bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells is induced by the combination of PI3K and autophagy inhibitors
Authors: DONG YU QING , SUN NI , YANG XIANG CHOU , HE MU QING , HUANG HE , GUO WEN JIAN , LIN XIAOJI
Published: July 2022

Background: The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors, and various PI3K inhibitors have been reported in antitumor. However, PI3K inhibitors can induce autophagy and activation of autophagy can promote drug resistance of tumor cells or improve cell survival. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the PI3K inhibitor PX-866 or PI-103 combined with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on the apoptosis of acute T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells lines CCRF-CEM and Jurkat cells. Methods and results: We found PX-866 and PI-103 treatment significantly reduced cell viability whilst also greatly increasing apoptosis in CCRF-CEM and Jurkat cells. The efficacy of this treatment was further enhanced when combined with 3-MA. The phosphorylation levels of AKT and mTOR in CCRF-CEM and Jurkat cells were significantly suppressed by the introduction of PX-866 or PI-103, the effects of which were reversed by co-treatment with 3-MA. In addition, the expression of LC3, ATG5, ATG12 and Beclin-1 were found to be significantly upregulated by PX-866 or PI-103 treatment and were markedly downregulated by the co-administration of 3-MA. TEM results revealed that the number of autophagic vacuoles in CCRF-CEM and Jurkat cells was increased by PX-866 and PI-103 treatment, which was reversed by 3-MA co-treatment. Conclusions: The combination of PI3K and autophagy inhibitors reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. This discovery provided a new way to improve the effectiveness of anti-tumor strategies in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Effect of urea on lens protein of multilamellar bodies in senile nuclear cataract
Authors: Fahmy Hassan L. , Hosny Ghada , Sayed Sally A. , Saleh Mohamed G.A
Published: July 2022

Background: Addressing the biochemical and physical changes leading to development of cataract and reversal of this process is a research target for ophthalmologists. Currently the only way to treat cataract is by surgical intervention which entails a big economic and logistic burden especially in underdeveloped nations and is not risk free. This study aims at demonstrating the effect of urea solution on the cataractous lens.Methods: In this ex vivo experiment, we injected urea solution in a concentration of 96 mmol/L in hard cataractous nuclei removed by cataract surgery. Results showed that urea restored transparency of these opaque nuclei. Electron microscopic examination of those lenses before and after injection showed disorganization of lamellar bodies (hallmark sign of cataract) with restoration of the regular pattern of extracellular spaces within the lens and hence better light transmission. Conclusion Injection of urea solution, 0.96 mol/L, in human hard cataract nuclei in an ex vivo experiment leads to changes in the electron microscopic characteristics of cataractous lens mainly affecting lamellar bodies, namely via biochemical changes leading to changes in protein structure, which contributes to restoring lens transparency.This observation may carry the potential for us to be able to develop a way to prevent and perhaps reverse cataract by simply administering urea eye drops.
Phosphorylation in liquid sulphur dioxide under prebiotically plausible conditions
Authors: Sydow Constanze , Seiband Christiane , Siegle Alexander , Trapp Oliver
Published: July 2022

In nature, organophosphates provide key functions such as information storage and transport, structural tasks, and energy transfer. Since condensation reactions are unfavourable in water and the nucleophilic attack at phosphate is kinetically inhibited, various abiogenesis hypotheses for the formation of organophosphate are discussed. In recent studies, the application of water soluble phosphite salts as phosphorylation agent showed promising results. However, elevated temperatures and additional reaction steps are required to obtain organophosphates. Here we show that in liquid sulphur dioxide, which acts as reaction medium and oxidant, efficient organophosphate formation is enabled. Phosphorous acid (H3PO3) yields up to 32.6% 5’ nucleoside monophosphate, 3.6% 5’ nucleoside diphosphate and the formation of nucleoside triphosphates and dinucleotides in a single reaction step at room temperature. In addition to the phosphorylation of organic compounds, we observed dipeptide formation. Thus, we suggest volcanic environments as reaction sites for efficient biopolymer formation on Early Earth.
A novel method of bayesian regularization based solar charging station employing maximum power point tracking for electric vehicle applications
Authors: Veerappan Prasanna Moorthy , V Dineshraj , S Elangovan , V Deepika , Ramachandran Meenakumari , Panchal Hitesh , Lamba Ravita , Thangaraj Kokilavani , Muthusamy Suresh
Published: July 2022

Any growing country's business development relies on the availability of electricity. Recent years have seen an increase in the development and marketing of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric cars due to environmental concerns and increasing oil costs (HEV). Electric vehicles are becoming more popular, and their accompanying equipment has become a necessary part of the equation. One module where this has been tried is the charging station. As part of the proposed work, ANN-based MPPT is utilized to monitor the solar panel's maximum power. This approach has the benefit of being more precise. ANN uses the Bayesian Regularization technique for maximum power point tracking. The neural network accustomed to manage the DC-DC converter's duty cycle is trained using this approach. Solar PV, energy storage, and the grid are all included in this electric car charging station. In case of an emergency, the PV and storage systems may draw electricity from the grid. The proposed method's efficiency is simulated and tested using the MATLAB/Simulink programme.
The effectiveness of CBL in teaching specialized courses to undergraduate nursing students
Authors: Shohani Masoumeh , Bastami Mohammadreza , Gheshlaghi Leili Abedi , Nasrollahi Abbas
Published: July 2022

Background
Case-based learning (CBL) is an effective teaching-learning strategy that provides a learning environment similar to actual practice. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of CBL in teaching specialized nursing courses on the learning and satisfaction of nursing students.
Methods
This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019 in School of Nursing and Midwifery in Ilam and all 128 undergraduate nursing students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th semesters of nursing who had selected “Adult and Geriatric Nursing” and “Critical Care Nursing” courses were enrolled in the study using a census method. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 20 questions based on the Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 22.
Results
More than two thirds of the students (81.3%) found the CBL method better than lectures. 60% of male students and 62% of female students stated that the CBL method increased their self-confidence compared to the traditional lecture-based learning (p < 0.03). Students were very satisfied with the CBL method (9.1 ± 1.1 out of 10). There was no significant relationship between gender-related features and marital status, and the mean score of students' satisfaction with the CBL method (p > 0.05). However, 4th semester students were more satisfied than other students (P = 0.02).
Conclusion
The results show that as a novel teaching-learning technique, CBL is effective in teaching specialized nursing courses and increases students' satisfaction and self-confidence.
Laser Shock Forging — A novel in-situ method designed towards controlling residual stresses in Laser Metal Deposition
Authors: Zhang Yongkang , Cai Shupeng , Yang Zhifan , Qiu Ming , Wang Zhengang , Wu Pingping , Xue Chi , Huo Xiaojian
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a novel hybrid in-situ additive manufacturing (AM) method —Laser Shock Forging (LSF), which combines laser shock peening (LSP) with laser melting deposition (LMD). Based on the classical Bar-frame model and inherent strain theory, the mechanisms of the effects of pretreatment and post-treatment on AM process has been firstly elaborated. Towards controlling tensile residual stress (TRS) in the as-built (AB) state of AM parts which has a detrimental effect on their fatigue life, we then developed LSF to introduce tensile inherent strains in LMD built parts in an in-situ manner, which will convert TRS to compressive residual stress (CRS). The laser beam used for shock peening can be adjusted to move synchronously with the laser beam used for metal deposition at a certain distance, ensuring the laser shock peening to act on the region where the material temperature cools down to the forging temperature range. Then experimental works have been conducted on 316L stainless steel, residual stress distributions of the AB, LSP and LSF treated specimens were compared, results show that LSF increases both the magnitude and depth of CRS compared with conventional LSP treatment, thus providing a promising application in enhancing fatigue life in AM process.
Active Compounds and Potential Targets of Shuganning Injection in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Network Pharmacology and in vitro Validation
Authors: Han Xiao , Huang Jiayan , Lu Jia , He Feng , Wang Fang , Li Shuangfeng , Zhong Hao , Yu Haiyang , Pu Weiling
Published: July 2022

Shuganning Injection (SGNI), a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) injection with good hepato-protective effects, exerted therapeutic effects on HCC. However, the active compounds and effects of SGNI on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. To investigate the active compounds and potential targets of SGNI in the treatment of HCC, and explore the molecular mechanisms of main compounds. Network pharmacology was applied to predict the active compounds and targets of SGNI on cancer. The interaction between active compounds and target protein were validated by drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and pull-down assay. The in vitro test of the effects and mechanism of vanillin and baicalein was elucidated by MTT, Western blot, immunofluorescence and apoptosis analysis. According to compound characteristics, targets, etc., two typical active ingredients (vanillin and baicalein) were selected as representatives to explore the effects on HCC. Vanillin (an important food additive), bound to NF-κB1 and baicalein (a bioactive flavonoid) bound to FLT3 (FMS-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3) were confirmed in this study. Vanillin and baicalein were both inhibited cell viability and promoted apoptosis of Hep3B and Huh7 cells. In addition, both vanillin and baicalein could enhance the activation of p38/MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) signaling pathway, which may partially explain the anti-apoptosis effects of the two compounds. In conclusion, two active compounds of SGNI, baicalein and vanillin, promoted apoptosis of HCC cells via binding with NF-κB1 or FLT3, and regulating the p38/MAPK pathway. Baicalein and vanillin may be good candidates for HCC treatment on drug development.
A simplified displacement-based procedure for design and performance evaluation of low-rise masonry infilled RC frame buildings in Pakistan
Authors: Mazhar Hamza , Najam Fawad Ahmed , Afzal Musaddiq , Irfan Hassan
Published: July 2022

RC frame structures with masonry infill walls represent a typical building topology in Pakistan and many countries worldwide. Burnt brick walls are commonly used in buildings as partitions and external walls. Practicing engineers often employ code-based procedures for the structural design of buildings and ignore the effects of infills, considering them as non-structural components. However, these infill walls contribute to the early strength, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity of the frames and thus can considerably modify the global seismic performance of buildings. This contribution can be captured using nonlinear structural models. However, in the conventional code-based design procedures (based on linear elastic modeling), the infills are generally not included in the analysis model. This study presents a simplified displacement-based design (SDBD) procedure based on the concept of equivalent linearization to overcome this issue. The SDBD procedure uses the framework of the direct displacement-based design (DDBD) method to determine the equivalent linear characteristics of the nonlinear structure. The fundamental idea is that the seismic demands of a nonlinear system can be determined using an equivalent linear system of elongated period and higher damping. The proposed procedure is developed using the three case study buildings (3-, 4-, and 5-story high), and its accuracy is investigated for a 5-story high building under input ground motions. In this evaluation, the inelastic demands obtained from the nonlinear analysis procedure are employed as a benchmark. The proposed SDBD procedure is found to provide accurate estimations of local and global responses for the case study building.
Drops of capillary blood are not appropriate for hemoglobin measurement with HemoCue: A comparative study using drop capillary, pooled capillary, and venous blood samples
Authors: Cruz-Góngora Vanessa De la , Méndez-Gómez-Humarán Ignacio , Gaona-Pineda Elsa Berenice , Shamah-Levy Teresa , Dary Omar
Published: July 2022

Background: Population-based surveys matched by time and in the same country, but which use different methodologies for determining hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, have shown inconsistencies in estimating anemia prevalence. This study aims to estimate measurement errors in Hb using the HemoCue 201+ in capillary blood, both in drops and pooled, compared with venous blood analyzed both with the HemoCue 201+ and clinical methodologies as references. Methods: 149 participants (children, women, and older adults) interviewed in their homes in Jojutla, Morelos, Mexico, were randomly allocated to donate either a drop of capillary blood or 350 µL of pooled capillary blood. Each group also donated 4 mL of venous blood. Hb was analyzed in duplicate using the HemoCue 201+ and by a reference method using cyanmethemoglobin. We also compared the latter method with a clinical hemocounter. We performed Bland Altman and Lyn’s concordance analyses. We calculated 95% confidence intervals (±95% CI).Results: A positive bias was found in HemoCue 201+ (0.314 g/dL) which was used as an adjustment factor. After adjustment, both venous blood (0.000±0.33 95%CI -0.649, 0.649) and pooled capillary blood (-0-02± 0.36; 95%CI -0.75, 0.70) using HemoCue reported the same average Hb concentration as that estimated using venous blood with the cyanmethemoglobin method, and within a variation below 0.7 g/dL in the same individuals. Single drops of capillary blood produced a higher positive bias (0.425±0.81; 95%CI -1.176, 2.026) despite adjustment, and the variation between duplicate of hemoglobin was ±1.6 g/dL (95%CI -1.176, 2.026), and with some results as high as 2-3 g/dL. Comparatively, the variation of the cyanmethemoglobin method and the clinical hemocounter with venous blood was ±0.3 g/dL (95%CI -0.23, 0.38 ug/dL). Conclusions: Random variation of results from drops of capillary blood cannot be corrected, affecting the accurate and precise measurement of Hb concentration from this source. Pooled capillary blood, in our hands, performed similarly to venous blood and may be useful as an alternative to venous blood when the latter is difficult to obtain. In any case, the popular use of drops of capillary blood for estimating Hb concentration both in individuals and in populations should be discontinued.
Dying, death and bereavement : developing a national survey of bereaved relatives.
Authors: Coimín Diarmuid Ó , Rohde Daniela , Foley Conor , O'Carroll Tracy , Murphy Róisín
Published: July 2022

Background: Assessing and measuring the experience and quality of care provided is central to the improvement of care delivery of all healthcare systems. This paper reports on the development of a survey instrument to capture the experiences of care at end of life from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: A multi-method, multi-stakeholder, sequential approach was adopted for this study. Items for inclusion in the survey instrument bank were identified through (1) a feasibility study and scoping literature review, (2) expert panel programme board review, (3) focus groups and (4) gap analysis. The following steps were undertaken to prioritise the items for inclusion in the final survey instrument: (1) a Delphi study (2) technical expert panel review (3) cognitive interviews with bereaved relatives and an (4) expert panel programme board review. Results: Following an iterative process with key stakeholders, a survey instrument was developed with sections focusing on the provision of care at home, in the last nursing home / residential care facility, hospice and hospital, as well as care experience in the last two days of life, the relative’s experiences of care and support, the circumstances of care surrounding death and demographic information. In total, a bank of 123 questions were prioritised to be included in the National End of Life Survey instrument.Conclusion: The survey will provide a standardised national approach to capturing the experience of care of those who have died, from the perspective of bereaved relatives in the Republic of Ireland. This will allow health service providers, policy makers and regulators to gather important insights into the experiences of care at end of life and will help fulfil the requirement of healthcare services to ensure they are providing high-quality care.
Protein Kinase D1 Overexpression Potentiates Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Mcf-7 Cells
Authors: LEGAY Christine , DOUBLIER Sophie , BABAJKO Sylvie , RICORT Jean-Marc
Published: July 2022

I. Background: Protein kinase D1, PKD1, is a serine-threonine kinase implicated in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and/or apoptosis and its activation by several growth factors sets this enzyme as a key regulator of tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Despite many studies, its role in the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways remains widely disparate and needs to be clarified.II. Methods and Results: By using human breast cancer cells MCF-7, overexpressing or not PKD1, we demonstrated that PKD1 expression level modulated the tumor growth-promoting epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway. We also showed that EGF acutely stimulated PKD1 phosphorylation with similar time courses both in control and PKD1-overexpressing cells. However, PKD1 overexpression specifically and markedly increased EGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt (onto T308 and S473 residues) and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2). Finally, pharmacological inhibition of PKD1 activity or lowering its expression level using specific siRNAs drastically reduced EGF-stimulated Akt and ERK phosphorylation in PKD1overexpressing cells, but not in control cells.III. Conclusions: Overall, these results identified the level of PKD1 expression as a key determinant in the regulation of the EGF signaling pathway highlighting its crucial role in a tumorigenic setting.
Predicting the next word using the Markov Chain Model according to profiling personality
Authors: ELBAGHAZAOUI Bahaa Eddine , AMNAI Mohamed , FAKHRI Youssef
Published: July 2022

Understanding human data has been the focus of philosophers and scientists. Social media platforms encourage people to be creative and share their personal information. By analyzing data, we will be able to identify people's personalities and information that is also important to specific profils. The aim of this paper is to propose an approach that predicts the next word during writing a sentence based on the user's personality. To achieve this goal, our approach is illustrated by two points: (1) An approximate extraction of the Big Five model for a specific user from his tweets. (2) Predicting the next word while a user is writing a new tweet depends on his personality using the Markov Chain Model. On the basis of these two notions, our approach makes writing posts easier by predicting and suggesting next words based on the user's personality. Experience represents the ease of predicting the next word during the writing of a new post related to individual potential.
Multigenerational analysis of the ecotoxicological effects of paracetamol on the expression of genes HR96 and GST in Daphnia magna
Authors: Olivares René , Pedreros Pablo , Valenzuela Francisca , Aguayo Claudio , Urrutia Roberto
Published: July 2022

Various studies have investigated the effects of paracetamol on D. magna, with abundant information on acute and chronic toxicity, but little on multigenerational molecular-level assays. Therefore, this study is focused on a multigenerational investigation of the effects of paracetamol exposure at a constant concentration of 1 mg L− 1 on the expression of the cellular detoxification genes HR96 and GST in D. magna over three generations. The effective concentration of this compound was also determined by studying daphnid survival. The acute exposure results showed mean effective concentrations of EC50 = 11.74 mg L− 1 (11.07–12.48) and EC1 = 1.63 mg L− 1 (1.40–2.62). The multigenerational analysis showed a significant inhibition of both genes in both generation F0 (HR96 = 32.6%, GST = 33.2%) and generation F1 (HR96 = 27.1%, GST = 20.2%). Meanwhile, in F2 a significant induction was observed for GST and HR96, with values of 10.8% and 13.5%, respectively. The response of D. magna over the generations presented a clear induction trend, indicating that this organism is capable of adapting to the contaminant after multiple generations of exposure. Thus, this study shows that paracetamol is more toxic during the first generations and that after 30 days, the drug would not affect the cellular detoxification system.
Enhanced Toxic Dye Degradation Using Single Crystal Zn-doped Fe3O4 Octahedrons
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Sang
Published: July 2022

Single crystalline octahedral Zn doped Fe3O4 was successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal method without the assistance of any surfactant or template. Porosity and crystalline properties characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Results showed as-synthesized Zn doped Fe3O4 are uniform octahedrons with high crystalline. In addition, the possible mechanism for the formation of octahedral products via the time-dependent experiments and the role of hydrazine hydrate in the synthesis process was also discussed. Their photo-Fenton activity in photodegradation of Rhodamine B under visible light was sequentially investigated, indicating the high photocatalytic capacity of as-obtained octahedrons.
Investigation of a suspected nosocomial infection outbreak in a neonatology department, China
Authors: TANG Wenrui , Cheng Peiyu , TANG Manjuan
Published: July 2022

Objective
To identify the risk factors for the neonatal infections; to determine the infectious sources, and to initiate prevention and treatment processes.
Materials and Methods
The case group consisted of 5 infected neonates. The control group consisted of 10 premature infants without infection, but with similar gestational age, body weight, and with > 48 hours stay in hospital. t and chi-square tests were used for comparison between the two groups and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Environmental samples in the clinic were collected from the two groups from 9th October to 10th November, 2020. Cultures were initiated to detect sources of infectious agents.
Results
There were no significant differences in gender, gestational age, birth weight, delivery mode, maternal age, invasive ventilator, umbilical vein between the two groups (P > 0.05). For the case group, antibiotic application (type and duration of treatment), length of hospital stay, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) catheterization time and gastric tube in-dwelling time were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified from sputum and skin cultures from infected neonates, and from multiple faucet samples.
Conclusion
The case groups had significantly more infection-related features than those in the control group. The Pseudomonas aeruginosas outbreaks were associated with exogenous water sources but the infectious agent had different drug resistant patterns. The data, therefore, allowed us to exclude the infection as NI outbreak but to conclude exogenous NIs. Our report also indicates the effectiveness of having pre-determined protocols and expert personnel to handle the suspected outbreak efficiently, and to execute successful prevention and intervention processes.
Knee Joint Proprioceptive Acuity and Kinematic Control in Relation to Motor Competency in 13 to 14-Year-Old Adolescents
Authors: Liu Yan-Ci , Esser Patrick , Weedon Benjamin David , Springett Daniella , Joshi Shawn , Tsou Meng-Hsuan , Wang Ray-Yau , Dawes Helen
Published: July 2022

Motor competence (MC) is a key component reflecting one’s ability to execute motor tasks and is an important predictor of physical fitness. For adolescents experiencing rapid growth changes, understanding the factors affecting MC is pertinent to the development of more sophisticated sporting skills. Previous studies considered the influence of poor proprioceptive ability on MC, however, the relationship between lower limb proprioception and MC is unknown, and the relationship between kinematic control and MC is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine to what extent lower limb proprioception (according to knee joint position sense), and kinematic control relate to MC in adolescents. This study was a cross-sectional design. Young people (n = 427, 196 girls and 231 boys) aged 13 to 14 years were recruited. A movement reproduction task was used to assess joint position sense and quality of performance, while the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (mABC-2) was used to assess MC. In addition, this study categorized 80 adolescents who met the criteria according to their mABC-2 scores as the Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) group, while 231 adolescents were categorized as Typically Developed (TD), to further compare motor competency. Results showed that kinematic data, specifically normalized jerk, showed a significant correlation with MC. No correlation between knee joint position sense and MC. No group differences between DCD and TD were found. From these results, it may be concluded that rather than proprioception, there is a greater association between MC and kinematic control and sensorimotor integration.Clinical trial registration number : NCT03150784
MiR-217 regulated autophagy through OPG/RANKL/RANK in giant cell tumor
Authors: Jiang Boyong , Meng Chenyang , Wang Lianjuan , Liu Wanlin , Zhao Zhenqun , Bai Rui , Zhao Yan
Published: July 2022

Aims
Increasing evidences have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in cancer development and progression. Our previous study showed that the level of miR-217 was remarkably lower in GCT cells and tissues, and the re-expression of miR-217 induced an inhibitory effect on occurrence and development of GCT in vitro. However, the mechanisms underlying the proliferation inhibition effect of miR-217 in GCT cells still remain unknown. Thus, this article is aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the proliferation inhibition effect of miR-217 in GCT cells.
Methods
The GCT cells proliferative potential was measured by use of the MTT assay and BrdU straining. The changes in migration and invasion of GCT cells was determined by transwell assay. Finally, western blot and RT-PCR assays were employed to evaluate the expression of OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway related-proteins.
Result
In the present study, the excessive upregulation of miR-217 markedly suppressed GCT cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, the overexpression of miR-217 could inhibit OPG/RANKL/RANK signal pathway in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the ALP activity was also significantly decreased in GCT cells by miR-217 treatment. Importantly, miR-217 could inhibit autophagy-related protein expression and autophagosomes/autolysosomes formation in GCT cells and tissues.
Conclusion
These results suggest that the upregulation of miR-217 inhibit the occurrence and development of GCT through inhibiting autophagy. This study also offers an effective therapeutic target to improve the survival rates of patients with CGT in the future.
Arteannuin-B and its Spiro-isoxazoline Derivative Inhibits LPS Induced Pro-Inflammatory Responses in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and BALB/c Mice via down-regulation of NF-κβ/P38 MAPK Mediated Stress Signalling
Authors: Sawhney Gifty , Rasool Javeed Ur , Saroch Diksha , Ozturk Mumin , Parihar Suraj , Brombacher Frank , Ahmad Bilal , Bhagat Asha , Ali Asif , Ahmed Zabeer
Published: July 2022

Amongst the most significant scientific findings in the last two decades has been the role of inflammatory processes in protecting the host against the causative agents of injury. In this work, we examined the anti-inflammatory activities of Arteannuin-B (1) and its novel spirocyclic-2-isoxazoline derivative (2). Various anti-inflammatory assays were performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW 264.7 macrophages using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometric analysis, and western blotting. As a result, treatment with (2) decreased LPS-stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression (iNOS), as well as production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, the effects of (1) and (2) in an acute inflammatory condition were investigated in-vivo by using models like carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion model in experimental mice, suggesting that (2) is a more potent anti-inflammatory candidate as compared to (1) with very low cell toxicity. In addition, biocomputational studies and histopathological analysis were also performed to validate the efficiency of (2) as compared to (1).
The effects of projected climate change on crop water availability in the U.S. Caribbean using CMIP6 models
Authors: Moraes Flávia D. S. , Ramseyer Craig , Gamble Douglas W.
Published: July 2022

Recent studies have suggested that anthropogenic climate change mainly affects the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and farming systems in the Caribbean are vulnerable to climate change, especially changes in temperature and precipitation, due to their relatively high dependence on rainfall. However, there is a lack of research investigating the local impacts of climate change on agriculture in the U.S. Caribbean. This work evaluated how temperature and precipitation projections could affect water crop needs in Puerto Rico (Greater Antilles) and St. Croix (Lesser Antilles). We used Daymet climate data to create a baseline climatology (1981–2010), and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to create two future climatologies (2041–2070 and 2071–2100). The Thornthwaite water budget model was used to estimate water deficit, and the CROPRISK model to determine crop suitability for sweet pepper, banana, and plantain. Results indicated that water stress after 2041 is expected to be greater for most of the region from June–August, except for western Puerto Rico, where water deficit will be greater from January–March. For sweet pepper, banana, and plantain agroclimatic suitability, the most water-stressed season is projected to be January–July, mainly for southern Puerto Rico and St. Croix. November will be the only month during which all regions and all crops were projected to be highly suitable through the end of the 21 st Century. These findings suggested that Puerto Rico and St. Croix crop water stress may be more sensitive to future changes in temperature than changes in precipitation. Understanding the location and periods most sensitive to water stress and crop suitability should help local governments to plan for mitigating future food insecurity in the U.S. Caribbean.
Establishment of a new practical telesurgical platform using the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System: A preclinical study
Authors: Nakauchi Masaya , Suda Koichi , Nakamura Kenichi , Tanaka Tsuyoshi , Shibasaki Susumu , Inaba Kazuki , Harada Tatsuhiko , Ohashi Masanao , Ohigashi Masayuki , Kitatsuji Hiroaki , Akimoto Shingo , Kikuchi Kenji , Uyama Ichiro
Published: July 2022

Aim
The recent development of new surgical robots and network telecommunication technology has opened new avenues for robotic telesurgery. Although a few gastroenterological surgeries have been performed in the telesurgery setting, more technically demanding procedures including gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and intracorporeal anastomosis have never been reported. We examined the feasibility of telesurgical robotic gastrectomy using the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System in a preclinical setting.
Methods
First, the suturing time in the dry model was measured in the virtual telesurgery setting to determine the latency time threshold. Second, a surgeon cockpit and a patient unit were installed at Okazaki Medical Center and Fujita Health University, respectively (approximately 30 km apart), and connected using a 10-Gbps leased optic-fiber network. After evaluating the feasibility in the dry gastrectomy model, robotic distal gastrectomies with D2 lymphadenectomy and intracorporeal B-I anastomosis were performed in two porcine models.
Results
The virtual telesurgery study identified a latency time threshold of 125 ms. In the actual telesurgery setting, the latency time was 27 ms, including a 2-ms telecommunication network delay and a 25-ms local information process delay. After verifying the feasibility of the operative procedures using a gastrectomy model, two telesurgical gastrectomies were successfully completed without any unexpected events. No fluctuation was observed across the actual telesurgeries.
Conclusion
Short-distance telesurgical robotic surgery for technically more demanding procedure may be safely conducted using the hinotori Surgical Robot System connected by high-speed optic-fiber communication.
Random fractal-enabled physical unclonable functions with dynamic AI authentication
Authors: Sun Ningfei , Chen Ziyu , Wang Yanke , Wang Shu , Xie Yong , Liu Qian
Published: July 2022

Physical unclonable functon(PUF) is an indispensable fundament in anti-counterfeiting due to its inherent uniqueness. However, self-limitation of conventional graphical/spectral PUFs in materials often causes it difficult to simultaneously possess high code flexibility and excellent environmental stability in practice. Here we propose a universal, fractal-guided film annealing strategy to realize the random Au network-based PUFs that can be designed on-demand in complexity, enabling the tags’intrinsic uniqueness and stability. Based on the roughening-enabled plasmonic network platform, an additional chemical encoding with enhanced Raman response can be demonstrated for multiple-level security. Moreover, a dynamic deep learning-based authentication system with an expandable database is built for identifying and tracking the PUFs, realizing an efficient and reliable authentication with 100% validation accuracy. The configurable and multidimensional tags in mass production can be served as the competitive PUF carriers for high-level anti-counterfeiting and data encryption.
Gene Expression Profiling Analysis to Investigate the Role of CIMT after Stroke in Neurological Behaviors
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Xu Haichun , Zheng Tianyi , Liu Liang , Qu Huiling
Published: July 2022

Objectives
Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) promoting neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and axon regeneration after stroke in animal models, but the candidate genes and pathways associated with these changes are unknown. The present study was conducted to explore the effects of CIMT on motor function and cognitive function in stroke-induced rats.
Methods
The study included three groups: sham-operated rats (n = 6, SHAM), rats subjected to cerebral ischemia (n = 8, ISC), rats with cerebral ischemia plus CIMT(n = 8, CIMT). A cerebral infarction rat model was established by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). CIMT began on the 8th day after the cerebral ischemia surgery by fitting a plaster cast around the unimpaired upper limbs of rats for 3 weeks. The neurological scoring test was performed to evaluate the neurological function of rats. Stable Platform Test and Coat Hanger Test were performed to evaluate the motor function. The Morris water maze(MWM)test was conducted to assess the cognitive function of rats. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed to study the underlying mechanisms.
Results
We observed that CIMT significantly ameliorate the memory dysfunction as well as neurological deficits in cerebral ischemic rats caused by tMCAO. We identified a total of 105 DEGs, including 71 upregulated genes and 34 downregulated genes. GO analysis revealed that these DEGs were associated with the major categories: at the MF level, the DEGs were mainly enriched in N-acetylgalactosamine 4-O-sulfotransferase activity, lyase activity, glutathione transferase activity and oxidoreductase activity, acting on paired donors. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in 4 categories: environmental information processing, human disease, metabolism, organismal system.
Conclusions
We identified the following 16 genes with the most significant differential expression: En1, Cpne7, Siglec5, Chchd4, Fcrl2, Trhr, Myom3, Piezo2, Ankrd34b, Slc6a3, Rftn1, Chst9, Gstm6, Cd34 and Tgm2. These findings prompt exploration of the potential mechanisms and key genes involved in the effect of CIMT.
Research on dry shrinkage behavior of bamboo based on the fibers content and arrangement of vascular bundles in the cross section
Authors: Zhang Ying , Xu Haocheng , Li Jing , Zhong Tuhua , Wang Hankun
Published: July 2022

Bamboo is easily affected by moisture, resulting in dimensional instability or even cracking. In this paper, based on manual measurement and vascular bundle detection model, the changes in appearance, shape, areas of cross section and fiber sheath, fiber volume fraction, and arrangement of vascular bundles of the bamboo ring during dry shrinkage process were studied. The results showed that the dry shrinkage of fibers was greater than that of parenchyma cells. The dry shrinkage stress decreased from the outside to the inside along the bamboo wall with the fiber volume fraction, gradually causing an increase in radius, a decrease in radian and arc length, and the generation of cracks in the bamboo ring. The radial dry shrinkage rate was 8.14%, slightly larger than the tangential dry shrinkage rate of 6.02%, and both were much larger than the longitudinal dry shrinkage rate of 0.48%. This work further revealed the dry shrinkage mechanism of bamboo, the partition and marking method used in this research might be meaningful for the quantitative study of bamboo structural changes at the micro-scale.
Low dose of Esmolol attenuates sepsis-induced immunosuppression via modulating T-lymphocyte apoptosis and differentiation
Authors: Ma Ying , Cheng Zhenshun , Zheng Yong , Wang Wei , He Shaojun , Zhou Xiaolian , Yang Jiong , Wei Chaojie
Published: July 2022

Background
Persistent immunosuppression characterized by immune cells apoptosis and T- lymphocyte subsets imbalance, occurs in septic patients with poor outcomes. Recent studies reported that Esmolol improved survival in septic shock via modulating immune responses. We hypothesized Esmolol alleviate sepsis-induced immunosuppression by regulating immune cell apoptosis and differentiation and sought to investigate the potential mechanisms and optimal dose.
Methods
Four hours after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), Wistar rats were randomized into CLP, CLP + E-5 (Esmolol:5mg.kg− 1.h− 1) and CLP + E-18 (Esmolol:18mg.kg− 1.h− 1) group. Another 8 rats were under sham operation. 18 hours after CLP, hemodynamics and organ histological injuries were evaluated, peripheral blood mononuclear cells apoptosis and circulating T-lymphocyte subsets counts were determined by flow cytometry, protein expressions of p-Akt, Bcl-2, cleaved Caspase-3 and p-Erk1/2 were determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry. mRNA and protein expressions of β1-adrenoreceptors were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
Results
CLP induced tachycardia, hypotension, hyperlactatemia and multiple organ injuries. Infusion of Esmolol at 5mg.kg− 1.h− 1 didn't reduce heart rate, but improved mean arterial pressure, lactatemia and multiple organ injuries, decreased circulating T-lymphocyte apoptosis and the ratio of T help 2 cells and T help 1 cells, unregulated p-Akt and Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated cleaved Caspase-3 and p-Erk1/2 expression.
Conclusions
Esmolol without heart rate reduction attenuated sepsis-induced immunosuppression by preventing T-lymphocytes from apoptosis through regulating Akt/Bcl-2/Caspase-3 pathway and reducing naive CD4+ T cells differentiation to T help 2 cell through inhibiting Erk1/2 activation. Esmolol may be a potential immune regulator in septic shock.
Molecular characterization of Insect Parasitic nematodes, and assonated Symbiotic bacteria as Ecotoxic effect of Invasive insect larvae
Authors: Kasi Indra Kumar , Singh Mohinder , Waiba Kanchhi , Daroch Rakesh Kumar , Sharma PL , Malik Abaker M. , Waseem MA , Rostami Elahe , Mobolade Adesina Jacobs
Published: July 2022

The agro-climatic zones survey was conducted diversity and frequency of endemic entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in Apple orchards in Rajgarh, western Himalayas. Isolated EPNs have been used as an active biocontrol agent against T. absoluta and S. frugiperda. The total survey of 42 locations apple orchards were collected from which 281 soil samples and tested 7 soil samples are positive for the presence of EPN. Native isolated strains morphologically and molecular identification of nematodes, insect and bacterial sequencing and characterisation of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 18S, 12S and 16S region was used to identify all nematode isolates, insects and bacterial strains upto species level (S. feltiae UHF-HR1, H. bacteriophora UHF-HR2; T. absoluta SN1, S. frugiperda SN2; X. bovienii R1, P. luminenscens R2). There have been used as an active biocontrol agent against T. absoluta and S. frugiperda. The bioassay of after 72 hours with different concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 IJs/cm2, the data susceptibility of T. absoluta 4th larval and S. frugiperda 5th instar to infection with the nematode S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora mortality range 74.12 to 90.00 percentage mortalities. To assess the lethal concentration of entomopathogenic nematodes to insect larvae, a toxicity evaluation the LD50 and LD90 for S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora doses in final instar the best larvicidal activity was obtained during the 72-hour exposure period, The susceptibility of infection was found to be greater than 80%. The strains R1 and R2 bacterial isolates were bioassay experiments were X. bovienii and P. luminescens of treatment throughout the investigation, daily larval mortality ranged from 0.00 to 90.00 percent. Our analysis confirmed the steep inclination of S. frugiperda and T. absoluta. S. feltiae UHF-HR1 and H. bacteriophora UHF-HR2 & Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus were utilised, with 90 percent control over both entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacterial strains.
Leaching kinetics of cadmium from rice grain by dilute hydrochloric acid
Authors: Liu Feng , Kai Huang
Published: July 2022

Cadmium-contaminated rice grain was treated by leaching in dilute hydrochloric acid under different conditions, and it was confirmed that cadmium could be effectively extracted to safe standard level of below 0.2mg/kg accompanying with dissolution loss of rice protein at 5 ~ 15% mass. Both the extraction of cadmium and the rice dissolution loss were strongly pH-dependent process. The cadmium leaching kinetic equation was investigated based on the typical core-shrinking model, with apparent activated energy at 16.67KJ/mol suggesting that the intraparticle diffusion of cadmium ion or proton inside of rice grain was the limited step controlling the whole leaching process. Grain size and pH were found the main parameters to affect cadmium extraction efficiency, and pH 1–2 was recommended for rice grain leaching. The acidic solution could be repeatedly used for cadmium extraction by adding an aliquot of HCl before each leaching operation, favorable for the enormous reduction of water consumption.
Mass drug administration campaigns: Comparing two approaches for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths prevention and control in selected southern Malawi districts
Authors: Makaula Peter , Kayuni Sekeleghe Amos , Mamba Kondwani Chidzammbuyo , Bongololo Grace , Funsanani Mathias , Juziwelo Lazarus Tito , Musaya Janelisa , Furu Peter
Published: July 2022

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) is one of the key interventions recommended by WHO to control neglected tropical diseases. In Malawi, health workers distribute anti-helminthic drugs annually with most support from donors. The mean community coverage of MDA from 2018 to 2020 were high at 87% for praziquantel and 82% for albendazole, however posing a sustainability challenge once donor support diminishes.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in three districts, where four health centres and 16 villages were randomly selected and allocated to intervention and control arms. A mixed methods approach to data collection focusing on quantitative data for coverage and knowledge, attitudes and practices; and qualitative data for assessing perceptions of health providers and beneficiaries were used during baseline and follow-up assessments. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 26 and NVivo 12 for Windows respectively.Results: At follow-up, knowledge levels were high for what schistosomiasis is (65% - 88%) and what STH are (32% - 83%); and low for what causes schistosomiasis (32% - 58%), causes of STH (7% - 37%), intermediate organisms for schistosomiasis (13% - 33%) and types of schistosomiasis (2% - 26%) for both intervention and control arms. Increases in praziquantel coverage were registered in control (86% to 89%) and intervention communities (83% to 89%); decreases were recorded for control (86% to 53%) and intervention schools (79% to 59%). Costs for implementation of the study indicated that most resources were used at community (51%), health centre (29%) and district levels (19%). The intervention arm used more resources at health centre (27%) and community levels (44%) than the control arm. Health workers and community members perceived the use of the CDI approach as a good initiative and more favorable over the standard practice of delivering MDA.Conclusions: The use of the CDI in delivery of MDA campaigns against schistosomiasis and STH is feasible, increases coverage and is acceptable in intervention communities. This could be a way forward addressing the sustainability concern when donor support wanes.Trial Registration: PACTR202102477794401