bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Machine Learning Approach to Benchmarking Operators Performance: A New Perspective Utilizing Factor Contribution Analysis
Authors: Tabatabaie S. Hamed , Burrough Toby , Rodriguez Cadena Camilo
Published: May 2022

This study explains how production performance of the multifractured horizontal wells can be divided into two key contributing components: geographical location and completion strategy. Furthermore, we show how to quantify the contribution of these two independent components to production and to understand the variations in key performance drivers across the evaluated field. Being able to differentiate these contributions allows us to compare well performance in a consistent manner and identify potential upside opportunities, such as refracturing candidates, infill well development, and operator benchmarking. Further analysis uses multiple benchmarks to evaluate operator performance and assess how underperforming operators can optimize their completion strategies.

We use a novel machine learning approach—a combination of XGBoost and Factor Contribution Analysis (FCA)—that not only allows for fieldwide well evaluations, but also provides a quantifiable contribution of each feature to production. Our approach generates a production prediction model and accounts for the completion parameters and geological information for each well. The final model can be used to either predict future performance of a field/well or to understand reservoir and completion characteristics. This study focuses on the latter and provides an approach to understand the main influencing factors behind well performance as a result of location and completion strategies.

Our study is conducted on three major unconventional plays (Haynesville, Eagle Ford, and Bakken), where we demonstrate how different completion features (e.g. lateral length, proppant volume, and fluid volume) affect production data and what we could expect in terms of production should the well have been completed differently. We show how to combine the effect of individual controlling factors (e.g. location, depth, lateral length, proppant volume, fluid volume, and well spacing) to appropriately characterize the performance of each well in terms of two key components: location and completion. This enables us to quantify what portion of the production is a result of rock quality and how much is due to its completion strategy. This technique also allows us to quantify and relate each of these features, and highlight areas with desirable geological features, as well as good candidates for refracturing jobs. Moreover, we benchmark different operators’ performance as it relates to changing rock quality and completion strategies.
The Effect Of Access To Electronic Resources On Medical and Dental Students Scores In Summative Assessment: quasi experimental study
Authors: Sharbatti Shatha Al , Hamdy Hossam , Kassab Salah , Venkatramana Manda
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAccess to electronic (E) resources has become an indispensable requirement in medical education and practice. Objective: Our objective was to assess the effect of E-resources access on end-course-exam scores of health profession students Methods: A quasi-experimental study which included two cohorts of medical (n=106 & 85) and three cohorts of dental students (n= 66, 64 and 69) who took end-course- exams. Each exam was composed of two- parts (Part I and II), that encompassed equal number of questions and duration. Access to E-resources was allowed in part-II only. Items Difficulty Index (DI), Discrimination Index, (DisI), Point Biserial, (PBS) and cognitive level were determined. Results:The study included 390 students. The proportion of items at various levels of DI, DisI, and PBS and the average values for item DI, DisI in both parts of each exam were comparable. The average scores in part-II were significantly higher than part-I (P<0.001, <0.001 and 0.04) and lower-order cognitive-level items scores were higher in three exams (P<0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001). Higher- order cognitive level items scores were comparable between part I and II in all courses. The significant factor for change in marks were questions cognitive level and type of the course Conclusions: Access to E-resources does not make a significant difference in scores of higher-order cognitive level items. Question cognitive level and course type were the significant factors for the change in exam scores when accessing E-resources. Time-restricted E-resources accessed tests that examine higher cognitive level item had no significant academic integrity drawback.
Prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of epirubicin combined with ifosfamide in patients with lung metastases from soft tissue sarcoma based on chest enhanced CT radiomics features
Authors: Miao Lei , Ma Shu-Tao , Jiang Xu , Zhang Huan-Huan , Wang Yan-Mei , Li Meng
Published: May 2022

Objective
To investigate the value of enhanced chest CT radiomics features in predicting the efficacy of epirubicin combined with ifosfamide in patients with pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma
Methods
In a retrospective analysis of 51 patients with pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma, all received the chemotherapy regimen of epirubicin combined with ifosfamide, and the efficacy was evaluated by the RECIST(1.1). Each patient selected 1 or 2 chemotherapy regimens. Lung metastases were used as target lesions (86 target lesions total), and the patients were divided into a progression group (n = 29) and a nonprogressive group (n = 57). The nonprogressive group included a stable group (n = 34) and a partial response group (n = 23). Information of lung metastases was extracted from enhanced CT images before chemotherapy, and all lesions were delineated by ITK-SNAP software manually or semiautomatically. The decision tree classifier had a better effect in all radiomics models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of the model for progression vs. non-progression.
Results
In total, 851 enhanced CT radiomics features were extracted for each target lesion and finally reduced to 2 radiomics features, which were used to construct a radiomics model. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the model for predicting the progression of lesions were 0.917 and 0.856 in the training and test groups.
Conclusion
The model established based on the radiomics features of chest enhanced CT before treatment has certain predictive value for the chemotherapy efficacy of patients with soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases.
Upcycling canola meal as compared to soybean meal by fungal bioconversion for potential monogastric animal nutrition
Authors: He Sihong , Sun Xiao , Wei Wei , Hu Bo
Published: May 2022

Canola meal (CM) produced after oil extraction has potential to be used as nutrient-rich feeding ingredient for monogastric animals if its fiber, anti-nutritional factors can be reduced while essential amino acids can be improved. Fungal bioconversion provided a way of improving feeding value in CM for monogastric animals. This study explored the effects of three fungal strains namely, Rhizopus oryzae ( R. oryzae ), Mucor indicus ( M. indicus ), and Trichoderma reesei ( T. reesei ), via solid state fermentation, on profiles of amino acids, structure carbohydrates, sinapic acid, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of CM with and without supplement of urea as nitrogen source. Soybean meal (SM) was investigated at the same condition as CM for comparison. Flask trials using each substrate with 70% moisture content were conducted for 192 h at 28°C. T. reesei was determined as the most effective fungal strain due to its higher improvement of total amino acids by 10.7%, and threonine (Thr), methionine (Met), and lysine (Lys) by 19.2%, 20.4%, and 14.4%, respectively, when 1% N urea was supplied. T. reesei also degraded more structural carbohydrates (up to 26.6%) and produced more digestible sugars, compared to other strains. In addition, T. reesei treated SM and CM showed higher IVDMD than non-treated compared with other fungi. This study demonstrated the feasibility of fungal strain in improving feeding value of CM and SM for better monogastric animal diet.
Minimum number and types of allergens for a skin prick test panel in Thai children with allergic respiratory diseases
Authors: Kulalert Prapasri , Poachanukoon Orapan , Nanthapisal Sira , Sritipsu Paskorn , Thanborisutkul Karnsinee , Termworasin Pasistha , Kornsawai Rungrawee , Punyashthira Patcharaporn
Published: May 2022

Background: Patterns of aeroallergen sensitization vary by countries. Testing with the minimum number of allergens is important to identify sensitized patients for a cost-effective approach. We aimed to assess the minimal skin prick test (SPT) panel to identify sensitized children with allergic respiratory diseases. Methods: The SPT results from January 2020 to December 2021 in children aged 2–18 years with symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis or both were retrospectively reviewed. All children received 11 allergen extracts (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [Der p], Dermatophagoides farinae [Der f], American cockroach, German cockroach, cat, dog, Bermuda grass, careless weed, Timothy, Acacia, and molds). The conditional approach was used to determine the allergen selection for the SPT panel. Results: A total of 688 children were enrolled (mean age = 8.14 ± 3.91 years). The sensitization results were Der p (57.85%), Der f (55.09%), German cockroach (18.02%), American cockroach (17.01%), cat (11.77%), Acacia (3.49%), Bermuda grass (3.34%), molds (3.05%), Timothy (2.33%), dog (1.89%), and careless weed (1.60%). Der p, Der f, and German cockroach were required to detect at least 95% of sensitized children. If the SPT panel added Acacia, cat, American cockroach, Bermuda grass, and careless weed, sensitization was detected in 99–100% of cases. Conclusions: Indoor allergens (Der p, cockroach, and cat) were common causes of sensitization in Thai children with allergic respiratory diseases. Eight allergens were sufficient for sensitization identification in Thai children with asthma or allergic rhinitis or both in clinical practice.
Risk Stratification of Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Complicated with Sepsis Using Lactate Trajectories
Authors: Zhang Haoyue , Li Ziping , Zheng Weiqiang , Zhang Linlin , Yang Tianqi , Xie Keliang , Yu Yonghao
Published: May 2022

Background: No consensus has been reached on an optimal blood lactate evaluation system although several approaches have been reported in the literature in recent years. A group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) method could better stratify patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicated with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: 762 patients from the comprehensive ICU of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital with ARDS complicated with sepsis were eligible for analysis. Serial serum lactate levels were measured within 48 h of admission. In addition to the GBTM lactate groups, the initial lactate, peak lactate level, the area under the curve of serial lactate (lactate AUC), and lactate clearance were also considered for comparison. The short- and long-term outcomes were the 30- and 90-day mortality rates, respectively. Results: Three lactate groups were identified based on GBTM, with group 3 exhibiting the worse short- (hazard ratio (HR): for 30-days mortality: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.75 to 2.92, P <0.001) and long term (HR for 90-day mortality: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.78 to 5.27, P <0.001) outcomes followed by group 2 [HR for 30-day mortality: 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30 to 2.47, P <0.001] and HR for 90-days mortality: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.31, P <0.001). GBTM lactate groups exhibited significantly improved diagnostic performance of initial lactate + SOFA scores/APACHE II scores models. Based on the multivariable fractional polynomial interaction (MFPI) approach, GBTM lactate groups could better differentiate high-risk patients than the initial lactate groups in short- and long-term outcomes.Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that GBTM-based serial blood lactate evaluations significantly improve the diagnostic capacity of traditional critical care evaluation systems and bring many advantages over previously documented lactate evaluation systems.
Numerical simulation of dynamic analysis of molten pool in the process of direct energy deposition
Authors: Xu Kaikai , Gong yadong , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2022

Laser direct energy deposition (L-DED) can improve the forming efficiency of parts by controlling laser power, scanning speed, powder flow rate and spot size. It is a good way to complete the processing and repair of complex parts. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is established to study the dynamic cladding process (pool geometry, energy transfer and dynamic solidification) of IN718 alloy during direct energy deposition. The fluid of volume (VOF) method is used to track the free surface of the melt pool, and the powder source model is established by discrete method. The results show that the molten pool size (area, width, height, depth) of the model is relatively uniform, and can predict the shape of the molten pool well. The energy transfer in the molten pool is disturbed to some extent by the metal powder flow. The temperature gradient and cooling rate of the cladding layer are relatively large near the mushy area during the solidification process.
Retrotransposons in Werner syndrome-derived macrophages trigger type I interferon-dependent inflammation in an atherosclerosis model
Authors: Paul Sudip , Sone Masamitsu , Patil Ashwini , Kato Hisaya , Maezawa Yoshiro , Oshima Motohiko , Fukuyo Masaki , Rahmutulla Bahityar , Ouchi Yasuo , Tsujimura Kyoko , Nakanishi Mahito , Kaneda Atsushi , Iwama Atsushi , Yokote Koutaro , Eto Koji , Takayama Naoya
Published: May 2022

The underlying mechanisms of the second leading cause of death among Werner syndrome (WS) patients, atherosclerosis, is not fully understood. Here, we established an in vitro co-culture system using macrophages (iMφs), vascular endothelial cells (iVECs), and vascular smooth muscle cells (iVSMCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. WS-iMφs induced endothelial dysfunction and characteristics of phenotype switching in WS-iVECs and WS-iVSMCs, respectively. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq revealed accelerated activation of type I interferon signaling and reduced chromatin accessibility of several transcriptional binding sites required for cellular homeostasis in WS-iMφs. Furthermore, we found higher expression of retrotransposable elements in WS-iMφs and WS peripheral blood-derived-Mφs and evidence that retrotransposable element-derived dsRNA may activate the DHX58-dependent cytoplasmic RNA sensing pathway in WS-iMφs. Conversely, silencing type I interferon signaling in WS-iMφs suppressed cellular senescence and inflammation. These findings suggest that Mφ-specific inhibition of type I interferon signaling could be targeted to treat atherosclerosis in WS patients.
Teenage Girls’ Interpersonal Communication with Mothers after Experiencing Menarche in Bangladesh
Authors: Onia Maksuda Akter , Zakaria Muhammad , Jahan Nusrat , Akter Dilruba , Zhou Yuyin , Cheng Feng , Xu Junfang
Published: May 2022

Background
In Bangladesh, particularly in rural areas, it is not common for teenage girls to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues including menarche with their mothers because of cultural taboos and traditional beliefs. In light of this, we aim to explore mother-daughter interpersonal communication in regards to menarche and influencing determinants in Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among younger adolescent girls (N = 870) attending grade 7 and grade 8 aged 12–14 years in six high schools. In addition, mothers were also interviewed to obtain more in-depth insights into the issue.
Results
Among adolescents, 81.6% communicated with their mothers followed by sisters, relatives and friends after experiencing menarche, while 59.9% reported that it was mothers who first commenced interaction with them. More than half (51.7%) stated that they felt shy during interaction with their mothers after menarche. Many mothers transmitted different myths and misconceptions with regards to menstruation, with this more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban settings. Being urban respondents, use of Facebook by mothers, mothers as the prime source of SRH knowledge, and prior knowledge of menarche were reported as the significant predictors (p < 0.05) for the extent of communication between adolescents and mothers.
Conclusion
The type of communication regarding menarche displayed an unhealthy interactional process and behavioral pattern. Therefore, providing more detailed and comprehensive SRH education in the school curriculum, developing and distributing behavioral change communication materials among mothers and adolescents are urgently required.
Exogenous Salicylic Acid Enhanced Resistance of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) to Sclerospora graminicola
Authors: Hou Shupei , Liu Zhaowen , Li Yaqiong , Yang Mingzhen , Hou Siyu , Han Yuanhuai , Zhao Yaofei , Sun Zhaoxia
Published: May 2022

To ward off pathogens, plants establish innate immunity system in which salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role. The downy mildew of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is an oomycete disease caused by biotrophic pathogen Sclerospora graminicola, which seriously affects the yield and quality of foxtail millet. However, it is not clear how SA regulating the defense responses of foxtail millet. In this study, we found that spraying exogenous SA of low concentration (1 mM and 3 mM) had good effect on enhancing the resistance while high concentration (6 mM and 9 mM) did not significantly affect the defense of foxtail millet. Excess SA inhibited the growth and development of plants and we found spraying exogenous SA reduced the plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of foxtail millet. The low concentration of exogenous SA promoted the accumulation of Chlorophyll, soluble sugar and proline, promoted the activity of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase and suppressed the accumulation of Malondialdehyde. After the treatment with a suitable concentration of SA, the expression of related to disease resistance was increased at the early stage after treatment. The results indicated exogenous SA could enhance the resistance of foxtail millet and provided a basis for improving the control methods of downy mildew.
Prediction model of delayed graft function based on clinical characteristics combined with serum IL-2 levels
Authors: Zhao Shitao , Liu Yuan , Zhou Cheng , Chen Zide , Cai Zeyu , Han JiaLiang , Xiao Jiansheng , Xiao Qi
Published: May 2022

Background
Kidney transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication after kidney transplantation and exerts substantial effects on graft function and long-term graft survival. Therefore, the construction of an effective model to predict the occurrence of DGF is particularly important.
Methods
Seventy-one patients receiving their first kidney transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2020 to October 2021 were enrolled in the discovery cohort. Based on clinical characteristics and serum markers, a logistic regression model was used to simulate the risk of DGF in the discovery cohort. The DGF prediction model was named the prediction system and was composed of risk factors related to DGF. Thirty-two patients receiving a kidney transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2021 to February 2022 were enrolled in the validation cohort. The validation cohort was used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the prediction model.
Results
Cold ischemia time (CIT), donor history of diabetes mellitus, donor interleukin-2 (IL-2) level and donor terminal creatinine level constitute the prediction system. In the validation test, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.867 for the prediction system, and good calibration of the model was confirmed in the validation cohort.
Conclusions
This study constructed a reliable and highly accurate prediction model that provides a practical tool for predicting DGF. Additionally, IL-2 participates in the kidney injury process and may be a potential marker of kidney injury.
Perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of cardiac rehabilitation in healthcare providers and policy stakeholders: a questionnaire survey
Authors: Kim Chul , Kwak Hae-Bin , Sung Jidong , Han Jae-Young , Lee Jang Woo , Lee Jong Hwa , Kim Won-Seok , Bang Heui Je , Baek Sora , Joa Kyung Lim , Kim Ae Ryoung , Lee So Young , Kim Jihee , Kim Chung Reen , Kwon Oh Pum , Sohn Min Kyun , Moon Chang-Won , Lee Jae-In , Jee Sungju
Published: May 2022

Background: In Korea, cardiac rehabilitation is poorly established in hospitals and communities. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the perceptions of the need for cardiac rehabilitation programs and relevant health policies among hospital directors and health policy managers.Methods: We sent a questionnaire to 592 public health policy managers and directors of selected hospitals, 132 of whom returned a completed questionnaire (response rate: 22.3 %). The participants were categorized into five types of organizations depending on their practice of PCI(Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), establishment of cardiac rehabilitation, director of hospital, and civil servant. The responses were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Differences in the opinions between directors of hospitals that perform/do not perform PCI, directors of hospitals with/without cardiac rehabilitation, and between hospital directors and health policy managers were analyzed with Mann-Whitney tests for post-hoc comparisons. Results: Responses about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation, patients’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation, hospitals’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation, and governmental health policies’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation were more positive among hospitals that perform PCI than those that do not. Responses to questions about the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation and hospitals’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation tended to be more positive in hospitals with cardiac rehabilitation than in those without. Hospital directors responded more positively to questions about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation and governmental health policies’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation than civil servants, and both hospitals and public organizations provided negative responses to the question about patients’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation. Responses to questions about targeting diseases for cardiac rehabilitation, patients’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation, and governmental health policies’ roles in cardiac rehabilitation were more positive in hospitals that perform PCI than those that do not and public organizations.Conclusions: Hospitals must ensure timely referral, provide education, and promote the need for cardiac rehabilitation. In addition, governmental socioeconomic support is needed for incentives, nighttime cardiac rehabilitation programs, and continuum of service into community-based programs.
A Study on lubrication and cooling performance and machining characteristics of magnetic field assisted minimum quantity lubrication used Fe3O4 nanofluid as cutting fluid
Authors: Lv Tao , Xu Xuefeng , Weng Haizhou , Yu Aibing , Niu Chengcheng , Hu Xiaodong
Published: May 2022

As an effective alternative to traditional pouring lubrication method, minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) has been recognized by more and more scholars and applied in factories. However, there are still some technical shortcomings in the application of traditional oil-based MQL technology, such as poor cooling capacity and low lubrication efficiency. Aiming at the technical defects of oil-based MQL, a magnetic field assisted minimum quantity lubrication (mMQL) technology used Fe3O4 nanofluid as cutting fluid was proposed. Firstly, MQL equipment with controllable magnetic field was built, and the contact angle, surface tension and dynamic viscosity of Fe3O4 nanofluid droplets were measured under different magnetic induction intensity. Based on these variation parameters of physical properties of the magnetic nanofluid droplets, the influence of magnetic induction on the droplet penetrability was subsequently analyzed. Finally, the heat transfer performance and machining characteristics of the nanofluid droplets under different magnetic induction were compared and investigated. Results showed that the Fe3O4 nanofluid droplets exhibited lower contact angle and higher viscosity under the influence of magnetic field, thus showing better penetrability and heat transfer performance. Compared with traditional vegetable oil MQL, the cutting temperature, tool wear and cutting force under mMQL were reduced by ~ 35.5%, ~ 52.4% and ~ 43.2%, respectively. Under the influence of magnetic field, the contact angle of magnetic droplets was decreased, and the contact area between the droplets and heat transfer surface was larger, which led to the improvement of droplet evaporation heat transfer efficiency. In addition, the penetrability of Fe3O4 nanofluid assisted by magnetic field was improved, more nanofluid could penetrate into the tool-chip contact area, and finally improved its lubrication and cooling efficiency.
Origanum vulgare prevents kaolin–induced hydrocephalus via regulation of GFAP and lba1 proteins expression in the rat brain
Authors: Vahabzadeh Gelareh , Moazam Ashrafsadat , Rahimi Mandana , Khajehasani Fatemeh , Motevalian Manijeh
Published: May 2022

Background:The reactive gliosis contributes to patterns of hydrocephalus injury and recovery. The study aimed at evaluating Origanum vulgare essential oil (OEO) effects on reactive astrogliosis and reduced lateral ventricle thickness in kaolin-induced hydrocephalic rats. Methods and Results:Thirty male Wistar rats received kaolin via a direct injection into the cisterna magna and compared to control animals. After 21 day post-injection of kaolin, the hydrocephalic rats were randomly divided to four groups and experimental groups underwent magnetic resonance imaging to determine the lateral ventricle volume. Rats received different doses of OEO for 10 days. The lateral ventricular dilatation was evaluated by MRI. Also to assess the Iba-1 and GFAP proteins’ expression level, immunohistochemistry test and western blot analysis were performed 10 days after the injection. The results showed lateral ventricular size in the OEO-treated hydrocephalic rats was smaller than that of those receiving kaolin without OEO. The hydrocephalic rats increased reactive astrocytes and reactive microglia compared to the OEO-treated animals based on GFAP and Iba-1 immunoreactivity results. The findings were confirmed by western blot. There were significant differences between the hydrocephalus control and the 200 mg/kg/day OEO-treated rats in terms of GFAP and Iba-1 expression levels. Conclusions:In nonclusions, the OEO treated groups had stabilized ventricular expansion compared to hydrocephalus rats. Findings of the study showed that OEO can restrain the hydrocephalus-associated damage in rat brain induced by kaolin, likely by reducing GFAP and Iba-1 and therefore the OEO intervention, might be useful as a new treatment strategy.
Multiple MicroRNAs are involved in regulating peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resistance to Sclerotium rolfsii at the early stage
Authors: Xu Yongju , Zhang Xiaojun , Hou Rui , Zhang Xiaohong , Li Shuang , Yue Fuliang , Zhang Xiangqiong , Zhu Xunlu
Published: May 2022

Stem rot, caused by soilborne pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii, is one of the most destructive diseases of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) worldwide. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are indispensable regulators for plant defense, the miRNA species have not been explored for peanut immunity against the soilborne pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii. Here, we report a miRNA comparative analysis of the durably resistant peanut variety Rizhaohua-1 (Rzh) and the susceptible peanut variety Jitian-1 (JT) in response to infection by Sclerotium rolfsii. We identified a group of known and novel miRNAs that were differentially expressed upon S. rolfsii infection. The predicted target genes included receptor kinases, transcription factors, and genes involved in the production and transport of metabolites. In this study, we have shown that miRNAs regulate a broad range of genes to respond to the pathogen, and eventually establish a systemic defense network to combat disease.
Excellent removal of knob-into-hole bispecific antibody byproducts and impurities in a single capture chromatography
Authors: Chen Serene W , Hoi Kong Meng , Mahfut Farouq Bin , Yang Yuansheng , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2022

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) are therapeutically promising due to their ability to bind to two different antigens. However, the bsAb byproducts and impurities, including mispaired homodimers, half antibodies, light chain mispairings, antibody fragments and high levels of high molecular weight (HMW) species, all pose unique challenges to their downstream processing. Here, using two knob-into-hole (KiH) constructs of bsAbs as model molecules, we demonstrate the excellent removal of bsAb byproducts and impurities in a single Protein A chromatography under optimized conditions, including hole-hole homodimer mispaired products which are physicochemically very similar to the target bsAbs and still present even with the use of the KiH format, though at reduced levels. The removal occurs through the incorporation of an intermediate low pH wash step and optimal elution conditions, achieving ~ 60% improvement in monomeric purity in a single Protein A step, without the introduction of sequence specific bsAb modifications to specifically induce differential Protein A binding. Our results also suggest that the higher aggregation propensity of bsAbs may cause aggregation during the column process, hence an optimisation of the appropriate loading amount, which may be lower than that of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), is required. With the use of loading at 50% of 10% breakthrough (QB10) at 6 min residence time, we show that an overall high monomer purity of 92.1–93.2% can be achieved with good recovery of 78.4–90.6% within one capture step, which is a significant improvement from a monomer purity of ~ 30% in the cell culture supernatant (CCS). The results presented here would be an insightful guidance to all researchers working on the purification process development to produce bispecific antibodies, especially for knob-into-hole bispecific antibodies.
A pentaploid endosperm and a Penaea-type embryo sac are likely synapomorphies of Azorella (Apiaceae, Azorelloideae)
Authors: Ptáček Jan , Sklenář Petr , Pinc Jan , Urfusová Romana , Calviño Carolina I. , Urfus Tomáš
Published: May 2022

About 80% of angiosperms form a monosporic Polygonum-type embryo sac whereas in the remaining species eleven other types of embryo sac are found. Evidence as to the type of embryo sac is lacking for many plant species, and the role of higher-ploidy endosperm is unknown. In contrast to the rest of the Apiaceae, where a Polygonum-type embryo sac (3n endosperm) has been reported, the few species of the Azorelloideae studied form a Drusa-type embryo sac (3n endosperm) or a Penaea-type embryo sac (5n endosperm). This variation within Azorelloideae makes this subfamily, and its genus Azorella in particular, a good candidate for studying the evolutionary importance of the embryo sac and endosperm in diversification. We studied the variation in the type of embryo sac and the ploidy level of the endosperm in Andean-Patagonian Azorella and closely related Pozoa on a sample of 101 individuals from 31 populations of 21 species. We employed flow cytometric seed screening and calibrated the results of ploidy level estimation against embryological observations. In addition, we examined the genome size variation of the species sampled. All species of Azorella formed Penaea-type embryo sacs and a pentaploid endosperm whereas one species of Pozoa formed triploid and the other tetraploid endosperms. Variations in the type of embryo sac and endosperm ploidy have probably shaped the evolution of the different lineages of Azorelloideae in the southern Andes. A Penaea-type embryo sac, which represents a likely synapomorphy of Azorella, is a feature of underestimated significance in the evolution of angiosperms.
miR-451a-5p/miR-34a-5p restoration could suppress human breast cancer cell proliferation and migration through Wnt/β- catenin and ERK/P-ERK signaling pathways
Authors: Khordadmehr Monireh , Jigari-Asl Farinaz , Baradaran Behzad , Baghbani Elham , Noorolyai Saeed , Rahmani Shima
Published: May 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs of 21–25 nucleotides in length and display an essential role in regulating cancer initiation, development, and progression. In this study, the impacts of microRNA-451a-5p and miR-34a-5p (tumor suppressors), individually and combined, transfections were conducted on the apoptosis, proliferation, and migration of breast cancer cells in vitro. For carrying out this research, malignant breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were transfected with miR-451a-5p and miR-34a-5p mimics. Then, apoptotic rate, proliferation, and migration of cancer cells were assessed by MTT (cell viability), flow cytometry (apoptosis and cell cycle arrest), q-RT-PCR (expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, MMP9, ROCK, vimentin, c-Myc genes), wound healing, and western blot (protein expression of β- catenin, ERK, and P-ERK) assays. Our findings indicated that miR-34a-5p and miR-451a-5p could additionally induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1-phase, repress the proliferation and migration in the breast cancer cells, and could also decrease β- catenin, ERK/P-ERK protein expressions. Taken to gather, miR-451a and miR-34a have a considerable role in breast cancer cell proliferation and migration ability via Wnt/β-catenin and ERK/P-ERK signaling pathways. Therefore, the simultaneous restoration of the presented tumor suppressor miRNAs may be proposed as a valuable and potential therapeutic strategy in breast cancer treatment. However, further study should be meaningful.
Comparison of mitochondrial genetic variation of Taenia hydatigena cysticerci from China and Mongolia
Authors: Qurishi Sayed Ajmal , Yan Hong-Bin , Li Li , Ohiolei John Aeskhaen , Alvi Mughees Aizaz , Zhang Lin-Sheng , Da Ha , Qiao Hong-Mei , Shumuye Nigus Abebe , Hua Bao , Bai Bing-Xin , Tian Wen-Jun , Xu Ju-Mei , Fu Bao-Quan , Jia Wan-Zhong
Published: May 2022

Parasitic infection is one of the many challenges facing livestock production globally. Cysticercosis tenuicollis is a common parasitic disease in domestic and wild ruminants (intermediate host) caused by the larval stage of Taenia hydatigena primarily through infecting dogs (definitive host). Although there are handful of genetic studies on this parasite, there is no available genetic data for the parasite in Mongolia. So, the main aim of this study was to identify the nuclear differences in ovine isolates of Cysticercus tanuicollis entering China from Mongolia and comparison with existing Chinese isolates from sheep and goats based on the recently described PCR-RFLP method and mitochondrial genes of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4) and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5). Sixty nine isolates were collected during routine veterinary meat inspections from sheep that originated from Mongolia, at the modern Slaughterhouses in Erenhot City, Inner Mongolia. Additional 114 cysticerci were also retrieved from sheep and goats from northern (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Gansu Province), western (Tibet Autonomous Region), and southern (Jiangxi Province and Guangxi Province) China. The PCR-RFLP approach of the nad5 showed nine mitochondrial clusters such as A1, A2, A3, A5, A8, A9, A10, A11 and B of T. hydatigena isolates from sheep and goats from Mongolia and China. Meanwhile, RFLP profile of Haplogroup A1 was extensively spread than other Haplogroups. Therefore, these data provide supplementary information on the molecular epidemiology of T. hydatigena for China and Mongolia as animal movement between both countries is constantly occurring. This study also demonstrates that the genetic variants of T. hydatigena existing in China and Mongolia are closely similar.
Contamination and carryover free handling of complex fluids using lubricant- infused pipette tips
Authors: Shakeri Amid , Yousefi Hanie , Jarad Noor Abu , Kullab Samer , Al-Mfarej Dalya , Rottman Martin , Didar Tohid
Published: May 2022

Cross-contamination of biological samples during handling and preparation, is a major issue in laboratory setups, leading to false-positives or false-negatives. Sample carryover residue in pipette tips contributes greatly to this issue. Most pipette tips on the market are manufactured with hydrophobic polymers that are able to repel high surface tension liquids, yet they lack in performance when low surface tension liquids and viscous fluids are involved. Moreover, hydrophobicity of pipette tips can result in hydrophobic adsorption of biomolecules, causing inaccuracies and loss in precision during pipetting. Here we propose the use of lubricant-infused surface (LIS) technology to achieve omniphobic properties in pipette tips. Using a versatile and simple design, the inner lumen of commercially available pipette tips was coated with a fluorosilane (FS) layer using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The presence of FS groups on the tips is confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests. After lubrication of the tips through a fluorinated lubricant, the omniphobicity and repellent behaviour of the tips drastically enhanced which are revealed via static and hysteresis contact angle measurements. The repellency of the lubricant-infused pipette tips against physical adsorption is investigated through pipetting a food coloring dye as well as human blood samples and are compared to the untreated tips. The results show significantly less amount carryover residue when the lubricant-infused tips are utilized compared to commercially available ones. We also demonstrate the lubricant-infused tips reduce bacteria contamination of the inner lumen by 3 to 6-log (depending on the tip size) after pipetting up and down the bacteria solution.
Oxidative renal damage induced by fluoride and dimethoate and its mitigation by Zingiber officinale in Wistar rats
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Verma Pawan Kumar , Sood Shilpa , Yousuf Rasia , Raina Rajinder
Published: May 2022

Simultaneous exposure of dimethoate (DM) and fluoride (F−) is a natural phenomenon which may insidiously impact functioning of various organs including kidney. Zingiber officinale (ZO) is harbours excellent natural antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present investigation was aimed to determine the potential of ZO in alleviating renal oxidative damage induced by DM and F− alone and by their concurrent exposure in Wistar rats. Subacute toxicity study was conducted on fifty four Wistar rats randomly allocated to nine groups with six rats in each. Following sub-acute exposure of either F− or DM a significant rise in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid along with a significant declined in plasma levels of reduced glutathione and nitric oxide occurred. Significantly declined total antioxidant status, total thiols, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, aryl esterase and acetylcholinesterase in renal tissue with increased levels of lipid and protein peroxidation were recorded alongside pathological alterations in renal tissue of toxicant exposed rats as compared to control. However, more severe changes were observed in levels of the above biomarkers and renal histoarchitecture on co-administration of both the toxicants indicating enhanced toxicity. Concurrent exposures of ZO extract along with either or both the toxicants led to significant restoration of activities of the antioxidant apparatus, biochemical profile of kidney and renal histology. Hence, repeated administration of ZO extract alongside individual as well as dual toxicant treatment caused amelioration of oxidative damage, renal biomarkers and histopathological alterations in renal tissue of Wistar rats.
KLF9 and EPYC function as characteristic genes of osteoarthritis and are associated with immune infiltration
Authors: Zhang Jiayin , Zhang Shengjie , Zhou Yu , Qu Yuan , Hou Tingting , Ge Wanbao , Zhang Shanyong
Published: May 2022

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease of articular cartilage. Its typical features include articular cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone structural changes and osteophyte formation. The main clinical manifestations are increasingly severe knee joint swelling, stiffness, deformity and limited mobility. With the advent of the era of big data, the processing of massive data has become a hot topic, and the continuous development and improvement of machine learning algorithms have laid the foundation for the era of big data. This paper uses machine learning methods to identify the real key characteristic genes of osteoarthritis and explore the relationship between them and immune infiltration, so as to reveal the pathogenic mechanism of osteoarthritis at the molecular biology level, aiming to provide osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment. Method: Download the GSE55235 and GSE55457 datasets from the GEO database, merge the two as the training set, and download the GSE98918 data as the validation set. Gene differential expression analysis was performed on the training set, lasso regression model and support vector machine model were constructed by machine learning algorithm, and the intersection genes were taken as feature genes and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn. Finally, the expression profile of osteoarthritis was analyzed by immune cell infiltration and the correlation between the co-expression of characteristic genes and immune cells was analyzed. Conclusion: EPYC and KLF9 can be used as the characteristic genes of osteoarthritis.The silencing of EPYC and the overexpression of KLF9 are related to the occurrence of osteoarthritis and the infiltration of immune cells.
Simulation of Chlorophyll a Concentration in Donghu Lake Based on ABC-SVM and Water Quality Indexes
Authors: Tang Xiaodong , Huang Mutao
Published: May 2022

Chlorophyll a concentration is an important index of eutrophication, and simulation of chlorophyll a concentration is of great significance to the monitoring and control of lake eutrophication. The aim of the study is to explore a new method to build an effective model to simulate chlorophyll a concentration in Donghu Lake. Based on measured data of water quality indexes, ABC-SVM model for simulating chlorophyll a concentration is built by using Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm to improve Support Vector Machine (SVM). Moreover, accuracy, sensitivity and universality of the model are analysed. Modeling results show that the ABC-SVM model has high accuracy and good simulation effect, R2 and RMSE in testing process is 0.96 and 10.40 μg/L, ABC optimization increases R2 by 0.04 and reduces RMSE by 4.12 μg/L compared with SVM model. Sensitivity analysis results demonstrate chlorophyll a concentration is more sensitive to TP than other water quality indexes. In addition, universality analysis results reveal that ABC-SVM model has good universality and can be used to simulate the chlorophyll a concentration of Donghu Lake at different times. Overall, we have built an efficient simulation model, which provides a new idea and method for chlorophyll a concentration simulation.
Brain fatty acid and transcriptome profiles of pig fed diets with different levels of soybean oil
Authors: Silva Bruna Pereira Martins da , Fanalli Simara Larissa , Gomes Julia Dezen , de Almeida Vivian Vezzoni , Fukumasu Heidge , Freitas Felipe André Oliveira , Moreira Gabriel Costa Monteiro , Silva-Vignato Bárbara , Reecy James Mark , Koltes James Eugene , Koltes Dawn , Balieiro Júlio Cesar de Carvalho , de Alencar Severino Matias , Silva Julia Pereira Martins da , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Afonso Juliana , Regitano Luciana Correia Almeida , Mourão Gerson Barreto , Filho Albino Luchiari , Cesar Aline S.M.
Published: May 2022

Background
The high similarity in anatomical and neurophysiological processes between pigs and humans make pigs an excellent model for metabolic diseases and neurological disorders. Lipids are essential for brain structure and function. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have anti-inflammatory and positive effects against cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, our main goal was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dietary soybean oil on the lipid profile and brain tissue transcriptome in pigs. For this, thirty-six male pigs were used in a 98-day study. Treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal diets containing either 1.5% soybean oil (SOY1.5) or 3.0% soybean oil (SOY3.0). After slaughter, the brain samples were collected for total lipid content and fatty acid profile determination. Total mRNA extraction was performed for brain transcriptome sequencing.
Results
There were no differences for total lipid content and fatty acid profile between the two treatment groups. For differential expression analysis, a total of 34 differentially expressed genes (DEG, log2 fold change ≥ 1; ≤−1; FDR-corrected p-value < 0.05) between the SOY1.5 and SOY3.0 diets were identified by the DESeq2 statistical package. These DEG 25 were annotated, of which 11 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated for the SOY1.5 group compared to SOY3.0. The functional enrichment analysis performed by MetaCore with the 34 DEG (FDR < 0.05), identified four pathway maps (p-value < 0.05), which are related to the genes ALOX15B, CALB1 and CAST. The network calcium transport was also identified (p-value = 2.303e-2), with the CAST and CALB1 genes.
Conclusion
The results found in this study contribute to understanding the pathways and networks associated with processes involved intracellular calcium, lipid metabolism, and oxidative processes in brain tissue. Moreover, these results may aid in better understanding the modulating effects of soybean oil and its fatty acids (FA) composition on processes and diseases affecting brain tissue.
Application of single-port laparoscopic retrograde gastric mobilization during McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Liu Bo , Li Xu , Yu Min-Jie , Xie Jin-Bao , Feng Zhi , Qiu Ming-Lian
Published: May 2022

Purpose
As a novel alternative to the conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy(MIE) to treat esophageal cancer, single-port laparoscopic retrograde three-step gastric mobilization (SLRM) for esophageal reconstruction during MIE to treat esophageal cancer was attempted in our department. The aim of the present study was to explore the preliminary clinical outcomes and feasibility of this innovative surgery.
Methods
From March 2020 to November 2021, patients undergoing SLRM combined with four-port thoracoscopic McKeown esophagectomy for their esophageal cancers were reviewed. Gastric mobilization with abdominal lymph node dissection was performed via single-port laparoscopic retrograde three-step gastric mobilization. The clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
A total of 120 patients underwent R0 resection without conversion to open surgery. The mean times needed for the thoracic part, abdominal part, and total operation were 43 ± 6 min, 60 ± 18 min, and 230 ± 20 min, respectively. The numbers of mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes harvested were 13.2 ± 2.7 and 10.2 ± 2.5, respectively. Postoperative pneumonia was encountered in 10 patients (8.3%). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 3 case (2.5%). Temporary vocal cord paralysis was reported in 20 cases (16.6%). The mean length of hospital stay was 8.5 ± 4.6 days.
Conclusions
The SLRM is a technically feasible and safe treatment for patients with esophageal cancer. It can be considered as an alternative method for the patients, especially for the ones with obesity and gastric distension.