bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid Restrains Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Degradation of Osteoarthritis via Suppression of NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Zhou Jing , Han Zeyu , Li Xueyan , Shao Zhiqiang , Qian Yinhua , Bai Lang , Han Qibin , Zhang Xiaoyu , Chen Qi , Gao Maofeng , Xue Yi , Geng Dechun , Yang Xing , Hao Yuefeng
Published: November 2022

Background: Mechanical stress along with inflammation play causative roles in the development of osteoarthritis (OA), which decreases the quality of life and causes economic loss. Inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation have been identified as key factors in the development of OA. As the main active component in frankincense, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) has been shown to have positive effects on inflammation. However, the effects of AKBA in cartilage inflammation and ECM degradation are currently elusive.
Methods: We demonstrated the role of inflammation and ECM degradation in the pathogenesis of OA and determined the protective effect of AKBA on both Hulth-Telhagrat OA model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat chondrocytes.
Results: We found increased inflammatory expression and decreased ECM expression in OA model cartilage and LPS-induced chondrocytes. Meanwhile, the protective effect of AKBA and its inhibitory effects on inflammation as well as ECM-related markers were also observed in the rat Hulth-Telhag model. Furthermore, activation of NF-κB attenuated nuclear p65 protein levels in chondrocytes upon LPS stimulation. In addition, AKBA was found to subsequently reversed the LPS-induced activation of NF- κB signal and inflammation-related ECM degradation in chondrocytes.
Conclusions: Suppression of NF-κB pathway activation by AKBA restrains OA development via inhibition of inflammation and ECM degradation. AKBA is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of OA.
Identification of stressors and quantification of stress among veterinary students in India using a cross- sectional questionnaire survey
Authors: Grakh Kushal , Jadhav Vijay Jayawant , Panwar Diksha , Khurana Rajesh , Bangar Yogesh Chanderkant , Yadav Dheeraj
Published: November 2022

Veterinary education, being a rigorous professional training programme, exposes students to significant academic and non-academic pressures. Identifying the stressors and evaluating stress levels among veterinary students can help with the development of coping techniques to protect students' mental health. A 44-item based cross-sectional questionnaire survey was prepared and disseminated among veterinary students in India with the goal of identifying the stressors responsible, measuring the amount of stress, and relating stress to characteristics like as gender and family income. The data from the questionnaire was evaluated using a variety of statistical factors. The survey had a high level of internal consistency. More than 95% of pupils were found to be stressed, with levels ranging from moderate to severe. Academic stressors were the primary cause of increased overall stress. In comparison to male students, female students reported higher levels of overall stress, academic stress, and intrapersonal and interpersonal stress. Students from lower-income families experienced increased overall stress as well as stress connected to family expectations. Gender, family income, academic stressors, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and career-related stressors, and social activities-related stressors all positively predicted overall stress among students. These factors should be given special consideration when developing any stress-reduction or stress-reduction strategies for Indian veterinary students. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in India to identify stressors and quantify stress among veterinary students.
An improved probability-based discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving the product portfolio planning problem
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Li An-Da
Published: November 2022

Product portfolio planning (PPP) is one of the most critical decisions for companies to gain an edge in the competitive market. It seeks for the optimal combination of products and attribute levels offered for customers in the target market, which is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. In this paper, we propose a probability-based discrete particle swarm optimization (PDPSO) algorithm to solve the PPP problem. In PDPSO, the particle is encoded as discrete values, which can be straightforwardly used to represent the product portfolio with discrete attributes. PDPSO adopts a probability-based mechanism to update particles. Specifically, a probability vector is used to decide the probability of three search behaviors, i.e., learning from the personal best position, global best position, or random search. In experiments, we have compared the search performance of PDPSO with that of a genetic algorithm (GA) and a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm on generated PPP problem cases with different sizes. The results indicate that PDPSO obtains significantly better optimization results than GA and SA in most cases and obtains desirable/near-optimal solutions on various PPP problem cases. A case study of notebook computer portfolio planning is also presented to illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of PDPSO.
A regional study to evaluate the impact of coal-fired power plants on Lung cancer Incident Rates
Authors: Mudaranthakam Dinesh Pal , Pepper Sam , Alsup Alexander , Gajewski Byron
Published: November 2022

Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high incidence rate and low survival rate (1). Despite its high mortality, early screening of lung cancer is underemphasized in public campaigns compared to other cancers (2). Many risk factors contribute to lung cancer, with the predominant cause being the inhalation of toxic chemicals which includes tobacco smoke and industrial pollution (3). The combustive process of coal power production releases 84 different compounds that are designated as hazardous air pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (4). These compounds can cause several diseases in both humans and animals, as demonstrated by national-level research studies conducted in Southeast Asia (5). As of 2020 coal-powered power plants contributed to 34% of the overall power generation across Kansas (6). One ton of coal only generates 2,460 kWh of electricity whereas Wyandotte county alone requires 2,300 kWh (7; 8). With that context, our goal was to assess how the coal-fired power plants across the state of Kansas are related to lung cancer incidence in their surrounding area. We found that areas within the immediate vicinity of two coal-power plants had higher incidence rates of lung cancer compared to areas with no coal-power plants. Additionally, modeling lung cancer incidence based on vicinity to plants with covariates revealed a significant relationship between poverty, age, and lung cancer incidence. Individuals living in poverty are predisposed to healthcare-related bankruptcy and cost-associated treatment nonadherence (9). They are also shown to smoke more which is a known risk factor for lung cancer (10). Limiting affordable housing for these individuals to areas containing significant risk factors for lung cancer is irresponsible and potentially exploitative. Further studies on this topic should examine additional socioeconomic and lung cancer risk factors as well.
Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of different potato cultivars provides insight into early blight disease caused by Alternaria solani
Authors: Sivarajan Sajeevan Radha , Abdelmeguid Ingi , Saripella Ganapathi Varma , Lenman Marit , Alexandersson Erik
Published: November 2022

Background
Early blight disease in potatoes is one of the economically important diseases affecting the tuber yield and quality worldwide. It is caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Alternaria solani. The disease is mainly controlled by chemical plant protection agents. However, the over-usage of these chemicals leads to the evolution of resistant A. solani strains and is environmentally hazardous. Therefore, identifying resistant potato cultivars or genetic disease resistance factors is the best strategy for the sustainable management of early blight.
Results
In this study, we have captured transcriptomes from three different potato cultivars with varying susceptibility to A. solani, Magnum Bonum, Désirée, and Kuras, at 18 and 36 hours post-infection. We identified many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these cultivars, and the number of DEGs increased with susceptibility and infection time. There were 649 transcripts commonly expressed between the potato cultivars and time points, of which 627 and 22 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Interestingly, overall the up-regulated DEGs were twice in number as compared to down-regulated ones in all the potato cultivars and time points, except Kuras at 36 hours post-inoculation. In general, transcription factor families WRKY, ERF, bHLH, MYB, and C2H2 were highly enriched DEGs, of which a significant number were up-regulated. The majority of the key transcripts involved in the jasmonic acid and ethylene biosynthesis pathways were highly up-regulated. Many transcripts involved in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, isoprenyl-PP, and terpene biosynthesis were also up-regulated across the potato cultivars and time points. Compared to Magnum Bonum and Désirée, multiple components of the photosynthesis machinery, starch biosynthesis and degradation pathway were down-regulated in the most susceptible potato cultivar, Kuras.
Conclusions
This study provides important insights into the molecular events occurring in early disease development and helps to shorten the knowledge gap and supports potato breeding programs for improved early blight disease resistance.
Rare variation: the absence of both the celiac trunk artery and the common hepatic artery
Authors: Zhang Zhenxing , Wang Shan , Ye Minfeng , Tao Feng , Guo Danling
Published: November 2022

Background: Knowledge of celiac trunk anatomy is important in gastrointestinal surgery, hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, transplantation and interventional radiology. Variations in the celiac trunk are common and should be predicted prior to these interventions.
Methods: A 58-years-old woman was admitted to our department for surgical treatment of gastric cancer (GC) confirmed by gastroduodenoscopy and gastric antrum biopsy. In the contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), we found an absence of both the celiac trunk artery (CA) and the common hepatic artery (CHA). Therefore, we used computerized three-dimensional (3D) vascular reconstruction technology to reconstruct the abdominal trunk and its branch vessels before operation.
Results: Computerized 3D vascular reconstruction confirmed an extremely rare vascular anomaly: the absence of both CA and CHA. The splenic artery (SA) and gastroduodenal artery (GDA) originated from the abdominal aorta (AA). The left gastric artery (LGA) originated from the AA directly above the junction of SA and the GDA. The left hepatic artery (LHA) originated from the left gastric artery (LGA). The right hepatic artery (RHA) originated from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Laparoscopic radical resection of GC was performed. This anomaly was also confirmed intraoperatively. This patient was discharged on the 10th day after surgery without any postoperative complication. There were no signs of tumor recurrence during the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Correct identification of abnormal abdominal large blood vessels and their relationship with tumors before surgery is of great significance to avoid intraoperative blood vessel damage, major postoperative complications and the missing of lymph node dissection.
Comparison of Femoral Neck System versus Cannulated Screws for Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Jiabao , Chen Jialei , Xing Fei , Liu Hao , Xiang Zhou
Published: November 2022

Background: Recently, some studies on the efficacy of the femoral neck system (FNS) in treating femoral neck fractures (FNFs) have been published. Therefore, a systematic review was performed to clarify the efficacy and safety of FNS versus cannulated screws (CS) for the treatment of FNFs.
Method: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies comparing FNS and CS fixations in FNFs. Intraoperative indicators, postoperative clinical indicators, postoperative complications, and postoperative scores were compared between the implants.
Results: A total of eight studies were included in the study, involving 448 FNFs patients. The results showed that patients in FNS group were significantly lower than the CS group in the number of X-ray exposures (WMD=-10.16; 95% CI, -11.44 to -8.88; P<0.001; I2=0%), fracture healing time (WMD=-1.54; 95% CI, -2.38 to -0.70; P <0.001; I2=92%), length of femoral neck shortening (WMD=-2.01; 95% CI, -3.11 to -0.91; P <0.001; I2=0%), femoral head necrosis (OR=0.27; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.83; P =0.02; I2=0% ), implant failure/cutout (OR=0.28; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.82; P =0.02; I2=0%), and Visual Analog Scale Score (WMD=-1.27; 95% CI, -2.51 to -0.04; P=0.04; I2=91%). And the Harris Score was significantly higher in the FNS group than in the CS group (WMD=4.15; 95% CI, 1.00 to 7.30; P=0.01; I2=89%).
Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis, FNS shows better clinical efficacy and safety in treating FNFs compared to CS. However, due to the limited quality and number of included studies and the high heterogeneity of the meta-analysis; large samples and multicenter RCTs are needed to confirm this conclusion in the future.
Level of evidence: II, Systematic review and Meta-analysis.
Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021283646.
Clinical Learning Placements: A socio-material ethnography
Authors: M Harding A. , Newman M
Published: November 2022

Learning on hospital clinical placements is a key component of medical student education. However, the learning experiences often do not match expectations. A better understanding of how students learn on clinical placements in acute healthcare environments may provide insights that can be used to help learning expectations be realised more consistently.
This paper presents results of a focussed ethnographic study using observational methods investigating the clinical learning of third-year students on one clinical placement at one hospital in the UK over 4 years. Analysis was informed by Actor Network Theory (ANT) and focussed on developing a system to help explain how a complex set of social and material actors can interact to produce actual learning opportunities.
Using ANT, we conceptualised learning as taking place through a web (or network) of interactions between the medical students and other human and material actors. In our study these networks were short lived, took many hours to initiate, went through predictable stages of initiation and disintegration. Students spent considerable time not engaged in learning networks and often appeared unable to fully participate when they were engaged. Material actors - although essential to the formation of learning networks, often inhibited network formation.
Establishment and validation of a nomogram model for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with adenomyosis
Authors: Hu Yicheng , Kong Wei , Jiang Peng , Gong Chunxia , Chen Yanlin , Xu Lingya , Yang Yang , Hu Zhuoying
Published: November 2022

Purpose To establish a reliable nomogram model to predict the risk of major adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with adenomyosis, and to provide a reference tool for the hierarchical management and the prenatal examination of pregnant women.
Methods We collected the clinical data of pregnant women with adenomyosis who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2014 to June 2020. They were divided into the training cohort and the validation cohort, respectively.
In the training cohort, we screened out risk factors associated with major adverse pregnancy outcomes and established a model, which was subsequently validated.
Results In the training cohort, we found that natural conception or not, type of adenomyosis, previous parity, history of infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes, history of uterine body surgerywere associated with major adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with adenomyosis, and based on these factors, a nomogram model was constructed. The calibration curves of the model were well fitted in both the training and validation cohorts. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.862 and 0.836 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The optimal risk threshold of the model was 0.24, and this threshold can be applied to risk stratification of pregnant women.
Conclusion The nomogram model established in this study can reliably predict the risk of major APO in pregnant women with AD.
Cluster-allocated S. salivarius is more effective than antibiotics-alone reducing pharyngeal Group A Streptococcus prevalence for schoolchildren at risk of Rheumatic fever: a stepped-wedge non-randomized trial
Authors: Malcolm John , Innes-Smith Sandra , Bennett Melissa , O’Brien Pareake , Wright Janine , Edwards Tui , Chi PaoLin , Ball Katheryn , Blunt Tadhg , Frampton. Chris
Published: November 2022

Background

Acute rheumatic fever triggered by pharyngeal and skin Group A Streptococcal infections (GAS) disproportionately affects indigenous Māori schoolchildren. This stepped-wedged study in Whakatāne, New Zealand compared whole-school-cluster allocated Streptococcus salivarius probiotic effectiveness on GAS pharyngeal prevalence (carriage and pharyngitis) following antibiotics, compared to antibiotics-alone for GAS positive children. Each of two clusters followed a sequence with a different Streptococcus salivarius exposure period over ten winter weeks in 2015.

Method

Both clusters had high Māori schoolchildren rolls (99% and 81%) at high risk of acute rheumatic fever. The parents/guardians of 60% of eligible schoolchildren consented. Schoolchildren had pharyngeal swabs and sore-throat questionnaires administered by external student-nurses, informing GAS prevalence (primary outcome) and pharyngitis (secondary outcome). GAS positive schoolchildren’s usual care was 10 days once-daily oral amoxicillin. One whole cluster then commenced S. salivarius daily for 30 days. The other initial control cluster had S. salivarius six weeks later, after both clusters were re-swabbed, and GAS positive schoolchildren treated. Student-nurses and laboratory scientists assessing outcomes were blinded to prior S. salivarius exposure. S. salivarius and control period findings were compared.

Results

Per-protocol efficacy, informed by study swabs, showed Odds of pharyngeal GAS prevalence reduced substantially, but not significantly 0.6 (95% CI 0.29–1.21) for added S. salivarius, (n 235) compared to antibiotics-alone (n 106). Subgroup analysis of 197 originally GAS negative schoolchildren’s swabs found significantly reduced Odds of GAS prevalence with S. salivarius 0.42 (95% CI 0.19–0.94). compared to controls (n 80). Intention to treat analysis utilizing study swabs showed S. salivarius effectively reduced GAS prevalence from 15.5–7.4%, Odds 0.52 (95% CI 0.28–0.97) (n 309) compared to antibiotics-alone (n 157). Intention to treat sub-analysis utilizing all swabs for 260 GAS negative schoolchildren, demonstrated S. salivarius effectiveness Odds 0.52 (95% CI 0.27-1.00) compared to 131 controls. GAS pharyngitis declined from 10/128 to 2/128 over three months Odds 0.19 (95%CI 0.04–0.87) following antibiotics and S. salivarius.

Conclusion

Whole-cluster S. salivarius probiotic, given after antibiotic treatment of schoolchildren with pharyngeal GAS, significantly reduces GAS pharyngeal prevalence, carriage, and pharyngitis, by limiting GAS negative schoolchildren acquiring Group A Streptococcus.
Trial registration ACTRN12615000402549
Wide-spread brain activation and reduced CSF flow during avian REM sleep
Authors: Ungurean Gianina , Behroozi Mehdi , Boeger Leonard , Helluy Xavier , Libourel Paul-Antoine , Gunturkun Onur , Rattenborg Niels
Published: November 2022

Mammalian sleep has been implicated in maintaining a healthy extracellular environment in the brain. During wakefulness, neuronal activity leads to the accumulation of toxic proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The glymphatic system is thought to clear these proteins by flushing cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) through the brain. In mice, this process occurs during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. And, in humans, increased ventricular CSF flow during NREM sleep, visualized using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), is also thought to be coupled to flow through the glymphatic system. But does waste clearance occur throughout sleep or is it specific to NREM sleep? Using fMRI of naturally sleeping pigeons, we show that REM sleep, a paradoxical state with wake-like brain activity, during which we experience our most vivid dreams, is accompanied in birds with the activation of brain regions involved in processing visual information, including optic flow during flight. We further demonstrate that, compared to NREM sleep, REM sleep is associated with a sharp drop in ventricular CSF flow. Consequently, functions linked to brain activation during REM sleep might come at the expense of waste clearance during NREM sleep.
Arthroscopic versus open cancellous bone grafting for scaphoid delyed/nonunion in adults: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kjaer Morten , Rasmusssen Jeppe Vejlgaard , Gvozdenoviz Robert
Published: November 2022

Background: Scaphoid non-union results in pain and decreased hand function. Untreated, almost all cases develop degenerative changes. Despite advances in surgical techniques, the treatment is challenging and often results in a long period with a supportive bandage until the union is established. Open, corticocancellous (CC) or cancellous (C) graft reconstruction and internal fixation are often preferred. Arthroscopic assisted reconstruction with C chips and internal fixation provides minimal trauma to the ligament structures, joint capsule, and extrinsic vascularization with similar union rates. Correction of deformity after operative treatment is debated with some studies favouring CC, and other found no difference. No studies have compared time to union and functional outcomes in arthroscopic vs. open C graft reconstruction. We hypothesize that Arthroscopic assisted C chips graft reconstruction of scaphoid delayed/non-union provide faster time to union, by at least mean 3 weeks difference.
Methods: Single site, prospective, observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight patients aged 18-68 years with scaphoid delayed/non-union, will be randomized, 1:1, to either open iliac crest C graft reconstruction or arthroscopic assisted distal radius C chips graft reconstruction. Patients are stratified for smoking habits, proximal pole involvement, and displacement of >/<2mm. The primary outcome is time to union, measured with repeated CT scans at 2-week intervals from 6 to 16 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes are Quick disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), Visual Analogue scale (VAS), donor site morbidity, union rate, restoration of scaphoid deformity, range of motion, key-pinch, grip strength, EQ5D-5L, patient satisfaction, complications, and revision surgery.
Discussion: The results of this study will contribute to the treatment algorithm of scaphoid delayed/non-union and assist hand surgeons and patients in making treatment decisions. Eventually, improving time to union will benefit patients in earlier return to normal daily activity and reduce society costs by shortening sick leave.
Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05574582
Attribution of lake eutrophication risk to anthropogenic forcing adjacent to the agriculture areas, China
Authors: Ge Yuhao , Liu Xuemei , Chen Liwen , Zhang Guangxin , Wu Yanfeng , Yang Xu , Yang Jingshuang
Published: November 2022

Lake eutrophication, exacerbated by high-intensity anthropogenic forcing, is a critical environmental problem that threatens water ecological security and the sustainable development of fisheries. Accurate evaluation of lake eutrophication is a prerequisite and basis for effective water environment management. In this study, Chagan Lake, surrounded by agricultural areas with irrigation discharge as the primary water source, was selected as the study area. The weight coefficient of the comprehensive eutrophication index was modified according to the characteristics of the lake. Based on the long-series multi-source data, the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the modified weighting coefficient of lake eutrophication and the influence of human factors were analyzed. The results showed that 1) the average eutrophication level of Chagan Lake was eutrophic (TLI=58.31), among which the nutrient level was higher in summer, reaching Hyper eutrophic (TLI=61.49); 2) the eutrophication level in the lake area was influenced by irrigation discharge of the new saline irrigation area, and the trend of eutrophication increased from eastern to western; 3) the maximum pollution footprint affecting the lake reached 34.7 km2 , with a maximum buffer zone radius of 1 km; 4) the GDP of primary industry, total sown area, and rice field area were the main anthropogenic factors leading to the eutrophication of the lake, with contribution rates of 26.41%, 71.34%, and 2.55%, respectively. Multi-dimensional management strategies in terms of maximum pollution footprint, buffer zone radius, and contribution of anthropogenic factors were provided to improve the lake's water quality. All the views can provide scientific support for the water environment management of Chagan Lake and guide the formulation of similar "one lake, one policy" policies.
System Comprehensive Risk Assessment of Urban Rainstorm-induced Flood - Water Pollution Disasters
Authors: Huang Shanqing , Wang Huimin , Liu Gaofeng , Huang Jing , Zhu Jindi
Published: November 2022

Urban flood disaster itself brings casualties and property losses, and may induce secondary derivative disasters that can lead to more serious damage. The rainstorm-induced flood - water pollution disasters studied in the paper is a kind of systematic risk. On the basis of determining the flood risk level by using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, the conditional probability in Bayesian theory is applied to explore and calculate the possibility of flood-induced water environment pollution, then the improved grid environmental risk evaluation method is used to evaluate the flood-induced water pollution risk, and the coupled superposition relationship of flood and water pollution risk is inscribed by constructing risk level matrix, finally the system comprehensive risk of rainstorm-induced flood - water pollution disasters is obtained. Shenzhen City is selected as the study area, and the results showed that the area with high-risk of both flood and water pollution only accounts for about 1.86% of the total area, mainly distributed in the eastern junction of Longgang district and Pingshan district, where the flood risk level is high and the enterprise risk sources are dense. The method proposed in this study can be used for the system comprehensive risk analysis of rainstorm-induced flood - water pollution disasters, which can not only quantitatively reveal the formation of the induced risk, but also provide reference for early warning.
A cleaner snow future mitigates Northern Hemisphere snowpack loss from warming
Authors: Hao Dalei , Bisht Gautam , Wang Hailong , Xu Donghui , Huang Huilin , Qian Yun , Leung L.
Published: November 2022

Light-absorbing particles (LAP) such as black carbon and dust deposited on seasonal snowpack can result in snow darkening, earlier snowmelt, and regional climate change. However, the future deposition and surface radiative forcing of LAP in snow and their contributions to snowpack change remain unclear. Here, using Earth System Model simulations, we show significant reduction in black carbon deposition in the future. The reduced deposition decreases the December-May average LAP-induced radiative forcing in snow over the Northern Hemisphere from 1.3 W m-2 during 1995-2014 to 0.65 W m-2 and 0.49 W m-2 by 2081-2100 under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. The reduced black carbon contamination in snow over the Tibetan Plateau will alleviate future snowpack loss due to climate change by 52.1±8.0% and 8.0±1.1% for the two scenarios. Our findings highlight a cleaner snow future and its benefits for future water availability from snowmelt.
DRaW: An Objection on Using Matrix Factorization for Drug-Repurposing– Prediction of Covid-19 Antivirals by Deep Learning as a Case Study
Authors: Hashemi S. Morteza , Zabihian Arash , Hooshmand Mohsen , Gharaghani Sajjad , Shahbazi Mohammad-Ali
Published: November 2022

Background: Due to the high resource consumption of introducing a new drug, drug repurposing plays an essential role in drug discovery. To do this, researchers examine the current drug-target interaction (DTI) to predict new interactions for the approved drugs. Matrix factorization methods have had much attention and utilization in DTIs. However, They suffer from some drawbacks.
Methods: We explain why matrix factorization is not the best for DTI prediction. Then, we propose a deep learning model (DRaW) to predict DTIs without input data leakage. We compare our model with several matrix factorization methods and a deep model on the Coivd-19 dataset. In addition, to ensure the validation of DRaW, we evaluate it on benchmark datasets. Moreover, we do a docking study as external validation on the recommended drugs for Covid-19.
Results: For all cases, the results confirm that DRaW outperforms the matrix factorization and deep models. The docking approves the top-ranked mode’s recommendations for Covid-19.
Conclusions: In this paper, we show that it may not be the best choice to use matrix factorization in the DTI prediction. Matrix factorization methods suffer from some intrinsic issues, e.g., sparsity in the domain of bioinformatics applications and fixed-unchanged size of the matrix-related paradigm. Therefore, we propose an alternative method (DRaW) that uses feature vectors rather than matrix factorization and demonstrates better performance than other famous methods on four benchmark datasets.
Spatio-temporal Change Analysis of Glacial Lakes in Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh using Geospatial Technology
Authors: Kumar Parmod , Veerabhadrappa S. M. , Bahuguna I. M. , Partibha - , Singh Dharmendra
Published: November 2022

Extreme weather events viz. cloud bursting, temperature inversion, landslides etc. along with the other global warming effects acts as the catalyst to snow melt and increase the size of existing glacial lakes in the mountainous regions like Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. The extra load of water in these glacial lakes as a result of snow melt and extreme events causes ‘Glacial lakes Outburst Flood’ (GLOF) those are very remote phenomena and hard to map and monitored physically. Simultaneously, these events of GLOFs are hazardous for the region and habitants of the hills. Therefore, it is vital to map and monitor such type of glacial lakes with remote sensing and GIS techniques. The present research has been carried out for the spatio-temporal mapping of glacial lakes in the Himachal Pradesh state using Landsat satellite time series data during 1980 to 2017. The year of 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2017 were selected for the mapping using well known Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI > 0.25). Results showed a continuous increase in the number and coverage of the glacial lakes during the study period. There were 102 glacial lakes covering an area of 222.8 ha during 1980. The number and area under these lakes increases afterward and reached up to 783 having 955.6 ha area in 2017. There were 253 glacial lakes with total area of 414 ha during 1990, 370 with total area of 654.4 ha for 2000, 588 with total area of 717.6 ha for 2010. It was observed that some of the lakes were appeared and some disappeared during the study period however, appearance was prominent in higher elevation ranges (4000–5500 m) making it potentially vulnerable altitude zone for GLOFs. The study provided base for further monitoring of the lake dynamics and recognize possible GLOF prone areas which is valuable information for the policy makers involved in the social engineering of hill habitants and researchers across the globe.
Bidirectional screening and testing for TB and COVID-19 among outpatient department attendants: Outcome of an initial intervention in Ghana
Authors: Adusi-Poku Yaw , Wagaw Zeleke Alebachew , Frimpong-Mansoh Rita Patricia , Asamoah Isaac Opoku , Sorvor Felix , Afutu Felix Kwami , Sarpong Charity , Amoussou-Gohoungo Luiz Octaviano , Abdulai Farida Ngelba , Ahmedov Sevim
Published: November 2022

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health threat in Ghana. The impact of COVID-19 resulted in a 15% decline of TB case notification in 2020 compared to 2019. To mitigate the impact on TB services, the Ghana National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) introduced the bidirectional screening and testing for TB and COVID-19 in 2021.
Objective: To evaluate the yield of bidirectional screening and testing for TB and COVID-19 among facility attendants in the Greater Accra region.
Method: We used secondary data obtained from the initial implementation stage of the bidirectional testing for TB and COVID-19 among COVID-19 and/or TB presumed cases in five health facilities in the Greater Accra Region from January to March 2021.
Results: A total of 208 presumed cases were identified: 113 were tested for COVID-19 only, and 94 were tested for both TB and COVID-19, 1 was tested for TB only. Among presumed cases tested for COVID-19, 9.7% (95% CI, 5.6%-13.7%) were tested positive. Whilst among the total presumed tested for TB, 13.7% (95% CI, 6.8%-20.6%) were confirmed to have TB. Among the total 94 presumed cases tested for both TB and COVID-19, 11.7% (95% CI, 5.2%-18.2%) were confirmed to have TB and 13.8% (95% CI, 6.9%-20.8%) participants were COVID-19 positive and one participant (1.1%) had both COVID-19 and TB.
Conclusion: Bidirectional screening and testing for COVID-19 and TB among facility attendants yielded a higher proportion of TB and COVID-19 cases. Bidirectional screening and testing for TB and COVID-19 shows significant potential for improving overall case detection for the two diseases. The bidirectional screening and testing could be applicable to address similar respiratory epidemic in the future that might have a masking effect for TB case detection.
Quantum chemical study on the structural mechanism, π-π* interactions and hydrogen bonding network of 2, 6-diamine-7H-purine molecule: using molecular modeling
Authors: Guna Kamalanathan , Sakthivel Ponnusamy , Ragavan Joseph I. , Arunkumar Ammasi , Anbarasan Ponnusamy M.
Published: November 2022

Molecular structure, electronic and biological properties of 2,6-Diaminopurine (DAP) in the ground state (S0) have been determined by computational approach. The obtained DFT-geometrical parameters are compared with experimental values. The molecular orbital theory provides information about the electron delocalization, and the low value of HOMO-LUMO energies confirms strong charge transfer interactions in the molecular system. The high first order polarizability and hyperpolarizability value estimation of DAP may enhance the biological behavior of the molecule. The chemical properties related to global and local reactivity descriptors are also discussed. Moreover, the molecular electrostatic potential map (MESP) and mulliken atomic charge analysis were carried out. The MEP surface map has been used to calculate the most reactive sites within the complex. NBO analysis was also performed to calculate the strength of hydrogen bonding and stabilization of the chemical substance. The results showed that DAP exhibited strong anti-bonding interactions σ*N3-C4→σ*C5-C6 with a corresponding stabilization energy of 82.02 kcal mol− 1 have been calculated at CAM-B3LYP method. In addition, the QTAIM analysis utilized to calculate the molecular electron density and strong/weak covalent bond interactions in the DAP. Molecular docking analysis was performed to identify the free binding energies and favorable binding pose of the ligand against 1UOM and 1SAO proteins.
Beta cell dysfunction and dedifferentiation induced by Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-2 is associated with histone modifications and decreased NeuroD1 chromatin binding
Authors: Ibarra Adriana , Prause Michala , Ingerslev Lars , Wortham Matthew , Sui Yinghui , Sander Maike , Williams Kristine , Barrès Romain , Larsen Martin , Christensen Gitte , Billestrup Nils
Published: November 2022

Insufficient insulin secretion is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and has been attributed to beta cell identity loss characterized by decreased expression of several key beta cell genes. The pro-inflammatory factor BMP-2 is upregulated in islets of Langerhans from individuals with diabetes and acts as an inhibitor of beta cell function and proliferation. Exposure to BMP-2 induces expression of Id1-4, Hes-1 and Hey-1 which are transcriptional regulators associated with loss of differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which BMP-2 induces beta cell dysfunction and loss of cell maturity. Mouse islets exposed to BMP-2 for 10 days showed impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and beta cell proliferation. BMP-2-induced beta cell dysfunction was associated with decreased expression of cell maturity and proliferation markers specific to the beta cell such as Ins1, Ucn3 and Ki67 and increased expression of Id1-4, Hes-1 and Hey-1. Top 30 most regulated proteins significantly correlated with corresponding mRNA expression. BMP-2-induced gene expression changes were associated with a predominant reduction in acetylation of H3K27 and a decrease in NeuroD1 chromatin binding activity. These results show that BMP-2 induces loss of beta cell maturity and suggest that remodeling of H3K27ac and decreased NeuroD1 DNA binding activity participate in the effect of BMP-2 on beta-cell dysfunction.
The post-discharge coping difficulty of puerperal women in a middle and low-income tourist city during the COVID-19 epidemic: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Yan , Peng Lanlan , Zhang Yiyuan , Tang Meiyin , Tang Meiqiong , Xu Yunyun , Ma Zhongying , Tang Yi , Gao Lingling
Published: November 2022

Background
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the incidence of mental health problems in perinatal women has been high, and particularly prominent in China which was the first country affected by COVID-19. This paper aims to investigate the current situation of maternal coping difficulties after discharge during COVID-19, analyze the related factors and provide a theoretical basis for targeted continuing care.
Methods
General information questionnaires (the Perinatal Maternal Health Literacy Scale, Postpartum Social Support Scale and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale-New Mother Form) were used to investigate 226 puerperal women in the third week of puerperium. The influencing factors were analyzed by single factor analysis, correlation and multiple linear regression.
Results
The total score of coping difficulties after discharge was 48.92 ± 12.05. At the third week after delivery, the scores of health literacy and social support were 21.34 ± 5.18 and 47.96 ± 12.71. There were negative correlations among health literacy, social support and coping difficulties after discharge (γ = -0.34, γ = -0.38, P < 0.001). Health literacy, social support, primipara, family income and education level were the main factors influencing maternal coping difficulties after discharge.
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 epidemic, puerperal women in a low- and middle-income city had moderate coping difficulties after discharge and were affected by many factors. To meet the different needs of parturients and improve their psychological coping ability, medical staff should perform adequate assessment of social resources relevant to parturients and their families when they are discharged, so they can smoothly adapt to the role of mothers.
Association between tissue-Doppler derived E/ (e's') ratio and coronary atherosclerosis severity measured by the SYNTAX score in patients with non- ST elevation-acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Nabati Maryam , Golshani Samad , Taghavi Morteza , Alipour Abbas , Parsaee Homa
Published: November 2022

Background
The prognosis of patients with NSTE-ACS is determined by the existence and severity of myocardial necrosis and left ventricular (LV) remodeling.
Aim
The aim of our study was to assess the association between E/ (e's') ratio and coronary atherosclerosis severity measured by the SYNTAX score in patients with NSTE-ACS.
Methods
This study was a descriptive analytical study on 252 patients with NSTE-ACS. All patients underwent echocardiography and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial (LA) volume, pulsed-Doppler derived transmitral early (E wave) and late (A wave) diastolic velocities, and tissue-Doppler derived mitral annular early diastolic (e') and peak systolic (s') velocities were determined. Coronary angiography was then performed and SYNTAX score was calculated.
Results
Patients were divided into two groups based on patients with an E/ (e's') < 1.63 and those with an E/ (e's') ≥ 1.63. Patients with a high ratio were older and had higher prevalence of female sex, a SYNTAX score ≥ 22, and lower glomerular filtration rate than those with a low ratio (P value: <0.001). Also, these patients had larger indexed LA volume and lower LVEF than other ones (P value: 0.028 and 0.023, respectively). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed E/ (e's') ≥ 1.63 (B = 5.609, 95% CI: 2.324–8.894, P Value = 0.001) had a positive independent association with SYNTAX score.
Conclusions
The results of our study showed hospitalized patients with NSTE-ACS and an E/ (e’s’) ratio ≥ 1.63 had worse clinical and laboratory profile, and more complex coronary artery lesions than those with a lower ratio.
Comparison of psycho-sexual factors and the quality of life between breastfeeding and non- breastfeeding women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: DAMABI Negin MIRZAEI , Sadatmahalleh Shahideh Jahanian , Moini Ashraf , nasiri malihe , ozgoli giti
Published: November 2022

Background
According to the increased preponderance of COVID-19 and its possible effects on psychological health and quality of life (QoL), this study aimed to compare the psycho-sexual factors and the QoL between breastfeeding non-breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey of 123 breastfeeding and 87 non-breastfeeding women referred to the gynecology clinic of Arash Hospital in Tehran from May to Jun 2020. Depression, anxiety, general health, female sexual dysfunction, QoL, Corona Disease, Anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions were assessed by an appropriate questionnaire.
Result
The results showed that breastfeeding women had better mental health, sexual function, and QoL (P < 0.001). The mean general health scores in breastfeeding women were significantly lower than in the non-breastfed group (21.92 ± 11.56 vs. 27.75 ± 16.09, P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in marital satisfaction and Padua inventory between groups (P > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis shows that the GHQ score of the BF group was 4.5 units higher than the non-BF group (P = 0.02) and the other variables were not significant.
Conclusion
This study highlights the effect of breastfeeding on the maternal mental health of mothers, especially in the coronavirus pandemic. It is possible to identify the need for more excellent psychological support in general and particularly in lactating mothers.
Investigation of Compacted Clay Cover Modified by New Water Retaining Agents
Authors: Bi Yuzhang , DING Ze-Hao , SUN Xin-Po , PU Shao-yun
Published: November 2022

The gas diffusion/permeation and solution permeation dominant channels formed by desiccation cracks in compacted clay have become a significant hidden danger of environmental pollution. This study used clinoptilolite and sodium polyacrylate(Na-PAA) as a new water-retaining agent to enhance the water-holding capacity and impermeability. The primary and secondary order and optimal combination of all influencing factors, such as the replacement content of clinoptilolite (A), the content of Na-PAA (B), mixing moisture content(C), dry density(D) and curing age(E), were studied by orthogonal experimental. The results reveal that (1) The traditional analytical method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to obtain the optimal combination of unified A4B4C4D4E3, that is, replacement content of clinoptilolite, the content of Na-PAA, the mixing moisture content, dry density and curing age was 25%, 1.2%, 23%, 1.8g/cm3, and 14d, respectively. (2) For the multi-index test, the traditional analytical method just can obtain the factors order of a single index. And it is difficult to determine the comprehensive degree of each factor to multi-index. (3) The AHP to the quantitative calculation of each factor level index weights, the influence of all the factors on the multi-index integrated primary and secondary order. (4) the verification results show that we need to adjust the best combination of dry density ρd≥0.90×ρdmax, moisture content w=OMC+(0-4%).