bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European exotics drive a North American invasion: fire and cattle legacies on soil resource gradients and patterns of annual brome invasion
Authors: Clair Eli St. , Clair Isaac St. , Clair Bryn St. , Clair Seth St. , Clair Grace St. , Clair Daniel St. , Lowry Sam , Clair Sam St.
Published: January 2023

Human activities alter disturbance regimes and spatio-temporal distribution of soil resources that can affect plant invasion outcomes. The objective of this study was to test whether fire history and cattle activity alter soil resource gradients, thereby affecting patterns of annual brome invasion. Six paired burned and unburned transect lines (1-kilometer in length) were established in the northeast Mojave Desert along the boundaries of four independent wildfires. At 100-meter transect increment points, we measured the distance to the two nearest cowpats and then established two random points and measured the density, height, biomass, and seed production of red brome, soil moisture and inorganic N. Cattle activity was 29% greater along burned transects compared to unburned transects. Red brome height, density, and seed production were 11% to 34% greater along burned transects than unburned transects (P < 0.05). Red brome height, biomass, density, and seed production were 2- to10-fold greater next to cowpats compared to random points (P < 0.05), likely due to increased soil moisture and inorganic N. Post-fire conditions and cowpats increased soil inorganic N, which was strongly correlated with red brome density, height, biomass and seed production (R2= 0.60-0.85). Transgenerational legacy effects were evident as seeds from red brome next to cowpats had 27% higher germination than seeds collected from random points. The results suggest that positive responses of red brome to increases in inorganic N related to fire and cattle activity could significantly reinforce fine fuel infill that drives invasive grass-fire cycles in deserts of North America.
Costs and Impact of Disease in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lanzkron Sophie , Crook Nicole , Wu Joanne , Hussain Sarah , Curtis Randall G. , Robertson Derek , Baker Judith R. , Nugent Diane , Soni Amit , Roberts Jonathan C. , Ullman Megan M. , Kanter Julie , Nichol Michael B.
Published: January 2023

Background: The Consensus Study report from National Academy of Science, Engineering, Medicine on September 2020 found a lack of data to characterize sickle cell disease (SCD) related disease burden, outcomes, and the unmet needs. This study’s objectives were to 1) assess the feasibility of collecting data to estimate illness burden in adults with SCD; 2) investigate factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL); and 3) estimate the societal burden.
Method: We recruited 32 adults aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of SCD who obtained care at two adult SCD specialty centers in the US. We collected data on fatigue, HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D-3L and the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me), and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment via patient survey. Healthcare utilization was abstracted for the 12 months prior to enrollment using medical chart review. Factors associated with HRQoL scores were assessed by Pearson correlations.
Results: Data collection was feasible, although prescription data could not be used to estimate medication costs. Mean age was 36.7±10.6 (standard deviation) years, 84.4% had hemoglobin (Hb)SS/Sbthal0 disease, and 81.3% reported chronic pain (experiencing pain on ≥3 days per week in the past 6 months). Mean EQ-5D VAS was 63.4. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.79. ASCQ-Me scores are comparable to the referent population of adults with SCD. The mean fatigue score was 57.9 (range 33.7-75.9) and was negatively correlated with the EQ-5D index score (correlation coefficient r=-0.35, p=0.049), and ASCQ-Me scores, including pain (r=-0.47, p=0.006), sleep (r=-0.38, p=0.03), and emotion (r=-0.79, p<0.0001). The number of hospitalizations was negatively correlated with HRQoL (all p<0.05). Patients who reported chronic pain had significantly lower mean ASCQ-Me sleep scores (48.3±10.1 vs. 57.1±9.1, p=0.04) and EQ-5D index scores (0.72±0.21 vs. 0.89±0.09, p=0.002) than those without chronic pain. Mean estimated annual per-person costs were $51,779 (median: $36,366) for total costs, $7,619 ($0) for indirect costs, and $44,160 ($31,873) for medical costs.
Conclusions: Fatigue, SCD complications, hospitalization and chronic pain negatively impact HRQoL in this small cohort of US adults with SCD. This sample experienced a high economic burden, largely from outpatient doctor visits.
An Assessment for the Using Pollen Allergenic Woody Plants in Landscape Design: the Case of Ankara
Authors: Corbaci Omer Lutfu
Published: January 2023

Mistakes made in the design of urban green areas and in the selection of ornamental plants cause pollen allergy, which is one of the most common diseases in urban populations. This study assesses the pollen characteristics and allergenic effects of the species of woody trees, shrubs, and bushes planted in urban green areas in Ankara city center in the context of landscape architecture activities. A list of plant species with allergenic pollen is drawn up, together with their flowering periods and other relevant properties, and a number of points are identified to be taken into consideration for reducing the effects of pollen allergic plants and for planning and designing healthy green areas. Although there are many studies on allergenic plants in Turkey, studies on the use of allergenic plants in urban design have been rare. For this reason, the present study also addresses essential principles for reducing the effects of allergenic plants in design and for planning and designing healthy green areas. The study will be beneficial both for the environment and for the creation of green areas sensitive to human health.
Inequality in healthcare-seeking behavior among women with pelvic organ prolapse: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Siyoum Melese , Teklesilase Wondwosen , Alelgn Yitateku , Astatkie Ayalew
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Pelvic organ prolapse affects women’s quality of life in various aspects. However, the evidence on their healthcare-seeking behavior is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to review and synthesize the existing evidence on the healthcare-seeking behavior among women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, African Journals Online, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, African Index Medicus and Directory of Open Access Journal and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature. The retrieved evidence was synthesized using narrative synthesis approach. The characteristics of included studies and the level of healthcare-seeking behavior were summarized in a table and texts. Error bar was used to show the variability across different studies.
Results: A total of 966 articles were retrieved among which only eight studies with 23,501 women (2,683 women with pelvic organ prolapse) were included in the synthesis. The level of healthcare-seeking behavior ranges from 21.3% in Pakistan to 73.4% in California, USA. The retrieved studies were conducted on four different study populations, used both secondary and primary data, and were conducted in six different countries. Error bar shows a variation in the percentage of healthcare-seeking behavior.
Conclusions: The level of Health-care seeking behavior among women with pelvic organ prolapse is low in low-income countries compared to high income countries. The characteristics of the reviewed studies are very different from each other. We recommend a large-scale study with a sub-group analysis which will help to understand the healthcare-seeking behavior.
Adaptive controller with fixed-time convergence for combination synchronisation of multiple master and slave chaotic systems
Authors: OUAHABI Rabiaa
Published: January 2023

This paper mainly studies the fixed-time combination synchronization between different multiple chaotic systems using adaptive control. Asymptotic chaos combination synchronization has previously been considered, but the fixed-time combination synchronisation of multiple chaotic systems in the presence of uncertain parameters, it is the first of its kind. The fixed time control and adaptive control algorithms are successfully included to realize the combination synchronization between different multiple chaotic systems. Among the advantages of the proposed scheme is the possibility of realizing synchronization between almost all different chaotic and even hyper-chaotic systems in a short fixed time. According to the Lyapunov theory, and fixed time laws, the uncertain parameters are estimated and the settling time is calculated. Numerical simulation results are presented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Structure-property relationship of defect-trapped Pt single-site electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Tang Peng , Huang Po-Yuan , Swallow Jack , Wang Chenbo , Gianolio Diego , Guo Hua , Warner Jamie , Weatherup Robert , Pasta Mauro
Published: January 2023

Single-site catalysts (SSCs) have attracted significant research interest due to their high metal atom utilisation. Platinum single sites trapped in the defects of carbon substrates (trapped Pt-SSCs) have been proposed as efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the correlation between Pt bonding environment, its evolution during operation and catalytic activity is still unclear. Here, a trapped Pt-SSC is synthesised by pyrolysis of H2PtCl6 chemisorbed on a polyaniline substrate. In-situ heated scanning transmission electron microscopy and temperature-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy clarify the thermally-induced structural evolution of Pt during pyrolysis. The results show that the nitrogen in polyaniline coordinates with Pt ions and atomically disperse them before pyrolysis and trap Pt sites at pyridinic N defects generated during the substrate graphitisation. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms that the trapped Pt-SSC is stable at the HER working potentials but with inferior electrocatalytic activity compared to metallic Pt nanoparticles. First principle calculations suggest that the inferior activity of trapped Pt-SSCs is due to their unfavourable hydrogen chemisorption energy relative to metallic Pt nanoparticles. These results further the understanding of the structure-property relationship in trapped Pt-SSCs and motivates a detailed techno-economic analysis to evaluate their commercial applicability.
A Rare Cancer in an Elderly Man with Cervical Radiculopathy: A case report
Authors: Sham Sunder , Hosseini Hossein ,   3.	Beatriz Caraballo Bordon, Morra Doaa , Bendari Ahmed , Al-Refai Reham , Abdelwahed Mohammed , Harshan Manju
Published: January 2023

Background:Chordomas are low-grade, locally invasive, frequently recurring, malignant bone tumor with poor prognosis. Cervical chordoma in adults is rare and often missed when patients present with cervical radiculopathy. They can mimic other malignant tumors and, hence require histologic distinction for prognostic risk stratification and optimal treatment.
Case Report:We present a 61-year-old male with chronic neck pain and sensory neuropathy in bilateral upper limbs. The patient underwent cervical discectomy and fusion which revealed a cystic mass arising from the right neural foramina at C5-C6 level. Histopathological examination of the mass was consistent with chordoma.
Conclusion:Elderly patients with cervical radiculopathy should be evaluated for neoplasia including chordoma and differentiated from other etiologies. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality from chordoma.
Convergent avialan brain morphology in Sinovenator (Troodontidae, Theropoda)
Authors: Yu Congyu , Watanabe Akinobu , Qin Zichuan , King Logan , Witmer Lawrence , Ma Qingyu , Xu Xing
Published: January 2023

Multiple modifications to the skull and brain anatomy occurred along the lineage encompassing bird-line theropod dinosaurs and modern birds. Anatomical changes to the endocranium include an enlarged endocranial cavity, relatively larger optic lobe that implies elevated visual acuity, and proportionately smaller olfactory bulbs that suggests reduced olfaction. Here, we use micro-computed tomographic (CT) imaging to reconstruct the endocranium and its brain structures from an exceptionally well-preserved skull of Sinovenator changii (Troodontidae, Theropoda). While its overall morphology resembles the typical endocranium of other troodontids, Sinovenator also exhibits unique endocranial features that are similar to other paravian taxa and non-maniraptoran theropods. Landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis on endocranial shape of non-avialan and avian dinosaurs points to the overall brain morphology of Sinovenator most closely resembling that of Archaeopteryx, thus indicating convergent evolution of avialan brain morphology in troodontids and wide existence of such architecture in Maniraptora. Institutional abbreviations: IVPP, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China. PMOL, Paleontological Museum of Liaoning, Shenyang 110034, China.
Fast geometry-based ambiguity resolution algorithm for real-time kinematic
Authors: Castan Thibaut
Published: January 2023

Centimeter-level positioning using real-time kinematic technology is achievable only after overcoming the step of ambiguity resolution. Fast algorithms providing such a solution tend to have low success rates, often resulting in time to first fix too long in many real-life cases. On the other hand, other algorithms, such as the LAMBDA method, provide a better success rate at the expense of more computations. The recent growth in the number of constellations available for positioning along with the multiplication of signals per satellite is challenging slower algorithms which prove to have a complexity exponential with the number of signals. This article presents a new approach to the integer ambiguity problem, showing in an experiment a success rate of 100% with a computational speed ten times higher than the MLAMBDA algorithm, the complexity of the search process being O(n2) with n the total number of signals. We consider here a short baseline model to introduce the algorithm. It is straightforward to extend the results to longer baselines using a more complete model, as the hypotheses for the algorithm to be successful are made explicit along the article. Classical techniques developed to improve ambiguity resolution, as well as computational tricks could be used to further improve the speed of this algorithm, and could hence lead to improved time to first fix in low-cost embedded equipment.
Dynamic Analysis of Spur Gears System with Velocity-dependent Mesh Stiffness and Dynamic Force Increment
Authors: Liu Guimian , Liu Fuhao , Ma Tao , Jiang Hanjun , Yang Chunguang , Zhang Jielu
Published: January 2023

The actual gear mesh process is dynamic and the driving speed is of a great significance for dynamic response, while its nonlinear effect in the evaluation of mesh stiffness has commonly ignored by many scholars. In this paper, a new nonlinear dynamic model for spur gear system considering dynamic force increment, together with the effect of velocity-dependent mesh stiffness is developed to obtain the dynamic response. An original computational algorithm for calculating velocity-dependent mesh stiffness based on analytical-FEM framework is proposed, whose correction is verified by finite element method. The steady-state solution of the gear system is studied analytically by numerical simulations. Changes in the dynamic responses in the time/frequency domains using the driving speed as the control parameter are examined, and the nonlinear relationship between the driving speed and the time-varying mesh stiffness is demonstrated. Numerical results are presented to illustrate and quantify the influence of velocity-dependent mesh stiffness and dynamic force increment on the dynamic characteristics of the spur gear system. The results presented in this study demonstrate the reasonable accuracy of velocity-dependent mesh stiffness, and provide a theoretical basis for the follow-up research and experiment in the field of spur gear system dynamics.
Exposure to high dosage of gold nanoparticles accelerates growth rate in bacteria and yeast by modulating ribosomal protein expression.
Authors: Quadir Shabina , Khan Nuha , Singh Deepak , Faraz Amir , Jhingan Gagan , Joshi Mohan
Published: January 2023

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have a range of applications in biomedical research yet their effect on cellular and metabolic processes remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that exposure to high-dosages of citrate-stabilized, spherical AuNPs (<10 nm diameter) not only accelerates growth rate of bacteria and yeast. Also, results in a two-fold increase in the number of viable cells by the end of the cell-cycle. Differential proteome analysis reveals that exposure to high doses of AuNPs leads to under-expression of the majority of the ribosomal proteins, except a few, in both E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, homologs of over-expressed ribosomal proteins were found to be increased, similar to the cells under stress conditions like cancer. Exclusive sensitivity to sub-lethal dosage of Aminoglycosides and Rapamycin confirms alteration in cellular translation rate. We propose that exposure to high doses of AuNPs creates stress on cellular translational machinery to promote protein synthesis via non-canonical mode.
Partial Descemet’s Membrane Overlap due to Previously Grafted Descemet’s Membrane Remnant: Case Report
Authors: Choi Pureum , Shim Kyu Young , Jun Jong Hwa
Published: January 2023

Background: This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes of a patient who underwent repeated Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on partially remaining Descemet’s membrane (DM) due to firm adhesion.
Case presentation: A 78-year old female experienced vision fluctuations due to corneal edema after DMEK approximately 5 years ago. As scarring of the stroma was minimal, repeated DMEK was planned. The previously grafted DM was firmly attached to the posterior stroma in the inferior half area and could not be completely removed. After the donor lenticule was injected into the anterior chamber and unscrolled, room air was injected and the operation was completed. Two weeks postoperatively, focal detachment was observed at the border of the remnant DM. Focal DM detachment completely resolved without additional procedures 6 weeks postoperatively. At 5 months after surgery, the new DM was well attached, but overlap of the DM was identified on anterior segment OCT and Scheimpflug imaging. In addition, significant posterior astigmatism remained due to the overlap of the DM.
Conclusions: Partially remaining DM disturbed the adhesion of the new DM at the border of the remnant. Despite the extremely thin thickness of lenticule, the overlapped DM induced significant posterior astigmatism.
Sedentary behavior is associated with poor sleep quality during the covid-19 pandemic, and physical activity mitigates its adverse effects
Authors: Menezes-Júnior Luiz Antônio Alves , Moura Samara Silva , Miranda Amanda Gonçalves , Andrade Amanda Cristina Souza , Machado-Coelho George Luiz Lins , Meireles Adriana Lúcia
Published: January 2023

Background
We aimed to evaluate the association of sedentary behavior (SB) and moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity (MVPA) with sleep quality during the covid-19 pandemic.
Methods
Cross-sectional, population-based study in adults, conducted from October to December 2020 in the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil. The outcome was sleep quality, evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. SB was assessed by self-report of total sitting time, before and during the pandemic. Individuals with ≥ 9 hours of total sitting time were classified as SB. In addition, the ratio of time spent in MVPA to time in SB was analyzed. A contrasted directed acyclic graph (DAG) model was constructed to adjust logistic regression models.
Results
A total of 1629 individuals were evaluated, the prevalence of SB before the pandemic was 11.3% (95%CI: 8.6–14.8) and during the pandemic 15.2% (95%CI: 12.1–18.9). In multivariate analysis, the chance of poor quality sleep was 81% higher in subjects with SB ≥ 9 hours per day (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.10–2.97). Furthermore, a one-hour increase in SB during the pandemic, increased the chance of poor sleep quality by 9% (OR: 1.09; 95%CI 1.01–1.18). In the analysis of the ratio of MVPA per SB in individuals with SB ≥ 9h, practicing 1 minute of MVPA per hour of SB reduces the chance of poor sleep quality by 20.5% (OR: 0.83; 95%CI: 0.70–0.96).
Conclusion
SB during the pandemic was a factor associated with poor sleep quality, and the practice of MVPA can reduce the effects of SB.
Correlation of masticatory muscle activity and occlusal function with craniofacial morphology: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yoon Yu Jung , Kang Ju Young , Kim Kyung Ho , Cha Jung Yul , Ahn Hyung Joon , Choi Yoon Jeong
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Masticatory function, including masticatory muscle activity and occlusal function, can be affected by craniofacial morphology. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between craniofacial morphology and masticatory function in participants who had completed orthodontic treatment at least two years before and had stable occlusion.
Materials and Methods: Fourty-two healthy participants were prospectively enrolled and divided into three vertical cephalometric groups according to the mandibular plane angle. Masticatory muscle activity (MMA) in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was assessed using surface electromyography. The occlusal contact area and occlusal force (OF) were evaluated using the Dental Prescale System. Masticatory muscle efficiency was calculated by dividing MMA by OF. The craniofacial morphology was analyzed using a lateral cephalogram. The masticatory function was compared using one-way analysis of variance. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationships between craniofacial morphology and masticatory function.
Results: The hypodivergent group had the lowest MMA and the highest efficiencies in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscle (p < 0.05). MMA showed a positive relationship with mandibular plane angle, whereas the occlusal function demonstrated a negative relationship (p < 0.05). The anterior temporalis muscle activity negatively correlated with ramus height (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Vertical craniofacial morphology was related to masticatory function in participants with normal occlusion after orthodontic treatment. Participants with hypodivergent facial profiles may have low MMA and high occlusal function, resulting in good masticatory muscle efficiency.
Clinical relevance: Vertical craniofacial morphology is an important factor to consider in orthodontic diagnosis and prosthetic treatment planning.
Compound porcine cerebroside and ganglioside injections improved anxiety and cognitive dysfunction through the NF-κB pathway in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Tian Yunze , Yu Beibei , Li Jianzhong , Fu Longhui , Zhang Yongfeng , Zhao Yulong , Yuan Xiaocui , Yang Shijie , Huo Fuquan , Li Shaomin , Gong Shouping
Published: January 2023

Background
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) can cause hippocampal inflammation and apoptosis, resulting in anxiety and cognitive dysfunction. Compound porcine cerebroside and ganglioside injections (CPCGI) are used to treat encephalopathy, but its therapeutic effects and mechanism require further exploration.
Methods
We screened key genes associated with the ischemic stroke (IS) and predicted their binding sites with CPCGI. We subsequently injected CPCGI into a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and behavioral testing were performed. Hippocampal neuronal apoptosis was assessed by immunofluorescence. IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blotting. Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-HT-22 cells were treated CPCGI for 72 h. Cell viability and NF-κB were also evaluated.
Results
H2AC20, RPL3, RPL13A, RPL9, RPS23, and RPLP0 were identified as key IS genes. CPCGI was confirmed to interact with these proteins via molecular docking. Functional enrichment reflected the critical role of the NF-κB pathway in CIRI. Infarct volume and behavioral impairments in MCAO rats, especially anxiety and cognitive dysfunction, were improved by CPCGI in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence confirmed that hippocampal neuronal apoptosis was rescued by the CPCGI. Western blotting revealed that inflammation and NF-κB phosphorylation were inhibited. In vitro experiments showed that CPCGI increased the survival of OGD/R-HT-22 cells and inhibited phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Conclusion
CPCGI can alleviate anxiety and cognitive dysfunction in CIRI and thus improve psychoneurological symptoms in patients with IS. We confirmed that CPCGI alleviate inflammation and apoptosis in the hippocampus by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.
High-resolution Microbiome Analysis Reveals Exclusionary Klebsiella Species Competition in Preterm Infants at Risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Coleman Spencer , Unterhauser Katrin , Rezaul Karim , Ledala Nagender , Lesmes Stephanie , Caimano Melissa J. , Zhou Yanjiao , Jackson Eric , Gratalo Dawn , Driscoll Mark D. , Matson Adam P.
Published: January 2023

Intestinal colonization with Klebsiella has been linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but methods of analysis usually failed to discriminate Klebsiella species or strains. A novel ~2,500-base amplicon (StrainID) that spans the 16S and 23S rRNA genes was used to generate amplicon sequence variant (ASV) fingerprints for Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella pneumoniae species complexes (KoSC and KpSC, respectively) and co-occurring fecal bacterial strains from 10 preterm infants with NEC and 20 matched controls. Complementary approaches were used to identify cytotoxin-producing isolates of KoSC. Klebsiellaspecies colonized most preterm infants, were more prevalent in NEC subjects versus controls, and replaced Escherichiain NEC subjects. Single KoSC or KpSC ASV fingerprinted strains dominated the gut microbiota, suggesting exclusionary Klebsiella competition for luminal resources. Enterococcus faecaliswas co-dominant with KoSC but present infrequently with KpSC. Cytotoxin-producing KoSC members were identified in most NEC subjects and were less frequent in controls. Few Klebsiellastrains were shared between subjects. We conclude that inter-species Klebsiella competition, within an environment of KoSC and E. faecalis cooperation, appears to be an important factor for the development of NEC. Preterm infants seem to acquire Klebsiella primarily through routes other than patient-to-patient transmission.
A PyrR Regulating the Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Lost Antibacterial Ability Using CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knock-out for Metabolic Engineering at Lactobacillus casei
Authors: Chen Shaojun , Li Gang , Bao Jun , Qin Ziliang , He Xinmiao , Wang Wentao , Nai Zida , Xia Jiqiao , Liu Di , Jiang Xinpeng
Published: January 2023

Background
Lactobacillus casei had four possible probiotic roles, such as antimicrobial antagonism, competitional adhesion, immunoregulation and inhibition of bacterial toxin. The complex environment of gut microbe blocked to explore the antimicrobial scheme through genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, and signal transduction wth Lactobacillus casei. The genome editing Lactobacillus and germ-free animal provided the similar studying model of cell signal pathways to fully elucidate the probiotic mechanisms in animal.
Results
To delineate the metabolic reactions of nucleotides from L. casei associated with mechanisms of inhibiting pathogens and immunoregulation, we report the PyrR gene which was an important regulon to promote the pyrimidine biosynthesis, and PyrR deficient L. casei strain was successfully constructed with CRISPR-Cas9D10A tool. There were some changes with the basic biological characterization, such as decreasing the growth, auxotroph and morphological damage in the PyrR deficient strain. The metabolic profiles of supernatant between PyrR deficient and wild strain revealed a complementary regulation from other metabolic pathways within decreasing pyrimidine biosynthesis. Besides, the PyrR deficient strain significantly lost the character of inhibiting the growth of pathogens. We further identify PyrR regulating pyrimidine biosynthesis, which further improved the internalization and colocalization with the development of macrophages.
Conclusions
Evidence shows that PyrR gene is an active key for regulating pyrimidine biosynthesis in L. casei supernatant against a wide range of pathogens. The complementary regulation for the PyrR deficient could no inhibit the growth of pathogens, and immune regulation in the macrophages from mice. Thus, the deletion of PyrR in L. casei lost the probiotic character of antimicrobial antagonism and immunoregulation.
Sugar Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Its Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Rural and Urban Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Gbadebo Abiola , Sholeye Oluwafolahan , Gbadebo Fatai
Published: January 2023

Background: Globally, there has been an increasing trend in the consumption of sugar- sweetened beverages (SSBs) among adolescents and young adults; particularly in the LMIC In Nigeria. SSBs constitute a significant proportion of beverages consumed by adolescents. Excessive consumption of SSBs is associated with major risk factors driving the global burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and have been implicated in the increased prevalence of diet-related NCDs. This study assessed sugar sweetened beverage consumption and its associated factors among adolescents in rural and urban areas of Ogun state, Nigeria.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study conducted among in-school adolescents in rural and urban areas of Ogun State selected via multistage sampling method. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed with the aid of SPSS 23.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, and the level of significance was set at a 95% confidence interval with a P value ≤ 0.05.
Results: A total of 1800 in-school adolescents participated in this study, with 99.0% response rate. The lifetime prevalence of SSB consumption was higher in the rural (96%), than in urban area (85.9%). This is significantly associated with the location of respondents (χ2=55.875; p =0.001). Similarly, the current prevalence of SSB consumption was higher in the rural (77.6%), than in urban area (74.6%). Age (AOR=0.47, 95%CI=0.23-0.99) and mother’s education (AOR=8.80, 95%CI=1.35-57.41) were predictors of SSB consumption among adolescents in the rural area, while ethnicity was the only predictor of SSB consumption among adolescents in the urban area (AOR=0.12, 95%CI=0.02-0.95).
Conclusion: The prevalence of SSB consumption (lifetime and current) was high among adolescents both in the rural and urban groups. Efforts should be made to institute strategies to reduce SSB consumption, and also provide nutrition education to adolescents, that will influence them in making healthier food choices.
Diversity, relative abundance and distribution of avian fauna in three states of East Sudan
Authors: Baraka Abdelgani Gumaa Abdelmuala , Kanno Ibrahim Osman , Musa Faisal Ismail
Published: January 2023

The study of avifaunal diversity is an essential ecological tool, which acts as an important indicator to evaluate different habitat condition both qualitatively and quantitatively. Birds are play ecological functions, which include disease regulation, biomass recycling, seed dispersal of fleshy fruits, and pollination. The study was aimed to assess the diversity and distribution of bird species in east Sudan. The result of this finding is valuable data base on area to game orders, area specific management planers, conservationists, ecologists and provides baseline information for different scientific recommendation. Study was conducted in three states; Red Sea, Kassalaa and El Gadarif states in represent eastern States in Sudan. A point transect count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity and distribution. Biodiversity indexes were used to calculate the bird species diversity and one way-ANOVA. All together (43) birds species belonging to (11) orders. The highest number of birds observed was Village Weaver (11.7%) belonging to order of Passeriformes. While the orders identified with the highest numbers of different bird species were Accipitriformes (18.6%); and Passeriformes (18.6). The maximum number of birds observed during in states was El Gadarif (45.3%). it concluded that the area has good potential for bird watching tourism that can integrate economic gain with biodiversity conservation. Hence, urgent conservation measures and further detail research is recommended.
Study protocol - Ascertaining the career Intentions of UK Medical Students (AIMS) post-graduation: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ferreira Tomas , Collins Alexander M. , Horvath Rita
Published: January 2023

Background
Among doctors in the United Kingdom, there is growing sentiment regarding delaying specialist training, emigrating to practice medicine abroad, or leaving the profession altogether. This may have significant implications for the future of the profession in the UK. The extent to which this sentiment is also present in the medical student population is unknown.
Methods
The AIMS study is a national, multi-institution, cross-sectional study of all medical students at all medical schools in the United Kingdom. It will be administered via an online questionnaire and disseminated through a collaborative network recruited for this purpose. Our primary outcome is to determine current medical students’ career intentions after graduation and upon completing the Foundation Programme, and to establish the motivations behind these intentions. Secondary outcomes include determining which, if any, demographic factors alter the propensity to pursue different career paths available to a medical graduate, determining which specialties medical students plan on pursuing and understanding current views on the prospect of working in the National Health Service (NHS). Both quantitative analysis and thematic analysis will be used.
Discussion
Doctors’ career satisfaction within the NHS is a well-researched topic, however, there is a shortage of high-powered studies able to offer insight into medical students’ outlook on their future careers. It is anticipated that the results from this study will bring clarity to this issue. Identified areas of improvement in medical training or within the NHS could be targeted to improve doctors' working conditions and help retain medical graduates. Results may also aid future workforce planning efforts.
Trial Registration:
Not Applicable.
Contrasting patterns in growth attributes, root traits plasticity, and defence mechanism of maize under deficit moisture and phosphorus supply
Authors: Hussain Hafiz Athar , Qingwen Zhang , Hussain Saddam , Naqvi Rubab Zahra , Atif Rana Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad , Ain Qurat ul , Imran Asma
Published: January 2023

Background: The phosphorus uptake in plants is decreased due to soil water deficiency which negatively affects plant growth. How the interaction of soil moisture and P deficiency affects the morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of plants is still little known.
Methods: This study investigates physiological and biochemical responses of maize hybrids under interaction of moisture and P deficit conditions. Three levels of water (well-watered, moderate drought, severe drought) and P-supply (P100, P50, and P0) were used for two maize hybrids.
Results: The interaction of water and P-deficiency (60% and 40% FC along with P50 or P0) reduced the shoot and root traits, and P uptake in both maize cultivars. The activities of SOD, total protein, free proline, and total reducing sugar were increased with decreasing water and P-supply but response of POD and CAT remained variable. The significant upregulation of ZmNAC111 was noted under 40%FC with P100 treatment, but no such effects were recorded under 100%FC at all P treatments in both cultivars. The expression of ZmPHR1.1 and ZmPHR1.2 was increased with reducing P supply, but higher expression was observed at P0 at 60%FC and 40%FC, which indicates these are key genes for P-deficiency tolerance.
Conclusions: Overall, P0 with 60% and 40%FC caused severe reductions in growth traits among P levels but 40%FC was most destructive at all levels of P-supply. These findings would be helpful to understand the drought and low P tolerance mechanism of maize and provide future directions for regulation of responsive genes for developing tolerant maize cultivars.
Global well-posedness and exponential decay of strong solutions for 2D nonhomogeneous Magneto-Micropolar equations with density-dependent viscosity
Authors: Liu Min
Published: January 2023

We study an initial boundary value problem of 2D nonhomogeneous magneto-micropolar equations with density-dependent viscosity in smooth bounded domains. When the initial density can contain vacuum states, we prove that there is a unique global strong solution for the system under the assumption that initial velocity is suitably small. In particular, the initial data can be arbitrarily large except the gradient of velocity. Finally, we obtain the exponential decay rates of strong solutions by using the energy method.
MSC(2010). 35Q35, 76D03.
Admet, Biological Activity Prediction and Docking Studies of Main Phytoconstituents Present in Eucalyptus Using Computational Tools
Authors: G Krishna Kishor H , A Hithash S , P Navneet karanth , G Shreya U
Published: January 2023

In-silico studies and computational tools are widely used in the field of drug discovery and drug design because of the advantages that they offer over traditional methods, such as reduced time and cost. Eucalyptus, scientific name Eucalyptus globulus, family Myrtaceae, has long been known to possess medicinal properties, evidenced by its inclusion in many herbal formulations by traditional systems of medicine. Its activity is mainly due to mixture of volatile oils, terprnoids esters ketones etc. In this study, the most active of the phytoconstituents were screened using multiple sources to analyze their suitability as new drug molecules. First, the SMILES of the constituents were obtained using PubChem, an online chemical database. These SMILES were then used to predict the various parameters of the compounds using ADMETLab 2.0, which gave results about the constituents’ physicochemical properties, medicinal chemistry, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity parameters. Then the molecules were screened in PASS Online, an online activity predictor, which indicated that 5 of the constituents were mainly antieczemic in their activity, with the remaining constituents showing mainly carminative activity and also some antineoplastic activity. To test the antieczemic activity of the compounds, they were imported into the docking software Maestro by Schrodinger, where they were prepared using LigPrep, and were docked against the human histamine receptor in complex with doxepin obtained from PDB (Protein ID:3RZE), using the compound flucloxacillin (-7.708) as a synthetic standard. Among the phytoconstituents assessed spathulenol showed highest antieczemic activity (-6.368) compared to the standard flucloxacillin.
Metastases to the Kidney from Primary Lung Cancer : Clinicopathological analysis of six cases in a single center
Authors: lian hui , Pan Xinyu , Hong Bo , Min Jie , Huang Fengbo
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Cancer metastasis to the kidney is a rare event. We retrospectively analyzed Clinicopathologic characteristics in 6 cases of diagnosed renal metastases from primary lung Cancer. We also provide clinical follow-up data and brief review of the literature.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of TTF1, NapsinA, CK7, CK(AE1/AE3), P63, P40, CgA, PAX8, GATA-3 and Ki-67 in Primary tumor and metastases. Additionally, the clinical characteristics, imaging features, diagnosis, and treatment were analyzed.
Results: With the help of immunohistochemistry and combined clinical history, we found four cases were lung adenocarcinomas, one case was lung squamous cell carcinoma, and the other case was lung small cell carcinoma metastases to the kidney.The patients were all male by gender and had a mean age of 62 years, and metastasis to the left kidney were more universal. Most of the tumors histological grade originating from the lung were poorly-moderately differentiated, and the time to metastasis to the kidney was relatively short for squamous lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, while the time to metastasis for lung adenocarcinoma was related to its degree of differentiation. Overall, we found the prognosis of lung cancer patients with renal metastases were poor especially with multi-site metastases.
Conclusions: Distinguishing primary and secondary tumors of the kidney is essential to guide treatment and prevent unnecessary surgery, so clinical information, radiology, histological correlation of the primary tumor, and immunohistochemical findings help the pathologist determine correct diagnosis.
Medical Expulsive Therapy (Met) in adults with ureteral calculi: A prospective evaluation of Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Pandey Abhishek , Mandal Swarnendu , K Santosh , Gaur Abhay Singh , Das Manoj K , Nayak Prasant
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for ureteral stones predominantly assess the pain. Despite the lack of evidence, multiple trials studying the efficacy of medical expulsive therapy (MET) have used PROs to define spontaneous stone passage (SSP). We aim to objectively evaluate the accuracy of PROs to predict successful SSP and the probability of patient’s symptom resolution after stone passage. Methods: A single-center, prospective observational study recruiting adults with isolated, uncomplicated, ≤ 10 mm ureteral calculus was conducted. All patients received four weeks of MET, and SSP was confirmed by low-dose non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NCCT). The accuracy of PROs: “pain cessation,” “decreased pain,” “stone seen,” and “stone capture” to predict successful SSP was evaluated at one month. The patient’s symptom resolution rate was assessed at one and four-month follow-ups. Results: A total of 171 patients were included, and the overall SSP rate was 66.4% (n = 99). Patient-reported pain cessation, stone visualization, and stone capture were associated with successful SSP, but their accuracy was 59%, 53%, and 43%, respectively. Moreover, 25% of patients reporting complete pain cessation still harbored ureteral calculus. Pain resolved in 91% of patients after SSP at a four-month follow-up. While hematuria and nausea resolved in all patients, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were not resolved in 17% of patients. Conclusions: We concluded that patient-reported pain cessation, stone visualization, and stone capture predict successful SSP, but confirmatory imaging is required due to the poor accuracy of these measures. The significant rates of non-pain-related symptoms indicate their significant contribution to patient morbidity.
Supplementation of nicotinic acid and its derivatives up-regulates cellular NAD+ level rather than nicotinamide derivatives in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Oyama Takahiro , Yamamoto Takumi , Kameda Takeshi , Kamiya Takanori , Abe Hideaki , Abe Takehiko , Tanuma Sei-ichi
Published: January 2023

Nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+) is an important component for various biological processes in mammalian cells, such as energy production, redox state maintenance, and gene regulation. In most mammalian cells, NAD+ is produced by vitamin B3, including nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinic acid (NA). Recently, NAD+ up-regulation therapy has attracted attention for suppressing the aging processes, called rejuvenation. Although various enzymes participate in the NAD+ production pathway, some enzymes are lacking in particular cells. Therefore, it is thought that the suitable material for NAD+ production varies with the types of cells. However, the optimization of the NAD+-precursor for use in topical formulations has rarely been considered. In this study, we asked which precursor is suitable for application against human skin keratinocytes. As a result, NA supplementation 1.3-fold up-regulated intracellular NAD+ level significantly, even with a nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibitor, FK866, and its metabolites NA mononucleotide also increased NAD+ level by1.5-fold with 100 μM application. Surprisingly, NAM and its derivatives could not up-regulate cellular NAD+ levels in keratinocytes. The NA supplementation also up-regulated mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), which indicates the effect for mitochondria. NA also alleviated rotenone-induced mitochondrial ROS accumulation. These results suggest that NA can be used for topical application for skin rejuvenation.
Augmented Reality Used in Cultural Heritage: a Systematic Review
Authors: IBIŞ Ali , ALP Neşe ÇAKICI
Published: January 2023

With the development of Augmented Reality (AR) technology, the products developed in this field have become widespread. Today, AR technologies, which are used in many fields such as education, health, and tourism, are also widely used in architecture. It is aimed to research the studies on the use of AR technology for the conservation of architecture and cultural heritage, to reach academic publications and to obtain information about the subject. Cultural heritage sites are the common heritage of humanity in terms of historical, aesthetic, and artistic values. This heritage is being damaged by the developing city and vandalism and is even in danger of extinction. It is impossible to protect cultural heritage and transfer it to future generations with current technologies and conservation methods. AR technology can help preserve cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. This study identifies relevant research in AR, architecture, and cultural heritage. It aims to evaluate technology’s development process from the past to the present. In the study, the articles in the field of AR are listed in two different databases (ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore). In which these research were carried out, the place and importance of architecture in these areas were analyzed. Since the study proceeded in a systematic order, the subject was narrowed, and 14 articles in the cultural heritage field were examined in detail. Applications and equipment used in academic studies on cultural heritage are added as a table. Our opinions on using applications and equipment developed for AR to protect cultural heritage are presented in the conclusion section.