bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of borax-modified activator on mechanical properties and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag/metakaolin mortar
Authors: Chen Haiming , Qin Ziguang , Chen Jie , Zhang Yadong , Wu Peng
Published: January 2024

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) possess several advantages, such as high strengths and low carbon emissions. However, their application is hindered due to their significant shrinkage. This study explored the effect of borax-modified sodium silicate activator and metakaolin (MK) on the mechanical properties and drying shrinkage (DS) of alkali-activated slag (AAS) and AAS/MK (AASM) mortars. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the hydration products. The results show that the DS reduction of the AAS mortar is related to decreased Na2O content, a reduction in the proportion of mesopores, and the formation of moisture-retaining borate compounds. The DS reduction of the AASM mortar is attributed to the ultra-fine differential effect induced by MK, reducing the connected pores. The modified activator combined with MK increased the chemically bound water content in the matrix. Additionally, the B-O bond and highly active MK improved compactness of the AASM mortar.
A macroevolution-inspired approach to reveal novel antibiotic resistance mechanisms
Authors: de Carvalho Luiz Pedro , Subtil Fernanda , Machado Teresa , Douglas Holly , Kirkpatrick Joanna , Skehel Mark , Garza-Garcia Acely
Published: January 2024

With the continuous rise in antibiotic resistance, novel methods that can reveal currently unknown antibiotic resistance mechanisms are essential to prepare and inform health responses. Here we built a library of species representative of the genus Mycobacterium and determined their antibiotic resistance profiles, allowing systematic multispecies comparisons. Analyzing antibiotic resistance in the context of other closely related organisms revealed species with truly exceptional traits, thus providing a solid starting point for the exploration of novel determinants of antibiotic resistance. We illustrate the utility of this genus-level approach to discovery of novel traits by characterizing a previously unrecognized rifamycin-inactivating enzyme that is present in a wide range of bacterial genera.
Long-term complaints and quality of life among COVID-19 survivors in the Hail region; KSA
Authors: almoliky Mokhtar abdu , saleh khalil abdulqawi , alkubati Sameer abdulmalik
Published: January 2024

Background: The novel pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) has rapidly disseminated and caused millions of coronavirus infections and deaths. Post-COVID-19 sequelae with particular systemic long-term complaints were defined and ultimately led to an impairment in health-related quality of life for a long time after recovery.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the long-term complaints of COVID-19 survivors and their impact on their quality of life in the Hail region, KSA.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with a random sample of 295 COVID-19 survivors to determine the long-term complaints of COVID-19 and its impact on quality of life in the Hail region. Long-term complaint data related to COVID-19 were collected viaa self-report questionnaire, while quality of life was measured via the EQ-5D scale.
Results: More than half of the participants complained of fatigue (60%), followed by frequent headache (59%), loss of appetite (54.9%), arthralgia/myalgia (51%), cough (46%) and difficult breathing (36.9%). The overall quality of life was poor among survivors (M±SD 11.911± 3.760), while anxiety and depression were the most common. Thehealth-related quality of life was significantly related to activity, smoking status, fever, cough, fatigue, headache, duration of disease, level of help, and oxygen therapy (p< 0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that marital status (p= 0.001), regular and irregular physical activity (p= 0.008 and 0.011), duration of hospitalization (p <0.011), and oxygen therapy (p <0.027) were the independent factors affecting quality of life post-COVID-19.
Conclusion: Approximately two-thirds of the COVID-19 survivors experienced long-term complaints, while more than half of them experienced impaired quality of life. Therefore, health care facilities must establish prolonged care plans to improve health status and promote quality of life among COVID-19 survivors.
Isolation and Genetic Characteristics of Novel H4N1 Avian Influenza Viruses in ChongQing, China
Authors: He Jinyue , Deng Jing , Wen Xianxian , Yan Mengyuan , Liu Yang , Zhou Yunqiu , Du XuBin , Yang Han , Peng Xiaobin
Published: January 2024

Background: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) constitute significant zoonotic pathogens encompassing a broad spectrum of subtypes. Notably, the H4 subtype of AIVs has a pronounced ability to shift hosts. The escalating prevalence of the H4 subtype heightens the concern for its zoonotic potential, signaling an urgent call for vigilance.
Methods: We developed a comprehensive protocol that incorporates nucleic acid testing, gene sequencing, isolation culture, and resequencing for the evaluation of AIV in environmental samples. During this process, the H4N1 subtype of AIV isolated from a live poultry market was subjected to whole-genome sequencing and subsequent analysis.
Results: Between December 2021 and November 2023, 934 environmental samples were evaluated, and we isolated an H4N1 subtype AIV (CS01) for the first time from a live poultry market and determined its complete genome sequence. Subsequent analysis revealed that CS01 shares genetic characteristics with H4N2, H6N1, and H3N2; moreover, the receptor-binding pocket sequence of CS01 exhibited high similarity to that of other H4N1 strains, with 32 notable mutation sites.
Conclusions: Our study heralded the first isolation of the H4N1 subtype of AIV from a live poultry market teeming human activity. Subsequent analysis revealed that CS01 is a recombinant virus that possesses zoonotic potential and harbors a variety of pathogenicity-enhancing mutations. The isolation of CS01 highlights the importance of active monitoring in heavily contaminated live poultry markets as an effective approach to study AIVs.
Impact of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department-to-intensive care unit admissions in Korea: An interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Lee Kyung-Shin , Han Changwoo , Min Hye Sook , Lee Jeehye , Youn Seok Hwa , Kim Younghwan , Moon Jae Young , Lee Young Seok , Kim Su Jin , Sung Ho Kyung
Published: January 2024

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in significant disruptions to critical care systems globally. However, research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive care unit (ICU) admissions via the emergency department (ED) is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the changes in the number of ED-to-ICU admissions and clinical outcomes in the periods before and during the pandemic. Methods We identified all adult patients admitted to the ICU through level 1 or 2 EDs in Korea between February 2018 and January 2021. February 2020 was considered the onset point of the COVID-19 pandemic. The monthly changes in the number of ED-to-ICU admissions and the in-hospital mortality rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated using interrupted time-series analysis. Results Among the 555,793 adult ED-to-ICU admissions, the number of ED-to-ICU admissions during the pandemic decreased compared to that before the pandemic (step change, 0.916; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.869–0.966], although the trend did not attain statistical significance (slope change, 0.997; 95% CI 0.991–1.003). The proportion of patients who arrived by emergency medical services, those transferred from other hospitals, and those with injuries declined significantly among the number of ED-to-ICU admissions during the pandemic. The proportion of in-hospital deaths significantly increased during the pandemic (step change, 1.054; 95% CI 1.003–1.108); however, the trend did not attain statistical significance (slope change, 1.001; 95% CI 0.996–1.007). Mortality rates in patients with an ED length of stay of ≥ 6 h until admission to the ICU rose abruptly following the onset of the pandemic (step change, 1.169; 95% CI 1.021–1.339). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected ED-to-ICU admission and in-hospital mortality rates in Korea. This study’s findings have important implications for healthcare providers and policymakers planning the management of future outbreaks of infectious diseases. Strategies are needed to address the challenges posed by pandemics and improve the outcomes in critically ill patients.
Energy Absorption and Resilience in Quasi-Static Loading of Foam-Formed Cellulose Fibre Materials
Authors: Pääkkönen Elina , Ketoja Jukka A. , Paltakari Jouni
Published: January 2024

To avoid microplastic pollution, there is an urgent need to replace fossil-based cushioning materials in packaging with easily recyclable alternatives. Here, we investigated the potential of lightweight fibre materials as a solution for mechanical protection. The quasi-static energy absorption properties were studied among a vast set of 129 different foam-formed trial points with material density ranging from 21 kg/m3 to 123 kg/m3. The trial points included two different fibre types, bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) and bleached chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP), with varied refining level, pulp consistency, foaming conditions, surfactant type, strength additives, and final material density and thickness. Besides a statistical analysis of factors affecting compression stress and resilience, the results were reflected against a theoretical prediction of energy absorption for an ideal low-density random fibre network. The theory predicts the initially-high cushion factor to rapidly drop down to the level of 4‒5 at 40‒80% compression. A similar behaviour was seen among the actual samples, despite their various non-ideal features. At 50% compression, the average cushion factor across the whole data set was 4.84 ± 0.10, being close to the theoretical prediction of 4.61 for the ideal case. The smallest cushion factor of 3.6 was found for a CTMP sample. The recovery from compression varied slightly among the samples and appeared highest for the material density of 60‒100 kg/m3, following the predicted proportion of non-buckled fibre segments. The above results suggest that fibre-based materials work best as cushions when a soft initial response is preferred, which is the case for fragile items.
GPT-4 Performance on Querying Scientific Publications: Reproducibility, Accuracy, and Impact of an Instruction Sheet
Authors: Tao Kaiming , Osman Zachary A. , Tzou Philip L. , Rhee Soo-Yon , Ahluwalia Vineet , Shafer Robert W.
Published: January 2024

Background
Large language models (LLMs) that could efficiently screen and identify studies fulfilling specific criteria, as well as those capable of data extraction from publications, would streamline literature reviews and enhance knowledge discovery by lessening the burden on human reviewers.
Methods
We created an automated pipeline utilizing OpenAI GPT-4 32K API version “2023-05-15” to evaluate the accuracy of the LLM GPT-4 when responding to queries about published studies on HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) with and without an instruction sheet containing specialized HIVDR knowledge. We designed 60 questions pertaining to HIVDR and created markdown versions of 60 published HIVDR studies in PubMed. We presented the 60 studies to GPT-4 in four configurations: (1) all 60 questions simultaneously; (2) all 60 questions simultaneously with the instruction sheet; (3) each of the 60 questions individually; and (4) each of the 60 questions individually with the instruction sheet.
Results
GPT-4 achieved a median accuracy of 87% – 24% higher than when the answers to studies were permuted. The standard deviation of three replicates for the 60 questions ranged from 0 to 5.3% with a median of 1.2%. The instruction sheet did not increase GPT-4’s accuracy. GPT-4 was more likely to provide false positive answers when the 60 questions were submitted individually compared to when they were submitted together.
Conclusions
The inability of GPT-4 to utilize the instruction sheet suggests that more sophisticated prompt engineering approaches or the finetuning of an open source model are required to further improve the ability to answer questions about highly specialized research studies.
Pediatric submandibular pleomorphic adenoma: Three cases and role of fine needle aspiration biopsy
Authors: İNAN Hakkı Caner , ÖZDAL Miraç Elif , ıssın Gizem , ÖZER Mehmet
Published: January 2024

Pediatric submandibular pleomorphic adenomas are very rare benign tumors. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is useful preoperative diagnosis to avoid tumor rupture and seeding. We presented 3 cases of submandibular pleomorphic adenoma and their clinical and pathological characteristics.
Altered somatosensory processing in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Frost-Karlsson Morgan , Capusan Andrea Johansson , Olausson Håkan , Boehme Rebecca
Published: January 2024

Background Tactile sensitivity and sensory overload in ADHD are well-documented in clinical-, self-, and parent- reports, but empirical evidence is scarce and ambiguous and focuses primarily on children. Here, we compare both empirical and self-report tactile sensitivity and ADHD symptomatology in adults with ADHD and neurotypical controls. We evaluate whether tactile sensitivity and integration is more prevalent in ADHD and whether it is related to ADHD symptom severity.Methods Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) amplitudes were measured in 27 adults with ADHD and 24 controls during four conditions (rest, stroking of the own arm, stroking of the arm by a researcher, and stroking of an object). Participants also filled out questionnaires on tactile sensitivity and ADHD symptoms and performed a Qb-test as an objective measure of ADHD symptom severity.Results Participants with ADHD self-reported greater tactile sensitivity and ADHD symptom severity than controls and received higher scores on the Qb-test. These values correlated with one another. ADHD participants showed lower tolerable threshold for electrical radial nerve stimulus, and greater reduction in cortical SEP amplitudes during additional tactile stimuli which was correlated with ADHD symptoms.Conclusions We find that ADHD symptomatology and touch sensitivity are directly linked, using both self-reports and experimental measures. We also find evidence of tactile sensory overload in ADHD, and an indication that this is linked to inattention specifically. Tactile sensitivity and sensory overload impact the functioning and life quality of many people with ADHD, and clinicians should consider this when treating their patients.
Extraction of therapeutic protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its cytotoxic effects on cancer cells
Authors: Aswarthagari Harinatha Reddy , Kiranmayi Lakshmi , Gurujala Nageswari , Bada Venkatappa
Published: January 2024

In the present study Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from immune-compromised patients. P. aeruginosa was identified based on the microscopic observations and biochemical characterization. The Azurin (AZU) gene was exercised form the Genomic DNA of selected P. aeruginosa strain and was cloned in expression vector pMAL-c2X of E.coli BL-21. The cloned cells are screened by blue-white screening method and the expressed azurin after cell lysis was extracted by ammonium precipitation method and purified by dialysis and an ion exchange chromatography techniques. Azurin protein purified was separated and identified by SDS-PAGE. The effect of azurin on proliferation and apoptosis of HCT 15 and T47D cancer cell lines cell line was studied. The results showed that azurin strongly inhibited the proliferation of both colon carcinoma cell line and breast cancer cell line but not on normal cells. These results suggest that r-Azu would be a potential candidate for anticancer drugs and deserves further study.
Low field nuclear magnetic resonance as a potential tool for differentiating bedded and nodular cherts outcrops
Authors: Fajt Michal , Mazur-Rosmus Weronika , Stefanska Anna , Kochman Alicja , Krzyzak Artur
Published: January 2024

Siliceous rocks, mainly nodular cherts, served as raw materials in the production of stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic onwards. Due to migration, the provenance of archaeological artefacts can differ from their outcrop location. The aim of this work was the application of 1D and 2D low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry to distinguish cherts by sampling location. Herein, bedded cherts and accompanying nodular cherts coming from three different outcrops were investigated. 1D and 2D (T1-T2) experiments of saturated rock samples delivered T1, T2 times and T1/T2 ratios of distinct hydrogen populations – parameters sensitive to pore size, surface properties, and hydrogen bonding length. An in-depth analysis of porosity showed substantial differences in the pore structure properties which made it sufficient for grouping chert samples by outcrop location, using principal component analysis (PCA). All proposed NMR parameters obtained nondestructively allowed to distinguish not only different chert types but also different outcrops of bedded and nodular cherts.
Influencing factors of abnormal bone mass in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women based on health ecology model: A cross-sectional study
Authors: He Haiyang , Yang Jialing , Wen Qian , Zhou Yaoyao , Wang Meng , Cheng Zhifeng , Li Ning , Li Yangmei , Liu Dongyang , Ren Meihong , Su Han , Tang Ling , Deng Jie , Fan Yao , Zhou Mingfang , Yu Lili , Lei Xun
Published: January 2024

Background
As the world's population ages, bone health has become a major public problem. The incidence of osteoporosis in women will further increase due to the decline of oestrogen after menopause. In this study, we used a health ecology model to explore the factors affecting abnormal bone mass in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women at different levels, and to provide a basis for the management and prevention of abnormal bone mass in women at this stage of life in China.
Methods
From October 2022 to September 2023, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged ≥ 40 years admitted to five recruited hospitals in China were recruited by purposive sampling method.Information on five levels of the health ecology model, including personal traits, behavioral characteristics, interpersonal network, working and living conditions, and policy environment was collected through structured questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using a structural equation model.
Results
Among 531 participants, 248 subjects had normal bone mass, 230 had osteopenia and 53 had osteoporosis. The results of the structural equation model showed that personal traits had the strongest direct positive effect on bone mass abnormality (β = 0.417, P < 0.05); behavioural characteristics had a direct positive effect on bone mass abnormality (β = 0.253, P < 0.05); interpersonal network had a direct negative effect on bone mass abnormality (β=-0.268, P < 0.05) and an indirect effect through personal traits; living conditions have a direct negative effect on bone mass abnormalities (β=-0.248,P < 0.05), and indirect effect through behavioural traits and interpersonal network; medical insurance can have an indirect effect on bone mass abnormalities through living conditions and interpersonal network.
Conclusion
Currently, the prevalence of abnormal bone mass in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is high in China. Combined with the health ecology model, we found that personal characteristics and unhealthy behavior characteristics are risk factors for abnormal bone mass, higher social support and living conditions are protective factors for abnormal bone mass, which could indirectly affect abnormal bone mass, and medical insurance can indirectly affect abnormal bone mass. Future policy recommendations for the prevention of abnormal bone mass can be based on the factors and pathways that affect abnormal bone mass in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women identified in this study, in order to reduce the incidence of abnormal bone mass and improve the quality of life of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Longitudinal MRI monitoring of negative lymph node identifies prognostic diversity and therapeutic implications in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Dai Dong-Yu , He Shui-Qing , Zhang Shu , Yang Kai-Bin , Jiang Wei , Li Ji-Bin , Liu Li-Zhi , Sun Ying , Huang Ying , Ma Jun , Xu Cheng
Published: January 2024

Objectives To investigate the value of negative lymph node (LNneg) in prognostic prediction and therapeutic implications in the N0 subgroup (T3–4N0M0) of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods All patients in this retrospective cohort study were consecutively extracted from an NPC-specific database (N = 15,126) and treated using concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with/without induction chemotherapy (IC) during 2009–2017. Cervical LNneg distribution was dichotomized per MRI-based features as the concentrated and dispersed types. The association of overall survival (OS) with LNneg size, distribution, and regression was investigated using Cox analysis. LNneg regression was explored from three aspects: speed, extent, and overall pattern. Results In 724 included patients (mean age: 47 +/- 11 [standard deviation], 533 men), the dispersed type of cervical LNneg had a significant higher 5-year OS than the concentrated type (95.0% vs. 89.0%;P-value = .005), which was mainly due to its smaller nodal metastasis rate (3.2% vs. 13.0%) and validated in low-infection status (albumin > 40g/L, C-reactive protein ≤ 3mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase ≤ 250U/L). IC + CCRT and CCRT with ≥ 200mg cisplatin benefited the concentrated (HR = 0.47 [95% CI = 0.22–0.98];P-value = .004) and dispersed types (HR = 0.18 [0.06–0.54];P-value = .002), respectively. IC + CCRT induced a generally greater and faster LNneg regression than CCRT. The concentrated type preferred to show an overall regression pattern than the dispersed type. Reduction in short/long axial diameter of the largest cervical LNneg of ≥ 3.0mm/4.0mm was an OS improvement indicator. Conclusion MRI-based cervical LNneg distribution and regression predicted prognosis and identified high-risk cases of the N0 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC (i.e., concentrated type) to receive IC + CCRT.
Comparative Study of Ultrasound Attenuation Analysis and Controlled Attenuation Parameter in the Diagnosis and Grading of Liver Steatosis in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients
Authors: Wang Mengyun , Tang Shuzhen , Li Guoqiu , Huang Zhibin , Mo Sijie , Yang Keen , Chen Jing , Du Baishan , Xu Jinfeng , Ding Zhimin , Dong Fajin
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To assess the diagnostic performance of Ultrasound Attenuation Analysis (USAT) in the diagnosis and grading of hepatic steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using Controlled Attenuation Parameters (CAP) as a reference.
Materials and Methods
From February 13, 2023, to September 26, 2023, participants underwent CAP and USAT examinations on the same day. We used manufacturer-recommended CAP thresholds to categorize the stages of hepatic steatosis: stage 1 (mild) − 240 dB/m, stage 2 (moderate) − 265 dB/m, stage 3 (severe) − 295 dB/m. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were employed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of USAT and determine the thresholds for different levels of hepatic steatosis.
Results
Using CAP as the reference, we observed that the average USAT value increased with the severity of hepatic steatosis, and the differences in USAT values among the different hepatic steatosis groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between USAT and CAP (r = 0.674, p < 0.0001). When using CAP as the reference, the optimal cut-off values for diagnosing and predicting different levels of hepatic steatosis with USAT were as follows: the cut-off value for excluding the presence of hepatic steatosis was 0.54 dB/cm/MHz (AUC 0.96); for mild hepatic steatosis, it was 0.59 dB/cm/MHz (AUC 0.86); for moderate hepatic steatosis, it was 0.73 dB/cm/MHz (AUC 0.81); and for severe hepatic steatosis, it was 0.87 dB/cm/MHz (AUC 0.87).
Conclusion
USAT exhibits strong diagnostic performance for hepatic steatosis and shows a high correlation with CAP values.
Low BMI Demonstrates Satisfactory Specificity for Diagnosing Malnutrition and is Associated with Longer Hospitalization in Patients with Gastrointestinal or Head and Neck Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Soares Camilla , Stefani Giovanna , Scott Laura , Crestani Mariana , Steemburgo Thais
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Few studies have evaluated the individual performance of the nutritional indicators body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), and handgrip strength (HGS) for the diagnosis of malnutrition in the cancer setting. We aimed to evaluate the ability of these nutritional indicators to accurately diagnose malnutrition and their association with hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients with cancer.
Methods
This cohort study prospectively evaluated 171 patients with gastrointestinal or head and neck cancer. Nutritional status was assessed within 48 hours of hospital admission using BMI, CC, and HGS as well as 2 reference standards: Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Patient-Generated SGA (PG-SGA). The accuracy of each nutritional indicator was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), compared with the reference standards. Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, was used to determine whether malnutrition was associated with LOS.
Results
Of 171 patients, 59.1% had low CC, 46.2% had low HGS, and 13.5% had low BMI. The SGA and PG-SGA scores indicated malnutrition in 57.3% and 87.1% of patients, respectively. All nutritional indicators had poor accuracy in diagnosing malnutrition (AUC < 0.70). However, compared with SGA and PG-SGA, low BMI had satisfactory specificity (> 80%) and was associated with 1.79 times higher odds of LOS ≥ 6 days. Malnutrition diagnosed by SGA and PG-SGA increased the odds of LOS ≥ 6 days by 3.60-fold and 2.78-fold, respectively.
Conclusion
Low BMI showed adequate specificity for diagnosing malnutrition and was associated with longer LOS in patients with gastrointestinal or head and neck cancer.
Circular RNA circ_ARHGEF28 inhibits MST1/2 dimerization to suppress Hippo pathway to induce cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Lei Ruilin , long yun , Li Qingjian , Xie Qingsheng , Ling Xiaoting , Xie Meiqing , Zhou Hui , Zhang Bingzhong
Published: January 2024

Background: The chemotherapy drug cisplatin is the backbone of the treatment of ovarian cancer, and patients who develop resistance to cisplatin are associated with poor survival. Circular RNA was associated with cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer.However,the mechanism of interaction between circular RNA and cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer remains unclear and needs to be further explored.
Methods:High-throughput sequencing analysis was performed to identify circRNA expression profiles in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer. Gain and loss function experiment were performed to verify the sensitivity of cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to demonstrate the cellular location of circRNA.RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation were were performed to identify the binding protein of circRNA.
Result:We found that circ_ARHGEF28 overexpressed in some cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines and was associated with poor PFS in ovarian cancer patients.The circ_ARHGEF28 induced cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo.Furthermore, circ_ARHGEF28interacted directly with MST1/2 and blocked the SARAH coiled-coil binding domains of MST1/2 to deactivate the Hippo pathway.
Conclusion:We identified a novel circular RNA circ_ARHGEF28 induced cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by suppressing the Hippo pathway.As a result of our findings, targeting circ_ARHGEF28 may be a potential strategy to overcome cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.
Invariances in relations between the rates of mortality and aging captured by a generalization of the Gompertz-Makeham law: Lessons from Caucasus
Authors: Golubev A.
Published: January 2024

Among scarce biological relations qualifiable as laws, the Gompertz-Makeham law (GML) stands out being directly related to life-and-death issues. GML may be written as: -[dn(t)/n(t)]/dt≡µ(t) = e^(-v + γt) + C = e^(-v)*e^(gt) + C = µ0*e^(gt) + C, where µ(t) is mortality rate (MR), v captures vitality (resistance to mortality), g captures aging-associated v decrease, µ0 = 1/e^v is the initial MR, and C captures the MR part attributable to external (background) hazards irresistible at any age. GML status is questionable since, upon the common assumptions that vitality decreases linearly and C is constant, MR-vs-age trajectories violate GML, especially at later ages. A generalized GML (GGML) µ(t) = C(t)+µ0*e^[f(t)] suggests that MR increases exponentially IF vitality decreases linearly, i.e. IF f(t) = gt, and C = 0. GGML produces µ(t) changes from any vitality changes by exponentiation and, from any background hazardousness changes, in a linear way. Thus, f(t) may be deduced from µ(t), provided C(t) is treated properly. Based on this, it may be shown that a hump of the biological aging rate revealed through the lens of GGML at ages 65 to 90 years in low C(t) countries featuring high life expectancies may be discerned also in high C(t) countries by taking into account that C(t) there is increased mostly in the middle of age span, as in the North Caucasus and some other Russian Federation regions. Thus, GGML captures relational invariants inherent in the animate nature and discernable even beneath such multifactorial phenomena as human mortality and its such diverse manifestations as mortality kinetics. These invariants constrain advances in human life expectancy.
A simple and practical method to increase the infectivity of wild isolates of Plasmodium falciparum to mosquito vectors
Authors: Ouattara Seydou Bienvenu , Hien Domonbabele F. D. S. , Nao Ekôbié T. , Paré Prisca S. L. , Guissou Edwige , Cohuet Anna , Morlais Isabelle , Yerbanga Rakiswendé S. , Dabiré Kounbobr R. , Ouédraogo Jean Bosco , Mouline Karine , Lefèvre Thierry
Published: January 2024

Background
The direct membrane feeding assay (DMFA), whereby gametocyte-infected blood is collected from human donors and from which mosquitoes feed through a membrane, is proving essential for assessing parameters influencing Plasmodium transmission potential in endemic countries. The success of DMFAs is closely tied to gametocyte density in the blood, with relatively high gametocytemia ensuring optimal infection levels in mosquitoes. As transmission intensity declines with control efforts, occurrence of low gametocyte densities is increasing, posing a limitation to studies relying on the experimental infection of large numbers of mosquitoes with natural isolates of Plasmodium. A simple, field-applicable method is presented for improving parasite infectivity by concentrating Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes.
Methods
Anopheles gambiae received one of the following 5 blood treatments through DMFA: (i) whole blood (WB) samples from naturally-infected donors; (ii) donor blood whose plasma was replaced with the same volume of Plasmodium-naive AB + serum (1:1 control); (iii) plasma replaced with a volume of malaria-naïve AB + serum equivalent to half (1:1/2), or to a quarter (1:1/4), of the initial plasma volume; and (v) donor blood whose plasma was fully removed (RBC). The experiment was repeated 4 times using 4 distinct wild parasite isolates. Seven days post-infection, a total of 1,095 midguts were examined for oocyst presence.
Results
Substituting plasma with reduced amounts (1:1/2 and 1:1/4) of Plasmodium-naive AB + serum led to a 31% and 17% increase of the mosquito infection rate and to a 85% and 308% increase in infection intensity compared to the 1:1 control, respectively. The full removal of plasma (RBC) reduced the infection rate by 58% and the intensity by 64% compared to the 1:1 control. Reducing serum volumes (1:1/2; 1:1/4 and RBC) had no impact on mosquito feeding rate and survival when compared to the 1:1 control.
Conclusions
Concentrating gametocytic blood by replacing natural plasma by lower amount of naive serum can enhance the success of mosquito infection. In an area with low gametocyte density, our simple and practical method of parasite concentration can facilitate studies on human-to-mosquito transmission such as the evaluation of transmission blocking interventions.
Revolutionizing Neurostimulator Care: Enhancing Remote Health Monitoring through SDN-Cloud Networks
Authors: Antony Leo Prasanth Lourdu , Elangovan Uma
Published: January 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are the fastest-growing technological approaches globally. With the rising urban population, the concept of a smart city isn't new. To effectively integrate IoT and AI into remote healthcare monitoring (RHM) systems within smart cities, we must have a comprehensive grasp of smart city frameworks. Our proposed model focuses on gathering data from an auricular therapy device, a neurostimulator that provides non-invasive stimulation to the outer ear. This device communicates via Bluetooth, allowing data exchange between the patient's and doctor's phones. After collecting the brain signal data, it's processed to eliminate noise and is normalized. This data is then classified using the adaptive fuzzy based Bayesian metasalp neural network (AFBBMNN) combined with levy flight secure offloading analysis in Software Defined Networking (SDN). The results prominently emphasize the need for enhanced healthcare provision. This information is then relayed to doctors via a cloud-SDN module that comprises a communication phase, cloud server, and cloud database where the signals are stored. The proposed method offers promising outcomes, emphasizing its viability as an efficient tool for early neurological disease detection and treatment within a smart city healthcare framework.
Connection Between Mainland-indochina Monsoon Onset Dates and Cyclones Over Andaman Sea Bay of Bengal Basin
Authors: Oo Kyaw , JONAH Kazoraa
Published: January 2024

This study delves into the intricate connection between Mainland Indochina Southwest Monsoon (MSWM) onset dates and tropical cyclones (TCs) over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) and Arabian Sea (ABMS). Utilizing datasets like IBTrACS, ERA5 reanalysis, and CHRIPS daily rainfall data, the research highlights the influence of TCs on monsoon onset, emphasizing sea surface temperatures and rainfall intensity. The bimodal distribution of cyclones during early and late-onset years is noted, characterizing MSWM onset by the April-June TC count. Significant correlations emerge between cyclone frequency, monsoon onset dates, SST, and rainfall patterns. Cyclones impact agriculture, water resources, and disaster preparedness in monsoon-dependent regions. Employing a robust methodology, the study reveals a complex relationship between TCs and monsoon onset, with early-onset years experiencing higher TC numbers. Additionally, the research explores the impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), associating positive phases with late monsoon onset and negative phases with early onset and increased rainfall. The findings underscore TCs' multifaceted role in shaping the monsoon, offering insights into intricate climate variables and cyclone dynamics in the northern Indian Ocean.
Primary amenorrheic girls with persistent hyperandrogenemia：a case report
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Jing , Qiao Lin
Published: January 2024

BackgroundHyperandrogenemia in women is most commonly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, but is very rare due to abnormal sexual development.
Case presentationWe report a 16-year-old girl who initially visited at the Reproductive Endocrinology Unit for "primary amenorrhea" and was found to have a "naive uterus". Then uterine growth was promoted by using oral natural estrogens and progestins, followed by oral contraceptives to help breast development and inducing menstruation. However, when the patient visited one year later, the high level of serum testosterone was found by another senior physician (testosterone fluctuating from 0.828-3.91 ng /ml during the unmedicated period) in the outpatient clinic.
Therefore, many tests have been scheduled for this young woman to find the source of high level testosterone, including pelvic ultrasound to check the ovary, abdominal ultrasound to examine the adrenal gland, blood test to check the chromosome and adrenal-related hormones，MRI to examine the development of organs in the pelvis. The patient was admitted to the hospital and underwent laparoscopic exploratory surgery, testis-like tissue was found by both naked eye and pathological biopsy. The postoperative paraffin pathology report confirmed that the patient was a OT-DSD with one ovary (left) and one ovotestis (right). Testosterone decreased to 0.12 ng/ml on the first postoperative day.
Conclusions In patients with menstrual disorders who have hyperandrogenemia, even if they have normal chromosomes and normal vulvar development, the focus of the diagnosis and treatment is to find out the source and cause of androgens and to treat the cause, instead of simply using drugs to achieve the purpose of reducing androgens and inducing menstruation. Gynecologic endocrinologists and ultrasonographers should be aware of the clinical status of the presence of such rare diseases as ovotestis.
Optimal Formulation of Hybrid Polypropylene Composites Reinforced Crab Shell Flour and Rubberwood Sawdust after Immersing in Different Water Conditions for Applications in Tropical Countries
Authors: Khamtree Sriwan , Homkhiew Chatree , Sriva Chainarong , Ratanawilai Thanate , Rawangwong Surasit
Published: January 2024

Hybrid recycled polypropylene (rPP) composites reinforced with crab shell (CS) waste and rubberwood sawdust (RWS) were developed for applications in tropical countries. The D-optimal mixture design was applied in experiments, to determine the effects of the three main fractions including rPP, RWS, and CS on the mechanical properties after immersing in distilled water and seawater. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to identify the optimal formulation that maximizes the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. The results indicated that the mechanical properties fit best with the quadratic models. Statistical analysis revealed that all the models had a less p-value than 0.05 (α = 0.05) and could accurately predict the mechanical properties. Moreover, these factors negatively affected the mechanical properties whereas the CS had the highest coefficient of all the models. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites immersed in seawater decreased significantly compared to those immersed in distilled water. Therefore, an optimal formulation of overall mechanical properties was 55.1 wt% rPP, 32.5 wt% RWS, 6.9 wt% CS, 4.0 wt% maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene, 0.5 wt% ultraviolet stabilizer, and 1.0 wt% lubricant with a desirability score of 0.976. Finally, the optimal formulation of the hybrid composites has been presented and is expected to be applied for applications and waste management from natural materials. Keywork: Hybrid composites, Crab shell, Rubberwood sawdust, Mechanical Properties, Optimal formulation
Occurrence of Malignancy in Biopsy Specimens from Patients with Perforated Pre-pyloric Gastric Ulcers
Authors: Amoli Hadi Ahmadi , Mohammadi Soha , Taghizadeh Nima , Imanipour Mohamadhosein , Hajebi Reza
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Peptic ulcers, common digestive system disorders, often lead to perforation, which is associated with high mortality. Given the potential for underlying malignancy in gastric ulcers and perforations, this study focuses on assessing the frequency of cancer in gastric biopsies of patients with perforated pre-pyloric gastric ulcers.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 175 patients of all ages, both genders, with perforated pre-pyloric gastric ulcers in 2021–2022, who underwent emergency laparotomy surgery and with a definitive diagnosis of gastric ulcer perforation. A full-thickness sample was taken from the margin of the perforated pre-pyloric gastric ulcer for pathological examination to detect gastric malignancy.
Results
The patients' average age was 65.69 years, with a median of 65 years. All histopathological examinations of the gastric ulcer samples indicated benign conditions. Among the patients, 54.3% had a history of gastric ulcers, 37.7% had diabetes, 25.7% had hypertension, and 25.7% had both. Additionally, 1.7% suffered from chronic kidney failure, 1.1% from chronic liver failure, and 0.8% had other conditions like cardiovascular diseases. In total, 4.6% patients had a history of corticosteroid use, 66.9% patients had a history of NSAID use, and 58.9% patients had drug addiction.
Conclusion
Our study found no signs of cancer in the biopsies of patients with perforated pre-pyloric gastric ulcers; all cases showed benign pathology. This suggests that using gastric ulcer perforation alone as a reason for biopsy may need more investigation to ensure its accuracy and relevance.
Bifurcations of phase portraits of spherical pendulum with vibrating suspension point
Authors: Luo Yan , Sheng Kaicheng
Published: January 2024

We consider a spherical pendulum whose suspension point performs high-frequency spatial vibrations. Dynamics of this pendulum can be described by averaging of its Hamiltonian over phases of vibrations. We impose conditions on vibrations such that that the averaged Hamiltonian has a rotational symmetry. Under these conditions we present a bifurcation diagram for the phase portraits of the averaged system. We show numerical simulations of different examples of vibrations. Bifurcation of phase portraits of spherical physical pendulum with vibrating suspension point are considered as well.
Factors influencing attitudes toward aging workforce: Evidence from college students in Southern Thailand
Authors: Adulyarat Medina , Adulyarat Najmee , Kim Long , Poskin Laura , Manajit Suchita
Published: January 2024

As the aging population grows, examining attitudes and intentions toward joining the aging workforce is of greater importance. This study examines factors influencing Southern Thai college students’ attitudes and intentions to join the aging workforce. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 412 undergraduate students from three universities in the region. The survey measured attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to be older workers based on the theory of planned behavior using a 5-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using the path analysis technique. The findings indicated significant associations between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to be older workers among college students. Attitudes toward older workers positively influenced subjective norms (β = 0.71, p = 0.001), and perceived behavioral control also had a significant impact on subjective norms (β = 0.11, p = 0.05) and on the intention to be older workers (β = 0.23, p < 0.05). Subjective norms, in turn, positively influenced intentions to be older workers (β = 0.42, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as factors in influencing college students’ intention to join the aging workforce.
AcknowledgmentThis study is supported by the Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, Walailak University, under Grant No. WU66251.
SOSYAL BİLİMLERDE NİTEL ARAŞTIRMA TEKNİKLERİ ÜZERİNE BETİMSEL BİR ÇALIŞMA
Authors: DEMİR Erdi
Published: January 2024

Bu çalışmada nitel araştırmalar ve desenleri incelenmiştir. Sosyal bilimlerde yoğunlukla tercih edilen anlama, yorumlama ve açıklamaya dayalı olan nitel araştırma teknikleri; sosyoloji, felsefe, tarih, belge yönetimi, medya ve iletişim çalışmaları, antropoloji, tarih, sağlık bilimleri, sanat tarihi, hukuk, klinik çalışmaları ve dil bilim gibi çeşitli disiplinlerin çalışma alanıyla ilgilidir. Çalışma, literatür taramasına dayalı betimsel bir incelemedir. Konu üzerine yapılmış çalışmalar değerlendirilerek veriler sistematik olarak toplanmış ve yorumlanarak sentezlenmiştir. Böylece nitel araştırma desenlerinin ne anlam ifade ettiği, karakteristikleri, veri toplama teknikleri, amaçları ve veri analiz biçimleri hakkında ayrıntılı olarak bilgi verilmesi planlanmıştır. Çalışmada farklı kaynaklardan beslenmek suretiyle karşılaştırmalı olarak veriler kıyaslanmış, araştırma desenleri arasında ne tür benzerlik ve farklılıklar olduğu tablo oluşturularak açıklanmaya çalışılmıştır. Yapılan literatür taramasında nitel araştırma desenleri konusunda tek bir desen üzerine örneklem sunularak çalışmaların yapıldığı anlaşılmış bu sebeple konu kapsamlı ve bütüncül bir bakış açısıyla değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmanın sosyal bilimler ve araştırma yöntemlerinde teorik ve düşünsel katkı sunabileceği düşünülmektedir.
Porang Flour as an Alternative Substitute for Wheat Flour in Food Production
Authors:   Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bogor, Bogor Hotel Institute, Jl. Curug Mekar, Jl. Yasmin Raya No.17, RT.01/RW.04, Curug Mekar, Kec. Bogor Barat, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat 16113, Indonesia, Sriwulandari Tatik , Saleha Saleha ,   Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bogor, Bogor Hotel Institute, Jl. Curug Mekar, Jl. Yasmin Raya No.17, RT.01/RW.04, Curug Mekar, Kec. Bogor Barat, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat 16113, Indonesia, Suparmono Bambang ,   Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bogor, Bogor Hotel Institute, Jl. Curug Mekar, Jl. Yasmin Raya No.17, RT.01/RW.04, Curug Mekar, Kec. Bogor Barat, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat 16113, Indonesia, Ramadhan Hesqy ,   Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bogor, Bogor Hotel Institute, Jl. Curug Mekar, Jl. Yasmin Raya No.17, RT.01/RW.04, Curug Mekar, Kec. Bogor Barat, Kota Bogor, Jawa Barat 16113, Indonesia
Published: January 2024

Porang can be used as an alternative substitute for wheat flour in food production because it contains insoluble and insoluble fiber and has low levels of glucose and fat to anticipate the potential cardiovascular disease. This study aims to determine the effect of differences in the substitution of wheat flour with porang flour on the level of panelists acceptance. Experimental research method with the design of 2 variations of substitution of wheat flour and porang flour respectively 0:100% and 20:80%. The results showed that 100% porang flour substitution was preferable to 80% porang flour substitution. Significant and real differences were proven by using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann Whitney test on the criteria for color, aroma, texture and taste, with a p-value less than 0.05 and an average value above 3.00. It was concluded that panelists preferred Ketapang Seed cookie using 100% porang flour as a substitute for wheat flour.