bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Trajectories of Prescription Opioid Use and Risk of Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Among US Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Chang Ching-Yuan , Jones Bobby L. , Hincapie-Castillo Juan M. , Park Haesuk , Heldermon Coy D. , Diaby Vakaramoko , Wilson Debbie L. , Lo-Ciganic Wei-Hsuan
Published: March 2023

Purpose
To examine the association between prescription opioid use trajectories and risk of opioid use disorder (OUD) or overdose among nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors by treatment type.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included female nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors with at least 1 opioid prescription fill in 2010–2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results linked Medicare data. Opioid mean daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) calculated within 1.5 years after initiating active breast cancer therapy. Group-based trajectory models identified distinct opioid use trajectory patterns. Risk of time to first OUD/overdose event within 2.5 years after breast cancer therapy initiation was calculated for distinct trajectory groups using Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were stratified by treatment type.
Results
Four opioid use trajectories were identified for each treatment group. For 38,265 survivors with systemic endocrine therapy, 3 trajectories were associated with increased OUD/overdose risk compared with early discontinuation: minimal dose (< 5 MME; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 4.46 [95% CI = 3.09–6.43]), very low dose (5–25 MME; 15.60 [10.74–22.67]), and moderate dose (51–90 MME; 58.55 [39.92–85.86]). For 9,558 survivors with adjuvant chemotherapy, 3 trajectories were associated with higher OUD/overdose risks compared with early discontinuation: minimal dose (aHR = 3.80 [95% CI = 1.98–7.32]), low dose (26–50 MME; 11.66 [6.01–22.61]), and high dose (91–150 MME; 16.49 [5.90-46.09]). For 3,550 survivors with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, low-dose opioid use was associated with higher OUD/overdose risk (aHR = 5.60 [95% CI = 1.91–16.45]) compared with minimal-dose use.
Conclusions
Among Medicare nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors receiving systemic endocrine therapy or adjuvant chemotherapy, compared with early discontinuation, moderate-dose and high-dose opioid use were associated with 17- to 59-fold higher OUD/overdose risk. For females receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, low-dose opioid use was associated with 6-fold higher OUD/overdose risk compared with minimal-dose use. Breast cancer survivors at high-risk of OUD/overdose may benefit from targeted interventions (e.g., pain clinic referral).
Prognostic role of preoperative serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Zhupeng , Xu Jianfeng , Yu Guangmao , Zhou Junqing , Ma Zhifeng , Wu Yuanling , Zhu Ting , Dong Lingjun , Ding JianYi , Xu Haixia , Xu Peng
Published: March 2023

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of the preoperative plasma lipid profile, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) status post complete resection.
Methods: Clinical data, including preoperative plasma profile levels, were retrospectively collected and reviewed in 304 patients with LUAD who underwent radical lung resection between 2016–2017. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Results: TC ≤ 3.58 and HDL-C ≤ 1.01 were deemed as independent preoperative risk factors for OS, and HDL-C ≤ 1.01 was an independent preoperative risk factor for DFS. In the multivariate analyses involving OS and DFS, an increased TC level (HR, 0.504; 95% CI, 0.324–0.782, P = 0.002) was significantly associated with better OS. Additionally, a decreased HDL-C level was significantly associated with worse OS (HR, 0.665; 95% CI, 0.443–0.999, P = 0.049) and DFS (HR, 0.619; 95% CI, 0.420–0.912, P = 0.015).
Conclusions: In patients with LUAD, increased TC levels may predict better OS, while decreased levels of HDL-C may predict worse outcomes for both DFS and OS.
The underlying molecular mechanisms and biomarkers between periodontitis and COVID- 19
Authors: Qin Danlei , Yu Feiyan , Wu Dongchao , Han Chong , Yao Xuemin , Yang Lulu , Yang Xi , Wang Qianqian , He Dongning , Zhao Bin
Published: March 2023

Objective
Emerging evidence shows the clinical consequences of patient with COVID-19 and periodontitis are not promising, and periodontitis is a risk factor. Periodontitis and COVID-19 probably have a relationship. Hence, this study aimed to identify the common molecular mechanism that may help to devise potential therapeutic strategies in the future.
Material and methods
We analyzed two RNA-seq datasets for differential expressed genes, enrichment of biological processes, transcription factors (TFs) and deconvolution-based immune cell types in periodontitis, COVID-19 and healthy controls. Relationships between TFs and mRNA were established by Pearson correlation analysis, and the common TFs-mRNA regulatory network and nine co-upregulated TFs of the two diseases was obtained. The RT-PCR detected the TFs.
Results
A total of 1616 and 10201 DEGs from periodontitis and COVID-19 are found. Moreover, nine shared TFs and common biological processes associated with lymphocyte activation involved in immune response were identified across periodontitis and COVID-19. The cell type enrichment revealed elevated plasma cells among two diseases. The RT-PCR further confirmed the nine TFs up-regulation in periodontitis.
Conclusion
The pathogenesis of periodontitis and COVID-19 is closely related to the expression of TFs and lymphocyte activation, which can provide potential targets for treatment.
Assessing Land Degradation in Amansie West District: A Surface Mined Area in Ghana
Authors: Asiedu Rhoda Atiapa , Amaning Kwaku Adjei , Koomson Bennetta , Gyamfi Charles , Niang Awa
Published: March 2023

The Amansie West District is characterized by extensive land degrading activities. The district has become a nexus for vast illegal small-scale mining activities, thus affecting the sustainability of other land uses. It is thus imperative, that the land use land cover (LULC) trends over the years be monitored. This would aid assessment of changes over time and their future impacts on resources in the district. The study examined the LULC changes in the district with surface mining as a driver of change. Landsat images of 30m resolution for 1986, 2004, and 2015 were taken for Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The images were classified using the Maximum Likelihood Classification. Verification was done using 200 ground truth points collected on-site and from Google Earth. The results showed changes in the Spatio-temporal distribution of LULC in the District over 30 years (1986–2015). The dominant LULC changes are from forest to farmland and farmland to mines for 30 years. In addition, there were losses from farmland to mines from 2004–2015. Farmland and forest were the dominant LULC types of the study area which made up 54.6% and 43.6% respectively for 1986, and likewise 54.4% and 22.3% for 2015. However, the forest cover was reduced drastically by 21.3% in 2015. The main drivers of land degradation were farmland from 1986–2004 and mines from 2004–2015. The study emphasizes the need for local-level studies by exposing the extent of the damage for effective future land use management.
miRNome profiling reveals differential miRNAs associated with embryogenic potential in the somatic embryogenesis of Araucaria angustifolia
Authors: de Oliveira Leandro Francisco , Piovezani Amanda Rusiska , Floh Eny Iochevet Segal
Published: March 2023

Somatic embryogenesis occurs through complex processes modulated by gene regulatory networks at an appropriate spatiotemporal scale important for cell division and differentiation. Post-transcription regulation mechanisms mediated by miRNAs control the expression of several genes involved in embryogenesis. Transcript and proteomics studies in embryogenic cultures from Araucaria angustifolia, an endangered native Brazilian conifer with ecological and economic importance, have indicated a role for post-transcriptional regulation in this process. One example is the differential abundance of ARGONAUTE between two contrasting embryogenic cell lines. Here, we profiled the miRNA expression pattern in two cell lines of A. angustifolia with distinct embryogenic potential using small RNA sequencing technology. We identified 165 mature miRNAs, of which 143 were novel and 22 were conserved plant miRNAs. Seven miRNA conserved families were identified: miR156, miR169, miR394, miR482, miR536, miR1030, and miR1314. Most miRNAs were differentially expressed during the transition from proliferation to the maturation stage of somatic embryogenesis, suggesting that miRNAs play more important roles in the early somatic embryo development. A total of 98 potential target genes were found for 89 miRNAs, involved in post-transcriptional processes, transporters, defense response, sugar regulation, stress, ABA controlling and signaling, cell-to-cell communication, maintaining suspensor cell identity, brassinosteroids signaling, and cell division. Negative correlations of expression patterns between miRNAs and their targets were detected for miR1030-PRL1, miR1314-ADR1-Like, and Aang34-LRR modules, when analyzed by RT-qPCR. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the regulatory roles of miRNAs and their target genes in the somatic embryogenesis of Brazilian pine.
Optimized Energy Consumption by Optimal Routing Algorithm in Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Duhan Nagendra , Malik Sanjay , Rathee Priyanka , Vyas Avani
Published: March 2023

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is a relatively new form of wireless networking technology that has found many potential uses, particularly in the medical field, thanks to its ability to give users a sense of independence even when they are being closely monitored. Using tiny, low-power, battery-operated biosensors, WBAN is able to monitor and report on a wide range of physical characteristics of the person being studied. The difficulty in replacing or charging batteries during experiments is compounded by the fact that these sensors are implanted on or in the body being studied. Consequently, WBAN requires algorithms that can conserve energy. Since most of the energy consumed in such networks is due to communication and data transmission among the sensors, therefore routing algorithms aiming of energy conservation are required for WBAN. This paper proposes an optimal routing algorithm which optimizes the energy consumption of WBAN. The proposed routing algorithm focuses on two methodologies. First, the optimal distancing of forwarding node from both the sender node and the receiving node, and second, fragmentation of the whole network into sets with restriction based on a known threshold length till which single-hop data transmission without any data loss is possible. The proposed routing algorithm is simulated and analyzed compared to LEACH routing algorithm which uses the method of clustering in WBAN. The proposed routing algorithm outperforms in optimizing the energy consumption of WBAN and hence increasing the network lifetime.
Acoustic radiation of a simplified jet-flap-thrust gate configuration: numerical and experimental investigation
Authors: Sirotto José R. L. N. , Cordioli Julio A. , Nogueira Petrônio A. S. , Cavalieri André V. G. , Secchi Maicon , Wolf William R.
Published: March 2023

A comparative study of the acoustic far-field radiation of a subsonic jet near a folded plate with an opening, intended to represent a flapped wing with thrust gate, is presented in this work. Three openings with different widths were used to evaluate experimentally the influence of the gaps in the far-field noise radiation, for two folding angles. Boundary Element Method (BEM) simulations with a wavepacket model which represents the jet acoustic source are used to calculate the far-field noise. Numerical simulation results are compared with experimental measurements and show similar trends in terms of acoustic radiation. Through parametric simulations, it was also possible to estimate that opening widths greater than one jet diameter do not contribute significantly to reducing the far-field noise. The results show that even the smallest tested openings were able to reduce the far-field noise for the tested positions.
Sociospatial determinants of knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 impacts among childbearing women in urban and rural areas of the Malagasy middle east
Authors: RAKOTOSAMIMANANA Sitraka , MANGAHASIMBOLA Reziky Tiandraza , RATOVOSON Rila , RANDREMANANA Rindra Vatosoa
Published: March 2023

Background
With regard to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Madagascar, little is known about the knowledge and perceptions of and impacts on childbearing women. People's knowledge of COVID-19 can have an impact on their attitudes towards seeking care. The aim of the current study is to determine the knowledge of COVID-19 and associated determinants of childbearing women in Moramanga.
Methods
A cross-sectional study based on questionnaire administration was used in urban and rural areas of Moramanga, a district located 112 km from the capital, among childbearing women. Data collection was conducted from August to October 2021. A scoring method was applied to evaluate their knowledge level and perceptions about COVID-19 and its impacts on their lives. A binary stepwise logistic regression was performed to determine the sociodemographic and sociospatial determinants of their knowledge level towards COVID-19.
Results
A total of 885 childbearing women from urban and rural Moramanga areas were interviewed. Approximately 49.8% (441/885) lived in urban areas, and 50.2% (444/885) lived in rural areas. Approximately 35.3% (322/885) of the participants had a good level of knowledge of COVID-19. Multivariate analysis showed that the probability of having good level of knowledge of COVID-19 had a significant statistical association (p value < 0.05) with living in an urban area [AOR: 2.86; 95% CI (1.87–4.40)], telephone ownership [AOR: 1.71; 95% CI (0.16–1.1)], radio ownership [AOR 2.22; 95% CI (1.44–3.43)], watching TV [AOR = 1.95; 95% CI (1.34–2.83)] and reading journal paper [AOR = 3.74 95% CI (1.69–8.3)].
Conclusions
Levels of knowledge about COVID-19 among women of reproductive age in the middle east area of Madagascar are related to sociospatial determinants. Almost a third of the sample had a good level of knowledge of COVID-19. Access to information and telecommunication technologies increases the chances of being better informed about the disease. To avoid the negative repercussions of COVID-19 and infectious disease epidemics on maternal and child health, it is necessary to improve the awareness of childbearing women and other categories of the population about these diseases. This implies taking into account the geographic and demographic characteristics of the populations.
Health Workers' Knowledge on Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response System and Its Associated Factors in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Authors: Kashililika Christina , Millanzi Walter C. , Moshi Fabiola Vincent
Published: March 2023

The maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system is a technical system that was issued by the World Health Organization in 2013 to help developing countries improve maternal health. The major purpose of the system is to reduce the ongoing high numbers of maternal deaths and perinatal deaths from avertable causes. Tanzania adopted the MPDSR system in 2015. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge on the MPDSR system and its associated factors among health workers in the Morogoro region. Method: It was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from April 27, 2020, to May 29, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 360 health workers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical package for social science (SPSS v.20) software was used for data entry and analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with knowledge about MPDSR. Results: A total of 105 (29.2%) health workers in the Morogoro Region had adequate knowledge of the MPDSR system.After controlling for confounders, variables that showed significant association with knowledge of health workers on the MPDSR system were the level of health facility a health worker was working [Hospital (AOR = 2.668 at 95% CI = 1.497–4.753, p = 0.001)], level of education of a health worker [Diploma (AOR = 0.146 at 95% CI = 0.038–0.561, p = 0.005)] and status of training on MPDSR [trained (AOR = 7.253 at 95% CI = 3.862–13.621, p = < 0.001)]. Conclusion: The proportion of health workers who had adequate knowledge about MPDSR system in Morogoro Region is unacceptably low. Factors that associated with adequate knowledge were those working in hospital with higher level of professional training and who had ever had training on MPDSR. A cost effective strategy to improve the level of knowledge about MPDSR in the region is highly recommended.
Analysis and application of financial market investment strategy based on data mining and cloud computing service system
Authors: Pu Ganlin
Published: March 2023

As a new information service model, cloud computing service system is the current research hotspot. It provides reliable and cheap computing resources for users in need through service access. Using virtualization technology, the cloud computing service system converts large and complex physical resources in the cloud environment into various types of virtual resource pools, and implements deployment in an integrated management and automated manner. Currently, competition in the Internet financial market is becoming increasingly fierce. Internet finance companies use various methods and channels to attract and retain users, and many users are more likely to invest in multiple platforms at the same time. In such a fiercely competitive environment, the cost of the company in order to win customers is getting higher and higher, but the growth of new users is still slow. In the long run, the company's losses in the financial market have been huge, especially when it loses high-quality users. Investment strategy analysis has important social significance for the development and improvement of China's securities market. At present, the conditions for establishing a short-selling mechanism in China are becoming more and more mature, and the corresponding conditions are also being actively used, which has further promoted the development of short-selling mechanisms in the financial market. Due to the feasibility of implementing the short-selling mechanism, this article mainly analyzes the establishment of the short-selling mechanism and the investment strategy of the Chinese securities market to improve theoretical references.
Intelligent logistics economic service development based on 5G Iot and visual tracking
Authors: Sheng Zhipeng
Published: March 2023

It is difficult for 4G networks to meet the needs of intelligence. The emergence of 5G communication technology provides an interconnected infrastructure for everything we have been waiting for, and establishes continuous informatization, which has an important impact on our economy and society. The Internet of Things has created new opportunities for the development of the logistics industry with a qualitative development method. 4G technology is difficult to support the development of logistics companies to increase storage capacity and popularize cloud computing. In the process of informatization development, relevant information is gradually exposed. The rational use of 5G technology is the key to the overall development of logistics and warehouse computerization. In this article, we incorporate the IMU measurement value based on the binocular hybrid tracking visual mileage to implement the tightly coupled binocular VIO algorithm based on the state of the indirect Kalman filter. The algorithm in the visual tracking process will extract the ORB feature points of each frame in the image library, and combine the IMU measurement values to predict the projection position of the landmark points and accelerate the matching. Through the construction of the Internet-based intelligent logistics system of the Internet of Things, in the supply chain optimization planning, the system design and research ideas continue to innovate, how small and medium-sized technology manufacturers represented by A company are in a leading position in the industry, has universal significance. Therefore, this article will continue to explore in depth the construction, development and research of intelligent logistics, warehouse information systems for 5G new technologies.
Phylogeography of the Siberian roe deer in Eurasia and origin of the Siberian mtDNA lineage in European roe deer populations
Authors: Plis Kamila , Niedziałkowska Magdalena , Danilkin Aleksey , Kholodova Marina , Zvychaynaya Elena , Kashinina Nadezhda , Bunevich Aleksey , Okhlopkov Innokentiy , Mamaev Nikolay , Kusza Szilvia , Shkvyria Maryna , Paule Ladislav , Veeroja Rauno , Paulauskas Algimantas , Krapal Ana-Maria , Tiainen Juha , Jędrzejewska Bogumiła
Published: March 2023

The Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) is distributed throughout the continental Asia. Nowadays in eastern Europe there have been detected individuals of C. capreolus with mtDNA of C. pygargus but the origin of this introgression is not clear as there have been not many data available concerning the phylogenetic pattern of the Siberian roe deer. To reveal the source of the introgression and to provide the most comprehensive picture of Siberian roe deer phylogeography we analyzed mtDNA control region fragment (610bp) of 352 roe deer samples combined with 139 sequences available in GenBank. We detected 105 haplotypes and seven mtDNA haplogroups. The proportion of different haplogroups in the regional populations varied longitudinally, with a major shift in Central Siberia. Haplogroups A, C and E were the most frequent in Europe, in the areas defined as introgression regions. In Asia, their shares declined (E) or vanished (A). Seven genetic populations of the Siberian roe deer, including two populations in the range of the European roe deer with the Siberian mtDNA lineage, were detected. Genetic diversity of mtDNA in the Siberian roe deer proved to be greater than it was documented earlier. Two ancient haplogroups, occurring predominantly in Europe, have been a remnant of the past natural interbreeding between the Siberian and the European roe deer that most probably had occurred hundred(s) kyr BP. Translocations of the Siberian roe deer to Eastern Europe performed in the 19th and 20th centuries have also left signals in the populations of the European roe deer.
Community perceptions of and preconditions for direct air capture in the U.S.
Authors: Scott-Buechler Celina , Osman Khalid , Ardoin Nicole , Fraser Catherine , Adcox Grace , Cain Bruce , Polk Emily , Jackson Robert
Published: March 2023

Direct air capture (DAC) has gained traction in climate policy as a promising method for carbon dioxide removal. How – and whether – DAC should be pursued as a climate strategy and deployed as local infrastructure, however, will rely on its ability to secure social license to operate (SLO), given the frequent disconnect between broad public perceptions of technologies and perceptions among host communities. There is also a growing need for the deployment of climate infrastructure like DAC to be responsive to environmental justice (EJ) and just transition (JT) principles. However, relatively little research exists on how communities may respond to DAC deployment locally, and the EJ and JT considerations they may evoke. In this study, we use a mixed-methods approach to evaluate public and community perceptions of DAC. We find that while communities may be generally open to the idea of DAC being deployed in their communities, the conditions under which DAC is realized are likely to determine levels of acceptance and support. The most important determinants of project support are community involvement in planning and implementation and expected benefits. This is perhaps especially important for infrastructure like DAC, which offers few if any direct local benefits (i.e., clean energy or air quality improvements). Building on recent trends, policies aimed at advancing DAC could include designated resources for community involvement and benefits in order to improve the likelihood of projects securing SLO and abiding by EJ and JT principles.
Predictors of mosquito bed net use among children under-fives in Ghana: A multilevel analysis of the 2019 malaria indicator survey
Authors: Aheto Justice Moses K. , Baba Rahmatu , Dzokoto Maxwell Kwame , Kwarah William , Alhassan Yakubu
Published: March 2023

Background
Morbidities and mortalities due to malaria can be prevented through the use of insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets (ITN) which has been proven for malaria control and elimination. The purpose of this study was to assess the critical factors that predict the use of ITN among children under-fives in Ghana.
Methods
The study utilized data from the 2019 Ghana Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS). The outcome variable was mosquito bed net use among children under-fives the previous night of the interview. To determine critical factors that independently predict ITN use, multilevel multivariable logistic regression was employed using Stata version 16. Odds ratios and their associated 95% confidence intervals and p-values were reported. A p < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.
Results
The overall prevalence of ITN usage was 57.4%. Utilization of bed nets was 66.6% in the rural areas and 43.5% in the urban areas, was highest in the Upper West region (80.6%) even when stratified to rural (82.9%) and urban areas (70.3%) whilst Greater Accra region (30.5%, rural = 41.7%, urban = 28.9%) had the least. The community level multilevel analysis showed that bed net utilization was higher among children in rural areas [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.32–3.01, p = 0.001] and in household with wooden wall materials [AOR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.15–9.40, p = 0.027]. Bed net utilization was however, less for households with 3 + children under-five [AOR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.19–0.46, p < 0.001), 4 years old (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 00.48–00.92, p = 0.014], those in the Greater Accra [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13–0.51, p < 0.001], Eastern [AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23–0.95, p = 0.036], Northern [AOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.20–0.88, p = 0.022], middle [AOR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.35–0.94, p = 0.026] and rich/richest [AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.29–0.92, p = 0.025] household wealth quintile. Substantial unobserved household and community level differences in bed net use were found.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the need to intensify promotion of ITN use to those in urban areas, Greater Accra, Eastern and Northern regions, houses without wooden wall materials, middle and rich/richest households. Interventions should be targeted at older children and households with more under-five children and to ensure full access and use of ITNs among all children under-fives in each household as part of the overall goal of achieving the health-related SDGs.
A Pyroptosis-Related Gene Prognostic Index For Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: yu qian , Zhou Ruoyu , Yuan Hongjun , pang jianyu , Sheng Miaomiao , Luo Ying , Tang Wenru
Published: March 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as HCC, is the third most common cancer-related cause of death globally. The specific prognostic model is crucial for HCC treatment strategies. Pyroptosis is a novel pathway for programmed cell death downstream of inflammasome activation. There are few prognostic evaluations of pyroptosis to HCC. In this work, 3 pyroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in 374 HCC patients and normal tissue from the TCGA database. These genes are BAX, GSDMD, and BAK1. Afterwards, based on the 3 DEGs with significant differences, we established 2 clusters by consensus cluster analysis. By using Cox univariate analysis, LASSO Cox regression analysis, and well-validated results from the ICGC cohort, we created a 7-gene risk pattern to further assess the prognostic usefulness of the genes connected to pyroptosis. Analysis of the Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) indicated unique metabolism-related pathways in the low- and high-risk groups. In addition, we discovered that the high-risk group had fewer immune cells and pathways that had been penetrated. We come to the conclusion that pyroptosis-related genes play significant roles in tumor immunity and can be used to forecast the prognosis of HCC.In order to identify viable medications, we also carried out batch molecular docking on thousands of interacting chemicals and prognostic molecules. We discovered Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Dactinomycin, Ivermectin, and other medications from the docking data, and we also demonstrated the impact of their interactions.
Symptom Patterns of Comorbid Depression and Anxiety among Older Adults in China and Their Predictors: Latent Profile Analysis of a National Representative Sample
Authors: Yu Lingling , Chen Chuqian
Published: March 2023

Background
Comorbid depression and anxiety causes serious psychological and physiological damage for older people. This study aimed to identify heterogeneous classes of comorbid depression and anxiety (CDA) among older people in China and to ascertain predictors of latent class membership.
Methods
Cross-sectional data of 10919 cases were extracted from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify symptom patterns of comorbid depression (measured by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and anxiety (measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale). Multinomial logistic regressions following bivariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between the derived classes and the individual and social-level factors.
Results
Four patterns of CDA were identified: low symptoms of depression and anxiety (30.52%; n = 3333), mild depression only (53.26%; n = 5815), moderate depression and anxiety (13.82%; n = 1509), and severe depression and anxiety (2.40%; n = 262). Older people who are male, suffer from multimorbidity, and lack a healthy lifestyle are more likely to have problematic symptom profiles. While intimate relationships with partners and children significantly predicted CDA patterns, the effects of sibling relationships, daily life, or emotional support from the community were insignificant.
Conclusions
LPA identified four distinct CDA patterns among a representative sample of older Chinese people. While restless sleep, lack of positive emotions, uselessness, and weak concentration are salient across all profiles,‘difficult to relax’ is prominent in profiles high in anxiety. In addition to individual-level variables, social-level factors, especially intimate relationships with partners and children rather than general links to siblings or the community, have unneglectable impacts on whether and to what extent older Chinese adults suffer from CDA in the cultural context of relationism, patriarchy, and filial piety.
A Comparison of the Authoritarian Strategies Used by Brazil and Turkey to Tackle the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Kisa Adnan
Published: March 2023

Introduction

For authoritarian-minded leaders, the COVID-19 crisis offered a convenient pretext to silence critics and consolidate power. Populist and autocratic leaders used the crisis as an excuse to do things they had long planned to do but had not been able to.

Methods

Using a narrative literature review, this study examines the authoritarian responses to COVID-19 in Brazil and Turkey between 2020 and 2021. Available articles were retrieved from Medline and Google Scholar using a non-systematic approach using inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Major identified authoritarian responses were imprisoning human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, political activists, and medical professionals; flaunting public health and human rights laws; blaming other countries for causing the pandemic; and underreporting COVID cases.

Conclusion

The study concludes that these actions had devastating consequences for democracy, human rights, and public health.
Molecular typing and prognostic model of gastric cancer based on immunological signature gene sets
Authors: Yi Limu , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: The high incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer posed a great challenge in its treatment. The principles of precision medicine called for improved staging diagnosis and prognosis assessment for better patient outcomes. Molecular staging of gastric cancer, based on the TCGA database, had gained significant attention. In this paper, we presented a novel approach to gastric cancer staging, utilizing the analysis of immunological signature gene sets expression across different samples, to construct a reliable prognostic model. Our findings provided a new tool for clinical management and treatment of gastric cancer.
METHODS: RNA expression data for gastric cancer tissue samples and normal samples were downloaded from the official websites of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The immunological signature gene sets were obtained from the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) database.
The RNA expression data was analyzed using various computational methods, including unsupervised clustering analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and survival analysis. The unsupervised clustering analysis was used to divide the samples into three subtypes based on the expression of the immunological signature gene sets. PCA was performed to reduce the dimensionality of the data and identify the most informative genes. Survival analysis was used to identify the genes that were most strongly associated with patient prognosis. Based on the results of the analysis, we identified two gene sets that were strongly associated with patient prognosis. These gene sets were used to construct a prognostic model. The model was evaluated using various statistical methods, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Finally, the biologically important functional pathways were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and other databases. These analyses were used to identify the biological processes and pathways that were most strongly associated with the different subtypes of gastric cancer and the genes that were most important for patient prognosis.
RESULTS: Based on the expression of immunological signature gene sets in different samples, we classified the samples into three subtypes and validated them in the GEO downloaded samples. By analyzing clinical information, we identified 34 prognosis-related gene sets. After screening, we selected two gene sets (GSE21546_UNSTIM_VS_ANTI_CD3_STIM_DP_THYMOCYTES_UP, HALLMARK_ANGIOGENESIS) for model construction. The models were able to accurately predict the prognosis of the samples. Functional analysis revealed that the PI3K-Akt pathway might play a key role. Finally, we performed drug sensitivity analysis on the five core genes (SPP1, COL3A1, FGFR1, APOH and THBD) and identified piperlongumine and cerulenin as highly sensitive drugs.
Investigation and comparison of virulence factors (hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, ergosterol content, secretory enzymes) in Iranian clinical and environmental Candida albicans strains
Authors: Fatahinia Mahnaz , Molavinia Sahar , Seyedian Seyed Saeed , Amirrajab Nasrin
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives

Nowadays, candidiasis due to Candida species have become a worldwide health problem. The study aimed to detect and compare the prevalence of virulence factors of Candida albicans (hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, ergosterol content, secretory enzymes) isolated from clinical and environmental samples.

Materials and Methods

A total of 105 clinical and 165 environmental samples suspected of Candida albicans were collected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Isolates were assessed for five putative virulence factor production (ergosterol content, cell surface hydrophobicity, biofilm, protease, and phospholipase activity).

Results

The total of 60 Candida albicans isolates were identified: clinical (30/60) and environmental (30/60) C. albicans isolates. Biofilm production was observed in 100% of clinical and 80% of environmental C. albicans isolates (p < 0.001). In clinical and environmental C. albicans isolates, protease activity was 66.6% and 76.7%, respectively (p = 0.008). However, phospholipase activity was 60% and 76.7% in clinical and environmental C. albicans isolates, respectively (p = 0.262). The higher cell surface hydrophobicity in clinical isolates (66.4 ± 9.8) than in environmental C. albicans isolates (47.7 ± 17.0) was detected (p < 0.001). The ergosterol content in clinical and environmental C. albicans isolates was 1.2 (± 0.5) and 1.1 (± 0.3), respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the findings, biofilm formation was the stable characteristic of clinical, and phospholipase and proteinase activity was observed in most environmental C. albicans isolates. The results suggest that it is possible that cross-contamination between patients and the environment occurred because of the high similarity of virulence factors between clinical and environmental isolates.
Comparative analysis of DNA methylome reveals SUVH6 dependent non-CG DNA methylation and gene regulation potentially involved in Pi homeostasis in miR778-SUVH6 pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Chaojun , Hao Bowen , Matnur Yusup , Sun Wei , Chen Weiqiang , Chen Yan
Published: March 2023

DNA methylation is one of the most important mechanisms for plant gene expression regulation to adapt to intra or extra environmental stimuli. Evidences indicate DNA CHG/CHH methylation and histone H3K9 methylation could reinforce each other and functionally interconnect. However, whether and how SUVH6 alone, a H3K9 methyltransferase, affects DNA methylation is not clear. Here, through comparative analysis of DNA methylomes of wildtype (WT) and SUVH6 mutant (suvh6), 478 hypo/116 hyper CHG differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 5092 hypo/458 hyper CHH DMRs embedded in promoter, gene body and transposable element regions were identified, which indicates SUVH6 alone is required for maintaining non-CG methylation at specific regions of the Arabidopsis genome. Moreover, GO annotation reveals that, among 3299 SUVH6 potential target genes with their promoter or gene body overlapped with DMRs, 50 genes are involved in root development, 7 are associated with Pi transport, and 14 are related to phosphate (Pi) metabolism and membrane lipid remodeling. These results well coincide with the phenotype of miR778 overexpression line, which is to enhance primary root growth and increase shoot free Pi under Pi starvation. As miRNA778 targets SUVH6, the potential target genes involved in root development and Pi homeostasis identified here could be downstream of the miR778-SUVH6 pathway responsive to Pi starvation. All the above indicates that changes in DNA methylation can be applied to track SUVHs regulated gene expression.
A diatomaceous process leaches silica from silicate minerals, accounting for impure opal frustules
Authors: Akagi Tasuku , Welti Sophia , Tajiri Rei , Ishihara Takeshi , Shimada Kazuhiko
Published: March 2023

Dust is one of primary sources of new elements to oceanic water, but understanding of their dissolution behavior is still elusive1. Here we report evidence showing that diatoms are actively associated with the dissolution of silicate minerals. The cultivation of three diatom species was carried out with and without feldspar particles, albite and bytownite. Following cultivation, the girdles of Coscinodiscus frustules showed double Si peaks and the outer layers of the girdles showed significantly higher Al/Si ratios than the inner layers when feldspar particles were present. Feldspar particles showed rounded or fractured edges following the cultivation, which are not seen in the absence of diatoms. With presence of feldspar particles, significantly greater amounts of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) were secreted after silicic acid concentration dropped almost to zero. A micro-fluorescence study revealed that the diatom cells actively lowered pH to keep the environment favorable to mineral dissolution by TEP. It is concluded that diatoms secrete TEP to digest feldspar and utilize silica, under conditions of silicic acid deficiency. The impurity of frustules is the reflection of such physiological activities. This finding reveals the presence of a previously unknown, yet important passage for elements to enter the oceanic system.
Interaction of genetics risk score (GRS) and fatty acids quality indices on healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotype
Authors: Rasaei Niloufar , Fatemi Seyedeh Fatemeh , Gholami Fatemeh , Samadi Mahsa , Mohammadian Mohammad Keshavarz , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: March 2023

Background: The growth in obesity and rates of abdominal obesity in developing countries is due to the dietary transition. Environmental changes, such as increasing the quality of dietary fat consumed, may be useful in prevent or improvement the obesity or unhealthy obesity phenotype in persons who are genetically predisposed to it, although this is not yet firmly established. Therefore, in the current study, we look at how dietary fat quality indices with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) or metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) based on Karelis criteria interact with genetic predisposition in Iranian female adults.
Methods: 279 obese and overweight women participated in the current cross-sectional investigation. Dietary assessment was done using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and dietary fat quality was assessed by cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (N6/N3) essential fatty acids. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms—MC4R (rs17782313), CAV-1 (rs3807992), and Cry-1(rs2287161) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and were combined to produce the genetic risk score (GRS). Using a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer, body composition was evaluated. The participants were divided into MHO or MUO phenotypes after the metabolic risk was evaluated using Karelis criteria.
Results: We found significant interactions between GRS and N6/N3 in adjusted model controlling for confounding factors (age, BMI, energy, and physical activity) (β= 2.26, 95% CI= 0.008–4.52, P= 0.049). In addition, we discovered marginal significant interactions between GRS and N6/N3 in crude (β= 1.92, 95% CI= -0.06–3.91, P= 0.058) and adjusted (age and energy) (β= 2.00, 95% CI= -0.05–4.05, P= 0.057) models on MUH obesity phenotype. However, no significant interactions between GRS and CSI were shown in both crude and adjusted models.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of personalized nutrition and recommends further study of widely varying fat intake based on the findings on gene-N6/N3 PUFA interactions.
At the origin of Neanderthals and modern humans - Cerebral complexity and encephalization
Authors: Rubini Mauro , Tuniz Claudio , Bernardini Federico , Vincenzo Fabio Di , festa giulia , gozzi alessandro , libianchi nunzia , scorrano gabriele , macciardi fabio , fallon james , Manzi Giorgio , Zaio Paola
Published: March 2023

The increase of brain dimensions and complexity has characterized the evolution of the genus Homo. According to the available fossil and genetic evidence, a crucial stage came before the divergence of Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo sapiens, during the Middle Pleistocene. We consider a specimen of about 400 ka, whose phenotype is at the roots of this divergence: Ceprano calvarium (Italy). Here, we show a derived cerebrovascular organization with a mosaic of modern human and primitive features characteristics. Computed microtomography shows vascular variation and ontogenetic defects associated with ventricular and lymphatic involvement while phylogenetic analyzes highlight a dysregulation of the Tet1 gene that shows an accelerated mutation rate between 1.2 Ma and 466 ka, in contrast with the expected neutral evolution of the human genome. These results shed light on the dynamics of cranio-cerebral growth during the encephalization process and on the cerebral vascular and lymphatic system involved in this process. The results of this study could have implications for the research of many of the diseases of the central nervous system that have become predominant in an increasingly structured and long-lived brain system such as that of modern Homo sapiens.
One-Sentence Summary: Genetic mutation, anatomical variations and glymphatic system in the process of encephalization towards Homo sapiens.
In vitro cytotoxic effect of 3β-Stigmasterol derivatives against breast cancer cells
Authors: Dube Nondumiso Premilla , Tembu Vuyelwa Jacqueline , Nyemba Getrude R , Davison Candace , Rakodi Goitsemodimo Herckious , Kemboi Douglas , Mare Jo-Anne , Siwe-Noundou Xavier , Manicum Amanda Ezra-Lee
Published: March 2023

Background
3β-Stigmasterol is an unsaturated phytosterol that belong to the class of tetracyclic steroids abundant in Rhoicissus tridentata. Stigmasterol is an important constituent since it has shown impressive pharmacological effects such as anti-osteoarthritis, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, and neuroprotective activities. Furthermore, due to the presence of π system and hydroxyl group, stigmasterol is readily derivatized through substitution and addition reactions, allowing for the synthesis of a wide variety of stigmasterol derivatives.
Methods
3β-Stigmasterol (1) isolated from Rhoicissus tridentata was used as starting material to yield eight bio-active derivatives (2–9) through acetylation, epoxidation, epoxide ring opening, oxidation, and dihydroxylation reactions. The structures of all the compounds were established using spectroscopic techniques, NMR, IR, MS, and melting points. The synthesized stigmasterol derivatives were screened for cytotoxicity against the hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (MCF-7), triple-negative breast cancer (HCC70), and non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial (MCF-12A) cell lines using the resazurin assay.
Results
Eight stigmasterol derivatives were successfully synthesized namely; Stigmasterol acetate (2), Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3,7-dione (3), 5,6-Epoxystigmast-22-en-3β-ol (4), 5,6-Epoxystigmasta-3β,22,23-triol (5), Stigmastane-3β,5,6,22,23-pentol (6), Stigmasta-5-en-3,7-dion-22,23-diol (7), Stigmasta-3,7-dion-5,6,22,23-ol (8) and Stigmast-5-ene-3β,22,23-triol (9).The synthesized stigmasterol analogues showed improved cytotoxic activity overall compared to the 3β-stigmasterol (1), which was not toxic to the three cell lines tested (EC50 ˃ 250 µM). In particular, 5,6-Epoxystigmast-22-en-3β-ol (4) and stigmast-5-ene-3β,22,23-triol (9) displayed improved cytotoxicity and selectivity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (EC50 values of 21.92 and 22.94 µM, respectively), while stigmastane-3β,5,6,22,23-pentol (6) showed improved cytotoxic activity against the HCC70 cell line (EC50: 16.82 µM).
Conclusion
Natural products from Rhoicissus tridentata and their derivatives exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer activity. The results obtained from this study indicate that molecular modification of 3β-stigmasterol functional groups can generate structural analogues with improved anticancer activity. Stigmasterol derivatives have potential as candidates for novel anticancer drugs.