bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The overexpression and clinical significance of TBX15 in human gliomas
Authors: Yan Dongming , Yu Yaping , Ni Qiongwei , Meng Qingwen , Wu Haolin , Ding Shun , Liu Xiaoqian , Tang Caiying , Liu Qibing , Yang Kun
Published: October 2022

T-box transcription factor 15 (TBX15) is upregulated in a variety of tumors and has been reported to promote uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells and induce tumor cells to avoid apoptosis, thus accelerating the malignant transformation of malignant tumors. However, the prognostic value of TBX15 in glioma and its relationship with immune infiltration remain unknown. In this study, we intended to explore the prognostic value of TBX15 and its link to glioma immune infiltration and examine TBX15 expression in pan-cancer using RNAseq data in TPM format from TCGA and GTEx. TBX15 mRNA and protein expressions in glioma cells and adjacent normal tissue were detected and compared by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The effect of TBX15 on survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier Method. The correlation between TBX15 upregulation and the clinicopathological characteristics of glioma patients was assessed by using CGGA and TCGA databases, and the relationship between TBX15 and other genes in glioma was evaluated by using TCGA data. The top 300 genes most significantly associated with TBX15 were selected to establish a PPI network through the STRING database. The relationship between TBX15 mRNA expression and immune cell infiltration was explored by using ssGSEA and the TIMER Database. It was found that TBX15 mRNA expression in glioma tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent normal tissues, and this difference was most obvious in high-grade gliomas. TBX15 expression was increased in human gliomas and associated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and poorer survival prognosis in glioma patients. In addition, elevated TBX15 expression was linked to a collection of genes involved in immunosuppression. In conclusion, TBX15 played an important role in immune cell infiltration in glioma and may prove to be a predictor of the prognosis in glioma patients.
Prediction of surgical outcome by tumor volume doubling time via stereo imaging software in early non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Chia-Chi , Cheng Ya-Fu , Ke Pei-Cing , Chen Yi-Ling , Lin Ching-Min , Wang Bing‑Yen
Published: October 2022

Background:
Volume doubling time (VDT) has been proven to be a powerful predictor of lung cancer progression. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving sublobar resection, the discussion of correlation between VDT and surgery was absent. We propose to investigate the surgical outcomes according to VDT, to see if it could serve as a prognostic predictor preoperatively.
Methods:
We retrospectively studied 96 NSCLC patients post sublobar resection from 2012 to 2018, collecting two chest CT scans preoperatively of each case and calculating VDT. The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to identify the optimal cut-off point of VDTs as 133 days. We divided patients into two groups: VDT < 133 days (n=22) and VDT ≥ 133 days (n=74). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed for comparative purposes.
Results:
Clinical characteristics including gender, smoking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation, tumor stage, and histological type were significantly different between the two groups. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that the consolidation and tumor diameter ratio was the factor of overall survival (OS), and VDT was the only factor of disease-free survival (DFS). The 5-year OS rates of patients with VDTs ≥ 133 days and VDTs < 133 days, respectively, were 89.9% and 71.9% (p = 0.003), and the 5-year DFS rates were 95.9% and 61.5% (p = 0.002).
Conclusions:
As the VDT serves as a powerful prognostic predictor and provides an essential role in planning surgical procedures, the evaluation of VDT preoperatively is highly suggested.
Increase of fibrosis-related genes in doxorubicin-induced senescent human dermal fibroblasts but their secretome does not trigger a paracrine fibrotic response in non-senescent cells
Authors: Nosrati Fariba , Grillari Johannes , Azarnia Mahnaz , Nabiuni Mohammad , Moghadasali Reza , Karimzadeh Latifeh , lammermann Ingo
Published: October 2022

Tissue fibrosis is associated with the aging process of most of our organs, and organ aging correlates with the chronic accumulation of senescent cells. Fibrosis occurs when fibroblasts proliferate and deposit pathological amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to progressive tissue scarring and organ dysfunction. Fibroblasts play a key role in fibrosis, especially in the skin where fibroblasts are the most abundant cell type in the dermis and are mainly responsible for the synthesis of ECM. This study aims to investigate how senescent fibroblasts and their secretome influence dermal fibrosis. Here we used human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) treated with doxorubicin (doxo) to induce senescence. The senescent phenotype of these stress-induced premature senescent (SIPS) cells was confirmed with several markers. The expression of pro-fibrotic genes was quantified and finally, the impact of their secretome on the fibrotic response of non-senescent fibroblasts was assessed. Doxorubicin treatment, induced senescence in fibroblasts which has been confirmed with elevated senescence-associated β- galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, absence of BrdU incorporation, upregulation of p21, and loss of Lamin b1. Expression levels of the pro-fibrotic genes ACTA2 and FN1 increased in SIPS cells, but in contrast to studies using lung fibroblasts the secretome of these cells failed to induce a paracrine fibrotic response in non-senescent cells. In general, these results suggest that these senescent cells are potentially profibrotic, and their accumulation can trigger fibrosis in organs.
Analysis and occurrence of organophosphorus flame retardants and their metabolites in animal derived food
Authors: Li Yuanwei , Li Jinyang , Fu Xiaojiao
Published: October 2022

An optimized QuEChERS method for simultaneous extraction of 11 OPFRs and 7 mOPFRs in animal derived food was established and analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Briefly, for beef, 4% FA/ACN was used as the extractant and Captiva EMR-Lipid was used to purify the substrate. For fish, 40% MeOH/CAN was used for extraction, followed by 200 mg PSA for purification to achieve the effective extraction of the target compounds. The method has been verified in terms of accuracy and precision. The recoveries of the method were 70%-120%, and the relative standard deviation were less than 20%. This validated method was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of the OPFRs and mOPFRs in animal derived food. The results indicated that TMP and TPrP were below the LODs in all the samples, and the remaining targets were detected to varying degrees. TCEP、TCIPP and BCEP were the primary pollutants in the fish and shrimp, indicating the transformability of OPFRs and mOPFRs. Based on the current research, exposure to OPFRs and mOPFRs through food consumption are safe to human body. However, long term exposure to OPFRs and mOPFRs still needs further study.
Effect of ouabain on glutamate transport in the hippocampus of rats with LPS-induced neuroinflammation
Authors: Garcia Israel José Pereira , Kinoshita Paula Fernanda , Valadares Jéssica Martins Moura , Carvalho Luciana Estefani Drumond , Scavone Cristoforo , Cortes Vanessa Faria , Barbosa Leandro Augusto , Santos Hérica Lima
Published: October 2022

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation rat model was used to study the effects of ouabain (OUA) at low concentrations, which can interact with the Na, K-ATPase, causing the modulation of intracellular signalling pathways in the central nervous system. Our study aimed to analyse the effects of OUA on glutamate transport in the hippocampus of rats with LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: OUA (1.8 µg/kg), saline (CTR), LPS (200 µg/kg), and OUA + LPS (OUA 20 min before LPS). The animals were sacrificed after 2 h, and the hippocampus was collected for analysis. After treatment, we determined the activities of Na, K-ATPase and glutamine synthetase (GS). In addition, expression of the α1, α2, and α3 isoforms of Na, K-ATPase and the glutamate transporters, EAAT1 and EAAT2, were also analysed. Analysis of the expression of the α-isoform of the Na, K-ATPase revealed that treatment with OUA caused an increase in α2 isoform expression (~ 20%), whereas LPS decreased its expression (~ 22%), and the OUA pre-treatment prevented the deleterious effect of LPS. Moreover, LPS caused a decrease of approximately 50% in GS activity compared to that in the CTR group; however, OUA pre-treatment attenuated the LPS effect. Notably, it was found that treatment with OUA caused an increase in the expression of EAAT1 (~ 30%) and EAAT2 (~ 25%), whereas LPS caused a decrease in the expression of EAAT1 (~ 23%) and EAAT2 (~ 25%) compared to that in the CTR group. However, OUA pre-treatment abrogated the effect of LPS. OUA also interacts with FXYD2 and glutamate transporters. Our data suggest a neuroprotective effect of OUA against LPS-induced injury in the rat hippocampus.
Stay here, but keep quiet: the effects of anthropogenic noise on Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Southeastern Brazil.
Authors: Maciel Israel , Belderrain Teresa , Alves Maria Alice Santos , Tardin Rodrigo
Published: October 2022

Shipping is the principal source of anthropogenic noise in the aquatic soundscape of coastal areas. Noise can have temporary or permanent effects on the physiology, behavior, and ecology of the marine mammals and, as noise pollution is considered to be an important threat to Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), we focused on this question in the present study. We modeled the impacts of anthropogenic noise on the acoustic behavior and distribution of these dolphins. We considered the acoustic parameters and occurrence of Guiana dolphins as the response variables and Sound Exposure Levels (SEL) and environmental factors as the explanatory variables. The dolphins used noisier areas but communicated mainly in less noisy areas, given that anthropogenic noise levels induced a reduction in whistle rates. Although the dolphins did not appear to avoid the noisiest areas, their communication was impaired, and there may be areas in which communication is impracticable in this species.
Slc11a1 gene polymorphism influences dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a murine model of acute inflammation
Authors: Andrade Stephane Tereza , Guidugli Tamiris , Rodrigues Bridilla Luiza , Fernandes Natalia Coelho , Guerra Juliana , Borrego Andrea , de Souza Jean Gabriel , Starobinas Nancy , Jensen Jose , Cabrera Wafa , De Franco Marcelo , Ibañez Olga , Massa Solange , Ribeiro Orlando
Published: October 2022

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease characterized by colonic mucosal lesions associated with an increased risk of carcinogenesis. UC pathogenesis involves environmental and genetic factors. Genetic studies have indicated the association of gene variants coding for the divalent metal ion transporter SLC11A1 protein (formerly NRAMP1) with UC susceptibility in several animal species. Two mouse lines were genetically selected for high (AIRmax) or low (AIRmin) acute inflammatory responses (AIR). AIRmax is susceptible, and AIRmin is resistant to DSS-induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AIRmin mice present polymorphism of the Slc11a1 gene. Here we investigated the possible modulating effect of the Slc11a1 R and S variants in DSS-induced colitis by using AIRmin mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R (AIRminRR) or S (AIRminSS) alleles. We evaluated UC by the disease activity index (DAI), considering weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the anus or feces, cytokines, histopathology, and cell populations in the distal colon epithelium. AIRminSS mice have become susceptible to DSS effects, with higher DAI, IL6, G-CSF, and MCP-1 production and morphological and colon histopathological alterations than AIRminRR mice. The results point to a role of the Slc11a1 S allele in UC induction in the genetic background of AIRmin mice.
Exploring the lymph node’s microenvironment for personalized management of Luminal A breast cancer
Authors: Gante Inês , Ribeiro Joana Martins , Mendes João , Gomes Ana , Almeida Vânia , Regateiro Frederico S. , Caramelo Francisco , Silva Henriqueta Coimbra , Dias Margarida Figueiredo
Published: October 2022

Background
Lymph nodes (LNs) are the main doorway for tumor cell metastases from the primary site and its evaluation is a major prognostic factor. The One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) is being adopted worldwide for sentinel-LNs (SLNs) staging in breast cancer (BC). SLNs´ OSNA lysate may be used for gene expression studies, being the potentially ideal samples to search for new markers related to immune response. Using a targeted gene expression approach, we aim to identify transcriptomic patterns of SLNs immune response and biomarkers that may improve risk stratification and personalized therapy for patients with Luminal A BC.
Methods
This was an observational, prospective, pilot study that included 32 patients with Luminal A early-stage BC: 16 patients with OSNA negative SLNs and 16 patients with OSNA positive SLNs. After the OSNA assay, rather than being discarded, the remaining OSNA lysates were prepared for target RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, using the Oncomine™ Immune Response Research Assay. Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for group comparisons was performed by DESeq2 R package (version 1.36.0) in R (version 4.2.0). Data analysis was performed using STATA software, version 13.1, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
In Luminal A BC patients, several genes were upregulated in metastatic SLNs, including KRT7, VTCN1, CD44, GATA3, ALOX15B, RORC and NECTIN2. In macrometastatic SLNs, LRG1, CD276, FOXM1 and IGF1R were also upregulated. In metastatic SLNs, higher values of total tumor load (TTL) correlated with a higher expression of most DEGs. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed three different clusters, not coincident with pN0, pN1mi and pN1 classification.
Conclusions
A better understanding of the complex interplay between cancer cells and host immunity is essential for the choice of personalized treatments in Luminal A BC. The identified DEGs codify proteins mainly involved in cancer aggressiveness and with impact in immune response. These DEGs may improve prognosis accuracy and increase the efficacy and safety of targeted therapies in Luminal A BC patients. As OSNA assay is being implemented for SLNs staging in other cancers, RNA-seq in the OSNA lysate could also have a wider utility.
TSH Level as a Risk Factor for Thyroid Malignancy in Euthyroid Nodules
Authors: Alaraifi Abdulaziz K , Alessa Mohammed , Hijazi Leen O , Alayed Areej M , Alsalem Abdulaziz A
Published: October 2022

Objective
With the increased prevalence of incidental thyroid cancer, determining the predictors of thyroid malignancy has become a source of debate. This study aimed to determine the impact of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels on thyroid cancer incidence in euthyroid nodules.
Methods
A retrospective study included 421 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at a tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2020. Patients' demographics, history of cancer, preoperative workup, and final histology reports were obtained. The study sample was divided into two groups based on the final histopathology (benign vs. malignant). The two groups were compared using the appropriate statistical tests to determine the predictors of thyroid cancer in euthyroid nodules.
Results
TSH level was significantly higher in malignant nodules compared to benign nodules (1.94 vs. 1.62, p = 0.002). It was 1.54 times more likely for thyroid nodules to be malignant when TSH levels were higher (p = 0.038). Meanwhile, larger nodules (> 4 cm) were significantly more prevalent in benign nodules (43.1%) than in malignant nodules (21.1%). Larger nodules decreased the possibility of thyroid cancer by 24% (OR = 0.760, p-value 0.004).
Conclusion
High TSH levels in euthyroid nodules were significantly correlated with the risk of thyroid malignancy. In addition, as Bethesda category proceeded toward malignancy, TSH levels increased. High TSH levels and small nodule sizes can be used as additional parameters in predicting thyroid cancer in euthyroid nodules.
Patient Management With Severe Maxillofacial Infection in Tertiary Hospitals: a Multidisciplinary Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Vergetti Francisco de Assis Crescêncio , Filho Josfran da Silva Ferreira , Gondim Ricardo Franklin , Junior José Maria Sampaio Menezes , Lima Daniel Souza , Silva Paulo Goberlânio de Barros , Carvalho Abrahão Cavalcante Gomes Souza
Published: October 2022

Background: The general objective of this study was to evaluate the management of patients with severe maxillofacial infections in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A study was performed whose methodology consisted of evaluating the epidemiological profile of 35 patients with serious maxillofacial infections, including age group, and gender. The patients were evaluated between December 2020 and November 2021. A total of 35 patients (18 male and 17 female) were recorded in this study.
Results: The most frequent etiological factor leading to infection was dental (91.4%), followed by infected fractures (5.7%). The teeth most frequently involved were the lower third and other lower molars (1st, 2nd, and premolars). The most performed treatment (14 patients) was drainage of the infected space, removal of the etiological agent and intravenous antibiotic therapy. 10 patients (8.6%) were treated with incision, drainage, and antibiotic IV therapy..
Conclusions: Multidisciplinary management can decrease morbidity and mortality in patients with severe maxillofacial infections.
ALKBH5 enhances efficiency of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy by reducing Lnc-XIST/miRNA- 124-3p mediated FGL1 expression in bladder cancer
Authors: Xia Yangyang , Jiang Xuewen , Sang Zunmeng , Zang Maolin , Shi Kai , Cui Jianfeng , Wang Yong , Wang Wenfu , Zhu Yaofeng , Shi Benkang , Chen Shouzhen
Published: October 2022

Background
Fibrinogen-like 1 (FGL1), the promising inhibitory immune checkpoint, has been proved to promote immune escape and abrogate the efficacy of immunotherapy in malignancy. However, knowledge on its dynamic expression and regulatory mechanism in course of cancer immunotherapy is limited in bladder cancer (BCa). The vital roles of N6‑methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation have been identified in multiple biological activities, including tumor immunity. However, the roles of m6A modification on FGL1 expression and anti-tumor immunity are unknown.
Methods
The associations of dynamic FGL1 expression with immunotherapy, tumor-infiltrated immune cells and prognosis in BCa patients were assessed in public datasets, vitro and vivo tumor models. Furthermore, a siRNAs kit targeting m6A related genes were utilized and identified that ALKBH5 regulated the expression of FGL1. Moreover, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (Me‑RIP), RT‑qPCR and rescue experiments were performed to validate the molecular mechanism underlying ALKBH5/Lnc-XIST axis in FGL1 expression. And the luciferase report assays were carried out to identify the sponge of Lnc-XIST with miR-124-3p and interactions between miR-124-3p and FGL1 and PD-L1. The xenograft tumor mice models were constructed to verify the anti-tumor effects of single or combined ICIs in BCa with aberrant expressions of FGL1 and ALKBH5.
Results
In this study, we found that high expression level of FGL1 was associated with poor immunotherapy response and prognosis in BCa. Functionally, elevated FGL1 expression reducing tumor-infiltrated CD8+ T cells and abrogated anti-tumor immunity in an immunocompetent mouse model. Furthermore, ALKBH5 knockdown significantly promoted FGL1 expression via up-regulating Lnc-XIST expression in an m6A dependent manner. Lnc-XIST was found to act as a ceRNA by sponging miR-124-3p which reversed up-regulation of FGL1 induced by ALKBH5. Further analysis identified that PD-L1 was also a downstream target of miR-124-3p in BCa. In addition, co-blockade of FGL1/LAG3 and PD-L1/PD-1 axis motivated more effective antitumor immune response in BCa with low ALKBH5 expressions.
Conclusion
Our study suggested that ALKBH5 regulated FGL1 expression via Lnc-XIST/ miR-124-3p axis in an m6A dependent manner and dual blockade of FGL1/LAG3 and PD-L1/PD-1 axis could significantly inhibit tumor growth in BCa with low-ALKBH5 expressions. These results will provide implications for precise and efficient therapeutic strategies in the BCa immunotherapy.
Predicting Handwritten Devanagari Characters using modified-Lenet Model Architecture
Authors: Dahal Ashim , Kattel Sushan
Published: October 2022

Handwritten character recognition has always been an interesting area of pattern recognition for research in the field of image processing. Unlike its counterpart of English Character Recognition (CR), Devanagari Optical Character Recognition poses its own complications (DOCR). With 36 consonants, 14 vowels and 10 digits, it’s only generic that Nepali Devanagari Optical Character Recognition models tend to go bigger hence less efficient, but, as with all other problems, non efficient solutions are of no use to the real world. This paper includes novel research on accurate yet efficient Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture for DOCR. Dataset from Devanagari Handwritten Character Dataset (DHCD) was used to train the model to result in the highest accuracy achieved on the dataset along with ensured efficiency.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Depression Prevalence Amongst Nigerian Students Pursuing Higher Education
Authors: Cui Sunny , Ajayi Babatunde , Kim Esther , Egonu Remare
Published: October 2022

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders currently going undiagnosed in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Stigmatization, inadequate financial resources, poor healthcare infrastructure for accurate diagnosis, and low research attention are contributing factors to the prevalence of depression among youths in West Africa. This study therefore estimated the prevalence of depression among higher education students in Nigeria. Data was extracted and examined from 1225 publications by three independent reviewers. Pooling of logit-transformed data was done using generalized linear mixed-effects model, while restricted maximum likelihood was used to estimate between-study variance (τ2). Knapp-Hartung adjustments were included for calculating the confidence intervals around pooled effects; and R was used to calculate pooled estimates of depression prevalence. The effect of predictors of depression were examined by subgroup analyses and random-effect meta-regression models. Mean age of students across the 18 studies ranged from 19.09 to 26.3 years, with sample sizes ranging from 81 to 1482 participants. The pooled depression prevalence across studies was 26% (95% CI 0.18, 0.36) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 97%, τ2 = 0.9512). The subgroup analyses showed that higher education students in the Northwestern region of Nigeria have the highest depression prevalence (45.9%), followed by the South-South region (33%), Southeastern (22.1%), and Southwestern region (18.1%). Our findings show that depression among higher education students in Nigeria is highly prevalent. The factors contributing to the high depression prevalence, particularly among higher education students in the Northwestern region of Nigeria, should be investigated.
Effect of crack propagation on surface formation mechanism and surface morphology evaluation of longitudinal–torsional composite ultrasonic mill-grinding of Si3N4
Authors: Yi Shicheng , Qiao Guochao , Zheng Wei , Zhou Ming
Published: October 2022

Crack extension is critical in determining surface forming process and machined surface quality of hard brittle materials. However, there is still a lack of research on this subject. In this work, the effect of crack extension on surface formation mechanism and surface morphology of silicon nitride ceramics was investigated via longitudinal–torsional composite ultrasonic-assisted mill-grinding, and reconstruction model of machined surface morphology considering crack extension was proposed. This model was quantitatively characterized and evaluated by the average roughness Sa and the kurtosis Sku. It is found that simulation results considering crack expansion were in good agreement with experimental results. Average relative errors in average roughness and kurtosis were found to be 7.95% and 9.46%, respectively. Primary effect analysis was performed to understand the influence of process parameters on machined surface morphology. It is found that ultrasonic vibration leads to changes in shear angle and shear velocity of abrasive grains, thereby changing machined surface morphology. Results presented here provide practical method for predicting and controlling machined surface quality during precision machining of ceramic materials.
Economic mechanisms for stimulating business entities in the manufacturing industry
Authors: Tasbulatova Damira S. , Sadu Zhanna N. , Kulubekova Aziya Zh. , Mussina Raushan S. , Temirbayeva Gulnara R.
Published: October 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Health Effects of Liquid and Gaseous Fuels for Household Energy Use: Systematic Evidence Mapping
Authors: Nix Emily , Fleeman Nigel , Lorenzetti Federico , Lewis Jessica , Shen Guofeng , Abebe Lydia , Li Yaojie , Xing Ran , Maden Michelle , Duarte Rui , Bresnahan Rebecca , Williams Kendra N. , Adair-Rohani Heather , Pope Daniel , Puzzolo Elisa
Published: October 2022

Background
Exposure to household air pollution results in a substantial global health burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Household Fuel Combustion stipulate emission rates for household energy devices should meet air quality guidelines and protect health. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, natural gas, and alcohol fuels are considered clean for health due to their low emissions at the point of use. In light of the ongoing energy transition and increasing emphasis on these fuels, it is imperative to provide an updated synthesis of the impacts of these fuels on health.
Methods
A systematic review was completed on the health effects of liquid and gaseous fuels for household energy use for cooking, heating, and lighting across high-, middle- and low-income countries. Comprehensive searches were undertaken in twelve international databases and selected studies were compiled into a new publicly available WHO Health Effects of Household Liquid & Gaseous Fuels Database, containing key study characteristics including pollutants and/or health outcomes measured. This database was then mapped to understand the breadth of evidence and potential gaps.
Results
From 48,130 search results, 587 studies were extracted for inclusion in the database on completion of the full-text review. Studies represented low-, middle- and high-income countries over several decades – there has been a substantial increase in evidence from low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) published in the last decade, particularly in Asia. Most evidence focused on LPG for cooking in LMICs or natural gas used in high-income countries for cooking and heating. Women were the most studied demographic, with self-reported health outcomes and symptoms being the most common assessment method. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides were the most monitored pollutants. A wide array of health symptoms and disease and injury outcomes were assessed, and most concerned respiratory health.
Conclusion
This is the first time that evidence on the health effects of liquid and gaseous fuels for household energy use has been systematically appraised. Most evidence concerned cooking and heating, with a paucity of information on the health effects from lighting. Limited evidence was available on the health effects of liquid fuels (such as alcohol fuels), with most studies concerning gaseous fuels. The WHO Health Effects of Household Liquid & Gaseous Fuels Database represents a valuable resource to examine both the positive and negative health effects from these fuels.
Socioeconomic Disparity in the Association Between Air Pollution Exposure and Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Crepeau Philip , Zhang Zhenyu , Udyavar Rhea , Morris-Wiseman Lilah , Biswal Shyam S. , Ramanathan Murugappan , Mathur Aarti
Published: October 2022

Background
Cumulative exposure to air pollution in the form of fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm [PM2.5]) has been associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study aims to evaluate subgroups of patients at the highest risk.
Methods
Under IRB approval, adult patients (age ≥ 18) newly diagnosed with PTC between 1/2013-12/2016 across a single health care system were identified using electronic medical records. These patients were compared to a control group of patients without any evidence of thyroid disease. Cumulative PM2.5 exposure was calculated for each patient using a deep learning neural networks model, which incorporated meteorological and satellite-based measurements at the patients’ residential zip code. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression was used to quantify the association between cumulative PM2.5 exposure and PTC diagnosis. We tested whether this association differed by gender, race, BMI, smoking history, current alcohol use, and median household income.
Results
A cohort of 1,990 patients with PTC and a control group of 6,919 patients without PTC were identified. Compared to the control group, patients with PTC were more likely to be older (51.2 vs. 48.8 years), female (75.5% vs 46.8%), White (75.2% vs. 61.6%), and never smokers (71.1% vs. 58.4%) (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, race, BMI, current alcohol use, median household income, current smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, and asthma, 3-year cumulative PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 1.41-fold increased odds of PTC diagnosis (95%CI: 1.23–1.62). This association varied by median household income (p-interaction = 0.03). Compared to those with a median annual household income <$50,000, patients with a median annual household income between $50,000 and <$100,000 had a 43% increased risk of PTC diagnosis (aOR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.19–1.72), and patients with median household income ≥$100,000 had a 77% increased risk of PTC diagnosis (aOR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.37–2.29).
Conclusions
Cumulative exposure to PM2.5 over 3 years was significantly associated with the diagnosis of PTC. This association was most pronounced in those with a high median household income, suggesting a difference in access to care among socioeconomic groups.
Money Laundering in Real Estate (RE): The Case of Canada
Authors: Lokanan Mark , Chopra Gaurav
Published: October 2022

Money laundering is a defiance of law and order within the Real Estate (RE) sector in Canada. Laundering of illicit funds impacts the stability, reliability, and integrity of the government, financial institutions, and the economic sectors. Due to its mysterious nature, there are more unknowns about the quantum of snow washing in the property market or its effects on price inflation. Using data from the Cullen Commission about Money Laundering in Canada, this chapter is an effort to examine the nuances that law enforcement encounters while investigating illegal investment operations. This chapter illuminates a broad range of problems around the investigations of on unlawful investments and recommends pragmatic solutions to the illicit flow of money in RE in Canada.
Improved YOLOX-X based UAV aerial photography object detection algorithm
Authors: Wang Xin , He Ning , Hong Chen , Wang Qi , Chen Ming
Published: October 2022

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aerial photography object detection has high research significance in the fields of disaster rescue, ecological environmental protection, and military reconnaissance. The larger width of UAV photography introduces background interference into the detection task, whereas the relatively high imaging height of the UAV results in mostly small objects in the aerial images. A UAV aerial photography object detection algorithm YOLOX_w with improved YOLOX-X is proposed to handle the characteristics of complex backgrounds and the large number of small objects in UAV aerial photography images. The model’s performance in detecting small objects is first improved by preprocessing the training set with the slicing aided hyper inference (SAHI) algorithm and by data augmentation. Then, a shallow feature map with rich spatial information is introduced into the path aggregation network (PAN), and a detection head is added to detect small objects. Next, the ultra-lightweight subspace attention module (ULSAM) is added to the PAN stage to highlight the target features and weaken the background features, which improves the detection accuracy of the network. Finally, the loss function of the bounding box regression is optimized to further improve network prediction accuracy. Experimental results on the VisDrone dataset demonstrate that the detection accuracy of the proposed YOLOX_w algorithm improved by 8% when compared with the baseline YOLOX-X. Moreover, migration experiments on the DIOR dataset verify the effectiveness and robustness of the improved method.
Hydrochemical Characterization of Surface Water in Phewa Lake, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Authors: Pant Ramesh Raj , Qaiser Faizan Ur Rehman , Yadav Ishwar Chandra , Guanxing Wang , Bishwakarma Kiran , Pal Khadka Bahadur , Thapa Lal B , Panthi Khim , Joshi Susan
Published: October 2022

Securing water to satisfy the needs of humans and the ecosystem is one of the prime issues worldwide. This study aims to characterize the hydrochemical properties and water quality of Phewa Lake, Nepal. The mean pH and DO were found to be 7.98 and 6.08 mg/L, respectively. The ionic dominancy of water follows the order of Ca2+>Na+>K+>Mg2+, and HCO3−>SO42−>Cl−>NO3−. The Piper plot characterizes the Ca-HCO3 type of water facies, and the Gibbs diagram indicates the rock weathering as a major controlling mechanism. The high ratios of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/TZ+, (Ca2+ + Mg2+)/(Na++ K+), Ca2+/Na+, and HCO3− /Na+, i.e., 0.84, 5.33, 6.48, and 5.36, respectively also confirmed the dominancy of carbonate weathering. The drinking and irrigational indices revealed that the lake water was relatively better in monsoon compared to the pre-monsoon season. The study provides new insights on hydrochemical characteristics which contribute to the sustainable management of Ramsar-listed lakes in the Himalayas.
DeepVARwT: Deep Learning for a VAR Model with Trend
Authors: Li Xixi , Yuan Jingsong
Published: October 2022

The vector autoregressive (VAR) model has been used to describe the dependence within and across multiple time series. This is a model for stationary time series which can be extended to allow the presence of a deterministic trend in each series. Detrending the data either parametrically or nonparametrically before fitting the VAR model gives rise to more errors in the latter part. In this study, we propose a new approach called DeepVARwT that employs deep learning methodology for maximum likelihood estimation of the trend and the dependence structure at the same time. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network is used for this purpose. To ensure the stability of the model, we enforce the causality condition on the autoregressive coefficients using the transformation of Ansley and Kohn (1986). We provide a simulation study and an application to real data. In the simulation study, we use realistic trend functions generated from real data and compare the estimates with true function/parameter values. In the real data application, we compare the prediction performance of this model with state-of-the-art models in the literature.
The Prevalence of Refractive errors Among a Sample of Syrian Population with Keratoconus
Authors: Akwan Rami , Issa Sameh , Aljaramani Raghad , Alhouri Hasan , Alhouri Ahmad
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Keratoconus is an ectatic disease of the cornea characterized by central or paracentral thinning and steepening that causes a cone-like protrusion of the cornea resulting in reduction in patient's visual acuity usually with progressive myopia and astigmatism. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of refractive errors and grading among a sample of Syrian patients with Keratoconus.

Methods and Materials: It is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at Damascus hospital in Syria between the period (September 2021 till the end of April 2022). The study included both newly diagnosed patients as well as patients doing checkups for their previously diagnosed KCN at the time of study. The topographical variables studied are as follows: Kmax, TL, Pachy apex, and maximum posterior and anterior elevation data measured with (BFTE) reference body within the 8-mm diameter zone. Uncorrected and best corrected distal visual acuities were determined by subjective refraction tests. A phoropter was used to subjectively define the patient's eyeglass prescription and refraction errors. All done without cycloplegic drugs

Results: The sample size analyzed was 93 patients corresponding to 173 eyes. Unilateral involvement was (7.5%) and bilateral KCN was (92.5%) with a male to female distribution (44.1%) to (55.9%) respectively. Mean age was 29.7 ±10.9 within the range of [ 9 - 72 years]. The mean values for topographical variables measured were as follows: K.max (52.7 ± 6.07 D [range; 43 - 74.5]), TL (473.3 ± 43.1 µm [range; 343 - 609]), Pachy (486.05 ± 41.17 µm [range; 369 - 612]), Maximum anterior elevation (14.53 ± 10.08 µm [range; 2 - 48]) and Maximum posterior elevation (31.05 ± 19.36 µm [range; 5 - 93]). Regarding refractive status, mean spherical refraction was: -1.87 ± 3.69 [range: 10.25 to −17.00 D], mean cylindrical refraction was: -2.85 ± 1.9 [range: 0.00 to −10.00] and mean SE refraction was: -3.30 ± 3.98 [range: 8.75 to −20.50 D]. The mean values of the measured UDVA (log Mar) for 149 eyes was 0.5 ± 0.4 [range: 0 to 1.30] and of BCVA (log Mar) with spectacles was 0.14 ± 0.19 [range: 0 to 1.00]. In terms of KCN grading moderate grade was the most common (43.1%) followed by mild grade (45.1%) as for severe grade it accounted for (11.0%) in total. Compound myopic astigmatism (57.2%) constituted the majority of cases followed by Simple myopic astigmatism (23.1%) and Mixed astigmatism (9.9%). Correlation between absolute value of SE and Kmax (r = 0.669, P-value = 0.000) and with TL (r = -0.393, P-value = 0.000)

Conclusion:
The clinical profile of keratoconus in Syrian patients is comparable to other studies worldwide with it being more frequent in females and having Compound myopic astigmatism being the most common refractive error related to eyes with keratoconus.
Continuation of some three-dimensional nearly circular symmetric periodic orbits in the elliptic restricted three-body problem
Authors: Xu Xing-Bo , Song Ye-Zhi
Published: October 2022

Some families of nearly circular symmetric periodic orbits of comet- and Hill-type in the elliptic restricted three-body problem (ERTBP) are numerically explored by the Broyden method with a linear search. These orbits have inclinations near 90°, where the reference plane is the orbital plane of the primaries. Set the ratio of the mean motions between the orbit of the infinitesimal body and the relative orbit of the primaries as m/k. For the masses of the primaries equal, comet-type doubly-periodic orbitsare calculated when 1/98 ≤ m/k ≤ 1/102. These orbits are not stable for all cases of the initial conditions. Set one mass to be small, some symmetric periodic orbits are also found. For the Hill-type orbits, some symmetric periodic orbits are also calculated withone mass big or small.
NMAstudio web-application: A brief tutorial
Authors: Metelli Silvia , Chaimani Anna
Published: October 2022

For a given medical condition, network meta-analysis (NMA) compares multiple available treatments in a network of comparative studies and provides both direct and indirect estimates of the relative effects for all treatments at hand. Despite NMA is increasingly used to inform decision-making, the lack of user-friendly software is still limiting its usage within a restricted community of researchers and end-users. In this tutorial, we describe NMAstudio, a novel user-friendly tool aimed to produce and visualise network meta-analyses in a fully interactive way. NMAstudio enhances visualisation while simplifying the reporting and interpretation of findings. The main feature of the application is a direct visual connection between a customisable network diagram and the main NMA outputs. Specifically, users upload their data and interact with the network diagram by clicking one or more nodes-treatments or edges-comparisons; based on the selection made, tailored outputs and information are displayed. NMAstudio is written in Python and connected to the R package netmeta to produce the NMA estimates.
Forced Burgers equation with sticky impulsion source
Authors: Moutsinga Octave , Nzissila Florent
Published: October 2022

We consider the inviscid Burgers equation with force ∂tu + ∂x(u2/2) = ν, where the discontinuities of initial datum u0 are interpreted as force sources. Thence, ν is the force of shocks in a sticky dynamics of (paradoxically) non accelerated particles, whose the mass distribution field is ∂xu. The force has its own dynamics of density field η = u − w (the experienced impulsion), where w denotes the sticky particle velocity field. Along the sticky particle trajectory t |→ Xt, the processes t |→ η(Xt, t), u(Xt, t), w(Xt, t) are backward martingales.
2010 MSC: 28C05, 35Q35, 35Q53, 76F20, 76F55, 76M35
Lung Injury in COVID-19 and Pneumocystis Pneumonia. Similarities and Differences
Authors: Borodulina E. A. , Vdoushkina E. S. , Yakovleva E. V.
Published: October 2022

In the regions with the high prevalence of HIV infection, it is necessary to perform differential diagnosis of lung injury caused by COVID-19 and pneumocystis pneumonia.

The main complaints in COVID-19 and pneumocystis pneumonia are similar and include dyspnea, weakness, cough, fever, and ground glass radiographic syndrome. However, sputum production was more common in pneumocystis pneumonia. The most important differences were frequent anosmia in COVID-19 and its absence in pneumocystis pneumonia, frequent detection of oropharyngeal candidiasis in pneumocystis pneumonia which was not seen in COVID-19.

Serum hepcidin concentration has a high diagnostic potential and indicates a greater likelihood of COVID-19 than pneumocystis pneumonia at values ≤ 768.044 pg/ml (ROC AUC 0.977; p < 0.001).
Telling a Compelling Story: An Exploration of Cognitive Simplicity in Comic Book Design and Characterisation as Visual Communication for Political, Cultural and Social Influence
Authors: Stephen T. F. Poon
Published: October 2022

The objective of this article is to discuss the role of comics as a source of political and social influence, to understand the challenges in modern comics upholding of aesthetic simplicity and cultural authenticity. To explore comic’s significance and value as a cultural art-form, several aspects of comic design and characterisation development through modernisation are discussed through literature and case studies, based on the problem statement: Can comics be a source of political and social influence? For primary research, qualitative interviews and a survey were conducted among Malaysia’s art and design communities using sequential mixed method research. The aim was to examine target audiences’ perceptions of comic design and shifts in characterisation, and how global cultural trends such as media convergence and entertainment marketing affect comics’ authenticity. Findings suggest that comics are not time-bound products; hence their immense capacity to engage fans despite shifts in characterisations. Significantly, comic art fans in Malaysia seem to adopt a conservative attitude in desiring characters to maintain aesthetic simplicity and cultural authenticity. Overall analysis suggests that maintaining original essence in characterisation enable audiences to understand artists’ authentic cultural experiences through graphic storylines documenting the issues addressed. Results suggest that mainstreaming of comics propel the industry’s future growth through diversification and inclusiveness of social narratives, but audience’s perceptions of comics as a source of political and social influence maybe affected. Future research could probe the degree in which comics’ aesthetics appeal and cognitive simplicity contribute to extending comics’ role as an authentic global cultural art-form.
Art in Health: Malaysian Experience
Authors: Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Bakri  , Mohammad Kamal Sabran
Published: October 2022

Art in healthcare has gone through a broad movement around the world, encompassing how art influences patient care, the hospital environment, care, and community development in medical and other contexts. Therefore, in Malaysia, whether there is a development of art in health has been explored, and this study would like to know the extent to which the development of art intervention in health occurs. Qualitative data through the interview method was used in this study by interviewing medical doctors who had been involved in art interventions in health. Having artistic knowledge in health research is very important to know and understand that many approaches have been used to date.
ALMAN HUKUKUNA GÖRE KASTEN İŞLENEN HAKSIZ FİİLDEN KAYNAKLI ALACAK NEDENİYLE İCRA TAKİBİNDE İŞÇİ ÜCRETİNİN HACZEDİLEMEZ KISMININ MAHKEME TARAFINDAN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: DURAN Osman
Published: October 2022

İşçi ücretinin haczi konusu, Alman Medeni Usul Kanunu (deutsche Zivilprozessordnung; dZPO) m. 850 ve devamı hükümlerinde düzenlemektedir. dZPO m. 850c ise, işçi ücretinin haczedilemez miktarını ayrıntısıyla düzenlemektedir. dZPO m. 850c/1 hükmü şu şekildedir: "İş ücreti, ödendiği döneme bağlı olarak aylık 1.178,58 Avro, haftalık 271,24 Avro veya günlük 54,25 Avro tutarından daha fazla değil ise haczedilemez". Ancak bu hüküm, borçlunun veya alacaklının özel, bireysel ihtiyaçlarının söz konusu olduğu somut olaylarda hem borçlu hem de alacaklı açısından haksız sonuçlara, adaletsizliklere yol açabilir. Alman kanun koyucusu ortaya çıkacak bu haksız sonuçları, adaletsizlikleri göz önünde bulundurarak dZPO m. 850f hükmünü getirmiştir. dZPO m. 850f hükmüyle, dZPO m. 850c'nin genel düzenlemesiyle ortaya çıkabilecek sakıncalar, somut olaya uygun dengelemeyle (somut olay adaleti gerçekleştirilerek) ortadan kaldırılabilecektir. Çalışma konumuzu oluşturan dZPO m. 850f'nin 2. fıkrası, kasten işlenen haksız fiilden kaynaklı alacağın alacaklısı yararına, dZPO m. 850c'deki işçi ücretinin haczedilemez tutarının azaltılmasına imkan vermektedir. dZPO m. 850f/2 hükmü şu şekildedir: "Kasten işlenen haksız fiilden kaynaklı alacak nedeniyle icra takibi yapılırsa, icra mahkemesi alacaklının talebi üzerine iş ücretinin hazcedilebilir kısmını madde 850c'de öngörülen sınırlamaları dikkate almadan belirleyebilir; fakat borçluya gerekli geçimini ve devam eden kanuni nafaka yükümlülüklerine yerine getirmek için gerekli olan kadarı bırakılmalıdır". Çalışmamızda işte dZPO 850f/2 hükmü incelenmeye çalışılacaktır.