bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Authors: Igwesi-Chidobe Chinonso Nwamaka , Okechi Peace Chioma , Emmanuel Grace Nneoma , Ozumba Benjamin C
Published: July 2022

BackgroundNon-pharmacological interventions are the first line of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) management. Community-based interventions are cheaper, more accessible, with higher patient satisfaction. ObjectivesTo systematically review community-based non-pharmacological interventions and evaluate their effectiveness for GDM. Search StrategyTwelve bibliographic databases and reference list of related studies from inception until January 2022. Selection CriteriaAll primary studies of community-based non-pharmacological interventions for GDM reported in English which investigated any behavioural or clinical outcome(s). Data Collection and AnalysisData were extracted using modified Cochrane’s data extraction template. Studies were evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. Narrative synthesis was used to summarise findings. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021257634).Main Results27 studies involving 6,242 pregnant women with GDM involved self-management programmes, medical nutrition/diet therapy, exercise/physical activity, combined diet and exercise, calcium plus vitamin D supplementation, and continuous glucose monitoring. Self-management programmes were more effective than routine care in improving self-efficacy, two-hour postprandial blood glucose, and lifestyle behaviours but were as effective as routine care in improving infant birth weight. Self-management programmes were superior to or as effective as usual care in improving fasting blood glucose, blood glucose control, glycated haemoglobin, macrosomia, and preterm delivery. Medical nutrition/diet therapy was more effective than usual care in improving postprandial blood glucose levels. Limited/conflicting evidence was found for other outcomes and interventions. ConclusionsCommunity-based non-pharmacological interventions are more effective than placebo; and are more or as effective as usual care. Self-management programmes and medical nutrition/diet therapy had the most promising GDM outcomes.
Transfer and Active Learning of High Dimensional Neural Network Potentials for Transition Metal Clusters and Bulk
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Subramanian , Varughese Bilvin , Manna Sukriti , Loeffler Troy , Batra Rohit , Cherukara Mathew
Published: July 2022

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations represent a very popular and powerful tool for materials modeling and design. The predictive power of MD hinges on the ability of the interatomic potential to capture the underlying physics and chemistry. There have been decades of seminal work on developing interatomic potentials albeit with a focus predominantly on capturing the properties of bulk materials. Such physics-based models, while extensively deployed for predicting dynamics and properties of nanoscale systems over the past two decades, tend to perform poorly in predicting nanoscale potential energy surface when compared to high-fidelity first-principles calculations. These limitations stem from the lack of flexibility in such models, which rely on a pre-defined functional form. Machine learning models and approaches have emerged as a viable alternative to capture the diverse size-dependent cluster geometries, nanoscale dynamics and the complex nanoscale potential energy surfaces (PES), without sacrificing the bulk properties. Here, we introduce an ML workflow that combines transfer and active learning strategies to develop high-dimensional neural networks (NN) for capturing cluster and bulk properties for several different transition metals with applications in catalysis, microelectronics, and energy storage to name a few. Our NN first learns the bulk PES from the high-quality physics-based models in literature and subsequently augments this learning via retraining with a higher fidelity first-principles training dataset to concurrently capture both the nanoscale and bulk PES. Our workflow departs from status-quo in its ability to learn from a sparsely sampled dataset that nonetheless covers a diverse range of cluster configurations from near-equilibrium to highly non-equilibrium as well as learning strategies that iteratively improves the fingerprinting depending on model fidelity. All the developed models are rigorously tested against an extensive first-principles dataset of energies and forces of cluster configurations as well as several properties of bulk configurations for 10 different transition metals. Our approach is material agnostic and provides a methodology to transfer and build upon the learnings from decades of seminal work in molecular simulations on to a new generation of ML trained potentials to accelerate materials discovery and design.
Stromal Vascular Fraction From Canine Adipose Tissue Comprises Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Subpopulations Characterized by Time-dependent Binding Affinity to Culture Plastic
Authors: Scattini Gabriele , Pellegrini Martina , Severi Giulio , Pascucci Luisa
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUD: Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) from adipose tissue are among the most extensively investigated cells for clinical applications both in human and veterinary medicine. Their isolation is mostly carried out by collagenase digestion followed by filtration and seeding. Non-adherent cells are then removed from culture 48 hours upon seeding. Our hypothesis is that fragments eliminated by filtration or discarded after 48h might contain residual MSC that adhere later to the plastic, also after 6 days (144 hours) upon isolation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the basic features of cells that adhere to the plastic at 3 different time points after isolation in order to speculate on the possible existence of MSC subpopulations that are located in different tissue niches.METHODS: Subcutaneous adipose tissue collected from 3 dogs was minced and digested with collagenase I. Three cell populations were obtained at different time points from isolation (48h, 96h, and 144h). They were expanded until passage 3 and characterized by flow cytometry for positive (CD90, CD44, CD29) and negative (CD14, MHC2, CD45) MSC markers as well as for CD31 (endothelial cell marker), CD146 (pericyte marker), alpha-SMA (smooth muscle cell marker). At passage 3, cells were evaluated for viability (MTT assay), doubling time, and trilineage differentiation ability.RESULTS: No significant differences between the 3 subpopulations were observed. They were all characterized by the expression of MSC positive markers and by the absence of negative markers. CD31, CD146, and alpha-SMA were expressed by less than 5% of the cells in all the 3 sub-populations. No differences in differentiation ability and viability were detected. Doubling time ranged between 25 and 30 hours in all the 3 experimental groups.CONCLUSIONS: The 3 cell subpopulations were similar in terms of immunophenotype, proliferation, and differentiation potential. In this view, the procedure of sequential adhesions seems to be a useful method to efficiently improve MSC yield. Indeed, it allows for optimized cell recovery, reducing the amount of sampled tissue and shortening the time necessary to obtain an adequate number of cells for clinical applications. However, functional differences cannot be excluded, and potency assays are required in order to explore possible distinct biological attitudes.
Recreational athletes’ use of performance enhancing substances: Results from the first European Randomized Response Technique survey
Authors: Christiansen Ask Vest , Frenger Monika , Chirico Andrea , Pitsch Werner
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim: Measuring prevalence of doping in recreational sport is difficult. However, to fit their initiatives, National Anti-Doping Organizations are interested in knowing the numbers so their scarce resources are not wasted. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of doping and over-the-counter medicine for performance enhancement among recreational athletes in eight European countries.Design: A survey covering +200 sports aimed at recreational athletes 15 years and older was distributed via social media to sports clubs and individuals in eight European countries. To overcome social desirability bias, we applied indirect questioning by using the Randomized Response Technique and asked for the use of over-the-counter medicine and doping for the year 2019.Results: Prevalence of the use of over-the-counter medications for performance enhancement was estimated at 10.4%. We differentiated between the concept of “doping” as the behavior to enhance performance in a certain sport and the concept of “a doper” as a property of a person. The prevalence of dopers in recreational sport was found to be 0.4%, with 3.1% male and 0% female dopers. Responses were separated into four categories: “Artistic sports”, “Combat sports”, “Games”, and “CGS sports” (i.e., sports measured in centimeters, grams, and seconds). The overall prevalence for doping in recreational sports was found to be 1.6% and the results from Artistic and CGS sports did not differ significantly from this. However, in Games we found an estimated doping prevalence of 6.9%.Discussion and Conclusion: The estimates for the prevalence of dopers and doping in this study, does not equal Anti-Doping Rule Violations as stipulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Still, while doping is not absent in recreational sport in Europe, it is a low frequent phenomenon. Also, the differences in doping prevalence between the sports categories might reflect structural and competition-related differences, rather than differences in the logic of the sporting competition or discipline-related subcultures. Therefore, doping in recreational sports needs tailored research approaches to come to a better understanding of the phenomenon.
Scaffolds based on chitosan with phenolic acids for tissue engineering – in vivo assessment
Authors: Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata , Polkowska Izabela , Paździor-Czapula Katarzyna , Nowicka Beata , Otrocka-Domagała Iwona
Published: July 2022

Chitosan-based scaffolds modified by gallic acid, ferulic acid, and tannic acid were fabricated. The aim of the experiment was to study the compatibility of scaffolds by in vivo method. For such purpose materials were implanted into rabbit in the middle of the latissimus dorsi muscle length. Scaffold based on unmodified chitosan was implanted by the same method as a control. The results showed that all studied materials were safe and nontoxic. However, chitosan scaffolds modified by gallic acid and tannic acid were resorbed faster and as a result tissues were organized faster than those modified by ferulic acid or unmodified.
Analysis of Reaction Forces in Fixture Locating Points: An Analytical, Numerical, and Experimental Study
Authors: Parvaz Hadi , Hosseini Seyed Vahid
Published: July 2022

Reaction forces are one of the key parameters in the fixture design procedure. They are generated at the fixture locating points by application of the clamping forces and machining loads. They are used as input values in several stages of the fixture design procedure. In this paper, an analytical model has been developed based on the minimum norm principle to calculate these forces at the fixture locating points. Numerical simulations and experimental tests have been performed on a 3D polyhedral workpiece to validate the theoretical predictions. The simulations have been performed using Abaqus® software and experimental tests have been conducted using an experimental setup consisting of a fixture and a 3D polyhedral workpiece. An appropriate agreement was observed between the theoretical, numerical, and experimental results for the normal component of reaction forces. The maximum errors of 3.9% and 15% were observed between the theoretical predictions compared to the numerical and experimental results, respectively. The effects of the influential parameters, including coefficient of friction and clamping force, were also studied on the results. The agreement between the theoretical, numerical, and experimental results indicated the efficiency of the proposed model in the rapid calculation of reaction forces in fixturing 3D polyhedral workpieces.
Stateless and Rule-Based Verification For Compliance Checking Applications
Authors: Besharati Mohammad Reza , Izadi Mohammad , Asgari Ehsaneddin
Published: July 2022

Context: Underlying computational model has an important role in any computation. The state and transition (such as in automata) and rule and value (such as in Lisp and logic programming) are two comparable and counterpart computational models. Both of deductive and model checking verification techniques are relying on a notion of state and as a result, their underlying computational models are state dependent. Some verification problems (such as compliance checking by which an under compliance system is verified against some regulations and rules) have not a strong notion of state nor transition. Behalf of it, these systems have a strong notion of value symbols and declarative rules defined on them. Objective: SARV (Stateless And Rule-Based Verification) is a verification framework that designed to simplify the overall process of verification for stateless and rule-based verification problems (e.g. compliance checking).Method: In this paper, a formal logic-based framework for creating intelligent compliance checking systems is presented. We define and introduce this framework, report a case study and present results of an experiment on it. Results: The case study is about protocol compliance checking for smart cities. Using this solution, a Rescue Scenario use case and its compliance checking are sketched and modeled. An automation engine for and a compliance solution with SARV are introduced. Based on 300 data experiments, the SARV-based compliance solution outperforms famous machine learning methods on a 3125-records software quality dataset. Conclusions: The proposed SARV method could be beneficial for stateless verification in compliance checking applications.
Classification of Colorectal Polyps from Histopathological Images using Ensemble of ConvNeXt Variants
Authors: Yengec-Tasdemir Sena Busra , Akay Ebru , Dogan Serkan , Yilmaz Bulent
Published: July 2022

In this work, we propose a computer-aided diagnosis system for automatic classification of adenomatous polyps from colonic histological images. The proposed method employs an ensemble of ConvNeXt variants, which is one of the most recent and prominent convolution based deep learning architectures. Comprehensive experiments show that classification performance of the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art Deep CNN models on our dataset, with a 95% accuracy. It achieves 91.1% and 90% classification accuracy respectively on EBHI and UniToPatho datasets, which shows that the model can generalize well for other datasets as well. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of stain normalization preprocessing on the classification accuracy. While the other methods are sensitive to the normalization, the proposed method retains its accuracy levels under the variations, which also indicates a high generalization ability. Lastly, we use the Grad-Cam method and show that the proposed model gives more attention to the regions where the cancer indicators potentially reside.
Financial technology and financial inclusion in Africa
Authors: ALHASSAN ABDUL LATIF , Yengeni Sandisiwe
Published: July 2022

This paper examines the effect of financial technology (FINTECH) on financial inclusion in 36 African countries for 2011, 2014 and 2017 in a two-stage analysis. In the first stage, data on access, usage and availability of financial services is employed to compute financial inclusion index (FII) using the Principal Component Analysis. In the second stage, a panel data regression model is estimated using the fixed and random effects techniques to examine the effect of proxies of financial technology of the FII. The findings suggests that the sample is characterized by low levels of financial inclusion. From the panel regression analysis, FINTECH is observed to have a positive effect on financial inclusion. Specifically, the use of mobile accounts is observed to have the greatest impact on financial inclusion compared to the use of digital payments from traditional bank accounts. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Horizon Scale tests of Quantum Gravity using the Event Horizon Telescope observations
Authors: Marongwe Stuart
Published: July 2022

We test the fundamental physics of the Nexus Paradigm of quantum gravity
using horizon scale images and shadows of the supermassive black holes
(SMBHs) Sagittarius (Sgr)A* and M87* as imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope
(EHT). We consider the angular diameter of the emission ring peak as
predicted by the Nexus Paradigm including the size of the central dark
depression and the base diameter of each black hole. The predicted dimensions
are then compared to observations from which we obtain an excellent agreement
between observations and prediction at the 99th percentile credibility
interval.
Rapid Optimization of Chlorella protothecoides Biomass Production from Low-Cost Biowaste Under Mixotrophic Conditions
Authors: Zhang Ning , Bridges William C. , Walker Terry H.
Published: July 2022

Mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella protothecoides was carried out in this study with an artificial light source. The culturing medium was supplemented with crude glycerol by-product from a biodiesel facility as an organic carbon source, and the spent yeast from a local brewery was used as an organic nitrogen source. Experiments were performed based on a 3×3 factorial design, with algal biomass (g/L) as the response. Data was fitted into a response surface model to investigate the impact on biomass of 3 factors: light intensity, carbon concentration and nitrogen concentration. According to the model, a maximal biomass of 20.94 g/L could be reached at a light intensity of 100 µmol m− 2s− 1, carbon concentration of 24.1 g/L and nitrogen concentration of 0.7 g/L.
Quantitative Study of Exoplanets and Calculation of Occurrence Rate
Authors: Mistry Priyashkumar , Pathak Kamlesh , Sonvane Yogesh
Published: July 2022

We present occurrence rates and statistical research of the exoplanets and their host stars discovered by various space-based and ground-based observatories. The data for the same was collected from NASA Exoplanet Archive. This data suggests that exoplanets are more likely to be occurred around the stars of the spectral types F, G and K. We also check for nearby observable sky regions and the population of different stars to ensure that our analysed results are not due to satellite observational constraints but rather to the unique characteristics of different stars. The calculated frequency of occurrence based on the concept of joint probability of two dependent events suggests that for Kepler Planetary Occurrence Rate can be ranked as G > K > F, and for TESS it is K > G > F. We calculated μ ± 1.645σ interval for visual magnitudes of parent stars. For TESS satellite it is carried out to be 7.53 - 14.58, which is comparable to earlier prediction of 8.2 - 13.1. Results suggest that TESS planets typically orbit stars with 3.4568 ± 1.3516 magnitudes brighter than Kepler planets and 1.9801 ± 0.6495 magnitudes brighter than K2 planets. The study based on exoplanetary radii showed that most confirmed exoplanets are smaller than the 6R_E, in which many exoplanets have radii in the range of 1-3 R_E. The findings of this study offer a novel research opportunity for exoplanet detection scientists, particularly in terms of identifying potential candidates from large amounts of satellite data.
Analysis of the Change of Productive Matrix of Fossil Fuels by Biofuel in Ecuador
Authors: Nevárez Eddie Zambrano , Murillo Sandra Peña , Correa William
Published: July 2022

The search for energy for humanity’s various activities led to the discovery of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Today, fossil fuels provide 85% of the energy used worldwide. The use of fossil fuels causes environmental damage that has become more noticeable in recent decades. For this purpose, information is compiled through a bibliographic review of reliable sources such as Springer, Scielo, and other documentary sources, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of a change in the productive matrix from fossil fuels to biofuels in Latin America. It is concluded that a significant investment must be made to make a difference in the abundant matrix; however, there is a great variety of raw materials in the Latin American area to obtain biofuels, and the necessary technology to process them is not available.
Association of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension with arsenic in drinking water: a case-control study in the CERHA region in north-central Mexico
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez B.L. , Castillo-Maldonado I. , Pedroza-Escobar D. , Delgadillo-Guzmán D. , Soto-Jimenez Martin Federico
Published: July 2022

Chronic endemic regional hydroarsenicism (CERHA) occurs worldwide, with millions of people exposed to arsenic (As) in drinking water. CERHA is present in north-central Mexico, where As typically exceeds the WHO guideline (10 µg L− 1) and Mexican limits (25 µg L− 1). Biochemical alterations related to the human As metabolism may increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension (AHT). We conducted a case-control study to address the role of As in drinking water as a risk factor for those metabolic diseases in exposed populations with low (Lerdo) and high (San Pedro) exposition and in people inhabiting CERHA and non-CERHA municipalities. In drinking water and human urine, arsenic was analyzed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry—a significant correlation between As in drinking water and urine evidenced the As exposure in the population. Arsenic in drinking water (16.8 ± 9.2 vs. 39 ± 27.9 µg L− 1) and urine (6.20 ± 5.62 vs. 18.48 ± 21.56 µg L− 1) were lower in Lerdo than in San Pedro muncipality. Adjusted odds ratios evidenced higher (1.7–1.8) chances to be diagnosed with T2D and AHT in San Pedro than in Lerdo people. Also, a higher risk of obesity (1.3–1.4), T2D (1.5 to 3.3), and AHT (1.6 to 2.4) occurs in CERHA than in non-CERHA towns.
Smart Bacterial Foraging considering Evolutionary and Heuristic Strategies for Optimization practices
Authors: Samare-Hashemi M. , Daryabeigi E.
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a smart bacterial foraging optimization method considering evolutionary and heuristic strategies (SBFEH) is developed, which enjoys an individual intelligence (how to achieve a goal) and social intelligence (how to collaborate or compete with others for resources). The algorithm inspires some evolutionary and physiological heuristic strategies, which provide a higher performance in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. In other words, the exploration and exploitation of the proposed algorithm are improved. The proposed algorithm is applied on different benchmark functions including some CEC05/13 functions and two well-known engineering design optimization problems, the results obtained show that the SBFEHS algorithm is either more accurate and scalable or competitive than those algorithms available in the literature. In addition, a practical water management problem-based optimization is deal with the proposed algorithm in comparison with other state of art solutions.
Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Ficus Carica based on Regions, Cultivars, and Drying Treatments using GC-IMS
Authors: liu xinyu , Zhou Jiangwei , Jia Ming , Sun Rui , Sun Lei
Published: July 2022

Fig is a commonly consumed fruit worldwide, and its volatile compounds are influenced by many factors. To study the aroma changes in fresh and dried figs of China, the volatile compounds of figs from various regions and cultivars and subjected to different drying treatments were analyzed using gas-ion migration technique, and statistical analysis was conducted using fingerprints combined with principal component analysis. The results showed that the main aromatic compounds in Chinese figs were ethyl acetate (31.5–43.0%), benzaldehyde (0.8–12.7%), (E)-2-hexenal (1.9–56.8%), hexanal (0.8–12.7%), ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (2.6–8.8%) and butanoic acid methyl ester (6.6–10.7%). The peel was the main source of volatile compounds; however, there were significant differences in the amount volatile compounds based on regions, cultivars, and drying methods. We revealed that aldehydes, such as furfural and nonanal, in fresh fruits are important markers to distinguish the three cultivars, Bojihong, Branswick, Banane. We also found that after drying, figs produce four main aldehydes (3-methylbutanal, pentanal, butanal, and 2-methylpropanal) and a small amount of ketones, alcohols, and ethers, and that most esters are lost completely. Our findings provide a comprehensive explanation of how fig volatile compounds are influenced by different factors and a scientific basis for future studies on fig selection, fresh fruit consumption, and processing.
Prediction of pig fatty acids composition by near-infrared spectroscopy using neural networks and support vector machine
Authors: PAN NING , TAO chenglong
Published: July 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Using Delphi method to develop Chinese women’s cervical cancer screening intention scale based on planned behavior theory
Authors: Xin Tingting , Ding Xian , Gao Han , Li Chunting , Jiang Yuting , Chen Xiao
Published: July 2022

Background
Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women with a high mortality rate. However, the awareness and participation of women in cervical cancer screening are not high, and rare attention was paid to cervical cancer screening. The extensive promotion and execution of cervical cancer screening in China are still facing difficulties. In order to fully comprehend and evaluate the barriers and promote factors of cervical cancer screening in women, the objective of this study is to develop a scientifically sound and clinically useful Chinese cervical cancer screening intention scale. This study will allow for the development of targeted interventions which may contribute to the increase of individual participation in cervical cancer screening going forward.
Methods
This study used the Delphi method to construct a Chinese cervical cancer screening intention scale based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and evaluate its validity. The study was based on the overview of the TPB questionnaire proposed by Ajzen, and was conducted through the literature search and two rounds of the Delphi expert consultation. According to the literature search published from 2012 to 2022, the scale item pool was established and a questionnaire was designed. A survey of 16 experts from 6 different provinces, cities and regions in China was conducted, and the Delphi technique was used to collect and analyze expert opinions data.
Results
The final scale consisted of 4 dimensions and 23 items. The response rates in two rounds of expert consultation were 80% and 93.75%, respectively, with authority coefficients of 0.928 and 0.930. Variation coefficients varied from 0.07 to 0.21. Dimensions included “behavioral attitude”, “subjective norm”, “perceived behavioral control” and “behavioral intention”.
Conclusions
Women’s cervical cancer screening intentions could be assessed with the scale, since it had high validity and reliability, as well as high authority and coordination, meanwhile affording explanations and improving the efficiency of interventions.
Hybrid manufacturing process planning with predictive approach: a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Velázquez Daniel René Tasé , Simon Alexandre Tadeu , Helleno André Luís
Published: July 2022

The hybrid manufacturing has attracted industrial community interest due to its ability to produce functional parts with varied geometries, using different types of materials in the most varied applications. As with most manufacturing processes, before executing the hybrid process for the manufacture of a certain geometry, it is important to make a proper process planning that allows having an integral and proactive view of the operation. This work aims to synthesize through a systematic literature review (SLR) the state of the art on hybrid manufacturing process planning (HMPP) models with predictive approach. Three SLRs were developed to extract the articles of interest (2012-2022) from Science Direct, Springer Link, and Web of Science databases. PRISMA method was used to gather the papers and oriented the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Snowballing technique was used to gather articles of interest out of the period defined. Literature review showed that there is still no consensus between existing HMPP models, regarding all the activities necessary to ensure proper operation. In addition, the developed models have a limitation regarding the inclusion of a process simulation step. The simulation step on the existing models, does not allow to proactively check whether the experimental process conditions are adequate to ensure the manufacture of the modeled geometry before running the hybrid manufacturing process. An efficient simulation step would ensure a predictive approach to operation performance and would imply the reduction of geometric deviations without the need for excessive experimentation, reducing material consumption, manufacturing time, and resulting in a better deposition strategy. Using computational and statistical methods as support for decision-making in the process will allow the processing and analysis of data to assertively direct the structuring of a robust model for HMPP with predictive approach. A differentiated, more complete, and comprehensive process planning model is a relevant study opportunity for future research. This paper contributes to the theory development since it identifies and analyzes the existing HMPP models, highlights important gaps on the subject, and proposes insights for future development.
Gene expression profiling-based identification of different influenza patient molecular subgroups
Authors: Chen Liang , Hua Jie , He Xiaopu
Published: July 2022

Background
Influenza infections routinely circulate throughout the world, resulting in extensive patient morbidity and mortality. Even so, the molecular mechanisms underlying patient responses to influenza remain poorly understood. The present study was thus developed with the goal of classifying influenza patients into different molecular subgroups based on gene expression profiling data and assessing the relationship between these subgroups and disease severity.
Methods
The GSE101702 and GSE21802 microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and the influenza cases in these datasets were classified via consensus clustering into differential gene expression profile-based subgroups. Transcriptomic differences among these subgroups were assessed via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and enrichment analyses for individual WGCNA modules were then performed.
Results
In total, 143 influenza patients were separated into two distinct molecular subgroups through a consensus clustering approach. Patients in subgroup II exhibited increased influenza disease severity independent of age. In total, 8 subgroup-specific WCGNA modules were defined, and functional enrichment analyses revealed that relative to patients in subgroup I, those in subgroup II exhibited significant upregulation of immune response and inflammation-related pathways together with ribosome biogenesis pathway downregulation.
Conclusions
The transcriptomic classification of influenza patients performed herein was linked to disease severity, offering insight into the molecular pathogenesis of severe influenza infections.
Verteporfin Imparts Cell Cycle Arrest and Induces Apoptotic Machinery in TNBC Cells Through Sabotaging YAP Transactivation
Authors: Parambil Sulfath Thottungal , Antony Gisha Rose , Littleflower Ajeesh Babu , S Lakshmi
Published: July 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype endows distinctive biological features including aberrant proliferation, deducing the molecular mechanism harmonizing the TNBC characteristics is crucial for the greater understanding and prognosis of the disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the anti-tumorigenic effects of Verteporfin (VP) in TNBC in vitro. We evaluated the tumorigenic properties of TNBC cells upon verteporfin treatment to assess the cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell survival, and protein/mRNA expressions in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-159 breast cancer cells. Transient silencing of YAP was performed to validate the data. TNBC cells exhibited a comparatively higher active YAP downstream signaling and VP resulted in the nuclear exclusion of YAP to a significant extent. Verteporfin inhibits the proliferation of TNBC cells by altering cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, thereby rendering cellular arrest at the G0/G1 phase. In a dose-dependent manner, verteporfin induces the apoptotic machinery in TNBC cells. Moreover, transient silencing of YAP in TNBC cells exhibited a similar pattern of anti-proliferative effects. Elevated YAP nuclear activity and downstream signaling in TNBC is associated with sustaining the proliferative capacity of the cells by inhibiting the cellular apoptosis. Verteporfin induces anti-proliferative effects on TNBC via cytoplasmic retention of YAP. Consequently, cells rewire the course of the cell cycle and stimulate cellular death. We suggest YAP signaling as a prerequisite for the TNBC cell progression and verteporfin without light activation exerts anti-tumorigenic effects on TNBC cells.
Recurrence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration after cessation of treat-and-extend regimen
Authors: Hirata Yuki , Oishi Akio , Maekawa Yuki , Tsuiki Eiko , Machida Akira , Kurihara Junko , Kitaoka Takashi
Published: July 2022

The appropriate timing of treatment cessation after treat and extend (TAE) regimen for age-related macular degeneration has not been established. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of recurrence after cessation of the TAE regimen. We included patients who received and discontinued the TAE regimen, after extension of the treatment interval to > 12 weeks. The total number of injections, treatment period, last treatment interval, and visual acuity at treatment cessation were investigated as predictive factors. Forty-nine patients were included in the study. The estimated recurrence rates were 33% at one year and 48% at two years after treatment cessation, respectively. Higher chances of recurrence were associated with < 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at cessation (P < 0.002) and < 12 number of injections (P = 0.026). Meanwhile, five patients with visual acuity ≥ 1.0 logMAR at cessation did not show recurrence. Among the 25 recurrences, two lines of vision loss were noted in only two cases after resumed treatment. This study confirmed the importance of the number of injections in reducing recurrence and the association between visual acuity and recurrence. Recurrence is generally well-controlled with resumed treatment.
Evaluation of the relationship between hemoglobin A1C and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients
Authors: Hashemi Sayed Ebrahim , Sobhani Vahid , Asheghan Mahsa , Motaqi Monireh , Arabzadeh Ehsan , Boraghi Mahboobeh
Published: July 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluation the relationship between hemoglobin A1C levels and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 60 patients referred to endocrine and internal medicine clinics of Baqiyatallah Hospital who were diagnosed with diabetes and were receiving drug or insulin therapy were studied according to the Diagnostic criteria by the American Diabetes Association (ADA criteria). Patients' CTS severity was assessed according to HbA1C laboratory results and EMG / NCV test. Three questionnaires were completed for all participants: demographic information (height, weight, age, BMI, duration of diabetes, history of smoking and alcohol use, and history of other underlying diseases), Neuropathy disability score (NDS) (to assess nerve fiber damage, muscle strength, reflex loss, and loss of sensation), and Diabetic neuropathy symptoms (DNS) (for pain, numbness, tingling). The results were statistically analyzed.
Results
The study group consisted of 44 men and 16 women. 47 had type 2 diabetes and 13 had type 1 diabetes. The mean age of participants was 53.22 ± 7.28 years, the mean duration of diabetes was 11.2 ± 8.8 years, the mean duration of neuropathic symptoms was 2.9 ± 3.8 years, and the mean serum Hb A1C level of the subjects was 6.91 ± 1.38. The majority of subjects had mild CTS severity (30 out of 60). There was a statistically significant relationship between CTS severity and hemoglobin A1C levels in diabetic patients (P = 0.014).
Conclusion
The results of the study showed that the level of hemoglobin A1C has an effect on the severity of CTS. There was a statistically significant relationship between serum Hb A1C levels and CTS severity. The intensity of CTS increases with increasing hemoglobin A1C levels.
Molecular, clinicopathological characteristics and surgical results of resectable SMARCA4- deficent thoracic tumors
Authors: Luo Jizhuang , Ding Bowen , Campisi Alessio , Chen Tangbing , Teng Haohua , Ji Chunyu
Published: July 2022

PurposeSMARCA4 deficient thoracic tumors are rapid aggressive malignancies, often diagnosed at an advanced and inoperable stage. The value of pulmonary resection for resectable SMARCA4 deficient thoracic tumors are largely unknown. MethodsIn this study, we included 45 patients who received surgery for stage I-III SMARCA4 deficient tumors. We compared the molecular, clinicopathological characteristics and survival between SMARCA4-dNSCLC and SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4-dUT) patients. ResultsThirty-four SMARCA4-dNSCLC and 11 SMARCA4-dUT patients were included in this study. Molecular profiles were available in 33 out of 45 patients. The most common mutated gene was TP53 (21, 64%), and followed by STK11(9, 27%), KRAS (5, 15%), FGFR1 (4, 12%) and ROS1 (4,12%). There were 3 patients harbored ALK mutation including 1 EML4-ALK rearrangement. There were 2 patients harbored EGFR rare site missense mutation. SMARCA4-dUT patients had significance worse PFS (HR=4.35 95%CI 1.77-10.71, p=0.001) and OS (HR=4.27, 95%CI 1.12-16.35, p=0.022) compared to SMARCA4-dNSCLC patients. SMARCA4-dUT histologic type, stage II/III, R1/2 resection and lymphovascular invasion were independent poor prognostic predictors for both PFS and OS. There were 8 patients received immunotherapy, the objective response rate was 50%. The SMARCA4-dNSCLC patient with ALK rearrangement was treated with crizotinib as second line therapy, and achieved stable disease for 9.7 months.ConclusionPatients with SMARCA4 deficient tumors have a high probability of early recurrence after surgery, except for stage I patients. Immunotherapy seems to be a valuable strategy to treat recurrence.
Improvement of bond behavior of fiber reinforced polymer bars using coarse sand and steel fibers: experimental study
Authors: Hassoon Alaa , Khalid Nibras , Shallal Mohanad
Published: July 2022

The use of fiber reinforced polymer composites as alternative to conventional steel reinforcement have been increased during last decades for their high tensile strength, light weight, and durability. This paper focused on the behavior of CFRP bars embedded in high strength concrete. Thirteen beam spacemen of 100×180×650 mm clear span were cast, each beam consist of two concrete blocks linked together. The parameters studied are: concrete strength, CFRP bar diameter, and two enhancement schemes; coarse sand and steel fibers applied directly to the surface area of the CFRP bars using epoxy adhesive. All beams are tested using four points loading system. The results indicates that the maximum bond stress and the strength ratio of CFRP bars enhanced using coarse sand particles or steel fibers increased by are 9.6 to 24.4% and 9.7 to 24.3% if compared with undeveloped bars due to the improved surface area which provides additional adhesive, friction resistance, and mechanical interlock. However, the bond index decreased up to 24.8%. Also, increasing of concrete compressive strength 55.38 MPa to 78.34 MPa increased the maximum bond stress and the strength ratio by 21.1 to 31.2% and 3.1 to 9% while the decreasing of the relative bond stress and bond index is 6 to 7% and 5.7 to 6.7%. Furthermore, using of CFRP bars of 10 mm diameter instead of 6 mm decreased the bond stress and the strength ratio by 18 to 27% and 42 to 44% due to the larger surface area and higher ultimate tensile strength.
Cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of organometallic copper (II) Nano particles in a chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma rat model
Authors: El-Tabl Abdou S. , Wahed Moshira M. Abd-El , Abu-Setta Mohammed H.H. , El-Mahsarawy Al-Zahraa Ibrahim , Ashour Ahmed M.
Published: July 2022

This study determined the selective cytotoxicity and mutagenic potential of novel Schiff base complex nanoparticles of copper salt. Chemotherapeutic study of this complex nanoparticles both invitro and invivo in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma induced in rats had been done. The treatment efficacy of the studied complex nanoparticles was evaluated by measuring antioxidant activities against oxidative stress caused by diethyl nitrosamine in liver tissue. The measurements included reduced glutathione content, superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity, as well as malondialdehyde level. Liver and kidney function tests were also determined, in addition to the evaluation of serum alpha-fetoprotein. Histopathological studies were also performed for liver, spleen, kidney, lung and testis tissues. Results showed that the metal complex nanoparticles had a high potency in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma which induced by diethyl nitrosamine in rats as it ameliorated from the investigated parameters toward normal control animals. These findings were well appreciated with histopathological studies of diethylnitrosamine group treated with the complex nanoparticles. It was found that the complex nanoparticles under study can interact with antioxidant to form cancer-specific proteasome inhibitors and apoptosis inducers in liver cancer cell.
Role of visual stimuli of a 3D sculpture tool in design cognition
Authors: Kim Jieun , Lee Jeehyun
Published: July 2022

This study focuses on the definitive role of visual stimuli of a 3D sculpture tool in cognitive design process. To analyze the role of visual stimuli by a 3D sculpture tool, this study performed a protocol analysis of analog design sketching and a 3D sculpture tool. A remarkable finding is that visual stimulation using the 3D sculpture tool expands transformative connections of thinking in design cognition. The transformative linkage influences on abstract ideas as extensible factors in the design process. Designers produce ideal sources, novel concepts, and develop initial obscure ideas through the process of transformative thinking. Extensible linkage was performed in the interaction of visual stimuli, imagination, and analogy. Transformative and extensible linkage for concept generation appeared after simulating design ideation sketching using the 3D sculpture tool, and strong visual metaphors were implemented through visual stimuli.
Circular RNA circRILPL1 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma malignant progression by activating the YAP/HIPPO signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Pan , Deng Xiangying , Wang Yian , Fan Chunmei , Hou Xiangchan , Mo Yongzhen , Wang Yuming , Li Zheng , Wang Fuyan , Guo Can , Zhou Ming , Liao Qianjin , Wang Hui , Zeng Zhaoyang , Jiang Weihong , Li Guiyuan , Xiang Bo , Xiong Wei
Published: July 2022

Background
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the pathogenesis and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but they have not been sufficiently studied.
Methods
The high expression of circRILPL1 in NPC tissues was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). The migration, invasion, proliferation, and mechanical properties of NPC cells were detected using wound healing, transwell, MTT, colony formation assays, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Nude mice models including subcutaneous transplantation, tail vein-lung metastasis, and footpad-lymph node metastasis were established to determine the tumor-promoting effect of circRILPL1 in vivo. The proteomic analysis of circRILPL1 was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The interaction of circRILPL1 with ROCK1 and IPO7 was verified through RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and immunofluorescence-fluorescence in situ hybridization (IF-FISH). The expression of the HIPPO pathway-related proteins was examined using western blotting. The nucleocytoplasmic distribution of YAP was analyzed by immunofluorescence and cytosolic/nuclear fractionation. The transcriptional activity of YAP was detected by luciferase reporter assay. The effect of circRILPL1 on the enrichment of YAP on CAPN2 and PXN promoters was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation.
Results
We revealed for the first time that circRILPL1 was up-regulated in NPC, weakened adhesion and decreased stiffness of NPC cells, and promoted NPC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circRILPL1 inhibited the LATS1-YAP kinase cascade by binding to and activating ROCK1, resulting in decrease of YAP phosphorylation and degradation. Binding to and cooperating with transport receptor IPO7, circRILPL1 promoted the translocation of YAP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where YAP promoted the transcription of cytoskeleton remodeling genes CAPN2 and PXN. By which, circRILPL1 contributed to the pathogenesis of NPC.
Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that circRILPL1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of NPC through activating the YAP/HIPPO signaling pathway by binding to both ROCK1 and IPO7. Highly expressed circRILPL1 in NPC may serve as an important biomarker for tumor diagnosis and also may be a potential therapeutic target.
Investigation of neomycin biodegradation conditions using ericoid mycorrhizal and white rot fungal species
Authors: Stenholm Åke , Hedeland Mikael , Pettersson Curt
Published: July 2022

In the search for methods to biodegrade recalcitrant compounds, the use of saprophytic fungi and white rot fungi, in particular belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota, has gained interest. This group of fungi possesses a battery of unspecific extracellular enzymes that can be utilized in the biodegradation of preferably phenolic compounds. In this work, it was investigated under which conditions the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor and the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoscyphus ericae (belonging to the phylum Ascomycota) could be used to biodegrade the antibiotic aminoglycoside neomycin at co-metabolic conditions in which external nutrients were supplied. Furthermore, it was also investigated whether a biodegradation could be accomplished using neomycin as the sole nutrient. At selected conditions, the biodegradation of neomycin using Rhizoscyphus ericae was monitored by oxidation products of D-ribose which is a hydrolysis product of neomycin. The results show that both species can biodegrade neomycin 70% under co-metabolic conditions during an one-week time course and that Rhizoscyphus ericae is able to use neomycin as sole nutrient and to approximatively biodegrade it 60% under chosen non co-metabolic conditions. The results are of general interest in the search for fungal species that can biodegrade recalcitrant compounds without the need of external nutrients. The key future application area that will be investigated is purification of waste from recombinant protein production in which neomycin, nutrients and E. coli with neomycin resistance genes are present.