bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes of a Medically-Tailored Meal and Medical Nutrition Therapy Pilot for Food-Insecure Patients with Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Belak Lauren , Owens Caroline , Smith Margaret , Calloway Eric , Samnadda Laura , Egwuogu Heartley , Schmidt Stacie
Published: May 2022

Background: To evaluate the impact of home-delivered, medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy among food-insecure patients following hospitalization for congestive heart failure by comparing clinical outcomes to a retrospectively matched cohort. Methods: Patients at high risk for readmission and food insecurity received up to three months of medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy after discharge. Pre-intervention and post-intervention weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and dietary intake were assessed. A combination of difference-in-difference and logistic regression models were used to compare changes between cohorts and evaluate impact attributable to the program.Results: Thirty-nine program participants were compared to a matched cohort of 117 unexposed patients. Participants experienced a marginal reduction in body mass index and an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure; however, these results were not statistically significant. To determine relevance to clinical cut-offs, logistic regressions were used, demonstrating that exposure to the intervention resulted in higher odds of a categorical reduction in blood pressure (OR: 1.85), though this did not reach statistical significance (95% CI: 0.67-5.32). Pre vs. post trends indicated that more-healthful foods and drinks increased numerically or remained similar to baseline, while less-healthful foods decreased numerically or remained similar to baseline.Conclusions and Implications: These findings highlight the need for more longitudinal research on medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy interventions using clinical outcomes while setting realistic suggestions for program implementation. This study additionally illustrates the promise of integrating electronic medical record data and matched cohorts into medical nutrition program evaluation within the health sector.
The amount of circulating DNA and the presence of TP53 mutations in plasma predict clinical outcome of renal cancer patients treated with immunotherapy and VEGFR-TKIs
Authors: Re Marzia Del , Crucitta Stefania , Paolieri Federico , Cucchiara Federico , Verzoni Elena , Bloise Francesco , Ciampi Raffaele , Mercinelli Chiara , Capuano Annalisa , Sportiello Liberata , Procopio Giuseppe , Galli Luca , Porta Camillo , Bracarda Sergio , Danesi Romano
Published: May 2022

Background Despite the increasing treatments options, reliable biomarkers of response are still missing for patients affected by metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Methods Patients affected by mRCC undergoing standard first line treatment were enrolled. Twelve ml of blood were drawn at treatment baseline and circulating free DNA (cfDNA) was extracted from plasma. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analyses were performed on cfDNA using the Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay and clinical outcomes were correlated with liquid biopsy. Results A total of 48 patients were enrolled, 12 received immunotherapy and 36 received a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A cfDNA cut-off of 0.883 ng/µl stratified patients based on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). cfDNA amount was also correlated with best response (p=0.006). A further cfDNA cut-point divided patients into short, intermediate and long responders, with a PFS of 4.87 vs 9.13 vs 23.1 months, respectively (p<0.001). PFS resulted to be shorter in carriers of mutant TP53 compared to not carriers with a p=0.04. Patients with high cfDNA levels and TP53 mutant have the worst PFS, and patients with low cfDNA and no mutations in TP53 have the longer PFS (p=0.004). Conclusions The present study demonstrates that cfDNA and TP53 may be used as predictive biomarkers of response in mRCC.
Challenges, strategies, and opportunities for wind farm incorporated power systems: a review with bibliographic coupling analysis
Authors: Evangeline Sundarapandi Edward Ida , Rathika Ponpandi
Published: May 2022

The development of wind power is progressing at a rapid pace. On a global scale, it is one of the most quickly expanding sources of power. Many countries rely on wind energy for a considerable portion of their energy needs. Its technology is constantly evolving. The security of supply and sustainability goals are achieved by increasing the installation of wind power capacity and utilization of wind resources. Because of this, the incorporation of wind power into the electrical grid is becoming a topic of research. Four significant topics within the theme of wind farm incorporated power systems are assessed. Their technical challenges and solutions are outlined in this paper. The topics include the effect of the energy storage system, optimization of wind farm layout, wind power forecasting, and impact on optimal power flow. Furthermore, a bibliographic coupling analysis is presented. It shows the interactions between journals and the natural impact of the journals. It also indicates the productivity of scientific journals, citations, dissemination, and diversification of influence.
Epstein-Barr virus-associated acute pancreatitis: a clinical report and review of literature
Authors: Accomando Salvatore , Restivo Giulia Angela , Scalzo Simona , Guardino Melania , Corsello Giovanni , Giuffrè Mario
Published: May 2022

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a disorder of reversible inflammation of the pancreas. Only few cases are related to infections and the most common pathogens are the viruses responsible for mumps, parotitis, and influenza. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated acute pancreatitis is a rare condition, both in children and adults.Case presentation: A 3-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for vomiting and abdominal pain. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated amylase and lipase, with normal liver function tests. Abdomen ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged pancreas, with hypoechogenic areas; no biliary lithiasis was observed. Infectious disease serology was positive for the presence of EBV VCA IgM and IgG. A diagnosis of EBV-associated acute pancreatitis was made. The patient was treated conservatively and she recovered. Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis is rarely associated with EBV infection; a review of the English literature revealed only 10 pediatric and 6 adult cases. Patients with pancreatitis should always be evaluated for EBV serology, even in the absence of the typical clinical and hematological features of infectious mononucleosis. For these patients, good prognosis is generally expected.
Prevalence of and factors associated with unmanageable pain levels in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Costa Daniela , Cruz Eduardo B , Lopes David G , Silva Catarina Nunes da , Henriques Ana Rita , Luis Diogo , Branco Jaime , Canhão Helena , Rodrigues Ana M
Published: May 2022

Background
Pain due to knee or hip osteoarthritis (HKOA) is the most common symptom for seeking health care given its interference on daily activities, social and occupational participation. The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of unmanageable pain levels (UPL) among people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (HKOA), characterize this population and identify factors associated with UPL, and compare therapeutic strategies used by people with UPL versus manageable pain levels (MPL).
Methods
We analyzed a representative sample of 1081 participants with a validated diagnosis of HKOA, from the population-based study EpiReumaPt. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related data were collected in a structured interview. Pain intensity (NPRS) data were collected in a medical appointment. UPL was defined as a mean pain intensity in the previous week of ≥ 5 points on 11-point numeric pain rating scale. Intake of regular medication for pain relief (last month), physiotherapy and surgery were considered as therapies for pain management. The factors associated with UPL were analyzed with logistic regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI). To assess the effects of unmanageable pain levels in the HOOS/KOOS activities of daily living and quality of life subscales and in the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms, linear and logistic regression were used. All analysis were weighted.
Results
The estimated prevalence of UPL among people with HKOA was 68.8%. UPL was associated with being female (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, p < 0.01), being overweight (OR = 1.84, p = 0.035) or obese (OR = 2.26, p = 0.006), and having multimorbidity (OR = 2.08, p = 0.002). People with UPL reported worse performance in activities of daily living and lower quality of life (β=-21.28, p < 0.001 and β=–21.19, p < 0.001, respectively) than people with MPL. People with UPL consumed more NSAIDs (22.0%, p = 0.003), opioids (4.8%, p = 0.008), paracetamol (2.7%, p = 0.033), and overall analgesics (7.3%, p = 0.013) than people with MPL. A higher proportion of people with UPL underwent physiotherapy (17.5%, p = 0.002) than people with MPL.
Conclusion
These results indicate that most people with HKOA have poor control of pain, highlighting the need for further research and implementation of effective interventions.
Long noncoding RNA LINC01132 enhances immunosuppression and therapy resistance via NRF1/DPP4 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jiwei , Pan Tao , Zhou Weiwei , Zhang Ya , Xu Gang , Xu Qi , Li Si , Gao Yueying , Wang Zhengtao , Xu Juan , Li Yongsheng
Published: May 2022

Background
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of gene expression and play fundamental roles in various types of cancer. Current developments in transcriptome analyses unveiled the existence of lncRNAs; however, their functional characterization remains a challenge.
Methods
A bioinformatics screen was performed by integration of multiple omics data in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prioritizing a novel oncogenic lncRNA, LINC01132. Expression of LINC01132 in HCC and control tissues was validated by qRT-PCR. Cell viability and migration activity was examined by MTT and transwell assays. Finally, our results were confirmed in vivo mouse model and ex vivo patient derived tumor xenograft experiments to determine the mechanism of action and explore LINC01132-targeted immunotherapy.
Results
Systematic investigation of lncRNAs genome-wide expression patterns revealed LINC01132 as an oncogene in HCC. LINC01132 is significantly overexpressed in tumor and associated with poor overall survival of HCC patients, which is mainly driven by copy number amplification. Functionally, LINC01132 overexpression promoted cell growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01132 acts as an oncogenic driver by physically interacting with NRF and enhancing the expression of DPP4. Notably, LINC01132 silencing triggers CD8 + T cells infiltration, and LINC01132 knockdown combined with anti-PDL1 treatment improves antitumor immunity, which may prove a new combination therapy in HCC.
Conclusions
LINC01132 functions as an oncogenic driver that induces HCC development via the NRF1/DPP4 axis. Silencing LINC01132 may enhance the efficacy of anti-PDL1 immunotherapy in HCC patients.
Investigation of the effect of silver nanoparticles alone and their combination with clarithromycin on H. pylori isolates
Authors: Mansouri Fateme , Saffari Mahmood , Moniri Rezvan , Sedaghat Hossein , Moosavi Gholam Abbas , Molaghanbari Mohamadreza , Razavizade Mohsen
Published: May 2022

Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial pathogen responsible for gastrointestinal diseases worldwide. Clarithromycin has been considered the best tolerable and safe antibiotic in treating H. pylori infection, but increased levels of clarithromycin resistance have reduced the effectiveness of the recommended treatment regimens. So alternative treatment approaches such as nanotechnology have been considered recently. This study aimed to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) alone and their combination with clarithromycin on H. pylori isolates. Gastric biopsy specimens were collected from 163 patients with different gastrointestinal signs referred to the endoscopy ward of Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran. H. Pylori strains were isolated from 40 patients out of 163 (24.5%). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clarithromycin on H. pylori isolates was determined by the Epsilometer test. The effect of the combination of Ag-NP with clarithromycin on the growth inhibition of clarithromycin-sensitive and resistant H. pylori isolates was determined by the checkerboard titration method. The clarithromycin resistance rate to H. pylori was 42.5%. The MIC of Ag-NP in clarithromycin-sensitive was 31.25-125 µg/ml and resistant H. pylori isolates ranged from 62.5-250 µg/ml. Due to the combination of Ag-NP with clarithromycin, 70.58% of clarithromycin-resistant isolates and 78.26% of clarithromycin-sensitive isolates showed a synergistic effect. A significant difference was observed in comparing the MIC of clarithromycin in combination with Ag-NP and clarithromycin or Ag-NP alone. The MIC clarithromycin was decreased in the presence of Ag-NP against clarithromycin sensitive, and resistant H. Pylori isolates.
The Effect of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction During Covid-19 Pandamic: Evidence From Hotels in Debre Markos Town
Authors: Birara mulugeta Belayneh , Gebrie Tadesse Asmare , Asresie Gessesse Gizachew
Published: May 2022

The main aim of this study was to identify the effect of service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction during Covid-19: evidence from selected hotels of Debre Markos town. In this study, the customer’s perceptions level of the service quality dimensions and customers’ satisfaction in the selected hotels were determined. To achieve the objectives of this study, the data were collected from 305 sample respondents using self- administered standardized questionnaire from five purposively selected hotels in Debre Markos town. The data was collected using convenience sampling method that was available to the researchers by virtue of its accessibility. In this study, both descriptive and explanatory research design were used. The result of this study indicates that the five service quality dimensions (tangibility, assurance, responsiveness, core hotel benefits and corporate image) have positive and significant relationship with customer satisfaction except empathy and reliability. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that hotels should hire self-motivated, enthusiastic employees who are capable of handling customers and solve complaints in an effective manner, provide continuous training to the employees on ways of rendering service in hotels, give due attention for their employees by providing the required uniforms, develop their core competencies and prepare service quality standard plans, and full fill covid-19 protocols.
A Binary Biclustering Algorithm based on the Adjacency Difference Matrix for Gene Expression Data Analysis
Authors: Chu HeMing , Kong Xiangzhen , Liu Jinxing , Wang Juan , Zheng Chunhou , Zhang Ke
Published: May 2022

Biclustering algorithms are very effective tools for processing gene expression datasets. Biclustering methods can be divided into two main categories, which are binary biclustering and non-binary biclustering. A binary matrix is usually converted from pre-processed gene expression data, which can effectively reduce the interference from noise and abnormal data, and is then processed using a binary biclustering algorithm. In this paper, we propose a new binary biclustering algorithm to deal with binary matrices, called the Adjacency Difference Matrix Binary Biclustering algorithm (AMBB) to address the drawback that most binary biclustering algorithms could not efficiently handle large gene expression data. AMBB constructs the adjacency matrix based on the adjacency difference values, and the output clusters are submatrices obtained by continuously updating the adjacency matrix that is constructed from the adjacency differences matrix. The adjacency matrix allows for clustering of genes that undergo similar reactions under different conditions into clusters, which is important for subsequent genes analysis. Meanwhile, experiments on synthetic and real datasets visually demonstrate that the AMBB algorithm has high practicability.
Addition P. massoniana fallen wood improved the growth of Plagiomnium acutum in a substrate cultivation
Authors: Shi Bingyang , Wang Xiurong , Yang Shuoyuan , Chen Hongmei , Zhao Yang
Published: May 2022

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pinus massoniana fallen wood as a soilless culture substrate on the growth and physiology of the ornamental bryophyte - Plagiomnium acutum. The results showed that V Ⅲ decomposition grade Pinus massoniana fallen log: V grass charcoal soil =1:1 (SW8) substrate had the highest overall evaluation index, which meant the growth condition of P. acutum in SW8 was the best. The total porosity, water-holding pore space, and water-holding capacity of the mixed substrate containing fallen wood of P.massoniana were significantly higher than those of other cultivated substrates. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the average cover of the P. acutum was significantly and positively correlated with the substrate's total porosity and water-holding porosity. The average length was significantly and negatively correlated with the total potassium content of the substrate. Chlorophyll content was highly significantly and positively correlated with the water holding capacity and total nitrogen content of the substrate and highly significantly and negatively correlated with the total potassium content of the substrate. The soluble protein content was highly significantly and positively correlated with the total phosphorus content of the substrate. In summary, SW8 treatment could be used as the best substrate for cultivating P. acutum. The addition of P. massoniana fallen wood to the soil substrate increased the total porosity, water-holding pore space, and water-holding capacity of the substrate, which was conducive to the growth of P. acutum and the increase of chlorophyll content.
The mechanism of mitochondrial autophagy regulating CME in epilepsy
Authors: Zhou Xuejiao , Xu Jingqing , Yang Juan , Zhang Haiqing , Wang Jing , Luo Zhong , Tai Zhenzhen , Yu Changyin , Xu Zucai
Published: May 2022

Mitophagy is a process of removing damaged mitochondria, transferring damaged mitochondria to lysosomes for degradation, thereby regulating the quality of mitochondria and maintaining the stability of the intracellular environment. CME(Clathrin-mediated-endocytosis)plays an important role in the endocytosis and recovery of vesicles. It is also the main way for large parts of substances to enter cells, and it is widely involved in the signal transduction of various physiological activities of cells. Therefore, this study used pentylenetetrazol to ignite the abnormal mitochondrial autophagy in the chronic epilepsy model and the epilepsy model without magnesium-induced neurons. Subsequently, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was used to further observe that the inhibition of autophagy caused a decrease in the fluorescence uptake of Tf-A488 in the primary cultured neurons and the hippocampus of experimental mice, and the inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy could inhibit the function of CME. Finally, through PTZ epilepsy model and kainic acid model, we observed the effect of 3-MA on epilepsy behavior and its in-body field potential, and finally clarify the possible mechanism of mitochondrial autophagy regulating CME and participating in epilepsy.
Therapeutic Material Basis and underling mechanisms of ShaoYao Decoction-exerted alleviation effects of colitis based on GPX4-regulated ferroptosis in epithelial cells
Authors: Li Juan , Tian Xiangge , Liu Jinming , Mo Yuying , Guo Xiaoyi , Qiu Yang , Liu Yuejian , Ma Xiaochi , Wang Yan , Xiong Yongjian
Published: May 2022

Background
Shaoyao Decoction (SYD) is a canonical herbal medicine prescription formulated by Liu Wan-Su in AD 1186. SYD has been widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease by clearing heat and damp, removing stasis toxin in the intestine; however, the precise mechanisms and therapeutic material basis remain largely unclear. In the present study, we measured the effects of SYD on colitis symptom, epithelial barrier function, epithelial ferroptosis, colonic protein and mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in colitis model, and determined whether SYD restored barrier loss in colitis by modulation of GPX4-regulated ferroptosis pathway.
Methods
Colitis was established by infusion with 1 mL 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in ethanol (40% v/v) in rats at a 125 mg/kg dose. Ferroptosis in epithelial cells was determined by flow cytometer. GPX4 promoter-firefly luciferase fusion construct was transfected to Caco-2 cell to determine GPX4 transcription. MS analysis was used to identified ingredients in SYD.
Results
Different doses of SYD significantly alleviated colitis, decreased ferroptosis in epithelial cells, knockout of GPX4 significantly reversed SYD-induced alleviation effects on colitis, restoration of epithelial barrier function, and epithelial ferroptosis. Wogonoside, wogonin, palmatine, paeoniflorin and liquiritin were identified as active ingredients of SYD-exerted alleviation effects of colitis based on GPX4 agonistic transcription.
Conclusion
SYD alleviated chemically induced colitis by activation of GPX4, inhibition of ferroptosis in epithelial cells and further restoration of barrier function. Wogonoside, wogonin, palmatine, paeoniflorin and liquiritin were identified as the key therapeutic material basis of SYD-exerted anti-colitis effects. The findings provide a scientific basis for the therapeutic effect of SYD on colitis.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects in Jordan
Authors: Ayasrah Samer , Obeidat Mutawakil , Alnasraween Mo'en salman , Katatbeh Qutaibeh
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to disclose the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects. The study sample consisted of 61 creative entrepreneurs enrolled in business incubators and centers. Results revealed that the impact of COVID-19 on the incubated creative and entrepreneurship projects was high. In the factor analysis, three factors were extracted that explained the impacts of the COVID-19 on the incubated entrepreneurial projects: "Pandemic impact factor", "Incubator readiness factor", and "Entrepreneur readiness factor". Moreover, the results of the study indicated that the most severe impacts of the pandemic were in the period 17 March 2020 to 17-9-2020.
Well-posedness of a initial-boundary value problem of a system coupled by KdV equations
Authors: Lu Haiyan , Zhao Xiangqing
Published: May 2022

See Manuscript PDF file for complete AbstractIn this paper, we concern the initial-boundary value problem of a system coupled by KdV equations, posed on the half line: u_t+u_xx+6 uu_x = 2 vvx， x > 0，t > 0， v_t + v_xxx + 3uv_x = 0， x > 0，t > 0， u(x，0) = u_0(x)，v(x，0) = v_0(x)， x > 0， u(0，t) = f (t)，v(0，t) = g(t)， t > 0. Then we prove the well-posedness in the low regularity via using an analyticfamily of boundary forcing operators.Mathematics Subject Classification: 35E15, 35Q53.
Food Advertisement Influences Food Decision Making and not Nutritional Status: A Study among Students of the University for Development Studies, Tamale Campus
Authors: Kalog Gabriel Libienuo Sowley , Kasim Faiza , Anyebuno Bernice , Tei Sandra N. , Kubuga Clement Kubreziga , Mogre Victor , Aryee Paul Armah
Published: May 2022

Background
Consumers are exposed to wide range of advertisement through different channels daily, which turns to have an influence on their food decision making.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the influence of different forms of food advertisements on students’ food choices and nutritional status. A self-reported semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses from 367 students. Body Mass index (BMI) was derived from weight and height measured according to standard procedures. Data was analysed and presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was used to determine association between categorical variables (socio-demographic characteristics, food choices and nutritional status).
Results
The students reported use of internet (58.9%) as the main source of food advertisement on campus, followed by television (21.0%). A large number of students (74.9%) were affirmative about food advertisements influencing their food decision making. Those with poor nutritional status (underweight, overweight and obese) were more likely to patronize sugar sweetened beverages (10.1%) as compared to fruits and vegetables (1.4%). There was statistical significance (p = 0.003) for type of food patronized due to advertisement and the source of advertisement. However, there was no statistical significance (p = 0.832) for type of food patronized due to advertisement and BMI of students.
Conclusion
Owing to the increased patronage of internet and television as channels of food advertisements by students, policy makers should prioritize the designing and implementation of intervention programmes through these channels that would influence healthy food decision making and promote consumption of nutrient rich foods. As this population has high self-reported advertisements’ influence on food choices, it is vital to investigate further the influence of contextual cues such as environment and advertisement on their eating habits and dietary patterns.
Identification of a Novel Prognostic Model for Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Autophagy-related Genes
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Yang Wanchun
Published: May 2022

Background. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Experimental evidence indicates that autophagy-related genes (ARGs) are associated with the initiation and progression of HNSCC. However, it's not well defined whether ARGs have the predictive ability of prognostic significance in patients with HNSCC. In this study, we aimed to identify critical ARGs associated with the prognosis of HNSCC, and establish a prognostic signature for the risk assessment. Methods. Differential expression and functional enrichment analysis were conducted to analyze the datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Human Autophagy Database (HADb) with R software. The prognosis-related ARGs were screened by univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analysis. The multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to identify the prognosis-related ARGs signature of HNSCC. Results. We established the prognostic signatures based on 9 ARGs by multivariate Cox regression analysis for the overall survival (OS) analysis. The following risk scoring was based on this 9-gene prognostic signature. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that high-risk score group had worse survival than low-risk score group. ROC curves revealed that the risk signature was a predictive indicator in the outcomes of patients with HNSCC. Moreover, nomogram in the prognosis of HNSCC patients confirmed the findings that the predicted probabilities and OS rates at 1-, 3- and 5- years were relatively consistent. Conclusion. In this study, we identified a novel ARG-based prediction signature, which could predict the prognosis of patients with HNSCC.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes alleviate neuronal damage in a rat model of Parkinson's disease by inhibiting microglia-mediated pyroptosis
Authors: Zhang Zhong-Xia , Zhao Wei , Gu Ping , Zhou Yong-Jie , Wu Ruo-Yu , Zhou Lu-Yang , Cui Qing-Zhuo , Chen Hong-Xu , Zhang Lin-Qi , Zhang Ke , Xu Hong-Jun , Chai Xi-Qing , An Sheng-Jun , Sun Shao-Kang
Published: May 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by dyskinesia and related to microglia-mediated pyroptosis. Stem cell-derived exosomes have small size, low immunogenicity, and the ability of transferring the effective substances of stem cells freely. In this study, exosomes were isolated from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) and injected into PD rats induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We found that the exosomes were absorbed by dopaminergic neurons and microglia in the affected side and exosome treatment inhibited microglia activation and prevented nigral-striatal dopamine neuron damage. Furthermore, pretreatment cultured BV2 cells with exosomes inhibited TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome induced by LPS/ATP. Therefore, exosomes inhibited pyroptosis and reduced the secretion of supernatant IL-1β and IL-18, improved the survival rate of SH-SY5Y. In addition, the potential targets of hucMSCs- exosomes treatment of PD was further identified by miRNA high throughput sequencing and protein spectrum sequencing.
Comparative Study of errors determination of Machine Tools
Authors: Elmelegy Ahmed , Zahwi Sarwat
Published: May 2022

The increasing of product market demands leads to contionous improvement of computerized numerical control (CNC) machine tools. This improvement requires real understanding of machines productivity, accuracy and operating parameters i.e. speed, flexibility and machine errors. The accuracy of machine tools can be increased by innovative designs, control, operating softwares and determination of machine errors. Such machine errors can be accurately identified through measurements. Machine tools include production and manufacturing machines i.e. turning, lathe, drilling and milling machines whatever computerized numerical control type or manuall type. Such machine types have different errors sources i.e. angular errors, horizontal and vertical straightness errors, paralleism errors and squarness errors are clear examples of these sources. In this paper, a comparative study for the determination of Machine Tools errors is investigated. Two main instruments of laser interferometer system and autocollimator system are used. The geometric errors are identified, measured and analyzed.
Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope imaging and electron beam-induced current measurements in GaAs Nanowire p-i-n Diodes
Authors: Oviedo Juan Pablo , Barrigon Enrique , Sellers Ryan , Borgström Magnus T. , Klie Robert F.
Published: May 2022

Measuring the current induced by the electron beam in an electron microscope is an approach that is used to map the generation and collection of charge carriers in the presence of an internal electric field in semiconductor devices. Here, we demonstrate that EBIC measurements can be conducted simultaneously with atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark field imaging in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy using a GaAs p-i-n nanowire diode. We explore the effects of the significantly smaller profile of the 200 kV electron probe within the sample compared to the SEM configuration. We further demonstrate that the effects of electron beam induced point defects and surface passivation layers can be directly determined using the STEM-EBIC approach.
An exploratory study on the detection rate of circulating tumor cells and the prediction of efficacy of neoadjuvant therapyand prognosis in patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer
Authors: Zhou Jinmei , Wu Jiangling , Hao Xiaopeng , Li Ping , Zhang Huiqiang , Wu Xuexue , Chen Jiaxin , Liu Jiawei , Xiao Jinyi , Zhang Shaohua , Jiang Zefei , Yang Yanlian , Hu Zhiyuan , Wang Tao
Published: May 2022

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is a standard treatment for patients with large, nonmetastatic breast cancer and may allow breast-conserving surgery after tumor downsizing while decreasing the risk of subsequent relapse. Dynamic changes of circulation tumor cells (CTCs) have a role in predicting treatment efficacy of breast cancer. However, the relationship between CTC enumeration before neoadjuvant therapy and pathologic complete response rate is still uncertain.Methods: The study was exploratory. A total of 50 breast cancer patients were enrolled in a phase II clinical study of neoadjuvant therapy for HER-2-positive early breast cancer. They were enrolled for blood draws before and after neoadjuvant therapy. We used two methods (CellSearch and Tumor-Fisher) to detect tumor cells in bloodstream. We compared the sensitivity of the two CTC detection systems and investigated the correlation of the enumeration on baseline CTCs with the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the efficacy of the neoadjuvant therapy of the patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer. We also explored the dynamic change of CTCs after the neoadjuvant therapy in enrolled patients. Results: The sensitivity of CTCs detection by the Tumor-Fisher (27/50) method was significantly higher than that of the CellSearch system (15/50, p=0.008). The CTC levels detected by the two detection systems were not significantly correlated with lymph node status, clinical stage, ki-67 level and hormone receptor status. Patients with ≥1 CTC before neoadjuvant therapy measured by the Tumor-Fisher system had a significant high pCR rate (74.1% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.013); However, CTC levels detected by the CellSearch system did not show a predictive value for pCR (73.3% vs. 51.4%, P = 0.15). Patients with a decrease in CTCs enumeration after neoadjuvant therapy were more likely to achieve pCR than those with no change or increase in CTCs enumeration (87.5% vs 50.0%, P = 0.015) by the Tumor-Fisher method, whereas no predictive effect on pCR by CellSearch system. Unfortunately, there was no predictive value of CTC enumeration for EFS before and after neoadjuvant therapy by two methods. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the new CTC detection method Tumor-Fisher system has a higher CTC detection rate in early breast cancer than the CellSearch system, and shows the opportunity of CTC enumeration as a novel assistant biomarker to predict the response of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer.
Application of green-synthesized carbon dots for imaging of cancerous cell lines and detection of anthraquinone drugs using silica-coated CdTe quantum dots-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor
Authors: Mohammadinejad Arash , Abnous Khalil , Nameghi Morteza Alinezhad , Yahyazadeh Roghayeh , hamrah sara , Senobari Fereshteh , Mohajeri Seyed Ahmad
Published: May 2022

Background: Daunorubicin and doxorubicin, as chemotherapy drugs, treat cancer with many side effects. Therefore, detection of them in the biological system for regulation and controlling of usage is essential.Results: In this way, a ratiometric ﬂuorescent method was designed for quantification of daunorubicin and doxorubicin using bell pepper-based carbon dots, as variable signal, and silica-coated CdTe quantum dots, as an internal reference. The detection was performed based on variations of carbon dots intensity in the presence of daunorubicin and doxorubicin concentrations in comparison with the constant intensity of silica-coated CdTe quantum dots. The proposed ratiometric ﬂuorescent method was successfully used for detection of daunorubicin and doxorubicin range of 54.37-8156.6 nM and 86.2-17242 nM, with a detection limit of 18.53 and 29 nM, respectively. In addition, this method was used for detection of drugs in serum samples with recovery ranges of 86.14-99.62 (RSD 3-1.47%) and 86.32-97.53 (3.38-1.48%), respectively. Finally, after evaluation of carbon dots by MTT test, applicability of carbon dots was checked to image prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF7).Conclusions: The results demonstrated that despite improvement of the repeatability and interferences reduction by ratiometric method, also carbon dots successfully used for imaging of cell lines.
Stippling generation method based on superpixel and color knapsack algorithm
Authors: LI Jun , TONG Le , Yan NIU , Ziren WANG
Published: May 2022

One of the most important branches of visual stylization is dot painting. It is primarily based on the change of point density to express the aesthetic features of the image by showing the change of color brightness in the image through the change of density. It is currently a hotbed of research in the topic of picture style migration. In many picture stylization applications, common depth learning methods have demonstrated considerable benefits, but they have not been applied in stippling. The fundamental problem is because stippling has a small dimension and constructing a loss function is challenging. A dot drawing generation algorithm based on superpixel and color knapsack is proposed in this paper. To begin, the algorithm uses a super-pixel preprocessing to preserve the color mutation level in the super-pixel, then generates the sampling radius using the color mean based on K-means binary clustering, and the Poisson disk generates the initial stipple sampling points based on the sampling radius. The random point selection algorithm based on the color knapsack algorithm is used to improve the local SSIM value to improve the effect of edge and detail area. The suggested technique outperforms previous methods in terms of visual effects, SSIM, and PSNR scores, as well as having good real-time performance.
Changes of signaling molecules in the axotomized rat facial nucleus
Authors: Ishijima Takashi , Nakajima Kazuyuki
Published: May 2022

Axotomy of the rat facial nerve causes downregulation of motoneuron-specific molecules, including choline acetyltransferase and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, in surviving motoneurons. Subsequently, resident microglia are activated and proliferate. These cellular responses are thought to promote the survival, repair and regeneration of motoneurons. However, it is still unclear which signaling molecules are involved in these responses. In this study, we investigated the changes and localizations of several signaling molecules, including immediate early genes (IEGs) such as c-Jun and c-Fos, transcription factors such as cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analyses revealed the following. Among the IEGs, c-Jun was increased in injured motoneurons, but c-Fos did not respond to neuronal injury. Among the CREB/ATF family members, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) was significantly decreased in injured motoneurons. The levels of p-CREB/CREB and ATF2 were immunohistochemically increased in microglia. Among MAPKs, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK1 were decreased in injured motoneurons at the late stage. p-p38 and p38 were markedly increased in microglia. In vitro experiments revealed that p38 and CREB were activated in proliferating microglia. These results strongly suggested that c-Jun is involved in the survival, repair and regeneration of motoneurons, but p-CREB/CREB, p-ERK/ERK and p-JNK/JNK are associated with the downregulation of motoneuron-specific molecules. On the other hand, p-p38/p38 and p-CREB/CREB were suggested to be closely involved in the activation/proliferation of microglia.
Early detection of fraudulent COVID-19 products from Twitter chatter
Authors: Sarker Abeed , Lakamana Sahithi , Liao Ruqi , Abbas Aamir , Yang Yuan-Chi , Al-Garadi Mohammed Ali
Published: May 2022

BackgroundSocial media have served as lucrative platforms for spreading misinformation and for promoting fraudulent products for the treatment, testing, and prevention of COVID-19. This has resulted in the issuance of many warning letters by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While social media continue to serve as the primary platform for the promotion of such fraudulent products, they also present the opportunity to identify these products early by employing effective social media mining methods. In this study, we employ natural language processing and time series anomaly detection methods for automatically detecting fraudulent COVID-19 products early from Twitter. Our approach is based on the intuition that increases in the popularity of fraudulent products lead to corresponding anomalous increases in the volume of chatter regarding them. ResultsWe utilized an anomaly detection method on streaming COVID-19-related Twitter data to detect potentially anomalous increases in mentions of fraudulent products. We compared the anomaly signal generation date for each product with the corresponding FDA letter issuance date. Issue dates ranged from March 6, 2020 to June 22, 2021, and 44 key phrases representing fraudulent products were included. From 577,872,350 posts made between February 19, 2020 to December 31, 2020, our unsupervised approach detected 34/44 (77.3%) signals about fraudulent products earlier than the FDA letter issuance dates, and an additional 6/44 (13.6%) within a week following the corresponding FDA letters. ConclusionsOur proposed method is simple, effective, and easy to deploy, and does not require high-performance computing machinery, unlike deep neural network-based methods. The method can be easily extended to other types of signal detection from social media data.
Cloning and comparative modeling identifies a highly stress tolerant Cu/Zn cytosolic Super Oxide Dismutase 2 from a drought tolerant maize inbred line
Authors: Gautam Anuradha , Khan Fatima Nazish , Priya Surabhi , Kumar Krishan , Sharda Shivani , Kaul Tanushri , Singh Ishwar , Langyan Sapna , Yadava Pranjal
Published: May 2022

Plants have a complex system of stress response that deals with different types of stresses. Maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most important crops grown throughout the world, across a range of agro- ecological environments, employs complex mechanisms of gene regulation in response to drought stress. HKI 335 is a tropical maize inbred line showing remarkable adaptation to drought stress. Abiotic stresses, like drought, trigger the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the incomplete reduction or excitation of the molecular oxygen, eventually leading to cell damage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is a metalloenzyme that acts as the first line of defense against ROS. We cloned the Sod2 gene from HKI 335 inbred line and analyzed its protein through detailed in silico characterization. Our comparative modeling revealed that at the level of tertiary structure, the HKI 335 SOD2 protein is highly similar to Potentilla atrosanguinea SOD2, which had been previously identified as highly thermostable SOD that can tolerate autoclaving as well as sub-zero temperatures. We performed phylogenetic analysis, estimated physico-chemical properties, post- translational modifications, protein- protein interactions, and domain composition of this SOD2.
Scanning Induction Thermography for Bearing Ring under AC-DC composite magnetization
Authors: Xu Zhaoyuan , Jiang Quanquan , Zhang Yuehong , Wu Jianbo , Li Ling , Qiu Fushou
Published: May 2022

Induction thermography is a promising nondestructive testing technique with the advantages of high efficiency, lift-off tolerance, and defect imaging. To fulfill scanning detection and quantify the defect in bearing rings, this paper proposes scanning eddy current thermography under AC-DC composite magnetization. With DC magnetization, the defect will cause permeability disturbance in the bearing ring surface. Under high-frequency AC magnetization, disturbed permeability will generate a non-uniform thermal response captured by the infrared camera. To investigate the detection principle, a multi-physics coupling simulation model for permeability and thermal distribution in the scanning process is built, involving DC-AC composite magnetization, nonlinear ferromagnetic material, heat generation, heat conduction, and scanning movement. Then, a thermal data post-processing method for scanning imaging and crack quantification is proposed. Finally, the scanning induction thermography system for bearing rings is designed and developed. The experimental results show that the proposed scanning method can quantify bearing ring cracks with depths up to 2.0 mm.
Level and wealth inequity in continuum of maternal healthcare services among Bangladeshi women of reproductive age: evidence from Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2012-13 and 2019
Authors: Rahman Md Hafizur , Akter Ema , Ameen Shafiqul , Jabeen Sabrina , Ahmed Anisuddin , Rahman Ahmed Ehsanur , Hossain Aniqa Tasnim
Published: May 2022

Background
Utilisation of maternal healthcare is low and it consistently decreases across antenatal to postnatal period in Bangladesh. However, there is paucity of knowledge in Bangladesh to understand gaps and associated factors in seeking continuum of maternal healthcare along the pathway. Therefore, we aimed to assess the trend in socioeconomic and demographic factors and wealth inequity in maternal CoC using the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).
Methods
We performed a secondary analysis on nationally representative data from the last two MICS survey, carried out in 2012-13 and 2019. The study included women of reproductive age (15–49 years) with a live birth within two years preceding the survey. Total of 7,950 and 9,183 respondents were identified from these two surveys, respectively. We used multivariable logistic regression and concentration index to examine the covariates and inequity, respectively, in the utilisation of CoC.
Results
Utilisation of ≥ 4 antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postnatal care for both mother and newborn increased from 13 percent in 2012-13 to 25 percent in 2019 survey. Moreover, inequity persists favouring the rich in utilisation of CoC in Bangladesh. Women belonging to wealthier quintile, urban areas, and non-Muslim families, with higher education, a household head with higher education, media use, and fewer children were most likely to avail complete CoC in both the surveys.
Conclusion
Overall utilisation of maternal CoC increased between 2012-13 and 2019, however, women in Bangladesh still lack the CoC with persistent wealth inequality. Integrated provision of ANC, delivery by SBA, and PNC should be introduced, comprising both private and public health facilities, and targeting women in poor and rural communities. Efforts should also focus on women’s education, autonomy, fertility rate, and exposure to media.