bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aptamer-functionalized interface nanopores enable amino acid-specific single-molecule proteomics
Authors: Schlotter Tilman , Kloter Tom , Hengsteler Julian , Ragavan Sujeni , Hu Haiying , Zhang Xinyu , Duru Jens , Vörös Janos , Zambelli Tomaso , Nakatsuka Nako
Published: July 2023

Single-molecule proteomics based on nanopore technology has made significant advances in recent years. However, to achieve nanopore sensing with single amino acid resolution, several bottlenecks must be tackled: controlling nanopore sizes with nanoscale precision and slowing molecular translocations events. Herein, we address these challenges by coupling amino acid-specific DNA aptamers to interface nanopores with dynamically tunable pores. A phenylalanine aptamer was used as a proof-of-concept; aptamer recognition of phenylalanine moieties led to retention of specific peptides, slowing translocation speeds. We decoupled specific binding between aptamers and peptides with phenylalanine moieties from nonspecific interactions (e.g., electrostatics) using optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy. Aptamer-modified interface nanopores differentiated peptides containing phenylalanine vs. control peptides with structurally similar amino acids (i.e., tyrosine and tryptophan). When the duration of aptamer-target interactions inside the nanopore were prolonged by lowering the applied voltage, discrete ionic current levels with repetitive motifs were observed. Such reoccurring signatures in the measured signal suggest that the proposed method has the possibility to resolve amino acid-specific aptamer recognition, a step towards single-molecule proteomics.
A developed multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of four main viruses on pepper (Capsicum spp.)
Authors: Gong Mingxia , Zhao Zengjing , Wu Xing , Zhao Hu , Wang Meng , He Zhi , Wang Risheng
Published: July 2023

Viral diseases cause severe losses commonly and become one of main global limiting factors in pepper production. Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) are the dominant viruses damaging pepper in South China. To detect these viruses efficiently, a developed multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was established. Four pairs of specific primers were used to amplify a 990 bp product for PMMoV, a 923 bp product for ChiVMV, a 823 bp product for PVMV, and a 682 bp product for CMV. The optimal primer concentration, the optimal reaction annealing temperature and cycle number were determined. The developed multiplex RT-PCR could detect PMMoV, ChiVMV, CMV and PVMV from cDNA diluted up to 10–4, 10–4, 10–3 and 10–3, respectively. Then it was sucessfully used to detect virus infection from eight mixed pepper leaf samples. The result were basically consistent with that of monoplex RT-PCR. Additionally, seventy-five diseased samples collected from nine major pepper growing regions in Guangxi were analyzed by the developed multiplex RT-PCR. The results showed that most of samples were coinfected by two or more viruses, and ChiVMV and PVMV had relatively higher total detection rates of 65.33% and 60.00% respectivlely. The results also indicated that the four viruses infecting pepper weren't evenly distributed in Guangxi. In a conclusion, the developed multiplex RT-PCR here will be a efficient tool for routine molecular diagnosis of PMMoV, ChiVMV, PVMV and CMV.
Effect of exercise therapy, systemic acupuncture and silicon oxide tablets on muscular strength, lymphedema, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Giron Patricia Santolia , Haddad Cinira Assad Simão , Rizzi Samantha Karla Lopes de Almeida , Elias Simone , Nazário Afonso Celso Pinto , Facina Gil
Published: July 2023

Purpose: To compare three distinct rehabilitation treatments (exercise therapy, acupuncture, and silicon oxide tablets (Stiper®) in women undergoing breast cancer surgery, assessing strength, lymphedema, and quality of life.
Methods: Seventy-nine women with pain above 3 on the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and with more than 90 days of surgery. Group I was treated with exercise therapy with a duration of 30 minutes, group II treated with 30 minutes of acupuncture using predefined points and group III treated with the same acupuncture points as group II, however, using the silicon oxide in place of needles.
Results: There was an improvement in upper limb muscle strength over time in all groups, except for abduction and internal rotation movements. During treatment, there was no increase in the number of patients with lymphedema and there was no statistical difference between the groups. Regarding the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life questionnaire, nine of the fifteen factors analyzed showed significant differences between sessions. The factors that did not have significant differences between the three groups were Social Function, Nausea and Vomiting, Dyspnea, Loss of Appetite, Constipation, and Diarrhea.
Conclusion:The rehabilitation of physical dysfunctions in women who survived breast cancer through exercise therapy, acupuncture, and silicon oxide tablets in upper limb muscle strength, lymphedema, and quality of life, proved to be effective, without difference between groups.
Clinical Trials registry on 01/11/2016, with number NCT02798263.
Generation of a C57Bl/6J mouse strain expressing the CD45.1 epitope to improve HSC engraftment and adoptive cell transfer experiments
Authors: Marvel Jacqueline , Laubreton Daphne , Djebali Sophia , Angleraux Céline , Chain Benny , Dubois Maxence , Henry Farida , Leverrier Yann , Teixeira Marie , Markossian Suzy
Published: July 2023

Adoptive cell transfer between genetically identical hosts is a key tool in the study of the murine immune system. In most models, host and donor differ by a congenic marker, i.e. alleles of a gene coding for a surface protein expressed by immune cells and which allows to trace the donor cells using an epitope specific antibody (Ab). CD45, a glycoprotein expressed by all hematopoietic cells and encoded by the Ptprc gene, constitute one of the main congenic markers used. Its two isoforms, CD45.1 and CD45.2, can be discriminated by flow cytometry using the anti-CD45.1 (clone A20) and anti-CD45.2 (clone 104) Ab. As a consequence, C57BL/6J (B6; CD45.2) and B6.SJL-Ptprca Pepcb/BoyJ (B6.SJL; CD45.1) mice are widely used in adoptive cell transfer experiments, under the presumption that they differ only at the CD45 (Ptprc) locus. However, the B6.SJL congenic mouse was generated by crossing an SJL mouse with a B6 mouse, followed by serial back-crossing on B6 mice with the selection of CD45.1 expressing animals at each generation. Recent studies identified genetic variations between these congenic strains and highlighted, among other, a differential expression of cathepsin E (CTSE). B6.SJL mouse presents a number of functional differences in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment-potential or immune cell numbers. We show that B6 and B6.SJL mice also differ in their CD8 T cells compartment and CD8 T cells responses to viral infection compared to B6 mouse. We identified Ctse as the most differentially expressed gene between CD8 T cells of B6 and B6.SJL demonstrate that the differences reported between these two mouse strains are not due to CTSE.
In order to avoid biases associated with known or unknown polymorphisms found in congenic mice, we used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to introduce, in the Ptprc gene of B6 mouse (CD45.2 epitope), the point mutation(s) associated with its transformation into the CD45.1 epitope. We show that only one nucleotide mutation (A904G) leading to an amino acid change (K302E) is sufficient for the protein to be recognized by the anti-CD45.1 Ab.
We show that this new B6-Ptprcem(K302E)Jmar/J mouse has similar immune compartment compared to B6 mouse and does not show any difference in HSC engraftment or CD8 antiviral responses.
This new strain resolves the experimental biases reported between B6 and B6.SJL mouse lines and should thus represent the new gold standard for adoptive transfer experiments in B6.
Shedding light on the environmental impact of the decomposition of perovskite solar cell
Authors: Shahroosvand Hashem , Sabahi Negin
Published: July 2023

Perovskite materials, as the heart of perovskite solar cells, attracted great interest in the photovoltaic community since the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSC) dramatically increased to over 25%. However, the presence of Pb metal in the perovskite crystalline limits the progress of this new generation of solar cells from environmental aspects. Here, we have systematically investigated the impact of the decomposition of perovskite material on the a special plant, named Coleus. We found that the influence of the decomposition of a perovskite solar cell ( namely p-PbI2) has a three-fold lower destroying than commercial PbI2 which named s-PbI2 on the Coleus pant in the same condition. In particular, the p-PbI2 influenced on the roots and leaf slower and smoother than s-PbI2. Remarkably, the amount of water absorption with the plant′s root from p-PbI2 is two- fold lower than s-PbI2, indicating that s-PbI2 dramatically wasted water from roots and showing the most harmfulity. In following, the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was measured the lead concentration of the Coleus plants ashe which indicated that the amount of Pb in first week was estimated about 3.2 and 2.1 ppm for synthetic PbI2 (s-PbI2), and decomposed perovskite (p-PbI2), respectively, which for two next weeks the amount of Pb were calculated about relatively close together and finally in the last week decreased to 1.8 ppm for s-PbI2 and increased to 2.4 ppm for p-PbI2. Therefore, we conclude that the Coleus plant absorbed more Pb metal from s-PbI2 than p-PbI2 of a PSC, which is in contrast with recent report in Nature Communication′s paper, as will explain in the following sections. This paper opens new avenues and challenges about the actual scenario on the impact of perovskite materials in PSCs on the plant and live metabolisms.
Assessment of Corporate Social Responsibility Measures in Energy Sector
Authors: Kasradze Mariam , Streimikiene Dalia , Lauzadyte-Tutliene Agne
Published: July 2023

Energy companies are in the spotlight regarding the environmental pressure to address current environmental issues by initiating sets of social responsibilities. Energy sector companies are actively adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices to address the increased pressure and enablement to manage and prevent risks of environmental impact together with concentrating on economic growth. Current study provides a systematic literature review identifying CSR initiative measures toward sustainability and proposes a framework of CSR measurements in the energy sector. The framework combines the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) method together with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and PSALSAR (Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis and Report). Moreover, for setting the research scope PICOC (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Context) is applied. As a result, eleven CSR measures for the energy sector were identified: environmental impact, reduction of GHG emissions, green energy innovations, CSR reporting, competitiveness, stakeholder engagements, branding and reputation, financial performance, the price for green energy, employees' safety and business strategy and corporate culture. The measurements were classified into 4 pillars: Environmental pillar, stakeholder communication and external image, financial pillar, and organizational pillar. Furthermore, research results were discussed and a future research agenda together with policy recommendations were provided.
Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Qian Zhuyun , Tao Yong
Published: July 2023

Background: Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is caused by Bartonella henselae infection. In atypical cases of CSD, pathogen determination is challenging. We report a case of Bartonella neuroretinitis with neither a clear history of scratches nor typical general symptoms. The diagnosis was made using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), a high-throughput sequencing technology.
Case presentation: A female patient presented to the ophthalmologist with complaint of blurred vision in her right eye. Although with history of raising a cat, she reported no clear history of scratches or typical general symptoms, except a fever of unknown origin which resolved spontaneously. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the right eye was count fingers. Fundus examination showed optic disc oedema, macular exudates and inferior exudative retinal detachment. Laboratory examination results showed increased value of serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Ocular involvement of toxoplasmosis, syphilis and tuberculosis were excluded. To identify the possible causative pathogen of the disease, mNGS of aqueous humour sample was performed and 521 reads of B. henselae were identified. Serological test results further showed a positive immunoglobulin G (IgG) titre of 1:64. Taking the contact history, clinical manifestations, mNGS and serological results into consideration, the diagnosis of Bartonellaneuroretinitis (ocular CSD) was made. After appropriate treatment, the BCVA of the right eye improved to 20/25 in the last follow-up. Fundus examination showed a normal optic disc and macula, and the exudates had reduced.
Conclusions:mNGS, a fast and unbiased method, can be used to detect B. henselae (if present) in intraocular fluid samples.; however, the results should be interpreted together with the clinical symptoms and other auxiliary test results.
Delayed Naegleria fowleri diagnosis mimicking macrophage in a patient with seawater swimming
Authors: wang feng , shen fuping , zhao jiwei , chen xiaojuan , liu jinlin
Published: July 2023

This case report describes a 62-year-old male fisherman who presented with persistent vomiting, headache, and behavior changes. Despite initial antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, his condition worsened, leading to coma and subsequent death. Postmortem macro-genome sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed the presence of Naegleria fowleri infection, which had been missed during initial laboratory tests. The patient's exposure history included sea-swimming near Zhoushan island.
Changes in the prevalence of obesity in Czech adolescents between 2018 and 2022 and its non-genetic correlates – HBSC study
Authors: Sigmund Erik , Sigmundová Dagmar , Pavelka Jan , Kalman Michal , Voráčová Jaroslava , Meier Zdeněk , Kopčáková Jaroslava , Badura Petr
Published: July 2023

Background: The main aim of the study is to examine changes in the prevalence of obesity in Czech adolescents between 2018 and 2022 and its non-genetic correlates with respect to the socioeconomic status (SES) of the c in 2022.
Methods: The sample of 24,535 adolescents (n=11,629/12,9062018/2022; boys: 50.4/50.6%2018/2022) aged 10.5-16.5 years that was analysed was drawn from two nationally representative cohorts of Czech youngsters from the last two cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) online questionnaire survey from 2018 and 2022. Obesity is represented by the >97th percentile interval on the World Health Organization Body Mass Index percentile chart, with distinctions by sex and the age of adolescents. The differences in the prevalence of obesity between boys and girls from all SES family categories in 2018 and 2022 were tested using a chi-square test (χ2). Multiple logistic regression analysis with repeated measures was used to analyse correlates of obesity in 2022.
Results: Between 2018 and 2022, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity in girls or boys in any of the SES categories of families. Adolescents from low-SES families have the highest prevalence of obesity, 11% for boys and 5.8% for girls, significantly higher (p<0.001) than its prevalence among adolescents from high-SES families, by +4.8 percentage points for boys and +3.9 percentage points for girls. Among adolescents from low-SES families, individuals who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) daily (p<0.005) or vigorous PA three times per week (p<0.05) were significantly less likely to be obese than their less active peers. Skipping breakfast significantly (p<0.05) increased the odds of obesity, but only among adolescents from low-SES families. Shorter screen time (ST) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the odds of obesity for all categories of adolescent SES.
Conclusions: Obesity is most pronounced in adolescents from low-SES families as a result of a long-term positive energy balance mediated by unbalanced behaviour. Significantly lower odds of obesity in adolescents from low-SES families were confirmed to be associated with regular practice of the recommended PA, shorter ST, and not skipping breakfast.
Relationship between caesarean delivery and weight status in early childhood: a birth cohort study in Japan
Authors: Miyayama Chiharu , Morisaki Naho , Ogawa Kohei , Tanaka Hisako , Shoji Hiromichi , Shimizu Toshiaki , Sago Haruhiko , Horikawa Reiko , Urayama Kevin
Published: July 2023

To examine whether the prevailing hypothesis of an association between caesarean section (CS) delivery method and increased weight status in early childhood is observed in Japanese. A total of 1,277 mother-infant pairs from a prospective hospital-based mother-infant birth cohort that recruited women in their first trimester from May 2010 to November 2013 were included. We assessed the relationship between delivery method and weight status of delivered children at 1, 3 and 6 years of age. In total, 366 children (28.7%) were delivered by CS. Delivery by CS was not associated with body mass index (BMI) z-score (≥ 75 percentile) at age 1 year, (odds ratio (OR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–1.36), 3 years (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.67–1.42), and 6 years (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.45–1.12), and also showed no association with low weight status (< 25th percentile). Supplemental evaluations addressing the influence of preterm births, pre-pregnancy BMI, emergency CS, and modification by breastfeeding were consistent with the primary analyses. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that children born by CS are at risk of being overweight in childhood among the Japanese population.
A Soybean bZIP transcription factor GmbZIP71-4 Is Involved in Submergence Resistance in Transgenic Tobacco
Authors: Lin Yanhui , Xia Changjian , Huo Xing , Xu Jing , Li Yapeng , Zhu Honglin , Tang Liqiong , Chen Dexin , Wang Xiaoning
Published: July 2023

Background
Although the role of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family of transcription factors in response to various abiotic stresses has been investigated, few studies have been conducted on their function in submergence stress.
Results
In this study, we localized a bZIP gene GmbZIP71-4 in the nucleus of soybean and constructed a GmbZIP71-4overexpressing tabocco line, which showed reduced submergence resistance due to the decreased abscisic acid (ABA) content. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis based on chromatin immunoprecipitation assay sequencing (ChIP-seq) indicated that the most significant differences were the expression levels of the factors in plant hormone signal transduction, especially those in response to ABA. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) demonstrated that GmbZIP71-4 bound to the promoter of GmABF2, which is consistent with the ChIP-qPCR result.
Conclusions
Our study showed that GmbZIP71-4 was a negative regulator of submergence stress tolerance. The findings in this work will set a solid foundation for the understanding of submergence resistance in plants.
The Paradoxical Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia:
The ParaDOS Study
Authors: Tiftik Tülay , Kara Murat , Mülkoğlu Cevriye , Çiftçi İrem , Çiftçi Ömer Faruk , Durmuş Mahmut Esad , Kara Özgür , Kuşkonmaz Şerife Mehlika , Genç Hakan , Kaymak Bayram , Özçakar Levent
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are major public health problems related with higher fall/fracture risks, morbidity and mortality. Due to the lack of a comprehensive analysis among T2DM, OP and sarcopenia; we aimed to explore the impact of T2DM on OP and sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women who admitted to the departments of physical & rehabilitation medicine, and endocrinology and metabolism. Demographic data, nutrition/cognition status and frailty scores were recorded. Sarcopenia-related parameters including SARC-F, anterior thigh muscle thickness, handgrip strength, chair stand test, gait speed, and one-leg stand test for balance were measured. ISarcoPRM algorithm was used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia.
Results
A total of 444 postmenopausal women were consecutively enrolled. T2DM patients (N = 158, 35.6%) had higher frequency of sarcopenia, but lower frequency of OP than controls (both p < 0.05). As regards regression analyses; T2DM - either under the treatment of oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin - had a negative association with presence of OP (about 2 to 3 times lower, respectively). The duration of T2DM had a positive association with sarcopenia and a negative association with balance (all p < 0.05).
Conclusion
T2DM has paradoxical effects on bone, muscle and balance. Although insulin treatment might have anabolic effects on bone (protecting OP), the disease (duration) itself has negative effects on sarcopenia/balance.
Effect of acute exercise on cfDNA levels considering menstrual cycle phases
Authors: Sawai Akemi , Shida Takashi , Hoshikawa Yoshihiro , Ueda Mashiro , Kato Yuri , Tokinoya Katsuyuki , Natsui Hiroaki , Kawakami Yasushi , Takekoshi Kazuhiro
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to determine the effects of exercise on cfDNA levels and concentration changes during the menstrual cycle in normal menstrual cycle participants with no exercise habits. Eleven females with normal menstrual cycles and ovulation performed bicycle exercises at 60% VO2max for 30 min during the menstrual, ovulatory, and luteal phases. Blood samples were collected before (Pre), immediately after (Post 0), 30 min after (Post 30), and 60 min after (Post 60) exercise, and blood concentrations of cfDNA, PGF2α, IL-6, and aromatase were evaluated. Serum estradiol levels were significantly higher in the luteal than those in the menstrual phase, whereas serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the luteal than those in the menstrual and ovulatory phases. Estradiol levels increased significantly from Pre to Post 0 in the ovulatory and luteal phases, whereas progesterone levels increased in the luteal phase. cfDNA and aromatase concentrations significantly increased from Pre to Post 0 in all phases, but no significant phase differences were observed Pre or Post 0. Progesterone to estradiol level ratio (P4/E2) changes from Pre to Post 0 during the luteal phase were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.82) to changes in cfDNA from Pre to Post 0.
A Mixed-methods Study of Adaption Challenges and Social Networks of Older Migrants in China
Authors: Wangliu Yiqi , Guo Jing , Hu Yang , Liu Yu
Published: July 2023

Background
Among the growing migrant population in China, older adults who choose to migrate with their children to provide caregiving for grandchildren have attracted scholarly attention. This study explored what challenges they have experienced in sociocultural and psychological adaptation process in host cities and what social support was effective based on the adaptation theory and stress and coping theory.
Methods
The study employed a mixed-method study. Twenty-five older migrants participated in interviews and 376 older migrants completed a set of surveys. Interview responses were analysed with the thematic analysis approach and quantitative data were examined with linear regression analyses.
Results
In the qualitative phase, interviews indicated that older migrants depended on not only social support from host cities, but also support from their hometown to deal with adaptation difficulties, so whether and how these types of support predicted different dimensions of adaptation was examined later through a questionnaire. In the quantitative phase, results of a survey showed that support from co-living children and new friends in the host city was the most effective protective factor to promote both sociocultural and psychological adaptation. Support from community services was positively associated only with sociocultural adaptation, while remote support from family and friends in their hometown was positively associated only with psychological adaptation.
Conclusion
These findings provide a better understanding of how older migrants experienced new lives in host cities, and they could guide professionals to provide older adults with necessary support and promote older adults’ adaptation to the current community.
Exploring the mechanism of grey forecasting models: A perspective from dynamic system modelling
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Xie Naiming
Published: July 2023

The grey forecasting model has been developed for forty years, but there are various understandings of its modelling ideas. The research motivation of this paper is to provide an insight into the understanding of grey forecasting models and demonstrate how grey forecasting model can solve practical problems. Based on the modelling process of grey forecasting models, this paper first discusses the model mechanism from the perspective of dynamic system modelling and describes the model application using perishable products inventory as an example. Then, we introduced the modelling processes and characteristics of grey forecasting models under traditional and direct methods. The research issue of grey forecasting models is summarized by analysing model characteristics, the complete process of model establishment is presented, and the mechanism of each modelling process is elaborated in detail. Next, taking the inventory of perishable products as an example, we discuss how the grey forecasting model solves practical problems, and illustrate the application process of the grey forecasting model through a numerical example of citrus.
Diagnostic performance of additional imaging tests for staging purposes in a bicentric German series of low-risk early breast cancer patients
Authors: Jung Lisa , Huwer Sarah Isabelle , Taran Florin-Andrei , Unger Clara , Müller Carolin , Solomayer Erich-Franz , Juhasz-Böss Ingolf , Neubauer Jakob
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Low-risk early breast cancer rarely leads to the development of metastatic disease and in these patients, additional imaging test are controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate conventional staging procedures in a bicentric German series of low-risk breast carcinoma patients.
Methods
Retrospective evaluation of all patients diagnosed with early, low-risk breast cancer at Saarland University Hospital and Freiburg University Hospital in 2017 was performed. Clinical patient characteristics, the number and type of additional imaging examinations, follow-up examinations and results were evaluated. The detection rate of metastases and the rate of false positive findings were analyzed.
Results
A total of 203 patients were included, with all patients received at least one additional imaging test. Initially, a total of 562 additional imaging examinations were performed: 166 chest x-rays, 169 upper abdominal ultrasounds, 199 bone scans, 27 computer tomographies (CT) chest and abdomen, 1 CT abdomen. 6.8% of patients had abnormal findings reported, requiring 38 additional imaging examinations. One patient (0.5%) was found to have bone metastases. The rate of false-positive findings in the performed additional imaging procedures was 6.6%.
Conclusion
Metastatic disease was detected in one of 203 patients with low-risk early breast cancer. A total of 562 examinations and additional 38 follow-up examinations were performed without detection of metastasis (this corresponds to approximately 3 examinations/patient). The rate of false-positive findings was 6.6%. The performance of additional imaging procedures for detection of distant metastases should be critically reconsidered in patients with low-risk early breast cancer.
Schedule risk model of water intake tunnel construction considering mood factors and its application
Authors: Li Xin , Sun Wei , Huang Jian , Bu Qingsheng , Zhang Zhiguang , Fu Honggang , Ma Yong , Zang Dongnian , Hu Jingjing , Shen Yanan
Published: July 2023

This study analyzes the influence of external risks associated with uncertain factors that affect water intake tunnel construction and proposes a method for predicting the expected construction period. The mood index r was used to describe the attitude of the evaluators regarding the progress of the project, which formed the basis of a construction period prediction model. The degrees of pessimism α and optimism β were introduced, and an analysis model was established using α and β to predict the construction period and completion probability. An engineering application showed that the expected construction period increased, and the completion probability decreased considerably with increasing pessimism, and the opposite trend occurred with increasing optimism. When the expected construction period was expressed as a linear function of α and β, the fitting degree reached 0.98. When the completion probability was expressed by a quadratic function of α and β, the fitting degree reached 0.97. Thus, the prediction model can be used to conduct a detailed quantitative analysis of the expected construction period and completion probability to provide accurate reference information for the evaluation of risk.
Investigation on Uniaxial Compression and Fracture Damage Mode of Prefabricated Parallel Double-Jointed Red Sandstone
Authors: Liu Zhanxin , Xie Xiaojuan , Ding Kun , Xiao Yajun , Zhang Zhengqi
Published: July 2023

In order to study the strength characteristics and damage characteristics of parallel double jointed red sandstone, physical uniaxial compression tests were carried out on parallel double jointed red sandstone filled with cement mortar under different geometric parameters. A method for calculating stress intensity factor of parallel double-jointed fractures was proposed. The results show that the larger the connectivity rate of collinear joints, the smaller the peak stress and strain. When the length of rock bridge decreases, the peak stress changes greatly. When the collinear joint is close to connectivity, the axial peak strain changes greatly, and the increase of connectivity rate will affect the change rate of transverse strain in the center of rock bridge. When the length and dip angle of the rock bridge remain unchanged, the closer the dip angle of the joint is, the lower the peak stress is and the shorter the failure time is. The failure mode of joint tip penetration affects the lateral displacement of the center of the rock bridge, and the displacement is always close to the first failure part. The closer the joint tip is to the load, the easier the end-face penetrating cracks occur.
Effect of tumor-associated macrophage on survival prognosis of prostate cancer
Authors: Ou Yitian , Xia Chengxing , Liu Mingming , Jiang Haiyang , Zhu Yong , Yang Delin
Published: July 2023

Background. Prostate cancer (PCa) has become the highest incidence of malignant tumor among men in the world. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is necessary for tumor growth. This research aimed at the role of M2 macrophages polarization in PCa.
Methods. Datasets were selected from GEO and TCGA. Cluster analysis, pathway analysis were carried out. Differential-expressed-genes(DEGs) were screened and CIBERSORTx was used to calculate immune infiltration. WGCNA was used to screen the gene modules and related-genes. Cox regression analysis was carried out and redundant factors were removed. We constructed the nomogram by selecting age, T stage and M2 risk score. We further screened the DEGs between M2 high/low risk groups and analyzed the pathways, immune infiltration and most differentially expressed checkpoints between the groups.
Results. M2 macrophages promote the occurrence, development and metastases of PCa. 9 prognostic M2 related genes were screened. In M2 risk scoring model, the prognosis of high risk group was worse than low risk group. M2 risk score was an independent predictor of PCa prognosis. We further screened 34 checkpoints related to M2 risk scores.
Conclusions. M2 macrophages promote progression of prostate cancer. Based on M2 risk groups, ournomogram was proved to be effective for predicting PCa prognosis. 34 related immune checkpoints screened based on M2 risk score can be used as potential targets for follow-up study of immunotherapy.
Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery and Transcatheter Electrocoagulation Hemostasis in One-stage Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Staghorn Stones
Authors: Liao Sucai , Yuan Yuan , Xu Xiang , Wei Genggeng , Lu Zhengquan , Xiong Lin
Published: July 2023

Background
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the primary approach employed for managing staghorn kidney stones due to their complex anatomical characteristics and extensive branching. Given the intricate nature of these stones, treatment typically necessitates multi-tract, multi-stage PCNL. This procedure carries a substantial risk of bleeding, frequently necessitating postoperative nephrostomy tubes. Consequently, patients experience increased postoperative pain and prolonged hospital stays, further contributing to discomfort.
Objective
The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining percutaneous nephrolithotomy with antegrade percutaneous flexible ureteroscopic lithotomy(F-URS), along with percutaneous renal access hemostasis electrocoagulation, for the one-stage tubeless PCNL management of staghorn kidney stones.
Methods
Five patients with staghorn kidney stones underwent PCNL in the split-leg prone position. Subsequently, the percutaneous renal channel was utilized for flexible ureteroscope to assess and extract stones from each renal calyx. After successful stone removal, the percutaneous renal tract was hemostatically coagulated using a microchannel hemostatic electrocoagulation device. Nephrostomy tubes were not retained postoperatively. On the second day after surgery, a follow-up CT scan was conducted and the Foley catheter was removed. One month later, a repeat CT scan was performed, and the double-J stent was subsequently removed.
Results
All patients underwent successful tubeless PCNL, with one case involving three-channel and four cases involving single-channel PCNL. Median operative time was 100 min (range: 73 min-167 min). None of the patients experienced bleeding, fever, back pain, or other symptoms. Postoperative CT scans revealed no residual stones or perirenal leakage. All patients were discharged two days after the surgery. One month later, a follow-up CT scan was conducted, demonstrating no perirenal effusion.
Conclusion
The combination of PCNL with antegrade percutaneous F-URS, along with percutaneous renal access hemostasis electrocoagulation, offers a one-stage tubeless PCNL treatment approach for staghorn kidney stones. This approach has shown potential in enhancing the success rate of tubeless PCNL, decreasing the need for multiple percutaneous renal tracts, effectively reducing both hospital stays and postoperative pain, and improving the stone-free rate. Overall, it represents a safe and effective method. Nevertheless, due to the limited number of cases, further research is required to investigate its clinical efficacy.
Numerical Investigation of Asymmetric Strain Controlled Fatigue Behaviour Using Kinetic Theory of Fracture and Peridynamics
Authors: Vaitkunas Tomas , Griskevicius Paulius , Dundulis Gintautas , Courtin Stephan
Published: July 2023

Numerical fatigue process modelling is complex and still open task. Discontinuity caused by the fatigue crack requires special finite element techniques based on additional parameters, which selection has a strong effect on simulation results. Moreover, fatigue life calculation according to empirical material coefficients (e. g., Paris law) does not explain the process and coefficients should be set from experimental testing, which is not always possible. New non-local continuum mechanics formulation without spatial derivatives of coordinates – peridynamics (PD), created 20 years ago, brings new opportunities modelling discontinuities, such as fatigue crack. The fatigue process can be better described by using the atomistic approach based kinetic theory of fracture (KTF), which includes the process temperature, maximum and minimum stress, and the loading frequency in its differential fatigue damage equation. Standard 316L stainless steel specimens are tested, and then the KTF-PD fatigue simulation is run in this study. The in-house MATLAB code, calibrated from the material S-N curve, is used for the KTF-PD simulation. A novel KTF equation based on the cycle stress-strain hysteresis loop is proposed and applied to predict the fatigue life. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results, and good agreement is observed for both symmetric and asymmetric cyclic loading.
Apple tree disease detection using VGG16 & Inceptionv3
Authors: Jeurkar Shardul , Devare Tanmay , Borkar Karan
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the term 'Precision agriculture' has gained tremendous attention due to its ability to improve crop yield while reducing its cost. This can be achieved by applying modern Machine learning and Computer vision techniques. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive study of the following deep learning models VGG16 and InceptionV3. Our approach involves training these models individually on a data-set of apple-tree leaf images, which include healthy and diseased trees,and evaluating their performance on a validation set. We also conduct experiments to compare the performance of the two models and find a distinguishable difference between their Validation accuracy. Our results show that both VGG16 and InceptionV3 achieve high accuracy in detecting apple tree diseases, with InceptionV3 outperforming VGG16 slightly. We believe that our method can be applied in real-world scenarios to help farmers detect and manage diseases in their apple trees, leading to higher crop yield and reduced costs.
Effective Rank and Dimensionality Reduction: From Complex Disaggregation Back to a Simple World
Authors: Tsoulfidis Lefteris
Published: July 2023

In recent years, we are witnessing renewed interest in the capital theory controversies, in which the empirically found near-linearities of the price-rate of profit and wage-rate of profit curves take centre stage. This article argues that these near-linearities are resulting from the low effective rank property characterizing the economy’s system matrices of technological coefficients. The implication is that it takes only a few eigenvalues and respective eigenvectors for an adequate representation of the movement of prices consequent upon changes in income distribution. Furthermore, a low-dimensional system may compress some of the characteristic features of the economy.
JEL Classifications: B24, B51, C67, D46, D57, E11, E32
The costs and benefits of clean cooking policies in low- and middle-income countries under real-world conditions
Authors: Jeuland Marc , Das Ipsita , Galeos Selena , Xue Yutong , Zong Jiahui , Lewis Jessica , Fujita-Conrads Ryanne , Williams Kendra , Troncoso Karin , Adair-Rohani Heather
Published: July 2023

Clean cooking technologies have the potential to deliver tremendous health, environmental, climate, and gender equity benefits. We use the BAR-HAP model to analyze the regional and global costs and benefits of policies to support household-level transitions to cleaner technologies. The analysis provides realistic, evidence-based estimates of the impacts of policy interventions, while remaining conservative about factors such as stove usage rates, subsidy leakage rates, and exposure levels. These conservative assumptions notwithstanding, policies supporting a clean cooking transition would still deliver net benefits of 1.4 trillion USD from 2020–2050 across 120 LMICs; those including some promotion of improved stoves have lower net social benefits. Most monetized benefits are from health – especially mortality – improvements, followed by averted CO2e. Although substantial investment will be needed to realize these benefits, the economic case for scaling up policy action is strong. Identifying effective policies to achieve more exclusive clean fuel use would only increase benefits.
Electrochemical Determination of Eugenol Using a Poly-γ-Aminobutyric Acid Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Yin Mingjing , Liu Shanshan , Ma Xinying , Meng Xiangyan , Chao Mingyong
Published: July 2023

Eugenol, an active substance widely used in the medical, food, and cosmetic industries, has garnered increasing attention due to its potential adverse effects on human health resulting from excessive use. In this study, a sensitive sensor for the determination of eugenol was developed by electropolumerizing γ-aminobutyric acid (gABA) onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Experiments showed that the poly γ-aminobutyric acid (pgABA) membrane exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of eugenol, and its oxidation peak current was greatly increased. Under optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current of eugenol was linearly proportional to its concentration in a range of 0.6 to 100 µmol/L, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9985 and a detection limit of 0.2 µmol/L. The sensor’s ability to detect eugenol in various authentic samples, with recovery rates ranging from 98.0–101.3%, attests to its great potential for practical application.
Self-consistent state-to-state kinetic modeling of CO2 cold plasmas: insights on the role of electronically excited states
Authors: Pietanza L. D. , Colonna G. , Capitelli M.
Published: July 2023

This study focus on the role of electronically excited states in the kinetics of CO2 cold non-equilibrium plasma discharges by means of a state-to-state OD kinetic model based on the simultaneous and self-consistent solution of the electron Boltzmann equation and the master equations describing the vibrationally and electronically excited state kinetics and the plasma composition. A new CO2 dissociation model based on the use of the Biagi electron impact excitation cross sections, considered as fully dissociative, of several CO2 electronic excited states, in the energy range from 6.5 eV and 25 eV, is tested and compared with the results obtained by using the Phelps database in typical glow discharge and microwave discharge conditions. Moreover, a refinement of the kinetics of the \(\text{C}\text{O}\left({\text{a}}^{3}{\Pi }\right)\) excited state is proposed by including new production and loss terms and the effect of the change of its time evolution density on the eedf, the electron temperature, the CO2 and CO vibrational distribution functions, electron impact and vibrational induced dissociation rates is investigated. Finally, the contribution of the \(\text{C}\text{O}\left({\text{a}}^{3}{\Pi }\right)\) state to CO2 dissociation is examined in terms of production and recombination (or back-reaction) processes both in microwave and glow discharge conditions.
Study of Medical Image Classification with Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning: Chest X‐ray Images Classification As an Example
Authors: Yang Pan , Su Bo , Liu Minxian , Zhang Wei , Hu Yiling
Published: July 2023

Due to the widespread adoption of medical image classification based on machine learning techniques in research in the medical field, safeguarding data privacy has emerged as a significant concern. In order to protect the privacy of medical image data and ensure the accuracy of classification methods, our approach integrates federated learning with blockchain technology. Federated learning facilitates model training without exposing the raw data, while blockchain technology guarantees data integrity and security. Simultaneously, we incorporate homomorphic encryption into the training process of the model for enhanced privacy protection in federated learning. Furthermore, we propose a blockchain partition storage strategy to lower storage consumption in the blockchain network. Experimental results demonstrate that this method not only effectively ensures the privacy of medical image data without substantially compromising model accuracy, but also enhances model robustness.
Impact of HER2-low Breast Cancer on Survival in Denmark: A Nationwide Investigation (2007-2019)
Authors: Sode Michael , Nielsen Kåre , Jensen Maj-Britt , Berg Tobias , Knoop Ann , Ejlersen Bent , Laenkholm Anne-Vibeke
Published: July 2023

Background. With the development of new antibody-drug conjugates targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), breast cancer (BC) with low levels of HER2 expression (HER2-low) is emerging as a potential distinct entity. Studies of HER2-low populations have found varying impacts on survival compared with HER2 0 BC. We, therefore, investigated the prognosis of breast cancer (BC) with low levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression (HER2-low) in the national Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG) database.
Methods. A retrospective non-interventional investigation was carried out to examine the prognosis of female patients with BC treated with curative intent in Denmark from 2007 to 2019. Patients were grouped as either HER2 0 or HER2-low (immunohistochemical HER2 score 1+ or 2+ without HER2 gene amplification). The primary endpoint was time to recurrence (TR), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and distant recurrence (DR).
Results. 41,610 patients were included (12,981 with HER2 0 BC and 28,829 with HER2-low BC). HER2-low BC was associated with higher levels of estrogen receptor (ER) expression, lower histological grade, and more frequent lymph node involvement compared to HER2 0 BC. HER2-low BC was associated with a lower TR from year 0 to 2.5 (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 0.77;0.97), but not beyond 2.5+ years. Regarding secondary endpoints, HER2-low disease was only linked to improved OS within the initial 0-2.5 years (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.94), while no statistically significant effect was detected otherwise.
Conclusions. HER2-low BC was a statistically significant factor for the primary outcome TR, but the effect was relatively small compared to the large number of patients. Further prospective studies are needed to conclusively determine if HER2-low BC is a separate subtype, but this study suggests that the effect of HER2-low is not very significant compared with HER2-0 BC.