bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can lifestyle change and dietary control improve sexual dysfunction in sexually active men via visceral adiposity index?
Authors: Bolat Mustafa , Kocamanoğlu Fatih , Ozbek Latif , Şahin Bekir , Yılmaz Merve , Gümüş Salih , Dündar Cihad , Asci Ramazan
Published: February 2022

The metabolic syndrome (MeTS) negatively affects male sexual function. Lifestyle changes improve erectile function. However, the effects of lifestyle changes on sexual function in men with and without MeTS on the visceral adiposity index (VAI) have not been adequately investigated. Patients with MeTS (n = 48) and those with no MeTS (n = 31) were recruited. Sexual functions and psychogenic status were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) questionnaire and Beck’s depression inventory (BDI), respectively. The VAI was calculated using the gender-specific formula. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and hormonal data were recorded. Participants were advised to 8500 steps per day and dietary control. At least three months later, demographic and biochemical tests were repeated, and the VAI was calculated. Association between sexual functions, presence of MeTS and lifestyle changes via the VAI were analyzed. Each integer increase of the VAI was related to a 1.74-fold increased risk of ED in the MeTS group. The MeTS was related to moderate to severe ED than those with no MeTS (p = 0.033). A 24% decrease of the VAI was recorded in the MeTS group at the end of the study (p = 0.014). The MeTS criteria were disappeared in eight patients at the end of the study, with a slight decrease of VAI (p = 0.07). In the beginning, patients with MeTS and no-MeTS showed similar sexual satisfaction, orgasm, desire, and general satisfaction scores. Sexual satisfaction, orgasm and general satisfaction were improved in the non-MeTS group (p < 0.05). At the end of the study, the MeTS group showed similar sexual satisfaction, desire, orgasm and general satisfaction rates (p > 0.05). Higher VAI levels were related to the lower erectile function scores, particularly in patients with MeTS. Lifestyle changes improved male sexual function scores only in the non-MeTS group. Therefore, fighting against MeTS should be adopted as a global healthcare policy.
Suggesting Time Frequency Representation of the Obtained Reaction Time of the Consecutive Tasks in a Driving Simulator for Determining the Rate of Change of Brain’s Frequency
Authors: Rajdeep Prashant , Patel Lajja , CD Steffy , Panchal Preeti
Published: February 2022

Objective – Suggesting an approach to determine the rate of change of brain’s frequency (ROCOF). Background – Reaction time (RT) is mostly well estimated in any driving simulator, especially the visual reaction time. However, an appropriate representation of RT in a driving simulator can help determine the changes in brain’s frequency. Method – We propose, use a driving simulator which can efficiently measure and record the participant’s reaction times for the rapidly successive tasks in a simulator. A reciprocal presentation of each RT can be used as the brain’s frequency for performing that task. Using this concept, a simulator software can calculate the brain’s frequencies for all the tasks. While its graphical representation over time can yield time frequency distribution (TFD). Results – Analysis of this time frequency representation (TDR) of RT may help to study the pattern of brain activity and to derive ROCOF, which can be used to classify the drivers.
Cryogenic treatment of 7050 Aluminum Alloy to improve corrosion resistance
Authors: Rivolta Barbara , Gerosa Riccardo , Panzeri Davide
Published: February 2022

Cryogenic treatments represent an innovative technology developed with the aim of improving the performance of metallic alloys. The beneficial effects on steels are well documented in the literature, whereas their influence on other materials, such as aluminum alloys, is still not completely clarified. Even if the scientific literature reports conflicting data and conclusions, the industrial applications of such treatments are constantly growing. In the present experimental work, the mechanical and corrosion properties of a high-performance 7050 aluminum alloy were studied after cryogenic treatment at − 196°C in liquid nitrogen. Whereas no appreciable variation was observed in the mechanical resistance, the corrosion tests showed a positive effect of the cryogenic treatment. The microstructure was investigated by FEG-SEM analysis, revealing a different distribution of precipitates near the grain boundaries, which was able to reduce the electrochemical potential difference among these regions and the center-grain.
Novel Hydrothermally Synthesized Strontium Telluride Nanoballs as: Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Alharbi F. F. , Manzoor Sumaira , Nisa Mehar Un , Abid Abdul Ghafoor , Aman Salma , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem
Published: February 2022

The engineering of extremely efficient, low-cost, and stable electrocatalysts were required for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, using hydrothermal technique, strontium telluride (SrTe/GC) nanoballs fabricated for water splitting to work efficiently as an efficient OER catalysts. According to physical and chemical characterizations, SrTe/GC nanoballs exhibits a three-dimensional form and homogeneous surface distribution, performing a low overpotential of 268 mV at 10 mA/cm2 with small Tafel slope of 25 mV/dec. The fabricated material exhibits excellent stability of 24 hours with no decline in current density. The Te-induced metallic telluride and substantial covalency around the strontium center is responsible for this catalyst's outstanding performance. This study reveals the valuable insight of metal telluride materials to function as an extraordinarily efficient and stable OER catalysts at high current densities.
In vitro assessment of multipotential therapeutic importance of Hericium erinaceus mushroom extracts using different solvents
Authors: Suleiman Waleed Bakry , Shehata Reda M. , Younis Ahmed
Published: February 2022

BackgroundInfectious disease is one of the major threats to human especially the current time in which the Covid-19 and its modified forms such as omicron variant, and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Edible mushrooms have many valuable nutritional and medicinal properties beneficial to human health. The medicinal properties of edible mushrooms extract in inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms had advantages over the use of antimicrobial chemical compounds, as edible mushrooms extracts are natural, have less unwanted side effects and some can overcome the bacterial resistance. Materials and methodsA strain of Hericium erinaceus was prepared as fruiting bodies for evaluation of its medicinal values. The study hypothesized that the polarity affects the extraction quality of this mushroom and subsequently affects its activity as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral potential. So, the mushroom at first was quantitively evaluated to assess its content of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, protein, nitrogen, and oil. Results and discussion The current research clarified here that aquatic extract has a significant activity as antioxidant (IC50= 53.7 µg/ml), antiviral (IC50= 24.97 µg/ml) while, ethyl acetate extract showed a reasonable antimicrobial activity rather than all tested extract against tested microorganisms. Unfortunately, all extracts under investigations possess low anti-inflammatory action according to the adopting protocol. The superior results of both water and ethyl acetate extracts were later investigated by HPTLC and GC-MS for preliminary prediction of its chemical constitution of those extracts.Conclusion H. erinaceus mushroom succeeded to establish promising antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant activities while, it has low ani-inflammatory activity. Both HPTLC and GC-MS could identify the chemical constituents of the mushroom crude extract.
Construction of an immune infiltration-associated ceRNA network and prognostic model for low-grade gliomas
Authors: Liu Jing-Yuan , Jing Ming , Liu Yuan-Yu , Zhang Fan , Liu Wen-Ying , Xu Sen
Published: February 2022

Due to the low-grade glioma (LGG) infiltrative nature, it can be challenging to cure patients suffering from this condition only with surgery or multi-drug adjuvant chemotherapy. LGG patients usually have poor prognoses, making the exploration in therapeutic tools and accurate prognosis that are different from traditional ones a novel topic in the medical field. In recent years, the regulation of ceRNA networks in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by immune cell infiltration has generated a research boom, providing new perspectives for tumor treatment and predicting patient prognosis. However, the role of the ceRNA network in regulating the LGG tumor microenvironment is not effectively understood yet. In this study, we obtained LGG patient data with complete survival information from the TCGA database and constructed a novel immune infiltration pattern-related ceRNA regulatory network and a novel prognostic model, which was multi-dimensionally validated to have better predictive features in terms of LGG prognosis. Our study reveals the potential association and clinical significance of the ceRNA network with immune infiltration and survival prediction of these patients.
Gut Microbiota-Regulated Bile Acids Metabolism Features In The Aging Process In Mice
Authors: Luo Duosheng , Chen Kechun , Zhao Yating , Wang Lexun , Yin Yifan , Yang Ling , Rong Xianglu , Guo Jiao
Published: February 2022

Aging is usually characterized with imbalanced gut microbiota and bile acids (BAs) dyshomeostasis. However, the gut microbiota-regulated BA metabolism features in the aging process remains unclear. To establish a direct link between gut microbiota and BA profile changes in the liver, plasma and intestinal contents. UPLC-MS/MS, 16S rDNA sequencing, Western blotting, and HE staining methods were used. The plasma content of TC, TG and LDL-C gradually increased during aging, the Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Bacillus, Ruminococcus, Blautia and Streptococcus which can produce BSH were increased. The concentration of total BAs was increased, especially unconjugated BAs, and the ratio of unconjugated BAs to conjugated BAs was increased. The expression of bile acid transporter receptors and intestinal tight junction proteins were significantly decreased. The presented data revealed that the changes of BA profile mediated by gut microbiota were closely related to aging, and highlights that prevention and treatment of aging-related disorders, especially disorders of lipid metabolism by targeting gut microbiota-regulated BAs metabolism should be payed more attention. In the current study, we established a direct link between gut microbiota and BA profile changes in the liver, plasma, and intestinal contents, and detected protein expression of bile acid transporter receptors bile salt export pump (BSEP), apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2(MRP2) and intestinal tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin and Claudin-5 during aging. The content of TC, TG and LDL-C in plasma gradually increased during aging, the Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Bacillus, Ruminococcus, Blautia, and Streptococcus which can produce bacterial enzymes bile salt hydrolase (BSH) were increased. The concentration of total BAs in intestinal contents and plasma was increased, especially the content of unconjugated BAs, and the ratio of unconjugated BAs to conjugated BAs was increased in liver, plasma and intestinal contents. The expression of BSEP and MRP2 in the liver and ASBT in the intestinal were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 were decreased. The presented data reveals that the changes of BA profile mediated by gut microbiota was closely related to aging, and highlights that the prevention and treatment of aging-related disorders, especially disorders of lipid metabolism by targeting gut microbiota-regulated BAs metabolism would become a promising therapy for the prevention and treatment of aging.
Development of Rice Variety with Durable and Broad-Spectrum Resistance to Blast Disease Through Marker-Assisted Introduction of Pigm Gene
Authors: Feng Zhiming , Li Mingyou , Wang Xiaoqiu , Wu Keting , Wang Jianan , Xu Zhiwen , Wu Yunyu , Wang Guangda , Zhao Jianhua , Hu Keming , Zhang Yafang , Chen Hongqi , Li Aihong , Chen Zongxiang , Zuo Shimin
Published: February 2022

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), is one of the most destructive diseases threatening rice production worldwide. Development of resistant cultivar using broad-spectrum resistance (R) gene with high breeding value is the most effective and economical approach to control this disease. In this study, the breeding potential of Pigm gene in geng/japonica rice breeding practice in Jiangsu province was comprehensively evaluated. Through backcross and marker-assisted selection (MAS), the Pigm was introduced into two geng rice cultivars (Wuyungeng 32/WYG32 and Huageng 8/HG8). In each genetic background, 5 advanced backcross lines with Pigm (ABLs) and same genotypes as the respective recurrent parent in the other 13 known R gene loci were developed. Compared with the corresponding recurrent parent, these ABLs all exhibited stronger resistance in seedling inoculation assay using 184 isolates collected from most rice growing regions of the lower region of the Yangtze River. With respect to panicle blast resistance, all ABLs reached high resistant level to blast disease in three consecutive years’ tests with the inoculation of total 7 mixed-conidial suspensions collected from different regions of Jiangsu province. In natural field nursery assays, the ABLs showed significantly higher resistance than the recurrent parents. No common change on importantly morphological traits and yield-associated components was found among the ABLs, demonstrating the introduction of Pigm had no tightly-linked undesirable effect on rice economically important traits. Notably, one rice line with Pigm, designated as Yangnonggeng3091, had been authorized as a new variety in Jiangsu province in 2021, showing excellent performance on both grain yield and quality as well as the blast resistance. Together, these results suggest that the Pigm gene has a high breeding value in developing rice varieties with durable and broad-spectrum resistance to blast disease.
Vacuum-Assisted Closure Versus On-demand Relaparotomy in Patients With Secondary Peritonitis – the VACOR Trial: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rajabaleyan Pooya , Michaelsen Jens , Holst Uffe Tange , Möller Sören , Toft Palle , Qvist Niels , Ellebaek Mark Bremholm , Luxhøi Jan , Buyukuslu Musa , Bohm Aske Mathias , Borly Lars , Sandblom Gabriel , Kobborg Martin , Poulsen Kristian Aagaard , Løve Uffe Schou , Ovesen Sophie , Sølling Christoffer Grant , Søndergaard Birgitte Mørch , Persson Lasse , Nielsen Michael Festersen , Lomholt Marianne Lund , Møller Dorthe Ritz
Published: February 2022

Background Secondary peritonitis is a severe condition with a reported mortality of 20–32%. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand (ROD) are the accepted treatment modalities. However, no randomised controlled trial has been conducted comparing the potential benefits and disadvantages of the two methods. MethodsThis study will be a randomised controlled multicentre trial, including patients aged 18 years or older with purulent or faecal peritonitis confined to up to two of the four abdominal quadrants, originating from the small intestine, colon or rectum. Randomisation will be web-based to either primary closure with ROD or VAC in blocks of 2, 4 and 6. The primary endpoint is peritonitis-related complications and comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) within 30 or 90 days and one year after index operation. Secondary outcomes are mortality after 30 or 90 days and one year; quality of life assessment by (SF-36) after three and 12 months, the development of incisional hernia after 12 months as assessed by clinical examination and CT-scanning and healthcare resource utilisation. With an estimated superiority of 15% in the primary outcome for VAC, a total of 340 patients must be included. Hospitals in Denmark and Europe will be invited to participate.Discussion There is no robust evidence for choosing either open abdomen with VAC-treatment or primary closure with relaparotomy on demand in patients with secondary peritonitis. The present study has the potential to answer this important clinical question.Trial Registration The study protocol has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03932461).VersionProtocol version 1.0, 9 January 2022.
Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by metastatic testicular choriocarcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Pengliang , Wang Yu , Xiong Lishou
Published: February 2022

Background: Testicular tumor is one of the common solid tumors in young men. Testicular choriocarcinoma is a non spermatogonial germ cell tumor, which is the most rare of all testicular cancers. Choriocarcinoma usually shows bleeding at the metastatic site, while gastrointestinal involvement is rare. Methods: Here we report a case of testicular choriocarcinoma with gastrointestinal bleeding as the first diagnosis, and summarize the similar cases all over the world in recent 20 years.Results: A 28 year old male was treated with repeated black stools for 2 months. No bleeding foci of stomach, duodenum, colon and rectum were found in endoscopy, and no bleeding foci of digestive tract were found in selective angiography, but space occupying lesions of lung, liver and upper jejunum were found in chest and abdominal CT, Considering the possibility of metastatic tumor and the ineffectiveness of medical treatment, the patient was converted to surgical treatment. The postoperative pathology was consistent with testicular choriocarcinoma. The patient received a chemotherapy regimen of paclitaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin. At present, the chemotherapy regimen is well tolerated. Conclusions: The case report confirmed that even if we can't find the logical relationship between clinical manifestations and genital examination, genital examination should also be part of the patient's systematic examination.
The Establishment of China Bronchiectasis Registry and Research Collaboration (BE-China): Protocol of a prospective multicenter observational study
Authors: Gao Yonghua , Lu Hai-Wen , Mao Bei , Guan Weijie , Song Yuan-Lin , Li Yuan-Yuan , Wang Dao-Xin , Wang Bin , Gu Hong-Yan , Li Wen , Luo Hong , Wang Ling-Wei , Li Fan , Guo Feng-Xia , Zhang Min , Jie Zhi-Jun , Hang Jing-Qing , Yang Chao , Ren Tao , Yuan Zhi , Meng Qing-Wei , Jia Qin , Chen Yu , Chen Rong-Chang , Qu Jie-Ming , Xu Jin-Fu
Published: February 2022

BackgroundBronchiectasis is a highly heterogeneous chronic airway disease with marked geographic and ethnic variations. Most influential cohort studies to date have been performed in Europe and USA, which serve as the examples for developing a cohort study in China where there is a high burden of bronchiectasis. The Establishment of China Bronchiectasis Registry and Research Collaboration (BE-China) is designed to: (1) describe the clinical characteristics and natural history of bronchiectasis in China and identify the differences of bronchiectasis between the western countries and China; (2) identify the risk factors associated with disease progression in Chinese population; (3) elucidate the phenotype and endotype of bronchiectasis by integrating the genome, microbiome, proteome, and transcriptome with detailed clinical data; (4) facilitate large randomized controlled trials in China.Methods and design:The BE-China is an ongoing prospective, longitudinal, multi-center, observational cohort study which aims to recruit a minimum of 10,000 patients, which was initiated in January 2020 in China. Comprehensive data, including medical history, aetiological testing, lung function, microbiological profiles, radiological scores, comorbidities, mental status, and quality of life (QoL), will be collected at baseline. Patients will be followed up annually for up to 10 years to record longitudinal data on outcomes, treatment patterns and QoL. Biospecimens, if possible, will be collected and stored at -80℃ for further research. Up to October 2021, the BE-China has enrolled 3758 patients from 91 medical centers. The study protocol has been approved by the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital ethics committee, and all collaborating centers received approvals from their local ethics committee. All patients provided written informed consent to their participation.ConclusionsFindings of the BE-China will be crucial to reveal the clinical characteristics and natural history of bronchiectasis and facilitate evidence-based clinical practice in China.Registration Number in ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03643653
Immunohistochemical Evaluation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in Breast Phyllodes Tumors
Authors: Vickery Jasmine , Han Lisa , Dzul Stephen , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhou , Lapadat Razvan , Sattar Husain , Mueller Jeffrey , Krausz Thomas , Biernacka Anna
Published: February 2022

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) pose a significant diagnostic challenge in breast pathology as histological criteria and cutoffs for grading are complex and arbitrary. Nevertheless, the clinical behavior of PTs varies widely and correlates, in part, with the histological grade. Methylation signatures have gained interest as diagnostic and prognostic tools in a variety of neoplasms. In particular, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) has been found to be a useful biomarker. Herein, we assess 51 PTs of varying grades and 15 cellular fibroadenomas (cFA) for stromal expression of 5-hmC by immunohistochemistry. We demonstrate that nuclear 5-hmC decreases as PT grade increases, correlating with histologic predictors of adverse behavior, while it shows comparable levels in benign PTs and cFAs. We identify thresholds at which reduced 5-hmC levels help to distinguish borderline and malignant PT from their benign counterparts. Our results indicate that 5-hmC may serve as a valuable adjunct in classifying PTs in diagnostically difficult cases.
An Ovarian Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Accompanied by Clear Cell Carcinoma with Specific High Level of AFP: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Qiu Jian , Yao Guorong , Zhu Fengjia , Wang Yanyan , Xu Jiewei
Published: February 2022

Background
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare histological subtype of ovarian cancer. A few cases have been reported in literature with high invasiveness and poor prognosis. However, there still have not accepted criteria for diagnosis and treatment of LCNEC.
Case presentation:
We report an unmarried 37 year-old woman who was diagnosed with LCNEC associated with clear cell carcinoma and the tumor index was manifested with a specific increase of AFP. The case received six courses of Etoposide and carboplatin chemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy after primary curative surgery. However, she relapsed within 6 months after surgery and metastasized rapidly to distant organs despite combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel, cisplatin and bevacizumab and died 18 months after primary sugery.
Conclusions
This is the first reported case of LCNEC manifested with a specific increase of AFP and characteristically metastased to the spine as recurrence. Since LCNEC present with aggressive malignancies and can easily metastasize to distance place through hematogenous approach, we recommend that adding Bevacizumab in primary chemotherapy may be beneficial to extend disease-free survival. Further research are needed to find the best treatment of LCNEC so as to improve the prognosis of patients.
EVOLUTION OF NATURAL DISASTER TERMINOLOGIES,
WITH A CASE STUDY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Caldera H. Jithamala , Wirasinghe S. C.
Published: February 2022

Emergency, disaster, catastrophe, calamity, and cataclysm are some of the terminologies that describe the nature and severity of adverse natural events. Civilians, reporters, and even professionals often use these terminologies for communication and reporting any event's severity as using this linguistic method is the most practical way during disasters to rapidly reach all levels of local, regional, national, and international stakeholder groups. Therefore, these disaster terminologies play a significant role in the disaster management field. However, attaining the actual magnitude of a disaster’s severity cannot be comprehended simply by using this linguistic method because these terminologies are used interchangeably. Unfortunately, there is no consistent method to differentiate disaster terminologies from one another. Additionally, no globally accepted standard technique to communicate the level of severity of disasters exists; one observer’s ‘disaster’ event can be another’s ‘catastrophic’ event depending on their personal experience and knowledge. Hence, a nations’ ability to manage extreme natural events is difficult when there are no agreed terminologies among emergency management systems. Thus, a standard severity classification system is required to understand, communicate, report, and educate stakeholders during ferocious natural events. This paper presents people's perceptions about disaster terminologies, rankings and differences in disaster lexicon (dictionary) meanings and lexical (verbal) meanings. It explores how people consider major events (e.g., the Covid-19 pandemic), and proposes a ranking of disaster terminologies to create a severity classification system suitable for use on a global level.
Performance of Artificial Intelligence for Biventricular Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Volumetric Analysis in the Clinical Setting
Authors: Hatipoglu Suzan , Mohiaddin Raad H , Gatehouse Peter , Alpendurada Francisco , Baksi A. John , Izgi Cemil , Prasad Sanjay K. , Pennell Dudley J , Krupickova MD Sylvia
Published: February 2022

Background
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived ventricular volumes and function guide clinical decision-making for various cardiac pathologies. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency and clinical applicability of a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) method for performing biventricular volumetric analysis.
Methods
Three-hundred CMR studies (100 with normal CMR findings, 50 dilated cardiomyopathy, 50 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 50 ischaemic heart disease and 50 congenital or valvular heart disease) were randomly selected from database. Manual biventricular volumetric analysis (CMRtools) results were derived from clinical reports and automated volumetric analyses were performed using short axis volumetry AI function of CircleCVI42v5.12 software. For 20 studies, a combined method of manually adjusted AI contours was tested and all three methods were timed. Clinicians` confidence in AI method was assessed using an online survey.
Results
Although agreement was better for left ventricle than right ventricle, AI analysis results were comparable to manual method. Manual adjustment of AI contours further improved agreement: within subject coefficient of variation decreased from 5.0–4.5% for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and from 9.9–7.1% for right ventricular EF. Twenty manual analyses were performed in 250min12s whereas same task took 5min48s using AI method. Clinicians were open to adopt AI but concerns about accuracy and validity were raised.
Conclusions
The AI method provides clinically valid outcomes and saves significant time. To address concerns raised by survey participants and overcome shortcomings of the automated myocardial segmentation, visual assessment of contours and performing manual corrections where necessary appears to be a practical approach.
Systematic Analysis of NB-ARC Gene Family in Rice and Functional Characterization of GNP12
Authors: Pan Ying-Hua , Chen Lei , Guo Hai-Feng , Lou Qi-Jin , Feng Rui , Rashid Muhammad Abdul Rehman , Zhu Xiao-Yang , Qing Dong-Jin , Liang Hai-Fu , Gao Li-Jun , Huang Cheng-Cui , Zhao Yan , Deng Guo-Fu
Published: February 2022

The NB-ARC (nucleotide-binding adaptor shared by APAF-1, R proteins, and CED-4) gene family plays a critical role in plant development. However, our understanding of NB-ARC genes regulation of plant development mechanisms in the plant panicle is still limited. Here, we subjected 258 NB-ARC genes in rice to genome-wide analysis to characterize their structure, function, and expression patterns. The NB-ARC genes were classified into three major groups, and group II included nine subgroups. Evolutionary analysis of NB-ARC genes in dicotyledon plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) and monocotyledonous plants (Oryza sativa L. and Triticum aestivum) indicate that orthologous genome segments were conserved in monocotyledons and subjected to weak positive selective pressure during evolution. Dispersed and proximal replication events were detected. Expression analysis showed expression of most NB-ARC genes in roots, panicles, and leaves, and regulation at the panicle development stage in rice Ce253. The GNP12 gene encodes RGH1A protein, which regulates rice yield according to panicle length, grain number of panicle, and grain length, with eight major haplotypes. Most NB-ARC protein family members are predicted to contain P-loop conserved domains and are located in the membrane. The results of this study provided insight into the characteristics and evolution of NB-ARC family and suggest that GNP12 positively regulates panicle development.
Vaginal Progesterone Gel Versus İntramuscular Progesterone For Luteal Support In Suboptimal Responders According To The Poseidon Criteria (Group 1b), Undergoing Antagonist IVF/ICSI-Cycles.
Authors: Ulubasoglu Hasan , Bakay Kadir , Yavuzcan Ali , Guven Davut , Hatırnaz Safak , Dahan Michael
Published: February 2022

Purpose:The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of intravaginal micronized progesterone gel 8% (VP8) versus intramuscular progesterone in oil (IM P4) for luteal phase support after IVF/ICSI -embryo transfer cycles in POSEIDON suboptimal responder patients.Methods:We evaluated the data of 189 suboptimal responders who underwent antagonist IVF/ICSI treatments. This retrospective study was conducted on patients who were treated by a university IVF center between January 2010 and December 2015. We evaluated the data of 189 suboptimal responders who underwent antagonist IVF/ICSI treatments.The cycles were categorized into two groups based on the type of luteal support: P4 vaginal gel and P4 IM. Clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth and spontaneous abortion rates were analyzed. Results: Patient and treatment characteristics were similar in both groups. However, In terms of infertile duration, significant differences were observed between groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in stimulation characteristics including; total gonadotropin doses, peak serum estradiol levels on the day of triggering, number of oocytes collected and number of fertilized oocyte. Multivariate logistic regression modeling failed to find the type of progesterone used as a predictor of live birth (OR 0.802, 95% CI 661-1.202, p=0.580). Conclusion:We believed in POSEIDOIN group IB patients similar pregnancy outcomes can be obtained by administering 180 mg P4 gel vaginally when compared to IM P4.
Transcriptional signature of TP53 biallelic inactivation identifies a group of multiple myeloma patients without this genetic condition but with dismal outcome.
Authors: Gutiérrez Norma C. , De Ramón Cristina , Rojas Elizabeta A. , Cardona-Benavides Igancio J. , Mateos Maria Victoria , Corchete Luis A.
Published: February 2022

Background: Biallelic inactivation of TP53 has been included in the definition of double-hit (DH) multiple myeloma (MM), which entails an ominous prognosis even when treated with the most innovative drugs. However, this condition, or even the presence of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, cannot accurately capture the 15-20% of the MM population with a median overall survival below 24 months. This prompted us to look for other MM patients who might have transcriptional characteristics similar to those with DH-TP53.Methods: We analyzed RNA-seq, whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data from 660 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients from the MMRF (Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation) CoMMpass study to characterize the transcriptional signature of DH-TP53 MM. This gene signature was used to build a score based on a Spearman correlation coefficient and a scaled GINI index. Two other gene expression series from GEO (GSE4581 and GSE136400) comprising a total of 850 patients were used as validation cohorts.Results: We found 78 genes that were exclusively deregulated in DH-TP53 patients. A score based on these genes identified a group of 50 patients who shared the same transcriptional profile (DH-TP53-like group) whose prognosis was particularly unfavorable (median overall survival [OS] < 2 years), despite not harboring the biallelic inactivation of TP53. Patients included in the DH-TP53-like group had significantly shorter OS and progression-free survival (PFS) than those without the DH-TP53 gene expression profile (hazard ratio [HR] 4.07 [95% CI, 2.76-5.98], adjusted p < 0.001, and HR 3.44 [95% CI, 2.46-4.81], adjusted p < 0.001, respectively). The prognostic value of the DH-TP53 score was externally validated using gene expression data obtained by microarray analysis. Furthermore, our DH-TP53 score refined the traditional prognostic stratification of MM patients according to the cytogenetic abnormalities and International Staging System (ISS). Conclusions: The expression signature of DH-TP53 MM was shared by other MM patients without TP53 biallelic inactivation (DH-TP53-like group). The DH-TP53 score could be a useful tool for identifying ultra-high-risk MM patients without concomitant del(17p) and TP53 mutations.
TIGIT is a novel prognostic marker and correlate for immune infiltration in invasive breast cancer
Authors: Guo Chenming , Luo Zhiwen , Ismtula Dilimulati , Bi Xiaojuan , Kong Han , Wang Yiyang , Yang Zhen , Mao Xinmin
Published: February 2022

Background To assess the levels and potential therapeutic and prognostic significance of TIGIT in invasive breast cancer. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to evaluate TIGIT levels in invasive breast cancer and its association with clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to validate it. Further, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied in analyzing the role of TIGIT in prognosis of invasive breast cancer. Go / KEGG enrichment analyses techniques were used to investigate the possible cellular mechanism, and string database was used to explore TIGIT related proteins. Finally, the TIMER database was used to determine the association between TIGIT and immune cell infiltrations. Results TIGIT was differentially expressed in Pan cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Relative to normal tissues, TIGIT levels in invasive breast cancer were elevated (p<0.05). TIGIT mRNA level was significantly different from T stage, age, ER and PR level (p<0.05). The high levels of TIGIT exhibited positive correlations with PFI and OS (p<0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that age, clinical stage, high TNM stage, menopausal status and radiotherapy were the factors affecting OS (p< 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, high clinical stage and menopausal status were independent risk factors for tumor progression (p<0.05). CD226, INPP5D, PVR, PVRL2 and PVRL3 proteins interact with TIGIT. The TIGIT levels were significantly correlated with infiltrations of immune cells (such as CD8+T cells) (r=0.917, p<0.05). Conclusion TIGIT is elevated in invasive breast tumor and is closely associated with the prognosis of invasive breast cancer. TIGIT may be the target of immunotherapy for invasive breast cancer.
Maintenance strategy selection: A multi-criteria group decision-making method based on cloud DEMATEL-ANP
Authors: Li Xinlong , Ran Yan , Zhang Genbao , He Yan
Published: February 2022

The selection of maintenance strategy is a very important work in maintenance engineering. Taking the meta-action unit(MU) as the research carrier, considering the randomness and fuzziness of expert evaluation and the interaction between evaluation criteria in the selection process of maintenance strategy, this paper proposes a maintenance strategy selection method based on cloud DEMATEL-ANP. Firstly, the cloud-DEMATEL model is used to establish the interaction model between the main criteria, determine the weighted cloud weight of the super matrix and the inner dependencies of the sub-criteria under the same main criteria. Then, the cloud-ANP model is used to determine the outer dependencies relationship and construct the cloud super matrix, so as to obtain the cloud weight of each evaluation criteria in maintenance strategy selection. By using the subjective and objective weighting method, the evaluation of different experts on different maintenance strategy criteria is integrated, and the priority of alternative maintenance strategies of MU is obtained. Finally, different methods are used to sort and compare the alternative maintenance strategies of the rotating body rotation MU of the CNC machine tool turntable, which verifies the scientificity and effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper are verified.
Deep Learning Estimation of the Industrial Wood Production Rate Depending on the Harm Factors
Authors: Sevinç Volkan
Published: February 2022

Protection and sustainability of forest assets are possible with planned use of the forest products. Among these products, industrial wood is the most important raw material for various sectors. Thus, industrial wood production rate estimation is important to use this product optimally and without disturbing the balance of forest assets. This article aims to estimate the industrial wood production rate based on four natural harm factors, which are forest fires, outbreaks of insects, outbreaks of diseases, and severe weather events. The estimation model was built by using a deep learning method, which is an artificial neural network model based on the multilayer perceptron architecture. The study shows that the most harmful factor decreasing the industrial wood production rate is outbreaks of diseases. The second effective factor, however, appears to be severe weather events. The third and the fourth factors were determined to be outbreaks of insects and burned forest areas respectively.
Temperate phage-antibiotic synergy across antibiotic classes reveals new mechanism for preventing lysogeny
Authors: Al-Anany Amany , Hynes Alexander
Published: February 2022

A recent demonstration of potent synergy between a temperate phage and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin suggested a scalable approach to exploiting temperate phages in therapy, termed temperate phage-antibiotic synergy (tPAS), which specifically interacted with the lysis-lysogeny decision. To determine whether this would hold true more broadly across antibiotics, we challenged Escherichia coli K12 with the well-studied model λ-like phage HK97 and a set of 13 antibiotics spanning seven classes. As expected, given the conserved induction pathway targeted, we observed synergy with classes of drugs known to induce an SOS response; a sulfa drug, other quinolones, Mitomycin C, and some β-lactams. Curiously, we observed an equally potent synergy with antibiotics not known to induce the SOS response: protein synthesis inhibitors gentamicin, kanamycin, tetracycline, and azithromycin. The synergy results in an 8-fold reduction in the effective MIC of gentamicin, complete eradication of the bacteria, and, when deliberately administered at sub-optimal doses, drastically decreases the frequency of lysogens emerging from the combined challenge – more so even than was previously described for ciprofloxacin. However, unlike ciprofloxacin, lysogens exhibit no increased sensitivity to the antibiotic, synergy was maintained in the absence of RecA, and, when quantified over time, the antibiotic reduced the initial frequency of lysogeny rather than result in selection against formed lysogens. Not only do our results confirm that SOS-inducing antibiotics broadly result in temperate-phage specific synergy, but we other antibiotics can interact with temperate phages specifically and result in potent synergy. This is the first report of a means of chemically blocking entry into lysogeny, providing a new means for manipulating the key lysis-lysogeny decision point in temperate phages.
Obtaining a relativistic dispersion formula and practice of its application.
Authors: Chernov Andrey
Published: February 2022

This study was based on the hypothesis that the speed of propagation of photons inside a transparent substance depends on the density of electron clouds of atoms of this substance. In the process of research, based on the relativistic formula of Einstein, a new dispersion formula was obtained, which can be applied to the widest range of transparent substances. The new physical formula was used to calculate 26 refractive indices of light in 5 transparent substances in three states of aggregation. Comparison of the obtained indicators with laboratory indicators showed the high accuracy of the new dispersion formula, which amounted to ±10 -7−10 -5 in the calculated wavelength ranges of more than 100 nm. The successful application of the relativistic formula to the processes occurring inside matter at the atomic level allows us to look at the nature of the interaction of light and matter from a new angle.
Excess All-Cause Mortality and COVID-19 Reported Fatality in Iran (April 2013 - September 2021): Age and Sex Disaggregated Time Series Analysis
Authors: Safavi-Naini Seyed Amir Ahmad , Farsi Yeganeh , Alali Walid Q , Solhpour Ali , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin
Published: February 2022

Objective: The actual impact of the pandemic on COVID-19 specific mortality is still unclear due to the variability in access to diagnostic tools. This study aimed to estimate the excess all-cause mortality in Iran until September 2021 based on the national death statistics.Results: The autoregressive integrated moving average used to predict seasonal all-cause death in Iran (R-squared=0.45). We observed a 38.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 29.7%-40.1%) rise in the all-cause mortality from 22 June 2020 to 21 June 2021. The excess all-cause mortality per 100,000 population were 178.86 (95% CI: 137.2 - 220.5, M:F ratio = 1.3) with 49.1% of these excess deaths due to COVID-19. Comparison of spring 2019 and spring 2021 revealed that the highest percent increase in mortality was among men, aged 65-69 years old (77%) and women, aged 60-64 years old (86.8%). Moreover, the excess mortality among 31 provinces of Iran ranged from 109.7 (Hormozgan) to 273.2 (East-Azerbaijan) per 100,000 population. In conclusion, there was a significant rise in all-cause mortality during the pandemic. Since COVID-19 fatality explains about half of this rise, the rise in other causes of death and underestimation in reported data should be concerned by further studies.
Twist it once, twist it twice
Authors: Wiehl Anna
Published: February 2022

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit dem Potenzial interaktiver dokumentarisch-künstlerischer Konfigurationen einerseits sowie den Herausforderungen, die sich im Hinblick auf Bildungsangebote in, mit digitalen und durch digitale Netzmedien auftun andererseits. Dabei werden vor allem drei Aspekte untersucht, die bei der Erschliessung emergierender Praktiken im Kontext medialer Bildung zentral sind: (1) das Changieren von Medien-Erleben in interactive factuals zwischen Subjektivierungs- und Kollektiverfahrungen; (2) das Versprechen zur Partizipation als Teilhabe und Teilnahme; sowie (3) das Potenzial, handelnden Subjekten zu ‹digitaler Souveränität› zu verhelfen. Die leitende Fragestellung ist, inwiefern experimentelle, stark prozessual operierende Konfigurationen als informelle bzw. non-formale Bildungsmedien betrachtet werden können und welchen Beitrag sie auf der Meta-Ebene bzw. durch ihr experience design zur Entwicklung von Medienkompetenzen und einem reflektiert-kritischen Blick auf das eigene ‹digitale Subjekt› leisten. Nach einem kurzen Überblick über selbstreflexive interaktiv-dokumentarische Konfigurationen und eine medienhistorische bzw. -ökologische Situierung des Phänomens werden zunächst zwei für web-documentaries eher typisch konzipierte Projekte hinsichtlich ihres Beitrags zu digitaler Souveränität untersucht. Diese Projekte basieren primär auf prozeduraler Rhetorik, narrativer Immersion und komplex vernetzter Informationsaufbereitung und fördern damit das, was als digital literacy im engeren Sinne bezeichnet werden kann. Abschliessend wird anhand von network effect (USA 2015; Harris und Hochmuth) die These diskutiert, inwiefern dieses ästhetisch radikale, irritierende Projekt als provokativ-paradoxe Intervention das Spektrum klassischer Strategien des Dokumentarischen, aber auch formeller Bildungsprozesse erweitert.
Supersymmetric Ground States of 3d $\mathcal{N}=4$ Gauge Theories on a Riemann Surface
Authors: Bullimore Mathew , Ferrari Andrea , Kim Heeyeon
Published: February 2022

This paper studies supersymmetric ground states of 3d
\mathcal{N}=4𝒩=4
supersymmetric gauge theories on a Riemann surface of genus
gg.
There are two distinct spaces of supersymmetric ground states arising
from the AA
and BB
type twists on the Riemann surface, which lead to effective
supersymmetric quantum mechanics with four supercharges and
supermultiplets of type \mathcal{N}=(2,2)𝒩=(2,2)
and \mathcal{N}=(0,4)𝒩=(0,4)
respectively. We compute the space of supersymmetric ground states in
each case, graded by flavour and R-symmetries and in different chambers
for real mass and FI parameters, for a large class of supersymmetric
gauge theories. The results are formulated geometrically in terms of the
Higgs branch geometry. We perform extensive checks of compatibility with
the twisted index and mirror symmetry.
DESIGN COM MATERIAIS VIVOS: REFLEXÕES SOBRE ENSINO DE PROJETO E NOVAS SENSIBILIDADES
Authors: Elisa Strobel do Nascimento  , Gislaine Maria Lau  , Felipe de Carvalho Ishiy  , Adriano Heemann
Published: February 2022

Fazer design utilizando materiais vivos demanda uma dinâmica única de projeto e novas sensibilidades apontadas na literatura. Este trabalho buscou conhecer como os discentes de um curso superior de Design consideram os materiais vivos em suas concepções sem dispor de um método específico para isso. Os objetivos foram detectar abordagens espontâneas e percepções de particularidades de projeto em relação aos materiais convencionais e discutir as sensibilidades propostas na literatura. O estudo foi realizado na disciplina Estudos em Design e Materiais Vivos com participação de seis equipes de discentes e resultou na proposição de 12 conceitos de produtos com plantas e fungos. A discussão englobou as abordagens adotadas, as reflexões das equipes e as incertezas sobre a agência dos organismos, ligadas à falta do contato prático com o material. A conclusão apontou para a oportunidade de explorar diferentes abordagens metodológicas, estratégias de representação e experimentação para formar as sensibilidades de comunicação e observação informada do material.