bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Handling 200,000 BWPD in Yasuni National Park by Using an Integrated Plug & Play Horizontal Pumping System with Skid Package
Authors: Sotomayor A. , Orna C. , Leon F. , Pancho J. , Jaramillo L. , Ruales F. , Zumbana V. , Pintado C. , Claudio L.
Published: March 2024

This work involved developing a solution to handle 200,000 BWPD of produced water in the middle of the Yasuni National Park, which is an important and sensitive area as it has the greatest biodiversity per square meter on Earth.

The exploitation block is the third oil producer field in Ecuador with 58,000 BOPD and 200,000 BWPD and it is located more than 200 km away from the main production facilities. It is not economically feasible to transport this high volume of water, therefore, the water must be reinjected in disposal wells.

To enhance the water injection process, a horizontal pumping system (HPS) on a skid package including full instrumentation, valves, and piping was designed to have one piece of equipment for easy transportation and relocation. To perform the correct formation water disposal, a set of HPS was designed. Each HPS system can handle up to 17,000 BWPD with 2,700 psi in differential pressure.

The integrated proposed solution simplifies installation, operation, and maintenance, especially in remote locations. To handle the full amount of formation water, 20 HPS systems for the injection process were installed in two locations in the Block. All the systems are working together to reinject formation water in disposal wells.

The HPS on the skid package has added additional advantages: Minimized onsite civil and mechanical construction: As the entire system is assembled in the shop, only the suction and discharge pipelines are connected in the field. Health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks are also minimized.Savings in river transportation: Up to 60% savings in transportation costs were achieved. In addition, the boat trip reduction avoided 320 t of CO2 emissions to the environment for the 20 HPS on skid package systems acquired.Minimized footprint: The on-skid system avoided causing permanent damage to 1700 m2 in the field as all the traditional required civil constructions activities were avoided.Easy installation and relocation: The designed system has a plug-and-play setup and can be relocated easily due to its flexible and mobile design.Cost reduction: The HPS on skid system has reduced the cost by up to 30% compared with a traditional HPS system installed over a civil foundation in this remote field.

This work introduced a solution to manage considerable amounts of daily produced water in remote and environmentally sensitive locations by using the integrated plug-and-play HPS with a skid package.
Leveraging Produced Water to Reduce Freshwater Demand in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations
Authors: Ba Saloom Salem , Ba Geri Mohammed , Suhail Mohamed
Published: March 2024

This study aims to enable the reuse of produced water in hydraulic fracturing by evaluating the performance of high-viscosity friction reducers (HVFRs) in high total dissolved solids (TDS) produced brines. The goal is to reduce the dependence on freshwater resources.

Produced water samples from the Permian Basin and freshwater were used to formulate HVFR and PEO fluids. Laboratory investigations were conducted to assess viscosity, friction reduction, breaker compatibility, and formation damage at temperatures up to 280°F. Field trials validated the performance.

Engineered HVFRs achieved effective rheological profiles and 78% friction reduction in in 121,000 ppm salinity brine, comparable to freshwater. Compatibility with breakers was demonstrated with complete degradation at 150°F. Regained conductivity testing showed HVFR fluids caused less permanent formation damage compared to polyethylene oxide (PEO) gels. Minimal formation damage was observed. Field implementations exhibited reduced operational risks, lower chemical costs, and eliminated freshwater demand. With customized HVFR systems, produced water can reliably replace freshwater for hydraulic fracturing. This reduces environmental impacts and water management costs. The study provides guidance on developing optimized fracturing fluids from produced water. Field evidence demonstrates that transitioning to these sustainable produced water systems is operationally feasible.

This is the first study to systematically optimize and validate HVFR and PEO chemistry in high TDS produced water from unconventional assets. The tailored formulations enable the effective reuse of produced water in fracturing operations, reducing reliance on freshwater. This provides a more sustainable, low risk, and cost-effective alternative to conventional fracturing fluids.
Use of GRE as MOC for High Pressure Produced Water Disposal Pipeline
Authors: Al Wahedi Faisal , Gupta Kapil Kumar , Khalil Hesham , Al Shouly Wael
Published: March 2024

During the process of extraction of oil from onshore or offshore oil reservoir, produced water is also extracted as byproduct from the reservoir along with crude and associated gas. This Produced water (PW) is separated from oil and gas in crude oil separation train. Crude oil is further treated in multistage separation and desalting / dehydrator. Produced water which is typically separated in crude oil trains and is routed to Produced Water Treatment (PWT) package where it is further processed to meet the required injection water quality, either it is disposed to the aquifer and / or used for water injection in reservoirs.

Produced water generally contains dissolved gases (at equilibrium conditions) such as Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Carbon dioxide (CO2) along with various salts coming from reservoir such as Chlorides, Sulfate, Bicarbonate etc. All such constituents make the produced water highly corrosive in nature and mandate appropriate material selection and corrosion management which may lead to increase in

CAPEX by using exotic material and associated increase in cost of construction. OPEX to manage integrity and maintenance cost during service life as well as respective HSE & integrity risks.

All the above are triggers for escalation of project cost and if there is disposal produced water pipeline operating at high injection pressure then this cost can escalate further.
Insight into the Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Change on the runoff incorporating hydrological modelling in the water regime for the watershed
Authors: Sharma Ankita , Krishan Radha , Kour Kuljit , Nikam Bhaskar R. , Bagri Dhirendra Singh
Published: March 2024

Land and water are the two essential natural resources for human survival. Land Use/Land Cover is an important parameter governing the hydrology of a region. Increased human interventions have caused different modifications in the land cover, directly or indirectly affecting the hydrological cycle and processes in the long run. Raising urban and rural growth leads to an increase in the runoff by diminishing the perviousness of the region. Distributed hydrological modelling provides an efficient way to evaluate such changes by allowing quantification of streamflow patterns and distribution of hydrological components throughout the watershed. Remote sensing has the potential to be a more accurate tool for collecting spatial and temporal databases for studying hydrological processes. This study helps researchers to convey their ideas to the development of data collection and data extraction techniques, adoption of appropriate workflows for assembling multiple datasets, and analysis of the time-series impact of urbanisation on the watershed's runoff potential.
Developing and standardizing a tool to assess the health education needs of diabetic patients at Jazan Armed Forces Hospital
Authors: Abdelwahid Hassan Ali , Dahlan Hesham Mohammed , Mojemamy Gassem Maoudhah , Al-Harbi Turki Jazi , Indarkiri Nouf Yasin , Tourkmani Ayla Mohammed
Published: March 2024

Objectives
To develop a tool for identification of health education needs of individuals living with diabetes in Jazan Armed Forces Hospital (JAFH) and to standardize the questionnaire by assessment of its reliability and validity.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used in the present work, which included 303 participants living with diabetes. An expert panel in family medicine and endocrinology created a comprehensive and mutually exhaustive questionnaire that covered every potential area of health education needs. It included five socioeconomic questions and a 5-point Likert scale (15 items) to determine the participants' needs for health education. To assess the Likert scale's reliability, Cronbach's alpha was used. The exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the Likert scale's construct validity.
Results
The total number of males was 123 (40.6%) and that of females was 180 (59.4%). Their ages had a mean of 55.9 ± 12.9, ranging from 18 to 94 years. The reliability of the 15-item Likert scale was 83%, and it increased to 90% when the redundant items (n = 5) were eliminated. The test had 86% test-retest reliability when repeated. Also, the final 10-item Likert scale has significant face, content, and construct validity. Two components with Eigenvalues over one (generic knowledge about diabetes and diabetes and travel) could be extracted out of the 10-item Likert scale.
Conclusion
The final 10-item Likert scale offers a good degree of validity and reliability for determining the health education needs of individuals living with diabetes. The two Likert scale components and their contributing items were identified from the questionnaire, which is standardized and helpful in both practice and research, in order to ascertain patients' needs and develop structured health education programs.
A Multi Feature Fusion Search for Facial Expression Recognition Based on Classical Extraction Methods
Authors: Appati Justice Kwame , Wunake Patrick
Published: March 2024

The ability to recognize emotional expressions from faces has become an essential component of human-computer interaction (HCI). Recently Oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF (ORB) and Local Binary Patterns (LBP) was used to overcome the limitations of DNN excessive hardware specifications requirements, considering the low hardware specifications used in real-world scenarios. There still exists drawbacks with LBP and ORB, in that LBP is not as resistant to image noise. LBP descriptors are invariant to changing lighting conditions and partial occlusion. Also, when a fixed threshold is utilized under challenging lighting conditions, the ORB algorithm is constrained by its incapacity to extract feature points. We propose a Multi Feature Fusion For Facial Expression Recognition using the algorithms Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), Histogram Oriented Gradient (HOG), ORB, and LBP. This study proposes a combinatorial blending of least three of these algorithms by looking at the merits of one over the other, also to obtain a novel technique out of the combinatorial schemes, and still obtain better performance of the recognition rates. The proposed method was evaluated on the Extended Cohn Kanade (CK+) and Japanese Famele Facial Expression (JAFFE), and the 2013 Facial Expression Recognition (FER2013) datasets. Based on the merits of our proposed feature extraction schemes, this study explored their respective feature extractions to obtain their individual extracted features from the descriptors. The individual features were then fused together to obtain our multi fused feature, the fused features were then passed onto the classifier for training of our models and image recognitions tasks. This study showed that the proposed algorithm performed well compared to existing state of the art.
Inter-Brain Neural Correlates of Self–Other Integration in Joint Statistical Learning
Authors: Wang Jun , zheng zheng
Published: March 2024

While statistical learning has often been investigated in an individual context, it remains unclear whether humans are able to integrate information from both the self and from another to build a collective representation of regularities. Here, we investigated the dynamic self–other integration process and its multi-brain mechanism by recording EEG activity simultaneously from dyads. Participants (N = 112) each responded repeatedly to one half of a fixed stimulus sequence either with an active partner (i.e., joint context) or with a passive observer (i.e., baseline context). At individual level, we found that a significant statistical learning effect in the joint context characterized by decreased trends in reaction time (RT) and intra-brain neural responses (e.g., ERPs and functional connectivities) as well as a subsequent modulation by an insertion of an interference sequence. At dyad level, Brain-to-Brain Coupling (BtBC) in the theta band first showed an increasing trend followed by a subsequent modulation, providing direct neural evidence for the occurrence of a dynamic self–other integration process. Critically, the strength of BtBC was negatively correlated with RT and positively correlated with intra-brain functional connectivities. These findings suggest that BtBC serves as a crucial neural correlate of self–other integration underpinning the joint statistical learning effect, and that statistical regularity can both implicitly and spontaneously modulate the occurrence of the self–other integration process.
Metabolic armouring of CAR and TCR T cells
Authors: Papa Sophie , Page Robert , Martinez Olivier , Larcombe-Young Daniel , Bugallo-Blanco Eva , Perucha Esperanza
Published: March 2024

Cancer immune therapy with engineered immune cells is standard of care in certain hematologic malignancies. However, solid tumor outcomes in clinical trials are lagging significantly behind. Engineered T cells face a myriad of challenges within the tumor microenvironment, one of which is competition for metabolites and a carbon source for adenosine triphosphate generation. Glucose is the main source of carbon for cellular metabolism, and it is critically limited in the microenvironment of solid tumors due to poor vascularization and competition with tumor cells for uptake. Here, we aimed to overcome this limitation by equipping T cells with the capability to use an alternative carbon source. We demonstrate that fructose can act as an alternative carbon source for T cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors or T cell receptors and the expression of glucose transporter 5. This simple manipulation is highly compatible with clinical development approaches to optimize cell therapy outcomes.
Repair of parastomal hernias with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPST‑R and IPST: Results of 21 consecutive cases
Authors: Stoeckel Soeren , Ilgeldiev Semen , Mirow Lutz , Dievernich Axel , Rudolph Hagen , Schmidt Madeline
Published: March 2024

Background The treatment of parastomal hernias (PSH) represents a major challenge in hernia surgery. Various techniques have been reported with different outcomes in terms of complication and recurrence rates. The aim of this study is to share our initial experience with the implantation of the DynaMesh®IPST-R and -IPST, intraperitoneal funnel meshes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).Methods This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients treated for PSH between March 2019 and April 2023 using the chimney technique with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPSTR or IPST. The primary outcome was recurrence and the secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative complications, the latter assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification.Results A total of 21 consecutive patients were treated with intraperitoneal PVDF funnel meshes, 17 with IPST-R and 4 with IPST. There were no intraoperative complications. Overall, no complications occurred in 61.9% (n = 12) of the patients. Major postoperative complications (defined as Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were noted in four cases (19.0%). During the mean follow-up period of 21.6 (range 4.8 to 37.5) months, one patient (4.8%) had a recurrence.Conclusions For the treatment of parastomal hernias, the implantation of IPST-R or IPST mesh has proven to be efficient, easy to handle, and very safe. In particular, the low recurrence rate of 4.8%, which is in line with the current literature, is convincing. However, a larger number of patients would improve the validity of the results.
Behavioral and Neurophysiological Effects of Electrical Stunning on Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Burkhardt David-Samuel , Leyden Claire , Thomas Carina , Brysch Christian , Dehmelt Florian Alexander , Arrenberg Aristides B.
Published: March 2024

In today’s scientific research, two methods dominate the way zebrafish larvae are euthanized after experimental procedures: anesthetic overdose and rapid cooling. Although easy to apply, the anesthetic MS-222 takes about a minute to act, fish show aversive reactions, and inter-individual differences limit its reliability. Rapid cooling only kills larvae after many minutes and is not listed as approved method in the relevant EU directive. Electrical stunning is a promising alternative euthanasia method but hasn’t been established yet for zebrafish. In this study, we characterize both behavioral and neurophysiological effects of electrical stunning in 4 dpf zebrafish larvae. We identified the electric field magnitude and stimulus duration (32 s at 50 V/cm) that reliably euthanize free-swimming larvae and agarose-embedded larvae and provide an easy-to-implement protocol. Behavioral analysis and calcium neurophysiology show that larvae lose consciousness very fast and stop responding to touch and visual stimuli (< 1 second). Electrically stunned larvae do not show coordinated brain activity anymore and their brains will instead undergo a series of concerted whole-brain calcium waves over the course of many minutes before the ultimate cessation of all brain signals. Consistent with the imperative of implementing the 3R at all stages of animal experiments, the rapid and reliable euthanasia achieved by electrical stunning has the potential to bring about a real refinement of the welfare of more than 5 million zebrafish used annually in biomedical research worldwide.
Effects of Nordic walking on muscle activation and stride length of middle-aged women
Authors: WU TI , TU Jui-Hung , WANG Hsin-Huan , CHEN Chia-Hsiang , LIN Chun-Ta , HSIEH Hung-Sheng
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Walking is a popular contemporary exercise that has gradually diversified over time, and Nordic walking is a variant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was compared the changes in electromyography and gait parameters achieved through Nordic and usual walking at three stride frequencies.
Method: Fourteen middle-aged women with a regular exercise habit were enrolled as participants. The participants were instructed to walk a set 14m distance three times using Nordic or usual walking depend on random. Three stride frequencies (i.e., low [88 steps/min], normal [110 steps/min], and high [132 steps/min]) frequency) were applied three times. The following muscle groups were tested: the biceps brachii and triceps brachii of the upper limb; the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius of the lower limb. Statistical verification was conducted through a two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (significance level α set to .05); the independent variables were walking types and stride frequency, and the dependent variables were EMG signals and gait parameters.
Results:The biceps and triceps brachii experienced greater activation through Nordic walking than through usual walking (p < .05). The upper limb muscle groups experienced the most activation at a low stride frequency, followed by a normal and high stride frequency; this trend was not observed for the lower limb muscle groups. No significant difference was identified for stride length.
Conclusion: Nordic walking is a full-body physical activity that can effectively facilitate upper limb muscle activation; this effect is particularly pronounced in slow walking scenarios.
How is the perceived health of populations living near industrial facilities measured. A scoping review
Authors: Trouillet Morgane , Dab William , Vernay Michel
Published: March 2024

Background
In many countries, populations have been noted to be increasingly sensitive to the quality of living environments, in particular around industrial facilities. Health security agencies in several countries have conducted epidemiological studies focused on medically-defined mortality or morbidity criteria. With the goal of offering an exhaustive response, they have broadened the scope of the health phenomena studied to include measuring the perceived health of the general population, although no defined protocol to do this exists. The purpose of this work is to identify the tools used and to analyse how the validity and reliability of these tools is understood.
Methods
Using four document databases, we carried out a literature search focused on the topics of perceived health, a neighbouring population and the presence of an industrial facility. It found 1446 unique records, published between 2000 and 2023.
Results
29 articles were selected: These consisted of 26 primary research articles and three literature reviews. The articles included varying definitions of perceived health, different tools were used, and the validity and reliability criteria were diverse. The tools used were standardized scales, questionnaires in national surveys or specifically created tools, all of which had varying levels of validity and reliability.
Conclusion
This research shows that there is a growing interest in the subject, although a tool that is superior in terms of its relevance or qualities has yet to emerge.
Epidemiological analysis of pediculosis and the distribution of kdr mutation frequency in head lice populations in Khorasan Razavi Province, northeastern Iran
Authors: Taheri Mohammad , Khaligh Fereshteh Ghahvechi , Hanafi-Bojd Ahmad Ali , Khalkhali Hamidreza , Dashti Kamal , Badakhshan Mehdi , Gholizadeh Saber
Published: March 2024

Head lice infestations are the most prominent ectoparasitic infection in the world, including Iran, particularly among school children. Recently, numerous cases of infestation have been reported in various provinces of the country. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of head louse infestations and analyze kdr gene sequences in terms of resistance mutations in the Torbat-e Heydarieh, Mahvelat, and Zaveh cities of Khorasan Razavi Province, Northeast Iran. The data related to the epidemiological and demographic history of head lice populations were extracted from their medical records and analyzed in Excel software. After extracting the genomic DNA, the kdr fragment was amplified using specific primers. The sequences were also analyzed using bioinformatics software. The prevalence of head louse infestations was 1.59% and 1.7% during 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the frequency distribution of two kdr haplotypes, I and V, in the study areas. The increase in head louse infestations in recent years and the simultaneous presence of kdr mutations indicate the need for new treatments and monitoring/controlling resistance to head louse insecticides.
Discrepancy in the diagnosis of advanced epithelial ovarian/tubal/primary peritoneal carcinoma prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Karnchanabanyong Wathirada , Warnnissorn Malee , Viriyapak Boonlert
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to assess the discrepancy rates between initial and surgico-pathological diagnoses in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS), and to identify factors associated with such discrepancies. The retrospective analysis at Siriraj Hospital included all EOC patients who underwent NAC between January 2009 and August 2021. Data were excluded if patients did not have initial histology/cytology investigations or received NAC without IDS, as their diagnostic discrepancies could not be compared. Out of 229 patients, 11 patients (4.8%) had shown diagnostic discrepancies. High CA125 levels (>200 U/ml) corresponded with a lower discrepancy rate (2.9%), while lower levels (<200 U/ml) increased discrepancies to 25.0% (p<0.001). Furthermore, a CA125/CEA ratio ≤ 25 was associated with a discrepancy rate of 75.0%, which decreased to 4.1% when the ratio was > 25 (p<0.001). Diagnostic precision rate across cytology, histology, and combined analyses was similar (p=0.255). The study concludes that significant diagnostic discrepancies (4.8%) are associated with lower CA125 levels and a CA125/CEA ratio < 25. Therefore, clinical, radiological imaging, and tumor markers should be comprehensively evaluated along with cytological or histological results for accurate initial diagnosis before NAC.
Association Between Inhaled Corticosteroid and Incidence of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Nationwide Population based Study
Authors: Lee Hyewon , Yoon Hee-Young
Published: March 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease, with the use of systemic steroids linked to poor outcomes. This study investigated the association between inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) use and IPF risk using national insurance data, particularly in individuals with chronic airway diseases. Utilising the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database, our study included patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. ICS exposure was assessed via treatment claims, and IPF cases were identified using broad and narrow criteria. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity scores for balanced covariate analysis. Of 57,456 patients, 16.5% used ICS. ICS users showed higher rates of broad (0.98 vs. 0.41 per 1,000) and narrow IPF (0.61 vs. 0.21 per 1,000) than non-users. Pre-IPTW analysis suggested an increased risk of IPF with ICS use, but this was not significant post-IPTW. However, continuous ICS dose and daily mean high-dose ICS (≥ 1000 µg/day) use showed a correlation with higher IPF risk post-IPTW. Subgroup analysis revealed an increased risk in medically aided. Our data suggested that high-dose ICS use may be associated with elevated IPF risk, especially in patients receiving medical aid.
New insights in the mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibition by benzisoselenazolones and diselenides
Authors: Sancineto Luca , Mangiavacchi Francesca , Dabrowska Agnieszka , Pacuła-Miszewska Agata J. , Obieziurska-Fabisiak Magdalena , Scimmi Cecilia , Ceccucci Veronica , Kong Juan , Zhao Yao , Ciancaleoni Gianluca , Nascimento Vanessa , Rizzuti Bruno , Kula-Pacurar Anna , Yang Haitao , Ścianowski Jacek , Lei Ying , Pyrc Krzysztof , Santi Claudio
Published: March 2024

Although global vaccination campaigns relieved the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in terms of morbidity and mortality, the capability of the virus to originate mutants may reduce vaccines efficiency, posing a serious risk to fall into the pandemic again. As a result, there is the need to develop small molecules able to tackle conserved viral targets, such as the main protease (Mpro). Here a series of benzisoselenazolones and diselenides were tested for their ability to inhibit Mpro, then, for the most potent compounds, the antiviral activity was measured in vitro, and the mechanism of action was investigated. Density functional theory and molecular docking procedures were also implemented to shed a light into the protein/compound interaction. Finally, a bioorganic model was set up to investigate the reaction between selenorganic compounds and biologically relevant thiols, to unravel possible metabolic pathways of such compounds. The overall results contribute to identify a series of novel Se-containing molecules active against SARS-CoV-2, and to clarify some important aspects in the mechanisms of action of such inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.
Investigation of Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of Niğde Province by Elisa
Authors: Candan Cemal , Karatepe Mustafa , Karatepe Bilge
Published: March 2024

Purpose This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in water sources of Niğde province in Türkiye, between June and November 2021.
Methods A total of 90 water samples were taken from 15 different water sources (drinking water, well water, spring water, wastewater and dam water) every month and the presence of E. histolytica antigens in the samples was examined by ELISA.
Results The positivity of E. histolytica was determined in 7 (7.7%) of 90 samples. While no parasites were found in any of the samples in June and September, E. histolytica was positive for 3 samples (20%) in July, 1 sample (6.6%) in August and October and 2 samples in November (13.3%). One of 24 dam samples (4.1%), 1 of 12 wastewater samples (8.3%), 1 of 12 well samples (8.3%), and 4 of 24 fountain samples (16.6%) that examined by ELISA were found positive. On the other hand, none of the examined 18 spring samples were positive. In addition, 4 (8.8%) of 45 samples that examined in summer and 3 (6.6%) of 45 samples that examined in autumn were detected positive by using ELISA. Entamoebahistolytica positivity in samples was statistically insignificant in terms of months, water resources and seasons (P>0.05).
Conclusion As a result, the presence of E. histolytica, which is an important public health problem in water sources, was determined for the first time in Niğde province of Türkiye with this study.
Characterization of the Xeno-GVHD Response Generated by Lung Cancer Patient PBMCs in NSG-SGM3 Mice
Authors: Fuchs Vered , Roisman Laila , Msamra Maha , Refaely Yael , Cohen Ahron Yehonatan , Porgador Angel , Peled Nir , Sobarzo Ariel
Published: March 2024

Humanized mouse models based on PBMC transplants have become a critical preclinical platform for NSCLC investigation. However, the emergence of xeno-GVHD poses challenges that need clarification. In this study, we explore clinical and molecular aspects of xeno-GVHD induced by NSCLC patient PBMCs compared to healthy donors in the novel NSG-SGM3 mice. PBMCs from NSCLC patients and healthy donors were injected into NSG-SGM3 mice and monitored for eight weeks to assess xeno-GVHD onset and progression. Clinical signs, such as weight loss, anemia, and low platelet count, appeared early, with severe symptoms more prevalent in healthy donor models. Flow cytometry revealed a dominance of CD8 T cells, primarily effector T-cells, in peripheral blood, while organ examination highlighted a prevalence of CD4 effector T cells. Our findings demonstrate that xeno-GVHD from NSCLC patients is delayed and less severe than healthy controls in the NSG-SGM3 mice model, likely due to treatment history affecting patients' PBMCs' functional state. Our data contribute essential knowledge for advancing PBMCs humanized models in NSCLC treatment studies and may offer a novel tool for immune system assessment.
Deciphering the Genetic Architecture of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Insights from the UK Biobank and Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Cui Jieda , Quan Qiang , Zhang Yang , Wei Xiaoyun , Li Guangqiang , Zhu Leqing , Ran Pixin
Published: March 2024

Genetic susceptibility plays a crucial role in the development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), however, the research on genetic susceptibility genes for COPD is currently limited by incomplete understanding and insufficient identification of all contributory genetic factors. To address this issue, we conducted a prospective analysis in the UK Biobank study and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to unveil the causal relationship of potential genetic factors in COPD. Our findings underscore the involvement of key genes NME3, MPZL3, GNAQ, and ARL5B in COPD occurrence. Notably, the presence of the NME3 (0.998 ;0.997 −0.999; P = 0.004) and MPZL3 (0.999 ;0.998 −1.000; P = 0.048) potentially confers a reduced risk of COPD, while GNAQ (1.002 ;1.001 −1.004; P = 0.010) and ARL5B (1.004 ;1.000 −1.008; P = 0.040) are associated with an elevated risk of COPD. Multi-omics analysis showed that the expression levels of these key genes were highly correlated, either positively or negatively, with various COPD-related immune cell infiltrations, immune factor expression levels (immunomodulators, chemokines, and cellular receptors), and expression levels of disease genes associated with COPD. Additionally, we analyzed the expression levels of these key genes at the single-cell level, their involved signaling pathways, and regulatory networks to preliminarily reveal their potential molecular mechanisms in regulating COPD. Finally, potential drugs for treating COPD, such as Fostamatinib, MEK1-2-inhibitor, QL-XI-92, TWS-119, and VER-155008, were identified through drug targeting predictions using the Connectivity Map database.
Effect of GLP-1RA on diabetes retinopathy with blood glucose variation at different levels of baseline HbAlc– A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Wenxuan , Lu Jingyi , Li Jing , Ma Yuchen , Wang Xin , Zhang Fang , Li Chunhui , Jiang Jiajia , Hao Yongmei
Published: March 2024

Background
Previous studies attributed the possible diabetes retinopathy(DR) risk of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RA) to rapid glucose decline, but there was no further discussion on the different HbAlc changes in type 2 diabetes patients with different baseline HbAlc levels.The main purpose of this article is to discuss the impact of changes in glycosylated hemoglob(HbAlc) at different baseline levels on DR .
Methods
Our meta-analysis has 20 randomized controlled trial which including a total of 56204 type 2 diabetes(T2DM) patients. EngaugeDigitizer was applied to extract the image data of HbAlc over time in included trails.We used risk ration(RR) and 95% cofidence intervals(CIs) to estimate the influence of varying descending HbAlc levels in DR. Meta regression(MR) was proformed on the maximum,the final reduction of HbAlc and at different baselines of HbAlc levels.
Results
IDegLira and oral semaglutide were associated with an increased risk of DR (RR 1.69 95% CI 1.11–2.57 and RR1.29 95% CI 1.00-1.67 respectively), while other GLP-1RA did not increase the risk of DR.The risk of DR in oral semaglutide was associted with dose,which 14mg showed DR risk(RR1.31 95% CI 1.01–1.70) while 7mg or 5mg didn’t show it(RR1.82 95% CI 0.74–4.45).Semaglutide 1.0mg didn’t show DR risk(RR1.05 95% CI 0.78–1.43) .MR showed that increases in baseline HbAlc with DR(logrr = 0.40 p = 0.316) but decreases in ΔHbAlc with DR(logrr=-0.406 p = 0.237) .In subgroup analyses we found patients in the first 12 weeks with HbAlc<8.5%, a decrease of over 1.5% in glycated hemoglobin was associated with an increased risk of DR (RR 1.75 95% CI 1.01–3.04), a decrease of 1% -1.5% in glycated hemoglobin reduced the risk of DR (RR 0.58 95% CI 0.37–0.92), and a decrease of<1% in glycated hemoglobin was not associated with DR (RR 0.67 95% CI 0.38–1.18). In the group with baseline glycation levels ≥ 8.5% in the first 12 weeks, the decrease more than 1.5% had no effect on DR(RR 1.08 95% CI 0.86–1.35). The reduce of HbAlc at first 16 weeks compared with baseline does not show statistical significance.The use of GLP-1RA combined with insulin did not increase the risk of DR (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88–1.62),however in the group with baseline glycation levels<8.5% after the first 12 weeks,a decrease of over 1.5% in glycated hemoglobin was associated with an increased risk of DR (RR 1.75 95% CI 1.01–3.04).
Conclusions
When GLP-1RA is applied in T2DM patients with HbAlc level under 8.5%, the decrease of HbAlc should be controlled by 1% -1.5% in the first 12 weeks and the decrease of HbAlc by more than 1.5% will increase the risk of DR.GLP-1RA combined with insulin does not show the risk of DR.The promoting effect by IDegLira in DR may be mediated by the quick variation of blood glucose.
Long-term change in lost value of ‘safe food’ with negligible radiation risk
Authors: Kuriyama Koichi , Ito Nobuyuki
Published: March 2024

We estimated the temporal variation in the lost values of safe foods caused by a very small radiation risk, which was well within the safety standard set by the government. We conducted nine consumer surveys using consumer choice experiments between 2011 and 2022. The results show that the value loss of safe foods with very small radiation risks, which are considered scientifically safe, continues more than a decade after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. Although foods distributed in the Japanese market have radiation levels that meet the government safety standard, these very low radiation risks still significantly influence consumers’ food choices and lead to value loss in food products. The results also show that although consumers’ distrust of scientists has a limited impact on the value lost, their distrust in the government is a significant factor in the value loss.
Leukopenia of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infections under 18 Years Old in Recovery Stage (Running head: Leukopenia of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infections)
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yuan Youshu
Published: March 2024

Objectives
In December, 2019, a type of novel coronavirus which was designated novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) by the World Health Organization (WHO) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei, China. There is limited information available on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients under 18 years old in the recovery stage. To compare the difference of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 involving 25 patients under 18 years old in the recovery stage between confirmed and asymptomatic infections.
Methods
The retrospective, single-center cohort study of COVID-19 involving 25 patients under 18 years old in the recovery stage at Guizhou Provincial Staff Hospital in Guiyang, China, from January 29 to March 31, 2020; last date of follow-up was April 22. We collected and analyzed epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and treatment data. The researchers compared the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 infections and asymptomatic infections.
Results
Among the 25 COVID infections under 18 years old, 16 (64%) were mild or moderate confirmed cases, and 9 (36%) were asymptomatic. The shortest treatment period was 6 days, the longest 26 days, and the average treatment period was 14 days. Four cases (44.4%) had visited Wuhan or had a living story in the city. There were 9 (100%) asymptomatic cases were familial cluster outbreak, with an average infection number was 6 cases among all families. The number of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections with leukopenia was significantly more than confirmed cases (p = 0.04).
Conclusions
Leukopenia mostly occurred in asymptomatic COVID-19 infections under 18 years old compared with the confirmed patients.
Trial registration:
The Chinese Clinical Trial Register (CCTR number: ChiCTR2000032458) registered this study retrospectively on 28 April 2020.
Measuring quantitively peacebuilding co-benefits of cocoa agroforestry systems in the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Pérez‑Marulanda Lisset , Jepsen Martin , Löhr Katharina , Morales Héctor , Castro-Nunez Augusto
Published: March 2024

The IPCC's 6th assessment report underscores the potential of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to bolster peacebuilding outcomes. Evidence from environmental peacebuilding connects land-use systems with climate mitigation and peace outcomes, yet lacks a theoretical framework for assessing their impact, such as cocoa agroforestry systems. Addressing this gap, this paper introduces a sustainability assessment framework incorporating peacebuilding to evaluate cocoa production systems. We surveyed 427 smallholder cocoa farmers in the conflict-affected Colombian Amazon, categorizing them based on socioeconomic characteristics and agricultural practices. Utilizing survey indicators, we analyzed variations across typologies. Our findings indicate that agroforestry cocoa production systems positively impact yields, incomes, and peacebuilding by mitigating nature resource conflicts and fostering cooperation. We advocate for promoting these systems for climate mitigation and peacebuilding, stressing the need to enhance mechanization, market integration, and incorporate food security and nutrition initiatives aligned with agroecology principles.
Summer temperature and emergency room visits due to urinary tract infection in South Korea: a national time-stratified case-crossover study
Authors: Park Jiwoo , Lee Whanhee , Kang Dukhee , Min Jieun , Jang Hyemin , Kang Cinoo , Kwon Dohoon , Kwag Youngrin , Ha Eunhee
Published: March 2024

Background
Although urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and severe public health concern, and there are clear biological mechanisms between UTI and hot temperatures, few studies have addressed the association between hot temperatures and UTI.
Methods
We designed a time-stratified case-crossover study using a population-representative sample cohort based on the national health insurance system (NHIS) in South Korea. We obtained all NHIS-based hospital admissions through the emergency room (ER) due to UTI (using a primary diagnostic code) from 2006 to 2019. We assigned satellite-based reanalyzed daily summer (June to September) average temperatures as exposures, based on residential districts of beneficiaries (248 districts in South Korea). The conditional logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between summer temperature and UTI outcome.
Results
Among 4,450 ER visits due to UTI were observed during the summer between 2006 and 2019 among 1,131,714 NHIS beneficiaries. For 20% increase in summer temperature (moving average of 0–2 lag days), the odd ratio (OR) was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.09) in the total population, and the association was more prominent in the elderly (people aged 65y or older; OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.15), females (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.17), and people with diabetes history (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.19). The effect modification by household income was different in the total and elderly populations. Furthermore, the association between summer temperature and UTI increased during the study period in the total population.
Conclusions
Higher summer temperatures were associated with an increased risk of ER admissions for UTI. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that higher summer temperatures increase the risk of severe UTIs.
Performance investigation of Aloe vera plant-based microbial fuel cell using anode constructed of carbonized Ipomoea carnea.
Authors: Sonu Kumar , Sogani Monika , Syed Zainab , Maheshwari Karishma , Rajvanshi Jayana , Sengupta Nishan
Published: March 2024

The increasing trend in global atmospheric temperature caused by a spike in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide must be addressed as soon as feasible to avoid approaching the point of zero return. Innovative technologies based on the concepts of plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) may help in this direction by sequestering CO2 while creating a massive amount of biomass. In the present study, the Aloe vera plant was employed to generate Cleaner and viable bioenergy in a PMFC. The carbonized Ipomoea carnea had a synergistic effect on power production and plant Growth. The highest power output of the PMFC with a carbonized Ipomoea carnea anode was 260 mW/m2, which was 186.1 mW/m2 more than the carbon rod anode. Within 35 working days, high biomass was identified in the carbonized Ipomoea carnea anode, allowing for increased generation bioelectricity.
Future changes in runoff over western and central Europe: disentangling the hydrological behavior of CMIP6 models
Authors: Deman Juliette , Boé Julien
Published: March 2024

Large uncertainties remain in the projected changes in runoff over western and central Europe. In this study, a large ensemble of climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 is analyzed to characterize these changes in the late 21st century with a high-end emissions scenario, and to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the inter-model spread. A hierarchical classification algorithm is used to group the models based on their hydrological response, and additional sensitivity experiments from two Model Intercomparison Projects are studied.
In most models, annual precipitation changes do not emerge from internal variability. Evapotranspiration changes generally do emerge from internal variability, but with no inter-model agreement on the sign of the signal. Finally, no robust multi-model response in annual runoff changes is projected. A quarter of the models still project a significant decrease in annual runoff. Similar annual changes in runoff can be driven by very different changes in annual precipitation and evapotranspiration, as well as contrasted seasonal evolutions. Some models project a decrease in runoff despite an increase in precipitation due to a large increase in evapotranspiration.
Due to the large uncertainties in the reference datasets, it is difficult to reject any models based on their accuracy to represent climatological averages and recent trends. Large-scale circulation and the representation of the physiological impact of CO2 are important for the extreme hydrological changes projected by some models. The soil-moisture precipitation feedback is important for the multi-model ensemble mean but not for the inter-model spread.
Comprehensive Imaging Evaluation of the Aortic Valve and Root Before Aortic Root Surgery: A Study Comparing MDCT and TEE
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Shuai , Qi Hongxia , Ma Xiaoyan , Qian Xiangyang , Sun Jing
Published: March 2024

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and consistency of MDCT and TEE in the preoperative assessment of aortic root surgery.
Methods: From January 2021 to September 2022, 118 patients who underwent aortic root surgery were included in this study. All patients underwent high-quality preoperative MDCT and TEE examinations, and the examination results were independently measured and assessed by two senior radiologists or ultrasound specialists. Bland–Altman analysis and Pearson correlation testing were employed to assess the correlation and consistency between MDCT and TEE. These analyses were then compared with actual intraoperative measurement data.
Results: Among all the patients, 73 (61.86%) had tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), and 45 (38.14%) had bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). A comparison between the TEE and MDCT measurements showed that for the annulus diameter, the area-derived diameter had the best correlation and agreement. For the sinus of Valsalva diameter, the circumference-derived diameter was optimal. However, for the STJ diameter, the minimum cross-sectional diameter showed the best agreement with TEE. In contrast, measurements of geometric height showed a weaker correlation and agreement.
Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced MDCT can be a valuable tool for perioperative evaluation in aortic root surgery, with good correlation, consistency, and feasibility when compared to TEE. The choice of MDCT measurement methodology, specifically area-derived and circumference-derived diameter, proved to be more accurate than other methods. Further research is required to enhance the understanding of aortic valve repair and associated imaging techniques.