of femoral neck fractures only in individual cases.
Automatic Characterization of Drug/Amino Acid Interactions by Energy Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Ruano Lorena , Mandado Marcos , Nogueira Juan J.
Published: March 2023

The computational study of drug/protein interactions is fundamental to understand the mode of action of drugs and design new ones. In this study, we have developed a python code aimed at characterizing the nature of drug/amino acids interactions in an accurate and automatic way. Specifically, the code is interfaced with different software packages to compute the interaction energy quantum mechanically, and obtain its different contributions, namely, Pauli repulsion, electrostatic and polarisation terms, by an energy decomposition analysis based on one-electron and two-electron deformation densities. The code was tested by investigating the nature of the interaction between the glycine amino acid and 250 drugs. An energy-structure relationship analysis reveals that the strength of the electrostatic and polarisation contributions is related with the presence of small and large size heteroatoms, respectively, in the structure of the drug.