bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient Stability Constrained Social Welfare Maximization with Demand Response in Smart Electrical Grid
Authors: Anand Shubham , Kumar Ravi , Humne Gaurang Ashok , MAITY SUPARNA , Chanda Sandip , Biswas Papun , De Abhinandan
Published: November 2023

The existing power grids round the globe are
getting converted to Smart Grid for promoting more
economic, reliable and sustainable operation and control in
presence of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). In
operational optimisation of the grid, not only intermittent
renewable generation poses difficulty but also an essential
resource Demand Response (DR) that is consumer
characteristics which is needed to balance generation and
demand,may introduce transient stability problems in the
grid. This is due to weather dependent variation of
generation of RES and subsequent controllable load
curtailment within very short duration of time. Though
transient stability problems cannot be predicted accurately
in time domain but if planned properly the grid may be
operated with substantial stability margin even before any
disturbance and subsequent perturbation of the operating
point, can happen. The pre-perturbation stability margin
helps in restoring the operating point of the system to stable
zone of operation during disturbance. Traditional OPF
algorithms of the grid like generation cost optimisation or
active power loss minimisation may not be sufficient to
provide a sustainable generation and demand schedule. This
work presents a few new OPF algorithmsfor Smart Grid
operational optimisation which takes care of rotor angle
stability along with the other important controllable like
generation cost, transmission line active power loss, voltage
profile, transmission line congestion and load curtailment
by producing optimal generation and load schedule without
conceding any limit violation. The most prominent result
was obtained from one of the proposed algorithms which
has been referred here as Transient stability constrained
Social Welfare optimisation as it causes benefit
simultaneously to GENCOs, TRANSCOs and DISCOs
adhering to transient stability constraint of the grid. This
work also validates the results of the optimisation (Optimal
generation and load schedule), demonstrating how the
proposed solution provides shorter time for rotor angle
restoration and comparatively lesser relative deviation of
rotor angles of the generators during a few cases of
simulated faults in MATLAB SIMULINK environment. For
the complexity of the objective function a differential
evolution modified quantum Particle Swarm Optimisation
(DEQPSO) algorithm has been proposed in this work.
PD-L1 expression and microsatellite instability (MSI) in cancer of unknown primary site
Authors: Junior João Neif Antonio , Preto Daniel D'Almeida , Lazarini Maria Eduarda Zanatta Neder , de Lima Marcos Alves , Bonatelli Murilo , Berardinelli Gustavo Noriz , Silva Vinicius Duval da , Pinheiro Celine , Reis Rui Manuel , Cárcano Flavio Mavignier
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) is a heterogeneous group of tumors for which the origin remains unknown. Clinical outcomes might be influenced by regulatory processes in its microenvironment. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a predictive biomarker for cancer immunotherapy and its status, as well as co-occurrence with PD-L1 expression, is poorly evaluated. We aim to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 and the status of MSI in CUP and their possible associations with clinical-pathological features.
METHODS: The combined positive score (CPS) PD-L1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. MSI status was assessed using a hexa-plex marker panel by polymerase chain reaction followed by fragment analysis.
RESULTS: Among the 166 cases, MSI analysis was conclusive in 120, being two cases MSI-positive (1.6%). PD-L1 expression was positive in 18.3% of 109 feasible cases. PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with non-visceral metastasis and a dominance of nodal metastasis. The median overall survival (mOS) was 3.7 (95% CI 1.6 – 5.8) months and patients who expressed PD-L1 achieved a better mOS compared to those who did not express PD-L1 (18.7 versus 3.0 months, p-value: <.001). ECOG-PS equal or more than two and PD-L1 expression were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis (2.37 and 0.42 respectively).
CONCLUSION: PD-L1 is expressed in a subset (1/5) of patients with CUP and associated with improved overall survival, while MSI is a rare event. There is an urge to explore better the tumor microenvironment as well as the role of immunotherapy to change such a worse clinical outcome.
Widely tunable solid-state source of single-photons matching an atomic transition
Authors: Maruf Rubayet Al , Venuturumilli Sreesh , Bharadwaj Divya , Anderson Paul , Qiu Jiawei , Yuan Yujia , Zeeshan Mohd , Semnani Behrooz , Poole Philip , Dalacu Dan , Resch Kevin , Reimer Michael , Bajcsy Michal
Published: November 2023

Hybrid quantum technologies aim to combine diverse quantum systems, mirroring classical computers' integration of electronic, photonic, magnetic, and mechanical components. Quantum dots in semiconductor nanowires emit high-purity, deterministic single photons with high repetition, while atomic ensembles offer photon storage and strong optical nonlinearities controllable by single photons. To interface quantum dots with atomic ensembles successfully, precise optical frequency matching of these two platforms is crucial. We demonstrate a simple, precise, reversible, broad-range, and local method for controlling the emission frequency of individual quantum dots embedded in tapered semiconductor nanowires. We then interface the quantum dots with an atomic ensemble via single-photons matched to hyperfine transitions and slow-light regions of the cesium D1-line. Our approach allows linking atomic and solid-state quantum systems and can potentially also be applied to other types of nanowire-embedded solid-state emitters, as well as for creating devices based on multiple solid-state emitters tuned to produce indistinguishable photons.
Assessing adverse events associated with chiropractic care in preschool pediatric population: a feasibility study.
Authors: Dolbec Anne , Doucet Chantale , Pohlman Katherine A. , Sobczak Stéphane , Pagé Isabelle
Published: November 2023

Background: Manual therapies are commonly used by healthcare professionals when caring for children. However, few prospective studies have evaluated their adverse events (AEs). This study aims to assess the feasibility of a pragmatic prospective study aiming to report the immediate and delayed (48-hours post-treatment) AEs associated with manual therapies in children aged 5 or younger. Preliminary data on AEs frequency and new/worsening are also reported.
Methods: Chiropractors were recruited through purposive sampling and via a dedicated Facebook group for Quebec chiropractors interested in pediatrics. Legal guardians of patients aged 5 or younger were invited to fill out an online information and consent form. AEs were collected using the SafetyNet reporting system, which had been previously translated by the research team. Immediate AEs were collected through a questionnaire filled out by the legal guardian immediately after the treatment, while delayed AEs were collected through a questionnaire sent by email to the legal guardian 48 hours after the treatment. Feasibility was assessed qualitatively through feedback from chiropractors and quantitatively through recruitment data.
Results: Overall, a total of 28 chiropractors expressed interest following the Facebook publication, and 5 participated. An additional two chiropractors were enrolled through purposive sampling. In total, 80 legal guardians consented to their child's participation, and data from 73 children were included for the analysis of AEs. At least one AE was reported in 30% of children (22/73), and AEs were mainly observed immediately following the treatment (16/22). The most common AEs were irritability/crying (11 children) or fatigue/tiredness (11 children). Feasibility analysis demonstrated that regular communication between the research team and clinicians, as well as targeting clinicians who showed great interest in pediatrics, were key factors for successful research.
Conclusion: Results suggest that it is feasible to conduct a prospective pragmatic study evaluating AEs associated with manual therapies in private practices. Direct communication with the clinicians, a strategic clinicians' recruitment plan, and the resulting administrative burden should be considered in future studies. A larger study is required to confirm the frequency and new/worsening of AEs reported in the current study.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov., NCT05409859, Registered on June 3 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05409859.
The budding yeast heterochromatic protein Sir3 modulates genome-wide gene expression through transient direct contacts with euchromatin
Authors: Radman-Livaja Marta , Bhattacharjee Pritha , Camasses Alain , Galic Hrvoje , Hrgovcic Ana , Demont Lara , Nguyen Linh , Vasseur Pauline
Published: November 2023

The SIR complex (Silent Information Regulator) is the building block of heterochromatic structures that silence underlying genes. The biological function of heterochromatin located in subtelomeric regions is, however still not clear since heterochromatin coverage appears to be limited to a few kbps near chromosome ends and the expression of subtelomeric genes is only marginally affected in the absence of the SIR complex. We use a three-pronged approach to address this question. First, Nanopore-MetID, an in vivo foot printing technique similar to DamID that uses nanopore sequencing technology, identified over a thousand new transient contacts between Sir3 and euchromatic genes that are not detectable by ChIP-seq and revealed a previously undocumented low-density mode of Sir3 binding to subtelomeric regions that extends 15kbps downstream of subtelomeric SIR nucleation sites. Second, our measurements of genome-wide Sir3 exchange rates after exit from starvation show that heterochromatin is a highly dynamic structure in optimal growth conditions. Third, “spike-in” RNA-seq time course experiments in the same conditions reveal that Sir3 modulates global mRNA levels in correlation with fluctuations in nutrient availability. We now propose that subtelomeric regions serve as Sir3 hubs from which Sir3 is brought over to distal sites down the chromosome arm where it transiently contacts euchromatic genes in its path. We hypothesize that contacts between Sir3 and actively transcribed genes facilitate the removal of stalled transcription complexes and allow for optimal genome-wide transcription, which gives wt cells a competitive advantage over sir3Δ cells when nutrients are limited.
IgA Nephropathy and Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema: a case report
Authors: Damas Juliana , Marouço Catarina , Barata Rui , Pereira Tiago Assis , Fonseca Nuno Moreira , Navarro David , Góis Mário , Viana Helena , Sousa João , Gruner Heidi , Jorge Cristina
Published: November 2023

Introduction: IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) remains the most frequent glomerular disease worldwide, with a broad spectrum of clinical and histological presentations. It has been associated with many secondary causes. The Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema (RS3PE) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by swelling in the extremities and negative autoimmune serological tests. The primary treatment for this condition involves the use of immunosuppressive therapy. Although several triggers have been identified, the exact cause of this condition is still unknown.
Case Presentation: We report a case of a 53-year-old man who presented with severe acute kidney injury, whose etiological study revealed advanced IgAN, associated with pleural and pericardial effusions. Even with volume optimization and dialysis intensification, the pericardial effusion worsened, although the pleural effusion improved. Upper arm arthralgias were developed afterward. An extensive study ruled out other causes and the hypothesis of RS3PE syndrome was considered. Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy was instituted for 6 months with clinical improvement and no recurrence at 2 years follow-up.
Conclusions: The complexity of this case shows the importance of considering a wider diagnosis for the complaints of arthralgias and volume overload in dialysis patients, reinforcing the importance of clinical awareness for other concurrent conditions, whose treatment may be lifesaving.
The Molecular Effects of Detergents and Soaps on Biological Stains: Implications for Forensic Investigations
Authors: Judah Gbayisomore Tolulope , Temitope Ogunjobi Taiwo , .I. Ologbonjaye Kehinde , Adeleke Olaoluwa John
Published: November 2023

In forensic investigations, the precise quantification of DNA from biological stains is essential because it offers helpful details for identifying people and connecting them to crime scenes. However, the presence of contaminants in biological stains, such as detergents and soaps, can impact the DNA quantification procedure and jeopardize the accuracy of the findings. The objective of this study was to assess how different soaps and detergents affected the quantification of DNA from biological stains. For this experiment, a number of detergent and soap solutions were chosen, including standard household detergents and industrial cleaners. By applying known amounts of blood stains to fabric swatches, biological stain samples were created. After that, the stains were treated with various ratios of each detergent or soap solution. For comparison, control samples made up of untreated stains were also used. After treatment, DNA was recovered according to a conventional extraction process from the stained cloth swatches. Utilizing a sensitive fluorescence based technique that offered precise and trustworthy measurements of DNA concentration, the isolated DNA was measured. To evaluate the effect of the detergents and soaps on DNA recovery, the DNA quantitation findings from the treated samples and the control samples were compared. According to preliminary studies, the detergent or soap used had a substantial impact on how much DNA could be quantified from biological stains. Higher detergent and soap concentrations often result in increased DNA loss, so these concentrations also had an impact.
Assessment of Virulence Potential and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in E. coli Isolates from Selected Control Open Dump Sites in Sri Lanka
Authors: Liyanage G.Y. , Wijerathna P. A. K. C. , Bandara S.M.T.V. , Manage Pathmalal
Published: November 2023

Urbanization and accelerated industrialization have led to significant waste generation following the accumulation of massive amounts of solid waste in open dump sites. Ground water contamination is one of the critical ecological concerns associated with the percolation of leachate from dump sites. Escherichia coli is one of the facultative anaerobic bacterial types predominantly colonize the gastrointestinal tract of homoeothermic organisms. E.coli O157 is a particular virulent serotype which produces intimin and Shiga toxins, that causing for severe diseases including Hemorrhagic Colitis, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in human. The focus of the present study is to study the virulence potential and antibiotic resistance profiles in E. coli isolates from selected Karadiyana, Methotamulla and Kerawalapitiya control open dump sites in Sri Lanka. The total coliform count was ranged from 0–120 MPN/mL around the Kardiyana dump site whereas 0–75 MPN/mL and 3-115 MPN/mL recorded in the Methotamulla and Kerawalapitiya dump sites. Overall, resistance in isolated E.coli against AMX, AMP, SUF/ TRI, SDI, CLOX, TET and ERM was high (> 70%) compared with the other tested antibiotics namely CIP, GEN and AZY (< 40%). According to the results, the Enteropathogenic E. coli pathotype was identified in 17 samples, whereas the Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli pathotype was found in only 3 samples. Thus, the current study was conducted to investigate control open dump sites as potential environmental reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic E. coli as these organisms could represent a potential health threat through the contamination of groundwater.
High and Low Pitch Sound Stimuli Effects on Heart-Brain Coupling
Authors: vonJakitsch Camila Bomfim , Neto Osmar Pinto , Pinho Tatiana Okubo Rocha , Ribeiro Wellington , Pereira Rafael , Baltatu Ovidiu Constantin , Osório Rodrigo Aléxis Lazo
Published: November 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of sound stimulation on heart rate and the potential coupling between cardiac and cerebral activities.
Methods: Thirty-one participants underwent exposure to periods of silence and two distinct continuous, non-repetitive pure tone stimuli: low pitch (110 Hz) and high pitch (880 Hz). Electroencephalography (EEG) data from electrodes F3, F4, F7, F8, Fp1, Fp2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 were recorded, along with R-R interval data for heart rate. Heart-brain connectivity was assessed using wavelet coherence between heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG envelopes (EEGE).
Results: Heart rates were significantly lower during high and low-pitch sound periods than in silence (p<0.002). HRV-EEGE coherence was significantly lower during high-pitch intervals than silence and low-pitch sound intervals (p<0.048), specifically between the EEG Beta band and the low-frequency HRV range. These results imply a differential involvement of the frontal and temporal brain regions in response to varying auditory stimuli.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the essential nature of discerning the complex interrelations between sound frequencies and their implications for heart-brain connectivity. Such insights could have ramifications for conditions like seizures and sleep disturbances. A deeper exploration is warranted to decipher specific sound stimuli's potential advantages or drawbacks in diverse clinical scenarios.
Nucleobindin 2 inhibits senescence in gastric carcinoma
Authors: Ishibashi Yu , Itoh Takashi , Oguri Yasuko , Hashimura Miki , Yokoi Ako , Harada Yohei , Fukagawa Naomi , Hayashi Misato , Ono Mototsugu , Saegusa Makoto
Published: November 2023

Background
Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2) is a multifunctional protein that is associated with a variety of biological processes. Here, we focused on the functional role of NUCB2 on progression of gastric carcinoma (GC).
Methods
NUCB2 expression was investigated in 150 GC cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC), as well as in situ hybridization for detection of the mRNA in 10 cases. GC cell lines were used to determine whether NUCB2 expression was associated with specific cellular phenotypes.
Results
In GC clinical samples, NUCB2 expression was transcriptionally upregulated when compared to the non-tumoral lesions. High NUCB2 expression was significantly associated with several aggressive clinicopathological factors including deep tumor invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and advanced clinical stages, and was a significant independent prognostic factor for predicting unfavorable progression-free survival in GC patients. In cell lines, NUCB2 knockout inhibited proliferation, susceptibility to apoptosis, and migration capability through an induction of cellular senescence; this was consistent with the significantly higher proliferation and apoptotic indices in NUCB2 IHC-high category as compared to NUCB2 IHC-low GC cases.
Conclusions
NUCB2-dependent inhibition of senescence in GC leads to aggressive tumor behavior by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.
Site Suitability Analysis for Waste to Energy Facility in Onitsha North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Isma'il Muhammad
Published: November 2023

Onitsha North Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra State is an industrial and commercial city in south eastern Nigeria that is currently facing serious environmental problems resulting from poor solid waste management system. Also, the city is experiencing poor electricity supply at a time of increasing energy demand for domestic and industrial activities. The rate of solid waste generation in the city has increased with rapid urbanisation, population growth and economic expansion. Exploiting the energy potentials of the huge amount of waste generated in the area through Waste to Energy (WtE) technology is an efficient and sustainable waste management strategy that can be deployed in order to boost the energy supply mix in the area. However, the viability of WtE adoption has not been investigated in the study area. As a first and critical step in that direction, this study combined Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques to identify suitable sites for WtE facility in Onitsha North with a view to determining the viability of adopting WtE in the area. The factors used for multicriteria evaluation are Land use/Land cover, distance from road, distance from surface water, distance from existing dumpsite and slope. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign relative weights to these factors. The Weighted Overlay method was used to integrate these factors in ArcGIS environment to produce suitability map for WtE facility in the study area. Results showed that less than 1% and 77% of the study area were found to be moderately suitable and marginally suitable respectively for siting WtE facility; while 21% and 0.33% of the study area were found to be less suitable and not suitable respectively. The study has provided the basic information required for harnessing waste energy potential for sustainable development in Onitsha North. The waste energy potentials can be exploited to provide alternative energy source for industrialisation and economic activities in the area. The WtE will also serve as an alternative efficient waste management strategy in the study area. The combination of GIS and MCDA techniques has proven to be efficient in site suitability analysis, hence it can be applied in solving multicriteria decision problems.
Feasability and effectiveness of scaling up hepatitis-C treatment in West and Central Africa: the TAC ANRS 12311 clinical trial
Authors: Lacombe Karine , Moh Raoul , Chazallon Corine , Lemoine Maud , Sylla Babacar , Fadiga Fatoumata , Carrou Jerôme Le , Marcellin Fabienne , Kouanfack Charles , Ciaffi Laura , Sartre Michelle Tagni , Sida Magloire Biwole , Diallo Alpha , Gozlan Joel , Seydi Moussa , Cissé Viviane , Danel Christine , Girard Pierre Marie , Toni Thomas , Minga Albert , Boyer Sylvie , Carrieri Patrizia , Attia Alain
Published: November 2023

Background Access to direct-acting antivirals for chronic hepatitis C treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa is a clinical, public health and ethical concern. The multicenter open-label trial TAC ANRS 12311 was conducted to assess the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of an implementation model of HCV treatment and retreatment in patients with hepatitis C in Sub Saharan Africa.Methods Between November 2015 and March 2017, with follow-up until mid 2019, treatment-naïve patients with HCV without decompensated cirrhosis or liver cancer were recruited to receive 12 week-treatment with either sofosbuvir + ribavirin (HCV genotype 2) or sofosbuvir + ledipasvir (genotype 1 or 4) and retreatment with sofosbuvir + velpatasvir + voxilaprevir in case of virological failure. The primary outcome was sustained virological response at 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). Secondary outcomes included treatment adherence, safety and SVR12 in patients who were retreated due to non-response to first-line treatment.Results The study recruited 120 participants, 36 HIV-co-infected, and 14 cirrhotic. Only one patient discontinued treatment because of return to home country. Neither death nor severe adverse event occurred. SVR12 was reached in 107 patients (89%): (90%) in genotype 1 or 2, and 88% in GT-4. All retreated patients (n = 13) reached SVR12.Conclusions This model implemented for access to HCV treatment and retreatment of viral failures appeared to be feasible, safe and effective. With the expanded access to HCV generic drugs, scaling up of HCV test-and-treat strategies should now be considered a priority for HCV elimination in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Iliocaval and Iliofemoral Venous Stenting for Obstruction Secondary to Tumor Compression: Single Center Experience
Authors: Aly Ahmed K , Moussa Amgad , Chevallier Olivier , Kishore Sirish , Petre Elena , Friedman Adie , Bryce Yolanda , Gonzalez-Aguirre Adrian , Camacho Juan , Santos Ernesto , Ridouani Fourat
Published: November 2023

Background
Cancer patients with pelviabdominal masses can suffer from lower extremity symptoms due to venous compression. The effectiveness of venous stenting has been established in extrinsic venous compression in benign conditions like May-Thurner syndrome. In this retrospective study we evaluate the efficacy and safety of caval, iliocaval and iliofemoral venous stenting for cases of extrinsic venous compression caused by malignant masses in cancer patients.
Methods
IRB-approved retrospective review of patients who underwent iliofemoral venography with venoplasty and stenting between January 2018 and February 2022 was performed. Patients with extrinsic venous compression caused by malignant masses were included. Data on patient demographics, pre-procedure symptoms, procedural technique, stent characteristics, outcomes and follow-up were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to assess technical success, clinical success, primary stent patency and adverse events of the procedure.
Results
Thirty-seven patients (19 males, 18 females) who underwent 45 procedures were included. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was present in 21 (57%) patients. Twenty-nine patients (78%, 95% CI 62-90%)
reported clinical improvement of the presenting symptoms. The median overall survival after the procedure was 4.7 months (95% CI 3.58-5.99). Eight (22%) patients were alive at last follow up with median follow up of 10.33 months (Range 2-25 months). Twenty-six patients had patent stents on their last follow up imaging (70%, 95% CI 61%-91%). Two patients had a small access site hematoma which resolved spontaneously. Two patients developed moderate, and 1 patient developed severe adverse events related to post procedure therapeutic anticoagulation
Conclusion
Venous stenting is a safe procedure and should be considered as part of the palliative care for patients with debilitating lower extremity symptoms related to iliocaval and iliofemoral venous compression.
Novel multitasking gold nanoparticles biosynthesized by Cassia fistula: antifungal, anti- obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities
Authors: Ajayi V. A. , Adebayo T. E. , Lateef A.
Published: November 2023

In this study, an aqueous extract of Cassia fistula leaves (CFLE) was employed for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (CFL-AuNPs). The CFL-AuNPs were characterized and evaluated for antifungal, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities in vitro. The characteristic change in color from colorless to wine red and the UV-visible absorption at 560 nm confirmed the phytosynthesis of CFL-AuNPs. The particles were anisotropic, with spherical and irregular shapes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed peaks that correspond to the -OH compound of phenols or alcohol, -NH2, -N-H amines of protein, and -C=O/-C-O of carbonyl groups. CFL-AuNPs were active against Aspergillus flavus (50.70%), A. fumigatus (47.73%), A. niger (44.29%), and Fusarium solani (47.65%). Similarly, CFL-AuNPs exhibited lipase inhibitory activity of 88.93±0.81% with an IC50 of 121.38 µg/ml comparable with standard Orlistat (89.46±0.50%) having an IC50 of 120.51 µg/ml showing anti-obesity potential. CFL-AuNPs also inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity by 42.93±4.12%. Proton potassium (H+-/K+-) ATPase inhibitory assay of CFL-AuNPs showed activity of 84.60±9.54% at IC50 <75 µg/ml which was more efficient than acetaminophen (IC50 of 187.6 µg/ml) with promising anti-ulcer activity. The phytosynthesized CFL-AuNPs exhibited a multitasking nature as demonstrated by the antifungal, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-ulcer activities, making it a promising candidate for further study as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple diseases. As far as we are aware, this is the foremost report on the in vitro evaluation of the anti-ulcer activities of AuNPs.
Diagnostic utility of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA quantitation in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Esen Sema , Saglik Imran , Dolar Enver , Cesur Selcan , Ugras Nesrin , Agca Harun , Merdan Osman , Ener Beyza
Published: November 2023

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a critical clinical condition associated with severe complications in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of CMV DNA in intestinal mucosa tissue and blood samples in patients with active UC.
Methods The study included 81 patients experiencing exacerbations of UC symptoms. The patients' demographics, symptoms, disease activity, endoscopic findings, and medications were obtained from the Hospital Information System. CMV DNA was analyzed with the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method on patients' colorectal tissue samples and plasma. CMV markers were investigated with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E).
Results It was found that older age, active tissue inflammation, a previous CMV infection, and corticosteroids are risk factors for CMV infection. CMV positivity was 9.8% in the tissue samples of patients by IHC and 1.2% by H&E. CMV DNA was detected in 63% of tissue and 58.5% of plasma samples. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for qPCR were excellent (100.0%), while the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for tissue were low (41.9% and 15.7%, respectively). Similarly, sensitivity and NPV in plasma were higher (100.0%) for qPCR, while specificity and PPV were low (48.6% and 24.0%, respectively). The viral load was ≥ 392 copies/mg in tissue (sensitivity 100.0% and specificity 83.6%) and ≥ 578 copies/mL (895 IU/mL) in plasma (sensitivity 66.7% and specificity 100.0%), ensuring optimal diagnosis.
Conclusions The qPCR method can potentially enhance patient management by timely identifying CMV colitis in UC patients. However, exclusive reliance on qPCR positivity for diagnosis can lead to overdiagnosis, which in turn may result in unnecessary antiviral therapy. To improve diagnostic specificity, quantification of CMV DNA is helpful, although standardization is required.
Molecular Docking of Compounds from Plectranthus amboinicus against Target Protein p53 as a Candidate for Anti-Aging Medicine
Authors: Arifaputri Naila Ramadhanty , Auerkari Elza Ibrahim , Gultom Ferry Pergamus , Suhartono Antonius Winoto , Suniarti Dewi Fatma , Amir Lisa Rinanda , Sulijaya Benso , Auerkari Pertti
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Aging is an inevitable process that significantly impacts oral and dental health, especially among individuals aged 65 and older. The protein p53 is thought to be involved in the aging process by regulating cellular senescence. Molecular docking techniques can assist in assessing the potential of compounds derived from various plants for use as herbal medicines. Indonesia alone possesses a wealth of medicinal plants known to contain herbal compounds believed to offer remedies for a wide range of illnesses. As an illustration, among these plants is Mexican mint, scientifically known as Plectranthus amboinicus. Compounds of thymol, carvacrol, and flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, rutin, eriodictyol) from the extract of the Plectranthus amboinicusplant which are rich in antioxidants are believed to have the potential to inhibit the cellular senescence process to suppress the aging process. The purpose of this research is to investigate the interaction between the ligand of thymol, carvacrol, and flavonoid compounds from Plectranthus amboinicuswith the p53 target protein which is associated with cellular senescence activity in the aging procress.
Methods: In silico study through molecular docking to examine the molecular interactions of the ligands of thymol, carvacrol, and flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, rutin, eriodictyol) from the Plectranthus amboinicus plant against the target protein receptor p53 which is responsible for the process of cellular senescence. The interaction results obtained is a histogram which will be analyzed and interpreted to determine the binding affinity of the interactions that occurred.
Results: Interactions existed between the ligands of thymol, carvacrol, and flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, rutin, eriodictyol) from the Plectranthus amboinicus plant against the target protein receptor p53.
Conclusion: Plectranthus amboinicushas the potential to be an anti-aging agent that can inhibit and slow down the process of aging through in silico studies. However, it is important to conduct additional research regarding the properties of Plectranthus amboinicusto determine the unknown potential of this plant to the human body.
A nomogram of non-invasive diagnostic models for CHB-related early cirrhosis: a prospective study
Authors: Chen Yuxia , Wei Meijuan , Chen Meng , Wu Chenyu , Ding Hongbing , Pan Xingnan
Published: November 2023

Objective: To construct a non-invasive diagnostic nomogram for chronic hepatitis B(CHB)- related early cirrhosis.
Methods 72 patients with CHB were enrolled in a prospective study, and divided into S4 stage of liver cirrhosis and S0-S3 stage of non-liver cirrhosis according to pathological findings. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors, and a diagnostic nomogram was constructed for CHB-related early cirrhosis. It was validated and calibrated by bootstrap self-extraction.
Results Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, right hepatic vein diameter, presence or absence of nodules, and echogenicity grade of liver parenchyma were identified as independent risk factors. The AUC value of the diagnostic nomogram was 0.955, and the calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve. Decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the nomogram was significant.
Conclusion The non-invasive diagnostic nomogram can achieve accurate diagnosis of CHB-related early cirrhosis, which may facilitate clinical management.
How Have Socio-Economic Factors Affected Regional Mortality Pattern in China?
Authors: Li Tiantian , Zhang Shuyin , Li Handong
Published: November 2023

The level of regional population mortality is closely related to the degree of regional socio-economic development. This paper attempts to identify the key socio-economic factors influencing the mortality patterns among China's provincial regions and analyze the mechanisms driving these patterns. We first used the data of the Chinese Seventh Population Census to obtain mortality patterns by age, gender, and urban-rural divided for 31 provincial-level administrative regions. Then, stepwise regression was used to screen out twelve socio-economic indicators affecting mortality patterns, and we employed a functional regression model to analyze the influence of these indicators on mortality probabilities across different age groups. The main findings of this study include: (1) Significant gender and urban-rural disparities are evident in China's regional mortality patterns, affecting nearly all age groups. (2) The substantial marginal impact of socio-economic factors on the mortality pattern generally becomes evident after the age of 45, with less pronounced differences in their impact on early-life mortality patterns. (3) The influence of socio-economic factors on mortality patterns varies across different age groups, suggesting the complexity and heterogeneity of this impact in regional mortality patterns, while also acknowledging certain limitations.
Development of low glycemic index pancakes formulated with canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) flour
Authors: Escalante-Figueroa Fernanda , Castellanos-Ruelas Arturo , Castañeda-Pérez Eduardo , Chel-Guerrero Luis , Betancur-Ancona David
Published: November 2023

Consumers prefer food products that, in addition to chemical and nutritional properties, also have effects beneficial to health. The use of non-conventional food plants such as canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) constitutes an alternative in the food industry due to nutritional properties, chemical and bioactive potential. The aim of this research was to develop pancake formulations with the inclusion of canary seed flour to evaluate their chemical composition, sensory acceptability, and glycemic index. Pancakes based on whole-wheat flour mixed with canary seed flour were developed at three substitution levels (10, 30, and 50%). The formulations exhibited attractive nutritional properties, mainly due to the levels of protein (~ 8.7%), minerals (~ 5.1%), and total dietary fiber (4.7–5.9%). The perception of the attributes showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05) between the formulations. The flours with 10 and 30% showed high sensory acceptability with average scores of 6.22 and 6.67, between the categories "I like it" and "I like it a lot". All formulations presented a low glycemic index (34–39%) that was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) as the level of substitution increased. The findings represent a new approach to the use of canary seed in the development of healthy food products.
Transcriptomic gene profiles in an ex vivo model of erythropoiesis to unravel molecular pathomechanisms of Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Tinguely Matthis , Opitz Lennart , Schaer Dominik J. , Vallelian Florence , Schmugge Markus , Franzoso Francesca D.
Published: November 2023

We characterized the transcriptional profiles of erythroid cells differentiated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from peripheral blood collected from patients diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which have been treated with Hydroxyurea (HU) in comparison to untreated SCD patients and healthy controls (HC) using bulk RNAseq. We identified 398 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SCD non-treated-derived erythroid cells and 65 DEGs in SCD HU-treated patient-derived erythroid cells compared to HC. We found biological processes such as oxidative phosphorylation pathway, proteasome, autophagy, natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity, adaptive immune response or inflammatory response to be significantly enriched in our patient study groups by using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Our findings collectively suggest different as well as common molecular signatures between our groups. We could validate 12 of our top DEGs in treated patients by qRT-PCR. We performed additional experiments to compare the mRNA levels of mutS homolog 5- Suppressor APC Domain Containing 1 (MSH5-SAPCD1), G protein subunit gamma 4 (GNG4), stabilin 1/ clever-1 (STAB1) and Fas Binding Factor 1 (FBF1) from the bone marrow cells and spleen tissue from the Berkely SCD mouse model to the expressions observed in the transcriptome.
Trial-by-trial responses of individuals with mild depression in tasks with varying reward probabilities
Authors: Tian Xiuju , Jing hui , Wang Lijun , Chen Qianqian
Published: November 2023

Numerous studies have traditionally employed monetary incentives to investigate reward and loss processing in individuals exhibiting depressive symptoms, despite the fact that depression often arises and persists due to maladaptive responses to social rewards and losses.In this study, we explored the responses of individuals with mild depression under different reward tasks and reward probabilities and further clarified the psychological mechanism of individuals with mild depression under reward and loss. 57 participants with mild depression and 57 healthy controls (HC) completed the monetary incentive delay (MID) and social incentive delay (SID) tasks. The results revealed that there was no interaction between reward task and group reaction time(RT). Responses of the two groups in MID and SID were similar. Under conditions of high reward probability, the reaction time of the HC was distinctively shorter than that of the group with mild depression, while there was no difference between the two groups under low reward probability conditions. In conclusion, individuals with mild depression demonstrate a more pronounced impairment in their reward function under conditions of high reward probability. They exhibit normal responses to monetary loss and and social negation under conditions of low reward probability.
Identification of extracellular vesicles from theirRaman spectra via self-supervised learning
Authors: Jensen Mathias Novik , Guerreiro Eduarda Mazagao , Enciso-Martinez Agustin , Kruglik Sergei G. , Otto Cees , Snir Omri , Ricaud Benjamin , Hellesø Olav Gaute
Published: November 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cells attract interest for their possible role in health and diseases. The detection and characterization of EVs is challenging due to the lack of specialized methodologies. Raman spectroscopy, however, has been suggested as a novel approach for biochemical analysis of EVs. To extract information from the spectra, a novel deep learning architecture is explored as a versatile variant of autoencoders. The proposed architecture considers the frequency range separately from the intensity of the spectra. This enables the model to adapt to the frequency range, rather than requiring that all spectra be pre-processed to the same frequency range as it was trained on. It is demonstrated that the proposed architecture accepts Raman spectra of EVs and lipoproteins from 13 biological sources and from two laboratories. High reconstruction accuracy is maintained despite large variances in frequency range and noise level. It is also shown that the architecture is able to cluster the biological nanoparticles by their Raman spectra and differentiate them by their origin without pre-processingof the spectra or supervision during learning. The model performs label-free differentiation, including separating EVs from activated vs. non-activated blood platelets and EVs/lipoproteins from prostate cancer patients vs. non-cancer controls. The differentiation is evaluated by creating a neural network classifier that observes the features extracted by the model to classify the samples according to their origin. The classification reveals a test sensitivity of 92.2% and selectivity of 92.3% over 769 measurements from two labs that have different measurement configurations.
Early-life thymectomy enhances persistence of fetal-derived γδ T cells in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Ravens Sarina , Cramer Alexa , Riemann Lennart , Almeida Vicente , Yang Tao , Kammeyer Christoph , Gluschke Elisa , Kleiner Svea , Léon-Lara Ximena , Janssen Anika , Hofmann Alejandro , Horke Alexander , von Kaisenberg Constantin , Forster Reinhold , Beerbaum Philipp , Boehne Martin
Published: November 2023

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect in newborns, often requiring surgical correction with thymectomy that is known to affect the T-cell pool and subsequent disease susceptibility. Studies of γδ T cells, which develop as ontogenetic waves, are rare in this context. Here, γδ T cells and αβ T cells were investigated in children with CHD, who underwent cardiac surgery shortly after birth. A reduced thymic activity and perturbations in postnatal-derived T cells were evident at 5–12 years post-surgery. Fetal-derived CD161hiNKG2A+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, which retained their functionality, showed elevated abundance. An increase of TRDJ3+ γδ T cell clones in pediatric CHD patients, but not in a confirmatory group of neonates prior to cardiac surgery, was identified. This study provides insight into the postnatal adaptation of γδ T cells in relation to thymic output and identifies persistence of fetal-derived Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in pediatric CHD patients.
The association between smoking and family health with the mediation role of personality among Chinese people: nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Jiangyun , Ren Na , Luo Menglin , Gan Li , Li Haomiao , Liu Siyuan , Zhou Yan , Yang Jiao , Zhou Haozheng , Yin Xuanhao , Yang Xinlei , Wan Jiahuan , Wu Yibo , Luo Zhenni
Published: November 2023

Background: There may be unexplored interactions between family health, personality, and smoking that could help provide new perspectives on tobacco control.
Objective: To examine the relationship between the health of one's family and their smoking habits, as well as investigate the potential influence of personality on this relationship.
Methods: For this cross-sectional investigation, a national survey conducted in China in 2022 recruited a total of 21916 individuals. The Family Health Scale was utilized to assess the health of the family. The 10-item Big Five Inventory scale was utilized to assess the Big five personality traits. The relationship between big five personality, family health, and smoking were investigated using binary and linear logistic regression. The indirect effects mediated by Big five personality were analyzed using mediation analysis with Sobel tests, and the indirect effects were composited using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method.
Results: The overall prevalence of smoking in the study population was 14.87%, 26.19% for males and 3.54% for females. Urban and rural smoking prevalence was 13.81% and 16.10% respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between smoking and family health (odds ratio 0.964, 95% CI 0.959,0.970，P<0.001) with covariates controlled. The Karlson-Holm-Breen composition facilitated the connection between extraversion (47.81%) and nervousness (52.19%).
Conclusions: Preventive interventions for smoking behavior should prioritize family health and the Big five personality as significant areas to focus on. According to this study, in addition to implementing various interventions for different personalities, family health should be strengthened to reduce smoking behavior.