bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural revolution of PVDF crystallized on nanocarbon surface on a gradient temperature stage and its dielectric properties
Authors: Li Shuhui , Wang Hai , Liang Xiaobin , Qu Meijie , Fan Mingshuai , Zhang Rui , Nakajima Ken , Bin Yuezhen
Published: April 2023

Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has been widely concerned because of its various transformations of crystal phase as well as its special dielectric, piezoelectric, and other electrical properties. In this paper, the temperature gradient (T-gradient) was constructed for studying the temperature dependence of crystallization behavior of PVDF and the heterogenous nucleation effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene nano-platelets (GN). The aggregate structure, the change content of PVDF conformation, and the influence of heterogenous nucleating agent on the crystallization behavior of PVDF formed at different crystallization temperature (Tc) were investigated through three different dimensions by using FTIR for surface, WAXD/SAXS for bulk and AFM for cross-section respectively. The results showed that the low temperature and heterogenous nucleating agent were both conductive to the formation of γ phase of PVDF. The content of γ phase reached to 77% when Tc was lower than 61 ℃, and the proportion of γ (021) peak increases from 1.7–7.0% when PVDF crystallized at Tc =117 ℃ induced by MWCNT-rich. And the high density of nucleus and low Tc lead to the lower lamellar thickness and lower crystallite size. Higher content and lower crystallite size of γ phase leads to higher dielectric constant. The dielectric constant of sample crystallized at 61 ℃ which was induced by GN was significantly increased up to 6.2 which can lay a foundation for its future application in the field of dielectric.
North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre Provides Downstream Ocean Predictability
Authors: Fan Hongdou , Borchert Leonard , Brune Sebastian , Koul Vimal , Baehr Johanna
Published: April 2023

It has been hypothesized that North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG) exerts substantial influence on climate predictability. However, a clear identification of the downstream impact of SPG variations is still lacking. Using MPI-ESM-LR1.2 decadal prediction system, we show that along the Atlantic water pathway, a dynamical link to the SPG causes salinity to be considerably better predicted than temperature. By modulating slow northward ocean propagation, the memory of SPG variations in subsurface salinity causes salinity to be skillfully predicted up to 8 years ahead. In contrast, SPG loses influence on temperature before Atlantic water penetrates into the Nordic Seas, where temperature is only predicted up to 2 years ahead. This study identifies the key role of SPG signals in downstream prediction and highlights how SPG signals determine prediction time scales for different quantities, opening the door for investigating multiple quantities in the subarctic for earth system prediction research.
Ensemble of BLUP, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning Models Predict Maize Yield Better Than Each Model Alone
Authors: Kick Daniel Robert , Washburn Jacob Daniel
Published: April 2023

Predicting phenotypes accurately from genomic, environment, and management factors is key to accelerating the development of novel cultivars with desirable traits. Inclusion of management and environmental factors enables in silico studies to predict the effect of specific management interventions or future climates. Despite the value such models would confer, much work remains to improve the accuracy of phenotypic predictions. Rather than advocate for a single specific modeling strategy, here we demonstrate within large multi-environment and multi-genotype maize trials that combining predictions from disparate models using simple ensemble approaches most often results in better accuracy than using any one of the models on their own. We investigated various ensemble combinations of different model types, model numbers, and model weighting schemes to determine the accuracy of each.
We find that ensembling generally improves performance even when combining only two models. The number and type of models included alter accuracy with improvements diminishing as the number of models included increases. Using a genetic algorithm to optimize ensemble composition reveals that, when weighted by the inverse of each model’s expected error, using combinations of best linear unbiased predictors, linear fixed effects models, deep learning models, and select machine learning models perform best on our datasets.
Experimental study on the influence of longitudinal slope on airflow-dust migration behavior after tunnel blasting
Authors: Hu Hui , Tao Yuchun , Zhang Heng , Zhao Yiqi , Lan Youdi , Ge Zhenghui
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a 1:21 model experiment was conducted to discuss the dust dispersion efficiency and liner trolley obstruction effect inside the tunnel at -9° to 9°, the effect of different initial dust concentrations on dust dispersion and liner trolley obstruction effect at 6° slope, and the effect of different return air velocity on dust dispersion at 6° slope. The results show that as the slope of the tunnel changes from 0° to -9°, the average dust dispersion time decreases by 3.7% at the working face and the dust concentration difference between the front and rear of the trolley is improved by 2.7%. When the slope of the tunnel changes from 0° to -9°, the average dust dispersion time increases by 7.2% at the working face and the dust concentration difference between the front and rear of the trolley is improved by 17.9%. With each 100mg/m3 increase in the initial dust concentration, the dust dispersion time at the working face and the tunnel exit increases by 9.15% and 8.17% on average, and the lining trolley obstruction time increases by 23.33s on average. The dust dispersion times take an average reduction rate of 15.7%, with the increase of return air velocity. The recommended return air velocity is greater than 1m/s for large slope tunnels. When the slope changes from 0°to 9°, the hindrance rate of slope on dust dispersion is 2.88462%, 8.65385%, and 16.34615% respectively. Dust dispersion efficiency will be reduced as the tunnel slope changes from 0°to 9°, The growth rate of slope on dust dispersion is -0.96154%, -2.88462%, and -6.73077% respectively.
Apple pest and pathogen reduction in landscapes with large patch size and small area of orchards: a national-scale analysis
Authors: Etienne Lucas , Franck Pierre , Rusch Adrien , Lavigne Claire
Published: April 2023

Context
: The composition and configuration of habitats in agricultural landscapes may determine crop damage resulting from pests or pathogens either by directly affecting their population dynamics or through indirect effects on their natural enemies.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of landscape composition and configuration on the occurrence and damage caused by the codling moth and apple scab in apple orchards.
Methods
Using monitoring data at the French national scale, we examined how the proportion of landscape area grown with orchards the mean patch area of orchards the share of organic orchards and the proportion of woodlands and grasslands affected the occurrence and damage of these two pests from 2015 to 2019 in approximately sixty apple orchards each year.
Results
Landscapes with a higher proportion of orchards supported a higher occurrence of apple scab and earlier colonisation of codling moths. In addition, we found that codling moth damage decreased with increasing orchard patch area in the landscape. The proportion of seminatural habitats or organic farming in the landscape never significantly explained pest occurrence or damage.
Conclusions
Our results clearly highlight the importance of considering the amount and spatial arrangement of the pests’ and pathogens’ host crops to understand their infestation levels. Our study calls for the territorial management of orchard distribution to limit pesticide use in apple orchards.
Sperm-fluid-cell interplays in the bovine oviduct: glycosaminoglycans modulate sperm binding to the isthmic reservoir
Authors: Mahé Coline , Pranomphon Thanya , Reynaud Karine , Laffont Ludivine , Meylheuc Thierry , Schoen Jennifer , Mermillod Pascal , Saint-Dizier Marie
Published: April 2023

When entering the oviduct for fertilisation, spermatozoa come into contact with the oviduct fluid (OF) and can bind to luminal epithelial cells in the isthmus to form a sperm reservoir. The objective of this study was to examine how the OF modulates sperm adhesion to the oviduct reservoir using anin vitromodel of oviduct epithelial spheroids (OES). Bovine oviducts from a local slaughterhouse were used to collect OF and isthmic fragments for thein vitroculture of OES. Compared to a non-capacitating control medium, the pre-ovulatory OF significantly decreased by 80–90% the density of spermatozoa bound to OES without affecting sperm motility, membrane integrity, or sperm-cilia interactions. This effect on sperm binding was reproduced with (i) OF from different cycle stages and anatomical regions of the oviduct; (ii) OF fractions of more than 3 kDa; (iii) modified OF in which proteins were denatured or digested and (iv) heparan sulphate but not hyaluronic acid, two glycosaminoglycans present in the OF. In conclusion, the OF prevented a sperm subpopulation from binding to oviduct epithelial cells without affecting sperm motility and this effect was due to macromolecules, including heparan sulphate.
The Role of Experience in Prioritizing Hippocampal Replay
Authors: Bendor Daniel , Gorriz Marta Huelin , Takigawa Masahiro
Published: April 2023

During sleep, recent memories are consolidated, whereby behavioral episodes first encoded by the hippocampus get transformed into long-term memories. However, the brain cannot consolidate every experience and much like the triage of an emergency room, the hippocampus is hypothesized to give precedence to more important memories first, and deprioritize or even skip over less relevant memories if needed. Here we examine two factors that are postulated to influence this memory triage process- 1) repetition, arising from the number of times a behavioral episode is repeated, increasing the priority to consolidate and 2) familiarity, resulting from previously experiencing a similar behavioral episode, in turn decreasing the need for further consolidation. Recording from large ensembles of hippocampal place cells while rats ran repeated spatial trajectories, and afterwards during periods of sleep, we examined how these two factors influenced replay, a hypothesized mechanism of consolidation involving the offline spontaneous reactivation of memory traces. We observed that during sleep, the rate of replay events for a given track increased proportionally with the number of spatial trajectories run by the rat. In contrast to this, the rate of sleep replay events decreased if the rat was more familiar with the track, arising from previously running on the same track before its most recent sleep session. Furthermore, we find that the cumulative number of awake replay events that occur during behavior, influenced by both the novelty and duration of an experience, predicts which memories are prioritized for sleep replay, and provides a more parsimonious mechanism for the selectively strengthening and triaging of memories.
HLA-DQA1*05 and upstream variants of PPARGC1B are associated with infliximab persistence in Japanese Crohn’s disease patients
Authors: Naito Takeo , Shimoda Fumiko , Kakuta Yoichi , Kawai Yosuke , Shimoyama Yusuke , Moroi Rintaro , Shiga Hisashi , Nagasaki Masao , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: April 2023

Recently, the HLA-DQA1*05 (rs2097432) genetic variation has been reported to be linked to early Infliximab (IFX) treatment failure in the Caucasian Crohn’s disease (CD) population, but that evidence is scarce in the Asian population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between rs2097432 and the cumulative discontinuation-free time of IFX (IFX persistence) in 189 Japanese IFX-naiveCD patients. We also performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to discover novel genetic predictors for IFX persistence. The rs2097432 significantly increased the risk of early discontinuation of IFX even after being adjusted by other clinical parameters [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.13 and P-value = 0.038]. In GWAS, one locus tagged by rs73277969, located upstream of PPARGC1B, reached genome-wide significance (HR = 6.04 and P-value = 7.93E-9). We confirmed the robust association of rs2097432 with IFX persistence regardless of the population. A novel genetic factor for IFX persistence was also identified using GWAS.
Pharmacy Student Attitudes to Mental Health Care: A Longitudinal Survey
Authors: Keating Dolores , McWilliams Stephen , Clarke Mary , Strawbridge Judith
Published: April 2023

Background

Attitudes to mental illness are an important factor in the willingness of professionals to engage in mental health care.

Aim

We sought to understand the attitudes of undergraduate pharmacy students in Ireland to severe mental illness and the provision of medicines optimisation services. Further, we aimed to understand if these attitudes changed through the course of the students’ undergraduate training.

Methods

A survey instrument was compiled using existing published research. The survey was distributed to students in their first, third and MPharm years annually between 2014 and 2019.

Results

The overall response rate to the survey was 25%. Respondents were mostly female (77.5%) and knew someone experiencing mental illness (83.2%). Notwithstanding generally positive attitudes, a sizeable proportion of students felt people with severe depression and schizophrenia were hard to talk to (29.2% vs 25.3%). Less than half of MPharm students expressed confidence and competence in caring for people with more severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and 29% of students would feel awkward asking someone about their antipsychotic medication. Almost two thirds (63.8%) expressed an interest in a career in mental health.

Conclusion

Irish pharmacy students have generally positive attitudes towards people with severe mental illness and provision of medicines optimisation services. Practical difficulties in conducting longitudinal research are challenging to overcome with low response rates to surveys limiting the generalisability of results. It is nonetheless encouraging that a significant proportion of our future pharmacists consider mental health care to be a potentially rewarding career option.
M6 A-mediated upregulation of HOXC10 promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma development through PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Li Miao , Guo Qianwen , Shi Qian , Rao Yanzhi , Dong Yixin , Chen Fangjie , Qi Xun
Published: April 2023

Human Hox genes (Homeobox) play a crucial role in embryonic development and cancer. The HOXC10 gene, a member of the HOX family, has been reported abnormally expressed in several cancers. However, the association between HOXC10 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, tissue microarray cohort data showed that high levels of HOXC10expression predicted a poor survival in HCC patients. Meanwhile, HOXC10 was significantly upregulated in the Huh7 cell line compared with the well differentiated cell line HepG2 and human normal liver cells. Functionally, silencing HOXC10 in Huh7 cells inhibited cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited invasion and migration of HCC cells. HOXC10 overexpression in HepG2 cells increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and increased invasion and migration of HCC cells. In the HepG2 xenograft models, HOXC10 increased the tumor volume and weight compared with control. Mechanistically, the m6A modification of HOXC10 by METTL3 enhanced its expression by enhancing its mRNA stability. Both the in vitro and in vivo results showed that overexpressed HOXC10 activated the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. In summary, the findings highlight the importance of HOXC10 in the regulation of HCC progression. HOXC10 is potentially a future therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
A single-cell transcriptomic atlas characterizes molecular features in ureteritis/cystitis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Qiao Guanglei , Yu Xiang , Deng Zhoufeng , Yu Wenxi , Yuan Ying , Liu Min , Liu Zimei , Zhang Yan , Chen Ying , Yu Liping , Lin Hongjian , Ma Lijun , Wu Yuquan , Huang Wentao , Liu Xin , Zhang Jianjun
Published: April 2023

Common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) include dermatological, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, or endocrine side effects. Although less common than other IrAEs, IrAEs involving the urinary tract and bladder are gradually being recognized by clinicians. However, the early diagnosis and optimal management of ICI-induced ureteritis/cystitis are challenging because the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we report the results from a comprehensive single-cell analysis of cell populations implicated in ureteritis/cystitis induced by an anti-programmed-death-1 monoclonal antibody. We observed a striking expansion of T cells with highly cytotoxic state in the ureteritis/cystitis tissue, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in epithelial cell numbers. The proportion of macrophages was also increased in the ureteritis/cystitis tissue, compared with healthy tissue. Moreover, we identified changes in the molecular features of the CXCL, TNF, NF-κB, ITGB2, and GZMB signaling pathways. Collectively, our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ICI-induced ureteritis/cystitis and imply that modulating T cell, macrophage, epithelial cell, and endothelial cell functions by interfering with the identified signaling pathways could help guide new therapeutic strategies.
Radiomics analysis based on CT for the prediction of pulmonary metastases in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Yin Ping , Cui Jingjing , Sun Chao , Chen Lei , Hong Nan , Li Zhentao
Published: April 2023

Objectives
This study aimed to develop and validate radiomics models on the basis of computed tomography (CT) and clinical features for the prediction of pulmonary metastases (MT) in patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) within 2 years after diagnosis.
Materials and Methods
A total of 143 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of ES were enrolled in this study (114 in the training cohort and 29 in the validation cohort). The regions of interest (ROIs) were handcrafted along the boundary of each tumor on the CT and CT-enhanced (CTE) images, and radiomic features were extracted. Six different models were built, including three radiomics models (CT, CTE and ComB models) and three clinical-radiomics models (CT_clinical, CTE_clinical and ComB_clinical models). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and accuracy were calculated to evaluate the different models, and DeLong test was used to compare the AUCs of the models.
Results
Among the clinical risk factors, the therapeutic method had significant differences between the MT and non-MT groups (P＜0.01). The six models performed well in predicting pulmonary metastases in patients with ES, and the ComB model (AUC: 0.866/0.852 in training/validation cohort) achieved the highest AUC among the six models. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the AUC of the models.
Conclusions
In patients with ES, clinical-radiomics model created using radiomics signature and clinical features provided favorable ability and accuracy for pulmonary metastases prediction.
Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on hydrochemical properties of the Brahmaputra River, India
Authors: Meena Vijay , Paul Sujata , Sarma Arup Kumar , Mahanta Chandan , Bhattacharyya Krishna Gopal
Published: April 2023

Millions of the people in Assam- India, rely on the Brahmaputra River for survival. Hence, the assessment of the suitability of its water for drinking and agricultural use is of utmost necessity. The present research work assessed the water quality of the Brahmaputra River before and after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Eleven sampling stations along the river's course were analysed. The trend of cations and anions was observed as Ca2+> Mg2+> Na+>K+and HCO3−> SO42−> Cl−> NO3−> PO43−, both before and after the lockdown. Statistical analysis showed more deteriorated water quality after the lockdown. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) during post lockdown period was 1.4 times higher than the pre-lockdown, signifying more pollution in the post-lockdown period. Silicate and carbonate weathering was found in both periods. The drinking water quality did not improve after the lockdown and remained 'poor' for both periods. Indices used to analyse irrigation water quality were percent Sodium (Na%), Magnesium hazard (MH), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) Kelly's ratio (KR), Permeability index (PI) and Cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS). SAR index and Wilcox diagram depicted deteriorated water quality after the lockdown period, making it harmful for irrigation.
GABA/Baclofen Enhances Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer by Stabilizing PD-L1
Authors: Sun Xue , Xu Yanping , Lv Lei
Published: April 2023

The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on the surface of tumor cells binds to the receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) on effector T cells, thereby inhibiting the anti-tumor immune response. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has been approved for the treatment of human cancers with lasting clinical benefit. However, many cancer patients did not respond to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody blocking therapy or drugs targeting PD-1/PD-L1. Recent studies have shown that the response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade may be related to the PD-L1 abundance of tumor cells. Therefore, it is of crucial significance to find drugs to regulate the expression of PD-L1, which can provide new strategies to improve the response rate and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking in cancer treatment. Here, we found that GABA and baclofen, upregulates the protein level of PD-L1 by reducing the mRNA and protein levels of STUB1, a E3 ubiquitin ligase, thereby decreasing the interaction between STUB1 and PD-L1, and ultimately stabilizing PD-L1. Notably, GABA and baclofen did not affect cell proliferation in vitro, while in the treatment of breast cancer in mice, the therapeutic effect of baclofen combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody is significantly better than that of using anti-PD-L1 antibody alone by stimulating tumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells and antitumor immunity. Taken together, we unveiled a previously unappreciated role of GABA/baclofen in stabilizing PD-L1 and enhancing the immunotherapy of breast cancer.
Modulation of pancreatic tumor immunity by NKG2D T cells through MICB shedding
Authors: Toyoda Hitoshi , Kuramasu Atsuo , Hosonuma Masahiro , Murayama Masakazu , Narikawa Yoichiro , Isobe Junya , Baba Yuta , Tajima Kohei , Funayama Eiji , Shida Midori , Hirasawa Yuya , Tsurui Toshimitsu , Ariizumi Hirotsugu , Ishiguro Tomoyuki , Suzuki Risako , Kobayashi Sei , Horiike Atsushi , Hida Noriko , Sambe Takehiko , Nobe Koji , Wada Satoshi , Kobayashi Hitome , Tsuji Mayumi , Kobayashi Shinichi , Tsunoda Takuya , Inagaki Katsunori , Kiuchi Yuji , Yoshimura Kiyoshi
Published: April 2023

Natural killer group 2 member D ligands (NKG2DLs) are expressed as stress response proteins in cancer cells. NKG2DLs induce the activation of immune cells or tumor escape responses, depending on their expression. Human pancreatic cancer cells, Panc-1, express membrane MICA/B (mMICA/B), whereas soluble MICB (sMICB) is detected in the culture supernatant. We hypothesized that sMICB saturates NKG2D in NKG2DLow T cells and inhibits the activation signal from mMICB to NKG2D. The findings revealed that downregulation of MICB reduced sMICB, downregulated mMICB, maintained activation of NKG2DLow T cells, and inhibited activation of NKG2DHigh T cells. To maintain mMICB expression and reduce sMICB expression, we inhibited ADAM, a metalloproteinase that sheds MICB. Subsequently, the shedding of MICB was prevented by ADAM17 inhibitors, and the activation of NKG2DLow T cells was maintained. These results elucidate the mechanism of immune escape via sMICB and show promising potential for the activation of NKG2DLow T cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Functional Swiss-type experimental cheeses diet promotes beneficial effects in mice gut microbiome during homeostasis and inflammation
Authors: Carvalho Rodrigo , Rabah Houem , Carmo Fillipe Luiz Rosa , Ariute Juan Carlos , Aburjaile Flávia Figueira , Brenig Bertram , Guédon Eric , Loir Yves Le , Jan Gwénaël , Azevedo Vasco
Published: April 2023

Background
Nutritional interventions have been considered an alternative rationale for preventing Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. The investigation of their impact on the gut microbiota is a fundamental question since shifts in the composition of the commensal bacterial community are required for the onset and maintenance of colitis. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of two types of cheeses, fermented by probiotic propionibacteria. One experimental single-strain cheese was solely fermented by Propionibacterium freudenreichii CIRM-BIA129. Another was an Emmental made in industrial conditions using the same propionic strain, in combination with Lactobacillus delbrueckii CNRZ327 and Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9, as starters. Both kinds of cheese were tested in healthy conditions and the context of DSS-induced colitis in conventional C57BL6 mice and the gut microbiota was investigated.
Results
Based on the metagenomic analysis, our results suggest that cheese consumption, whatever the kind of cheese, did not disturb the typical microbial community, although the Emmental intake increased symbionts population as Romboutsia sp. and partially increased Akkermansia muciniphila. Furthermore, metabolic pathway reconstruction analysis suggests that A. muciniphila may produce acetate through sulfate assimilatory metabolism and may cooperate with other commensal species in tryptophan and glutamate metabolism to produce indole and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Considering the colitis context, the consumption of the Single-strain cheese restored some of the impaired microbiome metabolic functions, while Emmental cheese promoted the increase of Ligilactobacillus murinus. This bacterium presented several genes involved in producing metabolites and adhesin proteins with potential immunomodulatory activity.
Conclusions
This study concludes that the Emmental cheese effects increased the microbiota's capacity to produce metabolites involved in gut-brain axis regulation in intestinal homeostasis condition and, therefore, may represent a potential therapy for inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases. Regarding the colitis context, our results support the beneficial properties of functional Emmental cheese by suggesting possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms based on the promotion of Lg. murinus interaction with the host.
Assessment of Urbanization Impacts on Coastal Aquifer Vulnerability by Seawater Intrusion Using GIS-Based Modified GALDIT-B Model: A Case Study of South Chennai Coastal Region, Tamil Nadu, India.
Authors: Ravi Subramani , Sudalaimuthu Karuppasamy
Published: April 2023

Seawater intrusion into groundwater aquifers is a growing global concern due to factors such as groundwater exploitation, rising sea levels, and climate change. This study focuses on the Chennai south coastal region and incorporates an urban sprawl perspective to delineate vulnerable zones of seawater intrusion into littoral aquifers. The study uses land use/land cover (LULC) classification to measure the expansion of impervious surfaces in the region from 2000 to 2020. The GALDIT-B model is modified and performed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) based -Analytical Heirarchy Process (AHP) to assign weights and ratings to each factor. The resulting model identifies five categories of vulnerable zones, ranging from very high to very low, based on factors such as groundwater level and the impact of existing seawater intrusion. The study found that the coastal and deltaic geomorphological formations in the region, which consist of clayey and sandy aquifer regions with built-up areas, are the most vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. The vulnerability of the very high vulnerable zone increased by 6% between pre-monsoon 2000 and pre-monsoon 2010 and by 16% between pre-monsoon 2010 and pre-monsoon 2020. The model was cross-validated using major hydrochemical parameters and the hydrochemical facies evolution (HFE) diagram of groundwater elements. The highest concentration of NaCl was found in the extremely vulnerable zones. The Piper trilinear diagram was used to identify the presence of saltwater in coastal aquifers. The modified GALDIT-B model is a useful tool for decision-makers involved in the development of coastal urbanization.
Textbook Outcome Contributes to Long-Term Prognosis in Elderly Colorectal Cancer patients
Authors: Maeda Yuto , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Mitsuura Chisho , Morito Atsushi , Ohuchi Mayuko , Kosumi Keisuke , Eto Kojiro , Ogawa Katsuhiro , Baba Yoshifumi , Iwagami Shiro , Miyamoto Yuji , Yoshida Naoya , Baba Hideo
Published: April 2023

Purpose
Textbook outcome (TO) has been used to define achievement of multiple “ideal” or “optimal” surgical and postoperative quality measures from the patient’s perspective. However, TO has not been reported for their impact on survival in elderly, including CRC surgery. This study determined whether TO is associated with long-term outcomes after curative colorectomy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods
Patient who underwent curative surgery over 75 years old for CRC between March 2005 and December 2016. TO included five separate: surgery within 6 weeks, radical resection, Lymph node (LN) yield ≥ 12, no stoma, and no adverse outcome. When all 5 short-term quality of care parameters were realized, TO was achieved (TO). If any one of the 5 parameters was not met, the treatment was not considered TO (nTO).
Results
TO was realized in 80 patients (43.0%). Differences in surgical-related characteristics, and pathological characteristics according to TO had no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, except for Lymph node dissection. The Kaplan–Meier curves for OS and RFS association between TO and nTO had significantly poor 5-year OS and 5-year RFS compared with the TO groups (OS, 77.8% vs. 60.8%, P < 0.01; RFS, 69.6% vs. 50.8%, P = 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, nTO was an independent predictive factor for worse OS (HR, 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.175–3.557; P = 0.01) and RFS (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.043–2.842; P = 0.03).
Conclusions
TO can be a useful predictor for postoperative morbidity and prognosis after curative colorectomy for CRC.
Garlic exosomes alleviate dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, in which peu-MIR2916-p3 acts as a key component boosting the growth of anti-colitis Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Liu Yueyue , Dong Xinyue , Duan Tianchi , Wang Chennan , Wang Lu , Yang Xingbin , Tian Honglei , Li Ting
Published: April 2023

Background:Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have drawn much attention for oral prevention and treatment of colonic diseases. However, the roles of ELNs derived from garlic (Allium sativumL.)., which is widely documented for treating dysentery in Chinese medicine, on colitis remain largely unknown.Results:We demonstrate that garlic ELNs (GELNs), with desirable particle sizes (79.60 nm) trafficking large amounts of functional proteins and miRNAs, stably roam in the gut and confer protection against ulcerative colitis. In DSS-induced colitis mice, orally administered GELNs effectively ameliorated bloody diarrhea, normalized the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and prevented colonic barrier impairment. Mechanistically, GELNs were taken up by gut microbes and reshaped DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, in whichBacteroidesserved as the dominant respondent genus upon GELNs treatment. Of note, peu-MIR2916-p3, one of the most abundant miRNAs in GELNs, specifically promoted the growth ofBacteroides thetaiotaomicron, an intestinal symbiotic bacterium with palliative effect on colitis.Conclusion:Our findings provide new insights for the application of GELNs and highlight the potential of GELNs as natural nanotherapeutic agents for preventing and treating ulcerative colitis.
The SNP rs460089 in the gene promoter of the drug transporter OCTN1 has prognostic value on treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with imatinib
Authors: Polakova Katerina Machova , Albeer Ali , Polivkova Vaclava , Krutska Monika , Vlcanova Katerina , FABARIUS Alice , Klamova Hana , Spieß B , Waller Cornelius , Bruemmendorf Tim , Dengler Jolanta , Kunzmann Volker , Burchert Andreas , Belohlavkova Petra , Mustjoki Satu , Faber Edgar , Mayer Jiri , Zackova Daniela , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Richter Johan , Hjorth-Hansen Henrik , Płonka Magdalena , Szczepanek Elżbieta , Szarejko Monika , Bober Grażyna , Hus Iwona , Grzybowska-Izydorczyk Olga , Kloczko Janusz , Paczkowska Edyta , Niesiobędzka-Krężel Joanna , Giannopoulos Krzysztof , Mahon Francois-Xavier , Sacha Tomasz , Saussele Susanne , Pfirrmann Markus
Published: April 2023

Membrane transporters are important determinants of drug bioavailability. Their expression and activity affect the intracellular drug concentration in leukemic cells impacting response to therapy. Pharmacogenomics represents genetic markers that reflect allele arrangement of genes encoding drug transporters associated with treatment response. In previous work, we identified SNP rs460089 located in the promotor of SLC22A4 gene encoding imatinib transporter OCTN1 as influential on response of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with imatinib. Patients with rs460089-GC pharmacogenotype had significantly superior response to first-line imatinib treatment compared to patients with rs460089-GG. This study investigated whether pharmacogenotypes of rs460089 are associated with sustainability of treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients from the EUROpean Stop Kinase Inhibitor (EURO-SKI) trial. In the learning sample, 176 patients showed a significantly higher 6-month probability of molecular relapse free survival (MRFS) in patients with GC genotype (73%, 95% CI: 60–82%) compared to patients with GG (51%, 95% CI: 41–61%). Also over time, patients with GC genotype had significantly higher MRFS probabilities compared with patients with GG (HR: 0.474, 95% CI: 0.280–0.802, p = 0.0054). Both results were validated with data on 93 patients from the Polish STOP imatinib study. The SNP rs460089 was found as an independent predictor of TFR.
Wear-corrosion characterization of electrodeposited NiW alloys in artificial see water
Authors: Santos C. B. dos , Kölle S.
Published: April 2023

Due to their mechanical and chemical properties, NiW alloys present a very promising alternative in various applications, with the advantage of using elements that do not have a high environmental hazard. NiW alloys were analyzed with regard to their dry wear and wear-corrosion resistance in a saline environment. The analyzed alloys were obtained free of cracks, thus avoiding a reduction of the corrosion resistance of the samples due to the presence of defects produced by the electrodeposition process. The wear behaviour of NiW alloys was investigated using a ball-on-plate tribometer under normal load and reciprocating linear sliding. Comparative measurements in dry and wet conditions were performed to identify the influence of the tribocorrosive conditions on the wear-corrosion resistance of the alloys. The results obtained show that for layers with higher thicknesses, the material lost in condition of wear-corrosion is at the same level or even lower than in dry wear.
Impacts of potential anticancer agents based on Pillar[5]arene for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Kuccukturk Serkan , Karaselek Mehmet Ali , Duran Tugce , Kursunlu Ahmed Nuri , Ozmen Mustafa
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to investigate impacts of potential anticancer (associated with apoptosis and caspase pathways) of two newly synthesized derivatives of pillar[5]arene, named as d-Q-P5 and p-Q-P5, on Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) cells. The MTT method was used to determine the IC50 doses of the derivatives on HNSCC cells, and the changes in gene expression were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The apoptosis change was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that the d-Q-P5 and p-Q-P5 effectively inhibited the proliferation of the cells by upregulating proapoptotic genes (Bax, Bad, p53, Bak, and Apaf-1) and genes involved in the caspase pathway (Casp2, Casp3, and Casp9), while downregulating the antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-2). This study is the first to demonstrate the potential anticancer effects of these two agents on HNSCC cells by positively regulating apoptosis gene expression.
Sulforaphane reduces adipose tissue fibrosis via promoting M2 macrophages polarization in HFD fed-mice
Authors: Song Tianzeng , Zhang Zhenzhen , Chen Huali , Pan Cheng , Li Rui , Zhao Wangsheng
Published: April 2023

Background/Objectives:Adipose tissue fibrosis has been identified as a novel contributor to the pathomechanism of obesity associated metabolic disorders. Sulforaphane (SFN) has been shown to have an anti-obesity effect. However, the impact of SFN on adipose tissue fibrosis is still not well understood.Methods:In this study, obese mice induced by high-fat diets (HFD) were used, and SFN was administered through subcutaneous injection to examined the effects on adipose tissue fibrosis. Analysis included quantification of: (i) body weight, food intake, fat mass, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance; (ii) the relative mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis, inflammation and macrophages polarization related genes; (iii) tissue histology using Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E), immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining; and (iv) the levels of inflammatory cytokinesin serum.Results:According to the current findings, SFN dramatically enhanced glucose tolerance and decreased body weight in diet-induced-obesity (DIO) mice. Additionally, SFN therapy significantly reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and altered the expression of genes related to fibrosis. Furthermore, SFN also reduced inflammation and promoted macrophages polarization towards to M2 phenotype in adipose tissue, which protected adipose tissue from fibrosis. Notably, SFN-mediated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was crucial in decreasing adipose tissue fibrosis.Conclusions:These results implied that SFN had favorable benefits in the management of adipose tissue fibrosis, which consequently ameliorates obesity-related metabolic problems. Our research provides new treatment strategies for obesity.
Improved Reputation Evaluation for Reliable Federated Learning on Blockchain
Authors: Sui Jiacheng , Li Yi , Huang Hai , Fang Li
Published: April 2023

Worker selection is critical to the success of federated learning, but issues such as inadequate incentives and poor-quality data can negatively impact the process. Existing studies have used the multi-weight subjective logic model, but it is vulnerable to malicious evaluation and unfair to newly added nodes. In this paper, we propose an improved reputation evaluation algorithm that allows evaluations from different sources to influence each other and reduce the impact of malicious comments. Our approach effectively distinguishes between malicious and honest users and improves worker selection and collaboration in federated learning.
Hybrid modeling techniques for 3D printed DIEP Flap models
Authors: Jacobson Nicholas M. , Carerra Erik , Treat Aaron , McDonnell Megan , Mathes David , Kaoutzanis Christodoulous
Published: April 2023

Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap (DIEP) surgical procedures have benefited in recent years from the introduction of 3D printed models, yet new technologies are expanding design opportunities which promise to improve patient specific care. Numerous studies, utilizing 3D printed models for DIEP, have shown a reduction of surgical time and complications when used in addition to the review of standard CT imaging. Now, with new technology, highly detailed multi-material 3D printed models are allowing more of the information from medical imaging to be expressed in 3D printed models. This additional data, coupled with advanced digital modeling tools harnessing both voxel- and mesh-based modeling environments, is allowing for an expanded library of modeling techniques which create a wealth of concepts surgeons can use to assemble a presurgical planning model tailored to their particular setting, equipment, and needs. A DIEP free flap procedure requires locating the inferior epigastric perforator vessels traversing and perforating the rectus abdominis muscle, perfusing the abdominal skin and fatty tissue. The goal of dissecting the inferior epigastric perforator vessels is complicated by the opacity of the fatty tissue and muscle. Previous attempts to 3D print patient specific models for DIEP free flap cases from CT imaging has shown a wide range of designs which only show variations of perforator arteries, fatty tissue, and the abdominis rectus muscle. A limitation of digital surface-based modeling tools has led to existing models lacking the ability to composite critical anatomical features, such as differentiation of vessels through different tissues, coherently into one model, providing information more akin to the surgical challenge. To remedy this limitation, we have leveraged a voxel-based modeling environment to composite complex modeling elements and incorporate a ruled grid upon the muscle providing effortless ‘booleaning’ and measured guidance.
The impact of vascular volume fraction and compressibility of the interstitial matrix on vascularised poroelastic tissues
Authors: Mascheroni Pietro , Penta Raimondo , Merodio José
Published: April 2023

In this work we address the role of the microstructural properties of a vascularised poroelastic material, characterised by the coupling between a poroelastic matrix and a viscous fluid vessels network, on its overall response in terms of pressures, velocities and stress maps. We embrace the recently developed model [1] as a theoretical starting point and present the results obtained by solving the full interplay between the microscale, represented by the intervessels’ distance, and the macroscale, representing the size of the overall tissue. We encode the influence of the vessels’ density and the poroelastic matrix compressibility in the poroe-lastic coefficients of the model, which are obtained by solving appropriate periodic cell problem at the microscale. The double poroelastic model [1] is then solved at the macroscale in the context of vascular tumours, for different values of vesssels’ walls permeability. The results clearly indicate that improving the compressibility of the matrix and decreasing the vessels’ density enhances the transvascular pressure difference and hence transport of fluid and drug within a tumour mass after a transient time. Our results suggest to combine vessel and interstitial normalization in tumors to allow for better drug delivery into the lesions.
Nondefinability results with entire functions of finite order in polynomially bounded o-minimal structures
Authors: Sfouli Hassan
Published: April 2023

Let R be a polynomially bounded o-minimal expansion of the realfield. Let f(z) be a transcendental entire function of finite order ρ and type σ∈[0, ∞]. The main purpose of this paper is to show that if (ρ<1) or (ρ=1 and σ=0), the restriction of f(z) on the real axis is not definable in R. Furthermore, we give a generalization of this result for any ρ∈[0,∞).
Classification of Lung Cancer with Deep Learning Res-U-Net and Molecular Imaging
Authors: Malligeswari N. , Kavya G.
Published: April 2023

Lung cancer is the prevalent malignancy, despite the great breakthroughs in detection and prevention and it remains the important cause of death. In recent days, artificial intelligence has exploded in all fields of science. The use of artificial intelligence in medical science has improved in accuracy and precision of predicting this infestation in the initial stages. In the proposed study a deep learning and molecular imaging is used for classifying two different types of lung cancer. The PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) employing an injection 18F-FDG has developed as a useful tool in therapeutic oncologic imaging for both metabolic and anatomic analysis. The proposed model uses Res-U-Net to classify small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from normal by using 18F-FDG PET/CT images from the radiogenmics dataset. This datasets are pre-processed by Gaussian smoothing to reduce the noise from the PET/CT images. Finally, the classification result is obtained through the support vector machine (SVM) classifier which proves the efficiency of the proposed technique. The outcome of the proposed technique yields best and accurate results and it yields the classification accuracy rate of 96.45%for lung cancer into NSCLC and SCLC.
Predicting return to work after head and neck cancer treatment is challenging due to factors that affect work ability
Authors: Ehrsson Ylva Tiblom , Kisiel Marta A. , Yang Yukai , Laurell Göran
Published: April 2023

Purpose To prospectively investigate the factors that hinder and facilitate return to work (RTW) at 3 and 12 months after the end of treatment in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and whether these factors influence the ability to continue working after treatment.
Methods Participants (n=227) aged ≤65 years at diagnosis with HNC were included. Data were collected before the start of treatment and 3 and 12 months after the end of treatment. The Rubin causal model was used for statistical analysis.
Results Within the 3-month follow-up period, 92 participants had RTW and 30 had retired. At the 12-month follow-up, 80 of these participants were still working, another 51 participants had RTW, and five patients working still suffered from cancer. The hindrances to RTW within 3 months were advanced tumour stage (III and IV) (p=0.0159) and multi-modality treatment (p=0.0366). Hindrance to RTW at the 12-month follow-up was oral cancer (p=0.0194), and the facilitator was a white collar job (p=0.0411). Participants living with a spouse or partner had an earlier RTW (p=0.0414).
Conclusions A high rate of early RTW was identified, with only 13% dropping out of work in one year. Disease and treatment factors were the most important hindrances to RTW, and type of work and living with a spouse or partner were nonclinical factors influencing RTW.
Implications for Cancer Survivors: More research is needed to understand the impact of cancer rehabilitation to facilitate RTW and the economic burden of being on sick leave.
Asymptotic expansions for a class of generalized holomorphic Eisenstein series, Ramanujan's formula for ζ(2k + 1), Weierstrass' elliptic and allied functions
Authors: Katsurada Masanori , Noda Takumi
Published: April 2023

For a class of generalized holomorphic Eisenstein series, we establish complete asymptotic expansions (Theorems 1 and 2), which together with the explicit expression of the latter remainder (Theorem 3), naturally transfer to several new variants of the celebrated formulae of Euler and of Ramanujan for specific values of the Riemann zeta-function (Theorem 4 and Corollaries 4.1–4.5), and to various modular type relations for the classical Eisenstein series of any even integer weight (Corollary 4.6) as well as for Weierstraß’ elliptic and allied functions (Corollaries 4.7–4.9). Crucial rˆoles in the proofs are played by certain Mellin-Barnes type integrals, which are manipulated with several properties of confluent hypergeometric functions.
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 11M36; Secondary 11E45, 11M35, 11F11.