bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JAK inhibitor Tofacitinib alleviated acute hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine in mice
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Lin Ling , Li Longjiang , Hu Kai , Shao Ruyue , Zhang Li , Tang Li , Zhu Min , Ma Yuhua , Yang Yongqiang
Published: August 2022

Background: To investigate the potential effects of JAK inhibitor Tofacitinib in mice with lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-Gal)-induced acute hepatitis, including the production of inflammatory cytokines, the induction of hepatocytes apoptosis and the degree of liver injury were determined. Methods and Results: The plasma levels of ALT and AST and liver activities of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 were determined by colorimetric assay kits. The plasma levels of TNF-a and IL-6 were detected by ELISA kits. Hepatocellular apoptosis was observed by TUNEL assay. HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 was analyzed by western blot.The results indicated that treatment with Tofacitinib in LPS/D-Gal-induced acute liver injury decreased the levels of aminotransferases, attenuated the histological abnormalities in liver and decreased the plasma levels of TNF-a and IL-6. In addition, Tofacitinib suppressed the activation of caspase cascade, decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Conclusion: Treatment with Tofacitinib alleviated LPS/D-Gal-induced acute hepatitis. JAK maybe become a promising target for the control of inflammation-based liver disorders.
Diagnostic Performance of Noninvasive Imaging Using Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Positron Emission Tomography for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Wang Luqin , Guo Pengfei , Sun Qiangkun , Zhang Yating , Chen Cheng , Zhang Yulong
Published: August 2022

Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the diagnostic value of noninvasive imaging methods computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) in the detection of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods PubMed, Embase, and Ovid were comprehensively searched from the date of inception to 31st, March, 2022. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (+ LR), negative likelihood ratio (- LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) of summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results Sixty-one articles including 4284 patients met the inclusion criteria of this study. Pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of SROC with respective 95% CIs of CT on patient level were 0.83 (0.73, 0.90), 0.69 (0.54, 0.81), and 0.84 (0.80, 0.87). The overall sensitivity, specificity, SROC value with respective 95% CIs of MRI were 0.95 (0.91, 0.97), 0.81 (0.76, 0.85), and 0.90 (0.87, 0.92) on patient level. Pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, SROC value of PET/CT on patient level were 0.92 (0.88, 0.94), 0.88 (0.83, 0.92), and 0.96 (0.94, 0.97). Conclusion Noninvasive imaging modalities including CT, MRI, PET (PET/CT, PET/MRI) yielded favorable diagnostic performance in the detection of OC. Hybrid implement of different tools (PET/CT or PET/MRI) is more accurate for identifying metastatic and recurrent OC.
Experience of pediatric nurses in nursing dying children- A Qualitative Study
Authors: bian weina , yang hongwei , cheng Junxiang , dong yue , xue ying , zhang qian , zheng qinghua , song rui
Published: August 2022

Purpose
To explore the challenges and effective coping strategies of pediatric nurses in caring for dying children.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative study was adopted.Data were collected using semi-structured interview with 10 nurses from the pediatrics, pediatric emergency department and neonatology department.
Results
Three themes were generated: stressors, stress consequences, coping strategies.Ten sub-themes were generalized: negative stress; helpless; question rescue behavior; fear of communication; lack of workforce for night rescue; compassion fatigue; burnout; changes in life attitudes; self-regulation; leadership approval and no accountability.
Conclusions
Through qualitative research, the challenges and effective coping strategies faced by nurses in caring for dying children were found, which provides information for nurses' career development and related policy formulation in China.
Clinical Relevance:
While there are many articles in China on hospice care, there is little research on the nurses’ experience of caring for dying children. In foreign countries, many studies have mentioned the adverse consequences of caring for dying children, and even led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However,the domestic discussion of such problems is rare and there are no corresponding coping strategies.This study aims to explore the challenges and effective coping strategies of pediatric nurses in caring for dying children.
Vapor-responsive Shape Memory Material based on Carbon Nanotube Sponge dominated by Pressure-induced Structural transformation of Spidroin
Authors: Wang Yana , Chen Shuanglu , Zhang Jiapeng , Zhang Xiaohua , Li Yitan , Yang Zhaohui
Published: August 2022

Over decades, the confliction between excellent performances i.e. outstanding strength, elasticity, biocompatibility, and limited yields of the spider silks has become a severe challenge. Almost all the practical applications involve with the recombination of spidroin then the fabrication of artificial spider silks. Various attempts have been conducted to reveal both the components and the structures, while it remains insufficient to understand and copy the structural transition process of spidroin in practical applications. Herein by systematical experimental results, we feature that only a small hydrostatic pressure (several mega pascals) can induce the secondary structural transition of spidroin from α-helix to β-sheet, showing a tunable structural elasticity. Based on our understanding, we design and fabricated a vapor-responsive shape memory material by compositing both spidroin and carbon nanotube sponges (CNTS). The appearance of hydrostatic pressure can induce the secondary structural transition which terminates the elasticity of the CNTS and will recover under a simple solvent vapor annealing at ambient atmosphere, indicating a reversible “shape-memory” effect with the recovery efficiency close to 100 %. Our observations not only provide a promising shape-memory material with unique temperature-independent character, but reveal a crucial mechanism on the structural transformation of spidroin molecules under a confined environment, which will pave the way toward the design and fabrication of outstanding artificial spider silk-based products.
Efficacy and safety of first-line therapy for pulmonary nocardiosis; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus alternative antibiotics
Authors: Hamada Shohei , Inaba Megumi , Akaike Kimitaka , Okabayashi Hiroko , Masunaga Aiko , Tomita Yusuke , Okamoto Shinichiro , Tashiro Yasumasa , Hirata Naomi , Ichiyasu Hidenori , Sakagami Takuro
Published: August 2022

The recommended antibiotic for pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). However, no comparative studies have assessed its efficacy and safety. We compared 180-day outcomes of first-line therapies for PN between fifty-two patients treated with TMP-SMZ (TS group [n = 18]) and with alternative antibiotics (non-TS group [n = 34]). Failure-free survival (FFS) was defined as the time from initiation to discontinuation of first-line therapy due to treatment failure including disease progression or death and adverse events. Overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] of TMP-SMZ, 2.96; p = 0.118) and the time to disease progression or death (HR of TMP-SMZ, 3.15; p = 0.136) did not differ significantly between the two groups. The incidence of adverse events was 61.1% (TS group) and 20.6% (non-TS group). The time to adverse events inducing treatment failure was significantly shorter (HR, 3.44; p = 0.021), and FFS was poorer in the TS group than in the non-TS group (HR, 3.33; p = 0.005). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that TMP-SMZ administration was an independent predictor of treatment failure (HR, 3.16; p = 0.016). TMP-SMZ may not be an optimal antibiotic for first-line therapy for PN as it is inferior to alternative antibiotics in safety and associated with increased treatment failure.
Whole-genome sequencing of Pseudomonas koreensis isolated from diseased Tor tambroides
Authors: Kho Cindy Jia Yung , Chung Hung Hui , Lau Melinda Mei Lin , Chew Ivy Yee Yen , Gan Han Ming
Published: August 2022

BackgroundPseudomonas koreensis have been reported as a pathogen in freshwater fish. Unlike environmental P. koreensis from soil, which has been studied extensively for its role in promoting plant growth, pathogenic P. koreensis from fish has been assessed only to a very limited extent. This is the first draft genome of P. koreensis CM-01 isolated from the internal organs of diseased Tor tambroides.ResultsHerein, we report the morphological and biochemical characteristics, as well as whole genome sequences of a newly identified P. koreensis strain. We achieved a high-quality draft genome of P. koreensis CM-01 with a N50 value of 233,601 bp and 99.5% BUSCO completeness. The total size of P. koreensis CM-01 genome contains 6,171,880 bp and has a G+C content of 60.5%. Besides, the genome sequence includes 5538 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNA genes, 54 tRNAs, and no plasmids were found. Besides these, 39 interspersed repeat and 141 tandem repeat sequences, 6 prophages, 51 genomic islands, 94 insertion sequences, 4 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, 5 antibiotic-resistant genes, and 150 virulence genes were predicted in the P. koreensis CM-01 genome. In addition, the assembled CM-01 genome was successfully annotated against the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins database, Gene Ontology database, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway database. A comparative analysis of CM-01 with three representative strains of P. koreensis revealed that 92% of orthologous clusters were conserved among these four genomes, and only the CM-01 strain possesses unique elements related to pathogenicity and virulence.ConclusionsThis study provides fundamental phenotypic and genomic information for the newly identified P. koreensis strain. Further study will be necessary to fully understand any correlation between the bacteria and the occurrences of diseases in Tor tambroides.
A Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Roxadustat Against Hypoxic Injury at High Altitude
Authors: Guo Qianwen , Li Xue , Li Wenbin , Wang Rong , Zhao Anpeng , Wang Zihan
Published: August 2022

Objectives: To explore the protective effects of roxadustat on hypoxia damage in the fast access to high altitude. Methods: BALB/C mice were randomly divided into control, roxadustat-7.8 mg/kg, roxadustat-15.6 mg/kg and roxadustat-31.2 mg/kg groups. The anti-hypoxic effectiveness of roxadustat in an optimal dose was evaluated by atmospheric pressure closed hypoxic experiment. Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal pressure, hypoxia model, acetazolamide and roxadustat groups to evaluate the protective effects against hypoxic damage. Animal blood was collected for arterial blood-gas analysis, cytokines detection, oxidative stress indicators, and their organs were harvested for pathological examination. Results: Compared with the control group, the survival time of mice were significantly prolonged in all groups. The time prolongation rate of the medium dose was 19.05%, which was the best dose. Compared with the hypoxia model group, the blood SatO2 and PaO2 in the roxadustat group were significantly increased; Erythrocyte content, hemoglobin content and hematocrit were significantly increased; Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ were significantly decreased; MDA content in the myocardial, brain, lung and liver tissue were significantly decreased, SOD activity and GSH content in the tissue were significantly increased. The results of HE staining indicated that roxadustat could significantly improve the damage of heart, brain, lung, liver and kidney tissue after hypoxia in rats. Conlusions: Roxadustat can significantly prevent hypoxia-induced tissue damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory response indicating that roxadustat can obviously improve the adaptation to high-altitude exposure.
General multi-soliton and higher-order soliton solutions for a novel nonlocal Lakshmanan-Porsezian-Daniel equation
Authors: Wang Minmin , Chen Yong
Published: August 2022

The inverse scattering transformation for a novel nonlocal Lakshmanan-Porsezian-Daniel (LPD) equation with rapidly decaying initial data is studied in the framework of Riemann-Hilbert problem. Firstly, a novel integrable nonlocal LPD equation corresponding to a 3×3 spectral operator is proposed and the corresponding Lax pair is given. Secondly, the inverse scattering process with a novel left-right 3×3 matrix Riemann-Hilbert(RH) problem is constructed. A large emphasis is placed on the analytical properties and symmetry relations for the Jost functions and scattering data, which are considerably different from the local ones. Due to the special symmetry properties for the nonlocal LPD equation, the zeros of the RHP problem are purely imaginary or occur in pairs. With different types and configuration of zeros, the soliton formula are provided and the rich dynamical behaviors for the three kinds of multisolitons for the novel nonlocal LPD equation are demonstrated. Third, by a technique of adding disrupted parameters and limiting process, the formula of higher-order solitons for the nonlocal LPD equation is exhibited and the plots of diversity higher-order solitons are displayed.
Mitochondrial gene expression profiles in PTG in the Amygdala of a PTSD Model Following Corticosterone Therapy
Authors: Li Xin , Woodward Geoffrey , Chen Jun , Zhang Lei , Hu Xian-zhang , Li Charles , Xing Evan , Su Yan A. , Li He
Published: August 2022

The metabolic and neuronal mechanisms underlying the development of posttraumatic growth (PTG) following corticosterone (CORT) therapy in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not well defined. In this study, we assess differential gene expression (DEG) profiles associated with mitochondrial function in the amygdala of a PTSD rodent model using a mitochondrial focused gene array chip for both metabolic and neuronal functions. Amygdala tissue samples were excised from four groups of rats (N = 10 each) including: non-stressed control, stressed alone, CORT therapy alone, and CORT therapy with stress. CORT plus stress took place over a three-day period. All groups were sacrificed and assessed after a total of 14 days. Total RNA was isolated, cDNA was synthesized, and gene expression levels were determined using a cDNA microarray. During the development of the anxiety symptom, equivalent to the delayed and exaggerated fear associated with PTSD, 111 DEGs were determined to be statistically significant (p < 0.01) in CORT therapy compared to non-stressed controls. 86 DEGs were determined to be statistically significantly in the CORT with stress administered group in the amygdala complex using stringent criteria (p < 0.01). Furthermore, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) revealed six signaling network pathways in the amygdala complex of the CORT + Stress group. As in the CORT + Stress group, the measurement of acoustic startle showed no significant difference in comparison to the control group. Thus, anxiety was mitigated, and resiliency was increased with CORT therapy. In addition, the Venn diagram analysis indicated that 55 DEGs in the stressed group had 13 DEGs independently non-effected by CORT therapy associated with neuronal signaling networks and 42 DEGs dependently effected by CORT therapy in the stressed group alone. Thus, information provided by a neuronal and metabolic gene array allowed us to determine the expression profile of mitochondrial genes in PTG associated with the amygdala complex of a rodent model of PTSD. This result provides further understanding of the metabolic and neuronal signaling mechanisms associated PTG in the development of PTSD.
Spectroscopy- based development and validation of analytical technique for simultaneous estimation of bilastine montelukast
Authors: Thakur Shivalika
Published: August 2022

Bilastine is a selective antagonist of the histamine H1 receptor. It binds to the H1 receptor and inhibits it from being activated, reducing allergy symptoms caused by the release of histamine from mast cells. As a result, it serves as antiallergenic, reducing allergy symptoms such nasal congestion and urticaria.Montelukast Sodium is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that binds to the CysLT type 1 receptor, assisting in the inhibition of any physiological activities of CysLTs such as LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 at the receptor that may help asthma or allergic rhinitis. As a result, it's mostly used to treat and prevent asthma symptoms (such as wheezing and shortness of breath) as well as allergic rhinitis. Allergy rhinitis and mild to severe asthma are treated with a combination of both medicines. Analytical methods on Bilastine and Montelukast Sodium are discussed in this research. However, no ways for combining Bilastine with Montelukast Sodium are now available. Bilastine and Montelukast Sodium can be tested using UV, used to help design new analytical methods.
High interspecific competitiveness of the invasive plant Xanthium italicum Moretti severely reduces the yield and quality of Carthamus tinctorius L.
Authors: Hou Mingcai , Ma Xia , Ma Miao
Published: August 2022

To explore the impact of invasive weed Xanthium italicum Moretti on the economic crop Safflower, ﬁeld experiments were conducted, the growth-related characters and the relative intensity of competition between the two species was explored. The results showed that under monoculture conditions, the stem height, crown width, stem diameter and the biomass of X. italicum root, stem and leaves were 1.14, 1.96, 1.82, 4.42, 4.21 and 3.99 times as high as those of Safflower, respectively. When the two species coexisted, the growth related characters of Xanthium italiana were further significantly improved, while the growth related characters of safflower were significantly decreased. When coexisted with X. italicum, the corolla biomass, hydroxysafflor yellow A content of corolla, seed yields, 100-seed weight, and seed oil content of Safflower in the interplanted treatment 90.04%, 33.11%, 63.89%, 40.58%, and 25.61% lower than those in the monocultured treatment, respectively. Relative yield (RY) and Competitive balance index (CB) of X. italicum and Safflower showed that the interspecific competitiveness of X. italicum was significantly higher than that of Safflower. Under the competitive inhibition of X. italicum, not only the vegetative growth, but also the reproductive growth, yield, and quality of the economic organs of Safflower were significantly negatively impacted.
Magnitude of chest trauma mortality and associated factors among adult patients admitted at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: Taye Addisu , Mersha Lielt , Kindie Wetetnesh
Published: August 2022

Objective Globally, Chest trauma is one of the major contributors of morbidity and mortality among trauma patients. There are different studies conducted in Ethiopia about the prevalence of chest injury and overall trauma mortality but not mortality related to chest trauma. Therefore this study aimed to assess the magnitude of chest trauma mortality and associated factors among adult patients admitted at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia, 2019. Results out of a total of 400 chest trauma patients about 7.2%( 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8, 10.0) of them were died. Being aged [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.52(1.46, 8.48)], having associated injury [AOR = 4.23(1.49, 12.01)], late presentation [AOR = 2.93(1.22, 7.04)] and having complications [AOR = 4.43(1.9, 10.3)] were significantly significant with chest trauma mortality.
An efficient preparation and biocatalytic synthesis of novel C-glycosylflavonols kaempferol 8-C-glucoside and quercetin 8-C-glucoside by metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli
Authors: Wu Yangbao , Wang Huan , Liu Yang , Zhao Linguo , Pei Jianjun
Published: August 2022

BackgroundC-glycosylated flavonoids are a main type of structural modification and can endow flavonoids with greater stability, bioactivity, and bioavailability. Although some C-glycosylated flavonoids such as the C-glycosylflavones (vitexin, orientin, isovitexin, and isoorientin), the C-glycosyldihydrochalcone (nothofagin), and the C-glycosylchromone (aloesin) have been biosynthesized in vivo or vitro, only a few C-glycosylflavonols have been prepared by these methods.ResultsIn this study, several UDP-glucose biosynthesis pathways and Escherichia coli hosts were screened to reconstruct recombinant strains for producing the novel C-glycosylflavonols kaempferol 8-C-glucoside and quercetin 8-C-glucoside. To increase C-glycosylflavonol production, the timing of flavonol addition was adjusted, and glycerol was added to avoid degradation of C-glycosylflavonols. By using resting cell bioconversion, the highest kaempferol 8-C-glucoside and quercetin 8-C-glucoside production reached 16.6 g/L and 12.5 g/L, respectively. Then, ultrasound-assisted adsorption/desorption was used to prepare C-glycosylflavonols by using macroporous resins. Through screening macroporous resins and optimizing the adsorption/desorption conditions, the highest adsorption capacity and desorption capacity for kaempferol 8-C-glucoside on HPD100 reached 28.56 mg/g and 24.15 mg/g, respectively. Finally, kaempferol 8-C-glucoside (15.4 g) with a yield of 93% and quercetin 8-C-glucoside (11.3 g) with a yield of 91% were obtained from 1 L of fermentation broth.ConclusionsKaempferol 8-C-glucoside and quercetin 8-C-glucoside are novel C-glycosylflavonols, which have not been extracted from plants. This study provides an efficient method for the preparation and biocatalytic synthesis of kaempferol 8-C-glucoside and quercetin 8-C-glucoside by metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli.
Molecular interaction between steroid sulfatases and formylglycine generating enzyme: A computational study with multiple mutations
Authors: Kumari Kanchan , Samal Rashmi Rekha , Subudhi Umakanta
Published: August 2022

Major naturally occurring estrogens are estrone, estradiol and estratriol. Sulfates of naturally occurring estrogen act as reservoirs of potent estrogen and are important at different stages of life among which estrone sulfate is found to be circulating ten times more than estradiol specifically in postmenopausal women. Sulfate esters of estrogen are hydrolyzed by steroid sulfatases (STS) only after it is activated by the enzyme formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE), which is encoded by the gene Sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1). SUMF1 mutation or dysfunction leads to several pathological consequences. Now identified as a prognostic marker, elevated expression and activity of STS has been observed in several human malignancies and has led to the identification of its inhibitors. Thirteen different sulfatases have been identified in human, all of which are activated by single enzyme FGE. Therefore, we asked the question, does FGE interacts with STS in a unique manner that differs from other group of sulfatases. To address our question, protein-protein molecular docking studies were performed using two docking softwares PyDock and HDOCK with special emphasis on STS and FGE interaction. The present study for the first time reports the basics of molecular interaction/ binding studies of the four major sulfatase groups of enzymes with FGE and reveals the amino acid residues involved for specific sulfatase groups. Interestingly, interaction of STS and FGE was found to be the most stable with highest binding energy and docking score with specific amino acid residues involved. Single or multiple site-directed mutagenesis provides invaluable tool for protein engineering that may be used to inhibit or enhance the function of a protein. To understand the effect of site-specific mutations in STS on its interaction with FGE, we performed mutational studies. Removal of specific amino acid residues significantly affected the interaction of STS with FGE increasing the electrostatic energy and reducing Van der Waal energy drastically. These findings suggest that targeting these specific amino acid residues can inhibit the interaction of FGE with STS leading to reduced activity of STS that in turn may inhibit the production of estradiol thereby reducing cancer progression.
RETRACTED: Deep learning based Classification network and Versatile seeded region growing Approach for detection of Age related macular Degeneration in Two Dimensional Retinal Images
Authors: S Karkuzhali , D Manimegalai
Published: August 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Land-use suitability is not an intrinsic property of a land parcel
Authors: Snelder Ton , Lilburne L , DJ Booker , Whitehead AL , Harris S , ST Larned , Semadeni-Davies A , DR Plew , RW McDowell
Published: August 2022

Agricultural production has economic, environmental, social and cultural consequences beyond farm boundaries, but information about these impacts is not readily available to decision makers. This study applied the Land Use Suitability concept by carrying out an assessment of a region that has the potential for intensification of agricultural production, but where eutrophication of river and estuary receiving environments due to nitrogen enrichment is a significant issue. The assessment evaluated three indicators for each farmable land parcel in the region: productive potential (the inherent productive and economic potential of the parcel), relative contribution (the potential for the parcel to contribute nitrogen to receiving environments compared to other land parcels), and pressure (the load of nitrogen delivered to receiving environments compared to the loads that ensure environmental objectives are achieved). The study indicated that existing data, methods and models can be used to calculate the indicators under different choices for regional land-use intensity and receiving environment objectives. However, the spatial resolution and accuracy that is achievable may preclude using assessment outputs to make land use decisions at small spatial scales such as individual farms. In addition, the study highlighted that land use suitability is not an intrinsic property of a land parcel because it is dependent on choices about land use elsewhere in the landscape and the environmental objectives, and that land use suitability is inherently subjective because of decisions that concern how indicators are combined and weighted.
New horizons in the reproductive biology of Taiwanese pangolin (Manis.p.pentadactyala): Gondal hormonal profile and evidence for delayed implantation
Authors: Arora Bharti , Pei Kurtis Jai-Chyi , Chin Shih-Chien
Published: August 2022

The extant biological reports on pangolins have mainly been established from rescued gravid individuals or a handful of observations done in captivity, thus, generating data discrepancies. The present research characterizes the Taiwanese pangolin's annual seasonal reproductive pattern by measuring immunoreactive estrogens and progestagens in 34 captive females and testosterone in 29 captive males. Our results showed that Taiwanese pangolins are seasonal breeders, with most births (10/13) witnessed during Dec-Jan as field records. Females exhibited spontaneous ovulation and post-partum ovulation. Pregnant females exhibited a higher P4 level for ~ nine months (Jan-Sept) and decreased before parturition (Oct-Dec). The circulating E2 is maintained at the baseline in pregnant females year-round. Contrastingly, in non-pregnant females, P4 is maintained at the baseline apart from slight elevation in January, and E2 demonstrates a sudden hike from November and remains elevated until February, suggesting the onset of ovulation. The serum testosterone concentration in males peaked during October, which is in sync with the female ovulation period. As a result that their major reproductive events, ovulation, mating, and parturition, all transpire from November-March. Evidence also supported that Taiwanese pangolin exhibit the signs of postimplantation (pregnancy) ranging only from 5–6 months (May-October) preceded by facultative delay implantation triggered by lactation. The provided data not only filled in the knowledge gap for this critically endangered species but also can assist in making informed decisions, which can directly affect the successful breeding of this species in captivity.
The effective threshold dose of etanercept biosimilars in patients with methotrexate- resistant rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen Fangfang , Lang Yitian , Geng Shikai , Wang Xiaodong , Lu Liangjing , Ye Shuang , Zhang Le , Li Ting
Published: August 2022

Background: The therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was advanced by biological agents, yet costly. This study aims to identify the effective threshold dose of etanercept (ENT) biosimilars and evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness in methotrexate (MTX)-resistant RA in real world.Methods: Eligible patients had an inadequate response (DAS28-ESR＞3.2) to initial MTX monotherapy, and subsequently received biosimilar of etanercept. The effective cutoff value of cumulative dose was identified to maintain remission response (DAS28-ESR＜2.6) at month 24 by using restricted cubic splines. Remission rate, LDA rate, glucocorticoid exposure, safety, and cost-effectiveness were compared between the saturated and non-saturated dose groups divided by cutoff dose. Results:78 (14.2%) of 549 enrolled patients were eligible, and 72 patients completed follow-up. The 2-year cumulative cutoff dose that maintained remission response at 24 months was 1975 mg. And the recommended threshold dosing strategy of etanercept biosimilars was twice weekly (BIW) for the first 6 months, every week (QW) for the next six months, and every 2 weeks (Q2W) and every month (QM) for the second year. Greater net changes in DAS28-ESR score were observed in the ENT saturated dose group than in non-saturated dose group (average change 0.569, 95%CI 0.236-0.901, p=0.001). The proportion of patients achieving remission (27.8% vs 72.2%, p<0.001) and LDA (58.3% vs 83.3%, p=0.020) in non-saturated group were both significantly lower than in saturated group at 24 months. The ICER of the saturated group referred to the non-saturated group was 5791.2 $/QALY.Conclusions: In refractory RA patients, the effective cumulative cutoff dose of etanercept biosimilars for sustained remission at 24 months was calculated as 1975 mg, and receiving saturated dose was more effective and cost-effective than with non-saturated dose.
Mutual interaction of the free surface and a depression on the bottom during the propagation of a gravity wave
Authors: EDDOHA Kaoutar , MOUAKKIR Laila , CHAGDALI Mohamed
Published: August 2022

To know the effect of a simultaneous variation of the two influences, we will point out to the observations in a channel at. Experimental reports in a wave channel will be presented in this work. In this work will therefore ensure that the swell interacts with the bottom by validating empirical and theoretical results. Then, simultaneous measurements of the free surface and the evolution of the bottom are presented. The measurements of the free surface are carried out by the technique of fixed probes and the simultaneous monitoring of the evolution of the depression by processing of images synchronized with the measurements of the probes. We have also, developed an experimental high-sensitivity instrumentation, based on data acquisition using LabVIEW software of the resistive probe method to the perform precise measurements of free area. Pressure coefficients, reflection coefficients, transmission coefficients and filling steps as a function of time in a swell channel in the presence of a bottom depression, simultaneous monitoring of the evolution of the depression by processing images synchronized with the measurements of the probes.
Calculating Pharmacokinetic Areas
Authors: Benet Leslie Z. , Patel Anu , Wakuda Hirokazu , Xu Ava
Published: August 2022

Although it is recognized that pharmacokinetic processes follow exponential processes, area under the curve (AUC ) estimations are frequently carried out using linear trapezoidal methods. This is justified based on the fact that most human studies are carried out following oral dosing, and it is believed that a logarithmic trapezoidal method will markedly underpredict the areas for increasing drug concentrations. Here we show that increasing concentrations can be estimated more accurately using a new simple logarithmic method for increasing concentrations. Further, no previous discussion of linear versus logarithmic calculation has been published for area under the moment curve (AUMC ) calculations. Thus, the derivation of a new methodology for calculating area values for logarithmic processes exhibiting increasing values of concentrations and moments is shown. Use of the methodology is presented and compared with the presently utilized linear approach. Pharmacokinetic absorption and elimination processes are primarily assumed to follow an exponential process, so that measurements of concentrations over time exhibit exponential versus linear relationships with time. Therefore, calculations of AUC should be more accurate using logarithmic methods than with linear methods. It is recognized that for decreasing concentrations with time, more accurate calculations of AUC will be estimated using the logarithmic trapezoidal rather than the linear trapezoidal rule. However, it was believed that logarithmic AUC calculations would be more inaccurate for increasing concentrations and moment values. Therefore, there is no generally recommended rule as to how AUCs should be estimated. We show here that a simple logarithmic methodology can be utilized for all increasing values except to the first measurement after time zero. It appears that for concentration-time curves, AUC will be best estimated using logarithmic methods for both increasing and decreasing concentrations. However, it appears that for well-designed sampling schedules, the increased accuracy of using logarithmic trapezoidal methods versus using linear trapezoidal methods is not sufficient to give significant errors in clearance calculations. In contrast, here we show that using linear area calculations for AUMC is probably more accurate than using any combination of linear and logarithmic methods.
3D autonomous warehouse simulation by sequential function chart using CoDeSys V3.5
Authors: Pounraj Manikandan
Published: August 2022

An automated warehouse is a place where materials are stored with an inventory. The materials are tracked for loading and unloading. The process inside the warehouse is executed with less human assistance. For an Automated warehouse, storage and retrieval operations are executed by software tools. This particular system fall in MES – Manufacturing execution system and MOS – Manufacturing operation system. Industrial robots are used in the process of warehouse automation to meet the demand and to reduce the space and costs involved in the warehouse management system. Industrial robots can execute the process in a very fast manner and manage the process in a more precisely. The return on investment (ROI) has a direct impact on the automation process. In this paper, the authors have programmed an industrial controller and used an application programming interface to communicate a 3D warehouse software for loading. Sequential function chart (SFC) language is used to program the PLC as per IEC61131-3
Pyroptosis-Related Gene Markers Can Effectively Diagnose Endometriosis and Predict Prognosis
Authors: S. J.M. , S. T. , Liu Yang , C. J.S. , Y. X.L. , L. D.Y. , B. J. , S. Y. , M. Y.S.
Published: August 2022

Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic inflammatory disease, affecting 10% of women and girls of reproductive ages around the globe. Pyroptosis ,a type of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD), has been associated with EM in recent studies.However,the expression of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in EM and its relationship with diagnosis and prognosis are not clear.In this study,it was discovered that 32 PRGs differed in expression between EM and normal tissues, which were related to diagnosis and prognosis. Firstly, ROC analysis of a single gene was performed based on PRGs ,and then subjected to the corresponding multiomics analysis, prognostic analysis and diagnostic analysis. Secondly,the gene expression profiles of EM group dataset were consistently grouped based on PRGs by the consencesClusterPlus package. Pheatmaps were used to construct a principal component analysis (PCA) diagram of the dataset to determine the potential diagnostic value of these genes and to determine their expression patterns in different subtypes.Thirdly,The Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used for functional enrichment analysis. The results suggested that the risk was related to immune response. In conclusion, PRGs have an important roles in tumour immunity and can be used to predict the prognosis of EM.
Biomass and Soil Carbon Stocks of Selected Agroforestry practice and cultivated land, in Tehuledere District, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Seid Yesuf Mohammed
Published: August 2022

This study has examined biomass and soil carbon stocks potential of different agroforestry practice home garden and woodlot and cultivated land in Tehuledere District, south wollo Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 60 sample plots (20 plots each) of 20m x 20m were randomly selected. AGB and BGB were calculated using available allometric equations. A total of 120 Soil samples (0–20 and 20–40 cm) were also collected from selected cultivated lands. The results showed that the total ecosystem carbon stock in home garden and woodlot agroforestry practice was estimated 100.4 and 72.9 Mg C ha− 1 respectively. SOC stock was significantly different among the studied land uses. The highest SOC stock was recorded in home garden agroforestry practice (94.2 Mg C ha− 1) followed by cultivated land (73 Mg C ha− 1) and woodlot agroforestry practice (68 Mg C ha− 1).The total ecosystem carbon stock ranged between (55 MgC ha− 1 -140 MgC ha− 1). Home garden holds the highest contribution for both biomass and SOC for the mean total ecosystem carbon accounting 84.3% for total SOC and the remaining accounts for total biomass contribution. Home garden agroforestry practice has the highest SOC stock. The study revealed that agroforestry practice enhance carbon stocks accumulation both in the biomass and soil besides the socioeconomic benefits over cultivated land hence, Agroforestry practice can be taken as potential climate change mitigation strategies in central highland of Ethiopia.
Rothia santali sp. nov., endophytic bacteria isolated from sandalwood (Santalum album L.) seedling
Authors: Tuikhar Ngangyola , Kirdat Kiran , Nair Gayatri , N. Manjula K. , Thorat Vipool , P. Swetha , Gowda Kavya , Sathe Shivaji , Sundararaj R. , Yadav Amit
Published: August 2022

A novel, ‘mustard yellow’ pigmented aerobic bacterial strain designated AR01T was isolated from hypocotyl tissue of a sandalwood seedling from Bangalore, India. The 16S rRNA gene of strain AR01T had the highest 98.97% sequence similarity with Rothia halotolerans YIM 90716T (KCTC 19172) followed by Rothia kristinae PM 129T (NBRC 15354T) (97.31%) and Rothia koreensis P31T (JCM 15915) (97.11%), respectively. The strain AR01T was coccoid-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, oxidase-negative, and catalase-positive. The strain AR01T has a genome size of 3.31 Mb containing 2993 protein-coding genes including 48 tRNA and 10 rRNAs spread across 84 contigs. The genomic DNA G + C content was 71.77 mol%. The calculated dDDH was 31.10%, and the OrthoANI value was 85.27% compared to its closest related type strain Rothia halotolerans YIM 90716T. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:0 iso (30.04%), C15:0 anteiso (37.42%), and C17:0 anteiso (21.78%). The strain AR01T contains major polar lipids including diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on the distinct physiological, biochemical characteristics and genotypic relatedness indicated that AR01T represents a novel species of the genus Rothia, for which the name Rothia santali sp. nov. (Type strain AR01T = MCC 4800T = JCM 35593T) is proposed.The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the reference 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strain AR01T is OM838448. The accession number of the whole-genome of AR01T is JANAFB000000000
Phantom-based evaluation of yttrium-90 datasets using Biograph Vision Quadra
Authors: Zeimpekis Konstantinos , Mercolli Lorenzo , Contri Maurizio , Sari Hasan , Prenosil George , Shi Kuangyu , Rominger Axel
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The image quality characteristics of a NEMA body phantom with yttrium-90 were evaluated on a total body PET/CT. The purpose of the study is to identify the optimized reconstruction setup for the imaging protocol of yttrium-90 radioembolization treatment on patients with malignant liver tumors.
Methods
Two NEMA IEC NU2 body phantoms were used for the study. One was filled with activity concentrations of 0.13 MBq/ml and 1.3 MBq/ml for the background and spheres respectively (ratio 1:10). The second one did not have any background concentration but had similar concentration for the spheres. Scan time was 50 minutes and the phantoms were positioned on the same bed and scanned simultaneously. The number of iterations varied from 2 up to 8 (5 subsets), the Gaussian filter from 2mm up to 6mm full-width-at-half-maximum. Images were reconstructed with a matrix of 440 x 440 and 220 x 220, with high sensitivity (HS) and ultra-high sensitivity (UHS) modes with the improved 3D scatter correction method. We simulated shorter acquisition times based on the list-mode data with 40, 30, 20, 10 and 5-minutes. The measurements included contrast recovery coefficients, signal-to-noise ratio, background variability and lung error. List mode data of a patient were rebinned in 1, 5, 10 and 20 minute time frames and evaluated.
Results
The recovery coefficient (RC) for the hot phantom was 0.36, 0.45, 0.53, 0.63, 0.68 and 0.84 for the spheres with diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28, 37 mm respectively for UHS 2 iterations and a 220x220 matrix. The SNR was highest for 2 iterations, measured 11.7, 16.6, 17.6, 19.4, 21.9 and 27.7 and the lung error was 18%. The SNR was 19%, 20%, 24% and 31% higher for 2 iterations compared to 4 iterations for 20, 10, 5 and 1 minutes time frames respectively.
Conclusions
The long AFOV delivers images of Y-90 with the smallest sphere well visualized with a high RC. SNR for the patient data was maximum for 2 iterations and for 20-minutes acquisition while even 5-minutes acquisition time delivers images with no great loss of SNR (-20%). Further clinical investigation is recommended to check also the effects on post-treatment dosimetry validation.
HOAP: Node attribute completion of knowledge graph based on high-order neighbor attribute propagation
Authors: Xu Jiuyun , Zhang Wenjie , Duan Qiang , Li Shibao
Published: August 2022

Knowledge graph is the structural representation of the real-world facts, it mainly divides the knowledge into two forms of triples: (head entity, relation, tail entity) and (node, attribute, value). Thus, the attribute of entity is an indispensable part of knowledge graph, it plays an important role in enriching the concepts of entity and revealing entity characteristics. The existing research mostly focuses on mining the limited information contained in relations based on the low-order structure, ignoring the semantic information contained in attributes as well as the possible interaction and transitivity between nodes, and uses all neighbors in prediction, which involves nodes that have no contribution to the target node. In this paper, we study the problem of node attribute completion , and propose a method named High-Order Attribute Propagator (HOAP). This method aggregates the attribute information contains in the high-order neighbors of nodes, uses regression functions to calculate the interaction between each pair of attributes on different relationships. Moreover, we investigate the effect of the different strategies to select second-order neighbor on node attribute completion. Experiments on two general datasets show that the proposed method can predict the missing value of node attribute more accurately and effectively than the existing methods that only focus on low-order structure.
High prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes in asymptomatic patients attending an endocrine clinic in a tertiary care institute in Colombo
Authors: Ranathunga Ishara , Naveenkumar JP , Athukorala TG , Sumanatilleke M , Somasundaram NP
Published: August 2022

Background and ObjectivesThe prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes has risen exponentially in the recent past. Though the symptomatic patients frequently undergo testing for the diagnosis of the disease, asymptomatic individuals are not routinely subjected to diagnostic testing. Thus, data on asymptomatic people are still lacking. We have studied the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes in asymptomatic subjects attending the Endocrinology clinic in a tertiary care institute in Sri Lanka. MethodsA descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from January to August 2020 at the Endocrinology Unit of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Systematic sampling was done recruiting non diabetic patients aged more than 40 years, attending the clinic for other endocrine diseases. After obtaining informed written consent, the data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Pre-diabetes or diabetes was diagnosed according to the ADA-2020 diagnostic criteria.ResultsThe study enrolled hundred and nine patients. The mean age was 53.9 years (range 40-76) and 90.8% were females. The mean weight was 62.1 (SD=11.3) kg and BMI was 26.6 (SD=4.6) kg/m-2. Forty six percent had a family history of first degree relative being affected with type 2 diabetes. All the patients were asymptomatic of classic symptoms of hyperglycemia. Patients were evaluated with fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c values. Forty nine patients (45%) were diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes with either one or both values being impaired range. Out of that, six patients (5.5%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 43 patients (39.4%) were diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Out of the patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes and diabetes (n=49), sixty four percent did not had a family history of first degree relative being affected with type 2 diabetes. Out of the pre-diabetes and diabetes patients 32% had their BMI < 25 kgm-2. ConclusionsThe prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes are much higher than expected in asymptomatic individuals. Hence, the likely patients should be regularly screened to diagnose asymptomatic phase of the disease. This is important as the prevalence has escalated in the immediate past, and diagnosing and treating early will improve long term outcome of the disease. Further large scale studies including community studies are needed to recognize the current prevalence and the rising trend both in urban and rural regions.