bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P800SO3-PEG: a renal clearable bone-targeted fluorophore for theranostic imaging
Authors: Wang Haoran , Kang Homan , Dinh Jason , Yokomizo Shinya , Stiles Wesley R. , Tully Molly , Cardenas Kevin , Srinivas Surbhi , Ingerick Jason , Ahn Sung , Bao Kai , Choi Hak Soo
Published: October 2022

Background

Due to the deep tissue penetration and reduced scattering, NIR-II fluorescence imaging is advantageous over conventional visible and NIR-I fluorescence imaging for the detection of bone growth, metabolism, metastasis, and other bone-related diseases.

Methods

Bone-targeted heptamethine cyanine fluorophores were synthesized by substituting the
meso
-carbon with a sulfur atom, resulting in a bathochromic shift and increased fluorescence intensity. The physicochemical, optical, and thermal stability of newly synthesized bone-targeted NIR fluorophores was performed in aqueous solvents. Calcium binding, bone-specific targeting, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and 2D and 3D NIR imaging were performed in animal models.

Results

The newly synthesized S-substituted heptamethine fluorophores demonstrated a high affinity for hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate, which improved bone-specific targeting with signal-background ratios > 3.5. Particularly, P800SO3-PEG showed minimum nonspecific uptake, and most unbound molecules were excreted into the urinary bladder. Histological analyses demonstrated that P800SO3-PEG remained stable in the bone for over two weeks and was incorporated into bone matrices. Interestingly, the flexible thiol ethylene glycol linker on P800SO3-PEG induced a promising photothermal effect upon NIR laser irradiation, demonstrating potential theranostic imaging.

Conclusions

P800SO3-PEG shows a high affinity for bone tissues, deeper tissue imaging capabilities, minimum nonspecific uptake in the major organs, and photothermal effect upon laser irradiation, making it optimal for bone-targeted theranostic imaging.
High-volume pre-dilution on-line hemodiafiltration is the adequate blood purification method from the viewpoint of amino acid nutrition
Authors: Kato Motoko , Urabe Shunichiro , Matsuzawa Shohei , Kato Akira , Fukazawa Momoko , Hiyama Emi , Kurii Asami , Mikami Noriko , Kitajima Yukie , Hida Miho , Kokubo Kenichi , Hyodo Toru
Published: October 2022

Background

We compared amino acid leakage among high-volume pre-dilution on-line hemodiafiltration (Pre O-HDF), hemodialysis (HD), and post-dilution on-line hemodiafiltration (Post O-HDF).

Subjects and methods

The subjects were 9 patients. For HD, the total dialysate flow rate was established as 500 mL/min. For high-volume Pre O-HDF, it was established as 600 mL/min, under a replacement fluid volume of 90 L. For Post O-HDF, it was established as 600 mL/min, under a replacement fluid volume of 10 L. In both procedures, the duration of treatment was 4 h, and the blood flow volume was 200 mL/min. We compared the leakages of total amino acid, non-essential amino acid, and essential amino acid, clear spaces (CSs), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) reduction rate, Kt/V for urea, and albumin leakage among the three procedures.

Results

Amino acid leakages after high-volume Pre O-HDF were significantly lower than HD and Post O-HDF. The CSs after high-volume Pre O-HDF were significantly lower than Post O-HDF. The β2-MG reduction rate after high-volume Pre O-HDF was significantly lower than Post O-HDF. The Kt/V for urea was not significantly different. Albumin leakages were below the detection limit (< 1 g) in the three procedures.

Conclusion

Under the treatment conditions we performed this time, high-volume Pre O-HDF reduces amino acid leakage in comparison with HD and Post O-HDF. High-volume Pre O-HDF is a therapeutic mode that suppresses amino acid leakage.
Ganglioglioma surgery associated with postoperative status epilepticus: a case report
Authors: Grubor Irena , Strandberg Maria Compagno , Bengzon Johan
Published: October 2022

Background

Gangliogliomas are brain tumors associated with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. In most cases, seizures improve after surgical treatment. It is still not concluded to what extent the lesion itself or the perilesional area contributes to the epileptogenicity.

Case presentation

In the case presented in this report, the patient, a 24-year-old Caucasian male, developed a refractory status epilepticus after a surgical attempt to remove a cerebral ganglioglioma. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the lesion was intact, and that inadvertently only the perilesional area and adjacent cortex had been resected. The patient underwent a new surgical procedure where the ganglioglioma was removed, and the status epilepticus cessated.

Conclusions

This clinical case suggests that the lesion itself plays an important role in seizure generation and propagation, and notably, that the surrounding cortex by an inhibitory action can act as a gate to seizure spread.
Litigation analysis of medical damage after total knee arthroplasty: a case study based on Chinese legal database in the past ten years
Authors: Liu Shuai , Zou Jilong , Wang Shuai , Liu Guangyu , Zhang Yan , Geng Shuo
Published: October 2022

Background

The medical damage litigations after knee arthroplasty are on the rise year by year. However, few studies examined the litigation after knee arthroplasty. This study analyzed the litigation of medical damage after knee replacement in the past ten years based on a Chinese database. It synthesized the focus of the dispute in these cases to provide a reference for doctors to reduce the risk of litigation.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed were medical damage litigations after total knee arthroplasty in the past ten years (June 2011–June 2021) from the "Wolters Kluwer Legal Information Database". The data collected included the characteristics of patients, causes of litigation, the results of litigation and the amount of compensation.

Results

A total of 110 litigation cases were analyzed, including 40 male patients (36.3%) and 70 female patients (63.6%). The top cause of litigation was infection (43.6%). The most common factor leading to the doctor losing the case was "complications caused by operational error" (P < 0.05). Complications, such as amputation, postoperative ischemic stroke and infection, were more likely to result in higher compensation.

Conclusions

The prevention of infection and the avoidance of operational errors are very important in avoiding medical litigations. Moreover, avoiding disabling complications or a protracted course of disease could significantly reduce the amount of compensation. In addition, full and reasonable communication, paying full attention to the reaction of patients, and timely diagnosis could also effectively minimize the risk of litigation and loss.
Implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Interleukin-10 gene (rs1800896 and rs1800872) with severity of COVID-19
Authors: Rizvi Saliha , Rizvi S. Mohd.Shiraz , Raza Syed Tasleem , Abbas Mohd. , Fatima Kaynat , Zaidi Zeashan H. , Mahdi Farzana
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic which has emerged as a new challenge for the medical sciences. Severity of COVID-19 is mostly determined with overexpressed proinflammatory cytokines eventually leading to endothelial dysfunction causing vital organ injury, especially in the lungs. It has been postulated that various genetic mutations might be associated with an increased risk of disease severity in COVID-19. This study was thus carried out to determine the association ofrs1800896 and rs1800872genetic polymorphism in IL-10 gene in determining COVID-19 severity.

Methods

The study included 160 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients with mild (n = 85) and severe (n = 75) conditions. All subjects were genotyped forInterleukin-10(rs1800896 and rs1800872)gene polymorphisms using PCR–RFLP technique followed by statistical analysis.

Results

This study found a significant gender and age-based discrepancy in COVID-19 severity with 1.85-and 3.81-fold increased risk of COVID-19 in males of mild and severe groups as compared to females (p = 0.046 andp < 0.001) and 4.35-fold high risk in subjects ≥ 50 (p < 0.001). Genotyping analysis showed thatIL-10 (rs1800872)gene polymorphism was strongly associated with COVID-19 severity (p = 0.01) whereas,IL-10 rs1800896polymorphism was not found to confer the risk of COVID-19 severity in our population.

Conclusion

In this regard, the present study provided an evidence thatIL-10 (rs1800872)gene polymorphism is strongly associated with COVID-19 severity and CC genotype confer a protective role in preventing severe disease progression. More detailed studies with a larger sample size on the genetic variations are required to establish the role of studiedIL-10gene polymorphisms with COVID-19 severity.
Key population-led community-based same-day antiretroviral therapy (CB-SDART) initiation hub in Bangkok, Thailand: a protocol for a hybrid type 3 implementation trial
Authors: Lujintanon Sita , Amatavete Sorawit , Thitipatarakorn Supanat , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Songtaweesin Wipaporn Natalie , Chaisalee Tanachai , Janyam Surang , Phanuphak Nittaya , Ramautarsing Reshmie A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Same-day antiretroviral therapy (SDART) initiation, in which people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve, willing, and clinically eligible start ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis, has been implemented in several healthcare facilities in Thailand since 2017. This evidence-based practice has demonstrated increased ART uptake, virologic suppression, and retention in care. However, linkage to care gaps exist in community-based organizations (CBOs) in Bangkok whereby as much as 20% of key populations (KP), mainly men who have sex with men and transgender women, living with HIV were lost to follow-up pre-ART initiation. To increase access to and uptake of ART among these populations, this study proposes that trained KP lay providers should lead community-based ART (CB-SDART) initiation service. This protocol describes the combined use of the Proctor’s implementation outcome framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide and evaluate the CB-SDART implementation.

Methods

This study follows the hybrid design type 3: it is an implementation trial that secondarily assesses service and client outcomes by comparative interrupted time series analysis. Five strategies have been formulated to meet three implementation outcomes (i.e., feasibility, fidelity, and sustainability): (1) developing stakeholder relationships by engaging the CBO leaderships, (2) training and educating KP lay providers, (3) adapting and tailoring SDART to CBO-specific context, (4) using evaluative and iterative strategies to assess adherence to standard operating procedures, and (5) developing stakeholder relationships by engaging external stakeholders. Teleconsultation with physicians and ART home delivery will be integrated as another ART initiation option for clients and allow service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed-method assessment will be conducted on key stakeholders and PLHIV diagnosed at two implementing CBOs, Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand and Service Workers in Group Foundation, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Discussion

This implementation research may be the first to provide robust data at the implementation, service, and client levels to inform how to successfully task-shift SDART initiation service to trained KP lay providers and facilitate the expansion of CB-SDART in the future.

Trial registration

This trial was registered with the Thai Clinical Trial Registry as TCTR20210709004 on July 9, 2021.
Understanding the characteristics of the host genome and microbiome interaction in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
Authors: Lenka Sudhansubala , Bhuyan Sanat Kumar , Bhuyan Ruchi
Published: October 2022

Background

Oral health status is directly associated with microbes present within it. The abundance of microbes at the OSCC site is more than at its control site, representing its possible role in the progression of OSCC development. Dysbiosis of oral microbiota could be a crucial etiological risk factor in the elevation of OSCC. This study aimed to analyze and assess: a) positive regulator microbes of oral cancer and their abundance at the cancer site, b) pathways involved in positive regulator microbes, and c) identification of the most virulent oral oncogenic microbe.

Main body

It is obtained from several studies that microbes belonging to Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Alloprevotella, Capnocytophaga, Porphyromonas, Campylobacter, and Aggregatibacter are detected to be more in number contrast to healthy sites. Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans show molecular pathways linked with OSCC development. Genes encoding for virulent factors like FimA, Gingipains, lipopolysaccharide (P. gingivalis), FadA, Fap2 (F. nucleatum), and zymosan (C. Albicans) are directly involved in elevating oral cancer.

Conclusion

Mostly, the genes that are involved in promoting oral cancer are the genes that generally encode cell wall proteins. The cell wall proteins that is FadA, Fap, and FimA interact with the host's cell and hamper the normal regulation pathway, which leads to activation of cell proliferating pathways, down-regulates apoptotic pathways, cytoskeleton rearrangement, and upregulates the cell cycle checkpoint regulators; as a result, progression of oral cancer occurs.
Optimizing aseptic and serum milieu for the isolation of human whole umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chakraborty Eliza , Chaudhary Shikha , Saragade Yogita , Sharma Suyash , John Jeswin , Tyagi Namrata , Mishra Kunal
Published: October 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become an attractive tool for tissue engineering and targets in clinical transplantation due to their regeneration potential and immune-suppressive capacity. The human umbilical cord, which is discarded at birth, can provide an inexhaustible source of stem cells for therapy. They are reported to contain immune privilege cells which may be suitable for allogenic-based therapies. However, the use of MSCs for therapeutic application is based on their subsequent large-scale in vitro expansion. A fast and efficient protocol for the generation of large quantities of MSCs is required to meet the clinical demand and biomedical research needs.

Results

MSCs were isolated from the umbilical cord by explants and enzymatic digestion and cultured in the appropriate growth medium resulted in the propagation of more than 1X 108 cells within 15 days from the single umbilical cord.

Conclusion

The isolation efficiency, cell yield, colony-forming unit fibroblast (CFU-F), growth kinetics, phenotypic characteristics of UCMSCs were determined.
The status quo of research in sustainable FDI: exploring the theoretical agenda and policy inferences in West and Central Africa
Authors: Yana Mbena Jacques
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the status quo in the literature on sustainable foreign direct investment "FDI" in West and Central Africa. It is believed that utilizing the FDI Qualities Policy Toolkit developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development "OECD" will help identify which policies are acknowledged today and the ones that may need particular attention from academia and policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a literature triangulation of FDI, sustainability, and economic development theories to extract the seed of a narrative helping to capture the current theoretical agenda and policy implications around the phenomenon of sustainable FDI in West and Central Africa. We selected and scrutinized (N = 53) articles published in various academic journals between January 2019 and March 2022 and investigating issues around sustainable FDI. The OECD framework later assisted in mapping today's theoretical agenda and policy inferences related to sustainable FDI in the region.

Findings

It is acknowledged that there is an ongoing theoretical discussion informing on policy implications around the subject of sustainable FDI in West and Central Africa. It seems to be a consensus about the role of FDI's quality in enhancing sustainable regional growth. However, the use of the taxonomy has shown a clear focus on macroeconomic and ecological determinants reinforced through the OECD-defined policy dimensions of technical and financial support and international agreements and standards. The review allowed the perception of a theoretical gap in sustainability outcomes around the subjects of social justice in general and gender diversity in particular. It is recommended that academia and policymakers emphasize FDI theories and policies around the OECD framework of governance and domestic regulations.

Originality/value

The paper informs through a literature-based review on determinants that academia and policymakers need to give particular attention to for better addressing all subjects around sustainable FDI in West and Central Africa. The paper proactively advises on specific phenomena that should be considered to avoid the fulfillment of the hypothesis of an "African sustainable growth tragedy."
Firm performance and cost of equity capital: the moderating role of narrative risk disclosure quality in Egypt
Authors: Ismail Tariq H. , Obiedallah Yousra R.
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to examine the moderating effect of the narrative risk disclosure quality on the association between firm performance and the cost of equity capital in the Egyptian setting. Manual content analysis and factorial principal component techniques are used to quantify the quality dimensions of the narrative risk disclosures. The weighted average cost of equity is used to estimate the firms’ costs of equity. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted over three years (2018–2020) for a sample of 73 non-financial firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX100). Multiple OLS regression models are employed to test the hypotheses. The results reveal a negative association between firm performance and the cost of equity and, while such association strengthened when adding the narrative risk disclosure quality as a moderator variable. This suggests that risk disclosure is important to stockholders’ investment decision-making in the Egyptian context. Based on the dearth of literature related to the economic reverberations of narrative risk disclosure quality in emerging economies, this study contributes to the risk reporting literature by providing evidence on the moderating effect of the narrative risk disclosure quality and its reverberations on the firm’s cost of equity capital in one of the emerging economies as Egypt. With regard to the findings of this study, we expect to contribute to the practice and theory by providing new and different insights about the moderating effect of narrative risk disclosure on the association between firm performance and cost of equity capital.
An Empirical Investigation of the Continued Usage Intention of Digital Wallets: The Moderating Role of Perceived Technological Innovativeness
Authors: Shetu Sabakun Naher , Islam Md. Muzahidul , Promi Sadia Islam
Published: October 2022

The paper examines the constructs that instigate the users to adopt digital wallets and continued usage behavior in a developing country perspective, Bangladesh. The researcher used a cross-sectional design to collect the primary data using a self-administered questionnaire. The population consisted of the youth, precisely 18–35, who are tech-savvy and knowledgeable about new technology. The study followed the nonprobability purposive sampling technique, and 330 responses were collected through a structured questionnaire survey. In direct path analysis, the findings revealed that perceived usefulness, ease of use, compatibility, insecurity, and behavioral intention to adopt digital wallets found significant relationships among the constructs that supported the proposed hypotheses. Moreover, indirect path analysis of perceived compatibility, perceived personal innovativeness and perceived social influence found no significant relationships that did not justify the proposed hypotheses. Users' behavioral intention partially mediates among perceived usefulness, ease of use, personal innovativeness, and perceived social influence, except perceived compatibility. The findings suggested that perceived technological innovativeness did not support the proposed hypothesis. The incorporated constructs of this study have hardly been found in the existing literature, and the researchers shed light on the unexplored research area. The study results, implications, and limitations have been discussed.
Railway bridge damage detection based on extraction of instantaneous frequency by Wavelet Synchrosqueezed Transform
Authors: Mostafa Neda , Maio Dario Di , Loendersloot Richard , Tinga Tiedo
Published: October 2022

In bridge structural health monitoring, typically the dynamic response of the system is used to assess the health condition of the bridge. However, the dynamic interaction between a bridge and a passing vehicle imposes non-stationarity on the system response, whereby the bridge modal parameters become time-dependent and detecting damage, for example, based on the bridge modal parameters, becomes challenging. Dynamic vehicle-bridge interaction (VBI) responses have mainly been investigated for damage detection through identifying signal singularities and abrupt changes. The singularities are usually associated with high-frequency components (relative to the bridge natural frequencies), and it is demanding to isolate the damage-induced singularities from those caused by either an operational condition, i.e., track irregularities, or noise. Unlike the high-frequency range, the influence of damage on the resonance frequency of the coupled system has not been fully explored. The present study proposes the shape of the bridge instantaneous frequency as a damage sensitive feature in which the influence of the vehicle dynamics can be excluded. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a damage detection approach based on the bridge instantaneous frequency by applying Wavelet Synchrosqueezed Transform (WSST). In this approach the bridge instantaneous frequency variation induced by damage is distinguished from the bridge instantaneous frequency variation induced by the vehicle. Several damage scenarios that are implemented numerically are analyzed to verify the method’s performance. The results demonstrate that a high resolution instantaneous frequency extracted from the VBI dynamic response outperforms the resonance frequency in determining the local disruption, leading to detecting the damage. A Damage Index (DI) is also proposed as an attempt to quantify the damage severity.
Assessment of liquid and gas impingement cooling fluids with numerical solution for better steel austempering
Authors: Nwankwo Azubuike Michael , Onah Thomas Okechukwu , Nwankwojike Bertrand Nduka
Published: October 2022

Impingement jet heat transfer was studied using liquid and gas fluids to determine better cooling fluid. The materials used were rectangular steel plates of 230 mm by 120 mm by 12 mm, single jet diameters of 10–40 mm with impingement gaps of 115–155 mm. A computational fluid dynamics software application ANSYS 2020R1 was employed for simulation, and lumped thermal mass analysis was used for experimental modeling. The experimental results showed an increase in heat transfer coefficient with increased pipe diameters and with a corresponding increase in impingement gaps and flow rate. This revealed 265.4–383.9 W/m2K and 85.3–109 W/m2K at diameter 10 mm and 336.5–365 W/m2K and 109.0–137.5 W/m2K at diameter 40 mm for both water and air, respectively. Numerical simulation revealed heat flux of 22518–38.94 W/m2and 7570.2–4.25 W/m2and 6742.8–27.1 W/m2and 4155.6–6.1 W/m at diameters 10 mm and 40 mm, respectively. This confirmed that water remains a better cooling fluid with a 6.2% difference at the diameter of 10 mm and a 0.1% difference at the diameter of 40 mm. An acceptable error margin of 4 to 18% upon the comparison of empirical analysis with numerical simulation is obtained. The above suggests a better cooling rate for the microstructure of the steel using water against air.
Reproduction method of time-domain load of construction machinery internal combustion engine
Authors: Li Zhijie , Wang Yonglai , Liu Chaoqin , Kong Weicheng , Chen Cuicui
Published: October 2022

Bench test has been proved to be an effective method in the field of fatigue life prediction and reliability design for construction machinery internal combustion engine (CMICE), and the reasonable load reproduction is a promising supplement to the experimental data. To reproduce the load reasonably and eliminate the limitation that traditional peak over threshold (POT) extrapolation only focuses on extreme load, a method to reproduce the time-domain load of CMICE is proposed in this paper. Here, the extreme load is reproduced with POT model, where the upper and lower thresholds are selected through the mean excess function graph, while the intermediate load is reproduced by fitting the Gaussian mixed distribution. The load before and after reproduction is compared with the results of through-level counting and pseudo-damage calculation, which verifies the rationality of the proposed time-domain load reproduction method.
Multi-objective optimization of vertical-axis wind turbine’s blade structure using genetic algorithm
Authors: Geneid Ahmed Ali , Atia Mostafa R. A. , Badawy Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Through the field of renewable energy, the vertical-axis wind turbine is preferable, especially when the wind speed is low to medium. The optimization of blade structure design is essential to enhance the usability of the vertical-axis wind turbine. This paper introduces an optimization approach for the uniform blade structure design used in the vertical-axis wind turbine. The blade cost represents 20% of the turbine overall cost, and inertia load is the dominating design load. This approach aims to optimize the weight and the cost while maintaining structural integrity. Designs of blade structure are based on a multi-objective model, including the composite material and geometric parameters, where multiple design parameters are included. The model enhances the requirement of computation time and resources by approximation cross-sectional properties and loading calculations. The cost index concept is investigated to introduce an efficient method for approximation, normalizing the cost from currency exchange and price changes. The formulated model is then validated using a finite element analysis package, where the model is the integration between the numerical geometric model and the classical laminate theory. Optimization models are then formulated based on genetic algorithm and Pareto frontier analysis. Blade design parameters are included in the optimization to cover a wide range of parameters. The geometric cross-sectional properties are estimated using empirical formulas to reduce computation time and resources. The presented approach augmented the blade design parameters and genetic algorithm optimization. Optimum results for NACA 0021 shows the blade mass range between 2.5 and 3 kg and the cost index from 40 to 90.
Movement behaviours, breakfast consumption, and fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents
Authors: Sampasa-Kanyinga Hugues , Hamilton Hayley A. , Chaput Jean-Philippe
Published: October 2022

Background

It is recommended that children and adolescents spend ≥ 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, ≤ 2 h per day of recreational screen time, and 9–11 h of sleep per night for school-aged children or 8–10 h per night for adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of compliance with physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations with the frequencies of breakfast consumption and fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents.

Methods

Data from a cross-sectional and province-wide survey of students in grades 7–12 in Ontario (Canada) were used for this analysis (n = 12,759 students; 15.2 ± 1.8 years; 56% females). Movement behaviours and eating habits were self-reported. Multivariable ordered logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, ethnoracial background, subjective socioeconomic status, and body mass index z-score.

Results

Compliance with all three recommendations was associated with more frequent breakfast consumption (OR: 2.77; 95% CI: 2.17–3.55) and fruit and vegetable intake (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 2.41–3.62) compared with compliance with none of the recommendations. Compliance with the different combinations of recommendations was also associated with more frequent breakfast consumption and fruit and vegetable intake, with some exceptions. There was a dose–response gradient between the number of recommendations met (3 > 2 > 1) and more frequent breakfast consumption (p < 0.001) and fruit and vegetable intake (p < 0.001), with compliance with all three recommendations being the best combination.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that compliance with the physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations is associated with more frequent breakfast consumption and fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents.
An overview of GPR subsurface exploration of planets and moons
Authors: Pettinelli Elena , Cosciotti Barbara , Lauro Sebastian Emanuel , Mattei Elisabetta
Published: October 2022

Geophysical techniques were first tested beyond Earth during the Apollo program. Of those examined, radio-wave propagation methods appeared to be the most suitable for the moon and other solar system bodies. This was due to the electromagnetic characteristics of planetary subsurfaces and the possibility to remotely perform measurements on board spacecrafts and rovers. After the first successful experiment on the moon, more than 20 years passed before ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was included in the payload of a planetary mission. Technological advancements in GPR design and successful results of radio echo sounding measurements for the detection of basal water below terrestrial ice sheets paved the way for the application of similar techniques to search for liquid water in the Martian subsurface. Since deployment of the first two subsurface radar sounders above Mars, the number of proposed planetary missions relying on GPR for surveying the subsurface of planets, moons, and other objects has grown progressively. Six orbiting radar sounders and five GPRs mounted on rovers/landers have been employed so far to explore the moon, Mars, and comet 67P/GC. Some of these are in full operation and some are just starting to operate. Planned missions to the icy moons of Jupiter will also depend heavily on radar sounders to detect evidence of an internal ocean on Europa and to understand the habitability conditions on Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Finally, planetary missions to Earth's twin, the planet Venus, could take advantage of GPR to understand the cause of its drastic change in climatic conditions and the geologic phenomena that contributed to changing a watery and hospitable surface into a hot and asphyxiating inhabitable planet.
Plasma Metabolomics Reveals Systemic Metabolic Alterations of Subclinical and Clinical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Shao Feifei , Li Rui , Guo Qian , Qin Rui , Su Wenxiu , Yin Huiyong , Tian Limin
Published: October 2022

Context

Clinical hypothyroidism (CH) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have been linked to various metabolic comorbidities but the underlying metabolic alterations remain unclear. Metabolomics may provide metabolic insights into the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism.

Objective

We explored metabolic alterations in SCH and CH and identify potential metabolite biomarkers for the discrimination of SCH and CH from euthyroid individuals.

Methods

Plasma samples from a cohort of 126 human subjects, including 45 patients with CH, 41 patients with SCH, and 40 euthyroid controls, were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry–based metabolomics. Data were processed by multivariate principal components analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Correlation analysis was performed by a Multivariate Linear Regression analysis. Unbiased Variable selection in R algorithm and 3 machine learning models were utilized to develop prediction models based on potential metabolite biomarkers.

Results

The plasma metabolomic patterns in SCH and CH groups were significantly different from those of control groups, while metabolite alterations between SCH and CH groups were dramatically similar. Pathway enrichment analysis found that SCH and CH had a significant impact on primary bile acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, lysine degradation, tryptophan metabolism, and purine metabolism. Significant associations for 65 metabolites were found with levels of thyrotropin, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody, or thyroglobulin antibody. We successfully selected and validated 17 metabolic biomarkers to differentiate 3 groups.

Conclusion

SCH and CH have significantly altered metabolic patterns associated with hypothyroidism, and metabolomics coupled with machine learning algorithms can be used to develop diagnostic models based on selected metabolites.
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Pneumonia and Septic Shock
Authors: Li Hang-Long , Tse Yi-Kei , Chandramouli Chanchal , Hon Nicole Wing-Lam , Cheung Ching-Lung , Lam Lok-Yee , Wu Meizhen , Huang Jia-Yi , Yu Si-Yeung , Leung Ka-Lam , Fei Yue , Feng Qi , Ren Qingwen , Cheung Bernard M Y , Tse Hung-Fat , Verma Subodh , Lam Carolyn S P , Yiu Kai-Hang
Published: October 2022

Context

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of pneumonia and septic shock. Traditional glucose-lowering drugs have recently been found to be associated with a higher risk of infections. It remains unclear whether sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), which have pleiotropic/anti-inflammatory effects, may reduce the risk of pneumonia and septic shock in DM.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to May 19, 2022, for randomized, placebo-controlled trials of SGLT2i that included patients with DM and reported outcomes of interest (pneumonia and/or septic shock). Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment (using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool) were conducted by independent authors. A fixed-effects model was used to pool the relative risk (RRs) and 95% CI across trials.

Results

Out of 4568 citations, 26 trials with a total of 59 264 patients (1.9% developed pneumonia and 0.2% developed septic shock) were included. Compared with placebo, SGLT2is significantly reduced the risk of pneumonia (pooled RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.98) and septic shock (pooled RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.95). There was no significant heterogeneity of effect size among trials. Subgroup analyses according to the type of SGLT2i used, baseline comorbidities, glycemic control, duration of DM, and trial follow-up showed consistent results without evidence of significant treatment-by-subgroup heterogeneity (all Pheterogeneity > .10).

Conclusion

Among DM patients, SGLT2is reduced the risk of pneumonia and septic shock compared with placebo. Our findings should be viewed as hypothesis generating, with concepts requiring validation in future studies.
Hypomorphism of a Novel Long ERα Isoform Causes Severe Reproductive Dysfunctions in Female Mice
Authors: Saito Kenji , Dickey Jacob E , Rodeghiero Samuel R , Toth Brandon A , Kelly Matthew J , Deng Yue , Singh Uday , Deng Guorui , Jiang Jingwei , Cui Huxing
Published: October 2022

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)–mediated estrogen signaling plays a pivotal role in both reproductive and nonreproductive functions. Transcriptional regulation of the ERα gene is highly complex, with multiple transcript variants being differentially produced across the tissues. However, tissue-specific variation and physiological specificity of the ERα variants are not yet fully understood. In an attempt to generate a Cre-dependently restorable ERα-null mouse for functional genetic studies, we unexpectedly produced ERα hypomorphic mice with biased downregulation of a previously unappreciated long ERα isoform that is enriched in the female reproductive organs (uterus and ovaries) and the pituitary but minimally expressed in the brain. Female homozygous mutant mice were capable of pregnancy but displayed irregular estrus cycle and rarely kept newborn pups alive. No significant morphological and pathological changes in reproductive system or disruption of body weight homeostasis were seen in female homozygous mutant mice. Collectively, our results define a tissue-specific enriched long ERα isoform and its preferential role in female reproductive function rather than body weight homeostasis.
Tumor-Infiltrating Neutrophils after Neoadjuvant Therapy are Associated with Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Cabalag Carlos S. , Prall Owen W. J. , Ciciulla John , Galea Laurence A. , Thio Niko , Jayawardana Madawa , Leong Trishe Y. M. , Milne Julia V. , Fujihara Kenji M. , Chong Lynn , Hii Michael W. , Arnau Gisela Mir , Neeson Paul J. , Phillips Wayne A. , Duong Cuong P. , Clemons Nicholas J.
Published: October 2022

Background

In esophageal cancer (EC), there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the interplay between the tumor immune microenvironment and response to neoadjuvant treatment and, therefore, which factors may influence outcomes. Thus, our goal was to investigate the changes in the immune microenvironment with neoadjuvant treatment in EC by assessing the expression of immune related genes and their association with prognosis.

Methods

We examined the transcriptome of paired pre- and post-neoadjuvant treated EC specimens. Based on these findings, we validated the presence of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils using CD15+ immunohistochemistry in a discovery cohort of patients with residual pathologic disease. We developed a nomogram as a predictor of progression-free survival (PFS) incorporating the variables CD15+ cell count, tumor regression grade, and tumor grade.

Results

After neoadjuvant treatment, there was an increase in genes related to myeloid cell differentiation and a poor prognosis associated with high neutrophil (CD15+) counts. Our nomogram incorporating CD15+ cell count was predictive of PFS with a C-index of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.9) and a concordance probability estimate (CPE) of 0.77 (95% CI 0.69–0.86), which indicates high prognostic ability. The C-index and CPE of the validation cohort were 0.81 (95% CI 0.69–0.91) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.7–0.86), respectively.

Conclusions

Our nomogram incorporating CD15+ cell count can potentially be used to identify patients at high risk of recurrent disease and thus stratify patients who will benefit most from adjuvant treatment.
Effect of Cadmium and Lead Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Shourie Abhilasha
Published: October 2022

Heavy metal pollution in the biosphere has become a worldwide problem. Metal industry effluents, mining sites, municipal and agricultural waste are important sources of metal dispersion in environment. Heavy metal imposed phytotoxicity affects seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthesis and other physiological processes. Exposure of seeds to cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) has deleterious effects resulting into inhibition of germination, delayed germination time and retardation of seedling growth due to toxicity. The aim of this research is to investigate the toxic effects of Cd and Pb on seed germination and seedling growth of Jatropha curcas L. and evaluate its tolerance for heavy metal stress. The experimental treatments included exposure to five concentrations of cadmium nitrate and lead acetate (ranging from 25 to 125 µM/L), under which the germination and seedling growth parameters were determined periodically. The germination and growth of J. curcas L. was affected by cadmium and lead supplemented at different concentrations and the toxicity effects were found to be concentration dependent. Tolerance indices declined sharply with increasing concentrations of lead and cadmium treatments. Germination was inhibited upto 50% by 100 μmol/L of Cd, 125 μmol/L of Pb. Mean germination time and seedling vigour index also gradually decreased with increase in Cd and Pb concentration. Cadmium proved to be more toxic than lead in all considerations.
An Insight into the Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Host Cell Biology of Legionella Pneumophila: A Review of Literature
Authors: Alrahimi Jehan , Aldahlawi Alia , Hassoubah Shahira , Al-Jadani Saeedah , Alyamani Walaa , Alotaibi Najla
Published: October 2022

Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a type of severe pneumonia that mainly caused by bacteria of the genus Legionella. LD bacteria reside in the water systems of facilities where lack of water exchange or flow plays a crucial role in enhancing bacterial growth. The under-recognition of the dangers of Legionella along with easing of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions and global reopening, pose a potential increased risk of developing LD. Various Legionella species can lead to legionellosis infections, including LD and Pontiac fever. Legionellosis cases is generally found in natural or artificial aquatic environments such as cooling towers, hot water tanks, or air conditioning. The bacteria elude the host’s immune responses by various strategies, including releasing effector proteins. Thus, this review provides insight into the microbiology, epidemiology, and host cell biology of L. pneumophila, as well as an emphasis on the bacterial novel survival strategies of L. pneumophila. Also, suggests taking intensive actions towards closed buildings as a potential source of bacterial infection.
Characterization of Cadmium and Lead Heavy Metals Resistant Fungal Isolates from Ghawar oil field, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Dhabaan Fahad A.
Published: October 2022

Contamination of soil with heavy metals is considered the main concern around the world due to dramatic increases in agricultural, industrial, and oil extraction activities. Highly potentials were recorded for fungi, which reflected heavy metal resistant patterns among microflora. Our investigation was carried out for isolating, identifying, and evaluating Cr and Pb resistant capabilities for fungal strains. By using morphological characterization, seventeen fungal strains which reflected resistance against Cr and Pb were identified as Aspergillus, Rhizomucor, Neosartorya, Penicilliumand Rhizomucor , Aspergillus , Penicillium , Cunninghamella and Fusarium for the second site. Among nine microorganisms isolated from the first site which reflected resistant against Cr, Aspergillus flavus reflected highly resistant against all Cr concentrations. Also, Aspergillus Ochraceus and Penicillium oxalicum were resistant to all Cr concentrations except the highest (750 ppm). Only Aspergillus flavus which was isolated from the first site reflected distingushable resistance to all Pb concentrations. Also, A. terreus showed resistant patterns against Cr at 50, 75, 150, and 300 ppm of Pb. At the second site, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium aurantiogriseum and Aspergillus wentii showed resistant patterns against all Led concentrations. Four selected fungi which reflected resistance against all concentrations of Cr and Pb were identified via 18S rDNA molecular marker and assigned to GeneBank as follows: Aspergillus flavus (OP113794), Aspergillus terreus(OP113795), Penicillium aurantiogriseum (OP113796) and Aspergillus wentii (OP113797).
Isolation, Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Nodule-Associated Bacteria from Mimosa Pudica L.
Authors: Ravunni Maya , Yusuf Akkara
Published: October 2022

The interaction between rhizobia and other nodule-associated bacteria assists to mitigate nutrient stress in leguminous plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and synthesizing plant growth regulators. The beneficial effects of microbial inoculants emphasize the need for further research and their use in modern agriculture. The present study describes the isolation, molecular identification, characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of noduleassociated bacteria from Mimosa pudica Linnaeus. Isolation and phenotypic characterization of nodule-associated bacteria were carried out according to standard procedures. Molecular characterization of the isolates was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA. Plant growth promoting the ability of selected isolates was analyzed by assessing indole acetic acid production, nitrogenfixing ability and organic acid production. Evolutionary distance and relatedness were analyzed using the neighbor-joining method. Thirteen nodule-associated bacteria were isolated and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The selected isolates such as Rhizobium sp. CU8 and three other co-resident non-rhizobial nodule-associated bacteria (Bacillus cereus MY5, Ralstonia pickettii MY1 and Lactococcus lactis MY3) exhibited plant growth promotion and other potential microbial activities. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic relatedness and evolutionary significance of all the thirteen isolates reside in the root nodule of M. pudica. The present study identified four isolates with plant growth promoting properties. L. lactis MY3 is the first report as a co-resident plant growth promoter from the root nodules of M. pudica.
Cardioprotective Actvity of Randia Dumetorum against Doxorubicin Induced Cardotoxicity
Authors: Dharashive Vishweshwar M. , Ghiware N.B.
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT: In the present investigation the cardioprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Randia dumetorum fruits at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg was investigated against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity model. In high fat diet induced atherosclerosis several heamodynamic parameters such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tissue parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were determined and found to be significantly altered in induction control group treated with doxorubicin. The histopathological studies of cardiac tissue were also performed wherein doxorubicin showed toxic effects on tissue. Ethanolic extract of Randia dumetorum fruits showed protection against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity by normalizing the altered parameters and producing ameliorating effects against doxorubicin induced cardiac damage. The multistep putative action of ethanolic extract of Randia dumetorum fruits may be attributed to the prominent phytoconstituent namely 2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol estimated through HPTLC analysis of the extract. Thus, the study exhibited the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Randia dumetorum fruits against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.