bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of GLUT-1, Hexokinase-Ii, Ki-67, P53, and P16 Levels and HPV With 18F-Fdg PET/CT in Penile Cancer
Authors: SALAZAR ANDRE LOPES , Júnior Eduardo Paulino , SANCHEZ DIEGO F. , Simoes Renata Toscano , Gonçalves Aizis Tatiane Santos , SILVA-FILHO Raul , RAIMUNDO JOAO V S , SOARES YURI V C , MARINHO MATHEUS L , Cubilla Antonio , Mamede Marcelo
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Penile cancer (PC) is a rare tumor. It is associated with chronic inflammation and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Recent results of 18F-FDG PET/CT studies have demonstrated the great potential of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a noninvasive tool for assessing PC patients. Cancer cells overexpress transmembrane glucose transporters (GLUTs) and hexokinase (HK) during times of high glucose metabolism. Ki-67 is a nuclear protein linked to DNA replication. In PC, the HPV virus has oncoproteins that can interfere with the activities of the p16 and p53 tumor suppressor proteins associated with DNA replication, leading to changes related to PC carcinogenesis.
Purpose: Determine the correlation of the immunohistochemistry positivity of tumor molecular markers related to glucose metabolism, proliferation, and HPV with 18F-FDG uptake in penile cancer.
Procedures: Fifty-one patients were selected and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT-based staging. Semiquantitative analysis was performed using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and volumetric SUV (SUV2SD). HPV DNA was extracted and identified. Three pathologists performed immunohistochemistry analysis with anti-GLUT-1, anti-hexokinase-II, anti-Ki67, anti-p16, and anti-p53 antibodies.
Results: Of the 51 analyzed patients, 80.6% had invasive usual squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 42 patients were HPV+ (52.4%). Warty SCC showed the highest SUV value, and there were significant differences in SUVmax (p=0.015). Higher SUVmax and SUV2SD values were observed in grade 3 tumors. In typical invasive SCC, grade 3, HPV+, p16-negative, p53-negative, GLUT-1 i-3, and HK-II i-3 tumors showed a higher mean SUV. The Ki-67 value was significantly different for grade 3 tumors (p=0.001) and HK-II i-1 tumors (p=0.036). Ki-67 positivity was also higher in HPV-, p16 i-2, p53 i-3, and GLUT-1 i-3 tumors; none of the differences were statistically significant.
Conclusions: In PC, high uptake of 18F-FDG correlated with higher expression of glycolytic metabolism markers. There was a trend for positive correlation between increased expression of glucose transport markers and higher histological grade and higher Ki-67 expression. HPV-negative patients showed more significant relationships between PET/CT results and markers of proliferation.
The feedback loop of EFTUD2/c-MYC impedes chemotherapeutic efficacy by enhancing EFTUD2 transcription and stabilizing c-MYC protein in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhu Xiaojian , Li Changxue , Gao Yufei , Zhou Huaixiang , Wang Tao , Bu Fanqin , Chen Jia , He Yulong , Wu Kaiming , Li Ningning , Luo Hongliang
Published: July 2023

Background
Chemoresistance remains the primary cause of mortality in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, our understanding of the molecular basis underlying CRC chemoresistance is still limited. Elongation factor Tu GTP binding domain containing 2 (EFTUD2) has been implicated as a potential oncogenic factor in various cancer types, yet its specific role in regulating the sensitivity of CRC cells to chemotherapy remains unclear.
Methods
Public datasets analysis, along with our in-house sample validation were conducted to identify the expression of EFTUD2 in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells and patients. Experiments both in vitro including MTT assay, EdU cell proliferation assay and clone formation assay and in vivo were performed to elucidate the function of EFTUD2 in sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU treatment. The underlying mechanism was investigated through molecular docking, chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP), dual luciferase reporter gene assay, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).
Results
We observed a positive correlation between increased expression of EFTUD2 and resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent 5-FU in CRC cells, as well as with higher pathological grades and poor prognosis. Then we showed that down-regulation of EFTUD2 expression enhanced the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU treatment. Mechanistically, we uncovered that EFTUD2 interacted with and stabilized the oncoprotein c-MYC by preventing ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Intriguingly, we found that c-MYC, acting as a transcription factor, directly activated the transcriptional expression of EFTUD2 by binding to its promoter region. Furthermore, rescue experiments demonstrated that the impact of EFTUD2 on reducing the efficacy of 5-FU chemotherapy relied on c-MYC stabilization.
Conclusion
Our findings revealed a positive feedback loop involving the EFTUD2/c-MYC axis that hampers the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU chemotherapy, thereby impairing treatment effectiveness and fostering CRC progression. This study highlights EFTUD2 as a promising therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance in CRC.
Thermographic evaluation of gingival phenotypes: correlation between morphological and thermodynamic parameters
Authors: de Melo Niebla Bezerra , Duarte Lígia Natália Sobreira , Pereira Camila Maia Vieira , Barbosa Jussara Silva , Silva Ariane Matos Gonçalves da , Soares Renata de Souza Coelho , Bento Patrícia Meira
Published: July 2023

Objectives
to evaluate the clinical and thermographic aspects of the gingival phenotype (GP) in healthy subjects.
Materials and methods
the study sample examined 264 upper and lower incisors, comprising 132 central incisors (CI) and 132 lateral incisors (LI). Four periodontal parameters were recorded systematically: ratio of width to length of the dental crown (CW/CL), height of the gingival attachment (GH), probing depth (PD) and gingival transparency (GT). The temperatures of the attached gingiva (GH Temp) and the free gingival margin (FGM Temp) were also recorded by way of infrared thermography (IRT).
Results
the average age of the sample was 30.70 ± 7.65 years. Of the 264 teeth evaluated, 76.1% had a thin GP. There was a significant association between CW/CL (p < 0.001), GH (p < 0.001), PD (p < 0.007) and FGM Temp (p < 0.006) with the tooth groups. The results show a significant and inversely proportional correlation between clinical parameters and gingival temperature (p < 0.05). A significant association was found between CW/CL (p < 0.026); GH (p < 0.001), and GP.
Conclusion
CW/CL and GH are determining parameters for GP. Moreover, an inversely proportional correlation can be observed between gingival temperature and the clinical morphological parameters that determine the GP.
Clinical Relevance:
The relationship between the clinical characteristics of the GPs and temperature could serve as one more parameter to help with the classification of gingival tissue. Moreover, our findings will help future studies evaluate the use of IR as an auxiliary diagnostic method in dentistry.
Impact of social protection on multidimensional poverty in Togo
Authors: DJAHINI-AFAWOUBO Dossè Mawussi , EVLO Kodjo , DJAHINI Afawoubo Komi Edem
Published: July 2023

This article first estimates the multidimensional poverty index using data from the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions, conducted in 2018–2019 in Togo. Then, the paper examines the impact of social protection on multidimensional poverty. To account for selection biases, this paper employs the conditional mixed process, built from the seemingly unrelated regression framework. The findings show significant inequalities in the multidimensional poverty rate depending on the geographical zone, the education of the head of household, age, and the region. In particular, the level of multidimensional poverty is more than five times higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Using a variety of social protection indicators, the results clearly show that social protection significantly and statistically reduces the likelihood of being multi-dimensionally poor. The results also suggest that rural residents and economically disadvantaged regions are statistically and significantly more likely to be poor. There is no statistically significant impact of gender on multidimensional poverty.
Comparison of Procedural Anxiety and Pain Associated with Conventional Transrectal Ultrasound Prostate Biopsy to Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Ultrasound Fusion-guided Biopsy: A Prospective Cohort Trial
Authors: Deivasigamani Sriram , Adams Eric S , Kotamarti Srinath , Mottaghi Mahdi , Taha Tarek , Aminsharifi Alireza , Michael Zoe , Polascik Thomas
Published: July 2023

Background:
Prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis relies on biopsy procedures, and the transrectal ultrasound biopsy remains widely used. However, fusion biopsy shows promise in improving diagnostic accuracy, but the pain and anxiety experienced by patients during biopsies is often overlooked. This study aims to compare pain and anxiety levels between MRI/US fusion biopsy (STB+FB) and standard TRUS-guided biopsy (STB).
Materials and Methods:
This IRB approved prospective trial, includes adult men undergoing prostate biopsy. Patients received identical peri-procedural care, including application of lidocaine jelly (2%) into the rectum and subsequent 1% lidocaine injections (10cc per side) into the prostate-seminal vesicle junction and prostatic apical areas bilaterally and the biopsy technique was chosen based on clinical indication and imaging findings. Patient anxiety levels were assessed using the validated STAI questionnaire, and post-biopsy pain using a numerical rating scale.
Results:
A total of 165 patients were included, with 99 undergoing STB and 66 undergoing STB+FB. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, race, PSA level, prostate volume, and number of prior biopsies. The STB+FB group had a significantly higher number of biopsy cores taken (16.2 vs. 12 cores, p=0.001) and longer procedure time compared to STB (23 vs. 10 minutes, p=0.001). STB biopsy patients were found to experience lower post-procedural anxiety compared to STB+FB, a mean difference of -7 (p=0.001) and 89% of STB+FB group patients experienced severe post-procedural anxiety compared to 59% STB, p=0.002. No difference in pain (p=0.7) was found between the cohorts. The number of prior biopsies was associated with the severe post-procedural anxiety in the STB+FB group (p=0.04).
Conclusion:
MRI-targeted fusion plus systematic biopsy is associated with higher post-procedural anxiety compared to standard TRUS biopsy and patients with a prior history of repeat biopsies are more prone to experiencing severe anxiety.
Performance of qualitative and quantitative models in creating landslide susceptibility map of Chaliyar River basin
Authors: Aiswarya L , Rema K.P , Asha Joseph
Published: July 2023

A Landslide Susceptibility Map (LSM) for Kerala's Chaliyar river basin is what this study aims to provide. Several landslides occurred in this basin as a result of the floods in 2018 and 2019. There were 592 identified landslides. Using ArcGIS 10.7 software, the landslide inventory was taken from the inventories created by the NRSC and KSDMA, and the future incidence of landslides was projected by linking the landslide cause variables. Landslide inventories were split into training and validation groups in this study, with the ratios fixed at 70:30. For assessing landslide susceptibility, two models—a qualitative one called Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) and a quantitative one (a bivariate statistical model) called Weights of Evidence (WOE) model—were used. The following factors were employed as causative parameters: Slope, Aspect, Curvature, Relative Relief, TWI, Distance to Road, Distance to Streams, Distance to Lineaments, Land Use Land Cover, Drainage Density, Road Density, Lineament Density, Geomorphology, Soil Texture, and NDVI. The performance of the models was evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROCArea )'s. Under the Curve (AUC). In the study, the WLC model yields an AUC success rate accuracy of 59.9%, while the WOE model yields an accuracy of 70.9%. In terms of ratio of landslide validation accuracy, the WOE model outperforms the WLC model by 11%. The anticipated landslide area is included in the landslide susceptibility map, which can be incorporated to lessen the risk of landslides in this research area.
Green synthesis, characterization of copper nanoparticle synthesis from the leaf extract of Aegle marmelos and their biological activities
Authors: Pullapukuri Kalyani , Gopa Dinesh Reddy
Published: July 2023

Over the past few decades, the development of nanomaterial applications in numerous fields has been known to be significantly aided by green methods for the manufacture of metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles. In comparison to several current physical and chemical approaches, the green production of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu and CuO, NPs) proved more practical and cost-effective. Applications for green-fabricated Cu and CuO Nanoparticles include energy, biomedicine, pharmaceutics, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, organic dye degradation, and cosmetics. The bioactive elements of the plant extracts and the preparation circumstances have a significant impact on the shape and topology of biologically active Nanoparticles. The goal of the current review is to raise awareness of the numerous plants used in the biologically active manufacture of copper and its oxide nanoparticles (NPs) for use in catalysis and biological activity testing like Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer. It has also been studied how to characterise biogenic copper nanoparticles for their chemical, morphological, and topographical properties using various analytical methods.
Dynamic Nuclear Polarization-Enabled Quantum Sensing for Investigating Peptide Configurations
Authors: Alnajar Nour , Equbal Asif
Published: July 2023

Introducing persistent free radicals into biochemical systems, a mechanism referred to as Site-Directed Spin Labeling (SDSL), is a biophysical research feat established by Wayne Hubbell. Integrating Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER) within SDSL enabled intermolecular distance measurements in the long range (nanometers) that was otherwise unfeasible using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques. DEER is commonly used in structural analysis of peptides and polymers to probe distance between electron spin-labels (ree), typically within the range of, 2.0 - 8.0 nanometers. However, this technique is typically limited to low magnetic fields, such as X-Band (0.35 T) or Q-Band ( 1.0 T) due to the instrumental constraints. The low magnetic field restricts both the structural resolution and the ability to probe shorter distance. We propose a novel approach to address the limitations of distance measurement in SDSL peptides or polymers. This approach utilizes Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) to investigate the distances between them. DNP is a nuclear spin hyperpolarization technique that has revolutionized solid-state NMR by enhancing its sensitivity. It works by transferring high electron spin polarization to coupled nuclear spins under microwave irradiation. The efficiency of Cross Effect DNP (CE DNP) transfer is determined by the magnitude of the dipole-dipole coupling between two electron spins. By exploiting the distance dependence between two electron spins, we can sense the configurations of SDSL peptides. One significant advantage of DNP-enabled quantum sensing is that the method can be applied at higher magnetic fields and under magic-angle spinning conditions using existing instrumentation. The approach enables the observation of shorter distances that are challenging to probe using DEER at low magnetic fields. Overall, our proposed method opens up new possibilities for structural analysis and distance measurements in the study of peptides and polymers, combining with ingenious SDSL technique introduced by the esteemed scientist, Professor Wayne Hubbell
Solar-Fuel cell based Islanded DC-Microgrid with hybrid Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Gupta S. K. , Laledia Saurabh Singh
Published: July 2023

The paper discusses a hybrid renewable energy system feeding a variable load in islanded DC-microgrid. The energy management system has been designed to feed load without the need for a load prediction algorithm. The proposed hybrid system consists of two renewable power sources i.e. Solar Photovoltaic, and Fuel cell, and hybrid energy storage devices in the form of a Li-ion battery, Supercapacitor, and an Electrolyzer-hydrogen tank. The system has been modeled on MATLAB Simulink using the library components. The simulation results have been verified by logical analysis. The final steady state DC bus voltage has been controlled within 5 % of the reference value upon the solar variation of 50 % and load variation of 50 % of the rated value.. . .
Investigation on the anisotropic mechanical response of layered shales
Authors: Gao Min , Gong Bin , Liang Zhengzhao , Jia Shanpo , Zou Jiuqun
Published: July 2023

Layered shales exist widely in nature and are often encountered during infrastructure construction. However, the mechanical response of layered shales is significantly affected by the existence of beddings, resulting in the obvious anisotropy characteristics regarding deformation, strength, and failure mode. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of shale anisotropy that control the safety of engineering projects, the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis were conducted. The results show that with the growth of confining pressure, the compressive resistance of shales gradually increases, the shear fractures govern the instability, and the anisotropy index decreases. Furthermore, several strength criteria for layered rock masses were summarized, and the modified Jaeger strength criterion was proposed by introducing the anisotropic parameter Rcθ. It can effectively reflect the failure modes and strength features of layered shales under triaxial conditions with the higher accuracy. Besides, the variation of cohesion and internal friction angle of layered shale samples was comprehensively analysed under the triaxial conditions. Clearly, as the inclination angle of bedding planes rises, the cohesion of layered shales first decreases, but then increases under triaxial compression, showing the ‘U’-shaped changing trend. Additionally, the internal friction angle of layered shales grows up gradually with the inclination of bedding planes increasing.
Metabolome and transcriptome association analysis reveals the link between pigmentation and nutrition utilization in the juveniles of sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota
Authors: Huang Jiasheng , E Zixuan , Pan Wenjie , Li Zhi , Lin Tiehao , Ren Chunhua , Luo Peng , Ma Bo , Liu Yang , Wu Xugan , Hu Chaoqun , Jiang Xiao , Chen Ting
Published: July 2023

The sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota is an economically and ecologically important tropical species. Following development into juveniles, H. leucospilota undergoes a color change from white to black, involving a pigmentation process for over a period of several months. In this study, a combination of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Next-Generation sequencing (NGS) were employed to investigate the changes in metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles during pigmentation in H. leucospilota juveniles. The metabolomic analysis identified a total of 341 metabolites, of which 52 were found to be differentially regulated (P < 0.05 and VIP > 1), with 27 being upregulated in white individuals and 25 in black individuals. Additionally, 632 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with 380 genes upregulated in white samples and 252 genes upregulated in black samples. Interestingly, the melanin content and tyrosinase transcript levels did not display significant differences between the two groups. Metabolomic data suggested the involvement of the linoleic acid metabolic pathway in pigmentation. Transcriptomic analysis, coupled with realtime PCR validation, revealed a decrease in the transcript levels of digestive enzymes like α-amylase, maltase-glucoamylase and trehalase after the juveniles changed to black. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of major yolk proteins showed a decline, indicating a shift in the accumulation of protein nutrient sources. Overall, our findings suggest that the pigmentation process in H. leucospilota may deviate from the classical melanin pathway and instead be associated with changes in nutritional status and utilization. This study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of pigmentation in marine organisms.
Performance of a Multidisciplinary Robotic Surgery Program at a University Hospital (2012-2022)
Authors: Miguel Sanchez-Encinas , Juan Rey-Biel , David Alias , Rosario Noguero-Meseguer , Jose Granell , Ignacio Muguruza , Antonio Herrero , Luis Ayala Jose , Raquel Barba
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted surgery has become widely adopted for its ability to expand the indications for minimally invasive procedures. This technology aims to improve precision, accuracy, and outcomes while reducing complications, blood loss, and recovery time. Successful implementation of a robotic surgery program requires careful initial design and a focus on maintenance and expansion to maximize its benefits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article presents a comprehensive study conducted at a University Hospital on the robotic surgery program from December 2012 to December 2022. Data from hospital databases, including patient demographics, surgical department, surgical time, operating room occupancy, and primary diagnosis, were analyzed. The analysis covered various time periods (surgical sessions, weeks, months, and years) to assess the program's evolution over time. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period, a total of 1,847 robotic-assisted interventions were performed across five surgical services. Urology accounted for 57% of the cases, general surgery 17%, gynecology 16%, otorhinolaryngology 6%, and thoracic surgery 4%. The most frequently performed procedures included robotic prostatectomies (643 cases), hysterectomies (261 cases), and colposacropexies (210 cases). The weekly volume of interventions showed a notable increase, rising from 2 cases per week in 2013 to 14 cases in 2022. Moreover, the average surgical duration per intervention exhibited a progressive decrease from 275 minutes in 2013 to 184 minutes in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of a well-managed robotic surgery program as a viable alternative to conventional surgical approaches. Effective coordination and resource utilization contribute to the program's efficiency. The findings underscore the successful integration of robotic-assisted surgery in diverse surgical specialties.
Asymptotic behavior of Timoshenko beams with delayed viscoelasticity acting on the shear force
Authors: Ramos A. J. A. , Nonato C. A. , Raposo C. A. , Freitas M. M. , Araújo M. L.
Published: July 2023

In this work, we use the theory of semigroups to study the well-posedness and the asymptotic behavior of the Timoshenko beam system with delayed viscoelastic damping acting only on the shear force. This system is different from all others related to time delay terms. We use the Lumer-Phillips Theorem to prove the well-posedness of the problem and then use the contrapositive of the Gearhart-Prüss-Huang Theorem to prove the lack of exponential decay independent of any relationship between the velocities. Finally, we use the Borichev-Tomilov Theorem for optimal rate polynomial decay.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). Primary 35A01; Secondary 35A02, 35B35.
Meta-Analysis of the Causality of Deformations in Marine Fish Larvae Culture
Authors: Saygı Hülya Eminçe , Fırat Muammer Kürşat , Hekimoğlu Müge Aliye , Saka Şahin , Suzer Cüneyt , Özden Osman , Tekoğul Hatice , Güleç Fatih , Çoban Deniz
Published: July 2023

The development of deformities in farmed fish is largely the result of abiotic, biotic, and xenobiotic factors, information deficiencies in optimizing nutrition, and the genetic background to which the fish are exposed in their early life stages. In general, skeletal anomalies are considered to have significant adverse effects on animal welfare, biological performance of farmed fish, product quality and production costs. In the data obtained by the meta-analysis method, the presence of negative effects on the formal structures of fish was found, regardless of the region, duration, stage, factor, stock density, and method used to detect deformation. In this regard, in the studies considered within the deformation region/type, 46% of deformities were found in the spine, 37% in the head, and 16% in the total skeleton. In turn, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the percentages of the apparent value were 35.82% in the spine, 33.12% in the skeleton, and 31.06% in the head. The deformation rate had an overall negative effect on the functional characteristics of the fish, regardless of the variables considered. In addition, all statistically significant individual response variables had a negative effect size. In the future, advanced statistical tools such as Bayesian meta-analysis, network meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis can be used to explore more complex data structures. The rapid development of artificial intelligence techniques will increase the efficiency of data collection and the robustness of results for meta-analysis studies in aquaculture and other fields.
Nonsymmetric Interior Penalty Galerkin Method For Black-Scholes PDEs Modelling European Options
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Sriniva Natesan
Published: July 2023

This article proposes an efficient numerical method to solve the Black-Scholes PDE governing European options. The numerical method consists of the backward Euler scheme for the time derivative and the non-symmetric interior penalty Galerkin method for the spatial derivatives. Optimal order error estimates are acquired in the discrete energy norm and $L^2$- norm. In order to determine the effectiveness of the proposed method, numerical examples for pricing European put and call options are carried out.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020) 35Q91 . 65M06 . 65M60
In silico design and study of some bioisosteric analogues of an anti Sars-Cov-2 antiviral, the Molnupiravir
Authors: ghedira donia , Harran Abderrazek Aziz El , Sneni Houyem
Published: July 2023

Background: Molnupiravir is a direct-acting oral antiviral drug that has shown promising results in reducing and suppressing viral infections with COVID-19. However, there is a need for the development of more effective analogues that can better interact with the target RNA polymerase.
Results and discussion: The in silico study revealed that two fluorinated analogues showed improved binding affinity compared to Molnupiravir, as they have the lowest score and an RMSD ≤ 2 Å. The druglikeness of our molecules was predicted using the website ADME-SWISS: http://www.swissadme.ch/, based on Lipinski's Rule of Five. All derivatives comply with Lipinski's rule, with 0 violations.
Conclusion: Overall, our study provides a basis for the design and synthesis of more effective antiviral drugs.
Factors associating with help-seeking by women facing Intimate Partner Violence in India: insights from National Family Health Survey-5
Authors: Ghoshal Rakhi , Patil Priti , Sinha Isha , Gadgil Anita , Nathani Priyansh , Jain Nethra , Ramasubramani Premkumar , Roy Nobhojit
Published: July 2023

Background: Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) do not find help-seeking an easy process, especially since much of IPV is normalized. Recognizing the violence, making a decision to seek help and selecting a source of help constitute a three-staged process for help-seeking. Each of these stages is layered by one or multiple barriers at the individual, relationship, household, or community levels. This study aims to identify factors across these levels that associate with help-seeking by women facing IPV in India. It also explores any association between the type of IPV faced (physical, sexual or both) and the source of help (formal and informal).Methods: We analysed data from the 5th round of the National Family Health Survey (India) (2019-21). From a sample size of 72,320 women aged 18–49 years, we categorised variables at individual, relationship-household and community levels, and used STATA 14.2 software for reporting prevalence ratios with confidence intervals. Significant variables were identified based on p-values. Poisson Regression was performed to determine the factors associated with the help-seeking behaviour.Results: We found that 14.2% of women who faced IPV sought any help. Husband’s consumption of alcohol and witnessing parental IPV associated with increased odds of help-seeking. A significant proportion of 11% women sought formal help. Help-seeking from the police was higher by women facing only sexual IPV than by women facing only physical IPV. Among all women who sought help, an overwhelming 96% preferred to approach the natal family.Conclusion: In the 5th round of the NFHS, 14% women who faced IPV sought help. Husband’s alcohol consumption and witnessing parental IPV increased the chances for help-seeking. Among formal help providers, the police were the most accessed source, and especially for sexual IPV. This underlines the likely positive consequences of the several awareness and capacity building trainings of the police that the state has prioritized since the previous survey. We reconfirm the need to continue these capacity building investments of formal help providers by the state.
Theta Frequency Electromagnetic Stimulation Enhances Functional Recovery after Stroke
Authors: Okabe Naohiko , Hovanesyan Mary , Azarapetian Srbui , Dai Weiye , Weisinger Batsheva , Parabucki Ana , Balter Shira Reznik , Shohami Esther , Segal Yaron , Carmichael S. Thomas
Published: July 2023

Extremely low-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) therapy is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can modulate neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. ELF-EMF was recently shown to enhance recovery in human stroke in a small pilot clinical trial (NCT04039178). ELF-EMFs encompass a wide range of frequencies, typically ranging from 1 to 100 Hz, and their effects can vary depending on the specific frequency employed. However, whether and to what extent the effectiveness of ELF-EMFs depends on the frequency remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of different frequency-intensity protocols of ELF-EMF in promoting functional recovery in a mouse cortical stroke model with treatment initiated four days after the stroke, employing a series of motor behavior tests. Our findings demonstrate that a theta-frequency ELF-EMF (5 Hz) effectively enhances functional recovery in a reach-to-grasp task, whereas neither gamma-frequency (40 Hz) nor combination frequency (5-16-40 Hz) ELF-EMFs induce a significant effect. Importantly, our histological analysis reveals that none of the ELF-EMF protocols employed in our study affect infarct volume, inflammatory or glial activation, suggesting that the observed beneficial effects may be mediated through non-neuroprotective mechanisms. Our data indicate that ELF-EMFs have an influence on functional recovery after stroke, and this effect is contingent upon the specific frequency used. These findings underscore the critical importance of optimizing the protocol parameters to maximize the beneficial effects of ELF-EMF. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and refine the protocol parameters for optimal therapeutic outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.
Hotspots of amphibians in Iran; effectiveness of current protected area and priorities for conservation planning
Authors: Ghaffari Hanyeh , Safaei-Mahroo Barbod , Niamir Aidin
Published: July 2023

To identify the national hotspots for amphibians based on their richness and rarity and assess the effectiveness of the current protected areas for their conservation, we curated 1700 species occurrence points for 22 amphibians, including 16 species of Anura and 6 species of Caudata. We used these occurrence points along with bioclimatic, anthropogenic, and geographical variables to model the distribution of species. We then calculated richness and rarity maps of amphibians and identified the hotspots based on the top 10% of areas with the highest richness and rarity values. Finally, we overlaid the protected areas to evaluate the current coverage of hotspots and identify future conservation priorities. Although approximately 12% of the country is currently protected, our findings indicate that the current network of protected areas is considerably ineffective for the conservation of amphibians; over 90% of hotspots for amphibians lie outside the current national protected area network. The most important hotspots are located in the Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forest, the western margin of the North Zagros, and the Central Zagros Mountains Forest-Steppe ecoregions of the country. Among different types of protected areas that overlap with amphibian hotspots, protected areas, and wildlife refuges, respectively, ranked the highest in terms of quantity and size, while national parks ranked the lowest. In this study, we provided a baseline of top candidate areas for expanding protected areas where habitats can be managed to protect amphibians in Iran. To further improve the coverage of protected areas, we suggested priorities in Zagros Mountains Forest-Steppe hotspots.
Analysis of IL-1β, TGF- Β, Il-5, ACE and PTPN22 Gene Polymorphisms and GEN Expression Levels in Turkish Chlidren with IgA Vasculitis
Authors: Taşkın Raziye Burcu , Aydın İlyas , Aytaç Gülçin , Imamoglu Süleyman , Tunçay Secil Conkar , Bulut İpek Kaplan , Karaca Neslihan Edeer , Aksu Güzide , Berdeli Afig , Kutukculer Necil
Published: July 2023

Objective; Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) is an inflammatory vascular disease that affects small blood vessels. This study was performed with the aim of identifying an association between PTPN22+788G>A (rs33996649), TGF-β-509C>T (rs18004069), IL-1β-511C>T (rs16944), IL-5-746C/T (rs2069812), ACE I/D (rs4646994) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to IgAV.
Method; A total of 53 IgAV patients and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. PTPN22, TGF-β-, IL-1β gene polymorphisms, ACE gene I/D polymorphism and mRNA expression levels were analyzed by the PCR-RFLP method, allele specific PCR and real-time PCR with TaqMan kits, respectively.
Results; PTPN22, TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-5, ACE variants showed no genotype or allele differences between IgAV patients and controls. Increased levels of IL-1β and TGF-β mRNA expressions were observed in IgAV patients. In addition, patients with IL-1β AG genotype showed signicantly increased amounts of arthritis than non-AG (AA+GG) patients (p=0.004). Likewise, age at disease onset was found to be significantly differed in IgAV patients according to the presence of TT genotype of TGF-β (p=0.047).
Conclusion; Polymorphisms in PTPN22, TGF-β-5, IL-1β and ACE genes are unlikely to confer susceptibility to IgAV and also this is the first study to report a lack of association between IL-5-746C/T and a susceptibility to IgAV. However, the presence of the AG genotype of IL-1β is associated with a susceptibility to IgAV-related arthritis. This is also the first study to report a significant increase in serum mRNA levels of IL-1βand TGF-β in IgAV patients supporting a susceptibility to IgAV in childhood.
Quantifying Aquifer Contamination Risk from Casing Rupture using Backpropagation Neural Network: A Comprehensive Assessment
Authors: Liu Yuyi , Yang Diansen , Bian Hanbing
Published: July 2023

Casing failure in hydraulic fracturing can lead to the leakage of fracturing fluid into the aquifer, resulting in groundwater contamination. To prevent such contamination, a universal assessment model is necessary to understand fracturing fluid transport in the subsurface. However, the complexity of the formation, parameter uncertainty, and computational challenges pose obstacles to risk assessment. In this study, we address these challenges by considering the uncertainty of hydrological parameters and the heterogeneity of the formation in the development of a new conceptual model. Numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis were performed to investigate the key factors influencing groundwater contamination. Additionally, a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) was developed as an alternative approach. Monte Carlo simulations using Latin Hypercube sampling were conducted to obtain probability distributions. Our results demonstrated strong correlations in the BPNN model, with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.9973 and 0.9617, and low Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of 5.45×10− 2 mg and 3.607 days. In a ten-year risk assessment, the probability of contaminant flux in the aquifer being less than 0.651 mg was 100%, indicating a low risk, and the average time for fracturing fluid to reach the aquifer was 1,500 days. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential environmental impact of fracturing fluid contaminants and can inform the development of regulations and best practices for fracturing operations.
Polarization Properties of Blazars
Authors: Chen Guohai , Liang Jingchao , Zeng Xiangtao , Zhang Zhuang , Ye Xuhong , Xiao Hubing , Pei Zhiyuan , Fan Junhui
Published: July 2023

Blazars are an extreme subclass of active galactic nuclei showing rapid and large-amplitude variability, high and variable polarization, strong γ-ray emissions, or superluminal motion, etc. If a strong beaming effect is the reason for the extreme observation properties, then one would expect that these properties would be correlated with each other. In this paper, we compiled a sample of 341 blazars with optical polarization and other data, and investigated the correlation between the optical polarization and multi-wavelength luminosity, as well as apparent velocity. Our analysis comes to the following conclusions: (1) Polarization and observed luminosity (at radio, optical, and γ-ray bands) are all positively correlated in BL Lacertae (BL Lac) objects. (2) A γ-ray source or a higher apparent velocity source tend to have a higher polarization. (3) The polarization distributions of BL Lac objects and flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) come from different parent distribution, with the polarization in Bl Lac objects being higher than that in FSRQs.
Census of the avian richness of the W Benin Park
Authors: Justine KOTIN M. , Jean-Cosssi GANGLO
Published: July 2023

Observations were made in the W Park to inventory the avian fauna of this site. This study was undertaken to determine the avian wealth of the Park W Benin. Periodic and regular observations from 2010 to 2017 have helped to establish a list of different species of birds found in the park, in order to develop strategies for good conservation and tourism development of this part of the biodiversity of the Park. A total of 16,616 observation points were georeferenced.
Prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia in patients visiting dental OPD of a dental college in Kanpur: A demographic study
Authors: Srivastava Rahul
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Tic douloureux is another name for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The first report of TN can be found in the writing of Avicenna in the 11th century, but John Fothergill gave the modern description of TN in his 1773 paper on the subject. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TGN) among north Indian population.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on the prevalence of Trigeminal neuralgia was conducted in the outpatient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology during a period of 5 years (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019) months. All selected patients over the age of 18 were asked for their TN history using a structured questionnaire based on diagnostic criteria of trigeminal neuralgia according to the beta-version of the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD3-beta) after acquiring their personal data (name, age, gender and address).Descriptive statistics included calculation of means and percentages. Data distribution was assessed for normality using Shapiro-Wilk test to check whether a sample came from a normally distributed population or not. The chi-square test is used to determine whether there is a significant difference between the expected frequencies and the observed frequencies in one or more categories. Student’s t-test was used to test the means between the samples. All values were considered statistically significant for a value of p<0.05.

Results: Results: Out of 1500 patients, 26.67%were male and 73.33% were female. The peak incidence was in the age range of 60-70 years. Maxillary nerve (71.1%) was most commonly is involved followed by mandibular (20.2%) and ophthalmic (8.7%) nerve. The right side of the face (80%) was more involved than the left side (20%) of the face. The majority of patients described their attack as a shock like and of spontaneous onset.

Conclusion: TN is often misdiagnosed as toothache, resulting in root canal therapy and tooth extractions. To recognize and manage this problem, an interprofessional strategy involving the primary care physician, dentist, neurologist, anesthesiologist, and neurosurgeon is required. Correct diagnosis and management can benefit patients and result in a good prognosis.
Subgingival application of 0.5% Azithromycin gel as a local drug delivery system as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in controlled diabetic patients- An in vivo study
Authors: Gupta Madhukar , Kapoor Anjali , Vijay Sharmistha , Sharma Vineet , Sharma Pradeep , Jain Saurabh
Published: July 2023

Introduction: A recent trend involving the use of local delivery systems to deliver chemotherapeutic agents implies improved periodontal health. As part of this study, a locally delivered 0.5% azithromycin gel was evaluated for its clinical and microbiological efficacy in treating chronic periodontitis patients with controlled diabetes.

Material and Methods: The split-mouth study design was used in this randomized control trial. The study included 50 sites from 25 patients who had pocket depths greater than 5 mm and were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Two treatment groups were randomly assigned: scaling and root planing only (control group) or scaling and root planing with 0.5% azithromycin gel (test group). At selected sites, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level were analyzed for both groups at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Result & observations: Both the test and control groups had improved parameters when compared to baseline. The depth of the probing pocket was 6.64±1.07 mm and 7.36±1.15 mm at baseline, which decreased to 4.84±0.59 mm and 4.32±0.98 mm respectively at 12 weeks. The difference was statistically significant at p<0.001. Statistically significant difference in clinical attachment levels between baseline and 12 weeks, at p<0.001. The results of all microbiological categories improved significantly in both groups, while the test group showed a greater improvement.

Conclusion: It was concluded that locally delivered azithromycin could be beneficial in treating chronic periodontitis patients with diabetes when used in conjunction with scaling and root planing.

Keywords: Local drug delivery, Periodontal disease, Diabetes, Azithromycin gel.
Effect of loading paths on hydroforming ability of stepped hollow shaft components from double layer pipes
Authors: Vu Quang Duc , Nguyen Trung Dac , Dang Hoa Van , Phan Duc Trong
Published: July 2023

The step hollow shaft components are composed of two layers of different materials, they are formed using tube hydroforming process due to its high strength and rigidity, low weight and flexible profiles, compared to traditional casting, welding, and forming methods. These products are effectively used in industries such as the automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace and defense, and oil and gas sectors. The success of various double layer pipe hydroforming process depends on several factors, with the most important being the internal pressure path and axial loading path. This paper presents research on the effect of input loading paths on the hydroforming ability of a different two-layer metal structure - an outer layer of SUS304 stainless steel and an inner layer of CDA110 copper - using 3D numerical simulations on Abaqus/CAE software. Output criteria were used to evaluate the forming ability of the formed components, including Von Mises stress, Plastic strain component (PEmax), wall thinning, and pipe profile, based on which the input loading paths were combined during the forming process. These output criteria allow for more accurate predictions of material behavior during the hydroforming process, as well as deformation and stress distribution. This can support the design process, improve product quality, reduce errors, and increase production efficiency. The research results can be applied as a basis for optimizing load paths for the next experimental step in the near future, for undergraduate and graduate training, as well as allowing designers and engineers to optimize the process of hydroforming of different 2-layer tubes, reducing costs, improving accuracy, flexible design, minimizing risks, and increasing efficiency
Influence of water electrolysis products on diesel engine performance in Colombia
Authors: Moreno-Gamboa Faustino , Guerrero-Gomez Gustavo , Caicedo-Rolon Alvaro Jr.
Published: July 2023

Restrictions imposed by regulatory frameworks, the high cost of fuels, environmental impacts and the efficiency of internal combustion engines encourage research into reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. Additionally, to think about the alternative energy sources. In compression ignition engines, researchers around the world have been working for years on the use of biodiesel fuel, in order to reduce emissions and the consumption of diesel fuel. In other investigations, water electrolysis products obtained in an HHO gas generator and supplied to an internal combustion engine allow for improving performance, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. HHO gas is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the electrolysis process of water, with energy supplied by an electric source or accumulator. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of an HHO generator products in a diesel engine that operates with diesel fuel produced in Colombia with 10 % biodiesel. The objective of this study is evaluated the influence of gas HHO on mechanical performance, fuel consumption, and polluting emissions in a single-cylinder diesel engine, performing a comparative analysis when the HHO generator operates with different amperages. The results showed a 25 % average reduction in fuel consumption between 1500 y 2500 engine revolutions when the HHO cell operated with 8 amperes. The breaking power maximum value increased a 10 %, and CO and PM10 emissions were reduced by 14 % and 53 %, respectively, at 1000 rpm. It is possible to conclude that supplying water electrolysis products in the fuel-air mixture increases the mechanical performance of a diesel engine and reduces polluting gas emissions. Additionally, research areas are opened in the development of HHO generators and standards for the application of this technology