bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Implementation of Home-based Care Service Policy Improve the Quality of Life for the Elderly? Evidence from 28 Provinces in China
Authors: Zhang Xue , Dai Jing , Li Wei , Liu Yang , Wang Zongyue , Liu Zhuo , Tamoor Azam
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the policy treatment effects of home-based care service scientifically and identify the key intervention groups of home-based care services accurately in China.
Methods: The data set was obtained from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018. The elderly over 60 years old were selected as the study subjects. The factors analysis method was used to construct the evaluation index of the quality of life (QoL). The ordinary least squares (OLS) model and the propensity score matching (PSM) method were adopted to analyze the impact and heterogeneity of home-based care services on the QoL. The substitution variable method and the change measurement model method were chosen to test the stability of the model.
Results: (1) From the perspective of the utilization rate of home-based care services, the utilization rate of home-based care services were generally low in China. The utilization rate of medical services was 23.37, whereas the life care service was 3.64%. Moreover, there was a serious regional imbalance in China. (2) From the point of view of the policy treatment effects of home-based care service, it had a positive policy effect on the QoL of the elderly. The intervention effect of medical care service on QoL was 0.030 standard points and the life care service on QoL was 0.034 standard points. (3) The heterogeneity test showed that medical care services had a prominent effect on improving the QoL of the low-age, rural, and without spouse elderly; Life care services had an obvious effect on prompting the QoL of the elderly aged 80 and above, rural, and without spouse senior.
Conclusion: The home-based care service can improve the QoL of the elderly in China, and it plays a prominent role in promoting the QoL of the key target seniors. Nevertheless, there is an imbalance in home-based care service supply, especially the small- scale and low-quality supply of life care services, which leads to certain areas missing the sensitive intervention period.
Changes in HER3 expression profiles between primary and recurrent gynecological cancers
Authors: Kojima Yuki , Sudo Kazuki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Yazaki Shu , Tokura Momoko , Mizoguchi Chiharu , Okuma Hitomi S , Kita Shosuke , Yamamoto Kasumi , Nishikawa Tadaaki , Noguchi Emi , Shimoi Tatsunori , Tanase Yasuhito , Uno Masaya , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Kato Tomoyasu , Koyama Kumiko , Kobayashi Maki , Kakegawa Tomoya , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Yonemori Kan
Published: December 2022

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor-3 (HER3) is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and its overexpression is associated with inferior prognosis in several cancers. However, it is unclear whether HER3 expression status changes in tumor tissue at recurrence. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the changes in HER3 expression between primary and recurrent status in gynecological cancers.
Methods: This retrospective study used matched-pair tissues of gynecological cancer patients at initial diagnosis and at recurrence. Immunohistochemical (IHC) scores of 3+ or 2+ were termed “HER3-high”, while IHC scores of 1+ or 0 were designated as “HER3-low/zero”.
Results: A total of 86patients (40 with ovarian cancers, 32 with endometrial cancers, and 14 with cervical cancers) were included in this study. In ovarian cancer, 67.5% and 80.0% of the patients received a HER3-high at initial and recurrent diagnosis, respectively. The H-score was significantly increased at recurrence (p=0.004). The proportion of HER3-high endometrial cancer patients increased from 46.9% at initial diagnosis to 68.8% at recurrence, and the H-score tended to increase at recurrence (p=0.08). The fraction of HER3-high-rated cervical cancer patients remained unchanged at 85.7% both at initial and recurrent diagnosis. The discordance rate of HER3 expression detection in initial and recurrent diagnosis samples was 27.5%, 53.1%, and 14.3% for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, respectively. Ovarian and endometrial cancers with a HER3-high recurrent score tended to show shorter median survival time than those with a HER3-low/zero recurrent rating.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in gynecological cancers, the proportion of patients having a HER3-high score increased from initial to recurrent diagnosis.
Box-Behnken Modeling and Optimization of Visible-Light Photocatalytic Removal of Methylene Blue by ZnO-BiFeO3 Composite
Authors: Ehsani Fatemeh , Shaveisi Yaser , Sharifnia Shahram
Published: December 2022

Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to model and optimize the photocatalytic removal of methylene blue (MB) using ZnO-BiFeO3 composite under visible light (LED). Three catalysts with different ZnO: BiFeO3 molar ratios (2:1, 1:2, and 1:1) were synthesized successfully using hydrothermal method. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, PL, FTIR, and UV-vis. FESEM showed the uniform distribution of ZnO particles over the surface of bigger BiFeO3 particles. The best photocatalytic activity was obtained by ZnO-BiFeO3 with 2:1 molar ratio. In order to optimize the experimental conditions, four factors of initial MB concentration (5 to 20 mg/L), pH (3 to 12), catalyst dosage (0.5 to 1.25 mg/L) and light intensity (4 to 18 W) were selected as independent input variables. BBD suggested a quadratic polynomial equation to fit the experimental data. Results of ANOVA confirmed the goodness of fit for the suggested model (predicted- and adjusted-R2 0.99). The optimum conditions for maximizing the photocatalytic MB degradation were found to be initial MB concentration of 11 mg/L, pH of 11.7, catalyst dosage of 0.716 mg/L, and light intensity of 11.4 W. Under the optimum conditions, the highest photocatalytic MB degradation of 62.9% was obtained which is in reasonable agreement with the predicted value of 69%.
Florfenicol Sustained-release Granules: An in Vitro release and pharmacokinetics study in pigs
Authors: YANG Wei-cong , Zi-yao LIU , ZHANG Yun-xiao , Yang YU , SHEN Yue , XU Ying , HUANG Xian-hui
Published: December 2022

The aim of the present study was to synthesize and characterize florfenicol sustained-release granules (FSRGs) in vitro and in vivo. FSRGs were synthesized using monostearate, polyethylene glycol 4000 and amylum starch. In vitro dissolution profiles were studied using the rotating basket method in pH1.2 HCl solution and pH 4.3 acetate buffer. Twenty-four male healthy Landrace×Yorkshire pigs were equally divided into three groups and administered a 20 mg/kg i.v bolus of florfenicol solution and dosed orally with FSRGs in fasted and fed condition. The Higuchi model was the best fit for the drug release profile in pH1.2 and pH 4.3 media and the mechanism of drug dissolution was governed by both diffusion and dissolution. We established a level A in vitro - in vivo correlation for FSRGs and the in vivo profile of the FSRGs can be estimated by the in vitro drug release
Gendered late working life trajectories, family history and welfare regimes: Evidence from SHARELIFE
Authors: Schmitz Wiebke , Naegele Laura , Frerichs Frerich , Ellwardt Lea
Published: December 2022

Background
Earlier employment choices based on family events in earlier life have an impact up until late working life. Especially in welfare regimes that encourage the breadwinner-caretaker division. We investigate types of late employment patterns and how these are associated with earlier family events. Third, we test whether the association between early family history and late working life varies across five welfare regimes.
Methods
We use retrospective life history data from SHARELIFE. Our sample consists of 10,944 women and 10,662 men aged 65 years and older. Late working life trajectories are analyzed using gender-separate sequence analyses, which are summarized into eight groups applying cluster analyses. Using average marginal and interaction effects we explain how the association between types of late working life, coresidential partnership history and parenthood history differs by welfare states.
Results
Women’s late employment is either shaped by unpaid care or paid (full- or part-time) work but not both, whereas men’s late working life is mainly shaped by full-time work. Family history in earlier life is linked to unpaid care and part-time work – this association is strongest in liberal and southern welfare regimes. However, among men earlier family events are linked to full-time work.
Discussion
Policymakers need gender-specific strategies to integrate workers into late working life. The implementing of new policies should aim to prevent these social inequalities in early life, as employment decisions caused by family history in earlier life stages – especially for women – tend to cumulate over the life course.
WWOX Binds MERIT40 and Modulates Its Function in Homologous Recombination, Implications in Breast Cancer
Authors: Lallemand Francois , Taouis Karim , Vacher Sophie , Guirouilh-Barbat Josée , Camonis Jacques , Formstecher Etienne , Popova Tatiana , Hamy Anne-Sophie , Petitalot Ambre , Lidereau Rosette , Caputo Sandrine , Zinn-Justin Sophie , Bieche Ivan , DRIOUCH Keltouma
Published: December 2022

The tumor suppressor gene WWOX is localized in an unstable chromosomal region and its expression is decreased or absent in several types of cancer. A low expression of WWOX is associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer (BC). It has recently been shown that WWOX contributes to genome stability through its role in the DNA damage response (DDR). In breast cancer cells, WWOX inhibits homologous recombination (HR), and thus promotes the repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The fine-tuning modulation of HR activity is crucial. Its under or overstimulation inducing genome alterations that can induce cancer. MERIT40 is a positive regulator of the DDR. This protein is indispensable for the function of the multi-protein complex BRCA1-A, which suppresses excessive HR activity. MERIT40 also recruits Tankyrase, a positive regulator of HR, to the DSBs to stimulate DNA repair. Here, we identified MERIT40 as a new molecular partner of WWOX. We demonstrated that WWOX inhibited excessive HR activity induced by overexpression of MERIT40. We showed that WWOX impaired the MERIT40-Tankyrase interaction preventing the role of the complex on DSBs. Furthermore, we found that MERIT40 is overexpressed in BC and that this overexpression is associated to a poor prognosis. These results strongly suggest that WWOX, through its interaction with MERIT40, prevents the deleterious impact of excessive HR on BC development by inhibiting MERIT40-Tankyrase association. This inhibitory effect of WWOX would oppose MERIT40-dependent BC development.
Chondrichthyan fauna from the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá at Burdwood Bank: exploring egg nursery grounds
Authors: Florencia Matusevich , Vazquez Diego Martín , Gabbanelli Valeria , Astarloa Juan Martín Díaz , Mabragaña Ezequiel
Published: December 2022

The Burdwood Bank (BB) is a subantarctic area, where two of the three Marine Protected Areas (MPA) of the Argentinean Exclusive Economic Zone are located: Namuncurá I, and Namuncurá II. The area is characterized by a high biodiversity of benthic invertebrates and teleost fishes; however, the available information on oviparous chondrichthyans is scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the potential reproductive use that oviparous chondrichthyans could make of the area based on the presence of egg-laying grounds. Additionally, we aim to provide an updated checklist of the species that inhabit the BB. Samples of specimens and egg capsules collected in four research cruises carried out between 2016 and 2018 were analyzed. Seven skate species were found in both MPAs: Amblyraja doellojuradoi, Bathyraja albomaculata, B. brachyurops, B. macloviana, B. multispinis, B. scaphiops, and Psammobatis rudis; whereas B. cousseauae, and B. magellanica were found exclusively in Namuncurá I. Here we report, for the first time, the presence of egg laying grounds for five chondrichthyan species in the BB area: A. doellojuradoi, B. brachyurops, B. macloviana, B. scaphiops, and P. rudis. The results obtained highlighted the importance of the region for the conservation of oviparous chondrichthyans found in the southern Patagonian shelf.
Mapping inundation from sea-level rise and its interaction with land cover in the Sundarbans mangrove forest
Authors: Kanan Akbar Hossain , Masiero Mauro , Rahman Md Masudur , Pirotti Francesco
Published: December 2022

The sea level rise (SLR) in the Sundarbans areas is higher than the global-average rate of sea rise, and many studies assume that most of the dry land of the Sundarbans will be inundated by the end of the twenty-first century. This study aims to analyse the amount of dry land that can potentially be inundated by SLR in Sundarbans and the impact under different land cover conditions. We applied geospatial data from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), four SLR scenarios, and net subsidence data to map future inundated areas and discuss the impacts. Results for the low (35 cm), mid (52 cm), high (70 cm), and extreme (147 cm) SLR scenarios indicate that the Sundarbans landmass area will be flooded up to 40 km2 (1%), 72 km2 (1.8%), 136 km2 (3.4%), and 918 km2 (23%) respectively, under the current net subsidence rate of -2.4 mm/year. Except for the extreme scenarios, the low, mid, and high SLR will result in riverbank and beach areas to be covered by water. Thus, the potential inundation areas of different vegetation cover classes that already exist today (2020) will be of low significance for the low, mid, and high SLR scenarios. We also analysed the sensitivity of the results through station-based SLR data, which fits with the low (35 cm) SLR scenarios under the − 2.4 mm/year subsidence rate. This study concluded that the inundation aspect of SLR would not directly affect the Sundarbans; however, other related threats and anthropogenic disturbances can be major drivers of Sundarbans' degradation by the end of the twenty-first century. The study's findings might contribute to forest management planning and achieving some goals of the Bangladesh Delta Plan.
Quantitative indices of F-18 FDG PET/CT in assessing cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular manifestations of IgG4-related disease and treatment response
Authors: Chen Mingwei , Tang Charlene Yu Lin , Fong Warren Weng Seng , Lam Winnie Wing-Chuen
Published: December 2022

Background
IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a heterogenous autoimmune disorder characterised by inflammatory lesions. Diagnostic imaging, such as FDG PET/CT, is critical in evaluation of the disease, especially for potentially lethal cardiovascular manifestations. This retrospective study examines the usefulness of semi-quantitative parameters of FDG PET/CT in monitoring IgG4-RD in patients with and without cardiovascular manifestations.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD who underwent a FDG PET/CT scan were identified and classified based on presence or absence of cardiovascular disease. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted and compared to three FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters: standardised uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumour volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). These data were also compared in patients before and after receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
Results
Forty-six patients identified were divided into an eight member subgroup of patients with cardiovascular manifestations, and a thirty-eight member subgroup of patients without. Patients with cardiovascular lesions were most frequently identified incidentally on imaging evaluation for other diseases (37.5%), with none presenting with chest pain or other cardiovascular symptoms. Ten patients with pre-treatment and post-treatment FDG PET/CT scans demonstrated significant decreases in all semiquantitative parameters, with no significant decrease in total IgG or ESR. The decrease in SUVmax, MTV, and TLG following therapy was replicated in patients with and without cardiovascular manifestations.
Conclusion
FDG PET/CT is an important investigation to determine all sites of involvement in this multisystemic disease, and to rule out life-threatening cardiovascular manifestations even in the absence of symptoms. Semi-quantitative parameters such as SUVmax, MTV, and TLG are useful in assessing treatment response in patients with or without cardiovascular manifestations. There are no serological substitutes that can quantify the extent of disease involvement like FDG PET/CT.
Poverty Dynamics and the Role of Antipoverty Policy: Panel Evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Sung-Geun , Ko KilKon
Published: December 2022

This study empirically analyzes whether the Korean government’s anti-poverty policy called the National Basic Livelihood Security System (NBLSS) effectively reduces poverty. To improve previous analyses in literature, we take the dynamic transitions of poverty status over years into account and evaluate the program effectiveness by comparing it with an imaginary situation where the NBLSS does not exist. We employed the Korea Welfare Panel Study data set, which collects detailed information on family structure, income, and employment status for poor, working poor, and near poor from 2005 to 2020, covering on average more than 6,000 households. In addition, to overcome the traditional event history model assuming left-censoring—and not considering the multiple status of dependent variables over years—we used multistate modeling, which allows us to model transitions between poverty and non-poverty dynamically with no bias from truncation. Our findings suggest the NBLSS is in general not effective, given that a model with the NBLSS does not make a significant difference in supporting people to get out of poverty from one without the NBLSS. However, it is found that it is quite effective for 1-person families, a family type that already takes up more than a third of all family type in the country. Also, it should be noted that the transition matrix shows that on average the probability of coming out of poverty is more than twice larger than the probability of falling into poverty, which implies a high upward mobility in terms of poverty. Still, the program should be improved by weakening the principle of subsidiarity.
Altered fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuationin superiortemporal gyrus: a resting-state fMRI study in Anxious depression
Authors: Zhao Peng , Wang Xinyi , Wang Qiang , Yan Rui , Ridwan Chattun Mohammad , Yao Zhijian , Lu Qing
Published: December 2022

Background
Anxious depression (AD), which is a common subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD), has distinct clinical features relative to non-anxious depression (NAD). However, little is known of the neurobiological characteristics of AD. In this study, we explored the regional brain activity changes during the resting-state between AD and NAD.
Method
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI) imaging data were collected from 60 patients with AD, 38 patients with NAD, and 60 matched healthy controls (HCs). The one-way analysis of variancewas conducted to compare whole brain fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in the three groups. The correlation between the fALFF and the clinical measures was examined.
Results
AD patients showed reduced fALFF values in right superior temporal gyrus (STG) compared with NAD(p < 0.001,corrected). Within AD group, the fALFF value in right STG was positively correlated with the score of cognitive disturbances(r = 0.36, p = 0.005 corrected).
Conclusion
The right STG, which is related to the default mode network, might play an essential role in the neuropathological mechanism of AD.
Patterns and determinants of the global herbivorous mycobiome
Authors: Meili Casey , Jones Adrienne , Arreola Alex , Habel Jeffrey , Pratt Carrie , Hanafy Radwa , Wang Yan , Yassin Aymen , TagElDein Moustafa , Moon Christina , Janssen Peter , Shrestha Mitesh , Rajbhandari Prajwal , Nagler Magdalena , Vinzelj Julia , Podmirseg Sabine , Stajich Jason , Goetsch Arthur , Hayes Jerry , Young Diana , Fliegerova Katerina , Grilli Diego , Vodička Roman , Moniello Giuseppe , Mattiello Silvana , Kashef Mona , Nagy Yosra , Edwards Joan , Dagar Sumit , Foote Andrew , Youssef Noha , Elshahed Mostafa
Published: December 2022

In spite of their indispensable role in host nutrition, the anaerobic gut fungal (AGF) component of the herbivorous gut microbiome remains poorly characterized. To examine global patterns and determinants of AGF diversity, we generated and analyzed an amplicon dataset from 661 fecal samples from 34 animal species, 9 families, and 6 continents. We identified 56 novel genera, greatly expanding AGF diversity beyond current estimates. Both stochastic (homogenizing dispersal and drift) and deterministic (homogenizing selection) processes played an integral role in shaping AGF communities, with a higher level of stochasticity observed in foregut fermenters. Community structure analysis revealed a distinct pattern of phylosymbiosis, where host-associated (animal species, family, and gut type), rather than ecological (domestication status and biogeography) factors predominantly shaped the community. Hindgut fermenters exhibited stronger and more specific fungal-host associations, compared to broader mostly non-host specific associations in foregut fermenters. Transcriptomics-enabled phylogenomic and molecular clock analyses of 52 strains from 14 genera indicated that most genera with preferences for hindgut hosts evolved earlier (44–58 Mya), while those with preferences for foregut hosts evolved more recently (22–32 Mya). This pattern is in agreement with the sole dependence of herbivores on hindgut fermentation past the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event through the Paleocene and Eocene, and the later rapid evolution of animals employing foregut fermentation strategy during the early Miocene. Only a few AGF genera deviated from this pattern of co-evolutionary phylosymbiosis, by exhibiting preferences suggestive of post-evolutionary environmental filtering. Our results greatly expand the documented scope of AGF diversity and provide an ecologically and evolutionary-grounded model to explain the observed patterns of AGF diversity in extant animal hosts.
Overexpression of GRK2 in vascular smooth muscle leads to inappropriate hypertension and acute heart failure as in Clinical Scenario 1
Authors: Yano Hiroki , Onoue Kenji , Tokinaga Shiho , Ioka Tomoko , Ishihara Satomi , Hashimoto Yukihiro , Nakada Yasuki , Nakagawa Hitoshi , Ueda Tomoya , Seno Ayako , Nishida Taku , Watanabe Makoto , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: December 2022

Clinical scenario 1 (CS1) is acute heart failure (HF) characterized by transient systolic blood pressure (SBP) elevation and pulmonary congestion. Although it is managed by vasodilators, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. The sympathetic nervous system plays a key role in HF, and desensitization of cardiac β-adrenergic receptor (AR) signaling due to G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) upregulation is known. However, vascular β-AR signaling that regulates cardiac afterload remains unelucidated in HF. We hypothesized that upregulation of vascular GRK2 leads to pathological conditions similar to CS1. GRK2 was overexpressed in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of normal adult male mice by peritoneally injected adeno-associated viral vectors driven by the myosin heavy chain 11 promoter. Upregulation of GRK2 in VSM of GRK2 overexpressing mice augmented the absolute increase in SBP (+ 22.5 ± 4.3 mmHg vs. +36.0 ± 4.0 mmHg, P < 0.01) and lung wet weight (99.4 ± 1.9 mg vs. 116.7 ± 3.7 mg, P < 0.01) by epinephrine as compared to those in control mice. Additionally, the expression of brain natriuretic peptide mRNA was doubled in GRK2 overexpressing mice as compared to that in control mice (P < 0.05). These findings were similar to CS1. GRK2 overexpression in VSM may cause inappropriate hypertension and HF, as in CS1.
The validity of a new procedure-based definition of cancer status in patients with breast-, lung- and colorectal cancer in the Danish National Patient Registry
Authors: Nielsen Sebastian Kinnberg , Nouhravesh Nina , Jensen Mads Hashiba , Jensen Rawia Farah Gedde , Klein Mads Falk , Saghir Zaigham , Nielsen Dorte , Schou Morten , Lamberts Morten
Published: December 2022

Background/Aim The National Patient Registry (DNPR) provides unique epidemiological insight, but often lacks granular data. We propose a procedure-based definition of cancer status in patients with breast-, lung- and colorectal cancer, which can be applied to administrative health databases. New definitions of cancer status are needed as mortality and morbidity are closely linked to cancer status, yet most studies only use duration since cancer diagnosis as a severity marker. The aim of the study was to validate a new pragmatic definition. Method Medical journals of 600 patients, with breast-, lung- and colorectal cancer from the Department of Oncology at Herlev-Gentofte Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. We defined active cancer as a cancer diagnosis, not followed by a potentially curative procedure within 6 months of the diagnosis. The remaining patients were characterized as having non-active cancer. This dichotomisation was then compared to a cancer status assessment based on treatment received and paraclinical test such as their first post procedural control scan. Based on this comparison, we calculated the positive predictive value (PPV) of our definitions of active and non-active cancer. Results The calculated PPVs for active breast-, lung- and colorectal cancer were 87% (CI 95%: 0.74–0.99), 91% (CI 95%: 0.87–0.96) and 82% (CI 95%: 0.73–0.91). The PPVs for non-active breast-, lung- and colorectal cancer were 95% (CI 95%: 0.92–0.99), 91% (CI 95%: 0.82–0.99) and 73% (CI 95%: 0.66–0.81), respectively. Conclusion We found an overall high PPV for both active and non-active cancer across all three types of cancer.
Staging prostate cancer with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT in the elderly: Focus on the role of pre-imaging biopsy
Authors: Kesler Mikhail , Cohen Dan , Levine Charles , Sarid David , Keizman Daniel , Yossepowitch Ofer , Even-Sapir Einat
Published: December 2022

Purpose: While PSMA PET-CT has been shown valuable for staging biopsy-proven [B(+)] high-risk prostate cancer (PCa), elderly patients are occasionally referred to PSMA PET-CT without pre-imaging confirming biopsy [B(-)]. The current study evaluates the rate, clinical characteristics, and PET-based stage of B(-) elderly patients, and explores if biopsy status affects therapeutic approach.
Methods: One-hundred consecutive patients ≥80 years that underwent staging 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT were included. For each patient, we documented whether pre-imaging biopsy was performed, his clinical parameters, PET-based staging parameters, and the primary therapy he received.
Results: Thirty-four (34%) of the elderly patients included in the study had no pre-imaging biopsy. Compared with B(+) patients, B(-) patients were older (median age 87 vs. 82, Pv<0.01), with worse performance status (Pv<0.01), and higher PSA levels (median 57 vs. 15.4 ng/ml, Pv<0.01). On 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT, all B(-) patients had avid disease, with trends towards higher rates of bone metastases (47.1% vs. 28.8%) and overall advanced disease (50% vs. 33.3%) compared with B(+) patients. Among patients with localized (n=36) or locally-advanced (n=25) disease, B(-) patients were less commonly referred to definitive therapies than B(+) patients (Pv<0.01). However, higher age, ECOG PS and PSA were other probable factors determining their therapeutic approach. Among 39 patients with advanced disease, 38 received hormonal therapy, irrespectively of their biopsy status. Among B(-) patients with advanced disease who were referred to hormonal therapy, 12/13 patients with follow-up data showed biochemical and/or imaging-based response.
Conclusion: “Real-life” experience with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT indicates that around one-third of the elderly patients are referred to imaging without pre-imaging confirming biopsy. These patients are likely to be older, with worse clinical status, and higher PSA. Advanced disease might be more likely to be identified on their 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT, and if it does, their biopsy status does not preclude them from receiving hormonal therapy.
Predicting diagnostic immune-related gene biomarkers in the development of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction: Bioinformatics based approaches
Authors: Hu Yingchun , Chen Xiaoyu , Mei Xiyuan , Luo Zhen , Wu Hongguang , Zhang Hao , Zeng Qingchun , Ren Hao , Xu Dingli
Published: December 2022

Objective: Post-myocardial infarction(MI) heart failure (HF) is regarded as a public health concern; however, effective biomarkers for predicting HF are still lacking. This study aimed to identy novel biomarkers for forecasting long-term HFin AMI patients.
Methods: The GSE59867 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and then differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with the criteria of p-value<0.05 and |log2FC|>0.5. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING software,and then Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin and CytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape software were applied to identify potential hub genes. Moreover, immune-related genes (IRGs) were downloaded from ImmPort database. The intersection between hub genes and IRGs was regarded as potential immune-related hub genes. Finally, these genes were further assessed for expression levels and predictive ability of long-term HF.
Results: A total of 200 DEGs were identified between the non-HF and HF groups, including 84 upregulated genes and 116 downregulated genes. Ten hub genes, including IL1B, CD28, CXCL8, IL2RA, KLRC4-KLRK1, CXCR5, CD40LG, FOS, TIMP1, GPR29, were further screened out by STRING, MCODE and CytoHubba. Among them, seven immune-related hub genes were filtered.
Finally, we found that four genes were significantly changed between the HF and non-HF patients and all showed a predictive ability of the long-term HF, including CD28, CXCR5, FOS, IL2RA. In addition, functional enrichment analysis showed immune system process was enriched in the process of HF, including lymphocyte proliferation, T cell proliferation, lymphocyte proflieration, and IL-17 signaling pathway.
Conclusion:We successfully identified four immune-related hub genes that were significantly changed between the HF and non-HF patients and all showed a predictive ability of the long-term HF, which could provide novel insights for the rationale of the development of HF.
Motion Equations Derivation of Flexible-Link Manipulators with Time- Dependent Link’s Length operated in Fluid Medium
Authors: Dehkordi Siavash Fathollahi
Published: December 2022

This article focuses on the derivation of the motion equations of flexible-links manipulator composed time-dependent link length in the fluid medium, necessitating the inspection of fluid-arms interaction during two simultaneous rigid and elastic motions. The system’s rigid motion consisting of rotational and reciprocating movements of links and the link’s oscillating motion due to their elasticity are both considered. These oscillations, which are posited to be small, are not exclusively a function of the excitations caused by the robot's motors, and the interaction between the manipulator’s links and the fluid medium also affects the links' deformation. Accordingly, the system oscillation, which is a function of the link length stemming from the changes in the rigid modes, becomes dependent on the mechanical features of the surrounding fluid and applied force/moment to the joints based on the fluid-robot interaction type. This interaction can impact the system's elastic and rigid modes. Although the equations are comparable to those developed in previous research that considered a time-varying structure, they include the effects of both the input to joints' motors and the mechanical characteristics of surrounding environment, leading to complex and non-conservative equations. With the aid of recursive Gibbs-Appell formulation, the dynamic equations of the system are calculated based on the defined algorithm and external forces. These equations are evaluated by changing the surrounding fluid's mechanical properties and the links' elasticity and examining the effect of system weight change in MATLAB. The results show that the effects of fluid-manipulator interactions on the links' deformation is greater than the effect of changing link elasticity. Thus, the deformation increases by 100% when the medium’s density changes from 0 to 100 kg/m.
Radiosynthesis and preclinical evaluation of [11C]SNX-ab as an Hsp90α,β isoform-selective PET probe for in vivo brain and tumour imaging
Authors: Cools Romy , Vermeulen Koen , Narykina Valeria , Leitao Renan C. F. , Bormans Guy
Published: December 2022

Background
The molecular chaperone, Hsp90, is a key player in the protein quality control system that maintains homeostasis under cellular stress conditions. It is a homodimer with ATP-dependent activity, and is a prominent member of the chaperone machinery that stabilizes, matures and (re)folds an extensive list of client proteins. Hsp90 occurs as four isoforms, cytosolic Hsp90α and Hsp90β, mitochondrial TRAP1 and Grp94 present in the endoplasmic reticulum. An aberrant role of Hsp90 has been attributed to several cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Consequently, Hsp90 has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target. However, pan-Hsp90 inhibition often leads to detrimental dose-limiting toxicities. Novel strategies for Hsp90-targeted therapy intend to avoid this by using isoform-specific Hsp90 inhibition. In this respect, the radiosynthesis of carbon-11 labeled SNX-ab was developed and [11C]SNX-ab was evaluated as a Hsp90α,β isoform-selective PET probe, which could potentially allow to quantify in vivo Hsp90α,β expression.
Results
[11C]SNX-ab was synthesized with excellent radiochemical yields of 45% and high radiochemical purity (> 98%). In vitro autoradiography studies on tissue slices of healthy mouse brain, mouse B16.F10 melanoma and U87 glioblastoma using homologous (SNX-ab, SNX-0723) and heterologous (Onalespib and PU-H71) Hsp90 inhibitors demonstrated only limited reduction of tracer binding, indicating that the binding of [11C]SNX-ab was not fully Hsp90-specific. Similarly, [11C]SNX-ab binding to U87 cells was not efficiently inhibited by Hsp90 inhibitors. Ex vivo biodistribution studies in healthy mice revealed limited brain exposure of [11C]SNX-ab and predominantly hepatobiliary clearance, which was confirmed by in vivo full-body dynamic µPET studies.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that [11C]SNX-ab is not an ideal probe for in vivo visualization and quantification of Hsp90α/β expression levels in tumour and brain. Future research in the development of next-generation Hsp90 isoform-selective PET tracers is warranted to dissect the role played by each isoform towards disease pathology and support the development of subtype-specific Hsp90 therapeutics.
Optimization and validation of a high-throughput nanofluidic real-time PCR assay to evaluate nasopharyngeal carriage of 15 bacterial species and 92 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes
Authors: Downs Sarah L. , Madhi Shabir. A. , Merwe Lara , Nunes Marta. C. , Olwagen Courtney P.
Published: December 2022

Background: Sensitive tools for detecting concurrent colonizing pneumococcal serotypes are needed for detailed evaluation of the direct and indirect impact of routine pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) immunization. Method: A high-throughput quantitative nanofluidic real-time PCR (Fluidigm) reaction-set was developed to detect and quantify 92 pneumococcal serotypes in archived clinical samples. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected in 2009-2011 from South African children ≤5years-old, previously serotyped with standard culture-based methods were used for comparison.
Results: The reaction-set within the Fluidigm® effectively amplified all targets with high efficiency (90-110%), reproducibility (R2≥0.98), and at low limit-of-detection (<102 CFU/ml). A blind analysis of 1973 nasopharyngeal swab samples showed diagnostic sensitivity >80% and specificity >95 compared with the referent standard, culture-based Quellung method. The Fluidigm method was able to serotype pneumococcal types with good discrimination compared with Quellung (ROC-AUC: >0.73).
Conclusion: The high-throughput nanofluidic real-time PCR method simultaneously detects 57 individual serotypes, and 35 serotypes within 16 serogroups in 96 samples (including controls), within a single qPCR run. This method can be used to evaluate the impact of current PCV formulations on vaccine-serotype and non-vaccine-serotype colonization, including detection of multiple concurrently colonizing serotypes.
Interpretation: The Fluidigm method can allow for monitoring of serotype-specific bacterial load, as well as emergence or ongoing transmission of minor or co-colonizing serotypes that may have invasive disease potential.
What caused the cold condition over northeast Asia during April 2020?
Authors: Kim Go-Un , Oh Hyoeun , Kim Yong Sun , Son Jun-Hyeok , Jeong Jin-Yong
Published: December 2022

Northeast Asia has experienced severe damage to agricultural and marine ecosystems due to the cold condition in April 2020, despite the fourth warmest year in northern Asia on record. Previous studies have indicated that the dipole atmospheric circulation over Siberia and the East Sea (Japan Sea) rendered this cold environment, although the cause of atmospheric circulation affecting the cold condition over northeast Asia remains nebulous. Herein we found that the atmospheric structure was a mixed result of the East Atlantic/Western Russia (EAWR) pattern and blocking. The wave train was originated from the vorticity forcing of northwest/central Russia and propagated from western Europe to the East Sea via the background westerly and northerly winds. Besides, the Siberian blocking days increased ten times in April 2020 than climatology along with the easterly anomaly over Mongolia–northeast China. The blocking occurrence was linked to wavy westerly at the high latitudes. The strong blocking and EAWR pattern led to the robust dipole atmospheric structure with the prevailing northerly flow in April 2020, thereby causing the cold over northeast Asia. Our results provide novel insights into the cause of the cold condition in April over northeast Asia and its impact on the land-ocean ecosystems.
Allometric normalization of handgrip strength in older adults: which body size parameter is the most appropriate?
Authors: Kasović Mario , Sagat Peter , Kalčik Zvonimir , Štefan Lovro , Hubinák Andrej , Krška Peter
Published: December 2022

Background
Although absolute handgrip strength has been associated with health-related outcomes in older adults, little evidence has been provided regarding its adjustment by a variety of body size dimensions. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to establish the most appropriate normalization of handgrip strength by different body size parameters in a large sample of noninstitutionalized older adults.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 643 men and women aged > 60, who were part of the rehabilitation center facility program. Handgrip strength was objectively measured using a Jamar Plus* + Digital Hand Dynamometer. Body size parameters included body weight and height, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, fat mass and fat-free mass. The most appropriate parameter associated with handgrip strength was identified using allometry.
Results
Findings showed that the most appropriate body size parameter for handgrip strength normalization was height (allometric exponent: 0.85), compared to fat-free mass (0.26) and body mass (0.12). Other body size variables were not significantly associated with handgrip strength and were omitted from further analyses. The correlations between normalized handgrip strength were significant when handgrip strength was normalized by body mass and fat-free mass, while no significant correlations were found, when handgrip strength was normalized by body height.
Conclusions
Based on the study results, body height seems to be the best body size parameter for handgrip strength normalization in older adults, omitting the influence of body size on strength performance. If handgrip strength is measured, body height may help normalize strength for large-scale research.
Textural Properties and Adsorption Behavior of Zn-Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide Upon Crystal Violet Dye Removal as a Low Cost, Effective, and Recyclable Adsorbent
Authors: Abdel-Hady E. E. , Mohamed Hamdy F. M. , Hafez Sarah H. M. , Fahmy Abdalla M. M. , Magdy Abdelhamed , Mohamed Aya S. , Ali Eman O. , El-Hamed Hager R. Abd , Mahmoud Osama M.
Published: December 2022

The preparation of adsorbents plays a vital part in the adsorption method. In particular, many adsorbents with high specific surface areas and unique shapes are essential for the adsorption strategy. In this study, a Zn-Mg-Al/layer double hydroxide (LDH) had been designed via a facile co-precipitation process. Adsorbent based on Zn-Mg-Al/LDH was utilized to remove crystal violet (CV) from the wastewater. The impacts of the initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature on CV adsorption performance were systematically examined. The adsorbents were analyzed both before and after adsorption using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The roughness parameters and surface morphologies of the produced LDH were estimated using 3D SEM images. Under the best conditions (dose of adsorbent = 0.07 g and pH = 9), the maximum adsorption capacity has been achieved. Adsorption kinetics studies revealed that the reaction that led to the adsorption of CV dye onto Zn-Mg-Al/LDH was a pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, intraparticle diffusion suggests that Zn-Mg-Al/LDH has fast diffusion constant for CV molecules (0.251 mg/(g.min1/2)). Furthermore, as predicted by the Langmuir model, the maximal Zn-Mg-Al/LDH adsorption capacity of CV was 64.80 mg/g. The CV adsorption equilibrium parameter (RL) onto Zn-Mg-Al/LDH was 0.769, indicating that adsorption was favorable. The effect of temperature was performed at 25, 35, and 45 oC in order to establish the thermodynamic parameters ∆Ho, ∆So, and ∆Go. The computed values indicated exothermic and spontaneous adsorption processes. The study presented here might be used to develop new adsorbents with enhanced adsorption capabilities for the purpose of protecting the environment of water. ‎
Climate, landscape, and life history jointly predict multidecadal community mosquito phenology
Authors: Campbell Lindsay P. , Sallam Mohamed F. , Bauer Amely M. , Tavares Yasmin , Guralnick Robert P.
Published: December 2022

Phenology of adult host-seeking female mosquitoes is a critical component for understanding potential for pathogen maintenance and amplification in the natural environment. Despite this importance, long-term multi-species investigations of mosquito phenologies across environments and differing species’ life history traits are rare. Here we leverage long-term mosquito control district monitoring data to characterize annual phenologies of host-seeking female mosquito species over a 20-year time period in suburban Illinois, USA. We also assembled data on landscape context, categorized into low and medium development, climate variables including precipitation, temperature and humidity, and key life history traits, i.e. overwintering stage and early versus late-season fliers. We then fit linear mixed models separately for adult onset, peak abundances, and flight termination with landscape, climate and trait variables as predictors with species as a random effect. Model results supported some expectations, including warmer spring temperatures leading to earlier onset, warmer temperatures and lower humidity leading to earlier peak abundances, and warmer and wetter fall conditions leading to later termination. However, we also found sometimes complex interactions and responses contrary to our predictions. For example, temperature had generally weak support on its own, impacting onset and peak abundance timing; rather temperature has interacting effects with humidity or precipitation. We also found higher spring precipitation, especially in low development contexts, generally delayed adult onset, counter to expectations. These results emphasize the need to consider how traits, landscape and climatic factors all interact to determine mosquito phenology, when planning management strategies for vector control and public health protection.
Flood Susceptibility Mapping in the Baitarani River basin, implementing cloud-based IS-AHP Technique
Authors: Sethi Ranu Rani , Dandapat Asit Kumar , Jena S. K. , SANKALP SOVAN , Panda D. K. , Patra P. K.
Published: December 2022

River basin planning includes hydrological, and ecological analysis, in which decisions are made over different uses and demands of water resources and associated parameters involved the in sustainable use of natural resources. Baitarani being one of the 6th largest river basins in Odisha faces all water related challenges in both upper and lower catchments. As one of the most frequent environmental disasters, floods are consistently cited in hotspots in the eastern region of India. So, utilizing the Google Earth Engine (GEE) technology and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in GIS platform with a cloud computing API, flood vulnerability maps were generated. Topographic ruggedness Index (TRI), Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), and Stream Power Index (SPI), elevation, lithology, soil, slope gradient, drainage density, length from the drainage system, Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are a few of the nearly eleven flood factors that were prepared and included in the flood modeling. Analytical hierarchy process approach weights were used to assess the effects of each component influencing flood risk. According to the data, elevation is the main cause of floods, with flooding affecting 15% of the total area. The flood danger index is also analyzed. Additionally, within the Baitarani River basin, between 1995 and 2020, there will be an 8% decline in agriculture land and a 13.93% increase in fallow land. The outcomes of this research can help managers, researchers, and planners manage natural resources, find locations that could be vulnerable to flooding, and lessen damage.