bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Abo/rh Blood Groups Among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus in Luanda, Angola
Authors: Sacomboio Euclides Nenga Manuel , Pululo Sandra Alberto , Sebastião Cruz S. , Tchivango Adelino Tchilanda , Silveira Silvana da Rocha , Costa Mauricio da , Sousa Carlos Alberto Pinto , Ekundi-Valentim Eduardo , Cassinela Edson Kuatelela
Published: December 2022

Background
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by alterations in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, which can be identified by detecting high blood glucose levels. In this study we evaluated the frequency of ABO/Rh blood groups in patients with diabetes treated in Luanda, during the second half of 2020.
Methods
This was an observational, analytical, prospective study with a quantitative approach conducted with 100 patients with diabetes.
Results
The mean age of patients was 48,4±14 years old. Patients males (63%) with a mean age of 47.9±14.5 years old, secondary educational level (33%), and living in urbanized areas from Luanda (33%), which were the most prevalent in this studied population. About 57% did not exercise before the disease and did not have the disease in the family (51%). About 71% of the patients used insulin to treat diabetes. ORh+ and ARh+ blood groups were the most frequent. The majority of the patients were less than 4 years with diabetes.
Conclusion
We concluded that the patients most affected by diabetes were the elderly, males, from urbanized areas, and with blood groups ORh+ or ARh+. Further studies assessing the relationship between ABO/Rh blood groups and diabetes among the Angolan population are needed.
Autophagy protein 5 controls flow-dependent endothelial functions
Authors: Nivoit Pierre , Mathivet Thomas , Wu Junxi , Salemkour Yann , Sankar Devanarayanan Siva , Baudrie Véronique , Bourreau Jennifer , Guihot Anne-Laure , Vessières Emilie , Lemitre Mathilde , Bocca Cinzia , Teillon Jérémie , Gall Morgane Le , Chipont Anna , Robidel Estelle , Dhaun Neeraj , Camerer Eric , Reynier Pascal , Roux Etienne , Couffinhal Thierry , Hadoke Patrick , Silvestre Jean-sébastien , Guillonneau Xavier , Bonnin Philippe , Henrion Daniel , Dengjel Jörn , Tharaux Pierre-Louis , Lenoir Olivia
Published: December 2022

Dysregulated autophagy is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, where impaired flow-mediated endothelial cell responses promote cardiovascular risk. The mechanism by which the autophagy machinery regulates endothelial functions is complex. We applied multi-omics approaches and in vitro and in vivo functional assays to decipher the diverse roles of autophagy in endothelial cells. We demonstrate that autophagy regulates VEGF-dependent VEGFR signaling and VEGFR-mediated and flow-mediated eNOS activation. Endothelial ATG5 deficiency in vivo results in selective loss of flow-induced vasodilation in mesenteric arteries and kidneys, along with increased cerebral and renal vascular resistance. We found a crucial pathophysiological role for endothelial autophagy in flow-mediated outward arterial remodeling, prevention of neointima formation following wire injury, and recovery after myocardial infarction. Together, these findings unravel a fundamental role for autophagy in endothelial function, linking cell proteostasis to mechanosensing.
Wild mushroom consumption in the P’urhépecha Plateau at Michoacán, México; social, ethnomycological and nutritional issues
Authors: Torres-Gómez Mariano , Gómez-Peralta Marlene , Vázquez-Marrufo Gerardo
Published: December 2022

Among Mesoamerican cultures, P’urhépecha settlers inhabiting Michoacán State in Central Mexico preserves ancestral tradition on mushrooms eating. Most mycological knowledge available for this ethnical group have been addressed in the Pátzcuaro’s Lake zone, whereas P’urhépecha communities in other cultural and ecological relevant geographic areas remains unstudied. Thus, this work describes the ethnomycological knowledge of a scarcely analyzed Arantepacua P’urhépecha community at Michoacán Plateau region. Through structured interviews and field collections, data on the use, knowledge, biomass extraction and nomenclature of wild mushrooms were obtained. A list of P’urhépecha names to design 16 wild mushrooms species and 11 fruitbody components are documented. Studied community used Spanish popular names to describe 21 wild mushrooms species and 11 fruitbody structures. Most valuable consumed mushroom species for Arantepacua settlers belongs to the Amanita, Boletus, Hypomyces, and Ramaria genera. Gender roles on mushrooms collect and cooking, new terms in P’urhépecha dialect to refer the parts of a fruitbody and vegetative mycelium, as well as local recipes and nutritional relevance of the mushroom species consumed by studied community are addressed and discussed.
Dynamic Backtracking Regulates Lesion Bypass by RNAPII
Authors: Moore George , Han Zhong , Xu Jun , Oh Juntaek , Wang Dong , Svejstrup Jesper , Rueda David
Published: December 2022

The eukaryotic genome is prone to a high amount of DNA damage from intrinsic and extrinsic sources, causing transcriptional stress, including pausing, backtracking and stalling. If not rectified in time, these damages can further lead to transcriptional arrest and genome instability. Here, we develop a single-molecule FRET based elongation complex which allows us to insert various types of DNA damage into the transcribed region and study the effect they have on the dynamics of RNAPII transcription. We show that different DNA lesions cause a heterogenous effect on RNAPII. In some instances, such as oxidative lesions, RNAPII exhibits a high level of dynamic behaviour often backtracking up to 10 nt. While other damages, such as cyclo-butane pyrimidine dimers and abasic sites, can cause more significant static stalling. Furthermore, the repair factor Rad26 binds to RNAPII and alters these dynamics by pushing RNAPII further over the damage site and preventing long-range backtracking events.
Analysis of m7G-Related Signatures in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Identification of Clinical Prognostic Regulators in breast cancer
Authors: Huang Qinghua , Mo Jianlan , Yang Huawei , Ji Yinan , Huang Rong , Liu Yan , Pan You
Published: December 2022

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens the life and health of women and exhibits high inter-individual heterogeneity, emphasizing the need for more in-depth research on its pathogenesis. It is well-established that internal 7-Methylguanosine (m7G) modifications affect RNA processing and function and are thought to be involved in human diseases. However, little is currently known about the role of m7G modification in breast cancer. In this study, we elucidated the expression, copy number variation incidence, and prognostic value of the 24 m7G-related genes (m7GRGs) in breast cancer. Subsequently, based on the expression of 24 m7GRGs, consensus clustering divided tumor samples from the TCGA-BRCA dataset into 4 subtypes with significantly different immune cell infiltration and stromal scores. Differentially expressed genes between subtypes were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways such as Ribosome, TNF signaling pathway, and Salmonella infection. Support vector machines and multivariate cox regression analysis were performed based on these 24 m7GRGs, and 4 m7GRGs (AGO2, EIF4E3, DPCS, and EIF4E) were identified for constructing the prediction model. Next, we constructed a nomogram model based on the risk model and clinical factors. The ROC curve indicated that the nomogram model had a strong ability to predict the prognosis of breast cancer. The prognosis of patients in the high- and low-TMB groups was significantly different (p = 0.03). Moreover, the 4-gene signature could predict response to chemotherapy. Therefore, this study found that the m7GRGs signature in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer affects the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our study provides a reference for applying m7GRGs signature to the personalized treatment of breast cancer patients and exploring the mechanism of breast cancer progression.
Half-vortices, confinement transition and chiral Josephson effect in superconducting Weyl/Dirac semimetals
Authors: Faraei Zahra , Jafari S. Akbar
Published: December 2022

We show that half-quantum-vortices in Josephson arrays of Weyl superconductors can arise when spin-singlet scalar and pseudoscalar superconducting orders ∆s and ∆5 coexist. These two types of superconductivity form a representation of complex algebra ∆s + i∆5 which is realized through a Z2 ×U(1) symmetry breaking in the matter sector. The Z2 symmetry is associated with the chiral angle defining the polar angle of the complex number (∆s, ∆5). The fluctuations of the U(1) phase φ couple to the chiral angle χ lead to formation of the Half vortex state and its BKT transition. Moreover we discuss the confinement transition from half-vortex to full vortex configuration in such complex superconductors. We further show that the Josephson current I is always accompanied by a chiral Josephson current I5 which can be separated in some arrangements of Josephson arrays.
Serum exosomal long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 predicts 3-month mortality in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Authors: Gao Shuai , Sun Cheng-Xi , Fan Yu-Chen , Wang Kai
Published: December 2022

Background
Acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) is a severe clinical syndrome with high mortality. We aim to evaluate the potential role of serum exosomal long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) in ACHBLF and its predictive value for 3-month mortality.
Methods
We enrolled 110 patients with ACHBLF and 42 healthy controls (HCs) from December 2017 to June 2022. Exosomes were isolated from the serum of the participants. Serum exosomal lncRNA GAS5 was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to identify the independent prognostic predictors. The functional role of lncRNA GAS5 on hepatocyte phenotypes was investigated through loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays. Exosomal labeling and cell uptake assay were used to determine the exosomes-mediated transmission of lncRNA GAS5 in hepatocytes.
Results
The serum exosomal lncRNA GAS5 was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than HCs. It was identified to be an independent predictor for 3-month mortality of ACHBLF. It showed high predictive value for 3-month mortality of ACHBLF and yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.88, which was markedly higher than MELD score (AUC 0.73; P < 0.01). Further study found that lncRNA GAS5 could inhibit hepatocytes proliferation and increase hepatocytes apoptosis. Exosomes-mediated lncRNA GAS5 transfer promoted hepatocytes injury. The knocked down of lncRNA GAS5 weakened H2O2-induced hepatocytes injury.
Conclusions
We revealed that serum exosomal lncRNA GAS5 might promote hepatocytes injury and showed high predictive value for 3-month mortality in ACHBLF.
Accurate de novo detection of somatic mutations in high-throughput single-cell profiling data sets
Authors: Muyas Francesc , Li Ruoyan , Rahbari Raheleh , Mitchell Thomas , Hormoz Sahand , Cortes-Ciriano Isidro
Published: December 2022

Characterization of somatic mutations at single-cell resolution is essential to study cancer evolution, clonal mosaicism, and cell plasticity. However, detection of mutations in single cells remains technically challenging. Here, we describe SComatic, an algorithm designed for the detection of somatic mutations in single-cell transcriptomic and ATAC-seq data sets without requiring matched bulk or single-cell DNA sequencing data. Using > 1.5M single cells from 383 single-cell RNAseq and single-cell ATAC-seq data sets spanning cancer and non-neoplastic samples, we show that SComatic detects mutations in single cells, even in differentiated cells from polyclonal tissues not amenable to mutation detection using existing methods. In addition, SComatic permits the estimation of mutational burdens and de novo mutational signature analysis at single-cell and cell-type resolution. Notably, using matched exome and single-cell RNAseq data, we show that SComatic achieves a 20 to 40-fold increase in precision as compared to existing algorithms for somatic SNV calling without compromising sensitivity. Overall, SComatic opens the possibility to study somatic mutagenesis at unprecedented scale and resolution using high-throughput single-cell profiling data sets.
Impact of Ileostomy in the Adjuvant Treatment and Outcome of Colon Cancer
Authors: Calderillo-Ruíz Germán , López-Basave Horacio Noé , Muñoz-Montaño Wendy Rossemary , Díaz-Romero María Consuelo , Carbajal-López Berenice , Castillo-Morales Carolina , Pérez-Yépez Eloy Andrés , Albarrán-García Alejandra
Published: December 2022

Background: After tumor resection, a preventive diverting loop ileostomy creation is a routine surgical procedure to prevent anastomotic leakage, and infections and to preclude secondary surgeries. Despite its benefits, several studies have proposed potential complications that extend the disease course by impairing the feasibility of adjuvant chemotherapy and adherence.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ileostomy complications on the adherence to adjuvant treatment and overall survival (OS) of colon cancer (CC) patients.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study. Patients diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma were treated between January 2010 and December 2020 at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico.
Retrospectively Registered: No. 2021/045, in April 2021.
Statistical analysis: X2 and t-test, Kaplan-Meier, Log-Rank, and Cox-Regression. Statistical significance differences were assessed when p was bilaterally <0.05.
Results: The most frequent complications of loop-derived ileostomy were hydro-electrolytic dehydration (50%), acute kidney injury (AKI) (26%), grade 1-2 diarrhea (28%), and grade 3-4 diarrhea (21%) (p=0.001). Patients with complete chemotherapy did not reach the median OS. In contrast, the median OS for patients with non-complete chemotherapy was 56 months (p= 0.023). Additionally, 5-years OS reached to 100% in the early restitution group, 85% in the late restitution group, and 60% in the non-restitution group (p= 0.016). Finally, AKI (p= 0.029; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.348 [1.133 – 9.895]). Complete chemotherapy (p= 0.028 95% CI 0.376 [0.105 – 0.940]), and reversed ileostomy (p= 0.001 95% CI 0.125 [0.038 – 0.407]) remained as predictors of overall survival for patients with CC treated with a loop ileostomy.
Conclusions: Our results emphasize the early stoma reversal restitution as a safe and feasible alternative to prevent severe complications related to ileostomies which improve chemotherapy adherence and overall survival of colon cancer patients. This is one of the pioneers’ studies analyzing the impact of ileostomy on treatment adherence and outcome of Latin American patients with colon cancer.
Trial registration: Retrospective study No.2021/045.
Why too soon? Predictors of Time to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Among Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Multicenter follow-up study at health-care setting of Ethiopia
Authors: Debele Gebiso Roba , Kuse Samuel Abdisa , Kefeni Bilisumamulifna Tefera , Geda Abdi , Jifar Wakuma Wakene , Kitila Keno Melkamu , Hajure Mohammedamin
Published: December 2022

Background
Due to the rising number of diabetic patients, the burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is clearly posing a major challenge to the long-term viability of the health-care system. Despite this, most DPN epidemiological research in eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, has so far been limited to survey studies. Thus, we determined the incidence of DPN and its predictors among diabetic patients in tertiary health-care setting of southwest Ethiopia.
Methods
A multicenter retrospective follow-up study was carried out on 567 randomly selected diabetic patients. Data were entered using Epi-Data v4.6 and analyzed using R v4.0.4. The survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier, and compared using Log-rank test between groups of categorical variables. The PHA were evaluated using the Schoenfeld residuals test. Multivariable Gompertz proportional hazard model was used to examine the predictors of DPN at 5% level of significance.
Results
Overall, of 567 DM patients 119 developed DPN with an incidence rate of 3.75, 95%CI [3.13, 4.49] per 100 PY. About 15.13% and 69% of DPN cases occurred within 2 and 5 years of DM diagnosis, respectively. In the multivariable Gompertz PH model, being female [AHR = 1.47; 95% CI (1.01, 2.15)], T2DM [AHR = 3.49 95% CI (1.82, 6.71)], having diabetic retinopathy [AHR = 1.9 95% CI (1.25, 2.91)], positive proteinuria [AHR = 2.22 95% CI (1.35, 3.65)], being obese [AHR = 3.94 95% CI (1.2, 12.89)] and overweight [AHR = 3.34 95% CI (1.09, 10.25)] significantly predicts the future risk of DPN.
Conclusion
Nearly, 7 in 10 of DPN cases occurred within short period of time (5 year) of DM diagnosis. Being female, T2DM, DR, positive proteinuria, obese and overweight significantly predicts the risk of DPN. Therefore, we recommend screening and early diagnosis of diabetes with its complication. While doing so, attention should be given for DM patients with DR and positive proteinuria at baseline.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with pulmonary hypertension at different altitudes
Authors: Wang LiXia , Wang FaPing , Luo FengMing
Published: December 2022

Background:Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is closely related to poor prognosis. At present, researches about the risk factors of PH in COPD patients are limited, especially the human population at high altitude (HA).
Objectives: To investigate the differences of clinical characteristics and related risk factors of patients with COPD/COPD-PH from low altitude (LA, 600m) and HA (2200m).
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey of 228 COPD patients of Han nationality admitted to respiratory department of Qinghai People's Hospital (N=113) and West China Hospital of Sichuan University (N=115) From March 2019 to June 2021. PH was defined as a pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) >36 mmHg measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).
Results: In this study, the proportion of PH in COPD patients at HA was higher than that at LA (60.2% vs 31.3%). COPD-PH patients at HA showed significantly different in baseline characteristics, laboratory tests and pulmonary function test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the independent related factors of PH in COPD patients are different between HA and LA.
Conclusions: The proportion of COPD-PH at HA is higher than LA. At LA, increased BNP( B-type natriuretic peptide) and DB(direct bilirubin) were independent risk factors for PH in COPD patients. While at HA, higher BMI was independent protective factor and increased DB was independent risk factor for PH in COPD patients.
Avoid pleasant music while you learn: the effects of musical chord complexity on declarative memory
Authors: Kurzom Nawras , Lorenzi Ilaria , Mendelsohn Avi
Published: December 2022

The effects of background music on learning and memory are inconsistent, partly due to the intrinsic complexity and variety of music, as well as variability in music perception and preference. By stripping down musical harmony to its building blocks, namely discrete chords, we explored their effects on memory formation of unfamiliar word-image associations. Chords, defined as two or more simultaneously played notes, vary in the number of tones and inter-tone intervals, yielding varying degrees of harmonic complexity, which translate into a continuum of consonance to dissonance percepts. In the current study, participants heard four different types of musical chords (major, minor, medium complex, and high complex chords) while they learned new word-image pairs of a foreign language. One day later, their memory for the word-image pairs was tested, along with a chord rating session, in which they were required to assess the musical chords in terms of perceived valence, tension, and the extent to which the chords grabbed their attention. We found that musical chords containing dissonant elements were associated with higher memory performance for the word-image pairs compared with consonant chords. Moreover, tension positively mediated the relationship between roughness (a key feature of complexity) and memory, while valence negatively mediated this relationship. The reported findings are discussed in light of the effects that basic musical features have on emotions and attention, in turn affecting cognitive processes of associative learning.
Expression and function of the chicken W chromosome gene MIER3 in embryonic gonads
Authors: Lin Xiao , Jin Zidi , Li Shuo , Zheng Mingde , Xing Ya , Liu Xikui , Lv Mengqing , Zhao Minmeng , Geng Tuoyu , Gong Daoqing , Zhao Debiao , Liu Long
Published: December 2022

Background
The sex chromosomes of birds are designated Z and W. The male is homogamous (ZZ), and the female is heterogamous (ZW). The chicken W chromosome is a degenerate version of the Z chromosome and harbors only 28 protein-coding genes. We studied the expression pattern of the W chromosome gene MIER3 (showing differential expression during gonadogenesis) in chicken embryonic gonads and its potential role in gonadal development.
Results
The W copy of MIER3 (MIER3-W) showed a gonad-baised expression in chicken embryonic tissues which was different with its Z copy. The conbined expression of MIER3 mRNA and protein were correlated with the gonadal phenotype, being higher in female gonads than in male gonads or female-to-male sex reversed gonads. Chicken MIER3 protein was highly expressed in the nucleus, with relatively lower expression in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of MIER3-W in male gonad cells suggested its effcet on GnRH signaling pathway (potentially through EGR1 and αGSU), cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. However, at the in vivo level, MIER3 overexpression did not change the sex phenotype of chicken embryos.
Conclusions
MIER3 expression was associated with the gonadal phenotype. It affected multiple signaling pathways and inhibited cell apoptosis. MIER3 may promote female gonadal development by regulating EGR1 and αGSU genes; however, it does not determine the sex differentiation of gonads. These findings enrich our knowledge of chicken W chromosome genes and support a more systematic and in-depth understanding of sex determination and gonadal development in chickens.
Co-creating an intervention to promote physical activity in adolescents with intellectual disabilities: lessons learned within the Move it, Move ID!-project
Authors: Maenhout Laura , Verloigne Maïté , Cairns Deborah , Cardon Greet , Crombez Geert , Melville Craig , Hove Geert Van , Compernolle Sofie
Published: December 2022

Background
Co-creation is a method to develop acceptable, contextually appropriate and potentially more effective interventions. Adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) seldomly participate in research and program development due to the assumption that they lack the capacity to understand and discuss the related topics.
Objective
This study describes a co-creation process with adolescents with ID in developing an intervention to increase physical activity. It was the aim to reflect on the co-creation process, and consequently formulate important lessons learned.
Methods
Twenty-three adolescents (14-22y) with mild to moderate ID participated in six co-creation sessions. The objectives and working methods in each session are described. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted on the researchers' reflection forms, which were completed after each session.
Results
Seven main themes could be distinguished from the data: experiences related to teacher presence during sessions, the importance of building rapport, co-decision making power, the impact of different group dynamics, the relevance of adapted questioning, the influence of co-creative working methods and required characteristics of a co-creation researcher.
Conclusion
Innovative and creative working methods that allow for the inclusion of those with different communication styles are highly needed. Transparent description of the entire process could be a first step to turn co-creative research into an evidence-based methodology. Co-creation with adolescents with ID is feasible if the necessary adjustments are applied.
Optimization of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-loaded gold nanoparticles for stimuli-triggered antileukemic drug release
Authors: Tatar Andra-Sorina , Nagy-Simon Timea , Tigu Adrian Bogdan , Tomuleasa Ciprian , Boca Sanda
Published: December 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is gaining attraction in cancer therapeutics due to the ubiquity of kinases in cell survival and differentiation. Great progress was made in the past years for identifying tyrosine kinases that can function as valuable molecular targets and for the entrapment of their corresponding inhibitors in delivery compounds for triggered release. Herein we present a class of drug-delivery nanocompounds that can serve as theranostic agents against blood cancers. By loading the TKI Midostaurin onto polymer (Pluronic and Polyvinylpyrrolidone)-gold nanoparticles we fabricated nanocompounds with tunable functionalities, particularly the targeting of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in acute myeloid leukemia. We optimised the nanocompounds formulation with loading efficiencies in the 84–94% range by studying the MDS loading and controlled release behavior when conjugated onto GNPs functionalized with polymers that, in specific conditions, can have stimuli responsive properties. The drug release dinamics were investigated and the therapeutic efficiency of MDS-loaded particles was confirmed with toxicities that depend on specific dosage ranges. The targetability and imaging capability were demonstrated via dark field (DF) microscopy. No effect was observable on FLT3 negative cells or for unloaded particles. Beyond druggability, we can track this type of nanocarriers inside biological structures, which might contribute to the facilitation of the personalized drug dosage administration, critical for attaining a maximal therapeutic effect.
Age-stratified association between plasma adiponectin levels and morality in septic patients
Authors: Wang Hui , Gao Yan-Xiang , Wu Yi-Na , Zhai Shan-Shan , Li Chen , Duan Jun
Published: December 2022

Background: Plasma adiponectin (APN) levels are might be affected by age. The present study aimed to study the association between plasm APN levels and age, and the effects of APN levels on mortality in different age-stratified septic patients.
Methods: The retrospective study that was performed with 173 patients with sepsis and 57 controls. Physical and demographic characteristics were recorded, blood samples were collected to measure plasma adiponectin levels. Using these data, we determined the association between plasma adiponectin levels and age, and the effect of plasma adiponectin levels on mortality in different age-stratified septic patients.
Results:Three age group were defined: middle-age patients range of <60years, the old group of 60-80 years, and the elderly group of ≥80years. Plasma adiponectin levels increased with increasing age both in control group and sepsis group. Mortality increased with age: 12.3% in middle-aged patients, 24.6% in old patients, and 36.2% in elderly patients (P<0.001). In middle-age patients and old patients, according to the receiver operating characteristic curve, plasma APN levels had the comparable value in prediction of 28-day mortality. And adiponectin levels were an independent predictive factor for 28-day mortality for patients <80 years. However, in elderly patients, the adiponectin levels showed no significant association with 28-day mortality.
Conclusions: A significant positive association between plasma APN levels and age in septic patients were found. Low circulating levels of APN were associated with 28-day mortality in septic patients aged <80years. The association between APN and mortality in sepsis patients aged >80years were not significantly found.
Response of photosynthesis, transpiration and different scales of water use efficiency to water and nitrogen in greenhouse tomato at three growth stages in Northeastern China
Authors: Cui Jiajun , Yao Mingze , Li Bo , Mao Lizhen , Zhao Mingyu , Niu Hongfei , Xu Zhanyang , Wang Tieliang , Wang Jingkuan
Published: December 2022

Elucidating the physiological mechanisms underlying crop responses to water and nitrogen availability can help optimize the irrigation and fertilization of greenhouse−cultivated tomatoes. This study aimed to determine how photosynthetic and transpiration characteristics and water use of greenhouse−cultivated tomatoes in Northeast China respond to water and nitrogen treatments under different growth stages. Three irrigation levels (W1−W3) were controlled using the upper and lower irrigation limits, which were 75±5%θfc ,85±5%θfc and 95±5%θfc respectively; and the lower limits were 65±5%θfc, 75±5%θfc and 85±5%θfc respectively (where θfc is the field holding capacity). Three levels of N application were used: N1 (180 kg hm−2 soil), N2 (240 kg hm−2 soil) and N3 (360 kg hm−2 soil). The results showed that tomatoes at flowering and fruiting stage (Stage 1) were not suitable for water deficiency (W1) and high N application (N3), and leaf instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEins) and yield were more significantly correlated. The fruiting stage (Stage 2) was the growth stage with the weakest negative correlation (R2=0.24−0.49) between water use efficiency (leave scale and plant scale) and yield, and the water−nitrogen interaction started to show positive regulation of all indicators in tomato, so it was the best growth stage to appropriately improve water use efficiency and save water. At ripening stage (Stage 3), irrigation water use efficiency (WUEi) and yield were more significantly correlated. N3 supply could compensate or improve photosynthesis, transpiration index and WUE in the early and mid−growth stages. Water and nitrogen had a significant time−scale effect on the correlation between net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stem flow rate, but the fit results were good (R2=0.92–0.40) for developing their fitting models under various growth stages. The increase in Pn and chlorophyll content (SPAD) under the W2N2 treatment was not accompanied by an excessive increase in transpiration rate (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs), and response of Pn to stem flow rate was minimized by the time scale effect (R2=0.90–0.74), and the water use efficiency and yield at all scales at a superior level. As a result, W2N2 is suggested as the best water and nitrogen treatment for use in greenhouse tomatoes in Northeastern China. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for smart water and nitrogen management strategies for various greenhouse tomato growth stages in Northeastern China.
Synthesis, Characterization and Enhanced Electrical Properties of Polyaniline-Tungsten Oxide Composites by in-situ Polymerization Technique
Authors: Manjunatha B
Published: December 2022

The conducting polyaniline (PANI) and PANI doped with tungsten oxide (WO3) with varying wt% of WO3 are prepared by using in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. The X-ray diffraction it clearly reveals that pure PANI is amorphous whereas PANI/WO3 composites are in crystalline in nature. The electrical conductivity studied by four probe technique at 30–200°C. All the composites showed increase in conductivity values with the increase in WO3 content where the composite with 45% WO3 content showed highest value of 0.12 S/cm while the lowest conductivity of 0.06 S/cm was found in 5% WO3 content composite. The dielectric constant shows unusual response with respect to frequency with very high dielectric constant of 4.191X103 at 3X106 Hz for 45 wt% of WO3 in PANI, which attributes to the stronger localization of charge carriers and electrical relaxation processes.
A Novel RoF System Integrating Optical Fiber and FSO Channel with Polarization Multiplexing PAM4 Downlink Signals
Authors: Shao Yufeng , Tian Qing , Wang Anrong , Yu Ni , Yang Qiming , Yi Linfang , Yuan Jie , Li Yanlin , Chen Peng , Li Chong , Liu Shuanfan , Zuo Renjie
Published: December 2022

A novel radio over fiber (RoF) system with polarization multiplexing 4-ary pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) downlink signals is proposed and designed. The generated downstream signal is transmitted over 25km smf-28 and 100m optical wireless channel. The 60GHz millimeter-wave is generated by the beating of two continuous light waves, and the high frequency signal is demodulated by using self-mixing detection method. We analyzed the transceiver and transmission performance of the introduced polarization multiplexing RoF-FSO system. The results demonstrate this scheme can effectively improve the spectral efficiency of downlink broadband access signals, and be applied in the future broadband access network.
Basigin interacts with majority of the erythrocyte binding Pvfam ‘a’ family proteins of Plasmodium vivax to assist parasite entry into host cell
Authors: Tripathi Manish , Santoshi Meghna , Sharma Yagya D. , Rathore Sumit
Published: December 2022

Molecular mechanisms of red cell invasion by the Plasmodium vivax parasite remain obscure since information on receptor-ligand interaction is scarce. Our lab had identified Basigin as receptor molecule for one of the important members of Pvfam “a’ family protein i.e., PvTRAg38. Here, we demonstrate by using solid phase binding assay, and Surface Plasmon Resonance that seven out of ten-erythrocyte binding Pvfam ‘a’ family proteins of P. vivax interact with erythrocyte receptor Basigin. This receptor-ligand interaction seems to be important for parasite’s survival since each of these proteins interfered with the parasite growth in a heterologous culture system. Furthermore, a higher parasite growth inhibition rate was achieved with combination of proteins suggesting the significance of multiple parasite ligands interaction with the same erythrocyte receptor during invasion process. These results will be helpful in understanding P. vivax biology and developing the therapeutics for vivax malaria.
Interdecadal Variations and Causes of the Relationship Between the winter East Asian Monsoon and Interhemispheric Atmospheric Mass Oscillation
Authors: Lu Chuhan , Zhong Lei , Guan Zhaoyong , Qiao Nian
Published: December 2022

Under the background of global warming, East Asia has been frequently affected by large-scale persistent extreme cold events in winter in recent years. As the most important circulation system affecting the East Asian winter climate, especially the temperature anomaly, the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is affected by changes in semipermanent atmospheric activity centres such as the Siberian high and the Aleutian low. We found that there has been a significant positive correlation between the EAWM and Interhemispheric Oscillation (IHO). However, conspicuous interdecadal variations have occurred in the relationship between the EAWM and IHO. The relationship between the IHO and EAWM was most significant during 1979–2020, but this relationship was weak and insignificant during 1962–1978. During 1979–2020, the atmospheric mass (surface pressure) difference between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and Southern Hemisphere (SH) during 1979–2020 was significantly reduced by 7.85% (0.75×1015 kg) compared with that during 1962–1978. Such interhemispheric redistribution of atmospheric mass (AM) has had a distinct impact on the land‒sea pressure contrast in East Asia and has intensified the connection between the EAWM and IHO. A strengthened EAWM has resulted in notable cooling and more severe winters in China. The apparent exportation of AM in the Antarctic region is an important driving factor for this interhemispheric change. The accompanying anomalous accumulation of AM in the Northern Hemisphere is linked with an increase in the pressure difference between land and sea in East Asia, resulting in intensifying correlation between IHO and the EAWM. The decadal enhancement of the IHO during 1979–2020 was closely connected with conspicuous warming in the tropical troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS). A seesaw pattern of anomalous air temperature and ozone between tropical and Antarctic UTLS has induced a decrease in Antarctic ozone masses and air temperature and has strengthened the polar vortex, corresponding to a decadal enhancement of interhemispheric AM imbalance.
Improving UWB Ranging Accuracy via Multiple Network Model with Second Order Motion Prediction
Authors: Xing Guangwei , Guo Yanrong , Chen Xiaoxuan , Luo Hangzai , Zhong Sheng
Published: December 2022

With the wide application of ultra-wideband (UWB) ranging technology in industry, production and aerospace, how to improve the accuracy of UWB ranging has become a research hotspot. If the UWB ranging data is treated as sequence data, it is possible to improve the ranging performance by sequence analysis, which has low computation complexity compared to direct UWB signal processing. However, as the UWB ranging data has its inherent properties, existing sequence analysis methods may not achieve good performance on UWB ranging data. In this paper, a two-path deep-learning framework to process, namely the Multiple Network model with Second order motion (MNS), is proposed the improve UWB ranging performance via ranging sequence analysis. The proposed method fuses the target motion prediction via Newton's laws of motion and error estimation via GRU, LSTM and Bayes. To evaluate our algorithm, we also proposed a method to collect both UWB ranging data and the accurate answer via laser ranging. The collected dataset DATA_TS, the proposed MNS algorithm, and the trained model are all open sourced to the community to help researchers for further research,please visit https://github.com/xiaojiuwotongxue/data-store.git. Experiments on DATA_TS shows our proposed method outperforms traditional regresion methods significantly.
Ground-layer vegetation of cleared woodlands (pastures) has lower biodiversity and different invertebrate assemblages to remnant woodlands in grazed landscapes of eastern Australia
Authors: Houston Wayne A. , Black Robert L. , Wormington Kevin R.
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Clearing of woodlands is used by graziers to promote pasture production, even though understanding of impacts of clearing on native fauna is lacking. Aim/Methods: To evaluate impacts of clearing on biodiversity by comparing invertebrates associated with ground-layer vegetation in pastures to that of nearby uncleared woodlands. Two replicates of cleared woodlands (pastures) were compared with two woodlands at each of four locations. The adjacent riparian forest to each pasture and woodland site provided a geographic control, making four habitats. Invertebrates of ground-layer vegetation were sampled using three suction subsamples of 1m2 at each site. Results: Pastures had significantly lower order richness, herbivores, pollinators and macroinvertebrates (food for birds) than the woodlands, whereas the riparian forests closely resembled each other in all metrics. Invertebrate assemblages of pastures also differed from those of the woodlands, groundcover and leaf-litter correlating strongest with invertebrate composition. Discussion: Findings of this study contrasted with another in recently cleared woodlands where few differences were observed. Our study differed in the much longer period since clearing (> 20 years cf. 5 years) and the dominance by introduced grasses (> 40% cover in pastures cf. <15% in woodlands) rather than native grasses. Implications for insect conservation: Pastoralists have the capacity to improve outcomes for invertebrate biodiversity by maintaining groundcover above 80%, by encouraging native pastures over introduced species such as Buffel Grass and by retaining native woodlands. Biodiverse invertebrates benefit graziers by contributing to soil health, food webs that support pest control, pollination, herbivory of weeds and sustainable grass production.
Effects of Polyion Adsorption on Surface Properties of TiO2
Authors: Jukić Jasmina , Juračić Tea , Josić Eva , Namjesnik Danijel , Begović Tajana
Published: December 2022

Adsorption of polyions, strongly charged poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) cation (P4VP) weakly charged poly(allylammonium) cation (PAH) and weakly charged poly(acrylate) anion (PAA) on TiO2 surface was investigated. The selected polyions have different functional groups and degree of polyion ionization, which affects the interactions with the TiO2 surface. The effect of polyion adsorption on the inner surface potential and the electrokinetic potential were measured and analyzed. The inner surface potential of TiO2 was measured by means of single crystal (SCr) electrodes with two different crystal orientation (001) and (100). The electrokinetic potential of titania particles was obtained from electrophoretic measurements. In suspensions, uncoated TiO2 particles tend to aggregate and aggregation is reduced after polyion adsorption. The process of aggregation was monitored measuring the size of the particles. Since the surface charge of TiO2 and the degree of polyion ionization depend on the composition of the solution, namely on pH and ionic strength, the adsorption of polyions on TiO2 also depends on these parameters. The contribution of the surface charge and degree of polyion ionization of the selected polyelectrolytes to the rate of aggregation of TiO2 particles was examined. It was found that in the case of weak polyelectrolyte the degree of polyanion ionization plays significant role in stabilization of titania suspensions.
A Fundamental Question of Counting in Association Rules
Authors: Bodoff David , Goldman Marina Feldus
Published: December 2022

Association Rules (AR) are widely used for data mining in industry, and have been extensively researched in academia. An elementary step in the calculation of the strength of each proposed rule X -> Y is the tabulation of occurrences and co-occurrences of X and Y. Yet, a fundamental question does not appear to have received attention in the literature. The question is, how should one count these occurrences? Nearly all researchers and practitioners use one method, but there is actually an alternative way to count, and the data mining literature has not seriously considered the alternative or justified the prevailing choice. This fundamental question of counting is not a purely theoretical difference; the methods yield different results. In this research, we investigate the implications of the two methods. Results include the following: (1) Both methods can be correct under a different probabilistic setup; (2) The two counting methods yield different results, in terms of the relative order of rules when ranked by strength; (3) The extent to which the methods diverge depends on properties of the data, one of which we identify; (4) The methods can be compared based on their properties, one of which we investigate. The contribution of our work is that it brings to light a technical choice that impacts results, and provides a few bases upon which a researcher or practitioner can make a principled choice of which method to use when employing AR.
Multi-dimensional Spectral Graph Wavelet Transform
Authors: Sheikh Tawseef Ahmad Sheikh , Sheikh Neyaz A. Sheikh
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we introduce the two-dimensional spectral graph wavelet transform (SGWT) of discrete functions defined on Cartesian product graphs. We build this transform with the help of spectral decomposition of N1N2×N1N2 Laplacian matrix L of the Cartesian product graph G = G1□G2, where N1N2 is the number of vertices of the Cartesian product graph. We have established the inversion formula for SGWT for continuous scale parameter s. By sampling the scale parameter s at discrete values, we obtain discrete SGWT coeffients at different scales and vertices.We have found the frame bounds of the frame formed by the set of scaling and wavelet coeffients. Further, we have proved the localization result which holds for both normalized and non-normalized form of Laplacian. Towards the end we have given the implementation details of SGWT through an example to show how to calculate the graph wavelet coefficients.
Mathematics Subject Classification: 42C40; 42C15; 44A15; 44A35.
Difficult-to-treat axial spondyloarthritis: factors contributing to excessive biologic switching and burden of disease
Authors: Dua Devika , Gullick Nicola , Tonks Catherine , Young Keir , Blake Tim
Published: December 2022

Objectives
To identify factors that drive high biologic usage in a real-world clinical setting.
Methods
We collected retrospective data from all patients with axial spondyloarthritis who had received biologic therapy for their disease in our designated specialised clinic in a tertiary centre. Our outcome measure was ‘high biologic usage’ (defined as the use ≥ 3 biologic drugs/tsDMARDs and/or ≥ 2 biologic pathways targeted for therapy. We analysed patient age, sex, BMI, the concomitant presence of chronic widespread pain (CWP), HLA-B27 positivity, radiographic-SpA, extra-articular manifestations, time to initiate biologic therapy from diagnosis and disease activity measures (BASDAI, pain VAS and CRP) to identify predictors.
Results
Out of a total of 227 patients in our axSpA cohort, 166 (71% male, mean age 48 years) had received biologic therapy. Of these, 62 (27%) met the definition of high biologic usage. Our analysis identified four factors that were significantly associated with our outcome: HLA-B27 positivity (positive correlation), time to start biologic from diagnosis (negative correlation), concomitant chronic widespread pain (negative correlation) and aggregate BASDAI burden while on biologics (positive correlation).
Conclusion
There was a significant cohort of axial spondyloarthritis patients who met our criteria of ‘high biologic usage’. HLA-B27 positivity, the early requirement of biologics in the disease course and higher aggregate BASDAI burden were associated with greater biologic usage. A concomitant diagnosis of chronic widespread pain has the confounding effect of being associated with a higher BASDAI though lower biologic usage, exemplifying the impact this diagnosis has on clinical decision making. Key messages: Patients with axSpA receiving high-cost therapies form distinct clusters based on response to treatment, and the presence or absence of CWP. Concurrent CWP in axSpA can introduce cognitive bias when deciding on the need for change in therapy, especially given the subjective nature of assessments including BASDAI. AxSpA patients with CWP are likely to represent a distinct subtype of disease who display worse clinical outcomes and are likely to require alternative management strategies.