bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and Validation of Prognostic Signature Model Based on Metastatic Features for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhao Zhixun , Chen Haipeng , yang Yanwei , Guan Xu , Jiang Zheng , Yang Ming , Liu Hengchang , Chen Tianli , Lv Jingfang , Zou Shuangmei , Liu Zheng , Wang Xishan
Published: November 2022

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant cancer with a poor prognosis. Liver metastasis is the dominant cause of death in CRC patients, and it often involves changes in various gene expression profiling. This study proposed to construct and validate a risk model based on differentially expressed genes between primary and liver metastatic tumors from CRC for prognostic prediction.
Methods
Transcriptomic and clinical data of CRC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). Identification and screening of candidate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between liver metastatic tissues and corresponding primary tumors were conducted by R package “limma” and univariate Cox analysis in the GSE50760 and TCGA cohort. Last, absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was carried out to shrink DEGs and develop the risk model. CRC patients from the GSE161158 cohort were utilized for validation. Functional enrichment, CIBERSORT algorithm, and ESTIMATE algorithm for further analysis.
Results
An 8-gene signature risk model, including HPD, C8G, CDO1, FGL1, SLC2A2, ALDOB, SPINK4, and ITLN1, was developed and classified the CRC patients from TCGA and GEO cohorts into high and low-risk groups. The high-risk group has a worse prognosis compared with the low-risk group. The model was verified as an independent indicator for prognosis. Moreover, tumor immune infiltration analyses demonstrated that monocytes (P = 0.006), macrophage M0 (P < 0.001), and macrophage M1 (P < 0.001) were enriched in the high-risk group, while plasma cells (P = 0.010), T cells CD4 memory resting (P < 0.001) and dendritic cells activated (P = 0.006) were increased in the low-risk group.
Conclusions
We developed and validated a risk predictive model for the DEGs between liver metastases and primary tumor of CRC, which can be utilized for the clinical prognostic indicator in CRC.
Surface roughness and moistening of the finger affect friction and detection threshold for a single microdot
Authors: Deflorio Davide , Luca Massimiliano Di , Wing Alan Miles
Published: November 2022

With sliding contact humans are able to perceive tactile features at the micron scale, such as a single dot raised only few microns when placed on a smooth surface. Frictional effects are important in determining the tactile cues available in sliding and depend on a variety of factors. In this study, we investigated how detection sensitivity to a single micro dot is affected by surface roughness and moistening of the index finger. These manipulations were chosen to alter the skin-surface interaction and the resulting forces acting on the skin. We found that detection threshold was 6-fold higher for the rough surfaces when compared to smooth surfaces. Moistening the finger with water or water and soap reduced the friction as well as the magnitude of tangential force variations when compared to the dry finger, regardless of the surface geometry. However, detection sensitivity improved for the ‘smooth’ surfaces but worsened for the ‘rough’ ones with moistening. We suggest that this is due to the different nature of neural noise generated when making contact with smooth or rough background surfaces, and the extent to which different fluid environments modulate friction and the forces acting on the skin with consequences for the neural response.
The role of Amhara credit and saving institution in improving rural households’ livelihood
Authors: Bekele Ayisheshim , Adiss Debassu
Published: November 2022

In Ethiopia only 7% rural community have ever received loan from microfinance. Some researchers argue that microfinance is not a silver bullet or panacea of poverty alleviation. The main objective of this study is to investigate the role of Amhara Credit and Saving Institution in improving livelihood of rural households. Cross sectional design and mixed research approach were used. The target population of the study was rural household clients and samples were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were gathered from primary sources via structured questionnaire and by in-depth interview. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Percent from descriptive and related paired t-test and Pearson correlation from inferential were mainly used. Amhara Credit and Saving Institution is not effective in improving saving habit of rural clients ad their saving amount is not enough to minimize livelihood vulnerability. The institution is not effective in helping rural clients to convert their loan for livelihood asset building and creation. The improvement of rural household’s livelihood assets after they became a client is limited mainly to human, social and financial assets. There is no significant improvement in natural and physical livelihood assets. Therefore the institution must work with different offices agriculture office specially to bring improvement on natural and physical livelihood assets.
Quality Control System for Mammographic Breast Positioning Using Deep Learning
Authors: Watanabe Haruyuki , Hayashi Saeko , Kondo Yohan , Matsuyama Eri , Hayashi Norio , Ogura Toshihiro , Shimosegawa Masayuki
Published: November 2022

This study proposes a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) classification for the quality control and validation of breast positioning criteria in mammography. A total of 1631 mediolateral oblique mammographic views were collected from an open database. We designed two main steps for mammographic verification: automated detection of the positioning part and classification of three scales that determine the positioning quality using DCNNs. After acquiring labeled mammograms with three scales visually evaluated based on guidelines, the first step was automatically detecting the region of interest of the subject part by image processing. The next step was classifying mammographic positioning accuracy into three scales using four representative DCNNs. The experimental results showed that the DCNN model achieved the best positioning classification accuracy of 0.7597 using VGG16 in the inframammary fold and a classification accuracy of 0.6996 using Inception-v3 in the nipple profile. Furthermore, using the softmax function, the breast positioning criteria could be evaluated quantitatively by presenting the predicted value, which is the probability of determining positioning accuracy. The proposed method can be quantitatively evaluated without the need for an individual qualitative evaluation and has the potential to improve the quality control and validation of breast positioning criteria in mammography.
A novel biplanar positioning technique to guide iliosacral screw insertion: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Yangyang , Cui Pengju , Xiong Zhenggang , Zheng Jiachun , Xing Deguo
Published: November 2022

Purpose
To evaluate the safety and benefits of the biplanar position technique on operative time, radiation exposure, and screw placement accuracy.
Methods
In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the records of 64 patients with pelvic fractures (Tile B and C) between October 2020 and September 2021. According to the surgical methods selected by the patients, the patients were divided into a biplanar positioning technique group (biplanar group), a Ti-robot navigation group (Ti-robot group), and a traditional fluoroscopy-guided technique group (traditional group). Length of operation, blood loss, intra-operative radiation exposure fracture reduction, and the quality of screw positioning were compared among the three groups.
Results
103 screws were implanted in 64 patients (biplanar group 22, Ti-robot group 21, traditional group 21). The average operation time was significantly less in the biplanar group (26.32 ± 6.32 min) than in the traditional group (79.24 ± 11.31 min), but significantly more than in the Ti-robot group (15.81 ± 3.9 min). The radiation exposure was similar in the biplanar group (740.53 ± 185.91 cGy/cm2) and Ti-robot group (678.44 ± 127.16 cGy/cm2), both of which were significantly more than in the traditional group (2034.58 ± 494.54 cGy/cm2). The intra-operative blooding loss was similar in the biplanar group (12.76 ± 3.77 mL) and the Ti-robot group (11.92 ± 4.67 mL), both of which were significantly less than in the traditional group (29.7 ± 8.01 mL). The Screw perforation was slightly lower in the biplanar group (94.1%) than in the Ti-robot group (97.2%) but was significantly higher than in the traditional group (75.7%).
Conclusions
The biplanar positioning technique is as accurate and safe as computer-navigated systems for percutaneous iliosacral screw insertion, associated with shorter surgical time, lower intra-operative radiation exposure, and more accuracy compared to traditional fluoroscopy.
Targeting UBR5 inhibits postsurgical breast cancer lung metastases by inducing apoptosis mediated by CDC73 and p53
Authors: Yu Ziqi , Xue Dong , Song Mei , Xu Aizhang , He Qing , Li Huilin , Ouyang Wen , Chouchane Lotfi , Ma Xiaojing
Published: November 2022

Background: UBR5 is a HECT domain E3 ubiquitin ligase that is frequently amplified in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Heightened UBR5 plays a profound role in promoting tumor growth through immune-dependent mechanisms. However, its mode of action in driving tumor metastasis has not been definitively delineated.
Methods: In this study, we used a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible RNAi-mediated expression silencing cell system to investigate how UBR5 enables postsurgical mammary tumor metastatic growth in the lungs of mice without the impact of the primary lesion. The effects of such manipulations on tumor metastasis were measured by wound healing, transwell, and clonogenicity assays in vitro, and by genetic deletion and complementation in vivo in syngeneic and xenograft mouse models. The system-wide impact was examined by RNA-seq analyses.
Results: In vitro, Ubr5 knockdown induced morphological and molecular changes characteristic of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT). In vivo, UBR5 promoted lung metastasis in an E3 ubiquitin ligase-dependent manner. Moreover, doxycycline-induced knockdown of UBR5 expression in metastatic cells in the lung resulted in increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and prolonged survival, whereas silencing the expression of cell division cycle 73 (CDC73), a tumor suppressor and an E3 ligase substrate of UBR5, reversed these effects. Transcriptome analyses revealed a prominent role for the p53 pathway in dovitinib-induced apoptosis of tumor cells differentially regulated by UBR5 and CDC73. In human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patient specimens, a strong inverse correlation was observed between UBR5 and CDC73 protein levels and reduced CDC73 expression at metastatic sites compared to primary lesions. Furthermore, a xenograft model of human TNBC recapitulated the metastatic properties and characteristics of the unique UBR5-CDC73 functional antagonism.
Conclusions: This study unveils the novel and critical roles and relationships of UBR5, CDC73 and p53 in postsurgical breast cancer metastasis and implicates the potential of targeting this pathway in cancer therapy.
Developing high-resolution metastasis signatures for improved cancer prognosis using single-cell RNA sequencing data：A case study in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhou Yeman , Li Hanlin , Zhang Cheng , Yu De’en , Yang Heng , Wang Chunping , Zhang Youhua , Deng Wensheng , Li Bo , Zhang Shihua
Published: November 2022

Background
Metastasis remains the reason for high cancer mortality and it is a valuable predictive factor in cancer prognosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can reveal cellular heterogeneity in metastasis microenvironment and capture high-resolution signatures for improved cancer prediction.
Methods
An integrated analysis framework was designed for metastatic lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) scRNA-seq profiles and we identified 9 key prognostic genes (KPGs) that were trained and validated in 407 internal and external patient cohorts using Lasso-Cox method and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. To ensure the predictive stability of the KPGs signatures, 10 random samples of data from the TCGA cohort were taken. Correlation analysis revealed the strong association between KPGs signatures and several clinical characteristics such as gender, T-stage, and N-stage. We incorporated these risk clinical variables into a KPGs nomogram model.
Results
The results based on ROC curves and calibration curves show that the KPGs nomogram model with superior accuracy for overall survival (OS) prediction. We also found that high risk group with high nomogram scores had poorer prognosis accompanied by a higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) and it was associated with the upregulation of cell cycle, DNA replication, ECM receptor interaction, P53 signaling pathway, spliceosome and proteasome pathway.
Conclusions
Mining single-cell resolution metastatic features from scRNA-seq data to improve cancer prognosis is a viable strategy that would be a useful tool in risk gene discovery and targeted therapy in metastatic cancers.
Therapeutic potential of oxymatrine in impeding the cardiomyopathy in the STZ- nicotinamide induced diabetes through SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling activation
Authors: Seksaria Sanket , Mehan Sidharth , Dutta Bhaskar Jyoti , Gupta Ghanshyam Das , Singh Amrita
Published: November 2022

Aims

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of heart failure independently of underlying hypertention and ischemic heart disease, leads to the cardiomyopathy. Molecular mechanism underlying these pathological changes in the diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) are most likely to multifactorial, but clearer pathogenesis is partially understood. Literature showed that insulin resistance was associated with the dysfunction of SIRT1, TGF-β1 protein expression and pro-apoptotic pathways. In the current research, we aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of oxymatrine (OMT) against streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced DCM in the experimental animals.

Method

Male wistar rats (120–150 g) were pre-treated with the NA (110 mg/kg, i.p) followed by administration of STZ (60 mg/kg, i.p) after 15 min. After observed the onset of cardiomyopathy evaluated by increased diastolic dysfunction followed by systolic, two weeks later of STZ-NA administration, animals were divided in to various treatment groups. Diabetic animals were treated with pioglitazone (10mg/kg, p.o) and OMT(25, 100, 150 mg/kg, i.p) for 3 weeks. Various biochemical parameters were checked after completion of the experimental protocol.

Key findings

Diabetic animals showed hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and lipid profile. In addition, increased blood pressure, serum LDH, CK-MB levels, and abnormal hemodynamic. Apart from this, pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic markers, TGF-β1 activity were increased and SIRT1 activity was decreased in thediabetic animals.While, treatment with the OMT,restored all these abnormalities. Additionally, OMT treatment dose dependently restored the anti-oxidants, pro-inflammatory, and apoptotic marker. On the basis of these observations, we concluded that OMT can protect diabetic rats from insulin resistance through the regulation of SIRT1/Nrf2, TGF-β1 and pro-apoptotic pathways.
Uropathogenic bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates among gynecological cases admitted to Jimma Medical center, South West Ethiopia
Authors: Teferi Sisay , Sahlemariam Zewdineh , Mekonnen Mekdim , Tamrat Rahel , Adisu Yonas , Darge Tefera
Published: November 2022

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in women; about 50% of women get during their life time. Moreover, it is a common health problem in patients with gynecological pathologies, which increases the chance of acquiring infection. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial profile that causes UTI and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among admitted gynecological cases.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in south west Ethiopia region. A total of 386 patients admitted with gynecological cases were included and structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and risk factor-related data. About 10ml freshly voided midstream and catheterized urine specimens were collected using sterile containers. Identification of isolate was done using culture characteristics, gram staining, and a series of biochemical tests. The data obtained were entered into EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 25. A P-value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance.
Results: In this study, the overall prevalence of UTI was 25.4%. E. coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria, which accounted for 38(37.6%), followed by Klebsiella species 22(21.8%), CONS 14(13.9%), S. aureus 10(9.9%), Enterobacter species 6(5.9%), Citrobacter species 5(4.9%), P. mirabilis 4 (4%), and P. aeroginosa 2(2%). Histories of UTI (AOR = 1.977, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.68, P = 0.032) and catheterization (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.45, P = 0.006) were found to be statistically associated with significant bacteriuria. Gram-negative isolates showed a high level of resistance, 88.3% for ampicillin and 66.2% for tetracycline, and a relatively low level of resistance against ceftazidime, 22.1%, and meropenem, 3.9%. Gram-positive uropathogens showed a high level of resistance to penicillin, 91.6%, whereas all isolates were sensitive 100.0% to nitrofurantoin. Furthermore, 80 (79.2%) of the isolates had multidrug resistance, and 16 (26.7%) of both E. coli and Klebsiella spp. produced Extended Spectrum β-lactamase.
Conclusion: In this study, a high prevalence of uropathogenic bacteria and multidrug resistance for commonly prescribed drugs were observed with a significant number of Extended Spectrum β-lactamase producers.
Preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene oxide (GO) incorporated Cr-TA@SSZ composite metal-organic frameworks and their use as adsorbents for adsorptive removal of TPA, BA, and p-tol from wastewaters
Authors: Tourani S.
Published: November 2022

In the present work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated with the MIL-101(Cr)/Sulfasalazine (Cr-TA@SSZ) composite. The composite MOFs have been synthesized by adding oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotube and GO with different ratios GO: CNT from (0:1, 10:5, 10:7, and 1:0) in situ during the synthesis of Cr-TA@SSZ by a hydrothermal approach. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ASAP, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. The synthesized composite adsorbents were used for the adsorption of terephthalic acid (TPA), para-toluic acid (p-tol), and benzoic acid (BA). The results were compared with other adsorbents such as: GO, CNT, AC, Cu-BTC, Fe-BTC, MIL-101 (Cr), and MIL. -53(Al) and ZIF-8. Adsorption experiments indicated that the amount of TPA adsorption by Cr-TA@SSZ/CNT is higher than other composites but lower than some mother MOFs. The most important reasons include the larger molecule size, having two carboxyl groups, which leads to better interaction with micropores, and non-polarity of TPA. Adsorption experiments of BA and p-tol also demonstrated that Cr-TA@SSZ/CNT composite has the highest adsorption rate. Due to the improvement of the capillarity mechanism by increasing the diameter of pores, on the other hand, the polarity of BA and p-tol molecules, these two molecules were better adsorbed in Cr-TA@SSZ/CNT composite, which has both functional groups and larger pores. Furthermore, adsorption experiments using industrial wastewater from a TPA production plant showed that the highest purification efficiency belongs to Cr-TA@SSZ/CNT and Cr-TA@SSZ. Cr-TA@SSZ/CNT and Cr-TA@SSZ removed 41.6% and 40% COD from the concentrated phase (equivalent to 13670 and 13000 ppm) and removed 79.8% and 77.3% COD from the diluted phase (equal to 4390 and 4250 ppm) wastewater.
How do the femoral anteversion angle and neck-shaft angle influence muscle forces and joint loading during walking?
Authors: Kainz Hans , Mindler Gabriel T. , Kranzl Andreas
Published: November 2022

Femoral deformities, e.g. increased or decreased femoral anteversion (AVA) and neck-shaft angle (NSA), can lead to pathological gait patterns, altered joint loads, and degenerative joint diseases. The mechanism how femoral geometry influences muscle forces and joint load during walking is still not fully understood. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive musculoskeletal modelling study to investigate the influence of femoral AVA and NSA on muscle forces and joint loads during walking. We created 25 musculoskeletal models with a variety of NSA and AVA. For each model we calculated moment arms, muscle forces, muscle moments, and joint loads based on motion capture data of a person with a typical gait pattern. We found a significant increase in co-contraction of hip and knee joint spanning muscles in models with increasing AVA and NSA, which led to a substantial increase in hip and knee joint contact forces. Decreased AVA and NSA had a minor impact on muscle and joint contact forces. Neglecting an individual’s femoral geometry when estimating joint contact forces can lead to errors above five times body weight. Knowing the influence of femoral geometry on muscle forces and joint loads can help clinicians to improve treatment strategies in patients with femoral deformities.
Contextually Aware Intelligent Control Agents for Heterogeneous Swarms
Authors: Hepworth Adam , Hussein Aya , Reid Darryn , Abbass Hussein
Published: November 2022

An emerging challenge in swarm shepherding research is to design effective and efficient artificial intelligence algorithms that maintain a low-computational ceiling while increasing the swarm's abilities to operate in diverse contexts. We propose a methodology to design a context-aware swarm-control intelligent agent. The intelligent control agent (shepherd) first uses swarm metrics to recognise the type of swarm it interacts with to then select a suitable parameterisation from its behavioural library for that particular swarm type. The design principle of our methodology is to increase the situation awareness (i.e. information contents) of the control agent without sacrificing the low-computational cost necessary for efficient swarm control. We demonstrate successful shepherding in both homogeneous and heterogeneous swarms.
A Chain Mediation Model Reveals The Association Between Mindfulness and Depression of College students
Authors: Zhang Junliang , zheng Shuang , Hu Zhongzheng , Ge Hongping
Published: November 2022

The study aims to explore the relationship among mindfulness, depression, meaning in life (MIL) and psychological resilience (PR), and verify whether MIL and PR have a chain mediating effect between mindfulness and depression .1034 college students in a province were investigated by using Adolescent Mindfulness Scale, Depression Scale, Meaning in Life Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression and bootstrap was used to analyze the data and test whether MIL and PR play a chain mediating role between mindfulness and depression among university students.In the present research, the direct effect value of mindfulness on college students' depression was 0.14, and the effect amount was 61%. The effect values of MIL and PR between mindfulness and college students' depression were 0.03 and 0.05, and the effect amount is 13% and 22%.In the meantime, the chain mediating effect of MIL and PR was significant, the effect value is 0.01 and the effect amount is 4%.The effects of mindfulness on depression of university students were mediated by MIL, PR and the chain of MIL and PR.
Patient-derived cell-based pharmacogenomic assessment to unveil underlying resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutics for advanced lung cancer
Authors: Yu Namhee , Hwang Mihwa , Lee Youngjoo , Song Bo Ram , Kang Eun Hye , Sim Hanna , Ahn Beung-Chul , Hwang Kum Hui , Kim Jihyun , Hong Sehwa , Kim Sunshin , Park Charny , Han Ji-Youn
Published: November 2022

Background
A pharmacogenomic platform using patient-derived cells (PDCs) was established to identify the underlying resistance mechanisms and tailored treatment for patients with advanced or refractory lung cancer.
Methods
Drug sensitivity screening and multi-omics datasets were acquired from lung cancer PDCs (n = 102). Integrative analysis was performed to explore drug candidates according to genetic variants, gene expression, and clinical profiles.
Results
PDCs had genomic characteristics similar to those of solid lung cancer tissues. PDC molecular subtyping classified patients into four groups: (1) inflammatory, (2) epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like, (3) stemness, and (4) epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dominant. EGFR mutations of the EMT-like subtype were associated with a reduced response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Moreover, although RB1/TP53 mutations were significantly enriched in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) PDCs, they were also present in non-SCLC PDCs. In contrast to its effect in the cell lines, alpelisib (a PI3K-AKT inhibitor) significantly inhibited both RB1/TP53 expression and SCLC cell growth in our PDC model. Furthermore, cell cycle inhibitors could effectively target SCLC cells. Finally, the upregulation of transforming growth factor-β expression and the YAP/TAZ pathway was observed in osimertinib-resistant PDCs, predisposing them to the EMT-like subtype. Our platform selected XAV939 (a WNT-TNKS-β-catenin inhibitor) for the treatment of osimertinib-resistant PDCs. Using an in vitro model, we further demonstrated that acquisition of osimertinib resistance enhances invasive characteristics and EMT, upregulates the YAP/TAZ-AXL axis, and increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to XAV939.
Conclusions
Our PDC models recapitulated the molecular characteristics of lung cancer, and pharmacogenomics analysis provided plausible therapeutic candidates.
Designed mixed model approach for efficient antioxidant extraction from pomace
Authors: Wiedemair Verena , Zlöbl Dominik , Bach Katrin
Published: November 2022

Pomace is a waste product of juice production, but still holds many valuable compounds, such as e.g. antioxidants. However, efficient extraction proves to be challenging as extractability is highly dependent on experimental conditions. Furthermore, antioxidants are also often retained by structural polysaccharides. Consequently, this study investigates the extractability of antioxidants in five different types of pomace in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 full factorial fully replicated design to determine the most efficient way of extraction. Therefore, extracting agent, temperature, extraction method as well as the use of enzyme were alternated to investigate the effects of these parameters on the extractability. Main effects as well as interaction effects were estimated with linear mixed models. To study the effects of polysaccharides on the retention of antioxidants, the number of soluble polysaccharides was measured as well and correlated with the increase in antioxidants after enzyme application. The experiments showed that acetone was most suitable as an extracting agent and that the use of pectinase significantly increased the amount of extracted antioxidants. Additionally, ultrasound-assisted extraction is advantageous compared to extraction in water baths. Temperature showed the smallest effect in this experimental design. Lastly, the results also highlight that the amount of soluble polysaccharides do not correlate with the extractability of antioxidants.
Climate change and anthropological impacts on a karst aquifer: a multi- statistical assessment
Authors: Mahdavi Leila , Samani Nozar
Published: November 2022

Many karst aquifers are the sole source of municipal (drinking) water in Iran. The purpose of this study is to detect trends in rainfall and temperature series as climate variables and the groundwater level time series as a hydrologic variable to assess the anthropogenic and climate change impact on the strategic Sarbalesh aquifer in Fars province, Iran, employing the Mann-Kendall (MK) and modified MK tests, the combination of discrete wavelet transform (DWT), MK, and Sequential MK analyses, and the Pettitt-Mann-Whitney (PMW) and Cumulative sum methods. The MK and MMK tests analyses showed a significant declining trend in the groundwater level and a negative/positive trend in the rainfall/temperature series, particularly in the annual series at the 5% level of significance. The time series were decomposed into the approximation (A) and details (Ds) sub-signals by the DWT. The dominant periodicities contributing to the production of trend in the original series were found by comparing the approximate equality of the MK Z-values, the correlation coefficient, and the likeness of the Sequential MK curves of the original data and their respective A + Ds components. The monthly rainfall, temperature, and groundwater series showed 8-month, 8-month, and 64-month prominent periodicities, respectively. The annual rainfall, temperature, and groundwater series exhibited the prominent periodicities of 4-year, 2-year, and 8-year, respectively. By PMW and Cumulative sum approaches, we detected abrupt shifts (change points) in the studied time series. The same change year point in the rainfall series and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) series and the negative correlation between rainfall and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles indicated that the climate change and hence the La Niño phenomenon increased SOI after the change year led to a decrease in precipitation from November to April in the study area. Our multi-statistical approach proved that the drastic decline in groundwater level is due to the continuous over-exploitation of water storage from the aquifer in the last 32 years and reduced rainfall and increased temperature (particularly in the annual series) have triggered the declining trend. Our analysis provides an elaborate view of future hydro-climatic conditions, it can be used as a foundation for designing and planning water resources within the study area and elsewhere.
Development of screening patients with obstructive sleep apnea with deep learning in the lateral cephalogram: Overcoming modality differences with knowledge distillation
Authors: Kim Min-Jung , Jeong Jiheon , Lee Jung-Wook , Roh Jae-Yon , Kim Namkug , Kim Su-Jung
Published: November 2022

Undetected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to consequences of severe systematic disease. The lateral cephalogram in orthodontics is a valuable screening tool. We hypothesized that a deep learning-based classifier might be able to differentiate sleep apnea as anatomical features that humans do not recognize in lateral cephalogram. Moreover, since the imaging devices used by each hospital could be different, various modalities in radiography need to be overcome in real clinical practice. Therefore, we proposed a knowledge distillation deep learning model to classify patients into OSA and non-OSA groups using the lateral cephalogram and to overcome modality differences simultaneously. Lateral cephalograms of 500 OSA patients and 500 non-OSA patients from two different devices were included. ResNet-50 and ResNet-50 with a feature-based knowledge distillation model were trained and their suitability for classification and modality normalization were compared. Through knowledge distillation, it was confirmed through ROC analysis and Grad-CAM that our model exhibits high performance without being deceived by features caused by modality differences. By checking the probability values predicting OSA, an improvement in overcoming the modality differences in lateral cephalogram was observed, which could be applied in the actual clinical situation.
Thermal Modelling of the Cylindrical Electromagnets in Transient and Steady-State Modes
Authors: Hashemi Ali , Qaraei Parsa Yazdanpanah , Shabanian Mostafa
Published: November 2022

The heterogeneous and complex structure of the electromagnet makes it difficult to study the heat transfer equations. Therefore, numerical methods and simulation software are used for its analysis. In this paper, an accurate thermal equivalent circuit (TEC) for modeling and studying heat in a cylindrical electromagnet is presented. The proposed TEC can be used in both transient and steady-state modes. Due to the symmetrical structure of the electromagnet, heat transfer is considered in radial and axial directions. Also, the use of winding homogenization techniques has helped to simplify the proposed TEC. To achieve experimental results for approving the accuracy and validity of the proposed TEC, a cylindrical electromagnet was made and installed on a laboratory platform. Two orthogonal and orthocyclic winding coil technologies are used and tested. Comparison of the results of the proposed TEC analysis in MATLAB with the results of electromagnet simulation in COMSOL software and experimental results, shows the high accuracy of the proposed TEC in predicting the thermal behavior of the electromagnet. Simplicity and the high accuracy results are the most important advantages of the proposed thermal equivalent circuit.
Comparison of adsorptive properties of adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine in acetate buffer with pH 4.
Authors: Gugała-Fekner Dorota
Published: November 2022

Adsorptive properties of adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine in the acetate buffer at pH = 4 were determined using experimental data obtained from measurements of the differential volume of the double layer interface, the zero charge potential and the surface tension at this potential. The possibility of determining parameters Emax and qmax and the bell-shaped relative excess amounts indicate the physical nature of adsorptions of the nitrogen bases in question on the mercury electrode, which must be associated with the fact that the adsorbed particles exhibit vertical or diagonal orientation.
Advanced Stage, High-Grade Primary Tumor Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-Omics Dissection and Biomarker Prediction Process
Authors: Saeedi-Honar Yousof , Javaher Saleh , Soleimani Marziye , Zarebkohan Amir , Farhadihosseinabadi Behrouz , Tohidfar Masoud , Abdollahpour-Alitappeh Meghdad
Published: November 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) incidence and mortality rates are estimated to increase globally in the years to come. Early diagnosis of OC is still one of the most significant challenges facing researchers due to extensive metastases and the lack of recognition of biomarkers in advanced stages of high-grade primary tumors (HGPTs). In this study, OC cell lines were analyzed using bioinformatics study and gene expression screening, utilizing Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) the microarray dataset with 53 HGPTs and 10 normal samples were analyzed by using GEO2r to figure out differently-expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), ChIP enrichment analysis (ChEA), eXpression2Kinases (X2K), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) were used to analyze signaling pathways, transcription factors (TFs), kinases, and proteome analysis, respectively. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were made by using STRING and Cytoscape Software. Co-expression and hub genes were determined via STRING database and cytoHubba plug-in, and DEGs were confirmed by using gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA). KIAA0101, RAD51AP1, FAM83D, CEP55, PRC1, CKS2, CDCA5, NUSAP1, ECT2 and TRIP13 were found to be the top 10 hub genes. At the same time, SIN3A, VDR, TCF7L2, NFYA, and FOXM1 were identified as the top 5 TFs in HGPT. Ultimately, the clustering of hub genes was carried out using the available tools in the protein atlas server, based on which 5 out of 10 candidate genes, including CEP55, PRC1, CKS2, CDCA5 and NUSAP1, were chosen as markers. miRNAs analysis showed that hsa-miR-215-5p, hsa-miR-193b-3p, hsa-miR-192-5p and could target the largest number of HGPT genes. Collectively, HGPT-related genes, especially hub genes, TFs, miRNAs and pathways seem to have a great potential as novel biomarkers for HGPT as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies in OC.
Comparative RNA-sequencing analysis of the prostate in a mouse model of benign prostatic hyperplasia with bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Tang Xiaohu , Liu Zhiyan , Ren Jingwen , Cao Ying , Xia Shujie , Sun Zhaolin , Luo Guangheng
Published: November 2022

In aging men, BPH is a chronic disease that leads to progressive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by obstruction of the bladder outlet (BOO). Patients with LUTS (such as frequency and urgency) and complications of BOO (such as hydronephrosis and bladder stones) are at risk of serious health problems. Nevertheless, clinical treatment is complicated and uncertain. BPH is caused by hormonal imbalances related to androgen and estrogen, but the exact mechanism is still unknown, even the animal model is not fully understood. However, there are no large-scale data to explain this mechanism. A BPH mouse model was established using mixed slow-release pellets of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), and we detected gene expression in mouse prostate tissue using RNA-seq, and verified the results using qRT-PCR, and used bioinformatics methods to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
The degeneration of solitary wave solutions and interaction between lump and soliton solutions for the (2+1)-dimensional KdV equation
Authors: Cui Jingyi , Guo Yanfeng , Zhang Jingjun , Dai Zhengde
Published: November 2022

The degeneration of solitary wave solutions and interaction solutions between lumps and solitons are primarily explored for the (2+1)-dimensional KdV equation. Firstly, in accordance with the Hirota bilinear form, solitary wave solutions and periodic solitary wave solutions are derived through some new test functions. Then through the parameter limit approach, the lump solutions are gained by degeneration of solitary solutons. Secondly, the interaction solutions between lumps and solitons are given by using of the partial degeneracy of the $N$-soliton solutions. Finally, according to a different test function, some new singular periodic solitary waves solutions are derived via the extended homoclinic test method.
Bacterial communities inhabiting the ascomata of the ectomycorrhizal summer truffle (Tuber aestivum)
Authors: Siebyła Marta , Szyp-Borowska Iwona
Published: November 2022

This paper continues the studies on the role of bacteria in the environment of summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) (soil and roots), focusing on ascomata at three sites in the Nida Basin (southern Poland). Bacterial species and the number of OTU sequences identified were determined based on analysis of peridium and gleba contamination collected in 2017 and 2018. Both the classical culture method with qualitative analyses, i.e., Sanger DNA sequencing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used. In addition, the PERMANOVA test and alpha and beta biodiversity indicators were used. Of the individual bacterial colonies, 140 were used for further molecular analyses. The Sanger method identified six bacterial genera that were dominant in the community: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Paenibacillus, Rhizobium, and Chryseobacterium, of which Bacillus (86.7%) and Pseudomonas (51.5%) were the most abundant. In contrast, NGS results showed the dominance (at OTUs > 10,000) of representatives of eight families, mainly Bradyrhizobiaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Micrococcaceae, Yersiniaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Comamonadaceae. The PERMANOVA test for the Bray-Curtis and Jaccard indices showed dissimilarities between samples from sites G and W with respect to beta diversity. Significant differences were found in the bacterial communities colonising the ascomata of T. aestivum and in the root communities with T. aestivum ectomycorrhizae of the tree adjacent to the ascomata. The number of OTUs at the species level was 69 in the roots and 212 in the shoots. Our study allowed us to determine the bacterial microbiome in the ascomata of T. aestivum, leading to a better understanding of the preferences of certain groups of truffle-associated bacteria and how they relate to the presence of truffle ascomata under specific habitat conditions. The results obtained may be useful in selecting and monitoring sites suitable for the formation of ascomata of T. aestivum.
Uncovering the Fate and Risks of Intravenously injected Prussian Blue Nanoparticles in mice by an Integrated Methodology of Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
Authors: Qu Haijing , Jin Xing , Cheng Wei , Wu Dongqi , Ma Boyu , Lou Chenmei , Zheng Jian , Jing Lijia , Xue Xiangdong , Wang Yang
Published: November 2022

Background: Nanomaterials (NMs) have been widely explored in the biomedical field such as imaging diagnosis, drug delivery and novel therapeutics. However, increasing studies have revealed the potential bio-toxicities of NMs. For instance, carbon nanotube (CNT) has been added to the international dangerous goods list as a 2B carcinogen due to the potential carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity after long-term exposure. Therefore, the in-depth understanding of the toxicity of candidate medical NMs is quite essential and very instructive for their further medical applications. Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles (NPs) have been intensively investigated for medical applications, while the in-depth toxicological investigation of PB NPs has not been implemented to date.
Results: In this study, the fate and potential risks of intravenous injected PB NPs were systematically investigated in mice by an integrated methodology of toxicology, pharmacokinetics, proteomics and metabolomics. General toxicological studies demonstrated that intravenous injection of PB NPs at 5 or 10 mg/kg could not induce obvious toxicity to mice, while mice treated with a relatively high dose of PB NPs at 20 mg/kg exhibited loss of appetite and weight decreasing in the first two days post-injection. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the intravenously administered PB NPs underwent a fast clearance from blood and highly accumulated in the livers and lungs, and finally cleared from mice tissues.
Conclusions:
The integrated investigation demonstrated that slight inflammatory responses and intracellular oxidative stress were induced in the liver and lungs of mice during the exposure to PB NPs. Collectively, our experimental data implies that the high dose of PB NPs may cause potential risks to liver and lungs, indicating that people should pay more attention to these two critical organs if taking PB NPs as therapeutic.
The mental labyrinth of postgraduate research: A qualitative study of the impact and role of the supervisory relationship on postgraduate mental health and wellbeing
Authors: White Naomi , Milicev Jelena , Bradford Daniel R. R. , Rodger Amy , Gardani Maria
Published: November 2022

Postgraduate research students (PGRs) experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress. Many factors contribute to this poor mental wellbeing and relate to each other in complex and dynamic ways. However, the relationship between PGRs and their supervisor(s) is known to strongly affect the wellbeing of the former. This study explores the mental health and wellbeing of PGRs with a focus on the role of the student—supervisor relationship. Using combined qualitative data from a large survey of PGRs and focus groups and reflexive thematic analysis, we found that PGRs experience the overarching process of obtaining a research degree as a mental labyrinth. Three constituent themes were identified: 1) inequity in navigating the labyrinth, 2) the labyrinth as a place of uncertainty and isolation, and 3) supervisors as labyrinth guides, not mental care providers. The results suggest that significant inequities exist which contribute to poorer mental wellbeing in particular subgroups of PGRs, both in general and specifically in relation to the supervisory relationship. Experiences of loneliness and ambiguity around progress were also identified as being detrimental to mental health. Further, although supervisors can be a vital source of support and have a positive influence on PGR mental health, students recognise supervisors cannot reasonably be expected to act as professional mental health care providers and institutions must do more to provide equitable access to mental health support services.
Assessing comprehension of the PATH questions through cognitive interviewing
Authors: Shuman Saskia , Cason Patty , Manze Meredith
Published: November 2022

Background: Reproductive desires are nuanced, and change over time. In the clinical context, it may be difficult for providers to assess patient reproductive desires. PATH, which stands for "Parenting/Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing and How Important" is a method for providers to engage in a patient-centered discussion about reproductive goals and, when appropriate, contraception counseling, pre-pregnancy care, and fertility support. Few studies have sought to examine the patient experience with the PATH questions. Utilizing cognitive interviewing techniques, this study sought to understand patient understanding of and receptivity to the PATH questions.
Methods: Young adults (ages 18-29) participated in in-depth interviews about the PATH questions using cognitive interviewing techniques to probe for their perspectives on the wording of the questions and their comfort in engaging in a conversation during a visit to a healthcare provider.
Results: Ten participants completed cognitive interviews. The young adult participants receiving care at a FQHC Network demonstrate good comprehension of the PATH questions and general comfort with the idea of answering these specific questions about their reproductive health and pregnancy desires if asked by clinical providers and staff. These data suggest that PATH provides a patient-centered and open-ended tool for engaging in conversations around reproductive desires.
Conclusions: As primary care providers increasingly offer reproductive health services to address patients’ unmet needs, this setting provides an important venue in which to examine patient perspectives on tools aimed at supporting these interactions. These data provide needed patient-driven support for the Centers for Disease Control and Society of Family Planning’s recommendation to implement PATH questions, as a patient-centered method for identifying an individual’s reproductive health needs.
Study on Micro-Forming Taps with Unequal Fluteless Spacing
Authors: Wu Ming-Chang , Chen ChienChung , Huang Yen-Cheng , Teng Hsing-Ming , Hsu Ling-Sheng , Tsao chung-chen
Published: November 2022

Tools with unequal fluteless spacing (UFS) feature are used to cut different materials. The UFS tool and a traditional tool differ in terms of the angle between the two cutting edges. The UFS tool experiences smaller axial and radial cutting forces than the traditional tool so cutting vibration is reduced, tool life is increased and the surface roughness of the workpiece increases. This study uses the smaller hole diameter (D), spindle speed (N) and cutting fluid concentration (C) for the central composite design (CCD). MINITAB statistical software is used for the second-order response surface modeling of the maximum thread filling rate (f) and the minimum torque (T) for micro-forming M1.2 mm taps using UFS on AL-7075 aluminum alloy. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results for f and T show that D and C are the important parameters that affect f, and D, N and C significantly affect T. Compared with the predicted conditions, the errors in f and T for the experiment are 2.51% and 2.25%, respectively. This study shows that the two second-order mathematical models that are derived using CCD and the response surface method (RSM) feature good prediction accuracy.