bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identify Cytotoxic Activity in Phenolic Aqueous Extracts of Toona Sinensis Leaves via Mitochondrial Dysfunction Through the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Human Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Su Yu-Feng , Tsai Tai-Hsin , Kuo Keng-Liang , Wu Chieh-Hsin , Su Hui-Yuan , Chang Wen-Chang , Huang Fu-Long , Lieu Ann-Shung , Kwan Aij-Lie , Loh Joon-Khim , Lin Chih-Lung , Tsai Cheng Yu
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Toona sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in South-East Asia. The aqueous extracts of T. sinensis leaves (TSL) exhibit anticancer effects in various types of cancer. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of TSL treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods After treating A172 and U251 GBM with TSL, cell cycle and apoptotic cells were evaluated by flow cytometry, as well as anti-proliferative efficacy by MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP production were quantified by CellROX, Dihydroethidium (DHE) and Tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). Apoptosis and MEK/ERK pathway related protein levels were detected by western blot. Results Gallic acid was demonstrated the major effective component in aqueous extracts in TSL under HPLC system and it could penetrate across blood-brain barrier. TSL treatment inhibited cell growth and proliferation and exerted cytotoxic effect in A172 and U251 GBM cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed cell cycle arrest at G2/M and apoptotic cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction presented with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased ATP production via blockage of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes, leading to ROS-regulated mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, Western blotting data indicated that TSL treatment upregulated the levels of Bax and Puma and downregulated the level of Bcl-2. Moreover, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved PARP were induced to illustrate mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and caspase-dependent pathway under TSL treatment in two GBM cells. Finally, U0126 as an inhibitor of MEK/ERK kinase was applied to demonstrate that the MEK/ERK pathway was responsible for the inhibition of ROS-regulated mitochondrial dysfunction and promoted apoptosis. Conclusion TSL treatment suppressed MEK/ERK activation to induce apoptosis through antioxidant effect in GBM cells. This mechanism may provide a therapeutic potential in GBM therapy.
Compressive response and energy absorption of foam-filled aluminum honeycomb composite: experiments and simulation ​
Authors: Fathi Mohammad , Sameezadeh Mahmood , Vaseghi Majid
Published: June 2023

In this study, the effect of foam-filling pattern on the compressive response and energy absorption capacity of the aluminum honeycomb composite have been investigated. An aluminum honeycomb core and a polyurethane foam were used to produce foam-filled honeycomb panels in three patterns with the same volume fraction of the foam. Experimental quasi-static compression tests were performed in the in-plane direction. Numerical analysis based on the conducted tests was also performed by ABAQUS finite element software in similar laboratory conditions to verify the accuracy of the experiments. The results show that the polyurethane-filling pattern is effective in the compressive behavior of the honeycomb core due to the creation and changing the shear bands, the length of the path deflection and compressive force distribution. At an angle of 30 to 35 degrees, the honeycomb materials deform in the in-plane direction, forming shear bands with a greater strain. However, by using the optimized foam pattern - alternating pattern - in addition to enhancing the honeycomb's compressive strength and energy absorption capacity by 490 percent and 800 percent, respectively, the foam usage rate can be reduced up to 35% compared to the full foam mode, resulting in lower cost.
Adapting blockchain’s proof-of-work mechanism for multiple traveling salesmen problem optimization
Authors: Sabry Nareman , Shabana Bahaa , Handosa Mohamed , Rashad M. Z.
Published: June 2023

The blockchain network uses a Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism to validate transactions and keep the blockchain growth safe against tampering, but it is hugely energy-consuming with no benefit to the peer-to-peer network participants. In this paper, we propose a blockchain network for distributing products to different locations based on the use of the Proof of Useful Work (PoUW) mechanism, in which miners use computing resources to optimize the travelling salesman problem (TSP) as an alternative to solving mathematical problems that represent the basis of the traditional PoW mechanism to get a new block. According to this proposed blockchain, it not only receives and securely stores the distribution locations but also improves the paths for salesmen when travelling between different locations. This strategy aims to take advantage of the miners’ efforts to minimize the distance travelled by salesmen by applying the clustering technique and computing the shortest path by Guided Local Search (GLS) for each cluster at the same time. According to the tested results on TSP-LIB instances, the used technique works efficiently with an average of 0.08 compared to the rest of the meta-heuristics, and the proposed architecture reduced total distances with an average of 0.025.
The role of seasonal surface heating on the chaotic origins of ENSO spring predictability barrier
Authors: Yu Dakuan , Hang Chaoxun , Zhou Meng
Published: June 2023

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic fluctuation of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which has a significant impact on global weather and climate patterns. However, predicting ENSO evolution several seasons in advance is challenging due to the Spring Predictability Barrier (SPB) phenomenon, which refers to the reduced accuracy of ENSO forecasts during the spring. By investigating the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of ENSO systems simulated by a box model, we found that the strong atmospheric heating process in spring is likely responsible for the occurrence of the SPB. Specifically, the strong atmospheric heating causes the increase in SST within the eastern tropical Pacific in spring, which in turn raises the chaotic degree of ENSO systems. As the chaotic degree of ENSO systems increases, initial errors in the forecast model grow more rapidly, resulting in the SPB phenomenon.
Ten-Step Minimally Invasive Slalom Unilateral Laminotomy for Bilateral Decompression (sULBD) with Navigation
Authors: Adelhoefer Siegfried J , Berger Jessica , Mykolajtchuk Catherine , Gujral Jaskeerat , Boadi Blake I , Fiani Brian , Hartl Roger
Published: June 2023

Background
Unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) is a MIS surgical technique that offers safe and effective decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with a long-term resolution of symptoms. Advantages over conventional open laminectomy include reduced expected blood loss, muscle damage, mechanical instability, and less postoperative pain. The slalom technique combined with navigation is used in multi-segmental LSS to improve the workflow and effectiveness of the procedure.
Methods
We outline ten technical steps to achieve a slalom unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (sULBD) with navigation. In a retrospective case series, we included patients with multi-segmental LSS operated in our institution using the sULBD between 2020-2022. The primary outcome was a reduction in pain measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back pain and leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Results
In our case series (N=7), all patients reported resolution of initial symptoms on an average follow-up of 20.71 ± 9 months. The average operative time and length of hospital stay were 196.14 minutes and 1.67 days, respectively. On average, VAS (back pain) was 4.71 pre-operatively and 1.50 on long-term follow-up of an average of 19.05 months. VAS (leg pain) decreased from 4.33 to 1.21. ODI was reported as 33 % pre-operatively and 12 % on long-term follow-up.
Conclusion
The sULBD with navigation is a safe and effective MIS surgical procedure and achieves the resolution of symptoms in patients presenting with multi-segmental LSS. Herein, we demonstrate the ten key steps required to perform the sULBD technique. Compared to the standard sULBD technique, the incorporation of navigation provides anatomic localization without exposure to radiation to staff for a higher safety profile along with a fast and efficient workflow.
Effect of smoking status on clinical outcomes after reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Irie Fumi , Matsuo Ryu , Mezuki Satomi , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Kamouchi Masahiro , Kitazono Takanari , Ago Tetsuro
Published: June 2023

Although smoking has detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, some studies have reported better clinical outcomes in smokers than in nonsmokers after thrombolysis for ischemic stroke, known as the smoking paradox. This study aimed to examine the smoking paradox in patients with ischemic stroke receiving reperfusion therapy. Data were collected from a multicenter hospital-based acute stroke registry in Fukuoka, Japan. We divided the 1,148 study patients into current and noncurrent smokers. The association between smoking and clinical outcomes, including neurological improvement (≥ 4-point decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale during hospitalization or 0 points at discharge) and good functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) at 3 months, was evaluated by logistic regression analysis and propensity score-matched analysis. Of the participants, 231 (20.1%) were current smokers. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) of favorable outcomes were not significantly increased in current smokers (OR: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–1.22 for neurological improvement; OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.65–1.38 for good functional outcome). No significant association was found in the propensity score-matched cohorts either. Given that current smoking was not associated with better outcomes after reperfusion therapy, smoking cessation is strongly recommended.
Validated stability indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the estimation of FINERENONE in Pharmaceutical tablet dosage form
Authors: Imran Shendu Jaman , Kini Suvarna G , Kumar Vijaya , Sonawane Bhushan , Chaudhari Jagdish , Warde Sayali
Published: June 2023

An RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for the estimation of Finerenone in the tablet dosage form. Stability indicating nature of the method was established by conducting forced degradation studies Niacinamide was used as an Internal Standard (I.S) to make the method more accurate and precise. The separation was achieved on Hemochrom C18 (25m, 4.6mm, 5µm) analytical column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.5µm) using 0.1% Trifluoro acetic Acid: Acetonitrile (70:30) as mobile phase and at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Detection of Finerenone was carried out at 252nm. The total chromatographic analysis time per sample was about 10.0 min with Finerenone eluting at a retention time of about 4.17 min. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, and sensitivity. Validation studies demonstrated that the method is simple, specific, rapid, reliable, and reproducible. The standard curve was linear over the concentration range of 5–45 µg/mL with R2 close to one (0.9996). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of Quantitation (LOQ) were determined for Finerenone. The developed method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of Finerenone in the pharmaceutical dosage form. The high recovery and low relative standard deviation confirm the suitability of the proposed method for the determination of the Finerenone in the Pharmaceutical dosage form.
The adenosine deaminase family acting on RNA 1 can be a useful diagnostic biomarker in chorioamnionitis
Authors: Nakamura Keiichiro , Shigeyasu Kunitoshi , Maki Juta , Tani Kazumasa , Eto Eriko , Masuyama Hisashi
Published: June 2023

Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is an acute infection leading to preterm birth. However, diagnosis of CAM before delivery is challenging because of its complicated diagnostic criteria. On the other hand, RNA editing is a phenomenon that changes the phenotype by replacing bases at the RNA level and is triggered by inflammation. We investigated the correlation between RNA editing enzyme Adenosine deaminase family acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) and CAM in clinical specimens derived fromnon-CAM, CAM (pathologically diagnosed), and clinical CAM (clinically diagnosed) patients. ADAR1 was upregulated in the placenta of CAM and clinical CAM patients (p<0.001 and p=0.005). ADAR1 had a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) (0.735 and 0.828) than other genetic characteristics in diagnosing CAM and clinical CAM patients. ADAR1 also had significantly higher AUC (0.701 and 0.837) than other clinical characteristics for CAM and clinical CAM patients. ADAR1 can be a useful diagnostic biomarker in CAM patients before delivery.
Health care and harm reduction provider perspectives on treating older adults who use non-medical opioids: A Chicago case study
Authors: Mason Maryann , Post Lori Ann , Aggarwal Rahul
Published: June 2023

Background: Opioid overdose death rates are increasing for adults aged 55 and older, with
especially high rates in large urban areas. In parallel, admissions to treatment programs for older adults using illicit substances are increasing as well. Despite these trends, there is a relatively weak understanding of older adults who use non-medical opioids and less knowledge about their health and service encounters. Conducted in Chicago, Illinois, this qualitative study
explores the perspectives of health care and harm reduction service providers who work with
older adults using non-medical opioids.
Methods: The study used snowball sampling to locate participants with expertise in working with older adults who use non-medical opioids. In total, we conducted 24 semi-structured interviews from September 2021-August 2022. We explored questions regarding participants’ perceptions of older adult opioid use patterns, comorbidities, and involvement in harm reduction outreach and opioid use disorder treatment.
Results: Many of the providers we interviewed consider older adults who use non-medical opioids as a distinct population that employ unique use behaviors with the intent to protect them from opioid overdose. However, these same unique behaviors may potentiate their risk for overdose in today’s climate. Providers report initial encounters that are not care seeking for opioid misuse and primarily oriented around health conditions. Older adults who use non-medical opioids are seen as challenging patients due to the need to diagnostically untangle symptoms of substance use from co-morbidities and conditions associated with aging. Treatment for this population is also viewed as complicated due to the interactions between aging, comorbidities, and substance misuse. Providers also noted that older adult non-medical opioid users have use behaviors that make them less visible to outreach and treatment service providers, potentially putting them at increased risk for overdose and health conditions associated with opioid misuse.
Conclusions: Findings from this study are intended to inform future research on care provision for older adults who use non-medical opioids and may be especially applicable in large urban areas with histories of opioid misuse dating back to earlier drug epidemics of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Regulation of symbiotic interactions and primitive lichen differentiation by UMP1 MAP kinase in Umbilicaria muhlenbergii
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Li Rong , Wang Diwen , Qian Ben , Bian Zhuyun , Wei Jiangchun , Wei Xinli , Xu Jin-Rong
Published: June 2023

Lichens are of great ecological importance but mechanisms regulating lichen symbiosis are not clear. Umbilicaria muhlenbergii is the only lichen-forming fungus amenable to molecular manipulations and dimorphic. Here, we established conditions conducive to symbiotic interactions and lichen differentiation and showed the importance of UMP1 MAP kinase in lichen development. In the initial biofilm-like symbiotic complexes, algal cells were interwoven with pseudohyphae covered with extracellular matrix. After longer incubation, fungal-algal complexes further differentiated into primitive lichen thalli with a melanized epidermis and pseudoparenchyma-like tissues containing photoactive algal cells. Mutants deleted of UMP1 were blocked in pseudohyphal growth and development of biofilm-like complexes and primitive lichens. Invasion of dividing mother cells that contributes to algal layer organization in lichens was not observed in the ump1 mutant. Overall, these results showed regulatory roles of UMP1 in symbiotic interactions and lichen development and suitability of U. muhlenbergii as a model for studying lichen symbiosis.
Drug-resistance genes and antifungal susceptibility of Trichophyton verrucosum variants isolated from bovine skin lesions and farm environments
Authors: Lee Han Gyu , Jung Young-Hun , Cho Ara , Oem Jae Ku , Hur Tai-Young
Published: June 2023

• Background
Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic dermatophyte that causes a highly contagious disease in bovine, and can be occasionally transmitted to humans. Azoles are wildly used as antifungal drugs in bovine; they act by targeting the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. However, recently, several cases of failure and relapse of dermatophyte infection have been reported due to gene mutations in the drug target site. In addition, subtilisin (SUB) genes play an important role in pathogenesis. However, there is limited information regarding T. verrucosum variants. This study aimed to classify T. verrucosum variants based on their antifungal susceptibility and the presence or absence of ergosterol biosynthesis (ERG) and SUB genes, isolated from animals with clinical symptoms and cattle environments (fence and water bowel) in the Republic of Korea.
• Results
Of 139 clinical samples and 39 environmental samples, 86 and 21 were found to be infected, respectively. The positive ratio of calves aged 1–6 months was 73.1%, which was significantly higher than that of calves aged > 6 months (55.2%). Twenty-seven T. verrucosum strains were identified and classified as T. album (n = 9), T. ochraceum (n = 6), and T. discoides (n = 12). Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that enilconazole had the lowest geometric mean antifungal activity, of 1.08, 1, and 0.94 µg/ml against T. album, T. ochraceum, and T. discoides, respectively. All strains harbored SUB6 and ERG11. The distribution of SUB5, ERG3, and ERG6 among the three variants was significantly different.
• Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the antifungal susceptibility and presence/absence of SUB and ERG genes in T. verrucosum variants isolated from bovine and farm environments in the Republic of Korea. This information regarding T. verrucosum variants may help prevent and manage dermatophytosis in cattle.
The relationship between chemical microstructure, crystallinity, mechanical properties, and CO2 / N2 gases permselectivity of thermoplastic polyurethane membranes
Authors: Abedi Reza , MemarMaher Behnaz , Amirkhani Leila , Rezaei Mostafa , Jamshidi Sona
Published: June 2023

In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with 30%wt hard segment content (HSC) was synthesized using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 1, 4-butanediol (BDO) as the chain extender, and polycaprolactone (PCL) with three different molecular weights (2000, 4000, and 10000) as polyols. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis were used to evaluate the chemical microstructure and physical characteristics of polycaprolactones (PCLs) and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). The results showed that the crystallinity and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of TPUs became different depending on the molecular weight of the PCL soft segments. A tensile strength was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of TPUs. It was observed that increasing the molecular weight of PCL decreased the elongation at break and increased the ultimate tensile strength. The permeability of CO2 and N2 gase over wide ranges of pressure (3 to 9 atm) was examined, and the permselectivity of the membranes was determined. It was concluded that an increase in the feeding gas pressure led to an increase in the gas permeability of all samples. It was observed that in TPU samples, the increase in the molecular weight of PCLs led to a decrement in selectivity and an increase in permeability of CO2 and N2 gas.
Decoding Cortical Activity through Neuronal Tracing Connectome-Harmonics in Marmosets
Authors: Xia Jie , Liu Cirong , Li Jiao , Meng Yao , Yang Siqi , Chen Huafu , Liao Wei
Published: June 2023

Deciphering the complex relationship between neuroanatomical connections and functional activity in primate brains remains a daunting task, especially regarding the influence of monosynaptic connectivity on cortical activity. In this study, we utilized graph signal processing to study the anatomical-functional relationship and decomposed the neuronal-tracing based connectome of marmoset brains into a series of harmonics. These connectomic harmonics effectively decoded cortical activity observed in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, and exposed a patterned cellular-functional dependency. This pattern revealed a spatial gradient from coupled unimodal to decoupled transmodal cortices, and recapitulated the hierarchical organization of cortical structures across both micro-structural and macro-scale spatial properties. Notably, these marmoset-derived harmonics facilitated the inference of human cortical activity and connectivity, underlining the potential of generalizing the connectomic constraints across species. Our findings illuminate how neuronal-tracing connectome harmonics constrain cortical activity and improve our understanding of the brain’s anatomical-functional relationship.
Quantitative Evaluation of China’s Public Health Emergencies Response Policies：A PMC index model approach
Authors: Liu Yongwen , Jiao Min , Wang Yan , Ma Anning
Published: June 2023

Background Public health emergencies response polices (PHERPs) provide a basis and institutional guarantee for the implementation of emergency response work. At present, China has made certain achievements in emergency response for public health emergencies (PHE). In order to further improve the emergency response capability, it is necessary to conduct a systematic analysis of relevant policies, understand their content and role, and clarify directions for policy improvement.Methods Based on 33 comprehensive public health emergencies response policies (PHERPs) released by the central level of China from 2003 to 2019, text mining and content analysis were used to construct a PMC index model with 10 first-lever and 46 second-level variables. The policies were quantitatively evaluated to analyze their strengths and weaknesses.Results In this study, finds that the average PMC index value for the 33 policies was 6.43, with an average rating of acceptable. Among them, 10 policies were rated as excellent, 23 policies were rated as acceptable, and there were no poor policies. For the first-level variables, the mean scores for policy openness, policy structure, policy area, policy focus, and policy nature were relatively high, at 1.00, 0.88, 0.87, 0.85, and 0.86, respectively. However, the scores for policy timeliness, policy issuing agency, incentive measures, policy target, and policy function were relatively low, at 0.25, 0.27, 0.41, 0.54, and 0.50, respectively, which need to be given more attention.Conclusions In this study, we also emphasized that the use of the PMC index model policy evaluation method in researching policies related to emergency response to PHE is relatively rare. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of PHERPs, and provide a reference for further research.
Hybrid Ant Colony and Cuckoo Seach Optimization Protocol for Wsn Assisted Iot Based Agricultural Application
Authors: Sehrawat VATAN , Goyal Sandip Kumar
Published: June 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) has been observed these days in variety of applications where the devices interconnect with each other using Internet and provide much useful information for various purposes. These network are often backed by WSNs where sensors play a significant part in gathering environmental data; this data is processed and used by IoT devices for numerous applications. This paper proposes agricultural application of IoT where the soil moisture content is continuously monitored such that excess watering can be avoided; this leads to water conservation in addition to preventing the crop damage. Furthermore, sensors also monitor the environmental parameters which are responsible for causing fire in the fields. This information is sent to the server where it can be processed and damage to crops can be avoided. The clustering approach has been suggested for underlying sensor system where the main objective function of augmenting the network lifetime and reducing the data delivery delay has been laid out. The cuckoo search optimization (CS) has been used in unison with ant colony algorithm (ACO) to select the optimal cluster heads. The traffic heterogeneity scenario has been considered in the network where the fire sensors has more data to forward to base station as compared to moisture sensors; this traffic heterogeneity has been primarily considered which choosing the optimal CH. Furthermore, the information transmission process from CH to BS is also optimized by forming the paths using ACO and selecting one best out of them for data forwarding. The suggested approach was experiment in MATLAB & contrasted compared with other protocols namely GWO, ESO, GECR and LEACH based on average residual energy of the system, network stability, network lifetime and delivery delay. The suggested approach has managed to achieve good system lifespan & less delivery delays.
Role of translational noise on current reversals of active particles on ratchet
Authors: Chugh Anshika , Ganesh Rajaraman
Published: June 2023

We study the role of thermal fluctuations on the rectification of non-interacting active (self-propelled) particles in a rocking ratchet using Langevin dynamics simulations. For a fixed activity strength and driving amplitude, the direction of current is found to depend on the rotational diffusion, driving frequency, and the amplitude of translational noise. We obtain a phase diagram in the parameter space of translational noise and driving frequency for two different strengths of rotational diffusion. We discover certain critical parameters in the phase space at which current reversals happen. It is found that when the average particle energy is lower than the potential energy of the barrier, symmetry breaking dominates and the currents are in the ‘easy’ direction of the ratchet. On the other hand, when the energy available per particle crosses the potential energy of the barrier, the competition between inertial effects and diffusion effects decides the direction of currents. We explain our findings by constructing phase difference datum, velocity probability distribution, and current probability analyses. Our results provide a novel method for controlling the direction of transport of active particles.
The Causal Associations Between Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and 15 Mental Disorders: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Jiachen , Yang Mingyi , Xu Ke , Luo Pan , Feng Ruoyang , Wan Xianjie , Xie Jiale , Yu Hui , Xu Peng
Published: June 2023

Background: This study explored causal associations between juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 15 common mental disorders.
Method: Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) was used in this study; JIA was regarded as exposure, and 15 mental disorders were regarded as outcomes. All data were obtained from the 8th FinnGen Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weight median, simple mode, and weight mode methods were used to estimate causal associations. The Cochrane Q test, Egger-intercept test, Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), and leave-one-out tests were performed to test heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and sensitivity of the results.
Result: IVW showed that JIA was an independent risk factor for autism (OR:1.179, 95%CI:1.031-1.348, P=0.016), bipolar disorder (OR:1.057, 95%CI:1.018-1.098, P=0.004), and depression (OR:1.025, 95%CI:1.009-1.041, P=0.002); it also showed that JIA was inversely associated with bulimia nervosa (OR:0.854, 95%CI:0.781-0.932, P=4.4×10-4). JIA did not affect the other 11 mental disorders. The sensitivity test showed that horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity did not exist (p>0.05). The reliability of the associations was tested using a leave-one-out test.
Conclusion: This study shows that JIA is associated with the risk of some mental disorders. It can provide genetic evidence for the early detection of mental disorders in children with JIA. Furthermore, it also provides a theoretical basis for the comprehensive treatment of patients with JIA.
Study on the compositions and contents of phenols in different parts of the fruit of different jujube varieties
Authors: Zhou Xiaofeng , Zhang Zhun , Pu Yunfeng , Wu Cuiyun , Yan Min , Zhang Qiaoqiao
Published: June 2023

Phenol, an important bioactive substance in jujube fruit, is one of the most important indexes of fruit quality. In this study, six jujube varieties, Junzao (JZ), Dongzao (DZ), Pingguozao (PGZ), Fucuimi (FCM), Jinlingyuanzao (JLYZ) and Fengmiguan (FMG), were used as test materials to determine the phenolic substance compositions and total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of different parts of the fruit and to analyze them by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that a total of 14 phenolic substances were identified in the jujube fruit, including proanthocyanidins, catechins, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, rhizobioside, quercetin, quercitrin, P-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin triglycoside kaempferol glycoside, ferulic acid, quercetin rhamnoside and P-coumaric acid.The JLYZ and JZ fruits were found to be rich in phenolic substances, with the highest content of polyphenols in the jujube peel and the lowest content of polyphenols in the external pulp. A comprehensive evaluation of phenolic contents in different jujube varieties and different parts of the fruit was conducted via principal component analysis: JZ received the highest comprehensive score, indicating that it can be used as an excellent variety for functional product development; the score of the peel was much higher than that of the pulp. The scores of different parts of the pulp ranked as follows: internal > lower > middle > upper > external. Therefore, the jujube peel and pulp near the core of the fruit have better development prospects and greater processing and utilization value.
Study on the fouling effect on OTSG flow and heat transfer performance
Authors: MAO Yulong , JIN Desheng , WANG Xiaoting , LI Kejia , MENG Shuqi , HU Yisong , HU Yousen , LU Xianghui
Published: June 2023

During power operation of nuclear reactors, corrosion products of various materials may deposit and form fouling on the primary and secondary sides of Once Through Steam Generator (OTSG) heat transfer tubes. Fouling will change the local flow area and heat transfer coefficient of heat transfer tubes, thus affecting the flow and heat transfer performance of OTSG. In this paper, a theoretical model of fouling effect on flow and heat transfer performance of nuclear OTSG is proposed, and the fouling experiment of OTSG heat transfer tubes is conducted. Based on LOCUST software, the flow and heat transfer capability of an OTSG at different fouling levels is compared. The results show that the fouling distribution on the primary side of OTSG heat transfer tube is uniform, which will lead to the increase of wall temperature and the decrease of wall pressure. The fouling on the secondary side of OTSG tubes is mainly concentrated in the two-phase region because of the influence of coolant flow pattern. The fouling will lead to the increase of wall temperature and the decrease of vapor super-heat, void fraction and pressure at the outlet of OTSG tubes. Microscopically, fouling will reduce the overall flow and heat transfer efficiency of OTSG.
Coconut oil ameliorates behavioral alterations in rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease via attenuating oxidative damage and cholinergic impairment and upregulating synaptic transmission
Authors: Belviranli Muaz , Okudan Nilsel
Published: June 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition marked by cognitive impairment. Although coconut oil has been shown to be potentially beneficial in reducing AD-related cognitive deficits, information on its mechanism of action is limited. Thus, we investigated the effects of coconut oil on spatial cognitive ability and non-cognitive functions in a rat model of AD induced by G-galactose (D-GAL) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3), and examined the changes in synaptic transmission, cholinergic activity, neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress in this process. The AD model was established by administering D-GAL and AlCl3 for 90 days, while also supplementing with coconut oil during this time. Cognitive and non-cognitive abilities of the rats were evaluated at the end of the 90-day supplementation period. In addition, biochemical markers related to the pathogenesis of the AD were measures in the hippocampus tissue. Exposure to D-GAL/AlCl3 resulted in a reduction in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior, an elevation in anxiety-like behavior, and an impairment of spatial learning and memory. The aforementioned behavioral disturbances were observed to coincide with increased oxidative stress and cholinergic impairment, as well as reduced synaptic transmission and levels of neurotrophins in the hippocampus. Interestingly, treatment with coconut oil attenuated all the neuropathological changes mentioned above. These findings suggest that coconut oil shows protective effects against cognitive and non-cognitive impairment, AD pathology markers, oxidative stress, synaptic transmission, and cholinergic function in a D-GAL/AlCl3-induced AD rat model.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of the Biomet M2a-38: a Retrospective Review of 335 Total Hip Arthroplasty Cases
Authors: Campbell Dani Gaillard , Gross Thomas , Jones Caché
Published: June 2023

Background: At the turn of the century, over one-third of total hip arthroplasties comprised metal-on-metal bearings. As this patient population and their implants age, it is crucial to understand associated late failure modes and expected long-term functional outcomes. We report the long-term results of a large metal-on-metal uncemented total hip arthroplasty system with unique design characteristics compared to others that have been reported with high failure rates.
Methods: We retrospectively analyze our prospective clinical database to determine overall implant survivorship and functional outcomes. Further, we compare these results to the clinical outcomes reported in orthopedic registries and in other published studies with similar metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty cohorts.
Results: Implant survivorship at 10 years was 99.1% and continued to 97.6% survivorship at 20 years. Implant survivorship at 20 years did not vary significantly between sexes (Male: 98.3%, Female: 97.2%; log-rank p-value=0.46). Mean whole blood cobalt levels were 2.6 µg/L in unilateral cases, 5.3 µg/L in bilateral patients, and 3.4 µg/L for the combined cohort. Average blood chromium levels were 1.4 µg/L in unilateral patients, 2.9 µg/L in bilateral patients, and 1.8 µg/L for group combined. We observed a 0.9% rate of failure due trunnion corrosion at a mean of 13.1 years postoperatively (10.6-15.6 years) but had no bearing wear failures.
Conclusions: Our 20-year implant survivorship of 97.6% with the M2a-38 bearing surpassed registry benchmarks for THA. This large-bearing (38 mm), full hemisphere coverage metal-on-metal system had no bearing wear failures, one failure of instability, one failure of fixation, and three trunnion failures, perhaps suggesting an optimum balance between stability of the joint and the trunnion.
Knowledge towards the Health Impacts of Climate Change and its Associated Factors among Community of Amhara Sayint District, Northeastern Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Mulugeta Genanew , Malede Asmamaw , Gizeyatu Adinew , Adane Metadel , Embrandri Asha , Keleb Awoke , Berihun Gete , Kassa Abebe , Wegayehu Belachew Tekleyohannes , Abebe Gebremeskel Kibret , Zewde Tibebu Habte , Debela Sisay Abebe , Seyoum Solomon , Luke Amana Ogeto , Wondaya Gashaw , Kidie Atitegeb Abera , Moges Mekonnen , Gebrehiwot Mesfin
Published: June 2023

Introduction:
Climate change is mainly caused by the release of anthropogenic greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. It is the cause for 10% of global death. About 3 billion people globally and tens of million people in Ethiopia are vulnerable to its health impacts. Investigation of public knowledge towards its health impacts, attributed by different factors, is fundamental for preventive actions. Although relevant national and international studies are on the verge of growing, focus is given for the agricultural perspective; accordingly, farmers are the focus of those studies. However, the community’s knowledge towards impacts of climate change from a public health perspective is largely ignored. This study takes this gap into account and aims to assess knowledge towards health impacts of climate change among the community of Amhara Sayint district, Northeastern Ethiopia. The findings will serve as tools for taking comprehensive preventive actions.
Methods
Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 20 to September 5, 2022. Data was collected from 605 randomly selected households. A pilot-tested and content-validated questionnaire was used to collect the data through face to face interview using an online kobocollect.The data was then exported to STATA for management and analysis. Proportional odds model was fitted with 95% confidence level to identify factors associated with the knowledge of the community.
Results
From the total respondents, 3.47% (95% CI: 2.1, 5.3) and 42.98% (95% CI: 38.9, 47) had inadequate and medium level of knowledge towards the health impacts of climate change, respectively. Gender (female) (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.053, 2.127), wealth status (poorest) (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.831), educational status (unable to read and write) (AOR = 4.13, 95%CI: 1.25, 13.68) and participation in environmental protection activities (not) (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.17–2.71) significantly associated with inadequate and medium level of knowledge.
Conclusions
Though the majority of Amhara Sayint residents had adequate knowledge about the health impacts of climate change, a significant proportion of the residents had inadequate knowledge. Therefore, priority shall better be given for strengthening educational and active engagement of the community in environmental protection activities to further enhance public knowledge.
Difference in the Risk of Discrimination on Psychological Distress Experienced by Early Wave Infected and Late Wave Infected COVID-19 Survivors
Authors: Hazumi Megumi , Kataoka Mayumi , Usuda Kentaro , Narita Zui , Okazaki Emi , Nishi Daisuke
Published: June 2023

The psychological distress experienced by coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) survivors after recovery from the illness is amplified by discrimination endured because of their infection status. However, the difference in the risk of facing discrimination and risk of experiencing psychological distress in the early and late waves of the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the risk of facing discrimination because of infection status was lower in the early or late waves and whether risk of discrimination on psychological distress was more serious in later, rather than earlier waves. We conducted two online surveys to collect data from survivors divided into two groups. The participants with scores of five or more on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were identified as having experienced psychological distress. The participants were identified as having experienced discrimination based on infection status if they had endured being blamed, some type of discrimination, or having themselves or their families maligned. The timing of infection was split into infected during early waves of the pandemic for 2021 participants and infected during later waves of the pandemic for 2022 participants. Modified Poisson regression analyses were performed using experiences of discrimination as dependent variables and timing of infection as independent variables. Modified Poisson regression analyses were further performed using the presence of psychological distress as a dependent variable and experiences of discrimination and timing of infection as dependent variables, in addition to interaction effect of these independent variables. The data of 6,010 participants who were infected in early waves and 5,344 participants who were infected in later waves were analyzed. The risks of being blamed, some forms of discrimination, and participants and their families being maligned were significantly lower in the group who were infected in later waves than those infected in earlier waves. Experiences of discrimination were highly associated with psychological distress in those infected in later waves than those infected in earlier waves, while only being blamed showed a significant association. Risk of discrimination was found to be lower in those infected in later waves, whereas risk of discrimination on psychological distress was shown to be more serious in those infected in later waves. Therefore, we submit that it is more important to support COVID-19 survivors who face discrimination, than it is to attempt to decrease the current discriminatory climate caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical Image Diagnosis Based on Adaptive Hybrid Quantum CNN
Authors: Ajlouni Naim , Özyavaş Adem , Takaoğlu Mustafa , Takaoğlu Faruk , Ajlouni Firas
Published: June 2023

Hybrid quantum systems have shown promise in image classification by combining the strengths of both classical and quantum algorithms. These systems leverage the parallel processing power of quantum computers to perform complex computations while utilizing classical algorithms to handle the vast amounts of data involved in imaging. The hybrid approach is intended to improve accuracy and speed compared to traditional classical methods. Further research and development in this area can revolutionize the way medical images are classified and help improve patient diagnosis and treatment. The use of Conventional Neural Networks (CNN) for the classification and diagnosis of medical images using big datasets requires, in most cases, the use of special high-performance computing machines, which are very expensive and hard to access by most researchers. A new form of Machine Learning (ML), Quantum machine learning (QML), is being introduced as an emerging strategy to overcome this problem. A hybrid quantum-classical CNN uses both quantum and classical convolution layers designed to use a parameterized quantum circuit. This means that the computing model utilizes a quantum circuits approach to construct QML algorithms, which are then used to transform the quantum state to extract image hidden features. This computational acceleration is expected to achieve better algorithm performance than classical CNNs. This study intends to evaluate the performance of a Hybrid Quantum CNN (HQCNN) against a conventional CNN. This will be followed by some optimizer modifications for both proposed and classical CNN methods to investigate the possible further improvement of their performance. The optimizer modification is based on forcing the optimizer to be directly adaptive to model accuracy. The optimizer adaptiveness will be based on the development of an optimizer with a loss base adaptive momentum. Several algorithms will be developed to achieve the above-mentioned goals, including CNN, QCNN, CNN with the adaptive optimizer, and QCNN with the Adaptive optimizer. The four algorithms will be tested against a Kaggle brin dataset containing over 7000 samples. The test results show the hybrid quantum circuit algorithm outperformed the conventional CNN algorithm. The performance of both algorithms was further improved by using a fully adaptive SGD optimizer.
Description of Oleispirillum naphthae gen. nov., sp. nov., a potential nitrogen-fixing bacterium of the order Rhodospirillales, and proposal of Oleispirillaceae fam. nov.
Authors: Peng Chenghui , Zhang Xue , Li Jiang , Yang Min , Ma Shichun , Fan Hui , Dai Lirong , Cheng Lei
Published: June 2023

A microaerophilic, gram-negative, motile, and spiral-shaped bacterium, designated Y-M2T, was isolated from oil sludge of Shengli oil field. The optimal growth condition of strain Y-M2T was at 25°C, pH 7.1, and in the absence of NaCl. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The main cellular fatty acid was iso C17:0 3-OH. It contained Q-9 and Q-10 as the predominant quinones. The DNA G + C content was 68.1 mol%. Strain Y-M2T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Telmatospirillum siberiense 26-4bT (90.13%). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genomes showed that strain Y-M2T formed a distinct cluster in the order Rhodospirillales. Genomic analysis showed that Y-M2T possesses a complete nitrogen fixation cluster which was phylogenetically close to that of methanogene. The nitrogenases genes nif cluster were present in all N2-fixing strains in the order Rhodospirillales. Phylogeny, phenotype, chemotaxonomy, and genomic results demonstrated that strain Y-M2T represents a novel species of a novel genus in a novel family Oleispirillaceae fam. nov. in the order Rhodospirillales, for which the name Oleispirillum naphthae gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is Y-M2T (= CCAM 827T = JCM 34765T).
Is Data from Community Mortality Data Mechanisms and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems Compatible and Co-Usable? Evidence from a pilot Study in Nigeria
Authors: Maduekwe Nnamdi Ifeanyi , Vincent Grace , Oladunjoye Mary Oluwadamilola , Adebayo Olalekan Luqman , Ntieno Inyangudo Gideaon , Oluwabunmi Folorunso , Ageloye Simileoluwa , Aloko Stephen Oladipo , Maduekwe Hilda Nwanneka
Published: June 2023

Background: Community mortality data mechanisms (CMDMs) -including verbal autopsy programmes and mortality surveillance systems-are taken as pragmatic solutions to the mortality data incapacity of CRVS systems in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). This paper addresses issues related to the compatibility and co-usability of CMDM and CRVS systems data instruments and data. It demonstrates a methodology for the development of a CRVS system compatible community mortality checklist (CMC) instrument applicable to a routine community mortality surveillance system (RCMS). It compares mortality data from the Nigerian CRVS system and a pilot implementation of RCMS using the CMC.
Methods: Development of the CMC was demonstrated with the Nigerian death registration data instrument. RCMS and CRVS generated data on 180 deaths were compared in nine mortality data fields or elements of registered mortality events (ERMEs): age and sex of deceased, timeliness of registration (TOR), place -facility- of death (POD), locality of death, place of registration, death certification, and causes of death (COD).
Results: Differences between RCMS and CRVS mortality data were insignificant in some ERMEs like age, sex and POD of deceased but significant in others like TOR, COD and locality of death. CRVS data were slightly less male biased and more concentrated at older age groups while RCMS data were more evenly spread across age groups.
Conclusion: Data from the two sources are largely compatible. CMC based RCMS can significantly expand coverage of CRVS mortality data in LMICs and help adjust its sex and age bias.