bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinicopathological and molecular landscape of premenopausal breast cancer patients: A retrospective study in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq
Authors: Ameen Hazha Abdulla Mohammed
Published: January 2023

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among females and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women with different management modalities.
Objectives: To determine premenopausal BC patients' clinicopathological and molecular landscape.
Patients and methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 300 primary BC patients aged 25-50 years at Hiwa Hematology/Oncology Hospital, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, from January 2016 to May 2022. Patients underwent definitive management either before chemotherapy or after neo-adjuvant and on regular follow-up. Patients were interviewed face to face using a well-designed questionnaire to collect the date, including the type of BC and hormonal status.
Results: In this study, most of the studied patients were married (90.3%), aged 45-50 years at diagnosis (36%), aged 13-14 years at the first occurrence of menstruation (70.3%), practised breast-feeding (76.7%), parous (85%), and with no surgical history (92%). Most patients (39%) had luminal B subtype, while the least (0.34%) had HER2 overexpression. The overall rate of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) was 66.7%, while the overall rate of mastectomy was 33.3 among patients. Also, 84.7% of the tumour margin was free, 9.7% was involved, and only 5.7% of the tumour margin was close. The tumour margin was involved in 20.3% and 15.6% of cases diagnosed with multifocal and multicentric tumour masses, respectively.
Conclusions: It is concluded that married, aged, breastfed, and parous women showed the highest incidence of BC. The most prominent cancer subtype was luminal B, with the highest level of BCS. Most BC patients had unifocal tumour mass sized 2-5 cm with stage II-A.
Emerging effects of oxygen accumulation on orbital torque
Authors: Kim Junyeon , Uzuhashi Jun , Go Dongwook , Jo Daegeun , Ohkubo Tadakatsu , Mitani Seiji , Lee Hyun-Woo , Otani YoshiChika
Published: January 2023

The orbital angular momentum is an electron’s essential degree of freedom and provides an alternative opportunity for the further development of spintronics. Recent studies suggest orbital transport as a potential tool to realize practical and highly-efficient spin manipulation with diverse material classes. Nevertheless, utilization of the orbital transport remains a challenging issue considering that the orbital transport often bares distinctive properties to the spin transport. Here we study the role of oxygen atom accumulation on the orbital transport in CoFe/Cu/Al2O3 ultrathin structures. By varying the type of oxygen accumulation, we revealed that the gradient of the oxygen accumulation nearby the CoFe/Cu interface can be a crucial factor of the orbital transport, modulating the orbital torque by a factor of about ~3. Our finding will encourage to realize efficient and versatile utilization of orbital transport for nano-spintronic devices.
Effective Climate Sensitivity Distributions from a 1D Model of Global Ocean and Land Temperature Trends, 1970-2021
Authors: Spencer Roy W. , Christy John R.
Published: January 2023

A 1D time-dependent forcing-feedback model of temperature departures from energy equilibrium is used to match measured ranges of global-average surface and sub-surface land and ocean temperature trends during 1970–2021. In response to two different radiative forcing scenarios, a wide range of three model free parameters are swept to produce fits to a range of observed surface temperature trends from four different land datasets and three ocean datasets, as well as deep-ocean temperature trends and borehole-based trend retrievals over land. Land-derived effective climate sensitivities (EffCS) are larger than those over the ocean, and EffCS is lower using the newer Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP245, 1.94 deg. C global EffCS) than the older Representative Concentration Pathway forcing (RCP6, 2.60 deg. C global average EffCS). Diagnosed EffCS increases with increasing ocean or land heat storage, with close to 1 deg. C EffCS increase associated with ocean heat storage, but only 0.13 deg. C increase from land heat storage. The strongest dependence of the EffCS results is on the assumed radiative forcing dataset, underscoring the role of radiative forcing uncertainty in determining the sensitivity of the climate system to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations from observations alone.
Size dependent vitrification in metallic glasses
Authors: Lisio Valerio Di , Gallino Isabella , Riegler Sascha , Frey Maximilian , Neuber Nico , Kumar Golden , Schroers Jan , Busch Ralf , Cangialosi Daniele
Published: January 2023

Reducing the sample size can profoundly impact properties of bulk metallic glasses. Here, we systematically reduce the length scale of Au and Pt-based metallic glasses and study their vitrification behavior and atomic mobility. For this purpose, we exploit fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) allowing to study glassy dynamics in an exceptionally wide range of cooling rates and frequencies. We show that the main α relaxation process remains size independent and bulk-like. In contrast, we observe pronounced size dependent vitrification kinetics in micrometer-sized glasses, which is more evident for the smallest samples and at low cooling rates, resulting in more than 40 K decrease in fictive temperature, Tf, with respect to the bulk. We discuss the deep implications on how this outcome can be used to convey glasses to low energy states.
The recent expansion of the invasive hemiparasitic plant Cassytha filiformis and the reciprocal effect with its main hosts
Authors: Parra-Tabla Victor , Tun-Garrido Juan , García-Franco José , Martínez Marisa
Published: January 2023

Cassytha filiformis is a hemiparasitic plant that causes severe effects in its host plants. Since this decade, this alien species has been increasing its distribution towards the coastal areas of the Peninsula of Yucatán, parasitizing shrub species that play a crucial role in the containment of soil erosion. Here we studied the current distribution of C. filiformis along the coastal dune in northern Yucatán, recording the frequency of parasitism and the identity of its host plants. In addition, we evaluated the effect of C. filiformis on the sexual reproductive success of the main host plants and the effect of host species identity on C. filiformi’s reproductive success. We found that the distribution of C. filiformis occurs throughout the coastal dunes of Yucatan (covering ≈250km), parasitizing 15 species. However, ca. 70% of C. filiformis plants occur on three common shrub species: Suriana maritima, Scaevola plumieri, and Tournefortia gnaphalodes. The frequency of parasitized plants by C. filiformis was not dependent on host plant abundance. T. gnaphalodes suffer a higher proportion of parasitism. The reproductive success of the three host plants was lower in the presence of the parasitic plant. On the other hand, C. filiformis showed higher reproductive success when parasitizing S. maritima. Our results suggest that C. filiformis has extensively invaded the Yucatán coastal dunes, significantly reducing the sexual reproduction of its host-plant species. Overall, our results suggest that C. filiformis has the potential to cause significant damage in the Yucatán coastal dune community.
Integrated analysis reveals potential significance of FKBP5 in the prognosis and immunity of osteoarthritis and pan-cancer
Authors: Xiao Yueying , Wang Yanan , Xu Xiao , Jiao Xiejia , Huo Yanqing
Published: January 2023

The high disability rate of osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease with an insidious onset and widespread effects, places a heavy financial burden on patients, families, and society. Traditional diagnostic approaches, including radiology and physical examination, cannot achieve early-stage screening of OA and thus, miss early intervention for patients. Therefore, the need of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of OA is crucial. In this study, we combined data from two gene expression omnibus datasets with information from OA samples, screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for OA using the limma package in the R software, and built a weighted gene coexpression network. After obtaining the intersecting genes, four diagnostic marker genes (FKBP5, EPYC, KLF9, and PDZRN4) highly associated with OA were screened using three machine-learning algorithms: random-forest, SVM-RFE, and LASSO. Subsequently, based on the screened signature genes, we developed a nomogram model and evaluated its diagnostic significance using calibration, DCA, and receiver operating characteristic curves. The nomogram model showed excellent predictive power and clinical value. The CIBERSORT algorithm and hallmark enrichment analysis were used to evaluate the involvement of feature genes in immune infiltration and hallmark pathways in patients with OA. The TCGA and GTEx databases provided raw data on FKBP5 expression in tumor and paracancerous samples. After further background research, immune infiltration, and functional enrichment analysis, we found that FKBP5 might play a significant role in the prognosis and immune infiltration of various cancers, and this hypothesis was validated by pancancer analysis. Correlation analysis of FKBP5 expression and drug response suggested that this gene may be a possible target for tumor therapy.
Geographical disparities in Financial Inclusion: Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Rambaccussing Dooruj , Menzies Craig
Published: January 2023

Recent developments in the UK cost of living crisis underscore the need for financial inclusion – the capacity of individuals to access essential financial services. The extent of inclusion is, to a certain extent, positively impacted by how literate individuals are about financial products and services. Aside from behavioural factors, this paper tests the relationship between inclusion and financial literacy and knowledge across different regions in the United Kingdom using newly developed measures from the Financial Capability Survey, 2018. The results from this paper show there is a positive and nonlinear relationship between literacy/knowledge and financial inclusion, with interesting variations across the country.
JEL: G2, I22, R10, R58.
Methane, water, quartz, siderite, hematite, and possibly greenalite and sodium hydroxide in a BARB3 drilled sample of the 3.4 Ga Buck ReefChert. Crustal anoxic alkaline high subcritical water at the origin of the observed ferric minerals, methane and disordered graphitic carbon, and of plausible molecules of life
Authors: Bassez Marie-Paule
Published: January 2023

Molecular components of the 3.4 Ga Buck Reef Chert, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, are reported following spectroscopic results. Earlier hypotheses for their formation and for the synthesis of molecules of life prior to the emergence of life are confirmed. The observations are conducted with four Raman spectrometers located in Johannesburg-South Africa, Cergy-Paris Université-France, Orléans-France and Lille-France. The studied sample is a banded iron section from the BARB3 drill core. Siderite, hematite and possibly greenalite are observed in the quartz matrix. Water, methane, and possibly greenalite or sodium hydroxide, are observed in the quartz cavities. Disordered graphitic carbon appears covering homogenously the section. Its formation is proposed as a deposition from an anoxic methane-rich fluid. A comparison with Raman spectra of graphitic carbon of various origins, suggests a possible direct relation between the Raman profiles and the amount of oxygen contained inside the disordered graphitic matter. The methane may be a remnant of the Archean methane-rich water. In the continuity of the theoretical earlier articles, interactions between high subcritical alkaline anoxic water and the ferrous silicates fayalite and/or ferrosilite are proposed to be at the origin of the experimentally observed ferric minerals and methane. Molecular H2 is emitted during the oxidation of Fe2+ into Fe3+ and induces the transformation of CO2 into CH4. The constructions of the Neoproterozoic and Archean Banded Iron Formations are proposed by ejection of the minerals that formed inside the Earth crust, during processes involving subduction events or not.
The impact of storage buffer and storage conditions on fecal samples for bacteriophage infectivity and metavirome analysis
Authors: Zhai Xichuan , Castro-Mejía Josué L. , Gobbi Alex , Aslampaloglou Antonios , Kot Witold , Nielsen Dennis S. , Deng Ling
Published: January 2023

Background: There is an increasing interest in investigating the human gut virome, for its influence on the gut bacterial community and its putative influence on the trajectory towards health or disease. Most gut virome studies are based on sequencing of stored fecal samples. However, relatively little is known about how conventional storage buffers and storage conditions affect infectivity of bacteriophages and downstream metavirome sequencing.
Results: We demonstrate that the infectivity and genome recovery rate of the different spiked bacteriophages (T4, c2 and Phi X174) is variable and highly dependent on the storage buffers. Regardless of storage temperature and timespan, all the tested phages immediately lost their infectivity either completely (DNA/RNA Shield) or more than 90% (StayRNA and RNAlater). Generally, SM buffer at 4°C exhibited good maintenance of phage infectivity up to 30 days and phage genomes up to 100 days, while CANVAX was the most effective buffer that kept all spiked phage genomes for at least 100 days. Prolonged storage time (500 days) at –80°C influenced the viral diversity differently in the different buffers. The samples stored in CANVAX or DNA/RNA Shield buffer have the least shifts in metavirome composition after prolonged storage, but produced more contigs classified as “uncharacterised”. In addition, compared to SM buffer, these storage buffers lead to a higher fraction of bacterial contamination in metavirome-sequencing libraries. We found this problem was due to the inactivation of DNAses used for removing extra-cellular DNA during virome extraction, which could be partly solved by additional washing steps before virome extraction.
Conclusion: Fecal sample storage conditions (buffer, time, temperature) strongly influences bacteriophage infectivity and viral composition as determined by plaque assay and metavirome sequencing. The choice of buffer had stronger influence compared to storage temperature and time and could introduce bias for viral sequencing and analysis. Based on these results, we recommend SM buffer for the storage of the fecal virome samples at 4°C for isolation of viruses and –80°C for metagenomic applications if practically feasible (access to cold storage etc.). If other buffers were already used for storage, samples should be purified from these buffers before extraction and sequencing.
Stereoptic serious games as a visual rehabilitation tool for individuals with a residual amblyopia (AMBER trial): A protocol for a crossover randomized controlled trial
Authors: Simon-Martinez Cristina , Antoniou Maria-Paraskevi , Bouthour Walid , Bavelier Daphne , Levi Dennis , Backus Benjamin T. , Dornbos Brian , Blaha James , Kropp Martina , Müller Henning , Murray Micah , Thumann Gabriele , Steffen Heimo , Matusz Pawel J.
Published: January 2023

Background
Amblyopia is the most common developmental vision disorder in children. The initial treatment consists of refractive correction. When insufficient, occlusion therapy may further improve visual acuity. However, the challenges and compliance issues associated with occlusion therapy may result in treatment failure and residual amblyopia. Virtual reality (VR) games developed to improve visual function have shown positive preliminary results. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of these games to improve vision, attention, and motor skills in patients with residual amblyopia and identify brain-related changes. We hypothesize that a VR-based training with the suggested ingredients (3D cues and rich feedback), combined with increasing the difficulty level and the use of various games in a home-based environment is crucial for treatment efficacy of vision recovery, and may be particularly effective in children.
Methods
The AMBER study is a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial designed to assess the effect of binocular stimulation (VR-based stereoptic serious games) in individuals with residual amblyopia (n = 30, 6–35 years of age), compared to refractive correction on vision, selective attention and motor control skills. Additionally, they will be compared to a control group of age-matched healthy individuals (n = 30) to account for the unique benefit of VR-based serious games. All participants will play serious games 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. The games are delivered with the Vivid Vision Home software. The amblyopic cohort will receive both treatments in a randomized order according to the type of amblyopia, while the control group will only receive the VR-based stereoscopic serious games. The primary outcome is visual acuity in the amblyopic eye. Secondary outcomes include stereoacuity, functional vision, cortical visual responses, selective attention, and motor control. The outcomes will be measured before and after each treatment with 8-week follow-up.
Discussion
The VR-based games used in this study have been conceived to deliver binocular visual stimulation tailored to the individual visual needs of the patient, which will potentially result in improved basic and functional vision skills as well as visual attention and motor control skills.
Trial registration:
This protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05114252) and in the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (identifier: SNCTP000005024)
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements, Encouragement and Hesitancy among Non-Healthcare, Non-Congregate Workers in Chicago: Results from the WEVax Survey
Authors: Lendacki Frances R , Forst Linda , Mehta Supriya D. , Kerins Janna L.
Published: January 2023

Background
While frontline and essential workers were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination in the United States, coverage rates and encouragement strategies among non-healthcare workers have not been well-described. The Chicago Department of Public Health surveyed non-healthcare businesses to fill these knowledge gaps and identify potential mechanisms for improving vaccine uptake.
Methods
The Workplace Encouragement for COVID-19 Vaccination in Chicago survey (WEVax Chicago) was administered, using REDCap from July 11 to September 12, 2022, to businesses previously contacted for COVID-19 surveillance and vaccine-related outreach. Stratified random sampling by industry was used to select businesses for phone follow-up; zip codes with low COVID-19 vaccine coverage were oversampled. Business and workforce characteristics including employee vaccination rates were reported. Frequencies of requirement, verification, and eight other strategies to encourage employee vaccination were assessed, along with barriers to uptake. Fisher’s exact test compared business characteristics, and Kruskal-Wallis test compared numbers of encouragement strategies reported among businesses with high (> 75%) vs. lower or missing vaccination rates.
Results
Forty-nine businesses completed the survey, with 86% having 500 or fewer employees and 35% in frontline essential industries. More than half (59%) reported high COVID-19 vaccination rates among full-time employees; most (75%) workplaces reporting lower coverage were manufacturing businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Verifying vaccination was more common than requiring vaccination (51% vs. 28%). The most frequently reported encouragement strategies aimed to improve convenience of vaccination (e.g., offering leave to be vaccinated (67%) or to recover from side effects (71%)), while most barriers to uptake were related to vaccine confidence (concerns of safety, side effects, and other skepticism). More high-coverage workplaces reported requiring (p=0.03) or verifying vaccination (p=0.07), though the mean and median numbers of strategies used were slightly greater among lower-coverage versus higher-coverage businesses.
Conclusions
Many WEVax respondents reported high COVID-19 vaccine coverage among employees. Vaccine requirement, verification and addressing vaccine mistrust may have more potential to improve coverage among working-age Chicagoans than increasing convenience of vaccination. Vaccine promotion strategies among non-healthcare workers should target low-coverage businesses and assess motivators in addition to barriers among workers and businesses.
The phylogenetic relationship based on the ITS, matK and rbcL DNA regions and comparision of chemical contents of twelve Paeonia taxa in Turkey
Authors: Cetiz Mehmet Veysi , Turumtay Emine Akyuz , Burnaz Nesibe Arslan , Özhatay Fatma Neriman , Kaya Erdal , Memon Abdulrezzak , Turumtay Halbay
Published: January 2023

Backgroud: Turkey is considered an important gene pool for the distribution of herbaceous Paeonia species. Twelve taxons were recorded in Turkey and all definitions are morphologically and/or anatomically performed. No studies have been conducted based on DNA barcode sequences. In this study, The matK and rbcL genes and ITS region were sequenced to determine phylogenetic relationships of 12 Turkish Paeonia taxa and chemical comparison was performed with root samples.
Methods and results: The taxons were collected between May and June 2021 from nine different cities. Leaf materials were used for DNA isolation and ITS, matK and rbcL regions were amplified and sequenced. There was no difference among taxa in terms of rbcL sequences. But the ITS and matK regions distinguished 12 taxa. The genotypes were structured in two groups by ITS and matK data. ITS region distinguished P. peregrina, P. arietina, and P. tenuifolia from other taxa, while matK region distinguished P. arietina and P. witmanniana from other taxa. Both barcode sequences actually showed that the registration of P. mascula subsp. arasicola was faulty and it is 100% similar to P. arietina. Twelve taxa were each found to have characteristic polymorphisms in both the ITS and matK regions that could be used to distinguish the species from each other. The most polymorphism was determined in the ITS region (n=54), while the matK region showed less variability (n=9). We also detected the barcode sequences could successfully discriminate the hybrid polyploid Paoenia species from diploid P. tenuifolia. Except for P. tenuifolia, the other Paeonia species were seen to be hybrid. The methanolic root extracts were examined for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities (by FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH). The results revealed significant variation in extracts, polyphenolic content, and antioxidant properties. In 100 g root, TPC ranged from 204.23 to 2343.89 mg, TFC ranged from 7.73 to 66.16 mg, and FRAP ranged from 523.81 to 4338.62 mg. SC50 values of ABTS ranged from 115.08 to 1115.52 μg/ml and DPPH ranged from 73.83 to 963.59 μg/ml.
Conclusion: For the first time, genetic diversity and chemical comparison were performed among Paeonia species along Turkey. It was concluded that 11 of 12 taxa had differences in terms of ITS and matK sequences. It has been shown that barcode sequences must be used for the correct identification of Turkish Paeonia.
Higher Th40 cells (CD4+CD40+ T cells) associate with systemic lupus erythematosus activity
Authors: Zhu Lihua , Song Guangmei , Chen Xiaohui , Zhang Yue , Cui Yanjie , Qiao Jie , Huang Xinran , Li Xueqin , Liu Xiaoen , Zeng Xiangbo , Li Yangqiu , Wang Liang , Li Bo
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of Th40 cells (CD4 + CD40 + T cells) in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Flow cytometry was used to identify the percentage of Th40 cells in peripheral blood from 24 SLE patients and 24 healthy individuals and the level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-r, and TNF-α in serum (22 cases) from the SLE patients. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2000) was used to assess the SLE disease active state. T-test and two independent-samples Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. The percentage of Th40 cells in T cells from SLE patients (19.37 ± 17.43) (%) was significantly higher than that from healthy individuals (4.52 ± 3.16) (%) (P = 0.000). The percentage of Th40 cells was also positively associated with SLEDAI-2000 (P = 0.001) and negatively associated with complement C3 (P = 0.007). The Th40 cell percentage was different in SLE patients with different organs involved. The Th40 cell percentage in SLE patients with lupus serositis (29.29 ± 22.19) was significantly higher than that in patients without serositis (13.41 ± 10.79; P = 0.040), and the percentage in SLE patients with lupus pneumonia involvement (29.11 ± 11.88) was significantly higher than that in patients without lupus pneumonia (16.80 ± 17.99; P = 0.043). After 4 weeks treatment, the Th40 cell percentage decreased significantly (P = 0.005). However, Th40 cell expression was not related to cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-r, and TNF-α; P>0.05). A significantly higher percentage of Th40 cells was found in SLE patients, and the Th40 cell percentage was associated with SLE activity. Thus, Th40 cells may be used as a predictor for SLE disease activity and severity and therapeutic efficacy.
Parent-led communication therapy for bilingual families of autistic children: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Oudet Sarah , Howard Katie , Katsos Napoleon , Durrleman Stephanie
Published: January 2023

Despite a plethora of evidence demonstrating the importance of maintaining bilingualism for children on the autism spectrum, there remain many barriers to accessing learning and communication support for children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) families. In an increasingly globalised world, in which many countries have established more than one national language, bilingualism is the norm for more than half the world’s population. Parent-led therapy (PLT) is critical for autistic children, more so for those from CaLD families, for whom access to dual/multi-language and communication support is more difficult. The aim of this scoping review protocol is to structure the mapping of published literature on PLT for young autistic children in the bilingual context. The concept of this study is to identify the availability of early support programs that can be delivered by parents and/or key caregivers to their young autistic children. The context of this study is to identify PLT programs that have been examined in the bilingual environment. This review will allow researchers to explore the extent, range, and nature of evidence available in this area, which can be used to guide discussions about supporting communication development of CaLD autistic children. This study protocol has been preregistered with the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HY9R2).
Dielectric Properties of Low Moisture Foods Measured by Open-ended Coaxial Probe and Cavity Perturbation Technique
Authors: Frabetti Ana Caroline Cichella , Thillier Alexandre , Curto Hugo , Boillereaux Lionel , Rouaud Olivier , Garnault Tristan , Curet Sébastien
Published: January 2023

The measurement of dielectric properties of foods is essential in the design and control of microwave drying systems as they describe the capability of a material to absorb, transmit and reflect electromagnetic energy. The relative complex permittivity, ɛr*, explains the interactions that may take place between a product and microwave. ɛr* is influenced by its composition (including the moisture content) and temperature. The real component of this complex permittivity is related to energy storage and is called dielectric constant, \({\text{ε}}_{\text{r}}^{{\prime }}\). The imaginary component, the loss factor or \({\text{ε}}_{\text{r}}^{\text{''}}\), is associated to energy dissipation. The dielectric properties of selected low-moisture products (corn starch, curry, paprika, dried chives, rice grain and wheat grain) were evaluated by open-ended coaxial probe (OECP) and cavity perturbation techniques. Semi-skimmed milk powder was heated at 50 and 60°C, and the change in dielectric properties with increasing temperature was measured. The increase in moisture content (from 7.19 to 13.08%, wet basis, w.b.) and its influence on the relative complex permittivity was verified for semi-skimmed milk powder. The results showed that the dielectric constant tends to increase with the increase in temperature and moisture content, and with the decrease in frequency from 2450 to 915 MHz. Values ranged from 1 for corn starch (OECP at 2450 MHz) to 4.36 for rice grain (cavity perturbation at 915 MHz). The loss factor ranged from 0.02 for curry to 0.48 for rice grain, both at 2450 MHz. Open-ended coaxial probe requires close contact between the sample and the probe; therefore, this system was not fit for measuring the dielectric properties of the tested powders (air gaps between the probe and the samples). The cavity perturbation technique has been proven to be reliable for many foods, especially at low moisture contents, but requires a specific microwave applicator to be designed for each evaluated frequency.
Peroxisome loss leads to increased mitochondrial biogenesis and reduced autophagy to preserve mitochondrial function
Authors: Chi Lijun , Lee Dorothy , Leung Sharon , Hu Guanlan , Wen Bijun , Delgado-Olguin Paul , Vissa Miluska , Li Ren , Brumell John , Kim Peter , Bandsma Robert H J
Published: January 2023

Peroxisomes are essential for mitochondrial health. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between these two organelles in hepatic metabolism remains unclear. To address this, we developed a conditional hepatocyte specific Pex16 deficient mouse (Pex16 KO) and subjected these animals to a low protein diet to induce metabolic stress. Loss of PEX16 in hepatocytes led to increased biogenesis of small mitochondria and a reduction in autophagy flux but with preserved capacity for respiration and ATP production. Metabolic stress induced by low protein feeding did lead to mitochondrial dysfunction in Pex16 KO mice and impaired the ability to upregulate its biogenesis. Activation of PPARα partially corrected the mitochondrial disturbances caused by low protein feeding, independent of the presence of peroxisomes. This study shows that peroxisome loss in hepatocytes affects mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy, thereby preserving mitochondrial function and underscore the relation between peroxisomes and mitochondria in regulating the hepatic metabolic responses to nutritional stressors.
Intrusion Detection in Internet of Things Based Smart Farming Using Hybrid Deep Learning Framework
Authors: Kethineni Keerthi , Pradeepini G
Published: January 2023

Smart agriculture is a popular domain due to its intensified growth in recent times. This domain aggregates the advantages of several computing technologies, where the IoT is the most popular and beneficial. In this work, a novel and effective deep learning based framework is developed to detect intrusions in smart farming systems. The architecture is three-tier, with the first tier being the sensor layer, which involves the placement of sensors in agricultural areas. The second tier is the Fog Computing Layer (FCL), which consists of Fog nodes, and the proposed IDS is implemented in each Fog node. The gathered information is transferred to this fog layer for further analysis of data. The third tier is the cloud computing layer, which provides data storage and end-to-end services. The proposed model includes a fused CNN model with the bidirectional gated recurrent unit (Bi-GRU) model to detect and classify intruders. An attention mechanism is included within the BiGRU model to find the key features responsible for identifying the DDoS attack. In addition, the accuracy of the classification model is improved by using a nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithm called the Wild Horse Optimization (WHO) algorithm. The last layer is the cloud layer, which collects data from fog nodes and offers storage services. The proposed system will be implemented in the Python platform, using ToN-IoT and APA-DDoS attack datasets for assessment. The proposed system outperforms the existing methods in accuracy (99.35%), detection rate (98.99%), precision (99.9%) and F-Score (99.08%) for the APA DDoS attack dataset and the achieved accuracy of the ToN-IoT dataset (99.71%), detection rate (99.02%), precision (99.89%) and F-score (99.05%).
Novel rare earth separation using magnetic susceptibility difference
Authors: Chen Liu , Wu Yongxian , Chen Hao , He Chunlin , Dodbiba Gjergj , Nhung Nguyen Thi Hong , Wang Xinpeng , Wei Yuezhou , Fujita Toyohisa
Published: January 2023

Rare earths are essential for manufacturing permanent magnets, widely used in various renewable energy applications, light-emitting diodes, and catalysts for reducing CO2 emissions. Rare earth minerals are distributed worldwide, but mining sites are limited. Recovering rare earth metals from minerals and recycling wastes causes environmental burdens and energy consumption. However, there is no other separation method except for solvent extraction. Here, we developed the simple rare earth separation method using magnetic susceptibility difference by controlling liquid magnetization with ferrofluid and paramagnetic liquid, after preparation of liberated rare earth particles mixture. Conventional magnetic separation could capture all paramagnetic particles as magnetic materials. We investigated particle capture to prevent magnetic levitation and different direction capture. To compare solvent extraction, the rare earth mixture groups in the separation factor of magnetic separation larger than the solvent extraction were Ce-La, Pr-Ce, Eu-Sm, Gd-Eu, Dy-Tb, Tm-Er, and Lu-Yb mixtures. This novel separation method would increase the unused, rare earth resources.
Complete fatty degeneration of thymus associates with male sex, obesity and immunological aging in a Swedish middle-aged population
Authors: Sandstedt Mårten , Chung Rosanna , Skoglund Camilla , Lundberg Anna K , Östgren Carl Johan , Ernerudh Jan , Jonasson Lena
Published: January 2023

Background
Fatty degeneration of thymus (or thymus involution) has long been considered a normal ageing process and the role of thymus in adults has drawn little attention. However, there is emerging evidence that thymic involution is linked to T cell aging, chronic inflammation and increased morbidity. Other factors than chronological age have been proposed to affect the involution rate. However, thymus involution and its determinants have been little studied at a general population level. In the present study, we investigated the imaging characteristics of thymus on computed tomography (CT) in a Swedish middle-aged population. The major aims were to establish the prevalence of fatty degeneration of thymus and to determine its associations with demographic, lifestyle and clinical factors, as well as inflammation, T cell differentiation and thymic output.
Results
In total, 1 048 randomly invited individuals (aged 50-64 years, 49 % females) were included and thoroughly characterized. CT evaluation of thymus included measurements of attenuation, size and a 4-point scoring system, with scale 0-3 based on the ratio of fat and soft tissue. A majority, 615 (59 %) showed complete fatty degeneration, 259 (25 %) predominantly fatty attenuation, 105 (10%) half fatty and half soft-tissue attenuation, while 69 (6.6 %) presented with a solid thymic gland with predominantly soft-tissue attenuation. Age, male sex, high BMI, abdominal obesity and low dietary intake of fiber were independently associated with complete fatty degeneration of thymus. Also, fatty degeneration of thymus as well as low CT attenuation values were independently related to lower proportion of naïve CD8+ T cells, which in turn was related to lower thymic output, assessed by T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) levels.
Conclusion
Among Swedish middle-aged subjects, nearly two-thirds showed complete fatty degeneration of thymus on CT. This was linked to depletion of naïve CD8+ T cells indicating that thymus CT scans might be used to estimate immunological aging. Furthermore, our findings support the intriguing concept that obesity as well as low fiber intake contribute to immunological aging, thereby raising the possibility of preventive strategies.
Betacellulin regulates gap junction intercellular communication by inducing the phosphorylation of connexin 43 in human granulosa-lutein cells
Authors: Li Yuxi , Chang Hsun-Ming , Sung Yu-Wen , Zhu Hua , Leung Peter C. K. , Sun Ying-Pu
Published: January 2023

Background
The gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43) is highly expressed in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. The phosphorylation of certain amino acid residues in the Cx43 protein has been shown to be related to a decline in gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), which subsequently affects oocyte meiotic resumption. As a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, betacellulin (BTC) mediates luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced oocyte maturation and cumulus cell expansion in mammalian follicles. Whether BTC can regulate Cx43 phosphorylation, which further reduces Cx43-coupled GJIC activity in hGL cells remains to be determined.
Methods
Immortalized human granulosa cells (SVOG cells) and primary human granulosa-lutein cells obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization in an academic research center were used as the study models. The expression levels of Cx43 and phosphorylated Cx43 were examined following cell incubation with BTC at different time points. Several kinase inhibitors (sotrastaurin, AG1478, and U0126) and small interfering RNAs targeting EGF receptor (EGFR) and receptor tyrosine-protein kinase 4 (ErbB4) were used to verify the specificity of the effects and to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Real-time-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the specific mRNA and protein levels, respectively. GJIC between SVOG cells were evaluated using a scrape loading and dye transfer assay. Results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance.
Results
The results showed that BTC induced the rapid phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine368 without altering the expression of Cx43 in primary and immortalized hGL cells. Additionally, using a dual inhibition approach (kinase inhibitors and siRNA-based expression knockdown), we demonstrated that this effect was mainly mediated by the EGFR but not the ErbB4 receptor. Furthermore, using a protein kinase C (PKC) kinase assay and a scrape-loading and dye transfer assay, we revealed that PKC signaling is the downstream signaling pathway that mediates the increase in Cx43 phosphorylation and subsequent decrease in GJIC activity in response to BTC treatment in hGL cells.
Conclusions
BTC promptly induced the phosphorylation of connexin 43 at Ser368, leading to decreased GJIC activity in hGL cells. The BTC-induced cellular activities were most likely driven by the EGFR-mediated PKC-dependent signaling pathway. Our findings shed light on the detailed molecular mechanisms by which BTC regulates the process of oocyte meiotic resumption.
Cell density-dependent membrane distribution of ganglioside GM3 in melanoma cells
Authors: Murate Motohide , Yokoyama Noriko , Tomishige Nario , Richert Ludovic , Humbert Nicolas , Pollet Brigitte , Makino Asami , Kono Nozomu , Mauri Laura , Aoki Junken , Sako Yasushi , Sonnino Sandro , Kaneko Mika K , Kato Yukinari , Inamori Kei-ichiro , Inokuchi Jin-ichi , Mely Yves , Iwabuchi Kazuhisa , Kobayashi Toshihide
Published: January 2023

Monosialoganglioside GM3 is the simplest ganglioside involved in various cellular signaling. Cell surface distribution of GM3 is thought to be crucial for the function of GM3, but little is known about the cell surface GM3 distribution. It was shown that anti-GM3 monoclonal antibody binds GM3 in sparse but not in confluent melanoma cells. Our model membrane study evidenced that monoclonal anti-GM3 antibodies showed stronger binding when GM3 was in solid membrane environment. Studies using fluorescent GM3 analogs suggested that GM3 was clustered in solid membrane. Moreover, fluorescent lifetime measurement showed that cell surface of high density melanoma cells is more fluid than that of low density cells. Lipidomics and fatty acid supplementation experiment suggested that monounsaturated fatty acid-containing phosphatidylcholine contributed to the cell density-dependent membrane fluidity. Our results indicate that anti-GM3 antibody senses GM3 clustering and the number and/or size of GM3 cluster differ between sparse and confluent melanoma cells.
Safety and Functional Outcome Analysis of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement for Hydrocephalus Within the Critical Phase of Possible Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Jost Julien Natsumi , Grüter Basil , Tortora Angelo , Marbacher Serge , Musahl Christian , Schubert Gerrit A. , Andereggen Lukas , Wanderer Stefan
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (HC) is a common sequela following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, there is still poor evidence regarding the optimal timing of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement, particularly in the context of early SAH-associated complications such as delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). The purpose was to compare the impact of early (< 21 days after SAH) versus late (≥ 21 days after SAH) VPS placement on the functional clinical outcome.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data from 92 patients with VPS placement after SAH enrolled in our institutional database between 2011 and 2021. We compared two groups, early VPS placement (< 21 days after SAH) versus late VPS placement (≥ 21 days after SAH).
Results
We identified 62 patients with early and 30 patients with late VPS implantation. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS; p = 0.3), the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale, and Fisher grade were not significantly different between the groups. Postoperatively, the mRS (p = 0.002), the Glasgow Outcome Scale (p = 0.002), and the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (p = 0.0028) showed significantly better functional results in patients with early cerebrospinal fluid diversion. The rate of DCI did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.45). There was no difference in the rate of VPS placement associated complications (p = 0.38) or overall mortality (p = 0.35).
Conclusions
Early shunt implantation, within 21 days after SAH and during the time of possible DCI, might not be harmful in patients developing HC after SAH.
Aberrant DNA methylation of uveal melanoma drivers as an excellent prognostic tool
Authors: Soltysova Andrea , Dvorska Dana , Kajabova Viera Horvathova , Pecimonova Martina , Cepcekova Klaudia , Ficek Andrej , Demkova Lucia , Buocikova Verona , Babal Pavel , Juras Ivan , Janikova Katarina , Kasubova Ivana , Samec Marek , Brany Dusan , Lyskova Darina , Dankova Zuzana , Smolkova Bozena , Furdova Alena
Published: January 2023

Background: Despite outstanding advances in understanding the genetic background of uveal melanoma (UM) development and prognosis, the role of DNA methylation reprogramming remains elusive. This study aims to clarify the extent of DNA methylation deregulation in the context of gene expression changes and its utility as a reliable prognostic biomarker.
Methods: Transcriptomic and DNA methylation landscapes in 25 high- and low-risk UMs were interrogated by Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Gene Expression 8×60K v2 Microarray and Human Infinium Methylation EPIC Bead Chip array, respectively. DNA methylation and gene expression of the nine top discriminatory genes, selected by the integrative analysis, were validated by pyrosequencing and qPCR in 58 tissues.
Results: Among 2,262 differentially expressed genes discovered in UM samples differing in metastatic risk, 60 were epigenetic regulators, mostly histone modifiers and chromatin remodelers. 44,398 CpGs were differentially methylated, 27,810 hypomethylated, and 16,588 hypermethylated in high-risk tumors, with Δβ values ranging between -0.78 and 0.79. By integrative analysis, 944 differentially expressed DNA methylation-regulated genes were revealed, 635 hypomethylated/upregulated, and 309 hypermethylated/downregulated. Aberrant DNA methylation in high-risk tumors was associated with the deregulation of key oncogenic pathways such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, focal adhesion, proteoglycans in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling, or ECM-receptor interaction. Notably, DNA methylation values of nine genes, HTR2B, AHNAK2, CALHM2, SLC25A38, EDNRB, TLR1, RNF43, IL12RB2, and MEGF10, validated by pyrosequencing, demonstrated excellent risk group prediction accuracies (AUC ranging between 0.870 and 0.956). Moreover, CALHM2 hypomethylation and MEGF10, TLR1 hypermethylation, as well as two three-gene methylation signatures, Signature 1 combining AHNAK2, CALHM2, and IL12RB and Signature 2 AHNAK2, CALHM2, and SLC25A38genes, correlated with shorter overall survival (HR = 4.38, 95% CI 1.30-16.41, HR = 5.59, 95% CI 1.30-16.41; HR = 3.43, 95% CI 1.30-16.41, HR = 4.61, 95% CI 1.30-16.41 and HR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.39-17.58, respectively).
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a significant role of DNA methylation aberrancy in UM progression. The advantages of DNA as a biological material and excellent prediction accuracies of methylation markers open the perspective for their more extensive clinical use.
Implementation and Review of the Care Ecosystem in an Integrated Healthcare System
Authors: Rosenbloom Michael , Kashyap Bhavani , Diaz-Ochoa Ana , Karrmann Jan , Svitak Aleta , Finstad Jennifer , Brombach Ann , Sprandel Ann , Hanson Leah , Dulaney Sarah , Possin Katherine
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives
The University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center (UCSF-MAC) led the development and tested a collaborative care model delivered by lay care team navigators (CTNs) with support from a multidisciplinary team known as the Care Ecosystem (CE). We report the results from the application of the CE within a non-academic healthcare system.
Research Design and Methods
The CE team at HealthPartners consisted of two CTNs, a social worker, an RN, a program coordinator, and a behavioral neurologist. Intake forms were developed to collect demographic, baseline, and annual longitudinal data at one year related to dementia severity and care partner status. Experience surveys were completed every 6 months by participating care partners. All data was entered into REDCap.
Results
A total of 570 PWD-caregiver dyads were recruited into the CE: 53% PWDs female, average age 75.2 ± 9.43, 19% living within rural communities. Of the 173 dyads assessed at one year, 58% of care partners responded to surveys, and 67% of those provided data about their CE experience through survey data. At one year, PWDs progressed in disease severity and functional impairment, although care partner burden and mood remained unchanged. We observed a significant reduction in care partner reported emotional challenges associated with caregiving, sleep problems, and obtaining care partner help at one year. Eighty-six percent of care partners reported feeling supported by their CTN nearly always or quite frequently, and 88% rated the CTN as highly responsive to what was important to them.
Discussion and Implications
The CE was feasible and well-received within a non-academic healthcare system.