bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking Obesity Phenotypes in Korean Adults Based on KNHANES (2015-2019)
Authors: Shin Jieun , Kim Okhyun , Lee Myoungsook
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of obesity in Korean adults was 56.1% in 2019. This study aimed to find obesity phenotypes from the KNHANES(2015–2019) and determine the risk factors associated with each type. In 15,179 participants, three obesity phenotypes, high BMI (short heavy obesity, n=1,685), high waist circumference (WC) (tall abdominal obesity, n=549), and BMI/WC combination (heavy abdominal obesity, n=3,538), were compared to non-OB (n=9,425). Marital status, lower income and education levels were highly associated with abdominal obesity. Insufficient exercise or skipping breakfast were associated with the WC or BMI/WC obesity type. The BMI/WC risk was 3.25 times higher in males with high TG and 4.6–4.8 times higher in females with high FAS or TG, and the risk increased to 7-8 times higher in three combinations (HYP+HDLc+FBS) compared to the control. The K-Score to test balanced diets was lower in BMI/WC than in others. Low intakes of FI-4(fruits) in men and FI-2(meat), FI-3 (vegetables), and FI-5 (milk/milk products) in women with BMI/WC and WC types, but BMI type was not associated with diets. Compared to BMI, the BMI/WC or WC obesity type was an indicator of metabolically unhealthy obesity associated with obesogenic environments including food/diets pattern and unhealthy behaviors.
Spinal Anesthesia in Caesarean Section with Ovarian Cyst Permagna with Meigs Syndrome
Authors: Iqbal Aulia , Sembiring Susi
Published: November 2022

Background: The ovarian cyst is the very common cyst intra-abdominal in the ovary. If it need termination, the common procedure is cesarean section then the best anesthesia technique that suitable is spinal anesthesia. The Meigs Syndrome is an uncommon clinical condition, in which benign ovarian tumors are usually accompanied by ascites and pleural effusion. About 1% of ovarian tumors can indicate Meigs syndrome. Meigs Syndrome case have been reported in woman before 30 years old.

Case Illustration: We reported an evaluation of a 29 years old woman, Gestational 1 Partus 3 Abortus 0, 60 kg weight and 165 cm height came to hospital with enlargement of abdomen since 3 months ago. There wasn’t history of bleeding and fluid discharged from genital. There’s no complaint in urination and defecation. The patient has felt an enlarged abdomen since the age of 7 months of pregnancy during antenatal care to a obstetrician. The patient hemodynamic and vital signs are stable and the pregnancy already in 37-38th week. Based on that the obstetrician decided to terminate the pregnancy, we choose to do spinal anesthesia in the cesarean section because it’s easy, common, and best technique for short surgical procedures.

Conclusion: In patient with Ovarian Cysts Permagna with Meigs Syndrome in Pregnancy, we need to understand the risk of complication of ovarian cyst is higher in the prenatal period than after birth. The diagnosis of fetal ovarian cyst should not affect the schedule and method of delivery. The management of Meigs Syndrome in Pregnancy this time we terminate the pregnancy because it’s already in 37-38th week, the spinal anesthesia management is nothing different with the normal pregnancy.
Assessment of Resistance in Burkholderia pseudomallei to Benzalkonium Chloride and Antibiotics
Authors: Luchinin D. N. , Molchanova E. V. , Zakharova I. B. , Viktorov D. V.
Published: November 2022

The aim of the study was to investigate the features of resistance formation in Burkholderia pseudomallei to quaternary ammonium compounds, as well as to analyze its influence on the development of antibiotic resistance.

Materials and methods. 10 strains of melioidosis causative agent with typical cultural and morphological properties have been studied. The selection of variants resistant to benzalkonium chloride was carried out by successive passages on a dense nutrient medium with the addition of a disinfectant in increasing concentrations. The determination of sensitivity to benzalkonium chloride was performed through serial dilutions in agar, to antibacterial drugs from the groups of sulfonamides, β-lactams and tetracyclines – using disk diffusion method. Statistical processing of the obtained results was conducted with the help of the Microsoft Excel 2019 software. Arithmetic mean values and errors of mean values were calculated. The significance of differences between the parameters was determined applying Student’s t-test.

Results and discussion. All parental strains showed a similar degree of resistance to the disinfectant compound and most of the strains – susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. Cultivation of B. pseudomallei strains on a nutrient medium with the addition of benzalkonium chloride led to an increase in resistance to this disinfectant. In addition, an increase in the level of resistance to all studied antibiotics was found. Statistical processing of the data collected revealed a significant correlation between the change in sensitivity to benzalkonium chloride and the emergence of resistance to amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid and ceftazidime. It was found that the causative agent of melioidosis, with a natural high susceptibility to benzalkonium chloride, has a high potential for developing resistance to this disinfectant compound, which is of practical importance in the development of disinfection regimens using quarternary ammonium compounds. For the first time, a direct correlation between a decrease in the sensitivity to benzalkonium chloride in B. pseudomallei and emergence of resistance to amoxicillin/clavulonic acid and ceftazidime has been demonstrated.
Bacterial Siderophores: Structure, Functions, and Role in the Pathogenesis of Infections
Authors: Kuznetsova D. A. , Rykova V. A. , Podladchikova O. N.
Published: November 2022

This review systematizes and analyzes the data published over the past decade, devoted to the study of low-molecular-weight high affinity iron chelators – siderophores. Siderophores, which are found in bacteria, fungi and mammals, are able to extract iron from insoluble inorganic compounds, and in the host organism – from complexes with proteins that perform the function of nonspecific protection of mammals from infections. The extracted iron is delivered to cells through surface protein receptors specific for each siderophore, as well as various protein transport systems that make up membranes. Siderophores play an important role in virulence in pathogenic bacteria, performing many functions in the host organism, in addition to providing microbes with iron and other biological metals. They participate in the storage of excess iron, toxic to cells, protect bacteria from reactive oxygen compounds, compete for iron with phagocytes, and have a harmful effect on host cells, acting as secreted bacterial toxin in some cases. Bacterial siderophores perform a signaling function and regulate both, their own synthesis and the synthesis of other virulence factors. Many pathogenic bacteria produce several siderophores that are active under different conditions, against various sources of iron in the host organism and at different stages of infectious process. The review presents the results of the experimental studies aimed at elucidating the structure and diverse functions of bacterial siderophores, the mechanisms of their biosynthesis and regulation of expression, as well as the role of these molecules in the physiology and virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Special emphasis is put on siderophores of bacteria causing particularly dangerous infections.
Real-Time PCR Detection of Bacillus anthracis by Lambda_Ba03 Prophage Genes
Authors: Nizkorodova A. S. , Mal’tseva E. R. , Berdygulova Zh. A. , Naizabaeva D. A. , Kuatbekova S. A. , Zhigailov A. V. , Abdolla N. , Mashzhan A. S. , Akhmetollaev I. A. , Skiba Yu. A. , Mamadaliev S. M.
Published: November 2022

The aim of the study was to develop a set of primers and fluorescent probes for the detection of two chromosomal targets of Bacillus anthracis using real-time PCR based on the lambda_Ba03 prophage genes.

Materials and methods. BLAST analysis of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA identified two target genes in the region of lambdaBa03 prophage, BA_5358 (AE016879.1: 4852332..4853642) and BA_5361 (AE016879.1: 4855298..4856278). The designed primers and fluorescent hydrolysable TaqMan probes for simultaneous detection of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA by two stated genes were tested in qPCR for sensitivity and specificity.

Results and discussion. Studies performed on chromosomal DNA samples of closely related bacteria (B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. subtilis, B. clausii) have shown 100 % specificity of the developed sets of primers/probes. The sensitivity of the devised multiplex kit, tested on DNA samples of the m55-VNIIVViM vaccine strain and archival DNA samples of B. anthracis, reached 100 fg of bacterial DNA, which sets the limit of sensitivity at 17 genomes per reaction. The developed multiplex kit can be used as a separate tool for research laboratories studying anthrax.
Yersinia pestis Strains of the 1.ORI Line as Etiological Agent of the Plague Pandemic III
Authors: Nikiforov K. A.
Published: November 2022

Yersinia pestis strains of the 1.ORI lineage originate from China as a result of evolution of the 1.ANT phylogenetic branch. Strains of the biovar orientalis are divided into three major lines of evolution: 1.ORI1, 1.ORI2, 1.ORI3. Lines 1.ORI1 and 1.ORI2 originated in China and then spread across the east and west coasts of India, respectively. Strains of the biovar orientalis have widely spread throughout the world, mainly as a result of introduction by sea. This way, the 1.ORI1 line was imported onto the territory of North America. 1.ORI2 line has spread to Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. In addition, the strains of the biovar orientalis were brought to the territory of Australia, however, the formation of natural foci did not occur. The spread of strains to new territories during the third plague pandemic, as a rule, took place with the participation of one strain, which caused epizootics among synanthropic rodents. After that, outbreaks were recorded among the population of port cities, followed by drifting into the countryside and the formation of natural foci under suitable natural conditions. In the absence of such, the plague pathogen was eliminated from natural biotopes, and the formation of a natural focus did not occur. In recent decades, most cases of human plague in the world have been caused by strains of the biovar orientalis (1.ORI). However, the emergence and spread of the evolutionary line “1” is insufficiently studied. Currently, there is a lack of both historical data and strains that are ancestors of modern strains in many countries to clarify the details of the irradiation of strains of the biovar orientalis. As a result, the concepts of dissemination of many evolution branches of the strains, biovar orientalis are in the form of hypotheses to date. In this work, the collection and analysis of literature data on the history and epidemiology of plague over the third pandemic, a search for a connection between epidemic manifestations and the appurtenance of the strains that caused them to certain phylogenetic lineages was carried out.
A Pilot Program: Remote Summer Program to Improve Opportunity and Mentorship Among Underrepresented Students Pursuing Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Hastings Katherine G. , Freiman Halle D. , Amanatullah Derek F. , Gardner Michael J. , Frick Steven , Shea Kevin G.
Published: November 2022

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an 8-week remote summer program in supporting underrepresented students interested in orthopaedic surgery.

Methods:

We received 115 applications, and a total of 17 students participated in the program (14.8%). Nine faculty mentors were matched with 1 or 2 students each. The program delivered a curriculum from June-August 2021 consisting of (1) weekly instructional courses on research-related topics led by a content expert; (2) weekly faculty lectures discussing topics including orthopaedic topics, diversity in medicine, leadership, and work-life balance; and (3) a research experience paired with a faculty mentor and peer mentor. We surveyed students to measure skill progression, satisfaction, and overall program evaluation. Preprogram/postprogram evaluation, midprogram check-in, and student feedback surveys were collected.

Results:

Program participants represented a range of race and ethnic backgrounds, research experience levels, and various geographic locations across the United States. The cohort included a high rate of female (42%) and Black (35%) participants. On average, postprogram survey scores indicated that participants believed that the summer program improved their research skills (9.6 of 10), improved their orthopaedic interest (8.9 of 10), and improved mentorship and networking (9.1 of 10). For feedback surveys, 14 respondents of 15 total responses (93%) felt they were adequately matched to their faculty mentor. Twelve (80%) felt they had realistic deliverables for research projects within the 8-week program. Thirteen (87%) indicated they contributed to an abstract or manuscript as a coauthor.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that students improved their research skills, interest, and confidence to pursue orthopaedic residency and mentorship/networks in the field. The long-term goal is to improve the accessibility and quality of mentorship for underrepresented students in order to foster an equitable pathway into the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Respon Pertumbuhan, Kuantitas, dan Kualitas Biji Beberapa Varietas Jagung Lokal pada Dosis Pemupukan Nitrogen Berbeda
Authors: Munandar Denna Eriani , Sundahri Sundahri , Khozin Muhammad Nur , Arum Ayu Puspita
Published: November 2022

Jagung varietas lokal memiliki beragam kandungan nutrisi biji yang berperan penting sebagai sumber bahan pangan. Nitrogen (N) merupakan unsur hara esensial yang sangat dibutuhkan tanaman untuk tumbuh dan berproduksi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dosis N yang memberikan hasil dan kualitas biji terbaik pada beberapa varietas jagung lokal. Penelitian dilakukan di kebun percobaan Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Jember pada bulan Mei hingga September 2019, menggunakan rancangan petak terbagi, dengan tiga ulangan. Petak utama adalah lima varietas jagung lokal asal Trenggalek, Bojonegoro, Kalimantan, Madura, dan Pasuruan, anak petak adalah empat dosis pupuk N yaitu 50, 100, 150 dan 200 kg/ha. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan varietas jagung lokal Trenggalek, Bojonegoro, Kalimantan dan Madura menghasilkan lebih tinggi dengan kisaran 3,68-4,24 t/ha, berbeda nyata dengan varietas lokal Pasuruan yang menghasilkan 2,29 t/ha. Pemupukan N dengan dosis 200 kg/ha memberikan respon pertumbuhan terbaik. Dosis pemupukan N 150-200 kg/ha menghasilkan biji lebih tinggi dengan kisaran 3,79 - 3,89 t/ha. Jagung varietas lokal Trenggalek dan Kalimantan menghasilkan protein biji lebih tinggi dengan kisaran 9,21 - 10,81% pada pemupukan N 50-200 kg/ha, varietas lokal Bojonegoro menghasilkan protein biji terendah, berkisar antara 7,10-7,88%. Kadar lemak biji jagung varietas lokal Bojonegoro, Madura, dan Pasuruan berkisar antara 5,03 - 5,27% lebih tinggi dibandingkan varietas Trenggalek dengan kisaran 4,60 - 4,78%. Jagung lokal Madura dan Pasuruan memiliki aktivitas antioksidan biji yang lebih tinggi masing-masing 17,86 – 19,22 % dan 14,87 – 19,89 %, varietas Kalimantan menghasilkan aktivitas antioksidan terendah dengan kisaran 10, 35 – 11, 76%.
An equation for deriving spatial variations in carbonate production rates from sediment deposition rates and dilution: Application to Santa Maria Island, Azores
Authors: Mitchell Neil C. , Quartau Rui , Moreira Sandra , Beier Christoph , Zhao Zhongwei , Ávila Sérgio , Portanyi Elsa-Marie , Rodrigues Aurora
Published: November 2022

Knowledge of how carbonates are produced on shelves is needed for working out how these “carbonate factories” generate stratigraphy by providing particles for potential export or local deposition. Production rates can be derived straightforwardly in low-energy environments from one-dimensional analysis (age–depth variations) but rates are less easily derived for high-energy hydrodynamical environments where particles are transported away from their sites of production. This particularly affects knowledge of spatial variations in production rates, needed for working out controlling influences of light, hydrodynamics, and nutrient availability. We show here that, if a non-carbonate component of the sediment, such as terrigenous particles arising from coastal and subaerial erosion, is conserved and thus acts as a tracer, rates of carbonate production can in principle be derived from carbonate content data, if sediment transport fluxes can also be constrained. In the equation developed here, the spatial rate of change of carbonate content is caused by dilution of the terrigenous component by the newly produced carbonate and depends on the sediment transport flux. We investigate this idea using data from Santa Maria Island, Azores, an inactive volcanic island in a temperate environment. Geochemical, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data of surface–sediment grab samples indicate nearly simple mixing trends between two components (volcanic rock and marine carbonate), as needed for our simple dilution-based equation to apply. High-resolution boomer seismic data reveal thicker (> 1 m) deposits in the mid- to outer shelf of the island, which we interpret as having been emplaced during the Holocene. These effectively provide time-averaged depositional fluxes and, assuming conservation of mass, can be used to constrain transport fluxes. The derived equation is used to predict the observed deposit thicknesses into the mid-shelf alongside coincident increasing carbonate percentages. The thicknesses are replicated only if carbonate production rates increase with depth and distance away from the coastline into the mid-shelf, quantifying the variation of production of such a nearshore environment for the first time. We speculate that mollusks dominating the production have a preference for sand that is less frequently or strongly agitated by waves, although nutrient availability from occasional upwelling may also regulate growth to create this trend.
Energy-efficient scheduling problem under speed-scaling and power-saving machine state
Authors: Aghelinejad MohammadMohsen , Ouazene Yassine , Yalaoui Alice
Published: November 2022

This paper addresses the problem of scheduling different non-preemptive jobs on a single machine under time of use electricity tariffs consideration. The considered machine has three main states (OFF, ON, Idle) and two transition states (Turn-on and Turn-off). Each of these machine’s states as well as the processing jobs, consume a specific amount of energy. Moreover, a speed-scalable case of the problem is considered, in which jobs can be processed at an arbitrary speed with a trade-off between speed and energy consumption.
First, a mixed-integer linear programming model with the objective of minimizing total energy consumption costs formulates this scheduling problem. Then, since this problem is strongly NP-hard, different approximate optimization methods are investigated to provide near-optimal solutions. Finally, an extensive computational study is carried out to establish the efficiency of the proposed algorithms. The obtained results show, how a well-tuned genetic algorithm combined with an adequate local search procedure constitutes an efficient method for solving this energy-aware scheduling problem.
Sociodemographic profile associated with perinatal depression during the COVID-19 era
Authors: Kovacheva Katina , Rodríguez-Muñoz Maria de la Fe , Gómez-Baya Diego , Domínguez-Salas Sara , Motrico Emma
Published: November 2022

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused an increase in perinatal depression. The aim of this research was to identify which sociodemographic variables are related to the increase in perinatal depression due to the pandemic. In addition to estimating to what extent they predict perinatal depression, differentiating the prenatal and postnatal period.
Methods: The sample consisted of 3,356 subjects, 1,402 in the prenatal period and 1,954 in the postnatal period. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology. A subset of 14 questions was included to collect demographic data. Items from the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences Survey were also included.
Results: Experiencing the change of environment due to COVID-19 as negative and having a history of mental health predict perinatal depression, otherwise having higher education decreases the risk. In the prenatal stage having symptoms compatible with COVID-19 is a predictor of perinatal depression and having more than 3 years living together with the partner and being a housewife decreases the risk. In the postnatal stage being unemployed is a predictor of prenatal depression and being a first-time mother decreases the risk.
Conclusions: This study highlights the relevance of sociodemographic status. It is essential to be aware of the risk factors of perinatal depression, to make adequate prevention and to create health policies to alleviate the consequences of the pandemic.
Transcriptomic study of sex differences in sepsis
Authors: Xu Huachao , Chen Qi , Shen Yuanhao , Lu Jun
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:There are significant differences in sepsis incidence and mortality between men and women, but the pathogenesis has remained unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare sex related expression at the transcriptional level in sepsis, and to explore potential target genes for further research.
METHODS: The train dataset GSE65682 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was utilized for bioinformatic analysis. Four subgroups were divided according to different infection types such as CAP, HAP, AS and HC. By analyzing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each subgroup between men and women, we got a list of sex related DEGs list. We further analyzed the expression levels of these genes between sepsis and healthy control groups to find the genes of interest (GOIs)with significant changes. Finally the validation dataset GSE134364 was used to verify the changes of GOIs.
RESULTS: 9 genes were found by comparing the 4 subgroups DEGs of train dataset under the standard of |log2 (FC) | >0.5 and adj P.value<0.05. In the following expression analysis we got 3 GOIs, which were distributed on the Y chromosome and their expression was significantly down regulated in sepsis compared with healthy control group. These changes of GOIs were further verified by the validation set.
CONCLUSIONS: The sex-related differences of sepsis in large samples were mainly manifested in sex chromosome at the transcriptomic level. The expressions of TXLNGY, USP9Y and PRKY located in the male Y chromosome were down-regulated significantly in different sepsis types, which might affect their prognosis in sepsis.
Environmental Drivers of Plant Invasion in Wetland Mitigation
Authors: Hunter Dakota M. , DeBerry Douglas A
Published: November 2022

Invasive plant species can alter natural communities and degrade ecosystem function, yet the factors influencing species invasion are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize important environmental drivers of plant invasions on wetland mitigation sites. We sampled vegetation and environmental variables (site hydrology, light availability, soil physiochemistry, site age) across invasion gradients at multiple wetland mitigation sites in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia. Data analysis involved a multi-metric statistical approach combining correlation, AIC, and CCA to arrive at a plausible model for invasion risk by species based on environmental correlates. We targeted Arthraxon hispidus (joint-head grass), Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass), and Typha spp. (cattail), three invasive species that are known to be problematic on wetland mitigation sites in the region. Our analysis revealed species-specific environmental drivers of invasion with a few factors consistently important across all targeted invaders – notably, canopy cover (light availability), hydrology, and a handful of important physiochemical variables. The results of this research have been used to develop a suite of recommended best practices that can be implemented at the outset of a wetland mitigation project to reduce the risk of invasion.
Non-destructive monitoring microstructure and properties changes of 35CrMo steel cylinder using magnetic Barkhausen noise and hysteresis loop techniques
Authors: Chai Jun-hui , Lv Zhong-jie , Xu Bo , Zhang Zi-jiang , Shen Zheng-xiang , Shen Jian-min , Zhang Xiao-long
Published: November 2022

Background
An important subject during the inspection and quality control of heat-treated steel components is the accurate determination of their microstructure and properties through efficient methods. Traditional laboratory-based techniques, such as optical microscope and mechanical test, are expensive and require a lot of time for samples preparation. Among the various inspection methods for ferromagnetic materials, magnetic non-destructive testing technology is very suitable for on-line detection of product quality, because it is convenient and sensitive to changes in microstructure.
Objective
The main task of this work is to develop a reliable magnetic method of nondestructive testing of the heat treatment quality of steel components from high strength alloy steel. More specifcally, the relationship between magnetic properties and mechanical properties is provided for rapid on-site inspection of product quality.
Methods
Based on hysteresis loop and Barkhausen noise method, the microstructure characterization and residual stress evaluation of 35CrMo steel cylinders under different heat treatment processes are studied. Simultaneously, microstructure observation and hardness measurement are also carried out for the experimental validation. Finally, based on the destructive mechanical test, the linear relationship between the magnetic properties of the cylinder material and its main mechanical properties is fitted.
Results
The quenching and tempering heat treatment processes result in significant variations in the coercive force and the RMS value of the MBN voltage of the 35CrMo steel cylinders, respectively. The surface hardness is in good agreement with coercive force, and the residual stresses levels are evaluated quantitatively via the calibration curve of stress-RMS value. In particular, the coercivity has a good fit with the hardness and strength, the corresponding correlation coefficients are 0.92 and 0.98, respectively.
Conclusion
To avoid destructive testing, magnetic hysteresis loop and Barkhausen noise techniques could be a better tool for the evaluation of quality of heated steel products.
Accurate and Reproducible Enumeration of Cd4 T Cell Counts and Hemoglobin Levels Using a Point of Care System: Comparison With Conventional Laboratory Based Testing Systems in a Clinical Reference Laboratory in Cameroon
Authors: SAGNIA Bertrand , MOUDOUROU Sylvie , GUTIEREZ Ana , TCHADJI Jules , Sosso Samuel Martin , NDJOLO Alexis , COLIZZI Vittorio , Ghomsi Fabrice Mbakop
Published: November 2022

Background
Measurements of CD4 T cells and hemoglobin (Hb) are used to determine the immunological state and information about disease progression for HIV-infected patients. We analyze the correlation in CD4 and Hb measurements using BD FACSPresto™ system compared with the BD validated FACSCanto™ II clinical software analyzer and Sysmex XN 1000 haematology analyzer. We evaluated the advantages of using the POC device in the era of scale up in access for HIV patient management in resource limited settings
Method
The analytical performance of the BD FACSPresto compared with the FACSCanto II flow cytometer and the Sysmex XN 1000 haematology analyzer was evaluated testing 241 routine clinical specimens collected in EDTA tubes from patients attending the Immunology and Microbiology laboratory of Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre (Yaounde, Cameroon) between January and May 2016.
Results
The mean in absolute counts and percentage of CD4 T cells was 606 cells/mL and 25% respectfully via the FACSPresto and 574 cells/mL and 24% respectfully via the BD FACSCanto II. The mean concentration of Hb levels was 11.90 on the Sysmex XN 1000 and 11.45 via the BD FACSPresto. A high correlation (R2 = 0.95, P < 0.001) of Hb level measurements was noted between the BD FACSPresto™ and Sysmex XN 1000 hematology analyzer. Overall, Bland-Altman plot of the differences between the two methods showed an excellent agreement for absolute and percentage CD4 counts and hemoglobin measurements between POC and conventional methods evaluated here. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the ease of use of the BD FACSPresto POC technology in remote areas.
Conclusion
The BD FACPresto is a suitable tool for CD4 enumeration in resource-limited settings, specifically providing a deployable, reliable POC testing option. The BD FACSPresto™ performed appropriately in comparison to the conventional reference standard technologies The BD FACSPresto system provides accurate, reliable, precise CD4/%CD4/Hb results on venous blood sampling. The data showed good agreement between the BD FACSPresto, BD FACSCanto and Sysmex XN 1000 XN 1000 systems.
An approach to evaluate the influence of deep uncertainties in the design and performance of residential rainwater harvesting systems as an alternative to universalization of water access.
Authors: Pacheco Gabriela Cristina Ribeiro , Alves Conceição de Maria Albuquerque
Published: November 2022

The Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHSs) have being used as water conservation alternative to guarantee access to water in urban areas facing increasing demand and climate variability. However, the functioning of these systems depends on socio and economic parameters that usually are defined as constant in traditional viability analyses. The variability of these parameters are not well represented by predefined probability functions, being named in the literature as deep uncertainty factors differentiating from well-characterized uncertainties whose probability functions are known. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of uncertainties (deep and well characterized) in the performance of RWHSs in three towns in the State of Goiás, Brazil (Rio Verde, Ipameri and Formosa). Technical (Satisfied Demand - SD, Reliability - REL and Rainwater Consumed - RH) and economic (Net Present Value - NPV, Net Present Value Volume - NPVV and Benefit Cost Rate - BCR) performance criteria were evaluated under a set of 1,000 scenarios comprised of climate (rainfall) and deep uncertainty factors (water tariff, discount rate and operational costs). According to selected performance criteria, the RWHS performed well in 50.01%, 46.19% and 38.01% of the scenarios in Rio Verde, Ipameri and Formosa, respectively. It was possible to illustrate the impact of the water tariff and the discount rate in the performance of RWHSs in all three cities showing the need to incorporate the variability of these parameters when evaluating RWHSs as alternative source of water supply in urban areas.
Diversity, community structure and potential functions of root-associated bacterial communities of different wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars under field conditions
Authors: Acuña Jacquelinne , Rilling Joaquin Ignacio , Inostroza Nitza , Manquian Javiera , Zhang Qian , Vadakattu Gupta , Jorquera Milko
Published: November 2022

Aim
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) microbiome is essential to its growth and adaptation under the current climatic crisis. Wheat breeding programs are mainly focused on developing pest and stress resistant cultivars; thus, plant genotype-by-microbiome interactions have gained attention. Thus, local wheat cultivars represent an opportunity to examine recruited and supporting bacterial communities under field conditions.
Method
In this study, we used Illumina MiSeq to explore the diversity, community structure and potential functions of root-associated bacterial communities of four wheat cultivars under field conditions.
Results
Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in root endosphere (51.1 to 74.4%) and rhizosphere samples (39.3 to 44.9%) across cultivars. Differences in alpha and beta diversity were observed in root endosphere and rhizosphere, independently of cultivar. Potassium was identified as the main factor driving rhizosphere microbiomes of wheat. Higher proportion of shared OTUs were found in rhizosphere (mainly Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, and Janthinobacterium) compared with root-endosphere (dominated by Delftia, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Kaistobacter) across cultivars. General predicted functional activities revealed chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy as more observed in the root endosphere environment, whereas nitrogen cycling was the more predicted in rhizosphere. Co-occurrence analysis revealed complex bacterial interactions in niche microbiomes identifying three (Comamonadaceae, Enterobacteraceae, Micrococcaceae) and four (Corynebacteraceae, Dermabacteraceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae) families as keystone taxa for root endosphere and rhizosphere, respectively.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that under the same field conditions community differences are driven by niche, rather than cultivar. This might contribute to the development of new cultivars able to recruit specific bacterial communities.
Impact of Environmental Pollution on the Residents of Sharada From Tannery Industries, Kano, Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ekpa Dave Eleojo
Published: November 2022

Environmental pollution has become a worldwide challenge due to industrialisation and anthropogenic activities. Industrial effluents cause a wide scope of environmental problems with health hazards and these challenges are more complex and critical now than before, in developing countries like Nigeria. This study assessed the impact of environmental pollution and determined levels of heavy metals (HMs) in the effluents from tannery industries in Sharada phase I and II. The data used include laboratory test to determine heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Fe), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) from industrial effluents. Interview was conducted and systematic field observation was employed to ascertain the perceptible impacts of the pollution on the environment. The finding reveals that concentrations of the physicochemical parameters are within the FEPA acceptable limits but the EC and TDS are above the limit. The pH value of the effluents is neutral. The major conspicuous and dangerous environmental challenges in the study area include air pollution and open drainages. The economic activities of the residents are negatively affected due to stink from the effluents and untidy environment. The environment has become detrimental to people’s health and the passerby. Thus, FEPA laws should be enforced, the industries should construct closed drainage, study on environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be conducted often to curtail the environmental challenges in the area in order to make the environment conducive for living, avoid further deterioration and ensure a sustainable hygienic environment.
Methodological Rigour in Preclinical Urological Studies: a 14-year systematic review to increase research quality and value
Authors: Park Seung Hyun , Lee Se Bee , Park Seoyeon , Kim Eunyoung , Pizzol Damiano , Trott Mike , Barnett Yvonne , Koyanagi Ai , Jacob Louis , Soysal Pinar , Veronese Nicola , Ippoliti Simona , Ghayda Ramy Abou , Thirumavalavan Nannan , Hijaz Adonis , Sheyn David , Pope Rachel , Conroy Britt , Nevo Amihay , Jaeger Irina , Shubham Gupta , Ilie Petre-Cristian , Lee Seung Won , Yon Dong Keon , Han Hyunho , Hong Sung Hwi , Shin Jae Il , Ponsky Lee , Smith Lee
Published: November 2022

Aims: Methodological rigour enhances reproducibility in preclinical studies and translation from preclinical to clinical studies. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and the trends of essential study design elements in preclinical urological studies, as well as key factors which may improve methodological rigour.
Methods and Results: PubMed database was searched, and all the resulting articles in preclinical urological articles published over the past 14-years were reviewed. Total 3768 articles met inclusion criteria. Data on study design elements and animal model used were collected. Citation density and journal impact factor was also examined as a surrogate marker of study influence. We performed analysis on prevalence of seven critical study design elements, and temporal patterns over 14 years. Randomization was reported in 50.0%, blinding in 15.0%, sample size estimation in 1.0%, inclusion of both sexes in 5.7%, statistical analysis in 97.1%, housing and husbandry in 47.7%, and inclusion/exclusion criteria in 5.0%. Temporal analysis showed that the implementation of these study design elements has increased, except for inclusion of both sexes and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Reporting study design elements were not associated with increased citation density.
Conclusions: The risk of bias is prevalent in 14-year publications describing preclinical urological research, and the quality of methodological rigour is poorly related to the journal impact factor or the citation of the article. Yet guidelines seem helpful in improving the research quality, because five study design elements (randomization, blinding, sample size estimation, statistical analysis, housing and husbandry) proposed by both NIH and ARRIVE guidelines have been either well reported or improved.
Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022233125
One-sentence summary: Research bias still exists in the fields in preclinical urology, but it is gradually improving.
Glycated Haemoglobin and Cardiovascular Complications in Non-Diabetic Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Salem Ibrahim M. , Nawara Abdallah M. , Awadalla Mohamed M. , Ghonemy Tarek A. , Zanaty Mohamed A. , Borai Maher B. , Salem Mohamed I. , Sakla Niveen S.
Published: November 2022

Background
Cardiovascular disease is considered a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with CVD in diabetic patients. However, there is lack of information regarding HbA1c and CVD risk in non-diabetic HD patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between glycated hemoglobin levels and the risk for CVD in non-diabetic HD patients.
Methods
A prospective, cross-sectional study, which included 60 non-diabetic HD patients, 30 patients taking erythrocyte stimulating agents (ESA), and 30 patients with no-ESA. Each group was subdivided according to the presence or absence of CVD. All participants were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations.
Results
Non-diabetic HD patients with CVD had higher mean ± SD HbA1c% (5.8 ± 0.2) and HOMA-IR (4.7 ± 0.7), than those with no-CVD (5.5 ± 0.3), and (4.2 ± 0.3) (p ˂0.05). Non-diabetic HD patients with CVD had longer dialysis duration, lower serum albumin, and HDL, but higher total cholesterol, CRP, Hb%, HbA1c%, and insulin resistance than those with no-CVD. HD patients who received higher doses of ESA therapy mean ± SD (80.8 ± 22.4) IU/Kg/Week had significantly lower HbA1c% (˂5%) than those who received lower doses (53.9 ± 23.8), who had HbA1c% (≥ 5.5–6%) (p˂0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between the presence of CVD in HD patients and the HbA1c% levels (r = 0.492) (p˂0.05).
Conclusion
HbA1c can predict CVD in non-diabetic HD patients, and its lower levels are associated with lower CVD.
Statistical analysis for EUV dynamic spectra and their impact on the ionosphere during solar flares
Authors: Nishimoto Shohei , Watanabe Kyoko , Jin Hidekatsu , Kawai Toshiki , Imada Shinsuke , Kawate Tomoko , Otsuka Yuichi , Shinbori Atsuki , Tsugawa Takuya , Nishioka Michi
Published: November 2022

The X-rays and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emitted during solar flares can rapidly change the physical composition of Earth's ionosphere, causing space weather phenomena. It is important to develop an accurate understanding of solar flare emission spectra to understand how it affects the ionosphere. We reproduced the entire solar flare emission spectrum using an empirical model and physics-based model, and input it into the earth’s atmospheric model, GAIA to calculate the total electron content (TEC) enhancement due to solar flare emission. We compared the statistics of nine solar flare events and calculated the TEC enhancements with the corresponding observed data. The model used in this study was able to estimate the TEC enhancement due to solar flare emission with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.9. The results of this study indicate that the TEC enhancement due to solar flare emission is determined by soft X-ray and EUV emission with wavelengths below 35 nm. The TEC enhancement is found to be largely due to the change in the soft X-ray emission and EUV line emissions with wavelengths such as Fe XVII 10.08 nm, Fe XIX 10.85 nm and He II 30.38 nm.
Microfacies analysis and paleolimnology of latest Pleistocene - Holocene lacustrine sediments of Faiyum paleolake, Egypt
Authors: Hamdan M.A , Afify A. B. , Osman R. , Hamed R.A. , Hassan F.A. , Flower R.J. , Mabrouk M.S.
Published: November 2022

The geomorphological and geological settings of Faiyum Depression make its lake sediments relevant to both the paleoclimate and paleohydrology of North Africa in general and Egypt in particular. Faiyum Depression is an endorheic basin that received fresh water from the Nile River during seasonal high flows throughout most of the late Pleistocene and Holocene. A detailed analysis of the textural and microfacies of lacustrine sediments were carried out. The sediment at the base of core F3-08, represent the last shirking phase of the previously huge late Pleistocene Lake phase with high beaches at c. 45m ASL. This phase represents ended by complete dissociation of the lake and prevailing of desert condition with accumulation of aeolian sand. An early Holocene freshwater mega-lake initially filled almost the whole Faiyum Depression and their beaches are existed at elevation of c. 25m ASL and since that time lake levels have fluctuated markedly leading to the small saline lake (Lake Qarun). During the Early and Middle Holocene, lake level changes were largely influenced by changing Nile floods driven by African monsoons and Westerlies affecting the African Nile headwaters. Detailed examination of sediment structures using high resolution microfacies differentiation in a continuous Holocene sediment core revealed the fine detail of sedimentological complexities. These are primarily attributed to changes in sediment supply, sedimentological conditions and sediment accumulation rates as the lake system responded to environmental modifications caused by both climate and by ancient people.
hMSH2 Coordinated with the Expression of E2F1 Promotes Platinum Response in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Hua Tian , Zhang Bao-ying
Published: November 2022

Purpose Previous studies have demonstrated that hMSH2 deficiency decreased platinum response in EOC. This study is to explore the underlying mechanism that regulates hMSH2 expression and drug susceptibility.
Methods Transcription factors (TFs) that potentially regulate hMSH2 were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and luciferase assay were carried out in ovarian cancer cell lines to verify the identified TF. Expressions of the identified TF were modulated via overexpression or knockdown, and the corresponding cellular responses to the cisplatin were examined. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to verify the correlation between the identified TF and EOC patients’ clinical outcomes.
Results The common transcription factor E2F1 was identified to bind the promoter region of the hMSH2 gene and presented a positive correlation with the expression of hMSH2 in the public database. RT-PCR and Western blot verified the coordinate expression of E2F1 and hMSH2 in ovarian cancer cells. The luciferase assay also validated the regulation of hMSH2 by E2F1. The expression level of E2F1 is also found to correlate with cisplatin susceptibility in vitro. The Kaplan-Meier analyses of 77 EOC patients showed that low E2F1 expression was associated with worse survival.
Conclusion E2F1 regulated MSH2 expression could play a vital role in the drug resistance of platinum-based treatments for ovarian cancer patients. The complex role of E2F1 in various cancers still needs to be further explored.
A quantitative interpretation of oxidative protein folding activity in Escherichia coli
Authors: Rettenbacher Lukas A. , Haar Tobias von der
Published: November 2022

Background
Escherichia coli is of central interest to biotechnological research and a widely used organism for producing proteins at both lab and industrial scales. However, many proteins remain difficult to produce efficiently in E. coli. This is particularly true for proteins that require post translational modifications such as disulfide bonds.
Results
In this study we develop a novel approach for quantitatively investigating the ability of E. coli to produce disulfide bonds in its own proteome. We summarise the existing knowledge of the E. coli disulfide proteome and use this information to investigate the demand on this organism’s quantitative oxidative folding apparatus under different growth conditions. Furthermore, we built an ordinary differential equation-based model describing the cells oxidative folding capabilities. We use the model to infer the kinetic parameters required by the cell to achieve the observed oxidative folding requirements. We found that the cellular requirement for disulfide bonded proteins changes significantly between growth conditions. Fast growing cells require most of their oxidative folding capabilities to keep up their proteome while cells growing in chemostats appear limited by their disulfide bond isomerisation capacities.
Conclusion
This study establishes a novel approach for investigating the oxidative folding capacities of an organism. We show the capabilities and limitations of E. coli for producing disulfide bonds under different growth conditions and predict under what conditions excess capability is available for recombinant protein production.