bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Additive Manufacturing of Recycled Plastics: A ‘Techno-eco-efficiency’ Assessment
Authors: Jayawardane Heshan , Davies Ian J. , Gamage J. R. , John Michele , Biswas Wahidul K.
Published: November 2022

Plastic materials have been widely used to replace metals in functional parts due to their lower cost and comparable technical properties. However, the increasing use of virgin plastic material in consumer and industrial applications has placed a significant burden on waste management due to the volume of waste created and the potential negative effects of its end-of-life processing. There is a need to adopt circular economy strategies such as plastic recycling in industrial applications in order to reduce this significant waste management pressure. This study used recycled polylactic acid (PLA) material as a feedstock for the 3D printing of a centrifugal semi-open pump impeller. The technical performance of 3D printed recycled PLA material and virgin PLA material was compared. The environmental impacts for technically feasible impellers were assessed through environmental life cycle assessment, while costs were evaluated by life cycle costing. The results were incorporated into a techno-eco-efficiency framework to compare the technical properties, environmental impacts, and costs. The social impacts of additive manufacturing and recycled feedstock material were also explored. The technical assessment results showed that tensile strength, fatigue strength, density, and hardness decreased with recycled material compared to virgin material. Microscopy of the fracture surfaces revealed the presence of slightly higher porosity and defects in recycled specimens, which could result in slightly lower technical properties. The recycled material was however accepted for further ecological analysis as it offered higher pumping performance when compared to the original component and could reduce the burden on virgin material-based production and waste material disposal. Importantly, the results showed that 3D printed recycled PLA impellers are more eco-efficient than 3D printed virgin PLA impellers.
Potassium-rich mining waste addition can shorten the composting period by increasing the abundance of thermophilic bacteria at high temperature period
Authors: Huo Xiao-jun , Zhou Yan , Chen Min-jie , Zhou Jian-lin , Zheng Chun-li
Published: November 2022

Conventional compost sludge takes a long time in the fermentation process and is not full of nutrients. Potassium-rich mining waste was used as an additive for aerobic composting of activated sludge to make a new sludge product. The effects of different feeding ratios of potassium-rich mining waste and activated sludge on physicochemical properties, thermophilic bacteria community structure during aerobic composting were investigated. The results showed that potassium-rich waste minerals contribute to the increase of mineral element content; although the addition of potassium-rich waste minerals affected the peak temperature and duration of compost, the more sufficient oxygen content promoted the growth of thermophilic bacteria, and thus shortened the overall compost period. Considering the requirements of composting temperature, it is recommended that the addition of potassium-rich waste minerals should be less than or equal to 20%.
Loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET overexpression to drive hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhou Yi , Cui Guofei , Xu Hongwei , Chu Joanne , Zhang Zheng , Yang Lihui , Wang Jingxiao , Calvisi Diego F , Lin Shumei , Wang Haichuan
Published: November 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with high genetic heterogeneity. TP53 loss of function (LOF) mutation and c-MET activation are frequent events in human HCCs. Here, we discovered that the simultaneous LOF mutations in TP53 and activation of c-MET occur in ~ 20% of human HCCs, and these patients show a poor prognosis. Importantly, we found that concomitant deletion of Trp53 and overexpression of c-MET (c-MET/sgp53) in the mouse liver led to HCC formation in vivo. Consistent with human HCCs, RNAseq showed that c-MET/sgp53 mouse HCCs were characterized by activated c-MET and Ras/MAPK cascades and increased tumor cell proliferation. Subsequently, a stably passaged cell line derived from a c-MET/sgp53 HCC and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts were generated. Also, in silico analysis suggested that the MEK inhibitor trametinib has a higher inhibition score in TP53 null human HCC cell lines, which was validated experimentally. We consistently found that trametinib effectively inhibited the growth of c-MET/sgp53 HCC cells and xenografts, supporting the possible usefulness of this drug for treating human HCCs with TP53-null mutations. Altogether, our study demonstrates that loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET to drive hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The c-MET/sgp53 mouse model and derived HCC cell lines represent novel and useful preclinical tools to study hepatocarcinogenesis in the TP53 null background.
Patient Satisfaction With a Public Health Insurance “the Sehat Sahulath Program Ssp” in Peshawar, Pakistan: a Comparative Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Ayub Ayaz , Khan Kashif , Shah Shabnam
Published: November 2022

Background:
In the lower-middle-income countries, Pakistan is the fifth most populous and one of the lowest financiers in the health system country in the world. According to Pakistan’s National Health Vision 2016–2025 report, UHC is the highest priority while some other national programs and policies have also allied to it. Pakistan has OOP is 65% in 2016. Therefore, Pakistan has witnessed the sustainable developmental goal (SDGs) and reached a UHC service index score of 80, while the country score was 40 in 2015 and 50 in 2020.
Materials and Methods:
This was a comparative cross-sectional study carried out in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan. The outcome was patient satisfaction with “sehat sahulath program “a national insurance scheme in Pakistan. Data on patient satisfaction with the sehat sahulat program was collected from public and private tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar. A total of 410 patients enrolled via an adapted semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for sociodemographic characteristics. Chi-square and Independent sample T-test was run for comparison of patient satisfaction in both public and private tertiary care hospitals.
Results:
The results, showed that patients’ awareness of sehat sahulath program, fulfillment of patient expectations, and patients’ perceived value of sehat sahulath coverage had directly affected patient satisfaction (p< 0.001). Privat hospitals had a greater level of satisfaction as compared to patients admitted in public tertiary hospital (p< 0.001).\
Conclusions:
Our study concludes that the public health insurance programs “The sehat sahulath program” can be introduced in all poor urban and rural regions of Pakistan, to avoid low-income families from facing hardship and financial devastation due to the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure OOP payments.
Environmental toxin biliatresone can induce biliary atresia: evidence from human liver organoids
Authors: Yue Haibing , Menon Sudheer Sivasankaran , Babu Rosana Ottakandathil , Wu Zhongluan , So Man-Ting , Chung Patrick Ho-Yu , Wong Kenneth Kak-Yuen , Tam Paul Kwong-Hang , Lui Vincent Chi-Hang
Published: November 2022

Biliary atresia (BA) is a poorly understood and devastating obstructive bile duct disease of newborns. Biliatresone, a plant toxin, caused BA-like syndrome in some animals but its relevance in humans is unknown. To validate the hypothesis that biliatresone exposure is a plausible BA disease mechanism in humans, we treated normal human liver organoids with biliatresone, and address its adverse effects on organoids’ development, functions and cellular organization. The control organoids (without biliatresone) were well-expanded and much bigger than biliatresone-treated organoids. Expression of cholangiocyte marker CK19 was reduced, while hepatocyte marker HFN4A was significantly elevated in biliatresone-treated organoids. ZO-1 (tight junction marker) immunoreactivity was localized at the apical intercellular junctions in control organoids, while it was markedly reduced in biliatresone-treated organoids. Cytoskeleton F-actin was localized at the apical surface of the control organoids, but it was ectopically expressed at the apical and basal sides in biliatresone-treated organoids. Cholangiocytes of control organoids possess primary cilia and elicited cilia mechano-sensory function. Number of ciliated cholangiocytes was reduced and cilia mechano-sensory function was hampered in biliatresone-treated organoids. In conclusion, biliatresone induces morphological and developmental changes of human liver organoids resemblance of our previously reported BA organoids, suggesting environmental toxins could contribute to BA pathogenesis.
Delirium Risk of Antiepileptic Drugs: A Study Based on the Adverse Drug Event Reporting Database in Japan
Authors: Kubo Toshiki , Sogawa Rintaro , Tsuruhashi Satoko , Murakawa-Hirachi Toru , Matsuoka Ayaka , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Monji Akira , Shimanoe Chisato
Published: November 2022

Background
Antiepileptic drugs may cause delirium, and the risk may vary with each drug. However, related studies have provided inconsistent results.
Aim
To investigate whether antiepileptic drugs cause delirium by analysing adverse drug event reports compiled in the post-marketing stages of drugs and recorded in a database established by Japanese regulatory authorities.
Method
A total of 573,316 reports registered between 2004 and 2020 were used to create a dataset. The search terms for delirium as the item of interest were selected from the Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities Queries. Reporting odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of adverse events associated with use of antiepileptic drugs were calculated after adjusting for potential confounders.
Results
There were 27,194 reports of antiepileptic drug-related adverse events. Of these, 189 reports were associated with antiepileptic drugs and delirium (crude reporting odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–1.92). The use of lacosamide (adjusted reporting odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–4.94), lamotrigine (adjusted reporting odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.52), levetiracetam (adjusted reporting odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–2.59), and valproic acid (adjusted reporting odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–1.97) was related to a significantly higher reporting odds ratio for delirium, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors. However, no signals for delirium were detected with any of these drugs under benzodiazepine receptor agonist usage.
Conclusion
The study findings suggest that antiepileptic drugs may cause delirium.
Multi-center study on predicting breast cancer lymph node status from core needle biopsy specimens using multi-modal and multi-instance deep learning
Authors: Liu Yueping , Ding Yan , Yang Fan , Han Mengxue , Li Chunhui , Wang Yanan , Xu Xin , Zhao Min , Zhao Meng , Yue Meng , Deng Huiyan , Yang Huichai , Yao Jianhua
Published: November 2022

Objective
To develop a deep learning model based on clinicopathological data and digital pathological image of core needle biopsy specimens for predicting breast cancer lymph node metastasis.
Methods
We collected 3701 patients from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University and 190 patients from four medical centers in Hebei Province. Integrating clinicalpathological data and image features build multi-modal and multi-instance (MMMI) deep learning model to obtain the final prediction.
Results
1. For predicting with or without lymph node metastasis, the AUC was 0.770, 0.709, 0.809 based on the clinicopathological features, WSI and MMMI, respectively. 2. For predicting four classification of lymph node status (no metastasis, isolated tumor cells (ITCs), micrometastasis, and macrometastasis), the prediction based on clinicopathological features, WSI and MMMI were compared. The AUC for no metastasis was 0.770, 0.709, 0.809, respectively; ITCs were 0.619, 0.531, 0.634, respectively; micrometastasis were 0.636, 0.617, 0.691, respectively; and macrometastasis were 0.748, 0.691, 0.758, respectively. MMMI developed a more accurate prediction effect. 3. For prediction of different molecular types of breast cancer, MMMI demonstrated a better prediction effect for any type of lymph node status, especially in the molecular type of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). 4. In the external validation set, MMMI also showed better predictive effect in the four classification, with AUC of 0.725, 0.757, 0.525, and 0.708, respectively.
Conclusions
We developed a breast cancer lymph node metastasis prediction model by using MMMI. Through all cases tests, the results showed that the overall prediction ability was high and relatively stable.
Genome-wide analysis on characterization of LEA gene family in responses to dehydration stress in recalcitrant Panax notoginseng seeds
Authors: Jia Jin-Shan , Ge Na , Wang Qing-Yan , Zhao Li-Ting , Chen Cui , Chen Jun-Wen
Published: November 2022

Background
Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins play an important role in dehydration process of seed maturation. The seeds of Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen are typically characterized with the recalcitrance and are highly sensitive to dehydration. However, it is not very well known about the role of LEA proteins in response to dehydration stress in P. notoginseng seeds. A genome-wide analysis would be performed in the LEA gene family of recalcitrant P. notoginseng seeds to learn more about the function of LEA proteins in response to dehydration stress.
Results
In this study, 61 LEA genes were identified from the P. notoginseng genome, and they were renamed as PnoLEA. The PnoLEA genes were classified into seven subfamilies based on the phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and conserved domains. The PnoLEA genes family showed relatively few introns and was highly conserved. Unexpectedly, the LEA_6 subfamily were not found, and the LEA_2 subfamily contained 46 (75.4%) members. Within 19 pairs of fragment duplication events, among them 17 pairs were LEA_2 subfamily. The Ka/Ks ratios are between 0.06 and 0.58 in all the homologous genes pairs, indicating that these homologous genes have experienced a purifying selection. In addition, the expression of the PnoLEA genes was obviously induced under dehydration stress, but the germination rate of P. notoginseng seeds decreased as the dehydration time prolonged.
Conclusions
We found that the lack of the LEA_6 subfamily, the expansion of the LEA_2 subfamily and low transcriptional levels of most PnoLEA genes might be implicated in the recalcitrant formation of P. notoginseng seeds. LEA proteins are essential in the response to dehydration stress in recalcitrant seeds, but the protective effect of LEA protein is not efficient. These results could improve our understanding of the function of LEA proteins in the response of dehydration stress and their contributions to the formation of seed recalcitrance.
Preferences for Redistribution: the role of Self-Interest, Social Values and Beliefs
Authors: Figueirêdo Lízia , Hisarciklilar Mehtap , Lima Thales Souza
Published: November 2022

We investigate the role of self-interest and of all social motivation systems - helping nonrelatives, redistribution of common resources, navigating hierarchies, being accepted in our groups - in establishing preferences for helping the needy and in supporting a decrease in income inequality. Guided by the “Moral Foundation Theory”, we have assumed that those preferences would be driven by different motivational systems. We have used data from the sixth wave of the Word Value Survey since it is the only wave with information on the Schwartz social values, which we use to discuss altruistic behaviours. We tested the role of a set of individual variables in shaping those preferences by applying Least Squares Dummy Variable approach to estimate country fixed effects models. Nonlinearities were especially sought with the use of categorical variables, fully exploiting the richness of the dataset. According to our results for 57 countries, motivations behind redistribution for the needy differ from motivations behind redistribution to decrease inequality. The income level and the social class of an individual are more important for shaping preferences for helping the needy, while the education level, an important proxy for mobility expectations, is more relevant for the assessment of income inequality. The very high or very low importance of God in someone's life and the belief that outcomes in life are driven by effort increase preferences for helping the needy. Higher levels of the importance of God and the belief that luck and networks shape outcomes decrease preferences for equality. Concerns about people who are close to us decrease preference for helping the needy, while concerns about distant people are positively correlated with preferences for equality.
Effect of material type and thickness of occlusal splints on maximum bite force and sleep quality in patients with sleep bruxism: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Benli Merve , Ozcan Mutlu
Published: November 2022

Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects of hard and soft splints of different thicknesses on maximum bite force (MBF) and sleep quality (SQ) in participants with sleep bruxism (SB).
Methods: One-hundred-fifteen patients were randomly allocated to five groups: Groups H2(Hard splint-2 mm), H3(Hard splint-3 mm), S2(Soft splint-2 mm), S3(Soft splint-3 mm), and C (control). Outcomes were MBF (assessed with a digital gnathodynamometer) and SQ (assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Measurements were performed at T0 (before the splints), T1 (1-month follow-up), and T2 (2-months follow-up). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, and chi-square tests.
Results: At T1, the highest MBF values were in group H3 (658.01 ± 22.6 N), while the lowest was in group S2 (585.45 ± 8.68 N). For T2, the highest values belonged to the H3 group (676.85 ± 21.9 N), and the lowest values were observed at group S2 (565.65 ± 10.9 N) (p< 0.05).For SQ, groups S2 and S3 revealed the lowest PSQI values at T1 (9.1; 9.6) and T2 (9; 9.5) (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The use of both 2 and 3-mm thick soft splints resulted in a decrease in MBF. The improvement in SQ formed by the soft splint groups occurred in the 1st month and was maintained in the 2nd month.
Clinical Relevance: This study provides clinical tips in terms of material type and thickness of the occlusal splint, which should be applied according to the needs of SB patients (such as improving SQ and regulating MBF).
Urinary and Pelvic Solitary Fibrous Tumors: A Study on 22 Patients
Authors: Shen Hongwei , jiang Bo , Chen Wenyuan , Wang Xin , Zhang Gutian , Deng Yongming , Ji Changwei , Guo Hongqian , Zhang Shiwei
Published: November 2022

Background: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT), most commonly found in the pleura, have a low incidence in the urinary and pelvic organs. This study aimed to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of urinary and pelvic SFT(UPSFT) as well as differences between benign and malignant UPSFTs. We aimed to gain a better understanding of this disease in the urinary and pelvic systems.
Methods: Twenty-two patients with UPSFTs treated in our hospital between January 2004 and August 2021 were enrolled. General characteristics, clinical symptoms, imaging results, treatments, pathologies, and follow-up results were reviewed and analyzed.
Results: Of the 22 patients, six (27.3%) showed non-specific clinical symptoms, including dysfunction of defecation, lower extremity weakness, urodynia, dysuria, frequent urination accompanied by changes in stool habits, low back pain, and abdominal wall mass with abdominal pain. Sixteen (72.7%) patients were asymptomatic. The median SFT diameter was 5.65 cm (range: 1.7–15 cm). All tumors were found to be space-occupying lesions on Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were surgically treated, including nine, six, five, and two cases of robotic, open, laparoscopic, and transurethral resection of bladder tumor surgery, respectively. Pathology results revealed that frequent nuclear divisions, morphological variations, necrosis, and high expressions of Ki-67 were higher in malignant SFT compared with benign SFT. All patients were initially followed up 3 months post-surgery and every 6 months thereafter. Disease-free survival (DFS) in malignant SFT ranged from 5–63 months, with a median DFS of 37.0 months. Additionally, DFS was significantly longer in benign cases than that in malignant cases.
Conclusions: UPSFTs do not typically present with specific clinical symptoms. Imaging exams were important in diagnosing UPSFT, with final diagnoses depending on histopathology results. In addition, surgical resection was the most common treatment with subsequent excellent prognoses, except in the case of malignancy.
Antibiotic resistance of biofilm-related catheter-associated urinary tract isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Khabipova Nailya , Valeeva Lia , Shaidullina Elvira , Kabanov Daniil , Vorobev Viacheslav , Gimadeev Zufar , Sharipova Margarita
Published: November 2022

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is one of the most common nosocomial diseases accounting for up to about 23% of healthcare-associated infections. High antibiotic resistance of biofilm-associated bacteria is a serious limiting factor in the treatment of patients. Therefore, the investigations of bacterial biofilms and their regulation can play a pivotal role in the development of new approaches to treating infections. P. aeruginosa is a key bacterium responsible for most urinary tract infections. In this study, urinary catheter-associated P. aeruginosa strains were isolated and their antibiotic resistance was studied. Polymicrobial biofilms were found on the urinary catheter surfaces derived from patients with different urinary tract diseases. Three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from the catheter-associated biofilms. Their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (carbapenems and cephalosporins) of P. aeruginosa strains 96347 and 96349 was observed to be mediated by VIM-type metallo-β-lactamase gene expression.
Mosquito bed net use and associated factors among pregnant women in Rwanda: a nationwide survey
Authors: Kawuki Joseph , Donkor Elorm , Gatasi Ghislaine , Nuwabaine Lilian
Published: November 2022

Background
In malaria-endemic countries such as Rwanda, the appropriate use of mosquito bed nets is an effective intervention for malaria prevention. Despite being one of the demographics most impacted by malaria, the usage of mosquito bed nets by pregnant women in Rwanda has received relatively little attention. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors for mosquito bed net use among pregnant women in Rwanda.
Methods
We used weighted data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey of 870 pregnant women, and multistage stratified sampling was used to select participants. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors associated with mosquito bed net use, using SPSS (version 25).
Results
Of the 870 pregnant women, 57.9% (95%CI: 54.6–61.1) used mosquito bed nets. However, 16.7% did not use bed nets among those owning a bed net. On one hand, older age (AOR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.04–2.44), primary education (AOR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.07–2.23), being married (AOR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.43–3.20), being from Kigali region (AOR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.19–3.91), husband’s education (AOR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.13–3.41), having recently visited a health facility (AOR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.35–3.18), and being in the third pregnancy trimester (AOR = 2.14, 95%CI: 1.44–3.18) were positively associated with mosquito bed net use. On the other hand, low wealth index (AOR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.07–0.24), and being from Eastern region (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26–0.66) had a negative association.
Conclusions
Mosquito bed net use was just above average and associated with various socio-demographics. There is a need for equal efforts in malaria prevention programs to address the regional imbalance in bed net use. Early antenatal care attendance, male engagement and continuous education on malaria prevention and mosquito net use, as well as consideration of household dynamics, are also crucial in improving not only mosquito net coverage, but also utilisation.
A practice method for the retrieval of tulip-head polyaxial pedicle screw by reusing the rod in revision and implants removal surgery: introduction of technique and evaluation of clinical outcomes
Authors: Zhang Yao , Song Jipeng , Lu Yuzheng , Yi Meng , Xu Xiaohang , Ding Lixiang
Published: November 2022

Background
The removal of spinal implants was needed in revision surgery or in some cases whose fracture had healed or fusion had occured. The slip of polyaxial screw or mismatch of instruments would make this simple procedure intractable. Here we introduced a simple and practical method to address this clinical dilemma.
Methods
This is a retrospective study. The patients underwent new technique for retrieving the implants from July 2019 to July 2022 were labeled as group A, while the patients January 2017 to January 2020 were labeled as group B. Patients in each group were subdivided into revision surgery group and simple implants removal group according to the surgery fashion. In the new technique, the retrieved rod was cut off to a proper length which was matched with the size of tulip head, and was replaced into the tulip head. After tightened with nut, a monoaxial screw-rod “construct” was formed. Finally, a counter torque was applied to remove the “construct”. The operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, post-operative bacteria culture, hospital stay and costs were documented and analyzed.
Results
A total of 116 polyaxial screws with difficult removal of 78 patients (43 screws in group A, 73 screws in group B) were successfully retrieved by using this method. Significant differences were found in the mean operation duration, intraoperative blood loss when comparing the r group in group A and B, as well as the s group in group A and B (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in hospital stay and costs between group A and B. Three patients were found positive bacteria culture of drainage tube/tape in group A (3/30), while 7 patients in group B (7/48). The most prevalent bacteria was Propionibacterium acnes.
Conclusion
This technique is practical and safe in for the poly-axial screw with difficult retrieval. Reduced operation duration and intraoperative bloods loss may potentially alleviate the hospitalization burden of patients. Positive cultivation results are common after implants removal surgery, but they rarely represent an organized infection. A positive culture with P. acnes or S. epidermidis should be interpreted with caution.
Relative enrichment of oral bacteria in feces indicates loss of intestinal commensals with implications for host health
Authors: Liao Chen , Rolling Thierry , Djukovic Ana , Liu Hongbin , Dai Lei , Zhai Bing , Peled Jonathan , Brink Marcel van den , Hohl Tobias , Xavier Joao
Published: November 2022

High relative abundance of oral bacteria in the gut is considered abnormal and has been linked to intestinal disorders. However, this reported association has two alternate explanations: ectopic oral bacteria may increase in absolute numbers in the intestine and drive disease (the driver hypothesis) or, instead, intestinal commensals may decrease in absolute numbers and the relative rise in oral bacteria is simply an indicator of this loss (the marker hypothesis). Here we use experiments in mice and clinical data from patients to provide evidence in favor of the marker hypothesis. We demonstrate that depletion of intestinal bacteria by antibiotics increases the relative abundance of oral bacteria in the host feces without increasing their absolute abundance, and the relative enrichment can indicate host health parameters such as stool consistency, pathogen overgrowth, and immunity. Our results reframe the conventional interpretation of microbiome sequencing data with implications for intestinal disorders and microbiome therapies.
Comprehensive analysis of microRNA expression and target prediction in children with Nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Charmine Pricilla , Venkatesan Vettriselvi , Geminiganesan Sangeetha , Nammalwar Bollam Rangaswamy , Ekambaram Sudha , Priya C.D.Mohana
Published: November 2022

Background
Nephrotic syndrome is one of the common cause among the kidney disease in children worldwide .It is characterised by the edema proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and hypocholestromia. Recently many studies have emerged with the association of microRNAs playing an potential roles in many pathophysiological functions. MicroRNAs(miRNAs ) and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are found to be two most important needed transcriptional regulators of gene expression as well as for the aberrant expression that tend to contribute to the development of the disease. It can reduce translation neither by translation repression through or MicroRNA cleavage. In this present study we have checked for the expression pattern of the targeted microRNAs miR-17-5P,miR-155p ,miR- 424 -5p ,miR-1 and 215-5p in the Children among Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic syndrome(SSNS) Steroid Resistance Nephrotic Syndrome (SRNS)along with the healthy individuals. Total RNA was isolated from the urine samples among the three groups(SSNS = 100,SRNS = 100 and healthy individuals100).The expression pattern for theses microRNAs was carried out using RT-PCR .Bioinformatics tools such as miRWalk, miR-Tar link were used in predicting targets for the microRNAs an online data bases and g profiler software is used which was also helpful in evaluating the targets based on the biological functions, Molecular functions and the pathways related to the selected microRNAs, along with that ROC analysis was also performed which was widely helpful in selecting the microRNAs that could be used as a potential biomarker as well as a therapeutic target. Among the five microRNAs miR- 1,miR-215, miR-17-5P, ,miR-155-5p & miR-424-5p.Two microRNAs miR-424-5p& miR-155p is found to be up regulated in the SRNS group.
Loss of CD99L2 contributed to temozolomide resistance and glioblastoma tumorigenesis based on Genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screening
Authors: Sun Zeen , Zeng Feiyue , Liu Yujie , Ouyang Qianying , Tan Jieqiong , Li Xi , Mei Chao , Liu Zhaoqian , Liu Yingzi
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and fatal malignancy of central nervous system. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for GBM, although drug resistance remains challenging. To date, MGMT promoter hypomethylation explains part of TMZ resistance cases. The purpose of this study was to utilize the whole human Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (GeCKO) library to screen for novel genes involved in TMZ resistance and explore their functions. Methods: A GeCKO library combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to screen loss-of-function genes conferring TMZ resistance in GBM cells, then candidate genes were filtrated by qPCR and CCK-8 analysis. Cell proliferation assay, colony formation, wound healing, transwell, and 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed to explore the roles of CD99L2 on glioblastoma tumorigenesis in U251 and U87 cell lines. Tumor samples from stage IV GBM patients were used to assess the correlation between CD99L2 expression and progression-free survival (PFS) of the patients. Results: Seven candidate genes including USP17L20, CD99L2, IL2RG, STEAP4, ALKBH3, EDARADD, and PPAPDC3 were identified. Among them, CD99L2 had been confirmed to contribute to TMZ resistance. In U251 and U87 cells treated with TMZ, the knockdown of CD99L2 improved IC50 by 1.39 and 1.54 times compared with the NC groups, respectively. The overexpression of CD99L2 reduced IC50 by 0.52 and 0.58 times compared with the vector groups. CD99L2 knockdown also enhanced tumor proliferation, aggression, vice versa. Moreover, the patients with high-expressed CD99L2 were associated with longer PFS (median PFS: 7.87 months vs. 2.7 months, P = 0.0003). Conclusion: This study found that knocking down CD99L2 could contribute to TMZ-resistance and tumorigenesis in GBM.
Outcomes of the Initial Phase of an Adult Living versus Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation Program in a Low-volume Transplant Center
Authors: Lapisatepun Worakitti , Junrungsee Sunhawit , Chotirosniramit Anon , Udomsin Kanya , Ko-iam Wasana , Lapisatepun Warangkana , Siripongpon Kornpong , Kiratipaisarl Wuttipat , Bhanichvit Pan , Julphakee Thanyathorn
Published: November 2022

Background
The development of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is clinically challenging, especially in a low-volume transplant program. We evaluated the short-term outcomes of LDLT and deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) to demonstrate the feasibility of performing LDLT in a low-volume transplant/high-volume complex hepatobiliary surgery program during the initial phase.
Methods
We carried out a retrospective study of LDLT and DDLT in Chiang Mai University Hospital from October 2014 to April 2020. Postoperative complications and one-year survival were compared between the two groups.
Results
There were 20 LDLT patients and 20 DDLT patients. The operative time and hospital stay were significantly longer in the LDLT group than in the DDLT group. The incidence of complications in both groups was comparable, except for biliary complications, which were higher in the LDLT group. The most common complication in donor is bile leakage which was found in 3 (15%). The one-year survival rates of both groups were also comparable.
Conclusion
Even during the initial phase of the low-volume transplant program, LDLT and DDLT had comparable perioperative outcomes. Surgical expertise in complex hepatobiliary surgery is necessary to facilitate effective LDLT which has the potential to increase case volumes and lead to program sustainability.
Critical Investigation of Abelmoschus Esculentus (Indian Okra) Fiber Characteristics
Authors: Prafull Prafull P. Kolte , Vijay Vijay S. Shivankar
Published: November 2022

Okra fiber is the bast fiber, extracted from the stem of the Abelmoschus esculentus plant which belongs to the Malvaceae family. In the whole world, India is the largest producer of okra for the cultivation of “okra fruit”, which is one of the main vegetables in the Indian Diet. After harvesting the okra plant on the field, the okra fruit is collected as a vegetable, and the okra plant is thrown out as agricultural waste. The stem of the okra plant is an abundant source of okra fiber. In India, an estimated 45.34 lakh metric tons of green okra plants were discarded annually as agricultural waste which can be used for technical okra fiber extraction. In India, the okra plant has the potential to produce 150-160 Kg of okra fiber per hectare and about 134 lakh Kg okra fiber annually. To prove the suitability of Indian okra fiber (IOF) for commercial applications like jute, flax, hemp, and kenaf fiber this study was formulated. In this study, characteristics of Indian okra fiber (morphological, thermal, and structural) are investigated by optical and electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG, DTG, DSC), X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) respectively. Also, the study guides the Indian farmer to generate additional income with the cultivation of the okra plant by extraction of the Indian okra fiber.
Identification of novel mutation in HYAL3 gene of human oligospermia patients by DNA sequencing
Authors: Aslam Sanwal , Zhang Zhen
Published: November 2022

Background
Human male infertility has lot of known molecular components having accurately diagnosis such as Y chromosome deletion and monogenic causes. Only 4% of all infertile male are diagnosed with genetic cases while 60–70% of infertile men still remain without accurate diagnosis and are classified as unexplained. Oligospermia is major cause of human male infertility. Its etiology and pathogenesis are linked with genetic abnormalities. Majority of genetic causes related to human male infertility remains unclear.
Results
Generally, we found significant association among specific type of disease in relation to gender (p = 0.003) and regression value (R2) for this association was 0.75. While type of disease in relation to body mass index (BMI) was not significant (p = 0.34). There was no statistical significant difference (p = 0.40) among types of disease in relation to occupation of patients. Herein we identified novel hyaluronidase 3 (HYAL3) mismatch gene mutation in exon 2 at amino acid 286 position in oligospermia patients who were suffering from primary infertility. The result of this mismatch mutation was the replacement of R (arginine) amino acid with X (any amino acid) in oligospermia patient (R286X). In addition to this, frameshift deletion mutation has also seen just after 25 nucleotide sequences of 2nd mutated exon of HYAL3 gene in oligospermia patients. This frame shift mutation has not seen in secondary infertile patients and in normal individuals. Replacement of R with X has not seen in secondary infertile patients and normal male. In secondary infertile patient we observed the replacement of lysine (K) with serine (S) at 168 position of protein FAST sequence (K168S), lysine (K) with threonine (T)168 position (K168T), histidine (H) with X at 113 position (H113X), glutamine (E) with glutamine(Z)at 164 position (E164Z), proline (P) with X at position 162 (P162X) and phenylalanine (F) with Xat 157 position (F157X).
Conclusion
This study clarifies the site of novel mismatch and frameshift deletion mutation in HYAL3 gene of primary infertile oligospermia patients.
Clinical and Diagnostic characteristics of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Egyptian children and adolescents with type1 diabetes
Authors: Abdallah Hanaa Reyad , Youness Eman Refaat , Bedeir Manar Maher , Abouelnaga Marwa W. , Ezzat Wafaa M , Elhosary Yasser , El-Hariri Hazem Mohamed , Hussein Mona Abd Elmotaleb , Ahmed Heba R , Eladawy Rasha
Published: November 2022

Background
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients are at an increased risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical criteria associated with the diagnosis of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) among T1DM Egyptian children and adolescents.
Methods
74 T1DM patients aged 8–18 y were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Assessments of Clinical status, anthropometric measures, lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and liver enzymes were done. Abdominal Ultrasound evaluation of hepatic steatosis was done. Accordingly, patients were divided into two groups (NAFLD & normal liver group) and compared together. Assessment of liver fibrosis using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI) was done. Statistical analysis included; independent t-test, Chi square and Fisher’s Exact, Pearson and Spearman tests and Logistic regression models for factors associated with fatty liver were used when appropriate.
Results
in this study; 37 male (50%) & 37 females with mean age 14.3 ± 3.0 y. The mean insulin dose was 1.1 ± 0.4 U/kg & mean disease duration was 6.3 ± 3.0 y. NAFLD was detected in 46 cases while 28 cases had normal liver as diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Cases with NAFLD had statistically significant higher BMI-Z scores, waist / hip, waist/ height and sum of skin fold thicknesses compared to those with normal liver (P < 0.05). The mean value of HbA1c % was significantly higher in NAFLD group (P = 0.003). Total cholesterol, triglycerides & LDL serum levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.05), while the HDL level was significantly lower in NAFLD cases (p = 0.001). Although, serum levels of liver enzymes; ALT & AST were significantly higher among cases with NAFLD than in normal liver group (p < 0.05), their means were within normal. Using the ARFI elastography; NAFLD cases exhibited significant fibrosis (F2, 3 &4). BMI, patient age and female gender were among risk factors for NAFLD.
Conclusions
NAFLD represents a serious consequence in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents that deserves attention especially with poor glycemic control. NAFLD has the potential to evolve to fibrosis. BMI, age of patients and female gender were detected as risk factors for NAFLD.
Disruption of resting-state functional connectivity in acute ischemic stroke: comparisons between right and left hemispheric insults
Authors: Katsurayama Marilise , Silva Lucas Scárdua , Campos Brunno Machado , Avelar Wagner Mauad , Cendes Fernando , Yasuda Clarissa Lin
Published: November 2022

Background: Few resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) studies evaluated the impact of acute ischemic changes on cerebral functional connectivity (FC) and its relationship with functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), considering the side and size of lesions.
Objective: To characterize alterations of FC of patients with AIS by analyzing 12 large-scale brain networks (NWs) with RS-fMRI. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of side (right (RH) or left (LH) hemisphere) and size (lacunar or non-lacunar) of insult on the disruption of brain NWs.
Materials and Methods: 38 patients diagnosed with AIS (19 RH and 19 LH) who performed 3T MRI scans up to 72 hours after stroke were compared to 44 healthy controls. Images were processed and analyzed with the software toolbox UF2C with SPM12. For the first level, we generated individual matrices based on the time series extraction from 70 regions of interest (ROIs) from 12 functional NWs, constructing Pearson’s cross-correlation; the second-level analysis included an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to investigate differences between groups. The statistical significance was determined with p<0.05, after correction for multiple comparisons with false discovery rate (FDR) correction.
Results: Overall, individual with LH insults developed poorer six months clinical outcomes. A high degree of FC disruption was observed in LH insults (widespread pattern), mainly in non-lacunar lesions. Changes in FC for RH insults did not survive FDR corrections.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that LH stroke causes severe FC alterations in the network topological properties, presumably related to impairment in their long-term recovery.
A high-capacity dual-ion full battery based on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosphere anode and concentrated electrolyte
Authors: Yuan Wenhui , Wu Hongzheng , Luo Shenghao , Li Li
Published: November 2022

Dual-ion batteries (DIBs) are often criticized for their low discharge capacity and poor cyclic capability despite their inherent high working voltage, low manufacturing cost and environmental friendliness. To solve these shortcomings, many attempts and efforts have been devoted, but all ended in unsatisfactory results. Herein, a hierarchical porous carbon nanosphere anode with high nitrogen doping is developed, which exhibits fast ion transport kinetics and excellent Li+storage capability. Moreover, employing concentrated electrolyte is expected to bring a series of advantages such as stable SEI for facilitating ion transmission, enhanced cycling performance, high specific capacity and operation voltage. These advantages endow the assembled full DIBs with excellent performance as a super-high specific discharge capacity of 351 mAh g− 1and can be cycled stably for 1300 cycles with Coulombic efficiency (CE) remaining at 99.5%; a high operating voltage range of 4.95–3.63 V and low self-discharge rate of 2.46% h− 1with stable fast charging-slow discharging performance. Through electrochemical measurements and physical characterizations, the possible working mechanism of the proof-of-concept full battery and the structural variations of electrodes during cycling are investigated. The novel battery system design strategy in this work will promote the development of high-performance DIBs.
Hydrogen gas ameliorates the LPS-induced BPD via inhibiting the activation of TNF-α/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in placenta
Authors: Zhang Yafang , Ren Xianhui , Zhang Linli , Jing Xiujie , Chen Yunxi , Tian Yan , Chu Zhongxia , Yao Guo , Wang Yan
Published: November 2022

Objective
To investigate the anti-inflammatory role of H2 in LPS-induced BPD via regulating TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in placenta.
Methods
We induced a neonatal rat model of BPD by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1ug) into the amniotic fluid at embryonic day 16.5(E16.5). Treatment of 30% hydrogen gas for 4 hours/day with continuously 5days. We primarily analyzed the neonatal outcomes and then compared inflammatory levels from Control group (CON), LPS group (LPS) and LPS with H2 inhalation group (LPS + H2). TUNEL and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining were performed to evaluate inflammatory and apoptotic levels. We further used RNA sequencing and ELISA assay to examine differentially expressed proteins and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) (p65), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, IL-1β, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CCL2) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CXCL1). Bioinformatics analysis (GO and KEEG) of RNA-seq and correlation analysis were applied to clarify the mechanisms of H2 anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced BPD.
Results
We found the H2 inhalation decreased production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β, CCL2, CXCL1) in LPS-induced placenta to rescue from the BPD. Upon administration of H2, infiltration degree of LPS-induced placenta was reduced and infiltrating significantly narrowed down. Hydrogen normalized LPS-induced perturbed lung development, reduced lung apoptotic index, death ratio of fetus and neonate. Meanwhile, H2 also upregulated the survival ratio. RNA-seq and Elisa demonstrated that both mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway were activated by LPS, and H2 relieved the pro-inflammatory function of LPS on TNF-α/NF-κB-stimulated placenta. Correlation analysis showed a positive association of TNF-α vs both NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines.
Conclusion
H2 inhalation alleviated LPS-induced BPD by inhibiting excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory chemokines via the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in placenta and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for BPD.
A sytematic study of covid-19 prediction models of India
Authors: Yadav Ameet , Rana Chhavi
Published: November 2022

Infecting billions of people and death of over 6.5 millions people and loss of economy across the world, this COVID-19 outbreak caused by SARS-COV-2 has uncover the poor health management in the large populated country like India. Therefore, there is a requirement of detailed study i.e. Systematic Literature Review(SLR) of existing models by analysing the predicting behaviour of epidemic which plays a vital role in controlling the spread in future. Our study considered prediction models of COVID-19 which includes case study of India using machine learning and deep learning. This study includes only scholarly peer-review research articles of two renowned databases, Web of Science and Scopus from 2020–2022. PRISMA(Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis) guidelines have used for results and discussion. Before screening 317 articles were reported and after screening, eligibility of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 51 research articles were included for the final study. This SLR examined articles thoroughly, identified different machine learning, deep learning prediction models, identified research gaps/limitations, future scopes, and examined different performance metrics used in these studies. An additional objective of this research is to identify limitations and future directions provided by each research article which were not covered in any SLR on COVID-19.