bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Design Efficiency and Reducing Manufacturing Time through DFMA Implementation: A Case Study of LED Bulb Design
Authors: Shukla Prashant
Published: July 2023

To maintain market competitiveness, reducing product development time and costs is crucial. The DFMA methodology offers a structured approach for designers to assess manufacturing aspects, minimizing expenses. This study investigates DFMA implementation in producing an LED light bulb and its assembly procedure. Few studies have focused on this specific product category. The goal is to identify cost-saving strategies for a reputable company's LED light bulb development. DFMA involves prioritizing manufacturing cost reduction in design concepts. The study shows significant improvements in product architecture, assembly time, and design efficiency through DFMA. Empirical data shows a 68% reduction in manual assembly time and an increase in the DFA index from 14.6 to 75. These results demonstrate the potential of DFMA to enhance similar products and reduce expenses. Applying DFMA in product design allows manufacturers to improve market competitiveness while maintaining quality standards.
The Effects of Intravenous Diuretics on the Use of Mechanical Ventilation on Covid 19 Patients requiring Supplemental Oxygen: A Propensity Score Matched Observational Study
Authors: Choi Kwang Jin , Baccile Rachel , Soo Jackie , Meltzer David
Published: July 2023

Objective
To examine the effects of intravenous diuresis on the use of mechanical ventilation in Covid patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
Methods
983 hospitalized adult patients with Covid 19 infections needing supplemental oxygen at XXX between March 2020 to February 2022 were included in the study. The primary outcome was the use of mechanical ventilation. We compared the outcome in patients who were exposed to intravenous furosemide before mechanical ventilation to those patients who were not exposed to intravenous furosemide during hospitalization using propensity-score matching analysis.
Results
Among the 983 patients who received intravenous furosemide, 186 (18.9%) patients required mechanical ventilation. Of the 491 patients who did not receive intravenous furosemide during hospitalization, 102 (20.7%) required mechanical ventilation. There was a significant negative association between patients exposed to intravenous furosemide who required mechanical ventilation than those who did not receive intravenous furosemide who required mechanical ventilation. (Odds Ratio of 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval 0.21 to 0.66; P value < 0.01)
Conclusions
In this retrospective cohort study involving a moderately sized sample of hospitalized Covid 19 patients who required supplemental oxygen, intravenous diuresis was significantly associated with lower use of mechanical ventilation compared to those that were not exposed to intravenous diuresis (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval 0.21 to 0.66; P value < 0.01)
Vitamin D and Hypophosphatemia in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Case Control Study
Authors: Kells Meredith R. , Roske Chloe , Watters Ashlie , Puckett Leah , Wildes Jennifer E. , Crow Scott J. , Mehler Philip
Published: July 2023

Background
Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) is a common complication of nutritional restoration in malnourished individuals, yet clear risk stratification remains elusive. Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) may be deficient in vitamin D, an important component of dietary phosphorus absorption in the gut. The relationship between vitamin D and RH in AN and ARFID is unknown. Therefore, the aims of this of this study were to 1) describe the prevalence of low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and RH in AN and ARFID 2) report associations between nadir phosphorus level and variables associated with RH in extant literature and 3) examine the relationship between 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and serum phosphorus nadir in AN and ARFID.
Method
Analyses included retrospective chart review of 307 individuals admitted to the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition with a diagnosis of AN or ARFID. Variables of interest included admission laboratory values (vitamin D level, comprehensive metabolic panel, hemoglobin, point-of-care blood glucose), anthropometric measures (weight, body mass index [BMI], % ideal body weight [IBW]), age, duration of illness, length of stay, feeding method, and serum phosphorus nadir. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation, one-way ANOVA, and regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between variables and serum phosphorus.
Results
Over 1/3 of the sample (35.3%) had serum phosphorus levels ≤ 2.9 mg/dL. There were no significant differences between groups in phosphorus nadir (p = .17, η2 = 0.12) or hypophosphatemia (p = .16, ϕc = 0.11); 44% of individuals with ARFID and 33% of individuals with AN had hypophosphatemia. Nadir phosphorus showed a positive association with weight, BMI, %IBW, potassium, and calcium on admission, and a negative association with length of stay, hemoglobin, and total number of tube-fed days. Higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D moderated the relationship between serum phosphorus nadir and weight on admission (p = .0004).
Conclusion
Individuals diagnosed with ARFID are as nutritionally fragile as those with AN regarding vitamin D and RH. The negative feedback loop involving vitamin D that maintains phosphorus homeostasis may play a role in the development of RH in AN and ARFID.
Intercultural sensitivity in Chilean healthcare profession students
Authors: Pineda Patricia , Klenner Maura , Espinoza Gerardo , Mariño Rodrigo , Zaror Carlos
Published: July 2023

Each culture has unique health care related values, habits, perceptions, expectations, norms, etc., that makes cultural competence an important attribute to be developed by healthcare professionals, to ensure they provide effective treatment. Intercultural sensitivity (IS) is the affective dimension of cultural competence. The objective of this study is to explore the self-perceived level of IS in first and last year students of three health sciences professions (i.e., Dentistry, Medicine, and Nursing) at the Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and a group comparison (e.g., year of study). The Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) was applied to a sample 314 students. Findings showed that overall ISS scores ranged from 1.83 to 4.94, with a mean score of 4.11 (s.d. 0.43). Group comparison between first and final year students showed statistically significant differences (4.18 vs. 4.00; p < 0.001). Medical and nursing students had a significantly higher overall mean IS score compared to dental students (4.21 and 4.16, respectively vs. 4.02; p < 0.01). There were also significant differences between three factors (interaction engagement; interaction confidence; and interaction enjoyment) by healthcare profession. These findings allow for discussion of the need for explicit incorporation and development of cultural competence in on health care professional curricula. Longitudinal research is needed to explore how IS changes over time, along with generating qualitative data from the student populations IS experiences and exposure.
Gravity Inversion and Modeling Using Multi and Single objective Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Asl Ramin Aramesh , Aghajani Hamid , Monfared Mehrdad Soleimani , Rezaie Mohamad
Published: July 2023

Studying the bedrock geometry in exploration operations to obtain its 2D pattern requires nonlinear inverse computations. The algorithms used in the present work included non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and single-objective genetic algorithm (GA), which were used to estimate the depth. One of the most important advantages of NSGA-II and GA methods are that it works independently of the regularization coefficient and initial mode.in the NSGA-II method, owing to the direct use of the regularization term as a separate objective function, which makes the results more acceptable and easier to interpret. In the present study, both algorithms were verified and validated using the data produced by synthetic model. In order for a more precise examination of the performance of both algorithms, the synthetic data were used both without noise and with up to 10% Gaussian white noise (GWN). Accordingly, the modeling results indicated a good consistence between the algorithms and the primary model; so that, the root mean square error parameter for the data obtained from the initial data of the synthetic model ranged from 0.05 to 0.35mGal for the NSGA-II and from 0.07 to 0.52mGal for the GA. Also, this parameter didn't exceed 72.4meter in the NSGA-II and didn't exceed 93.8meter in the GA. Based on the gravimetric data of the Atacama desert (Chile) and Western Anatolia (Turkey) the results obtained from both algorithms under similar conditions in terms of parameter settings and number of algorithm executions indicated good performance of the NSGA-II algorithm compared to the single-objective (GA) algorithm and the cost of calculations in the NSGA-II method is much lower than the GA method.
The burden of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk in Middle East and North African from 1990–2019
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Shadmani Fatemeh Khosravi , Fateh Hawal Lateef , Soleimani Davood , Hamzeh Behrooz , Ghalandari Mojtaba , Moloudpour Behrooz , Darbandi Mitra
Published: July 2023

Background
The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the burden of CRC attributable to nutritional risk in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Method
The GBD 2019 methods were used to estimate age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past three decades. We evaluated the 30-year trend in DALYs and mortality rates from nutrition-related risks of CRC, from 1990 to 2019 by sex and age groups in 21 countries in the MENA region.
Results
The rate of DALYs/100,000 due to diet-related risks for CRC in 2019 was 79.71 (95% UI: 56.79, 98.44) and 65.16(95% UI: 45.86, 80.95) in men and women, respectively. The percent changes of DALYs/100,000 in men and women were 8.15% and 2.50%, respectively, between 1990 and 2019. The percent changes in ASMRs in men and women were 8.32% and 3.44%, respectively. The highest DALYs and ASMRs were observed in both sexes in the age group 75–79 years and above. The highest percent changes in DALYs/100,000 and ASMRs were observed between 1990 and 2019 in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.
Conclusion
DALYs and ASMRs attributed to dietary risk for CRC increased in 21 countries in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. A modified diet with more fiber, dairy products and less red meat intake is a highly recommended strategy for prevention CRC.
The product of PD-L1 expression and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of postoperative recurrence in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Samejima Hironobu , Kojima Kensuke , Fujiwara Ayako , Tokunaga Toshiteru , Okishio Kyoichi , Yoon Hyungeun
Published: July 2023

Background While PD-L1 expression and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer, few studies have considered their interaction. We hypothesized that the product of PD-L1 expression (tumor proportion score) and NLR (PD-L1×NLR) might be a postoperative prognostic marker reflecting the immune microenvironment of lung cancer.Methods We analyzed the association between PD-L1×NLR and postoperative recurrence-free survival in 647 non-small cell lung cancer patients using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results In the analysis of PD-L1×NLR as a categorical variable, the group with PD-L1×NLR ≥ 25.8 had a significantly higher hazard ratio (HR) than the group with < 25.8 (adjusted HR 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.60). The adjusted HR for PD-L1×NLR, considered a continuous variable, was 1.004 (95% CI 1.002–1.006). The risk of postoperative recurrence increased 1.004-fold for each unit increase in PD-L1×NLR, and a more than 2-fold increase in risk was observed for values of ≥ 170.Conclusions The PD-L1×NLR may be used in real-world clinical practice as a novel factor to predict the risk of postoperative recurrence after lung cancer surgery.
Abdominal adipose tissue distribution assessed by computed tomography and mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19
Authors: Battisti Sofia , Pedone Claudio , Tramontana Flavia , Napoli Nicola , Alhamar Ghadeer , Russo Emanuele , Agnoletti Vanni , Paolucci Elisa , Galgani Mario , Giampalma Emanuela , Paviglianiti Annalisa , Strollo Rocky
Published: July 2023

Background & Aims: Visceral adiposity has been associated with an increased risk of critical illness in COVID-19 patients. However, if it also associates to a poor survival is still not well established. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between abdominal fat distribution and COVID-19 mortality.Methods In this six-month longitudinal cohort study, abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) were measured by computed tomography in a cohort of 174 patients admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of COVID-19, during the first wave of pandemic. The primary exposure and outcome measures were VAT and SAT at hospital admission, and death at 30 and 180 days, respectively.Results overall survival was not different according to VAT (p = 0.94), SAT (p = 0.32) and VAT/SAT ratio (p = 0.64). However, patients in the lowest SAT quartile (thickness lower than 11.3 mm ) had a significantly reduced survival compared to those with thicker SAT (77% vs 94% at day 30; 74% vs 91% at day 180, p = 0.01). Similarly, a thinner SAT was associated with lower survival in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admitted patients, independently of sex or age (p = 0.02). The VAT/SAT ratio showed a non-linear increased risk of ICU admission, which plateaued out and tended for inversion at values greater than 1.9 (p = 0.001), although was not associated with increased mortality rate.Conclusions In our cohort, visceral adiposity did not increase mortality in patients with COVID-19, but low SAT may be associated with poor survival.
Vactosertib, a novel TGF-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor, improves T-cell fitness: a single-arm, phase 1b trial in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Malek Ehsan , Rana Priyanka S. , Swamydas Muthulekha , Daunov Michael , Miyagi Masaru , Murphy Elena , Ignatz-Hoover James J. , Metheny Leland , Kim Seong Jin , Driscoll James J.
Published: July 2023

Functional blockade of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway improves the efficacy of cytotoxic and immunotherapies. We conducted a phase 1b study to determine the safety, efficacy, and maximal tolerated dose (200 mg po bid) of the potent, orally-available TGF-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor vactosertib in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma patients who had received >2 lines of chemoimmunotherapy. Vactosertib combined with pomalidomide was well-tolerated at all doses, had a manageable adverse event profile and induced durable responses with 80% progression-free survival (PFS-6) at 6 months, while pomalidomide alone historically achieved 20% PFS-6. Following treatment, the immunosuppressive marker PD-1 expression was reduced on patient CD8+ T-cells. Following treatment, vactosertib decreased PD-1 expression on patient CD138+ cells, reduced PD-L1/PD-L2 on patient CD138+ cells and enhanced the anti-myeloma activity of autologous T-cells. Taken together, vactosertib is a safe immunotherapy that modulates the T-cell immunophenotype to reinvigorate T-cell fitness.
CTNNBIP1-CLSTN1 Functions as a Housekeeping Chimeric RNA, and Regulates Cell Proliferation through SERPINE2
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Chen , Tang Yue , Qin Fujun , Singh Sandeep
Published: July 2023

The conventional wisdom that chimeric RNAs being peculiarity of carcinoma, and the products of chromosomal rearrangement is being challenged, However, experimental evidence supporting chimeric RNAs in normal physiology being functional is scarce. We decided to focus on one particular chimeric RNA, CTNNBIP1-CLSTN1. We examined its expression among various tissues and cell types, and compared quantitatively among cancer and non-cancer cells. We further investigated its role in a panel of non-cancer cells and probed the functional mechanism. We found that this fusion transcript is expressed in almost all tissues, and a wide range of cell types including fibroblasts, epithelial, stem, vascular endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. The expression level in non-cancerous cell lines is also not evidently different from that in the cancer cell lines. Furthermore, silencing CTNNBIP1-CLSTN1 significantly reduces cell proliferation rate, by inducing G2/M arrest in cell cycle progress and apoptosis in at least three cell types. Importantly, rescue experiments confirmed that the cell cycle arrest can be regained by exogenous expression of the chimera, but not the wild type parental gene. Further evidence is provided that CTNNBIP1-CLSTN1 regulates cell proliferation through SERPINE2. Thus, CTNNBIP1-CLSTN1 represents an example of a new class of fusion RNA, dubbed “housekeeping chimeric RNAs”.
Common Predictors of cervical cancer related mortality in Ethiopia. A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hambisa Hunduma Dina , Asfaha Berhane Teklay , Ambisa Biniam , Gudeta Abebech
Published: July 2023

Background
Cervical cancer is caused by oncogenic subtypes of the human papillomavirus for 7.5% of all women cancer deaths worldwide; peaking between the ages of 35 and 65, and not only kills young women but also makes orphan children.
Objective
This review was intended to measure national level magnitude and the most common predictors of cervical cancer related mortality in Ethiopia.
Methods
Common Public databases like Science Direct, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed were thoroughly searched. The STATA 14 and Rev-Manager 5.3 statistical software packages were used for analysis, as well as a standardized data abstraction tool created in Microsoft Excel. The Cochrane Q-test statistics and the I2 test were used to assess non-uniformity. The pooled magnitude and predictors of cervical cancer related mortality were estimated using fixed-effect and random-effect models, respectively.
Result
The pooled mortality among cervical cancer patients was estimated that 16.39% at 95% confidence level fall in 13.89–18.88% in Ethiopia. The most common predictors of cervical cancer related mortality were late diagnosed, radiation therapy alone, and Being anemic were identified by this review. Among cervical cancer treatment modalities effectiveness of surgery with adjuvant therapy was also approved in this meta-analysis.
Conclusion and recommendation:
When compared to other countries, significant cervical cancer-related mortality was reported. Encouragement of cervical cancer screening at the national level for early diagnosis, anaemia detection, and treatment during anticancer initiation, as well as combination therapy, is critical to improving cervical cancer patient survival and decreasing mortality rates.
The oral microbiota disorder in the GC patients revealed by 2bRAD-M
Authors: He Shengfu , Sun Yating , Sun Weijie , Tang Mingyang , Meng Bao , Liu Yanyan , Kong Qinxiang , Li Yongxiang , Li Jiabin
Published: July 2023

Background
Microbiota alterations are linked with gastric cancer (GC). However, the relationship between the oral microbiota (especially oral fungi) and GC is not known. In this study, we aimed to apply 2bRAD-M to characterize the oral microbiota in GC.
Methods
We performed 2bRAD-M analysis in saliva and tongue coating of GC patients and healthy controls. We carried out the diversity, relative abundance, and composition analyses of saliva and tongue coating bacteria and fungi of the two groups. In addition, indicator analysis, the Gini index, and the mean decrease accuracy were used to find GC oral fungal indicator.
Results
In this study, fungi imbalance of saliva and tongue coating were observed in GC group. At the species level, enriched salivary and tongue coating Malassezia globosa (M. globosa) and decreased Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) were observed in the GC group. Random forest analysis indicated that salivary and tongue coating M. globosa could serve as a biomarker to diagnose gastric cancer. The Gini index and mean decrease in accuracy of saliva and tongue coating M. globosa are the largest. In addition, Saliva and tongue coating M. globosa classified GC from the control with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.976 and 0.846, respectively. Further ecological analysis revealed the correlations between oral bacterial and fungi.
Conclusion
For the first time, our data suggested that changes in oral fungi between GC and control may help deepen our understanding of the complex spectrum of the different microbiotas involved in the GC development. Although the cohort size is small, this study is the first to use 2bRAD-M to reveal that oral M. globosa can be a fungal biomarker for detecting GC.
Is switching intravesical chemotherapeutic agent beneficial in short-term recurrent high-risk non-muscle- invasive bladder tumors? A 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Chen Shuaiqi , Sun Guangyu , Chen Xiaoxu , Salgado Tiyara , Wu Shangrong , Hu Hailong , Liu Ranlu , Qie Yunkai
Published: July 2023

Objective: To assess whether switching intravesical chemotherapeutic agent is beneficial in short-term recurrent high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after failure of previous intravesical therapy.
Materials and methods: From June 2010 to October 2015, 215 patients with NMIBC, who had tumor recurrence within one year of first-line drugs for Intravesical chemotherapy (IVC), were assigned to two groups. After a second time complete TUR treatment, we immediately changed the intravesical instillation agent for 107 patients (group A), whereas the other 98 patients continued to use their original intravesical instillation agent (group B - control group). All patients received an immediate instillation of epirubicin (EPI), gemcitabine (Gem) or hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) after TURBT and followed by regularly induction plus maintenance instillations. Recurrence rate and progression rate were assessed by Chi-square test, while recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.
Results: In this study, the recurrence rate was 49.5% (53/107) in group A and 50.0% (49/98) in group B, while progression rate was 18.7% (21/107) in group A and 23.5% (23/98) in group B. Neither recurrence nor progression rates showed any significant differences between the two groups. Median progression interval between two groups were 24 months and 17 months, respectively (p=0.044). Average progression time between two groups were 28.7months and 19.3 months, respectively (p=0.035). In the Kaplan–Meier plot, no difference was found with respect to recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival. Moreover, univariate analysis suggested that only tumor grade could be an independent risk factor related to recurrence (HR = 0.632; 95% CI 0.425-0.942; p = 0.024), while the presence of carcinoma in situ may be an independent risk factor related to progression (HR=0.159; 95% CI 0.037-0.683; p=0.013).
Conclusions: Switching IVC agent can significantly prolong time of progression in patients with short-term recurrent high-risk NMIBC who are unavailability or unsuitability for BCG instillation. Furthermore, the finding may provide a new basis for drug selection in combination IVC.
Transcriptional knock-down of mstn encoding myostatin improves muscle quality of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Wang Qingchun , Yan Yue , Tao Yifan , Lu Siqi , Xu Pao , Qiang Jun
Published: July 2023

Background
Myostatin (encoded by mstn) negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass and affects lipid metabolism. Relieving the inhibitory effect of mstn on growth can improve the muscle yield of teleost fishes. To explore the regulatory effects of mstn on muscle development and lipid metabolism in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), we used antisense RNA to transcriptionally knock-down mstn. At 180 d, the body weight and body length were significantly higher in the mstn-knock-down group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Hematoxylin–eosin staining revealed that fish in the mstn-knock-down group exhibited myofiber hyperplasia but not hypertrophy. Oil red O staining revealed a remarkable increase in the area of lipid droplets in muscle in the mstn-knock-down group compared with that in the control group (p < 0.05). Nutrient composition analyses of muscle tissue showed that the crude fat content was significantly increased in the mstn-knock-down group (p < 0.05). The contents of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were all significantly increased in the mstn-knock-down group (p < 0.05). Comparative transcriptome analyses revealed 2,420 significant differentially expressed genes between the mstn-knock-down group and the control group, including 1,055 up-regulated genes and 1,365 down-regulated genes. Among them, genes related to myoblast differentiation and lipid metabolism were enriched in fatty acid degradation, glycerolipid metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways. The accuracy of the RNA-seq data was confirmed by qRT-PCR analyses. Our results indicate that disruptions to fatty acid degradation, glycerolipid metabolism, and the PPAR signaling pathway affect muscle development and lipid metabolism in mstn-knock-down Nile tilapia: acaa2, eci1, and lepr were remarkably up-regulated, and acadvl, lpl, foxo3, myod1, myog, and myf5 were significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05). These results show that knock-down of mstn results in abnormal lipid metabolism, acceleration of skeletal muscle development, and increased adipogenesis and weight gain in Nile tilapia.
Prognostic significance of peripheral blood S100A12, S100A8, S100A9 concentrations in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ding Dongyan , Luan Rumei , Xue Qianfei , Yang Junling
Published: July 2023

Background
S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 are considered to be biomarkers of inflammatory diseases; however, their roles in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain unclear. In this study, the levels of S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 in the serum of patients with IPF were analyzed to evaluate the significance of these three factors in the development and prognosis of IPF.
Methods
Differentially expressed genes were screened using the GEO2R tool. Serum S100A12 and S100A8/9 protein levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis, and functional enrichment analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between these protein levels and clinical parameters or prognosis.
Results
The most important genes co-expressed with S100A12 were S100A8 and S100A9. Serum S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 concentrations in patients with IPF were significantly higher than those in age-matched healthy controls. The prognosis of patients with IPF with higher serum S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 concentrations was significantly worse than that of those with lower serum concentrations.
Conclusions
Serum S100A12, S100A8, and S100A9 are promising circulating biomarkers that may provide potentially valuable clinical aid for the prognosis of patients with IPF. However, further multicenter clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed in the future to confirm their clinical application value.
Analysis of phytoplasma-infected Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.) based on intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) and methylation sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP)
Authors: Cai Junjie , Li Jihan , Chen Silei , Wang Weixing , Li Chunyan
Published: July 2023

Background
Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.) is a fruit crop that is susceptible to phytoplasma infection, which causes symptoms such as virescence, phyllody, sterility and stiff fruit. To investigate the effects of phytoplasma infection on the genome and DNA methylation of Chinese cherry, we performed inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analyses on the leaves and floral organs of healthy and infected plants from Qijiang District of Chongqing.
Results
ISSR analysis revealed no significant differences in the genomic DNA of leaves and floral organs between healthy and infected plants, suggesting that phytoplasma infection did not induce genomic mutations. MSAP analysis showed that phytoplasma infection caused epigenetic variations in both leaves and floral organs, with different degrees of DNA methylation and demethylation. These epigenetic changes may affect gene expression and lead to abnormal plant development.
Conclusions
This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of Chinese cherry phytoplasma disease and fruit development. Potential candidate genes associated with hard fruit formation were also identified, which may be useful for future research in this area.
Risk factors for 90-day readmission in metastatic spine tumors in South Korea: A nationwide population-based study from 2012 to 2019
Authors: Cho Pyung Goo , Noh Sung Hyun , Kim Sang Hyun , Kim Hyung Cheol
Published: July 2023

Population-based studies on the cause of readmission within 90 days after surgery or radiotherapy for metastatic spine tumors are scarce. We aimed to investigate the risk factors for readmission within 90 days after initial surgical or radiation treatment for metastatic spine tumors. Patients who were diagnosed with metastatic spine tumors between 2012 and 2019 and who underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging within 1 year were classified according to treatment (surgical or radiotherapy), and the causes for the 90-day readmission and patient characteristics were compared. Overall, 15,815 patients (surgical group, 13,974 patients; radiotherapy group, 1,841 patients) were evaluated. Radiotherapy was preferred in younger and male patients with high Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Meanwhile, surgery was mainly performed in patients with lumbar metastasis. Radiotherapy, age 30–69 years, male sex, and CCI > 1 were risk factors for 90-day readmission. The main cause of 90-day readmissions included tumor recurrence, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and treatment of other organ metastasis with radiotherapy. Patients with lung, breast, liver, and colorectal origin and treated with radiotherapy had a high 90-day readmission rate. Radiotherapy, age 30–69 years, male sex, and CCI > 1 increase the risk for 90-day readmission in patients with metastatic spine tumors.
Assessing the Conservation Status of Invasive Acomys cilicicus: Conservation Taxonomic Unit or Distinct Species?
Authors: MATUR FERHAT , ÇETİNTAŞ Ortaç , Çolak Faruk , EKMEN Hamza , MUSTAFAOĞLU Gökhan , SÖZEN Mustafa
Published: July 2023

Acomys cilicicus is a rodent species endemic to Turkey, with a highly restricted distribution. However, there have been doubts regarding its taxonomic validity as a distinct species. Previous studies investigating the phylogeny of A. cilicicus have been unable to provide conclusive data to address this validity issue, primarily due to their reliance on two specimens from a single locality. In this study, we expanded the sample size to include 16 specimens from 5 different localities and conducted sequencing of a mitochondrial DNA gene region (cyt-b). Initial analysis of genetic distances revealed a close relationship between cilicicus, minous, and nesiotes. To further explore the phylogenetic relationships, we incorporated additional mtDNA sequences from GenBank into our analysis, resulting in the construction of a phylogenetic tree. Our findings demonstrate that cilicicus forms a distinct clade, supporting its status as a separate species. Moreover, the cilicicus clade was identified as the sister clade of A. minous. By estimating the divergence time, we determined that cilicicus diverged from its closest relative, minous, approximately 170 thousand years ago. Additionally, based on our sequence data, we propose a hypothesis suggesting that cilicicus might have been introduced to Anatolia from Crete during the Lower Palaeolithic era. We further discussed the inferred migration pathways of the Mediterranean region based on clade formation and migration analysis.
Dynamic modeling of geological carbon storage in an oil reservoir, Bredasdorp Basin, South Africa
Authors: Afolayan Blessing , Mackay Eric , Opuwari Mimonitu
Published: July 2023

Geological carbon storage provides an efficient technology for the large-scale reduction of atmospheric carbon, and the drive for net-zero emissions may necessitate the future usage of oil reservoirs for CO2 projects, (without oil production), hence, dynamic modeling of an oil reservoir for CO2 storage in the Bredasdorp basin, South Africa, was therefore conducted. Injection into the reservoir was for 20 years (2030–2050), and 100 years (2050–2150) to study the CO2-brine-oil interactions, with sensitivities carried out on reservoir boundary conditions. The closed boundary scenario experienced pressure buildup with a target injection rate of 0.5 Mt/year, and a cutback on injection rate progressively until 2050 to not exceed the fracture pressure of the reservoir. The CO2 plume migration was not rapid due to the reduced volume of CO2 injected and the confining pressure. The system was gravity dominated, and gravity stability was not attained at the end of the simulation as fluid interfaces were not yet flat. The open boundary reservoir did not experience a pressure buildup because all boundaries were open, the target injection rate was achieved, and it was a viscous-dominated system. In both cases, the dissolution of CO2 in oil and brine was active, and there was a growing increase of CO2 fraction dissolved in water and oil, a decline in gaseous mobile CO2 phase between 2050 and 2150, and active trapping mechanisms were structural trapping, dissolution in oil and water, and residual trapping. The study showed that boundary condition was very crucial to the success of the project, with direct impacts on injection rate and pressure. This pioneer study has opened a vista on the injection of CO2, and CO2-brine-oil interactions, with sensitivities carried out on reservoir boundary conditions in a closed and an open hydrocarbon system in South Africa.
Unravelling key enzymatic steps in C-ring cleavage during angucyclines biosynthesis
Authors: Elsayed Somayah , Heul Helga van der , Xiao Xiansha , Nuutila Aleksi , Baars Laura , Wu Changsheng , Metsä-Ketelä Mikko , Wezel Gilles van
Published: July 2023

Angucyclines are type II polyketide natural products, often characterized by unusual structural rearrangements through B- or C-ring cleavage of their tetracyclic backbone. While the enzymes involved in B-ring cleavage have been extensively studied, little is known of the enzymes leading to C-ring cleavage. Here, we unravel the function of the oxygenases involved in the biosynthesis of lugdunomycin, a highly rearranged C-ring cleaved angucycline derivative. Targeted deletion of the oxygenase genes, in combination with molecular networking and structural elucidation, showed that LugOI is essential for C12 oxidation and maintaining a keto group at C6 that is reduced by LugOII, resulting in a key intermediate towards C-ring cleavage. An epoxide group is then inserted by LugOIII, and stabilized by the novel enzyme LugOV for the subsequent cleavage. Thus, for the first time we describe the oxidative enzymatic steps that form the basis for a wide range of rearranged angucycline natural products.
Carboxyamidotriazole ameliorates inflammation in experimental allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of phosphodiesterase 4
Authors: Li Peng , Sun Fangrui , Yu Jie , Ju Rui , Guo Hongjiang , Zhang Diya , Wu Meikui , Guo Lei , Wu Hongliang
Published: July 2023

Objective
Carboxyamidotriazole (CAI) is a small molecular drug with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, which can inhibit a variety of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) isolated from multiple tissue sources. The present study aims to explore the effect of CAI on allergic asthma of experimental mice model, and further verify the relation between CAI and specific PDE.
Methods
An in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated-rat alveolar macrophages NR8383 and an in vivo model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized mice were used to examine the anti-inflammation effect of CAI. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured by Forced Maneuvers Pulmonary Function Testing (BUXCO). Fixative lung tissue was stained to observe the airway remodelling and the mucous secretion. mRNA expression of PDE-4A/B/D were detected by RT-qPCR.
Key findings:
In rat alveolar macrophage NR8383, CAI significantly reduced the inflammation induced by LPS and restrained the expression of PDE-4B. In mice with allergic airway inflammation, CAI can effectively reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, inhibit inflammatory factor secretion, alleviate the accumulation of inflammatory cells and reduce the levels of IgE in plasma. Airway remodeling manifested by smooth muscle thickening, cell proliferation, pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and inflammatory cells gathering around the airway in mice was significantly prevented by CAI. CAI effectively restrained the expression of PDE-4A, PDE-4B and PDE-4D in lung tissue.
Conclusion
CAI can inhibit inflammatory activities both in activated macrophages and allergic asthma animal models, which might be related to reduction the expression of PDE4.
A Method for Obtaining Low Luminescence Mutants of Col-LUC through Reverse Genetics in Arabidopsis
Authors: Miao Wei , Dai Jie , Zhang Li , Zhang Aqin
Published: July 2023

Previous studies have shown that using transgenic reporter systems to screen mutants is one of the effective methods to study DNA demethylation. Many genes involved in the regulation of DNA methylation have been uncovered through forward genetic screens. However, forward genetic screens not only have a long period, high cost, but also a large workload and low efficiency. In order to address these problems, based on reverse genetics, this study used CRISPR technology to knockout selected co-expressed genes, so as to quickly obtain low LUC (luciferase) luminescence mutants of Col-LUC line which harbors a LUC transgene driven by a 2×35S promoter in Arabidopsis and uncover new genes involved in DNA demethylation pathway. In this study, we selected the ROS1 (REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1) gene and RDM1 (RNA-DIRECTED DNA METHYLATION 1) gene as controls, with the co-expressed gene IDM3 (INCREASED DNA METHYLATION 3) of ROS1 as the target gene, and conducted gene knockout experiments in the Col-LUC line. The experiment results reveal that combining co-expressed gene list and CRISPR technology is feasible for obtaining low LUC luminescence mutants in the Col-LUC line. This study provides a new approach and solid basis for obtaining low luminescence mutants in the Col-LUC line through reverse genetics.
Retinal Artery Embolisation as a Rare Presentation of Calcific Aortic Stenosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Utt Rawan , Hamarsheh Islam , Hamad Umniyah , AbuEid Hadeel , Odeh Omar , Ayyad Alaa , Madi Hamad , Darwazah Ahmad
Published: July 2023

Background: Retinal artery embolism is a serious but uncommon complication of calcific aortic stenosis that is only reported in a few patients.Case presentation: This report discusses a case of acute central retinal artery occlusion due to calcified aortic valve disease in a 30-year-old man with an uneventful past medical history. A diagnosis was made following a sudden loss of left eye vision. Clinical examination, ECG, echocardiography, chest CT, and coronary catheterisation have all led to the diagnosis of a calcified aortic valve with a high degree of stenosis. The patient underwent emergent aortic valve replacement with an uneventful postoperative course and no further embolic occurrences.Conclusion: The association between cardiovascular diseases and retinal artery occlusion is well-known in the literature. Nonetheless, a limited number of articles have documented the association with calcified aortic stenosis. The present study describes a case of painless total loss of vision in the left eye, which occurred as an infrequent outcome of calcific aortic stenosis in a patient who was 30 years old. This presentation highlights the significance of conducting a comprehensive clinical history during the initial assessment, as accurate diagnosis and comprehension of ocular issues can mitigate the risk of severe systemic complications.
Evaluation of the efficacy of Tongdu Shujin Decoction combined with Adalimumab in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Guanghua , Wang Zihua , Fu Wen , Ren Bowen , Shi Dongliang
Published: July 2023

Introduction Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that typically affects the axial skeleton and entheses, and can lead to severe physical and psychological damage to patients. However, the current therapies have limitations.Methods and analysis Eighty-patients with AS will be recruited from the Rheumatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Henan University of Chinese Medicine. The participants will be randomly divided into the treatment and control groups at a 1:1 ratio. Subsequently, all subjects in the treatment group will receive 40 mg adalimumab administered subcutaneously every two weeks for 12 weeks, while patients in the control group will receive an extra dose of Tongdu Shujin Decoction (TDSJ) each day. The primary outcome will be determined by the change in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) from baseline to 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes include changes of serum inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), changes of anxious depression-related scales, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as well as changes of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in patients from baseline to 12 weeks.Ethics and dissemination The ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine has approved the study on April 27, 2023 (2023HL-116-02). The Chinese national authorities issued approval on 15 May 2023. The outcome of the study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and at congresses.Trial registration number Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. ChiCTR2300071418. Registered on 15th May 2023. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=196506
A New Method to Predict Postoperative Stem Anteversion in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: Hu Yuehao , Sun Ziyang , Zhang Jingwei , Zhu Zhenan , Yan Mengning , Mao Yuanqing , Li Huiwu , Yu Degang , Zhai Zanjing
Published: July 2023

Background
Preoperative evaluation of femoral anteversion to predict postoperative stem anteversion aids the selection of an appropriate prosthesis and optimizes the combined anteversion in THA for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The conventional prediction methods are based on the femoral anteversion measurement at the location of the femoral head and/or neck. However, varied differences between femoral anteversion and postoperative stem anteversion were demonstrated. This study investigated the predictive role of a new method based on the principle of sagittal three-point fixation.
Methods
A total of 133 DDH hips that underwent THA were retrospectively analyzed. There were 76 Crowe type I, 27 type II and 30 type III hips. The single-wedge stem was used in 49 hips, and the double-wedge stem was used in 84 hips. Preoperative native femoral anteversion at the femoral head-neck junction, anterior cortex anteversion at 2 levels of the lesser trochanter, posterior cortex anteversion at 5 levels of the femoral neck, and postoperative stem anteversion were measured using two-dimensional computed tomography. Predictive anteversion by the new method was calculated as the average anteversion formed by the anterior cortex at the lesser trochanter and the posterior cortex at the femoral neck.
Results
For hips with different neck heights, different Crowe types, different stem types, or different femoral anteversions, native femoral anteversion showed widely varied differences and correlations with stem anteversion, with differences ranging from − 1.27 ± 8.33° to -13.67 ± 9.47° and correlations ranging from 0.122 (P = 0.705, no correlation) to 0.813. Predictive anteversion formed by the anterior cortex at the lesser trochanter proximal base and posterior cortex 10 mm above the lesser trochanter proximal base showed no significant difference with stem anteversion, with less varied differences (0.33 ± 7.59° to 2.76 ± 7.02°) and good to excellent correlations (r = 0.672–0.858).
Conclusion
Adopting our new method, predictive anteversion, measured as the average anteversion of the anterior cortex at the lesser trochanter proximal base and posterior cortex 10 mm above the lesser trochanter proximal base, predicted postoperative stem anteversion more reliably than native femoral anteversion.
Development and optimization of an extruded aquafeed formulated with moringa flour as a partial substitute for sardine meal
Authors: Soto-Rodriguez Diana , Gómez-Aldapa Carlos Alberto , Díaz-Batalla Luis , Cadena-Ramírez Arturo , Cabrera-Canales Zaira Esmeralda
Published: July 2023

The growing demand for the utilization of fishmeal in aquafeed formulation has led researchers to search for new protein sources. For that, this study investigates the use of moringa flour as a sustainable protein source in extruded aquafeeds for Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used proposing a central composite rotatable design (CCRD), where it was evaluated the effect of 4 factors (sardine and moringa flour concentration, temperature, and moisture processing) on the physicochemical characteristics of the aquafeed obtained such as expansion index (EI), bulk density, water solubility index (WSI), water absorption index (WAI), hardness, and buoyancy. Numerical optimization was carried out, obtaining 4 optimal diets to generate an aquafeed which were analyzed physicochemical and nutritionally. Moringa flour demonstrates high protein content (20.24%) and improved water solubility, enhancing the feed's digestibility. The optimal diets meet tilapia's protein and lipid requirements, showcasing the potential of moringa flour as an alternative to traditional protein sources, and highlighting the importance of extrusion optimization in the aquaculture industry.