bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors in cutaneous apocrine carcinoma: A single-institution retrospective study of 32 patients
Authors: Tsuruta Seiji , Ogata Dai , Namikawa Kenjiro , Nakano Eiji , Hiki Kojiro , Okumura Mao , Matsui Yoshiyuki , Nakayama Yuichi , Wada Shogo , Yamazaki Naoya
Published: June 2023

Background
Cutaneous apocrine carcinoma (CAC) is a rare adnexal carcinoma. Limited data exists on the demographics and overall survival (OS) of patients with CAC; thus, there is no consensus on surgical management. This study aimed to examine demographic and survival data of patients with CAC to determine optimal surgical management.
Methods
A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo between 2005 and 2022. Patients with a histologically-confirmed CAC diagnosis were identified and data on patient demographics, OS, and lymph node (LN) status were gathered.
Results
Thirty-two patients were included (median age, 65.5 years; male-female ratio, 15:1). The most common involvement site was the axilla (87.5%). Of the nine patients in the clinical local stage, pathological LN metastases were found in five patients. Either pathological LN or distant metastases were present in 75% of the patients at initial diagnosis. The most common initial surgical treatments included wide local excision and complete LN dissection. Across cohorts, the median OS was 39 months. Patients with ≥ 4 LN metastases had reduced recurrence-free survival and OS compared to those with ≤ 3 LN metastases (p = 0.042, p = 0.041, respectively). The OS was not remarkably different between patients who did and did not receive postoperative radiation therapy.
Conclusions
Since CAC has a high rate of LN metastasis—and the number of LN metastases is a significant prognostic factor—LN evaluation should be considered for patients with CAC as initial treatment. Nonetheless, ≥ 4 LN metastases can be a poor prognostic factor for CAC.
A Hierarchical Approach for Evaluating Athlete Performance with an Application in Elite Basketball
Authors: Oliveira Thiago Paula , Newell John
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we present the ON score for evaluating the performance of athletes and teams that includes a season-long evaluation system, a single-game evaluation, and an evaluation of an athlete’s overall contribution. The approach used to calculate the ON score is based on mixed-effects regression models that take into account the hierarchical structure of the data and principal component analysis to calculate an athlete rating. We apply our methodology to a large dataset of NBA games spanning four seasons from 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. Our model is validated using two systematic approaches, and our results demonstrate the reliability of our approach to predict an athlete’s performance for upcoming games or seasons. This provides coaches and managers with a powerful tool to gain deeper insights into their players’ performance, make more informed decisions and ultimately improve their team’s performance. Our methodology has several key advantages. First, by incorporating the hierarchical structure of the data, we can obtain valuable information about an athlete’s contribution within their team. Second, the use of principal component analysis allows us to calculate a single score, the ON score, that captures the overall performance of an athlete. Third, our approach is based on classical restricted likelihood methods, which makes the calculation faster than Bayesian methods typically requiring 1,000 posterior samples. With our approach, coaches and managers can evaluate athletes’ performance throughout the season, compare athletes and teams over a year, and assess an athlete’s performance during a single game. Our methodology can also complement other ratings and box score metrics to provide a more comprehensive assessment of an athlete’s performance as our method uses the hierarchial nature of perfromance data (i.e. player nested within team over season) which is typically ignored in player rating systems. In summary, our methodology represents a significant contribution to the field of sports analytics and provides the foundation for future developments.
Temporal expectation makes our action more cautious: Evidence from unconscious processing
Authors: Wang Yongchun , Wang Yucheng , Li Wanzhen , Li Mingxiang , Wang Yonghui
Published: June 2023

Unconscious motor inhibition is thought to be automatically generated when individuals encounter potentially disturbing information, so it can make the individual's actions cautious and as minimally disturbed as possible. Temporal expectation is a top-down active preparation for future events that can enhance relevant cognitive processing in the expected temporal frame. To gain further insight into how temporal expectation amplifies unconscious motor inhibition, two experiments were conducted in micro- and macro-expectation contexts, respectively, and found stronger motor inhibition when the occurrence time of a subliminal stimulus could be anticipated. The results confirm our proposed expectation-amplifier hypothesis. Specifically, greater motor readiness is elicited when individuals are highly prepared for upcoming stimuli. If the stimuli are identified as disturbing information (e.g., subliminally interrupted rather than constant stimuli), the cognitive monitoring system will automatically generate reinforcing inhibition to suppress motor readiness, temporal expectation thus makes the individual’s actions more cautious.
High uptake of menstrual health information, products and analgesics within an integrated sexual reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe
Authors: Tembo Mandikudza , Simms Victoria , Weiss Helen A. , Bandason Tsitsi , Redzo Nicol , Larsson Leyla , Dauya Ethel , Nzanza Tafadzwa , Ishumael Pauline , Gweshe Nancy , Nyamwanza Rangarirai , Ndlovu Precious , Bernays Sarah , Chikwari Chido Dziva , Mavodza Constancia Vimbayi , Renju Jenny , Francis Suzanna C. , Ferrand Rashida A. , Mackworth-Young Constance
Published: June 2023

Background
Achieving good menstrual health (MH), integral to women’s well-being, remains a challenge. This study examined MH services uptake (including information, analgesics, and a choice of MH products - the menstrual cup and reusable pads) and sustained use of MH products within an integrated sexual and reproductive health intervention for young people in Zimbabwe.
Methods
This study was embedded within a cluster randomised trial of integrated sexual and reproductive health services (CHIEDZA) in three provinces (Harare, Mashonaland East, and Bulawayo). The study collected qualitative and quantitative data from female clients aged 16–24 years, who accessed CHIEDZA from April 2019 – March 2022. Uptake of MH information, products, and analgesics and other services was tracked for each client. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to investigate MH service uptake and product choice and use over time, and the factors associated with these outcomes. Thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews were used to further explore providers’ and participants’ experiences of the MH service and CHIEDZA intervention.
Results
Overall, 36991 clients accessed CHIEDZA of whom 27725 (75%) were female. Almost all (n = 26448; 95.4%) took up the MH service at least once: 25433 took up an MH product with the majority (23346; 92.8%) choosing reusable pads. The uptake of cups varied across province with Bulawayo province having the highest uptake (13.4%). Clients aged 20–24 years old were more likely to choose cups than reusable pads compared with those aged 16–19 years (9.4% vs 6.0%; p < 0.001). Over the implementation period, 300/1819 (16.5%) of clients swapped from the menstrual cup to reusable pads and 83/23346 (0.4%) swapped from reusable pads to the menstrual cup. Provision of the MH service encouraged uptake of other important SRH services. Qualitative findings highlighted the provision of free integrated SRH and MH services that included a choice of MH products and analgesics in a youth-friendly environment were key to high uptake and overall female engagement with SRH services.
Conclusions
High uptake demonstrates how the MH service provided much needed access to MH products and information. Integration of MH within an SRH intervention proved central to young women accessing other SRH services.
Non-GVHD enterocolitis following cord blood transplant
Authors: Bitetti Stefania , Newbould Melanie , Sethuraman Chitra , Fagbemi Andrew , Kala Adnan , Williams Nicola , Wynn Robert , Horgan Claire
Published: June 2023

Enterocolitis is common after cord blood transplant (CBT) and a specific, non-GVHD entity with specific histopathologic features (“cord colitis”) has been described in certain cases in selected series. We conducted a blinded histopathological review of gastrointestinal (GI) biopsy specimens over an 11-year period from all patients who had intestinal failure requiring endoscopic evaluation post CBT. Out of 144 patients who underwent a CBT over the study period, 25 (17%) experienced intestinal failure requiring endoscopy. 13 patients were diagnosed with acute GVHD after blinded review of their biopsy and 12 patients had non-GVHD enterocolitis. The management, in the absence of GVHD on GI biopsy, is supportive with withdrawal of immune suppression in those with malignant disease and continuing as per institutional practice in non-malignant disease. Overall survival was superior in the non-GVHD enterocolitis cohort compared with the GVHD group, 91% vs 41% (p = 0.04), and the duration of immune suppression was shorter for non-GVHD enterocolitis patients, mean 112 days vs 180 days (p = 0.049), reflecting these different management approaches. These results demonstrate that different histopathological findings in those with intestinal failure after CBT indicates likely different aetiology from GVHD, and mandates a different clinical management strategy to achieve optimal clinical outcome.
Characterization of a novel hypovirus isolated from the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum camelliae
Authors: Wang Pushuang , Hai du , Li Qili , Xu Xiaowen , Xie Jiatao , Tang Lihua
Published: June 2023

The members in genus Colletotrichum are mainly known for the important plant pathogenic fungi. We here identified a novel positive single-stranded RNA virus, Colletotrichum camelliae hypovirus 1 (CcHV1), from strain GXNN11-2 of Colletotrichum camelliae. The complete genome of CcHV1 is 9907 nucleotides (nt) in length and contains a single large ORF at nt position from 352 to 9006. This ORF encodes a polyprotein with four typical conserved domains of UDP-glycosyltransferases, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Peptidase, and DEAD-like helicase, and CcHV1 polyprotein shares the highest identities to Fusarium sambucinum hypovirus 1. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that CcHV1 is clustered into the Batehypovirus group of the Hypoviridae family. This is the first report of hypovirus in Colletotrichum.
Gut microbiota-based machine-learning signature for the diagnosis of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease
Authors: Park In-gyu , Yoon Sang Jun , Won Sung-min , Oh Ki-Kwang , Suk Ki Tae , Lee Unjoo
Published: June 2023

Background
Machine learning (ML) algorithms improve diagnostic performance in various diseases. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) account for majority of liver disease. Using gut microbiota-based ML algorithms, we evaluated the diagnostic index for ALD and NAFLD.
Methods
Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing data of 263 ALD (control, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) and 201 NAFLD (control and hepatitis) subjects were collected. For the external validation, 126 ALD and 84 NAFLD subjects were recruited. Four supervised ML algorithms (support vector machine, random forest, multilevel perceptron, and convolutional neural network) were used for classification with 20, 40, 60, and 80 features, in which three nonsupervised ML algorithms (independent component analysis, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and random projection) were used for feature reduction.
Results
A total of 52 combinations of ML algorithms for each pair of subgroups were performed with 60 hyperparameter variations and 10-fold cross validation. ML models of convolutional neural network combined with principal component analysis achieved > 0.90 in the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In the ALD, the diagnostic AUC values of the ML strategy (vs. control) were 0.94, 0.97, and 0.96 for hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC, respectively. The AUC values (vs. control) for NAFLD (hepatitis) was 0.93. In the external validation, AUC values of ALD and NAFLD (vs control) were > 0.90 and 0.88, respectively.
Conclusion
The gut microbiota-based ML strategy can be used for the diagnosis of ALD and NAFLD
Dynamic recrystallization mechanism, grain structure evolution and mechanical behavior in friction stir welding of galvanized steel at different cooling rate
Authors: Sun Tao , Wu Jianhui , Yang Zhihui , Ge Wang , Huang Guoqiang , shen Yifu
Published: June 2023

The welded joints of galvanized steel were created by friction stir welding (FSW) with different cooling rate employing a W-Re rotary tool with a large diameter needle. The microstructure evolution was studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction. The results demonstrate that the microstructural evolution mechanism of the stirring zone is discontinuous dynamic recrystallization at fast cooling rate, while the microstructure has continuous dynamic recrystallization as the primary evolution mechanism at slow cooling rate. In addition, fast cooling is more favorable to the refinement of the organization, weakening of the texture, uniform distribution of dislocations and diffusion precipitation of Fe3C. Based on this, the tensile specimens prepared at the fast cooling rate exhibited yield and fracture strengths exceeding those of the base material with less plasticity loss.
Exploiting individual differences to assess the role of place and phase locking cues in frequency discrimination
Authors: Vinay Vinay , Moore Brian C. J.
Published: June 2023

The relative role of place and temporal mechanisms in auditory frequency discrimination was assessed for a centre frequency of 2 kHz. Four measures of frequency discrimination were obtained for 63 normal-hearing participants: detection of frequency modulation using modulation rates of 2 Hz (FM2) and 20 Hz (FM20); detection of a change in frequency across successive pure tones (difference limen for frequency, DLF); and detection of changes in the temporal fine structure of bandpass filtered complex tones centred at 2 kHz (TFS). Previous work has suggested that: FM2 depends on the use of both temporal and place cues; FM20 depends primarily on the use of place cues because the temporal mechanism cannot track rapid changes in frequency; DLF depends primarily on temporal cues; TFS depends exclusively on temporal cues. This led to the following predicted patterns of the correlations of scores across participants: DLF and TFS should be highly correlated; FM2 should be correlated with DLF and TFS; FM20 should not be correlated with DLF or TFS. The results were broadly consistent with these predictions, supporting the idea that frequency discrimination at 2 kHz depends partly or primarily on temporal cues except for frequency modulation detection at a high rate.
Superconductivity in high-entropy alloy system containing Th
Authors: Sobota Piotr , Idczak Rafał , Topolnicki Rafał , Ossowski Tomasz , Pikula Tomasz , Gnida Daniel , Pikul Adam
Published: June 2023

Th-containing superconducting high entropy system with the nomi-nal composition (NbTa)0.67(MoWTh)0.33 was synthesized. Its structural and physical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, specific heat, resistivity and magnetic measurements.Two main phases of alloy were observed: major bcc structure and minor fcc. The experimental results were supportedby numerical simulation by the DFT Korringa-Kohn-Rostokermethod with the coherent potential approximation (KKR-CPA).
Graph-Based Strategies for Optimizing Wildfire Suppression
Authors: Aveiro João , Neves Daniel , Silva Paulo , Oliveira Orlando , Nogueira Fernando , Silva Jaime Oliveira da
Published: June 2023

An algorithm for wildfire suppression based on graph theory and that builds on realistic simulations of the propagation, is efficient, produces results in a short period of time and has the potential to help achieving a faster suppression of a real fire is reported.The suppression algorithm looks for the selection of the best locations to attack the suppression of wildfires, is formally correct and its complexity is computed. The performance of the graph-based algorithm is compared to a random and a brute-force approach. The simulations demonstrate that the graph-based algorithm outperforms the other two and that it delivers excellent results.
Spatio-temporal Changes in Hurricane Risk Assessment in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Romero David , Léon-Cruz José Francisco
Published: June 2023

Tropical cyclones are considered one of the most dangerous natural hazards. A wide variety of hazards are associated with these natural phenomena, such as strong winds, extreme precipitation, storm surge, flooding, and landslides. In Mexico, tropical cyclones are the most frequent natural threats and have a high cost for the affected populations. This research aims to characterise the temporal change in the risk of hurricanes in the Yucatán Peninsula by analysing its three components (danger, vulnerability, and exposure) for three periods (1945–2000, until 2010, and until 2020). Danger was estimated by calculating the probabilities of occurrence of winds related to hurricane categories using a hexagonal grid from IBTrACS for the period 1945–2021 and NCEI wind fields since 2008. Vulnerability was approximated from the construction of indicators with sociodemographic data from the 2020 National Population and Housing Census issued by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography. With these indicators, a factor analysis was carried out and a weighted index was constructed. Finally, exposure was determined from population density. Each of these indices was aggregated at the hexagonal level, allowing the computation of the risk associated with hurricanes. The results show high-risk levels for high danger levels, e.g., axis., on coastal areas such as the Riviera Maya. Likewise, high risk levels are related to marginalisation, i.e., vulnerability, in the north-eastern zone of the Yucatán Peninsula. The increase in the frequency of tropical cyclones combined with high population densities leads to higher risk levels of tropical cyclones.
Study on Collaborative Preparation of Cement Stabilized Materials with "Ternary Solid Wastes" and Their Performance under Dual Excitation Effects
Authors: Zhang Honggang , Ming Yang , 程 春 , Liu Qi , Huang Hui
Published: June 2023

The research of traditional industrial waste in roads is limited to a single waste. To facilitate the application of various industrial solid wastes in pavements. In this paper, a pavement base mixture was prepared collaboratively with "the ternary solid wastes" that formed by steel slag, red mud and electrolytic manganese residues (EMRs) under dual excitation effects, namely alkali and sulfate excitation. Subsequently, a relevant heavy metal curing agent was developed. Afterwards, the physical and mechanical properties of the base mixture were analyzed through (a) 7 d and 28 d unconfined compressive strength tests; (b) 28 d and 90 d splitting and flexural tensile strength tests ; (c)and shrinkage and frost resistance tests. Moreover, the strength formation mechanism of the mixture was explored by combining the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. In addition, the leaching toxicity of the heavy metals was analyzed by detecting their leaching content. It was revealed that (1) the mixture strength was optimal at the mixing proportion of 3:1:2 (steel slag : red mud : EMRs). (2) The mixture strength was improved owing to the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and ettringite (AFt) crystals generated from the hydration re-action of the "ternary solid wastes" mixture under dual excitation effects. (3) The heavy metal elements in the mixture could be solidified and leached out just by adding 1% of the heavy metal curing agent composed of Cr (hexavalent), Hg, and V elements, thus, meeting sewage discharge standard.
Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Causes Sex-specific Increases in Cell Proliferation and Inflammation in Juvenile Rats
Authors: Neale Katie J. , Reid Hannah M.O. , Sousa Barbara , McDonagh Erin , Morrison Jamie , Shultz Sandy , Eyolfson Eric , Christie Brian R.
Published: June 2023

Childhood represents a period of significant growth and maturation for the brain, and is also associated with a heightened risk for mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). There is also concern that repeated-mTBI (r-mTBI) may have a long-term impact on developmental trajectories. Using an awake closed head injury (ACHI) model, that uses rapid head acceleration to induce a mTBI, we investigated the acute effects of repeated mTBI (r-mTBI) on neurological function and cellular proliferation in juvenile male and female Long Evans rats. We found that r-mTBI did not lead to cumulative neurological deficits with the model. R-mTBI animals exhibited an increase in BrdU+ (bromodeoxyuridine positive) cells in the dentate gyrus (DG), and that this increase was more robust in male animals. This increase was not sustained, and cell proliferation returning to normal by PID3. A greater increase in BrdU+ cells was observed in the dorsal DG in both male and female r-mTBI animals at PID1. Using Ki-67 expression as an endogenous marker of cellular proliferation, a robust proliferative response following r-mTBI was observed in male animals at PID1 that persisted until PID3, and was not constrained to the DG alone. Triple labeling experiments (Iba1+, GFAP+, Brdu+) revealed that a high proportion of these proliferating cells were microglia/macrophages, indicating there was a heightened inflammatory response. Overall, these findings suggest that rapid head acceleration with the ACHI model produces an mTBI, but that the acute neurological deficits do not increase in severity with repeated administration. R-mTBI transiently increases cellular proliferation in the hippocampus, particularly in male animals, and the pattern of cell proliferation suggests that this represents a neuroinflammatory response that is focused around the mid-brain rather than peripheral cortical regions. These results add to growing literature indicating sex differences in proliferative and inflammatory responses between females and males. Targeting proliferation as a therapeutic avenue may help reduce the short term impact of r-mTBI, but there may be sex-specific considerations.
Effect on patellar tracking after total knee arthroplasty with kinematic alignment via the mini-subvastus approach
Authors: sunbochen 孙伯辰 , Xu Yiyang , Chen Long , Luo Fenqi , Lin Yuan , Yu Guoyu , Wang Guiguan , Xu Jie
Published: June 2023

Background The differences in prosthetic positioning resulting from total knee arthroplasty (TKA) employing different alignment strategies (kinematic alignment [KA] versus mechanical alignment [MA]) lead to differences in patellar tracking. This study aimed to analyze the effect of imaging-related attributes and clinical efficacy of patellar tracking after TKA with KA via the mini-subvastus approach.Methods This prospective randomized controlled study involved 100 patients who were randomly and equally divided into the KA and MA groups prior to undergoing the TKA surgical procedure. The preoperative and postoperative patellar tilt angle, lateral patellar shift, Knee Society Score (KSS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) were compared between patients of the KA and MA groups. In addition, the intraoperative lateral patellar retinaculum release rate was also compared between these two patient groups.Results All patients were followed up for 6 months post-TKA. There was no significant difference in the demographics and preoperative and postoperative imaging-related attributes of the patellar tracking between the two groups (p > 0.05). The postoperative KSS and OKS of the KA group were significantly higher than those of the MA group (p < 0.05). The release rate of the lateral retinaculum of the patella was 6.00% (3/50) in the KA group and 28.00% (14/50) in the MA group, and the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 8.575, p < 0.05).Conclusion Good patellar tracking was achieved in both groups after TKA via the mini-subvastus approach. Nevertheless, the KA strategy was associated with a lower rate of intraoperative lateral patellar retinaculum release and higher knee function scores and therefore, may be considered the superior strategy for TKA.
Transfection of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α mRNA Upregulates the Expression of Genes Encoding Angiogenic Growth Factors
Authors: Wlodarczyk Jakub , Leng Albert , Abadchi Sanaz Nourmohammadi , Shababi Niloufar , Mokhtari-Esbuie Farzad , Gheshlaghi Shayan , Ravari Mohsen Rouhani , Pippenger Emma , Afrasiabi Ali , Ha Jinny , Abraham John , Harmon John
Published: June 2023

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) has presented a new direction for ischemic preconditioning of surgical flaps to promote their survival. In a previous study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of HIF-1a DNA plasmids in this application. In this study, to avoid complications associated with plasmid use, we sought to express HIF-1α through mRNA transfection and determine its biological activity by measuring the upregulation of downstream angiogenic genes. We transfected six different HIF-1a mRNAs–one predominant, three variant, and two novel mutant isoforms–into primary human dermal fibroblasts using Lipofectamine, and assessed mRNA levels using RT-qPCR. At all time points examined after transfection (3, 6, and 10 hours), the levels of HIF-1α transcript were significantly higher in all HIF-1α transfected cells relative to the control (all p < 0.05, unpaired Student’s T-test). Importantly, the expression of HIF-1α transcription response genes (VEGF, ANG-1, PGF, FLT1, and EDN1) was significantly higher in the cells transfected with all isoforms than with the control at six and/or ten hours post-transfection. All isoforms were transfected successfully into human fibroblast cells, resulting in the rapid upregulation of all five downstream angiogenic targets tested. These findings support the potential use of HIF-1α mRNA for protecting ischemic dermal flaps.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Children and Adolescents Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Homhuan Warinpapha , Tosakulsak Thitirat , Pirojsakul Kwanchai , Pakakasama Samart , Satawiriya Marin , Paksi Witchuri , Bunmee Uthen
Published: June 2023

Background: One of the long-term complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is hypertension (HT). Previous studies showed that 10-15% of children post-HSCT had office HT but a few studies used ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The present study aimed to determine the frequency and explore the factors associated with ABPM HT in children post-HSCT.
Methods: Patients aged ≥ 6 years who survived ≥ 2 years after HSCT were enrolled. ABPM and echocardiographic results were reviewed. ABPM HT was defined according to the 2022 American Heart Association guidelines. The blood pressure (BP) index was calculated as BP value divided by HT cut-off value for each patient. Factors associated with HT were analyzed by logistic regression.
Results: Ninety-nine (61 males) patients with a mean age of 14.6 years were included. Sixteen patients (16.1%) had ABPM HT (2 ambulatory HT and 14 masked HT). The ABPM HT group had a higher age (18.8 vs 14.4 years, p < 0.01), a higher proportion of males (87.5% vs 56.6%, p = 0.02), a higher office systolic BP index (0.93 vs 0.85, p < 0.01), a higher office diastolic BP index (0.96 vs 0.83, p < 0.01), a higher proportion of current use of prednisolone and tacrolimus than those in the normal ABPM group. Multivariate analysis revealed that office diastolic BP index was associated with ABPM HT. Left ventricular mass index had a significant positive correlation with ABPM but not with office BP parameters.
Conclusion: HT in children post-HSCT was not uncommon and most could not be detected with office BP measurement. A diastolic BP index can be used as a screening tool to refer these patients for ABPM.
Evaluating the Role of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study and Future Directions
Authors: Sah Birendra Kumar , Yu Zhen jia , Lu Sheng , Zheng Yanan , Zhu Zhenglun , Li Jian , Li Chen , Yan Min , Zhu Zhenggang
Published: June 2023

Background
Different types of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens have been compared for gastric cancer, mostly in terms of radiological downgrading or pathological tumor regression; however, no large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) has conducted a head-to-head comparison of the overall survival rate between perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) and postoperative or adjuvant chemotherapy(AC). We explored whether the five-year overall survival rate was greater in patients who received perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery than in those who underwent surgery first and then underwent postoperative chemotherapy.
Methods
Altogether, 77 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cTNM stage III were included. Five-year overall survival (OS) rates were compared between patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery (NAC) and those who underwent surgery first plus adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for disparity between the two groups. A Kaplan-Meier plot was created for survival analysis, and the log-rank method was used to compare the differences in OS.
Results
A total of 34 patients were in the NAC and 43 patients were in the AC group, respectively. There was no significant difference in age (median, 64 vs. 66 years), cTNM staging, or extent of gastrectomy between the two groups (p < 0.05). The median follow-up time was 58 months (range: 53–65 months). The five-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients in the NAC and AC groups were 61.8% and 73.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the five-year overall survival rates (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the severity of postoperative complications between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
There was no significant difference in the five-year overall survival rate between patients who underwent perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery and those who underwent surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy alone. A well-controlled prospective study is necessary to confirm whether perioperative chemotherapy is superior to postoperative chemotherapy in patients with GC.
Single-cell sequencing reveals the reproductive variations between primiparous and multiparous Hu ewes
Authors: Ge Ting , Wen Yifan , Li Bo , Huang Xiaoyu , Jiang Shaohua , Zhang Enping
Published: June 2023

In the modern sheep production systems, the reproductive performance of ewes determines the economic profitability of farming. Revealing the genetic mechanisms underlying differences in the litter size is important for the selection and breeding of highly prolific ewes. Hu sheep is a high-quality Chinese sheep breed with high fecundity and it is an ideal model for investigating prolificacy traits. In the current study, animals were divided into two groups according to their delivery rates in three consecutive lambing seasons (namely, the High-reproduction and lowly reproductive groups with ≥ 3 lambs and one lamb per season, respectively). Three ewes were randomly picked from each group and slaughtered within 12 h of estrus, and unilateral ovarian tissues were collected and analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing. A total of five types of somatic cells were identified and corresponding expression profiles were mapped in the ovaries of each group. Noticeably, the differences in the ovary somatic cell expression profiles between the High-reproduction and lowly reproductivegroups were mainly clustered in the granulosa cells, a cell line that is significantly relevant to female prolificacy. In addition, four granulosa cell subtypes were identified. GeneSwitches revealed that the abundance of the JPH1 expression and the reduction of the LOC101112291 expression could lead to different evolutionary directions of the granulosa cells. The expression levels of FTH1 and FTL in GCs of the Highly reproductive group were significantly higher, which inhibited necroptosis and ferroptosis of mural GCs from decreasing follicular atresia. This study constructed the gene expression atlas of the sheep ovary and revealed related biological characteristics at the cellular and molecular levels. It also provides a theoretical basis for the mechanisms underlying the differences in ovulation numbers, which will be helpful for breeding and molecular genetics-based selection of highly prolific ewes.
Unraveling Childhood Vaccination Hesitancy: A Thematic Analysis of the Perceptions of Highly Educated Mothers in Kazakhstan
Authors: Abdirakhman Togzhan , Balay-odao Ejercito Mangawa , Aljofan Mohamad , Cruz Jonas Preposi
Published: June 2023

Background
Vaccine hesitancy among parents directly affects the child's vaccination status, since they are the legal decision-makers regarding vaccinating their children. The study aimed to describe the perceptions of Kazakhstani mothers about routine childhood vaccination.
Methods
The study utilized a descriptive phenomenological study to describe mothers' perceptions of childhood vaccination in Kazakhstan. A purposive sample of 95 participants comprehensively answered the free-text questions in an online self-administered questionnaire from January to February 2023. The analysis of the free-text responses followed a thematic analysis approach.
Results
The in-depth analysis of the data, 285 initial codes were extracted. The combination of similar meanings and concept codes leads to 19 categories and finally arriving at four significant themes: misconceptions about childhood vaccination, fear of the vaccine's effect on children, distrust of the health care system, and social learning factors.
Conclusions
The themes related to the perceptions of Kazakh mother mothers about childhood vaccination may lead to behaviors of delaying and refusing some or all childhood vaccines. Therefore, motivational and educational strategies can be used by healthcare providers to instill trust in parents about childhood vaccines and their safety and effectiveness.
Development Of A Kiln Petcoke Mill Predictive Model Based On A Multi-Regression Xgboost Algorithm
Authors: BENCHEKROUN MOHAMMED TOUM , ZAKI Smail , ABOUSSALEH Mohamed , BELRHITI Hajar , DIASSANA Fatoumata
Published: June 2023

This paper presents an investigation into the optimization of Petroleum Coke Mill or Petcoke mill processes, with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing waste in the heavy industry within the cement plant where our study is conducted. Our mission was to create a robust algorithm that can properly anticipate the mill’s performance and improve its operations. To accomplish this, we started by performing a comprehensive data analysis. Next, we built numerous regression models, then assessed the effectiveness of each model using four crucial metrics. The suggested model is a multi-regression XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) model, performing with a 90% score. Finally, the model will then be used to build an algorithm that can optimize the input values to accomplish the intended results.
Agrivoltaic Insect Net House: Clean & Sustainable Energy generation Technology with zero carbon emission
Authors: Gadhiya G. A. , Patel U. R. , Chauhan P. M.
Published: June 2023

Food and energy are now the most important resources for any country. Different land areas are used to cultivate these two resources. To accomplish both task simultaneously on the same piece of land, Agrivoltaic systems were developed. Keep in mind that Agrivoltaic systems have no control over their microclimates as we can control in green house, Agrivoltaic systems are inappropriate for vegetable crops, which require intense insect and pest management. But marginal farmers cannot afford greenhouse due to the high cost of maintenance. Controlling pests and pathogens in vegetable crops is made possible by the development of insect net houses that are affordable for small farmers to maintain. Therefore, we create a more advanced insect net houses that can be used as both an insect net house and Agrivoltaic system. The Agrivoltaic insect net house completely replaces the concept of insect net houses while being economically viable for farmers. The Agrivoltaic structure having 1.8 kW capacity is positioned at a height of 3 metres to provide easy tractor movement beneath it for various farming tasks. The Yst310 grade CRC square pipes used in the construction which can withstand wind speeds of up to 140.4 km/hr. The Agrivoltaic Insect Net House has an overall cost of Rs. 88474, which is more affordable for farmers than greenhouse. A total of 2492.83 kWh (75.62 kWh/m2) of electricity is produced which reduces 28.05 kg/m2 carbon emission over the course of the year, with benefit-cost ratio of 1.18.
Mining landscape from the first half of the 19th century: evaluation of changes with development landscape metrics in the Ostrava-Karviná Mining District (Czech Republic)
Authors: Popelková Renata , Mulková Monika
Published: June 2023

The study presents an analysis of changes in the landscape of the Ostrava-Karviná Mining District (in the Czech Republic) covering the period of more than 170 years. In the area of interest affected by underground coal mining, both areas affected by changes and land cover preserving areas were identified in the study. A detailed assessment of the landscape changes was enabled by using landscape metrics and indices, namely development index and total landscape change index. The underlying data were obtained from maps of stable cadastre (from the year 1836) and aerial images of the years 1947, 1971, and 2009. Visual photointerpretation of aerial images and vectorisation of the maps of stable cadastre made it possible to create land cover maps according to CORINE Land Cover categories. Obtained information on the representation of individual land cover categories were used to identify and to analyse changes in the landscape affected by hard coal mining.
Relationship between impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones and MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes in the euthyroid population
Authors: Zeng Haixia , Liu Jianping , Zhang Yuying
Published: June 2023

Aims
To investigate the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with elevated liver enzymes in the euthyroid populations.
Methods
A total of 3929 euthyroid adults from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were included in this study. Thyroid hormone sensitivity indices were calculated by thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), TSH index (TSHI) and thyrotropin thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI). Associations between thyroid hormones sensitivities and risk of MAFLD, MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes, MAFLD with elevated free fatty acid (FFAs) were assessed with logistic regression.
Results
After adjustment for multiple risk factors, odd ratios (ORs) of the fourth versus the first TFQIFT4 quartile for MAFLD, MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes, and MAFLD with elevated FFAs were 1.778 (95% CI 1.378, 2.293), 1.466 (1.105, 1.945), and 1.936 (1.479, 2.534), respectively (all p < 0.001). Per 1 SD in TFQIFT4, ORs increased 2.27 (95% CI 1.74, 2.97) for MAFLD, 2.05 (1.51, 2.78) for MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes, and 2.43 (1.82, 3.24) for MAFLD with elevated FFAs. The other sensitivity to thyroid hormones indices showed similar associations for MAFLD and MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes.
Conclusions
Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone in euthyroid population is associated with MAFLD, MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes, T2DM, hyperuricemia, elevated liver enzymes, and MAFLD with elevated FFAs. TFQIFT4, TFQIFT3, TSHI and TT4RI can be used as new indicators for predicting MAFLD and MAFLD with elevated liver enzymes, While TFQIFT3 performed better than the other three indexes.
Gemcitabine and Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Impact on Chemically Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Male Rats
Authors: Osman Soheir A. , Fathy Shadia A. , Mohamed Mohamed R. , Raafat Amany I. , Refaat Mahmoud M. , Hassan Asmaa A.
Published: June 2023

Purpose
Gemcitabine (GEM) is a deoxycytidine analog chemotherapeutic drug widely used for the treatment of many cancers. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are important nanomaterials used in the treatment of many diseases such as infectious diseases. Using gamma radiation in nanoparticle preparation is a new eco-friendly method. This study aims to evaluate the efficency of the co-treatment of gemcitabine and silver nanoparticles in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
Methods
AgNPs characterization has been done using UV- visible spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and EDX. Firstly, the MTT cytotoxicity in vitro assay of gemcitabine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide was assessed against Wi38 normal fibroblast and HepG2 HCC cell lines. Then after HCC development, rats received (10µg/g b.wt.) of AgNPs three times a week for four weeks and/or GEM (5mg/kg b.wt.) twice weekly for four weeks. Liver function enzymes were investigated. Cytochrome P450 and miR-21 genes were studied. Apoptosis was determined by using flow cytometry, and apoptotic modifications in signaling pathways were evaluated via Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, and SMAD-4.
Results
The co-treatment of GEM and AgNPs showed upregulation of apoptosis by increasing Bax and caspase 9 while diminishing Bcl2 and SMAD4, amelioration of cytochrome P450 m-RNA relative expression. In addition, the results proved the cooperative effect of GEM and AgNPs in the deactivation of miR21.
Conclusion
The impact of AgNPs as an adjuvant treatment with GEM was recognized. The interaction between AgNPs and Gem can diminish some of the drawbacks of using GEM alone and elevate its efficiency in HCC treatment via enhancing intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Universal predictive scaling laws for phase separation
of prion-like low complexity domains
Authors: Joseph Jerelle , Maristany M. Julia , Gonzalez Anne Aguirre , Collepardo-Guevara Rosana
Published: June 2023

Proteins containing prion-like low complexity domains (PLDs) are common drivers of the formation of biomolecular condensates and are prone to misregulation due to amino acid mutations. Here, we exploit the accuracy of our residue-resolution coarse-grained model, Mpipi, to quantify the impact of amino acid mutations on the stability of an unprecedented set of 140 PLD mutants from six proteins (hnRNPA1, TDP43, FUS, EWSR1, RBM14, and TIA1). Our simulations reveal the existence of predictive rules that quantify the range of change in the critical solution temperature of PLDs as a function of the number and
type of amino acid sequence mutations. Remarkably, these rules are consistent with the physicochemical properties of the mutations and extend across the entire family tested, suggesting universal scaling laws govern PLD phase behaviour. Our work offers a quantitative lens into how the emergent behaviour of PLD solutions varies in response to physicochemical changes of single PLD molecules.
Supplementation of L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol alleviate arsenic induced immunotoxicities in thymus and spleen by dwindling oxidative stress induced inflammation
Authors: Maity Jeet , Pal Priyankar , Pal Ranjana , Mukhopadhyay Prabir Kumar
Published: June 2023

Herein, we investigated whether L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation has potential to alleviate arsenic induced immunotoxicities in thymus, spleen and circulating leukocytes. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups before the treatments. Group-I (control); Group-II (sodium arsenite, 3mg/Kg/day/rat); Group-III [sodium arsenite + L-Ascorbic acid(L-AA) (200mg/Kg/day/rat) and α-tocopherol (α-T) (400mg/Kg/day/rat)]; Group-IV (L-AA and α-T). The result showed that sodium arsenite exposure (consecutive 30 days) caused weight reduction, structural alterations of thymus and spleen, accompanied by decrease in thymocyte and splenocyte counts. Decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, increased malondialdehyde and protein-carbonyl contents, reduced Nrf2 and Bcl2 expression and increased p-ERK, NF-β, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3 expression were also observed in thymus and spleen of arsenic exposed rat. Enhanced plasma ACTH and corticosterone, ROS induced apoptosis of lymphocytes were also observed. L-AA and α-T supplement has the potential to abrogate the deleterious impact of arsenic on thymus, spleen and circulating lymphocytes. Whole transcriptome analysis of leukocytes revealed that arsenic treatment augmented the expression of Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 genes, which might help in transient migration of leukocytes through the endothelial cell layer. Supplementation with L-AA and α-T maintained Itga4, Itgam, and MMP9 gene expression within leukocytes at lower level.
Evaluation of Submergence Limit and Head Loss in Flow Measuring Flumes Using Flow-3d Predictive Modeling
Authors: Fard Saman Mostafazadeh , Samani Zohrab
Published: June 2023

Flow measurement is an important aspect of water management. Flumes are proven to be an effective method of measuring flow in channels. The accuracy of these flumes is dependent on the produced flume flow submergence ratio, limit, and head loss which are difficult to measure in the field. The aim of this manuscript was to evaluate the use of CFD platform FLOW-3D software for measuring these parameters in an experimental flume with flow rates of 0.112, 0.169, and 0.320 m^3/s named Flow 1, Flow 2, Flow 3 using CFD design of a flume with an elevated downstream bottom. FLOW-3D software was calibrated using published experimental (R^2 > 0.98 and RMSE < 1.5 cm). Submergence limit was measured at 0.21, 0.24, and 0.25, for Flow 1, Flow 2, and Flow 3, respectively. The maximum head loss when the submergence ratio exceeded its limit was measured at 32.5% for Flow 1.
Annual and geographical variations in the specific composition of jassids and their damage on cotton in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: KOUADIO Houphouet , KOUAKOU Malanno , BINI Kouadio Kra Norbert , KOFFI Kouakou Jean Innocent , OSSEY Christian Landry , KONE Pitou Woklin Euloge , ADEPO-GOURENE Abouo Béatrice , OCHOU Ochou Germain
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study is to highlight the diversity of leafhopper species and their impact on the cotton crop in Côte d'Ivoire. The collections made in 2021 allowed the identification of three species. Jacobiasca lybica is the most abundant, with proportions ranging from 73.3–93.3% depending on the site. The other two species are respectively Empoasca papayae (8.3%) and Jacobiella (= Empoasca) facialis (5%). In 2022, collections revealed the invasion of a new species, Amrasca biguttula, which became dominant with proportions of 90 to 100% depending on the site. Two other species J. lybica (2.7%) and J. facialis (1.3%) cohabit with A. biguttula. Thus, if the damage noted in 2021 was attributable to J. lybica, that observed in 2022 is essentially due to A. biguttula. The northeastern part of the cotton basin was the area most affected by attacks by these two new species. This zone seems to be favorable to the outbreak of leafhopper because of the low rainfall recorded in the localities. The results of the study reveal significant changes in the composition of leafhopper species in the cotton production areas of Côte d'Ivoire from one year to the next. This situation also explains the variations in damage levels. This raises the problem of adapting the phytosanitary protection programs applied by the producers.