bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron Transport and Optical Properties of Pyrene derivatives for OLED Applications: A DFT Approach
Authors: Felscia U.Reeta , Rajkumar Beulah J.M , Mary M.Briget
Published: September 2023

The charge transport properties of aminopyrene (APy) and pyrene acetic acid (PAA) are investigated using the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. The charge distributions of the systems are analyzed using the natural population analysis (NPA) and the plot of molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). Reorganization energy calculation is carried out to identify the charge transport behavior of the molecules under study. The energy level diagram and electrophilicity index identifies APy as the better system and its mobility computations are also performed. The energy level alignment, fluorescence behavior and mobility of charges suggest the application of APy in the design of electron transport layer (ETL) in blue OLED devices.
APCDD1 outperforms other dopaminergic cell surface markers in benchmarking study
Authors: Kirkeby Agnete , Schörling Alrik , Hänninen Erno , Rifes Pedro , Salvador Alison , Holm Amalie , Rathore Gaurav Singh , Nelander Jenny , Christiansen Josefine , Jensen Simone Møller , Niclis Jonathan , Gustafsson Emma , Aldrin-Kirk Patrick , Zhang Yu , Parmar Malin
Published: September 2023

Cell surface markers are useful tools for quality control and enrichment of cellular subtypes, such as the dopaminergic progenitors used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we identified a candidate dopaminergic (DA) progenitor surface marker, APCDD1, and benchmarked its specificity against 7 other previously published markers. APCDD1 correlated with key markers of ventral midbrain DA fate and outperformed the 7 other markers in specificity. Antibody-based sorting for APCDD1 enabled enrichment of DA progenitors and depletion of neighbouring non-DA populations. When sorting from mixed cell populations, only APCDD1+ cells, and not APCDD1- cells, yielded full motoric amelioration after grafting in a rat model of PD, and the APCDD1+ grafts contained a higher proportion of DA neurons co-expressing ventral midbrain markers FOXA2 and LMX1A. Taken together, APCDD1 outperformed previously published surface markers and will be useful for improving the quality control and enrichment of clinically applied cell products for PD.
Estrogen prevents age-dependent beige adipogenesis failure through NAMPT-controlled ER stress pathway
Authors: Jiang Yuwei , Park Jooman , Hu Ruoci , Xiong Shaolei , Qian Yanyu , Sabbagh Asma El , Ibrahim Meram , Song Qing , Yan Gege , Song Zhenyuan , Mahmoud Abeer , He Yanlin , Layden Brian , Chen Jiwang , Ong Sang-Ging , Xu Pingwen
Published: September 2023

Thermogenic beige adipocytes are recognized as potential therapeutic targets for combating metabolic diseases. However, the metabolic advantages they offer are compromised with aging. Here, we show that treating mice with estrogen (E2), a hormone that decreases with age, to mice can counteract the aging-related decline in beige adipocyte formation when subjected to cold, while concurrently enhancing energy expenditure and improving glucose tolerance. Mechanistically, we find that nicotinamide phosphoribosyltranferase (NAMPT) plays a pivotal role in facilitating the formation of E2-induced beige adipocytes, which subsequently suppresses the onset of age-related ER stress. Furthermore, we found that targeting NAMPT signaling, either genetically or pharmacologically, can restore the formation of beige adipocytes by increasing the number of perivascular adipocyte progenitor cells. Conversely, the absence of NAMPT signaling prevents this process. In conclusion, our findings shed light on the mechanisms governing the age-dependent impairment of beige adipocyte formation and underscore the E2-NAMPT controlled ER stress as a key regulator of this process.
TRAPP-TRanexamic Acid for the prevention of Postpartum hemorrhage in pregnant women with placenta Previa: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Lizi , Hu Miao , Bi Shilei , Poon Liona C , He Fang , Li Hongtian , Wang Zhijian , Du Lili , Chen Dunjin
Published: September 2023

Background
The prophylactic use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce blood loss in low-risk populations during cesarean deliveries. However, the effectiveness of TXA in reducing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in high-risk populations remains uncertain due to a lack of high-quality evidence. Therefore, conducting multicenter randomized controlled trials with sufficient statistical power is crucial to establish the persuasive value of TXA before its widespread use for PPH prevention pregnant women with placenta previa.
Methods/Design:This study will be a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placeto-controlled trial with two parallel groups, including 1680 patients undergoing cesarean delivery with placenta previa. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either tranexamic acid (1 g) or placebo intravenously immediately after birth. The primary outcome will be the incidence of PPH, defined as a calculated estimated blood loss exceeding 1000 mL or the need for red blood cell transfusion before postpartum day 2. With 80% statistical power, this study aims to demonstrate a 20% reduction in the incidence of PPH, from 33.0 to 26.4%.
Discussion: Tranexamic acid is a cost-effective and easily accessible medication that shows promise in reducing the risk of PPH during cesarean delivery in high-risk patients, such as those with placenta previa. This large-scale, adequately powered, multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial aims to determine whether the benefits of routine prophylactic use of tranexamic acid during cesarean delivery in patients with placenta previa outweigh its associated risks.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05811676 (March 15, 2023).
Number Needed to Vaccinate to prevent one death: a propensity score matching approach to COVID-19 vaccine evaluation in the center of Iran (short communication)
Authors: Mandegari Zahra , Soodejani Moslem Taheri
Published: September 2023

Background
The Number Needed to Vaccinate is a measure of vaccine usefulness that enables policymakers to raise public awareness concerning the advantages of vaccination and make public health decisions. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the NNV to prevent one death from the Covid-19 disease.
Methods
This hospital-based case-control study utilized the data of a regional COVID-19 registry in Yazd, Iran. The study population comprised all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who had been referred to the public and private medical centers of Yazd City from March 2018 to September 19, 2021. The individuals with a positive RT-PCR test who died from the COVID-19 disease were assigned as cases, and whom they survived were controls. A propensity-score matching method was performed to correct the effect of clinically significant confounders with a case-control ratio of 1:1. The statistical analyses were performed using Stata/MP V.16.
Results
A total number of 12,211 participants were included in this study, of whom 522 (%4.27) and 11,689 (%95.73) individuals were cases and controls, respectively. The respective NNVs in 50-59-year-old and 60-year-old and higher individuals were approximately 36 and 28 (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The older patients had lower and more favorable NNVs compared to younger individuals. This finding could introduce a prioritized group of preventive measures in future outbreaks of the COVID-19 disease and/or booster vaccinations.
Association of sinusitis with systemic and local adipose tissue in adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cao Qing , Han Miaomiao , Cao Yujie , Guan Bing , Meng Chanfang , Li Huabin
Published: September 2023

Background Obesity is associated with several nasal diseases. However, as indicated by conflicting findings from multifarious studies, the association of sinusitis with systemic and local adipose tissue remains inconclusive.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between sinusitis and adipose tissue in adults using data from 3,203 participants in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey through multivariate logistic regression models. Three indicators were utilized to assess this association: a systemic indicator of Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as two local indicators of Waist Circumference (WC) and Head Percent Fat (HPF).
Results Compared to individuals with normal weight or those overweight, only those classified as obese were exposed to increased odds of sinusitis in adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12-2.81) in this study focusing on systemic adipose tissue. Additionally, central obesity was found to be associated with elevated odds of sinusitis in adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.09-2.21) in this study emphasizing on local adipose tissue. Further analysis stratified by sex revealed that the observed association of central obesity were attenuated and became statistically insignificant among male adults while remaining significant among female adults (adjusted odds ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.73). Meanwhile, WC, an indicator of abdominal fat as a continuous variable, showed a statistically significant association with sinusitis only in female adults during a sex-stratified analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). Another continuous local adipose variable HPF was found to have a significant association with sinusitis in both males (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.22-1.91) and females (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.08-1.56). The optimal cutoff values for BMI and WC indicating sinusitis were determined to be 34.97 kg/m2 and 103.4 cm, respectively.
Conclusions This study demonstrates that both systemic and local adipose tissue are associated with an increased risk of sinusitis in adults, especially among females. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the potential benefits of weight management for preventing and treating sinusitis.
A new insight into the pathway behind spontaneous recurrent pregnancy loss: decreased CYR61 gene expression
Authors: Fıratlıgil Fahri Burçin , Firatligil-Yildirir Burcu , Yalcin-Ozuysal Ozden
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To investigate the potential role of CYR61 in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is critical for developing diagnostic approaches and treatments for RPL.
Methods: In this prospective case–control study, we have investigated the expression patterns of CYR61 in blood samples from participants with RPL in their medical history and control group (n= 20 vs n=10). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from study and control groups were isolated and the expression patterns of CYR61 gene were determined by RT-qPCR.
Results:It was demonstrated a significant decrease in CYR61 gene expression in patients with two or more clinically recognized miscarriages compared to patients without miscarriages or with a history of miscarriage (p < 0.01), which may make the CYR61 gene a potential candidate for predicting the risk of RPL.
Discussion:This study provides a basis for a detailed investigation of candidate biomarkers and molecular players involved in the development of RPL and for the development of potential treatment approaches to prevent RPL.
Probing the dynamic landscape of peptides in membrane mimics by
synergized NMR experiments and MD simulations
Authors: Ollila Samuli , Nencini Ricky , Regnier Morgan , Backlund Sofia , Mantzari Efstathia , Dunn Cory
Published: September 2023

Dynamic interactions between peptides and lipid membranes are crucial in many biological processes and biomedical applications. Monitoring peptide dynamics in a membrane environment has been limited by the lack of experimental methods that could directly detect the fast (picosecond to nanosecond) timescale dynamics of peptides in this environment. Spin relaxation times from NMR experiments are sensitive to such motions, but their applications are often limited by complications in sample preparation and interpretation of the data. Here we show that the detailed dynamic landscape of peptide-membrane mimics can be determined by a synergistic combination of solution state NMR experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Solution state NMR experiments are straightforward to implement without an excessive amount of sample, while direct combination of spin relaxation data to MD simulations enables detailed interpretation of dynamic landscapes of both peptide and membrane mimics. The interpretation of NMR data from transmembrane, peripheral, and tail anchored peptides indicate that peptides and detergent molecules do not rotate together as a rigid body, but rotate in a viscous medium composed of detergent micelle. Spin relaxation times also provide indirect information on peptide conformational ensembles. This work gives new perspectives on peptide conformational ensembles and dynamics in membrane environments.
Survival Benefit of Surgical Resection for Primary Lung Cancer with Liver Metastases: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Fan Yongfei , Li Xinwei , Tong Jichun , Lou Ming
Published: September 2023

Purpose
Surgery is the main modality of comprehensive tumor treatment, and there are fewer studies on surgery in lung cancer patients with liver metastases.
Methods
In this study, clinical data on lung cancer patients with liver metastases were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients treated with cancer-directed surgery (CDS) by Propensity Score Matching (PSM) are matched 1:1 to patients not treated with CDS. The impact of CDS treatment and clinical factors on patient prognosis was explored Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, and Cox risk proportional regression models.
Results
A total of 6,632 lung cancer patients with liver metastases were included in this study, including 83 patients treated with CDS (1.25%) and 6549 patients not treated with CDS (98.75%). By PSM matching, 83 patients not treated with CDS were obtained. Survival analysis showed that the median survival of patients in the CDS group was 9 months (95% confidence interval (CI):7–15 months) longer than in the No-CDS group at 3 months (95% CI:2–6 months). Cox risk proportional regression models indicated that No-CDS, male and N2-N3 staging were prognostic risk factors, whereas chemotherapy were prognostic protective factors. In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses showed that No-CDS and men were independent prognostic risk factors, whereas chemotherapy were independent prognostic protective factors.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that CDS treatment can improve the prognosis of patients with lung cancer with liver metastases, which will provide a reference for further randomized controlled clinical trials.
Spectrum-dependent image convolutional processing via a 2D polarization-sensitive photodetector
Authors: Wei Zhongming , Yu Yali , Xiong Tao , Zhou Ziqi , Liu Duanyang , Liu Yue-Yang , Yang Juehan
Published: September 2023

With the advancement of photodetectors and the widespread deployment of high-definition image sensors, the growth in processing capacity of traditional processors significantly lags behind the demands of real-time image processing. Consequently, achieving real-time image processing at the sensor level has emerged as a prominent research domain in the photodetector field, holding potential applications in various fields including remote sensing, autonomous driving, and road monitoring. This advancement underscores the need for photodetectors with enhanced multifunctional integration capabilities, capable of performing real-time computations on optical or electrical signals. In this study, we employ an innovative two-dimensional p-type semiconductor GaTe0.5Se0.5 as the light absorption layer to construct a photodetector with a polarization-sensitive wide-spectral photoresponse within the wavelength range of 255 to 1064 nm. This design enables the realization of a photodetector that integrates real-time sensing and computation. Leveraging the wide-spectral photoresponse of the photodetector, wide-spectral imaging was realized within the wavelength range of 390–810 nm during experimentation. Furthermore, by utilizing the tunable photoresponses of the photodetector through varying polarization angles, real-time image convolutional processing is enabled, aided by configuring appropriate convolution kernels based on the polarization-sensitive photoresponse values. Our proof-of-concept device, featuring spectrum-dependent polarization-sensitive photoresponses across a wide-spectral range, successfully accomplishes real-time image convolutional processing, including sharpness and edge extraction operations, thereby facilitating more precise capture of image details. The innovative design of the polarization-sensitive wide-spectral GaTe0.5Se0.5-based photodetector constitutes a notable contribution to the domain of real-time image perception and processing.
Trends in adverse drug reactions between 2011 and 2022 in a tertiary hospital in China through retrospective analysis
Authors: Liu Yao , Yang Liu , Li Teng , Yang Lisha , Li Yaling , wu zhigui
Published: September 2023

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unavoidable phenomena in the process of medication administration and can easily cause harm to patients. In order to understand the characteristics and patterns of ADRs, this article analyses the ADR reported by a tertiary hospital in China from 2011 and 2022. We retrospectively analyzed the trends of ADRs over these 10 years, including the distribution of ADRs, basic patient profiles, evaluation of the association of ADRs, route of administration, classification of drugs, and organs/systems involved in the ADRs. From 2011 to 2022, a total of 7,367 ADRs were reported. Over this 10-year period, the proportion of infants has been decreasing, and the rate of the juvenile group and the senior citizen has been increasing. The highest number of ADRs occurred via intravenous infusion. Among the organs/systems involved in adverse drug reactions, the skin and its accessories were mostly damaged, but the rate of ADRs in blood system increased significantly. Antibacterial drugs were the first cause of adverse drug reactions, followed by anti-tumor drugs. Through the changes related to ADRs in the past 10 years, we need to pay more attention to the adverse drug reactions caused by drugs, and further strengthen the monitoring of ADRs to reduce the occurrence of ADRs, and decrease the damage caused by adverse drug reactions, to ensure the life and health of patients.
Fitting a square beam in a square camera: Novel condenser apertures for low-dose transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Brown Hamish , Smith Dan , Wardle Benjamin , Hanssen Eric
Published: September 2023

In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cameras are square or rectangular but beams are round so the circular lobes irradiate adjacent areas, precluding further neighboring acquisition for beam sensitive samples. We present condenser aperture plates with square and rectangular shapes which improve the efficiency of area usage by 70%. We demonstrate their compatibility with high-resolution cryogenic TEM by reconstructing a 1.8 Å map of equine apo-ferritin.
Identifying high-spin Fe3+(S=5/2) as active center for acidic oxygen reduction
Authors: Sun Shi-Gang , Zhao Kuang-Min , Wang Yucheng , Su Yaqiong , Li Guang , Huang Huan , Shi Hai-Yan , Zhou Zhi-You
Published: September 2023

The active spin state of a single Fe catalytic center in acidic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains uncertain, posing a significant challenge for the precise design of Fe-based ORR catalysts. To address it, we synthesized a conjugate-bridged dual-metal iron phthalocyanine molecule that exhibits an identical Fe site and high catalytic activity comparable to real catalysts. This molecular model addresses the limitations of current model catalysts that fail to meet simultaneously both structural and activity requirements. Compared to the non-conjugate-bridged molecule, the conjugate-bridged dual-metal iron phthalocyanine molecule displayed a 76-fold increase in turnover frequency. By combining spin characterization techniques, in-situ electrochemical infrared spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations, we proposed that the conjugate bridging of two FeN4 sites induces a high-spin Fe3+(S=5/2) state. This state allows for optimal adsorption strength of hydroxyl groups, neither too strong nor too weak, resulting in high catalytic activity that approaches the peak performance. The conclusion of Fe3+(S=5/2) state as the active site was further confirmed by a linear correlation between the content of Fe3+(S=5/2) state and catalytic activity. This study deepens our comprehension of active sites and contributes to the precise design of Fe-based ORR catalysts and beyond.
Marvelous Machine-Learning-Based Breast Cancer Predictive Model
Authors: s.Anthoniraj  , S.Saravanakumar  , ANANDRAJ M , ANJAIAH P
Published: September 2023

Breast cancer is a major health concern for women all over the world. In order to reduce mortality rates and provide the most effective treatment, Histopathology image prognosis is essential. When a pathologist examines a biopsy specimen under a microscope, they are engaging in histopathology. The pathologist looks for the picture, determines its type, labels it, and assigns a grade. Tissue architecture, cell distribution, and cellular form all play a role in determining whether a histopathological scan is benign or malignant. Manual picture classification is the slowest and most error-prone method. Automated diagnosis based on machine learning is necessary for early and precise diagnosis, but this challenge has prevented it from being addressed thus far. In this study, we apply curvelet transform to a picture that has been segmented using k-means clustering to isolate individual cell nuclei. We analysed data from the Wisconsin Diagnosis Breast Cancer database for this article. in the context of similar studies in the literature. It is demonstrated that compared to another machine learning algorithm, the IICA-ANN IICA-KNN and IICA-SVM-KNN method using the logistic algorithm achieves 98.04% accuracy.
Laparoscopic two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy via Hesselbach’s triangle for the intra-abdominal testes in pediatric patients
Authors: Fu ShuQi , Li Ji
Published: September 2023

Purpose To validate the feasibility and advantages of laparoscopic two-stage Fowler-Stephens (F-S) orchiopexy for managing intra-abdominal testes via Hesselbach's triangle in pediatric patients.Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients with impalpable cryptorchidism between June 2017 and September 2022. All cases underwent laparoscopic exploration, and those with intra-abdominal testes were included in this study. Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens staged operation was performed on all eligible cases. The testicular gubernaculum and vas deferens blood supply during the first stage, as well as collateral circulation of vas deferens blood supply during the second stage were observed. Postoperative color ultrasound was utilized to monitor testicular volume and parenchymal echo.Results A total of 41 cases with intra-abdominal testes were included in the study. Results from the first stage of surgery indicated a positive correlation between higher testicular position and increased dysplasia of the gubernaculum. During the second stage, all vas deferens exhibited thicker blood supply compared to preoperative measurements. All testes were successfully descended into the middle scrotum without re-ascent during postoperative follow-up, and no instances of testicular atrophy or abnormal parenchymal echo were observed.Conclusions The testicular gubernaculum is less developed with the higher testicular position. Staged surgery is helpful to establish adequate collateral circulation of the vas deferens blood supply. Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy through Hesselbach’s triangle approach is safe and effective,which can lower the testicle to a satisfactory position.
Detection of pit and fissure sealant microleakage using autofluorescence
Authors: Nam Sang-Mi , Ku Hye-min , Lee Eun-song , Kim Baek Il
Published: September 2023

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of detecting the presence and severity of microleakage of pit and fissure sealant using Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) technology.
Methods
The areas of interest (AOI) were a total of 160 pit and fissure sites obtained from the occlusal surfaces of 40 permanent teeth. Fluorescent images were acquired using a QLF device, and the ΔFmax of each AOI was analysed. After staining and cross-sectioning of the teeth, histological dye penetration was scored on a 0–3 scale. The relationship between ΔFmax and microleakage depth was analysed, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated.
Results
ΔFmax showed a significant increase as microleakage depth increased, and a strong correlation with histological scores (r = -0.72, P < 0.001). ΔFmax increased 2.6 times between a sound sealant margin and severe dye penetration. AUC analysis showed a high diagnostic accuracy of microleakage depth (AUC = 0.83–0.91). The AUC that differentiated the outer half microleakage of the sealant (histological score 0 vs 1–3) was the highest at 0.91.
Conclusions
The use of autofluorescence detection based on QLF technology enabled the detection of microleakages in sealants non-destructively and demonstrated excellent diagnostic validity.
Blast Furnace process optimization for sustainable Iron making
Authors: Bhagyaraj D
Published: September 2023

A stable and efficient operation of the ironmaking blast furnace is prerequisite to reduce the greenhouse gas emission. JSW Steel, Salem have been proposed many projects to reduce greenhouse gas emission, for example Higher O2 enrichment, H2 gas injection, Waste plastic injection, Natural gas and use of biomass reductant. Additionally, the operation stability and efficiency have a large influence on gas utilization and the rate of reductants and emissions, which are all important and mutually interdependent factors. This study leveraged advanced statistical tools, mathematical models, and technical research to assess the blast furnace process and detect anomalies. Subsequent to this analysis, a series of optimization measures were implemented, driven by the study's insights. These actions targeted blast furnace process enhancement, leading to heightened production rates, reduced fuel consumption, and diminished greenhouse gas emissions. This work epitomizes the commitment to harmonizing iron production efficiency with environmental sustainability.
Towards Stronger Illumination Robustness of Local Feature Detection and Description based on Auxiliary Learning
Authors: Bian Houqin , Fan Shihe , Zhang Haolin , Qin Lunming , Cui Haoyang , Wang Xi
Published: September 2023

Local feature detection and description play a crucial role in various computer vision tasks, including image matching. Variations in illumination conditions significantly affect the accuracy of these applications. However, existing methods inadequately address this issue. In this paper, a novel algorithm based on Illumination Auxiliary Learning Module (IALM) is introduced. Firstly, a new local feature extractor named Illumination Auxiliary SuperPoint (IA-SuperPoint) is established, based on the integration of IALM and SuperPoint. Secondly, illumination-aware auxiliary training focuses on capturing the effects of illumination variations during feature extraction through tailored loss functions and jointly learning mechanisms. Lastly, in order to evaluate the illumination robustness of local features, a metric is proposed by simulating various illumination disturbances. Experiments on HPatches and RDNIM datasets demonstrate that the performance of local feature extraction is greatly improved by our method. Especially for matching local features with different illumination conditions, our method gains at most 16\% improvement on the state-of-the-art methods.
The Impacts of Protein Supplementation and Semen Exposure on Uterine Cytokines in Beef Heifers
Authors: McLean Kyle J. , Brandt Kiernan J. , Ault-Seay Taylor B. , Payton Rebecca R. , Schneider Liesel G. , Edwards J. Lannett , Myer Phillip R. , Rhinehart Justin D.
Published: September 2023

Reproductive efficiency is largely impacted during heifer development which generally requires nutrient supplementation for proper maturation. Nutritional status can also influence inflammation within the reproductive tract. Therefore, we hypothesized that cytokine concentrations in uterine luminal fluid (ULF) will be impacted by protein supplementation following artificial insemination (AI). Commercial heifers (n = 60) were utilized to determine the effects of protein supplementation and AI on cytokine concentrations in ULF. Heifers were randomly assigned to one of three supplemental treatments: 1) CON (10% crude protein [CP]), 2) P20 (20% CP), and 3) P40 (40% CP). All heifers underwent estrus synchronization and ULF was collected 14 d after insemination. Cytokine profiles were constructed in MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and R Studio was used for individual cytokine analyses. Control heifers had increased (P = 0.05) MIP-1β concentrations (148.7 ± 123.9pg) over P20 heifers (42.3 ± 123.9pg) and P40 heifers (75.5 ± 123.9pg) were intermediate. Semen exposure (1877 ± 550pg) tended (P = 0.06) to increase concentrations of IP-10 compared with heifers who were not inseminated (1556 ± 550pg). In conclusion, protein supplementation and exposure to semen had a limited impact on the cytokine profiles and individual cytokine concentrations in the ULF of heifers following AI but did identify three cytokines providing potential targets important in early gestation.
Identification of stem cell-related gene signature and integrative analyses in patients with lower-grade gliomas
Authors: Jiang Longyang , Zhu Jun , Yang Xuping , Zhang Chengbin , Wei Qiming , Chen Kun , Li Junxin , Wang Shurong
Published: September 2023

Background: Cancer stem cell genes were proven to be associated with the prognosis of multiple cancers. Nevertheless, the prognosis and role of stem cell division-related genes in lower-grade glioma (LGG) remains unclear.
Objective: This study constructs a reliable risk model of stem cell division-related genes for predicting the prognosis of LGG patients.
Methods: The mutation data, FPKM data and corresponding clinical information of 511 LGG patients were downloaded from the TCGA database. We carried out LASSO regression analysis and multivariate cox regression analysis to build a risk gene model. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) rate of LGG patients. The ROC curve assesses its power across the entire data set. The risk score model was validated in the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). We employed univariate independent prognostic analysis and multifactor independent prognostic analysis to determine whether risk scores could be used as independent prognostic factors to predict the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with LGG. A nomogram was constructed to predict the prognosis of LGG patients. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between high and low risk groups and immune infiltration and drug sensitivity.
Results: 11 genes were selected (EV12B, ING2, MLLT3, NCOA3, NOTCH1, PRDM15, SFRP2, SMYD5, THOC2, TIAL1 and WNT7A) from TCGA to construct a risk model, which was validated in CGGA. A nomogram accompanied by calibration curves was presented for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival in LGG patients. LGG patients in the low-risk group had a longer survival than those in the high-risk group. The 11 stem cell division-related genes might serveas reliable diagnostic biomarkers in LGG. In addition, the risk score was related to immune infiltration and drug sensitivity. Drug sensitivity analysis showed Bortrezomib (p<0.0001), Etoposide (p<0.0001), Tamoxifen (p<0.0001), and Temozolomide (p<0.0001) were more sensitive in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.
Conclusion: Our study built a prognostic model consisting of 11 stem cell division-related genes for predicting the prognosis of LGG patients. This may be a new biomarker for predicting LGG. These preliminary findings may provide some useful values for clinical prognosis of LGG and future studies.
Genetic characterization, structural and evolutionary adaptations of Small Heat shock proteins involved in mitigating environmental stress in Fishes
Authors: Sultana Mehwish , Parveen Shakeela , Tayyab Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad
Published: September 2023

In the current investigation, a total of 42 full-length, non-redundant small heat shock proteins (sHsps) were detected in Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Danio rerio, Salmo salar, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Clupea harengus. The sHsps genes were classified into three groups based on phylogenetic analysis. All the sHsps were shown to have higher aliphatic index values, which is an indication that these proteins are more thermally stable. The hydrophilic nature of sHsps was deduced from the fact that all fish species had negative GRAVY scores. In all of the representative fish species, sHsps genes were assigned to distinct chromosomes in an inconsistent and unequal manner. Segmental duplications are the main events that have contributed to the expansion of the sHsps genes in all species. We were also able to determine the selective pressure that was placed on particular codons, and we discovered several significant coding sites within the coding region of sHsps. Eventually, diversifying positive selection was found to be connected with evolutionary changes in sHsps proteins, which shows that gene evolution controlled the fish adaption event in response to environmental conditions. Clarification of the links between sHsps and environmental stress in fish will be achieved through rigorous genomic comparison, which will also yield substantial new insights.
Dietary Overall Antioxidant Intake Associates With All-Cause And Cause-Specific Mortality Among Adults With Depression: Result from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018)
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Shi Yuwei , Zhang Jiakai , Wang Yifeng , Martin Cheteu Therese Wabo , Yang Yang , He Wei , Zhu Shankuan
Published: September 2023

Background
Higher intake of individual antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, etc., has been associated with mortality in the general population, but the association of overall antioxidant intake with mortality especially among depressed adults remains unclear. To investigate whether dietary overall antioxidant intake is associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among depressed adults.
Method
This study included 3051 US adults with depression, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. The depression scores (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9) were used to define depression and evaluate depression severity. Dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQs) and Dietary antioxidant index (DAI) were calculated based on the intakes of vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for the associations of individual and overall antioxidant intakes with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality among adults with depression.
Results
The weight mean age (SE) was 46.00 (0.39) and 1928 (63.7%) were women. Higher DAQs and DAI were significantly associated with lower depression scores (PHQ-9) at baseline (all Ptrend <0.05). For individual antioxidants, the significant negative associations of vitamin A and E with all-cause mortality were observed. For overall antioxidant intake, DAQs and DAI were inversely associated with all-cause and cancer mortality. Compared with participants in the lowest categories of DAQs and DAI, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) in the highest categories were 0.63 (0.42–0.93) and 0.70 (0.49–0.98) for all-cause mortality, 0.39 (0.17–0.87) and 0.43 (0.21–0.88) for cancer mortality, respectively.
Conclusion
Dietary overall antioxidant intake was significantly associated with all-cause and cancer mortality risk. These findings suggest that comprehensive dietary antioxidant intake may improve depressive symptoms and lower mortality risk among adults with depression.
An Enhanced Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Topology Optimization of Double-Layer Grid Structures
Authors: Mashayekhi Mostafa , Ghasemi Hamzeh
Published: September 2023

Stochastic optimization methods have been extensively studied for structural optimization in recent decades. In this study, a novel algorithm named the CA-SA method, is proposed for topology optimization of double-layer grid structures. The CA-SA method is a hybridized algorithm combining the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm and the Cellular Automata (CA) method. In the CA-SA method, during the initial iterations of the SA algorithm, some of the preliminary designs obtained by SA are placed in the cells of the CA. In each successive iteration, a cell is randomly chosen from the CA. then, the "local leader" (LL) is determined by selecting the best design from the chosen cell and its neighboring ones. This LL then serves as the leader for modifying the SA algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the proposed CA-SA algorithm, two square-on-square double-layer grid structures are considered, with discrete cross-sectional areas. These numerical examples demonstrate the superiority of the CA-SA method over SA, and other meta-heuristic algorithms reported in the literature in the topology optimization of large-scale skeletal structures.
Accelerating Epilepsy Diagnosis and Prediction on EEG Signals with GPU-Based Frequency Domain Analysis and Resampling.
Authors: Romero Felipe , Lupión Marcos , Romero Luis F. , Sanjuan J. F. , Ortigosa Pilar M.
Published: September 2023

This paper underscores the importance of accurate seizure detection in epilepsy. Current diagnostic methods, such as Video-Electroencephalography, are often costly and time-consuming. However, recent research demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence for seizure detection using EEG or ECG data. To overcome challenges related to high-frequency data acquisition, the paper proposes employing Fast Fourier Transform for frequency analysis and GPUs for efficient data processing, allowing for reduced sampling frequencies. These advancements enhance data storage, transmission, and research efficiency, thereby facilitating neural network training for epilepsy prediction and real-time execution. Ultimately, these innovations hold significant promise for improving medical care and enhancing the quality of life for epilepsy patients.
Comparison between primary anastomosis without diverting stoma and Hartmann’s procedure for colorectal perforation; a retrospective observational study
Authors: Omoto Ryosuke
Published: September 2023

Background
Hartmann’s procedure (HP) has been performed for colorectal perforation to avoid the risk of anastomotic leakage. Few reports have compared the safety between primary anastomosis without diverting stoma (PAWODS) and HP for colorectal perforation, and whether PAWODS or HP should be performed has remained controversial. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of performing PAWODS in comparison to HP for colorectal perforation.
Methods
We retrospectively collected the data of 97 consecutive patients with colorectal perforation who underwent surgery from April 2010 to December 2020. PAWODS and HP were performed in 51 and 46 patients, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the clinical characteristics and postoperative outcomes of patients treated with PAWODS with those treated with HP .
Results
In the multivariate analysis, low serum albumin (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.49 [95%CI = 1.247–9.757] P = 0.017) and left-sided colon and rectum perforation (HR = 16.8 [95%CI = 1.792-157.599] P = 0.014) were significantly associated with the decision to perform HP. There was significant difference in the mortality of the two groups (PAWODS vs. HP: 0% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.047). The severe morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo III-V) was significantly higher in the HP group (PAWODS vs. HP: 10% vs. 30%; P = 0.020). In the PAWODS group, anastomotic leakage occurred in 5 of 51 patients (9.8%), 4 (8.7%) of whom required re-operation.
Conclusions
In appropriately selected patients, PAWODS could be safely performed with an acceptable rate of anastomotic leakage. The serum albumin level and site of perforation may be simple and useful factors for guiding decision-making on the surgical procedure.
Carbon stocks in coffee farms and secondary forest systems in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest
Authors: Vallejos-Torres Geomar , Gaona-Jimenez Nery , Ordoñez Luis , Lozano Andi , Mendoza-Caballero Wilfredo , Arévalo Luis A. , Saavedra-Ramírez Jorge , Macedo Wilder , Reategui Keneth , Baselly-Villanueva Juan R. , Marín César
Published: September 2023

Secondary forests and coffee cultivation systems with shade trees might have great potential for carbon sequestration as a means of climate change adaptation and mitigation. This study aimed to measure carbon stocks in coffee plantations under different managements and secondary forest systems in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest (San Martín Region). The carbon stock in secondary forest trees was estimated using allometric equations, while carbon stocks in soil, herbaceous biomass, and leaf litter were determined through sampling and laboratory analysis. The biomass carbon stock in secondary forests was 132.2 t/ha, while in coffee plantations with Inga sp. shade trees it was 118.2 t/ha. Carbon stocks were 76.5 t/ha in coffee with polyculture farming, and the lowest amount of carbon was found in coffee without shade trees (31.1 t/ha). The carbon sequestered by coffee plants in all agroforestry systems examined had an average of 2.65 t/ha, corresponding to 4.63 % of the total carbon sequestered, being the highest stored in the coffee system with Inga sp. shade trees. A higher content of glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) was found in coffee without shade trees, with 18.5 mg/g. This is evidence that Inga sp. is the most compatible model of shade system for coffee farms. We recommend the conservation of secondary forests due to the greater biomass and carbon storage, and establishing coffee plantations with Inga sp. shade trees for its integral benefits, such as climate change mitigation.
Tolerance of mouse cardiac tissue to the maximum dose of FLASH versus conventional radiation
Authors: Choi Min-Young , Kim Hyun , Kang Sang Koo , Lee Sang Jin , Jang Kyoung Won , Lim Heuijin , Lee Manwoo , Jeong Dong Hyeok , Moon Young Min , Kim Jin Young , Choi Chul Won , Yu Tosol , Jeon Wan
Published: September 2023

Background: FLASH radiation (average dose rate: >40 Gy/s) delivers ultrahigh doses of radiation, which are several times higher than the clinically used conventional (CONV) radiation doses (average dose rate: >5 Gy/min). This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of FLASH radiation therapy and compare the effects of FLASH radiation at the maximum dose and CONV radiation on mouse cardiac tissue.
Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: control (0 Gy), FLASH (40 Gy/s), and CONV (0.067 Gy/s). The mice treated with 10 and 20 Gy of CONV or FLASH radiation were euthanized at 6, 12, and 16 months. The effect of FLASH radiation was evaluated by plotting the survival curve of irradiated mice. Radiated cardiac tissues were examined using Masson’s trichrome staining (MT) and immunohistochemistry. Fibrous scar formation and alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive areas were quantitatively evaluated separately in the left ventricle, septum, and right ventricle (RV).
Results: Shorter survival was observed in the 20 Gy CONV irradiation group than in the 20 Gy FLASH irradiation group. Histological evaluation revealed higher radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis in the RV of the 20 Gy CONV group than in the control, 10 Gy CONV and FLASH, and 20 Gy FLASH groups (P<0.05).
Conclusions: FLASH radiation was more effective than CONV radiation at higher doses and displayed a protective effect and greater cardiac tissue tolerance. The results of this study will help improve cancer treatment outcomes, reduce radiation side effects, shorten treatment duration, and add to radiation biology literature.
Mittag-Leffler state estimation of quaternion-valued fractional-order discrete-time memristive neural networks
Authors: Li Ruoxia , Cao Jinde , Li Ning
Published: September 2023

This article enquires into the state estimation of fractional-order memristive system with discrete time terms. In consideration of the discrete fractional calculus, we present a new efficient condition for the global Mittag-Leffler stability of the estimation error system. Moreover, using a functional that consist by the discrete fractional sum element, the stability condition is also obtained. It is a remarkable fact that the proposed method captures the contribution of a vector optimization method, which gives us a better grip on how to make the convex closure is meaningful. Simulation result is given in the end.
Zero Trust Context-Aware Access Control Framework for IoT Devices in Healthcare Cloud AI Ecosystem
Authors: Al-hammuri Khalid , Gebali Fayez , Kanan Awos , Mamun Mohammad , Hazratifard Seyed Mehdi , Alfar Hamza
Published: September 2023

It is essential for modern healthcare systems to utilize the Internet of Things (IoT) devices that facilitate and establish the infrastructure for smart hospitals and telehealth. The advancement in telehealth technology and the increasing penetration of IoT devices make them vulnerable to different types of attacks, which require additional research and development for security tools. This article proposes a zero trust context-aware framework to manage the access of the main components in the cloud ecosystem, the users, IoT devices and output data. The framework also considers regulatory compliance and maintains the chain of trust by proposing a critical and bond trust scoring assessment that is based on a set of features and cloud-native micro-services, including authentication, encryption, logging, authorizations and machine learning like the word2vec model within Cloud AI ecosystem.
Estimation of the Burr XII Model Parameters Based on Runge-Kutta Method
Authors: Maswadah M.
Published: September 2023

A new technique has been used for transforming the stationary equation into a differential equation. Thus, the Runge-Kutta method can be used to solve it. This method has been applied to the Burr type-XII model parameters based on a generalized progressive hybrid censoring scheme and compared with maximum likelihood and Bayes methods via Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results are highly favorable to the Runge-Kutta method, which provides better estimates and outperforms the Bayes and maximum likelihood methods. Finally, two real datasets have been provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods.