bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control Strategies for Gas Pressure Energy Recovery Systems
Authors: Wei Dong , Zhao Ruochen , Xiong Yaxuan , Zuo Mingxin ,   School of Electrical Engineering and Information Technique, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, China,   Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Processing for Building Big Data Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, China,   School of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture 1 Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, China
Published: July 2022

In gas transmission, the regulator needs to adjust the gas pressure from high to low. The pressure energy can be then recovered by an expander, and the expander can drive a generator to produce electricity. However, the gas pressure regulator system and generator torque process often present difficult adjustment of PI parameters, and strong non-linearity of the hysteresis comparator and switching table in the traditional direct torque control (DTC) cause difficulties in the controller design and lead to large fluctuations of the generator torque. This paper designs a model predictive controller (MPC) for the gas pressure regulator process to reduce generator torque fluctuations. Simultaneously, a fuzzy PI controller is designed for the generator rotational speed process, and an MPC controller is exploited for the torque process; they operate in a cascaded manner. The fuzzy PI controller is used to calculate the torque set point. And the MPC controller is designed to obtain the optimal voltage vector of the generator for improving control performance through time delay compensation. The simulation experimental results highlight that the fluctuation of the regulator outlet gas pressure is reduced by 7.9% and 8.1%, and the output torque range is reduced by 3.4% and 2.1% compared with the traditional PI control and fuzzy PI control, respectively. The generator torque fluctuation range is reduced by 82.3%, the rotational speed fluctuation range is reduced by 76.9%, and the three-phase current fluctuation range is reduced by 76.6% compared with the traditional DTC.
Bacterial Diversity in Different Positions in the Iraqi Marine Area
Authors: Jaafar Raghad Shubbar , Al-Taee Asaad , Al-Kanany Fadhil Neamah
Published: July 2022

Microorganisms establish both structural and functional construction in the marine environment, despite scientific advances, the identification of marine bacterial species is still considered as a common challenge in microbiology. Nevertheless, the present study aims to make an effort, although it seems modest, but it could establish a basis for studying the bacterial diversity in the Iraqi marine area, because of what this aspect entails of the poverty of studies related to this aspect in the studied area. The current results show the marine studied area are classified within worming area, where the average temperature ranged from 23.17 to 26.17 ºC. The recorded number of bacteria was increased with temperature increasing (0.210, 0.250, 0.305, 0.517, 0.553 and 0.625) through the studied period (January, February, March, April, May and June) respectively. The results showed that the identified bacteria were related to  three bacterial phyla(Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and  Actinobacteria),with the clear superiority to the phyla (Firmicutes).The most occurrence bacterial genera were( Staphylococcus lentus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, Sphingomonus paucimobilis and Aeromonas hydrophila/caviae), which have different percentage of frequency ,(50,40,60,30 and 20%) respectively. The present discoveries provide initial evidence on the bacterial diversity in the Iraqi marine waters. Further studies are necessary to make a more comprehensive image of bacterial diversity within these marine regions.
Running Tittle: Marine Bacterial Diversity
Influence of Nanosilica on Solvent Deasphalting for Upgrading Iraqi Heavy Crude Oil
Authors: Shakir Firdews , Hussein Hussein Q , Abdulwahhab Zeinab T
Published: July 2022

In this study, the upgrading of Iraqi heavy crude oil was achieved utilizing the solvent deasphalting approach (SDA) and enhanced solvent deasphalting (e-SDA) by adding Nanosilica (NS). The NS was synthesized from local sand. The XRD result, referred to as the amorphous phase, has a wide peak at 2Θ= (22 - 23º) The inclusion of hydrogen-bonded silanol groups (Si–O–H) and siloxane groups (Si–O–Si) in the FTIR spectra. The SDA process was handled using n-pentane solvent at various solvent to oil ratios (SOR) (4-16/1ml/g), room and reflux temperature, and 0.5 h mixing time. In the e-SDA process, various fractions of the NS (1–7 wt.%) have been utilized with 61 nm particle size and 560.86 m²/g surface area in the presence of 12 ml/g SOR with 0.5 hr. mixing time at room and reflux temperature. The results showed that heavy crude was upgraded maximally using 7 wt.% of NS. The API increased to 35.9, while the asphaltene reduction increased to 87.22%. The removal of sulfur, vanadium, and nickel increased to 51.17%, 55.07%, and 69.87%, respectively.
Operational stability, low light performance, and long-lived transients in mixed-halide perovskite solar cells with a monolayer-based hole extraction layer
Authors: Murdey Richard , Ishikura Yasuhisa , Matsushige Yuku , Hu Shuaifeng , Pascual Jorge , Truong Minh Anh , Nakamura Tomoya , Wakamiya Atsushi
Published: July 2022

Due to their tunable bandgap and low manufacturing cost, metal halide perovskite solar cells are attractive for ambient/indoor light-harvesting applications. In this work, we evaluate p-i-n perovskite solar cells fabricated with MeO-2PACz, a molecular monolayer hole extraction layer, as potential candidates for ambient light-harvesting applications. Two triple-cation mixed halide lead perovskite absorbers are compared, one with high bromide content (Br/I ratio 1:2, bandgap 1.72 eV, 16.1% power conversion efficiency) and one with low bromide content (Br/I ratio 1:11, bandgap 1.57 eV, 19.1% power conversion efficiency). Both materials demonstrated good stability while operating under simulated sunlight at the maximum power point for 100 h, a cumulative light dose comparable to over two years of ambient use. After 100 h operation, however, the measured device efficiency fell temporarily due to a transient loss of output current before returning to the nominal level after a long recovery period in the dark. These transient losses were more apparent in the wide bandgap device under strong light and were likely caused by light-induced halide segregation. After recovery, both devices retained good performance under a wide range of light intensities. Under a simulated ambient light source (835 lx white LED), the power conversion efficiency of the wide bandgap device reached 30.4%.
Pyrolysis as a value added method for plastic waste management: A review on converting LDPE and HDPE waste into fuel
Authors: Uthpalani Panakaduwa Gamage Imesha , Premachandra Jagath Kumara , De Silva Deeyagahage Sujeewa Mallika , Weerasinghe Vithanage Primali Anuruddhika
Published: July 2022

The global demand for plastic is increasing year by year due to its indispensable uses and excellent properties. The rate of post-consumer plastic waste discarded into the environment is also increasing in parallel with the demand for plastics. The amount of plastic waste generated varies based on its uses such as household, industrial, commercial, hospital, and others. Plastic wastes persist for many years due to their slow deterioration and cause severe environmental problems. Therefore, there is a growing focus worldwide on plastic waste disposal methods to overcome adverse environmental impacts. As the plastics are petroleum-based materials, the pyrolysis of plastics to fuel oil, gases, and char, has a great concern than the other plastic waste management methods of recycling and landfilling. A yield of 70-80 wt.% of liquid fuel from a pyrolysis waste has been reported elsewhere which emerges the importance and aptness of this method in plastic waste management. This paper review the existing literature on pyrolysis processes developed for HDPE and LDPE wastes globally and their governing factors of heating rate, temperature, processing time, polymer to catalysts ratio, type of the catalysts, and type of the reactor that influenced the yields of fuel oil and gases
The Importance of Noise Attenuation Levels in Neonatal Incubators
Authors: Fernández-Zacarías Francisco , Puyana‐Romero Virginia , Hernández-Molina Ricardo
Published: July 2022

Background: It is known that high noise levels can be harmful to preterm infants, causing physiological and psychological disorders. It is also known that premature babies spend a lot of time in an incubator. In this sense, many studies show that incubator noise levels can range from 45 dB to 70 dB. However, these differences in noise levels depend, fundamentally, on the methodology used, which a very varied.This study aims to know the levels of noise from a fan in the incubator itself and how much can isolate the noises coming from the outside.Methods: It was character was the acoustic behavior of several models of incubators. For this purpose, it was measured the incubator’s noise level within an Sound-dampened booth for free-field audiometry. It also used a 4224 pink noise generating source to determine the isolation levels of the incubators and one microphone inside the incubator and another one outside connect to an SVAN958 noise analyzer.Results: The incubators produced continuous equivalent noise levels of between 53.5 dB and 58 dB. The analysis of isolation showed that the level varied from one incubator to another, between 5.2 dB and 10.4 dB. In addition, the isolation level in one-third octave bands varied from one incubator model to another.Conclusions: Preterm infants in an incubator are exposed to noise levels very far from the international recommendations, even if the incubators are meeting the noise criteria set out in the IEC60601-2-19: 2009 standard of 60 dBA under normal use conditions.
Oncogenic alterations reveal key strategies for precision oncology in melanoma treatment
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhao Fang , Hu Tu , Wu Zhiqiang , Xu Yu , Dong Yan , Zheng Biqiang , Wang Chunmeng , Yan Wangjun , Zhu Xiaoli , Wu Jian , McKay Michael J. , Arozarena Imanol , Alos Llucia , Teixido Cristina , Chen Yong
Published: July 2022

Molecular profiling with next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been applied in multiple solid tumors, including melanomas, to identify potential drug targets. However, the association between clinical outcomes and the molecular alterations has not yet been fully clarified. We have analyzed the genetic alterations of 108 malignant melanoma patients using the OncoCare panel, which covers 559 genes. Combining clinical features with genetic analysis, we found that patients carrying both POLD1/ALOX12B or POLD1/PTPRT mutations had a significantly lower survival rate. A model was also established to predict side effects through a combination analysis of clinical data and somatic variants, yielding an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) score of 0.87. In addition, we also found that patients with the POLE mutation had a significantly worse clinical outcome to chemotherapy, while patients with the SOX9 mutation had a significantly worse response to immunotherapy. Overall, these results demonstrate the benefits of applying NGS clinical panels and shed light on future directions of personalized therapeutics for the treatment of melanoma.
On the development of descriptors in small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav.
Authors: SUMA A , MA Alfia , Joseph K John , Pradheep K , Harish GD , Thirumalaisamy PP , Latha M
Published: July 2022

Small bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav.) is an under-utilized vegetable with ethnobotanical and therapeutic values, under domestication interphase. This taxon deserves a distinct crop status, owing to the existence of well-marked distinguishing morphological traits, unique flavour and taste apart from M. charantia var. charantia , wide variability within the taxon, preferential cultivation by the traditional farmers in Indian subcontinent and occurrence of distinct, named landraces. However, presently this crop is facing a threat of genetic erosion, restricting mostly at the homestead level throughout the region. In the present study, seventy-four small bitter gourd collections from across India were assessed for understanding morphological variability and their classification, and further devising key descriptors helpful for effective characterization and utilization. In order to describe it under a distinct taxon level, botanical description is also worked out. Morphological traits such as shape and lobing of leaf, shape and size of fruit, nature of tubercles and ridges, and size, shape and colour of seeds, besides robustness and extended growth period, showed remarkable character differentiation from cultivated bitter gourd. A set of 45 characterization and 35 evaluation descriptors have been developed, out of which 26 each of characterization and evaluation descriptors are categorized under the minimum descriptor list.
Parathyroid hormones in relation to serum cadmium and lead: the NHANES 2003-2006
Authors: Sang Zijiang , Zhang Huan , Ma Wenbiao , Dong Yan , Shi Bo
Published: July 2022

Background: The toxic effects of cadmium and lead exposure on parathyroid function have been investigated extensively while the results were conflicting. We aimed to investigate the association of blood cadmium and lead with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) based on the general population. Methods: We analyzed a sample of 9400 adults aged 18 years or older from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-04 to 2005-06. We estimated the association using multivariable linear regression analysis by taking cadmium and lead as a continuous or quartile variable. Restricted cubic splines were utilized to explore the non-linear relationship between cadmium or lead and PTH.Results: The median blood cadmium and lead levels were 0.34 ug/L and 1.43 ug/dL, respectively. Cadmium was significantly associated with PTH when taken as a continuous variable [Odds ratio (OR): 0.97; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.95-0.99] or a quartile variable (Fourth vs first quartile, OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.97). Lead was significantly associated with PTH when taken as a continuous variable (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02-1.07) or a quartile variable (Fourth vs first quartile, OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10). P values for non-linearity were all less than 0.05. The association between cadmium and PTH was not significant in females. Conclusions: Cadmium was negatively associated with PTH, and lead was positively associated with PTH both in a non-linear manner among the general population. However, there was a gender difference in the relationship between cadmium and PTH.
Borinane Boosted Bifunctional Organocatalysts for Ultrafast Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Ethers
Authors: Chen Chao , Gnanou Yves , feng xiaoshuang
Published: July 2022

The design of reactive species that can either serve to initiate the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides for the synthesis of high molar mass polyethers or be alternatively used to catalyze the synthesis of polyether telechelics in the presence of chain transfer agents (CTAs) has long been an elusive goal. Here we report the synthesis of a series of bifunctional borinane-based catalysts that enable the living ROP of epoxides with unprecedented activity (TOF ≥ 1.8×105 h− 1) and molar mass up to 106 g/mol under mild conditions. When used along with CTAs to generate low Mn telechelics, the same borinane-based catalysts exhibit ultrahigh productivity even for loading amounts as low as 50 ppb for ethylene oxide polymerization. These newly designed catalysts also afford the polymerization of oxetane with record TOF values and molar masses. DFT computation provides a full understanding of how these bifunctional catalysts operate when used in the ROP of epoxides.
"Medical Core Literacy Online Training Class": A teaching practice developing medical students' global competence
Authors: Shen Sitong , He Yuxi , Wang Shurong , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Global competence is an essential quality for compound talents. Clinical medicine is an interdisciplinary subject that requires an international perspective. Therefore, it is crucial for developing countries to break the domestic cramming education model and develop medical course that can fully cultivate students' cutting-edge and independent thinking ability. Methods: We undertook a "Medical Core Literacy Online Training Class", and cooperated with internationally renowned universities to train students' core medical literacy and cutting-edge thinking through this course. We chose 80 outstanding senior undergraduate and graduate students to participate in our course. The effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the results of stage tests and questionnaires of these medical students with those who did not participate in our course.Results: The overwhelming majority of students demonstrate that the course cycle arrangement is reasonable, and the course harvest meets or even exceeds their expectations. Our course has generally improved the comprehensive quality of students, especially the improvement of research methods, listening and speaking skills, and pioneering thinking abilities. 79 out of the 80 students have developed initiative to leran new knowledge.Conclusions: "Medical Core Literacy Online Training Class" is beneficial to develop the global competence of medical students and this teaching method is helpful for developing countries to cultivate high-quality medical talents with critical thinking ability.
Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study
Authors: Moittié Sophie , Jarvis Rachel , Bandelow Stephan , Byrne Sarah , Dobbs Phillipa , Grant Melissa , Reeves Christopher , White Kate , Liptovszky Mátyás , Baiker Kerstin
Published: July 2022

While vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern in humans, comparatively little is known about vitamin D levels in non-human primates. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in overall health and its deficiency is associated with a range of disorders, including cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in great apes. Serum samples (n = 245) from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed at 32 European zoos were measured for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Of these samples, 33.1% indicated inadequate vitamin D concentrations, using the human reference interval (< 50 nmol/L). The season of the year, health status of the animal, and the provision of daily outdoor access had a significant effect on vitamin D status. This is the first large-scale study on vitamin D status of non-human great apes in human care. Inadequate vitamin D serum concentrations are widespread in the European zoo chimpanzee population and could be a risk factor for the development of idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, a major cause of mortality in this species, as well as other diseases. A review of husbandry and nutrition practices is recommended to ensure optimal vitamin D supply for these endangered animals.
Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening Intention Based on the Integrated Theory of Planned Behavior among the Average-Risk Individuals
Authors: Maheri Mina , Rezapour Baratali , Didarloo Alireza
Published: July 2022

Background
This study aimed to "determine the predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention based on the integrated theory of planned behavior among average -risk individuals in Urmia". Identifying these predictors will help design and implement various interventions, including educational interventions, according to the needs of this group, thereby taking a step towards improving the colorectal cancer screening index.
Methods
The present cross-sectional study was performed on 410 individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer referring to the comprehensive health services centers of Urmia in Iran. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part captured the demographic information and medical history of the participants. The second part involved questions designed based on constructs of motivational phase of health action process approach, and theory of planned behavior, as well as behavioral intent to perform colorectal cancer screening. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.
Results
Outcome expectancies, risk perception, action self-efficacy, and normative beliefs, respectively had the largest impact and were significant and positive predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention. The study's conceptual framework explained about 36% of the variance of behavioral intention among the average-risk individuals in Urmia.
Conclusions
Constructs of motivational phase of health action process approach, and theory of planned behavior are valuable and appropriate to identify the factors affecting the intention to perform colorectal cancer screening as well as to design and implement educational interventions in this field. The four constructs of outcome expectancies, risk perception, action self-efficacy, and normative beliefs are suggested to be integrated into all educational interventions designed and implemented to improve the colorectal cancer screening index.
Spanish adaptation of the Quality in Psychiatric Care-Outpatient (QPC-OP) instrument Community Mental Health Patients’ Version: Psychometric properties and factor structure
Authors: Tomás-Jiménez Manuel , Roldán-Merino Juan Francisco , Sanchez-Balcells Sara , Schröder Agneta , Lundqvist Lars-Olov , Puig-Llobet Montserrat , Moreno-Poyato Antonio Rafael , Campo Marta Domínguez del , Lluch-Canut Maria Teresa
Published: July 2022

Background
Health systems in the field of mental health are strongly committed to community models that allow patients to be attended in their own environment. This helps them to maintain their family and social ties while trying to avoid costly hospital admissions. The patients’ perspective is a key component in the assessment of the quality of psychiatric care and can even determine their adherence to the devices where they are treated. However, there are few instruments with adequate psychometric properties for the evaluation of the quality of psychiatric care in community mental health. The Quality in Psychiatric Care – Outpatient (QPC-OP) instrument has adequate psychometric properties to assess the quality of psychiatric care from the patients’ perspective. The aim of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the QPC-OP instrument.
Methods
A translation and back-translation of the instrument was carried out. To examine its psychometric properties, the instrument was administered to 200 patients attending various community mental health services. To assess test-retest reliability, the instrument was readministered after 7–14 days (n = 98).
Results
The Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed a structure of 8 factors identical to the original version, with an adequate model fit. The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.951. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.764 (95% IC: 0.649–0.842), and higher than 0.70 in 5 of the 8 factors.
Conclusions
Results show that the Spanish version of the QPC-OP instrument is valid and reliable for the assessment of quality of psychiatric care in the community setting.
Fungi associated with woody tissues of Acer pseudoplatanus in forest stands with different health status concerning sooty bark disease (Cryptostroma corticale)
Authors: Schlößer Rebekka , Bien Steffen , Langer Gitta Jutta , Langer Ewald Johannes
Published: July 2022

In previous years, namely 2018–2020, Germany experienced periods of exceptional weather conditions. Extremely high summer temperatures and precipitation deficits induced stress and mortality in forest trees. Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) was one of the affected tree species. Symptoms of the Sooty Bark Disease (SBD) and severe damage of entire stands, both caused by the invasive fungal species Cryptostroma corticale, were reported more frequently. In order to get a better understanding of the distribution of C. corticale, case reports of SBD for Germany, in general, as well as for the federal state of Hesse, in particular, are compiled and presented. To explore the endophytic distribution of C. corticale, wood cores from visibly healthy sycamore stems were sampled and all outgrowing fungi were determined and recorded. In total, 50 trees, aged 30–65 years, were sampled at five different forest stands and from which 91 endophytic filamentous fungal species could be isolated. The fungal endophytic community in the woody tissue of the sycamore trees varied greatly at the different sites and between the trees. The number of endophytic species isolated at the different sites ranged from 13 to 43 and no species was found at all sites. At 1.20 m stem height, 3.3 endophyte species could be isolated from woody tissue per tree on average. The most abundant species isolated from visibly healthy sycamore in regard to both occurrence at the studied sites and continuity was C. corticale. It was recorded at four studied forest stands, from 26% of all studied sycamore trees and had a frequency of 7.85% relative to the 293 isolated filamentous strains that were isolated. The second most abundant species was Xylaria longipes followed by Lopadostoma turgidum.
Drumming behavior of a Japanese pygmy woodpecker in Satoyama: Implications of tree felling and human settlement
Authors: Onoda Setsuko
Published: July 2022

The Japanese pygmy woodpecker (Dendrocopos kizuki), called “kogera” in Japanese, normally drums on trees. However, a unique behaviour of drumming on metal plates was observed in a Japanese pygmy woodpecker from observations conducted over seven years in the Satoyama landscape of Japan. The woodpecker often preferred to drum on metal plates of telephone poles in order to exploit the specific high-pitched sound reflecting from the metal. Therefore, he concluded that landscape diversity translates into behavioural diversity within species of an organism. Behaviour of the Japanese pygmy woodpecker is poorly studied, especially in the Satoyama areas. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the influence of human development and economic growth on specific drumming behaviours of the Japanese pygmy woodpecker as well as the effect of landscape diversity on behavioural patterns and species diversity.
Transcriptomic analysis identified new lipid biomarkers for patient stratification in breast cancer
Authors: Din Zaheer Ud , Cui Bai , Wang Cenxin , Ghayas Hassan , Peng Fei , Haq Farhan , Liu Quentin
Published: July 2022

Background
Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women and a big challenge that causes an extensive burden on public health. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy, and the exact mechanism of development is not clear. Lipid biomarkers can play an important role in predicting the outcome of breast cancer patients. Previously different biomarkers have been identified against survival, metastasis, and prognosis. However, lipid associated biomarkers are not readily used for predicting prognosis and devising new treatment options. Therefore, we aimed to analyze lipid metabolism genes to identify the most significant lipid metabolism biomarkers in BC.
Methods
RNA-seq data of 1787 breast cancer patients were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. The mRNA expression of ABAT, SRD5A1, and PSAT1 was analyzed in SK-BR3, MDA-MB-231, BT-549 BC cell lines and normal breast cells. We investigated the clinicopathological parameters of lipid metabolism genes using the Kruskal-Wallis test, post-hoc Mann-Whitney-U-test, Chi-square/Fisher-exact test, Kaplan–Meier, and cox regression survival analysis.
Results
The expression values of 21 lipid metabolism genes showed significant association with different clinical parameters including grade, node, tumor size, stage, race, age, and molecular subtypes of BC patients. Furthermore, survival analysis revealed that ABAT, SRD5A1, and PSAT1 were significantly associated with RFS, DFS, and OS in BC. Overexpression of ABAT was significantly associated with better RFS, DFS, and OS in all independent cohorts. In contrast, overexpression of SRD5A1 and PSAT1 was found associated with poor RFS, DFS, and OS. According to in vitro validation results, mRNA expression of ABAT was downregulated, while, SRD5A1 and PSAT1 were upregulated in all tested BC cell lines compared to normal cells.
Conclusion
We concluded that ABAT can be used as a better prognostic marker, while SRD5A1 and PSAT1 can be used as poor prognostic markers in breast cancer patients. These findings can lead us to devise new strategies classifying BC into different prognosis groups which may lead to novel treatment approaches.
The quantitative importance of key root traits on radial water loss
Authors: Song Zhiwei , Zonta Francesco , Ogorek Lucas León Peralta , Bastegaard Viggo Klint , Herzog Max , Pellegrini Elisa , Pedersen Ole
Published: July 2022

AIMS: Root tissue water can be lost to the dry topsoil via radial water loss (RWL) resulting in root shrinking and loss of contact with the rhizosphere. The root barrier to radial oxygen loss (ROL) has been shown to restrict RWL, therefore we hypothesized that the inducible barrier can be formed as a response to low soil water potential and play a role, together with other root traits, in restricting RWL.METHODS: Rice and wheat were grown in hydroponics with contrasting water potential to diagnose ROL barrier formation and to explore how key root traits (ROL barrier, root diameter, root porosity) affect RWL. Moreover, we developed a numerical model predicting RWL as a function of root diameter, root porosity and presence of a barrier to ROL.RESULTS: Methylene blue staining showed that low water potential induced a ROL barrier formation in roots of rice, and also resulted in an apoplastic barrier, as identified by the apoplastic tracer periodic acid. The barrier significantly restricted RWL, but root diameter and tissue porosity also influenced RWL. Our numerical model was able to reflect the empirical data and clearly demonstrated that thick roots and a barrier to ROL restricts RWL while cortical porosity accelerates RWL.CONCLUSIONS: Our modelling approach highlighted that increase in root tissue porosity, a common response to drought, conserves water when new roots are formed, but the higher desiccation risk related to high-porosity roots can be effectively counteracted by forming thick roots or even better, by a barrier to ROL.
Analysis of the curative effect of arthroscopic coracoid process drill-free U-shaped suspension fixation in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation
Authors: Liu Yongsheng , Yang Yuhang , Zhao Daohong
Published: July 2022

Background: Currently, there is still have some controversies in surgical treatment modality for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical effect of arthroscopic coracoid process drill-free U-shaped suspension fixation in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation, compared with coracoid process drilling TightRope fixation technique.Patients and methods: Twenty-five patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation admitted to our hospital were reviewed from May 2015 to June 2021. The patients were divided into drill-free group (the use of coracoid process drill-free U-shaped suspension fixation technique under arthroscopy, 12 cases) and drilling group (the use of coracoid process drilling TightRope fixation technique under arthroscopy, 13 cases). The (UCLA) score, (VAS) score, Constant score and shortest distance between the coracoid process and clavicle (CCD) were evaluated before and after surgery. Results: The patients were followed up with a mean time of 41.3 (rang,12-84) months. At the final follow-up, the postoperative (UCLA) score, Constant score and (VAS) score of both groups were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). In terms of imaging evaluation, the (CCD) and the side-to-side (CCD) difference of both groups were significantly reduced immediately after surgery and at the final follow-up, and the difference were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups. Unfortunately, reduction loss occurred in 4 patients (drill-free group: 33%, drilling group: 31%) in both groups, but it had no significant effect on patients' pain perception and life and work, 2 patients (15%) in the drilling group developed coracoid fractures in the postoperative 6-week follow-up and received surgery, no cases of coracoid fractures were observed in the drill-free group.Conclusion: The use of arthroscopic coracoid process drill-free U-shaped suspension fixation in the treatment of patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation can obtain the same good clinical effects as the arthroscopic coracoid process drilling TightRope technique, and can reduce the complications of coracoid fractures.Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
A Novel Lynch Syndrome Kindred with Hereditary Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma
Authors: Ahuja Kripa , Goudar Ranjit
Published: July 2022

Background: Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) is an extremely rare malignancy, and advanced ACC carries a very poor prognosis. Early detection is critical, since early-stage disease can be cured with surgical resection. ACC can be seen in Lynch syndrome; this case and review of the literature provides insight as to the potential biological origin of this malignancy. Clinicians should be aware of this association and the potential impact on cancer screening in these kindreds. Case Presentation: We describe a novel kindred with hereditary adrenal cortical carcinoma and the Muir-Torre syndrome, a phenotypic variant of Lynch syndrome that includes sebaceous neoplasms and visceral malignancies. We report a 59-year-old Caucasian man with an MSH2 deletion who was diagnosed with metastatic adrenal cortical carcinoma. The patient’s brother also had a history of adrenal cortical carcinoma. The patient’s cancer initially responded to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab. Somatic genetic testing performed on a tumor biopsy did not identify the germline MSH2 deletion.Conclusions: Review of the literature identifies an association between germline MSH2 mutations and ACC, suggesting a potential biologic basis for carcinogenesis. This case highlights the importance of ACC screening for patients with Lynch Syndrome and a family history of adrenal cortical carcinoma, due to the high mortality from this malignancy. This case also highlights the importance of separate germline and somatic testing for patients with a concerning personal or family history of cancers.
Spatiotemporal variation and multivariate controls of short-cycle drought-flood abrupt alteration in China’s north-south transitional zone
Authors: lei xiaoping , ma rui , song xiaoyan , hou jingzhi , liu wenbin
Published: July 2022

A full knowledge of the alteration patterns of drought and flood in adjacent months is crucial to facilitate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. However, the exploring of short-cycle drought-flood abrupt alteration (s-DFAA) and its multi-scale responses to multiple environmental factors remains poorly understood due to insufficient formula construction (e.g., drought standards cannot be introduced) of the existing short-cycle drought-flood abrupt alternation index (SDFAI). In this study, we proposed a new short-cycle drought-wetness abrupt alternation index (SDWAI) allowing to customize drought standards and applied which to China’s north-south transition zone. The multi-scale relationships (i.e. small scales (<4 years), medium scales (4-8 years), large scales (>8years) and all scales) between the s-DFAA(SDWAI) and its pertinent factors (i.e., precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine duration, temperature, evaporation; Arctic Oscillation, AO; NINO 3.4 SSTA Index, NINO3.4; Total Sunspot Number Index, TSNI; Pacific Decadal Oscillation Index, PDO) were further investigated using the wavelet transform coherence and multiple wavelet coherence. Results showed that the SDWAI outperformed the traditional one. Different-level s-DFAA events(i.e., mild, moderate, severe, extreme and total) identified by SDWAI exhibited insignificant downward trends. Spatially, there were more s-DFAA events in the east than the west. Among the single and multiple meteorological elements, precipitaion was the dominant factor influencing the SDWAI, with the highest percent area of significant coherence (PASC) at different scales. Each teleconnection and their combinations, which were irreplaceable, had the most siginificant influence on SDWAI at large scales where TSNI and NINO3.4 that contributed higher PASC were substantiated the predominant roles.
Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomes Regulate CD4+ T cells in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome through the Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Ma Dan , Su Yazhen , Wu Zewen , Zhao Xingxing , Zhu Xueqing , An Qi , Yang Baoqi , Wang Yajing , 赵 Jingwen , Xu Ke , Zhang Liyun
Published: July 2022

Background: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the destruction of exocrine glands and formation of multisystem lesions. Abnormal proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of CD4+ T cells are key factors in the pathogenesis of pSS, seriously affecting the appearance, progression, and outcome of the disease. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (UCMSC-Exos) may effectively simulate the immunoregulatory and tissue repair functions of MSCs while avoiding the risks associated with MSCs treatment. Hence, UCMSC-Exos treatment is expected to become a new treatment for pSS. However, if UCMSC-Exos can regulate the abnormal proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of CD4+ T cells in pSS and the specific underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Methods: UCMSC-Exos were isolated and identified. Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells were sorted using immunomagnetic beads. The proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and inflammatory factors of CD4+ T cells were determined using flow cytometry. Autophagosomes of CD4+ T cells were detected using transmission electron microscopy, autophagy-related proteins were detected using western blotting, and autophagy-related genes were detected using RT-PCR. Results: UCMSC-Exos inhibited excessive proliferation of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in pSS patients, blocked the G0/G1 phase transition, inhibited S phase cells, suppressed excessive apoptosis of CD4+ T cells, reduced the Th17 cell ratio, elevated the regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio, restored the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance, inhibited the CD4+ T cell-associated pro-inflammatory factors IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-17F secretion, and promoted anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and TGF-β secretion. UCMSC-Exos reduced the elevated autophagy levels in the peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of patients with pSS. Furthermore, UCMSC-Exos regulated CD4+ T cell proliferation and early apoptosis in pSS patients through the autophagy pathway, inhibited Th17 cell differentiation, promoted Treg cell differentiation, and restored the Th17/Treg balance. Conclusions: UCMSC-Exos regulate CD4+ T cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in patients with pSS through the autophagy pathway and exhibit immunoregulatory effects. These results provide an important theoretical and experimental foundation for exploring UCMSC-Exos as a new treatment for pSS and its application in clinical transformation.
Evaluation of the focus reduction neutralization and ELISA tests compared to the plaque reduction neutralization test for the detection of antibodies against measles virus
Authors: yaghoobizad somayeh , Norouzbabaei Zahra , Jandaghi Nazanin Zahra Shafiei , Foroushani Abbas Rahimi , Sadeghi Kaveh , Izadi Shahrokh , Heidari Elaheh , Salimi Vahid , Mokhtari-Azad Talat
Published: July 2022

Measles is an infectious febrile sickness. Despite the existence of effective vaccination, eradicating measles remains a global priority. It is required to set up a sensitive and specific test to identify measles-specific antibodies in order to estimate the level of community protection against measles. Although the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), the gold standard test, is technically challenging, it is not suitable for routine use. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was also unable to detect weak antibody responses in people vaccinated against measles. As a result, the FRNT (focus reduction neutralization test) was established and validated. In eight assay runs, the samples were analyzed in triplicate by PRNT, FRNT, and ELISA. In a total of 50 samples analyzed, 38/50 samples were positive by standard PRNT, 37/50 samples by FRNT, and 19/50 samples were positive by ELISA. The results showed that ELISA was not sensitive enough to identify low levels of anti-measles antibodies, and that ELISA and both neutralization assays had a weak agreement. The two neutralization assays, on the other hand, had a perfect correlation. Finally, the PRNT and FRNT have similar sensitivity. For characterizing the immunological response to measles and vaccination efficacy trials, FRNT seems to be a good alternative to PRNT. Therefore, it will be very important to validate the negative and equivocal ELISA results with this standard test in the final stages of eradication.
Correlation of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging (DCE-MRI) and Histopathology in Osteosarcoma Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Johan Muhammad Phetrus , Saleh M. Ruksal , Ariandi Mirza
Published: July 2022

Background To evaluate the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) parameters for monitoring the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) response in osteosarcoma and correlate the parameters of histopathology specimens.Methods Patients with pathologically confirmed as osteosarcoma had three cycles of NAC administered. Dynamic MRI were performed on all patients before and after chemotherapy. Semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters were compared between the good response group (TNR ≥ 90 percent) and poor response group (TNR < 90 percent) using the histology response as the reference standard (tumor necrosis rate). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the differences in DCE-MRI parameters before and after NAC. Results 15 patients were enrolled in this study of whom 3 patients lack of preoperative imaging examination, 2 patients inoperable to asess tumor necrosis rate and 1 had an allergy to a contrast agent. DCE-MRI of n = 9 patients were subsequently used for this study. Prior to chemotherapy, there were no statistically significant differences between the good response group and poor response group in TTP, AUC, MAX Slope, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve (P < 0.05). Following the completion of chemotherapy, the TTP, AUC, MAX Slope, Kep and Ktrans were significantly difference between the good response group and poor response group (P < 0.05). The Ve did not show significant difference between the two groups after the chemotherapy (P = 0,121).Conclusion DCE-MRI has effectively monitor the response to NAC during osteosarcoma treatment cycle.
Non-invasive early prediction of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients using on-treatment serum CRP and NLR
Authors: Matsuzawa Reiko , Morise Masahiro , Kinoshita Fumie , Tanaka Ichidai , Koyama Junji , Kimura Tomoki , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Tanaka Taro , Shima Koichiro , Hase Tetsunari , Wakahara Keiko , Ishii Makoto , Hashimoto Naozumi
Published: July 2022

PurposeWe determined the clinical relevance of early C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) change in blood as surrogate markers of pro-tumor inflammation (PTI) for predicting clinical outcome of programmed cell death (PD)-1/programmed cell death ligand (PD-L) 1 inhibitor treatment in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed NSCLC patients treated with anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. Early CRP change was defined as the ratio of 6-week CRP to baseline CRP, and early NLR change was defined as that of the 6-week NLR to baseline NLR. PTI index was determined by combinatorial evaluation of early CRP change and early NLR change, PTI index low: both of these were low, intermediate: either of these was low, high: both of these were high.ResultsThe study included 217 patients. Early CRP change and early NLR change were both associated with PFS and OS. The combinatorial evaluation using these two markers enabled the clear stratification of PFS and OS. The median PFS in patient with PTI index low was 13.9 months, while the median PFS in those with PTI index high was 2.5 months (p < 0.01, log-rank test). The median OS in patients with PTI index low was not reached; the median OS in those with PTI index high was only 15.4 months (p < 0.01, log-rank test).ConclusionsThe combinatorial early CRP change and early NLR change as PTI biomarkers have clinical potential in identifying NSCLC patients who can achieve a durable response and long-term survival using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
Prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Producers (ESBLs) with antibiotic resistance pattern of Gram Negative pathogenic Bacteria isolated from door handles in hospitals of Pokhara, Western Nepal
Authors: Sharma Binita Koirala , Sharma Birendra Prasad , Kunwar Angeela , Basnet Nirmala , Magar Padam Darlami , Adhikari Sajana
Published: July 2022

Background: Hospital associated fomites like door handles can serve as vehicles in transmission of pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Producers (ESBLs) and antibiotic resistance of Gram-Negative pathogenic Bacteria isolated from door-handles in two selected hospitals in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal.Methods: The study was conducted in selected hospitals in Pokhara Metropolitan, City, Western Nepal. A cross-sectional study design was used. The hospitals were selected randomly. A total of 100 swab samples were taken from door-handles. Isolation and identification of bacteria were done using standard microbiological procedures. An antibiotic susceptibility test, screening and confirmation of ESBLs were performed using the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute’s guidelines.Results: Out of the 100 swab samples cultured, 96 (96%) showed bacterial growth. A total of one hundred and forty isolates were isolated in this study which were further identified based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The study also found that door handles/knobs had higher level of contamination in Outpatient Departments (OPDs), Emergency, Laboratory, General wards and Toilets, in that order as compared to Radiology Room, Staff rooms, Intensive Care Unit and Operation Theatre which were lower. The level of contamination varies depending on the traffic exposure and the environment. The most prevalent Gram-negative bacteria identified was Escherichia coli 28.85%, followed by Klebsiella spp 21.15%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15.38%, Proteus spp 11.54%, Enterobacter spp 9.62%, Acenetobacter spp 7.69%, Citrobacter spp 5.77%. The most effective drug of choice was Amikacin, Nitrofurantoin, Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline and Imipenem for many gram-negative isolates. The overall prevalence of ESBLs in this study was 27.14%. Out of total 15 Escherichia coli isolated, 11(73.3%), Klebsiella spp 9/11 (81.8%); Pseudomonas spp 7/8 (87.5%), Proteus spp 4/6 (66.6%); Enterobacter spp 3/5 (60%), Acenetobacter spp 3/4 (75%) and Citrobacter spp 1/3 (33.3%) were found to be Extended B-Lactamase Producers (ESBLs).Conclusion: The high drug resistance of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and ESBLs in hospital environments strengthens the need for the effective and routine cleaning of door-handles in hospitals and may be the key factor in epidemiology of ESBL producing bacterial infection not only in a hospital setting but also in community.