bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) Effect for a Hill City
Authors: Das Bijay Kumar , Kush Avi , Pathak Anjali
Published: June 2024

Urban Heat Island (UHI) along with Climate Change has created a new challenge for Urban Planners in terms of environmental sustainability. In composite climate its effect will be, ‘decrease in outdoor activity’ by urban dwellers and ‘surge in energy demand’ for thermal comfort. Urban Heat Island effect is a phenomenon when the ambient temperature of the urban areas is higher than their counterpart peri urban and rural areas. Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand once boasts to be the summer capital of Bihar is feeling the reels of hotness as reported by the older generation of the city. This research paper examines the Urban Heat Island effect in the district of Ranchi, Jharkhand, India using the accepted methodology of Land Surface Temperature (LST) using satellite images and application of Geographical Information System (GIS). Through findings it has been observed that the city of Ranchi is under the influence of Urban Heat Island. It has also been observed that the greener areas of Ranchi and presence of water bodies negates the effect of Urban Heat Island in some wards of Ranchi Municipal Corporation. Almost same Land Surface Temperature of Ranchi urban areas hovers to more of its Western and Southern part of the district. Through findings it has been observed that the urban areas of Ranchi (Ranchi Municipal Corporation) experience an average Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHHI) of around 1.6 degree Celsius as compared to its rural counterpart at around 10:12 AM for the year 2023. Earlier studies shows that, the core area of Ranchi used to be cooler in summer months and warmer in cooler months to its peri-urban counterparts. But recent studies show a different picture. Blue-green infrastructure of Ranchi, and rocky terrain in peri urban areas, which used to make the city core a cool-spot is showing negative results for the year 2023 and early 2024.
Silicon Dioxide Incorporated Cellulose Acetate Mixed Matrix Membranes for Safranin-O Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Dhongade Suvarna P. , Malkapuram Surya Teja , Sonawane Shirish H. , Seepana Murali Mohan
Published: June 2024

Nanoparticle-incroporated mixed matrix membranes are renowned for their multifaceted advantages, including improved hydrophilicity, elevated solute rejection, enhanced mechanical robustness, and augmented chemical and thermal stability. The inherent hydrophilicity of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, due to silanol groups (Si-OH), along with their high porosity and surface area, renders them an ideal reinforcing filler within polymer matrices, significantly strengthening structural integrity of membranes. In this work, SiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated in a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix to prepare CA/SiO2 adsorptive membranes using phase inversion method. The performance of the membranes was assessed on the removal of Safranin-O (Sf-O) from aqueous solution. The physicochemical characterization of the synthesized membranes was assessed using contact angle, XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, TGA, and tensile strength studies. The optimization studies on novel CA/SiO2 membrane revealed that the membrane with 2.5 wt.% of SiO2 in the CA matrix was the best in terms of Sf-O removal (approximately 100% dye removal) when the operating pH, initial dye concentration, and operating pressure were 9, 50 ppm, and 1 bar respectively. It is also found that 2.5 wt.% CA/SiO2 membrane has higher water permeability than other membranes. Incorporating SiO2 nanoparticles into a polymer matrix augments the structural, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting membranes while also enhancing water permeability, selectivity, and dye removal efficacy.
Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells: potential factories of natural and mimetic strategies for congenital malformations
Authors: Fon Cristiane S.R. , Steele John W. , Idowu Daniel Ifeoluwa , Burgelin Beck , Finnell Richard H. , Corradetti Bruna
Published: June 2024

Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from gestational tissues represent promising strategies for in utero treatment of congenital malformations, but plasticity and required high-risk surgical procedures limit their use. Here we propose natural exosomes (EXOs) isolated from amniotic fluid-MSCs (AF-MSCs), and their mimetic counterparts (MIMs), as valid, stable, and minimally invasive therapeutic alternatives.
Methods
MIMs were generated from AF-MSCs by combining sequential filtration steps through filter membranes with different porosity and size exclusion chromatography columns. Physiochemical and molecular characterization was performed to compare them to EXOs released from the same number of cells. The possibility to exploit both formulations as mRNA-therapeutics was explored by evaluating cell uptake (using two different cell types, fibroblasts, and macrophages) and mRNA functionality overtime in an in vitro experimental setting as well as in an ex vivo, whole embryo culture using pregnant C57BL6 dams.
Results
Molecular and physiochemical characterization showed no differences between EXOs and MIMs, with MIMs determining a 3-fold greater yield. MIMs delivered a more intense and prolonged expression of mRNA encoding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) in macrophages and fibroblasts. An ex-vivo whole embryo culture demonstrated that MIMs mainly accumulate at the level of the yolk sac, while EXOs reach the embryo.
Conclusions
The present data confirms the potential application of EXOs for the prenatal repair of neural tube defects and proposes MIMs as prospective vehicles to prevent congenital malformations caused by in utero exposure to drugs.
The association between ADAMTS14/rs4747096 gene polymorphism and some risk factors and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Elshaarawy Ghada A. , Salama Iman I , Salama Somaia I , Abdelrahman Amany H , Hassan Mirhane , Eissa Eman , Ismail Sherif , Eldeeb Sherif E. , Ahmed Doaa E. , Elhariri Hazem , Elgohary Rasmia , Abdelmohsen Aida M , Fouad Walaa A , Raslan Hala M
Published: June 2024

Aim
To examine the connection between SNPs of ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 and KOA and to assess risk factors associated with KOA.
Methods
A case control study was conducted on 158 patients with KOA and 120 controls with comparable age and sex randomly recruited from National Research Centre employees. All participants were subjected to full history taking, assessment of KOA severity using WOMAC scoring system, and thorough clinical examination. Blood sample was collected for detection of ADAMTS14/rs4747096 gene polymorphism.
Results
The frequency of ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 genotypes among patients with KOA was for AA 73.5%, AG 25.7% and GG 0.7% compared to controls 963%, 31.3% and 5.6% respectively and the frequency of alleles among patients was for A 86.4% and G 78.7% compared to controls (78.7% and 21.3% respectively, P < 0.05. The study found that the median levels of total WOMAC score and its domains were significantly higher among KOA patients than controls. The logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, BMI ≥ 35, long standing at work, and severe physical exercise were predictive factors for KOA (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
For ADAMTS14 rs4747096 genotype, the AA and AG genotypes significantly increased the risk of KOA. Older age, females, morbid obesity, prolonged standing at work, and severe physical exercise were risk factors for KOA. Further studies are encouraged to investigate the mechanism by which this genotype can affect the development of KOA.
Mortality of cancer patients with septic shock: a nation-based cohort analysis in 77,888 patients
Authors: Bianchi Antoine , Brousse Yann , Lakbar Ines , Pauly Vanessa , Orleans Veronica , Fond Guillaume , Duclos Gary , Zieleskiewicz Laurent , Mokart Djamel , Boyer Laurent , Leone Marc
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Septic shock and cancer occur routinely in intensive care unit patients. Our aim was to determine the 90-day mortality rate of patients with septic shock and solid cancer or hematological cancer.
Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the French national hospitalization database, including adult patients with septic shock from 2017 to 2018. Primary outcomes were the hospital mortality rate at 90 days in patients with solid cancer and hematological cancer. Secondary outcomes were the risk factors associated with mortality in our global cohort.
Results: Septic shock was found in 77,888 patients, including 19,329 patients with solid cancer, 6,498 with hematological cancer and 52,061 noncancer patients. Patients with solid cancer (adjusted hazard ratio 1.55 [1.51-1.59]) and hematological cancer (1.59 [1.53-1.65]) had increased risk of 90-day mortality, as compared with noncancer patients. Risk factors for 90-days hospital mortality included hematological cancer and solid cancer.
Conclusion: Our study showed that solid cancer and hematological cancer differed in terms of 90-days mortality in septic shock patients. Future investigations are required to assess the interplay between cancer and septic shock.
Synthesis, Reaction Kinetics and Properties of Aromatic Hyperbranched Polyesters of different Generations (G1 to G4) prepared via One-shot Solution Polycondensation
Authors: Gunasekhar Ramadasu , Indumathy Balaraman , Gajula Prasad , Bae Jin Woo , Prabu Arun Anand
Published: June 2024

In this study, a series of aromatic hyperbranched polyester (Ar.HBPs) of different generations (G1-G4) were synthesized using one-shot solution poly condensation, and their structural, physical, thermal and optical properties were studied in detail. The formation of aromatic ester bond in the product was confirmed using spectral analyses (FTIR and NMR). Ar.HBP reaction kinetics was studied from the changes in acid-to-ester band using FTIR and the optimal reaction time is around 21 hr (G1), 26 hr (G2), 29 hr (G3) and 31 hr (G4). DSC thermal data revealed their glass transition temperature at around 120 oC. From TGA data, thermal degradation (T10, oC) of Ar.HBPs started at around 216 oC (G1), 230 oC (G2), 241 oC (G3) and 243 oC (G4). MALDI-TOF investigation confirmed the chemical structure and molecular weight of the synthesized Ar.HBPs. Their optical property was revealed in the UV region by the existence of a broad absorption peak at 580 nm. From the aforementioned characterization studies, the synthesized Ar.HBPs supported the formation of a highly branched structure and an improvement in thermal stability with increasing HBP generations from G1 to G4. Ar.HBP (G1-G4) synthesis reported in this work will serve as a guideline for understanding their reaction kinetics, and the influence of their final properties on applications such as energy materials, optoelectronic materials and devices.
Room Temperature Giant Magnetoelectric Coupling for Magnetic Energy Harvesting in Single Phase {CoIII3DyIII} Molecular Nanogenerator
Authors: Shanmugam Maheswaran , Chauhan Deepanshu , Saini Dalip , Haldar Rajashi , Borah Dipanti , Mandal Dipankar , Gopalan Rajaraman
Published: June 2024

Revealing single-phase multiferroic (MF) materials in conventional bulk oxides is an exceptionally daunting task. However, achieving strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at room temperature (RT) in these materials is even more formidable despite their envisioned applications in multi-state memory storage devices, spintronics, magnetic field sensors, etc. The weak ME coupling in single-phase MF materials is primarily due to the ferro/antiferromagnetic ordering observed at very low temperatures, contrasting with ferroelectric ordering typically discerned at RT. These challenges can be effectively addressed by leveraging discrete molecular-based MF materials. Nonetheless, molecular-based ferroelectric materials remain in their infancy due to challenges in achieving polar point groups in these complexes. By overcoming these hurdles through meticulous molecular engineering, we have unveiled a discrete molecular complex, [CoIII3DyIII(L)6].4MeOH (Co3Dy), which exhibits an unprecedentedly strong ME coupling constant (α) value of 250 mVcm⁻¹Oe⁻¹ at RT. This robust ME coupling at or above RT presumably originates from the coupling between magnetostriction and ferroelectric phenomena observed in the paramagnetic Co3Dy complex. To demonstrate the ME coupling and harness the large α value, we have developed an ME nanogenerator device using Co3Dy to convert weak stray magnetic fields into electrical energy. This device produces an output voltage of ~ 430 mV and an output current of 0.3 µA under a small AC magnetic field amplitude of 24.2 Oe.
Molecular and clinical characterization of two independent Chinese families with protein C deficiency
Authors: Wen Mengzhen , Lu Yifan , Xie Haixiao , Qin Langyi , Ye Longying , Zhang Ke , Wang Mingshan , Yang Lihong
Published: June 2024

This study aims to preliminarily investigate the clinical characterization and molecular pathogenic basis of hereditary protein C (PC) deficiency in two independent Chinese families. The PC activity (PC:A) was tested using the chromogenic substrate, and PC antigen (PC:Ag) was detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To identify the mutation sites, nine exons of the PROCgene were amplified by PCR, and the products were directly sequenced. The conservation and pathogenicity of the mutations, as well as changes in the spatial structure of PC proteins before and after mutations, were analyzed using ClustalX-2.1-win, online bioinformatics software, and PyMOL., The function of the mutant proteins was detected using the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT). Proband A and B, aged 39 and 63 respectively, are both diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in both lower limbs and pulmonary embolism (PE). Two missense mutations, p.Arg440Cys and p.Trp444Arg, were identified in the probands. Bioinformatics and protein modeling analyses revealed that the two mutations probably affected the normal function of PC. The thrombin generation assay revealed impaired thrombin generation capacity in both probands, with proband B showing more severe impairment. These two mutations may be the causes of reduced PC in two independent Chinese families. Notably, this is the first reported instance of the p.Trp444Arg mutation.
Preparation and clay tolerance research of a polycarboxylate superplasticizer modified by phosphonate group
Authors: Zhang Ming , Guo Chunfang , Zhang Qian , PEI Meishan
Published: June 2024

At present, it is a difficult engineering problem to control the workability of concrete with high clay content sand. A phosphonate group-modified polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PHS-PCE) was synthesized by using 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphate (MOEP), isobutyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (IPEG) and acrylic acid (AA). Characterization of the molecular structure of PHS-PCE was conducted using Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis measurements, showing successful incorporation of the phosphonate group with high polymer purity. However, owing to the low reactivity of MOEP, approximately 65 wt% monomer was introduced into the copolymer. PHS-PCE exhibited better flowability and stronger retardation effect than the conventional polycarboxylate superplasticizer (C-PCE), attributing to the increased negative charge density and complexing capacity with calcium ion caused by the phosphonate group. Under conditions of clay presence, the maximum variation of PHS-PCE adsorption on cement particle was 18 %, whereas that of C-PCE was 25 %. The phosphonate group in molecule promotes part of PHS-PCE to adsorb on the edges of clay, preventing intercalation and improving the clay tolerance.
Effect of Heart murmurs on Heart Rate Study
Authors: DEBBAL Sidi mohamed el amine
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this paper is to present a straightforward framework for Heart Rate (HR) estimation from a Phonocardiogram (PCG) records and study the impact of murmur severity on HR. The system focuses primarily on data processing procedure, which is based on signal preprocessing using Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT) to delineate murmurs from heart sounds. We exploit the characteristics of Logistic function to derive an enhanced PCG envelop that serves as prerequisite for HR algorithm detection. In fact, the PCG envelop present a cyclostationarity that can be easily detected throughout a cross-covariance autocorrelation function to calculate the Heart Rate (HR). In addition, the effect of minor and pronounced murmurs is gauged by the Energetic Ratio (ER) that provide a comprehensive idea about the superimposed murmur energy on first and second Heart sounds. The study was conducted on PASCAL datasets with 335 real clinical records. Results shows that subjects with Heart murmurs present an averaged Heart Rate (HR ≈ 77 bpm) is within the normal range in mild and medium murmurs. These findings suggests that the change in heart rate is not associated with the severity of murmur that occurs in structural heart valve disorder. A result that could be valuable to medical professionals operating in the emergency departments.
A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness of Treating Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Implications for Resource-limited Health Systems
Authors: Werner Kalin , Hirner Sarah , Offorjebe O.Agatha , Hosten Edouard , Gordon Julian , Geduld Heike , Wallis Lee A. , Risko Nicholas
Published: June 2024

Background
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a prevalent condition with high mortality and poor outcomes even in settings where extensive emergency care resources are available. Interventions to address OHCA have had limited success, with survival rates below 10% in national samples of high-income countries. In resource-limited settings, where scarcity requires careful priority setting, more data is needed to determine the optimal allocation of resources.
Objective
To establish the cost-effectiveness of OHCA care and assess the affordability of interventions across income settings.
Methods
The authors conducted a systematic review of economic evaluations on interventions to address OHCA. Included studies were (1) economic evaluations (beyond a simple costing exercise); and (2) assessed an intervention in the chain of survival for OHCA. Article quality was assessed using the CHEERs checklist and data summarised. Findings were reported by major themes identified by the reviewers. Based upon the results of the cost-effectiveness analyses we then conduct an analysis for the progressive realization of the OHCA chain of survival from the perspective of decision-makers facing resource constraints.
Results
468 unique articles were screened, and 46 articles were included for final data abstraction. Studies predominantly used a healthcare sector perspective, modeled for all patients experiencing non-traumatic cardiac OHCA, were based in the US, and presented results in US Dollars. No studies reported results or used model inputs from low-income settings. Progressive realization of the chain of survival could likely begin with investments in TOR protocols, professional prehospital defibrillator use, and CPR training followed by distribution of AEDs in high-density public locations. Finally, other interventions such as indiscriminate defibrillator placement or adrenaline use, would be the lowest priority for early investment.
Conclusion
Our review found no high-quality evidence on the cost-effectiveness of treating OHCA in low-resource settings. Existing evidence can be utilized to develop a roadmap for the development of a cost-effective approach to OHCA care, however further economic evaluations using context-specific data are crucial to accurately inform prioritization of scarce resources within emergency care in these settings.
Clinical efficacy of a rehabilitation management protocol for urinary incontinence after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
Authors: Gu Jie , Chen Huiying , Gao Chengfei , Ren Ping , Lu Xiaoying , Cao Jie
Published: June 2024

Objective:To evaluate the application of a rehabilitation management protocol for urinary incontinence after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).
Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 114 patients who underwent RALP between August 2021 and November 2021 as the control group and a prospective analysis of 114 patients who underwent RALP between May 2022 and August 2022 as the experimental group.The rehabilitation management protocol focused on preoperative stage,postoperative care,day of catheter removal,1 month postoperative,3 months postoperative,6 months postoperative and 12 months or more postoperative.
Results The 24h pad test was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group at 2 and 6 months after RALP (both P<0.01). The scores of the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-short form(ICIQ-SF) in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group at 1 month after RALP (P<0.01).The scores of quality of life in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group at 1, 2, and 6 months after RALP (all P<0.01).The scores of Broome Pelvic Muscle Self-efficacy Scale(BPMSES) was lower than the control group at 1,2,3 and 6 months after RALP(all P<0.01).
Conclusion The application of the rehabilitation management protocol had significant beneficial effects on urinary functions and quality of life in patients with prostate cancer after RALP.
External validation of the CARDOT score for predicting respiratory complications after thoracic surgery
Authors: Pipanmekaporn Tanyong , Kitswat Pakaros , Leurcharusmee Prangmalee , Runraksar Thanaporn , Bunchungmongkol Nutchanart , Khorana Jiraporn , Tantraworasin Apichat , Lapisatepun Panuwat , Saokaew Surasak
Published: June 2024

Background
Respiratory complications after thoracic surgery are common and can lead to increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Although several clinical risk scores for the prediction of respiratory complications have been proposed, these scores are not specific for thoracic surgery. In addition, few clinical risk scores have been adopted in clinical practice due to the lack of external validation. Our thoracic-specific risk score, the CARDOT score, showed good predictive performance for postoperative respiratory complications during score development. This study aimed to validate the CARDOT score in an external dataset and determine the score performance after including the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to the score as an additive predictor.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study of consecutive thoracic surgical patients at a single tertiary hospital in northern Thailand was conducted. The development and validation datasets were collected between 2006 and 2012 and from 2015 to 2021, respectively. Six prespecified predictive factors were identified, and formed a predictive score, the CARDOT score (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, right-sided operation, duration of surgery, oxygen saturation, thoracotomy), was calculated. The external performance of the CARDOT score was evaluated in terms of discrimination by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AuROC) curve and calibration.
Results
The incidence of respiratory complications was 15.7% (171 of 1088) in the development dataset and 24.6% (370 of 1642), in the validation dataset. The CARDOT score had good discriminative ability for both the development and validation datasets (AuROC 0.789 (95% CI 0.753–0.827) and 0.758 (95% CI 0.730–0.787), respectively). The CARDOT score showed good calibration in both datasets. A high NLR (≥ 4.5) significantly increased the risk of respiratory complications after thoracic surgery (P < 0.001). The AuROC of the CARDOT score with the NLR showed significantly greater discrimination power than that of the CARDOT score alone (P = 0.008).
Conclusions
The CARDOT score had consistent discriminative performance in the external validation dataset. This tool may be beneficial in settings where preoperative pulmonary function tests are not routinely performed.
Surgical Apgar Score and Controlling Nutritional Status Score can be Predictors of Major Postoperative Complications After Spine Surgery
Authors: Sunami Takahiro , Miura Kousei , Shibao Yosuke , Okuwaki Shun , Sakashita Kotaro , Shimizu Tomoaki , Gamada Hisanori , Noguchi Hiroshi , Takahashi Hiroshi , Funayama Toru , Koda Masao , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: June 2024

Assessing intraoperative hemodynamics with Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) and preoperative nutritional status with the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score are said to be useful to predict postoperative complications in many surgical services, but little is reported in the field of spinal surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of SAS and the CONUT score for predicting the risk of major postoperative complications after spinal surgery. We included 659 people who undergone spinal surgery in our institute in eight consecutive years. The occurrence of postoperative major complications was investigated. Background clinical information, surgical information including the SAS and the CONUT score, and the length of postoperative hospital stay were collected. The risk factors of postoperative complications were assessed statistically. Complications occurred in 117 cases (17.8%). The multivariate analysis showed that history of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 1.81: P = 0.035), coronary disease (OR, 3.33; P = 0.009), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (OR, 1.71; P = 0.025), use of instruments (OR, 2.07; P = 0.026), operation time (OR, 1.30; P < 0.001), SAS (OR, 0.59; P < 0.001), and CONUT (OR, 1.34; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of major complications after spinal surgery. Assessing the intraoperative hemodynamics with SAS and preoperative nutritional status with the CONUT score was useful in predicting major postoperative complications after spinal surgery. People who are detected as high risked people should be managed carefully after spinal surgery.
Elucidating microstructural alterations in neurodevelopmental disorders: application of advanced diffusion-weighted imaging in children with Rasopathies
Authors: Plank Julia , Gozdas Elveda , Dai Erpeng , McGhee Chloe , Raman Mira , Green Tamar
Published: June 2024

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) can severely impact functioning yet effective treatments are limited. Greater insight into the neurobiology underlying NDDs is critical to the development of successful treatments. Using a genetics-first approach, we investigated the potential of advanced diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques to characterize the neural microstructure unique to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Noonan syndrome (NS). In this prospective study, children with NF1, NS, and typical developing (TD) were scanned using a multi-shell DWI sequence optimized for neurite orientation density and dispersion imaging (NODDI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Region-of-interest and tract-based analysis were conducted on subcortical regions and white matter tracts. Analysis of covariance, principal components, and linear discriminant analysis compared between groups. 88 participants were included: 31 NS, 25 NF1, and 32 TD. Subcortical regions differed between NF1 and NS, particularly in the thalamus where the neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI), and mean kurtosis (MK) were lower in NF1 compared to NS (p < .001). The middle cerebellar peduncle showed lower NDI and MK in NF1 compared to NS (both p < .001). Multivariate analyses distinguished between groups using NDI, ODI, and MK measures. Differences in neural microstructure were detected between neurofibromatosis type 1 and Noonan syndrome, particularly in subcortical regions and the middle cerebellar peduncle, in line with pre-clinical evidence. Advanced DWI techniques detected subtle alterations not found in prior work using conventional diffusion tensor imaging.
Multimaterial design strategies and microstructural characterization of stainless steel 316-Inconel 718 developed by wire-based Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: ALCÁZAR JULIA UREÑA , Álvarez-Leal Marta
Published: June 2024

The combination of different material properties to face severe conditions has been always demanded by different industrial sectors. For instance, in gas turbine components, excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures and corrosive environments are required. Traditionally, this has been achieved by conventional manufacturing of multiple materials with several steps and joining processes. However, manufacturing the entire component within the same process by additive manufacturing and the combination of two different materials is presented as a potential via to explore. In this research, the additive manufacturing of stainless steel (SS316L) and Nickel-based Inconel superalloy (IN718) multimaterial through different design strategies approaches has been developed and investigated by wire-based Laser Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology. Direct transition between materials was applied and three multimaterial sandwich structures (S1, S2 and S3) were designed and successfully manufactured. The microstructure obtained in the three different regions (IN718, IN718/SS316 and SS316) was evaluated in both XY and XZ build directions. Rockwell C hardness was measured along the cross-sections of all samples to compare the different properties of the three samples developed. Defective microstructural features like big porosity, cracks or lack-of-fusion at the SS316/IN718 interphases were not evidenced for S2 and S3 strategies. Multimaterial samples showed very fine microstructures corresponding to the DED processing, and secondary phases such as intermetallic-compounds or carbides were not found. Smooth transitions between materials were obtained which also led to a gradient in microstructure and hardness properties. S3 sample showed the highest hardness value, being the IN718 value even higher compared to conventional IN718 material.
Comorbidities confound metabolomics studies of human disease
Authors: Jaagura Madis , Kronberg Jaanika , Reigo Anu , Aasmets Oliver , Nikopensius Tiit , Võsa Urmo , Bomba Lorenzo , Estrada Karol , Wuster Arthur , Esko Tõnu , Org Elin , team Estonian Biobank research team Estonian Biobank research
Published: June 2024

The co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions, termed multimorbidity, presents an expanding global health challenge, demanding effective diagnostics and treatment strategies. Chronic ailments such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases have been linked to metabolites interacting between the host and microbiota. In this study, we investigated the impact of co-existing conditions on risk estimations for 1375 plasma metabolites in 919 individuals from population-based Estonian Biobank cohort using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. We leveraged annually linked national electronic health records (EHRs) data to delineate comorbidities in incident cases and controls for the most prevalent chronic conditions. Among the 254 associations observed across 13 chronic conditions, we primarily identified disease-specific risk factors (92%, 217/235), with most predictors (96%, 226/235) found to be related to the gut microbiome upon cross-referencing recent literature data. Accounting for comorbidities led to a reduction of common metabolite predictors across various conditions. In conclusion, our study underscores the potential of utilizing biobank-linked retrospective and prospective EHRs for the disease-specific profiling of diverse multifactorial chronic conditions.
Indoxyl Sulfate Induces Retinal Microvascular Injury via COX-2/PGE2 Activation in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Zhou Lan , Sun Hongyan , Chen Gongyi , Li Cunzi , Liu Dan , Wang Xurui , Meng Ting , Jiang Zhenyou , Yang Shu , Yang Ming-Ming
Published: June 2024

Background
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of acquired blindness in the working-age population, is the most frequent microvascular complication of diabetes. Metabolic disorders are thought to contribute to the pathogenicity, but the mechanism remains largely unknown.
Methods
To explore the mechanism, we first identified differences of vitreous fluid metabolite profiles between 23 patients with DR and 12 non-diabetic controls using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and screened out the most distinctive metabolite-indoxyl sulfate (IS). Next, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic and IS-injected rat models were established to validate IS effects on retinal microvascular. Then, RNA sequencing was performed to discover underlying regulators in IS-treated human retinal endothelium cells (HREC). Finally, target gene knockdown of HREC and IS-injected rats treated with inhibitors (for IS production or downstream regulator) were used to verify the detailed mechanism and explore therapeutic targets for DR.
Results
Metabolomics revealed 172 significantly differential metabolites in diabetic vitreous humor, including dysregulated tryptophan metabolites indoxyl sulfate (IS). IS was found to penetrate the blood-retinal barrier and accumulate in the intraocular fluid of diabetic rats. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that elevated IS caused endothelial apoptosis and cell junction breakdown. RNA sequencing identified prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthetase-cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) as the potential target of IS. Validation experiments showed IS promoted COX-2 expression and then PGE2 secretion by biding with COX-2 transcription factor EGR1 after entry into cells via organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP2B1). Moreover, COX-2 inhibition in vivo or EGR1/OATP2B1 siRNA in HREC attenuated IS-induced microcapillary damage and COX-2/PGE2 activation.
Conclusion
Our study revealed that IS, a uremic toxin derived from gut microbiota product indole, increased significantly and contributed to retinal microvascular damage in DR. Mechanistically, IS impaired retinal microvascular by inducing COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. Targeting gut microbiota or the PGE2 pathway may be effective strategies for DR treatment.
Implementation of autonomous mobile platform for agricultural task in corridor-like environments
Authors: Tobias Jonathan , Lim Shen Hin , Duke Mike , McGuinness Benjamin , Au Chi Kit
Published: June 2024

The role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in assisting people is recognised and, therefore, is in constant development in numerous fields. Specifically, the ability of AV to alleviate global stressors, including an increased potential for food shortages and the decline in workers for potentially laborious work. An area where AVs developments are particularly prevalent is in agriculture. However, the few AVs being used in agriculture are often custom-built for specific purposes and require long development time as a result. This article aims to build and evaluate a versatile architecture of a mobile platform that is implemented using off-the-shelf components so that it can be transferred to any agricultural vehicle, thus reducing the development time. The research has involved investigating and incorporating various sensors, and also developing a common software module to perform the localisation, navigation and mapping particularly suited for corridor crop agricultural environment. This architecture has been integrated and implemented on a Yamaha golf cart, infusing it with purposely positioned sensors and supportive electronics to allow a Robotic Operating System (ROS) framework to gather information and control the vehicle. As the architecture is modular in nature, it can be transferred to different customised platforms. To determine the efficacy of the mobile platform, it has gone through several outdoor field trials to test the fundamentals of an agricultural AV. The evaluation demonstrates that both mapping and navigation have satisfactory results and the mobile platform remains within 5mm of the specified distance when aiming to follow the row in a vineyard. The results from these experiments demonstrate the ability of the mobile platform to successfully transform a Yamaha golf cart into an autonomous agricultural vehicle.
Serum uric acid: an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Pakistani Punjabi patients
Authors: Hussain Misbah , Ghori Muhammad Umer , Aslam Muhammad Naeem , Abbas Shahid , Shafique Muhammad , Awan Fazli Rabbi
Published: June 2024

Background: It is well known that serum uric acid (SUA) can increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia. However, its independent association with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is controversial particularly in different populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate an independent association of SUA with CVD risk in a Punjabi Pakistani cohort.
Methods: For this, total 502 human subjects with/without hyperuricemia along with CVD, hypertension and/or diabetes were enrolled. Biochemical parameters including SUA were analyzed in the serum. SPSS was used to assess the role of SUA in increasing the risk of CVD independent of other key confounding factors like age, gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, dietary habits and life style was also assessed.
Results: SUA levels were significantly different among different forms of CVD (ACS, MI and CCF). Spearman correlation showed a significantly positive association between CVD and SUA (rho = 0.149, p <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression of SUA quartiles showed that hyperuricemia is associated with CVD [3rd quartile: OR 1.78 (CI: 1.28-2.48) p = 0.001 and 4th quartile: [OR 2.37 (CI: 1.72-3.27) p<0.001]. Moreover, this association remained significant even after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusion: This study showed that SUA is positively associated with CVD, thus it can act as an independent risk factor for CVD.
Association between dietary branched-chain amino acids and Multiple Chronic Conditions among older adults in Chinese communities
Authors: Song Yuanfeng , Zhang Ji , Luo Ziqiang , Wu Lanlan , Cai Zhaopei , Zhong Xiaoqi , Zeng Xiaoxue , Cao Tingxi , Chen Hong-en , Xu Shan , Wang Chang-yi
Published: June 2024

Background
The association of BCAAs (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases has been widely recognized by researchers, but there is limited evidence to support the relationship between BCAAs and MCCs in older adults. This study aimed to explore the correlation between BCAA levels in the diets of older adults and MCCs. Methods: Based on a health management cohort project in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, 4278 individuals over 65 years old were selected as participants via multi-stage stratified sampling from May 2018 to December 2019. Data were collected using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, as well as anthropometric and chronic disease reports. MCC was defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic diseases, namely, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, CAD, stroke, CKD, and CLD. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between dietary BCAAs and MCCs in older adults, and then, gender stratification analysis was performed. A restricted cubic spline model (a fitted smooth curve) was used to determine the dose–response relationship of isoleucine with MCCs. Results: A total of 4278 older adults aged 65 and above were included in this study, with an average age of 72.73 ± 5.49 years. The cohort included 1861 males (43.50%). Regardless of whether confounding factors were corrected, isoleucine was a risk factor for MCCs (OR = 3.388, 95%CI:1.415,8.109). After gender stratification, the relationships between dietary isoleucine and MCCs (OR = 6.902, 95%CI:1.875,25.402) and between leucine (OR = 0.506,95%CI:0.309,0.830) and MCCs were significant in women, but not in men. No significant association between valine and MCCs was observed. In addition, isoleucine was a risk factor for MCCs when its intake was greater than 4.297 g/d. Conclusion: Isoleucine may play an important role in regulating age-related diseases. BCAAs such as isoleucine can be used as risk markers for MCCs in older adults.
Risk factors for mortality and antibody responses in chronic hemodialysis patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a single-center experience in China
Authors: Song Yuhuan , Cai Guangyan , Xiao Yuefei
Published: June 2024

Introduction: This single-center retrospective research aimed to depict the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a cohort of patients from China.
Methods: We traced the outcomes of 216 MHD patients admitted to the Aerospace Center Hospital of China during a COVID-19 wave . Clinical information was assembled and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were detected in MHD survivors 90–120 days post-infection. Clinical information was analyzed to find outfactors influencing mortality and antibody responses.
Results: Among 216 patients, 207 (95.8%) were evaluated as COVID-19, and 25 (12.1%) passed away within 90 days. Fifty-five (26.6%) patients were needed of hospital admission. Non-survivors had lower levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin, higher levels of alkaline phosphatase, higher white blood cell counts and lower percentage of lymphocytes than survivors. Furthermore, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores were higher in non-survivors significantly (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes (HR 3.98, 95% CI 1.25–12.66, p=0.019), level of frailty according to the CFS (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.36-3.23, p=0.001) and central venous catheter (CVC) use (hazard ratio [HR] 3.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-10.29, p=0.024), had significant impacts on mortality. IgG was positive in 59.5%, and IgM was positive in 3.3% of patients (>1 sample/cutoff) between 90–120 days post-infection. Lower blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with significantly higher IgG antibody levels at 90-120 days after COVID-19 infection.
Discussion: This study identified high mortality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hemodialysis patients. Risk factors associated with mortality include diabetes, frailty, and CVC access. Low level of blood CRP before SARS-CoV-2 infection may predict high antibody responses during convalescence.
Drivers of mesoscale convective aggregation and spatial humidity variability in the tropical western Pacific
Authors: Tompkins Adrian , Casallas Alejandro , de Vera Michie
Published: June 2024

Idealized models show aggregation of tropical convection on the mesoscale driven by radiative-cloud feedbacks. We apply a multivariate analysis of column humidity, precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) observations to mesoscale domains in the tropical western Pacific to demonstrate
that in boreal summer and autumn, convection remains spatially random despite radiative-feedbacks acting to aggregate convection. Instead, in winter and spring, a weak meridional SST gradient exists and convection
is usually clustered over the regions of warmest SSTs, with significant
meridional humidity gradients. However, this is sporadically
interrupted by episodes of convection migration to the coldest SSTs and limited spatial humidity variance. These episodes are the result of westward propagating equatorial Rossby waves, which act to remove meridional humidity gradients. It thus appears that the drivers of mesoscale convective clustering and humidity variability in the Pacific warm pool are the SST gradients and equatorial wave dynamics.
Clinical significance of visual cardiac 18F-FDG uptake in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hashimoto KOSUKE , Kaira KYOICHI , Imai HISAO , Yamaguchi OU , Mouri ATSUTO , Shiono AYAKO , Miura Yu , Kobayashi KUNIHIKO , Kagamu HIROSHI , Kuji ICHIEI
Published: June 2024

Background: Two-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is useful for detecting malignant lesions; however, the clinical significance of cardiac 18F-FDG uptake in patients with cancer remains unclear. This preliminary study explored the relationship between cardiac 18F-FDG uptake and advanced diseases such as cancer cachexia in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Forty-three patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent 18F-FDG PET and complained of weight loss before the first-line systemic therapy were retrospectively included in this study. Visual assessment using a 5-point scale based on 18F-FDG uptake was performed; a cut-off score of 3 was determined, a low score was 1, 2, or 3, and a high score was 4 or 5).
Results: High and low visual cardiac 18F-FDG uptakes were observed in 27 (62.8%) and 16 (37.2%) patients, respectively. Of the 43 patients, 17 (39.5%) definitely had cachexia, and 26 (60.5%) did not. A low visual score and standardized uptake valuemax for cardiac 18F-FDG uptake were significantly associated with high metabolic tumor activity and a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, whereas a low visual score for cardiac 18F-FDG uptake and high metabolic tumor activity were significantly associated with cachexia. The amount of cardiac 18F-FDG accumulation depicted a close relationship with body mass index, low weight loss, and inflammation. The combination of cachexia and low visual cardiac 18F-FDG uptake was identified as a significant predictor for poor overall survival (OS).
Conclusion: Decreased visual cardiac 18F-FDG uptake was associated with poor nutritional status and OS, and cachexia in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Transitive reasoning in the adult domestic hen in a six-term series task
Authors: Degrande Rachel , Amichaud Océane , Piégu Benoît , Cornilleau Fabien , Jardat Plotine , Ferreira Vitor Hugo Bessa , Colson Violaine , Lansade Léa , Calandreau Ludovic
Published: June 2024

Transitive inference (TI) is a disjunctive syllogism that allows an individual to indirectly infer a relationship between two components, by knowing their respective relationship to a third component (if A > B and B > C then A > C). The common procedure is the 5-terms series task, in which individuals are tested on indirect, unlearned relations. Few bird species have been tested for TI to date, which limits our knowledge of the phylogenetic spread of such reasoning ability. Here we tested TI in adult laying hens using a more solid methodology, the 6-terms series task, which has not been tested in poultry so far. Six hens were trained to learn direct relationships in a sequence of six arbitrary items (A > B > C > D > E > F) in a hybrid training procedure. Then, 12 testing sessions were run, comprising 3 non-rewarded inference trials each: BD, BE, and CE. All subjects showed TI within 12 inference trials and were capable of TI whatever the relative distance between the items in the series. We found that TI performance was not impacted by the reinforcement ratios of the items for most individuals; thus, making it harder to support a purely associative-based resolution of the task. We suggest that TI is based on the same cognitive processes in poultry (Galloanserae) than in modern flying birds (Neoaves), and that the cognitive strategy to solve the task might be driven mainly by individual parameters within species. These results contribute to a better understanding of transitive reasoning in birds.