bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Transient Hydraulic Simulations to Safely Optimise Tripping Speeds
Authors: Bacon Robert
Published: March 2022

There are many factors that contribute to non productive time, these include but are by no means limited to Lost circulation, formation influx, pack-offs and other stuck pipe events which cause delays, problems, lost time, and generally increase risk, and cost of the well, during drilling operations. Such situations can, sometimes, escalate into serious problems that may result in expensive and undesirable technical sidetracks. Couple this with ever more complex wells, (whether they be long horizontal sections, multi-laterals, etc), drilled in ever smaller and more challenging reservoirs, such as those which are depleted, or at high pressure and or high temperature.

The modelling software offers forward-looking simulations that can be used to predict drilling problems and assess the likely effects of remedial options. During real-time monitoring, advanced monitoring and trend analysis software can use downhole conditions and mud properties to forecast hole cleaning, equivalent circulating density (ECD), and temperature changes for the next depth/time interval, based on three tightly coupled real-time dynamic models – hydraulic, mechanical and thermodynamic – that simulate wellbore condition and characterize improvement or deterioration during drilling. These models continuously assess drilling performance, borehole conditions, and associated risks based on real-time symptom detection.

The solution and concept presented in this paper showcases a modelling approach which allows all of these situations to be accurately modelled in a transient setting, and then also compared and back modelled using all the available real time high frequency data. This coupled with an automated drilling control system has resulted in safe, record-breaking drilling achievements in the North Sea. The models allow updated safeguards to be applied to the drilling control system to maintain a downhole pressure within the acceptable limits of the open hole formations. It also automatically stops the movement of the drill string in case of abnormal hook loads or surface torques. Since automatic actions can be triggered in case of an unexpected situation, some standard procedures have been fully automated, including friction tests and back-reaming.
Vision Analytics for Decreasing HSE Risk and Improving Worksite Efficiency
Authors: Chatar Crispin , Konchenko Andrey , Goncharov Maxim
Published: March 2022

Many Industrie are using cameras as the new sensor. Vision Analytics are being used to extract insight from video. One such project was completed recently where vision analytics proved to be a useful technology for improving HSE and increasing efficiency. Data inferred from existing cameras was used to create a monitoring dashboard where supervisors could receive alerts at the worksite level or drill down to the specific events. New technology for training machine learning models which result in faster training times over traditional methods was used. Operators and supervisors can use this to monitor trends and improve efficiency.

Working with companies external to the energy industry, a new technology was tested which allows users to train machine learning models in a fraction of the time and with much less data. In order to test the capability, several use cases were tested and workflows for each along with a dashboard for advance analytics was constructed. This paper will not describe the unique methods used to train the machine learning models. It will however describe the use cases and results as well as discuss the next steps in the evolution of a digital workshop. Of interest will be the adaptation of this technology to the oil and gas industry. Each use case will be described with the corresponding value proposition.
Establishing the Taxa, Functional profile, and in-silico Ayurvedic Remedy of Microbiota implicated in West Nile Fever
Authors: Bagchi Preenon , Jovita Jemy Ratna , IA Shylesh Murthy
Published: March 2022

West Nile fever causing microbiome is taken in this work. Culex nigripalpus mosquito is the causative factor for West Nile Virus. Using Metatranscriptomic sequencing, identified the taxa and functional profile of the microbiome is identified. Again, the receptor genes involved in West Nile fever is taken and using computer aided drug design, the novel ligands from Ayurvedic medicinal plants Ginkgo biloba, Uncaria tomentosa, Lycoris radiate and Glycyrrhiza glabra. Further, in-vitro and in-vivo studies can be done on the selected ligands to prove their efficiency as drugs for the disease
Thermal Radiation Effect on Unsteady Convection and Mass Transport Over a Stretching Sheet in a Saturated Porous Medium With Chemical Reaction
Authors: Hasanuzzaman Md. , Afroj Romana , Sharin Shanta , Miyara Akio
Published: March 2022

The impact of chemical reaction on unsteady convection and mass transport over a stretching sheet in a saturated permeable medium with the thermal radiation effect has been examined numerically. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) have been converted into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using the local similarity transformation. The converted governing ODEs have been then solved numerically using the shooting technique in ‘ODE45 MATLAB’ software. The influence of emerging dimensionless numbers/parameters such as the thermal radiation parameter \(\left(R\right)\), Prandtl number \(\left(Pr\right)\), Schmidt number \(\left(Sc\right)\), Darcy number \(\left(Da\right)\) and chemical reaction parameter \(\left({K}_{r}\right)\) etc. on the flow, concentration and temperature distributions are presented and discussed. The fluid velocity decreases for uplifting values of the Darcy number. The fluid temperature enhances for rising values of the thermal radiation parameter. The concentration reduces for rising values of the chemical reaction parameter. The local skin-friction coefficient decreases about 21% due to increasing the Darcy number (0.6–1.6). The heat transfer rate decreases about 25%, and increases about 22% due to increasing the thermal radiation parameter (0.5-1.0) and the Prandtl number (0.71-1.0), respectively. The mass transfer rate increases about 9%, and 46%, due to increasing the chemical reaction parameter (0.5-1.0), and the Schmidt number (0.5-1.0), respectively. Finally, we compared our numerical results with previously published literature and observed to be a good agreement.
Risk factors and Interaction analysis of Hypertension in People who were Overweight and obesity:Based on Machine Learning and Data Mining
Authors: Wei Li Lu , Yu Jian
Published: March 2022

Objective To screen the independent risk factors of hypertension in People who were Overweight and obesity by Logistic regression and Decision tree model, and to analyze the two possible interactive risk factors by multiplying interaction scale and adding interaction scale.Methods 5098 People who were Overweight and obesity were selected as the research object. Firstly, Logistic regression and Decision tree model were used to screen the independent risk factors and possible interactive risk factors of hypertension in People who were Overweight and obesity. Finally, the multiplicative scale analysis and additive scale analysis were used to analyze the two possible interactive risk factors from the perspective of statistics and biology.Results Logistic regression showed that NAFLD, FPG, Age, TG, LDL-c, UA and Cr were positively correlated with overweight and obese hypertension, and GFR was negatively correlated with overweight and obese hypertension (P<0.05). The decision tree model suggests that Age, FPG and UA may interact. Multiplication scale analysis showed that FPG+UA, Age UA and Age+FPG had positive multiplication interaction (P<0.05, B≠0, OR > 1). Additive scale analysis shows that Age+UA single factor analysis and multi factor analysis have additive interaction, FPG+UA single factor analysis has additive interaction, multi factor analysis does not have additive interaction, and Age+FPG single factor analysis and multi factor analysis do not have additive interaction.Conclusion The independent risk factors of hypertension in People who were Overweight and obesity include NAFLD, FPG, Age, TG, LDL-c, UA and Cr. Age+UA has statistical and biological synergistic interaction, which can provide a reference for the study of the etiological interaction of hypertension in People who were Overweight and obesity.
Study on Pathophysiology of Gastric Function in Patients with Reflux Esophagitis
Authors: Yang Yi , Yin Xueying , Wang Xiaoyan , Yu Jun , Yue Fengming , Wang Lixia , Yang Dong , Zhang Zhifeng , Sun Xiaoyu , Hou Xiukun , Zhang Jing , Duan Zhijun
Published: March 2022

Background
Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which shows endoscopic injuries. Gastric function has been known as a part of mechanisms of GERD. However, there is still no comprehensive understandings.
Methods
40 patients completed endoscopy and high-resolution manometry (HRM) who meet diagnostic criteria were enrolled in RE group, and 34 healthy volunteers were recruited as control group. Both of them were evaluated gastric motility by a multidimensional system including a nutritional meal test combined with a visual analog scale (VAS) for assessing gastric tolerance and visceral sensitivity, gastrointestinal ultrasound used for evaluating gastric emptying, electrogastrogram (EGG) for gastric myoelectric activity.
Results
There were statistically significant differences between RE group and control group in gastric maximum tolerance, postprandial symptom score, gastric empty rate and postprandial slow wave rate (P < 0.05). Heartburn and reflux are the main symptoms in the RE group. There was a positive correlation between heartburn and epigastric discomfort score (VAS) at 0min and 20min postprandial, and between reflux and gastric empties rate (VAS) at 30min postprandial (P < 0.05). 30min nausea symptom score (VAS) was negatively correlated with the rest pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (P < 0.05). The 20min fullness score (VAS) was negatively correlated with the distal shrinkage score (P < 0.05). Gastroelectric ratio was positively correlated with the percentage of swallowing failure (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The gastric motility of RE patients is characterized by gastric tolerance, visceral sensitivity, gastric empties, and disturbance of gastric muscle electrical activity, some of which may be involved in the occurrence of RE symptoms and esophageal motility disorders.
Activation of autophagy induces monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by FOXM1-mediated FAK phosphorylation
Authors: Zhai Cui , Cao Meng , Zhang Nana , Wang Jian , zhang Qianqian , Zhu Yanting , Wang Qingting , Li Shaojun
Published: March 2022

Background: Activation of autophagy induces the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and vascular remodeling in rats, and therefore improves the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the possible mechanisms underlying autophagy in PAH have not been completely understood. The aims of this study are to address these issues. Method: Rat models of PAH were induced by intraperitoneally injection of monocrotaline (MCT). The right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), percentage of medial wall thickness (%MT), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining and Ki67 staining were performed to evaluate the development of PAH. The protein levels of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phospho-FAK, and LC3B were determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: FOXM1 protein level and the activation of FAK and autophagy were significantly increased in MCT-induced PAH rats. Pharmacological inhibition of FOXM1 and FAK suppressed MCT-induced autophagy activation, and reduced RVSP, RVHI and %MT, and ameliorated the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells in MCT-induced PAH rats. Conclusion: FOXM1 induces the development of PAH by activation of FAK and consequent stimulating autophagy in MCT-treated rats.
Self-Densified 3 mm-Thick All-(ligno)Cellulose Nanofiber Panel
Authors: Kaffashsaei Elmira , Yousefi Hossein , Nishino Takashi , Matsumoto Takuya , Mashkour Mahdi , Madhoushi Mehrab
Published: March 2022

All-lignocellulose nanofiber panel (LCNF-P) and all-cellulose nanofiber panel (CNF-P) with a nominal thickness of 3 mm were fabricated without adhesive or additive. To provide comparison, lignocellulose microfiber panel (LCMF-P) and cellulose microfiber panel (CMF-P) were also made. The pastes of nano- and micro-fibers were first cold pressed then dried with a mild drying condition in a vacuum oven at 60°C. Although the nominal target density of panels was 1 g/cm3 and a very mild pressure of 0.002 MPa (created by four paper clips) was employed during drying, the density of nano-panels increased to 1.3 g/cm3 thanks to their self-densification capability, while the density of micro-panels obtained around 0.8 g/cm3. X-ray diffraction test confirmed the laminate structure of all panels and also showed that lignin-containing panels had a lower crystallinity and crystallite size than those obtained from bleached fibers. FTIR test showed that the amount of lignin and hemicellulose in LCNF-P and LCMF-P were higher than those of CNF-P and CMF-P. TGA analysis did not show a distinctive difference among the initial onset temperature of specimens (around 270°C) and at 500°C the nano-panels showed higher char content compared to those of micro-panels. Long-term water absorption and thickness swelling tests demonstrated that nano-panels had a higher dimensional stability and less water absorption compared to those of micro-panels. Both the flexural and tensile strengths of LCNF-P (108 and 118 MPa respectively) and those of CNF-P (103 and 126 MPa respectively) were considerably higher than those of micro-panels.
A Hybrid Iterated Greedy Algorithm for Job Shop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Zhao Shikui , Huang Lin , Han Qing
Published: March 2022

Aiming at the job shop scheduling problem (JSP), an iterated greedy hybrid algorithm is proposed to optimize the maximum completion time. In the sections of deconstruction and reconstruction of iterated greedy algorithm, any number of operations can be moved to realize the deconstruction and reconstruction of operation-level. When deconstructing, after removing multiple operations, the calculation method of the head and tail length of the partial scheduling based on adjacency matrix and topological sorting is studied. The corresponding directed graph model and adjacency matrix are updated, to solve the topological sorting based on the adjacency matrix, and then the head and tail length of the operations in the partial scheduling are calculated. In the reconstruction, multiple operations should be inserted into the existing partial scheduling. The reconstruction method is based on the insertion algorithm of constructing the initial scheduling, and each previously removed operation should be inserted in turn, which not only ensures the feasibility after inserting multiple operations, but also scientifically inserts operations with better strategies. In view of the strong local search ability of tabu search algorithm, the tabu search is used in the local search section of iterated greedy algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by testing international JSP benchmarks.
Digital Soil Mapping for the Parnaíba River Delta, Brazilian Semiarid Region
Authors: Amorim João Victor Alves , Valladares Gustavo Souza , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Portela Mirya Grazielle Torres , Lima Andréa Maciel
Published: March 2022

Soil mapping is a permanent demand, but the traditional method does not allow fast execution and low cost. Digital soil mapping (DSM) aims to improve the process by working with models that treat soil spatial variability quantitatively. In this perspective, the objective of the study is to perform DSM of the Parnaíba River Delta, Northeastern Brazil, through the decision tree (DT) integration technique using a set of attributes derived from the digital elevation model (DEM) and satellite images as input parameters. Data matrices were created considering different soil groups. The performance of the J48 machine learning algorithm (DT) was assessed for a set of 2 data matrices. From the data processing, digital soil maps were created and validated by means of error matrices, whose reference points were classified in the field, and validated by means of a pre-existing traditional soil map of the area. The results revealed that the attributes derived from satellite image stood out from those derived from DEM in the prediction of soil groups. Based on the validation coefficients applied (overall accuracy, Kappa index, user’s accuracy and producer’s accuracy), the quality of the classification was satisfactory, despite the complexity of the environment.
The Rural Consumer Adoption of Sustainable Energy: A PLS-SEM-ANN Approach of Conceptual Model Development and Cross Country Validation of Pakistan and Malaysia
Authors: Yin Yip Chee , Ahmed Junaid , Nee Au Yong Hui , Hoe Oon Kam
Published: March 2022

Sustainable and alternative energy sources of biofuel and solar power panel have been revolutionizing the lives and economy of many countries. However, these changes mainly occur in the urban areas and the rural population section has long been ignored by policy makers and government in the provision of energy. It is only recently that solar and biofuel are finally making in road to provide cheap and clean energy sources to rural population. As a result, literature on consumer behavior of rural population towards sustainable energy sources are still very scarce. The present research aims to fulfil this gap by developing a conceptual model to investigate the adoption of solar power and biofuel energy resources in the cross-cultural setting of Malaysia and Pakistan. The data was collected from the rural areas of Pakistan and Malaysia. The two-stage data analysis method of partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) have been applied to satisfy both linear and non-linear regression assumption respectively. The results show that consumer in rural areas of Pakistan are willing and possess intention to adopt both biofuel and solar power for commercial and domestic use. Additionally, the results confirm that Branding, Economic and Altruistic factors are important in yielding intention to use towards biofuel and solar power panel in Pakistan which are validated by the results obtained in Malaysia. Other factors such as climate change awareness, retailer services quality and ease of use are also important. The results offer wide ranging theoretical and managerial implications.
Optimization of Deep Learning Model Using an Improved Three-term Conjugate Gradient Algorithm
Authors: Dada Ibidapo , Akinwale Adio , Osinuga Idowu , Olubiyi Moses
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study is to present a new type of optimization algorithm to train deep learning model. In other to achieve this, we used a convex combination method to combine the coefficients of Fletcher-Reeves (FR) and Polak-Ribiere-Polyak (PRP) on a three-term conjugate gradient method. This algorithm called Three-term PRP-FR Algorithm was implemented from scratch using python programming language alongside some existing optimizers. These optimizers were evaluated and compared based on the convergence of these optimizers using the accuracy results on the popularly known digit recognition dataset (MNIST dataset).
Conditional wealth to estimate association of wealth mobility with health and human capital in low- and middle-income country cohorts
Authors: Varghese Jithin Sam , Osmond Clive , Stein Aryeh D.
Published: March 2022

Temporally harmonized asset indices allow the study of changes in relative wealth (mean, variance, social mobility) over time. Conditional measures are the unexplained residuals of an indicator regressed on its past values. Using such measures, previously used to study the relative importance of key life stages for anthropometric growth, we can identify specific life stages during which changes in relative wealth are important. We discuss the assumptions, strengths and limitations of this methodology as applied to relative wealth. We provide an illustrative example using a publicly-available longitudinal dataset and show how relative wealth changes at different life stages are differentially associated with body mass index in adulthood.
Comparison of Nutrition Screening Tools and Calf Circumference in Estimating the Preoperative Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Patients with Aerodigestive Tract Cancers- A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: srinivasaragha nivedhyaa , Venketeswaran Meenakshi V. , Balakrishnan Kalpana , Ramasamy Thendral , Ramakrishnan Aishwarya , Agarwal Ajit , Krishnamurthy Arvind
Published: March 2022

Purpose
There is paucity of data on the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients in India and a brief tool to identify the same would be an asset. Our aim was to evaluate two nutrition screening tools and calf circumference (CC) with the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) consensus guidelines for malnutrition among patients with head and neck(H&N) and gastrointestinal(GI) cancers.
Methods
Nutritional evaluation was performed preoperatively using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), Short Form of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and Calf circumference (CC) in 206 patients. The diagnostic accuracy of these tools was compared with the ESPEN criteria for malnutrition. Patients evaluated were grouped as normal or malnourished. The incidence of infection, antibiotic days, antibiotic escalation and length of stay were compared among the groups. Clavien-Dindo score at discharge, 30-day readmission and mortality were also examined.
Results
28.6% were malnourished as per ESPEN criteria and 25.2% had CC less than the cut-off. With respect to ESPEN criteria, MUST and MNA-SF had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value. CC had the highest specificity and positive predictive value for the total population (91.16%,75% respectively). The agreement between the tools was acceptable except in MNA-SF(MNA-SF-ESPEN κ = 0.228, MUST-ESPEN κ = 0.565, CC-ESPEN κ = 0.594). There was no difference in postoperative outcomes between the malnourished and normal.
Conclusion
Thus, more than a quarter of patients with H&N and GI cancers are malnourished preoperatively. As the best agreement between the screening tools was for MUST-ESPEN and CC-ESPEN, either of them can be used to identify malnutrition at admission
“Endothelial antibody factory” at the Blood Brain Barrier: novel approach to therapy of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: thinard Renald , Farkas Attila , Halasa Marta , Chevalier Melanie , Brodaczewska Klaudia , Majewska Aleksandra , Zdanowski Robert , Paprocka Maria , Rossowska Joanna , Duc Lam , Greferath Ruth , Krizbai Istvan , Leuven Fred , Kieda Claudine , Nicolau Claude
Published: March 2022

Phase III clinical trials of immunotherapies against Alzheimer’s disease have failed to hit major endpoints. Despite the high doses administered, small fractions of injected monoclonal antibodies cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), likely resulting in an antibody concentration in the brain parenchyma that is too low for a therapeutic effect. Here we report a novel approach to circumvent this obstacle. Leveraging the homing properties of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to reach impaired BBB, we transfected ex vivo EPCs with vectors encoding anti-β-amyloid and anti-TDP-43 antibody fragments (Fabs). The expressed Fabs retained the ability to bind to, and extensively solubilize, β-amyloid and TDP-43 aggregates. Immunofluorescence studies showed that when injected into mice, the transfected EPCs homed to the BBB where they adhered, integrated, and expressed Fabs which localized in the brain parenchyma and perivascular space. This approach can be optimized and developed as a possible cell-based gene and immunotherapy.
Coding of Images in Long Term Memory: The Fate of Visual Memories across Weeks in Adults and Children
Authors: Goujon Annabelle , Thorpe Simon
Published: March 2022

What is the content and the format of visual memories in Long Term Memory (LTM)? Is it similar in adults and children? To address these issues, we investigated, in both adults and 9-year-old children, how visual LTM is affected over time and whether visual vs semantic features are affected differentially. In a learning phase, participants were exposed to hundreds of meaningless and meaningful images presented once or twice for either 120ms or 1920ms. Memory was assessed using a recognition task either immediately after learning or after a delay of three or six weeks. The results suggest that multiple and extended exposures are crucial for retaining an image for several weeks. Although a benefit was observed in the meaningful condition when memory was assessed immediately after learning, this benefit tended to disappear over weeks, especially when the images were presented twice for 1920ms. This pattern was observed for both adults and children. Together, the results call into question the dominant models of LTM for images: although semantic information enhances the encoding & maintaining of images in LTM when assessed immediately, this seems not critical for LTM over weeks.
Critical evaluation of some microbial contamination removal and inactivation methods for face masks
Authors: Salo Satu , Harlin Ali , Kulmala Ilpo , Kamppuri Taina , Saarimäki Eetta , Kiiskinen Titta
Published: March 2022

Reusable face masks are one major protective measure in droplet infection, even the efficiency has been discussed in aerosol distribution and wide use in population. In epidemic and especially in pandemic condition security of supply is compromised due high and sudden consumption of protective devices. When production and storages of masks are not sufficient, the option is that the masks are cleaned and disinfected typically by washing. During the recent COVID crisis has been raised question whether single-use respirators could be decontaminated as well. This is a critical view on some low-tech methods and their efficiency. Because of last resort option ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) encourage national public health authorities and groups studying such methods to share their results as soon as they become available. This paper is a report on studies of some simple decontamination effects and their efficiency.
Patients and Their Families' Perceptions of Living with Heart Disease: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Yasrebirad Maryam , Kermanshahi Sima Mohammadkhan , Eesa Mohammadi
Published: March 2022

Background
The aim of this study was to understand patients and their families about living with heart disease.
Method
This study was a qualitative content analysis study in hospitals in Karaj, Iran. Sixteen patients with heart disease were interviewed. Purposeful sampling method was used in this study. In order to collect data, unstructured interviews were conducted and data were analyzed based on five steps of Granheim and Lundman.
Results
Data analysis led to the formation of two main categories or themes: "perception of disorder and crisis in life" and "Patient and family abandonment in the care knowledge gap." Cardiac patients experience life-threatening disorders and crises following the disease as a feeling of "inability to control daily life” Which is accompanied by a feeling of physical disability and despair caused by lost physical strength As well as the "confrontation with a vague and disturbing future" which is accompanied by fear of imminent death, fear of disability and a sense of hopelessness for the future, They also experience financial harm and stress in the family as “financial inability to meet living and medical needs”, “unpaid expenses”, and “loss of financial resources”.. Patients and their families also perceive the feeling of being left in a care knowledge gap as "receiving insufficient knowledge of the disease and caring for it" and "facing neglect of family education in the health system." And "receiving insufficient knowledge" as "lack of knowledge about the disease" and "following the incorrect advice of others in self-care".
Conclusion
Heart patients and their families suffer from financial, physical, psychological and educational crises that have a very unpleasant effect on them and these crises are able to increase the physical and psychological pressures on patients many times over. Of course, sometimes physical disabilities are added to them with old age and complicate the problems. The findings show that there is an urgent need to adopt strategies that can effectively help the patient and her/his family in the face of these crises.
High Strength Chitin Nanocrystals/Alginate Filament Prepared by Wet-Spinning in “Green” Coagulating Bath
Authors: Zhang Jiaju , Hou Chengyu , Zhang Xuhui , Wang Yang , Li Ting , Xia Bihua , Jiang Jie , Dong Weifu
Published: March 2022

Chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) are an alternative biomaterial of remarkable mechanical stiffness, biocompatibility and sustainability. Wet-spinning is a convenient pathway to control alignment direction and give full play to the advantages of high strength of ChNCs. Herein, sodium alginate (SA) was added as thickener and cross-linking molecules to improve the gelation rate and orientation degree of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized carboxylated ChNCs in CaCl2 coagulating bath. The effects of additive amount of SA on the morphology and microstructure of wet-spun filaments were systematic studied. The optimized concentration of SA was 0.8%, and tensile strength and orientation degree of the corresponding filament were 261 MPa and 29.8%, respectively. The changes of optical properties and surface morphology during drying process were monitored via polarizing microscope. The addition of glycerinum and glucose had negative influence on the formation of hydrogen bonds between ChNCs, leading to the decrease of mechanical strength and suppressing the formation of wrinkles on the surface of filament. The stretching process could improve the mechanical strength but cause reduction of strain ratio. This bio-based composite filament with good biocompatibility had potential application in the field of biomedical.
Effectiveness of Periodontal intervention on the levels of N Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum in Chronic Periodontitis patients
Authors: Fazal Ibrahim , Shetty Bhavya , Yadalam Umesh , Khan Safiya Fatima , Nambiar Manjusha
Published: March 2022

Background- N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an inactive hormone which is seen during inflammation and is a known biomarker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence suggests that periodontitis has a bidirectional relationship with CVD and NTProBNP has a potential role in periodontal disease. However, there is no evidence on the impact of Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on the levels of NTProBNP in GCF and serum in patients with chronic periodontitis. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the levels of NT-proBNP in GCF and serum in patients with Chronic generalized periodontitis before and after NSPT after 6 weeks. Methods: An interventional study was carried out in which GCF and serum samples was collected in 19 patients with chronic generalized periodontitis prior and post NSPT 45 days and the cumulative or reduction in values of NTProBNP in both parameters; GCF and serum was assessed. All subjects underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) including complete SRP and subgingival debridement. NTProBNP levels in GCF and serum were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The concentrations of NTProBNP were significantly reduced in GCF and serum after NSPT. Statistically significant difference of BNP concentration between pre and post groups in GCF were apparent (p <0.0001) whereas statistically non-significant results in NTProBNP serum levels when compared at baseline to post-operative state with the mean of 61.77 (22.6 SD) pre operatively and 72.67 (51.86 SD) post operatively. (p-value = 0.0007) was observed. Conclusion: Significant reduction of NTProBNP concentrations in GCF and serum in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis subjected to non-surgical periodontal therapy was observed. This may account for a significant relation between periodontal disease, bacteremia and cardiovascular disease.
Ultrafiltration of Fucus vesiculosus extracts under different operating conditions
Authors: Costa Rui , Madeira Tiago , Marçal Catarina , Cardoso Susana M. , Gando-Ferreira Licínio
Published: March 2022

The interest in separating and concentrating bioactives and minerals from seaweeds extracts is growing due to large health benefits of these substances. The aim of this study was to investigate the separation of components of Fucus vesiculosus seaweed extracts by tangential ultrafiltration and apply Hermia’s models adapted to crossflow ultrafiltration to understand the fouling mechanism. The influence of membrane cut-off varying from 5 to 150 kDa, crossflow velocity from 0.081 and 0.095 m/s and transmembrane pressure between 2 and 8 bar was studied. The present study revealed that the ultrafiltration membranes process was successful in clarifying and still delivering permeates with a high content in iodine. Clarification was almost completely achieved with 5 kDa polyethersulfone membrane, while the hydrophilic polyethersulfone membrane was not adequate to due to the high retention in iodine. Cake layer formation mathematical model was successfully used to the predict the permeate flux over time. There was evidence that cake layer is the fouling mechanism in the filtration of Fucus vesiculosus extracts, whatever the membrane crossflow velocity or transmembrane pressure, probably due to the high content of these extracts in alginates.
Anticancer Effects of Herbal Medicines in Pancreatic Cancer Through Modulation of Steroid Hormone Response Proteins
Authors: Zhang Zhiyi , Wang Juan , Liu Bingying , Liu Yu , Shi Xiaowei , Li Wenli , Xin Huawei , Xin Jie , Hao Chunxiang
Published: March 2022

Many individual herbs and herbal formulae have been demonstrated to provide safe and effective treatment for Pancreatic cancer (PC); however, the therapeutic mechanisms underlying their effects have not been fully elucidated. A total of 114 herbal formulae comprising 216 single herbal medicines used to treat PC were identified. Cluster analysis revealed a core prescription including four herbs [Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome (Gan Cao), Codonopsis Radix (Dang Shen), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi), and Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia)] in combination to treat PC, and 295, 256, 141, and 365 potential targets were screened for each of these four herbs, respectively. PC-related proteins (n = 2940) were identified from the DisGeNET database. Finally, 44 overlapping targets of herbs and PC were obtained, representing potential targets of the herbal medicines for PC treatment. GO enrichment analysis indicated that targets common to herbs and PC primarily functioned in response to steroid hormones. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the herbs may prevent PC by influencing apoptotic, p53, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Further, molecular docking analysis indicated that of identified bioactive compounds, stigmasterol, phaseol, perlolyrine, shinpterocarpin, and licopyranocoumarin have good binding ability with proteins involved in responses to steroid hormones, while stigmasterol, phaseol, perlolyrine, and DIOP have good binding ability with PTGS2(also known as COX-2), ESR1, ESR2, AR, and PGR. Conclusion: The anti-PC activity of herbal medicines may be mediated via regulation of proteins with roles in responses to steroid hormones. This study provides further evidence supporting the potential for use of herbal medicines to treat PC.
Incidentalomas Are Associated With an Increase in Liver Transplantation in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Cortés Pedro , Ghoz Hassan M. , Stancampiano Fernando , Omer Mohamed , Malviya Balkishan , Bowman Andrew W. , Palmer William C.
Published: March 2022

Background: Incidentalomas, defined as incidental findings on imaging, are a growing concern. Our aim was to determine the impact and outcomes of extrahepatic incidentalomas on liver transplantation.Methods: Patients at a large liver transplant center, who had an initial MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma screening between January 2004 and March 2020 were identified. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. Survival analysis, utilizing Kaplan Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, was utilized to determine factors associated with liver transplantation. Results: 720 patients were included. NASH (24.9%), HCV (22.1%) and alcohol (20.6%) were the most common causes of cirrhosis. 79.7% of patients had an extrahepatic incidentaloma. Older age and having received a liver transplant by the end of the study were associated with an incidentaloma. MELD was not associated with the presence of an incidentaloma. On univariate Cox proportional hazards regression, male gender, history of moderate alcohol use, smoking history, MELD, and incidentalomas were predictors of liver transplantation. On multivariate analysis, only MELD and the presence of an incidentaloma were found to be significant. Discovery of an incidentaloma was associated with a 30% increase in the risk of liver transplantation. Median time to transplantation did not differ based on the presence on an incidentaloma. Patients with cirrhosis from alcohol or HCV had a significantly shorter median time to transplantation than those with NASH. Renal and pancreatic lesions comprised 91% of all incidentalomas.Conclusions: In this single-center retrospective study, extrahepatic incidentalomas were common in patients with cirrhosis. The finding of an incidentaloma was associated with a higher risk of liver transplantation despite a similar median time to transplantation if no incidentaloma was discovered.
The First Case of Jujube allergy presented as anaphylaxis in a child sensitized multiple food allergens: A case report
Authors: Kang Tae Seok , Kim Hana , Suh In Bum , Kim JaKyoung
Published: March 2022

Background: Chinese jujube fruits, called daechu in Korea, have high nutritional and medical value and are consumed worldwide as fresh and dry fruit, but there are few reports of side effects or allergies. Case presentation: We present the first child’s case, having anaphylaxis to this fruit in a patient with no latex allergy, but other food allergy such as pine nuts and kiwi. We took the examination using skin prick test specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) with unicap and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to confirm the sensitization of the causative allergen. In the skin test, the result of latex and jujube was negative, and Unicap specific IgE tests for kiwi and pine nut were 2.34 kU/L and 2.87 kU/L, and 0.55 O.D and 0.87 O.D (control group 0.36, 0.4) by indirect ELISA to kiwi and pine nut that we performed. The result of our performing indirect ELISA to jujube was positive as 0.62 O.D. (Control group 0.41). Conclusions: It is thought that research on allergenicity of jujube and the cross-relationship between jujube allergy antigen and food allergens such as kiwi or pine nuts will be necessary in the future.
Effects of Polysaccharide from Hericium Erinaceus on Diarrhea Rats Induced by Lincomycin Hydrochloride: A Potential Treatment for Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis
Authors: Li Shanshan , Ren Duoduo , Tan Shaochao , Qi Yuli , Sun Yinshi
Published: March 2022

In China, the fungus Hericium erinaceus is known as a healthy food crop which possesses digestive tract protection functionality. This research was focus on the effects of polysaccharides extracted from Hericium erinaceus (WHP) on rats with diarrhea induced by antibiotic, specifically on the shifts of gut microbiota. WHP was mainly composed of glucose (88.6%), galactose (9.1%), and fructose (2.3%). It decreased the disease activity index, structure damage of the colon in rats with AAD; increased butyrate production, and affected the gut microbiota through increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Butyricicoccus, while decreased that of Allobaculum and Enterococcus, which closely related to the gut microbiota dysbiosis. It could concluded from this study that WHP can ameliorate antibiotic induced diarrhea by causing the recovery of the colon damage, improving the gut microbiota dysbiosis, and promoting the butyrate production. The results of this study can provide valuable data on how Hericium erinaceus polysaccharide alleviate the damage associated to the intake of antibiotics.
Validation, Reliability and Repeatability of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) Questionnaire in a Sample of the Palestinian Population: The Pa-OSDI
Authors: Azemin Mohd Zulfaezal Che , Aljarousha Mohammed , Badarudin Noor Ezailina , Aljeesh Yousef , Amer Abuimara , Rahim Muhammed Afzam Abdul
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE To translate and validate a Palestinian dialect version of OSDI. METHODS The translation procedure included five stages; forward translation, revision of translation, backward translation, refinement of translation and finally test of the pre-final version. The final sets of questionnaires were constructed using an online JotForm platform. The online platform was chosen to automatically calculate the questionnaire's final overall score. Overall, 260 participants were instructed to fill out the English and the Pa-OSDI version twice to conduct the reliability of the translated version and repeatability evaluation. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 33.45±11.74 years. Cronbach's alpha for all domains was greater than 0.80, except the ‘‘blurred vision’’ and ‘‘deteriorating vision’’ domains (0.77 and 0.74 respectively). The mean overall score difference between the OSDI and Pa-OSDI was 0.86 based on the Bland-Altman chart. For repeatability, no significant difference in the overall scores between the two repeats of the Pa-OSDI ( p =0.632). The outcome for the Pa-OSDI overall score (sessions 1 and 2) was a clinically difference (bias) of 0.21. By using the Varimax rotation method, only three factors (ocular symptoms, vision-related function, and environmental triggers) had eigenvalues greater than one in the structure of the Pa-OSDI. CONCLUSION The Pa-OSDI is an appropriate reliable and repeatable tool for the determination of dry eye symptoms, ocular discomfort and quality of life in the Palestinian dialect speaking population. This version could remove the language barrier in answering OSDI domains more easily.
Glucose oxidase converted into a general sugar-oxidase
Authors: Baruch-Shpigler Yael , Avnir David
Published: March 2022

Entrapment of glucose oxidase (GOx) within metallic gold converts this widely used enzyme into a general saccharide oxidase. The following sugar molecules were oxidized by the entrapped enzyme (in addition to D-glucose): L-glucose, fructose, xylose,, glucose-6-phosphate, sucrose, lactose, methylglucoside, and the tri-saccharide raffinose. None of these sugars except raffinose has a natural specific oxidase. The origin of this generalization of activity is attributed to the strong protein-gold 3D interactions and to the strong interactions of co-entrapped cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with gold on one hand, and with the protein on the other hand. It is proposed that these interactions induce conformational changes in the channel leading to the active site, which is located at the interface between the two units of the dimeric GOx protein. The observations are compatible with affecting the specific conformation change of pulling apart and opening this gate-keeper, rendering the active site accessible to a variety of substrates. In addition to converting a common enzyme to an oxidase for common sugars which lack it, the entrapment methodology was found to be beneficial in increasing the thermal stability of GOx up to 100 oC and in allowing its convenient recyclability, two features of practical importance.
MSC-EVs: A Promising Modulator for Immune Response in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Xie Min , Wen Chuan , Li Cuifang , She Zhou , Wu Feifeng , Mao Jueyi , Hun Marady , Luo Senlin , Wan Wuqing , Tian Jidong
Published: March 2022

At present, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUCMSCs) have been used in the clinical treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), However, the detailed mechanism of MSCs remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether hUCMSCs derived extracellular vesicles (hUCMSC-EVs) could regulate abnormal immune responses of T cells or B cells in SLE.We isolated splenic mononuclear cells from MRL/lpr mice , a classical animal model of SLE.PBS(Phosphate-buffered saline), 2×105 hUCMSCs, 25µg/ml hUCMSC-EVs, 50µg/ml hUCMSC-EVs were co-cultured with 2×106 activated splenic mononuclear cells for 3 days in vitro, respectively. The proportions of CD4+T cell subsets and the concentrations of cytokines were detected .Both hUCMSCs and hUCMSC-EVs inhibited CD4+T cells , increased the production of T helper(Th)17 cells , promoted the production of interleukin（IL）-17 and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) (P＜0.05), although they had no significant effects on Th1, Th2, T follicular helper (Tfh), regulatory T (Treg )cells and IL-10 (P＞0.05);only hUCMSCs inhibited CD19+ B cells, promoted the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-4 (P＜0.05).hUCMSCs exert immunoregulatory effects on SLE at least partially through hUCMSC-EVs in vitro, hUCMSC-EVs play novel and potential regulator roles in SLE.
Ameliorative Effect of Nanocurcumin and/or Saccharomyces Cell Wall Against Aflatoxicosis in Broilers
Authors: Ashry Aya , Taha Nabil M. , Lebda Mohamed A. , Abdo Walied , El-Diasty Eman M. , Fadl Sabreen E. , Elkamshishi Mohammed Morsi
Published: March 2022

Background
The adverse effect of aflatoxin in broilers well known. However, dietary supplementation of nanocurcumin and/or Saccharomyces cell wall may decrease the bad effect of aflatoxin B1 because of their bio-adsorbing feature of the functional ingredients in Yeast Cell Wall and the detoxification effect of curcumin nanoparticles. The goal of this study was to see how nanocurcumin and/or Saccharomyces cell wall supplementation and/or aflatoxin affected broiler development, blood and serum parameters, carcass trait, histology, immune histochemistry, liver gene expression, and aflatoxin residue in the liver and muscle tissue of broilers. Broiler chicks with one day old were distributed into five groups according to nanocurcumin and/or saccharomyces cell wall with aflatoxin supplementation. The G1 group was given a formulated diet without any supplements. The G2 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) in the formulated diet. The G3 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and Saccharomyces cell wall (1Kg/Ton diet) in the formulated diet. The G4 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and nanocurcumin (400 mg/kg) in the formulated diet. The G5 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and Saccharomyces cell wall (1Kg/Ton diet) with nanocurcumin (200 mg/kg) in the formulated diet.
Results
Aflatoxin supplementation had a detrimental impact on the growth performance, blood and serum parameters, carcass trait, and aflatoxin residue in the liver and muscle tissue of broilers, according to the results of this study. In addition, aflatoxin supplementation led to a liver injury that was indicated by serum biochemistry and pathological lesions in the liver tissue. Moreover, the intestinal villi, length, and width were affected. The expression of some genes in the liver tissue was affected.
Conclusion
Saccharomyces cell wall alone or with nanocurcumin attenuated these negative effects and anomalies, and improving all of the above-mentioned metrics.