bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contributing factors for pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS after their first FET treatment: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Xi , Hong Ling , Mo Meilan , Xiao Shan , Yin Tailang , Liu Su
Published: September 2023

Background There is no consensus on the factors influencing pregnancy outcomes in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim is to explore the contributing factors of clinical pregnancy outcomes in PCOS patients undergoing their first FET treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with PCOS undergoing their first FET treatment at a private fertility center from January 2018 to December 2021. A total of 574 patients with PCOS were eventually included. Our main outcome was to identify the factors influencing the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, miscarriage rate and preterm delivery rate of PCOS patients during their first FET. Results Women with clinical pregnancy had significantly lower progesterone levels (P = 0.014) and significantly higher endometrial thickness (EMT) (P = 0.006) on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger day than women with non-pregnancy. In multivariate logistics regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), infertility years and some other confounders, progesterone levels (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.109, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.018–0.670) and EMT (aOR 1.126, 95% CI 1.043–1.419) on the hCG trigger day were associated with the clinical pregnancy rate. Similarly, in another multivariate logistics regression analysis, progesterone levels (aOR 0.055, 95% CI 0.007–0.420) and EMT (aOR 1.179, 95% CI 1.011–1.376) on the hCG trigger day were associated with the live birth rate. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) < 0.357 and fewer oocytes retrieved were associated with miscarriage in univariate logistic regression analysis, but after adjusting for relevant confounders, they had no significant effect on miscarriage. Antral follicle count (AFC) (aOR 1.179, 95% CI 1.011–1.376) was found to be a risk factor for preterm delivery in the first FET cycle of PCOS patients. Conclusions In women with PCOS undergoing their first FET, lower progesterone levels and higher EMT on hCG trigger day were associated with clinical pregnancy and live birth, and AFC was a risk factor for preterm delivery. During FET treatment, paying attention to the patient's endocrine indicators and follicle status may have a positive effect on predicting and improving the pregnancy outcome of PCOS patients.
Neuroprotective potential of intranasally delivered L-myc immortalized human neural stem cells in female rats after a controlled cortical impact injury
Authors: Amirbekyan Mari , Cheng Jeffrey P. , Adhikarla Vikram , Moschonas Eleni H. , Bondi Corina O. , Rockne Russell C. , Kline Anthony E. , Gutova Margarita
Published: September 2023

Efficacious stem cell-based therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI) depend on successful delivery, migration, and engraftment of stem cells to induce neuroprotection. L-myc expressing human neural stem cells (LMNSC008) demonstrate an inherent tropism to injury sites after intranasal (IN) administration. We hypothesize that IN delivered LMNSC008 cells migrate to primary and secondary injury sites and modulate biomarkers associated with neuroprotection and tissue regeneration. To test this, immunocompetent adult female rats received a controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) or sham surgery. LMNSC008 cells or a vehicle (VEH) were administered IN on postoperative days 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17. The distribution and migration of eGFP-expressing LMNSC008 cells were quantified over 1 mm-thick optically cleared (CLARITY) coronal brain sections from TBI and SHAM controls. NSC migration was observed along white matter tracts projecting toward the hippocampus and regions of TBI. ELISA and Nanostring assays revealed a shift in tissue gene expression in LMNSC008 treated rats relative to controls. LMNSC008 treatment reduced expression of genes and pathways involved in inflammatory response, microglial function, and various cytokines and receptors. The data demonstrate a robust proof-of-concept for LMNSC008 therapy for TBI and provides a strong rationale for IN delivery for translation in TBI patients.
H. pylori infection promotes the proliferation of gastric cancer via CDK1 expression
Authors: Zhang Zhongyan , Yong Xuejiao , Jiang Shen
Published: September 2023

Backgroud: The pervasiveness of H. pylori infection contributes to numerous gastrointestinal disorders, thus posing a significant challenge for patients and society alike. This research examines the influence of CDK1 in H. pylori infected gastric cancer.
Methods: The presence of CDK1 in H. pylori infected GC tissues and cell lines was ascertained through immunohistochemical fluorescence staining, Real-time PCR, and western blot methodologies. Moreover, CDK1 was silenced in GC cells via siRNA, and the mobility and invasive capacity of GC cells with CDK1 suppression were evaluated using Transwell assays. In the end, the levels of inflammation and cell apoptosis were assessed by ELISA and flow cytometry.
Results: The findings suggest that CDK1 is elevated in GC tissues and cell lines, showing a significant rise in H. pylori infected GC. Concurrently, H. pylori infection enhances the migratory and invasive potential by modulating CDK1. Further, H. pylori incites a robust cellular inflammatory response and apoptosis by modulating CDK1.
Conclusion: The study concludes that H. pylori infection can alter multiple physiological processes in host cells by controlling CDK1, implying that CDK1 could serve as a potential molecular target for combating H. pylori infection.
Cancer’s vulnerability to food availability is evolutionarily conserved: diet modulates tumorigenesis in both Hydra and zebrafish
Authors: TISSOT Sophie , GUIMARD Lena , MELIANI Jordan , BOUTRY Justine , DUJON Antoine M , CAPP Jean-Pascal , TOKOLYI Jácint , BIRO Peter A. , BECKMANN Christa , FONTENILLE Laura , KHOA Nam DO , HAMEDE Rodrigo , ROCHE Benjamin , UJVARI Beata , NEDELCU Aurora M , THOMAS Frédéric
Published: September 2023

Cancer is a disease that affects the control of cell proliferation in many multicellular lineages. Nonetheless, little is known about the extent of conservation of the biological traits and ecological factors that promote or inhibit tumorigenesis across the metazoan tree. Particularly, changes in food quantity and quality have been linked to increased cancer incidence in humans, an outcome of evolutionary mismatch. Here, we apply evolutionary ecology principles to test the hypothesis whether food availability, regardless of the multicellular lineage considered, should govern tumorigenesis. We used two phylogenetically unrelated model systems, namely the cnidarian Hydra oligactis and the fish Danio rerio to investigate the impact of resource availability on tumor emergence and progression. Individuals from healthy and tumor-prone lines were placed on four diets that differed in feeding frequency and quantity. For both models, frequent overfeeding favored tumor emergence, while lean diets appear more protective. When investigating tumor progression, high food availability promoted it, whereas low resources controlled it, but without curing the animals. We discuss our results in light of current ideas about the possible conservation of basic processes governing cancer in metazoans (including ancestral life history trade-offs at the cell level) and in the framework of evolutionary medicine.
The Influence of Anomalous Biomass Emissions on ENSO in CESM2
Authors: Fasullo John , Rosenbloom Nan , Buchholz Rebecca
Published: September 2023

The influence of biomass burning (BB) emissions on the transient coupled evolution of ENSO is explored in CESM2 using composite satellite-retrieved emissions during recent El Niño and La Niña events. For both El Niño and La Niña, four 20-member ensembles are generated from CESM2 initial states that are predisposed to evolve into ENSO events. For each ENSO phase, one ensemble is forced with observed BB emissions while the other is forced with climatological emissions, with the response to anomalous BB emissions estimated from inter-ensemble differences.
It is found that the regional BB anomalies associated with ENSO occur mainly during boreal fall and coincide with the climatological seasonal burden maxima, instigating a spatially and temporally complex climate response. The BB burdens are found to influence precipitation, cloud properties, and radiation in both the tropics and extratropics. At the onset of El Niño, BB anomalies increase precipitation in the northern branch of the ITCZ and enhance cloud albedo and amount across the Maritime Continent and eastern subtropical Pacific Ocean. Various other responses are identified at the onset and termination of La Niña. The net effect of these influences is to strengthen SST anomalies in the eastern Pacific Ocean during El Niño and broadly warm the tropical Pacific Ocean during La Niña, resulting in improved simulation of ENSO power, diversity, and asymmetry in CESM2.
A Novel Development and Validation of Differential Spectrophotometric Method for Determination of Domperidone in Tablet Dosage Form
Authors: Khant Hil , Viroja Dhruvi , Jani Bhavik
Published: September 2023

The amount of domperidone in pharmaceutical dose forms was measured using a straightforward, quick, and sensitive differential spectrophotometric approach. The approach is based on the uv- spectra-differentiated caused spectrum changes that occur when the ph of the medium is changed. To determine the amplitude, the absorbance difference between these two maxima was measured and plotted against concentration. With a detection limit of 0.15 g/ml, the calibration curve is linear over the concentration range of 2 to 10 µg/ml (r2 = 0.997) without the common element that comes with the drug interfering, the procedure was effectively applied to the commercial pharmaceutical drug. The outcome when statistically compared to the outcomes of the standard method. The assay of domperidone in pure and tablet dosage form was completed satisfactorily using the suggested procedures. The assay of domperidone in its pure form and in tablet dosage form was successfully conducted using the suggested procedures. Tablet excipients did not cause any interference when tested under the specified assay conditions and wavelengths. Statistics revealed no difference between the data and those acquired using the spectrophotometric approach described in the literature.
High-sensitivity deuterium metabolic MRI differentiates acute pancreatitis from pancreatic cancers in murine models
Authors: Frydman Lucio , Montrazi Elton , Sasson Keren , Agemy Lilach , Peters Dana , Brenner Ori , Scherz Avigdor
Published: September 2023

Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) is a promising tool for investigating a tumor’s biology, and eventually contribute in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In DMI, [6,6’-2H2]-glucose is taken up and metabolized by different tissues, resulting in the formation of HDO but also in an enhanced formation of [3,3’-2H2]-lactate at the tumor site as a result of the Warburg effect. Recent studies have shown DMI’s suitability to highlight pancreatic cancer in murine models by [3,3’-2H2]-lactate formation; an important question is whether DMI can also differentiate between these tumors and pancreatitis. This differentiation is critical, as these two diseases are hard to distinguish today radiologically, but have very different prognoses requiring distinctive treatments. Recent studies have shown the limitations that hyperpolarized MRI faces when trying to distinguish these pancreatic diseases by monitoring the [1-13C1]-pyruvate◊[1-13C1]-lactate conversion. In this work, we explore DMI’s capability to achieve such differentiation. Initial tests used a multi-echo (ME) SSFP sequence, to identify any metabolic differences between tumor and acute pancreatitis models that had been previously elicited very similar [1-13C1]-pyruvate◊[1-13C1]-lactate conversion rates. Although ME-SSFP provides approximately 5 times greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than the standard chemical shift imaging (CSI) experiment used in DMI, no lactate signal was observed in the pancreatitis model. To enhance lactate sensitivity further, we developed a new, weighted-average, CSI-SSFP approach for DMI. Weighted-average CSI-SSFP improved DMI’s SNR by another factor of 4 over ME-SSFP –a sensitivity enhancement that sufficed to evidence natural abundance 2H fat in abdominal images, something that had escaped the previous approaches even at ultrahigh (15.2T) MRI fields. Despite these efforts to enhance DMI’s sensitivity, no lactate signal could be detected in acute pancreatitis models (n = 10; [3,3’-2H2]-lactate limit of detection < 100 µM; 15.2T). This leads to the conclusion that pancreatic tumors and acute pancreatitis may be clearly distinguished by DMI, based on their different abilities to generate deuterated lactate.
Clinical efficacy and safety of acellular dermal matrix as a method of volume replacement after breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Kwon JinAh , Byon Jung Hee , Ko Byung Kyun , Kim Jin Sung , Bang Minseo
Published: September 2023

Background
The cosmetic outcome of breast conserving surgery (BCS) has recently gained attention, and surgeons are exploring the use of the acellular dermal matrix (ADM), a safe and effective method of breast reconstruction. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the sheet-type ADM for reconstruction after BCS.
Method
The study included 137 patients who underwent BCS using ADM in a single center between October 2019 and October 2021. During surgery, a sheet-type ADM was folded and inserted according to the size and shape of the excised defect. Complications and cancer recurrence were evaluated during surveillance follow-up, and maintenance of the inserted ADM was evaluated quantitatively using volume analysis on CT scan.
Results
Of the 137 patients, 16 had minor complications and 17 underwent biopsy during the surveillance period. One patient was diagnosed with recurrence. The volume of the ADM was measured in 67 patients, and the mean volume difference between the first and last CT scans was 2.65 ± 2.20 cm3 (p = 0.000).
Conclusion
Insertion of ADM is an effective and safe method to fill the volume defect after BCS despite the slight volume change, and it does not interfere with postoperative surveillance.
The Relationship between Unpredictability in Childhood and Depression Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Coping Style and Resilience
Authors: Ye Chengxiu , Ye Baojuan , Zhang Zheng
Published: September 2023

Background
According to previous studies, unpredictability in childhood could significantly increase the risk of depression in adulthood. Only a few studies have explored the relationship between these two variables in China. This paper aims to explore the relationship between unpredictability in childhood and depression and examine the mediating roles of coping styles and resilience.
Methods
According to the properties of the bias-corrected bootstrap method, we surveyed 601 college students with an average age of 19.09 (SD = 2.78) years. Participants completed questionnaires regarding unpredictability in childhood, coping style, resilience, and depression.
Results
The results showed that childhood unpredictability is linked to higher rates of depression. Additionally, coping style, whether mature or immature, plays a mediating role in the relationship between childhood unpredictability and depression. Furthermore, resilience also plays a mediating role in this relationship, helping to buffer the effects of coping style on depression.
Conclusions
The results indicated that the risk of depression among college students who have experienced unpredictable childhood should be valued. Attention to coping styles and resilience should be paid to decrease depression among college students who have experienced unpredictable childhood.
Decorated vesicles as prebiont systems (a hypothesis)
Authors: Fisk Martin , Popa Radu
Published: September 2023

Due to competition with modern life forms, no primitive living systems now remain to teach us about how early protocells may have functioned. This selection, however, does not apply to abiotic prebiont systems that formed by natural processes and did not require genetic inheritance to function. Yet very few such system examples are available for research. Decorated vesicles from deep seafloor basalts show four potentially life-analogous features and are interesting prebiotic-system candidates for origin-of-life research. These properties are: a physical enclosure, carbon-assimilatory catalysis, semi-permeable boundaries, and a source of usable energy. Nanometer to micron-sized spherules on the inner walls of decorated vesicles are proposed to function as mineral proto-enzymes. Chemically, these structures resemble synthetic FeS clusters shown to convert CO2, CO and H2 into small organics. Secondary phyllosilicates line the vesicles’ inner walls and fill openings. Clays can act as molecular sieves between the vesicles’ interior and the surrounding aquifer. Lastly, basalt glass in the vesicle walls uptakes protons, which replace cations in the silicate framework. This will result in an inward proton flux, reciprocal outward flux of metal cations, more alkaline pH inside than outside, and production of more phyllosilicates. Such life-supporting features could have been exploited later to assist the origin of chemical networks toward protolife systems. Decorated vesicles are proposed as study models of prebiotic systems and expected to have existed on the early Earth as well. Their analysis can lead to better understanding of changes in planetary geocycles during the origin of life.
Effect of Vibration of the Mixer on the Red Blood Cells
Authors: Xiang Chuang , Yun Zhong , Wang Liang
Published: September 2023

Purposes: There is often vibration in red blood cells (RBCs) processing, blood transfusion, blood conveyance and so on. The effect of vibration on human RBCs should be researched for more details in order to reducing the deviation in experiments with vibration of device.
Methods: In this paper, flow cytometry is applied to detect the deformation, micro structure and cytokine expression of IgG and IgA of the human RBCs affected by vibration of the Mixer with different frequency (750 rpm and 1500 rpm) and duration (5 min and 10 min) and container volume (96 well plate and 48 well plate).
Results: The size of RBCs in duration of 10 min is obviously smaller than the duration of 5 min. The difference of frequency and container volume has almost the little effect on the size of RBCs in the groups of 10 min. But in the groups of 5 min, the increase of frequency or decrease of container volume can lead to the decrease of the size of RBCs. Some echinocytes appear in the photomicrograph of all the groups of 10 min. The micro structure of the RBCs is not influenced by the vibration of the Mixer. The increase of frequency or decrease of container volume leads to higher cytokine expression of IgG in groups of 5 min.
Conclusion: So, the vibration cannot be ignored for it may influence the shape, cytokine expression of the RBCs, and should be concerned in the experiments and devices with RBCs.
Deep Learning Applied to the SARS-CoV-2 Classification
Authors: Azevedo Karolayne , Souza Luísa , Coutinho Maria , Barbosa Raquel , Fernandes Marcelo
Published: September 2023

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a deep neural network model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for accurately classifying SARS-CoV-2 viral sequences and other subtypes within the Coronaviridae family. With the rapid evolution of viral genomes and the increasing need for timely classification, we aimed to provide a robust and efficient tool that could enhance the accuracy of viral identification and classification processes. By harnessing the power of deep learning, we sought to contribute to advancing viral genomics research and aid in surveilling emerging viral strains.
Methods: We designed and implemented a CNN-based deep neural network architecture capable of processing complete cDNA genomic sequences to achieve our goal. We used a dataset comprising diverse viral subtypes, including SARSCoV- 2, for training and testing. The dataset was partitioned using a 5-fold cross-validation strategy to ensure rigorous evaluation. Our model’s performance was assessed using various metrics, including accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and AUROC. Additionally, artificial mutation tests were conducted to evaluate the model’s generalization ability across sequence variations. We also used the BLAST algorithm and conducted comprehensive processing time analyses for comparison.
Results: The developed CNN-based model demonstrated exceptional performance across various evaluation metrics. In the training phase, the model consistently achieved maximum values for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and other key metrics, indicating its robust learning ability. Notably, during testing on over 10,000 viral sequences, the model exhibited a sensitivity of over 99% for sequences with fewer than 2,000 mutations. The CNN-based model showcased superior accuracy and significantly reduced processing times compared to the BLAST algorithm. These findings underscore the model’s effectiveness in accurately classifying viral sequences and its potential to revolutionize viral genomics research.
Conclusion: This study introduces a CNN-based deep neural network model as a powerful tool for precisely classifying viral sequences, specifically focusing on SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae family subtypes. Our model’s superiority is evident through rigorous evaluation and comparison with existing methods, offering enhanced accuracy and efficiency. The application of artificial mutation testing demonstrated the model’s robustness in handling sequence variations. By harnessing deep learning capabilities, our model significantly contributes to viral classification and genomics research. As viral surveillance becomes increasingly critical, our model holds promise in aiding rapid and accurate identification of emerging viral strains.
Gut microbiota diversity of three cyprinid fish in polyculture pond and their relationship with environmental microbiota
Authors: Xie Jianfeng , Jiang Hong , Chen Qiuhong , Shan Shijuan , Wang Lei , Yang Guiwen , Li Hua
Published: September 2023

Background
Polyculture is a culture mode in which a variety of fishes with complementary or competitive diets and different ecological niches are mixed in a single pond. It is usually used in the culture of cyprinids and is a traditional and effective measure to optimize nutritional resources. Generally, in the ponds of the Yellow River in Jinan City, Shandong Province, China, there is a more polyculture of carp and grass carp, and there are also polyculture ponds of carp, grass carp and crucian carp, which can increase fish production and improve economic benefits while optimizing the utilization of nutrient resources.
Results
The growth rates and disease resistance of fish in polyculture systems are quite different, while the gut microbiome diversity of fish in polyculture ponds is unclear. In the present study, high-through put sequencing technology was used to analyze the composition of gut microbiota of three cyprinid fish in polyculture ponds. The similarities and differences between the gut microbiota of co-cultured fish, as well as the similarities and differences with environmental flora such as pond sediment and pond water were analyzed. The results showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant among the three cyprinid fish and the composition, diversity and abundance of gut microbiota of the three species were significantly different from that of pond water and pond sediment. However, compared with grass carp, the similarity of gut microbiota between crucian carp and common carp was higher, which have similar feeding habits. There was no significant difference in the composition of bacteria in intestinal contents and intestinal mucus of common carp. Common carp, crucian carp and grass carp contained 212,103 and 57 core bacterial species, respectively, and shared 22 core bacterial species. However, the relative contents of unique and common core bacterial species in various samples were different.
Conclusions
This study analyzed and discussed the composition of microflora in the intestinal contents and mucus of common carp, the similarities and differences of intestinal microflora with crucian carp and grass carp, and the similarities and differences with environmental samples, so as to provide a theoretical basis for enriching the theoretical knowledge of common carp intestinal microflora in polyculture ponds, as well as aquaculture and disease prevention.
Hybrid multi-channel electrically tunable bandstop filter based on DAST electro-optical material
Authors: Qi Yunping , Zhang Shu , Shi Qiang , Zhao Shiyu , Zhou Zihao , Su Mingrui , Wang Xiangxian
Published: September 2023

A voltage-tunable hybrid multichannel bandstop filter utilizing a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide is presented in this work. The unique aspect of this filter is its ability to achieve three narrowband and one broadband filtering functions simultaneously. The filter design comprises two asymmetric composite cavities filled with an organic electro-optical material called 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-toluenesulfonate (DAST). These composite cavities consist of a rectangular cavity combined with an annular cavity. The annular cavity is formed by connecting two rectangular cavities with two semi-elliptical annular cavities. Using the finite element method (FEM), we thoroughly study and analyze the transmission spectrum and magnetic field distribution of the filter. We also delve into the impact of various structural parameters on the transmission spectrum. Our analysis demonstrates that the bandstop filter achieves a remarkable minimum transmittance of 0.02%, 0.29%, and 0.1%, alongside minimum bandwidths of 5 nm, 9 nm, and 25 nm in three narrowband modes, respectively. These modes attain maximum quality factors (Q) of 123.7, 87.1, and 44.2. In the broadband mode, the stopband bandwidth covers 70 nm, and the adjustable range spans from 1695 nm to 2065 nm. The filter's characteristics can be dynamically adjusted by applying a control voltage, introducing a remarkable level of tunability while maintaining stable filter performance. To enhance its performance, we optimize the basic structure, yielding a broadened bandwidth of 238 nm for the broadband mode. This extended bandwidth comes with exceptional electrical tuning characteristics intact. Our proposed voltage-tunable hybrid multichannel bandstop filter presents a versatile solution with significant potential applications in high-density integrated circuits and nano-optics.
Memory-induced alignment of colloidal dumbbells
Authors: Kumar Karthika Krishna , Caspers Juliana , Ginot Felix , Krüger Matthias , Bechinger Clemens
Published: September 2023

When a colloidal probe is forced through a viscoelastic fluid which is characterized by a long stress-relaxation time, the fluid is excited out of equilibrium. This is leading to a number of interesting effects including a non-trivial recoil of the probe when the driving force is removed. Here, we experimentally and theoretically investigate the transient recoil dynamics of non-spherical particles, i.e., colloidal dumbbells. In addition to a translational recoil of the dumbbells, we also find a pronounced angular reorientation which results from the relaxation of the surrounding fluid. Our findings are in good agreement with a Langevin description based on the symmetries of a director (dumbbell) as well as a microscopic bath-rod model. Remarkably, we find a frustrated state with amplified fluctuations when the dumbbell is oriented perpendicular to the direction of driving. Our results demonstrate the complex behavior of non-spherical objects within a relaxing environment which are of immediate interest for the motion of externally but also self-driven asymmetric objects in viscoelastic fluids.
Socioeconomic inequalities in young adulthood disrupt the immune transcriptomic landscape via upstream regulators
Authors: Ravi Sudharshan , Shanahan Michael J. , Levitt Brandt , Harris Kathleen Mullan , Cole Steven W.
Published: September 2023

Disparities in socio-economic status (SES) predict many immune system-related diseases, and previous research documents relationships between SES and the immune cell transcriptome. Drawing on a bioinformatically-informed network approach, we situate these findings in a broader molecular framework by examining the upstream regulators of SES-associated transcriptional alterations. Data come from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally representative sample of 4,543 adults in the United States. Results reveal a network—of differentially-expressed genes, transcription factors, and protein neighbors of transcription factors— that shows widespread SES-related dysregulation of the immune system. Mediational models suggest that body mass index plays a key role in accounting for many of these associations. Overall, the results reveal the central role of upstream regulators in socioeconomic differences in the molecular basis of immunity, which propagate to increase risk of chronic health conditions in later-life.
The Effectiveness of Very Low-Frequency Electromagnetics (VLF-EM) Method in Detecting Buried Targets at a Controlled Site
Authors: Alao Joseph Omeiza , Muyideen Lawal , Dewu Bala Bello Muhammad , Jimoh Raimi
Published: September 2023

The ever-increasing anthropogenic activities that pose a significant threat to environmental security and sustainability have spurred Geophysicists to enhance geophysical techniques for shallow geophysical investigations, especially in identifying illegal buried materials. This article applied very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) at a controlled geophysical site (CGS) where several targets were buried to examine the geophysical response for environmental and engineering simulation. The VLF-EM data obtained on the natural ground (without buried targets) and buried ground along the same profiles demonstrate the nature of the anomalies and the characteristic signals generated by the site's natural ground and after various buried targets are installed. There are clear and significant anomalies source-bodied between the natural and buried ground. The result shows no major high equivalent current density (conductive media) or low equivalent current density (non-conductive media) across the natural ground. Several minors and major conductive and non-conductive zones were encountered after the installations of the buried targets corresponding to conductive and non-conductive buried targets. Some anomalies become stronger over the large conductivity and non-conductive buried targets. A reasonable position of the buried targets was determined by the VLF-EM method with positive matches and few significant mismatches in the actual depths of buried targets. However, there are some unexpected emergencies, where some non-conductive buried target generates high equivalent current density values indicating conductive media, while some conductive buried target produces low equivalent current density values indicating non-conductive body, especially for large spacing. Major and minor characteristic VLF-EM anomalies were obtained across all the survey profiles. The VLF-EM method is more consistent at small spacing and it can be very useful for identifying underground metallic and non-metallic targets.
The Importance of Prenatal Diagnosis for the Early Detection of Fetal Abnormalities in Rural Area
Authors: Wenang Supriyatiningsih , Febrianti Lidia , Nahdiyati Diyah , Bahlmann Franz
Published: September 2023

Background Prenatal diagnosis in rural area is a global challenges. The detection rate of congenital abnormalities is still increasing in rural areas due to delays of early detection during pregnancy. Therefore, community service was conducted through webinars to provide insight into the importance of prenatal diagnosis for pregnant women in rural area.Methods This is a pre-experimental study with 200 webinar participants of community service. Participants who were willing to fill out the questionnaire in google form were 100 people. The participants consisted of patients and non-patients of the PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They come from rural areas in the Regency of Kulon Progo and Sleman. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to correlate the 3 indicators with knowledge of the importance of prenatal diagnosis of the fetus in the womb.Results The importance of knowledge in early detection for fetal abnormalities and children's growth development, have a significance value of 0.000 each (p-value < 0.05). While the hospital services expectation has a significance value of 0.243 (p-value > 0.05).Conclusion Prenatal diagnosis in rural area is considered as an effort to increase early detection of fetal abnormalities and child development. The building of awareness of prenatal diagnosis begins with a positive expectations of the services at the hospital.
Is Arterial Spin Labeling necessarily low perfusion for cavernous sinus venous malformation? A case of hyperperfusion cavernous sinus venous malformation: a case report.
Authors: Luo Dan , Xiao Xin Lan
Published: September 2023

Generally, due to the influence of the skull base bone and gas, it is difficult to differentiate the imaging manifestations of extracerebral cavernous malformation and meningiomas in the cavernous sinus area. Cavernous sinus venous malformation is characterized by increased capillary masses without a direct arterial supply, typically leading to low perfusion. On the other hand, meningiomas receive arterial blood supply to the tumor and often exhibit high perfusion.Therefore, Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) can be helpful in distinguishing between the two tumor types. However, in our specific case of a cavernous sinus venous malformation, ASL imaging showed hyperperfusion. Further analysis revealed that this hyperperfusion on ASL can occur when cavernous sinus venous malformation is associated with arteriovenous fistula malformation.
Endoscopic transaqueductal stent placement for tumors-related aqueductal compression in pediatric patients. Surgical consideration, technique, and results
Authors: Prajsnar-Borak Anna , Schroeder Henry W.S. , Oertel Joachim
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
Endoscopic transaqueductal stenting has become a well-accepted treatment option for a selected small subset of aqueductal stenosis-related obstructive hydrocephalus. However, transaqueductal stenting poses unique challenges and risks which requires critical consideration. This report discusses the clinical experiences with tranaqueductal stenting for periaqueductal tumor-related aqueductal stenosis focusing on pediatric patients.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing endoscopic TAS from 01/1993–01/2022 in the author’s departments was performed. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and intraoperative endoscopic data were evaluated. All patients with AS-related occlusive hydrocephalus that was treated with TAS were analyzed and prospectively followed. Special attention has been given to providing insights into indications, surgical technique, and limitations.
Results:
Out of 28 endoscopic transaqueductal endoscopis stenting procedures, five procedures were performed on periaqueductal tumor-related obstructive hydrocephalus, two children and three adult patients. CSF pathway was obstructed by tumor located in the aqueduct in 2, by tumor in the thalamus/mesencephalon in 1, by a tumor within the third ventricle in 1 and by a tumor of the lamina tecti in 1. Simultaneously with transaqueductal stenting, 2 endoscopic third ventriculostomies (ETV), 3 tumor biopsies, 1 tumor resection were performed. Postoperative complications included; CSF fistula (1 case), and asymptomatic fornix contusion (1 case). A working aqueductal stent was achieved in all cases based on clinical follow up evaluation. Postoperatively, all patients showed improvement or resolution of their symptoms. The mean follow-up period was 25,2 months (range, 1–108 months). One patient died due to tumor progression during early follow up. No stent migration was seen.
Conclusion:
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy remains the gold standard for treatment of CSF circulation obstrctions with lesions in the posterior third ventricle and aqueduct. Transaqueductal stenting for periaqueductal tumors-related aqueductal compression is technically feasible. However, because of the potential high risks and subtle advantages compared with ETV transaqueductal stenting might be indicated in a small subset of well-selected patients if alternative treatment options are not at hand.
Coastal wetlands of Indus River Delta are under risk due to reclamation: A spatiotemporal analysis during the past 50 years from 1972 to 2022
Authors: Laghari Yaseen , Bai Shibiao , Leghari Shah Jahan , Wei Wenjing , Laghari Abdul Hafeez
Published: September 2023

Coastal wetlands are the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems, benefiting both human populations and the total environment. However, they are continuously threatened by anthropogenic activities. The Indus River Delta, the 6th largest in the world, has been adversely affected due to reclamation. We examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of coastal wetlands and reclamation in the Indus River Delta from 1972 to 2022. Wetlands conversion to reclamation was extracted from 6-Landsat images. Land cover transfer matrix was used to analyze land use land cover (LULC) changes in different time intervals. Area-weight centroid was constructed to determine the migration trend of reclamation and coastal wetlands. Spatial accurateness was assessed using Producer's Accuracy (PA), User Accuracy (UA), and KAPPA coefficient (KC). Our results reveled that from the 1972 to 2022, the net area of natural wetlands declined by 1.9% (26.1 km2), while reclamation (settlement and cultivated land) increased by 14.7% (200.1 km2), and 27.5% (373.5 km2), respectively. The fastest areal change rate for coastal wetlands was − 1.1 km2/yr from 2012 to 2022, whereas the fastest areal change rate for settlement and cultivated land were 7.6 km2/yr from 1992 to 2002 and 28.6 km2/yr from 2012 to 2022. Centroids of wetlands moved slowly eastwards from Kharo Chan taluka to Keti Bandar in the first and third decades, then southwards in the second decade, later on, westwards in the fourth decade, and finally back southwards from Keti Bandar taluka to the Kharo Chan in the fifth decade with fastest movement. Centroids of settlement expanded slowly in all directions over five decades. Centroids of cultivated land migrated westwards in the first, third, and fourth decades, northwards in the second decade, and southwards in the fifth decade from Keti Bandar to Kharo Chan. The findings of this study would provide a scientific basis for sustainable land development.
DPSIR modeling to evaluate and analyze Iran's energy security
Authors: Esmaeili Hanif , Almassi Morteza , Ghahderijani Mohammad
Published: September 2023

Energy security has become an increasing concern for many countries, policymakers, and decision-makers. Beyond the environmental challenges of fossil energy sources, energy security remains a prominent concern for economic development. Therefore, evaluating energy security can be a valuable tool for policy formulation. This article models the energy security of Iran using the DPSIR framework. The period under study is from 2012 to 2021. The dimensions of this framework include five aspects: driving forces, pressures, status, impacts, and responses. The TOPSIS model with entropy weighting is used to calculate the weights of indices and ultimately determine the final energy security. The research findings indicate that throughout the examined period, there have been fluctuations in the trend. However, Iran's energy security has been bullish and has reached 0.61 in 2021 from 0.38 in 2012. The indicators of driving forces and impacts have enhanced energy security threats. International sanctions, population growth, urbanization, reliance on fossil fuel consumption, and the emission of environmental pollutants were the most influential factors contributing to decreased energy security. Iran requires the implementation of suitable strategies for long-term control of these factors.
Serum Vitamin D concentration and anthropometric indicators of adiposity in Iranian adults: A cross- sectional study
Authors: Ashraf Haleh , Maghbouli Nastaran , Abolhasani Maryam , Zandi Nadia , Nematizadeh Mehran , Omidi Negar , Davoodi Gholamreza , Boroumand Mohammad Ali , Ali Jemal Haidar
Published: September 2023

Background:This study sought to determine the accuracy of several anthropometric parameters in association with serum vitamin D (Vit. D) Concentrations and to compare the novel indices with the ancient ones.
Methods: A total of 947 patients referred to the cardiology clinic were evaluated through a cross-sectional study. Data on demographic information, anthropometric indices, and biochemical measurements were gathered using a checklist. Both the multivariable regression modeling and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) were employed for the analysis.
Results:Considering novel indices, BRI (Body Roundness Index) showed the most powerful correlation with serum Vit. D levels among both genders. Among ancient indices, WC (Waist Circumference) had the strongest association in both men and women groups. Based on the confounding factors-adjusted model, the highest odds ratio (OR) for the presence of Vit. D deficiency belonged to WHtR (Waist to Height Ratio) in women (OR, 0.347 (0.171-0.704) , P=0.003) while none of the indices predicted Vit. D deficiency significantly among men. A Vit. D concentration of 4.55 ng/ml was found as a cutoff based on the metabolic syndrome status.
Conclusion: The most powerful association with serum Vit. D levels was detected for BRI in both genders among newly developed indices. In addition, only WHtR predicted Vit. D deficiency independent of confounding factors among women.
Differentiation between cerebral alveolar echinococcosis and brain metastases with radiomics combined machine learning approach
Authors: Yimit Yasen , Yasin Parhat , Tuerxun Abuduresuli , Abulizi Abudoukeyoumujiang , Jia Wenxiao , Wang Yunling , Nijiati Maydil
Published: September 2023

Background
Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) and brain metastases (BM) are similar in locations and imaging appearance. While, CAE is usually treated with chemotherapy and surgical treatment, BM is often treated with radiotherapy and targeted primary malignancy treatment. Accurate diagnosis is critical due to the vastly different treatment approaches for these conditions.
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of radiomics and machine learning approaches on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing CAE and BM.
Methods
We have retrospectively analyzed MRI images of 130 patients (30 CAE, 100 BM, training set = 91, testing set = 39) who confirmed CAE or BM in Xinjiang medical university's first affiliated hospital from January 2014 to December 2022. Three dimensional tumors were segmented by radiologists from contrast-enhanced T1WI images on open resources software 3D Slicer. Features were extracted on Pyradiomics, further feature reduction was carried out using univariate analysis, correlation analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Finally, we built five machine learning models, support vector machine, logistic regression, linear discrimination analysis, KNeighbors classifier, and Gaussian NB and evaluated their performance via several metrics including sensitivity (recall), specificity, positive predictive value (precision), negative predictive value, accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC).
Results
The area under curve (AUC) of SVC, LR, LDA, KNN, and NB algorithms in training (testing) sets are 0.99 (0.94), 1.00 (0.87), 0.98 (0.92), 0.97 (0.97), and 0.98 (0.93) respectively. Nested cross-validation demonstrated the robustness and generalizability of the models. Additionally, the calibration plot and decision curve analysis demonstrated the practical usefulness of these models in clinical practice, with lower bias toward different subgroups during decision-making.
Conclusion
The combination of radiomics and machine learning approach on contrast enhanced T1WI images could well distinguish CAE and BM. This approach holds promise in assisting doctors with accurate diagnosis and clinical decision-making
Using scent to enhance captive welfare and breeding in a zoo-housed endangered lemur species.
Authors: Fontani Sara , Glendewar Gale , Callagan Georgia , Costantini Anna Beatrice , Marliani Giovanna , Palframan Matthew , Vaglio Stefano
Published: September 2023

The Alaotran gentle lemur is one of the most endangered primates in the world and shows a low success rate in captive breeding programmes. We tested a novel scent enrichment, made up of a synthesized mixture potentially conveying information about female fertility, on four unsuccessful breeding pairs (n = 8) hosted at Jersey, Birmingham, London (UK) and Mulhouse (France) zoos. We evaluated the effects of the scent enrichment combining behavioural observations (n = 515 hours) with faecal endocrinology (cortisol and testosterone measurements) (n = 180 samples). We did not find any significant change in affiliative behaviours, while aggressive and abnormal behaviours were rarely observed. However, we found a significant increase of both male and female olfactory behaviours during the enrichment condition, with females performing these behaviours significantly less than males. We also found that sexual behaviours significantly increased over the enrichment period. Conversely, we did not find any significant change related to enrichment in cortisol and testosterone levels. Our findings show little effectiveness by our scent enrichment, which is likely due to shortfalls with regards to fertile odour sampling. However, our results also highlight that biologically relevant odour signals may trigger natural species-specific behaviours, with potential implications for management and conservation breeding of zoo-based endangered species.