bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Snapshot Assist scanner: Assessment of Radiation Dose and Image Quality in retrospective ECG-gated Coronary CT Angiography
Authors: Huang Ruiliang , Sun Qiting , Dou Yong , Ma Jing , Wang Gang , Wang Fei
Published: October 2022

Objective: This study sought to compare the radiation dose and image quality between a snapshot assist (SSA) scanner and a conventional scanner in retrospective electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography to assess the clinical value of the SSA scanner in reducing radiation dose．
Methods: Ninety-five patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing retrospective ECG-gated Coronary CT Angiography were enrolled and divided into group A (n=47, with SSA scanner) and group B (n=48, with conventional scanner). The image quality scores, mean CT attenuation values in the ascending aorta, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were assessed, and the radiation dose was compared between groups A and B.
Results: There were no significant differences in patient sex, age, and mean body mass index (BMI) between the two groups. There were no significant differences in image quality scores for total segments between the two groups (χ2=0.147, P>0.05). The mean CT attenuation values in the ascending aorta were not significantly different between the two groups (t=1.120, P>0.05). There were no significant differences in SNR and CNR between the two groups (P>0.05). The effective dose (ED) of group A was 41.65% lower than group B (6.29±1.68 vs. 10.78±1.58mSv).
Conclusion: SSA technology provides equivalent or better coronary image quality with retrospective ECG gated coronary angiography than the conventional scanner while enabling radiation dose reductions of 41.65%.
Development and validation of Cellular Senescence-Related Gene Signature for predicting the survival and immunotherapeutic responses in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Li Mengna , Zhang Jie , Xia Yue , Cen Xin Tao , Zheng Yue , Lai Wei
Published: October 2022

Background
Accumulating evidence has suggested the impact of cellular senescence on tumorigenesis, development, and immune modulation in cancers. However, the prognostic value of cellular senescence-related genes (SRGs) and their association with immunotherapy response remain unexplored in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) patients.
Methods
In this study, we explored the expression profiles of 279 SRGs in 469 SKCM patients included from TCGA database. The univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were conducted to construct a cellular senescence-related signature (SRS), and Kaplan–Meier survival curves as well as ROC curve were used to validate the predictive capability. The GSE65904 dataset was further used to validate the predictive ability of prognostic signature. Moreover, we explored the correlations of the SRS with tumor-infiltrating immune cells and response to immunotherapy. The expression levels of prognosis related SRGs were validated based on immunohistochemistry. In addition, consensus clustering analysis was performed to stratify SKCM patients into different clusters and compared them in OS.
Results
We developed a prognostic prediction SRS for patients with SKCM and verified patients in low-risk group were associated with better prognosis. Moreover, the correlation analysis showed that the SRS could predict the infiltration of immune cells and immune status of the immune microenvironment in SKCM, and patients with low-risk score might benefit from immunotherapy. In addition, all the SKCM patients in this study were classified into three clusters based on the mRNA expression profiles of 113 SRGs, which revealed that cluster 1 suffered poorer outcomes relative to clusters 2 and 3.
Conclusions
The SRS developed in this study could be used as a prediction tool in survival assessment and immunotherapy for SKCM patients.
Whole genome sequencing provides comprehensive genetic testing in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Ryan Sarra , Peden John , Kingsbury Zoya , Schwab Claire , James Terena , Polonen Petri , Mijuskovic Martina , Becq Jennifer , Yim Richard , Cranston Ruth , Hedges Dale , Roberts Kathryn , Mullighan Charles , Vora Ajay , Russell Lisa , Moorman Anthony , Bentley David , Harrison Christine , Ross Mark
Published: October 2022

Childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) is characterised by recurrent genetic abnormalities that drive risk-directed treatment strategies. Using current techniques, accurate detection of such aberrations is challenging, due to the rapidly expanding list of key genetic abnormalities. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has the potential to revolutionise genetic testing, but requires comprehensive validation. We performed WGS on 210 childhood B-ALL samples annotated with clinical and genetic data. We devised a molecular classification system to subtype these patients based on identification of key genetic changes in tumour-normal and tumour-only analyses. This approach detected 294 subtype-defining genetic abnormalities in 96% (202/210) patients. Novel genetic variants, including fusions involving genes in the MAP kinase pathway, were identified. There was excellent concordance with standard-of-care methods and whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS). We expanded the catalogue of genetic profiles that reliably classify PAX5alt and ETV6::RUNX1-like subtypes. Our novel bioinformatic pipeline improved detection of DUX4 rearrangements (DUX4-r). We defined the excellent survival rates of DUX4-r and ETV6::RUNX1-like subtypes. Overall, we comprehensively validated that WGS provides a standalone, reliable genetic test to detect all subtype-defining genetic abnormalities in B-ALL, accurately classifying patients for risk-directed treatment stratification, while simultaneously performing as an excellent research tool to identify novel disease biomarkers.
Practices of Congolese mental health and psychosocial support providers: a qualitative study on challenges and obstacles
Authors: Wiel Astrid ter , Slegh Henny
Published: October 2022

Background
Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), including services related to sexual and reproductive health problems, is a highly unaddressed area in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Whilst ongoing war and crisis in the region have seriously affected the population, health systems and healthcare providers do not seem to be equipped to respond to the needs of the population.
Methods
The aim of the study was to identify gaps in current practices of medical staff working at local health centres trying to provide adequate mental health and psychosocial support including sexual and reproductive health services to their patients, as well as obstacles prevalent in the context they operate in. We present findings of a qualitative study amongst 36 local staff working directly with patients at 7 hospitals and health centres in North Kivu.
Results
The analysis reveals three main categories of knowledge and skill gaps for staff in Eastern DRC to provide proper mental health and psychosocial support services, with integrated care for sexual and reproductive health, to women and men. These are related to reliance on western imposed approaches that only partly fit the local context, to a strong focus on medication, and to a lack of training. Further, the data show two main obstacles to improve current practices: persistent cultural taboos and misconceptions about what mental health and sexual health problems are and how they come to exist, and a very limited referral system.
Conclusion
This qualitative research provides important, context and cultural sensitive information on existing gaps and obstacles that Congolese providers of MHPSS services deal with. These gaps and obstacles illustrate the complex context in Eastern DRC, highlight the importance of locally tailored education and training, and stress the need for system changes to improve access and quality of mental health and psychosocial support services, that include attention for sexual and reproductive health. From a national and regional perspective, the results seem to call for a paradigm shift as to how mental health is approached and embedded in educational systems and society.
Local and wide-scale livestock movement networks inform disease control strategies in East Africa
Authors: Ekwem Divine , Enright Jessica , Hopcraft J. Grant C. , Buza Joram , Shirima Gabriel , Shand Mike , Mwajombe James K. , Bett Bernard , Reeve Richard , Lembo Tiziana
Published: October 2022

Livestock mobility exacerbates infectious disease risks across sub-Saharan Africa, but enables critical access to grazing and water resources, and trade. Identifying locations of high livestock traffic offers opportunities for targeted control. We focus on Tanzanian agropastoral and pastoral communities that are representative of eastern African livestock production systems. We built networks of livestock connectivity using participatory mapping data, reliant on consultation with local communities, and data from trading points to understand how seasonal availability of resources, land-use, and trade influence the movements of livestock. In agropastoral settings, inter- and intra-village connectivity through shared resources was higher in the dry compared to the wet season suggesting greater livestock traffic and increased contact probability. Unlike agropastoral communities, the livestock from pastoral areas were more clustered at communal locations during the wet season, when they also tended to move larger distances. Trade-linked movements were largely from rural to urban locations. Urban locations were central to all networks, particularly those with potentially high onward movements, for example to abattoirs, livestock holding grounds, or other markets, including beyond national boundaries. Our methodology is useful to understand livestock movements and devise strategic interventions targeting critical aggregation points and times in similar livestock production systems.
Electrochemical label-free pathogen identification for bloodstream infections diagnosis: towards a machine learning based smart blood culture bottle
Authors: Babin Thibaut , Dedole Tommy , Bouvet Pierre , Marcoux Pierre , Gougis Maxime , Mailley Pascal
Published: October 2022

Bloodstream infections are a growing public health concern. Current pathogen identification systems are based on complex and expensive devices, intended for use in centralized laboratories. Subsequent identification requires harmful chemical reagents, specialized personnel and time. Here we describe a new approach for rapid and decentralized diagnosis of positive blood cultures using electrochemical sensors. By implementing a multi-material potentiometric platform in a blood culture bottle, we have developed a portable system for pathogen identification of Gram and of genus. Bacterial growth in human blood generates a specific label-free multiplex electrochemical fingerprint according to the detected species. Analysis of these fingerprints using home-made machine learning algorithms allow for rapid identification of the pathogen after detection (14 species and 9 genus) (Gram= 99% accuracy 5.75 hours after detection, genus= 85 % accuracy 7.8 hours after positivity) without further handling of the contaminated sample.
Risk Factors for postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shen Huarui , He Rui , Zhang Peng , He Yue , Liu Yingqi , Wang Guoyou , Li Ting
Published: October 2022

Background

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality in patients ≥ 70 years old with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty (HA) and independent risk factors associated with postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted, patients ≥ 70 years old with HA for hip fracture under general anesthesia were included during COVID-19 and before COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome was defined as postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality. The baseline characteristics and risk factors were collected, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality.

Results

A total of 1096 patients were included during COVID-19 pandemic and 1149 were included before COVID-19 pandemic in the study. Patients ≥ 70 years with hip fracture for HA had longer fracture to operation duration, and the incidence of postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality was higher during COVID-2019 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dementia (OR,2.73; 95%CI, 1.37–5.44; P = 0.004), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) (OR,3.00; 95%CI, 1.92–4.71; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR,1.24; 95%CI, 1.19–1.30; P < 0.001) were associated with increased a risk for postoperative medical complications. COPD (OR,2.10; 95%CI, 1.05–4.17; P = 0.035), dementia (OR,3.00; 95%CI, 1.11–7.94; P = 0.031), postoperative medical complications (OR,4.99; 95%CI, 2.68–9.28; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR,1.11; 95%CI, 1.04–1.19; P = 0.002) were associated with increased a risk for 3-month mortality.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we found that postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in patients with hip fracture underwent THA was 21.90% and 5.20%, respectively during the COVID-19.
COPD, dementia, and longer fracture to operation duration were associated with negative outcome in patients with hip fracture underwent HA during the COVID-19.
Prognostic Analysis of Cuproptosis-related Genes in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kong Fanhua , Wang Kunpang , Teng Chuang
Published: October 2022

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis worldwide. Cuproptosis is a new type of cell death that can induce proteotoxic stress and ultimately lead to cell death, which is associated with tumor progression, prognosis and immune response. In this study, the expression of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) was analyzed to predict the prognosis of GC patients.
Methods
We analyzed the expression and mutation status of CRGs in 407 GC patients from TCGA database and 433 GC patients from GEO database, and correlated them with clinical prognosis. The R software package was used for classification. The relationship between different groups and prognosis, risk genes and immune microenvironment was further analyzed. LASSO cox algorithm was used to construct a cuproptosis risk model according to 8 risk genes. Finally, we constructed nomogram and calibration curve to predict the survival probability of patients and performed antitumor drug sensitivity analysis.
Results
Based on the analysis of TCGA and GEO databases, there were significant differences in the expression level and prognosis of CRGs in GC. We used consensus clustering algorithm to classify CRGs, and found 2 clusters of CRGs characterized by immune cell infiltration, and obtained 195 differentially expressed genes. We further obtained 8 risk genes by multivariate Cox regression analysis and constructed a cuproptosis risk model. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and principal component analysis (PCA) show that the model has accurate prediction ability. Risk score is an independent prognostic factor for GC patients. In addition, patients with low CRGs score have higher tumor mutation burden and immune activation level, and better survival prognosis. However, patients with high CRGs score showed poor survival and immunosuppression.
Conclusion
CRGs are involved in the occurrence and development of GC. Our cuproptosis risk model provides a new research strategy for predicting the prognosis of GC patients. Meanwhile, the results of drug sensitivity analysis can provide valuable drug candidate clues for clinical treatment of GC.
The multi-year effect of different agroecological practices on soil nematode and soil respiration
Authors: Sun Feng , Coulibaly Sekou FM , Cheviron Nathalie , Mougin Christian , Hedde Mickael , Maron Pierre-Alain , Recous Sylvie , Trap Jean , Villenave Cécile , Chauvat Matthieu
Published: October 2022

Background and Aims:
Agroecology practices can induce profound changes in soil inevitably inﬂuencing soil biological properties and soil functioning. However, we still lack understanding of how soil biodiversity responds to agroecology practices and to what extent such practices, alone or combined, can be beneficial for soil functioning. Understanding soil biological activities under different agroecology practices is important for predicting carbon cycling in agroecosystems.
Methods:
By taking advantage of a long-term agricultural experimental research station in France, we monitored soil microbes, nematodes and soil respiration over three years in response to agroecology practices that varied in the rate of nitrogen (N) fertilization (low vs high), the tillage type (deep vs reduced), and the crop residue management (retain vs removal).
Results:
Shifting from conventional to agroecology practices had strong effects on microbial biomass, nematode community and soil respiration. Reduced N and reduced tillage increased microbial biomass carbon, bacterivore and fungivore density. Perennial biomass crop decreased total nematode and herbivore density, but increased microbial biomass. Perennial biomass crop also significantly increased the structure and maturity indices, but decreased the plant parasite indices. Structural equation modelling showed that microbial biomass had a positive correlation with soil respiration in reduced nitrogen, reduced tillage, and residue removal treatments. Bacterivores had a positive correlation with omnivores/predators and soil respiration, while herbivores had a negative correlation with soil respiration in all the treatments.
Conclusions:
The different agroecological practices tested in this 4-year trial revealed the resilience of nematode communities and associated functions like CO2 respiration according to practices.
Endometrial giant cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tang Xiao , Li Lei , Jiang Wei
Published: October 2022

Background

Endometrial giant cell carcinoma (EGCC) is a rare variant of endometrial carcinoma, and only two small series and few case reports have been described in the literatures. It has not been recognized as a separate entity in the current WHO classification of endometrial neoplasms. Data on the biological behavior, clinical management, and prognosis of EGCC are limited due to its rarity.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with vaginal bleeding for about 2 months. Transvaginal ultrasound examination showed an echogenic polypoid mass measuring 1.8cm×1.2cm×1.6cm in the uterine cavity, a hysteroscopic lesion resection was performed. Histologically, in the background of multifocal necrosis, the tumor was remarkably composed of a large number of multinucleated giant cells and mononucleated cells, and a small part (10%) of the conventional EC components which exhibited mostly as serous carcinoma and focally as endometrioid differentiation scattered among them. In immunohistochemical staining, the tumor cells were strongly positive for EMA, P53(aberrant nuclear expression), Vimentin, molecular testing demonstrated p53-mutant subtype for molecular classification of EC. The pathological diagnosis was EGCC accompanied with serous carcinoma. The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The patient did not receive postoperative radiochemotherapy, and no evidence of disease was found after follow-up for 1 year.

Conclusion

EGCC is a rare type of uterine malignant tumor. It is necessary to realize this entity may be a rare variant of endometrial carcinoma, and the presence and/or percentage of giant cell component should be clearly notated in the pathology report, indicating that the biological behavior is unclear. Further experience for diagnose and treatment of this rare tumor is warranted.
Cartel Leniency and Settlements: A Joint Perspective
Authors: Dijkstra Peter T. , Seifert Jacob
Published: October 2022

This paper studies the interactions between a cartel leniency program and a settlement procedure. The EU settlement procedure gives colluding firms that do not apply for leniency an additional opportunity to cooperate with the competition authority in exchange for a reduced fine once a preliminary case has been established against them. We derive the conditions under which colluding firms apply for leniency, settle, or refuse to cooperate with the authority in equilibrium. Our policy results show that settlements can act as a complement or a substitute to the leniency program. We also study the welfare-optimal policy and highlight a novel interdependence between the fine reductions that should be offered to leniency applicants and settling firms.
JEL classification K21 · L31 · L41
The road of >1000 corpses: landscape and road-related features that promote mortality in the Amazon
Authors: Medrano-Vizcaíno Pablo , Grilo Clara , Brito-Zapata David , González-Suárez Manuela
Published: October 2022

Roads impact wildlife around the world; however, dedicated studies are lacking in many biodiverse areas such as the Amazon. Identifying which species are more often hit by vehicles and which landscape and road-related features promote roadkill is essential to guide future development and ensure adequate mitigation actions. For six months, we monitored 240 km of roads in the Ecuadorian Amazon and recorded 1125 dead vertebrates (148 species). Reptiles were the most affected class with 380 individuals (56 species), followed by amphibians with 278 individuals (11 species), birds with 259 individuals (62 species), and mammals with 208 individuals (20 species). We used Random Forest models to explore the role of various land cover types and road sinuosity on the observed mortality. Additionally, we created heatmaps to visualize the road segments where roadkills were more frequent. For all vertebrates, mortality was more likely in straight road sections near rivers. The effect of other variables was taxa-specific. Amphibian mortality was more likely near bare soil or forest, birds and mammals died more often near herbaceous-shrubby vegetation, whereas reptile mortality occurred more often further from herbaceous-shrubby vegetation. Road segments with a high mortality (roadkill hotspots) varied across taxa. These hotspots identify areas where further research is needed to assess road impacts and where mitigation could prevent collisions. Among records, we found rare and threatened species, including some that may be new to science. Roadkill surveys not only aid in quantifying threats and informing future planning but can also provide insight into local biodiversity.
Crop-climate link in the southeastern USA: A case study on Oats and Sorghum
Authors: Sharma Ramandeep Kumar , Dhillon Jagmandeep , Kumar Sunny , Vatta Kamal , Reddy Krishna N.
Published: October 2022

Recognizing the crop and region-specific irreversible effects of climate change on agriculture is unavoidable. The Southeastern United States region (SE-US) contributes significantly to the United States (US) economy through its diverse agricultural productivity. Climatically, this region is more vulnerable than the rest of the country. This study was designed to quantify the effect of changing climate, i.e., daily maximum temperature (Tmax), daily minimum temperature (Tmin), and precipitation, on oats (Avena sativa L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in SE-US. The panel data approach with a fixed effects model was applied by creating a production function on a panel dataset (1980–2020) of climate and yield variables. The required diagnostic tests were used to statistically confirm that the dataset was free of multi-collinearity, stationarity, and auto-correlation issues. The results revealed asymmetric warmings (Tmin increase > Tmax increase) over the region. Tmax and Tmin significantly increased during the oats growing season (OGS) and sorghum growing season (SGS). Precipitation increased during OGS and decreased during SGS. The annual average values of Tmax, Tmin, and Tavg (daily average temperature) have shifted by 1.08°C (0.027°C/year), 1.32°C (0.033°C/year), and 1.20°C (0.030°C/year) in OGS and by 0.92°C (0.023°C/year), 1.32°C (0.033°C/year), and 1.12°C (0.028°C/year) in SGS. However, precipitation had shifted by 23.2 mm (0.58 mm/year) in OGS and shifted (decreased) by -5.2 mm (-0.13 mm/year) in SGS. Precipitation had a non-significant effect on oats and sorghum yields. With every 1°C increase in Tmin and Tmax, oats yield was reduced by (-5%) and (-4%), respectively, whereas sorghum yield was increased by (+ 13%) and decreased by (-7%), respectively. Taken together, a 1°C net rise in overall temperature reduced oats yield (-9%) while increased sorghum yield (+ 6%).
The Ocular Manifestations of Relapsing Polychondritis
Authors: Gallagher Kevin , Al-Janabi Ahmed , Wang Aijing
Published: October 2022

PurposeRelapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare, multi-system, inflammatory disorder. Ocular disease is estimated to occur in 14 to 67% of patients with RPC and any ocular structure can be affected. Published case reports and series of RPC were analysed to determine the frequency and nature of the ocular manifestations of RPC, including the age and gender distribution.MethodsA literature search of the MEDLINE database for case reports and series on RPC was conducted using search terms (relapsing polychondritis[MeSH Major Topic]) OR (relapsing polychondritis[Title/Abstract]). Articles were included if the diagnosis of RPC was confirmed using established diagnostic criteria and if the paper described the clinical features of patients with RPC.Results546 articles (454 case reports and 92 case series) described the clinical features in a total of 2414 patients with RPC. 49% of patients with RPC had ocular involvement and this was a presenting feature in 21%. The most common ocular manifestations were scleritis (32%), episcleritis (31%) and uveitis (23%).ConclusionMany patients with RPC will be seen by an ophthalmologist during the course of their disease. Knowledge and awareness of RPC and its ocular manifestations is therefore essential to enable the ophthalmologist to make the diagnosis.
Bi-enzyme photoelectrochemical biosensor for sensitive determination of phosphatidylcholine in vegetable oil
Authors: Song Yang , Sha Jincheng , Wang Cuntang , Liu Xinyue , Han Lixin , Li Li
Published: October 2022

A bi-enzyme PEC biosensor was explored for the sensitive determination of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in vegetable oil based on phospholipase D (PLD) and choline oxidase (ChOx) immobilized on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The bi-enzyme electrode is based on modifying SnO2 nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) and polythionine (PTh). SnO2 NPs were obtained by hydrothermal method. The electropolymerization was performed to load the PTh layer on the ITO/SnO2 NPs electrode surface. The immobilization method of PLD and ChOx combined embedding and cross-linking. This bi-enzyme PEC biosensor with ITO/SnO2 NPs/PTh/ChOx/PLD electrode was developed for PC detection. Under the optimized conditions, a good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 0.01 mM to 5 mM with a detection limit of 0.002 (S/N=3). The proposed PEC analysis method shows good reproducibility, selectivity, and stability. The prepared PEC biosensor was used to detect PC in vegetable oil, and the results were consistent with those of liquid chromatography. This is an effective PEC sensing strategy for the rapid and sensitive determination of PC in vegetable oil.
Time Series Analysis of Environmental Data by using ARIMA and LSTM models for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Khanna Abhishek , Kaur Sanmeet
Published: October 2022

Appropriate utilization of water and its distribution within the fields for irrigation purpose within the agricultural domain is of paramount importance. It not only helps in retaining the natural resource, but also eliminates various environmental risks associated, such as crop damage, soil fertility loss, etc. This estimation is can be predicted in advance after evaluating all the associated agricultural parameters mainly soil moisture, humidity, luminosity, and atmospheric pressure thoroughly. Farmers often practice water distribution within the fields without evaluating its precise requirement. With an aim to procure this natural resource and evaluate its distribution as per the requirement of the fields, the present work endorses evaluation of agricultural parameters through Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Long short-term memory (LSTM) models based on Time Series analysis. Both these models predicts the values based on following two moving average methods, Simple Moving Average (SMA) and Exponential Moving Average (EMA). For obtaining values related to agricultural parameters, Libelium's Waspmote Plug & Sense, a hardware device has been incorporated within the study. The evaluated results depicted variation in results, in contrast to the actual practices begin followed by farmers. The intermediate diminution in error rates attained by ARIMA were found within the range of 74% - 77% in contrast to LSTM, indicating its preeminence. Based on the existing results, future possible values for various attributes can be estimated and on the basis of estimation, distribution of water for irrigating the fields can be scheduled according to requirement, resulting in better fields yields.
Misdiagnosis of Cardiac Manifestations of Seronegative Spondyloarthritis as Congenital Mitral Valve Apparatus Malformation by Echocardiography: A Case Report
Authors: Liu Shengnan , han Shu , Ma ChunYan , Yang Jun
Published: October 2022

Ankylosing spondylitis is the prototypical form of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Approximately 2–10% of patients have cardiac involvement. We reported a case of cardiac involvement of ankylosing spondylitis. An accurate imaging identification and differentiation is important for treatment decisions-making. Some nonspecific or uncommon symptoms of cardiac involvement were outstanding such that other departments clinicians excluded or overlooked it. Hence, the misdiagnosis rate of the disease is rather high, especially for cardiac involvement.
Tribological characteristics of three-body abrasive wear on MoS2 films
Authors: CHENG Weilun , dong shaojiang
Published: October 2022

Aiming at the problem of the failure of bearing lubrication caused by the entry of fine dust into the spacecraft, a molecular dynamic simulation method was proposed to study the wear characteristics of the bearing lubricating film. Firstly, the atomic model of MoS2 thin film is established, and the contact state of dust particles on the surface of MoS2 thin film is divided (two-body contact state and three-body contact state). Secondly, the characteristics of two-body and three-body abrasive wear are studied by applying different loads to the abrasives. Finally, the surface structure of the substrate was changed to explore the adsorption and wear characteristics of the one-dimensional rough substrate. The following conclusions are obtained: 1) Two-body contact and three-body contact have different wear mechanisms. The wear of two-body contact originates from the accumulation and release of tangential force. The main source of wear in three-body contact is the release of tangential force and the action of tangential force caused by rolling; 2) The relationship between sliding friction and rolling friction at the atomic scale is the same as that at the macroscopic scale. Rolling friction is much less friction than sliding friction. Rolling friction causes less damage to the film than sliding friction; 3) The one-dimensional rough substrate reduces the contact area between the film and the film, resulting in a decrease in the adsorption between the film and the substrate. The asperity structure of rough substrates reduces the lubricity of the film compared to smooth substrates.
SIGIRR-caspase-8 signaling mediates endothelial apoptosis in Kawasaki disease
Authors: wen zhengwang , Xia Yuhan , Zhang Yingying , He Yuxi , Niu Chao , Wu Rongzhou , zhang chunxiang , jia chang , Rong Xing , Chu Maoping
Published: October 2022

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a kind of vasculitis with unidentified etiology. Given that the current diagnosis and therapeutic strategy of KD are mainly dependent on clinical experiences, further research to explore its pathological mechanisms is warranted.
Methods: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum levels of SIGIRR, TLR4 and caspase-8. Western blotting was applied to determine protein levels, and flow cytometry was utilized to analyze cell apoptosis. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and TUNEL staining were respectively used to observe coronary artery inflammation and DNA fragmentation.
Results: in this study, we found the level of SIGIRR was downregulated in KD serum and KD serum-treated endothelial cells. However, the level of caspase-8 was increased in serum from KD patients compared with healthy control (HC). Therefore, we hypothesized that SIGIRR-caspase-8 signaling may play an essential role in KD pathophysiology. In vitro experiments demonstrated that endothelial cell apoptosis in the setting of KD was associated with caspase-8 activation, and SIGIRR overexpression alleviated endothelial cell apoptosis via inhibiting caspase-8 activation. These findings were also recapitulated in the Candida albicans cell wall extracts (CAWS)-induced KD mouse model.
Conclusion: our data suggest that endothelial cell apoptosis mediated by SIGIRR-caspase-8 signaling plays a crucial role in coronary endothelial damage, providing potential targets to treat KD.
The Auditory Brainstem Response of the Chicken Hatchling
Authors: Ordiway George , McDonnell Miranda , Sanchez Jason Tait
Published: October 2022

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a useful approach for evaluating hearing function. It is easily acquired in vertebrate animal models like reptiles, birds, and mammals, and routinely utilized in clinical audiology with human patients. The ABR is complementary in animal models with existing developmental andin vitroresearch. However, despite the domestic white leghorn chicken (gallus gallus domesticus) being studied extensively at the molecular, cellular, and system levels for decades, there exists no modern characterization of the chicken hatchling ABR. To address this gap, we used click- and tone-burst stimuli to elicit the ABR in 43 wild type chicken hatchlings one- and two-days post hatch (P1 and P2). Click-evoked ABRs presented with three to four positive going microvolt (µV) peaks within 6 milliseconds (ms) post stimulus onset. Tone-evoked ABRs resembled findings in other avian species; thresholds from 100–4000 Hertz (Hz) exhibited a range of best sensitivity between 750–2000 Hz. Population latency/intensity functions revealed an increase in peak latency of roughly 300 microseconds (µs) per a decrease of 20 decibels sound pressure level (dB SPL) for both click- and tone-evoked ABRs. The chicken hatchling ABR not only complements existing molecular, cellular, and systems level research, but also resembles the ABR waveform of altricial avian species, highlighting the precocious development of the chicken.
Comparison of National-Level Cybersecurity and Cyber Power Indices: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Çifci Hasan
Published: October 2022

Cybersecurity and cyber power have grown in importance as a way of mitigating risks and threats and maintaining a secure and reliable cyberspace. Several methodologies have been proposed to measure the cybersecurity and cyber power of nation states from different perspectives. In this study, the global indices and studies for assessing cybersecurity and cyber power were analyzed and compared in terms of their comprehensiveness and strength for measuring country-level capabilities. A conceptual framework covering all of the indicators of well-known indices was developed for comparison, and it can also be used as a new model to measure cyber capabilities at a national level. This study is unique in terms of the number and diversity of the indices as well as the scope and depth of the comparison since it analyzed most of the well-known country-level cybersecurity and cyber power indices as well as a maturity model at the indicator level depth. The study provides an extensive list of the categories and indicators and thereby improves comprehension of the elements of cybersecurity and cyber power with the comparison and mappings of widely used indices.
Acute Exposure to Organophosphosphorus Pesticide Metabolites compromises mammalian sperm survival, functional and fertility
Authors: Chhillar Shivani , BATRA VIPUL , Kumaresan Arumugam , Kumar Rakesh , Pal Ankit , DATTA TIRTHA
Published: October 2022

Agrichemicals such as metabolites (OPPMs) of the commonly-used organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are considered more hazardous and pervasive than their parent pesticides which. This is because parental germline exposure to such xenobiotics has been demonstrated to cause an elevated susceptibility towards various reproductive failures e.g. sub- or in-fertility
Buffalo is a vital livestock resource, however, has numerous reproductive restraints e.g. male subfertility (low conception) that negatively impact its lifetime productivity. This study sought to examine the effects of low-dose, acute OPPM exposure on the mammalian sperm survival and its fertilizing ability. The buffalo spermatozoa were briefly exposed to the three most prevalent organophosphorus pesticides metabolites viz. Omethoate (Dimethoate), paraoxon-methyl (methyl parathion) and 3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinol, (chlorpyrifos). The structural and functional integrity of the OPPM-exposed and control sperm were evaluated by various Cytomics and Biomimetics experiments including assessment of capacitation, lipid-peroxidation, mitochondrial activity and kinematic parameters (CASA), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) apart from their gene-expression profiling (RT-qPCR).
Preliminary data indicated that a perturbed phosphoproteomic endowment (PTP) and a dysregulated ROS-homeostasis in the OPPM-exposed spermatozoa (P<0.05) negatively affected their fertilizing ability (P<0.01) vis-à-vis control sperm. This is the first study demonstrating the spermatotoxic effects of OPPMs on gamete survival and function.
Evaluation of spatio-seasonal changes of the quality of water through the lower stretch of River Ganga: MCDM tool based approach for water quality indexing
Authors: Sarkar Koushani , Banerjee Gourab , MAZUMDAR ASIS , Majumder Arunabha
Published: October 2022

Knowledge on water quality and its assessment is essential for environmental benefit and human health. The primary focus of the study was to evaluate the spatial and seasonal changes in water quality index (WQI) of Hugli River in West Bengal using Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool. Despite of availability of different conventional methods for WQI calculation, present study adheres to the quality index with all sorts of water quality issues in an integrated way. For that MCDM tool such as Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) was adopted to determine weights of individual quality parameters and calculation of water quality indices. Nine locations along the stretch of the river were selected depending on population density, agricultural practices, industrial and other activities and ten water quality parameters were considered. According to the results water quality of the whole stretch of the river revealed poor quality of water for drinking and other uses without appropriate treatment though monsoon and autumn showed relatively better quality condition.
Monkeypox virus 2022, gene heterogeneity and protein polymorphism
Authors: Xiong Chenglong , Li Yanjiao , Hou Jingjing , Sun Zhong , Han Wendong , Thilakavathy Karuppiah , Chen Weijie , Wang Yuxi , Liu Xiuliang , Gao Qile , Lu Shuiping , Shao Zhongjun , Lu Yihan , Wang Weibing , Hu Jingjing
Published: October 2022

Human monkeypox (MPX) had been confined to equatorial Africa as an endemic disease1,2. Since early May 2022, cases of human MPX have been explosively reported from countries where the disease is not endemic. This is the first time that many human cases have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographical areas3,4. Here we analyze 27 genes or sequences from 643 full-length genomes of human monkeypox viruses (MPXVs) established after January 1, 2022. These MPXVs can converge into one branch on the phylogenetic trees of E3L, B13R, B19R, C7L, D11L, N1R, T4, and K4L genes, but can be divided into two, two-plus, or irregular branches on the phylogenetic trees of other genes or sequences. Due to the early appearance of the stop codons, the proteins encoded by D7L, O1L, B5R, B14R, and T4 genes of MPXVs 2022 can be truncated into different lengths, showing polymorphism in length. In particular, MPXVs 2022 had acquired or retained at least two virulent genes (B14R and T4) that do not belong to the ancient West African clade strains. Heterogeneity of genes and polymorphism of proteins may reflect the viruses’ complex epidemic history and the impacts they may suffer from environments, hosts and vectors. These impacts in turn prompt the viruses to frequently acquire, lose, truncate and delete genes. The acquisition or retain virulent genes with functional products of B14R and T4 may affect the virulence and the capacity of human-to-human transmission of MPXVs 2022, and may be responsible for their unprecedented expansions in infected population and epidemic areas.
A novel defined PANoptosis-related miRNA signature for predicting prognosis and immune characteristics in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yanmei , Zhou Jia , Zhang Nan , Zhu Yiran , Zhong Yiming , Wang Zhuo , Jin Hongchuan , Wang Xian
Published: October 2022

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is one of the most common malignancies and PANoptosis is a unique inflammatory programmed cell death regulated by the PANoptosome. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of cancer occurrence and progress. However, the potential role of PANoptosis-related miRNAs (PRMs) in KIRC remains elusive. In this study, KIRC samples were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets and PRMs were identified by previous literature reports. Univariate Cox and Lasso Cox regression analyses were applied to identify prognosis PRMs and then construct a PANoptosis-related miRNA prognostic signature evaluated by the risk score. By a variety of R software packages and web analysis tools, we found the high-risk patients bear worse survival prognoses and were significantly associated with high-grade and advanced-stage tumors. Furthermore, we demonstrated the low-risk group had significant changes in metabolic pathways and the high-risk group was characterized by high immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints expression as well as low IC50 values of chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that the high-risk patients may benefit more from immunotherapy and chemotherapy. In short, we constructed a PANoptosis-related miRNA signature and revealed its potential significance on the clinicopathological features and tumor immunity, providing new strategies for precise treatment.
The immunolocalization of cluster of differentiation 31, phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin on vascular network of normal and ischemic rat brain
Authors: Wang Jia , Guo Yating , Xu Dongsheng , Cui Jingjing , Wang Yuqing , Su Yuxin , Liu Yihan , Shen Yi , Jing Xianghong , Bai Wanzhu
Published: October 2022

Cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) has been widely applied for labeling the cerebral blood vessels in the past years. CD31 is mainly used as endothelial marker in determining the cerebral capillaries in the past years. However, it seems likely that its labeling efficiency is closely correlated with the antibodies from the polyclonal or monoclonal one, as well as the conditions of blood vessels. In order to test this phenomenon, we firstly compare the labeling characteristics of goat polyclonal anti-CD31 (gP-CD31) and mouse monoclonal anti-CD31 (mM-CD31) on the rat brain in health and ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) with the middle cerebral artery occlusion. By multiple immunofluorescence staining and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, it was found that gP-CD31 labeling expressed extensively on the cerebral capillaries in the normal and ischemic regions, but mM-CD31 labeling mainly presented on the capillaries in the ischemic region. In contrast to the vascular labeling with phalloidin andα-SMA, gP-CD31 labeling located on the lumen side of vascular wall and surrounded by phalloidin and α-SMA labeling. These results indicate that gP-CD31 is expressed more sensitively than mM-CD31 on the cerebral vasculature, and highly compatible with phalloidin and α-SMA for insight into the cerebral vascular network in a three-dimensional view under the physiological and pathological conditions.
Increased abnormal erythrocytes caused by spleen filtration deficiency provide a hypoxic environment for the occurrence of psoriasis
Authors: Zhao Ya , Wu Yayun , Fan Dancai , Deng Hao , Yao danni , Liu lijuan , deng shigui , zhao ruizhi , lu chuanjian
Published: October 2022

Background
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease with a long disease course and frequent relapse characteristics, however, its pathogenesis is still not completely clear. Clinical study indicated that blood state is abnormal in psoriasis and seems related with the severity of psoriasis. However, whether this is true and which constituents of blood play the key role and its mechanism behind is not clear.
Methods
Effect of blood constituents on the psoriasis development was determined by comparing serum, red cells, and leukocytes of psoriasis on the onset of psoriasis of NOG mice, using samples of healthy people as the control. The effect of red cell on psoriasis was further demonstrated by splenectomy using Kunming mice. Red cell morphology and spleen histopathology were studied by microscope. IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, VEGF, IL-22, MDA, NO and HIF were determined by Elisa kits, and q-PCR was used to detect the mRNA of IL-6, IL-22, and IL-23, and western blot was used to detect CD-11b, SPIC, SIPR-α, TSP-1, and CD47.
Results
The hemorheology of psoriatic patients to be abnormal, and aging and deformed erythrocytes increased in the blood. Red cell and leukocyte from psoriasis were more likely to induce psoriasis when comparing with that of from the healthy volunteers, and the effect of red cell was more strong. When splenectomy, mice were also easy to induce psoriasis, demonstrating by the skin lesion, inflammatory factors and histopathology which all similar with psoriasis patients. Psoriasis spleen showed an increased red pulp and white pulp, and increased CD-11b, SPIC, TSP-1 and decreased SPRP-α, CD47 showed marginal change, indicated that the weakening of the “eat me” function of spleen macrophages phagocytizing aging and deformed erythrocytes, resulting in the dysfunction of spleen filtration and the increase of aging and deformed erythrocytes in the body. Additionally, the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity and the declined antioxidant capacity of those erythrocytes led to the hypoxia environment, making psoriasis more likely to be induced.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate that spleen filtration dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of psoriasis and suggest that improving it may be an effective therapy for psoriasis and control its relapse.