bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Literature Review on the Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health in Africa
Authors: Senkyire Ephraim Kumi , Ohaja Magdalena , Ewetan Olabanj , Azuh Dominic , Asiedua Ernestina , White Rebecca , Dunlea Margaret , Barger Mary
Published: September 2022

Africa has the highest rates of maternal deaths globally which have been linked to poorly functioning health care systems. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health in Africa. The integrative review process delineated by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used to meet the study aims. The literature search of Ovid Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, WHO, Google and Google scholar, Africa journals online, MIDIRS was limited to publications between March 2020 and May 2022. All the studies went through the PRISMA stages, and 179 full text papers screened for eligibility, 36 papers met inclusion criteria. Of the studies, 6 were qualitative, 25 quantitative studies, and 5 mixed methods. Thematic analysis according to the methods of Braun and Clark (2006) were used to synthesize the data. From the search the four themes that emerged include: effects of lockdown measures, COVID concerns and psychological stress, reduced attendance at antenatal care and childhood vaccination, reduced facility-based births and increase maternal mortality. A review of the literature revealed the following policy issues: The need for government to develop robust response mechanism to public health emergencies that negatively affect maternal health issues and devise health policies to mitigate negative effects of lockdown. In times of pandemic there is need to maintain special access for both antenatal care and child delivery services and limit a shift to use of untrained birth attendants to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. These could be achieved by soliciting investments from various sectors to provide high-quality care that ensures sustainability to all layers of the population.
Sustained Treatment With Fenbendazole in Swine: Plasma Availability and Effects on Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes in the Liver
Authors: Ichinose Paula , Miró María Victoria , Larsen Karen , Lanusse Carlos , Lifschitz Adrián , Virkel Guillermo
Published: September 2022

Fenbendazole (FBZ), a benzymidazole (BZD) anthelmintic drug, is used for in-feed medication in pigs. BZD-containing drugs may induce cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYPs), particularly those members of the CYP1A subfamily. This research aimed to evaluatein vitrothe effect of thein vivosustained administration of FBZ on the catalytic activities of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in pig liver. The availability of FBZ and its metabolites in plasma and liver tissue was also assessed. Five Landrace piglets remained untreated (controls), and other six were treated with a pre-mix of FBZ, combined with food, for 9 consecutive days as usually is recommended by practitioners. Blood samples were collected from each treated animal up to day 9 and analyzed by HPLC; both control and treated animals were slaughtered for preparation of liver microsomes. Plasma concentration ratios OFZ/FBZ and FBZSO2/OFZ increased significantly (p<0.05) from the beginning to the end of drug exposure, which may indicate an enhanced conversion of FBZ into its metabolites. FBZ represented 45.8±3.4% of the total anthelmintic molecules in liver tissue. Increased CYP1A-dependent 7-ethoxy (24.5-fold, p=0.0032) and 7-methoxyresorufin (17.2-fold, p=0.0006) O-dealkylase activities was observed in liver microsomes from FBZ-treated animals. The continuous FBZ administration may accelerate its ownin vivohepatic metabolism through the CYP1A pathway, which may have a negative impact on its clinical efficacy. CYP1A induction in pig liver may also affect the biotransformation of other xenobiotics such as aflatoxin B1 present in certain pig foodstuffs.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity correction in land ecosystem services and its value assessment: a case study of the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Liu Lintao , Zhang Hengjia , Zhang Yao , Li Fuqiang , Chen Xietian , Wang Yong , Wang Yingying
Published: September 2022

The considerable variation in structures and functions of different ecosystems leads to highly variable ecosystem service values (ESVs). Consequently, the accurate quantification of ESVs can better assess and reflect impacts of land use and cover changes (LUCC) on ecosystem services. In the land use simulations of this study, a CA-Markov model was chosen and nine factors affecting land use change were evaluated, followed by the construction of a multi-criteria evaluation method to simulate land use scenarios between 2025 and 2030 on the Loess Plateau. Six key ecological indicators (economy, water production, net primary plant productivity, habitat quality, accessibility, and soil conservation) were used to correct for spatiotemporal heterogeneity within the terrestrial ESV equivalent weight table for China to obtain an ESV equivalent weight factor table that is applicable to the Loess Plateau. Using the newly corrected table, ESVs for the Loess Plateau region were estimated between 1995 and 2030, and the impacts of LUCC on ESVs were analyzed. The Kappa values for the 2015 land use simulation results were 80.2 and 82.6, which were greater than 0.75, indicating that the CA-Markov model simulations were accurate. Throughout the study period, the largest increases in land use type area were for built-up areas and forest lands, with built-up areas primarily derived from conversions of cultivated lands and grasslands, and forest land increases primarily coming from conversion of grasslands. ESVs increased overall by 933.97 × 108 yuan and 312.86 × 108 yuan from 1995 to 2018 and 2018 to 2030, respectively. The three largest contributors to ecosystem services among land use types were moderate grasses, shrublands, and dense grasslands. In conclusion, ESVs for the Loess Plateau steadily increased year by year from 1995 to 2030, indicating that ecological restoration projects played major roles in improving the stability and sustainability of the region’s ecosystems.
Multiobjective Intuitionistic Fuzzy Optimization Approach in optimal Irrigation Planning and Operation of Reservoir
Authors: Pawar Sangita Vilas , Patel Premlal L. , Mirajkar Ashwini B.
Published: September 2022

The present study includes the formulation of a Multiobjective Intuitionistic Fuzzy Linear Programming model for optimal scheduling of crops in the command area of the Ukai-Kakrapar Irrigation project, Gujarat, India. The crisp linear programming approach has been used to obtain the optimal solutions of four conflicting objectives, viz., maximization of net irrigation benefits, employment generation, minimization of cost of cultivation, and maximization of revenue generation from industrial and municipal supplies. The crisp solutions were, in turn, used to develop Intuitionistic Fuzzy Optimization Multiobjective fuzzy linear programming (IFO MOFLP), IFO MOFLP with hesitation index, and two-phase IFO MOFLP (TPIFO MOFLP) models. The performance of IFO MOFLP, IFO MOFLP with hesitation index, and TPIFO MOFLP models are compared in terms of the degree of acceptance, degree of rejection, and hesitation index for inflows at 75% probability of exceedance. The results obtained from IFO MOFLP, IFO MOFLP with hesitation index, and TPIFO MOFLP are also compared with the Compromised MOFLP (Average Operator Case-I) solutions given by Mirajkar and Patel (2016) for the same command area. The irrigation intensity for the entire command area from the proposed TPIFO MOFLP model (112.19%) is considerably higher than those obtained from the Average Operator Case-I (104.60%) model proposed by Mirajkar and Patel (2016). The net irrigation benefits, employment generation, cost of cultivation, and revenue generation from municipal and industrial supplies, resulting from the proposed TPIFO MOFLP model are Rs 10,836.19 million, 34,980.4 thousand workdays, Rs 5,672.23 million, and Rs 2,314.03 million, respectively along with the degree of acceptance, α = 0.68, degree of rejection, β = 0.19 and degree of hesitation, π = 0.13. The corresponding values reported from the Compromised MOFLP model (Average Operator Case-I) (Mirajkar and Patel,2016) were Rs 11,058.27 million, 33,414.62 thousand workdays, Rs 5,622.20 million, and Rs 2,686.25 million, respectively. The releases from the reservoir corresponding to the proposed TPIFO MOFLP model are comparatively lesser than the Compromised MOFLP (Average Operator Case-I) model, indicating the optimal allocation of available water in the command area. Apart from giving better values of selected objective functions, the proposed model also gives additional uncertainty measures like degree of acceptance, degree of rejection, and degree of hesitation which would help the planner to make better decisions for a real-world problem.
An Efficient Fault Detection and Exclusion Method for Ephemeris Monitoring
Authors: Jiang Yiping , Li Wang
Published: September 2022

With multiple ground reference stations, the double differenced carrier phase (DDCP) observation can be used to detect a faulty satellite caused by an ephemeris fault, taking advantage of the residual spatial gradient. Assuming only a single satellite can be faulty at a time, it is necessary to distinguish whether the fault comes from a reference satellite (RS) or a non-reference satellite (NRS) in DDCP. Using the current fault detection and exclusion (FDE) method of ephemeris faults in ground-based augmentation system, before an NRS can be tested in real-time by the DDCP, the RS is pre-validated using the previous ephemeris for the newly acquired and re-acquired satellites. To obtain the test risks with this method, it is described in detail and further developed here. Considering that current test method is designed to test a single satellite in one test statistics, we present an efficient FDE method to test both RS and NRS simultaneously in real-time saving the effort to pre-validate RS. To facilitate application of the new method for purpose of integrity monitoring, the test risks and protection level are also bounded.
Chromatographic fingerprinting combined with chemometric methods for the quality evaluation of tea blending using gas chromatography– massspectrometry and gas chromatography–olfactometry
Authors: Mao Shihong , Qiu Taotao , Lian Xueyan , Liao Xueli , Tong Huarong
Published: September 2022

The quality of tea, evaluated by its aroma and taste, determines its market value. It is crucial for enterprises to ensure that desired flavors appear in a certain concentration in the tea products, making it to be well liked in specific consumer groups. In this study, fingerprinting approach combined with multivariate statistical analysis were recommended as a promising prospective methodology in obtaining comprehensive quality control of tea flavor, and optimizing tea blending scheme. Six batches of Chuanhong Congou black raw tea from different batches, Camellia cultivars, plucking season, and grades were selected for blending, and 17 blended tea samples were obtained by uniform mixing design. The chromatographic fingerprints of Chuanhong Congou black tea were established by 59 volatiles and 26 aroma–active compounds using gas chromatography–massspectrometry (GC–MS) combine with gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC–O), respectively. Considering the results of sensory evaluation, volatiles fingerprint was fully reflect the comprehensive aroma quality of Congou black tea. 19 compounds were determined as the key factors for the aroma quality control by partial least squares (PLS) regression combined with the variable importance in the projection (VIP) scores. They were (Z)–3–hexenal, heptaldehyde, benzaldehyde, (E)–linalool oxide (furan type), rose ether, (Z)–5–methyl–2–(1–methylethyl)–cyclohexanon, benzyl acetate, decanal, β–cyclocitral, nerol, citronellol, (Z)–3,7–dimethyloctyl–2,6–dienal, valeric acid Leaf alcohol ester, 1–hexadecene, (E)–3,7–dimethyloctano–2,6–dienal, pentyl caproate, ethyl nonanoate, citronellyl acetate and β–ionone. Due to the existence of sensory differential thresholds and interaction of the aroma compounds, sensory evaluation still played an irreplaceable role in the quality evaluation of tea. The chromatographic fingerprints combined with chemometrics could be considered as an extended methodology in providing directions for optimizing blending scheme.
Tinea capitis in infants younger than two years old: a retrospective study and treatment recommendations
Authors: Song Ge , Zhang Meijie , Kong Xue , Liu Weida , Liang Guanzhao
Published: September 2022

Background: Tinea capitis (TC) is a dermatophytosis of the scalp and hair, which occurs less common in infants younger than two years of age, and the data of TC in this age group are still unknown.
Objectives: We aimed to reveal the epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of TC in infants.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all reported cases of TC in infants in their first two years of life from 1991 to 2022, by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and Weipu databases.
Results: A total of 47 articles involving 126 cases of infant TC were enrolled in this study. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.28:1. Infants were between ten days old and two years old with a median age of three months. The main clinical manifestations were alopecic patches (40 cases, 31.7%) and scaling (39 cases, 31.0%) on the scalp, and 29 infants (23.0%) appeared kerion. The most common sources of contagion were animals (35 cases, 27.78%) and humans (31 cases, 24.60%). The leading pathogens were Microsporidium canis(64 cases, 50.79%), followed by Trichophyton violaceum (13 cases,10.32%), T. mentagrophytes complex (12 cases, 9.52%) and T. tonsurans (10 cases, 7.94%). Ninety-five infants (75.40%) were treated with systemic antifungal drugs and 22 patients (17.46%) were only treated with topical therapy. All patients were cured after treatment. Only one infant (0.79%) relapsed after treatment with griseofulvin 20 mg/kg/d for two months and one case (0.79%) presented with gastrointestinal from griseofulvin, who got better after stopping this drug.
Conclusion: The principal clinical symptoms of TC in infants were alopecic patches and scaling. The top four pathogens were M. canis, T. violaceum, T. mentagrophytes complex and T. tonsurans. Oral treatment for TC in infants had achieved good therapeutic effects, and topical therapy can be an alternative choice.
Unified critical state model for soils in the framework of subloading surface theory with kinematic hardening
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Yuan Ran , Cui Kai
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a unified critical state model to predict the kinematic hardening behaviours and elasto-plastic deformations within the yield surface of soils on the basis of clay and sand model (CASM), which is named as CASM-kⅡ. The newly proposed model introduces a kinematic hardening rule following the subloading surface theory, where the plastic modulus is continuous and can be simply obtained through consistency conditions, e.g., conventional elasto-plastic models. By introducing three new model constants to those material properties of the standard CASM for describing the isotropic and kinematic hardening behaviour in the loading process, the mechanical responses of soils can be flexibly captured, and the identification strategy of material constants in CASM-kⅡ is proposed. It has been demonstrated that CASM-kII is able to capture the mechanical behaviors of both sand and over-consolidated clay subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading under drained and undrained conditions.
Research on the Drivers of Agricultural Carbon Emissions and Decoupling Effects in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: hu Chao , Fan Jin
Published: September 2022

This paper measures and analyzes the characteristics of changes in agricultural carbon emissions, structure and intensity from 2005 to 2020 based on agricultural input-output data, explores the drivers of agricultural carbon emissions using the LMDI model, and uses the TAPIO decoupling model to explore the relationship between agricultural economic development and agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangsu province. The research indicate that: (1) From 2005 to 2020, the agricultural carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province showed a three-stage change of "decline - rise - decline", with an average annual decrease of 0.34%; Carbon emissions per 10,000 yuan of total agricultural output value decreased from 701.43 kg in 2005 to 215.96 kg in 2020, with an average annual decrease of 7.55%. (2) The factors of agricultural production efficiency, agricultural production structure and agricultural labor scale all contribute to agricultural carbon emission reduction to different degrees, while the factors of agricultural economic level and total population contribute to agricultural carbon emission reduction to different degrees. (3) The decoupling elasticity index of agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural economic level in Jiangsu Province lies between -3.3217 and 3.6546, and the decoupling types are mainly weak and strong decoupling. According to our research results, agricultural production efficiency should be improved, the structure of the plantation industry should be optimized, and the transfer of agricultural labor to secondary and tertiary industries should be promoted in order to promote high-quality development of agriculture.
Increased dryland wheat soil water storage during summer fallow by plastics and straw mulch, relationships with rainfall and soil temperature
Authors: Zhao Hubing , Wang Tao , Dou Yingxia , Yang Huimin
Published: September 2022

Background and aim
In dryland wheat production, soil water storage under plastics mulch (PM) and straw mulch (SM) is dependent on rainfall and soil temperature during the summer fallow period. Therefore, there is a need to further explore relationships between soil water storage with cumulative rainfall amounts and soil temperature under SM and PM after rainfall events during the summer fallow.
Methods
we performed a field experiment with three treatments of PM, SM and CK.
Results
The soil water storage under PM and SM showed significant positive linear correlation with cumulative rainfall amounts. We estimated that 1 mm rainfall contributed to 0.687 and 0.637 mm of water stored in soil under SM in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while for PM it was 0.672 and 0.607 mm, respectively. The soil water storage under PM and SM had a significant quadratic relationship with cumulative soil temperature. The maximum amounts of soil water storage were 568.2 mm and 582.7 mm when soil cumulative temperature reached 1684.7 ℃ and 1670.5 ℃ for PM and SM in 2020, respectively. The minimum soil water storage values were 364.1 mm and 375.0 mm when soil cumulative temperature reached 549.4 ℃ and 551.3 ℃ for treatments of PM and SM in 2021, respectively. The contribution rates of rainfall amounts to soil water storage was more important than soil temperature.
Conclusion
The findings may help to understand the relationships between soil water storage with rainfall amounts and soil temperature under PM and SM during the summer fallow period.
Slope geometry optimization considering groundwater drawdown scenarios at an open-pit phosphate mine, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Borges Rubia P. , Bacellar Luis de A. P. , Grasso Carla B , Gomes Guilherme J. C. , Gomes Ruan G. S.
Published: September 2022

The design of open-pit mines should balance safety and economy. However, safe geotechnical conditions generally involve redesigning the geometry of slopes and groundwater drawdown, significantly increasing the costs of mining operations. The use of numerical models to simulate groundwater drawdown and slope stability can be an alternative to assess cost-benefit trade-offs for decision-making. This study documents a mining plan using groundwater drawdown scenarios that illustrate how geotechnical, economic, and environmental indicators can be combined to obtain optimum slope geometry for open-pit mining. The optimization approach analyzed different scenarios of groundwater drawdown for the final pit of a phosphate mine to improve the pit slopes stability. The groundwater simulation scenarios included the combination of deep horizontal drains and pumping wells. Stability analyzes using the limit equilibrium method were used to obtain the bench, inter-ramp, and overall factors of safety of different representative sections. The factors of safety obtained, the drawdown costs and the water table elevation of each section were selected as indicators for obtaining the optimal drawdown scenario using a multi-objective tool. The groundwater control system obtained with 11 horizontal drains and 1 pumping well was considered the most adequate from the geotechnical and economic perspectives. Slope geometry optimization obtained with this drawdown scenario led to adequate inter-ramp and overall safety factors for the final pit design, reducing the barren-to-ore ratio to 0.38, much less than the present ratio (≈ 3). The results are important for optimizing the slope geometry of open-pit mines and can be replicated in other regions.
Association between IL-1 β polymorphism (rs16944) and Biomarkers levels in Iraqi patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Abed Arwa Shtaiwi , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja , Raoof Waad Mahmood
Published: September 2022

Objective: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-leading cause of mortality in men and the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous male malignancy. Host genetic factors, such as inflammation-induced cytokines, play a key role in prostate oncogenesis. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) in cytokine genes were suggested to increase the susceptibility for PCa development and progression. This study aimed to investigate the association between the SNP (rs16944) in the interleukin-1b (IL-1β) gene, and different parameters in patients with PCa and healthy controls in Iraq.Methods: Taqman Real Time-PCR, was performed to investigate the IL-1b (rs16944) polymorphism in 100 Iraqi males with PCa and 50 age-matched healthy controls in a case–control study. Serum levels of PSA, prolactine (PRL) and testosterone (T) were determined by ELISA and FIA, and associated with the IL-1b level in the serum as well as the SNP (rs 16944). Clinico-pathological parameters were also associated with the genotype distribution in PCa patients.Results: There was significant increase in the mean serum IL-1b level in PCa cases compared to controls (P =8.19 10-7). Serum levels for other biomarkers such as PSA, PRL were significantly elevated in cancer cases compared to controls (P<0.0001), however, serum T level was found to be lowered in PCa group (T＜3.85 ng/ml). The heterozygous GA genotype was more frequent in patients compared with controls (47 vs. 42%; OR =1.22), and the A allele was more frequent in the PCa group (OR= 1.35). Furthermore, significant increase in IL-1b, PSA, PRL, and T levels in PCa cases were observed only among patients carrying GA genotype. On the other hand, in patients, the GA and AA genotypes associated with aggressive behavior (advanced TNM and high Gleason score) of the disease and elevated IL-1b ,PSA ,PRL levels in the serum.Conclusion: Our data suggests that both serum IL-1b level and IL-1β (rs16944) may be considered as candidate biomarkers for PCa, and the GA, and AA genotypes carriers along with high levels of IL-1b, PSA and PRL, low T levels have an elevated risk and aggressive behavior for PCa in Iraqi men.
Pattern and predictors of mortality in emergency department of Saint Paul Hospital millennium medical college Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: retrospective study.
Authors: Dode Woldesenbet , Alemayehu Girma , Tebebe Bethlehem , Getachew Tesfaye , Tigistu Selamawit , Aklog Etsegent , Teklewold Rediat , Getahun Zelalem , Enyaw Belyou
Published: September 2022

Background:
As we live in a world of evidence-based medicine and public health, the stated goal of achieving a remarkable acute care system necessitates regressive managerial oversight and intervention based on science. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern and determinants of all-cause mortality at St. Paul Hospital. Emergency Department at Millennium Medical College
Methods:
Data were gathered retrospectively from patient records from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. SPSS Version 25 was used to analyze the data. The Chi-square test, as well as binary and multiple logistic regression analysis, were used to determine the relationship between variables of interest and early emergency mortality. To determine the significant factors, P-values of 0.05 and AOR with % CI were applied.
Result:
In 2 and half years’, 22,982, clients visited the ED and death within 24 hours 173 (44%) and 158 (42%) died after 24 hours of ED stay. Sepsis or septic shock (16.8%), respiratory (12.1%) and renal and (11.3%) and cardiovascular disease (11.1%) accounts for top 4 causes of deaths. Orange triage category (p-value 0.022 AOD=0.101, 95% CI 0.014-0.718), duration of C/C <3h (p-value 0.003 AOR = 0.101, 95% CI: 0.03– 1.368), duration of C/C 3-6h (p-value 0.002 AOR = 0.121, 95% CI: 0.031–0.477)), duration of C/C 6-12h (p-value 0.02 AOR = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.011–0.371), duration of C/C12-24h (p-value 0.00 AOR = 0.085, 95% CI: 0.025–0.291), duration of C/C 3-4 days (p-value 0.049 AOR = 4.601, 95% CI: 4.601–20.978), and cause of death being respiratory (p-value 0.046 AOR = 0.124, 95% CI: 0.016–0.959), liver (p-value 0.027 AOR = 0.085, 95% CI: 0.01–0.758), DM and its complication (p-value 0.029 AOR = 0.067, 95% CI: 0.066–0.754), and severe anemia (p-value 0.026 AOR = 0.059, 95% CI: 0.005–0.715) found to be associated with less likely probability of deaths within 24 hours.
Conclusion:
In the emergency department, the mortality burden of sepsis/septic shock, respiratory, hepatic, and cardiovascular disorders is high. Males had such a greater rate of early ED mortality.
Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Vision-threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Adults With Diabetes in China
Authors: Hou Xuhong , Wang Limin , Zhu Dalong , Guo Lixin , Weng Jianping , Zhang Mei , Zhou Zhi-Guang , Zou Dajin , Ji Qiuhe , Guo Xiaohui , Wu Qiang , Chen Siyu , Yu Rong , Chen Hongli , Huang Zhengjing , Zhang Xiao , Wu Jiarui , Wu Jing , Jia Weiping
Published: September 2022

The first national cross-sectional survey of diabetic complications was conducted in Chinese adults with diabetes aged 18–74 years between 2018 and 2020 with a multistage sampling scheme. 50564 participants with gradable non-mydriatic fundus photographs were included in this study. The national prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and vision-threatening DR (VTDR) was 16.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.3%-17.2%) and 3.2% (2.9%-3.5%), respectively. However, only a minority of participants with DR (non-VTDR: 9.4%, VTDR: 32.8%) reported being diagnosed with DR before this survey. The prevalence of DR and VTDR substantially varied across 31 provinces and was higher in the north than in the south. The differences in prevalence of any DR and VTDR between those who have attained a given metabolic goal and those who have not were more pronounced for Hemoglobin A1c than for blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multiple factors were associated with the presence and severity of DR.
Rapid determination of 48 stimulant residues in milk and dairy products by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Shi Yanjing , Zhang Yali , He Qiang , Zhang Lu , Jin Meng
Published: September 2022

A fast and easy method was proposed for the determination and quantification of 48 stimulants in milk and dairy products by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q/Exactive). The sample was extracted with 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution, purified on an EMR solid-phase extraction column, separated on a C18 column, and eluted with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phases. The determination was performed by mass spectrometry in electrospray ion source (ESI) mode and monitored in parallel by reaction monitoring full scan/data-dependent secondary scan (Full MS/dd-MS2) mode. The quantification of the 48 stimulants was linear in the range of 1.0 ng/mL–200.0 ng/mL, with correlation coefficients (R2) greater than 0.99. The recovery rate, as determined from the standard addition to the actual sample, ranged from 61.0% to 119.7%; the RSD ranged from 0.9% to 10.0%; the detection limit of the method was 2.5–50.0 μg/kg, and the quantitative limit was 5.0–100.0 μg/kg. The method is simple, accurate, and can be used for high-throughput rapid screening of multiple stimulants.
Comparison of the effect of Modified Intermittent Fasting and Daily Calorie Restriction on sleep quality and anthropometric indices in women with obesity or overweight: Study protocol of a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Hooshiar Saeedeh Hosseini , Yazdani Akram , Jafarnejad Sadegh
Published: September 2022

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in nearly one-third of adults. Both low quality of sleep and sleep time could be related to increased obesity. An increase in visceral adipose tissue can result in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory cytokines can lead to disturbance of the sleep-wake rhythm. Therefore, weight loss may improve sleep quality and duration. Intermittent fasting diet as a popular diet reduces body weight and improves anthropometric indices. This study is performed to further investigate the effect of a modified intermittent fasting diet on sleep quality and anthropometric indices.
Methods: This is an open-label randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of daily calorie restriction (control) and modified intermittent fasting (intervention) on sleep quality and anthropometric indices in women with obesity or overweight for 8 weeks. 56 participants are classified using stratified randomization based on body mass index (BMI) and age. Then participants are assigned to one of the two groups of intervention or control using the random numbers table. The sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia will be evaluated by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index respectively. The primary outcomes are chosen for the study: the difference in sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, BMI, fat-free mass (FFM), body fat mass, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio from baseline to 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes are chosen for the study: the difference in hip circumference, the visceral fat area, percent body fat, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, extracellular water ratio, and total body water from baseline to 8 weeks.
Discussion: This study investigates the effect of intermittent fasting intervention compared with daily calorie restriction on sleep quality and anthropometric indices. The information gained will enhance our understanding of fasting interventions, which can be used to improve clinical dietary recommendations. The findings will help to disclose as yet the unknown relationship between diet and sleep quality.
Trial registration: The protocol was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20220522054958N3), date of registration: 2022/07/08, https://www.irct.ir/trial/64510
Cavity effect on vertical and horizontal components of Rayleigh wave using 2D and 3D simulation models
Authors: Rahnema Hossein , Jokar Mehdi Hashemi , Momeni Mohammad , Mahboubi Meisam , Mirassi Sohrab
Published: September 2022

The potential risk of subsurface anomalies such as sinkhole and cavity has always been an important issue in geotechnical and geophysical engineering. Subsurface cavities have dissimilar effects on different components of Rayleigh wave in each direction. This paper intends to detect cavity and intrusion in the half-space and layered soil media. Rayleigh (R) wave propagation is analyzed according to the classical Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) method. 2D and 3D simulations of Surface wave testing were conducted using Finite Element Modeling (FEM) in Abaqus 6.14. The results show the significant effect of the subsurface cavity on the particle motion and radial component of the Rayleigh wave. Cavity location is determined based on the variation of the maximum normalized amplitude for each trace. Furthermore, the perturbation of the elliptic shape above the cavity can help in cavity detection compared with the recorded data before and after the cavity.
Drift velocity partitioning indicates anomalous high westward drift component for the Indian plate during ~65 + 2 Ma
Authors: Bhagat Amarjeet Ramesh , Sangode S. J. , Dongre Ashish
Published: September 2022

Rapid northward drift of the Indian plate after 130 Ma has also recorded significant plate rotations due to the torques resulting from multiple vector force components. Seismic tomography of the Indian Ocean and palaeomagnetic database of the Deccan Traps are used here to constrain drift velocities at different temporal snapshots, resulting into estimates of 263.2 to 255.7 mmyr− 1 latitudinal drift, 234 to 227.3 mmyr− 1 longitudinal drift and 352.2 to 342.1 mmyr− 1 diagonal drift, for the period from ~ 66 to 64 Ma during the Chrons C30n.y–C29n.y. Alternative displacement models suggest active driving forces arising from i) slab pull, ii) ridge push from eastern-, western and southern plate margins, and iii) Reunion plume-push force; in addition to delamination of the lithospheric root during approximately 65 ± 2 Ma. Delamination of the root amplified the buoyancy of the Indian plate in contrast to sudden loading from Deccan basaltic pile that resulted into complex drift dynamics expressed by hyper plate velocities with an anomalous westward drift component of > 342 mmy− 1. Plain Language Summary: Northward drift of India after rifting from Australia-Antarctica around 130 Ma has been well constrained from the marine magnetic anomaly records preserved in the Indian ocean. Except for chron C34n where the magnetic polarity remained constant for an exceptionally longer period of time, we do not find any lapses in the recorded history for the drift of Indian subcontinent. The sea floor acts as a historical record keeper for the plate motions of the past 180–200 Ma. Despite this well-maintained decorum, there appear to be certain events that escape preservation in the global conveyor belt and may not be reflected in the anomaly records. Here, we present a hitherto unnoticed-unreported event during the Deccan Volcanism from magnetic anomaly database; which however, is clearly visible in paleomagnetic data of the Deccan Traps. It is well established that the highest plate velocities that can be achieved by drifting plates range around 180–200 mmyr− 1. However, in the present study based on paleomagnetic data, we present drift rates that are in excess of 300 mmyr− 1. These drift rates result from contemporary existence of multiple plate driving forces that acted with varying intensities on the Indian plate during the Deccan event. Slab pull combined together with plume push, ridge push and lithospheric root delamination propelled the Indian plate at tremendously high velocities which resulted in multiple course corrections within a short span of ~ 1.5 Ma.
Feasibility of Biology-guided Radiotherapy (BgRT) Targeting Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Avid Liver Metastases
Authors: Chau Brittney , BS Tariq Abuali , Shirvani Shervin M , Leung David , Feghali Karine A. Al , Hui Susanta , McGee Heather , Liu An , Amini Arya
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) is a novel radiation delivery approach utilizing fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) activity on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging performed in real-time to track and direct radiation. Adequate contrast in FDG activity between the tumor and the background tissue, referred to as the normalized SUV (NSUV), is necessary for optimal functioning of BgRT. This study seeks to characterize the NSUV in patients with liver metastases.
Methods
We reviewed the charts of 50 lung adenocarcinoma patients with liver metastases. The following variables were collected: SUVmax and SUVmean for each liver metastasis, SUVmean and SUVmax at 5 and 10 mm radially from the lesion, and NSUV at 5 mm and 10 mm (SUVmax of the liver metastasis divided by SUV mean at 5 mm at 10 mm respectively).
Results
82 measurable liver metastases were included in the final analysis. The average SUVbackground of liver was 2.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.17–2.35); average SUVmean for liver metastases was 5.31 (95% CI 4.87–5.75), and average SUVmax of liver metastases was 9.19 (95% CI 7.59–10.78). The average SUVmean at 5 mm and 10 mm radially from each lesion were 3.08 (95% CI 3.00-2.16) and 2.60 (95% CI 2.52–2.68), respectively. The mean NSUV at 5 mm and 10 mm were 3.13 (95% CI 2.53–3.73) and 3.69 (95% CI 3.00-4.41) respectively. Furthermore, 90% of lesions had NSUV greater than 1.45 at 5 mm and greater than 1.77 at 10 mm.
Conclusion
This is the first study to comprehensively characterize FDG contrast between the tumor and the background, or normalized SUV (NSUV), in liver metastases in the context of BgRT. Due to the high background SUV normally found in the liver, this work will be valuable for guiding optimization of BgRT for treating liver metastases in the future.
Combining transradial access and a sheathless femoral access for complex iliac artery chronic total occlusions
Authors: Hayakawa Naoki , Kodera Satoshi , Takanashi Keisuke , Ichihara Shinya , Hirano Satoshi , Arakawa Masataka , Inoguchi Yasunori , Kanda Junji
Published: September 2022

Background: The transradial approach (TRA) is a less invasive treatment approach for aortoiliac (AI) lesions than the transfemoral or transbrachial approach. However, this approach has some problems for complex lesions, including the procedural difficulty. We used a bidirectional approach combining the TRA with a sheathless technique for femoral artery (FA) puncture to treat complex AI lesions, as a minimally-invasive approach that is almost equivalent to a single-puncture method. Here, we describe representative cases with AI chronic total occlusion in which the combination of TRA and sheathless technique for FA puncture was extremely useful.
Case presentation: Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with intermittent claudication (IC). Control angiography showed total occlusion of the left common iliac artery (CIA) ostium to distal external iliac artery (EIA). We used an antegrade TRA, and advanced a guidewire into the subintimal space under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. With the retrograde wire passing through a micro-puncture and IVUS-guided parallel wiring, we achieved wire externalization. We successfully deployed two nitinol stents to the entire lesion. Case 2 was a 63-year-old man with IC. Control angiography revealed total occlusion of the right CIA ostium to common femoral artery (CFA) with severe calcification. The antegrade wire reached the distal EIA using the TRA, but was prevented from progressing by the calcified CFA occlusion. A 21-G metal needle was used to penetrate the CFA calcification through the distal true lumen and the wire was inserted into the EIA for wire externalization. We successfully deployed three nitinol stents in the CIA to EIA, and dilated a drug-coated balloon in the CFA with hemostasis of the distal puncture site. In both cases, the retrograde puncture site was hemostatic during the procedure and postoperative bed rest was not required.
Conclusions: TRA combined with a sheathless technique from the FA has the potential to treat AI complex lesions in a less invasive manner.
Positron Annihilation and EBSD Studies of Subsurface Zone Created during Friction in Vanadium
Authors: Dryzek Jerzy , Wróbel Mirosław
Published: September 2022

Positron lifetime and electron backscatter diffraction studies were performed on pure vanadium samples subjected to the sliding test. The changes in the microstructure produced in this test extend even to a depth of about 450 µm. As shown by the diffraction of electron backscattering, near this surface, just after starting the sliding test, a tribolayer with refinement randomly oriented grains was formed. The thickness of this layer varies from 8 to 19 µm depending on the sliding conditions and the mean grain size is about 0.2 µm. In this layer, the formation of cracks and debris was observed. Below is an intermediate layer with elongated grains and serrated grain boundaries in which a geometric dynamic recrystallization process has been recognized.
Assessments of optimal timing for combined therapy with axitinib and immune check point inhibitor in a mouse renal cell carcinoma model
Authors: Watanabe Hiromitsu , Matsushita Yuto , Tamura Keita , Motoyama Daisuke , Sugiyama Takayuki , Otsuka Atsushi , Miyake Hideaki
Published: September 2022

Background
Recently, several types of systemic therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) have been performed for advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) patients; however, the optimal strategy of sequential treatment with these agents has not been well established. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal timing for the introduction of TKI and ICI using a mouse RCC, RenCa model.
Materials and Methods
The effects of combined treatment of TKI and/or ICI with axitinib, anti-mouse programmed death (PD)-1, or PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody on tumor growth and survival after subcutaneous and intravenous injection of RenCa cells, respectively, were compared according to three different treatment schedules: simultaneous administration, initial axitinib administration, and initial ICI administration. Infiltrating patterns of lymphocytes into tumors after combined treatments were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.
Results
In both the patients with anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies, significantly marked inhibitory effects on subcutaneous growth of tumors were observed in the simultaneous and initial ICI administration, but not the initial axitinib administration, compared to those in the control without treatment. Survival intervals of mice after intravenous injection of RenCa cells were significantly longer in the simultaneous and initial ICI administration, but not the initial axitinib administration, compared to the control. Furthermore, both CD8 + to CD3 + and CD8 + to CD11b + T-lymphocyte ratios in subcutaneous RenCa tumors were significantly higher in the simultaneous and initial ICI administration, but not the initial axitinib administration, compared to the control.
Conclusions
Favorable control against aRCC progression may be achieved by administering TKI and ICI simultaneously or ICI followed by TKI.
Transcriptomic and physiological responses of Rhizobium sp. IRBG74 to Sesbania cannabina and rice (Oryza sativa L) rhizosphere
Authors: Ketelboeter Laura , Gordon Alex , Welmillage Shashini , Sreevi Virinchipuram , Paliy Oleg , Gyaneshwar Prasad
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Rhizobium sp. IRBG74 (IRBG74), is a symbiont of Sesbania cannabina and a growth promoting endophyte of rice. Here, we compare the transcriptomic and physiological responses of IRBG74 in the rhizosphere of S. cannabina and rice.
Methods
We used RNA sequencing to determine transcriptomic changes at 12 and 72 hours post inoculation (hpi) in rhizosphere. Upregulation of key pathways was confirmed using β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter strains and by histochemical and quantitative GUS activity.
Results
Significant changes in transcriptome with S. cannabina were detected at 12hpi but most gene expression changes with rice were observed at 72hpi. Many pathways including Nod factor synthesis, two component systems, ABC transporters, and synthesis of indole acetic acid (IAA) were upregulated whereas translation, RNA degradation, protein export and sulfur metabolism were downregulated with both plants. In contrast, motility and chemotaxis genes were induced specifically with S. cannabina. The upregulation of nod and IAA genes was confirmed using reporter strains. Nod factor synthesis provides competitive advantage for colonization of rice and chemotaxis is required for colonization of S. cannabina but not of rice.
Conclusion
IRBG74 responded to S. cannabina and rice using specific as well as common transcriptional changes. A mutant defective in Nod factor synthesis was outcompeted for rice colonization. Chemotaxis was required for colonization of S. cannabina but not for rice. IAA synthesis by IRBG74 could be a major mechanism of rice growth promotion. These results provide a foundation for further improvement of rhizobial interactions with rice and other cereals.
GLUT4 translocation and dispersal operate in multiple cell types and are negatively correlated with cell size in adipocytes
Authors: Koester Anna M. , Geiser Angéline , Bowman Peter R.T. , Linde Sebastian , Gadegaard Nikolaj , Bryant Nia J. , Gould Gwyn W.
Published: September 2022

The regulated delivery of the glucose transporter, GLUT4, to the surface of adipocytes and muscle is a key action of insulin. This is underpinned by the delivery and fusion of GLUT4-containing vesicles with the plasma membrane. Recent studies have revealed that a further action of insulin is to mediate the dispersal of GLUT4 molecules away from the site of GLUT4 vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane. Although shown in adipocytes, whether insulin-stimulated dispersal occurs in other cells and/or is exhibited by other proteins remains a matter of debate. Here we show that insulin-stimulates GLUT4 dispersal in the plasma membrane of adipocytes, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and HeLa cells, suggesting that this phenomenon is specific to GLUT4 expressed in all cell types. By contrast, insulin-stimulated dispersal of TfR was not observed in HeLa cells, suggesting that the mechanism may be unique to GLUT4. Consistent with dispersal being an important physiological mechanism, we observed that insulin stimulated GLUT4 dispersal is reduced under conditions of insulin resistance. Adipocytes of different sizes have been shown to exhibit distinct metabolic properties: larger adipocytes exhibit reduced insulin-stimulated glucose transport than smaller cells. Here we show that both GLUT4 delivery to the plasma membrane and GLUT4 dispersal are reduced in larger adipocytes compared to their smaller counterparts, supporting the hypothesis that larger adipocytes are refractory to insulin challenge compared to their smaller counterparts, even within a supposedly homogeneous population of cells.