bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Analysis of Left Ventricular Flow Dynamics in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using vector flow mapping: Comparison with hypertensive LV hypertrophy
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yueheng , Bai Hui , Gao Ze , Feng Wang , Liu Shanshan
Published: September 2022

Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and secondary hypertensive LV hypertrophy (H-LVH) differ in pathophysiology. However, the differences and mechanisms of their blood flow fields have not been well studied. This study aimed to assess energy loss (EL), circulation, vortex area, vorticity and intraventricular velocity gradient between these two hypertrophy types.
Methods
Vector flow mapping (VFM) echocardiography was performed in 35 healthy participants, 25 HCM patients, and 24 H-LVH patients. Circulation, vortex area and vorticity during atrial filling (A-filling), isovolumic contraction (IVC) and ejection period were measured, as well as intraventricular velocity gradient during the E-filling period and average energy loss (EL-ave) during one cardiac cycle for each period. Measurements were averaged over three cardiac cycles.
Results
The “absent E-filling vortex ring” phenomenon was found in 8 HCM cases (32%), with significantly increased EL-ave during the A-filling period and relatively reduced diastolic intraventricular velocity gradient between the base and the apex (Vbp) compared with patients with normal E-filling vortex ring. EL-ave during the E-filling period was weaker in HCM than in the control and H-LVH groups. From A-filling to ejection, EL-ave was obviously increased in the HCM and H-LVH groups compared to the control group. Multivariable analyses revealed that EL-ave during the E-filling period in the HCM and H-LVH groups was affected by different heart structure-related factors and had a good diagnostic efficiency in differentiating HCM from H-LVH.
Conclusion
Differences in abnormal hemodynamics observed between HCM and H-LVH are reflected in both VFM-derived parameters, especially non-physiological vortices and early filling EL, which is closely related to special morphology. EL during E-filling as a novel parameter may be may be useful in differentiating HCM from hypertensive LVH.
Using Necroptosis-Associated Genes To Predict The Immune Microenvironment And Prognosis Of Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yi-jiang , Yang Cui , Li Yan-ling , Xu Jia-jia , Chen Min-wei , Liu Shi-xiao , Wang Xue-qi , Zheng Xiang-hui , Luo Ping , Zhang Zheng-hao , Li Run-jing , Li Rui , Shan Zhong-gui
Published: September 2022

PURPOSE
Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA), the most common urinary tract malignancy, has a high recurrence rate and poor survival at late stages. Necroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is involved in cancer development and progression, but its function in BLCA prognosis remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the role of necroptosis in the development and prognosis of BLCA.
METHODS
Clinical information and RNA expression matrix data were obtained from the databases. Survival analysis was performed to obtain survival- and necroptosis-related genes and identify any that overlapped. Consensus clustering analysis was used to create different subgroups by combining the overlapping gene expression matrix and clinical information. The tumor immune microenvironment and immune status of the different subgroups were determined using ESTIMATE, MCPcounter, and ssGSEA analysis. We performed differential analysis on the gene expression matrix of molecular subpopulations to find and screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO, KEGG, GSVA, and GSEA analyses were used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the DEGs. Lasso Cox regression analysis was used to build a prognostic risk model and perform a pan-cancer analysis of the screened genes. The results were used to define potential roles for these genes in other cancers and assess the efficacy of the risk model.
RESULTS
Cluster analysis identified two subgroups, C1 and C2, with significantly different survival rates. ESTIMATE, MCPcounter, and ssGSEA analyses showed that high immune scores, tumor purity, and immune status were associated with poorer prognoses. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses indicated that DEGs were mainly focused on tumor proliferation, invasion, and immunity and GSEA analysis suggested that necroptosis may affect Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, MAPK cascade regulation of leukocyte trafficking, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways. Lasso Cox regression analysis was used to model the prognostic risk while screening for representative necroptosis-associated genes, ANXA1, ATAD3A, and TRPC6, with high potential for survival prediction in BLCA patients. The pan-cancer analysis indicated that the three representative genes were also differentially expressed in other cancer types.
CONCLUSION
Expression of necroptosis-related genes such as ANXA1, ATAD3A, and TRPC6 correlate with the immune microenvironment of BLCA patients and have the potential for use in disease prognostics.
The tibial tunnel location would be lateral easiler by placing the tunnel under-the-ACL During transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with remnant preservation
Authors: Zhao-lan WEI , Chao-xi Wei , Wei-lin Yi , Bao-shen Wei
Published: September 2022

Background：An accurate method for precise tibial tunnel preparation and preserving remnant are believed as the key technologies of transtibial PCL reconstruction. However, there are technically difficult when creating an accurate tibial tunnel under good visualization without removing the remnant PCL fibers. We found tibial guide could through the path under-the-ACL(between the ACL and lateral femoral condyle) to posterolateral compartment at 45° Knee flexion and varus stress, while tibial guide tip can locate the insertion from the lateral of PCL and get around the PCL remnant and ACL fibers; placing tunnel inferolaterally and preserving remnant intactly will be easily at the same time .
Purpose : (1) report a modified technique for tibial tunnel preparation to place the tunnel at inferolateral position easily without remnant’s block in PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation. (2) compare tibial tunnel placement of two guide path by in vivo 3-dimensional computed tomography（3D-CT）:the path under-the-ACL（the guide insertion we recommend）and the path over-the-ACL（the guide insertion we used to）.
Methods： Tibial tunnel aperture location was analyzed by postoperative in vivo CT in 50 patients who underwent single-bundle remnant-preserving PCL reconstruction ,22 by over-the-ACL and 28 by under-the-ACL tibial guide insertion techniques by a retrospective study from 2016 to 2020 to our center. Tibial tunnel positions were measured in the medial to lateral and proximal to distal directions of the posterior proximal tibia. Stress radiography of pre- and post-operation were used to evaluate the knee stability.
Results：All patients were follow-up above 24 months. In the medial to lateral direction, the center of tibial tunnel aperture was located more laterally in the under-the-ACL group of (0.51±0.01)% than over-the-ACL group of (0.46±0.04)%（P＜0.05）. The tibial tunnel position in the proximal to distal direction, determined by absolute value and relative percentage, were similar in the 2 groups. Two groups were significantly improved the posterior laxity control compared with preoperation by stress radiography at 24 months postoperatively, and posterior tibial translation (4.00±1.03)mm in A group compared with (5.43±1.09)mm in B group（P＜0.05）.
Conclusions: Tibial tunnel apertures would be located more laterally after under-the-ACL tibial guide insertion than after over-the-ACL tibial guide insertion. There was, however, no significant difference between these techniques in distance from the joint line to the tibial tunnel aperture. Insertion under-the-ACL to the PCL stump may result in better placement of the PCL in Fanelli area.
Dioscin Restores Immunological Tolerance of CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Aplastic Anemia Mouse Model
Authors: Fan Liwei , Ni Runfeng , Zhang Le , Yang Wuxia , Li Meng , Li Runjie , Wang Aidi , Liu Baoshan
Published: September 2022

Background: Aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated disease of bone marrow failure owing to activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) could negatively regulate CTLs to maintain self-tolerance and avoid excessive immune responses. This study aims to investigate the effect of Dioscin on the functions of CD4+CD25+ Tregsin the AA mouse model, which were induced by total body irradiation and allogeneic lymphocyte infusion.
Methods and Results: The collected CD4+CD25+Tregs were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) normal control group, 2) aplastic anemia model group, 3) Dioscin group, 4) Cyclosporine A group, 5) Triptolide group. Based on flow cytometry and qRT-PCR, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor-related protein (GITR) were quantified to evaluate the function expression of CD4+CD25+ Tregs.
Conclusions: The result shows that the AA mice manifested loss of Foxp3 and CTLA4 expressions and overexpression of GITR. It also shows that compared with traditional AA medicine such as Cyclosporine A and Triptolide, Dioscin displays better efficacy in promoting Tregs differentiation by affecting CTLA4 and GITR on the surface of Tregs and restoring the expression of Foxp3.
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should be performed carefully for medial meniscus tear showing the anteromedial meniscofemoral ligament
Authors: Kim Young Mo , Joo Yong Bum , Song Ju-Ho , An Byung Kuk , Lee Cheol Won
Published: September 2022

Background
Anteromedial meniscofemoral ligament (AMMFL) has been regarded as a silent lesion that does not cause symptoms. However, clinical relevance of the AMMFL when arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is performed for medial meniscus (MM) tear has not been investigated. This study tried to determine whether APM for MM tear showing the AMMFL was associated with degenerative changes of the joint.
Methods
After review of 2568 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery in 2003–2017, 10 patients who showed the AMMFL and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans taken ≥ 2 years after surgery were selected. Of these, 5 patients underwent APM for MM tear (M group) and the other 5 patients did not have any procedures on the MM (NM group). The degenerative changes of the medial compartment, such as chondral wear and subchondral bone marrow lesion (BML), were evaluated using MRI. Pre- and postoperative cartilage statuses and subchondral BML were assessed based on MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) criteria. The sum of cartilage and BML scores of the medial femoral condyle and tibial plateau was compared between the groups. Other related demographics and radiographic factors including the alignment were also analyzed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm score.
Results
The mean follow-up duration was 50.4 months (range, 28–88). During that period, significant chondral wear was noted in both the femoral condyle and tibial plateau (p = 0.011 and p = 0.042, respectively). The two groups showed significant differences in postoperative femoral and tibial cartilage statuses (p = 0.048 and p = 0.008, respectively) and the degenerative chondral change in the tibial side which was defined as the difference between preoperative and postoperative cartilage scores (p = 0.008). No differences were found in BML scores and other related factors. There were no inter-group differences in the Lysholm score either.
Conclusion
MM with the AMMFL needs special concern because APM in this circumstance could aggravate the degenerative chondral change of the medial compartment. Considering the difference between MM with the AMMFL and typical MM, surgical intervention on the former should be more carefully performed.
Genomic analysis of a new lytic Salmonella Typhimurium bacteriophage (vB_StyS-sam)
Authors: Sabzali Somaieh , Bouzari Majid
Published: September 2022

Salmonella spp. antibiotics resistance increase is a global problem. Currently, S. Typhimurium is the world's second leading etiology of salmonellosis with resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Bacteriophages have the potential to controlling Salmonella infections. In this study, the genome of a virulens Salmonella phage (vB_StyS-sam) isolated from Toshan backwater in Gorgan city of Golestan province in Iran (N364737 E542603) was analyzed. It contained 43221 base pairs with 49.77 (G + C) content that coded 66 proteins with eight promotor sequences. Twenty-four ORFs encoded functional proteins (replication, modification, and regulation). Eight unique ORFs with no similarity with any protein in the NCBI GenBank were found in this phage. Moreover, 29 Rho-dependent terminators are located in vB_StyS-sam phage genome. An anti-CRISPER sequence was found in the genome and BLASTn indicated that the vB_StyS-sam has homology with other Salmonella phages such as vB_SenS-Ent1 and other members of Jerseyvirus phages. Phage genome did not contain any antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Thus, we suggested vB_StyS-sam phage has the potential to be used in phage therapy.
Tsc2 mutation rather than Tsc1 mutation dominantly causes a social deficit in a mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Kashii Hirofumi , Kasai Shinya , Sato Atsushi , Hagino Yoko , Nishito Yasumasa , Kobayashi Toshiyuki , Hino Okio , Mizuguchi Masashi , Ikeda Kazutaka
Published: September 2022

Background
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is associated with neurological symptoms, including autism spectrum disorder. Tuberous sclerosis complex is caused by pathogenic germline mutations of either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, but somatic mutations were identified in both genes, and the combined effects of TSC1 and TSC2 mutations have been unknown. Methods: The present study investigated social behaviors by the social interaction test and three-chambered sociability tests, effects of rapamycin treatment, and gene expression profiles with a gene expression microarray in Tsc1 and Tsc2 double heterozygous mutant (TscD+/−) mice. Results: TscD+/− mice exhibited impairments in social behaviors, and the severity of impairments was similar to Tsc2+/− mice rather than Tsc1+/− mice. Impairments in social behaviors were rescued by rapamycin treatment in all mutant mice. Gene expression profiles in the brain were greatly altered in TscD+/− mice more than in Tsc1+/− and Tsc2+/− mice. The gene expression changes compared with WT mice were similar between TscD+/− and Tsc2+/− mice, and the overlapping genes whose expression was altered in mutant mice compared with wild type (WT) mice were enriched in the neoplasm- and inflammation-related canonical pathways. The “signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, interferon regulatory factor 1, interferon regulatory factor 4, interleukin-2R α chain, and interferon-γ” signaling pathway, which is initiated from signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 and PDZ and LIM domain protein 2, was associated with impairments in social behaviors in all mutant mice. Limitations: It is unclear whether the signaling pathway also plays a critical role in autism spectrum disorders not caused by Tsc1 and Tsc2 mutations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TSC1 and TSC2 double mutations cause autistic behaviors similarly to TSC2 mutations, although significant changes in gene expression were attributable to the double mutations. These findings contribute to the knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations in TSC and suggest that mutations in both the TSC1 and TSC2 genes act in concert to cause neurological symptoms, including autism spectrum disorder.
Two Dimensional Model for Double-Sided Linear Permanent Magnet inner armature synchronous machine With Slotless Stator at on-Load in Different Patterns of Magnetization
Authors: Shirzad Ehsan
Published: September 2022

In this paper is presented a two-dimension analytical model for linear permanent magnet inner armature double sided synchronous motors (LPMIADSSMs). The flux density in all areas of the proposed machine is calculated based on the sub-domain method. According to this method the machine areas is divided into eleven sub-regions as first external, first mover, first PM, first air-gap, first winding, stator, second winding, second air gap, second PM, second external and second mover which sign as FE, FR, FP, FAG, FW, S, SW, SAG, SP, SE, SR. To find the flux density equations, it is mandatory to solve the extracted Maxwell equations and apply the boundary conditions between each two sub-regions, which lead to find the unknown coefficients for flux density in each sub-region. In addition, the influences of magnetization patterns, i.e. parallel, ideal Hal Bach, 2-segment Halbach and bar magnet in the shifting direction of the flux distribution is investigated. To validate the obtained results, the proposed model results are compared with those obtained from finite element method (FEM).
Quantification of Essential Minerals and Heavy Elements in the Scalp Hair of Jordanian Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Bashtawi Mahmoud Ahmad , AL-Fawares O'la , Rashaid Ayat , Alqhazo Mazin Taha
Published: September 2022

During the past four decades, the number of children diagnosed with specific language impairment (SLI) has been increased. The factors contribute to SLI are not completely identified; therefore, more studies consensus on the pathophysiological etiologies of this disorder is essential. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the levels of 5 essential minerals: iron (Fe), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in addition to 9 heavy metals: aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lithium (Li), lead (Pb), indium (In), and strontium (Sr) in the scalp hair samples of 39 Jordanian children diagnosed with SLI compared with their 37 healthy control children aged 4 to 7 years. Hair samples were cut, acid digested, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results revealed that Zn level was significantly lower in hair samples of SLI group as compared to the control group (p = 0.02). In SLI group, a significant positive correlation was noted between Zn and Mn (p = 0.04), Al and Li (p = 0.05), as well as Fe and Mn (p < 0.001). These findings would be useful for increasing the understanding of SLI etiology. More elemental studies of larger sample size could participate in future development of therapies that could decrease SLI related symptoms. Also, profiling of elements in hair could provide a nutritional tracking tool with a larger time window that guide the supplementation with essential elements for children with SLI as therapeutic tool.
Tumor cell-secreted soluble uPAR functions as a neutrophil chemoattractant to promote triple-negative breast cancer metastasis
Authors: liu xia , LI Dong , hemati hami , Younhee Park , Taftaf Rokana , zhang youbin , Liu Jinpeng , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: September 2022

Accumulating evidence have demonstrated that circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters have higher metastatic ability than single CTCs, and correlates with worse cancer patient’s outcomes. The heterotypic CTC clusters such as neutrophil-CTC clusters recently were identified in both cancer mouse models and cancer patients, leading to more efficient metastasis formation compared with homotypic CTC clusters. However, the mechanism by which neutrophils are associated with CTCs remains elusive. In this study, we found that the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells mediates their binding with CD11b+ neutrophils, and CD11b deficiency inhibited TNBC metastasis In vivo. Additionally, CD11b mediated H2O2 production of neutrophils. Further studies indicated that ICAM-1 promotes uPAR secretion, which functions as a chemoattractant for neutrophils. Knockdown of uPAR in ICAM-1+ TNBC cells reduced lung-infiltrating neutrophils, and lung metastasis. The bioinformatics analysis showed uPAR is highly expressed in TNBCs, which positively correlates with higher neutrophil infiltration and negatively with breast cancer patient’s survival. Together, our findings discover a novel chemoattractant role of suPAR in TNBC metastasis, and provides a rationale for targeting ICAM-1-uPAR-CD11b axis to block CTC-neutrophil cluster formation, and its-mediated metastasis.
A Secure Data Fragmentation Scheme Based on Pseudo-Entropy
Authors: Liu Dan , Lin Weitao , Wang Wei , Wang Xin , Hu Qian , Hou Wanxin
Published: September 2022

The typical fragmentation schemes divide the data into continuous segments, causing an uneven amount of information in the segments, resulting in a threat to the security of the overall scheme after obtaining part of the leaked information posed by an adversary with mighty computing power. To combat such attacks, we propose a pseudo-entropy-based fragmentation scheme (PEFS), which further reduces the probability of the adversaries predicting the remaining information from partially leaking information and can prevent the eavesdroppers from colluding to form a more powerful attack. Considering the current situation that fragmentation schemes lack a unified theoretical model, we proposed a data fragmentation security model, and its provable security is verified. At the same time, this paper establishes a set of security level evaluation methods for multi-channel data fragmentation transmission and demonstrates the effectiveness of the fragmentation level evaluation methods from a theoretical point of view. Further, we propose a fragmentation scheme evaluation algorithm, and through the comparison experiment with the traditional continuous fragmentation scheme shows that the fragmentation scheme based on pseudo-entropy has universality and superiority in actual transmission scenarios.
Prediction of coal mine gas emission based on hybrid machine learning model
Authors: Bi Shenghao , Shao Liangshan , Qi Zihan , Wang Yanbin , Lai Wenzhe
Published: September 2022

Coal mine gas accident is one of the most significant threats to the safe mining process in coal mines, so it is very important to accurately predict coal mine gas emission. To improve the accuracy of coal mine gas emission prediction, a hybrid machine learning prediction model combining random forest (RF) algorithm, improved gray wolf optimizer (IGWO) algorithm and support vector regression (SVR) algorithm is proposed. Thirty groups of actual measured gas emission data from a coal mine are selected as samples, and the latter five groups are used as test sets. Firstly, the RF algorithm is used to screen 13 influencing factors of coal mine gas emission, and finally six influencing factors are selected as the input variables of the prediction model; Secondly, the IGWO algorithm is obtained by improving the GWO algorithm with a nonlinear convergence factor and a DLH search strategy; Finally, the IGWO algorithm is used to optimize the SVR algorithm to establish the RF-IGWO-SVR model, and the model is compared with other models to verify its superiority. The results show that the average relative error of the RF-GWO-SVR model is 1.55%, and this result is better than other comparative models, which indicates that the model can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of coal mine gas emission and provide a new model for coal mine gas emission prediction.
Numerical Analysis for the hemodynamics mechanism of a curved artery having multiple stenosis
Authors: Nadeem Sohail , Akhtar Salman , Saleem Anber , Almutairi Shahah , Ghazwani Hassan Ali , Eldin Sayed M
Published: September 2022

The surgical intercede firstly requires the spotting and quantification of stenosis. The analysis of blood flow in such arteries lead to the prediction of hemodynamics mechanism in these diseased arteries. It is further helpful in designing the devices that imitates the blood flow and in diagnostic tools formation. The hemodynamics mechanism of a curved artery having multiple stenosis is interpreted. An exact as well as a numerical solution approach is utilized in the present analysis. Since blood flow is usually turbulent in such stenosed arteries and the advantage of using numerical approach is that we have also considered the turbulent flow phenomena in this curved artery. Exact solutions provide the line graphs for this flow problem while the numerical simulations are obtained by using the free source OPENFOAM software. The numerical approach is more convenient to consider the desirable location of stenosis. It means that we can construct various complex geometries with multiple locations of stenosis more conveniently by using the numerical approach.
The impact of tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles, embedded in Guar gum based hydrogel for water treatment applications
Authors: Ahmad Alishbah Iftikhar , Hassan Safia , Ahmed Toqeer , Imran Zahid , Batool Syeda Sitwat , Abbass Aun
Published: September 2022

In this research work, a novel guar gum based membrane was fabricated that was further reinforced with tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles (NPs) respectively for the removal of methyl violet (MV) dye from aqueous solution. The membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which confirms the presence of functional groups, rough and smooth surface morphology with porous structure and X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows specific peaks approves the NPs of WO3 respectively. The swelling study of membranes was performed by using various parameters i.e. maximum swelling were attained at neutral pH 7, water transport mechanism was followed the Fickain diffusion and the gel content was linearly increased 91–95%. The adsorption efficiency of membrane for virulent dye (MV) was investigated by following parameters i.e. the adsorption of dye was maximum at pH 10 and 96% of dye was removed at 60 mins. The kinetic data for adsorption process was best fitted with pseudo first order kinetic model which shows the physisorption of dye and isothermal data for Langmuir-Freundlich model shows multilayer adsorption. The negative ∆H values indicates the exothermic reaction. Furthermore, pre and post analysis of water samples (drinking tap water and contaminated water) were used to examine the physiochemical parameters such as colour, odour, pH, conductivity, TDS and DO (dissolve oxygen) by using the synthesized membrane. The fast uptake capacity of dye removal and the physicochemical parameters of contaminated water was observed by friendly nature of membrane.
How the age of the head of households matter in the incidence of financial inclusion on energy poverty in Ghana
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Njangang Henri , Nchofoung Tii , Diop Samba
Published: September 2022

We extend Koomson and Danquah (2021, EP) in order to understand if and how the age of the household head matters in the incidence of financial inclusion on energy poverty in Ghana. We revisit the underlying study within a framework of interactive regressions in order to establish household head ages that should be avoided in order for financial inclusion to continuously reduce energy poverty. In the estimation exercise that is based on pooled data and two stage least squares, we establish a negative net effect from the role of household head age in moderating the incidence of financial inclusion on energy poverty. An extended analysis provides household head ages that should be avoided in order for financial inclusion to reduce energy poverty. These critical household head ages are contingent on the area of household (i.e. rural versus urban) as well as the gender of household age( male versus female).
JEL Classification: D03; D12; D14; I32; Q41
Artificial microRNA suppresses C9ORF72 variants and decreases toxic dipeptides in vivo
Authors: Cabrera Gabriela Toro , Meijboom Katharina , Abdallah Abbas , Tran Helen , Foster Zachariah , Weiss Alexandra , Wightman Nicholas , Stock Rachel , Gendron Tania , Gruntman Alisha , Giampetruzzi Anthony , Petrucelli Leonard , Brown Robert , Mueller Christian
Published: September 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness and respiratory failure. The presence of an expanded hexanucleotide repeat in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) accounts for most cases of familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). To determine if suppressing expression of C9ORF72 gene products can reduce toxicity, we designed a set of artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) targeting the human C9ORF72 gene. Here we report that an AAV9-mediated amiRNA significantly suppresses expression of the C9ORF72 mRNA, protein, and toxic poly-dipeptides generated by the expanded repeat in the brain and spinal cord.
Fe3O4/SiO2 decorated trimesic acid-melamine nanocomposite: A reusable supramolecular organocatalyst for efficient multicomponent synthesis of imidazole derivatives
Authors: Fattahi Babak , Dekamin Mohammad G
Published: September 2022

This article describes supramolecular Fe3O4/SiO2 decorated trimesic acid-melamine nanocomposite that can be prepared with features that combine properties of different materials to fabricate a structurally unique hybrid material. In particular, we have focused on design, synthesis and evaluation a heterogeneous magnetic organocatalyst with acidic functional-groups for synthesis of biologically important imidazole derivatives in good-to-excellent yields. The introduced Fe3O4/SiO2-TMA-Me were characterized by different techniques such as FTIR, XRD, EDX, FESEM, TEM and TGA. As a noteworthy point, the magnetic catalyst system can be recycled and reused for more than seven consecutive cycles while its high catalytic activity remains.
Competitive study of heat-exposed and non-heat-exposed group of workers of Underground Coal Mines, Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Ijaz Madiha , Ahmad Sajid rashid , Akram Muhammad , Mirza kamran , Carter William
Published: September 2022

Aim
To identify prevalence and comparison of heat-induced illnesses among. Design: cross-sectional survey and comparison. Methods: Ingestible thermometric pills, skin temperature probes, US-NIOSH heat stress sheet and general questionnaire were used to study 50 coal cutters (25 from 5 hot mines (G1) and 25 from 5 non-hot mines (G2)). Results: The highest monitored temperature was 33.6 0C in mine 1 and humidity 83.3% in mine 3. Comparing values of two groups of mines, the p-value was < 0.001 for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Dry Bulb Temperature, and 0.031 for Relative Humidity. The highest core body temperature (38.80C) and skin temperature (36.60C) were in workers of G1, who also reported symptoms of heat-illness for 3 + days/week. Post-shift samples (of blood and urine) from G1 showed that the hematocrit (%) reduced to 43.6 ± 2.1 from 45.4 ± 1.4, eGFR reduced from100 ± 19 to 94 ± 09 mL/min/1.72m2. Public contribution: Performing exertive work in hot environment prompts heat-induced-illnesses.
Stratification and temporal evolution of mixing regimes in diurnally heated river flows
Authors: Nguyen-Dang Cindy , Williamson Nicholas , Armfield Steven W. , Kirkpatrick Michael , Norris Stuart E.
Published: September 2022

Direct numerical simulations of stratified open channel flows subject to a varying surface heat flux is performed. The influence of the diurnal heating time on the spatial and temporal variation of mixing in the flow and the characteristics of the mean flow state is also examined. The bulk buoyancy parameter 𝝀𝑩 is defined through the ratio of the channel height 𝜹 and a bulk Obukhov length scale 𝓛𝑩. The non-dimensional diurnal time scale ˆ𝒕 is defined as the ratio of the heating time to an eddy turnover time. The Prandtl number 𝑷𝒓 and Reynolds number 𝑹𝒆𝝉 is limited to 1 and 400, respectively, with ˆ𝒕 ranging between 1 to 24. A regime map for each behaviour of the laminar layer depth (LLD) and stratified layer depth (SLD) is presented. The LLD is defined as the depth when the buoyancy Reynolds number 𝑹𝒆𝑩 ≤ 7 and the SLD is the depth when the turbulent Froude number 𝑭𝒓 ≤ 1. Three classifications exist for each layer depth. The first; a neutral flow where the LLD or SLD does not exist, denoted by NL and NS, respectively. The second is a stratified flow where the LLD or SLD are diurnally varying, denoted as DL and DS. The last describes a persistent layer of the LLD or SLD, denoted as PL and PS. The transition between the NL to DL is ˆ𝒕 ∝ 𝑹𝒆𝓛4.5, DL to PL is ˆ𝒕 ∝ 𝑹𝒆𝓛−0.5, NS to DS is ˆ𝒕 ∝ 𝝀0 and DS to PS is ˆ𝒕 ∝ 𝝀1. These classifications form the basis of the regime map for this flow.
Effects of the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib on cell death signaling in human colon cancer
Authors: Maruyama Ryuto , Kiyohara Yuki , Sugiyama Tomoyasu
Published: September 2022

The anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib, the only inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with anticancer activity, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and can cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by inhibiting sarco/ER Ca2 + -ATPase activity in cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between celecoxib-induced ER stress and the effects of celecoxib against cell death signaling. Treatment of human colon cancer HCT116 cells with celecoxib reduced their viability and resulted in a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Additionally, celecoxib treatment reduced the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism such as mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). Furthermore, celecoxib reduced transmembrane protein 117 (TMEM117) and RNAi-mediated knockdown of TMEM117 reduced TFAM and UCP2 expression. These results suggest that celecoxib treatment results in loss of ΔΨm by reducing TMEM117 expression and provide insights for the development of novel drugs through TMEM117 expression.
The expression of ion channels in sensory neurons that can shift action potential in direction to hyperpolarization are dysregulated in patients with chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus
Authors: Momose Akishi , Yabe Michihiro , Chiba Shigetoshi , Kumakawa Kenjirou , Shiraiwa Yasuo , Mizukami Hiroki
Published: September 2022

Background: Expression levels of voltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alfa 1H (Cav3.2), big conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa), and anoctamin 1 in the skin, including in peripheral nerve endings were previously found to be significantly elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)–associated pruritus (CKD-aP). On the other hand, the expression of transient receptor potential 1 was significantly reduced.
Methods: We further compared CKD patients with and without CKD-aP in terms of the expression levels of several ion channels Based on CKD-aP severity, subjects were divided into two groups: non-CKD-aP (no or slight pruritus; n = 16) and CKD-aP (mild, moderate, or severe pruritus; n = 16). Skin samples were obtained from the forearm or elbow during arteriovenous fistula surgery. We used quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)to measure the skin expression levels of the following ion channels in the skin: voltage gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7), voltage gated potassium channel 7.2 (Kv7.2), TWIK-related K+ channel 1 (TREK1), hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel type 2 (HCN2), tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), and piezo-type mechano-sensitive ion channel component 2 (Piezo2).
Results: RT-PCR analyses showed that CKD-aP patients had significantly higher levels of TREK1 and Piezo2 transcripts and significantly lower levels of HCN2 transcripts than non–CKD-aP patients. No significant differences were noted between groups in the expression of Nav1.7 or TrkA. Moreover, Kv7.2 transcripts were not detected in either group.
Conclusion: In skin samples collected from CKD-aP patients, ion channel expression patterns were altered to enhance hyperpolarization of pruriceptive neurons.
A study of public concern and awareness of national parks in China from the perspective of “big data + small data” fusion
Authors: Dou Yaquan , Wu Changhao , He Youjuna
Published: September 2022

The high-quality development of national parks is an important way to protect biodiversity. Understanding public concern for and awareness of national parks is necessary to promote greater public participation in the management of national parks. A lack of participation by the Chinese public has limited the development of high-quality national parks in China. The present study provides insight into this problem by combining Weibo and questionnaire survey data and uses a combination of text mining, an Latent Dirichlet Allocation(LDA) theme model, and descriptive statistics to analyze the current state of public concern for and awareness of national parks. The results show that with the in-depth practice of ecological civilization construction, public concern of national parks is increasing year by year. Most Chinese residents are willing to actively pay attention to the construction of national parks, especially those in the more economically developed regions. Currently, public concern for national parks focuses on the construction of national parks in other countries and the institutional reform and ecotourism of national parks in China. However, the public is not yet fully aware of national parks in China. The number of national parks, their construction, and other issues are still not widely known. Similarly, awareness of the construction goals, functional positioning, and other issues are not generally understood. This study will help policy makers to understand the public concern and awareness of national parks and provide a reference for the establishment of targeted public participation mechanisms, which will be important for development of natural reserve system in China and global biodiversity protection.
Gunshot bullet trauma of the colon in combat patients injured in hybrid period of Russian-Ukrainian war during 2014-2020
Authors: Gumeniuk Kostiantyn , Lurin Igor A. , Tsema Ievgen , Malinovska Lesia , Gorobeiko Maksym , Dinets Andrii
Published: September 2022

Background
Gunshot wound to the colon is a frequent injury in armed conflicts. An example of high-energy modern weapon is hollow-point bullets, which is associated with an increased tissue damage and lethal outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate gunshot injuries to the colon in combat patients and to investigate specific features of the hollow-point and shape-stable bullets features in colon injury.
Patients and methods
Analyses of clinical data was performed on 384 male soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine with gunshot abdominal wound with injury to the colon in East Ukraine between 2014 and 2020. Out of 374 injured, 112 (29.9%)patients were diagnosed with penetrating gunshot bullet wounds: 69/112 (61.6%) were injured by shape-stable bullets and 43/112 (38.4%) patients were injured by the hollow-point bullets.
Results
More severe hemorrhagic shock stages were in patients injured by hollow-point bullets: shock stages III-IV was in 25 (58.1%) patients injured by the hollow-point bullets vs. 17 (24.6%) patients injured by shape-stable bullets (p=0.0004). Left colon parts were more frequently injured as compared to right colon side or transverse colon in 21 (48.8%) injured by shape-stable (p<0.0001) and in 41 (59.4%) patients injured by the hollow-point bullets (p=0.032). A significant difference was identified for the frequent injury to the middle colon within the entire cohort (p = 0.023). Patients injured with the hollow-point bullets demonstrated a higher frequency of 3-5 areas of colon penetration, which was detected in 18 (41.8%) patients injured by hollow-point bullets and none patients with shape-stable bullets injury (p=0.0001). Colon Injury Scale (CIS) IV was detected in 9 (8%) patients injured by the hollow-point bullets as compared to 7 (10.1%) patients injured by shape-stable bullets (p=0.031). Colostomy was performed in 9 (13%) patients injured by shape-stable bullets and in 8 (19%) patients injured by the hollow-point bullets (p>0.05). 15 (35%) patients died after injury by the hollow-point bullet, whereas 9 (13%) patients after injury by the shape-stable bullets (p=0.0089).
Conclusions
All patients should be suspected to have a hollow-point injury in case of penetrating injury (absent outlet wound) and careful revision of the abdomen must be performed to identify possible multiorgan injury as well as multiple perforations of the intestine.
Value Of Dual Source Cardiac CT In Children And Young Adults With Congenital Heart Disease And Infective Endocarditis Role of CT in the management of pediatric infective endocarditis
Authors: Nagiub Mohamed , Fares Munes , Ganigara Madhusudan , Ullah Sana , Hsieh Nathan , Jaquiss Robert , Dillenbeck Jeanne , Hussain Tarique
Published: September 2022

Background:
Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis (IE) can be challenging due to negative blood cultures and difficulties in imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard but due to the anterior location of the pulmonary valve and sedation requirement, TEE could be challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the value of Cardiac CT (CCT) for IE in children and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Methods:
This is a retrospective review of pediatric patients with CHD and diagnosis of IE who underwent CCT (2018-22). Retrospectively Gated CCT was performed. Data collected included age, gender, cardiac diagnosis, clinical presentation, echocardiographic / CCT/ PET findings, and blood culture results. In addition, Modified Duke criteria(MDC) for the diagnosis of IE were applied with and without CCT as the diagnostic imaging criterion.
Results:
Fourteen patients were included in this study with median age 11 years old. Nine patients were female. Ten of 14 patients had IE of the RV-PA conduit and 4 patients had IE of the aortic valve. Using MDC, 4 patients had definite IE. Including CCT findings 11 patients (79 %) met MDC for definite IE. Blood cultures were positive in 12 patients. CCT revealed the following complications: thromboembolic findings / pseudoaneurysms in 5 patients each and prosthetic valve perforation/ prosthetic valve leak in one patient each.
Conclusions:
This study reinforces the complimentary role of CCT to echocardiography in the work up and diagnosis of IE in patients with CHD. With further improvement in lower radiation exposure, CCT may have a key role in the diagnostic work up of endocarditis and could be implemented in the diagnostic criteria of IE.
Remarkable Effect of Increasing Glutamine Metabolism on Caveolin-1 in Breast Cancer: A Brief Report
Authors: Mostafavi Samaneh , Hadjati Jamshid , Mostafazadeh Amrollah , Hassan Zuhair Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Background
Caveolin-1(CAV-1) is a key molecule in cancer metabolism and progression and decrease in highly metastatic breast cancer cells. Moreover, glutamine is a crucial amino acid in the tumor microenvironment, and cancer cells are addicted to it. The effect of glutamine metabolism on caveoline-1 was not completely clarified. However, metformin has been demonstrated in separate studies to impair glutamine metabolism, and also affect caveoline-1 expression. Hence, the focus of this study is to evaluate the effect of glutamine metabolism on caveoline-1 expression, and to examine if metformin could affect caveoline-1 in high glutamine media.
Methods
In this study, 4T1 breast cancer cell line was cultured in different concentrations of glutamine. Caveolin-1 expression was assessed, using immunocytochemistry test. We also conducted MTT assay to evaluate optimum dose for metformin. To understand if metformin could regulate caveoline-1 expression in high glutamine media, 5mM of metformin was administrated and compared with control.
Results
our results indicated that glutamine metabolism significantly decreased CAV-1. On the other hand, administration of 5mM metformin for 24 hours efficiently re-expressed CAV-1.
Conclusion
High level of glutamine significantly decreased CAV-1, which may up-regulate the possibility of breast tumor speared, metastasis and metabolic reprogramming. Metformin, however, could be a promising drug, targeting glutamine metabolism to re-express caveoline-1, inhibiting tumor progression and metastasis.
A Coupled Mathematical Model between bone remodeling and tumors: A study of different scenarios usingKomarova’s model
Authors: Ramtani Salah , Garzon-Alvarado Diego , Sánchez Juan Felipe , Vaca-González Juan Jairo
Published: September 2022

1 Abstract This work aims to construct a general framework of coupling tumor-bone remodeling processes for having plausible outcomes of the effects of tumors on the number of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and the frequency of the bone turnover cycle. Here, Komarova’s model has been extended to include the effect of tumors on the bone remodeling processes. Thus, we explored three alternatives for coupling tumor presence into Komarova’s model: first, using a ”damage” parameter that depends on the tumor cell concentration. A second model follows the original structure of Komarova, including the tumor presence in those equations powered up to a new parameter, called the paracrine effect of the tumor on osteo-clasts and osteoblasts; the last model is replicated from Ayati and collaborators in which the impact of the tumor is included into the paracrine parameters. Through the models, we studied their stability and considered some examples that can reproduce the tumor effects seen in clinic and experimentally. Therefore, this paper has three parts: the exposition of the three models, the results and discussion (where we explore some aspects and examples of the solution of the models), and the conclusion. The authors hope this paper can be the first step for being used as a research framework for those who want to run mathematical models of coupling tumor-remodeling process as a silicon laboratory of possible effects.
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird
Authors: Nord Andreas , Holje Vidar , Judik Benjamin , Folkow Lars P. , Pap Péter L.
Published: September 2022

The Svalbard ptarmigan is the year-round resident terrestrial bird in the high Arctic. While the physiological and morphological adaptations permitting its winter endurance are reasonably well understood, it remains unknown how the conspicuous moult from a greyish brown summer- to a white winter plumage, and any underlying changes in plumage structure and feather morphology, contributes to seasonal acclimatisation. Thus, using standard morphometric techniques, we, firstly, measured seasonal change in plumage and feather characteristics in six body regions. We then investigated if winter plumage traits differ between first-winter and older birds, because differential plumage acclimatisation has been suggested as an explanation for why young Svalbard ptarmigan lose more heat in winter. Plumage feather density (i.e., feathers × cm-2) and mass density (i.e., mg feathers × cm-2) was higher in winter, particularly on the head and feet where individual feathers were also heavier, longer, and downier. Seasonal changes in other regions (back, tarsi) indicated acclimatisation primarily to resist wear and wind. First-winter and older birds had similar feather density. However, mass density in the young birds was significantly lower in all but one body region (back) since individual feathers weighed less. This can explain previous observations of higher heat loss rates in first-winter birds. Our study suggests that plumage acclimatisation contributes to optimising winter phenotypes, both through higher insulative capacity and by improved resistance to harsh weather. The extent of these adaptations may be balanced by the time or energy available for feather growth, exemplified here by inferior insulation in first-winter birds.