bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach to model water saturation in shaly sandstone petroleum reservoirs
Authors: Mohamed Omar , Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
Published: May 2023

Water saturation is a very important parameter in both the technical and commercial evaluation of petroleum reservoirs. Estimating water saturation in shaly sandstone reservoirs is considered one of the most challenging tasks in formation evaluation and petrophysics. Complexities arise from shale properties and composition as well as the pluralism of independent approaches and methods used in calculating water saturation. The problem is that these different approaches most of the time somehow result in different values of water saturation leading to under-estimation or over-estimation of the volumes of original oil in place (OOIP) and original gas in place (OGIP). The main challenge is resolving and understanding the differences between the water saturation values obtained using different approaches, and to arrive at the most accurate estimation of water saturation as well as its distribution throughout the reservoir. There are numerous shaly sandstone estimation models which are used frequently. These models can be divided into two main groups where the shale term of the first group is based mainly on shale volume while the other group depends on electric double layer effect. However, both approaches have drawbacks and limitations and don’t always give accurate results. This paper presents a novel hybrid approach between Vsh and EDL based models to determine water saturation in shaly sandstone reservoirs using well logs only and at the time is based on physical facts and reflects real current flow paths. This new approach was applied to three well logging datasets and the results were compared to that of counterpart existing models widely used in the oil and gas industry. Core analysis water saturation values were used as a baseline to validate the accuracy of the new model compared to counterpart models and the results were discussed. The new model is a series conductivity model which is based mainly on well logs reducing the need for any time-consuming and costly experiments. The results were promising and the new approach’s water saturation values showed great potential and consistency with core-derived water saturation values.
Physio-anatomical modifications and element allocation pattern in Alternanthera tenella Colla. associated with phytoextraction of chromium
Authors: Firdous Kottakunnu Abdulrahman , Vivek Padmanabhan Jayanthikumari , Neethu Kizhakkepurath , Resmi Mohankumar Saraladevi
Published: May 2023

Intensive industrial activities increased the concentration of chromium in the environment especially in the soil and water, which pose serious threat due to its cytotoxic and carcinogenic nature. Phytoremediation has evolved as an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative for the decontamination of pollutants, and an attempt has been made to reveal the potential of Cr remediation by an invasive plant, Alternanthera tenella Colla in the present study. The morphological, anatomical and physiological modifications of plant tissues in response to 240 µM of K2Cr2O7 is studied, with reference to the elemental distribution pattern and bioaccumulation potential. Assessment of growth parameters showed that Cr adversely affects the elongation of root and shoot, leaf area, and dry biomass weight. Cr influence the macro and micro-elemental distribution in plant tissues specially in roots and leaves. Plants exhibited structural modifications like increase in the thickness and diameter of the xylem walls in the root, stem and leaf tissues of Cr treated A. tenella. Presence of cell structural distortions and Cr deposit inclusions in the xylem wall and the inner parenchyma cells were distinct. Cr stress induced the reduction in pigment content and metabolites like proteins and soluble sugars, while proline, phenol and malondialdehyde marked a significant increase. With BCF and TF values greater than 1 and the mechanisms to cope with the metal stress, A. tenella proves to be an ideal candidate for phytoextraction of Cr.
Fast and accurate screening framework for organic solar cells based on molecular structure and deep learning
Authors: Wang Hongshuai , Feng Jie , Dong Zhihao , Jin Lujie , Li Miaomiao , Yuan Jianyu , Li Youyong
Published: May 2023

Organic photovoltaics have attracted worldwide interest due to their unique advantages in developing low-cost, light-weight, and flexible power sources. Functional molecular design and synthesis have been put forward to accelerate the discovery of ideal organic semiconductors, however, it is extremely expensive to conduct experimental screening of the wide organic compound space. Here we develop a framework by combing deep learning model (graph neural network) and ensemble learning model (light Gradient Boosting Machine), which enables rapid and accurate screening of OPV molecules. This framework establishes the relationship between molecular structure, molecular properties, and device efficiency. Our framework evaluates from the chemical structure of the OPV molecules directly and accurately. Since it does not involve DFT calculations, it makes fast predictions. The reliability of our framework is verified with data from previous reports and our newly synthesized organic molecules. Our work provides an efficient method for developing new organic optoelectronic materials.
How Do I Open Up?: Exploring Factors Associated With Completion of Intensive Adherence Counselling Sessions Among Hiv Patients With High Viral Load in Neno, Malawi
Authors: Villiera¹ Jimmy Ba , Matanje Beatrice , Suffrin Dimitri , Munyaneza Fabien , Hosseinipour Mina , Mwapasa Victor , Kachimanga Chiyembekezo
Published: May 2023

Background Globally, countries are working tirelessly to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 treatment targets by 2030. Despite making great strides in improving HIV viral load (VL) testing capacity for treatment monitoring in the past decade, a limited number of people living with HIV ( PLHIV) with high VL complete intensive adherence counselling (IAC) sessions which delays follow-up VL testing, consequently, delaying clinical decision-making. This study explored factors associated with the completion of IAC sessions in resource-limited settings.Methods We conducted a mixed-method study utilizing the explanatory sequential design. The quantitative data were collected from patient records from the period between 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021 in Neno district, while qualitative data were collected from purposively selected PLHIV with high VL and healthcare workers, through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews respectively. 371 patient records were analyzed, while 6 heterogeneous FGDs of patients with high VL were conducted. 15 healthcare workers were also interviewed. STATA software was used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis approach was used for qualitative data analysis.Results The median age of the participants at the most recent VL was 39 years (IQR 31–47 years). The median age of respondents in FGDs was 41 years ( IQR 20–57). We found that having community health worker support (ARR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.39–0.99) and longer duration on ART (ARR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.09–2.83) were significant predictors of IAC completion. Provider’s unprofessionalism, poor partner support, and lack of private rooms for conducting IAC sessions dissuaded clients to come for subsequent IAC sessions.Conclusion Clients with high VL encounter multiple challenges that affect IAC attendance. Although personal factors play a greater role in fulfilling IAC attendance, health system factors are equally important. ART Clinics need to devise deliberate and careful approaches that target and motivate at-risk clients to complete IAC sessions and improve overall adherence. There’s an urgent need for ART clinics to designate private rooms for IAC sessions and adequately train expert clients on professionalism.
Assessing systematic biases in farmers’ local weather change perceptions
Authors: Arora Gaurav , Feng Hongli
Published: May 2023

Scientific data concerning climate change are critical for designing mitigation and adaptation strategies. Equally important is how stakeholders perceive climate change because perceptions influence decision-making. However, perceptions may not be consistent with data. In this paper, we employed spatially-delineated primary surveys of corn and soybean farmers located on western frontier of the U.S. Corn Belt to analyse biases observed in their local weather change perceptions as compared with meteorological data. We found systematic biases in farmers’ perceptions of past changes for three distinct weather indicators: temperature, precipitation, and drought frequency. Farmers predominantly over-estimated temperature and drought levels and under-estimated precipitation levels relative to the past data records. Farmers’ age and income, not education levels, were statistically significantly associated with their weather perceptions. A Chi-squared test of independence provided evidence that farmer misperceptions about past changes in precipitation and droughts were correlated with select land use and farm management decisions, which is consistent with the notion of “motivated beliefs”. Comparative analysis of past and future weather change perceptions revealed a tendency of regression to the mean. Our findings suggest that it is important to consider subjective weather beliefs in addition to historical data or scientific predictions in policy design process.
JEL Codes: C21; D22; D91; Q15; R14
Recent Developments on the Removal of Zinc from Electric Arc Furnace Dust by Using Microwave Heating
Authors: Xiong Yuandong , Wang Kai , Qiu Dejin , Omran Mamdouh , Huang Run , Li Ying , Wei Shiyu , khan Inam Ullah , Zhang Dengwei , Ahmed Abdallah , Yu Yaowei
Published: May 2023

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a hazardous by-product of steel production. As global steel output increases, substantial amounts of EAFD are produced, which causes significant environmental issues. EAFD contains amounts of Fe and Zn, which could be reused as raw materials in the steelmaking process. However, zinc oxides can be reduced and vaporized during this process, forming zinc vapor that contaminates equipment surfaces and causes damage. Consequently, various pyrometallurgical methods have been proposed for zinc removal from EAFD. Due to the extensive usage of carbonaceous materials, these methods contribute to significant CO2, raising concerns about greenhouse gas emissions. Microwave heating offers an efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly alternative to pyrometallurgical approaches. EAFD can generate heat under microwave irradiation without carbon addition, which means the CO2 emissions can be reduced by replacing the reductant in the microwave heating process. Furthermore, microwaves enhance zinc removal reactions to a certain extent, resulting in higher efficiency. Thus, employing microwave heating for EAFD processing has significant potential for future development. This paper reviews recent research on using microwave heating for zinc removal from EAFD, focusing on the heating behavior of EAFD in microwaves and the mechanisms of zinc removal. This review will be crucial for researchers working on processing EAFD using microwave heating and could help guide the development of more sustainable and efficient methods.
α5-GABAA receptor modulation reverses behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of psychosis in rats with ventral hippocampal Alzheimer’s Disease-like pathology
Authors: Perez Stephanie , Eassa Nicole , Boley Angela , Elam Hannah , Sharmin Dishary , Cook James , Lodge Daniel
Published: May 2023

Of the 35 million people in the world who suffer with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), up to half also experience comorbid psychosis (delusions and hallucinations). Antipsychotics, used to treat symptoms of psychosis, are contraindicated in elderly patient populations because they increase the risk of premature death. The hippocampus is a region of the brain that has been reported to be hyperactive in patients with psychosis and in patients with AD. Importantly, preclinical studies have demonstrated that the ventral hippocampus (vHipp) can regulate dopamine system function, which is thought to underlie symptoms of psychosis. Here, we used a viral-mediated approach to express two mutated human genes known to contribute to AD pathology, the Swedish (K670N, M671L), Florida (I716V), and London (V717I) mutations of amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) and two mutations (M146L and L286V) of presenilin 1 (hPSEN1), specifically in the vHipp, to investigate the selective contribution of AD-like pathology in this region. In this AAV-AD model, we report significant increases in dopamine neuron population activity and behavioral deficits that mimic observations in rodent models used to study psychosis. Aberrant dopamine system function was correlated with a decrease in parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons, linked to hyperactivity in the vHipp. Thus, we posit that augmenting vHipp GABAergic activity may be a novel therapeutic target. Here, we demonstrate that an α5-GABAA receptor selective positive allosteric modulator, MP-III-022, reverses aberrant dopamine system function in the AAV-AD model. This study provides evidence for the development of drugs that target α5-GABAA receptors for patients with AD and comorbid psychosis.
Intracellular and nuclear CXCR4 signaling promotes erythroblast enucleation
Authors: Gutjahr Julia , Hub Elin , Anderson Caroline , Samus Maryna , Artinger Katharina , Dufton Neil , Burden Jemima , Duchene Johan , Rot Antal
Published: May 2023

All leukocytes express chemokine receptor CXCR4 on their surface and efficiently migrate in response to its sole ligand CXCL12. Here we report for the first time that CXCR4 is also prominently expressed in erythroblasts, the bone marrow erythroid precursor cells but, instead of chemotaxis, CXCR4 signaling promoted erythroblast enucleation, a unique mammalian process of their asymmetrical division into an anuclear reticulocyte and a nucleus-containing pyrenocyte. Mechanistically, CXCL12 ligation of erythroblast CXCR4 triggered its endocytosis and translocation into multiple intracellular compartments. These included, surprisingly, the nuclear envelope and nucleus where CXCL12 and CXCR4 colocalized with either Gαi or phosphorylated β-arrestin1, respectively, suggesting an ongoing differential CXCR4 signaling around and within the erythroblast nucleus. Supporting the notion of intracellular signaling, stimulation of erythroblasts with CXCL12 caused a persistent phosphorylation of intracellular and intranuclear CXCR4 and a delayed activation of multiple protein kinases. Furthermore, CXCL12 induced erythroblast elongation, a condensation and ex-centric positioning of their nuclei and triggered rapid perinuclear Ca2+ transients, which led directly to erythroblast enucleation. The CXCR4-mediated sequential erythroblast responses taking place during ultimate steps of their development and culminating in enucleation pinpoint a new physiological role of CXCR4 and the bone marrow-derived CXCL12 in regulating erythrocyte production.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi native to Perú improve growth and physiological responses of Coffea arabica
Authors: Guivin Mike Anderson Corazon , Cachique Gabriel Romero , Aguila Karen Marilu Del , Dominguez Amner Padilla , Amasifuen Angel David Hernández , Cerna-Mendoza Agustin , Coyne Danny , Oehl Fritz
Published: May 2023

Purpose
Coffee (Coffea arabica) is among the world’s most economically important crops. Coffee was shown to be highly dependent on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in traditionally managed coffee plantations in the tropics. The objective of this study was to assess AMF species richness in coffee plantations of four provinces in Perú and to test the effects of selected indigenous AMF strains on coffee growth.
Methods
AMF species were identified by morphological tools. Two native species, Rhizoglomus variabile and Nanoglomus plukenetiae, recently described from the Peruvian mountain ranges, were successfully cultured in the greenhouse on host plants. In two independent experiments, both species were assessed for their ability to colonize coffee seedlings and improve coffee growth over 135 days.
Results
35 AMF species were identified from 12 plantations. The two inoculated species effectively colonized coffee roots, which resulted in 3.0-8.6 times higher shoot, root and total biomass, when compared to the non-mycorrhizal controls. Rhizoglomus variabile was superior to N. plukenetiae in all measured parameters, increasing shoot, root and total biomass dry weight by 4.7, 8.6 and 5.5 times, respectively. The dual inoculation of both species, however, did not further improve plant growth, when compared to single species inoculations.
Conclusion
Colonization of coffee by either R. variabile or N. plukenetiae strongly enhances coffee plant growth. Rhizoglomus variabile, in particular, offers enormous potential for improving coffee establishment and productivity. Assessment of further AMF species, including species from other AMF families should be considered for optimization of coffee growth promotion, both alone and in combination with R. variabile.
Clinical isolation of breast cancer circulating tumor cells with an inertial microfluidic chip with a trapezoidal cross-section
Authors: Sadeghi Zahra , Esfahany Mohsen Nasr , Salehi Hossein , zarezadeh Zahra , Baradaran Azar
Published: May 2023

In recent years, different detection and isolation ways have emerged in the era of breast cancer. Despite the clinical significance of CTCs, the absence of unbiased and easy separation techniques poses a major obstacle to the integration of CTCs into clinical applications. This study presents an inertial microfluidic chip with a trapezoidal cross-section for rapid, simple, and viable separation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of MCF-7 cell line from breast cancer patient blood by using an optimized additive manufacturing (AM) technique. This microchannel was fabricated by SLA (stereolithography apparatus) 3D printer. Also, we demonstrated the influence of slant angle in trapezoidal cross-section in the formation of Dean vortices and suitable flow rate for separating by simulation and experiments. In this regard, by increasing the slant angle, the proper flow rate for this study was obtained at 1.2 mL/min in COMSOL simulating, and spiking CTCs to Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) confirmed it (recovery rate was 88 ± 3.5%). In the next step, CTCs were spiked to 7.5 mL lysed healthy blood sample. White blood cells (WBCs) and CTCs were isolated in this stage. The recovery rate of this test was 86 ± 2.9%. The results confirmed that the shears and stresses applied to the cells during sample processing did not compromise their viability, and more than 90% of the cells were recovered alive. In the last step, the trapezoidal microchannel was used in clinically detecting five breast cancer patients with different stages. The outcomes showed that the chip had high sensitivity in detecting CTCs from blood samples of 4 of 5 patients (80%) (Range 6–21 CTCs/mL blood sample) by immunocytochemistry (ICC) technique. We anticipate that this straightforward inertial microfluidic approach can overcome the limitations associated with traditional affinity-based methods for CTC separation. It has the potential to facilitate fundamental research on CTCs, aiding in treatment guidance and improving patient outcomes.
Microwave control of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. including ecotoxicological aspect and resveratrol content in rhizomes
Authors: Słowiński Krzysztof , Grygierzec Beata , Baran Agnieszka , Tabor Sylwester , Piatti Diletta , Maggi Filippo , Synowiec Agnieszka
Published: May 2023

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) is Poland's invasive weed, of no efficient control method. The rhizomes of this species are rich in resveratrol. In this work, we evaluated 1) the effectiveness of electromagnetic microwaves (MV) in destroying Japanese knotweed using an original device HOGWEED (MV of 2450 MHz); 2) the ecotoxic effect of the MV on the soil environment; 3) the resveratrol content in knotweed rhizomes after MV treatment. The field studies were carried out in 2022 in southern Poland. Cut plants were MV treated at times: 5.0–25.0 min. The MV efficiency was checked 10 and 56 days after treatment (DAT). After MV treatment, fresh soil samples were taken to analyze their ecotoxicity. As a result, at 56 DAT, knotweed was controlled if MV was used for at least 20.0 min. The MV did not affect the soil ecotoxicity. The MV-treated soils were classified as non-toxic or low-toxic. To analyze the resveratrol content, healthy knotweed rhizomes were dug out and treated with MV in laboratory at times: 2.5–10.0 min, and analyzed for the resveratrol content in HPLC-MS/MS. In result, the resveratrol in the rhizomes significantly decreased following MV exposure in a time-depending manner.
Effects of different vegetation restoration types on soil fungal community composition and functional groups
Authors: Cheng Xuefei , Jiang Siyuan , El-Naggar Ali , Tang Yingzhou , Liu Xin , Zhang Jinchi
Published: May 2023

Purpose
This study investigates the structure and functional groups of soil fungal communities in major vegetation types in subtropical China. The main objective is to understand the responses of these communities to different vegetation types, and the influence of soil properties, such as soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, soil ammonium nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), and nitrate nitrogen (NN), on the structure and functional groups of the soil fungal communities.
Methods
We explored the impact of different vegetation types on fungal diversity in various plantations, including bare land, Liriodendron chinense (Hu) T.C. Chen, Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex H.de Lehaie (moso bamboo), and mixed fores. We also analyzed variations in soil properties across different soil depths.
Results
The results showed that the soil available potassium (AK) and soil nitrate nitrogen (NN) in mixed forests were significantly lower than those in bare land by 47% and 57%, respectively. The Soil organic carbon (SOC), NN, and pH decreased significantly by 49%, 45%, and 8%, respectively with increasing the soil depth. The diversity of soil fungal communities in mixed forest and mandarin forest was 20% higher than that in bare land. The relative abundance of Ectomycorrhizal fungi was highest in bamboo forests, while the relative abundance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi and plant pathogens increased with increasing soil depth, by 12% and 7%, respectively.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that vegetation types and soil properties significantly impact the structure and diversity of soil fungal communities in subtropical plantations. These changes in the fungal community may stimulate the soil nutrient cycle, contributing to the ecosystem sustainability.
SPRR3 as a diagnostic and prognostic molecular marker for lung adenocarcinoma based on pan-cancer analysis
Authors: yang yanhui , Wang YuChen , Zeng Xiaofei , Li Ji , Luo Lei , Cheng Xin , Xie Xiaoyang
Published: May 2023

Proline-rich small repeat protein 3 (SPRR3) belongs to proline-rich protein family. For exploring SPRR3 expression and its prognostic value in various malignant tumors, we used multiple sets of biomedical information, especially SPRR3 gene level comparison within the pan-cancer. The different immune cell infiltration in pan-cancer is correlated with its specific biological function, molecular characteristics, diagnostic value and prognostic value. Meanwhile, this work further examined correlation between the SPRR3 expression in lung adenocarcinoma and the molecular biology function. Pan-cancer analysis results on 33 malignant tumors showed that SPRR3 was differentially expressed within diverse cancers, which predicted the dismal prognostic outcome of various malignant tumors. At the same time, SPRR3 is associated with immune infiltrating cells in lung adenocarcinoma. The ROC curve and survival curve suggested that SPRR3 had high accuracy in predicting cancer and may be the potential biomarkers used to diagnose and predict prognosis of cancer. Collectively, SPRR3 is the significant biomarker used to diagnose and predict pan-cancer prognosis. High SPRR3 expression independently predicted prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which may become a promising molecular cancer therapy target in the future.
Single incision extra-corporeal appendectomy compared to conventional multi-ports appendectomy: a case control study
Authors: Alsafran Salman , AlQabandi Omar , Albloushi Dalia , Baba Mahdi , Aldalal Shuaib , Quttaineh Danah , Alfawaz Abdullah , Alkhamis Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Introduction:
Single incision extra-corporeal appendectomy (SIEA) has emerged as an alternative to the conventional three port appendectomy (CLA). In this study we aim to demonstrate that single incision extracorporeal appendectomy (SIEA) is noninferior to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) and more cost effective.
Methods and procedures:
The following study is a retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent either SIEA or CLA. Data obtained from both groups was analyzed in terms of demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, laboratory findings, Alvarado score, imaging findings, American society of Anesthesia (ASA) score, operative time, intraoperative findings, case performance by surgeon level, and outcomes as well as cost. Wilcoxon test was used to compare continuous data. Fischer’s exact test compared proportions. Significance was defined as p-value < 0.05.
Results
A total of 156 patients (27 SIEA vs. 129 CLA) were reviewed. SIEA and CLA were similar in mean age, gender, comorbidities, laboratory investigations, Alvarado score, image positivity, ASA score, and intraoperative findings (p > 0.05 for all). Outcomes were similar between the two groups with regards time to advancement of diet (median time 6 hours vs 6 hours), post-operative complications (wound infection, deep seated infections 3.7% vs 4.7%), and readmission rates (3.7% vs 2.3%) (p > 0.05 for all). Length of stay was slightly shorter in the SIEA than the CLA group, despite approaching statistical significance it was not clinically significant (mean 1.7 days vs 2 days p = 0.05). Operative time in SIEA was shorter than CLA (median time 50 min vs 75 min, (p < 0.001). When considering equipment cost, SIEA had a lower cost compared to CLA (mean cost 236 USD vs 632 USD).
Conclusion
SIEA is noninferior to CLA in terms of outcomes, however it is associated with at least 63% reduction in cost.
The Relationship between Advertising and Consumption
Authors: Wang Tong , Gambaro Marco
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the relationship between advertising and consumption with panel data at the industry level for some European countries. At the macroeconomic level, consumption can increase only if saving decreases. However, the competition effect of advertising is better captured at the industry level, which allows for interaction between firms. We explore possible relationships with a unique dataset of consumption and advertising spending in 27 sectors across 9 years for 5 European Union countries. Our results show that consumption has a significant in uence on advertising, but the reverse does not apply. Our findings also suggest that business stealing is the dominant effect of advertising relative to consumption increasing.
Ribosome biogenesis: a major player in the exosome of gastric cancer
Authors: Lv Chunyan , Cheng Xian-kui , Zhong Yuan , Jian You-li , He Ming-ming , Lei Tao
Published: May 2023

Objective To identify of vital genes in the blood exosome related to the process of gastric carcinogenesis and help to reduce mortality rates through early diagnosis and the development of new anticancer therapies. Methods: The RNAs data of blood exosomes from patients with GC and healthy controls were downlinked from exoRBase database, and the differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA), long non coding RNA (lncRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) were analyzed using R language. Then the relevant RNAs and their corresponding miRNA data predicted by ENCORI, miRcode and other databases, were imported into the ceRNA network. Finally, the DAVID was accessed to investigate the DEmRNAs’ GO annotations and KEGG analysis. Results: A total of 62 mRNAs, 3 lncRNAs and 15 circRNAs were differentially expressed. The ceRNA network was constructed with Cytoscape software, including 192 mRNA nodes, 32 lncRNA nodes, 28 circRNA nodes, and 152 miRNA nodes, with the top 10 hub genes EMSY, ZEB2, LCOR, MFSD14A, ERBIN, hsa-miR-363-3p, hsa-miR-137, hsa-miR-27a-3p, hsa-miR-23b-3p and hsa_circ_0000038. According to GO annotation, the biological processes mainly in cytoplasmic translation, the cell component were mostly in the ribosome and its subunit and the major molecular functions included structural constituent of ribosome, etc. The KEGG revealed that the DEmRNA were primarily enriched in mRNA monitoring pathway. Conclusion: A ceRNA network in the blood exosome of GC were built, the hub genes were screened out, the biological process, cell component, molecular function and enrichment pathway of DEmRNA were explored, which proved that the ribosome biogenesis was a major player in the exosome of gastric cancer and this provide precise targets for making a diagnosis and giving treatment of GC.
Evaluating the relationship of vegetation dynamics with Rainfall and Land Surface Temperature using geospatial techniques in South Wollo zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Meshesha Kindu Setalem , Adem Eshetu Shifaw , Kassaye Ashenafi Yimam , Tsehayu Mulat Amare , Eshetu Amogne Asfaw , Agegnehu Habtamu Wondem
Published: May 2023

Vegetation cover changes persistently over time in reaction to climate variability and changes happen at time scales extending from seasons to a long time and indeed decades. Climate conditions, such as temperature and precipitation variability and biological instability influence vegetation status and vice versa. This study was conducted in the South Wollo zone to assess vegetation dynamics and their relationship with rainfall and land surface temperature. To that end, 16-day 250-meter resolution Moderate Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) Normalized difference vegetation Index (NDVI), 5-kilometer resolution MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST), 5-kilometer CHIRPS data were used. A Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test was used to determine the trend of each dataset using seasonal and annual time series. In addition, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the relationship between NDVI and climatic elements. The results of the study revealed that there was no significant change in the annual and seasonal rainfall and LST during the period 2000 to 2021, except LST in the autumn season (p = 0.01) and NDVI was significant only in the mean annual (p = 0.027) and summer seasons (p = 0.03). The correlation between NDVI and rainfall was positive (r = 0.84, 0.78, 0.72 & 0.79) and obtained for the summer, autumn, winter, and spring season respectively. Similarly, the correlation between NDVI and LST was negative (r= -0.79, -0.75, -0.72, and − 0.78) in the summer, autumn, winter, and spring seasons respectively. On the other hand, the correlation between annual NDVI with annual RF was positive (r = 0.79) and annual LST was negative (r= -74). The outcome of the study indicates precipitation is the most significant factor in the distribution of vegetation and vegetation greenness constraints LST distribution in the South Wollo Zone. Therefore, the study concluded that vegetation growth is affected by the amount of rainfall and in turn, vegetation cover affects land surface temperature. Vegetation dynamics are not only determined by climate variability but are also affected by topography, slope, soil moisture, and other factors should be considered.
WITHDRAWN: Effective symbiosis and activation of protective antioxidant systems for increasing soybean tolerance to drought
Authors: Nyzhnyk Tetiana , Kiedrzyński Marcin , Kiedrzyńska Edyta , Kots Sergii , Zalewski Maciej
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims
In the face of increasing drought associated with a warming climate, encouraging rhizobial symbioses represents a promising Nature-Based Solution for providing legume crops with ecological nitrogen and increasing drought resistance. In addition, to effectively resist drought, plants must adapt under stress and activate key systems for antioxidant protection.
The aim of the present study is to explore the role of protective antioxidant systems in the drought resistance of soybean, depending on the effectiveness of forming a symbiotic interaction with the nodula bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum.
Methods
The study uses microbiological, biochemical, physiological approaches and employs various symbiotic soybean systems based on Bradyrhizobiumstrains and Tn5 mutants, differing in activity and virulence.
Results
The effective symbiotic systems are able to activate the key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase under prolonged drought, thus maintaining the prooxidant-antioxidant balance of plants and the functioning of the symbiotic relationship under stress conditions. The less effective and ineffective symbiotic systems are unable to provide the soybean plants with antioxidant protection due to the significant development of drought-related oxidative processes, as evidenced by excessive production of hydrogen peroxide and intensification of lipid peroxidation.
Conclusion
The formation of a tolerant soybean-rhizobial symbiosis is the result of the combined ability of both partners, i.e. the macro- and microsymbiont, to realize their adaptive potential and regulate redox homeostasis under effects of drought. This is achieved by activating key antioxidant enzyme systems, thus maintaining the prooxidant-antioxidant status of the symbiotic system.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment predicts listing for kidney transplant in patients with end-stage renal disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Patel Jay , Martinchek Michelle , Mills Dawson , Hussain Sheraz , Kyeso Yousef , Huisingh-Scheetz Megan , Rubin Daniel , Landi Andrea J. , Cimeno Arielle , Madariaga Maria Lucia L.
Published: May 2023

Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) involves a formal broad approach to assess frailty and creating a plan for management. However, the impact of CGA and its components on listing for kidney transplant in older adults has not been investigated.
Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent CGA during kidney transplant candidacy evaluation between 2017 and 2021. All patients ≥ 65 years old and those under 65 with any team member concern for frailty were referred for CGA, which included measurements of healthcare utilization, comorbidities, social support, short physical performance battery, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Physical Frailty Phenotype (FPP), and estimate of surgical risk by the geriatrician.
Results: Two hundred and thirty patients underwent baseline CGA evaluation; 58.7% (135) had high CGA (“Excellent” or “Good” rating for transplant candidacy) and 41.3% (95) had low CGA ratings (“Borderline,” “Fair,” or “Poor”). High CGA rating (OR 8.46; p<0.05), greater number of CGA visits (OR 4.93; p=0.05), younger age (OR 0.88; p<0.05), higher MoCA scores (OR 1.17; p<0.05), and high physical activity (OR 4.41; p<0.05) were all associated with listing on transplant waitlist.
Conclusions: The CGA is a useful, comprehensive tool to help select older adults for kidney transplantation. Further study is needed to better understand the predictive value of CGA in predicting post-operative outcomes.
Investigating the effect of simultaneous implementation of breathing and movement exercises on the ability of lungs to expand in patients with chest tube: a quasi- experimental study
Authors: Rooddehghan Zahra , Arman Alireza , Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Davari Hamid Reza , Haghani Hamid , Karimi Raoofeh
Published: May 2023

Background
Insertion of chest tube can lead to many complications in lung cancer patients who have undergone lung surgery. Since non-pharmacological measures such as breathing and movement exercises can be a suitable alternative to drug therapy, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of simultaneous implementation of breathing and movement exercises on the ability of lungs to expand in patients with chest tubes after lung cancer surgery.
Methods
This study is a quasi-experimental study that was conducted on 80 participants who had been divided into two groups (n = 40 each). At first, the information related to spirometry values was gathered from the patient's file, and then the amount and characteristics of secretions accumulated in the chest tube bottle, and also the time of chest tube removal were recorded daily. Before removing the chest tube, a spirometry test was performed once again. Patients in the intervention group received the breathing and movement exercises after the surgery. Data collection was done by a researcher-made questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16, using inferential statistics.
Results
A statistically significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of the amount of lung secretions after the interventions. Also, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of spirometry values.
Conclusion
Since performing breathing and movement exercises simultaneously had a positive effect on the ability of lungs to expand.
Trial registration numbers:
The protocol of this clinical trial has been registered in the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration code: IRCT20190427043397N1). Registered 26 July 2019- Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/.
Entrepreneurial Traits Among Teachers and Owners of the Institutional Schools: an Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Neupane Sagar Mani , Bhattarai Prakash C. , Lowery Charles L.
Published: May 2023

The paper presents findings from a study that explores and understands the personal attributes of educational entrepreneurship. The study employs a sequential mixed methods design, administering a survey followed by a case study to collect data from private higher secondary school owners and teachers of the Lalitpur District, Nepal. The survey results revealed the need for achievement, ambiguity tolerance, enthusiasm, creativity/innovation, locus of control, risk-taking propensity, and creativity/innovation as the six personal attributes of educational entrepreneurs. Among the attributes, creativity/innovation contributed significantly to becoming an entrepreneur. The follow-up qualitative study findings revealed that universities must focus on the creativity and innovation of students and revolve around instructing students on the theory of entrepreneurship. By merging qualitative and quantitative results, the study concludes that a person seeking innovation in their profession is more likely to choose entrepreneurship as a career option.
Typha Laxmannii (Typhaceae) in Ukraine: Current Distribution, Еcological and Coenotic Pecularities, Invasiveness
Authors: Shevera Myroslav , Orlov Oleksandr , Dziuba Tetiana , Baranovskyi Boris , Karmyzova Lina , Ivanko Irina , Nikolayeva Valeria , Stotska Olga
Published: May 2023

The results of complex investigations ofTypha laxmanniiLepech (Typhaceae) in Ukraine are presented. The information on the history and modern distribution of the species, its ecological and phytocoenotic peculiarities are summarized. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, alien species of Asian origin which is characterized by a progressive type of range in the country. For the first time in the flora of UkraineT. laxmannii(under the nameT. stenophyllaFisch. ex Mey.) was recorded in 1902 in the south of Ukraine (Kherson Oblast) by Paczosky. Maps of distribution of the species was prepared on the basis of Ukrainian Herbaria, literature sources and electronic databases. Distribution took place in the northern, eastern and western directions as a hydrochore and anemochore. Now the species is distributed almost throughout Ukraine, but with a majority of records in the central and western parts of Ukraine. The associationTyphetum laxmanniiformed by this species is common for Ukraine. Depending on the ecological and geographical conditions and floristic composition, 3 following variants in this association were identified: var.typica,var.T. latifola,and var.Schoenoplectus lacustris. Coenoses within this association are distributed almost throughout the whole territory of Ukraine, but the ecological optimum of the species coenotic area is observed in the South of the country, in the Steppe zone, on slightly saline, well-watered substrates. Based on studies conducted in Zhytomyr Oblast in 1995–2021, the expansion rate ofT. laxmanniiwas calculated – from the South to the North – in average 16.6±1.09 km·year-1. From the sites of the primary penetration of the species into the region (Forest-Steppe zone), the expansion rate of it toward to the North was significantly lower (7.7–9.0 km·year-1) compared to that in the Forest zone – Ukrainian Polissia (23.4–31.9 km·year-1).
Antifibrotic effect of disulfiram on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice
Authors: Okabe Yugo , Toda Etsuko , Urushiyama Hirokazu , Terashima Yuya , Kunugi Shinobu , Kajimoto Yusuke , Terasaki Mika , Matsushima Kouji , Saito Akira , Yamauchi Yasuhiro , Nagase Takahide , Shimizu Akira , Terasaki Yasuhiro
Published: May 2023

Macrophage accumulation in the lung tissue during inflammation is important in the pathogenesis of fibrotic lung disease. Deficiencies in chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 and their ligands, which mediate monocyte/macrophage migration, ameliorate bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. Disulfiram (DSF)—used as a drug for alcoholism because of its aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-inhibiting effect—inhibits monocyte/macrophage migration by inhibiting FROUNT, an intracellular regulator of CCR2/CCR5 signaling. To examine DSF’s antifibrotic effect on BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice and its impact on macrophage response, oral DSF administration’s effects on lung fibrosis and macrophage infiltration were evaluated in a BLM-induced lung fibrosis mouse model. The DSF direct inhibitory activity on monocyte migration was measured in a Boyden chamber assay and compared with DSF-related inhibitors with different FROUNT-inhibition activities. Quantitative PCR determined the expression of fibrosis-promoting genes in the lung tissue. DSF suppressed macrophage infiltration into the lung tissue and significantly attenuated BLM-indued lung fibrosis. DSF and DSF metabolites, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and copper diethyldithiocarbamate (Cu(DDC)2), inhibited monocyte migration toward the culture supernatant fluid of primary mouse lung cells comprising mainly CCL2, whereas cyanamide—another ALDH inhibitor—did not. DSF, with higher inhibitory activity against FROUNT than DDC and Cu(DDC)2, inhibited monocyte migration most strongly. In BLM-induced fibrotic lung tissues, profibrotic factors were highly expressed but were reduced by DSF treatment. These results suggest DSF inhibited macrophage infiltration probably by a FROUNT-mediated mechanism and attenuated BLM-induced lung fibrosis. DSF therapy as drug repositioning can be practical and feasible for treating fibrotic lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Predictive Factors for Shunt Dependency in Patients with Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Li Chi-Ruei , Yen Chun-Ming , Yang Meng-Yin , Cheng Wen-Yu , Shen Chiung-Chyi , Liu Szu-Yuan
Published: May 2023

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs in approximately 30–50% patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), with a high 30-day mortality rate. Excess accumulation of parenchymal or ventricular blood associated with the development of acute hydrocephalus leads to poor outcomes. The prediction of shunt dependency is important to identify patients susceptible to requiring permanent shunt placement and benefit from the diversion. This retrospective analytical study aimed to establish a predictive model of shunt dependency in patients with IVH. This study included 179 patients with primary IVH with supratentorial origin or spontaneous ICH with extension into the ventricles between 2015 and 2021. Patients were grouped into “shunt required” and “shunt not required” groups. Variables, including age, sex, preexisting hypertension and diabetes, initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores, ICH location and volume, urokinase administration, modified Graeb score (mGraeb score), and bicaudate index, were analyzed. The shunt required group had significantly higher mGraeb scores (12.0 (6.5–15.0) vs. 7.0 (4.0–12.0), p = 0.001) and higher bicaudate index (0.20 (0.17–0.23) vs. 0.16 (0.13–0.18), P < 0.001) than the shunt not required group. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis revealed that a cut-off value of 0.16 of the bicaudate index was significantly related to shunt dependency. The subgroup statistical analysis revealed that neither urokinase administration (p = 0.533) nor urokinase dosage (p = 0.117) showed significant relevance in shunt dependency in patients who received external ventricular drainage. In logistic regression adjusted for the confounders, thalamic ICH (odds ratio (OR) 3.55; 95% confidence interval [(95%CI), 1.13–11.18], an mGraeb score greater than 8 (OR, 3.93; 95%CI, 1.84–8.38), and a bicaudate index greater than 0.16 (OR, 9.87; 95%CI, 3.79–25.73) were factors associated with a higher tendency for shunting. The findings of this study may help identify patients at risk for a permanent shunt after IVH.
eoPred: Predicting the placental phenotype of early-onset preeclampsia using DNA methylation
Authors: Boyano Icíar Fernández , Inkster Amy M , Yuan Victor , Robinson Wendy P
Published: May 2023

Background
A growing body of literature has reported molecular and histological changes in the human placenta in association with preeclampsia (PE). Placental DNA methylation (DNAme) and transcriptomic patterns have revealed molecular subgroups of PE that are associated with placental histopathology and clinical phenotypes of the disease. However, the heterogeneity of PE both across and within subtypes, whether defined clinically or molecularly, complicates the study of this disease. PE is most strongly associated with placental pathology and adverse fetal and maternal outcomes when it develops early in pregnancy. We focused on placentae from pregnancies affected by preeclampsia that were delivered before 34 weeks of gestation to develop eoPred, a predictor of the DNAme signature associated with the placental phenotype of early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE).
Results
Public data from 83 placental samples (HM450K), consisting of 42 EOPE and 41 normotensive preterm birth (nPTB) cases, was used to develop eoPred - a supervised model that relies on a highly discriminative 45 CpG DNAme signature of EOPE in the placenta. The performance of eoPred was assessed using cross-validation (AUC = 0.95) and tested in an independent validation cohort (n = 49, AUC = 0.725). A subset of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and late-PE cases showed a similar DNAme profile at the 45 predictive CpGs, consistent with the overlap in placental pathology between these conditions. The relationship between the EOPE probability generated by eoPred and various phenotypic variables was also assessed, revealing that it is associated with gestational age, and it is not driven by cell composition differences.
Conclusions
eoPred relies on a 45 CpG DNAme signature to predict EOPE, and it can be used in a discrete or continuous manner. Using this classifier should 1) improve the consistency of future placental DNAme studies of PE and placental insufficiency, 2) facilitate identifying cases of EOPE in public data sets and 3) importantly, standardize the placental diagnosis to allow better cross-cohort comparisons. Lastly, classification of cases with eoPred should be useful for testing associations between placental pathology and genetic or environmental variables.