bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf-venation-directed cellular alignment for macroscale cardiac constructs with tissue-like functionalities
Authors: Mao Mao , Qu Xiaoli , Zhang Yabo , Gu Bingsong , Li Chen , Liu Rongzhi , Li Xiao , Zhu Hui , He Jiankang , Li Dichen
Published: November 2022

Engineering functional cardiac tissues would represent a therapeutic alternative for patients with end-stage heart disease. Recapitulating the complex structural, mechanical, and electrophysiological properties of the heart is crucial to improving the utility of the engineered cardiac tissues. Here, we report a leaf-venation-directed strategy that enables the contraction and remodeling of cell-hydrogel hybrids into a highly aligned and densely packed organization in predetermined patterns. This strategy contributes to biomimetic hierarchical vasculatures with interconnected tubular structures and the improved maturation and functionality of the engineered rat and human cardiac tissues, evidenced by robust electrophysiological activity, macroscopically synchronous contractions, and upregulation of crucial maturation genes. With the mechanical support of the elastic scaffolds, functional leaf-venation-directed tissues can be assembled into 3D pre-vascularized cardiac constructs resembling the anisotropic mechanical properties of native myocardium and allowing for minimally invasive implantation. The present strategy may generate cardiac tissue constructs with multifaceted functionalities to meet clinical demands.
Association between triglyceride glucose index and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Fu Jianfang , Wang Yi , Zhang Ying , Shi Min , Wang Cheng , Li Mengying , Wang Li , Liu Xiangyang , Ta Shengjun , Liu Liwen , Li Zeping , Li Xiaomiao , Zhou Jie
Published: November 2022

Background
Triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been considered a new biomarker for diagnosis of angiocardiopathy and insulin resistance. However, the association of TyG index with subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction still lacks a comprehensive exploration. The study was carried out to examine this relationship in the asymptomatic with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods
150 T2DM cases with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) from June 2021 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study. The subclinical LV function was evaluated through global longitudinal strain (GLS), with the pre-defined GLS < 18% as the cutoff for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. The TyG index calculation was achieved according to ln (fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2), which was then stratified into 4 quartiles (TyG-Q).
Results
The analyses of baseline characteristics in the four TyG-Q (Q1 (TyG ≤ 8.89) n = 38, Q2 (8.89 < TyG ≤ 9.44) n = 37, Q3 (9.44 < TyG ≤ 9.83) n = 38, and Q4 (TyG > 9.83) n = 37) were conducted. A negative correlation of TyG index with GLS (r=-0.307, P < 0.001) was revealed according to correlation analysis. After the gender and age adjusted in multi-model logistic regression analysis, the higher TyG index (OR 6.86; 95% CI 2.44 to 19.30; P < 0.001, Q4 vs Q1) showed a significant association with GLS < 18%, which was still maintained after further adjustment for related clinical confounding factors (OR 5.15, 95%CI 1.13 to 23.39, p = 0.034, Q4 vs Q1). Receiver operator characteristic analysis indicated a diagnostic capacity of TyG index for GLS < 18% (area under curve: 0.678; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Higher TyG index had a significant association with the subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic T2DM patients, with the potential to exert prognostic value for the progression of myocardial damage.
RETRACTED: Data-based Individualised Detoxification From Benzodiazepines and Other Gaba-a Agonists Driven by Serum-concentration Feedback: Presentation of the Saer Method
Authors: Basińska-Szafrańska Anna
Published: November 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Effects of fructose epimers on blood lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xu Cuiju , Chen Shanbin , Du Fangling , Zong Aizhen , Xu Tongcheng , You Yanli
Published: November 2022

OBJECTIVES
The epimers of fructose may have the benefit of regulating lipid metabolism. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to assess the effects of fructose epimers on blood lipids, including high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA).
METHODS
PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of science databases were retrieved up to November 2022. We included all published RCTs concerning the effects of fructose epimers on fasting or postprandial blood lipid responses. Data were pooled with standardized mean differences (SMD). Subgroup analysis was applied to investigate the heterogeneity. Quality of literature was accessed with version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2).
RESULTS
A meta-analysis of 6 trials including 686 participants was eligible. The pooled data revealed that single dose fructose epimers intervention significantly increase postprandial FFA levels (SMD, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.07 to 1.22; P = 0.027) but no effect on postprandial TG. The daily intervention of fructose epimers significantly ameliorated the fasting plasma HDL-C level (SMD, -0.42; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.01; P = 0.046). In addition, fructose epimers showed an obvious but not significant effect on reducing fasting TC level (SMD, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.04; P = 0.135). The epimers of fructose have no observable effect on fasting LDL-C and TG levels.
CONCLUSIONS
Fructose epimers intake leads to modest improvements in blood lipid profiles. Strong and long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the certainty and sustainability of these improvements.
Application of Deep Learning Technology for Temporal Analysis of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies
Authors: Jeong Seong Yun , Kim Jeong Min , Park Ji Eun , Baek Seung Jun , Yang Seung Nam
Published: November 2022

Background: For an objective and quantitative evaluation for videofluosroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), temporal parameters during swallowing are analyzed for both clinical and research purposes. However, because it is time-consuming and is complicated to analyze manually by clinicians, automated analysis using deep learning has been attempted. This study aimed to develop a model for automatic measurement of various temporal parameters of swallowing using deep learning.
Methods: Five-hundred and forty-seven VFSS video clips were included in this study. Seven temporal parameters were manually measured by two physiatrists as ground-truth data: oral phase duration, pharyngeal delay time, pharyngeal response time, pharyngeal transit time, laryngeal vestibule closure reaction time, laryngeal vestibule closure duration and upper esophageal sphincter opening duration. ResNet3D was chosen as the base model for deep learning of temporal parameters. Specifically, we proposed several architectural variants of ResNet3D to improve the estimation of temporal parameters. The performance of ResNet3D variants was compared with that of the VGG and I3D models which were used in the previous studies.
Results: The average accuracy of the proposed ResNet3D variants in measuring the temporal parameter of VFSS was from 0.864 to 0.981. F1 score ranged from 0.707 to 0.924, and average precision ranged from 0.643 to 0.865. In comparison with the VGG and I3D models, our model achieved the best results in terms of accuracy, F1 score and average precision values.
Conclusion: We proposed deep learning models for automatically measuring temporal parameters of VFSS. The proposed ResNet3D variants outperformed the existing models in detecting all phases of the swallowing process. Through the clinical application of this automatic model,, temporal analysis of VFSS will be easier and more accurate.
Optimal dual-energy computed tomography scan parameters to detect small- sized urinary stones and their composition
Authors: Jung Jin-Woo , Shin Jun-Bong , Choi Hyo-Jun , Pak Seongyong , Yang Hyungjin , Yoon Byung Il
Published: November 2022

Objective
To investigate the optimal scanning parameters of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), which can accurately determine sensitivity (the detectability of urinary stones) and accuracy (the composition matching of urinary stones), and to apply them to clinical trials.
Methods
Fifteen urinary stones were chemically analyzed, and their chemical compositions were considered a reference standard with which we compared the uric acid (UA) and non-UA compositions determined using DECT. The urinary stones were placed inside a bolus and scanned with a dual-source CT scanner under various selected dual-energy conditions (A to X) using various solid water phantom thicknesses. These datasets were analyzed using the Siemens syngo.via software tool (integrated into the CT system) for matching the sensitivity and accuracy assessments.
Results
This study showed that 80% of the highest sensitivity (detection of urinary stones) and 92% of the highest accuracy (composition matching of urinary stones) were achieved under condition A (a collimation beam width setting of 2 × 32 mm × 0.6 mm, an automatic exposure control setting of 80/Sn140 peak kilovoltage, and a slice thickness of 0.5/0.5 mm) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Application of the DECT energy parameters presented in the study will help identify the sensitivity and accuracy of UA and non-UA stone analysis, even in patients with small-sized urinary stones and in conditions difficult for analysis.
Initial experience of single-incision plus one port totally laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Cai He , zhang Man , Wang Xin , Cai Yunqiang , Peng Bing
Published: November 2022

Background: The use of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (SILPD+1) has been never reported and its safety and efficacy remain unknown. The objective of the study is to evaluate the short-term outcomes of SILPD+1 compared with conventional laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (CLPD).
Method: Fifty-seven cases of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) were performed by a single surgical team in the Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between November 2021, and March 2022. Among these, 10 cases of LPD were performed using a single-incision plus one-port device. Based on the same inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 cases of LPD performed using traditional 5-trocar were included as a control group. The patient’s demographic characteristics, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed.
Results: Three men and seven women were included in the SILPD+1 group. All baseline parameters of both groups were comparable except for age. Patients were younger in the SILPD+1 group (47.2 ± 18.3 years vs 60.6 ± 11.7 years, P = 0.05) than that in the CLPD group. Compared to the CLPD group, median operation time (222.5 (208.8–245.0) vs. 305.0 (256.0-337.0) min, P < 0.001) was shorter, median postoperative VAS scores on days 1-3 were lower, and median cosmetic score (21.0 (19.0-23.5) vs. 17.0 (16.0-20.0), P = 0.026) was higher one month after the surgery in SILPD+1 group. The estimated blood loss, conversion rate, blood transfusion rate, exhaust time, time of drainage tube removal, postoperative hospital stays, and perioperative complications were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusion: In a high-volume LPD center, SILPD+1 is safe and feasible without increasing the operation time and complications. It even has the advantages of reduced postoperative pain and improved cosmetic results.
Investigation of physical and rheological properties of LDPE/HDPE/thermoplastic starch biodegradable blend films
Authors: Zeraatpishe Mohammad , Hassanajili Shadi
Published: November 2022

In this work, low-density polyethylene/high density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (LDPE/HDPE/TS) films were prepared with different compositions to obtain environmentally friendly materials. LDPE/HDPE/TS blends, at ratios of 95:5:15, 90:10:15, 85:15:15, 85:15:20, 85:15:25 and 85:15:30, were processed into thin films by single-step single-screw extrusion. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the immiscibility of matrices and TS in the blend, also in the SEM micrographs of the films no miscibility between the PE and starch was observed. in addition, the SEM micrographs showed a fairly good dispersion of TS (at low wt%) in the blend. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis depicted an increase in the percentage of crystallinity with increasing HDPE and a decrease in the percentage of crystallinity with increasing TS. With the increase of HDPE content at low wt% of TS in the blend, an improvement was obtained in oxygen barrier property of the prepared films when compared to LD film. Water absorption of the samples decreased to some extent with increasing HDPE and the absorption increased with increasing TS. The rheological properties of LDPE/HDPE/TS blends were investigated before and after biodegradation. Results were fitted with well-known rheological models to achieve more valuable data about the effect of the composition as well degradation condition on the blend property. By adding HDPE in the presence of TS, rheological properties close to the LDPE were obtained for LDPE/HDPE/TS samples.
Effectiveness of public gardens on the insect diversity of green roofs
Authors: Hussain Raja Imran , Frank Thomas , Kratschmer Sophie
Published: November 2022

Rapid urbanization is among the factors, causing decrease in insect diversity. However, by offering suitable habitat, green roofs could lessen such adverse effects of urbanization. Certain factors, like a nearby public garden could be useful predictor variables to analyze at what extent green roofs can support insect communities. The aim of the study was to measure the insect diversity on intensive green roofs located close to public gardens, and more isolated green roofs within an urban setting. Insect species richness, abundance and assemblages were different on the green roofs close to public gardens compared to isolated green roofs. We can conclude that green roofs near a public garden will host more species, especially pollinators, consequently lessens urbanization's negative effect. Establishing a green roof at the right location would probably enhance biodiversity conservation in an urban setting. To properly understand how landscape factors impact insect communities on green roofs, future studies on green roofs should take public gardens into consideration.
The significance of preoperative serum fibrinogen in patients with gallbladder carcinoma after curative-intent resection: A Lasso predictive model with an extremely high predictive accuracy and a meta-analysis
Authors: Lv Tian-Run , Hu Hai-Jie , Liu Fei , Ma Wen-Jie , Jin Yan-Wen , Li Fu-Yu
Published: November 2022

Objective
To systematically evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative fibrinogen in surgically-treated patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Various prognostic models were established to evaluate their predictive accuracy versus the latest 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system.
Methods
Post-surgical patients with GBC between 2010 and 2020 were identified. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used evaluate the diagnostic performance of fibrinogen. Lasso regression-based predictive model and Cox regression-based predictive model were developed. Model performance was evaluated via area under curve.
Results
Based on our cohort and the following meta-analysis, an elevated preoperative fibrinogen level in GBC indicated a more advanced stage and a worse prognosis. Even after propensity score matching, the recurrence rate was still significantly higher in patients with hyper-fibrinogen. The diagnostic performance of fibrinogen on overall survival was inferior to CA199 while satisfactory performance was acquired when they were combined. Lasso regression-based predictive model with eight predictors incorporated (postoperative chemotherapy, age, preoperative fibrinogen, surgical margin, node metastasis, lymph-vascular invasion, liver invasion, and T stage) showed the highest predictive accuracy (AUC: 0.9) and the latest 8th AJCC staging system has the worst predictive accuracy (AUC: 0.85).
Conclusion
An elevated preoperative fibrinogen in resected GBC indicated a more advanced stage and a worse prognosis. An established Lasso model with eight predictors included, especially the incorporation of fibrinogen, showed the most superior predictive performance than Cox-based model or the latest 8th AJCC staging system.
CDKN1C gene mutation causing familial Silver–Russell syndrome, with family pedigree
Authors: Li Jie , He Hainan , Chen Lina
Published: November 2022

Background: CDKN1C is a cell proliferation inhibitor that regulates the cell cycle and cell growth through G1 cell cycle arrest. CDKN1C mutations can lead to IMAGe syndrome (CDKN1C allele gain-of-function mutations lead to intrauterine growth retardation, primary adrenal insufficiency, metaphyseal dysplasia, and genital malformations). So far,There are three reported pedigrees worldwide had CDKN1C missense mutations that caused silver Russell syndrome (SRS) (p.Arg279Leu, p.Arg279Ser). The affected family members showed an SRS phenotype but did not have limb asymmetry or adrenal insufficiency. The amino acid changes in this specific region were located in a narrow functional region that contains mutations previously associated with IMAGe syndrome.
Results: We found an SRS pedigree, which was due to missense mutation affecting the same amino acid position , 279, of the CDKN1C gene, resulting in the amino acid substitution p.Arg279His (c.836G>A). Five affected family members also showed SRS phenotypes , but without limb asymmetry or adrenal insufficiency. Two affected member had diabetes mellitus. Although the SRS-related CDKN1Cmutation is in the IMAGe-related mutation hotspot region(the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) domain), no adrenal insufficiency has been reported in this SRS pedigree. The reason may be that the location of genomic mutation and the type of missense mutation determine the phenotype.
Conclusions: Functional mutations in CDKN1C can lead to familial SRS without limb asymmetry, and some patients may have glucose abnormalities. In familial SRS patients, the PCNA region of CDKN1C should be analysed. Adrenal insufficiency should be excluded in all patients with functional CDKN1C variants.
DDIT4 mediated autophagy and ferroptosis through VDR-mTOR signaling pathway in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Lu Hai-tao , Jiao Yuan-yuan , Yu Tian-yu , Shi Jing-xuan , Tian Jing-wei , Zou Gu-ming , Liu Lin , Li Wen-ge , Zhuo Li
Published: November 2022

To determine the changes in the expression of DNA damage inducing transcription factor 4 (DDIT4) and the gene related to the activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients and experimental mice, and to explore the molecular mechanism of DDIT4 in the treatment of DKD. The pathological damage of kidney tissue and the molecular expression of VDR-mTOR related pathway in DKD patients and db/db mouse models were observed by periodate schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining; furthermore, diabetic cell models were established in mouse immortalized kidney podocyte line MPC5 cells and mouse glomerular mesangial cell line SV40-MES-13 cells by high glucose culture, transfected with DDIT4 plasmid, observed cell morphological changes by transmission electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy, and detected VDR/mTOR/p70s6k/4E-BP1 signal pathway protein expression by qRT-PCR and western blotting. PAS staining and IHC staining results showed that pathological damage of kidney tissue was observed in samples of DKD patients and in db/db mouse models. The results of qRT-PCR and western blotting showed that the expression of related proteins in VDR mTOR signal pathway changed. DDIT4 treatment could increase the expression of VDR, and reduce the expression of mTOR, p70s6k, 4E-BP1. The autophagy level showed that DDIT4 treatment could increase the expression of LC3I and decrease the expression of LC3II. The results of ferroptosis detection showed that DDIT4 treatment could reduce the expression of MDA and increase the expression of SOD and GSH. By participating in the VDR/mTOR/p70s6k/4E-BP1 signaling pathway, DDIT4 affects the process of autophagy and ferroptosis, thereby improving the pathological damage of diabetic kidney disease, and may become a new target for the treatment of DKD.
Confining donor conformation distributions for efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence with fast spin-flipping
Authors: Qiu Weidong , Liu Denghui , Li Mengke , Cai Xinyi , Chen Zijian , He Yanmei , Liang Baoyan , Qiao Zhenyang , Chen Jiting , Li Wei , Xie Wentao , Peng Xiaomei , Wang Zhiheng , Li Deli , Gan Yiyang , Jiao Yihang , Pu Junrong , Gu Qing , Su Shi-Jian
Published: November 2022

Fast spin-flipping is the key to exploit the triplet excitons in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) toward high efficiency, low efficiency roll-off and long operating lifetime. In common donor-acceptor type TADF molecules, the distribution of dihedral angles in the film state would have significant influence on the photo-physical properties, which are usually neglected by researches. Herein, we found that the excited state lifetimes of TADF emitters are subjected to conformation distributions in the host-guest system. Acridine-type flexible donors have a broad conformation distribution or dual conformations, which could bring about the long-tail conformer with large singlet-triplet energy gap, resulting in long excited state lifetime. Utilization of rigid donors with steric hindrance can restrict the conformation distributions in the film to achieve degenerate singlet and triplet states, which is beneficial to efficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). Based on this principle, three prototype TADF emitters with confined conformation distributions were developed, achieving high RISC rate constants greater than 106 s− 1, which enable highly efficient solution-processed OLEDs with significantly suppressed efficiency roll-off.
OSA remains a risk factor for cardiac events even in hypertensive patients under treatment: The UROSAH data
Authors: Yao Xiaoguang , Li Nanfang , Heizhati Mulalibieke , Wang Yingchun , Ma Yue , Wang Run , Zhang Delian , Luo Qin , Hu Junli , Wang Menghui , Zhu Qing
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The study aimed to observe the effect of the coexistence of OSA and hypertension on CVDs and evaluate the impact of antihypertensive treatment on CVDs outcomes in this population.
Study Design: This is a retrospective cohortstudy.
Methods: Hypertensive patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) test in Jan 2011 to Dec 2013 were enrolled. OSA was defined as apnea hypopnea index(AHI)≥ 5. Outcomes were extended major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including the first occurrence of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, revascularization, cardiac rehospitalization due to unstable angina or heart failure and all-cause death. The effect of the coexistence of OSA and hypertension on MACCE was explored by Cox regression analysis.
Results: Overall, 415 individuals out of 3329 hypertensives experienced extended MACCE. At a median follow-up of 7.0 years, the incidence of extended MACCE was significantly higher in OSA group than in non-OSA group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.27-1.99; P<0.001). Totally, OSA patients had a 57% increased risk of cardiac events than subjects without OSA [HR(95%CI):1.57 (1.04-2.39), P=0.034] and the association did not change in further sensitivity analysis. Especially in uncontrolled hypertension, OSA showed a 93% increased risk of cardiac events compared to patients without OSA(P=0.036) .
Conclusion: OSA remains a risk factor of cardiac events, while the association between OSA and cardiac events would be attenuated by the pharmacological-induced blood pressure control.
Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of ethyl acetate extract from Thermomyces lanuginosus and Aspergillus nidulans isolated from rhizospheric region of peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Raslan Ahmed , Abdel-Motaal Fatma , Abou-Ellail Mohamed , Mohamed Abou El-Hamd
Published: November 2022

Plant rhizospheric region is a good habitat of microbial communities that producing important secondary metabolites and essential bio products such as antioxidants and cytotoxins. Rhizospheric fungi are the best example for these communities. Thermomyces lanuginosus and Aspergillus nidulans were isolated from rhizospheric region of Arachis hypogaea and characterized morphologically and confirmed with Molecular genetic using (ITS) region. Ethyl acetate extract was a common solvent used in extraction and separation. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS) was carried out to identify these fungal extracts and estimate their content . DPPH Scavenging was used for Screening of Antioxidant Activity and HeLa (Cervical Cancer), Colo-205 (Colorectal cancer) and MCF-7 (Breast Adenocarcinoma) for determaining Cytotoxicity and cell Viability.
Assessing the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Subway Ridership and on the Interactions with other Transportation Modes
Authors: Deschaintres Elodie , Morency Catherine , Trépanier Martin
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has led governments to implement restrictive policies which have caused unprecedented effects on transportation systems. This paper assesses which measures had more impacts on subway daily ridership in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) and on the interactions between modes using time series approaches. Change point detection methods, based on regression structure and Bayesian posterior probabilities, are first applied to automatic fare collection (AFC) data available from January 2019 to December 2021. Nine breakpoints (or ten phases) are found and linked to the COVID-19 timeline of the city. The impacts are then quantified by phase, and their variability is analyzed by day type and period. The evolution of the daily and weekly patterns in subway usage is also examined using time-frequency wavelet analysis. Finally, changes in correlations between the subway ridership and the use of three other transportation modes (cycling, private car, and carsharing) are modeled using interrupted time series models with autoregressive errors. The results reveal that lockdown implementations had a negative, immediate but decreasing impact on subway use, while release measures combined with transit-specific policies (such as free distribution of masks) led to a gradual recovery. The impacts varied in time, but traditional 5-day-a-week peak hour travel declined the most. The use of the other modes, as well as their system-level interactions with the subway, were also affected. Potential modal shifts were highlighted. Such findings provide practitioners and planners with useful insights into the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on mobility.
Variations in sural nerve formation and course in fetuses
Authors: Garção Diogo Costa , Paiva Maria Stephany de Souza , Corcinio Karolaine Santos
Published: November 2022

Purpose: To investigate variations regarding the formation and course of the sural nerve (SN).
Methods. We dissected 60 formalin-fixed Brazilian fetuses (n = 120 lower limbs) aged from the 16th to 34th weeks of gestational age. Three incisions were made in the leg to expose the SN, and the gastrocnemius muscle was retracted to investigate the SN course. Statistical analyses regarding laterality and sex were performed using the Chi-square test.
Results. Eight SN formation patterns were classified after analysis. Type 4 (in which the SN is formed by the union of the MSCN with the LSCN) was the most common SN formation pattern. Although there was no statistical association between the formation patterns and the lower limb laterality (p = 0.9725), there was as to sex (p = 0.03973), indicating an association between anatomical variation and sex. The site of branch joining was in the distal leg most time (53.75%). In all lower limbs, the SN or its branches crossed from the medial aspect of the leg to the lateral margin of the calcaneal tendon (CT).
Conclusion. Most often, the SN is formed by joining the MSCN and the LSCN in the distal leg. The SN or its branches ran close to the saphenous vein, crossed the CT from medial to lateral, and distributed around the lateral malleolus.
An advanced cuprotosis-related long non-coding RNA signature predicts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Ying , Liu Caiqi , Wang Yuan , Shi Jiaqi , Luo Shengnan , Zhang Xue , Zheng Tongsen
Published: November 2022

Cuprotosis was discovered as a previously unidentified mode of cell death in March 2022. However, the relationship between this novel copper-mediated cell death and non-coding RNA has not been explored in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We developed a useful predictive model based on the TCGA-LIHC using four cuprotosis-related lncRNAs (AC026401.3, NRAV, CAPN10-DT, and SNHG4). As determined by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the median survival time of those in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of those in the low-risk group (P＜0.001). The risk score (0.772) has a much greater area under the curve (AUC) than the stage (0.671), age (0.531), gender (0.509), or grade (0.499). We used CIBERSORT, QUNANTISEQ, XCELL, CIBERSORT-ABS, EPIC, TIMER, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to compare immune cell infiltration, immunological function, and immune checkpoint related gene expression. And ssGSEA analysis revealed that the expression of 12 types of immune function genes differed between high- and low-risk groups. In the high-risk group, the expression of genes involved in APC-co-stimulation, checkpoint, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), MHC class I, T cell-co-stimulation, and so on were significantly up-regulated, whereas type I IFN response and type II IFN response were markedly down-regulated. CD274, HAVCR2, CTLA4, VTCN1, CD27, and CD200RL expression levels were all greater in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, with the exception of ADORA2A. To sum up, the model based on the signature of 4 kinds of cuprotosis-related lncRNAs can effectively assess the prognosis and survival of HCC patients.
A comparison of cosmological models with high-redshift quasars
Authors: Fan Liuyuan , Fang Guanwen , Hu Jian
Published: November 2022

The non-linear relationship between the monochromatic X-ray and UV luminosities in quasars offers the possibility of using high-z quasars as standard candles for cosmological testing. In this paper, we use a high-quality catalog of 1598 quasars extending to redshift ∼6, to compare the Rh = ct and ΛCDM cosmological models which are the most debated. The quasar samples are mainly from the XMM-Newton and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). As we shall see, the Akaike Information Criterion favors ΛCDM over Rh = ct with a relative likelihood of ∼ 86.35% versus ∼ 13.65%.
Negative Pressure Wound Management in Perineal Wound Status Post Abdominoperineal Resection and Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision : A Meta-analysis and Trial sequential analysis
Authors: Fan Cheng-Wei , Chen Po-Huang , Jhou Hong-Jie , Cheng Yi-Chiao
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Recent evidence-based publications disclosed that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) may reduce the incidence rate of surgical site infection and length of hospital stay compared with conventional drainage in patient status post abdominoperineal resection (APR) and extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE).
Methods:
Data sources: Eligible randomized controlled trials, retrospective and prospective studies published before June 2021 were retrieved from databases(Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase).
Study selection: (a) the study involved patients undergoing ELAPE or APR with postoperative NPWT; (b) the study compared NWPT with conventional drainage and reported at least one outcome of interest (i.e., SSI); and (c) the study provided adequate information to calculate the effect estimated for meta-analysis.
Interventions: We calculated the odds ratio (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Main outcome measures: The measure outcomes included SSI and LOS.
Results: Eight articles, involving 547 patients, met the selection criteria. Compared to conventional drainage, NPWT was associated with a significantly lower SSI rate (fixed-effect, OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.18–0.45; I2 = 0%) in eight studies and 547 patients. Besides, NPWT was associated with a shorter LOS (fixed-effect, MD −2.00; CI −2.60 to −1.39; I2 = 0%) than conventional drainage in three studies and 305 patients. In a trial sequential analysis, the cumulative number of patients in the analyses of both outcomes exceeded the required information size and surpassed the signiﬁcance boundary in favor of NPWT, suggesting conclusive results.
Conclusion: NPWT is superior to conventional drainage in both SSI rate and LOS, and the statistical power of SSI and LOS are confirmed by trial sequential analysis.
Thermophysical Properties of Bentonite-sand/fly ash Based Backfill Materials for Underground Power Cable
Authors: Sah Pawan Kishor , Kumar Shiv Shankar , S. Sreedeep
Published: November 2022

The surrounding (backfill) materials around the underground power cable systems are essential for dissipiating the heat away from it, during the exertion phases. The heat dissipiation restrains the thermal instability and risk of progressive drying of the backfill materials, thus, reduce thermal stress on power cable. Thermal instability is the reduction of thermal properties (conductivity or diffusivity) due to migration of moisture because of heat accumulation. Thus, the backfill materials should have adequate thermal properties and favorable water retention capacity, which will falicitate the heat transfer easily from the heat source to the surrounding area with minimal moisture migration. The bentonite have high water retention capacity, but low thermal conductivity. Sand/fly ash exhibit low water retention and have higher thermal conductivity than bentonite. The addition of bentonite promote the water holding capacity and thermo-physical properties of sand and fly ash. Therefore, this study presents the thermal properties of backfill materials, bentonite-fly ash (B-F) and bentonite-sand (B-S) at varying weigth-percent of sand and fly ash with bentonite. various compositions of the mixtures were compacted to varying dry densities and water contents and thermal properties variation of backfill materials were measured using a dual thermal needle probe ‘KD2 Pro 2008’ at room temperature. The study deals with systematic evaluation of the volumetric specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and diffusivity of backfill materials against varying dry density and water content. The threshold water content (TWC) has been determined from the thermal diffusivity-water content variation curve and it has correlated with plastic limit (PL) and optimum mosite conetn (OMC). Thereafter, the efficacy two thermal conductivity prediction models also were statistically evaluated with respect to experimental results.
Phase transition retrieval through in-situ observations
Authors: Romanovski Mikhail
Published: November 2022

Liquid transfer features in heating moisture-contenting materials are studied as a problem of phase transition retrieval by observations of specimen moisture state. The processing method is designed under the condition that a given sample weakly reflects the observed state changes. This requires a high-resolution processing, which is considered as a best consistency with observations. Regularization is applied to account for the ill-conditioned discretization of the mathematical model of the phenomenon and to ensure the approximation of a reconstructed function using a high-dimensional basis. The experimental data processing by the proposed method demonstrates for the first time that thin layer drying can involve a sequence of phase transitions. This causes a drop in the drying rate, which prevents moisture removal. Traditional processing of the experimentally determined drying curve and its direct differentiation do not reflect cases of mass transfer blocking and lead to a restricted interpretation of the experimental data. The application of traditional thermal models in the high-resolution conceptual processing of in-situ observations yields significant information about latent phenomena.
Contributions of economies of scale in pollination efficiency and predispersal predation to seed viability effects of masting
Authors: Pesendorfer Mario Benjamin , Bogdziewicz Michał , Oberklammer Iris , Nopp-Mayr Ursula , Szwagrzyk Jerzy , Gratzer Georg
Published: November 2022

Economies of scale (EoS), reduced individual costs when plant populations produce large numbers of seeds, are considered a central adaptive benefit of masting, the spatial synchronization of interannual variation in seed production. Throughout the development of seeds in wind-pollinated trees, multiple EoS mechanisms such as increased pollination efficiency and reduced predation rates have been identified. It is unclear, however, whether the same EoS mechanisms apply to co-occurring species and how sequential mechanisms interact to determine seed fate. Here, we use a long-term data set of seed production of beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and silver fir (Abies alba) in a primeval montane forest to investigate the relationship between seed production, pollination efficiency, and predispersal predation by insects. Our results show that the three species differed in presence and extent of EoS mechanisms. In silver fir, only pollination efficiency increased exponentially with seed density, while in Norway spruce only the rate of insect predation decreased with crop size. In beech, both EoS mechanisms had dramatic effects on seed quality and, importantly, our results suggest that pollination efficiency mediated the extent of predispersal predation. Furthermore, we found that both pollination and predation rates only increase strongly in the lower range of seed production, and that predation rates also depend on the extent of seed production the previous year. These findings illustrate that economy-of-scale effects are not universal and that multiple mechanisms in sequence can interact to shape seed fate.
Microbiome-Derived Cobalamin and Succinyl-CoA are Powerful Biomarkers for Improved Screening of Anal Cancer
Authors: Serrano-Villar Sergio , Saenz Johan S. , Tincati Camilla , Raju Sajan , Moreno Elena , Bargiela Rafael , Cabello Alfonso , Sendagorta Elena , Benito Amparo , Kurz Alina , Perez-Molina Jose A. , Hov Johannes , Fernández-López Laura , Muriel Alfonso , Campo Rosa del , Moreno Santiago , Troseid Marius , Seifert Jana , Ferrer Manuel
Published: November 2022

Background. People with HIV (PWH) exhibit a markedly increased risk of anal cancer, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), with specific microbiota signatures possibly contributing to greater human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenic potential. Low specificity of the current screening strategy for detecting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) hinders anal cancer prevention. We investigated microbiome derivatives associated with HSIL in anal cytology samples.

Methods. We recruited a discovery and a validation cohort at four clinical sites in Spain and Italy. Study participants were mostly MSM undergoing HSIL screening with high-resolution anoscopy and anal biopsies to confirm HSIL. We extracted the bacterial DNA, proteins, and metabolites from anal cytology samples, and we performed 16SrRNA gene sequencing, mass spectrometry, and targeted metabolite quantification.

Results. We included 213 participants, 167 in the discovery cohort (70 with confirmed HSIL) and 46 in the validation cohort (25 with confirmed HSIL). While we did not find clear microbiome composition signatures associated with HSIL, the microbiome associated with HSIL overexpressed proteins involved in the production of succinyl-CoA and cobalamin, with levels consistently increased in subjects with HSIL in the discovery and validation cohorts.
Combined measurement of succinyl-CoA and cobalamin overperformed anal cytology, improving sensitivity from 91.2% to 96.6%, specificity from 34.1% to 81.8%, positive predictive value from 48.1% to 77.8%, and negative predictive value from 85.3% to 97.3%. While anal cytology correctly classified only 59.9% of individuals, combined measurement of both metabolites improved the classification to 87.7%. This test overcame internal (adjusted AUC 0.877) and external validation. From 98 false-positive cytologic results, succinyl-CoA and cobalamin level measurement reclassified 49 (50%) to true negatives. Finally, we demonstrate greater in vitro production of succinyl-CoA and cobalamin in bacteria associated with HSIL or cancer vs. those presumably protective.

Conclusions. Cobalamin and succinyl-CoA are overexpressed in the anal microbiome of patients with HSIL and show excellent diagnostic capacity. Their measurement overperforms anal cytology to screen for patients with HSIL. Hence, we discovered two powerful biomarkers for which detection methods can readily be established, that could improve the current strategy of anal cancer screening.
Application of the Composite Quality Score (CQS-2) in systematic reviews of prospective, controlled, clinical therapy trials – a pilot study (Protocol)
Authors: Mickenautsch Steffen , Rupf Stefan , Kimmie-Dhansay Faheema , Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To establish, whether clinical conclusions from systematic reviews that applied the
second version of Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2) remain the same when the Composite
Quality Score (CQS-2) is used, instead.
Methods: PubMed will be searched for one systematic review that complies with the following
criteria: At least 20 prospective, clinical, controlled therapy trials included into meta-analyses;
computable data for test- and control group reported; trial appraisal using the RoB 2 tool; inclusion
of at least 5 trials in at least one single comparison per measured outcome; published in English. All
trial reports included in the systematic review will be traced in full copy and the following data
extracted per trial: Full reference details; overall RoB 2 appraisal decision; computable datasets. All
trial reports will be re-appraised using the CQS-2. All datasets will be stratified by overall bias risk
(RoB 2 tool) and per corroboration (C-) level (CQS-2). Trial data for each bias risk and C-level will
be statistically pooled using Mantel-Haenszel statistics with random-effects model. All pooled ‘low
bias risk’ effect estimates (RoB 2) and all pooled effect estimates of the highest C-level with data
(CQS-2) will in turn each be pooled by use of a random effects meta-analysis. DerSimonian and
Laird’s method of moments estimator will be used to estimate the between-study variance. Statistical
inconsistency will be quantified using the I2 statistic. The pooled effect estimates of both appraisal
tools will be statistically compared using the Wald-test and the null-hypothesis tested that both are
not significantly different. Clinical conclusions based on the pooled ‘low bias risk’ estimates (RoB 2)
and the C4-level (CQS-2) will be qualitatively compared.
Reporting: The final report will be made available online as preprint in one of the major preprint
repositories and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Evidence-Based Practice: Nurses’ Knowledge and Implementation in the Prevention of Pressure Sore Amongst Debilitating Patients in Selected Government Hospitals, Delta State
Authors: Modupe Nkor, Mary
Published: November 2022

Evidence-Based Practice: Nurses’ knowledge and implementation; in the prevention of Pressure sore amongst debilitating patients was carried out in selected Government Hospitals in Delta State. The research method for the study was a correlational survey design. A simple random sampling was used to select 250 respondents. Permission to collect data was sought from the Ethical Committee of the Hospital Management Board and from respondents. The data collection instrument was a self-developed structured questionnaire that was validated before use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the test statistic used for the hypotheses was the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 95% CI (i.e., at 0.05 significance level). The results demonstrated 54.4% had knowledge of EBP, 19.6% of nurses employed EBP to prevent pressure sore while and 19.6% employed best practice. There exists a significant relationship between nurses’ level of knowledge of EBP and the prevention of Pressure sore in debilitating patients (r=0.338, df-248, p<0.05). There was a relationship between the implementation strategy of EBP and the prevention of Pressure sore in debilitating patients (r=0.258, df-248, p<0.05). This study revealed the majority had knowledge of EBP. However, there is still a wide gap in knowledge as 38.8% of nurses indicated that opinion, expertise, and intuition are sufficient in preventing Pressure sore in debilitating patients. Nurses are to use nursing models. Models not only increase patient’s satisfaction and quality of nursing care but also offer a useful set of frameworks to guide education and nursing practice as failure to translate research evidence into practice hinders patients from adequate care and is likely to have skin breakdown. Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Implementation, Nurse’s knowledge, Pressure sore, Prevention.
Compliance with Non-Pharmacological Measures of Prevention against Covid-19 Infection among Undergraduate Students in a Nigerian University
Authors: Isara Alphonsus Rukevwe
Published: November 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as wearing a facemask in public, effective hand hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distancing, and voluntary self-isolation are critical in the prevention and control of Covid-19. This study was carried out to assess compliance with NPIs against Covid-19 among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 600 students for this cross-sectional study. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The mean age of students was 22.0 ± 3.3 years. Overall, 340 (56.7%) respondents had a good knowledge of NPIs against Covid-19, 395 (65.8%) had a positive attitude towards NPI, majority, 345 (90.8%), had poor compliance with of NPIs. The student’s level of study (p=0.009) and faculty (p=0.002) were statistically significantly associated with their knowledge of NPIs. This study showed fair knowledge, and an encouraging positive attitude but sub-optimal compliance with NPIs in the prevention and control of Covid-19 among the undergraduate students studied. The University of Benin authority should institute measures aimed at the continuous education of undergraduate students on the importance of compliance with NPIs targeted against Covid-19. Keywords: Covid-19, Non-pharmacological interventions, University undergraduates, Nigeria.