bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A potential panel of eight‑mRNAs signature for predicting biochemical recurrence‑free survival and disease‑free survival in prostate cancer
Authors: Peng Fanyu , Wang Min , Zhang Hao , Liu Xueyun , Guo Yesong
Published: June 2023

Purposes In present study, we aimed to identify mRNA expression signature which can predict biochemical recurrence-free (BCR-free) survival of prostate cancer (PCa) patients.
Methods A total of 415 patients with pathologic confirmed PRAD in TCGA dataset were recruited and included. With the specific risk score formula, patients were further classified into high-risk and low-risk group. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the association between mRNA signature and survival outcomes. KEGG was carried out to identify the potentially associated biological processes and signaling pathway. CCK8 assay and transwell assay were used to explore the changes of cell proliferation and invasion ability after gene knockdown.
Results Overall, 83 differentially expressed mRNAs were found with more than logFC(4) and p value <0.05 after making a pair between biochemical recurrence. Among which, eight mRNAs were identified to be significantly associated with BCR-free survival. Then, using a risk score based on the signature of these mRNAs, we divided the patients into low-risk and high-risk groups with significantly different BCR-free survival and disease-free survival. KEGG suggested that this signature was involved in Oxytocin signaling pathway. Cell experiments also proved that the genes in the signature can affect the proliferation and invasion functions of Pca cells.
Conclusions In present study, a novel eight-mRNAs signature that is useful in survival prediction in PCa patients was developed. The clinical implications and the mechanism of these eight-mRNAs deserve further investigation in future studies.
Single-Leg Vertical Jump Change After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Hsu Wei-Hsiu , Yu Pei-An , Fan Chun-Hao , Kuo Liang-Tseng , Chen Chi-Lung , Chan Yi-Sheng , Hsu Robert Wen-Wei
Published: June 2023

Background After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, patients still experience residual weakness, thus necessitating a comprehensive training program and assessment before returning to sports. The purpose was investigating the effect of a progressive resistance training program on the recovery of patients. Methods We prospectively enrolled 67 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Four weeks after the reconstruction, 24 weeks of progressive resistance training was initiated. Demographic, questionnaire, single-leg vertical jump, and muscle strength were collected preoperatively and at 16, 28 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively. Results Of the 42 patients were finally included: 22 patients in the progressive resistance training group and 20 in the control group. At 28 weeks, the height of the single-leg vertical jump for the injured knee was 20.3 ± 1.7 and 15.7 ± 1.7 cm and the peak knee flexion angle for the injured knee was 31° ± 3° and 23° ± 2° in the progressive resistance training and control groups, respectively. The progressive resistance training group showed a significant increase in the knee extensor symmetry index after completing 24 weeks of the training program, which lasted up to 1 year postoperatively, and a decrease in the hamstrings/quadriceps ratio for the injured knee. Conclusion The progressive resistance training increases the single-leg vertical jump height and peak knee flexion angle after landing, which can, at least in part, be attributed to the increased muscle strength in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Improvement in lower-limb muscle strength can also improve biomechanical asymmetry during the single-leg vertical jump.
Antimicrobial potential of LDPE/TPS polymeric films with MMT/essential oils hybrids for applications as active packaging
Authors: Farina Marilia Cheis , Ferreira¹ Rafaela Reis , Maia Anderson , Torin Rondes Ferreira Silva
Published: June 2023

Polymeric films with antimicrobial activity are a prominent theme due to the potential in applications such as food packaging with antimicrobial activity. Eugenol (E) and Carvacrol (C) essential oils are attractive as natural antimicrobial additives. The focus of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of the polymeric blends, low density polyethylene (LDPE) with thermoplastic starch (TPS), LDPE/TPS, filled with hybrids, in different proportions: montmorillonite nano-clay (MMT) with essential oils (OE), MMT-E; and MMT-C. Blend stability and hybrid influence were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Infrared with Fourier Transform (FT-IR). Study of essential oils releasing from the polymeric matrix, as well as microbiological analyzes were conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial potential attributed to polymeric films of LDPE/TPS/MMT-E and LDPE/TPS/MMT-C. The results founded were promising regarding the excellent interaction of the oils with the matrix and nano-clay, in addition to the absence of pathological agents proving the action of the oils.
Decision Tree for 305-day Milk Yield in Cross-bred Cattle
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Chaudhary J.K. , Hada Renuka , Gaur Parth , Singh N. Shyamsana , Tolenkhomba T.C. , Sharma Smriti
Published: June 2023

Cows' Lactation Milk Yield (LMY) is a crucial factor in animal breeding operations. Investigating the influence of potential environmental factors on lactation milk yield is of paramount importance and in order to identify the various factors influencing lactation milk yield, dairy cattle records were analysed using the regression tree approach. Age, Parity (P), Lactation Length (LL), and Calving Season (CS) were taken into account as explanatory variables while 305-day Milk Yield (MY) as a dependent variable. Decision tree study revealed that Lactation Length, followed by Parity, Age, and Calving Season, had the greatest impact on the 305-d milk output of cross-bred cows. It was evident from nodes (branches) in regression tree, that cows with parities of 1 and 4 (node 11) produced less milk than cows with parities of 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (node 10). More milk was produced by cows older than 4.3 years and whose calving seasons were spring and summer (node 40). With the use of the regression tree method, we were able to extract sub-homogenous groups based on the explanatory variables from records of cross-bred cattle and determine the combinations of environmental conditions that produced the maximum 305-d milk yield.
Population biology of three satyrine species (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) in a suburban habitat
Authors: Dutra Humberto Paula , Freitas André
Published: June 2023

Decades after the publication of the first population studies on Neotropical butterflies, knowledge of their population biology remains scarce in the literature. Inconspicuous groups like the nymphalid subfamily Satyrinae are often overlooked, and studies that examine the demographics of these neglected groups are paramount for a more comprehensive understanding of insect population dynamics. The present paper addresses this dearth of information by describing the population biology of three common species of Euptychiina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) butterflies, Hermeuptychia atalanta, Cissia eous and Malaveria affinis, in a suburban area. A 13-month mark-release-recapture study was carried out in the grass lawns of the University of Campinas, São Paulo State Southeastern Brazil. The results showed that population parameters differ among the three studied species. For example, the population of H. atalanta is about five times that of of C. eous, which is four times larger than that of M. affinis. Sex ratios were male-biased in H. atalanta and C. eous, but not in M. affinis (whose sex ratio was 1:1). Hermeuptychia atalanta and C. eous had mean adult lifespans of approximately one week, with no variation between sexes. Malaveria affinis, however, had a lifespan of approximately 11 days for males and just 5 days for females. Age structures were similar in all three species, with no recruitment peaks detected throughout the year. Sexual dimorphism, based on wing size, was not observed in H. atalanta, but a clear pattern of dimorphism with larger females was observed for the other two species. The present study is the first to describe population parameters for Euptychiina in detail, and one of the few focusing on population biology of butterflies in suburban areas. Indeed, the present results could help to define strategies of lawn management for the campus, aiming to increase local biodiversity and consequently improve ecosystem services.
High Effectiveness of Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab in the NSMP/MMRd Molecular Subtype of Endometrial Cancer: A Real-World Data Analysis
Authors: CHIBA Yohei , Kagabu Masahiro , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Ito Rikako , Sato Sho , Takatori Eriko , Kaido Yoshitaka , Nagasawa Takayuki , Shoji Tadahiro , Yanagawa Naoki , Baba Tsukasa
Published: June 2023

Background: The Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer (ProMisE) has identified four risk groups for the prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC). However, the prognostic impact of these subgroups on lenvatinib (LEN) plus pembrolizumab (PEM) administered as subsequent therapy after relapse is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of LEN/PEM therapy for recurrent EC using the ProMisE molecular classification.
Methods:This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent LEN/PEM therapy at Iwate Medical University Hospital between January 2022 and March 2023. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from patients before treatment were collected and classified into the mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd), p53 abnormal (p53abn), and no specific molecular profile (NSMP) subtypes using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events were evaluated using electronic medical records. The study was approved by the hospital’s ethics committee (approval number: MH2022-093).
Results: This study enrolled 20 patients, who underwent a median follow-up of 10.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.9-12.4]. The best overall response rate was 60.0% (36.1–80.9) and the median PFS was 9.3 months (4.4-14.3). The median PFS in the p53abn group (n=8) was 3.2 months (2.3-4.2); however, PFS did not reach the median (p = 0.001) in the MMRd/NSMP group (n=12). Symptomatic immune-related adverse events (except hypothyroidism) occurred in 4/20 (25.0%) patients, and a response was observed in all cases, irrespective of the molecular subtype. No treatment-related deaths occurred.
Conclusion: The IHC-based ProMisE molecular classification system provides useful information for patient selection for LEN/PEM therapy.
Pax3 deficiency diminishes melanocytes in the developing mouse cochlea
Authors: Udagawa Tomokatsu , Takahashi Erisa , Tatsumi Norifumi , Mutai Hideki , Kondo Yuko , Atkinson Patrick J. , Matsunaga Tatsuo , Yoshikawa Mamoru , Kojima Hiromi , Okabe Masataka , Cheng Alan G.
Published: June 2023

Cochlear melanocytes are intermediate cells in the stria vascularis that generate endocochlear potentials required for auditory function. Human PAX3 mutations cause Waardenburg syndrome and abnormalities of melanocytes, manifested as congenital hearing loss and hypopigmentation of skin, hair and eyes. However, the underlying mechanism of hearing loss remains unclear. During development, cochlear melanocytes in the stria vascularis are dually derived from Pax3-Cre+ melanoblasts migrating from neuroepithelial cells including neural crest cells and Plp1+ Schwann cell precursors originated from also neural crest cells, differentiating in a basal-apical manner. Here, using a Pax3-Cre mouse line, we found that Pax3 deficiency causes foreshortened cochlea, malformed vestibular apparatus, and neural tube defects. Lineage tracing and in situ hybridization show that Pax3-Cre derivatives contribute to S100+ , Kir4.1+ and Dct+ melanocytes (intermediate cells) in the developing stria vascularis, all significantly diminished in Pax3 mutant animals. Taken together, these results suggest that Pax3 is required for the development of neural crest cell-derived cochlear melanocytes, whose absence may contribute to congenital hearing loss of Waardenburg syndrome in human.
Glaciation of mixed-phase clouds by dry ice to cool the Arctic
Authors: Zapalac Geordie
Published: June 2023

Arctic stratus or stratocumulus mixed-phase clouds have a substantial effect on the Arctic radiation budget1 and winter sea ice growth is sensitive to long wavelength radiative forcing.2 Clouds with a liquid water profile greater than 30 g m-2 are blackbody absorbers for terrestrial long wavelength radiation and increase the terrestrial forcing by roughly 40 W m-2 over clear skies or ice-only clouds.1, 3 This report proposes glaciating Arctic mixed-phase clouds by seeding with dry ice during the winter months of November through February to restore summer sea ice and Arctic albedo. Seeding is performed by aircraft above the clouds dropping 1 kg km-1 of dry ice pellets in parallel tracks spaced by 1.2 km. Each track creates a curtain of ice crystals that diffuse through the cloud, glaciating the cloud by the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process. The ice crystal and water vapor concentrations are simulated during a 4 day period after seeding for different assumptions of the eddy diffusion coefficient.
Immunometric study and examination of physical and chemical characteristics of spark plasma
Authors: Lotfi Mohammad Reza , Khani Mohammadreza , Razaghiha Elahe , Ghasemi Erfan , Shokri Babak
Published: June 2023

In recent years, Spark Plasma has been used as a rejuvenation and correction method to treat some problems, such as signs of aging or some other skin problems. In this study, the physical and chemical characteristics of one of the spark plasmas generating devices have been examined, and an attempt has been made to compare the results with international standards. In this study, the device’s electrical characteristics, such as electric discharge current, leakage current, voltage, and power of the device, have been examined to ensure no risk to the health of patients and consumers of such devices. In the following, the chemical analysis of the gas emitted as a product of skin being treated has been discussed, and the positive and negative points of the presence of these gases, their concentration, and their diffusion distance have been investigated. The skin temperature is measured before, during, and after processing to predict any possible risk. Ultraviolet radiation, which is one of the leading causes of skin problems and the loss of skin strength, has been investigated in this study and compared with the standards compiled for this wavelength of electromagnetic radiation to all safety points in this field can be specified. In this study, the area of the created scabs has been investigated so that the device can be best adjusted to achieve the desired result in any therapeutic field, such as rejuvenation or xanthelasma treatment. Also, skin characteristics such as perfusion and oxygen supply after plasma treatment have been investigated using a hyperspectral camera so that changes in these vital skin characteristics can be monitored.
Immunopeptidome mining reveals a novel ERS-induced target in T1D
Authors: Wang Lina , Li Jie , Yang Shushu , Meng Gang , Chen Xiaoling , Mengjun Zhang , Shufeng Wang , Li Xiangqian , Wu Yuzhang , Wang Li
Published: June 2023

Autoreactive CD8+ T cells play a key role in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the antigen spectrum that activates autoreactive CD8+ T cells remains unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been implicated in β cell autoantigen generation. Here, we analyzed the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-associated immunopeptidome (MIP) of islet β cells under steady-state and ERS conditions and found a small number of peptides that were exclusively present in the MIP of the ERS-exposed β cell line. Among them, OTUB258 − 66 showed immunodominance, and the corresponding autoreactive CD8+ T cells were diabetogenic in NOD mice. High glucose intake upregulated pancreatic OTUB2 expression and amplified the OTUB258 − 66-specific CD8+ T-cell response in NOD mice. Repeated OTUB258 − 66 administration significantly reduced the T1D incidence in these mice. This study provides novel β cell autoantigens for developing specific immune interventions for T1D prevention and treatment. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD041227.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of High- and Low- Embryogenic Hevea brasiliensis Genotypes Reveals Involvement of Phytohormones in Somatic Embryogenesis
Authors: Li Ling , Sun Xiaolong , Yu Wencai , Gui Mingchun , Qiu Yanfen , Tang Min , Tian Hai , Liang Guoping
Published: June 2023

Background Rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) is one of the major sources of latex. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising alterative to its propagation by grafting and seed. Phytohormones have been shown to influence SE in different plant species. However, limited knowledge is available on the role of phytohormones in SE inHevea. The anther cultures of twoHeveagenotypes (Yunyan 73477-YT) and Reken 628-RT) with contrasting SE rate were established and four stages i.e., anthers (h), anther induced callus (y), callus differentiation state (f), and somatic embryos (p) were studied. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and transcriptome analyses were used to study phytohormone accumulation and related expression changes in biosynthesis and signaling genes. Results YT showed higher callus induction rate than RT. Of the two genotypes, only YT exhibited successful SE. We detected auxins, cytokinins (CKs), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellins (GAs), and ethylene (ETH) in the two genotypes. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), CKs, ABA, and ETH had notable differences in the studied stages of the two genotypes. The DEGs identified in treatment comparisons were majorly enriched in MAPK and phytohormone signaling, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. The expression changes in IAA, CK, ABA, and ETH biosynthesis and singling genes confirmed the differential accumulation of respective phytohormones in the two genotypes. Conclusion These results suggest potential roles of phytohormones in SE inHevea.
Factors associated with violent crime in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Lin Ruoheng , Li Qiguang , Liu Ziwei , Zhong Shaoling , Sun Qiaoling , Huang Ying , Cao Hui , Zhang Xiangbin , Zhou Jiansong , Wang Xiaoping
Published: June 2023

The relationship between schizophrenia and violence is heterogeneous and complex. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and the potential risk factors for violence crime in patients with schizophrenia. We conducted a retrospective case-control study, with patients with schizophrenia who were forensically suspected to have committed violent crimes at the Judicial Psychiatric Identification Unit of Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016 used as the studied subjects (the violent group) and patients with schizophrenia who had no history of violent crimes used as controls (the non-violent group). There were 308 individuals in the violent group [subdivided into the homicide group (n = 155) and the injury group (n = 153)] and 139 individuals in the non-violent group. A risk model showed that a history of violence (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.79-4.64) and persecutory delusions (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.63-4.06) were associated with an increased risk of violence, whereas treatment during the previous 4 weeks (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.16-0.51) and insight (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14-0.62) were associated with a decreased risk of violence. This study provided useful clinical information to identify risk factors for violence and develop better strategic programs to manage violence in patients with schizophrenia.
Association of verbal and non-verbal theory of mind abilities with non-coding variants of OXTR in youth with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing individuals: a case-control study
Authors: Ghamari Rana , Tahmaseb Mohammad , Sarabi-Jamab Atiye , Etesami Seyed-Alireza , Mohammadzadeh Azar , Alizadeh Fatemeh , Tehrani-Doost Mehdi
Published: June 2023

Background
The ability to attribute mental states to others is called theory of mind (ToM) and is a substantial component of social cognition. This ability is abnormally developed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies over the past decade have identified the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and its variants as promising components for explaining the molecular mechanisms underlying Theory of Mind (ToM). The main aim of this study is to examine the association between rs2268498 and rs53576, two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and verbal and non-verbal ToM in children and adolescents with ASD compared with a group of typically developing youth.
Methods
The study involved 44 children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD aged 8 to 18 years old and 44 TD individuals who were matched on age and sex. In all participants, blood samples were collected and rs2268498 and rs53576 were genotyped. Happe's Strange Stories test and the moving shapes paradigm were used to measure verbal and non-verbal ToM in all participants.
Results
the results of permutation tests and logistic regression suggested that in TD group, rs2268498 AA carriers showed significant higher scores in variables representing verbal ToM (ToM stories and appropriateness score) whereas, in ASD group, rs53576 AA carriers exhibited significant better performance in parameters related to non-verbal ToM (ToM general rule and intentionality score). The results of hierarchical clustering in both groups support the findings by distinguishing between language-related and language-independent aspects of ToM.
Conclusion
In the present study, we examined the association between rs2268498 and rs53576 and social functioning in individuals with ASD and TD group. We found preliminary evidence that rs2268498 and rs53576 are associated with ToM related abilities in healthy individuals as well as in autistic individuals. Accordingly, rs2268498 may play an important role in predicting ToM capabilities. It will be necessary to conduct further research to address the association of genetic variants with a deficit in ToM in individuals with ASD.
Heterogeneous factors influence social cognition across diverse settings in brain health and age-related diseases
Authors: Fittipaldi Sol , Legaz Agustina , Maito Marcelo , Hernandez Hernan , Altschuler Florencia , Canziani Veronica , Moguilner Sebastian , Gillan Claire , Castillo Josefina , Lillo Patricia , Custodio Nilton , Avila-Funes José , Cardona Juan , Slachevsky Andrea , Henriquez Fernando , Fraile-Vazquez Matias , de Souza Leonardo Cruz , Borroni Barbara , Hornberger Michael , Lopera Francisco , Santamaria-Garcia Hernando , Matallana Diana , Reyes Pablo , Gonzalez-Campo Cecilia , Bertoux Maxime , Ibanez Agustin
Published: June 2023

Aging may diminish social cognition, which is crucial for interaction with others, and significant changes in this capacity can indicate pathological processes like dementia. However, the extent to which non-specific factors explain variability in social cognition performance, especially among older adults and in global settings, remains unknown. A computational approach assessed combined heterogeneous contributors to social cognition in a diverse sample of 1063 older adults from 9 countries. Support vector regressions predicted the performance in emotion recognition, mentalizing, and a total social cognition score from a combination of disparate factors, including clinical diagnosis (healthy controls, subjective cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia), demographics (sex, age, education, and country income as a proxy of socioeconomic status), cognition (cognitive and executive functions), structural brain reserve, and in-scanner motion artifacts. Cognitive and executive functions and educational level consistently emerged among the top predictors of social cognition across models. Such non-specific factors showed more substantial influence than diagnosis (dementia or cognitive decline) and brain reserve. Notably, age did not make a significant contribution when considering all predictors. While fMRI brain networks did not show predictive value, head movements significantly contributed to emotion recognition. Models explained between 28–44% of the variance in social cognition performance. Results challenge traditional interpretations of age-related decline, patient-control differences, and brain signatures of social cognition, emphasizing the role of heterogeneous factors. Findings advance our understanding of social cognition in brain health and disease, with implications for predictive models, assessments, and interventions.
Foci-Xpress: Automated and fast nuclear foci counting tool
Authors: Moon Jae-I , Kim Woo-Jin , Kim Ki-Tae , Kim Hyun-Jung , Shin Hye-Rim , Yoon Heein , Park Seung Gwa , Park Min-Sang , Cho Young-Dan , Kim Pil-Jong , Ryoo Hyun-Mo
Published: June 2023

Quantification of DNA damage-induced foci can be used to determine DNA damage caused by oxidative stress, radiation, or aging. γH2AX, a form of phosphorylated histone H2A induced by DNA double-strand breaks, is one of the most sensitive markers of DNA damage. Counting foci is tedious and time-consuming for researchers. We developed open-source software that automatically counts the number of foci from the indicated image files. We compared the γH2AX foci counting efficiency, velocity, accuracy, and convenience of the Foci Xpress with those of other conventional methods in an oxidative DNA-induced model. We can adjust the brightness of γH2AX foci to designate a threshold of foci and assign damaged cells that have 10 or more foci over the threshold in the nucleus. The Foci-Xpress method was much faster than other conventional methods. The accuracy was similar to that of conventional methods. The biggest strength of Foci-Xpress was automation, which freed researchers from analysing equipment while counting. The greater the number of images to be counted, the greater the number of advantages. In addition, automation completely ruled out biases caused by researchers, such as individual or daily variations. Thus, Foci-Xpress is a convincing, convenient, and easily accessible focus-counting tool for cell biologists.
Biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles from Celosia argentea : Toward improved antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities
Authors: Alghamdi Rana Abdullah , Al-Zahrani Maryam Hassan , Altarjami Lamaia R , Abdulmonem Waleed Al , Samir Nadia , Said Alaa , Mohamed W. S. , Ezzeldien Mohammed
Published: June 2023

In this work, biogenic ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were greenly synthesized from Celosia argentea plant extract. Structural analysis confirms the successful synthesis of biogenic Zinc Oxide NPs from C. argentea extract and the produced NPs have average particle size 21.55 ± 4.73 nm with a semispherical shape and specific surface area about 50 m2/g. The biogenic synthesized ZnO NPs showed a powerful radical scavenging activity (Ic50 = 91.24 µg/ml) comparing with ascorbic acid (ASC) as standard (Ic50 = 14.37 µg/ml). Using an agar diffusion disk, the antibacterial efficacy was tested against both + 1 gm and − 1 gm bacteria. In gram positive strains, biogenic ZnO NPs had a greater bactericidal impact than gram negative strains in a concentration dependent manner. Anticancer activity against HepG2 was evaluated using MTT assay, the results reflect the concentration dependent cytotoxic effect of biogenic ZnO NPs against HepG2 cells even at low concentrations with Ic50 = 49.45 µg/ml. Using RT-PCR and flowcytometry, the cell cycle and gene expression were analyzed to determine the potential anticancer mechanism. The results showed that biogenic ZnO NPs activate the apoptotic genes NF-κB, CY-C and P53, which start the apoptotic process. These results suggested that C. argentea improved the antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activities of ZnO NPs without altering its structural properties, which make it a potential candidate in many of the biomedical applications.
Dysregulated serum lipid profile and atherosclerosis in untreated female TA patients: a PSM analysis
Authors: Zang Qijuan , Wang Jing , Li Fei , Ju Yalin , Luo Jing , Liu Wenbin , Ding Tianlong , He Lan , Mo Lingfei
Published: June 2023

Objective
Recent studies indicate that dyslipidemia could be a critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Takayasu arteritis (TA), but the relationship between dyslipidemia and the disease activity of TA itself is unclear.
Methods
To better understand the connection between serum lipid profiles and disease activity in TA patients, this study assessed the presence of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in untreated female patients. Fifty untreated female patients with Takayasu arteritis (median age 30 years) and 98 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoA1, ApoB, ApoE, LPa), inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR) and carotid atherosclerotic plaque frequency were evaluated.
Results
The levels of TG, nonHDL-C/HDL-C in TA patients were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the levels of TC, HDL-c, and ApoA1 were significantly lower than those in the control group. Spearman correlation analysis showed that CRP was positively correlated with ApoB, nonHDL-C/HDL-C, while negatively correlated with TG, HDL-c, and ApoA1. Besides, ESR was positively correlated with LDL-C, ApoB, nonHDL-C, nonHDL-C/HDL-C, but negatively correlated with ApoA1. Carotid atherosclerotic plaque was found in 8 (14.3%) patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of atherosclerotic plaque was only related to age, but not inflammatory markers nor lipoproteins.
Conclusions
Overall, this study implies that untreated female TA patients have an obvious dysregulated serum lipid profile. Moreover, the disease activity of TA itself may be a risk factor for dyslipidemia, supporting the hypothesis that young TA patients may also have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Integration of Multiple Fundamental Instrumental Analyses to Understand the Key Factors for Enhancing Enzymatic Saccharification of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Empty Fruit Bunch by Aqueous Pretreatments
Authors: Hemashini Tannimalay , Lee Chee Keong , Goh Choon Fu , Ismayati Maya , H’ng Yin Ying , Leh Cheu Peng
Published: June 2023

Simple aqueous pretreatments were performed on oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) to enhance its enzymatic digestibility by the cellulolytic enzyme. Autohydrolysis, acid and alkaline pretreatments were conducted at appropriate temperatures for 45 minutes with a solid: liquor ratio of 1:7. The refined pretreated OPEFBs were enzymatically saccharified at a fixed condition of 50°C, pH 4.8 for 48 hours. Besides chemical composition analysis, various changes in biomass during pretreatments were also evaluated using the fundamental instrumental analyses namely HPLC, FTIR, SEM, XRD, Py-GCMS and XPS. Autohydrolysed biomass achieved the maximum (> 99.9%) enzymatic saccharification/total glucose yield (TGY), attributed to 77% hemicellulose and 24% lignin removals, with only 16% cellulose loss. The crystallinity index was significantly correlated with TGY, but morphological analysis, S/G ratio of lignin, and O/C ratio were irrelevant. The key TGY-enhancing factors of pretreatment were unable to be identified by any single instrumental analysis. Determining the chemical composition of the biomass remains the primary fundamental analysis to understand the requirement for improving enzymatic yield.
FACS-mediated selection enhances growth and carotenoid production in subpopulations of Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Miller Sean Macdonald , Herdean Andrei , Gupta Vishal , Signal Brandon , Abbriano Raffaela M. , Ralph Peter J. , Pernice Mathieu
Published: June 2023

Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) is a powerful method with many applications in microalgal research, especially for screening and selection of cells with improved phenotypes. However, the technology requires further investigation to determine the phenotypic stability of sorted populations.Phaeodactylum tricornutumcells were sorted using FACS with excitation/emission parameters targeted towards favouring the industrially-relevant carotenoid fucoxanthin. The resulting cultures showed significantly higher growth rate (1.10 ×), biomass (1.30 ×), chlorophyllalevels (1.22 ×) and fucoxanthin productivity (1.41 ×) relative to the wild-type strain. RNA-seq was used to elucidate the underlying molecular-level regulatory changes associated with these traits, and represents the first study do so on FACS-sorted microalgal cultures. Transcriptome analysis corroborated evidence of increased chlorophyllaand fucoxanthin, showing enrichment for the genes/pathways for tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and for suites of genes directly related to photosynthesis. Only three genes were upregulated in the MEP (non-mevalonate) pathway to carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, suggesting either a strong influence ofIDI,CRTISO5andZEP1on fucoxanthin biosynthesis or a post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanism for the observed increase in fucoxanthin content.
Barriers and facilitators to the HPV vaccine: a multicenter qualitative study of French general practitioners
Authors: TRON Arthur , SCHLEGEL Vincent , PINOT Juliette , BRUEL Sébastien , ECOLLAN Marie , BEL Josselin LE , ROSSIGNOL Louise , Gauchet Aurélie , Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Mueller Judith , BANASZUK Anne-Sophie , THILLY Nathalie , GILBERG Serge , PARTOUCHE Henri
Published: June 2023

Background: In France, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage is low, with 30.7% of 17-year-old girls having received a complete HPV vaccination schedule in 2020.
Aim: To determine the perspective and behaviors of general practitioners (GPs) regarding HPV vaccination with their patients and if a reluctance is observed.
Design and Setting: A qualitative study based on semi-directed individual interviews was conducted between December 2019 and December 2020. A representative sample of GPs with various profiles were included in 4 French regions.
Method: A purposive sampling was used and interviews were continued until data saturation was reached. The analysis was based on the grounded theory.
Results: Twenty-six GPs aged 29-66 years were interviewed. The measures taken by the French health authorities (lowering the target age, reimbursing the vaccine, extending the target population to boys) were perceived as facilitators. The reported barriers were organizational, due to low attendance of adolescents, and relational, mainly due to parental vaccine hesitancy. Physicians had to deal with fears about the perceived risks and concerns about sexuality conveyed by HPV vaccination and linked to the socio-cultural characteristics of the families. Physicians developed strategies, including scientific knowledge mobilization, empowerment of families by promoting health through prevention, repetition of the vaccination proposals, personal experience and relationship. Different practices were identified according to three GP typologies: effective, convinced but unpersuasive, and reluctant physicians.
Conclusion: Based on these results, specific interventions, including communication techniques, especially for hesitant or unpersuasive physicians, are needed to enable GPs to become more effective.
A Qualitative Examination of Primary Care Team’s Participation in the Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccination
Authors: Ashcroft Rachelle , Donnelly Catherine , Lam Simon , Sheffield Peter , Hamilton Bryn , Kemp Connor , Adamson Keith , Brown Judy Belle
Published: June 2023

Background
Primary health care (PHC) has historically led and implemented successful immunization programs, driven by strong relationships with patients and communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada began its vaccination strategy with mass immunizations that later included local efforts with PHC providers. This rollout approach has been criticized for not effectively utilizing the expertise of PHC to support vaccination distribution. This study seeks to understand how PHC contributed to the different phases of the COVID-19 vaccination rollouts in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive qualitative study with focus groups consisting of PHC providers, administrators, and staff in Ontario. Eight focus groups were held with 39 participants representing geographic diversity across the six Ontario Health regions. Participants reflected a diverse range of clinical, administrative, and leadership roles. Each focus group was audio-recorded and transcribed with transcriptions analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
With respect to understanding PHC teams’ participation in the different phases of the COVID-19 vaccination rollouts, we identified five themes: i) supporting long-term care, ii) providing leadership in mass vaccinations, iii) integrating vaccinations in PHC practice sites, iv) reaching those in need through outreach activities; and v) PHC’s contributions being under-recognized.
Conclusions
PHC was instrumental in supporting COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario, Canada. The versatility of primary care enabled participation across all phases of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout which enabled access to vaccines for the most vulnerable populations and communities. The flexibility and adaptability of PHC allowed teams to participate in both large-scale and small-scale vaccination efforts.
Factors associated with eye care seeking behaviors in rural Malawi: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mbemba Erasmo , Soko Margret , Mkandawire John , Phiri Lael , Chisiza Rose , Nyirenda Loynah , Jacobs Emmanuel , Jere Sandress , Mbakaya Balwani
Published: June 2023

Background
Eye care-seeking behavior plays a critical role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various eye conditions, enabling individuals to maintain good visual health and overall well-being. The study focused on three objectives: knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding eye care.
Methods
The study employed quantitative methods approach, utilizing a cross-sectional study design. A total of 391 participants took part in the study. Multistage and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select participants. The data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 24. The study was conducted around the Livingstonia catchment area, a typical rural setting of Malawi
Results
The results showed knowledge gaps on eye care, for instance; participants were asked about the causes of decreased vision and blindness, and they responded that excess sunlight (67%, n=262), and eye injury (84%, n=328) were not part of the causes of decreased vision and blindness. On practices, the results indicated that (81%, n=317) never got their eyes checked and facial cleanliness (59%, n=231) was the major way of protecting their eyes. On attitudes, the participants said that distance (61%, n=239) and cost of service (72%, n=282) highly affected their access to eye care services.
Conclusion
The study uncovered important factors that contributed to the low uptake of eye care services.
Therefore, we recommend that outreach clinics, subsidizing eye care services through government service level agreements, and community awareness campaigns should be introduced and intensified.
WITHDRAWN: Implant stability changes in dental implants installed by osseodensification and conventional methods: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Dayeh B.D.S Noor A. , B.D.S. F.I.B.M.S. Professor Salwan Y Bede
Published: June 2023

Purpose In this study, the osseodensification (OD) drilling technique was used to assess the impact of implant site preparation on implant stability changes during the osseous healing period, insertion torque (IT), and preparation time.Methods In this randomized controlled clinical study, a total of 20 patients received 40 dental implants (DI), which were divided into two groups at random: the first group (the study group), which received the implants using the OD drilling technique, and the second group (the control group), which received the implants using the conventional drilling technique. Prior to surgery, bone density was assessed by CBCT. The Osstell implant stability quotient (ISQ) was used to measure implant stability immediately following implant insertion as well as 6 and 12 weeks later.Results There was no statistically significant difference in primary stability between the groups (P-value 0.216). In contrast, at 6 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively, the control group showed higher ISQ values (P-values 0.002 and 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in the (IT) between the groups (P-value 0.627). The preparation time was significantly longer in the study group compared to the control group (P-value 0.0001).Conclusion The OD drilling technique did not show a more favorable outcome regarding the implant stability changes, IT, and preparation time over that of the conventional approach and resulted in a significant drop in stability after 6 weeks postoperatively, making OD use for early loading questionable.
A new hope for targeted therapy of ischemia-reperfusion injury: E2F2, an important transcription factor in H/R process
Authors: 赵 元彬 , Qin Hao , Yang Ren-qiang
Published: June 2023

Background At present, there is still no effective treatment for ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and gene targeted drug therapy is a new idea. In this study, the differential expression of multiple genes and transcription factors during HUVECs ischemia-reperfusion was analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and the target genes were predicted and verified by q-PCR. Therefore, the mechanism by which E2F2 may participate in the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating differentiation factor 1 (ID1) was explored.Results The mRNA expression profile dataset GSE193047 was acquired from the GEO database. Heat map and volcano plot showed that a total of 270 genes were differentially expressed, of which 150 genes were up-regulated and 120 genes were down-regulated. The GSEA of transcription factor indicated the significant enrichment of E2F2. Then the online prediction websites CHIP BASE and CISTROME were used to predict the target genes of E2F2. Considering the low expression of E2F2 in dataset GSE193047, down-regulated target genes of E2F2 in this dataset were identified. By constructing the target gene network, it was found that the target gene ID1 may be regulated by E2F2, and the significant differences were verified by q-PCR.Conclusions The constructed E2F2-target gene regulatory network was analyzed by bioinformatics methods, which showed that E2F2 may participate in the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating ID1. This study revealed a new mechanism involved in IRI, which may serve as a potential predictive biomarker and therapeutic target. Further study is needed to investigate the role of E2F2/ ID1 pathway in the occurrence and development of ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Too Much Gravity: Delusional Intensification of G Force
Authors: Birwatkar Drushti , Kalita Shweta , Mehdiratta Nikita , Hirsch Alan
Published: June 2023

Introduction: A misperception of intensified gravitational forces as a psychotropic effect has not heretofore been described.
Methods: Case Study: A 37-year-old right-handed female with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and schizoaffective disorder with bipolar subtype presented with presence hallucinations. For an epoch of 2 days, she experienced the sensation that something was "pressing down on her" and that gravity was too strong. She argued that gravity was too strong rather than feeling weak. The patient received carbamazepine 200 mg QHS, haloperidol 5 mg BID, baclofen 5 mg QHS, and chlorpromazine 50 mg PO BID at during the episode.
Results: Physical Examination: Diffuse thyroid enlargement. Neurological Examination: Mental Status Examination: The patient is awake with poor hygiene and eye contact. Hyperverbal, grandiose with expansive affect, poor insight, and judgment. Cranial Nerve (CN) examination: CN I: Alcohol Sniff Test: 8. CN II: Visual acuity with correction 20/20 OD, 20/25 OS. Motor Examination: Mild left pronator drift. Cerebellar Examination: Finger-to-nose dysmetria bilaterally. Reflexes: 3+ bilateral brachioradialis and biceps, 1+ left triceps, and absent reflexes in both lower extremities. Bilateral positive Hoffman's reflexes. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9: 7.
Discussion: The psychic slowing of schizoaffective disorder may lead to a more significant effort to contract muscles, thus reducing muscle contraction and strength, with an overwhelmingly pronounced perception of weight and gravity. Psychotropic medications may have acted to cause dysfunction in muscle initiation and preparation of muscle firing, causing a reduction of contraction of muscle spindles and reduced muscle tension, thus reducing weight perception. Peradventure, psychotropics may induce muscle stiffness, increasing weight perception. Moreover, drug-induced Parkinson's symptoms have not induced weakness but rather a lag or delay between the motor command and muscle contraction, which was perceived as weakness and thus increased perception of gravitational force. Psychotropic drug evaluation would benefit those with a distorted perception of external objects and forces, especially those who do not complain of weakness or exhaustion.
Who Leads? Who Follows? Exploring Agenda Setting by Media, Social Bots and Public in the Discussion of 2022 South Korea Presidential Election
Authors: Zhang Menghan , Chen Ze , Liu Xinyan , Liu Jun
Published: June 2023

Social media not only changes the traditional communication environment, but also brings new changes to agenda setting. The main body of agenda setting has shifted from the traditional media to the politicians, political parties and grassroots people. With the increasing use of social bots in public opinion manipulation and political election interference, whether they can participate in or influence agenda setting has become an urgent concern. So far, there is less literature focusing on engagement in agenda-setting for social bots. This paper studies the social media discussion content of the South Korean presidential election, determines the participation of social bots, and explores the connection between media agenda, bot agenda and public agenda from the perspective of agenda setting. The study found that while the main agendas of media, social bots and the public are not the same, their agendas are relevant. In addition, the media agenda is not timely ahead of the bot agenda and the public agenda, and the time order only appears between the social bots and the public.