bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining how oxygen legacy affects trajectories of soil denitrifier community structure, functional dynamics, and N2O emissions
Authors: Sennett Louise B. , Roco Constance A. , Lim Natalie Y. N. , Yavitt Joseph B. , Dörsch Peter , Bakken Lars R. , Shapleigh James P. , Frostegård Åsa
Published: January 2024

Denitrification – a key process in the global nitrogen cycle and main source of the greenhouse gas N2O – is intricately controlled by O2. While the transition from aerobic respiration to denitrification is well-studied, our understanding of denitrifier communities' responses to cyclic oxic/anoxic shifts, prevalent in natural and engineered systems, is limited. Here, agricultural soil was exposed to repeated cycles of long or short anoxic spells (LA; SA) or constant oxic conditions (Ox). Unexpectedly, Ox had up to three times greater denitrification and N2O reduction rates compared to LA and SA during a final anoxic incubation, despite comparable bacterial biomass and denitrification gene abundances. Metatranscriptomics indicated that LA favoured canonical denitrifiers carrying nosZ clade I. Ox instead favoured nosZ clade II-carrying partial- or non-denitrifiers, suggesting efficient partnering of the reduction steps among organisms. SA had the slowest denitrification progression and highest accumulation of intermediates, indicating less functional coordination. The findings demonstrate how adaptations of denitrifier communities to varying O2 conditions are tightly linked to the duration of oxic-anoxic cycles, emphasizing the importance of knowing an environment´s O2 legacy for accurately predicting N2O emissions originating from denitrification.
Fatty acid metabolism constrains Th9 cell differentiation and anti-tumor immunity via modulation of retinoic acid receptor signaling
Authors: Endo Yusuke , Nakajima Takahiro , Kanno Toshio , Ueda Yuki , Miyako Keisuke , Endo Takeru , Yokoyama Satoru , Asou Hikari , Yamada Kazuko , Ikeda Kazutaka , Togashi Yosuke
Published: January 2024

T helper 9 cells (Th9) are interleukin 9 (IL-9)–producing cells that have diverse functions ranging from anti-tumor immune responses to driving allergic inflammation. Th9 cells differentiate from naïve CD4+ T cells in the presence of IL-4 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β); however, our understanding of the molecular basis of their differentiation remains incomplete. Previously, we reported that the differentiation of another subset of TGF-β–driven T helper cells, Th17 cells, is highly dependent on de novo lipid biosynthesis. On the basis of this finding, we hypothesized that lipid metabolism may also be important for Th9 cell differentiation. We therefore investigated the differentiation and function of mouse and human Th9 cells in vitro under conditions of pharmacologically or genetically induced deficiency of intracellular fatty acid content and in vivo in mice genetically deficient for acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), an important enzyme for fatty acid biosynthesis. Both inhibition of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and deprivation of environmental lipids augmented differentiation and IL-9 production in mouse and human Th9 cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that the augmentation of Th9 cell differentiation was mediated by retinoic acid receptor and the TGF-β–SMAD signaling pathways. Upon adoptive transfer, ACC1-inhibited Th9 cells suppressed tumor growth in murine models of melanoma and adenocarcinoma. Together, our findings highlight a novel role of fatty acid metabolism in controlling the differentiation and in vivo functions of Th9 cells.
Baculovirus and plasmid vector-mediated transgenic experiments in the embryonic cell cultures developed from the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna
Authors: CP Sreevidya , Balakrishnan Soumya , Puthumana Jayesh
Published: January 2024

Cell culture represents an indispensable tool for investigating fundamental biological processes. Nevertheless, technical challenges such as low cell yield, sub-optimal cell differentiation, and inadequate attachment to the growth substrate have restricted the application of this tool in many studies. Here, we introduce an easy protocol for the preparation of primary cell cultures from Daphnia magna embryos, offering a versatile approach to address cell biological questions in conjunction with the robust in vivo model of D. magna. The development of transgenic cells is an emerging interdisciplinary field that can be used for the fundamental understanding of normal and pathological responses of cells and the improvement of tissue functionality. The application of this technology to primary cells is still in its infancy but promises to accelerate research. In this work, embryonic cell culture is developed from D. magna; and is used to standardize viral (BacIe1-GFP) and plasmid vector (pCS-EF1α1-DSRed2)-mediated transgenic experiments. The standardized conditions methodology for developing embryonic cell culture, Cellfectin-mediated transfection and baculovirus-mediated transduction methods envisage strengthening the crustacean cell line research and bringing forth the Daphnia cell culture system as a 'model' in vitro system for crustaceans. Additionally, the simplicity and flexibility of the methodology described are expected to lead to widespread use in many biological research areas, including their wide application to ecotoxicological and epigenetic studies which are currently limited to in vivo studies. This is the first report on the optimization of cell culture medium for freshwater crustaceans and the use of baculovirus for transduction studies in D. magna embryonic cell culture.
cellMarkerPipe: Cell Marker Identification and Evaluation Pipeline in Single Cell Transcriptomes
Authors: Yao Qiuming , Jia Yinglu , Ma Pengchong
Published: January 2024

Assessing marker genes from all cell clusters can be time-consuming and lack systematic strategy. Streamlining this process through a unified computational platform that automates identification and benchmarking will greatly enhance efficiency and ensure a fair evaluation. We therefore developed a novel computational platform, cellMarkerPipe (https://github.com/yao-laboratory/cellMarkerPipe), for automated cell-type specific marker gene identification from scRNA-seq data, coupled with comprehensive evaluation schema. CellMarkerPipe adaptively wraps around a collection of commonly used and state-of-the-art tools, including Seurat, COSG, SC3, SCMarker, COMET, and scGeneFit. From rigorously testing across diverse samples, we ascertain SCMarker’s overall reliable performance in single marker gene selection, with COSG showing commendable speed and comparable efficacy. Furthermore, we demonstrate the pivotal role of our approach in real-world medical datasets. This general and opensource pipeline stands as a significant advancement in streamlining cell marker gene identification and evaluation, fitting broad applications in the field of cellular biology and medical research.
Investigation of the Electrochemical Properties of Desert Rose-Like ZIF-67/NiCoTe Hybrid Composite as Asymmetric Supercapacitors for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Meghanathan K. L. , Parthibavarman M.
Published: January 2024

The distinctive morphology of the desert rose structure facilitates enhanced accessibility to many electroactive sites, hence enhancing the internal electrical characteristics of the ZIF-67/NiCoTe composite. This allows for the effective utilization of the whole resource and enhances rapid redox response kinetics. The synthesis was achieved by a direct hydrothermal technique. The electrode materials that have been manufactured have exceptional electrochemical characteristics. The ZIF-67/NiCoTe material exhibits a specific capacitance of 2215 Fg− 1 when subjected to an imposed current density of 1 Ag− 1. In addition, it retains 97.4% of its original capacitance even after enduring 10000 cycles. In addition, the ZIF-67/NiCoTe//AC hybrid supercapacitor operates at a specific voltage of 1.5 V. The system has an energy density of 67.5 Wh kg− 1, with a corresponding power density of 2422.2 W kg− 1. Furthermore, it retains 93.5% of its capacitance even after enduring 10000 cycles at a significant current density of 10 Ag− 1. This research introduces a straightforward and efficient method for fabricating desert rose-shaped electrodes made of bimetallic nickel-cobalt telluride. These electrodes demonstrate excellent performance in hybrid supercapacitors.
Burnout, Associated Determinants and Effects among Nurses and Midwives at Selected CHAG Facilities in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Authors: Kyei Enoch , Takyi Sylvia Akpene
Published: January 2024

Background
Burnout among nurses and midwives is a public health concern due to its rapidly increasing prevalence. Although several studies have explored burnout among nurses in general, research specifically focusing on burnout among nurses and midwives in faith-based health facilities remains limited.
Objective
We investigated burnout, associated determinants and effects among nurses and midwives in selected CHAG facilities in the greater Accra region, Ghana.
Methods
The study recruited 266 nurses and midwives, using a structured questionnaire. Proportionate sampling technique was used to sample nurses and midwives from the selected CHAG facilities. The Maslach Burnout Inventory survey tool was used to assess data on the determinants and effects of burnouts among study participants. Next, Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with burnout.
Results
The majority (78.6%) were females aged between 30–39 years. About a third of the nurses and midwives (34.22%) reported experiencing high level of burnout. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, being Muslim [OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 1.08, 11.61; p = 0.037], working at the emergency department [OR = 2.93; 95% CI; 1.09, 7.92; p = 0.034], working at the paediatric ward [OR = 7.82; 95% CI: 1.65, 37.18; p = 0.010] and having items to work with more than half of the time [OR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.24; p = 0.000] were found to be associated with burnout among nurses and midwives. The effects of burnout included insomnia, irritability, sleep disorders, depression, cardiovascular disease, drug abuse, increased alcohol intake, absenteeism, and reduced productivity.
Conclusion
Nurses and midwives in the three selected CHAG facilities in Accra experienced high levels of burnout. In-service training on building good interpersonal relationship among nurses and midwives, adequate staffing and training on coping mechanism is encouraged.
Spatiotemporal changing pattern of land use and land cover of Sangu- Matamuhuri watershed in the South-Eastern part of Bangladesh
Authors: Rudra Ajit Kumar , Alam A. K. M. Rashidul
Published: January 2024

This study employed integrated remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) approaches to characterize the spatiotemporal changing patterns of LULC in the upper part of Sangu-Matamuhuri Watershed (SMW) from 1988 to 2019 utilizing Landsat imagery of the years 1988, 1999, 2009 and 2019. Geo-spatial object-based supervised classification focusing on five major classes namely forest, agriculture, shrubland, settlement, and water body were applied. The overall classification accuracy was found 92 ~ 94% with a corresponding Kappa coefficient range of 0.90 ~ 0.93. The forest cover showed a major variation with the interval, decreasing from 234634 ha (76%) in 1988 to 168476 ha (54%) in 2019 with an annual loss of 2134.13 ha/year. Conversion results obtained from temporal overlay operation showed that forest patches converted to shrubland due to cutting down trees and forest burning and thereafter this shrubland cleared or re-burned for shifting cultivation which significantly increased agricultural land from 21787 ha (7%) in 1988 to 78704 ha (25%) in 2019 at the rate of 1836.03 ha/year. The area of other land use types including shrubland and settlement also increased. But the area of water body, the only source of drinking water to the indigenous community and irrigation water in the dry season, was found decreased with an average annual rate of 29.84 ha/year which indicate the drying of water body. The observed changing trend of LULC of the studied watershed could have a significant negative impact on the watershed environment as there would be more water shortage in the near future during the dry season and excess water in the rainy season. The findings of this study emphasizes important policy implications for sustainable watershed management in hilly regions of the tropics.
Stigma and Discrimination Against COVID-19 Positive Patients in Bangladesh: A Comparative Qualitative Study of Non-Vaccinated and Vaccinated Patients
Authors: Rashid Tamanna , Arefin Shamsul , Bhattacharjee Mowsume , Islam Md. Ashraful
Published: January 2024

Historically, pandemics have often led to the stigmatization and discrimination of those affected. Despite some studies detailing the stigmatized experiences of COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh, there is a noticeable absence of comparative research exploring the experiences of vaccinated and non-vaccinated COVID-19 survivors across different pandemic phases. This study aims to bridge this gap by comprehensively examining the stigma and discrimination encountered by both vaccinated and non-vaccinated COVID-19 survivors in Bangladesh. Employing a comparative qualitative case study approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with 22 COVID-19-positive individuals, comprising 13 interviews from the initial wave (between July 26 and August 12, 2020) and 9 interviews during the ongoing wave (between October 10, 2022, and April 10, 2023) of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Recruitment was facilitated through a targeted social media campaign, and a purposive sampling technique was applied. Interviews were predominantly held via telephone and online platforms. Subsequently, a thorough transcription of all interviews was carried out, followed by an in-depth thematic analysis. The findings highlight critical factors contributing to stigma and discrimination towards COVID-19-positive patients in Bangladesh, including the fear of death, infection, disease control measures (such as lockdowns, public announcements, and testing protocols), and individual experiences with COVID-19 testing. Notably, non-vaccinated participants conveyed a range of evolving experiences linked to COVID-19-related stigma and discrimination, differing from their vaccinated counterparts. The study also reveals that enhanced social support and normalized perceptions of COVID-19 played pivotal roles in mitigating stigma and discrimination. The insights gleaned from this study are poised to significantly inform healthcare policymakers in their efforts to devise effective pandemic control and management strategies. Moreover, by comprehending the socio-psychological nuances of stigmatization, this research offers novel perspectives for crafting policies that address emerging pandemic-related stigma in Bangladesh.
Health-related quality of life in in a large cohort of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices – a registry based study
Authors: Gatti Paolo , Nymark Caroline , Gadler Fredrik
Published: January 2024

Aim
The association of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), namely pacemaker (PM), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy with (CRT-D) or without defibrillator (CRT-P), on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lacking.
Methods and results
Data from the Swedish Pacemaker and ICD Registry together with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) administered before and after one year the CIED implant from January 2019 to February 2022 were used to analyze the HRQoL with the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and the EQ-5D index.
Of 1,479 who completed the EQ-5D, 80% had a PM, 10% an ICD, 5% a CRT-P and 6% a CRT-D. The median age was 77 years with a prevalence of females ranging from 38% in the PM group to 17% in the ICD group. The EQ-VAS and the EQ-5D index significantly increased in patients with PM and CRT-P (EQ-VAS +2.8, standard deviations (SD) 23 and +5.8, SD 24.9; EQ-5D index +0.019, SD 0.114 and +0.051, SD 0.125) while only the EQ-5D index increased in patients with ICD (+0.002, SD 0.104 ). After adjusting for age, sex and HRQoL at baseline, the presence of defibrillator was associated with lower EQ-VAS (-3.4, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -6.7; -0.1 and -4.8, 95% CI -8.8;-0.7) and EQ-5D index (-0.018, 95% CI -0.035; -0.0003 and -0.025 95% CI 0.046;0.004) at follow-up compared to PM.
Conclusion
These findings, showing the HRQoL associated with CIED, are important to support physicians' and pacemaker nurses' care after device implantation by embracing the patients’ perspectives.
Integrating Periodontal Therapy and Biofilm Management into Breast Cancer Patients' Care: Periodontal, Hematological and salivary Parameters Assessment Before and During Chemotherapy
Authors: Villafuerte Kelly R. V. , Reis Francisco J Candido Dos , Carrara Hélio H. A. , Martinez Cristhiam , Palioto Daniela B.
Published: January 2024

Objective
To evaluate the impact of chemotherapy on periodontal conditions, hematology, and salivary flow in patients with breast cancer and gingivitis, after basic periodontal therapy (BPT).
Methods
They were divided into patients with breast cancer and gingivitis (BC/G = 20); and patients without cancer with gingivitis (G = 20). Clinical parameters [Plaque Index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), Probing Depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL)], hematological parameters, and salivary flow were evaluated at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks.
Results
After BPT, both groups exhibited a reduction in BOP and PI. However, group G showed a significantly (p < 0.05) greater reduction at weeks 12 and 24 compared to group BC/G. In the hematological parameters, the G group showed higher hemoglobin and red blood cell levels than the BC/G group at 6, 12, and 24 weeks (p < 0.05). The salivary flow rate was decreased at 6, 12, and 24 weeks in BC/G (< 0.3 ml/min), however, they did not show hyposalivation (< 0.1ml/min).
Conclusion
Chemotherapy significantly impacts periodontal and hematological conditions, as well as salivary flow. Both groups, showed improvement in periodontal conditions after BPT, with a reduction in BOP and PI. However, the group without cancer demonstrated significantly greater improvement compared to the group with cancer, indicating that chemotherapy affects inflammatory control. The application of BPT with strict biofilm control is necessary for breast cancer patients, contributing to an overall favorable treatment outcome.
Frequency and Factors Associated With Flare-ups in Lupus Patients With Lupus Nephritis in French Guiana
Authors: BUNKETE Arriel MAKEMBI , FERMIGIER Florence , SIDIBE Modi , SIDIBE Mohamed , BELGRINE Malika , DAVODOUN Timoté , GBAGUIDI Tanguy , DJICONKPODE Irénée , FANTCHO Franklin SAMOU
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION:
French Guiana ranks third in terms of the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SL) in overseas French departments; however, data are insufficient. Lupus flares (LF) are multifactorial and have adverse consequences, particularly in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). This study aimed to determine the factors associated with LF in patients with LN compared with those in patients without LN.
METHODS
This cross-sectional case-control study of the West Guyanese historical lupus cohort investigated factors associated with lupus flares by comparing two subgroups of lupus patients, namely, those with LN and those without LN, from January 2018 to December 2022. A logistic model helps establish the association between LN and FL. The significance threshold was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS
Sixty-two total with 62 patients were included in the study of wich:72.6% with LN and 27.4% with no LNs) were included in the study. The two groups were comparable in terms of size. LF was present in 53% of the patients in both subgroups. LF was found in 62% of the patients in the LN group. High levels of anti-Dna and anti-Smith antibodies, fever, pleurisy, discoid rash, verspetillo, oral ulceration, and a high Sledai score were found more frequently and significantly in patients with relapse. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LN and anti-DNA antibody levels were significantly associated with LF. A higher frequency of infection and CKD progression was observed.
Conclusions
LF is more frequent and multifactorial in patients with LN and is associated with poor renal prognosis and an increased risk of infection.
The transcription factors TCF1 and LEF1 drive B-1a cell development, self-renewal, and regulatory function.
Authors: Vinuesa Carola , Shen Qian , Wang Hao , Meng Xiangpeng , Roco Jonathan , Battaglia Michael , Feng Zhi-Ping , Chakravarty Probir , Canete Pablo , Gonzalez-Figueroa Paula , Zhang Yaoyuan , Xue Hai-Hui , Garrett-Sinha Lee
Published: January 2024

B-1 cells are abundant in peritoneal and pleural cavities and produce natural and microbial-induced IgM and IgA1–4.CD5+ B-1 cells known as “B-1a” represent the largest source of B cell-derived IL-105,6, an important regulator of inflammation and autoimmunity7. Unlike conventional B cells that are produced daily in the bone marrow, B-1a cells are predominantly generated from foetal precursors and maintained by self-renewal8 but the molecular mechanisms that underpin this stem cell-like property and their regulatory potential are poorly understood. Here we show that both mouse and human B-1a cells express high amounts of TCF1 and LEF1 and these transcription factors drive their formation and self-renewal promoting oxidative and fatty acid metabolism. Deficiency of TCF1/LEF1 in B-1a cells leads to downregulation of Ets1 and Myc targets, and severely compromises their maintenance over time. TCF1 and LEF1 are also essential for IL-10 and PD-L1 expression upon B-1 cell activation and repression of CNS inflammation. TCF1/LEF1 mediate the emergence of a mixed cell progeny at the third B-1 cell division including a stem-cell-like population. B-1 cells lacking TCF1/LEF1 continue proliferating and acquire an exhausted phenotype reminiscent of age-associated B cells. These findings identify a transcriptional program that links stemness with regulatory potential in B-1a cells.
Facile Preparation of Chitosan-Alginate Crosslinked with Calcium Chloride Hydrogel as Sustained Release Fertilizers
Authors: Kimi Melody , Chong Chee Jiun
Published: January 2024

The utilization of urea in the agricultural sector as a fertilizer is susceptible to losses through volatilization and leaching. A strategy to mitigate this environmental impact involves employing a sustained-release approach for urea, thereby diminishing both the quantity and frequency of its application. These agrochemicals utilize a physical barrier to curtail the dissolution of urea, and their efficacy in fertilizer release is dictated by their physical characteristics. In the current investigation, hydrogel beads comprising urea were developed by blending biodegradable polysaccharides, specifically chitosan and alginate, in the presence of calcium chloride as a crosslinker through ionotropic gelation. The Box-Behnken design was employed to analyze the impacts of independent variables (low, medium, and high molecular weight chitosan; 2.5 to 4.5 wt% alginate; and 0.10 M to 1.00 M calcium chloride crosslinker) on encapsulation efficiency and urea release. After model evaluation, the optimal conditions for encapsulation efficiency and urea release were determined as the use of the lowest molecular weight chitosan, a medium amount of alginate, and the maximum amount of crosslinker, resulting in a loading efficiency of up to 98.5% and a urea release of only 2.2% within 2 hours. The composition of the polymeric hydrogel was found to govern encapsulation efficiency and urea release, while the swelling behaviour in water remained unaffected. The hydrogel beads exhibited a spherical morphology, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of urea within the beads.
Triiodothyronine Supplementation for Children Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Radman Monique , Slee April , Marwali Eva , Portman Michael
Published: January 2024

Introduction:
Specific pediatric populations have exhibited disparate responses to triiodothyronine (T3) repletion during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Objective: To determine if T3 supplementation improves outcomes in children undergoing CPB.
Methods and Materials:
We searched randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating T3 supplementation in children ages 0–3 years undergoing CPB between 1/1/2000 and 1/31/2022. We calculated Hazard ratios (HR) for time to extubation (TTE), ICU length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS.
Results
5 RCTs met inclusion criteria with available patient-level data. Three were performed in United States (US) and 2 in Indonesia with 767 total subjects (range 29–220). Median (IQR) age 4.1 (1.6, 8.0) months; female 43%; RACHS-1 scores: 1–1%; 2–55%; 3–27%; 4–13%; 5-0.1%; 6-3.9%; 54% of subjects in US vs 46% in Indonesia. Baseline TSH and T3 were lower in Indonesia (p < 0.001). No significant difference occurred in TTE between treatment groups overall [HR 1.09 (CI, 0.94–1.26)]. TTE numerically favored T3-treated patients ages 1–5 months [HR 1.24 (CI, 0.97–1.60)]. TTE HR for the Indonesian T3 group was 1.31 (CI, 1.04–1.65) vs. 0.95 (CI, 0.78–1.15) in US. The ICU LOS HR for the Indonesian T3 group was 1.19 vs. 0.89 in US (p = 0.046). There was a significant T3 effect on hospital LOS [HR 1.30 (CI, 1.01–1.67)] in Indonesia but not in US [HR 0.99 (CI, 0.78–1.23)].
Conclusions
T3 supplementation in children undergoing CPB is simple, inexpensive and safe, showing benefit in resource-limited settings. Differences in effects between settings likely relate to depression in baseline thyroid function often associated with malnutrition.
Chebulagic Acid Alleviates Inflammation Via Regulation of Skeletal Muscle IR/IRS-1/AKT/GLUT4 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Vasu Ganesh , Ramalingam Sundaram , Muthu Karuppiah , Tutor Sundaram Ramalingam , J Prabhakaran
Published: January 2024

Examining the contribution of chebulagic acid in high fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy was the main goal of this investigation. Wistar male rats were fed HFD for two weeks before receiving a 35 mg/kg STZ intraperitoneal dosage. During 30 days, diabetic rats were fed metformin and chebulagic acid (50 mg/kg b.w./day each). Blood and kidney samples were also taken following the study for biochemical and histological analysis. Chebulagic acid was administered orally to diabetic rats, considerably lowering blood sugar, serum creatinine, urea, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels while simultaneously increasing plasma insulin. In addition, diabetic rats had elevated levels of renal pro-inflammatory cytokines with concurrently increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. They also had lower lipid peroxidation product and increased renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant enzyme status. Moreover, chebulagic acid therapy increased the amounts of mRNA for the insulin signaling components GLUT4 and Akt in the gastrocnemius muscles of diabetic rats as well as insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptorsubstrate-1 (IRS-1), and Akt. According to these findings, chebulagic acid has anti-diabetic nephropathy actions that are attenuated.
Hybrid Pattern Search-Quantum Optimization Method for Engineering Optimization Problems
Authors: Alfares Fawzan S. , Alabdaly Athoob A. , Alfares Mohamed S. , Khorshid Emad
Published: January 2024

The Quantum-Based Optimisation Method (QBOM) is a novel optimization approach based on quantum computing concepts. The novel optimization method's durability is studied using its capacity to conjoin with existing optimization techniques. This study uses The QBOM with the Pattern Search (PS) technique to solve engineering optimization problems. The first strategy, Hybrid I, uses QBOM for global search optimization, followed by PS searching in the nearby region for the optimum solution. The second strategy, Hybrid II, uses QBOM as a local search optimization within Pattern Search. In each iteration, QBOM starts searching inside PS for a better solution than the one detected at that stage, which is labelled as PS's new search point. These two hybrid techniques attempt to expand the possibilities of QBOM's local search mechanism while demonstrating its resilience. The hybridised methodologies are used to solve benchmark optimization problems and six real-world engineering optimization problems. The study revealed that the two hybrid techniques worked brilliantly, producing solutions that exceeded previous methods described in the literature for certain benchmark optimization problems. Not only did the hybridised methods produce better results in less computational time, but they also demonstrated that QBOM could be used to improve the search mechanism and accelerate the performance of the evolutionary algorithm in the local search to match its execution in the global search.
Self-support thin film nanofibrous composites ultrafiltration membrane based on PET waste flake for oil/water separation
Authors: Moslehi Mohsen
Published: January 2024

Commercial ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are typically produced with the phase inversion method. Higher density and torturous pore channels of these membranes, result declined water flux rate. This research looks to develop a new class of thin film composite (TFC) UF membranes with high flux, based on nanofibrous support with a thin film top layer. For this, in the first step, the PET electrospun nanofibrous sub-layer with thicker fiber diameter was prepared from PET waste flake, and in the next step, the PET nanofibrous mid-layer with thinner fiber diameter (compared to first sub-layer fiber diameter) was prepared with electrospinning on the first sub-layer. Finally, a hydrophilic top layer based on chitosan/multi-walled carbon nanotube was applied on the self-support PET/PET nanofibrous support with the dip-coating method. The result showed that prepared membranes had high pure water flux (240 l/m2 h bar), oil/water emulsion steady flux (60 l/m2 h bar), and oil emulsion retention (~ 99.9%). Finally, the filtration performance of PET/PET UF and other nanofibrous and commercial UF membranes was evaluated.
Neuromuscular Polytrauma Pain is Resolved by Macrophage COX-2 Nanoimmunomodulation
Authors: Cortez Ibdanelo , Gaffney Caitlyn M. , Vichare Riddhi , Crelli Caitlin V. , Liu Lu , Lee Eric , Edralin Jules , Nichols James M. , Pham Hoang Vu , Mehdi Syed , Janjic Jelena M. , Shepherd Andrew J.
Published: January 2024

Soft tissue injuries often involve muscle and peripheral nerves and are qualitatively distinct from single-tissue injuries. Prior research suggests that damaged innervation compromises wound healing. To test this in a traumatic injury context, we developed a novel mouse model of nerve and lower limb polytrauma, which features greater pain hypersensitivity and more sustained macrophage infiltration than either injury in isolation. We also show that macrophages are crucial mediators of pain hypersensitivity in this model by delivering macrophage-targeted nanoemulsions laden with the cyclooxygenease-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib. This treatment was more effective in males than females, and more effective when delivered 3 days post-injury than 7 days post-injury. The COX-2 inhibiting nanoemulsion drove widespread anti-inflammatory changes in cytokine expression in polytrauma-affected peripheral nerves. Our data shed new light on the modulation of inflammation by injured nerve input and demonstrate macrophage-targeted nanoimmunomodulation can produce rapid and sustained pain relief following complex injuries.
Fractal Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Wood Cell Wall
Authors: Tibebu Dessie T. , Avramidis Stavros
Published: January 2024

The mechanisms of moisture diffusion in wood are not yet fully understood, due to the complex and hierarchical structure of the wood cell wall constituents. To investigate this mechanism in this hierarchical structure, fractal geometry analysis was used as proper tool. The objective of this study is to develop a theoretical fractal moisture diffusion model for wood cell wall by taking into consideration its structural geometry and to upscale that model to gross wood by employing electrical resistance modeling and validation. The proposed fractal diffusion model is a function of fractal dimensions, porosity, and pore size distribution of the wood cell wall as well as ambient conditions such as moisture content, temperature, and inverse slope of the sorption isotherm. The water vapor sorption data that was used to drive the experimental diffusion coefficient of various wood types were studied using the dynamic sorption method. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was used to explore the detailed structural parameters of wood cell wall pore size distributions and calculate the pore fractal dimension. The derived fractal diffusion model was validated using experimental and data calculated by a past published model. The trends for diffusion coefficients predicted by the fractal model were similar to the experimental and calculated data and successfully predicted the diffusion coefficients at low moisture contents. Pore size ratio, pore, and tortuous fractal dimensions were negatively correlated to fractal diffusivity, while the porosity was positively correlated. The findings of this study contribute to the creation of a decision support system that would allow predicting wood geometric properties and moisture diffusivity properties based on wood structural and ultrastructural attributes.
Suppression of the TGF-β signaling exacerbates degeneration of auditory neurons in kanamycin-induced ototoxicity in mice
Authors: Nitta Yoshihiro , Kurioka Takaomi , Mogi Sachiyo , Sano Hajime , Yamashita Taku
Published: January 2024

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a significant role in multiple biological processes, including inflammation, immunity, and cell death. However, its specific impact in the cochlea remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of TGF-β signaling suppression on auditory function and cochlear pathology in mice with kanamycin-induced ototoxicity. Kanamycin and furosemide (KM-FS) were systemically administered to 8-week-old C57/BL6 mice, followed by immediate topical application of a TGF-β receptor inhibitor (TGF-βRI) on the round window membrane. Results showed significant TGF-β receptor upregulation in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) after KM-FS ototoxicity, whereas significant downregulation was observed following TGF-βRI treatment. Interestingly, despite no significant change in cochlear TGF-β expression after KM-FS ototoxicity, TGF-βRI treatment resulted in a significant decrease in signaling. Regarding auditory function, TGF-βRI treatment offered no therapeutic effects on hearing thresholds and hair cell survival following KM-FS ototoxicity. However, SGN loss and macrophage infiltration were significantly increased with TGF-βRI treatment. These results imply that TGF-β signaling inhibition after KM-FS ototoxicity promotes cochlear inflammation and SGN degeneration.
Ploidy level affects the growth and yield attributes of Musa progenies
Authors: Sankar C. , Kavino M. , Auxcilia J. , Premalakshmi v. , Kumar C. Subesh Ranjith , Naveen R.
Published: January 2024

Polyploidy has an immense role in varietal development of agricultural crops particularly fruit crops which has significant impact on plant morphological and yield contributing traits. To study the effect of ploidy levels on growth and yield parameters between diploid, triploid and tetraploid progeny of banana hybrids, 46 banana hybrids were evaluated under field conditions. Stomatal size, pollen size, growth and bunch traits were measured in flowering phase. Significant difference between ploidy levels were observed for different traits. The “gigas” effect was seen in tetraploid plants. Ploidy levels were negatively linked with stomatal frequency and positively linked with guard cell length, number of chloroplasts per guard cell. Among the progenies, maximum pollen diameter was observed in tetraploids. However, triploids registered higher bunch and finger characters whereas diploids exhibits higher stomata frequency, pollen viability, germination, more suckers per plant, shorter time to phyllochron production, earlier flowering and harvest.
To analyze the clinical efficacy of percutaneous screw fixation technique in the treatment of special acetabular fractures based on ERAS concept
Authors: Shen Shi , Li Yujie , Xu Xuepeng , Xiang Feifang , Zhuo Naiqiang , Ye Junwu
Published: January 2024

[Objective]:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ERAS concept guided percutaneous screw fixation technique in the treatment of special acetabular fractures, Special acetabular fractures refer to young adults with no or small displacement (displacement <5mm).
[Methods]:Clinical data of 30 patients with special acetabular fractures treated by percutaneous channel screw technique in our hospital from October 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. 12 male and 18 female, average age of 44.2 ± 5.16 years, all patients implemented the ERAS concept, combined with percutaneous screw channel minimally invasive fixation technology. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, X-ray exposure times, preoperative and postoperative NRS (numerical rating scale) scores, painless rehabilitation exercise time, non-weight-bearing ambulation time, length of hospital stay, and full weight-bearing time were statistically analyzed. The Merle d 'Aubigne & Postel scoring system was used to evaluate the function of the affected hip at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up.
[Results]: The follow-up time of patients is 25.10 ± 5.02 months. The operation time was 108.33 ± 17.09 minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was 56.13 ± 11.62ml, and the intraoperative X-ray exposure times were 38.10 ± 4.44 times/min. The mean NRS score decreased by 6.37 ± 1.35 points. The painless recovery time was 3.13 ± 1.48 days, the non-weight-bearing activity time was 3.63 ± 0.89d and the length of hospital stay was 6.20 ± 1.37d. The mean time of full weight bearing was 10.47 ± 1.31 weeks. At the last follow-up, Merle d 'Aubigne & Postel scores were excellent in 13 cases and good in 17 cases.
[conclusion]: Percutaneous screw fixation technique for the treatment of special acetabular fractures has the advantages of short operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, fast painless recovery time, early non weight-bearing ambulation time and so on. It allows patients to recover quickly, conforms to the concept of eras, reduces social burden, and is worthy of clinical application.
JAML overexpression in tumour vascular endothelial cells promotes cancer proliferation via angiogenesis through VEGF signalling pathway activation
Authors: yanan liu , Zhang Mingyan , Fang Yuying , Zheng Yawen , Wang Yufeng , Wang Zewen , Liu Ning , Yan Peng , Ma Yuan , Yang Fei , Zheng Yan , Zhang Wencheng , sun meili
Published: January 2024

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in tumour growth and metastasis.Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML) plays a role in various tumours; however, its role in tumour angiogenesis remains unexplored. We collected colorectal cancer samples from Jinan Central Hospital, using immunofluorescence staining and cell lines for analysis. JAML effects were examined in mice, including vascular leakage and tumour characteristics. A range of assays, such as Western blot analysis, were utilised to obtain comprehensive data. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism version 8.0. Our findings indicate a significant upregulation of JAML in colorectal cancer tissues. Endothelial-specific knockout of JAML minimally impacted organ development, but effectively inhibited tumour growth through antiangiogenesis in multiple mouse tumour models. The deletion of JAML was observed to enhance T-lymphocyte infiltration within tumour tissues and facilitate vascular normalisation, evident from increased pericyte coverage and vessel perfusion. Conversely, the overexpression of JAML in endothelial cells during in vitro experiments was observed to enhance migration, invasion, proliferation, and tube formation in HUVECs. Mechanistically, endothelial JAML bounded to FAK/SRC to upregulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) in vitro and in vivo. Our ﬁndings underscore the pivotal role of endothelial JAML/FAK/SRC/VEGFA signalling in tumour angiogenesis, positioning JAML as an ideal target for antiangiogenesis in cancer therapy. This study has the potential to provide valuable insights into the development of new therapeutic approaches, increase the effectiveness of existing treatments, and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
Luminescence phenomena from various materials in ultra-high dose rate proton beam irradiation: preliminary dose distribution measurement study
Authors: Yamada Ryosaku , Nishio Teiji , Kinkawa Daiki , Tanaka Taketo , Omura Mizuki , Tabata Yoji , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Kataoka Jun
Published: January 2024

This research aimed to identify materials capable of emitting visible light useful for dose management at ultra-high dose rate (uHDR). Various materials were irradiated with proton beams at a normal dose rate (NDR) and uHDR, and the resulting surface luminescence was captured using a high-sensitivity camera. The luminescence images were compared with the corresponding dose distributions. The luminescence of Tough Water Phantoms (Kyoto Kagaku Co. Ltd.) with various thicknesses was also observed to evaluate the depth distributions. Dose distributions were measured using two-dimensional ionization chamber detector arrays. The Tough Bone Phantom (Kyoto Kagaku Co. Ltd.) exhibited the strongest luminescence among the materials, followed by the Tough Water Phantom. The metals exhibited relatively weak luminescence. The luminescence profiles of the Tough Water Phantom, water, the Tough Lung Phantom (Kyoto Kagaku Co. Ltd.), and an acrylic were similar to the dose profiles. The luminescence distribution of the Tough Water Phantom in the depth direction was similar to that of the dose distributions. The luminescence at uHDR and NDR were approximately equivalent. The Tough Water Phantom was found to be a suitable material for dosimetry, even at uHDR. More detailed measurement data, such as wavelength data, must be collected to elucidate the luminescence mechanism.
Machine Learning-Based Intelligent Smart Embedded Sensors for Automatic Detection and Classification of Neuromuscular Disorders using EMG Signals
Authors: Achmamad Abdelouahad , Elfezazi Mohamed , Chehri Abdellah , Jbari Atman , Saadane Rachid , Jakimi Abdeslam
Published: January 2024

The objective of this work is to create a novel computer-aided health monitoring system for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Additionally, we will propose the use of embedded sensor networks to facilitate proactive patient care and remote health monitoring. The proposed method combines the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) with two supervised machine learning algorithms: the multi-class support vector machine (SVM) and the k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) classifiers. The dataset includes ten normal subjects, aged between 21 and 37 years. Out of these subjects, six are males and four are females. The results were presented on a graphical user interface (GUI) based on LabVIEW and implemented using a real embedded CompactRIO-9035 real-time controller. Additionally, the proposed embedded system has the capability to serve as a portable diagnostic device for the automatic detection of NMDs.
Label-free and TMT-labeled proteomics methods to compare differences on normal liver + extra-celiac liver of Glyptosternum maculatum
Authors: Sun Wu , Yan Yingying , Muhammad Zafarullah , Guo Yufeng , Zhang Guoqiang
Published: January 2024

Glyptosternum maculatum (G. maculatum) is a unique fish that lives in the middle and upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, with normal liver (NG) and Exo-celiac liver (WG). In this study, we compared the differences between NG and WG based on label-free and TMT-labeled proteomics methods. We detected a total of 643 and 107 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the label-free and TMT-labeled groups. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and Protein structural domain (PSD) enrichment analysis were performed on these DEPs, respectively, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed. In terms of the number of DEPs, the labelling-free method is superior to the TMT-labeled method. TMT is better in terms of repeatability and accuracy. In the label-free and TMT-labeled groups, 7 common DEPs (co-DEPs) were selected through PPI network information. higher expression of evm.model.chr5.73, evm.model.chr18.610, evm.model.chr10.1201, and HIF-1 signaling pathway were associated with a hypoxic environment. evm.model.chr15.573, evm.model .chr5.320, evm.model.chr6.360, and evm.model.chr18.610 were associated with WG production. The myosin11 not only responds to low temperature and low oxygen, but may also lead to WG production through Tight junction. NG may be more sensitive than WG in stress response to cancer and viral infections. Significant expression of Ubiquitin-like protein 4A and Heat shock 70 kDa protein protects liver cells from injury in a hypothermic and hypoxic environment. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the adaptation of G. maculatum in the plateau region with low temperature and low oxygen.
Cardiac Evaluation of Children Presenting with Trauma
Authors: Yaman Mahmut , TÜRE Mehmet , AKIN Alper , UÇ Duygu , Sürücü Mehmet , Şen Abdullah
Published: January 2024

Elevated plasma levels of cardiac troponin in polytrauma patients may be associated with the severity of injury and mortality.
In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive value of troponin and the effect of cardiac evaluations on prognosis in pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department due to trauma.
In the study, 97 patients aged 0-18 years who presented with trauma were included. The cause and severity of the trauma, electrocardiography and echocardiography results, and laboratory data (biochemical, hemogram, C-reactive protein, pro-BNP, CK-MB, troponin, etc.) of the patients were evaluated.
Falling from height was the most common cause of injury (43%). In 55 (56%) patients, chest trauma was found. Troponin elevation was present in all patients with chest trauma. Troponin levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with chest trauma compared to those who did not have chest trauma (p=0.011). While the mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) of the patients who were discharged was 4.94±2.58, the mean SOFA score of the patients who died was found to be statistically higher with 10.78±1.39 (≤0.01).
Our findings have revealed the prognostic value of cardiac troponins in terms of direct or indirect injury to the heart, especially in pediatric patients with chest trauma. Therefore, in children presenting with chest trauma, determining the cardiac injury by evaluating the electrocardiography results, which can be easily accessed in every health center, and cardiac troponins may be a guide in terms of patient prognosis.