bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C2IM-ILP: Community-based Context-aware Influence Maximization in Social Networks using Integer Linear Programming
Authors: Singh Shashank Sheshar , Rai Pradeep , Arora Aashish , Singh Kuldeep
Published: August 2022

Social network analysis has attracted researchers across research areas such as social science and computer science to analyze the discovery of web services from social networks. The social network has immense application potential to real-world problems like viral marketing, fake news detection, the study of political blogs, information diffusion, link prediction, and community detection. The influence maximization (IM) problem finds a set of most influential users in a social network to maximize the spread of any information, idea, innovation, and product adoption. With the rapid growth of the social network, the IM problem faces two major challenges like effectiveness and efficiency. We propose a Community-based Context-aware Influence Maximization algorithm using Integer Linear Programming (C2IM-ILP) to tackle both the challenges. A community-based integer linear programming (ILP) solution is presented to reduce the search space of the solution. Next, a contextual feature user’s interest and product information are utilized to improve seed effectiveness, and an integer linear programming solution is presented to identify influential users. We have also analyzed the classical ILP solution for the target set selection problem (TSSP) and IM problem. Finally, experimental analyses on real-world social networks have been performed to validate the performance of C2IM-ILP against state-of-the-art algorithms.
Birth weight and four global-leading cancers: a linear and nonlinear Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yu Yuefeng , Zhang Haojie , Chen Chi , Wang Yuying , Tan Xiao , Zhang Jihui , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli
Published: August 2022

Background: Birth weight (BW) reflects summary exposure measure for the intrauterine environment that affects fetal growth. The causal role of BW in four global-leading cancers is unclear.Objective: To apply Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the linear and nonlinear association between BW and four cancers (lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer).Methods: Two-sample summary data MR—from published genome-wide association studies for the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with BW (sample 1), and from the UK Biobank for the associations of SNPs with cancer outcomes (236,201 participants) (sample 2)—was used. Non-linear MR—the fractional polynomial method for investigation on the nonlinear relationship between genetically proxied birth weight and risk of four global leading cancers.Results: After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, genetically predicted BW was significantly inversely associated with prostate cancer. The odds ratio per 1 standard deviation increase in birth weight was 0.586 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.388, 0.885; P =0.011] using the two-stage least squares (2SLS) method. Two sample IVW method confirmed the result. Non-linear MR suggested that there was suggestive evidence of L-shaped associations between genetically predicted birth weight and prostate cancer (Cochran Q P = 0.027; Quadratic test P = 0.049). We did not find significant evidence of the causal effect of birth weight on lung, colorectal and prostate cancer with linear and nonlinear MR analyses. Conclusions: Lower birth weight can be causally associated with an increased susceptibility to prostate cancer. Population-level interventions to maintain an optimal birth weight may lower prostate cancer risk in life. Further underlying mechanism exploration is also warranted.
Prognostic significance of surgery and radiotherapy in elderly patients with localized prostate cancer:A SEER-based study
Authors: Zhanghuang Chenghao , Zhang Kun , Wang Jinkui , Ma Jing , Li Li , Yao Zhigang , Ji Fengming , Wu Chengchuang , Tang Haoyu , Yang Zhen , Xie Yucheng , Yan Bing
Published: August 2022

Objective
Prostate cancer (PC) is a significant disease affecting men's health worldwide. More than 60% of patients over 65 years old and more than 80% are diagnosed with localized PC. The current choice of treatment modalities for localized PC and whether overtreatment is controversial. Therefore, we wanted to construct a nomogram to predict the risk factors associated with cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in elderly patients with localized PC while assessing the survival differences in surgery and radiotherapy for elderly patients with localized PC.
Methods
The information of patient was obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and this study was aimed at localized PC patients over 65 years. Independent risk factors for assessing CSS and OS of patients were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to establish nomograms for predicting CSS and OS. The accuracy and discriminability of the prediction model were tested by the concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to test the potential clinical value of this model.
Results
From 2010 to 2018, there were a total of 90,434 PC patients included in this study, all of whom were diagnosed with localized PC and were over 65 years of age. This study is divided into training set (n = 63328) and validation set (n = 27106) according to the ratio of 7:3. The results showed that independent risk factors for predicting CSS in elderly localized PC patients included T stage, age, surgery, marriage, radiotherapy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score (GS), and race. The independent risk factors for predicting OS included surgery, radiotherapy, marriage, age, race, GS and PSA. The c-index of the training and validation sets for predicting OS is 0.712(95%:0.704–0.720) and 0.724(95%:0.714–0.734). It shows that the nomograms have excellent discriminatory ability. The AUC and the calibration curves also show good accuracy and discriminability.
Conclusions
We have developed new nomograms to predict CSS and OS in elderly patients with localized PC. After internal validation and external temporal validation with good accuracy and reliability, and potential clinical value, the model can be used for clinically assisted decision-making.
Factors associated with delayed diagnosis of severe mental disorders in China
Authors: Li Shiming , Jiang Ying , Yang Queping , Yin Jieyun , Ji Yingying , Tian Lin , Zhu Haohao , Qian Ning , Zhou Zhenhe
Published: August 2022

Background: To understand the incidence and influencing factors of delayed diagnosis of patients with severe mental disorders in China and to provide a basis for formulating treatment and assistance policies for patients with severe mental disorders.Methods: Based on the basic and follow-up file information of severe mental disorder patients registered in the Jiangsu severe mental disorder management system, the occurrence of delayed diagnosis of severe mental disorder patients in Wuxi community was analysed, and the influencing factors was conducted through logistic regression analysis. The delayed diagnosis was defined as the time between the first abnormal behavior observed by family members and the formal diagnosis of psychosis.Results: A total of 27 964 people with SMD were involved in the analysis, and the median delayed diagnosis was 3.2 months (IQR 1.3–28.2). The incidence of delayed diagnosis was 49.59%. After adjusting for other factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, household registration, education, marriage, medical insurance, subsistence allowances, diagnosis classification, antipsychotic treatment and number of visits to general hospitals (per year) were associated with a delayed diagnosis.Conclusions: Through the investigation of large sample data, we found some influencing factors of delayed diagnosis in China. Therefore, according to the current research results, we should strengthen the propaganda of mental health policy, improve the mental health literacy of community residents, and reduce the stigma of patients with serious mental disorders in the community.
In-Hospital Complications and Long-term Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting: INCARCERATE Study
Authors: Mohebbi Bahram , Amiri Faramarz , Golmohammadi Neda , Shishehbor Mehdi H. , Shafe Omid , Moosavi Jamal , Sadeghipour Parham , Hashemi Gelareh Bani , Zolfaghari Reza , Firouzi Ata , Hokmabadi Elyar Sadeghi , Bakhshandeh Hooman , Ghorbani Askar
Published: August 2022

Background: One of the most common and treatable causes of stroke is carotid artery stenosis. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an option for treating the stenosis, with such notable clinical outcomes as low rates of in-hospital death, stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods: All patients who underwent carotid angioplasty between December 2010 and January 2019 in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center were enrolled. The incidence rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE), defined as a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, bleeding, and all-cause mortality, both during hospitalization and at long-term follow-up were determined. Results: A total of 380 patients, 264 (69.5%) symptomatic and 116 (30.5%) asymptomatic, were included. The mean age of study population was 68.6 ± 10.6 years. During post-CAS in-hospital course, stroke occurred in 2 (0.5%), intracranial hemorrhage in 4 (1.1%), death in 2 (0.5%) and MACCE in 8 (2.1%) in symptomatic, and stroke in 1 (0.3%), intracranial hemorrhage in 1 (0.3%), death in 1 (0.3%) and MACCE in 3 (0.8%) in asymptomatic patients. Totally, stroke occurred in 3 (0.8%), intracranial hemorrhage in 5 (1.3%), death in 3 (0.8%), and MACCE in 11 (2.89%) patients.Long-term follow-up (40.95 ± 15.81 months) was performed on 295 (77.6%) patients; the results demonstrated a mortality rate of 13.9% (n = 41) which 30 (10.1%) cases belonged to symptomatic and 11 (3.7%) cases were from asymptomatic patients. Stroke happened in 26 (8.8%), that 18 (6.1%) cases were symptomatic and 8 (2.7%) cases were asymptomatic. MACCE rate was 19.3% (n = 57) which 41 (13.8%) cases were symptomatic and 16 (5.4%) were asymptomatic. Age (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.079) was confirmed as a meaningful variable for the occurrence of MACCE. Conclusions: Our results confirm the safety and efficacy of carotid stenting in experienced centers. Age was as an important predictor of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and MACCE.
Computational prediction and CRISPR-Cas12a knockout and rescue assays identify many functionally conserved lncRNAs from zebrafish to human
Authors: Zhang Qiangfeng Cliff , Xiong Tuanlin , Huang Wenze , Zhao Yuting , Han Ge , Zhao Zhihua , Shi Ming , Li Juan , Xi Jianzhong , Wang Yangming
Published: August 2022

Advances in RNA-seq studies have enabled transcriptome-scale annotation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) across vertebrates, with many of them having been implicated as regulators in diverse cellular processes1–3. However, our understanding of lncRNA function has long been hindered by the lack of methods to assess lncRNA evolution across species4–6. Here, we develop a computational pipeline, lncHOME (lncRNA Homology Explorer), to identify a special class of lncRNAs with conserved genomic locations and patterns of RNA binding protein (RBP) binding sites (coPARSE-lncRNAs). Strikingly, lncHOME identifies several hundred human coPARSE-lncRNAs that can be evolutionarily traced to zebrafish. We further develop a CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) knockout screen system and find that the knockout of many of these human coPARSE-lncRNAs leads to cell proliferation defects, which could be rescued by the predicted lncRNA homologs from zebrafish. Finally, for two coPARSE-lncRNAs, we verified that their homologs from human, mouse, and zebrafish tend to bind a similar set of RBPs with cell proliferation functions. Thus, our study illustrates a general approach for studying lncRNA functional conservation and implicates numerous lncRNAs in regulating cellular physiology.
Soil Erosion Evaluation through Prioritization of Shyok-Nubra Watershed using Morphometric, Principal Component and Weighted Sum Approaches
Authors: Dubey R.K . , Jha Viveka Nand
Published: August 2022

The application of sub-watershed prioritization based on erosion tendency plays essential roles in decision making in implementing management practices, especially in the sensitive difficult remote areas. The watershed management planning highlights the management techniques to control the erosion in the catchment area. Quantitative morphometric analysis was carried out for determining the linear, areal and relief aspect of Shyok-Nubra watershed and its 18 sub-watersheds of Ladakh Himalaya. Prioritization of the sub-watersheds has been done using Preliminary morphometric analysis, Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods using Arc-GIS and SPSS softwares. The use of PCA aimed to define significant parameters, while WSA was employed to determine the weights for significant parameters and calculate the compound values for priority ranking. The result showed that the integration of PCA and WSA is robust enough to define significant and more effective parameters with their weighted values for the sub-watershed prioritization.
Performance analysis of an Earth-Air Heat Exchanger applied to the ventilation of a near Zero Energy Building
Authors: Ghorbel Salmen , Bentaher Hatem , Tejero-Gonzalez Ana , Ayed Mossaad Ben , Fterich Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Introducing near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs) in the European Union involves integrating new renewable energy technologies into buildings. Geothermal energy is one of them that can be exploited through the application of the Earth-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHX). It is basically constituted of a series of pipes buried underground at a particular depth. It utilizes the soil as a heat source or sinks to supply cooling or heating to the building. This type of exchanger can offer many advantages in terms of energy savings for the air-conditioning requirements and for assuring the indoor thermal comfort. This paper presents a performance analysis of an EAHX applied to the ventilation of a near Zero Energy Building situated in Spain. The proposed considered the thermo-physical proprieties of the soil in the region under investigation. The purpose is to study the effect of changing the depth in the ground, the pipe length, the pipe diameter, and the air velocity on the outlet air temperature. The mean efficiency of the EAHX is detailed then. The numerical model is implemented using Matlab environment. Results showed that, for specific parameters, the daily average cooling capacity can reach 1.7 KWh, and the EAHX can provide an energy saving of approximately 152 MWh for one year.
First case of VIM-1-producing Leclercia adecarboxylata in Oman: A case report and literature review.
Authors: Shuhoumi Mohammed Al , Mhrooqi Abdulrahman Al , Rashdi Azza Al , Kumar Rajesh , Al-Jabri Ahood , Al-Kalbani Amal , Jardani Amina Al
Published: August 2022

Leclercia adecarboxylata is a recently acknowledged emerging pathogen. It is a member of the Enterobacterals family, formerly thought to be a member of the genus Escherichia. Isolation was reported from various animal and environmental specimens. However, it rarely causes infection in humans, and the true frequency is unknown or underestimated. Leclercia adecarboxylata showed an ascending resistance grade from pan-sensitive to Carbapenem-resistant due to its ability to produce and harbour hydrolyzing enzymes that challenge daily clinical practices. In our report, the isolate was misidentified as Citrobacter koseri by API E and Pantoea species by Vitek 2 but confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS and 16S ribosomal RNA analysis as Leclercia adecarboxylata. Conventional PCR revealed the presence of two populations of resistance genes, VIM-1 and OXA-48. Herein, a report of the first emergence of Leclercia adecarboxylata producing VIM-1 in a rectal swab of a 63-year-old non-immunocompromised female with acute intracerebral haemorrhage.
Comparison of different definitions of bronchopulmonary dysplasia based on the prediction of adverse outcomes: Followed up to 18-24 months corrected age
Authors: Li Ruiwen , Wang Li , Wang Jianhui , Liu Hui , Shi Yuan
Published: August 2022

Background
In clinical work, the BPD definition has not been clearly unified and standardized, which limits clinical progress. A BPD diagnostic screening standard that can effectively predict the prognosis, as well as standardize the clinical early diagnosis and treatment of BPD, is needed.
Methods
We conducted an ambispective cohort study to compare the effects of the three different definitions of BPD on clinical diagnosis and the predictive ability of prognosis (followed to 18–24 months corrected age).
Findings:
The diagnostic rate of BPD defined in 2001 was significantly higher than that created in 2018 or 2019 (P < 0.05), while the probability of adverse outcomes in infants with moderate and severe BPD diagnosed by the 2018 and 2019 definitions was significantly higher than those diagnosed by the 2001 definition (P < 0.05).
Interpretation:
The 2018 and 2019 diagnostic definitions are more accurate in predicting BPD-related adverse outcomes, especially respiratory outcomes. We suggest that for infants with BPD diagnosed via the 2001 definition, moderate and severe BPD should be screened again using the 2019 definition (which is easier to define than 2018), and early preventive intervention should be carried out.
Study on the relationship between urinary copper deficiency and neurological symptoms exacerbation after treatment in Wilson's disease
Authors: ZHOU Xiangxue , LIAO jian , QIN Haoling , XIAO Xia
Published: August 2022

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and response to chelating agent therapy in patients of Wilson's disease (WD) with insufficient urinary copper exclusion, and to analyze the factors of insufficient urinary copper exclusion. Methods: Collect 40 WD patients with deficiency urinary copper exclusion (the highest urinary copper <500mg/L), 40 WD patients with normal urinary copper exclusion, and 10 normal control cases. The modified Young scale, Child grading, metal metabolism were checked. Magnetic sensitive imaging, dispersion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance imaging checks were performed. The values of phase value (CP), fractional anisotropy (FA), N-acetyl nmda/Creatine (NAA/Cr) were measured. According to the imaging results, WD patients were divided into clinical stages (metal deposition stage, fiber damage stage and neuron necrosis stage). All patients were treated with metal chelating agent for 3 months.Results: 26 cases were in the stage of neuronal necrosis in the group with insufficient urinary copper exclusion. After D-penicillamine (DPA) and sodium dimercaptopropansulfonate (DMPS) treatment, the modified Young scale score of group with insufficient copper exclusion was higher than that of the group with normal copper exclusion (P=0.013, 0.027). The factors influencing the deficiency of urinary copper exclusion were disease type (OR value: 1.22, P=0.031), age of onset (OR value: -0.19, P=0.041), and total score of modified Young scale (OR value: 0.14, P=0.020).Conclusion: WD patients with insufficient urinary copper exclusion have high severity of neurological symptoms. After DPA and DMPS treatment, WD patients with insufficient urinary copper exclusion are prone to worsen neurological symptoms.
BAIAP2L2 is activated by NFκB1 and promotes the malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of GABPB1 to activate TRET transcription
Authors: Jia Wenbo , Yu Liang , Xu Bin , Feng Yanzhi , Wang Jinyi , Chu Jian , Zhu Deming , Xu Chao , Zhou Yongping , Kong Lianbao , Ding WenZhou
Published: August 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed human cancers in the world and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. In this study, we found that BAI1-associated protein 2-like 2 (BAIAP2L2) was upregulated in HCC tissues and was an independent risk factor for overall survival in HCC patients. BAIAP2L2 promoted cell proliferation, stem cell activity, and cell cycle progression and inhibited apoptosis in HCC. In addition, BAIAP2L2 enhanced HCC metastasis and activated the EMT pathway. At the molecular level, NFκB1 stimulated BAIAP2L2 transcription by binding directly to its promoter region. BAIAP2L2 interacted with GABPB1 to inhibit its ubiquitin-mediated degradation and promote its nuclear translocation. Moreover, BAIAP2L2 regulated telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) by upregulating GABPB1 and subsequently promoted cancer properties in HCC. Collectively, our study reveals the function and mechanism of BAIAP2L2 in HCC and provides a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Microscale surface topography and its forming mechanism in abrasive suspension jet processing
Authors: Wang Fengchao , Li Xinwang , Xie Han , Zhao Wei
Published: August 2022

Microscale, nanometer to micrometer, is critical to research machining quality of abrasive suspension jet processing (ASJP), in which scale the surface topography of the processing section can be clearly shown and the material removal mechanism can be easily determined. In this paper, an experiment was carried out that three kinds of materials, Ti-6Al-4V (TC4), marble, and glass, cut by abrasive suspension jet (ASJ) and the microscale surface topography captured by an ultra-deep three-dimensional microscope. The experimental results showed that microscale surface topography of the three materials cut by ASJ is different due to their brittleness and toughness. TC4 cutting surface is covered by long and thin scratches with straight down direction, marble cutting surface is covered by pot holes, and glass cutting surface is covered by both of the scratches and pot holes. The scratches are between 40 and 140 microns in length, while the pot holes are between 10 and 40 microns in width. Moreover, forming mechanism of the three materials’ microscale surface topography is also different due to their brittleness and toughness. The scratch on TC4 cutting surface is the plastic damage caused by the abrasive particles, and the pot hole is the brittle fracture caused by the abrasive particles. Intermediate between brittle and plastic materials, glass cut by ASJ with both plastic damage and brittle fracture. The conclusions can provide theory guidance in material precision processing with ASJ.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of asymmetric bistable energy harvesters
Authors: Norenberg João Pedro , Luo Roberto , Lopes Vinicius Gonçalves , Peterson João Victor , Cunha Americo
Published: August 2022

Nonlinear vibration energy harvesting systems can potentially increase the power collected from the kinetic energy available in their operating environment since they usually can recover energy in broadband frequencies compared to their linear counterpart. However, these systems have a high degree of complexity, sensitivity to slight variations of the parameters and the initial conditions, and may present multiple solutions. For these reasons, it is rare for the designer to have a deep understanding of the dynamic behavior of this type of nonlinear oscillator. This situation is even more peculiar when geometric imperfections from the system's manufacturing process are present, as they can significantly influence the energy recovery process. Intending to fill this lack of understanding about general aspects of the nonlinear dynamics of these kind of systems, the present paper presents a broad numerical investigation of local and global characteristics of the underlying dynamical systems using bifurcation diagrams and basins of attraction. Bifurcation analysis is performed by exploring the broad spectrum of a harmonic signal, going from low to high amplitude and frequency of excitation. Basins of attraction analysis based on 0-1 test for chaos is proposed as an efficient statistical technique to identify chaotic and periodic solutions. Different levels of asymmetry are investigated, and a particular situation is defined and analyzed when a value of the sloping angle where the system is attached compensates for the asymmetry of the quadratic term. The result shows the different solutions defined by excitation forces and initial conditions, indicating the best scenario for increasing the power output. The adverse effects of the asymmetries are presented. However, we also demonstrated that it is possible to around this behavior using the sloping angle to compensate for the asymmetric influence, obtaining good performance as a symmetric system.
Two Algorithms for Deciding Coincidence In Double Temporal Recurrence of Eventuality Sequences
Authors: Akinkunmi Babatunde Opeoluwa , Adegbola Adesoji A.
Published: August 2022

Two disjoint sequences of eventualities x and y both recur over the same time interval and each of the eventualities (xp from x say) have a fixed duration when they occur and it is required to determine whether or not a subinterval exists within the interval of double recurrence, for any intervals of occurrence of eventualities xp from x and yq from y. This paper presents two algorithms for solving the problem. One based on the existing idea of temporal projection over a cycle of double recurrence with a worst case running time of Ο(duration(x)*duration(y)) and the other based on the notion of gcd-partitions runs in linear time, i.e. Ο(max(duration(x), duration(y)). The gcd-partition of a double recurrence of a pair of eventuality sequence of (x, y) is another eventuality sequence pair (w, z) such that each a double recurrence of the pair (x, y) holds exactly when the double recurrence of (w, z) also holds, the duration of each eventuality in w and z is the greatest common divisor of the durations of x and y. A key property of gcd partitions is that for any wr and zs in w and z respectively, an interval exists within any cycle of the recurrence of x and y, over which both wr and zs occur. The algorithm then explores the eventualities from w that are naturally non-disjoint with xp and those from z that are naturally non-disjoint with yq in order to determine the coincidence of xp and yq.
Effects of age, testicular volume, reproductive hormone, and testicular biopsy on sperm retrieval rate of micro-TESE in NOA patients with AZFc deletion
Authors: Deng Chenyao , Mao Jiaming , Zhao Lianming , Liu Defeng , Lin Haocheng , Zhang Zhe , Yang Yuzhuo , Zhang Haitao , Hong Kai , Jiang Hui
Published: August 2022

Objective: To investigate whether age, testicular volume, reproductive hormone, and preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy affected sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in individuals with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA).Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of NOA patients with AZFc deletion who had microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). The effects of age, testicular volume, FSH, LH, T, and preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy on SRR were compared cross-sectionally in this group of patients.Results: A total of 181 individuals had their sperm successfully collected and underwent micro-TESE, with an SRR of 67.4 %. The results of micro-TESE were separated into two groups: sperm acquisition and non-sperm acquisition, with no significant variations in age, testicular volume, FSH, LH, and T between the two groups. Binary logistic regression explored the absence of significant effects of age, testicular volume, FSH, LH, and T on sperm acquisition in patients undergoing micro-TESE. Based on whether or not a preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy was conducted, the above parameters were compared between the two groups. Testicular volume was higher in the group with preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy than in the group without preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy, while FSH and T were lower. In the preoperative testicular diagnostic biopsy group, the sperm acquisition and non-acquired sperm groups had SRR of 90.1 % and 65.1 %, respectively, with the sperm acquisition group being significantly higher than the non-acquired sperm group.Conclusion: There is a high probability of successful sperm acquisition in the testis with micro-TESE. In this group of patients, age, testicular volume, FSH, LH, and T may have little bearing on the micro-TESE outcome. In patients whose preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy revealed no sperm, the probability of obtaining sperm by micro-TESE remained high (65.1%), while negative preoperative diagnostic testicular biopsy results appeared to not influence SRR by micro-TESE.
hBMSC-derived Exosomes Mitigate Th17/Treg Homeostasis in Periodontitis via miR-1246
Authors: Xia Yuxing , Cheng Tianfan , Zhou Min , Kang Feiwu , Liao Chongshan
Published: August 2022

Background
Chronic inflammatory bone loss in periodontitis is closely related to helper T cell 17 (Th17) / regulatory T cell (Treg) imbalance. The therapeutic function of mesenchymal stem cells is mainly attributed to the paracrine exosomes. We aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC)-derived exosomes in Th17/Treg homeostasis in periodontitis.
Methods
Peripheral blood was collected from periodontitis patients or healthy donors. The level of Th17-related biomarker interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Treg-related forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) was analyzed by ELISA, and mRNA expression level of RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC) and FOXP3 was detected by qRT-PCR. Naïve CD4+ T cells extracted from the peripheral blood of periodontitis patients were co-cultured with hBMSC-derived exosomes from healthy subjects. The ratio of Th17/Treg was examined by flow cytometry and the expression of inflammatory cytokines was determined by qRT-PCR. In vivo, exosomes-loaded hydrogel was injected into periodontal pockets of mice with experimental periodontitis. The periodontal inflammation and bone regeneration was evaluated by histological staining, immunofluorescence staining and micro-CT. Furthermore, the differentially expressed miRNAs in exosomes stimulated by P.g. LPS were investigated by miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The interaction between candidate miRNA and its target gene in CD4+ T cells was verified by dual luciferase activity assay. Lastly, the downstream Yes-related protein 1(YAP1)/Hippo pathway was evaluated by western blotting.
Results
The ratio of Th17/Treg is significantly increased in the peripheral blood of periodontitis patients. hBMSC-derived exosomes decreased Th17/Treg ratio in CD4+ T cells in vitro and ameliorated inflammation and bone loss in periodontitis mice. Mechanistically, the enrichment of miR-1246 in exosomes showed the enhanced effects of down-regulating Th17/Treg ratio, which could be reversed by miR-1246 inhibitor. Furthermore, exosomal miR-1246 suppressed the expression of the target protein angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and upregulated the expression ratio P-YAP1/YAP1 in CD4+ T cells.
Conclusions
hBMSC-derived exosomes could alleviate periodontal inflammation through modulating the balance of Th17/Treg via targeting ACE2 and downregulating YAP1/Hippo signaling pathway, which shed light on a novel cell-free immunotherapy for periodontal regeneration.
Temporal and spatial distribution trends of polio vaccine coverage in children in Brazil, 2011-2021
Authors: SILVA TÉRCIA MOREIRA RIBEIRO DA , de Sá Ana Carolina Micheletti Gomide Nogueira , Prates Elton Junio Sady , Saldanha Raphael de Freitas , Silva Thales Philipe Rodrigues da , Teixeira Antônia Maria , Beinner Mark Anthony , de Oliveira Suelen Rosa , de Sá Antonio Tolentino Nogueira , Matozinhos Fernanda Penido , Vieira Ed Wilson Rodrigues
Published: August 2022

Background: Low polio vaccine coverage can result in the spread of Poliovirus to areas free from viral circulation. This study analyzed the temporal trends and spatial distribution of polio vaccine coverage for children under five years of age in Brazil, between 2011 and 2021. Methods: This is an ecological, time-series study (2011 to 2021) with annual vaccine coverages against poliomyelitis, extracted from the Information System of the National Immunization Program from regions of the 27 Brazilian states. The percentage reductions in vaccination coverage in Brazil and in the Regions were calculated. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to analyze time series for the Regions and States, and spatial analysis identified the distribution of clusters (high-high; low-low; high-low and low-high) of vaccination coverages across Brazilian municipalities, using a 5% significance level. Results: From 2011 to 2021, the coverage of polio vaccines decreased by 46.1%. There was a progressive increase observed in clusters resulting in low vaccination coverages (136 low-low Brazilian municipalities in 2011 vs 614 in 2021), mostly reported in the North and Northeast regions of the country. There was a downward trend in vaccination coverages in 8 of the 27 States (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: The reduction in polio vaccine coverage, as observed in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, may favor the spread of Poliovirus. Therefore, vaccination strategies should be prioritized for children residing in areas with sharp and recurrent declines in vaccination coverages, including travelers, migrants and refugees.
Realizing stochastic fixed-time synchronization between two nonlinear chaotic finance systems
Authors: Wu Jie , Pan Xiaohong , Hu Lei , Wu Kexing , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: August 2022

The issue of stochastic fixed-time synchronization(SFxS) between two nonlinear chaotic finance systems(CFSs) in noisy environment is addressed by this investigation. Two novel strategies, including the adaptive and fixed-time control, are integrated organically, which steers the CFSs to realize synchronization within a fixed-time, and meanwhile the controlling gains can be updated by the designed adaptive law. Particularly, the designed adaptive fixed-time controlling(AFC) scheme is differentiable, so that the chattering phenomenon can be alleviated and even eliminated effectively. Furthermore, by the stochastic Lyapunov stability, the sufficient criterion is derived for realizing the SFxS of CFSs, and the upper-bound expectation of settling-time(UET) is estimated as well. At last, the numerical experiments are arranged to verify the correctness and feasibility of analytical results, and the influence of noisy perturbation on the convergence rate is uncovered.
The Netherlands may lose up to 40% of its plant species due to climate change
Authors: Wamelink G. W. Wieger , Kurvers Katrien
Published: August 2022

The increasing CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere is directly increasing global temperatures. Plant species around the world must directly and indirectly respond to this temperature change, either by adapting, migrating, or perishing. To evaluate the effect of temperature rises on European plant species, we combined vegetation data with the local average temperature to estimate the temperature range per species. Subsequently, for every 1°C increase in average temperature, we determined the species currently occurring in the Netherlands for which the expected temperature is outside its range, but also the species currently absent from the country for which the expected temperature has moved within its range. We show that up to 40% (427 out of 1239) of the species currently occurring in the Netherlands may become locally extinct if the average annual temperature rises from 9°C in 1950 to 14°C in 2085. We also show that over 1000 species potentially could arrive as climate refugees; however, it is questionable whether these species could reach the Netherlands due to limitations in dispersal capacity. Moreover, these species will have to adapt to the pre-existing ecosystems. Results have major implication for both nature policy as well as nature management.
Senescent cells develop PDK4-dependent hypercatabolism and form an acidic microenvironment to drive cancer resistance
Authors: Dou Xuefeng , Long Qilai , Liu Shuning , Zou Yejun , Fu Da , Chen Xue , Xu Qixia , Wang Changxu , Ren Xiaohui , Zhang Guilong , Fu Qiang , Campisi Judith , Zhao Yuzheng , Sun Yu
Published: August 2022

Cellular senescence is a state of stable growth arrest, usually accompanied by development of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Although senescent cells remain metabolically active, little is known about their metabolic landscape and in vivo pathophysiological implications. Here we show that expression of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) inhibitory enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), is significantly upregulated in human senescent stromal cells. Preferentially expressed upon genotoxicity-induced senescence (GIS), PDK4 is negatively correlated with posttreatment survival of cancer patients. Upon cellular senescence, PDK4 shifts glucose metabolic flux from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, causing enhanced lactate production and forming an acidic microenvironment. However, distinct from the cancer cell-featured Warburg effect, senescent cells maintain an intensive use of pyruvate through the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), displaying increased respiration and redox activity, indicative of a special form of metabolic reprogramming. Conditioned media from PDK4+ stromal cells change global expression and promote malignancy of recipient cancer cells in vitro and accelerate tumor progression in vivo. Pharmacologically targeting PDK4 restrains the adverse effects of PDK4 in cell-based assays, while promoting tumor regression and extending posttreatment survival in preclinical trials. Together, our study substantiates the hypercatabolic nature of senescent cells, and reveals a metabolic link between senescence-associated acidic microenvironment and age-related pathologies including but not limited to cancer.
Regulation of BMP genes, EMC production and deposition through TGFβ/Smad Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork for progression of glaucoma disease
Authors: Choudhari Jyoti Kant , Chatterjee Tanushree
Published: August 2022

Glaucoma is a chronic neurological condition that causes damage to retinal ganglion cells and nerve fibres. The transforming growth factor pathway may have a role in disease progression, but its mechanism and regulation are unknown. We explored the molecular mechanisms behind glaucoma onset and progression utilising a network and systems biology approach. First, we manually curated a glaucoma-related seed network. Simulation results reveal increasing BMP gene expression, EMC production, and gene transcription regulation. When glaucoma and control data are compared, gene expression analysis reveals that 21 of these 40 genes are downregulated, and 19 are upregulated. HLA-DPA1, COL3A1, TGFB3, LEFTY2, and ARHGEF6 are the most important genes that were upregulated, while RGMA, GADD45B, LAMMB3, ZFP36, and CEBPD are the most important genes that were downregulated. The miRNA target prediction and their expression studies revealed 37 miRNA targets, including 13 miRNA targets that were downregulated and 15 that were upregulated. For the regulation of gene expression, 7 transcription factors, including STAT3, ZNF263, NR3C1, CTCF, TCF4, FOS, and EGR1, have been revealed to regulate more than 2 DEGs genes. We further analysed the drug availability; 41 drugs for 14 gene targets and 1032 compounds for ten gene targets have been identified from the drug bank and ChEMBL for the novel targets. Furthermore, we identified BP words most significantly associated with the extracellular matrix, SMAD protein signal, and BMP signalling pathway. The preferred gene-affecting pathway that includes MAPK, TGF-beta, and other cancer-related pathways was discovered. The involvement of TGF in the development of glaucoma may be studied to shed new light on therapeutic targets and discover new drugs to target disease progression
Diabetes-related screw loosening: the distinction of surgical sites and the relationship among diabetes, implant stabilization and clinical outcomes
Authors: Wang Tianji , Wang Jing , Hu Xiaofan , Xiang Geng , Wu Zixiang , Ma Zhensheng , Li Tianqing , Chen Yu , Zhao Xiong , Zhang Yang , Ma Tiancheng , Ren Jingjuan , Lei Wei , Feng Yafei
Published: August 2022

Introduction.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is correlated with poor clinical outcomes in spinal surgery. However, the effect of it on screw stabilization has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the screw loosening rate and postoperative outcomes in diabetic patients and to identify potential risk factors associated with loosening.
Methods.
Two hundred and forty-three patients who received cervical or lumbar internal fixation between 2015 and 2019 were enrolled in this study. Screw loosening was assessed on radiography, and clinical outcomes were evaluated by the improvement of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. The relationship of DM, screw loosening and clinical outcomes were analyzed with chi-square tests and regression analyses.
Results.
One hundred and twenty-two patients (50.2%) with diabetes were included in this study. Diabetes led to the increase of the rate of screw loosening in the lumbar spine, while the loosening rate did not vary significantly in the cervical spine. The occurrence of screw loosening in the lumbar spine was more likely to be associated with clinical outcomes for motor performance including walking and sitting. However, no significant effect on JOA and VAS scores in the cervical spine of screw loosening was found. Moreover, the history of DM affected the outcomes of the patients who underwent spinal surgery.
Conclusions.
DM had an adverse effect on screw stabilization. The impaired improvement of clinical outcomes in diabetics after spinal surgery was related to screw loosening. In addition to the direct effects on operative wounds and neural function, the impact on the screws due to DM was also worth noting.
Direct observation of bandgap opening at the metasurface of nano-scale highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Chaiyachad Sujinda , Singsen Sirisak , Eknapakul Tanachat , Jindata Warakorn , Jaisuk Chutchawan , Fevre Patrick Le , Bertran Francois , Lu Donghui , Huang Yaobo , Nakajima Hideki , Liewrian Watchara , Fongkaew Ittipon , Meevasana Worawat
Published: August 2022

By using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we study the electronic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). In contrast to the pristine HOPG, band gap opening of approximately 100 meV is directly observed at the surface of nano-scale HOPG square pattern. Our Raman data and density functional theory calculations suggest that the bandgap opening is likely caused by tensile strain induced from the patterning. We believe that this surface engineering of HOPG will not only be useful for enhancing terahertz devices but also provides a route for modifying other materials/metasurfaces for optoelectronics applications.
Apical periodontitis in endodontically-treated teeth, association between the presence of missed canals and the quality of endodontic treatment in a Colombian population: A Cross-sectional study
Authors: Fuentes Bibiana Yorley Blanco , Monsalve Jaime Omar Moreno , Herrera Uriel Mesa , Amoroso-Silva Pablo Andres , Alves Flavio Rodrigues Ferreira , Marceliano-Alves Marília F.
Published: August 2022

Objective:A high prevalence of post-treatment-apical periodontitis has been evidenced in 2D studies, associated to variables commonly evaluated as quality of endodontic treatment; currently, using CBCT the presence of missed canals is also one of the relevant variables associated to the failure of endodontic treatment. The objective was to evaluate the quality of endodontic treatment and the frequency of missed canals associated with teeth presenting apical periodontitis (AP) through CBCT in a Colombian sub-population.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. CBCT scans with endodontically treated tooth (n = 318), were selected from 1100 exams from Colombian individuals between January 2017 and January 2020. The scans were taken using J Morita X550 CBCT Scanners (J Morita Corporation, Osaka, Japan), with voxel size between 0.125 and 0.20 mm. All endodontically treated teeth were analyzed for quality of treatment, the presence of missed canals and AP. All samples were independently analyzed by two endodontics specialists and an oral and maxillofacial radiology specialist. Chi-square or Fisher`s test and odds ratio calculation were applied to identify the association and risk relationship between the presence of AP and the study variables; P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results:Missed canals were found in 18.61% (86/462) and 95.3% were associated with AP. The frequency of AP was 62.34% (288/462) for all the evaluated teeth. AP was found in 27.43 % (79/462) of the teeth with adequate endodontic treatment in contrast with 72.57% (209/462) of the teeth with inadequate ones (P <0.01). The frequency of missed canals was highest in upper molars with 55.23% (58/105), with 96.55% presenting with AP. The second mesiobuccal canal was the most frequently missed canal, 88.52% (54/61), with AP in 90.74% (49/54) of the cases.Conclusion:There was a high risk of teeth with missed canal presenting AP. More than half of the teeth with missed canals were maxillary molars, the MB2 the most frequent missed canal, with apical periodontitis.
Phylogenetic diversity of microbial communities and physicochemical properties along a vertical soil section of Lam Pokhari Lake in Eastern Himalayas.
Authors: Sinha Shruti , Ankulkar Rutuja , Kandekar Avinash , Mirza Yasmin
Published: August 2022

It is well documented that the microbes found in soil are key drivers of various environmental processes such as nutrient cycling, soil formation and production of key enzymes and metabolites. There is a possibility of infinite number of microbes being buried in the layers of soil that formed over timescales of hundreds and thousands of years. However, there are few studies till date which correlate the depth and physicochemical properties of soil with the microbial population inhabiting that soil. In this study, an investigation of eleven samples along a 100 cm vertical section of soil from Lam Pokhari Lake, Eastern Himalayas, India was done by Sanger sequencing and Field emission scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS). Further, the distribution of culturable bacteria and fungi was studied. Bacteria belonging to four different phyla- Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Beta-proteobacteria and Gamma-proteobacteria were present in the soil samples as inferred from 16s rDNA gene sequencing. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequencing revealed the presence of fungi belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Lastly, the particle size was obtained and the homogeneity of the samples was assessed by FESEM and imaging. EDS was used for obtaining the composition of seventeen elements in the soil samples. The weight percentage of oxygen and silicon was the highest in all the samples. Each sample showed a characteristic microbial distribution, particle size and elemental profile, which validated the use of a multidisciplinary approach to study soil samples.