bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaria hotspots and climate change trends in the hyper-endemic malaria settings of Mizoram along the India-Bangladesh borders
Authors: Lalmalsawma Pachuau , Balasubramani K , James Meenu Mariya , Pautu Lalfakzuala , Sarma Devojit Kumar , Nina Praveen Balabaskaran
Published: September 2022

India has made tremendous progress in reducing mortality and morbidity in the last decade. Mizoram State in North-East India is one of the few malaria-endemic regions where malaria transmission has continued to remain high. As Mizoram shares international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar, malaria control in this region is critical for malaria elimination efforts in all the three countries. For identifying hotspots for targeted intervention, malaria data from 388 public health sub-centers across Mizoram were analyzed in the Geographic Information System. Almost all the sub-centers reporting high Annual Parasite Index (> 10) are located in Mizoram’s districts that border Bangladesh. Getis-Ord Gi* statistic shows most of the sub-centers located along the Bangladesh border in the Lawngtlai and Lunglei districts to be the malaria hotspots. The hotspots also extended into the Mamit and Siaha districts, especially along the borders of Lawngtlai and Lunglei. Analysis of climatic and land use/Land cover datasets obtained from the Global Modelling and Assimilation Office and MODIS-Terra + Aqua satellite shows Mizoram’s western part (Lawngtlai, Lunglei and Mamit districts) to experience similar topographic and climatic conditions as the bordering Rangamati district in the Chittagong division of Bangladesh. Climatic trends in this region from 1981 to 2021, estimated by the Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimates, show an increasing trend in minimum temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall, which could facilitate malaria transmission. A regional coordination and strategic plan is required to eliminate malaria from this hyper-endemic malaria region of North-East India.
Geochemistry and detrital geochronology of sandstones of Barail Group of Indo-Myanmar Range, NE India
Authors: Shijoh Chubala , Pebam James , Vales Savio , Singh L. Somorjit , Singh C. D. , Shijoh Vekhoto
Published: September 2022

The sedimentary sequence of Barail Group preserves the records of depositional history of Indo-Myanmar Range during Eocene-Oligocene. Field investigation, geochemistry and detrital geochronology are used to study its geochemical characteristics, sediment provenance and tectonic setting. Major elements based discrimination plots indicate sediments of this group are derived from quartzose sedimentary sources and deposited in a passive margin tectonic set-up. Barail sandstone display a gentle sloping LREE and more or less flat HREE pattern, and show negative Eu anomaly and positive Sm anomaly. Detrital zircon U-Pb reveal age ranging from 3225 Ma to 90 Ma, with clusters at222–90 Ma, 1215 − 394 Ma, 1849 − 1364 Ma, 2500–2094 Ma and 3225–2094 Ma. These results indicate majority of the sediments of the Barail Group were sourced from the Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence and Trans-Himalayan granitoids and deposited in shallow marine condition to deltaic environment.
Upregulation of GALNT7 in prostate cancer modifies O-glycosylation and promotes tumour growth
Authors: Munkley Jennifer , Scott Emma , Hodgson Kirsty , Calle Beatriz , Turner Helen , Cheung Kathleen , Bermudez Abel , Marques Fernando , Pye Hayley , Yo Edward Christopher , Islam Khirul , Oo Htoo Zarni , McClurg Urszula L. , Wilson Laura , Thomas Huw , Frame Fiona M. , Orozco-Moreno Margarita , Bastian Kayla , Arredondo Hector M , Roustan Chloe , Gray Melissa Anne , Kelly Lois , Tolson Aaron , Mellor Ellie , Hysenaj Gerald , Goode Emily Archer , Garnham Rebecca , Duxfield Adam , Heavey Susan , Stopka-Farooqui Urszula , Haider Aiman , Freeman Alex , Singh Saurabh , Johnston Edward W. , Punwani Shonit , Knight Bridget , McCullagh Paul , McGrath John , Crundwell Malcolm , Harries Lorna , Bogdan Denisa , Westaby Daniel , Fowler Gemma , Flohr Penny , Yuan Wei , Sharp Adam , DeBono Johann , Maitland Norman , Wisnovsky Simon , Bertozzi Carolyn , Heer Rakesh , Guerrero Ramon Hurtado , Daugaard Mads , Leivo Janne , Whitaker Hayley , Pitteri Sharon , Wang Ning , Elliott David , Schumann Benjamin
Published: September 2022

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and it is estimated that over 350,000 men worldwide die of prostate cancer every year. There remains an unmet clinical need to improve how clinically significant prostate cancer is diagnosed and develop new treatments for advanced disease. Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer implicated in tumour growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. One of the key drivers of aberrant glycosylation is the dysregulated expression of glycosylation enzymes within the cancer cell. Here, we demonstrate using multiple independent clinical cohorts that the glycosyltransferase enzyme GALNT7 is upregulated in prostate cancer tissue. We show GALNT7 can identify men with prostate cancer, using urine and blood samples, with improved diagnostic accuracy than serum PSA alone. We also show that GALNT7 levels remain high in progression to castrate-resistant disease, and using in vitro and in vivo models, reveal that GALNT7 promotes prostate tumour growth. Mechanistically, GALNT7 can modify O-glycosylation in prostate cancer cells and correlates with cell cycle and immune signalling pathways. Our study provides a new biomarker to aid the diagnosis of clinically significant disease and cements GALNT7-mediated O-glycosylation as an important driver of prostate cancer progression.
Resting-State EEG Reveals Abnormal Microstates Characteristics of Depression with Insomnia
Authors: Cao Qike , Wang Yulin , Ji Yufang , He Zhihui , Lei Xu
Published: September 2022

Background: Previous research has revealed various aspects of resting-state EEG for depression and insomnia. However, the EEG characteristics of depressed patients with co-morbid insomniac are rarely studied, especially EEG microstates that capture the dynamic activities of the large-scale brain network.
Methods:To fill the research gaps, this study collected resting-state EEG data from 32 sub-clinical depressions with co-morbid insomnia (CI), 31 comorbid-free depressions (CFD), and 32 healthy controls (HC). Four topographic maps were generated from clean EEG data after clustering and rearrangement. Temporal characteristics were obtained for statistical analysis, including cross-group variance analysis (ANOVA) and intra-group correlation analysis.
Results: The global clustering of all individuals in the EEG microstate analysis revealed the four previously discovered categories of microstates (A, B, C, and D). The occurrence of microstate B was found to be lower in CI than in CFD. The correlation analysis showed that the total PSQI score was negatively correlated with the occurrence of microstate C in CI (r=-0.354, p<.05). Conversely, there was a positive correlation between SDS scores and the duration of microstate C in CFD (r=0.359, p<.05).
Conclusion: The spatiotemporal dynamics of the brain network can vary due to abnormalities in the visual network corresponding to microstate B in patients with depression and insomnia.. Further investigation is needed for microstate change can be related to high arousal and emotional problems in people suffering from depression and insomnia. Microstates may therefore become crucial neurobiological predictors to forecast the likelihood of future cases of depression and insomnia.
A novel anoikis-related gene signature predicts prognosis in patients with LUAD and reveals immune infiltration
Authors: zhang shaocheng , shao akang , wang wei
Published: September 2022

Background: To generate a signature based on anoikis-related genes (ARGs) and reveals immune infiltration for LUAD patients.
Methods: On the basis of TCGA dataset, we identified specific anoikis-related genes in LUAD. The possible biological pathways of anoikis-related genes were analyzed by KEGG. Lasso and Cox-relative regression methods were used to generate an anoikis-related signature. We constructed a nomogram and GES13213 and GES31210 were used to validate the established risk model. The clinical potency and immune status of ARGs were analyzed by CIBERSORT method and ssGSEA algorithm.
Results: 8 anoikis-related genes (BUB1, CDKN3, IL17A, KIF18A, PCNA, PLK1, UBE2C and TIMP1) were determined to develop a prognostic ARGs. The ARGs could accurately classify LUAD cases with different clinical outcome, and survival analysis revealed that high-risk groups had a lower overall survival rate than low-risk groups. In addition, nomogram also has a high predictive value, studies on immune infiltration and tumor microenvironment indicate that immune cells and their functions may play an important role in tumorigenesis and development. Conclusion: ARGs can be used to stratify the risk and forecast the survival outcome of LUAD patients and provide prominent reference for individualized treatment in LUAD.
Immunogenicity of Adjuvanted versus High-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccines in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Schmader Kenneth E. , Liu Christine K. , Flannery Brendan , Rountree Wes , Auerbach Heidi , Barnett Elizabeth D. , Schlaudecker Elizabeth P. , Todd Christopher A. , Poniewierski Marek , Staat Mary A. , Harrington Theresa , Li Rongxia , Broder Karen R. , Walter Emmanuel B.
Published: September 2022

Background
Adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV) and high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV) are U.S.-licensed for adults aged ≥65 years. This study compared serum hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody titers for the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 and B strains after trivalent aIIV3 and trivalent HD-IIV3 in an older adult population.
Results
The immunogenicity population included 342 participants who received aIIV3 and 338 participants who received HD-IIV3. The proportion of participants that seroconverted to A(H3N2) vaccine strains after allV3 (112 participants [32.8%]) was inferior to the proportion of participants that seroconverted after HD-IIV3 (130 participants [38.5%]) at day 29 after vaccination (difference, −5.8%; 95%CI, −12.9% to 1.4%). There were no significant differences between the vaccine groups in percent seroconversion to A(H1N1)pdm09 or B vaccine strains, in percent seropositivity for any of the strains, or in post-vaccination GMT for the A(H1N1)pdm09 strain. The GMTs for the post-vaccination A(H3N2) and B strains were higher after HD-IIV than after aIIV3.
Conclusions
Overall immune responses were similar after aIIV3 and HD-IIV3. For the primary outcome, the aIIV3 seroconversion rate for H3N2 did not meet noninferiority criteria compared with HD-IIV3, but the HD-IIV3 seroconversion rate was not statistically superior to the aIIV3 seroconversion rate.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03183908
Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities of Ficus carica Fruit’s Extract
Authors: Saleem Makkia , sharif mian kamran , Butt Masood Sadiq , Faisal Muhammad Naeem , Dijk Gertjan van
Published: September 2022

Ficus carica, (fig) one of the oldest plants cultivated on the earth, is rich in phytochemicals including organic acids, anthocyanins, phenolics, and phytosterols. Thus, the present research was carried out to explore the phytochemical composition of fig fruit extracts (prepared with 100% water and 70% ethanol) including, alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds along with HPLC characterization of flavonoids and phenolics. However, the prepared extract was also analyzed for its antioxidative capacity through ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and H2O2. Extracts prepared with 70% ethanol have better total alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics concentration, whereas 100% aqueous extract was more efficient to extract total anthocyanins. HPLC quantification of flavonoids and phenolics showed fig fruit is a good amount of catechin (ranged from 20.89 to 23.97 mg/100g), flavanone (ranged from 8.79 to 12.49 mg/100g), and gallic acid (ranged from 32.52 to 33.350 mg/100g). Likewise, the extract having higher phytochemical concentration exhibited higher antioxidant activity. Conclusively, the results depict nutritional composition as a function of genetic makeup and ecological conditions. The current study suggests that commercially available fig (especially Afghani) and its ethanolic extract possess substantial phytochemical compounds having antioxidant potential. Thus, fig may act as a functional food or nutraceutical ingredient having the potential to alleviate oxidative stress-mediated diseases.
Translation of the mental health literacy questionnaire for young adults into Chichewa for use in Malawi: preliminary validation and reliability results
Authors: Jumbe Sandra , Nyali Joel , Newby Chris
Published: September 2022

Background: Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is the ability to recognise mental disorders, have knowledge of professional help available, effective self-help strategies, skills to give support to others, and knowledge of how to prevent mental disorders. Sufficient MHL is linked to better help seeking behaviour and management of mental illness. Assessing MHL importantly helps identify knowledge gaps and inaccurate beliefs about mental health issues, whilst informing development and better evaluation of MHL interventions.
This study aimed to translate the English version of a self-reporting Mental Health Literacy questionnaire (MHLq) for young adult populations (16-30 years-old) into Chichewa for use in Malawi and evaluate the psychometric properties of this Chichewa version.
Methods: An established translation methodology was employed, involving back-translation, comparison, forward-translation, comparison, and piloting. The translated Chichewa questionnaire was initially piloted with 14 young adults in a Malawi university, then subsequently administered to 132 young adults in rural community settings across Malawi.
Results: Overall internal consistency of the Chichewa translated MHLq was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.67) although subscales’ scores ranged from acceptable (factor 1 and 3) to unacceptable (factor 2 and 4). Confirmatory factor analysis found Factor 1 (Knowledge of mental health problems), Factor 3 (First aid skills and help seeking behaviour) and Factor 4 (Self-help strategies) of the Chichewa version fit very well with related factors of the original English MHLq. For Factor 2 (Erroneous beliefs/stereotypes), 5 out of its 8 items correlated well with the original version. This suggests a four-factor solution is reasonably good fit to the data.
Conclusions: Use of the Malawian MHLq among Chichewa speaking young adult populations is well supported for factors 1 and 3 but not for factors 2 and 4. More psychometric testing with a larger sample is vital to further validate the questionnaire. Further research is needed to carry out test/re-test reliability statistics.
Effect of large-scale mass drug administration for malaria on mortality and morbidity in Angumu health zone, Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Grout Lise , Givo Yves Katuala , Newport Trish , Mahamat Tom Adoum , Gitahi Priscillah , Mandagot Jean Jacques , Quere Michel , Wodon Sophie , Ciglenecki Iza , Bastard Mathieu , Baelongandi Francis , Tshulo Louis , Uluba Herman Jakisa , Sterk Esther , Gignoux Etienne
Published: September 2022

Angumu health zone in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo) is a highly malaria-endemic area with an overburdened health system and hosting internally displaced persons (IDP). The World Health Organization recommends mass drug administration (MDA) for malaria in complex emergencies. Therefore, three MDA rounds with high coverage were implemented in four health areas by Ministry of Public Health and Médecins sans Frontières from September 2020 to January 2021. We compared reported mortality and morbidity in locations where MDA has been performed and locations where it has not. A population-based retrospective mortality survey was conducted in March 2021. Two-stage cluster sampling was used in villages; all IDP sites were surveyed with systematic random sampling. Data was collected for 2554 households and 15470 individuals, of whom 721 died in the 18-month recall period. The under-five mortality rate (U5MR) decreased in the locations where MDA had been implemented from 2.32[1.48–3.16] “before” the MDA to 1.10[0.5–1.71] deaths/10,000 children under 5 years/day “after”, whereas it remained stable from 2.74 [2.08–3.40] to 2.67 [1.84–3.50] deaths/10,000 children/day in the same time periods in locations where MDA had not been implemented. The U5MR and malaria-specific mortality was significantly higher in non-MDA locations after MDA was implemented (aRR = 2.17[1.36–3.49] and 2.60[1.56–4.33] respectively for all-cause and malaria-specific mortality among children < 5 years). Morbidity (all age and < 5 years, all cause or malaria-specific) appeared lower in MDA locations 2.5 months after last round: reported malaria-specific morbidity was 14.7%[11–18] and 25.0%[19–31] in villages and IDP sites where MDA had been implemented, while it was 30.4%[27–33] and 49.3%[45–54] in villages and IDP sites with no MDA. The documented sharp decrease of under-5 mortality and morbidity confirms that MDA has the potential to become an important malaria-control tool in emergency settings. Based on these results, new MDA rounds, along with Indoor residual spraying campaigns, have been planned in the health zone in 2022. A set of surveys will be conducted before, during and after these rounds to confirm the effect observed in 2021 and assess its duration.
Potential effects of future high tides on sea turtle nesting
Authors: Carpio Antonio J. , Álvarez Yamel , Rivas Marga L , Gutiérrez Gema , Veléz Jipsson , Tortosa Francisco S. , Oteros José
Published: September 2022

Sandy beaches are the preferred nesting habitat for sea turtles. Multiple climate change events may, however, impact on this habitat, since the projected increase in the intensity and frequency of high tides as a consequence of rises in sea level and storm events may cause a higher rate of flooding of nests. Knowledge regarding future scenarios of tidal inundation and nest-site selection is required to design action plans with which to protect suitable habitats. The objectives of this study were: i) to quantify the impact of high tides on the nesting of two endangered species of sea turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas in Ecuador, ii) to identify relevant trends regarding tides that might impact on the hatching success of the nests and, iii) to project the hatching success of these sea turtles’ nests in next decade using changes in high tides events as a basis. We measured microhabitat characteristics along seven beaches on which sea turtles nest on the mainland coast of Ecuador. The tidal data and the hatching success of 210 nests were monitored from 2013 to 2020. We observed a positive trend as regards future high tide occurrences, which are a key factor in explaining nest hatching success. This increase in high tide might cause a reduction in the hatching success of these endangered species of sea turtles; with the E. imbricata being the species most affected by this threat. Considering that Eretmochelys imbricata is categorized as critically endangered and Chelonia mydas is listed as endangered, estimations of the potential risk of climate events on their reproductive success might contribute to management strategies, and in turn, to the conservation of their populations.
Novel Method Using Transformer Moisture Equilibrium for Removal of Absorbed Moisture from Cellulose Paper Insulation in Power Transformers
Authors: SWAMYNATHAN KUDIYARASAN , N STHALASAYANAM , M Sridevi , AK Sudheesh
Published: September 2022

Moisture's effect on the ageing of Kraft insulation paper is well established theory. The removal of moisture from transformer paper insulation is a time-consuming task. Although methods for initial vacuum drying are available, the same process is impractical in an aged transformer in service. This paper proposes a new methodology, the heating and cyclic filtering process (HCF), that uses the moisture equilibrium concept to estimate and reduce moisture in transformer winding cellulose paper. The dynamics of cellulosic moisture content in response to cyclic temperature variation, as well as their impact on insulation ageing, are also being investigated. The experimental results were compared to current conventional methodologies. This paper also establishes an empirical correlation between Tan Delta, Polarizing Index, and Breakdown Voltage and moisture level to predict insulation moisture level. The results of the experiment confirm that the HCF process, which avoids vaccumising the tank, is highly compatible with aged transformers.
Cognitive Mechanisms of the Face Context Effect: Based on the Study of the Effects of Emotional Contexts on Neutral Face Perception
Authors: Gao Yuan , Lin Wuji , Liu Jiaxi , Chen Yujie , Feng Jinqiu , Deng Jun , Zhang Mingzhe , Mo Lei
Published: September 2022

Face context effect refers to the effects of emotional information from the surrounding context on the face perception. Numerous studies investigated the face context effects by exploring the effect of suprathreshold or subthreshold emotional context on the perception of neutral face, but no consistent conclusions have been drawn. Hence, we explored cognitive mechanisms underlying face context effects by comparing the effects of suprathreshold and subthreshold emotional contexts on neutral face perception. In Experiment 1, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the valence-based face context effect by comparing the effect between suprathreshold (1a) and subthreshold (1b) emotional contexts with different valences on neutral faces. In Experiment 2, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the type-base face context effect by comparing the effect between suprathreshold (2a) and subthreshold (2b) emotional contexts with different emotional types on neutral faces. The results of experiment 1 revealed significant differences in valence ratings of neutral faces under suprathreshold and subthreshold emotional contexts with different valences. The results of experiment 2 showed that the emotional-dimension ratings of neutral faces was significantly different under suprathreshold emotion-specific contexts but not subthreshold emotion-specific contexts. We concluded that the mechanism of the valence-based face context effect is different from that of the type-based face context effect. The former is more automatic, and the latter is more non-automatic.
An efficient method to prepare barcoded cDNA libraries from plant callus for long-read sequencing
Authors: Cordeiro Daniela Correia , Camelo Alexandra , Pedrosa Ana Carolina , Brandão Inês , Canhoto Jorge , Santo Christophe Espírito , Correia Sandra Isabel
Published: September 2022

Background
Long-read sequencing methods allow a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomes in identifying full-length transcripts. This revolutionary method represents a considerable breakthrough for non-model species since it allows enhanced gene annotation and gene expression studies. However, some plant tissues are recalcitrant to the successful preparation of cDNA libraries thus impairing further analyses.
Results
A detailed protocol for preparing cDNA libraries suitable for high throughput RNA sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies® was developed. Through this method, 8 barcoded cDNA libraries from two tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav.) types of callus (friable and compact) and with distinct embryogenic competencies (embryogenic non-embryogenic) have been successfully prepared and sequenced.
Conclusions
An efficient method for preparing barcoded cDNA libraries from plant callus is presented.
Long-read sequencing using these libraries allows a comprehensive analysis of plant transcriptomes.
Relationship of life-satisfaction and self-efficacy with prognostic markers in patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Kondo Kaoru , Nagai Kojiro , Shima Hisato , Yokota Narushi , Minagawa Naoto , Koezuka Yasuhiko , Ichien Go , Doi Toshio , Minakuchi Jun
Published: September 2022

Objective: A questionnaire suggestive of patients’ health status is needed to assess their quality of life and improve their self-management skills.
It is a descriptive, cross-sectional and multicenter study. The aim of this study was to assess the life-satisfaction and self-efficacy questionnaires verified in Japan which was more related to the biochemical and nutritional markers in patients receiving hemodialysis. A total of 196 outpatients receiving hemodialysis in four dialysis centers were included. The responses to the life-satisfaction and self-efficacy questionnaires were collected. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were obtained including life circumstances, in addition to nutritional indices such as normalized protein catabolism rate, creatinine generation rate and geriatric nutritional risk index.
Results: Life-satisfaction scores were related to prognostic nutritional markers such as normalized protein catabolism rate and creatinine generation rate. Female sex and non-diabetic patients were more satisfied with the life undergoing hemodialysis. Elderly patients had higher self-efficacy scores, which was related to their life-satisfaction scores. However, self-efficacy scores were not associated with the biochemical and nutritional markers. This life-satisfaction questionnaire was simple and useful to assess the patient’s condition.
Microwave Synthesis of Trimesic acid capped silver nanofluids: Characterization and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Sadhu Mohini , Pamidimukkala Padmaja
Published: September 2022

A simple, fast, efficient and cost-effective synthetic strategy based on microwave irradiation is described for the preparation of silver encapsulated in trimesic acid nanofluid (Ag-TMA NF). The was confirmed by The surface plasmon resonance peak at 440 nm was indicative of formation of Ag NF and was further characterized by Transmission electron microscopy, Selected Area Electron Diffraction and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The resultant Ag-TMA NF consisted of pseudo spherical and ellipsoidal particles of size ~3.64 nm oriented in fcc plane (111). The trimesic acid capped silver nanoparticles were investigated for pseudo homogeneous catalytic reduction of nitro aromatic compounds.
Hemostatic effect of Related donor Platelet transfusion: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: zhang jingcheng , Ni Lihong , Tu Yan , Hu Huixian
Published: September 2022

Transfusion of HLA-matched platelets can reduce the effect of alloimmune responses on platelet transfusion efficacy, however, finding HLA-matched platelets in the population is nearly impossible. Almost all HLA-matched platelets from relatives are half-matched, but the hemostatic efficacy of relative donor platelets is unclear. Our goal was to compare the hemostatic effect of relative donated platelets and unrelated donors platelets. In this retrospective cohort study, We analyzed 31 patients who received platelet transfusions from relatives (treatment group) and 35 patients who received platelet transfusions from unrelated donors (comparison group). Except for the relatively small proportion of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome in the treatment group, baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar between the two groups. Hemostasis and prevention of bleeding in the treatment group showed significant superiority (P<0.001); The number of platelets increased 24 hours after platelet transfusion in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the comparator group (95% CI, 25.9 to 34.9 P<0.001). After 24 hours, the corrected count increments treatment group was also higher than the comparator group (95% CI, 4.0 to 8.2 P<0.001); there was no significant difference in adverse reactions of blood transfusion between the two groups. In the treatment group, the transfusion effect was better when the three sites of HLA-A, -B, and -C were identical, and the different blood types of platelet donors and recipients did not affect the transfusion effect. Relatively donated platelets have better hemostasis and prevention effects, and no increase in adverse blood transfusion reactions. It may be a better transfusion strategy for platelet refractoriness patients in emergency situations.
Non-invasive DNA analysis combats the illegal trafficking of hawksbill turtle shell products
Authors: Liang Zibin , Chen Jian , Tong Shan , Edmund Rex , Chen Yongjiu
Published: September 2022

The hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus 1766) is distributed in the global tropical areas. Despite being listed as a “critically endangered” species by the IUCN, the illegal trafficking of E. imbricata shell products is reported worldwide as highly profitable. In the study, we used non-invasive sequencing of mitochondrial COI DNA to characterize tortoiseshell products provided by the law enforcement. Genetic analysis of a consensus of 167bp sequences indicated that the 86 samples belonged to three distinct haplotypes in E. imbricata. Two haplotypes joined the reference sequences (refs) originated from the Indo-Pacific stock (PS), i.e. P1 (n=25 plus 8 Refs) and P2 (n =13 plus 3 Refs) and the other one was combined with the refs derived from the Atlantic stock (AS), i.e. A1 (n= 48 plus 20 Refs). An additional haplotype, A2 (n=3) occurred in AS. The K-2-P distance between stocks (3.97%±1.53%) was significantly higher than the distances within stocks (PS, 0.27%±0.28%; AS, 0.05%±0.05%). This non-invasive sampling-based DNA analysis provided a time-efficient and cost-effective way for accurate identification of species and stock origin of tortoiseshells and assistance in combating the illegal trafficking of sea turtle and other wildlife products.
Applications of the Discrete Sub-heat Exchanger Method to J-type Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Kaya Ibrahim , Ust Yasin
Published: September 2022

Effectiveness number of the transfer units method (ε – NTU) have an important place in dimensionless thermal analysis of heat exchangers. However, ε – NTU can be applied assuming that the fluid properties in the heat exchanger are constant. If changes in the fluid properties are moderate, ε – NTU with an iterative procedure can be proposed by averaging the input and output values of the fluid properties. Otherwise, discrete numerical methods would be required for two-phase, transcritical regional flows or large temperatures differences. This research presents the Discrete Sub-Heat Exchanger Method (DSHE) with applications of J-type shell and tube heat exchangers. DSHE discretizes any heat exchanger into sub-heat exchangers having basic flows and applies the ε – NTU to the sub - heat exchangers in an iterative manner. Thus, changes in the fluid properties are included in the thermal analyzes. In addition, the effectiveness values of heat exchangers having any complex flow patterns can be calculated numerically and the temperature profiles, possible pinch point or temperature cross can also be observed by using DSHE. In this research, the results of ε – NTU and DSHE have been compared with three different study cases. In the first case, the relative error of the effectiveness values is below 2% in relatively low temperature differences in single-phase flows. Thus, the DSHE can be considered validated according to the result. In the second case having relatively large temperature differences, the relative error of the effectiveness values is over 16% despite single-phase flows. The last case, including the transcritical regional flow has a relative error close to 14%. The relative errors in the last two cases are significant because the changes in fluid properties have not been reflected in thermal analysis with ε – NTU despite using the iterative procedure. Consequently, it is recommended to use DSHE instead of ε – NTU for thermal analysis when changes in the fluid properties aren’t moderate.
Estimating biomass carbon emission induced by land cover and land use change from 2001 to 2019 in Arkansas, US
Authors: Tay Weilun , He Yaqian
Published: September 2022

Land cover and land use change (LCLUC) is a significant contributor to the changes in biomass carbon emissions. Arkansas has experienced rapid population growth in the last two decades and an increase in housing units by 64,205 from 2010–2019. This study combined geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, and spatiotemporal analysis to quantify changes in vegetation carbon storage resulting from LCLUC during 2001–2019. The result shows that there were fluctuating changes among all land cover land use types, while the significant transition occurred mainly between forest and grassland. A total of ~ 1.3 million tC biomass carbon was lost during the past 18 years in Arkansas, which is largely because of forest loss. However, due to the regrowth of trees, Arkansas also witnessed carbon gain during some periods. Our study further demonstrated that expansion in urban areas because of population growth in Arkansas affected 0.21% of forest land and 0.58% of farmland, and 543,401 tC of carbon biomass was lost in the process. The spatiotemporal change of carbon storage and its drivers revealed by this study provide an important scientific basis for sustainable land use planning in Arkansas.
Performance investigation of triple unsymmetrical micro ring resonator as optical filter as well as biosensor
Authors: Kisku Susanna , Sarwagya Kumari , Ranjan Suman
Published: September 2022

Representation of triple unsymmetrical micro ring resonators (TUMRR) with single input and single output waveguide has been executed in this paper. Statistical demonstration of the presented arrangement is realized in the z-domain by a delay line signal processing method. The transfer function of the triple unsymmetrical micro ring resonator is calculated by Mason’s Gain rule. The offered arrangement is performed on SOI (Silicon in Insulator) platform to achieve the filtering and biochemical sensing intentions. To acquire field response of the arrangement, Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique is used. Characteristics of optical filters are studied from the frequency response plot and the achieved free spectral range (FSR) is 243.5 GHz. The shift in wavelength for biosensing application is accomplished through the OptiFDTD software. The sensitivity of the proposed TUMRR based biosensor is around 200-280 nm/RIU for different blood cells where as the Q-factor attained is 1938.
Involvement of perineuronal nets in anti-depressant effects of electroacupuncture in chronic-stress-induced depression in rats
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Guo Zhenyu , Yang Luping , Cheng Cuicui , Gai Cong , Gao Yushan , Zhang Yi , Sun Hongmei , Hu Die
Published: September 2022

Acupuncture help alleviate depression-like behaviors, but the neural mechanisms behind such anti-depressive impacts are still unknown. Abnormalities in the perineuronal net (PNN) have been documented in multiple psychiatric disorders. The modulation and neural mechanism of PNNs in the antidepressant process of electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) points were investigated in this work. A rat depression model was induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS). Acupuncture was performed on model rats in the EA group at GV20 and GV29 acupoints every other day for 30 min each time. The fluoxetine (FLX) group of model rats were gavaged with 10 mg/kg fluoxetine each day. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays were used to evaluate the density and components of PNNs, the protein expression levels of the main synthase of GABA, GAD67, and of the synaptic proteins GLuA1, and PSD95 in the pre-limbic (PrL) and sub-limbic (IL) of mPFC. We found that four weeks of CUMS could decrease the levels of PNN component proteins aggrecan and brevican and GAD67. Electroacupuncture exhibited significant anti-depressive effects on depressive rats by altering the levels of PNNs. Specifically, aggrecan and brevican are involved in the anti-depression mechanism of electroacupuncture. After electroacupuncture treatment, the decreased expression of GAD67, GLuA1 and PSD95 in the mPFC induced by CUMS for four weeks was also reversed. This indicates that the mechanism of acupuncture's antidepressant effect may be based on reversing the stress-induced decline in PNN expression, the functional impairment of GABA neurons, and the regulation of excitatory synaptic expression.
Forebrain-specific conditional calcineurin deficiency induces dentate gyrus immaturity and hyper-dopaminergic signaling in mice
Authors: Hagihara Hideo , Shoji Hirotaka , Kuroiwa Mahomi , Graef Isabella A , Crabtree Gerald R , Nishi Akinori , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2022

Calcineurin (Cn), a phosphatase important for synaptic plasticity and neuronal development, has been implicated in the etiology and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. Forebrain-specific conditional Cn knockout mice have been known to exhibit multiple behavioral phenotypes related to these disorders. In this study, we investigated whether Cn mutant mice show pseudo-immaturity of the dentate gyrus (iDG) in the hippocampus, which we have proposed as an endophenotype shared by these disorders. Expression of calbindin and GluR1, typical markers for mature DG granule cells (GCs), was decreased and that of doublecortin, calretinin, phospho-CREB, and dopamine D1 receptor (Drd1), markers for immature GC, was increased in Cn mutants. Phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) substrates (GluR1, ERK2, DARPP-32, PDE4) was increased and showed higher sensitivity to SKF81297, a Drd1 agonist, in Cn mutants than in controls. While cAMP/PKA signaling is increased in the iDG of Cn mutants, chronic treatment with rolipram, a selective PDE4 inhibitor that increases intracellular cAMP, ameliorated the iDG phenotype significantly and nesting behavior deficits with nominal significance. Chronic rolipram administration also decreased the phosphorylation of CREB, but not the other four PKA substrates examined, in Cn mutants. These results suggest that Cn deficiency induces pseudo-immaturity of GCs and that cAMP signaling increases to compensate for this maturation abnormality. This study further supports the idea that iDG is an endophenotype shared by certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
Multidetector computed tomography angiography study of the renal arterial vasculature anatomy and its variations in a Bulgarian adult population
Authors: Mihaylova Evgeniya , Groudeva Violeta , Nedevska Maria
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Renal arterial anatomy has a great clinical importance during surgical and endovascular procedures. However, comprehensive data on the renal arterial variations in the Bulgarian population has not yet been provided. The aim of this study was to conduct detailed research about the normal anatomy and variations of the renal arteries in the Bulgarian population.
Methods: Five hundred sixty one patients underwent contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography scans for the period 2016-2021. The images were retrospectively reviewed. Number, branching pattern, origin level and course of the renal arteries were noted. Data was categorized on the basis of laterality, gender and symmetry.
Results: Only 46.3% of the patients exhibited normal renal arterial anatomy. Variations were observed in 301 patients (53.7%). The most common variant was the presence of accessory renal arteries (ARA), discovered in 41.2% of the subjects. There was no significant difference based on gender and laterality (p>0.05). Hilar ARA (72.6%) were significantly more common than polar ARA (p<0.001). The most common origin location of main renal arteries and ARA was the aorta, followed by the common iliac arteries. Early division was observed in 21.7% of the patients, significantly more common on the right. Precaval course was found in 0.5% of the right main renal arteries and in 30% of ARA and the difference was significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: These results show novel insight into the prevalence of renal arterial variations in Bulgarian population. Anatomic renal vasculature variants are common therefore awareness is crucial for the success of surgical and interventional procedures.
Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Disease Among Women Attending Antenatal Care at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Arua, Uganda
Authors: Atwine Benjamin , Suleiman Mbaruk A. , Odongo Alfred Owino , Manenga Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Background
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious disease with a prevalence of 4.3% among people aged 15–64 years, with a prevalence of 5.6% in men compared to 3.1% in women in Uganda. Mother-to-child transmission accounts for nearly 50% of new cases per year, and infants who acquire hepatitis B disease before 5 years have a 90% chance of progressing to chronic hepatitis B infection.
Objective
The study assessed the knowledge and risk factors of hepatitis B disease among women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Arua Regional Referral Hospital (ARRH), Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out at ANC at ARRH. Convenience sampling was used, and a sample size of 384 was calculated. Each participant was evaluated using a structured questionnaire and screened for HBsAg using commercial rapid test kits. Assessment of knowledge was performed using a hepatitis B basic knowledge summary score. Data analysis was carried out using MICROSOFT EXCEL-2013 and STATA version 14 packages.
Results
Poor knowledge levels of hepatitis B disease stood at 17.9%, while 82.1% of the pregnant women had adequate knowledge. A prevalence of 2.05% was obtained from the participants in the study. None of the assessed risk factors was significantly associated with HBsAg positivity.
Conclusion
The study participants were knowledgeable to a great extent about hepatitis B disease, with 82.1% exhibiting good knowledge of hepatitis B disease. There are gaps in knowledge, especially among the low educated groups, which need to be addressed to improve knowledge levels of hepatitis B disease among these categories in the community. The results show a relatively healthy population given the low prevalence of 2.05% seen in the participants of the study. The absence of a risk factor associated with hepatitis B disease in this study does not imply that there are no risk factors in the community around ARRH. Further studies are recommended to assess more risk factors for hepatitis B disease in the community.
Post-operative recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis according to pre- transplant treatment after kidney transplantation
Authors: Kwon Hye Eun , Kim Young Hoon , Lee Sang Ah , Lee Jae Jun , Ko Youngmin , Shin Sung , Jung Joo Hee , Sung Frances S. , Baek Chung Hee , Kim Hyosang , Park Su-Kil , Kwon Hyunwook
Published: September 2022

Background
Recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) after kidney transplantation (KT) is a serious complication and a significant risk factor for graft failure. However, there is no clear evidence of the effectiveness of pre-transplant treatment using plasmapheresis (PP) or rituximab in preventing post-operative FSGS recurrence after KT.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study included 99 adult patients with biopsy-proven primary FSGS who underwent KT between 2007 and 2018. The patients were divided into the pre-treatment group (N = 53, 53.5%) and no pre-treatment group (N = 46, 46.5%). In the pre-transplant group, prophylactic PP was administered before KT in patients undergoing living donor transplantation and the day after KT in those undergoing deceased donor transplantation.
Results
The rate of immediate post-operative recurrence was significantly higher in the no pre-treatment group (16 [34.8%]) than in the pre-treatment group (5 [9.4%]; P = 0.002). There were three cases of graft failure due to recurrent FSGS, all of which were in the no pre-treatment group. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, age (per 10-year increase; OR = 0.61, CI, 0.42–0.90; P = 0.012) and pre-transplant treatment (vs. no pre-transplant treatment; OR = 0.17, CI, 0.05–0.54; P = 0.003) were identified as significant factors associated with FSGS recurrence. The rate of death-censored graft survival was significantly superior in the pretransplant treatment group (P = 0.042).
Conclusions
Pre-transplant treatment with PP was associated with beneficial effects on preventing FSGS recurrence after KT.
Evaluation of systemic Inflammatory response markers in patients with preeclampsia
Authors: Husein Rama Ahmad Alsayed , Hamed Lina , Melhem Sara , Sakka Kanaan Al
Published: September 2022

Objective
The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) are all indicators of systemic inflammatory response. The goal of this study was to assess changes in NLR, PLR, and MPV in preeclampsia (PE) and their use in predicting its severity.
Methods
This is a case-control study that was conducted in the past. The research included 140 healthy pregnant women as controls and 60 women with PE. These two groups were compared using demographic information as well as inflammatory indicators.
Results
There were no statistically significant variations in hemoglobin, gravida, parity, platelets, NLR, PLR, and MPV between healthy pregnant females and preeclamptic females (P > 0.05). In contrast, we discovered statistically significant differences in mean age, lymphocytes, and neutrophils between the control group and PE patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Prospective multicenter studies are also required to determine the relationship between these indicators and PE.
Cytogenetic Characterization of Complex Karyotypes by Multicolor FISH in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Associated Acute Myeloid Leukemias
Authors: Latypova M.V. , Mamaev Nikolai Nikolaevich , Gracheva T.Yu. , Gindina T.L.
Published: September 2022

Complex karyotypes (CK) were thoroughly analyzed by using the data of multicolor FISH in 27 patients with myelo-dysplastic syndromes (MDS) and MDS-associated acute myeloid leukemias (AMLm). Despite a vast variety of identified genetic impairments, chromosomes 5, 8, and 7 appeared to be most frequently (79 %, 76 %, and 73 %, respectively) involved in rearrangements, a fact also documented in literature. In view of this, two independent cytogenetic subgroups with chromosome 5/7 and 5/7/8 rearrangements were formed. Chromosomes 5 and 7 predominantly showed unbalanced karyotype, and chromosome 8 was characterized by its combinations with trisomies. The study also revealed that complex markers, more often than the other ones, contain chromosome 7 material, which has not so far been adequately explained. At the same time, the accumulation of chromosome 8 material in CK was associated with a more favorable course of underlying disease. On the other hand, detailed structural analysis of some supercomplex CK markers affords grounds for the assertion that chromothripsis notably participates in their formation. The overall survival of MDS and AMLm patients in artificially formed joint subgroups with combinations of involved chromosomes 5/7 and 5/7/8 was significantly lower than in AMLm (p = 0.035).
Ceramic waste in semi-dense asphalt mixtures: alternatives for low traffic roads in Colombia
Authors: Solarte Norma Cristina , García Alfredo , Pérez Ruíz Diego Darío , Serrano Guzmán María Fernanda , Troyano Carlos Alonso
Published: September 2022

The condition of the road infrastructure in rural areas is precarious in developing countries and it is common to find roads built using materials such as concrete and rarely with flexible pavement. This study proposes the use of ceramic waste as aggregates in percentages of 30% and 35% in semi-dense asphalt mixtures prepared according to the standards of the National Road Institute in Colombia. Marshall tests of susceptibility, deformation and dynamic modules were performed, finding that 30% replacements showed the best behavior for low traffic roads.