bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Operates as an Intramolecular Nitroxyl Generator During Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming
Authors: Palmieri Erika , Holewinski Ronald , McGinity Christopher , Pierri Ciro , Maio Nunziata , Tragni Vincenzo , Miranda Katrina , Rouault Tracey , Andresson Thorkell , Wink David , McVicar Daniel
Published: April 2023

M1 macrophages “commit” to a glycolytic state when endogenous nitric oxide (NO) reprograms mitochondrial metabolism by limiting aconitase (Aco)-2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Here we provide evidence that NO directly targets the PDH complex using lipoate to generate nitroxyl (HNO) . PDH E2-associated lipoate is modified in NO-rich macrophages while the PDH E3 subunit is irreversibly inhibited. Mechanistically, we show that lipoate facilitates NO-mediated HNO production that interacts with thiols forming modifications resistant to reduction. Consequently, we reveal a macrophage signature of proteins with reduction resistant modifications, including E3, and identify a subset of potential HNO targets. Consistently, recombinant E3 is modified in HNO-dependent manner at Cys477 and Cys484, and molecular modeling shows these cause impairment of functional E3 homodimer formation. Our work demonstrates that HNO is produced physiologically, and its presence is peculiar to the lipoate rich PDH complex facilitating irreversible modifications critical in NO-dependent metabolic rewiring.
A high-efficient thermoelectric generator with a built-in field
Authors: Zhang Tinggang
Published: April 2023

An analytical model is developed in this work to evaluate the maximum efficiency of a new thermocouple designed with a built-in electric field. The built-in field in the thermocouple, which is characterized by the electrostatic voltage between the hot-and the cold-sides, is created by the metallurgical junctions formed between the n-and the p-type legs and between these legs and their semiconductor emitters embedded on their exterior surfaces. For the upper bound electrostatic voltage which equals the value of the Seebeck voltage, the analytical model showed that the maximum efficiency can be enhanced up to 2-4 times that of the same thermocouple without the metallurgical junctions. The model further showed that when the mean ZT of the legs was greater than 1.5, the efficiency could be better than a heat engine, which has never been reported. The output power of the thermocouple was also studied and showed a similar trend as that of the maximum efficiency. Numerical simulations conducted on the thermocouple using various combinations of the legs’ and the emitters’ doping densities supported these model predictions. This work indicates that a thermocouple can achieve an efficiency that can exceed that of its legs’ materials or even the Carnot efficiency for a heat engine through design innovation.
Pig model proves that transpulmonary driving pressure is an effective indicator for ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Li Cong-Ye , Zhang Shou-Qing , Wang Wei , Wu Fang , Zhang Zhong-Wei , Huang Wei-Feng , Shang Jia-Wei , Dong Wei-Hua , Yuan Zi-Ming , Li Ming-Na , Li Feng , Tan Qin , Zhang Xian , Zhou Quan-Hong , Zhang Xiang-Yu
Published: April 2023

Ventilator-induced lung injury is a common therapeutic side effect of acute respiratory distress syndrome and is an unfavourable factor of prognosis. The currently clinically used indicators, plateau pressure and tidal volume, are effective but not perfect to indicate and prevent VILI. This research demonstrates that the transpulmonary driving pressure is a more accurate and correlating factor of the incidence of VILI, and that the current approach of limiting plateau pressure should not be unanimously applied to patients with and patients without Intra-abdominal hypertension.
Shikonin reactivates TSGs GADD45B and PPP3CC to block NSCLC cell proliferation and migration through JNK/P38/MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Zhao Yujia , Wu Dan , Fu Zhenkai , Liu Wenna , Yao Yu , Liang Ying
Published: April 2023

Background
Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone compound extracted from the Chinese traditional herbal medicine "Lithospermum erythrorhizon", possesses antitumor activity against various cancer types. Tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) negatively regulate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation, thereby inhibiting tumor formation. However, the molecular mechanism of action of shikonin on TSGs in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.
Methods
The inhibitory effect of shikonin on the proliferation and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells were measured by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) and wound healing assays. The alteration of genes by shikonin treatment was detected by mRNA high-throughput sequencing and further confirmed by qPCR and western blotting experiments. The dominant functions of the upregulated genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG profiling.
Results
Shikonin inhibited the proliferation and invasion of A549 and H1299 NSCLC cells in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA high-throughput sequencing revealed a total of 1794 upregulated genes in shikonin-treated NSCLC cells. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis of GO and KEGG profiling revealed that the up-regulated genes were mostly involved in the JNK/P38/MAPK signaling pathway, among which the expression of GADD45B and PPP3CC was significantly enhanced. Finally, we confirmed that GADD45B and PPP3CC were indeed upregulated in JNK/P38/MAPK pathway.
Conclusions
Taken together, these results suggested that shikonin might affect the expression of GADD45B and PPP3CC through the JNK/P38/MAPK pathway, therefore exerting an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the role of shikonin in upregulating TSGs to activate the JNK/P38/MAPK signaling pathways in NSCLC.
Interruption of viral interference by anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Gyöngyösi Mariann , Lukovic Dominika , Tonczar Julia Mester , Zlabinger Katrin , Einzinger Patrick , Spannbauer Andreas , Schweiger Victor , Schefberger Katharina , Samaha Eslam , Bergler-Klein Jutta , Riesenhuber Martin , Nitsche Christian , Hengstenberg Christian , Mucher Patrick , Haslacher Helmuth , Breuer Monika , Strassl Robert , Stöckl Elisabeth Puchhammer , Loewe Christian , Beitzke Dietrich , Hasimbegovic Ena , Zelniker Thomas A.
Published: April 2023

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation may be involved in long-COVID symptoms. Here we evaluated reactivation of parvovirus B19 and several viruses of the herpes family in patients with long-COVID syndrome, how vaccination affected viral interference, and how virus reactivation influenced clinical conditions. Clinical and laboratory data on 252 consecutive patients (97 vaccinated and 155 non-vaccinated) were recorded between April 2021–May 2022 (median 243 days post-COVID-19 infection). Viral IgG and IgM titers were compared between vaccinated or non-vaccinated patients, and age and sex-matched healthy controls. Vaccination was associated with significantly less frequent fatigue and multiorgan symptoms (P < 0.001), significantly less cumulative IgM positivity of the investigated viruses, significantly lower plasma levels of IgG subfractions 2 and 4, and significantly lower quantitative Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG, CMV IgM, and EBV IgM titers. These results indicate that anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccination interrupts viral crosstalk in patients with long-COVID syndrome. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05398952)
Understanding material and energy use in the processes of decoupling CO2 emissions from economic growth
Authors: AKDOĞAN TUĞBA , Erkara Elif , Mert Betül , Hiçyılmaz Burcu , Alataş Sedat , Karakaya Etem
Published: April 2023

The share of emissions from materials has significantly increased over the last decades and is projected to rise in the coming years unless effective climate policies are developed. In this regard, understanding the environmental effect of material becomes highly crucial for achieving climate goals, especially from the climate mitigation perspective, yet its critical effect on emissions is often overlooked and more attention is heavily paid to the energy-related policies. In this study, to address this shortcoming in the existing literature, we investigate the role of material use on the decoupling process of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) and gross domestic product (GDP) and compare it with the role of energy use in the world's top-19 emitting countries for the period between 1990 and 2019. Methodologically, using the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) approach, we first decompose CO2emissions into four effects based on the two different model specifications (material- and energy-related models). We secondly determine the impact decoupling status and efforts of countries with two different approaches, i.e., Tapio-based decoupling elasticity and decoupling effort index models. Our decomposition and Tapio-based decoupling elasticity results show that material and energy-related efficiency effects have an inhibitory factor. However, the carbon intensity of materials has not contributed to CO2emissions reduction and impact decoupling progress as much as the carbon intensity of energy has. Decoupling effort index results indicate that while developed countries are making relatively good progress towards decoupling particularly after the Paris Agreement, developing countries need to further improve their mitigation efforts. From the policy perspective, the overall results reveal that designing and implementing some policies only centering energy/material intensity or carbon intensity of energy might not be sufficient to achieve the decoupling of carbon emissions from GDP. Therefore, both energy-related and material-related strategies should be developed and implemented in harmony.JEL Codes:Q56, O13, C33
Dentists’ Knowledge and Preference Regarding Mechanical Gingival Displacement Methods
Authors: Alraheam Islam Abd , Hatter Susan , Al-Asmar Aya , Alhadidi Abeer , Hammour Saif Abu , Aldroubi Amira , Alsawair Faleh
Published: April 2023

Introduction.
An accurate impression is an essential procedure for fabricating indirect fixed restorations. To achieve an accurate dental impression, the management of gingival tissue is an important step.
Aim.
To evaluate the use of different gingival displacement techniques among group of dental clinicians and the associated knowledge and technique preferences.
Methods.
A self-designed survey was created electronically and sent to a list of dentists. The survey was composed of multiple sections. Participants who stated that they do not use GD methods were asked to answer the survey questions based on their knowledge. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the Chi-square test was used to examine associations between the different variables.
Results.
A total of 188 dentists participated in this study. The majority (76.6%) use GD in their clinics. When asked which technique yields a more accurate impression and a lower incidence of repeating the impression, 64.6% reported that the technique is retraction cords with a hemostatic agent, and only 9.7% said it was retraction paste.
Conclusion.
The cordless GD technique is believed to be easier, faster, and less traumatic to the gingival tissues, nevertheless, the outcome of dental impressions is believed to be more predictable with the use of conventional retraction cords and hemostatic medicaments.
Clinical Characteristics and Human Leukocyte Antigens in patients with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-induced Type 1 Diabetes and Pituitary Dysfunction: A single center prospective study
Authors: Hara Natsuko , Suwanai Hirotsugu , Yakou Fumiyoshi , Ishii Keitaro , Iwasaki Hajime , Abe Hironori , Shikuma Jumpei , Sakai Hiroyuki , Miwa Takashi , Suzuki Ryo
Published: April 2023

Purpose
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced type 1 diabetes and pituitary dysfunction are life-threatening adverse events, yet there is little clinical data available. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with these adverse events and report their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile to determine its relevance.
Methods
This is a single-center prospective study. We collected clinical and biochemical data and extracted DNA from blood samples. HLA typing was performed using next-generation sequencing. We compared our results with those previously reported in healthy controls and investigated the correlation between HLA and the occurrence of ICI-induced type 1 diabetes and pituitary dysfunction.
Results
We identified 914 patients treated with ICI in our facility from 1st September, 2017 to 30th June, 2022. Six of these patients developed type 1 diabetes and 14 developed pituitary dysfunction. The duration from the initiation of ICI treatment to the onset of type 1 diabetes or pituitary dysfunction averaged 492 ± 196 days and 191 ± 169 days, respectively. Among the six patients with type 1 diabetes, two were positive for anti-GAD antibody. The frequencies of HLA-DR11, -Cw10, -B61, -DRB1*11:01, and -C*03:04 were significantly higher in patients with ICI-induced type 1 diabetes than in controls. The frequencies of HLA-DR15 and -DRB*15:02 were significantly higher in patients with ICI-induced pituitary dysfunction than in controls.
Conclusion
This study revealed the clinical characteristics of type 1 diabetes and pituitary dysfunction induced by ICI and the association between specific HLAs and these adverse events.
Parental Technoference and Adolescents’ Mental Health and Deviant Behaviour: A Scoping Review
Authors: Dixon Donna , Sharp Catherine. A. , Hughes Karen , Hughes Carl
Published: April 2023

Purpose The term ‘technoference’ refers to habitual interferences and disruptions within interpersonal relationships or time spent together due to use of technological devices. Evidence suggests that parental technoference may predispose children’s internalising and externalising behaviours. The aim of this scoping review is to summarise existing literature on the impact of parental technoference on the mental health and deviant behaviours of young people.
Methods A scoping review of literature was undertaken across six databases (APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ASSIA, ERIC, Social Sciences Premium Collection, SciTech Premium). Searches included articles examining the impact of parental technoference on adolescent mental health and deviant behaviours. All included studies demonstrated empirical findings.
Results Searches retrieved 382 articles, of which 13 articles met the eligibility criteria. A narrative approach was applied to synthesise the eligible findings. Across all studies, adolescent perceptions of parental technoference were negatively associated to adolescent mental health and were positively related to adolescent deviant behaviours. Parental cohesion and psychological constructs were identified as significant mediating factors.
Conclusion Findings suggest that parents should be aware of the environment in which they use electronic devices as their use can, directly and indirectly, influence adolescent mental health and behaviours. Further research into the impact of parental technoference could inform evidence-informed guidelines for parental management of electronic devices.
Machine learning for discovering laws of nature
Authors: Xin Lizhi , Xin Kevin , Xin Houwen
Published: April 2023

A macroscopic particle obeys Newton's law, and a microscopic particle obeys the principles of quantum mechanics - so where is the sharp boundary between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds? It was this "interpretation problem" that prompted Schrödinger to propose his famous thought experiment (a cat that is simultaneously both dead and alive) and sparked a great debate about the quantum measurement problem, and there is still no satisfactory answer yet. This is precisely the inadequacy of rigorous mathematical models in describing the laws of nature. We propose a computational model to describe and understand the laws of nature based on Darwin's natural selection. In fact, whether it's a macro particle, a micro electron or a security, they can all be considered as an entity, the change of this entity over time can be described by a data series composed of states and values. An observer can learn from this data series to construct theories (usually consisting of functions and differential equations). We don't model with the usual functions or differential equations, but with a state Decision Tree (determines the state of an entity) and a value Function Tree (determines the distance between two points of an entity). A state Decision Tree and a value Function Tree together can reconstruct an entity's trajectory and make predictions about its future trajectory. Our proposed algorithmic model discovers laws of nature by only learning observed historical data (sequential measurement of observables) based on maximizing the observer's expected value. There is no differential equation in our model; our model has an emphasis on machine learning, where the observer builds up his/her experience by being rewarded or punished for each decision he/she makes, and eventually leads to rediscovering Newton's law, the Born rule (quantum mechanics) and the efficient market hypothesis (financial market).
Control of inhibition through anaerobic co-digestion of algae with sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Zongo Bilassé , Shayan Sahand Iman , Wang Meng , Ergas Sarina J
Published: April 2023

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of algal-bacterial biomass grown on wastewater has been used successfully for bio-methane production. However, challenges with AD of microalgae include inhibition due to accumulation of free ammonia (FA) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), alkalinity depletion and/or pH outside optimal values. In this study, algal-bacterial biomass was co-digested with sugarcane bagasse, an agricultural waste product, to increase biogas production by controlling inhibition. Algal-bacterial biomass was cultured in bench-scale photo-sequencing batch reactors (PSBRs) used to treat high ammonia strength wastewater. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays were set up at approximately 2% solids content with varying ratios of algal-bacterial biomass and sugarcane bagasse to achieve carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios between 4.5 and 60. Addition of sugarcane bagasse helped balance the high nitrogen content of algae and control pH/Alkalinity, VFA and FA in BMPs. Methane content of the biogas was similar for all BMPs (~66 %). The highest total biogas production was observed for BMPs with substrates composed of algae (AL) and sugarcane bagasse (BG) at C/N ratios of 17 and 18. When the C/N ratio was maintained at about the optimal ratio, a significant correlation (r2 = 0.88, p = 0.012) was observed between algae biomass content of the substrate and total gas production and thereby methane yield. The results show that sugarcane bagasse addition to algal-bacterial biomass reduced AD inhibition and led to greater methane yields.
Monitoring crystallite fusion of nanocellulose during colloid condensation
Authors: Doi Yoshinori , Daicho Kazuho , Isobe Noriyuki , Tanaka Reina , Kimura Satoshi , Fujisawa Shuji , Saito Tsuguyuki
Published: April 2023

The crystallinity of cellulose decreases when bundled microfibrils are dispersed in water as cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) or physically separated into finer nanoscale fibrils or single microfibrils. The crystallinity of these CNFs is recovered when they become densely assembled through the dehydration of the dispersion. In this process, multiple CNFs are assumed to partially fuse, leading to the enlargement of crystallite widths. The mechanism of this CNF fusion is, however, not well understood. In this study, the recovery process of the crystallinity of CNFs was monitored by sampling wet CNF gels during condensation from a dilute dispersion to a dense aggregate, followed by wide-angle X-ray diffractometry (WAXD) and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses after supercritical drying. In the WAXD analysis, a two-step enlargement in the (2 0 0) crystal size was observed: the first step was a rapid increase in the range of solid content up to 1%, followed by a gradual increase in the range of 1–85%. The crystallinity index estimated by NMR hardly changed in the range of 0.5–30% but gradually increased in the range of 30–85%. A portion of the CNF samples, without drying, were also subjected to small-angle X-ray scattering and viscoelasticity analyses, indicating that the inter-CNF contact points in water significantly increased until reaching a solid content of 1%, and then at solid contents higher than 1%, the contact areas of each point gradually expanded. Finally, a mechanism of CNF fusion was proposed based on these results.
Design of dynamic system for college students' sports data management based on wearable devices of internet of things
Authors: Bai Yonghui
Published: April 2023

In recent years, with the development of the Internet of Things technology and the popularization of smart phones, wearable devices have gradually expanded their applications. Sensor technology can effectively manage dynamic motion data systems. Wearable devices are widely used in sports, fitness and other fields, and users can use such devices to monitor target movement status data in real time. At present, although contemporary students have a strong sense of movement, they cannot fully understand their physical endurance. Therefore, they can solve this problem by using wearable devices. Under this background, this research completed the construction of the dynamic management system of college students' sports data based on wearable devices by introducing the Internet of Things technology. The system data management module and storage module are implemented by Hadoop end and web end, and can complete data interaction between different ends through set communication methods. Among them, the wearable device system can achieve data collection, use mobile terminals to complete software loading, and use cloud storage technology to achieve data storage. The data transmission process between the three parts is also different. For example, GPRS is used to complete the interaction between the mobile terminal and the data storage module, and Bluetooth can be used to transmit data between the mobile terminal and the device data collection platform. Through the design of simulation experiments, we can know that the system algorithm has good classification accuracy, and can effectively reduce the training model time. This paper completes the dynamic management of sports data for college students by combining wearable devices and Internet of Things technology.
Global land and water limits
to electrolytic hydrogen production using wind and solar resources
Authors: Tonelli Davide , Rosa Lorenzo , Gabrielli Paolo , Caldeira Ken , Parente Alessandro , Contino Francesco
Published: April 2023

Scale up of electrolytic production of hydrogen has been proposed as key to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This poses technical, economic, and environmental challenges. One challenge concerns the use of wind and solar resources to power water electrolyzers for low-carbon hydrogen production, which results in additional demand for already scarce land and water resources. Here, we quantify the land and water scarcity induced by large-scale hydrogen production from electrolysis of water using wind and solar electricity. First, we develop a reference scenario for hydrogen demand in a 2050 net-zero economy by country and by sector. We then estimate land and water demands associated with future hydrogen production, and compare such demands with the respective country-specific land and water availability. Results highlight that land and water availability may constrain the production of electrolytic hydrogen in Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In our reference scenario, less than half of 2050 hydrogen demand could be satisfied by domestic production with no constraints in land and water resources. Our findings identify potential importers and exporters of hydrogen based on domestic land and water resources.
Development of music teaching software based on neural network algorithm and user analysis
Authors: Xuelian Han
Published: April 2023

At this stage, music teaching is facing an increasingly serious shortage of teacher resources. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop a music teaching software by using computer assisted music teaching activities. First of all, the operation method program of this system is carefully designed according to the principles of computer network technology. Using the performance characteristics of Fourier transform and its enhanced functions to extract music, the priority key system modules are designed according to the system structure framework and data processing program, and the main design code is provided. With the development of artificial intelligence technology, neural network has gradually become an important research method in this field. And compared with the traditional mechanical learning methods, the neural network based method has the advantages of simple algorithm mode, good universality, strong robustness, organic and mobility. With the rapid change of in-depth learning technology, music teaching software has shown great overall advantages in the accuracy and speed of detection. In addition, this paper analyzes the specific user level of music teaching programs, focusing on their interest in and specific acceptance of these music teaching programs, as well as the use of user feedback to develop specific and effective music teaching programs. Neural network algorithm and user analysis provide a new strategy for developing music teaching software.
Low-Level Laser Therapy combined with scleral graft transplantation in the treatment of Contracted Socket: A Clinical study
Authors: Huang Qin , Fang Yangbin , Lai Yao , Liao Hongfei
Published: April 2023

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of the therapeutic use of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on the tissue repair process of allogeneic sclera graft in patients with contracted sockets through the analysis of the speed of graft vascularization and the fornices depth of contraction percentage.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients whose socket contraction from April 2015 to April 2021, 39 patients were included. All the patients were repaired with allogeneic scleral graft.They were randomly enrolled into 2 groups, Laser Group included 18 patients treated with LLLT after operation.Control Group 21 patients who without LLLT after operation and healed naturally. The LLLT equipment used in the research has a wavelength of 650 nm,10mW power, 3.8J/cm2 dosimetry, performed once daily for 5 min over a course of 5 days began with 1 week postoperative. All patients were followed up over a period of 6 months for changes in the size of the area of the non-vascularized graft, upper fornix (UF),inferior fornix (IF) depth.
Results: The Laser Group presented a significant increase speed of conjunctival vascularization compared with the Control Group, with a significant statistical difference (P =0.003). The fornices depth of contraction percentage occurred apparent in Control Group compared with Laser Group (P =0.000).
Conclusion: LLLT accelerate the speed of conjunctival vascularization,stimulated conjunctival incision healing in a short period,shorten the tissue repair process and reduce the local inflammatory response and no significant conjunctival sac shrinkage occurred.
Assessment of Quality of life and Academic Performance among Asthmatic Medical Students at Al-Neelain University, 2020
Authors: Abdulbagi Rasheeda , Sabir Mustafa
Published: April 2023

Background
Severe asthma has a great impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients and their families. The magnitude of this morbidity is affected by several personal factors including age. Appropriate asthma control and modifications of Social, physical, emotional roles are expected to improve QOL. Medical students life can be affected by several ways specially the academic side, such effect should be controlled to keep their lives healthy. The study aims to give a good knowledge about how asthma can affect the quality of life of medical students, the magnitude of this effect, and how medical students can combat these effects. Also, this study will help universities to take action and consideration to those students by providing specific clinics or health education about their disease.
Methods
An institution based cross sectional study design of 58 asthmatic medical students was done, who were selected by convinced sample, and data were collected using valid available Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Some of the questions was modified to screen for other objectives of the study. Pretested, structured and self-Administered Google form questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was pretested, an excel copy of the data was obtained, analysis was done by IBM SPSS statistic version 25.
Results
The study showed that the asthma affect the physical activity, social activity and psychological health of the participant in mild degree. And it effects the academic achievement of the students by 34.5%. And showed significant effect in focusing during lectures and clinical rounds by 43.6% and 41.8% respectively.
Conclusions
asthma has a significant effects on the QOF among medical students, and has a notice effect in the performance of the medical students. The study recommends that universities take in consideration the a healthy environment for asthmatic medical students and provide clinics to improve their health. And further researches recommends to assess QOF of asthmatic medical students.
Plasma metabolomics reveals the intervention mechanism of different types of exercise on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression rat model
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Zhang Bo , Tian Junsheng , Han Yumei
Published: April 2023

Objective
To study the effects of different types of exercise on the plasma metabolomics of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressed rats based on 1H-NMR metabolomics techniques, and to explore the potential mechanisms of exercise for the treatment of depression.
Methods
Rats were randomly divided into blank control group (C), CUMS control group (D), pre-exercise group (P), aerobic exercise group (A), resistance exercise group (R), and aerobic + resistance exercise group (AR). The corresponding protocol intervention was applied to each group of rats. Body weight, sucrose preference and open field tests were performed weekly during the experiment to evaluate the extent of depression in rats. Plasma samples from each group of rats were collected at the end of the experiment, and then the plasma was analyzed by 1H-NMR metabolomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods to identify differential metabolites and perform metabolic pathway analysis.
Results
(1) Compared with the group D, the body weight, sucrose preference rate, and the number of crossings and standings in the different types of exercise groups were significantly improved (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). (2) Compared to group C, a total of 15 differential metabolites associated with depression were screened in the plasma of rats in group D, involving 6 metabolic pathways. Group P can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: valine, lactate, inositol, glucose, phosphocreatine, acetoacetic acid. Group A can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: N-acetylglycoprotein, leucine, lactate, low density lipoprotein, glucose, acetoacetic acid. Group R can regulate the levels of 6 metabolites: choline, lactate, inositol, glucose, phosphocreatine, acetoacetic acid. Group AR can regulate the levels of 5 metabolites: choline, citric acid, glucose, acetone, acetoacetic acid.
Conclusion
The different types of exercise groups can improve the depressive symptoms in CUMS rats, and there are common metabolites and metabolic pathways for their mechanism of effects. This study provides a powerful analytical tool to study the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of exercise, and provides an important method and basis for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of depression.
Identification of Microbial Community in Otomycosis by mNGS: Potential implication for treatment of this disorder with terbinafine
Authors: Xu Shuai , Zhang Xin , Yang Qianqian , Li Jianfeng , Yu Zhaoyan
Published: April 2023

The present study was designed to identify the microbial community as well as to analyze its diversity bymeans of metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing(mNGS)in 17 patients with otomycosis treated with terbinafinein the Department of Otolaryngology of Shandong Provincial Hospital from June 2021 to June 2022, so as to evaluate the relationship between microbial community and terbinafine resistance. Those 17 patients were divided into two groups, i.e., Terbinafine Effective Group (TEG, n = 14 cases) and Terbinafine Resistance Group(TRG, n = 3 cases) according to the therapy effect, whose microbial community of secretion of external auditory canal (EAC)was identified using mNGS. We found that the sequence of bacteria was significantly more than that of fungi and, whereas, the difference between the two groups of bacteria was not significant.There were significant differences in fungal community between the two groups. Aspergillus was the main pathogenic fungus of TEG patients while Malassezia was a dominant fungus in TRG patients. In conclusion, the results from this work indicate that Aspergillus terreusis the main pathogenic fungus in this cohortof otomycosis patients and MNGS sequencing can offer comprehensive information about the microbial community of otomycosis. The fungus community dominated by Malassezia is more likely to be resistant to terbinafine, which provides certain guidance for clinical treatment of otomycosis with terbinafine.
The Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the professional lives of Iranian physicians
Authors: Deris Kimia , Farjam Mojtaba , Zareei Saeideh , Alkamel Abdolhakim , Kazemi Maryam
Published: April 2023

purpose: There is a belief that opium consumption has a protective effect on hypertension and diabetes as two important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aims to investigate blood sugar and pressure between opium users and non-users.
Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on a FASA PERSIAN cohort study. Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar were compared between opium users and non-users. A linear regression model was also used to adjust confounding factors’ effects. Data analysis is performed using version of 22spss software. Mean and standard deviation, frequency and frequency percentage , Independent t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA test, and linear regression model were used to analyze the data. The significance level was 0.05.
Results: In this study, 7428 adult people participated. The mean age of participants was 46.5 years. 27.05% of participants were opium users. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 73.18 mmHg in non-opium users; however, it was 70.95 mmHg in opium users(P=0.000). The mean systolic blood pressure was 105.20 mmHg in opium users, but it was 107.78mmhg in non-users(P=0.000). The mean Fasting Blood sugar was 86.75 and 85.88 mg/dl in non-opium users and users, respectively(P=0.019).
Conclusion: In the presence of confounders such as age, sex, smoking, BMI, physical activity, and calorie intake, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were lower in opium consumers, but fasting blood sugar was higher in opium users. Considering the many side effects of these substances, the usage of opium is not recommended at all.
Submerged Arc Welding Process: a numerical investigation of temperatures, displacements and residual stresses in ASTM A516-Gr70 corner joined samples
Authors: Conte Romina , Izquierdo David Rodríguez , Francesco Gagliardi
Published: April 2023

Arc welding processes represent an important category of fusion welding techniques. They are characterised by the use of an electric arc to create heat to melt and join metals. Submerged arc welding belongs to this process category. Its peculiarities are mainly related to the employment of a continuously fed electrode and of a powdered flux to cover the arc providing electrical conduction between electrode and metals to be connected and, at the same time, generating protective gas and slag shields. Current (𝐼), voltage (𝑉) and welding speed (𝑣) are the main process variables, properly set, to guarantee the specific heat (SH) required to achieve sound weld beads. In this research, a finite element model was built and validated comparing the extracted numerical results to experimental evidence. Different combinations of 𝐼, 𝑉 and 𝑣 were proposed providing, however, a fixed SH to the welding zone according to the required industrial standards. Specifically, tests were executed increasing the ratio V to v (for a constant 𝐼) and the ratio 𝐼 to 𝑣 (for a constant 𝑉) and with a different combination of 𝑉 and 𝐼 maintaining constant their product (for a constant 𝑣). The influence of the investigated variables’ combination on the weld pool in terms of depth and width was discussed. Finally, the validated numerical models were employed to highlight precisely residual stresses and displacements trend on cross-sectioned weld beads connecting the shown tendencies to the investigated process conditions.
The Health Information Management System and HIV/Aids Monitoring: Insights From Ethiopia
Authors: Dekita Befekadu Elfiyos , Ramukumba Mokholelana Margaret
Published: April 2023

Background
A well-performing Health Information System (HIS) provides timely, complete, accurate and easily retrievable data. It also reflects the impact of guidelines and policies on the functioning of the health system. However, an HIS in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), including Ethiopia, is highly complex and influenced by pressures from donors, politics and technical factors. Hence, these countries experience persistent challenges in producing quality data and difficulties using HMIS data from their HISs. This study aimed to evaluate how HMIS was perceived and utilized in HIV/AIDS monitoring in Ethiopia, and views regarding the influence of technical, organizational factors and behavioural factors on the use of HMIS.
Methods
A qualitative evaluative case study using focus group discussions (8) with data producers and users was conducted in selected public hospitals and health centres in Addis Ababa. A purposive critical case sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected from 64 participants made up of data clerks, HMIS heads, health information technicians, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) heads, medical directors and disease prevention heads. Qualitative analytical techniques using ATLAS.ti Version 8 were used for data analysis, and codes, categories, and themes were validated with the participants.
Result
Key findings revealed that HIV/AIDS-specific indicators, ICT and other related resources were critical barriers to the successful use of the HMIS. Participants believed these technical issues impacted the quality of data adversely and, subsequently, the conversion of that data to information and using it to monitor the HIV/AIDS programme’s performance. Ethiopian guidelines emphasize the benefits of DHIS2 in ensuring the production of good-quality data. However, the system will not produce useful data without clear and meaningful indicators. Timely reporting was hampered by parallel reporting systems such as DHIS2 and SmartCare, a lack of interoperability between these systems, and a hybrid system consisting of paper documents and electronic data.
Conclusion
Technical factors such as data collection tools, the HMIS design, computer software, and reporting formats are all strategic decisions taken by the organization, which in turn influence the behavior of users and the use of HMIS. The health facilities did not process information as expected. However, staff performed the HMIS tasks with the tools available as they tried to make sense of data coming out of the HMIS. Challenges, such as a lack of human resources, specialized skills, and support, could be improved to effectively use the HMIS for generating useful information for HIV monitoring.
The effects of self-video feedback on the eyedrop instillation techniques of glaucoma patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Tae-Eun , Cho Youngri , Yoo Hyo Hyun
Published: April 2023

Background
To evaluate the effectiveness of instillation technique education using self-video feedback in glaucoma patients.
Methods
Sixty-two patients who self-instilled glaucoma eye drops were randomly assigned to the self-video feedback and control groups according to the block randomization. Each group of the patient was asked to instill eye drops, and videos were recorded. For the control group, only an educational video was provided. In the self-video feedback group, the patients provided educational video and feedback using a recorded video of their own instillation. After one month of education, the patient's instillation techniques were video-recorded again. We divided the steps of instilling eyedrops into 10 steps and evaluated whether each step was properly performed using the recorded images from each patient. The main outcome was the proportion of patients who were properly instilled in each step.
Results
Before education, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who were properly instilled between the two groups. In the group that received video feedback, the proportion of patients who instilled the eye drops correctly after education in some items was significantly higher than that of the control group, and in particular, the educational effect of 'avoids touching dropper to eyelid or eyelash' was superior.
Conclusions
In patients with glaucoma, education on the method of instillation was effective in improving the techniques of instillation. In the items that required accurate actions, the video feedback that allowed the patient to observe themselves had a better improvement effect compared to the traditional education method.
Trial registration number:
KCT0008090 (09/01/2023, retrospectively registered)
Effects of Oral Isotretinoin in Women with Acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Running Title: Effects of Oral Isotretinoin
Authors: Elnagar Heba Ibrahim , Hashem Osama A. , Aboelwafa Hany Othman , ElHelw Ehab
Published: April 2023

Background: Oral isotretinoin is the unique treatment for cure or prolonged remission for moderate and severe acne, preventing psychosocial impact and scars.
Aim: The aim of study was to detect the effects of oral isotretinoin in women with acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Subject and Methods: This was a prospective clinical study included 40 patient's diagnosed clinically in women with acne and polycystic ovary syndrome. Patients will be recruited from dermatology and gynecology outpatient clinic at Damietta faculty of medicine, Al-azhar University.
Results: there was a statistically significant difference between baseline and after treatment acne score (Mean ± SD= 2.42 ± 0.844 vs 0.73 ± 0.452, P < 0.001). Also there was a statistically significant difference between baseline and after treatment global acne score (Mean ± SD= 11.58 ± 5.857 vs 1.65 ± 1.369, P < 0.001),
Conclusion: solely isotretinoin treatment may be beneficial in patients with PCOS and acne who are not capable of using OCPs. Large-scale and well-balanced studies are required to understand the effect of isotretinoin in these patients.
Weather Shocks and Income Inequality
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thao , Nghiem Son
Published: April 2023

Climate change is predicted to increase both the frequency and the severity of weather shocks that adversely affect the livelihood of humans, especially those working in agriculture. We study the impact of weather shocks on welfare and how it exacerbates household income inequality. We first recognise the limitations of existing measures of weather shocks and propose an absolute measure that is more robust to the length of time over which weather samples are obtained. Next, we study the impact of the newly constructed weather shocks on welfare measured by different income sources and different types of consumption. The findings suggest that weather shocks reduce crop revenue significantly. We then consider how the diverse impact of weather shocks affects household income inequality. The Gini decomposition of income sources suggests crop income reduces income inequality in rural areas. Overall, weather shocks reduce income from crops and therefore they increase income inequality.
JEL Classification: D63, O13, O18
Study of the Morphological characteristics of Geopolymer concrete based on Eggshell and Bauxite powder
Authors: Chary Konnoju Saikumar , Munilakshmi Nijagala
Published: April 2023

Researchers conducted research into the strength properties of a Geopolymer produced from eggshell powder, bauxite, and flyash with RGL and curing for 84 days at ambient temperature. Also studied were changes in products of Morphology, XRD, FTIR studies and SEM images of microstructure. The results indicated that, in various mix proportions, the strength gradually improved from 28 days to 84 days. The aged geopolymer's lower porosity is attributed to the fact that the hardened samples become more compact with time due to gradual Geopolymerization to generate the coexisting C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H gels. Both the early-age and long-term Geopolymers had such an X-ray amorphous phase corresponding to Geopolymerization gel, but the aged specimens contain calcite from eggshell powder and alumina from bauxite powder, showing potential improvement on the properties of mechanical and durability properties were examined using various mix proportions in an experimental investigation.
Clustered event2ledger: Docker event traceability using consortium Hyperledger blockchains
Authors: Marques Marco Antonio , Miers Charles Christian , Obelheiro Rafael Rodrigues , SImplico Marcos Antonio
Published: April 2023

Container virtualization environments provide high flexibility in the way computing resources are used. In particular, the dynamic (de)allocation of containers in response to service loads addresses issues in the scalability and availability of cloud applications. One drawback of such dynamism, though, is that it becomes harder to monitor the constant stream of state changes in the lifecycle of containers. In this article, we tackle this issue by proposing a monitoring solution called Clustered event2ledger, which benefits from consortium blockchain to implement a distributed collection and storage solution that guarantees data integrity, reliability, and availability. Also, it creates a uniform source of information for providers, end-users, and developers of the container-based solution, thus facilitating auditing of resources usage and analyses involving the chronology of performed operations. We also include a security attack model analysis based on identified threats, which shows that Clustered event2ledger follows the best security practices.