bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Czech and Slovak scientists about V.V. Mayakovsky
Authors:   University named after Mateja Bela, Repoň Anton
Published: February 2024

The article Czech and Slovak Scientists about V.V. Mayakovsky is dedicated to the Russian and Soviet poet, futurist V.V. Mayakovsky. Our job is to cleanse his image of the layers of ideological prejudice and put him on his pedestal, because we are dealing with one of the most original poets in the world, whose work has always aroused attention, and often passion. The focus of the study is the reception of the writer in the Czechoslovak cultural space during his lifetime, in the interwar period, in the period after the end of World War II, during the period of building socialism in our countries and after 1989, i. e. at the time of the change in the socio-political situation and the emergence of two independent republics. After many decades, our article is an attempt to re-imagine for Czech and Slovak readers one of the most original poets of world literature without the burden of ideological ballast.
Endodontic management of type I maxillary first molar with two palatal roots using cone-beam computed tomography
Authors: Alghamdi Nuha
Published: February 2024

Background: Understanding the anatomical variations in the root canal system is vital for the successful outcome of endodontic treatment. Anatomical variation with respect to palatal roots is rare compared with other roots of maxillary molars. Purpose: This case report describes a rare case of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided endodontic treatment of a maxillary first molar with two palatal roots. Case: A 35-year-old Saudi woman complained of continuous pain in the right maxillary first molar. Past dental history revealed root canal treatment of the same tooth four weeks prior. Master cone radiographs recovered from her general dentist revealed a missing second palatal canal. Case Management: A CBCT image was taken to confirm if there were any aberrations in root canal morphology. Clinical exploration presented four distinct orifices: two palatal and two buccal. All the root canals were prepared and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl and normal saline during instrumentation. All the canals were obturated with gutta-percha and AH 26 sealer using the continuous wave obturation technique. Conclusion: Clinical exploration of the pulpal floor, along with multiple angled radiographs, is needed to confirm any anatomic aberration.
Desensitizing agents’ post-bleaching effect on orthodontic bracket bond strength
Authors: Pamungkas Gufa Bagus , Karunia Dyah , Suparwitri Sri
Published: February 2024

Background: Nowadays, many patients wanting to bleach and do orthodontic treatment simultaneously, in-office bleaching is more favorable because of the instant results. However, in-office bleaching procedures result in severe enamel surface demineralization and decreasing the attachment of the orthodontic bracket. Applying a desensitizing agent after in-office bleaching can remineralize the enamel surface. There are two types of desensitizing agents: Fluoride-based and non-fluoride-based. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effect of applying fluoride-based and non-fluoride-based desensitizing agents after in-office bleaching on orthodontic brackets. Methods: Twenty-seven post-extraction upper premolars were divided into three groups (n=9): Control group, fluoride-based group, and non-fluoride-based group. The samples were subjected to an in-office bleaching procedure before a fluoride desensitizing agent was applied to the fluoride group and a non-fluoride desensitizing agent was applied to the non-fluoride group. Then, a brackets bonding procedure was performed on all samples. The samples were tested for shear bond strength (SBS), and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was measured. The data was analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance on the SBS test, while the ARI scores were analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The fluoride and non-fluoride groups showed a significantly increased SBS of the brackets after in-office bleaching (P < 0.05), with the fluoride-based desensitizing agent having the highest SBS score, while the ARI scores had an insignificant difference between all groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The application of desensitizing agents after in-office bleaching increased the metal brackets' SBS but could not change the ARI scores.
Periodontal disease severity in patients with long COVID and non-COVID-19
Authors: Louisa Marie , Amalina Alya , Putranto Ricky Anggara , Komala Olivia Nauli , Anggraini Wita
Published: February 2024

Background: Previous research studies have found the persistence of various COVID-19 symptoms even after the patient tested negative on a PCR test; this incident is now known as long COVID. These long COVID symptoms are reported to appear in the oral cavity including long COVID effects on periodontal disease, as both long COVID and periodontal disease release similar proinflammatory cytokines such as Acute phase proteins, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-g. Purpose: This study aims to show periodontal-disease severity-frequency distribution in COVID-19 survivors with long COVID and in non-COVID-19 patients. Methods: Patients’ secondary data in the Periodontics Clinic Faculty of Dentistry at Trisakti University Dental Hospital (n=40) consisted of 20 samples from COVID-19 survivors who experienced long COVID and 20 samples from the non-COVID-19 group selected according to the inclusion criteria. Afterward, the data was recapitulated and processed into a research report. Results: The distribution percentage of generalized gingivitis was highest in non-COVID-19 patients, while generalized periodontitis was highest in COVID-19 survivors with long COVID. Based on periodontitis staging and grading methods, it is not proven that long COVID increases the severity of the periodontitis. Conclusion: This research shows that the distribution of gingivitis in COVID-19 survivors with long COVID has not increased. Meanwhile, the distribution of general periodontitis increased in survivors with long COVID. However, there was no increased severity of periodontitis based on the staging and grading method of periodontitis in the COVID-19 survivors with long COVID.
Dinâmica da linha de costa no flanco meridional do delta do rio Paraíba do Sul entre 1954-2018: considerações sobre o fenômeno da erosão costeira em Atafona (RJ) e diferentes métodos de análise
Authors: Machado Beatriz Abreu , Rocha Thaís Baptista da , Fernandez Guilherme Borges , Filho Silvio Roberto de Oliveira
Published: February 2024

O comportamento da linha de costa (LC) reflete os limites entre o continente e o oceano, tornando-se um importante indicador para o entendimento de processos costeiros associados a erosão e sedimentação. Ao longo da costa fluminense, especificamente no Delta do Rio Paraíba do Sul (DRPS), o comportamento da LC nas últimas décadas mostrou-se erosivo na localidade de Atafona, e ao mesmo tempo tendeu a sedimentação em Grussaí. Embora existam trabalhos documentados sobre a dinâmica costeira, ainda há lacunas quanto às taxas de erosão e sedimentação, assim como padrões de classificação dos processos erosivos e deposicionais, os quais permanecem incertos. Neste sentido, o objetivo principal deste trabalho foi analisar a dinâmica da LC no DRPS, em uma escala interdecadal, identificando taxas e padrões de comportamento da LC, para se determinar as tendências de evolução nas últimas décadas. Os resultados mostraram que Atafona apresenta padrões de erosão extrema e severa, com uma tendência de aumento da área erosiva em direção ao sul. Por outro lado, a área de sedimentação e estabilidade mostrou-se mais homogênea em Grussaí. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com dados globais, mostrando que mesmo com a detecção automática, em função das taxas locais observadas, os padrões globais foram aceitáveis.
Cultivar-dependent grape berry dehydration in later ripening phases may be associated with energy regulation and ionic homeostasis
Authors: Liu Yin , Tyerman Stephen , Schmidtke Leigh , Rogiers Suzy
Published: February 2024

Climate warming and drought may alter the progression of sugar accumulation by the grape berry, and contribute to pre-harvest berry shrivel and cell vitality loss which were hypothesised to be associated with solute accumulation cessation and energy status in the berries. To explore the relationship between energy and cultivar-dependent berry cell death, we characterised the variations of pericarp constituents and energy status across five time points, five ripening phases, and three cultivars with various levels of berry shrivel and cell death. Grape berries of Shiraz, Chardonnay and Flame Seedless at the Eichorn-Lorenz stages 33 to 39 were sampled at 5:00, 9:00, 13:00, 17:00 and 21:00 on each sampling day, which were used in the analysis of water percentage, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ethanol, sugar, L-malic acid, as well as elements with vascular mobility, including potassium (K) and sodium (Na). Shiraz and Chardonnay ceased accumulating sugar and phloem mobile elements during the later ripening phase, while Flame Seedless did not undergo water loss or cease to accumulate solutes in pericarps. Shiraz berry ripening was distinguished by greater pericarp water loss, ATP reduction, increased ion disorder susceptibility as indicated by a lower K/Na ratio, and higher ethanol concentration in the later ripening phase. The Chardonnay pericarp contained the highest ATP concentration and K/Na ratio among the three cultivars. The Flame Seedless pericarp maintained a low but stable K/Na ratio throughout berry ripening. Berry ripening phase impacted the diurnal variations of pericarp water percentage and ATP concentration. The results indicated that energy regulation and ionic homeostasis may be associated with cultivar-dependent grape pericarp hydration, solute accumulation and cell vitality during berry ripening.
Morphological Investigation of Lamellae Patterns in Diblock Copolymers under Change of Thickness and Confinement in Polar Geometry
Authors: Muhammad Javed Iqbal  , Soomro Inayatullah , Maryam Bibi  , Mallah Rab Nawaz
Published: February 2024

Mathematicians collaborate computationally with practical scientists to predict the novel morphologies soft materials, having potential applications in nanotechnology. This work presents the novel lamellae morphology that the confined diblock copolymer system displayed inside the polar geometry in order to achieve this, cell dynamics simulations (CDS) model is employed on a polar mesh to study the special impacts of confinement on the self-assembly behavior of diblock copolymer systems. Under the numerical formulation of the isotropic Laplacian with polar geometry employed in the CDS model, the set of 9-point stencil is considered to discretize the Laplacian operator on polar mesh system. FTCS finite difference mechanism is taken into consideration for discretization of Laplacian operator due to its computational efficiency and accuracy. Cell dynamics simulation is efficient simulation model for large-scale simulation as compared to the other models available in literature. In the simulation, evolutionary lamella morphology is presented with and without confinement for various sizes of the circular annular pores.  A comparative review of lamella morphologies achieved by simulation in comparison of experimental study is presented, coupled with a thorough investigation of symmetric and asymmetric morphologies in captivity.
Factores que afectan la calidad de fibra de alpaca
Authors:   , Goycochea Porras Gianella Edith
Published: February 2024

En las zonas rurales de Sudamérica, la alpaca es un animal crucial para la subsistencia económica de las familias locales y representa un rol fundamental en la cohesión social de la región. Este camélido es considerado un recurso invaluable para las comunidades que lo crían y cuidan. Perú, produce el ochenta por ciento de la fibra de alpaca a nivel mundial (Carhuapoma et al., 2009), y la calidad de esta fibra es influenciada por varios factores, incluyendo aspectos medioambientales, genéticos y fisiológicos; entre estos factores se encuentran la edad, las temporadas del año, la nutrición, el sexo y la variedad de raza (Franco et al., 2009).
Influencia del uso de cementos resinosos en la discrepancia marginal absoluta en coronas monolíticas CAD CAM. Revisión de la literatura
Authors:   , Medina Bueno Varinia Lisbeth
Published: February 2024

Las características de preparación en prótesis fija y las propiedades de cementos resinosos, son factores que pueden influir en obtener una adecuada Discrepancia Marginal Absoluta en coronas monolíticas Cad Cam, para evitar el ingreso de bacterias, o la disminución de retención y así lograr longevidad, con una óptima adhesión. Por ello, se tuvo como propósito, evaluar la influencia del uso de cementos resinosos en la Discrepancia Marginal Absoluta (DMA) en coronas monolíticas Cad Cam; mediante la búsqueda de tipo bibliográfica y retrospectiva, de investigaciones en las bases de datos de Pub Med, Scielo y Google académico. Se pudo concluir que, los cementos resinosos si influyen en Discrepancia Marginal Absoluta, en coronas monolíticas Cad Cam; ya que los valores de DMA aumentaron, cuando: los cementos resinosos tenían mayor cantidad de relleno; el espacio virtual para el cemento fue menor; así como por, la configuración del ángulo de convergencia axial disminuido. Por lo que, redujeron el flujo del cemento y perjudicaron el buen asentamiento de la corona, dando valores de DMA por encima de 120μm, lo cual, mencionaron en la mayoría de estudios incluidos, es el valor clínicamente aceptable. Por tanto, recomendaron la elección de cementos resinosos, en base a sus propiedades y la utilización de microtomografía para evaluar in vitro la DMA, al permitir múltiples mediciones y dar resultados más precisos.
Riesgo de complicaciones de la histerectomía según vía de abordaje en un Hospital Público de Cañete durante la epidemia del Covid
Authors:   , Espinoza Osores Juan Jose
Published: February 2024

La histerectomía es la extirpación quirúrgica del útero, siendo la segunda intervención quirúrgica más frecuente en mujeres. Este procedimiento puede realizarse vía abdominal, vaginal o laparoscópica; siendo la vía abdominal la ruta más común, en comparación a la vaginal, las complicaciones que genera la histerectomía están presentes en más del 15% de pacientes. Se estima que el tiempo de regreso a actividades de la vida diaria es menor en la histerectomía vaginal en comparación a la abdominal. La vía vaginal presenta ventajas como mayor eficacia y seguridad con mínima invasividad en comparación a la vía abdominal. Asimismo, como un menor riesgo de desarrollar lesiones urológicas. mediados de marzo del 2020 en el extranjero se recomienda posponer cirugías electivas para proteger a los pacientes y trabajadores de la salud a la exposición del COVID 19, además de preservar los recursos hospitalarios para enfrentar la nueva enfermedad (18). Lo cual se reflejó en una disminución de histerectomías del año 2020 en comparación al 2019.El presente trabajo busca delimitar si hubo diferencias entre la histerectomía abdominal y vaginal en el contexto del COVID 19 en el Hospital Rezola, si bien se conoce la vía de abordaje que podría generar más complicaciones se desconoce si las medidas del COVID 19 disminuyeron o incrementaron el número de complicaciones, los resultados del presente trabajo nos brindarían información de si el propio contexto influyó en los resultados de las pacientes histerectomizadas. El presente estudio busca Determinar el riesgo de complicaciones de la histerectomía según vía de abordaje en un hospital público Cañete durante la epidemia del COVID el diseño del trabajo será una cohorte retrospectiva cuya población será Conformada por mujeres atendidas en el servicio de ginecología del Hospital Rezola - Cañete con indicación de histerectomía.
Rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía FAST en pacientes con trauma abdominal cerrado. Hospital de Emergencias José Casimiro Ulloa, 2021-2022
Authors:   , Orbegoso Meza Karen del Pilar
Published: February 2024

Objetivos del estudio: Evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la ecografía FAST en pacientes con trauma abdominal cerrado atendidos en el Hospital José Casimiro Ulloa, 2021-2022. Metodología: Estudio de validación basada en un transversal analítico. La población estará conformada por 186 pacientes adultos con trauma abdominal cerrado atendidos en el Hospital José Casimiro Ulloa entre enero 2021 a diciembre 2022. Se realizará revisión documental y el instrumento una ficha de recolección. El análisis estadístico se realizará con la valoración de la sensibilidad (S), especificidad (E), valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN), considerándose superiores a valores mayores de 70%. Adicionalmente se calculará el Odds Ratio (OR) de la ecografía FAST.
La necesaria protección del menor nacido de la técnica de gestación subrogada ante el registro del RENIEC como alternativa a futuras controversias judiciales
Authors:   , Carbajal Chirinos Viviana Lucia , Vargas Gomez Maria Luisa
Published: February 2024

El presente artículo tiene por finalidad analizar aquellos actos jurídicos de gestación subrogada que, a pesar de no estar permitidos por la Ley General de Salud, vienen ocurriendo en el Perú. Esta investigación surge de la necesidad de proteger al menor nacido de estas prácticas y respetar la voluntad procreacional, proponiendo como alternativa de solución la inscripción de estos actos jurídicos en el Registro Nacional de Identificación Civil y Estado Civil con el fin de evitar futuras controversias judiciales ante el incumplimiento de la madre gestante de cumplir con dicho acto jurídico. El método empleado es el cualitativo dogmático jurídico que se apoya de la doctrina y regulación comparada, es así que la solución propuesta es meramente descriptiva y analítica.
Efecto citotóxico del extracto de Annona muricata sobre la línea celular del adenocarcinoma de mama
Authors:   , Ayona Canepa Alessandra Valeria , Leguia Zarate Sonia Abigail
Published: February 2024

Antecedente: El cáncer es un problema de salud a nivel mundial sin alternativas terapéuticas de costo-beneficio mayor al tratamiento convencional, por lo que se han realizado estudios basados en fitomedicina evaluando la citotoxicidad de plantas como la Annona muricata (AM), con propiedad citotóxica, frente a diversas líneas celulares oncológicas. Objetivo: El presente trabajo busca establecer el efecto citotóxico del extracto de hojas de AM en la línea celular oncológica de adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF7). Materiales y métodos: El presente trabajo de investigación es de tipo experimental in vitro; con diseño de ensayo pre-clínico, donde se afrontó el extracto hidroalcohólico de hojas de AM (AMOH) con cultivos in vitro de líneas celulares de adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF7). Mediante el screening fitoquímico se determinaron los metabolitos secundarios para mostrar el grado de citotoxicidad de AMOH a diferentes diluciones sobre placas de MCF7, datos que fueron extrapolados a GraphPad, expresándose como concentración inhibitoria media máxima (IC50); se realizó el análisis de regresión no lineal para determinar la concentración adecuada que genere efecto inhibitorio de crecimiento celular. Resultados: Los hallazgos del screening fitoquímico identificaron grupos funcionales como fenoles, taninos, aldehídos, cetonas y alcaloides. Además, se mostró citotoxicidad de AMOH frente al MCF7 con una IC50 de 81,12 µg/mL a las 24 horas y 24,51 µg/mL a las 48 horas. Conclusión: El AMOH demostró presencia de grupos funcionales citotóxicos contra la línea celular MCF7, corroborado mediante la IC50, siendo directamente proporcionales al tiempo al que fueron expuestas las células oncológicas.
Telemedicina internacional y sus limitaciones tecnológicas en la atención de pacientes en procedimientos médicos virtuales de organismos de salud pública 2022
Authors:   , Castillo Barrera Julissa Andrea , Fernandez Prada Walter Sanchez
Published: February 2024

Actualmente, se desconoce el impacto de implementar aplicativos de telemedicina en atención de pacientes. Los procedimientos médicos actuales generan aglomeración de pacientes y tiempos de espera prolongados. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de la investigación es determinar cuál el impacto de los aplicativos de telemedicina en la atención de pacientes en procedimientos médicos virtuales. Se hizo una revisión sistemática utilizando la metodología PRISMA para identificar casos de estudio, con una muestra de 26 proyectos los cuales fueron obtenidos de la base de datos de Mendeley, SciELO, Scopus, Google Académico, Alicia y la Biblioteca Virtual de Concytec. Se utilizaron tablas comparativas como instrumento para el análisis de los proyectos evaluados. Los resultados demuestran que las principales áreas de aplicación de telemedicina son ambulatorias (28%) seguido de enfermedades no transmisibles (20%), en donde basta tener un seguimiento remoto. Se concluyó que la implementación de telemedicina mejora el acceso, calidad, el tiempo de espera de los procedimientos médicos y reduce costos.
Factores psicosociales en el desempeño laboral de docentes en instituciones educativas públicas de Lima
Authors:   , Vasquez Abatte Gerson Alexander
Published: February 2024

Los diversos cambios contextuales han generado que los sistemas de trabajo se adapten a nuevas normativas, siendo un proceso hibrido entre la virtualidad y presencialidad. En el contexto educativo, la virtualidad e hibridez educativa se presentó de manera repentina como solución a la problemática en la educación, afectando significativamente a nivel físico y psicológico en la presencia de riesgos psicosociales en su entorno. La Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), argumenta que dentro del entorno laboral se puede presentar temas de ansiedad, estrés y la depresión, por lo que dichas variables se pueden relacionar directamente con los riesgos psicosociales, asociándolo dentro de la enfermedad profesional. El objetivo del estudio es determinar la influencia de los factores psicosociales en el desempeño laboral de docentes de instituciones educativas de Lima, por medio de un estudio de tipo correlacional, transversal; para evaluar las variables se conformó una muestra de 500 docentes de instituciones educativas públicas de Lima, adicionalmente, como instrumentos de evaluación se utilizó el Cuestionario de Evaluación de Riesgos Psicosociales y el Cuestionario de Percepción del Desempeño Laboral. Los resultados permitieron comprobar que los factores de riesgo psicosociales se relacionan significativamente con el desempeño laboral, presentando un efecto del 70%, además los principales predictores de riesgo psicosocial consideran a las exigencias psicológicas, inseguridad, doble presencia y estima. Se concluye que se debe considerar una tercera variable como motivación, calidad de vida o resiliencia, que puedan intervenir entre la relación de las variables de estudio, de la misma forma, se propone diseñar un programa de intervención para la mejora de la salud ocupacional de los docentes.
Riesgos asociados a la movilización de pacientes y trastornos musculoesqueléticos en el personal asistencial de las áreas de Emergencia y Medicina interna en un Hospital de las Fuerzas Armadas
Authors:   , Davila Vilca Lisbeth Paola , Aguirre Rosales Joel Enrique
Published: February 2024

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre los trastornos musculoesqueléticos y el manejo de los riesgos asociados a la movilización de pacientes en el personal asistencial de las áreas de emergencia y medicina interna en un hospital de las FF.AA. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico cuya unidad de análisis fueron cinco salas hospitalarias. Evaluamos el riesgo disergonómico según la Norma de movilización manual de personas en el sector sociosanitario (ISO/TR-12296) a través del método de Movilización asistencial de pacientes hospitalizados (MAPO en italiano). Asimismo, describimos la proporción de dolor en el año previo mediante el Cuestionario Nórdico Estandarizado. Se halló la relación mediante la prueba F exacta de Fisher. Resultados: Incluimos cinco salas de hospitalización. La mayor proporción de dolor en el último año fue en el cuello y la espalda baja, con el 73% y 68% respectivamente. Asimismo, dos áreas obtuvieron un índice MAPO moderado (entre 1.5 a 5) y las otras tres un MAPO alto (≥5). No se evidenció una relación entre el grado disergonómico y la proporción de dolor mayor a 30% en el último año. Sin embargo, en todas las áreas que tuvieron una proporción del dolor mayor a 30%, se presentó un MAPO moderado o alto; excepto en la zona del codo. Conclusiones: Demostramos una elevada proporción de dolor a un año en casi todas las zonas corporales y expuestos en su totalidad a un riesgo disergonómico moderado o alto. Recomendamos una urgente implementación de cambios ergonómicos en estas áreas laborales, así como un estudio con mayor número de salas para demostrar su asociación.
Movilidad poblacional internacional y salud en contexto de la pandemia por Covid
Authors: Leyva-Flores René , Cortés-Alcalá Ricardo , Bustamante Nirma , Llanes-Díaz Nathaly , Marinissen María Julia
Published: February 2024

La relación entre movilidad poblacional internacional y salud ha sido eje histórico para formular explicaciones y respuestas sobre la diseminación y control global de los problemas de salud, en su mayoría infecciosos. En 2019, la pandemia por Covid-19 no fue la excepción. El cierre de fronteras y el confinamiento poblacional fueron, nuevamente, las medidas emblemáticas de salud pública aplicadas en los siglos previos para responder a otros problemas epidémicos,1 esto a pesar de la evidencia científica contemporánea2 sobre la prevención de la transmisión de infecciones y sobre la velocidad y magnitud de la movilidad poblacional global que, solo por vía aérea, en 2019 alcanzó más de 4 500 millones de personas.
Self-Attention Factor-Tuning for Parameter Efficient Fine-Tuning
Authors: Abohwo Jason
Published: February 2024

Transformers have revolutionized the fields of Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision - a result of their ability to capture long-range dependencies with their key innovation: the attention mechanism. Despite the success of these models, their growing complexity has led to an ever-increasing need for processing power, making their practical applications less feasible. In recent years, tensor decomposition-based parameter-efficient fine-tuning techniques have emerged as a promising solution to the computational bottleneck. In this research, we investigate the use of a modified version of Factor Tuning that lessens inter-layer associations that the original Factor Tuning creates and focuses exclusively on attention mechanisms. We refer to this method as Self-Attention Factor-Tuning. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conduct experiments with Vision Transformers using all 19 datasets from the VTAB-1k benchmark for image classification. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively reduces the number of parameters required to fine-tune a transformer, achieving new state-of-the-art performance on three of the 19 datasets in the benchmark and outperforming the original Factor-Tuning paradigm as well as various other competitive techniques, whilst using significantly fewer parameters.
Behaviour of resistance spot welded thermomechanically rolled high strength steels under tensile shear and cross-tension loads
Authors: Borhy István , Gáspár Marcell
Published: February 2024

Over the past decades the vehicle manufacturers have been striving to reduce vehicle weight to minimize energy consumption and emissions in line with the key priorities of the environmental objectives of the European Union. These goals can be met by using high strength steels although their application raises numerous challenges in welding. In general, the railway vehicle body is made of ribs-stiffened shell structure which bears the load together with chassis. By the change of mild steel to high strength steel in these structural elements, joined with resistance spot welding (RSW), significant weight reduction can be achieved. Thanks to the results of material development now it is possible to use thermomechanically rolled high strength steels with relatively low carbon equivalent which can be ideal for the RSW of railway vehicles. In this paper the results of tensile shear (STS) and cross-tension (CTS) tests of resistance spot-welded joints made of t=3 mm thick S700M thermomechanically rolled high strength steel are presented. The main research scope was to elaborate a complex resistance welding process including the determination of optimal welding parameters based on STS and CTS tests. The optimal technological parameters were nearly the same for the two loading circumstances, however, a bit shorter cycle was justified during the optimization for the cross-tension strength. The value of the tensile shear force exceeded the minimum value specified by the AWS recommendation D8.1M by more than 22% with an electrode indentation depth of less than 5%.
Soft robotic shorts improve outdoor walking efficiency in older adults
Authors: Tricomi Enrica , Missiroli Francesco , Xiloyannis Michele , Lotti Nicola , Zhang Xiaohui , Stefanakis Marios , Theisen Maximilian , Bauer Jürgen , Becker Clemens , Masia Lorenzo
Published: February 2024

As people grow older, their walking efficiency declines, posing constraints on mobility and affecting independence and overall life quality. While wearable assistive technologies are recognized as a potential solution for age-related movement challenges, few have proven effective for older adults, predominantly within controlled laboratory experiments. Here we present WalkON, a pair of soft robotic shorts designed to enhance walking efficiency for older individuals by assisting hip flexion. To assess the impact of WalkON in daily walking activities, we initially conducted a technology assessment with young adults on a demanding outdoor uphill 500m hiking trail. Subsequently, we validated our findings with a group of older adults walking on a flat outdoor 400m track. WalkON significantly reduced the metabolic cost of transport by 17% for young adults during uphill walking. Concurrently, participants reported high perceived control over their voluntary movements (self-reported mean score of 5.67 out of 7 on a Likert scale). Similarly, older adults experienced a 9% reduction in metabolic cost when using WalkON during level ground walking, while retaining a strong sense of movement control (mean score of 5.85 out of 7). These findings emphasize the potential of wearable robotic assistive devices to enhance energy efficiency in daily outdoor walking, suggesting promising implications for promoting physical well-being and advancing mobility, particularly during the later stages of life.
Prevalence, Resource Utilization and Economic Impact of Kidney Function and Proteinuria in Patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Bensink Mark E. , Thakker Kamlesh M. , Lerma Edgar V. , Lieblich Richard , Bunke C. Martin , Wang Kaijun , Gong Wu , Rava Andrew , Murphy Michael V. , Oliveri David , Amari Diana T. , Cork David M. W. , Velez Juan Carlos Q.
Published: February 2024

Background: Among patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), proteinuria and kidney function decline may be associated with increased economic burden. This study aimed to provide current information on the epidemiology and economic burden of FSGS in the United States.Methods: Descriptive, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study. Overall, 9899 patients were identified between January 2016 and December 2020 in Optum® de-identified Market Clarity Data based on International Classification of Diseases code or Optum® proprietary Natural Language Processing data. Descriptive statistics were reported for categorical and continuous variables. Prevalence estimates were standardized to the age, gender, and race/ethnicity distribution of the general United States population using direct methods and data from the 2021 United States Census Bureau. Per-patient-per-month healthcare resource utilization and associated costs, in 2020 United States dollars were reported by proteinuria (≤ 1.5 g/g vs. >1.5 g/g or < 3.5 g/g vs. ≥3.5 g/g) and chronic kidney disease stage (stage 1–5/kidney failure). The Fisher's Exact Test was used for categorical healthcare resource utilization outcomes, and linear regression (mean) and the Jonckheere-Terpstra Test (medians) were used for continuous healthcare resource utilization and cost outcomes.Results Estimated annual United States prevalence (average for 2016–2020) was 212.6 per 1 000 000. There was a consistent trend toward higher healthcare resource utilization and total costs with both chronic kidney disease progression (stage 1–5/kidney failure) and higher levels of proteinuria (≤ 1.5 g/g vs. >1.5 g/g or < 3.5 g/g vs. ≥3.5 g/g).Conclusions The observed prevalence of FSGS increased in the US and was highest among African Americans. Both more advanced chronic kidney disease and higher levels of proteinuria were associated with higher healthcare resource utilization and costs. Treatments which reduce proteinuria and slow kidney function decline have potential to reduce the economic burden associated with FSGS.
Comparison of choroidal detachment with and without hypotony after Ahmed valve implantation
Authors: Jin Sang Wook , Kim Tae Hwan , Ahn Hee Bae
Published: February 2024

Objectives
To compare the clinical manifestations of and risk factors for choroidal detachment (CD) with or without hypotony after Ahmed valve implantation (AVI).
Methods
This retrospective, consecutive case series included glaucoma patients who underwent AVI. We divided the patients into CD and non-CD. The patients with CD were divided into those with and without hypotony. Data collected from the chart review before and after AVI included patient demographics and ocular characteristics. We analyzed the risk factors for CD development. Moreover, the relationship between hypotony and CD development was analyzed.
Results
Among the 387 eyes, 63 developed CD. Among the 63 eyes, 42 had CD with hypotony and 21 had CD without hypotony. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age (P < 0.001), lens status (P < 0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (P = 0.011), and history of hypertension (HTN) (P = 0.002) were significant predictors of CD development. Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) showed 42.9% of CD cases without hypotony. This rate was higher than that of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliative glaucoma (XFG). The rate of anterior chamber formation as treatment of CD was significantly higher in CD with hypotony than in CD without hypotony.
Conclusions
Older age, pseudophakic eyes, DM, and HTN are significantly associated with CD development after AVI. NVG has higher incidence rate of CD without hypotony compared with POAG and XFG. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to CD development after AVI especially in NVG, even if a patient is not in a hypotonic state.
An effective and sustainable dye removal via sunlight-based photocatalysis and adsorption using eco-friendly and low-cost ZnS nanoparticles: Experiments, modelling, and mechanism
Authors: Ouni Sabri , Yahia Faiza , Mohamed Naim Bel Haj , bouzidi Mohamed , Alshammari Abdullah S. , Abdulaziz Fahad , Bonilla-Petriciolet Adrián , Haouari Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Novel sulfur zinc nanoparticles functionalized with thioglycolic acid were synthetized via hydrothermal route and tested in a solar radiation-based dye photodegradation process. These nanoparticles were characterized, and the findings revealed that thioglycolic acid was a strong capping ligand for the generation of sulfur zinc nanoparticles with a specific surface area of 36.82 m2/g and 7.15 nm average nanocrystal size. The cubic and wurtzite phases of these nanoparticles were confirmed via X-ray diffraction. The quantum confinement effect caused a larger energy band gap and a blue shift in the absorbance band of these nanoparticles in contrast to the bulk sulfur zinc. The improved adsorption effectiveness of these nanoparticles was proved to remove methylene blue from aqueous solutions. They can remove 30.92 mg/g of tested dye molecule. To understand the synergy between adsorption and photocatalysis, these nanoparticles were used to analyze the dye adsorption prior to the photodegradation via the experimental measurement of isotherms and kinetics. The rationalization of the dye adsorption on these nanoparticles was performed with calculated statistical physics parameters including the estimation of dye – nanoparticles adsorption energy. Dye molecules and nanoparticles surface exhibited physical interactions with adsorption energies of 25.92–23.31 kJ/mol. The sunlight-based photocatalytic activity of these nanoparticles demonstrated 91.1% dye degradation efficiency in 180 min. Overall, the photocatalytic efficiency remained almost unchanged after five consecutive degradation cycles with a methylene blue degradation of 88 ± 3%. These results indicate that these sustainable nanoparticles can be applied in the cleaning of industrial and urban fluids polluted by hazardous organic compounds like dye molecules.
The low enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase activity of FabI2 is responsible for the high unsaturated fatty acid composition in Sinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Mao Ya-Hui , Li Feng , Luo Li-Zhen , Yin Yu , Ma Jin-Cheng , Zhang Wen-Bin , Wang Hai-Hong , Zhang Changyi , Hu Zhe
Published: February 2024

Background Sinorhizobium melilotiis recognized for its remarkable production of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Prior investigations have demonstrated that S. meliloti predominantly utilizes the FabA–FabB pathway for UFAs, however, the mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to resolve the mechanisms of Sinorhizobium meliloti producing remarkable levels of UFAs.
Methods The enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (ENR) encoded genes were disrupted by suicide plasmid pK18mobsacB, then single-crossover and double-crossover. ENR proteins were purified in E.coli BL21(DE3) strains and ENR activities were tested by gel electrophoresis, NADH oxidation. The fatty acid composition were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography.
Results Our results revealed that the heterogeneous expression fabI2 in an Escherichia coli fabI temperature-sensitive mutant leads to a substantial increase in unsaturated fatty acids production. Genetic analysis confirmed that fabI2 is an essential gene and cannot be disrupted in the S. meliloti genome. Intriguingly, we found that fabI2 was only functionally replaced by Enterococcus faecalis fabI, but not by S. meliloti fabI1, E. coli fabI, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa fabV. Moreover, we confirmed that the deletion of fabI1caused S. meliloti to produce more unsaturated fatty acids than the wild-type strain Rm1021.
Conclusions In this study, we reported an enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, encoded by the S. meliloti SMc00326 gene (fabI2), plays a key role in the production of unsaturated fatty. the FabI1, encoded by SMc00005, modulated the fatty acid compositionof S. meliloti. Collectively, these findings lay the foundation for proposing a model that elucidates the robust capacity of FabI2 in driving unsaturated fatty acid synthesis in S. meliloti.
The MADS-box gene CmAP1 promotes flowering and petal development in Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima)
Authors: Cheng Yunhe , Cheng Lili , Hu Guanglong , Guo Xiaomeng , Liu Zhao , Lan Yanping
Published: February 2024

The MADS-box gene APETALA 1 (AP1) plays essential roles in floral initiation and floral organ development. Here, we cloned the coding sequence (CDS) and promoter of CmAP1, the homolog of AP1 from Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), an economically and ecologically important woody nut crop. The CDS of CmAP1 is 741 bp and encodes a 346–amino acid protein. Subcellular analysis revealed that CmAP1 localized to the nucleus. GUSdriven by the CmAP1 promoter was expressed in seedlings and in leaf margins, petals, and carpels of transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). RNA in situ hybridization indicated that CmAP1was expressed in the inflorescence meristem, floral meristem, sepal, petal, and stamen and carpel primordia during the early stage of flower development. In mature female flowers, CmAP1 was expressed only in sepals and petals. In mature male flowers, CmAP1 was also expressed in stamens. An auxin response element (TGA element), jasmonic acid response element (TGACG motif), and WRKY binding site (W-box element) were identified in the CmAP1 promoter. Furthermore, the heterologous expression of CmAP1 promoted flowering and rescued the petal defect of the Arabidopsis ap1-11 mutant. These findings suggest that CmAP1 influences flowering time and flower development by functioning as a class A gene in C. mollissima.
Exploring the mechanism of diabetic cardiomyopathy treated with Qigui Qiangxin mixture based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS, network pharmacology and experimental validation
Authors: Han Quancheng , Li Yan , Yu Yiding , Yuan Huajing , Wang Ziqi , Guo Yonghong , Shi Jingle , Xue Yitao , Liu Xiujuan
Published: February 2024

Objective
Despite its effectiveness in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), Qigui Qiangxin Mixture (QGQXM) remains unclear in terms of its active ingredients and specific mechanism of action. The purpose of this study was to explore the active ingredients and mechanism of action of QGQXM in the treatment of DCM through the comprehensive strategy of serum pharmacology, network pharmacology and combined with experimental validation.
Materials and methods
The active ingredients of QGQXM were analyzed using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). Network pharmacology was utilized to elucidate the mechanism of action of QGQXM for the treatment of DCM. Finally, in vivo validation was performed by intraperitoneal injection of STZ combined with high-fat feeding-induced DCM rat model.
Results
A total of 26 active compounds were identified in the drug-containing serum of rats, corresponding to 121 DCM-associated targets. GAPDH, TNF, AKT1, PPARG, EGFR, CASP3, and HIF1 were considered as the core therapeutic targets. Enrichment analysis showed that QGQXM mainly treats DCM by regulating PI3K-AKT, MAPK, mTOR, Insulin, Insulin resistance, and Apoptosis signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that QGQXM improved cardiac function, attenuated the degree of cardiomyocyte injury and fibrosis, and inhibited apoptosis in DCM rats. Meanwhile, QGQXM also activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, up-regulated Bcl-2, and down-regulated Caspase9, which may be an intrinsic mechanism for its anti-apoptotic effect.
Conclusions
This study preliminarily elucidated the mechanism of QGQXM in the treatment of DCM and provided candidate compounds for the development of new drugs for DCM.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome after starting Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Therapy for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, A Case Report
Authors: Lin Shawn Zhi Zheng , Lizwan Marco , Sonu Sumit Kumar
Published: February 2024

Introduction:
We highlight an unusual side effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) directly attributed to Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) in a young patient.
Case Presentation:
We describe the case of a 36-year-old lady with a significant history of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) secondary to adenomyosis presenting with new onset migranous headaches and right upper limb weakness after being started on MPA treatment two months prior. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed acute infarcts in the left frontal lobe and right parieto-occipital region while Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) demonstrated widespread luminal irregularities throughout the anterior and posterior circulations. After stopping the MPA, her headaches and weakness resolved and a repeat MRA two months later showed resolution of the multi-focal intracranial stenoses. The patient was diagnosed with RCVS secondary to MPA given the onset of headaches and strokes with multi-focal intracranial stenoses shortly after initiation of MPA and resolution of the clinical and radiological abnormalities after the drug was stopped.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of RCVS that has been directly attributed to the use of MPA. Although the exact pathophysiology of RCVS has yet to be determined, this case might contribute to the understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
Comparison of the sputum microbiome between patients with stable nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease and patients requiring treatment
Authors: Song Min Jong , Kim Dae Hun , Kim Su-Young , Kang Noeul , Jhun Byung Woo
Published: February 2024

Background
We evaluated whether the sputum bacterial microbiome differs between nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) patients with stable disease not requiring antibiotic treatment and those requiring antibiotics.
Methods
We collected sputum samples from 21 clinically stable NTM-PD patients (stable group) and 14 NTM-PD patients needing antibiotic treatment (treatment group). We also obtained 13 follow-up samples from the stable group. We analyzed the 48 samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3–V4 region) and compared the groups.
Results
In the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis, the species Porphyromonas pasteri, Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Prevotella nanceiensis, and Gemella haemolysans were significantly more prevalent in the sputum of the stable group compared to the treatment group. No taxa showed significant differences in alpha-/beta-diversity or LEfSe between the 21 baseline and 13 follow-up sputum samples in the stable group. In the stable group, the genus Bergeyella and species Prevotella oris were less common in patients who achieved spontaneous culture conversion (n = 9) compared to those with persistent NTM positivity (n = 12) (effect size 3.04, p = 0.039 for Bergeyella; effect size 3.64, p = 0.033 for P. oris). In the treatment group, H. parainfluenzae was more common in patients with treatment success (n = 7) than in treatment-refractory patients (n = 7) (effect size 4.74, p = 0.013).
Conclusions
Our study identified distinct bacterial taxa in the sputum of NTM-PD patients based on disease status. These results suggest the presence of a microbial environment that helps maintain disease stability.
Single-cell analyses of polyclonal Plasmodium vivax infections and their consequences on parasite transmission
Authors: Hazzard Brittany , Sá Juliana , Bogale Haikel , Pascini Tales , Ellis Angela , Amin Shuchi , Armistead Jennifer , Adams John , Wellems Thomas , Serre David
Published: February 2024

Most Plasmodium vivax infections contain genetically distinct parasites, but the consequences of this polyclonality on the development of asexual parasites, their sexual differentiation, and their transmission remain unknown. We describe infections of Saimiri monkeys with two strains of P. vivax and the analyses of 117,350 parasites characterized by single cell RNA sequencing and individually genotyped. In our model, consecutive inoculations fail to establish polyclonal infections. By contrast, simultaneous inoculations of two strains lead to sustained polyclonal infections, although without detectable differences in parasite regulation or sexual commitment. Analyses of sporozoites dissected from mosquitoes fed on coinfected monkeys show that all genotypes are successfully transmitted to mosquitoes. However, after sporozoite inoculation, not all genotypes contribute to the subsequent blood infections, highlighting an important bottleneck during pre-erythrocytic development. Overall, these studies provide new insights on the mechanisms regulating the establishment of polyclonal P. vivax infections and their consequences for disease transmission.