bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on endoscopy artefact detection based on deep learning
Authors: Zhang Han , Adjei Prince , Hu Xiaoming , Wang Xiaotong , Hu Yeting , Gan Tao , Rao Nini
Published: October 2022

Endoscopic images are generally corrupted by various artefacts, such as blur caused by the irregular motion of endoscopists or organ peristalsis, preventing endoscopists from performing efficient and high-accuracy diagnosis and limiting the utility of computer-aided diagnosis in endoscopy. As a result, an endoscopy artefact detection algorithm that is both robust and reliable is critical in endoscopic imaging. This study proposes an endoscopy artefact detection method based on an improved Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN) detector, simply named Faster RFD3-CNN. We introduce deformable convolutions and a feature pyramid network (FPN) to strengthen the model's adaptability and feature extraction ability. Furthermore, class-aware non-maximum suppression (NMS) and false positive elimination are utilized to filter out some bounding boxes with low confidence or overlap. The experimental results on the public access EndoCV2020 data set show that the mean average precision (mAP) can reach 42.66% and the intersection of union (IoU) is 31.61%. The mAP is increased by nearly 15% compared with the existing methods. Compared with the basic Faster R-CNN, mAP and IoU are improved by 7.39% and 11.19%, respectively. To sum up, the proposed method in this paper has superior performance in endoscopy artefact detection.
Can pilot projects for green industrial transformation mitigate environmental pollution emissions? Evidence From China
Authors: Tan Jingrong , Chen Lin , Liu Xu , Gong Chaojun
Published: October 2022

To achieve the goals of clean production and green development, pilot projects for green industrial transformation (PPGIT) to reduce the environmental pollution emissions from regional enterprises in China have been ongoing for more than five years. This study analyzes 283 prefecture-level cities from 2006 to 2019 using the propensity score matching difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) analysis framework to determine the effects of PPGIT policy implementation. The impacts of PPGIT policy on different pollutants are significantly negative, with the most reductions occurring for sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and the least for particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. Furthermore, the effects of implementing the PPGIT policy from region to region, with the greatest policy effects of PPGIT in the eastern region. Based on the mechanism effects in different regions, the implementation of PPGIT policy nationwide significantly reduces pollution emissions through the technology effect and structure effect and in different regions, the PPGIT policies reduces emissions through different mechanisms. Overall, this study makes a unified evaluation of the environmental governance practices occurring during China's industrial green transformation process. The results of this study are of great significance for promoting the modernization of environmental governance capacity and improving the construction of an ecological civilization through China’s green development.
An eigen decomposition based closed-formsolution for the Discrete Lyapunov and SteinEquations
Authors: Patel Aaqib , Khan Mohammed Zafar Ali
Published: October 2022

A simple closed-form solution to the discrete Lyapunov equation(DLE) is established for certain families of matrices. This solution isexpressed in terms of the eigen decomposition (ED) for which closed-form solutions are known for all 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and certain familiesof matrices. For general matrices, the proposed ED based closed-formsolution can be used as an efficient numerical solution when the EDcan be computed. The result is then extended to give closed-formsolutions for a generalization of the DLE, called the Stein equation.The proposed explicit solution’s complexity is of the same order asiterative solutions and significantly smaller than known closed-formsolutions. These solutions may prove convenient for analysis and syn-thesis problems related to these equations due to their compact form.
Transmission of COVID-19 was slower but more sustained in warm climate
Authors: Wan Xinru , Cheng Chaoyuan , Zhang Zhibin
Published: October 2022

Background
The COVID-19 novel virus has caused huge damage to public health around the world. Revealing the influencing factors affecting the transmission rate of COVID-19 is essential to take effective control measures. However, the association between transmission of COVID-19 and climate factors remains elusive with high uncertainty.
Methods
By using an extensive global dataset covering 617 time series from China, USA, Europe, and the rest of the world during 1/1–31/12 2020, we estimated the transmission parameters of COVID-19 and modeled the effects of the human and climate factors on COVID-19 transmission.
Results
We demonstrate that the transmission rate of COVID-19 was lower in warm climate in China, Europe, USA and the world, and in wet climate in China and Europe after excluding the confounding factors. The maximum transmission rate of COVID-19 seemed to have a peak temperature around 11.2°C in China and the world. The control efficiency (i.e. decreasing speed of transmission rate) in China, USA and the world was lower in warm and wet condition.
Conclusions
Our study suggested that in summer seasons, the transmission risk of COVID-19 would increase in the high-latitude or high-altitude regions but decrease in low-latitude or low-altitude regions. The area with the 7.8°C isocline between October and January which overlap with the major epicenters of COVID-19 should be investigated as a priority in searching for the natural hosts of COVID-19 and their habitats and movement.
Short-term Probabilistic Trajectory Prediction Approach for Intelligent Connected Vehicle
Authors: Wang Leilei , Deng Xiaoheng , Gui Jinsong
Published: October 2022

Efficient, high-precision and real-time vehicle trajectory prediction contributes more feasibilities to Intelligent Connected Vehicle (ICV) applications. Existing classic time series trajectory prediction methods attempt to directly extrapolate the exact future trajectory distribution from an extensive amount of trajectory data. However, these methods are sensitive to noise, require time series linearity and they are difficult to integrate traffic rules and potential environmental constraints, which makes multimodal prediction unreliable. For this purpose, this paper proposed a Probabilistic trajectory Prediction approach for ICV (PPIV), which is mainly applied to predict the vehicle trajectory within a short-term. Based on a large amount of real vehicle trajectory data, we explored and analyzed the vehicle motion features. Specifically, we divide the vehicle motion modes into two categories: single mode and complicated mode, and construct different trajectory proposal models for the two motion modes to predict the future trajectory location of the vehicle. Furthermore, we comprehensively consider the influence of vehicle location relationships and external hidden factors on vehicle trajectory prediction to improve prediction accuracy. The advantage of PPIV algorithm is that it not only predicts the future trajectory proposal of the vehicle under different motion modes but also predicts the probability distribution of all future trajectories of the vehicle. Simulation results with extensive real trajectory datasets show that the PPIV algorithm is superior to other probabilistic trajectory prediction algorithms.
The suppression of alt-EJ in quiescent G0-phase cells is caused by enhanced APC/CCDH1-mediated CtIP degradation and low CDK levels
Authors: Li Fanghua , Mladenov Emil , Broich Anna , Soni Aashish , Stuschke Martin , Timmermann Beate , Iliakis George
Published: October 2022

Alt-EJ is an error-prone DNA double-strand break (DSBs) repair pathway coming to the fore when first-line repair pathways, c-NHEJ and HR, are defective or fail. It is thought to depend on DNA end-resection: a process whereby 3’ single-stranded DNA-tails are generated, initiated by the CtIP/MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and extended by EXO1 or the BLM/DNA2 complex. The connection between alt-EJ and resection remains incompletely characterized. Alt-EJ depends on cell cycle phase, is at maximum in G2-phase, substantially reduced in G1-phase and almost undetectable in quiescent, G0-phase cells. The mechanism underpinning this regulation remains uncharacterized. Here, we compare alt-EJ in G1- and G0-phase cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) and identify CtIP-dependent resection as the key regulator. Low levels of CtIP in G1-phase allow modest resection and alt-EJ as compared to G2-phase cells. Strikingly, CtIP is undetectable in G0-phase cells owing to APC/C mediated degradation. Suppression of CtIP degradation with bortezomib or CDH1 knockdown rescues CtIP and alt-EJ in G0-phase cells. CtIP activation in G0-phase cells also requires CDK-dependent phosphorylation by any available CDK, but is restricted to Cdk4/6 at the early stages of the normal cell cycle. We propose that suppression of alt-EJ in G0-phase enhances genomic stability in the large non-cycling cell fraction of higher eukaryotes.
Is nonlinearity needed to predict the Kumamoto Mj 6.5 and Mj 7.3 mainshocks at KUMA site?
Authors: Bordoni Paola , Giuliano Milana , Augusto Lucarelli , Giulio Giuseppe Di , Hailemikael Salomon , Vassallo Maurizio
Published: October 2022

We present the results of 2D numerical simulation carried out using FLAC3D-7.0 for the blind predictions of the shaking induced by the 2016 Kumamoto mainshocks Mj 6.5 and Mj 7.2. The blind exercise was organized by the IASPEI/IAEE Joint Working Group on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion (JWG-ESG6), for the 6th International ESG Symposium held in Japan in August 2021. We have drawn our subsoil model using geophysical data provided by the JWG-ESG6 and validated using a weak motion Mj 4.6 event recorded at the target site for predictions (KUMA) and at the reference site (SEVO). Prediction of events Mj 6.5 and Mj 7.2 are performed with linear elastic and nonlinear elasto-plastic simulations, the latter using the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive law to characterize some shallow layers. Their syntheticwaveforms are almost identical and fit the data satisfactorily, most likely due to the mechanical parameters and the constitutive model chosen being not able to induce important nonlinear effects. Also, and more surprisingly, a 1D linear code can reproduce the data. These results provide an important warning against the widespread use of equivalent-linear code for ground response analysis, which, if used for predictions in the Kumamoto case, would have largely underestimated the recorded shaking.
Assessment of the Effects of the Biotic and Abiotic Harm Factors on the Amount of Industrial Wood Production with Deep Learning
Authors: Sevinç Volkan
Published: October 2022

The protection and sustainability of forest assets is possible with the planned production of forest products with minimum loss. Among the products obtained from forests, industrial wood is the most important raw material for many sectors. For this reason, it is important to determine the factors affecting the industrial wood production amount in order to obtain this raw material in the most efficient way. This article aims to investigate and assess the effects of two biotic and two abiotic harm factors on the amount of industrial wood production by building a deep learning estimation model. These factors are forest fires, outbreaks of insects, outbreaks of diseases, and severe weather events. The study shows that the most harmful factor decreasing the industrial wood production level is outbreaks of diseases. The second effective factor, however, appears to be severe weather events. The third and the fourth factors were determined to be outbreaks of insects and burned forest areas, respectively.
Comparison of the surveillance effectiveness with different absenteeism collection methods: a pilot study, China, September 2021 to June 2022
Authors: Wang Wei Ye , Huang Xiao Liu , Yang Zhen
Published: October 2022

Background
The recently launched facial recognition based syndromic surveillance system (FRSSS) by a group needs to address whether the innovative method used in FASSS can result in higher surveillance accuracy, and how to construct appropriate indicators for FASSS.
Aim
To compare the surveillance effectiveness of absenteeism collected by FRSSS and school physicians and provide a theoretical basis for surveillance indexes constructed for FRSSS.
Methods
Two schools in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province were selected (3110 and 3118 students in the first and second semesters, respectively). Grades 1–2 (DARL), 3–6 (DARH), and school-wide (DARX) all-cause absenteeism were reported by FRSSS, and all-cause absenteeism (DARY) and sickness absenteeism (DARZ) were reported by school physicians from September 1, 2021, to June 24, 2022. The sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of these indicators were analyzed through correlation, time series, control chart and event investigation.
Results
In school A, the sensitivities of DARL, DARH, DARX, DARY and DARZ were 95.0%, 92.9%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively; specificities were 88.0%, 92.1%, 80.6%, 78.2% and 76.8%, respectively; Youden indexes were 83.0%, 85.0%, 80.6%, 78.2% and 76.8%, respectively. In school B, the sensitivities of the same five indicators were 100%; specificities were 89.3%, 91.0%, 83.9%, 80.4% and 81.0%, respectively; Youden indexes were 89.3%, 91.0%, 83.9%, 80.4% and 81.0%, respectively.
Conclusions
The absenteeism collected by FASSS was realistic and had better accuracy of infectious disease detection than absenteeism collected by school physicians. Moreover, classifying total all-cause absenteeism as grade 1–2 and 3–6 significantly improved FASSS infectious disease situational awareness.
Outcomes of endoscopic treatment for early correction of craniosynostosis in children: A 26-year single center experience
Authors: Dominguez Leonardo , Rivas-Palacios Claudio , Barbosa Mario M , Escobar Maria Andrea , F Elvira Puello , Garcia-Ballestas Ezequiel
Published: October 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Belgium: A mixed methods study.
Authors: Vansteenland Irene , Forss Rachel
Published: October 2022

Background
Diabetic foot (DF) assessments detect patients’ risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer and can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. In order to organize this assessment effectively, DF assessment guidelines are required according to the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot.
However, these international guidelines have not been adapted into a national guidelines for podiatrists in Flanders, Belgium. This study aims to explore podiatrists’ views and to identify which methods and guidelines are used to assess the DF in private podiatry practices in Belgium.
Methods
This mixed methods study was composed of an anonymous online survey comprising of open- and closed-ended questions followed by 1:1 semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited via e-mail and a closed private Facebook group of podiatry alumni. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistics and thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke.
Results
This study showed that the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot exists solely of a medical history and palpation of the pedal pulses. Non-invasive tests such as Doppler or ABPI are seldom used. Only 66% reported to use a guideline for the DF assessment. There was a variety of reported guidelines and risk stratification systems in use. This study raised the podiatrists’ concern of inconsistencies in the interpretation of the risk stratification of the DF between podiatrists. Other reported difficulties in assessing the diabetic foot were the lack of referral pathways and the current DF risk stratification system and reimbursement by the NIDHI in Belgium.
Conclusion
There is a need to develop a national uniform guideline for the DF assessment in Flanders, Belgium. Further research should focus on implementing and improving the adherence to this guideline to improve the diabetic foot care.
Bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation of six cuproptosis-associated genes as prognostic signatures in breast cancer
Authors: Chen Xiang , Sun Hening , Yang Changcheng , Wang Wei , Lyu Wenzhi , Zou Kejian , Zhang Fan , Dai Zhijun , Dong Huaying , He Xionghui
Published: October 2022

Background
Breast carcinoma (BRCA) is the life-threatening malignancy in women with poor prognosis. Cuproptosis is a novel mode of cell death, and its relationship with BRCA is unclear. This study endeavored to develop the cuproptosis-relevant prognostic genes and signature for BRCA.
Methods
Cuproptosis-relevant subtypes of BRCA patients were derived by consistent clustering. Disparate expression analysis was implemented in the ‘limma’ package. The univariate Cox and multivariate Cox analysis were executed to determine the cuproptosis-relevant prognostic signature. The signature was created and affirmed in distinct datasets. The Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were also conducted to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in the prognostic signature. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithm were applied to probe the linkage between the gene signature and tumor microenviroment (TME). Immunotherapy responsiveness were projected by Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) website. Detection of the expression of cuproptosis-revelant prognostic genes in breast cancer cell lines was implemented by Real Time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).
Results
A grand total of 38 cuproptosis-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BRCA were mined by consistent clustering and disparate expression analysis. Based on univariate Cox and multivariate Cox analysis, six cuproptosis-revelant prognostic genes, namely SAA1, KRT17, VAV3, IGHG1, TFF1 and CLEC3A, were mined to establish a cuproptosis-revelant signature. Then, we affirmed the signature by external validation set. GSVA and GSEA manifested that multiple cell cycle-linked and immune-related pathways and biological processes were connected to the signature. The ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT results revealed significantly different TMEs for the two Cusig score subgroups. Finally, the result of RT-qPCR of cell lines further affirmed the expression trend of SAA1, KRT17, IGHG1 and CLEC3A.
Conclusion
Taken together, this study authenticated the cuproptosis-revelant prognostic genes and developed a signature for the overall survival projection of BRCA, which will provide the basis for developing prognostic molecular biomarkers and in-depth understanding of the relationship between cuproptosis and BRCA.
A dihydropyridine derivative as a highly selective fluorometric probe for quantification of Au3+ residue in gold nanoparticle solution
Authors: Paisuwan Waroton , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Tobisu Mamoru , Ajavakom Anawat
Published: October 2022

Novel dihydroquinoline derivatives (DHP and DHP-OH) were synthesized in one pot via a tandem trimerization-cyclization of methylpropiolate. DHP and DHP-OH possess strong blue fluorescence with high quantum efficiencies over 0.70 in aqueous media. DHP-OH displays a remarkable fluorescence quenching selectively to the presence of Au3+ through the oxidation of dihydropyridine to pyridinium ion as confirmed by NMR and HRMS. DHP-OH was used to demonstrate the quantitative analysis of Au3+ in water samples with limit of detection of 32.8 ppb and excellent recovery (>95%). This fluorescent probe was also applied for determination of Au3+ residue in the gold nanoparticle solution and paper-based sensing strip for on-site detection of Au3+.
Medical image enhancement based on volumetric tissue segmentation fusion (Uni-stable 3D method)
Authors: ELAFF Ihab
Published: October 2022

The 3D Uni-stable method is a novel technique for 3D medical image enhancement which produces 3D Images of high contrast from the scanned anisotropic scaling images. This is done by estimating some intermediate slices through resizing the original scans. Rescaling has been achieved at three different levels: rescaling of eigenvalues of diffusion, rescaling the Scalar Indexes from the original eigenvalues, and rescaling the cluster maps of the segmentation of the original Scalar Indexes. Four interpolation methods have been employed at each level and four clustering algorithms have been employed in the process. The 3D Uni-stable image is almost universal as it combines variety of algorithms points of views into one 3D probability map. This reduces boundary-overlapping among different tissues, and hence improves the uniqueness of the segmentation problem solution. The stability factor of the 3D Uni-stable-Images is measured by maximum match analysis between the cluster maps which are generated from 3D Uni-stable images using variety of clustering methods with respect to true fact references for 5 different brains and the resultant standard deviations of Uni-stable images maximum match analysis in both threshold and tissue to brain ratio are much lower than Mean Diffusivity and Fractional Anisotropy scalar indexes for both CSF/non-CSF and WM/non-WM respectively.
10-year experience with staggered multimodal treatment in brain arteriovenous malformations in a single medical center in Mexico. An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Melo-Guzmán Gustavo , Nicolás-Cruz Carlos Fernando , Montesinos-Sampedro Alberto , Mendizabal-Guerra Rafael , Santiago-Germán David
Published: October 2022

An observational cohort study was performed in patients with diagnosis of brain AVM in a third level medical center in Mexico City, from December 2007 to January 2018. Patients were divided into 3 groups: small (S-M Grade I and II), Transitional (S-M Grade III) and Giant (S-M Grade IV and V). and then these groups subcategorized in bimodal treatment (embolization plus microsurgery) and others (microsurgery, radiosurgery, conservative). Functional outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and compared between the 2 groups before treatment and 24 months follow-up.
97 patients were diagnosed, 22 excluded due to inconsistency in medical records or abandoning the treatment. The final sample analyzed was 75 patients. The overall had a mean age of 22 [14-38] years and the predominant sex was male in 55% (n=41). The clinical presentation was: focal neurological deficit 28% (n=21), seizures 27% (n=20), headache 24% (n=18), and intracranial hemorrhage 21% (n=16). Only seven (9.3%) patients from the total sample developed trans-procedural rupture of brain AVM, After 24 months follow up 24 (31.9%) patients remains with neurological sequel, and four (5.3%) died. In low grade brain AVMs the mean MRS decreased from 2.5±1.2 to 0.7±0.9, in transitional grade brain AVMs from 2.3±1.7 to 0.9±1, and in giant AVMs 2.4±1.1 to 2.3±2.1.
Bimodal or multimodal treatment should be carefully considered in high-grade arteriovenous malformations. The main objective, having embolization as a first step is to reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding, obliterating feeder arteries that will be difficult to control with microsurgery. Additionally, the risk of trans procedure rupture of the bAVM is directly proportional to the “aggressiveness” which it is treated.
A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Adding Cetuximab to the First-line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma in Iran; Considering Genetic Screening for Precision Medicine
Authors: Yousefi Nazila , Salimi Alireza , Mohammadnezhad Ghader , Taheri Saeed , Peiravian Farzad
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of cetuximab in different genetic populations of metastatic colorectal carcinoma patients, including KRAS and RAS wild types and mutants, when added to FOLFIRI treatment regimens for evidence-based disease management in Iran.

Method

A Markov decision model was designed in TreeAge software with the three states of stable, progress, and death. Clinical outcomes were extracted from published clinical studies, and costs were extracted from the Iranian local data. The primary outcome was an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in the simulated population.

Results

The cost-utility model from the perspective of the health system indicated that the average direct medical costs of a patient that has not been genetically screened are $56985.27 and $20767.74 in FOLFIRI + cetuximab and FOLFIRI regimens, respectively. However, costs per patient in the KRAS wild-type population were $21845.52 in FOLFIRI and $78,321.22 in FOLFIRI + cetuximab. In RAS wild-type patients, FOLFIRI and FOLFIRI + cetuximab costs per patient were $23111.62 and $84976.39, respectively. Incremental QALYs for the above scenarios were 0.069, 0.193, and 0.285, respectively. Therefore, the ICER of add-on cetuximab in Iran compared to the treatment alternatives in the scenarios with and without KRAS screening was $520771.55/QALY, $292768.16/QALY, and $217460.51/QALY.

Conclusion

Although genetic screening in precision medicine reduces costs per outcome, according to the willingness-to-pay threshold of $4349.50 in the Iranian health system, add-on cetuximab to the FOLFIRI regimen is not a cost-effective strategy even with genetic screening and a 20% price reduction.
Combining individual tracking data with high-resolution thermal mapping to identify microclimate refugia for a threatened grassland bird
Authors: Ramos Rita F. , Franco Aldina M. A. , Gilroy James J. , Silva João P.
Published: October 2022

Context
Local microclimate refugia may buffer against detrimental effects of extreme temperatures preventing fitness loss.
Objectives
By combining high resolution habitat and climate information with GPS tracking data, we develop a novel approach to identify the use and availability of cooler microclimate refugia within large landscapes.
Methods
GPS data from 77 little bustards (Tetrax tetrax), an endangered grassland bird tracked between 2009 and 2019, was combined with hourly temperature information at 30x30m resolution. 92,685 GPS locations and their surrounding 500m areas were characterised with temperature and habitat information and used to determine the availability and use of microclimate refugia (sites > 0.5˚C cooler than the surrounding landscape).
Results
We found that the semi-natural grassland landscapes used by little bustards have limited availability of cooler microclimate areas – fewer than 30% of the locations provided microclimate refugia opportunities. The use of cooler microclimate sites by little bustards increased at higher ambient temperatures, suggesting that individuals actively utilise microclimate refugia to cope with extreme heat conditions. Microclimate refugia availability and use were greater in areas with heterogeneous vegetation cover, and in coastal areas.
Conclusions
This study identified the landscape characteristics that provide microclimate opportunities and shelter from extreme heat conditions. Little bustards made greater use of microclimate refugia with increasing temperatures, particularly during the breeding season when individuals are highly site faithful. This information can help identify areas where populations might be particularly exposed to climate extremes due to a lack of refugia and where habitat management measures should take place.
Insights into genetic differentiation and migration routes of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) based on samples from almost all distribution areas
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yao Yongfang , Su Qian , Zhao Junsong , Zhou Fei , Yu Mengshi , Xiao Hongtao , Xie Meng , Xiong Ying , Wu Jiayun , Ni Qingyong , Zhang Mingwang , Xu Huai-liang
Published: October 2022

Background Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is commonly used in biomedical research because of its high similarity with human beings, and understand the genetic diversity of wild macaques is necessary. Although there have been many genetic diversity reports on this species, there is still a deficiency of comprehensive understanding of genetic background due to limited sample range, especially, involving Qinghai-Tibet Plateau samples. Here, extensive sampling is conducted in macaque populations across almost all distribution areas, including China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. It also focuses on genetic differentiation, migration diffusion and population dynamics in western China. Results 57 unique haplotypes were obtained from 452 samples in 34 geographical areas and 60 mtDNA haplotypes were downloaded, resulting in a total of 117 haplotypes covering almost all macaque distribution areas. The phylogenetic analysis exhibited three major haplogroups (Clade Ⅰ~Ⅲ) with obvious geographical distribution patterns. Clade Ⅰ is mainly composed of macaques from western China, Clade Ⅱ is from central and eastern China, Vietnam, India and Nepal, and Clade Ⅲ is from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The divergence age among three Clade is 1.67 ~ 2.81 Ma. Further, Clade Ⅰ from western China is divided into five obviously divergent subclades (Sub A-E). We found macaques in western Sichuan contain two morphology subspecies:M. m. lasiotusandM. m. vestita, different from the previous one subspecies (M. m. lasiotus) report. Notably, comprehensive analysis suggested that the populations in southeastern Sichuan, eastern Yunnan and Guizhou (Sub B) may be an independent new subspecies. We also found Bangladesh may be a re-radiation central of the whole rhesus macaques, and three possible radiation routes of rhesus macaques entering China were speculated: from Yunnan to western China, from Guangxi to central and eastern China, and along the coastline to Hainan. In addition, demographic history analysis revealed the macaque population is stable and has not experienced significant population expansion. Conclusions In conclusion, this study investigated the distribution patterns of different subspecies of macaques, and proposed possible radiation routes. To our knowledge, it’s the first comprehending analysis based on almost all distribution areas of rhesus macaques.
Immunoinfiltration-related gene SERPINE1 is a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of stomach adenocarcinoma discovered via high throughput transcriptome data mining combined with bioinformatics
Authors: Zhai Yiyan , Liu Xinkui , Huang Zhihong , Zhang Jingyuan , Stalin Antony , Tan Yingying , Zhang Fanqin , Chen Meilin , Shi Rui , Huang Jiaqi , Wu Chao , Wu Zhishan , Lu Shan , You Leiming , Wu Jiarui
Published: October 2022

Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is a type of cancer as it has frequently developed into the advanced stage at diagnosis and mortality. Several factors influence the prognosis of STAD, including the expression and regulation of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we aim to find biomarkers related to the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in the future. STAD and normal patient RNA sequencing data sets are accessed from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA database). Differential genes are determined and obtained using the R package DESeq2. The stromal, immune, and ESTIMATE scores are calculated using the algorithm ESTIMATE, and based on this, the R package WGCNA is used to screen modular genes. Subsequently, the intersection between the modular gene and the differential gene was taken and the STRING database was used for PPI network module analysis. The R packages clusterProfiler, enrichplot, and ggplot2 were used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to screen survival-related genes, and finally, the R package Venn Diagram was used to take the intersection and obtain 7 hub genes. The time-dependent ROC curve and Kaplan-Meier survival curve were used to find the SERPINE1gene, which plays a key role in prognosis. Finally, the expression pattern, clinical characteristics, and regulatory mechanism of SERPINE1 were analyzed in STAD. This study revealed that the expression of SERPINE1 was significantly increased in the samples from STAD compared with normal samples. Cox regression analysis, time-dependent ROC curve and Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that SERPINE1 was significantly related to the adverse prognosis of STAD patients. The expression of SERPINE1 increased with the progression of T, N, and M classification of the tumor. In addition, the results of immune infiltration analysis showed that the expression of CD4+ T cells, B cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and other immune cells were higher in the group with high SERPINE1 expression than in the group with low SERPINE1 expression. SERPINE1 was closely related to immune cells in the STAD immune microenvironment and had a synergistic effect with the immune checkpoints PD1 and PD-L1. In conclusion, this study proves that SERPINE1 can be used as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for STAD and a potential target for immunotherapy.
Hormonal and molecular characterization of calcium oxalate stone formers predicting occurrence and recurrence
Authors: Elshal Ahmed M. , Shamshoun Heba , Awadalla Amira , Elbaz Ramy , Ahmed Asmaa E. , El-khawaga Omali Y. , Shokeir Ahmed A.
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose:
To investigate the role of sex hormones, androgen receptors (ARs) and mi-RNA/CSF-1 in occurrence and recurrence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal urolithiasis.
Materials and Methods:
In this prospective study, 74 patients with CaOx stones; stone formers group (SFG) and 40 healthy subjects; control group were compared. SFG includes both denovo and recurrent cases.
Steroid sex hormone plasma assay including testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin were analyzed. ARs, mi-RNA 185-5p and CSF-1 expression were compared between groups.
Results:
SFG showed significant higher ARs and mi-RNA 185-5p expression (3.7 ± 1.3, 1.8 ± 0.4, respectively) than control group (1 ± 0.08 and 1± 0.07, respectively) (p < 0.05).
However, CSF-1 expression was significantly lower in stone formers than control group. (0.4 ± 0.19 vs 1 ± 0.1, respectively) (p < 0.05). No differences were detected between denovo and recurrent SFG regarding sex hormones, AR, mi-RNA or CSF-1 expression.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest the important role of AR. mi-RNA and CSF-1 signaling
in human nephrolithiasis pathogenesis.
Significance of HLA in the development of Graves’ orbitopathy
Authors: Stasiak Magdalena , Zawadzka-Starczewska Katarzyna , Tymoniuk Bogusław , Stasiak Bartłomiej , Lewiński Andrzej
Published: October 2022

Graves’ disease (GD), similarly to most autoimmune disease, is triggered by environmental factors in genetically predisposed individuals. Particular HLA alleles increase or decrease GD risk. No such correlation was demonstrated for Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) in Caucasian population. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1 and -DRB1 genotyping was performed using a high-resolution method in a total number of 2378 persons including 70 patients with GO, 91 patients with non-GO GD and 2217 healthy controls to compare allele frequencies between GO, non-GO and controls. Significant associations between GO and HLA profile were demonstrated, with HLA-A*01:01, -A*32:01, -B*37:01, -B*39:01, -B*42:01, -C*08:02, C*03:02, DRB1*03:01, DRB1*14:01 and DQB1*02:01 being genetic markers of increased risk of GO, and HLA-C*04:01, -C*03:04, -C*07:02 and DRB1*15:02 being protective alleles. Moreover, correlations between HLA alleles and increased or decreased risk of non-GO GD, but with no impact on risk of GO development, were revealed. Identification of these groups of GO-related and GO-protective alleles, as well as the alleles strongly related to non-GO GD, constitutes an important step in a development of personalized medicine, with individual risk assessment and patient-tailored treatment.
Health-related Quality-of-life outcomes following Roux-en-Y-Gastric-Bypass versus One-Anastomosis- Gastric-Bypass
Authors: Rheinwalt Karl Peter , Fobbe Anna , Plamper Andreas , Alizai Patrick Hamid , Schmitz Sophia Marie-Therese , Brol Maximilian Joseph , Trebicka Jonel , Neumann Ulf Peter , Ulmer Tom Florian
Published: October 2022

Purpose Roux-en-Y-Gastric-Bypass (RYGB) and One-Anastomosis-Gastric-Bypass (OAGB) are effective standard bariatric surgeries with comparable weight loss and remission of obesity-related comorbidities. As procedure-specific health-related quality-of-life (HrQoL) outcomes have not been directly compared thus far, we conducted this questionnaire-based study.
Methods 240 patients after undergoing either RYGB or OAGB between 2011 and 2016 were contacted and asked to fill out SF36 and BAROS questionnaires. All statistical analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism. Primary objectives were procedure-dependent differences in HrQoL. Secondary objectives were weight loss and remission of comorbidities.
Results 119 of 240 contacted patients (49.6%) replied, 58 after RYGB (48.7%) and 61 after OAGB (51,3 %). Follow-up period was <24 months in 52 and >24 months in 64 evaluable patients. Mean age was 46 years (range 23 to 71).
Regarding the <24 months groups, both physical and psychological SF36 sum scales were comparably high. Only the subcategory “general health perception“ was significantly better after RYGB. Significantly higher excess weight loss (EWL) after RYGB (88.81%) compared to OAGB (66.25%) caused significantly better global <24 months BAROS outcomes, whereas remission of comorbidities and HrQoL were similar. Both >24 months groups showed high SF36-HrQoL sum scales. Global mean BAROS results after >24 months were “very good“ in both procedures. EWL in RYGB (80.81%) and in OAGB (81.36%) were comparably excellent.
Conclusion Concerning SF36 and BAROS evaluated HrQoL in early and late postoperative phases, both procedures demonstrated comparable and relevant improvements. Further (preferably randomized) studies should include evaluation of preoperative HrQoL.
Predicting failed access in unstented ureteroscopy
Authors: Morgan Kevin , Possoit HarLee , Connelly Zachary , Frilot Clifton , Khater Nazih , Gomelsky Alexander
Published: October 2022

Introduction/Objectives: The risk of failed access (FA) in unstented ureteroscopy ranges from 7.7%-16%, with young females and those with prior ipsilateral stone surgery, narrow ureteral anatomy, and proximal ureteral stone location carrying higher risk. We aim to determine the rate of failed access at our institution and analyze demographic, clinical, and operative variables associated with FA.
Methods/Materials: We conducted a review of all unstented ureteroscopy procedures at our institution between January 2018 and June 2022. Ureteroscopy for stone, stricture, and neoplasm were included. The primary endpoint was rate of FA, when the unstented ureter failed to accommodate the ureteroscope distal to the target lesion. Demographic, clinical, and operative variables were analyzed to determine if there was an association with FA.
Results: Of the 562 ureteroscopies cases reviewed, 221 unstented ureteroscopies fit our inclusion criteria. FA occurred in 34 (15.4%). Previous stone passage (p=0.039) and distal ureteral location(p=0.042) were associated with successful access (SA). Proximal ureteral location was associated with FA (p=0.008). There was no association with other demographic, clinical and operative variables.
Conclusions: FA occurred at a rate of 15.4% at our institution. Previous stone passage and distal ureteral location were associated with SA, while proximal ureteral location was associated with FA. Prospective studies are needed to better determine predictors of FA.
Epilepsy Treatment Outcome, Adherence to Anti-seizure Medications and Predicting factors at the chronic care facility in Jimma Universtiy Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Shuma Firafan , Terefe Behailu , Tekassa Tamirat
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to assess epilepsy treatment outcome, adherence to Anti-seizure medication (ASM), and its predictors among epileptic patients on follow-up at the chronic care unit of Jimma University Medical Center with a total of 168 epileptic patients enrolled in the study. Data was collected by data collectors using data abstraction formats, then entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between dependent and independent variable. In this study, 132(78.6%) patients were adherent to their ASMs. Seizure recurrence was identified in 120(71.4%) patients. Rural residence (AOR = 6.42, 95% CI: 1.32, 31.28, P-value = 0.02), chronic ASM therapy for above five years (AOR = 20.86, 95% CI: 2.66, 163.77, P-value = 0.00), and complaint of ASM-associated undesirable effect (AOR = 13.51, 95% CI: 2.72, 67.26, P-value = 0.00) significantly increased the probability of seizure recurrence. On the other hand, the presence of seizure triggering factor(s) (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.64, P-value = 0.01) decreased the probability of seizure recurrence by 88%.
Assistência Multiprofissional de uma Angina de Ludwig: Relato de Caso
Authors: Guimarães Kananda Kelly Pereira , Guimarães da Silva Maria Aparecida , Gonçalves Natacha Kalu dos Santos Bernardes , Fontineles Marco Antonio Gonçalves , Reis Felipe Rocha , Reis Erik Neiva Ribeiro de Carvalho
Published: October 2022

A Angina de Ludwig é uma celulite de rápida propagação, que atinge principalmente o assoalho da boca, progredindo em direção aos espaços submandibular, sublingual e submentoniano, podendo causar o colapso das vias aéreas, resultando em insuficiência ventilatória e morte. Este trabalho tem o intuito de descrever um relato de caso clínico de Angina de Ludwig de origem odontogênica submetida a cirurgia no Hospital Regional Tibério Nunes em Floriano-PI, com ênfase no manejo das vias aéreas. Paciente de 23 anos, sexo feminino e sem comorbidades foi atendida por um dentista três vezes, com dor de dente antes de sua admissão por Angina de Ludwig. Após sua internação no Hospital Regional Tibério Nunes pela equipe de Cirurgia e Traumatologia Buco-Maxilo-Facial descobriu-se que ela tinha a celulite com obstrução das vias aéreas. Ela precisou de um debridamento cirúrgico de emergência das vias aéreas e extração do foco infeccioso. O reconhecimento precoce e a intervenção rápida são fundamentais no tratamento desta condição grave, pois o manejo da via aérea nos pacientes com Angina de Ludwig permanece desafiador. A escolha da técnica mais segura deve ser embasada no quadro clínico, nas condições técnicas disponíveis e na necessidade premente de preservação da vida do paciente.
Posidaeja and Mami Wata: The online afterlives of two mermaid goddesses
Authors: Mussies Martine
Published: October 2022

This article examines two examples of fanfiction on oceanic mythologies: ‘Another day, another offering’ by sweetbydesign (2021), about Posideaja, and ‘Mami Wata’ by lucien_cramp (2021). Through both stories, age-old archetypes of mermaid goddesses are harnessed for the environmental agenda. In their fannish rewritings, the authors inverse many Romantic mermaid tropes to empower the mermaid and to confirm the connection between the mermaid and oceanic awareness. Moreover, in their latest remediations, Posideaja’s and Mami Wata’s bodies go against widespread standards for physical beauty and for fitness (i.e. functionality, such as being fit for labour). As such, these two updated mermaids open up a wide range of possibilities for identification and inspiration for their creators as well as their audiences. With their new representations of Posideaja and Mami Wata, the authors thus address two interconnected problems: the oppression of women (in terms of beauty and fitness norms) and the environmental damage done to the oceans (in terms of the acidification of oceans, increases in ocean temperatures and rising sea-levels).
EVALUATION OF POSTPARTUM FEMALE STERILIZATIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN JAMMU
Authors:   Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SMGS Hospital., Maqbool Zargar Shazia , Sharma Suksham ,   Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Published: October 2022

Background: Female sterilization is a surgical procedure which permanently prevents pregnancy it works by blocking the fallopian tube and hence it is also known as tubal ligation. However, female sterilization can be performed at puerperal or postpartum period. Methods: In this retrospective study, we will analyze the postpartum female sterilizations and evaluate the factors that play significant role among women for this option. Results: During the study period, out of 33219 women only 7701 opt for sterilizations, we observed that educational level, sex of new born child at different parity and previous procedural techniques significantly affects postpartum sterilization. Conclusion: These finding show that the voluntary sterilization depends on so many factors like education, parity, sex of new born child and previous procedures. However, in order to curtail the high maternal mortality graph, there must be counseling cells which will help women to attain feasible health benefits and consequently help to reduce maternal mortality.
KNOWLEDGE READINESS TO USE AUGMENTED REALITY IN TEACHING ARABIC AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN MALAYSIA
Authors:   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 43600Bangi, Malaysia., Hanefarezan Asbulah Lily , Afiq Hilmi Mhd Deris Muhammad ,   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 43600Bangi, Malaysia., Afiqah Athirah Mohd Rushdi Nur ,   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 43600Bangi, Malaysia., Sahrim Musab ,   Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Malaysia.
Published: October 2022

In this booming era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the issue of teachers willingness to use information technology in teaching Arabic is often debated. The emergence of new technologies, such as augmented reality technology applied in the education system, has had a positive effect on teaching. However, there is still a lack of research in the context of teaching a foreign language. Therefore, this study discusses the readiness of teachers from the aspect of their knowledge towards the use of augmented reality technology in teaching Arabic in primary schools. In addition, this study uses a quantitative study in the form of a survey method involving a total of 36 Arabic language teachers who were used as respondents in this study. The use of a set of questionnaires as a research instrument is the basis for data collection to identify their level of knowledge readiness. The data from this study were processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science version 26 (SPSS). The results of the study show that the level of readiness of teachers from the aspect of knowledge towards the use of augmented reality technology in the teaching of Arabic in Malaysia is at a moderate level. Therefore, it is hoped that this study will be used as a guide and benefit those responsible for ensuring that the process of teaching and learning Arabic based on augmented reality technology can be implemented in a meaningful way, thereby improving the performance of students in mastering the Arabic language.