bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High resolution projections for extreme temperatures and precipitation over Greece
Authors: Politi Nadia , Vlachogiannis Diamando , Sfetsos Athanasios , Nastos Panagiotis T
Published: January 2022

The present study investigated future temperature and precipitation changes over Greece using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. WRF was driven by EC-EARTH output in the domain of Greece at very high resolution for the historical period (1980–2004), along with projected simulations, in the near future (2025–2049) and far future (2075-2099) under the Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 (RCP4.5) and 8.5 (RCP8.5). Climatic variables were produced at 5-km grid spacing and 6-h interval. The historical simulation was evaluated against the available station observations. The analysis showed that the model underestimated the maximum temperatures and slightly overestimated the minimum temperatures. Also, the model simulated a small dry bias in precipitation with an excellent representation of the spatial patterns. The model projections for temperature under the two emission scenarios compared to the historical simulation revealed a robust magnitude of future warming with the most pronounced changes predominantly over the eastern areas of the country under the RCP8.5 in the far future. Projected precipitation changes were more evident in the far future with an overall decrease of the annual precipitation all over the eastern part of the country (with islands included) with the most dramatic reductions (above 40%) of seasonal precipitation observed under RCP8.5. Increases in the number of hot days were found everywhere with more pronounced changes over the plain areas under RCP8.5 in the far future. Significant increases of dry days were projected over the eastern part of the mainland and more intensely under RCP8.5 in the far future.
Survival Comparison Between Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy for Non-inflammatory Non-metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yuxi , Xu Zhipeng , Chen Hui , Sun Xinchen , Zhang Zhaoyue
Published: January 2022

Objective: To compare the survival benefit between neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy for non-inflammatory non-metastatic breast cancer patients.Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using surveillance, epidemiology and end results databases. Our study recruited patients who had been diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer and underwent surgery and radiotherapy. The overall survival was calculated by Kaplan Meier method. Cox risk model was used to determine the impact of radiotherapy according to stage, molecular subtype and other risk factors. Propensity score matching was used to balance measurable confounding factors. Results: Of all the 411483 enrolled patients varying from 1975 to 2016, 1712 patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and 409567 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Compared with the adjuvant radiotherapy group, the neoadjuvant radiotherapy group showed significantly higher risks of overall mortality and breast cancer-specific mortality. Survival differences in treatment sequences were correlated with stage, molecular subtypes and other risk factors.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, neoadjuvant radiotherapy did not show a survival advantage, and adjuvant radiotherapy is still the primary treatment. However, neoadjuvant radiotherapy also has some theoretical advantages, such as phase reduction and recurrence reduction. Therefore, it is still worthy of further exploration.
Autoimmune Hepatitis, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis May be More Predisposed to the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Khajehahmadi Zohreh , Tavilani Heidar , Karimi Jamshid , Rafiee Mohammad , Sadeghabadi Zahra Arab , Mohseni Roohollah , Mohagheghi Sina
Published: January 2022

Background.
The effect of cirrhosis etiology on the development of HCC is unclear. The study of the main indicators of cell proliferation and also apoptosis in cirrhotic patients with different etiologies may declare which one of the cirrhosis etiologies more predispose to the development of HCC. The present study aimed to investigate the gene expression of p53, hepatic levels of AMPK and pAMPK, and the AgNOR features in cirrhotic livers with different etiologies and livers with simple steatosis.
Methods.
AMPK and pAMPK protein levels, p53 gene expression, and also AgNOR features were studied in livers with NASH(n=8), HBV/HCV(n=8), AIH(n=8), PSC(n=8), and alcohol(n=6) cirrhosis, 10 livers with simple steatosis, and 10 control using the western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and silver nitrate staining analyses, respectively.
Results.
The protein levels of AMPK and pAMPK were significantly increased in all cirrhotic groups and were slightly but not significant decreased in livers with simple steatosis. The mRNA level of p53 and AgNOR features including total AgNOR number(TAN), total AgNOR length(TAL), and total AgNOR area(TAA) were significantly increased only in tissues with NASH, PSC, and AIH cirrhosis and a significant positive correlations were observed between the mRNA level of p53 and the AgNOR features in all cirrhotic tissues.
Conclusions.
The increased levels of AMPK and pAMPK could be a general response to the most common causes of liver diseases. Likely, patients with AIH, PSC, and NASH cirrhosis predispose to the development of HCC more than patients with viral and alcoholic cirrhosis.
A Digital Twin Ecosystem for Additive Manufacturing using a Real-Time Development Platform
Authors: Pantelidakis Minas , Mykoniatis Konstantinos , Liu Jia , Harris Gregory
Published: January 2022

Additive manufacturing is often used in rapid prototyping and manufacturing, allowing the creation of lighter, more complex designs that are difficult or too expensive to build using traditional manufacturing methods. This work considers the implementation of a novel digital twin ecosystem that can be used for testing, process monitoring, and remote management of an additive manufacturing fused deposition modeling machine in a simulated virtual environment. The digital twin ecosystem is comprised of two approaches. One approach is data-driven by an open-source 3D printer web controller application that is used to capture its status and key parameters. The other approach is data-driven by externally mounted sensors to approximate the actual behavior of the 3D printer and achieve accurate synchronization between the physical and virtual 3D printers. We evaluate the sensor-data-driven approach against the web controller approach, which is considered to be ground truth. We achieve near-real-time synchronization between the physical machine and its digital counterpart and have validated the digital twin in terms of position, temperature, and run duration. Our digital twin ecosystem is cost-efficient, reliable, replicable, and hence can be utilized to provide legacy equipment with digital twin capabilities, collect historical data, and generate analytics.
EFL Learners’ Engagement in Different Activities of Blended Learning Environment
Authors: Huang Min , Kuang Fangtao , Ling Ying
Published: January 2022

With the blended learning widespread in higher education, the research on the factors which can influence the students’ engagement and their working mechanism has become more and more valuable. In this study, college students’ perception on three aspects, i.e. their cognitive engagement and emotional engagement in two different activities, the activity features and teachers’ roles, has been collected through both questionnaires and interviews. Repeated variance measurement, Pearson correlation analysis and General linear regression have been used to process the quantitative data. Thematic analysis has been used to process the qualitative data. The results show that the cognitive engagement and emotional engagement in Teacher’s Q & A and Online discussion are significantly different (FCE=10.32**, ŋ2=0.07; FEE=29.60***, ŋ2=0.17). Students’ emotional engagement and cognitive engagement in activities are affected by various task features and teacher’s roles. Pedagogical implication and suggestions for further research have also been provided.
Alterations in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Between the Hippocampus, Thalamus, Amygdala and the Whole Brain in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: ZHANG Fang-wen , WANG Tenglong , WANG Dong
Published: January 2022

Background
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) refers to a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). At present, numerous studies have reported that the functional connectivity between the hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala and other brain regions is abnormal in patients with MCI and AD. However, few studies have investigated hippocampal, thalamic, amygdalar and whole-brain functional connectivity abnormalities.
Methods
Here, we recruited 33 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) and chose the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus as regions of interest to explore the functional connectivity between the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and the whole brain in patients with aMCI.
Results
Using the hippocampus as region of interest, the whole brain functional connectivity analysis showed that the functional connectivity with the left precuneus, the right precuneus, and the parahippocampal gyrus was increased, and the functional connectivity with left anterior cingulate gyrus was reduced compared with the HC group. Using the thalamus as a region of interest, the whole-brain functional connectivity analysis showed that functional connectivity with the fusiform gyrus, left/right inferior occipital gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus was increased. Using the amygdala as a region of interest, whole-brain functional connectivity analysis showed reduced functional connectivity with the right frontal apex, the right central gyrus and left thalamus and the right supplementary motor area.
Conclusions
We found abnormal functional connectivity in patients with aMCI, indicating that it may provide a reliable imaging index for the early recognition and intervention of AD.
The Influence of Degradation of Alpine Swamp Wetland On Ecosystem Respiration And Its Components
Authors: Li Chengyi , Li Xilai , Yang Yuanwu , Li Honglin , Yang Pengnian , Duan Chengwei
Published: January 2022

Three degradation stages of alpine swamp wetland (none, light and severe degeneration levels) were addressed through measuring the respiratory components rate of ecosystem during the peak period of vegetation growth (July to August), so as to analyze the impacts of degradation on ecosystem respiration and its components in alpine swamp wetland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Two methods which are root separation and herbicide spraying, were used for determination and measurement of respiratory components. The results showed that degradation of alpine swamp wetland can significantly increase soil respiration rate and microbial respiration rate. Moreover, the proportion of vegetation respiration and microbial respiration in ecosystem respiration changed significantly (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between vegetation respiration and ecosystem respiration rate at all the degradation levels (P < 0.05). Canopy respiration and ecosystem respiration were highly correlated between none and severe degraded wetlands (P < 0.05), it was also found that there was significant positive correlation among soil respiration rate, root respiration rate and ecosystem respiration in light degraded wetland. There was a positive correlation between root respiration and soil respiration in none and light degraded wetland (P < 0.05). The Q10 change ranges of ecosystem respiration, vegetation respiration, canopy respiration, soil respiration, root respiration and soil microbial respiration during the degradation stage of alpine swamp wetland were 1.41–1.50, 1.81–1.94, 4.46–6.93, 1.41–2.40, 2.84–5.97 and 1.99–3.74, respectively. The degradation of alpine wetland affects firstly the ecosystem respiration and its components, and then will affect the carbon cycle process. Therefore, it is very important to protect and restore the alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Evaluating the Therapeutic Role of Selected Active Compounds in Plumula Nelumbinis on Pulmonary Hypertension via Network Pharmacology and Experimental Analysis
Authors: Xiao Xinghua , Luo Fangmei , Fu Minyi , Jiang Yueping , Liu Shao , Liu Bin
Published: January 2022

Excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is one of the most critical factors leading to vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to explore the effect and potential mechanism of Plumula Nelumbinis on PH by using network pharmacology and experimental analysis. The potential active components of Plumula Nelumbinis and their targets were obtained from TCMSP and PharmMapper databases. The PH-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, DisGeNET, and TTD databases. Co-targets between Plumula Nelumbinis and PH were obtained by drawing Venn diagrams. The protein-protein interaction networks and compound-target-pathway networks were established using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Moreover, the binding activities of core targets and essential active compounds were further validated by molecular docking. Finally, we further confirmed in vitro experiments that the main active components of Plumula Nelumbinis could inhibit the proliferation of PASMCs induced by hypoxia, as well as the increased expression of p-SRC and PIM1. Based on these observations, we conclude that multi-components (neferine, liensinine, and isoliensinine) in Plumula Nelumbinis can inhibit the hypoxia-induced proliferation of PASMCs by regulating the expression of p-SRC and PIM1, thereby delaying the development of PH.
Molecular mechanisms of aberrant neutrophil differentiation in glycogen storage disease type Ib
Authors: Sim Sang Wan , Jang Yuyeon , Park Tae Sub , Park Byung-Chul , Lee Young Mok , Jun Hyun Sik
Published: January 2022

Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD-Ib), characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis, neutropenia, and neutrophil dysfunction, is caused by a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT). Neutropenia in GSD-Ib has been known to result from enhanced apoptosis of neutrophils. However, it has also been raised that neutrophil maturation arrest in the bone marrow would contribute to neutropenia. We now show that G6pt-/- mice exhibit severe neutropenia and impaired neutrophil differentiation in the bone marrow. To investigate the role of G6PT in myeloid progenitor cells, the G6PT gene was mutated using CRISPR/Cas9 system, and single cell-derived G6PT-/- human promyelocyte HL-60 cell lines were established. The G6PT-/- HL-60s exhibited impaired neutrophil differentiation, which is associated with two mechanisms: i) abnormal lipid metabolism causing a delayed metabolic reprogramming and ii) reduced nuclear transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) in G6PT-/- HL-60s. In this study, we demonstrated that G6PT is essential for neutrophil differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells and regulates PPARγ activity.
Handily etching nickel foams into catalyst-substrate fusion self-stabilized electrodes toward industrial-level water electrolysis
Authors: Zhu Zexuan , Yang Xiaotian , Liu Jiao , Zhu Mingze , Xu Xiaoyong
Published: January 2022

The key challenge of industrial water electrolysis is to design catalytic electrodes that can stabilize high current density with low power consumption (i.e., overpotential), while industrial harsh conditions make the balance between electrode activity and stability more difficult. Here we develop an efficient and durable electrode for water oxidation reaction (WOR), which yields a high current density of 10000 A m-2 at an overpotential of only 284 mV and shows robust stability even in 6 M KOH strong alkaline electrolyte with elevated temperature up to 80 °C. This electrode is fabricated from cheap nickel foam (NF) substrate through a simple one-step solution etching method, resulting in the growth of ultrafine phosphorus doped nickel-iron (oxy)hydroxide (P-NiFeOOH) nanoparticles embedded into abundant micropores on surface, featured as a self-stabilized catalyst-substrate fusion electrode. Such self-stabilizing effect fastens highly active P-NiFeOOH species on conductive NF substrate with significant contribution to catalyst fixation and charge transfer, realizing a win-win tactics for WOR activity and durability at high current densities in harsh environments. This work affords a cost-effective WOR electrode that can well work at large current densities, suggestive for rational design of catalyst electrodes toward industrial-scale water electrolysis.
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Topical Extract Ointment Inhibits Inflammatory Signals and Exhibits Antibacterial Activity on the Rat Burn Injury: Emerging Approach for New Application in the Superficial Burn Care
Authors: khalil Rania , Abdo Walied S , El-Tanbouly Ghada S. , Johar Dina , Abdel-Halim Mahmoud Saad , Saber Sameh
Published: January 2022

Wound healing comprises organized events involving tissue repair and regeneration. The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) sheds recent light on the mechanisms involved in initiating inflammatory responses throughout the healing cascades. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) components may exhibit a wound healing action owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study designed to investigate the effect of HS loaded in an ointment base on the rat burn model compared to that of the standard Iruxol® ointment. A burn injury model was used to evaluate the wound healing potency of the preparation. Rats were treated with ointments three times through 24 hrs. Findings revealed that strong antioxidant property of the HS-loaded ointment augmented the skin healing potential by stimulating biomarkers required for skin regeneration. HS repressed the burning-induced inflammation by the effective reduction in the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 through TLR4 protein inhibition. Topical HS inhibited hypertrophic scarring by downregulating transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) levels. HS extract possesses a potential bactericidal activity against highly resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Altogether, study proclaims that HS-loaded topical preparations could be a valuable product that serve as adjuvants to accelerate burn wound healing through inactivating the TLR4 pathway.
Anxiety and Depression: Different Sides of the Same Coin? An Examination of Trends in the Medicalization of Both Disorders in Belgium
Authors: Looy Kilian Van , de Velde Sarah Van
Published: January 2022

Background: While medicalization trends of feelings of anxiety and depression have been described in great detail, an empirical examination of these trends is to date lacking. The current study fills this gap in the literature by mapping shifts in type of medicine use for feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as by examining whether a social gradient mediated these suggested shifts. Methods: We analyzed data from three repeated cross-sectional waves (2004, 2008, and 2013) of the Belgian National Health Interview Survey (HIS). Multinomial logistic regression were applied to estimate shifts in psychotropic drugs use over the observed period. Results: Using an ideal-typical distinction between traditional anxiety drugs (psycholeptics) and depression drugs (psychoanaleptics), we found that treatment methods for feelings of anxiety and depression were converging. Persons having anxiety feelings consumed less psycholeptic drugs, in favor of psychoanaleptic drugs throughout the observed period. Moreover, these shifts were partially mediated by educational level. Persons with higher education consumed less psychotropic drugs than those with lower education, suggesting trends of demedicalization for feelings of anxiety and depression.Conclusion: Our study shows that psycholeptics increasingly give way to psychoanaleptics in the treatment of both anxiety and depression, despite several scientists calling their effectiveness for both disorders into question.
Sensitivity of a sensitivity: control of ocean interior mixing on the sensitivity of meridional circulation to surface wind and buoyancy forcings
Authors: Reynard Nick , Mashayek Ali
Published: January 2022

The global meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is forced by winds and buoyancy fluxes at the sea surface and diapycnal mixing in the ocean interior. These forcings are known to have changed and are expected to undergo further changes under climate change. Southern Ocean winds and polar buoyancy forcing in both hemispheres (where deep waters form), in particular, have undergone significant changes. Our understanding of the spatial variations in diapycnal mixing has significantly progressed over the past decade. While the sensitivity of the MOC to surface forcings has been explored, it has not been done having the significant vertical variations in diapycnal mixing in the deep ocean in mind. Here we use phenomenological scaling analysis and idealised simulations of the Atlantic MOC to show that the nature of the vertical distribution of diapycnal mixing plays a leading role in setting the sensitivity of the MOC to variations in Southern Ocean winds and polar buoyancy forcings. Specifically, the sharp decay of bottom generated mixing with height above the bottom increases the sensitivity of the MOC to changes in the surface forcings, while also increasing the sensitivity of the volumetric size of each of the deep overturning cells. Our work demonstrates the necessity to incorporate the subtleties of abyssal mixing, which has seen considerate advancements in recent years when MOC climate perturbation studies are carried out.
Change in Axial Length After Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil Tamponade for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Shi Jiemei , Wu Kaicheng , Wen Huiming , Wei Jiaojiao , Zong Yuan , Yu Jian , Zhu Haohao , Jiang Chunhui
Published: January 2022

Background

We aimed to explore the changes in the axial length and related factors after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
Methods

This study retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil (SO) tamponade for RRD and subsequent silicone oil removal at our clinic. Using a Zeiss IOLMaster 700, axial length was measured before vitrectomy for RRD and SO removal. The change in axial length (ΔAL) was calculated, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential correlation between ΔAL and clinical factors, such as preoperative hypotony, extreme myopia, age, macular involvement, choroidal detachment, operation duration, and operation history.
Results

In total, 213 eyes from 213 patients were included. The mean axial length changed significantly pre- and post-vitrectomy (25.98 ± 2.87 mm and 26.25 ± 3.07 mm, respectively, P < 0.001); the mean ΔAL was 0.37 ± 0.62 mm. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative hypotony and extreme myopia were significantly correlated with the ΔAL (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). A higher proportion of hypotonic eyes had ΔAL ≥ 0.3 mm (33/76 in hypotony eyes and 32/137 in others; P = 0.003). A higher proportion of extremely myopic eyes also had a ΔAL ≥ 0.3 mm (23/46 in extremely myopic eyes and 42/167 in others; P=0.002).
Conclusion

Axial length changed after vitrectomy for RRD, especially in cases with hypotony or extreme myopia; secondary lens implantation should be considered in these cases.
Early introduction of solid foods and tiny tastings shortens the duration of breastfeeding
Authors: Stern Jenny , Funkquist Eva-Lotta , Grandahl Maria
Published: January 2022

Background: Since 2011, the National Food Agency in Sweden has informed parents that they can introduce tiny tastings (1 mL of solid food, i.e., other sources of nutrition than breastmilk/formula) to infants from four months of age. It is unknown how national recommendations, which differ from the Word Health Organization’s recommendation, affect breastfeeding. We hypothesized that introduction of tiny tastings of solid foods would shorten the duration of partial breastfeeding.Methods: This retrospective study utilizes data from the longitudinal ‘Swedish Pregnancy Planning Study’ in which mothers were recruited at antenatal clinics and answered three questionnaires up to one year after birth (n=1,251). Linear regression models were used to analyze the association between the introduction of solid foods and the duration of breastfeeding.Results: The main findings of this study were that half of all infants (48%) were fed with tiny tastings already in the fourth month, and correlation analysis showed that the earlier the infants started with tiny tastings, the earlier they ate larger amounts of solid food. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, five factors were identified as having a negative effect on the duration of breastfeeding: low infant age at the introduction of tiny tastings, low maternal age, low level of maternal education, high maternal BMI, and twin birth.Conclusions: Early introduction of tiny tastings of solid foods shortened the duration of breastfeeding.
Distinct computational mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility deficits in impulsivity and compulsivity
Authors: Skvortsova Vasilisa , Hauser Tobias
Published: January 2022

Cognitive flexibility, the ability to quickly adapt to changing environmental demands, is a hallmark of human behaviour, and is impaired across multiple psychiatric disorders. Especially compulsivity and impulsivity disorders have been linked to impaired adaptive learning and flexibility. Initial computational investigations suggested these distinct psychiatric dimensions suffer from the same underlying neurocognitive impairments, related to stochasticity during choice. However, a recent advance in computational neuroscience has demonstrated that imprecision in the learning process itself can account for a large portion of behavioural variability traditionally attributed to choice-stochasticity. Here, in a series of large-scale experiments using both lab-designed and gamified citizen-science tasks, we show that distinct computational markers are affected in compulsivity and impulsivity. Whilst impulsivity is tied to an imprecision in learning across valence domains, (hygiene-related) compulsivity is linked to choice-stochasticity. This double-dissociation demonstrates that distinct neurocomputational mechanisms can drive seemingly similar behavioural deficits, only dissociable using targeted computational approaches.
Rural-Urban Disparities In Birth Interval Among Women of Reproductive Age In Nigeria
Authors: Wegbom Anthony Ike , Bademosi Adetomi , Edet Clement Kevin , Kinakanwo Green , Sapira-Ordu Leesi , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis
Published: January 2022

Background: Nigeria like most developing nations still faced with a higher rate of short birth interval (SBI), and its associated consequences, such as adverse maternal and child health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the distribution and factors associated with SBI in rural and urban Nigeria.Methods: The data for this study were extracted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Statistical analyses were descriptive analysis and binary logistic model.Results: The proportion of SBI in rural and urban Nigeria were 20.7% and 20.3% respectively. Women age, geopolitical region, education level, and the number of children ever born were significantly associated with SBI in rural and urban Nigeria. Maternal Wealth index and antenatal care visits were only significant in rural Nigeria after controlling for other factors. Higher odds of SBI for middle class women than poor women (AOR=1.19, 95% CI=1.06-1.35), and increase in ANC visits reduces the odds of having SBI: 4-7 visits (AOR=0.87, 95% CI= 0.77-0.98) and >7visits (AOR=0.83, 95% CI= 0.69-0.99).Conclusion: There were slight disparities in the prevalence of short birth intervals in rural and urban areas. Wealth index and ANC visits were only significant in rural Nigeria. Public health awareness campaigns should be strengthened to drive the importance of birth spacing techniques such as the utilization of modern contraceptives and breastfeeding in all the geo-political regions and across all the age strata. Women particularly those residing in the rural areas should be encouraged to advance their education to at least secondary level and enlightened on the importance of ANC.
Influence of Silica nano particles on Structural, Electrical and Dielectric properties of PEO/PVdF/NaNO3/EC based Composite Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Mallaiah Yalla , JEEDI VENKATA RAMANA , GANTA KIRAN KUMAR , Reddy S. Narendar , A SADANANDA CHARY
Published: January 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
General Practice-based Pharmacy Longitudinal Clerkship: a Theoretically Underpinned Qualitative Evaluation
Authors: Innes Catriona , Cunningham Scott , Addison Brian , Wedekind Yvonne , Watson Emma , Rudd Ian , Power Ailsa , Karim Laura , Rushworth Gordon F
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate medical student Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships improve clinical exposure. A Pharmacy Longitudinal Clerkship (PLC) was developed as a means of developing student pharmacists’(SPs) knowledge, skills and behaviours in general practice. AIM: The aim of this research was to carry out a theoretically underpinned qualitative evaluation of a PLC. METHOD: General practice-based PLCs were delivered in 2019/20 and 2020/21 for two cohorts of SPs in NHS Highland Health Board, Scotland. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to explore experiences with all key stakeholders. Informed written consent was obtained. An interview schedule was developed and piloted using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic methodology. Ethics approval was granted. RESULTS: Interviews were completed with seven SPs and five general practitioner (GP) clinical tutors. Themes were identified that mapped to TDF domains and included; utilisation and practical application of knowledge; triangulation of skills under clinical supervision; confidence building with clinical and patient contact; elucidation of professional roles within general practice. CONCLUSION: This evaluation shows benefits of embedding SPs within clinical teams and immersing them in a clinical environment over a prolonged period of time as part of a Pharmacy Longitudinal Clerkship model within general practice. It is expected this will translate into a more confident transition to postgraduate professional clinical practice. Funding should be sought to test alternative PLC arrangements including: multiple full-time longitudinal placement blocks; or ultimately a year-long longitudinal clerkship programme with an IPE element. Further work should include longitudinal follow-up of SPs.
Virtual Reality Exergame in older Patients with Hypertension: A Preliminary Study to determine Load Intensity and Blood Pressure
Authors: Vorwerg Susan , Stamm Oskar , Haink Michele
Published: January 2022

BackgroundLifestyle changes and physical activity can make an important contribution to reducing the risk factor of high blood pressure (BP). Whether virtual reality (VR) exergames are also appropriate and make a positive contribution to the reduction of BP has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to gain knowledge of the load intensities to be achieved during a VR exergame and to examine the short-term effects on BP.MethodsFor the preliminary study, 22 participants with hypertension over the age of 65 years were analyzed. The study took place in a mobile laboratory truck. All participants visited on two occasions. During visit 1, a VR strength endurance training (VR-SET) was conducted and on visit 2 a VR endurance training (VR-ET) was performed. Each VR training session lasted around 25 min and was of a moderate intensity. Heart rate (HR) was measured across the entire training session, as well as BP before and after VR training. The RPE and task load were determined after VR training. Included in the statistical analysis were the Shapiro-Wilk test, the paired t-test, the Wilcoxon test and the ANOVA for repeated measures.ResultsDuring the “main part” (p<.001), at the “end” (p=.002) and for the “maximum HR” (p<.001), significant load differences between both training sessions could be determined. In addition, significantly more participants in the VR-SET achieved the moderate load intensity of at least 40% of HRR (p=.014). Regarding RPE, participants rated their subjectively perceived exertion significantly higher in the VR-SET than in the VR-ET (p=.028). Systolic BP decreased significantly in both training sessions when compared before training and 5 min after training (p=.015; p=.003), as well as before training and 10 min after training (p=.018; p<.001).ConclusionsThe individual moderate load intensity of 40% can be reached during the VR-SET. Nevertheless, a positive short-term effect of VR training on BP behavior (post-exercise hypotension) was observed after both VR training sessions. The first results indicate that a VR exergame can lead to health-promoting effects in hypertension.Trial registrationThe study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00022881).
A Study of the Effect of Fiber Content and Fiber Orientation on the Tensile Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite for Pipe Production: A Taguchi and Statistical Approach
Authors: Samuel Bassey Okon , Yawas Danjuma Saleh , Akpan Imaobong Okpongette
Published: January 2022

This study was aimed at optimizing the development parameters of a glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite for pipeline application. In this study, the Taguchi experimental design technique was applied to determine the best combination of process parameters (fiber content and orientation) for optimum tensile strength. The optimum tensile strength of 209.65MPa was reported at the fiber content of 50% and Fiber orientation of 45º. Analysis of variance also showed that in optimizing for high tensile strength, the glass fiber content and the fiber orientation are significant factors. The material at optimum tensile properties was applied in the simulation of the behavior of a high-pressured gas pipeline and results proved the reliability of the material in such application.
Paradigm shift in understanding the Galactic eROSITA Bubbles
Authors: Gupta Anjali , Mathur Smita , Kingsbury Josh , Das Sanskriti , Krongold Yair
Published: January 2022

The magnificent bubbles at the Galactic center provide a great channel to understand the effects of feedback on galaxy evolution. The newly discovered eROSITA bubbles show enhanced X-ray emission from the shells around bubbles. Previous works assumed that the X-ray emitting gas in the shells has a single temperature component and that they trace the shock-heated lower-temperature Galactic halo gas. Here we show that the thermal structure of the eROSITA bubble shells is more complex. Using Suzaku observations we find with high confidence that the X-ray emission from the shells is best described by a two-temperature thermal model, one near Galaxy's virial temperature at ~0.2 keV and the other at super-virial temperatures ranging between kT = 0.4-1.1 keV. Furthermore, we show that temperatures of the virial and super-virial components are similar in the shells and in the ambient medium, although the emission measures are significantly higher in the shells. We argue that the X-ray bright eROSITA bubble shells are the signature of compressed isothermal radiative shocks. The age of the bubbles is constrained to 70-130 Myr. This expansion timescale, as well as the observed non-solar Ne/O and Mg/O ratios, favor the stellar feedback models for the formation of the Galactic bubbles, settling a long-standing debate on the origin of the Galactic bubbles.
Determination of the phenolic content, antioxidant activity and total anthocyanins of a beverage based on aloe vera and Jamaican sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Authors: Mori-Mestanza Diner , Perez-Ruiz Darwin , Zuta-Chamoli Veronica , Idrogo-Vasquez Guillermo , Jeri Armstrong Barnard Fernández , Muñoz-Astecker Lucas Dalvil , Fernadez Robert Javier Cruzalegui , Quintana Segundo Grimaldo Chavez
Published: January 2022

Among the particularities of a food are beneficial properties such as polyphenols, antioxidant activity and anthocyanins. In fact, recent research has shown that the biological activity of these compounds reduces cellular ageing, thus helping to prevent and enhance the therapeutic effects. In order to develop an aloe vera and Jamaican sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) beverage, nine treatments were compared with three concentrations of aloe vera (2, 5, 7%) and three concentrations of Jamaican sorrel (0.5, 0.7, 0.9%). Therefore, we determined the total phenolic content by applying the Folin Ciocalteu method, the antioxidant activity by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical capture (DPPH) and total anthocyanins by differential pH. The best beverage formulation: 5% aloe vera and 0.9% Jamaica, had a total phenol content of 714.86 mgAGE / 100ml, antioxidant activity 1858.56 mg Trolox/100ml, total anthocyanins 5587.99 mg C-3GE / 100ml, °Brix 7.5, pH 3.8 and acidity 0.38%; it was evident that the formulations made of this beverage contain high potential amounts of natural active compounds, which may be used and beneficial for human health due to their antioxidant and nutritional properties.
The Distinctly Altered Functional Connectivity Density In Alcohol Use Disorder With- And Without- Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Duan Ranran , Li Yanfei , Jing Lijun , Gong Zhe , Yao Yaobing , Shao Yingzhe , Song Yajun , Wang Weijian , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang , Zhu Xiaofeng , Peng Ying , Jia Yanjie
Published: January 2022

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) is one of the most common substance use disorders, contributing to both behavioral and cognitive impairments in AUD patients. Recent neuroimaging studies point that AUD is a typical disorder featured by altered functional connectivity. However, the details about how largescale functional coordination remains unknown.Methods: Here, we adopted a newly proposed method named functional connectivity density (FCD) to depict altered largescale functional coordination in AUD. We applied resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) towards subjects to obtain their FCD, including global FCD (gFCD), local FCD (lFCD) and long-range FCD (lrFCD). 61 AUD patients and 29 healthy controls (HC) were recruited, and the AUD patients were further divided into alcohol-related cognitive impairment group (ARCI, n=11) and non-cognitive impairment group (AUD-NCI, n=50). All subjects were asked to stay stationary during the scan in order to calculate the resting-state gFCD, lFCD and lrFCD values, and further to investigate the abnormal connectivity alterations among AUD-NCI, ARCI and HC.Results: Compared to HC, both AUD groups exhibited significantly altered gFCD in left inferior occipital lobe, left calcarine, altered lFCD in right lingual and altered lrFCD in VMPFC. It is notable that gFCD of ARCI group was found to be significantly deviated from AUD-NCI and HC in left medial frontal gyrus, which change probably contributed by the impairment in cognition. In addition, no significant differences in gFCD were found between ARCI and HC in left parahippocampal, while ARCI and HC were profoundly deviated from AUD-NCI, possibly reflecting a compensation of cognition impairment. Further analysis showed that within AUD patients, gFCD values in left medial frontal gyrus is negatively correlated with MMSE scores, while lFCD values in left inferior occipital lobe positively related with ADS scores. Conclusions: In conclusion, AUD patients exhibited significantly altered functional connectivity patterns mainly in several left hemisphere brain regions, while AUD patients with or without cognitive impairment also demonstrated an intergroup FCD differences which correlated with symptom severity, with AUD cognitive impairment patients would suffer less severe alcohol dependence. This difference in symptom severity probably served as a compensation for cognitive impairment, suggesting a difference in pathological pathways. These findings assisted future AUD studies by providing insight for possible pathological mechanisms.
Exosomes From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-derived Keratinocytes Accelerate Burn Wound Healing Through miR-762 Mediated Promotion of Keratinocytes and Endothelial Cells Migration
Authors: Bo Yunyao , Yang Lijun , Liu Baiting , Tian Guiping , Li Chenxi , Zhang Lin , Yan Yuan
Published: January 2022

Background: The use of keratinocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs-KCs) may represent a novel cell therapy strategy for burn treatment. There is growing evidence that extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are primary mediators of the benefits of stem cell therapy. Herein, we thus explored the effects of exosomes produced by iPSCs-derived keratinocytes (iPSCs-KCs-Exos) in a model of deep second-degree burn wound healing and evaluated the mechanistic basis for the observed activity. Methods: iPSCs-KCs-Exos were isolated from conditioned medium of iPSCs-KCs and verified by electron micrograph and size distribution. Next, iPSCs-KCs-Exos were injected subcutaneously around wound sites, and its efficacy was evaluated by measuring wound closure areas, histological examination and immunohistochemistry staining. The effects of iPSCs-KCs-Exos on proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and endothelial cells in vitro were assessed by EdU staining, wound healing assays and transwell assay. Then, high-throughput microRNA sequencing was used to explore the underlying mechanisms. We assessed the roles of miR-762 in iPSCs-KCs-Exos-induced regulation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells migration. Furthermore, the target gene which mediated the biological effects of miR-762 in keratinocytes and endothelial cells was also been detected. Results: The analysis revealed that iPSCs-KCs-Exos application to the burn wound drove the acceleration of wound closure, with more robust angiogenesis and re-epithelialization being evident. Such iPSCs-KCs-Exos treatment effectively enhanced endothelial cell and keratinocyte migration in vitro. Moreover, the enrichment of miR-762 was detected in iPSCs-KCs-Exos and was found to target promyelocytic leukemia (PML) as a means of regulating cell migration through a mechanism tie to integrin beta1 (ITGB1). Conclusion: These results thus provide a foundation for the further study of iPSCs-KCs-Exos as novel cell-free treatments for deep second-degree burns.
Characteristics of Retinal Image Associated with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Authors: Wu Jiaman , Tan Liya , Ning Yan , Yuan Weiqu , Lee Zuowei , Ma Fei , Wang Erfeng , Zhuo Yuanyuan
Published: January 2022

Purpose To establish a prediction model for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) identification.Methods A total of 78 women with spontaneous POI and 48 healthy women were recruited from the Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital in the study. Retinal characteristics were analyzed using an automated retinal image analysis system. Binary logistic regression was used to identify POI cases and develop predictive models. Results Compared to the normal group, the POI group had larger central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) (P=0.006), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) (P=0.001), index of venules asymmetry (Vasym) (P=0.000); larger bifurcation angles of arterioles (Aangle) (P=0.001), bifurcation coefficient of venule (BCV) (P=0.001) and more obvious arteriovenous nipping (Nipping) (P=0.005), but lower arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR) (P=0.012). In the POI group, the odds ratio (OR) of Vasym was 6.72e-32 (95% C.I. 4.62e-49–9.79e-15, P=0.000), the OR of BCV was 5.66e-20 (95% C.I. 1.93e-34–.0000, P=5.66e-20) and the OR of Nipping was 6.65e-06 (95% C.I. 6.33e-10–.0698, P=0.012). Moreover, the area under the ROC curve for the binary logistic regression with retinal characteristics was 0.8582, and the fitting degree of regression models was 60.48% (Prob> chi-square = 0.6048).Conclusion This study demonstrated that retinal image analysis can provide useful information for POI identification and certain characteristics may help with early clinical diagnosis of POI.
CLSTN3B enhances lipid droplet function via endoplasmic reticulum contacts
Authors: Zeng Xing , Zhang Chuanhai , Vale Goncalo , Eckert Kaitlyn , McDonald Jeffrey , Lin Mei-Jung , Ye Mengchen
Published: January 2022

Inter-organellar contact sites facilitate material exchanges between membrane-bound intracellular compartments and sustain the structural and functional integrity of organelles1-3. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-lipid droplet (LD) contact sites contribute to LD biogenesis and lipid transfer between the ER and LDs4-11. LDs in adipocytes are significantly larger than in non-adipocytes and crucial for energy storage and mobilization in response to body needs12-14. How adipocytes employ cell type-specific mechanisms to suppress unregulated lipolysis while remaining responsive to catecholamine-induced lipolysis is incompletely understood. Here we show that the mammalian adipocyte-specific protein Calsyntenin 3β (CLSTN3B) works at the ER/LD interface to enhance LD functionality. We found that CLSTN3B harbors an N-terminal LD-targeting and a C-terminal ER transmembrane domain linked by an arginine-rich segment, promoting a tight association between the ER and LDs. CLSTN3B-deficient LDs have reduced surface phospholipids density and decreased binding of LD-targeting proteins, hence more prone to leakage of free fatty acids (FFA) and less responsive to catecholamine-induced lipolysis than wild-type (WT) LDs. Furthermore, clstn3b knockout (clstn3b-/-) mice are more susceptible to high fat diet-induced metabolic complications than adiposity-matched WT mice, consistent with impaired LD functionality and compromised lipid-storing capacity of adipocytes. Our results demonstrate how CLSTN3B-mediated inter-organellar communication shapes LD functionality and translates into physiological significance at the animal level15
Medium to long-term patterns of soil properties in forest restoration models in seasonally dry Atlantic Forest biome
Authors: Paula Ranieri Ribeiro
Published: January 2022

The medium- to long-term impacts of forest restoration models on soil properties are not well documented in the Atlantic Forest biome, especially in a seasonally dry climate. We assessed patterns of topsoil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, and isotopic signatures of 13C in gradient with three areas with natural regeneration of native forest (NF) with 50 years of old, two areas with monocultures of N2-fixer and non-N2-fixer tree species, six years after planting on grass pasture, and one area with grass pasture in the last 40 years of age. In each area, three to nine composite soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm soil depth during the rainy season for analysis. The topsoil of the NF regenerated after coffee was the most depleted soil fertility and SOC storage in our vegetation gradient. The grass pasture and forest plantations showed smaller soil acidity and a larger base concentrations than the NF areas. The SOC storage was larger in NF after grass pasture and selective cutting, followed by grass pasture, with 80, 76, and 69 Mg ha-1, respectively. The planting of legume trees decreased SOC storage by approximately 35% during SOC storage, independent of N2-fixing capacity. The SOC derived from trees increased rapidly in the first six years of tree plantation (≈ 3 Mg SOC ha-1 year-1). The recovery of soil fertility and SOC storage by long-term natural regeneration differs according to historical land use. Differences in N2-fixation capacity had little effect on soil properties in the medium term.