bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Immune-Related Clinical-Gene-Risk-Score (CGRS) prognosis Model for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Sanhe , Duan Liqun , Wang Yiqi , Cui Diansheng , Deng Kangli , Wei Shaozhong , Dong Zhiqiang
Published: September 2022

Background Immunotherapy for bladder cancer is prevalent, while efficacy is uncertain. To predict the outcomes of immunotherapy in bladder cancer patients, an immune-related prognosis model was conducted in this study.
Methods Single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to delineate the landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment based on two independent public databases. Hierarchical clustering analysis and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding cluster map were used to classify the bladder cancers in the training cohort as well as the validating cohort into the immune high and immune low subtypes. Differentially expression analysis and The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis identified 23 differentially expressed immune-related genes between the two subtype patients to build a prognostic gene risk score model. Further combining the model with other clinicopathologic signatures, a Clinical-Gene-Risk-Score (CGRS) prognosis model was developed.
Results Validations of the two models in independent cohorts revealed good accuracy.
Conclusions Our model could provide prognostic indicators and potential immunotherapeutic targets for bladder cancers.
Hyperaccumulation of lead using Agrostis tenuis
Authors: Anguilano Lorna , Onwukwe Uchechukwu , Dekhli Aghis , Venditti Susanna , Aryani Danny , Reynolds Alan
Published: September 2022

In recent years the quest for a circular economy approach and the upcycling of secondary raw materials have been pushed in the global political agenda. Increased interest has been taken by the recovery of materials from sludges, brines, contaminated waters and other media, all included in the larger umbrella identified as “low-grade” mineralisation. Contaminated soils have an interesting role in this process, and various methodologies have been developed using chemical, bacteriological and pyrometallurgical cleaning procedures. However, these procedures all involve the movement of high volume of materials and the disruption of the industrial landscape; furthermore, they often require the use of hazardous solvents and high energy processes. This work proposes to identify less impactful methods aimed at the recovery of metals from mining areas while preserving the landscape and avoiding environmental impacts such as the increase of CO2 for transport and increase hazard through use of solvents, this takes particular importance in areas of industrial heritage status. In particular, this work focuses on the use of Agrostis tenuis, an autochthonous species in mining areas of the UK, as a “mining tool” for the removal of lead. The experiments and results presented in this paper indicate: 1) Agrostis Tenuis shows the ability to adjust to contamination and increase its accumulation capacity; 2) the metal collected by the plant is fully transposed in the aerial part of the plant in a stable compound form.
Multinomial classification to predict the most effective adjuvant combination therapies for breast cancer patients
Authors: Ertel Merouane , Amali Said , Faddouli Nour-eddine El
Published: September 2022

Accurately predicting effective treatment methods based on personalized tumor genetic profiles is a major goal of precision cancer medicine. Because people with breast cancer at comparable stages respond differently to treatment, it is essential to gain insight into the variables that influence treatment success. This study presents a supervised multinomial logistic regression model for predicting the best adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients to lower the probability of metastatic recurrence. This model will assist health professionals (physicians) in making judgments about which medicinal regimens to suggest to patients. In addition, this article presents a comparison of several multinomial machine learning methods (Logistic Regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Neural Network (ANN)).The results reveal that the Random Forest classifier is more effective in terms of adjuvant therapy combination prediction accuracy.
Time Course of Neuroinflammation after Human Stroke – a pilot study using co-registered PET and MRI
Authors: D'Anna Lucio , Searle Graham , Harvey Kirsten , Matthews Paul M , Veltkamp Roland
Published: September 2022

Background. Microglial activation contributes to both inflammatory damage and repair in experimental ischemic stroke. However, because of the logistical challenges, there have been few clinical imaging studies directly describing inflammatory activation and its resolution after stroke. The purpose of our pilot study was to describe the spatio-temporal profile of brain inflammation after stroke using 18kD Translocator protein (TSPO) PET with magnetic resonance (MR) co-registration in the subacute and chronic stage after stroke.
Methods. Three patients underwent MRI and PET scans with TSPO ligand [11C]PBR28 15±3 and 90 ±7 days after an ischemic stroke. Regions of Interest (ROIs) were defined on MRI images and applied to the dynamic PET data to derive regional time-activity curves. Regional uptake was quantified as standardized uptake values (SUV) over 60 to 90 minutes post-injection. ROI analysis was applied to identify binding in the infarct, and in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes and cerebellum excluding the infarcted area.
Results. The mean age of participants was 56 ± 20.4 years and mean infarct volume was 17.9 ± 18.1 ml. [11C]PBR28 showed increased tracer signal in the infarcted area compared to non-infarcted areas of the brain in the subacute phase of stroke (Patient 1 SUV 1.81; Patient 2 SUV 1.15; Patient 3 SUV 1.64). [11C]PBR28 uptake returned to the level of non-infarcted areas at 90 days Patient 1 SUV 0.99; Patient 3 SUV 0.80). No additional upregulation was detected elsewhere at either time point.
Conclusions. The neuroinflammatory reaction after ischemic stroke is limited in time and circumscribed in space suggesting that posischemic inflammation is tightly controlled but regulatory mechanisms.
Immunodominant protein P116 from M. pneumoniae transports cholesterol and essential lipids
Authors: Frangakis Achilleas , Sprankel Lasse , Vizarraga David , Martín Jesús , Manger Sina , Meier-Credo Jakob , Marcos Marina , Julve Josep , Rotllan Noemi , Scheffer Margot , Escolà-Gil Joan , Langer Julian , Piñol Jaume , Fita Ignacio
Published: September 2022

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, responsible for approximately 30% of community-acquired human pneumonia, needs to extract lipids from the host environment for survival and proliferation. Here, we report a comprehensive structural and functional analysis of the previously uncharacterized protein P116 (MPN_213). Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of P116 reveals a homodimer presenting a previously unseen fold, forming a huge hydrophobic cavity, which is fully accessible to solvent. Lipidomics analysis shows that P116 specifically acquires essential lipids such as phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol. Structures of different conformational states reveal the mechanism by which lipids are transported. This finding immediately suggests a way to control Mycoplasma infection by interfering with lipid uptake.
Encryption Based Simple and Robust Subscriber – Client Authentication Protocol for Ultralightweight Sensor Networks
Authors: Chakraborty Rajdeep , Acharya Aheli , Paul Debasmita , Guha Debajyoti , Elngar Ahmed A.
Published: September 2022

Safety is the most important part of IoT networks. A maximum number of IoT devices are resource constrained, it is difficult to implement strong safety mechanisms. The maximum number of authentication techniques use certificates in which signing and verifying require additional computation and power. Thus, the goal of this paper is to propose a new lightweight encryption-based authentication protocol for resource-controlled devices. In this paper we proposed an authentication protocol that uses RRSC – v1 encryption and one subscriber and several clients. The main objective is to develop an ultralightweight protocol for a very low-resourced sensor network. In this protocol, we have two algorithms, first, one to one encryption-based authentication protocol where the client is the low resource sensor and the subscriber is the edge device in the IoT. Second, the RRSC – V1, encryption algorithm itself. It has many applications for temperature sensors, rain sensors, and smoke sensors as they have very low memories and computing capacity.
An easy-to-use prehospital indicator for recognition of severity in heat-related illness: An observational study in the Tokyo metropolitan area
Authors: Yamaguchi Junko , Kinoshita Kosaku , Takeyama Minami
Published: September 2022

Background: Quick transportation to the hospital is necessary to decrease mortality risk in patients with heat-related illnesses. This study aimed to establish a rapid, effective, easy-to-use indicator for healthcare providers and laypersons to identify the life-threatening severity of heat-related illness and facilitate quick transport of identified patients in a community setting.
Methods: This observational study was conducted using a database from 2016. Information concerning the clinical severity of heat-related illness in patients (n=2528) upon arrival at the hospital was extracted from prehospital transportation records.
Results: Patient-related risk factors included age, vital signs, location of the patient, and the severity of the illness. Respiratory rate (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80–6.22), heart rate (aOR, 2.88, 95% CI, 1.57–5.29), axillary body temperature (aOR, 7.79, 95% CI, 4.02–15.1), and consciousness level (aOR, 38.3, 95% CI, 5.22–281.1) were independent factors associated with the severity of heat-related illness. Blood pressure was measured at the scene but was not found to be an independent factor relating to the severity of the patient's condition. A heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature of more than 120 beats/min, 24 breaths/min, and 38.6°C, respectively (highest areas under the ROC curves: 0.80, 95% CI 0.75–0.87; 0.73, 95% CI 0.67–0.81; and 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.91; respectively) were predictive of life-threatening conditions in patients with heat-related illnesses.
Conclusions: Attention should be paid to changes in the vital signs of patients with heat-related illness. Tachycardia and tachypnea are particularly sensitive and easy-to use indicators for laypersons to facilitate quick identification and transport of patients before they decline to a life-threatening situation.
Modified Oyster Shell Powder with iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate to improve arsenic uptake in solution and in contaminated soils
Authors: Torres-Quiroz Cecilia , Dissanayake Janith , Park Junboum
Published: September 2022

Arsenic is a metalloid whose presence can be due to natural or anthropological causes. It is considered as a toxic chemical that puts human health at high risk. In this study, we evaluated a novel modified oyster shell (MOS) that was coated with iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate using two different proportions through batch sorption experiments in an arsenic solution and in arsenic-contaminated soils. The soils contaminated with Arsenic were extracted from a contaminated site in Cheonan, South Korea and the average arsenic concentration of the soil collected was 136.28 mg/kg. Different doses of oyster shell, and modified oyster was used to understand the effect of the addition of iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate via a sorption test with 50 g of contaminated soil, pot cultivation test with 150 g and column percolation test with 150 g. The authors observed a comparable improvement of Arsenic stabilization from 10–60% with the addition of iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate to oyster shell.
Novel Protein-repellent and Antibacterial Polymethyl Methacrylate Dental Resin in Water-aging for 6 Months
Authors: Cao Li , Xie Xianju , Yu Wenqi , Xu Hockin H. K. , Bai Yuxing , Zhang Ke , Zhang Ning
Published: September 2022

Background
The present study aimed to develop a novel protein-repellent and antibacterial polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dental resin with 2methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and quaternary ammonium dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM), and to investigate the effects of water-aging for 6 months on the mechanical properties, protein adsorption, and antibacterial activity of the dental resin.
Methods
Four groups were tested: PMMA control; PMMA + 3% MPC; PMMA + 1.5% DMAHDM; and PMMA + 3% MPC + 1.5% DMADDM in acrylic resin powder. Specimens were water-aged for 1 d, 3 months, and 6 months at 37 ℃. Their mechanical properties were then measured using a three-point flexure test. Protein adsorption was measured using a micro bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method. A human saliva microcosm model was used to inoculate bacteria on water-aged specimens and to investigate the live/dead staining, metabolic activity of biofilms, and colony-forming units (CFUs).
Results
The flexural strength and elastic modulus showed a significant loss after 6 months of water-ageing for the PMMA control (mean ± SD; n = 10); in contrast, the new protein repellent and antibacterial PMMA resin showed no strength loss. The PMMA–MPC–DMAHDM-containing resin imparted a strong antibacterial effect by greatly reducing biofilm viability and metabolic activity. The biofilm CFU count was reduced by about two orders of magnitude (p < 0.05) compared with that of the PMMA resin control. The protein adsorption was 20% that of a commercial composite (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the PMMA–MPC–DMAHDM-containing resin exhibited a long-term antibacterial performance, with no significant difference between 1 d, 3 months and 6 months (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
The flexural strength and elastic modulus of the PMMA–MPC–DMAHDM-containing resin were superior to those of the PMMA control after 6 months of water-ageing. The novel PMMA resin incorporating MPC and DMAHDM exhibited potent and lasting protein-repellent and antibacterial properties.
Body Mass Index And Inflammation In Depression And Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Karageorgiou Vasilios , Casanova Francesco , O'Loughlin Jessica , Green Harry , McKinley Trevelyan J. , Bowden Jack , Tyrrell Jessica
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) has a significant impact on global burden of disease. Complications in clinical management can occur when response to pharmacological modalities is considered inadequate and symptoms persist (treatment-resistant depression (TRD)). We aim to investigate inflammation, proxied by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and body mass index (BMI) as putative causal risk factors for depression and subsequent treatment resistance, leveraging genetic
information to avoid confounding via Mendelian Randomization (MR).

Methods: We used the European UK Biobank subcohort (n = 451, 025), the mental health questionnaire (MHQ) and clinical records. For treatment resistance, a previously curated phenotype based on GP records and prescription data was employed. We applied univariable and multivariable MR models to genetically predict the exposures and assess their causal contribution to a range of depression outcomes . We used weak and pleiotropy, robust estimation techniques within univariable, multivariable and mediation MR models in order to address
our research question with maximum rigour. In addition, we developed a novel statistical procedure to apply pleiotropy robust multivariable MR to one sample data and employed an unfamiliar bootstrap procedure to accurately quantify estimate uncertainty in mediation analysis which outperforms
standard approaches.

Results: In univariable MR models, genetically predicted BMI was positively associated with depression outcomes, including MDD and TRD, with a larger magnitude in women and with age acting
as a moderator of the effect of BMI on PHQ9 (p = 0.011). Multivariable MR analyses suggested an independent causal effect of BMI on TRD not through CRP. Our mediation analyses suggested
that the effect of CRP on PHQ9 was partly mediated by BMI. Individuals with TRD (n = 2, 199) observationally had higher CRP and BMI compared with individuals with MDD alone and healthy
controls. A positive causal association was noted for both the exposures, but in multivariable analyses only BMI retained statistical significance at the 5% level.

Discussion: Our work supportst the assertion BMI exerts a causal effect on a range of clinical and questionnaire-based depression phenotypes, with the effect being stronger in women and in younger individuals. We show that this effect is independent of inflammation proxied by CRP levels as the effects of CRP do not persist when jointly estimated with BMI. This is consistent with previous evidence suggesting that overweight contributed to depression even in the absence of any metabolic consequences. It appears that BMI exerts an effect on TRD that persists when we account for BMI influencing MDD.
Evaluating the effects of vegetation and land management on runoff control using field plots and machine learning models
Authors: Gholami Vahid , Sahour Hossein , Khaleghi Mohammad Reza , Yousefi Atena
Published: September 2022

Excess surface water after heavy rainfalls leads to soil erosion and flash floods, resulting in human and financial losses. Reducing runoff is an essential management tool to protect water and soil resources. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vegetation and land management methods on runoff control and to provide a model to predict runoff values. Filed plot data and three machine learning methods, including artificial neural network (ANN), coactive neuro-fuzzy inference system (CANFIS), and extreme gradient boosting (EGB), were used in a test site in the north of Iran. In this regard, plots with various vegetation and land management treatments including bare soil treatment, rangeland cover treatment, forest litter treatment, rangeland litter treatment, tillage treatment in the direction of slope, tillage treatment perpendicular to the slope, and repetition of treatments under forest canopy were constructed on a hillslope. After each rainfall event, the amount of rainfall and corresponding runoff generated in each plot was recorded. Three machine learning models (ANN, CANFIS, and EGB) were used to establish relationships between amounts of recorded runoff and its controlling factors (rainfall, antecedent soil moisture (A.M.C), shrub canopy percentage and height, tree canopy percentage and height, soil texture (clay, silt, and sand percent), slope degree, leaf litter percentage of soil, and tillage interval). These data were normalized, randomized, and divided into training and testing subsets. Results showed that the ANN performed better than the other two models in predicting runoff in training (R-sqr = 0.98; MSE = 0.004) and the test stages (R-sqr = 0.90; MSE = 0.95). Statistical analysis and sensitivity analysis of inputs factors showed that rainfall, rangeland cover, and A.M.C are the three most important factors controlling runoff generation. The adopted method can be used to predict the effect of different vegetation and land management scenarios on runoff generation in the study area and the areas with similar settings elsewhere.
Responses in honeybee and bumblebee activity to changes in weather conditions
Authors: Karbassioon Arrian , Yearsley Jon , Dirilgen Tara , Hodge Simon , Stout Jane , Stanley Dara
Published: September 2022

Insect pollination by both managed and unmanaged bees is a highly valued ecosystem service that ensures plant reproduction and the production of high-quality crops. Bee activity is known to be influenced by the weather, and as the global climate continues to change, the flying frequency and foraging behaviour of bees may also change. To maximize the benefits of pollination in a changing world we must first understand how current weather conditions influence the activity of both unmanaged and managed bees. This is of particular interest in a country such as Ireland where inclement weather conditions are nominally sub-optimal for foraging. We observed honeybee (Apis mellifera; largely managed) and buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris; largely unmanaged) colonies across a variety of weather conditions within seven apple orchards to determine how four weather variables (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind) influence the flight activity of each species. Our results indicate bumblebees could compensate for low honeybee activity in inclement conditions, which supports the theory that pollinator diversity provides resilience. This may be particularly important in management of pollinators in crops that flower in the spring when weather is more variable. We found pollen-foraging individuals in both species increase with temperature, but this rate decreases with humidity. On the whole honeybees are more sensitive to changes in weather than bumblebees and could be more predisposed to changes in future within-day weather conditions.
Effects of land use and topographic characteristics on seasonality water quality at multi-spatial scales: a case study of Weihe River Basin
Authors: Yan Zixuan , Li Peng , Li Zhanbin , Xu Yaotao , Zhao Chenxu , Cui Zhiwei
Published: September 2022

To explore the relationship between land use and basin water quality can effectively contribute to the protection of the latter at the landscape level. This research concentrates on the Weihe River Basin (WRB), a multi spatial scale correlation model was established in the WRB for both dry and wet seasons based on multiple linear regression analysis (MLR). A quantitative analysis of relationship between land use structure and basin water quality at the sub-basin, riparian zone, and river scales. The slopes were selected as the topographic characteristics to further, to explore the complex relationship between land use structure and topographic characteristics. By analyzing samples collected at 40 sites, it was shown that the correlation between water quality variables and different land use patterns was higher in the dry season than in the wet season, and that the land use at the riparian zone scale explained the overall water quality variations better than that at the sub-basin and river scales. Compared with other land uses, agricultural and urban lands had a better relationship with water quality, which was most affected by land use area and morphological indicators. In addition, the greater the area and aggregation of forest land and grassland, the better the water quality; while urban land presented larger areas with poorer water quality. The influence of steeper slopes on water quality was more remarkable than that of plains at the sub-basin scale, while the impact of flatter areas was greater at the riparian zone scale. The present study makes a number of recommendations related to the adoption of water quality protection and construction planning in the WRB.
Crude oil induces plant growth and antioxidant production in Leersia hexandra Sw. A hydrophytic grass that rhizodegrades oil in Tabasco, Mexico.
Authors: Orocio-Carrillo José Alberto , Rivera-Cruz Maria del Carmen , Juárez-Maldonado Antonio , Bautista-Muñoz Consuelo del Carmen , Trujillo-Narcía Antonio , González-García Yolanda , Cárdenas-Villegas Said
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated the survival of the grass Leersia hexandra (Lh) to the stress caused by crude oil (CO), by means of synthesis of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants in leaf-root, and by the rhizospheric bacterial activity of Lh. The experiment was carried out for 180 days, a 4x2 factorial arrangement was applied, four concentrations of CO and two technologies [phytoremediation (PH) with Lh and natural attenuation (NA) with native microorganisms]. The results recorded treatment means with statistical differences (Duncan p ≤ 0.05). Concentrations of 90 g/kg stimulated the formation of young plants (YP) and grass root. In YP leaves, the biosynthesis of H2O2, total phenols (TP) and total flavonoids (TFV) increased due to the effect of CO, as did catalase (CAT) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) in roots. Grass roots with low H2O2 synthesis but high synthesis of CAT and PAL are a signal of tolerance to abiotic stress. Rhizosphere of Lh stimulated microbial activity and the population of Azotobacter spp but removal 22% de 90 g/kg the CO, and AN 58%. The results suggest adaptation of Lh to the stress caused by soil contaminated with oil, manifested by regulating the synthesis of H2O2 and antioxidants in leaf-root during the removal of hydrocarbons from oil.
An Assessment of Flash Flood Vulnerable Zones Using Integrated Grey Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process-based Model for a Himalayan Watershed
Authors: roy dibyandu , Dhar Anirban , Desai Venkappayya R
Published: September 2022

Flash flood is the most recurrent natural threat in the northeastern part of India, especially during the peak of the monsoon season. Considering the exponential rise in the frequency of flash flood events, identifying the Flash Flood Vulnerable Zones (FFVZs) is one of the most crucial findings to limit their negative consequences. In this study, Grey Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (GFAHP) based model integrated with the Geographic Information System (GIS) is implemented to assess the flash flood vulnerability in the Ranikhola watershed, East Sikkim, India. The GFAHP combines the benefits of all the traditional Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) is used to compute the weights, while the weight coefficients are evaluated using the Grey method. A novel Flash Flood Vulnerability Index (FFVI) is proposed to assess the flash flood vulnerability that takes into account twelve natural and anthropogenic parameters. Further, the FFVI map is classified into three FFVZs: low, moderate, and high. The efficacy of the flash flood vulnerability map is calculated by a single effectiveness value (EV), and the result is between moderate and more significant. The sensitivity analysis results show the influence of individual attributes on FFVI and FFVZs.
The role of antioxidant response and nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence in long-term adaptation to Cu-induced stress in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Pluciński Bartosz , Nowicka Beatrycze , Waloszek Andrzej , Rutkowska Joanna , Strzałka Kazimierz
Published: September 2022

The aim of present study was to analyse selected aspects of the mechanism of protection of the photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant activity in response to excessive copper concentrations in wall-less strains ofChlamydomonas reinhardtiinot adapted and adapted for growth in the presence of elevated copper level. The measured parameters were photosynthetic pigment content, prenyllipid antioxidant (α-tocopherol, plastoquinone pool) content, peroxidase activity, and nonphotochemical quenching efficiency. The results obtained suggest that the increased content of tocopherol and plastoquinone, as well as the increased efficiency of nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, play a role in the acquisition of tolerance to copper. The role of light in the enhancement of copper toxicity and the role of POX in response to elevated copper have also been shown.
Environmentally driven phenotypic convergence and niche conservatism accompany speciation in hoary bats
Authors: Soto-Centeno J. Angel , Simmons Nancy B.
Published: September 2022

Species that are geographically widespread may exist across environmentally heterogeneous landscapes that could influence patterns of occupation and phylogeographic structure. Previous studies have suggested that geographic range size should be positively correlated with niche breadth, allowing widespread species to sustain viable populations over diverse environmental gradients. We examined the congruence of phenotypic and phylogenetic divergence with the environmental factors that help maintain species level diversity in the geographically widespread hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereusand relatives) across their distribution. Genetic data were analyzed using multiple phylogenetic and species delimitation methods, and phenotypic data were analyzed using supervised and unsupervised machine learning approaches. Spatial data from environmental, geographic, and topographic features were analyzed in a stepwise multiple regression analysis to determine their role in maintaining phenotypic diversity. Ecological niches of each hoary bat species were examined in environmental space to quantify niche overlap, equivalency, and the magnitude of niche differentiation. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses support existence of three geographically structured species of hoary bat, each of which is phenotypically distinct; however, the Hawaiian hoary bat is morphologically more similar to the South American species than to the North American species despite a closer phylogenetic relationship to the latter. Stepwise multiple regression and niche analyses revealed higher environmental similarities between the South American and Hawaiian species. Hoary bats thus exhibit a pattern of phenotypic variation that disagrees with well-supported genetic divergences, instead indicating phenotypic convergence driven by similar environmental features and relatively conserved niches occupied in tropical latitudes.
Circulating microRNAs as specific biomarkers in atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis
Authors: Junior Antonio Silva Menezes , Ferreira Lara Cristina , Barbosa Laura Júlia Valentim , Silva Daniela Melo e , Saadi Vera Aparecida , Silva Antonio Marcio Teodoro Cordeiro
Published: September 2022

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent supraventricular arrhythmia. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have been associated with AF pathogenesis, standard protocols for quantifying and selecting specific miRNAs for clinical use as biomarkers should be optimized. In this study, we evaluated the clinical application of miRNAs as biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of AF.
Methods
Literature searches were conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. We included prospective or retrospective observational studies that had been published as of 02/14/2022 with the main objective of analyzing the relationship between circulating miRNAs and AF. Data were extracted using the descriptors "Atrial fibrillation AND miRNA," "Atrial fibrillation AND diagnostic AND miRNA," and "Atrial fibrillation AND prognosis AND miRNA," and no filters were applied for period delimitation, type of publication, or language. Studies using samples isolated from blood plasma and TaqMan and RT-qPCR for detecting and quantifying miRNAs were selected, and those that used atrial tissue samples were excluded. We identified 272 articles and excluded 102 duplicated articles. Two authors independently read the titles and abstracts of 170 articles and selected 56 potential articles, 6 of which were selected for final review.
Results
Our analysis revealed a significant association between AF and miR-4798 [OR = 1.90 (95% CI 1.45–2.47)], AF and miRNA-133a [2.77 (2.73–2.82)], AF and miRNA-150 [3.77 (1.50–9.46); I² = 70%], AF and miRNA-21 [2.23 (1.20–4.17); I² = 99%], AF and hsa-miRNA4443 [2.32 (2.20–2.44)], and AF and miR-20a-5p [3.67 (1.42–9.49)]. The association between miRNAs and AF showed an OR of 2.51 [95% CI 1.99–3.16; I² = 99%].
Conclusions
Our meta-analysis demonstrated that circulating miRNAs are potential biomarkers of AF as they exhibit stable expression post-sample collection. In addition to regulating cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, development, and cell death, miRNAs were found to be linked to arrhythmia development.
Modulation of Tumor Microenvironment by Targeting HIF-1α, Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Chemoimmunotherapy in Mice Model of Colon Cancer
Authors: Rostamizadeh Leila , Ramezani Mina , nasab Hannaneh Moniri , Rostamizadeh Kobra , Molavi Ommoleila , Barbadian Behzad , Bahavarnia Seied Rafi , Ramezani Fatemeh
Published: September 2022

purpose
Recently, combination therapies have become a promising approach with hopeful therapeutic outcomes due to their strong antitumor effects. Among them, despite the great success of cancer chemoimmunotherapy, it has not been able to improve the outcome of patients. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) has been known as the main barrier to therapy. It has been assumed that targeting HIF-1α as a reshaping of TME combined with chemoimmunotherapy can capably enhance the antitumor response of therapy.
Methods
We established CT26 mouse models to assess the synergistic effect of genetic silencing of HIF-1α combined with oxaliplatin (OXA) and imiquimod (IMQ) on tumor growth and TME.
Results
We showed that cotreatment of HIF-1α siRNA with OXA + IMQ exhibited a significant delay in tumor growth, which was correlated with high levels of cellular immune-related cytokines. Besides, mice without HIF-1α siRNA treatment exhibited high tumor growth and high levels of immunosuppressive factors, indicating an immunosuppressive phenotype. Briefly, we found that HIF-1α inhibition could synergize with OXA and IMQ to inhibit tumor growth in vivo.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that targeting HIF-1α represents a promising option to augment the antitumor response of chemoimmunotherapy.
Prediction of synchronous distant metastasis of primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using the radiomics features derived from 18F-FDG PET/MR imaging
Authors: gao jing , Bai Yaya , Miao Fei , Huang Xinyun , Schwaiger Markus , Rominger Axel , Li Biao , Zhu Hui , Lin xiaozhu , Shi Kuangyu
Published: September 2022

Objective
Despite the improved lesion detectability as the outcome of 18F-FDG PET/MR, small distant metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often remains invisible. Our goal is to explore the potential of the joint radiomics analysis of PET and MRI imaging (PET-MRI) of primary tumors for predicting the risk of distant metastasis in patients with PDAC.
Methods
Nighty one PDAC patients with 18F-FDG PET and MRI imaging before the confirmation or exclusion of SDM were retrospectively investigated. Among them, 66 patients who received 18F-FDG PET/CT and multi-sequence MRI separately were included in the development of the radiomics model (development cohort), and 25 patients scanned with hybrid PET/MR were incorporated for independent verification (external test cohort). A radiomics signature was constructed using the selected PET-MRI radiomics features of primary PDAC tumors. Furthermore, a radiomics nomogram was developed by combining the radiomics signature and clinical indicators assisting in this way in the assessment of patients’ metastasis risk.
Results
In the development cohort, the radiomics nomogram had a better performance in predicting the risk of distant metastasis [area under the curve (AUC): 0.93, sensitivity:87.0%, specificity:85.0%] than this of the clinical model (AUC: 0.70, P < 0.001; sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 65%), as well as of this of the radiomics signature (AUC: 0.89, P > 0.05; sensitivity: 65%, specificity: 100%). For the external test, the radiomics nomogram yielded an AUC of 0.85, a sensitivity of 78.6%, and a specificity of 90.9%, which was comparable to the development (P = 0.34).
Conclusions
The preliminary results confirmed the potential of PET MRI-based radiomics analysis in the robust and effective prediction of the risk of SDM for preoperative PDAC patients. The in-depth analysis of the primary tumor may offer complementary information and provide hints for cancer staging.
High blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio associated with short poor outcome in tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Gu Zhihan , Liu Bofu , YU Xiaomin , Cheng Tao , Han Tianyong , Tong Le , Cao Yu
Published: September 2022

Background
It is difficult to predict the short prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), no study reported the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR) as a predictor of short prognosis in TBM and the relationship between NLR and the severity of TBM. We hypothesized that NLR is an indicator to reflect independent prognostic significance in patients with TBM and there is a correlation between NLR and the severity of TBM. This study aimed to know the role of the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of 28-mortality and the relationship with the severity of TBM in patients with TBM.
Methods
We retrospectively collected data from patients diagnosed with TBM in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from the period between January 1st, 2018 and August 1st, 2019. Multivariable analysis was executed by the logistic regression model to verify the independence of the 28-day mortality, Spearman correlation analysis was performed to discuss correlation about and the severity of TBM.
Results
A total of 231 patients were enrolled. 68 (29.4%) patients were classified as stage I. 142(61.5%) patients were stage II.25(10.8) patients were stage III. 16(6.9%) patients died during the follow-up period of 28 days. By multiple logistic regression analyses, the NLR(OR = 1.066, 95% CI = 1.002–1.133, p = 0.043), peripheral neurological deficit (OR 7.485, 95% CI2.010-27.876, P = 0 .003)and hydrocephalus (OR 11.329, 95% CI 2.395–53.583, P = 0 .002) were associated with the independent risks of 28-day mortality. Spearman correlation analysis showed the severity of TBM was significantly positively correlated with the NLR(r = 0.216, p = 0.01).
Conclusions
NLR, peripheral neurological deficit and hydrocephalus were independent predictors of short prognosis and NLR was significantly positively correlated with the severity of TBM.
Acute Glucose Responses Following Short Bouts of Combined Arm and Leg Cycling
Authors: Agne Alexa , Tracey Marlon , Smith Bryan
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND
Prolonged and chronic sedentary behavior (SB) contributes to negative health problems including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Research has shown that short bouts of exercise throughout the day can minimize the negative cardiovascular and metabolic effects resulting from SB. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of combined arm and leg cycling (CALC) on glucose metabolism. We hypothesized that short bouts of CALC would decrease the 60-min blood glucose (BG) area under the curve (AUC) and decrease BG at specific time points in a dose-dependent manner, when compared to a control (CON) trial.
METHODS
A repeated measures design was used with participants (n = 30) completing baseline assessments and three experimental trials: CON, a 1-min exercise bout (1M) and a 5-min exercise bout (5M). During the exercise trials, participants performed CALC at a self-selected speed on an Assault™ Air bike. Participants completed a 60-min oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) immediately postexercise. Moreover, blood was sampled pre-exercise and every 15-min post-exercise. The CON trial followed the same experimental procedure; however, participants did not engage in any exercise. The analyses were a one-way repeated measures MANOVA to identify differences in BG at the individual time points between the trials and a two-way mixed ANOVA to identify differences in the AUC during the 60-min OGTT between trials by gender.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in the BG values when comparing the 5M and CON at 0-min (p = 0.034), 15-min (p < 0.001) and 30-min (p < 0.001) and when the 1M bout is compared to CON at 30-min (p = 0.017). The 5M and 1M bouts were significantly different at 0-min only (p = 0.045). There were also significant differences in the total area under the curve (tAUC) between CON and the 5M bout (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in incremental area under the curve (iAUC) between the three trials.
CONCLUSION
Short bouts of CALC significantly reduced BG values up to 30-min post-exercise and reduced the tAUC, compared to performing no exercise at all. This mode and duration of exercise may aid healthy, able-bodied individuals in achieving benefits to glucose metabolism.
A model to predict delivery time by induction of labour at term with a dinoprostone vaginal insert：A retrospective study
Authors: Huang Fenghua , Chen Huijun , Wu Xuechun , Li Jiafu , Guo Juanjuan , Zhang Xiaoqin , Qiao Yuan
Published: September 2022

Background: Dinoprostone vaginal insert is the most common pharmacological method of induction of labour for pregnant women. Few studies have predicted the vaginal delivery time (DT), our study aimed to analyse the primary factors for DT among women at or beyond term who underwent labour induction with dinoprostone vaginal inserts in the middle of China.
Methods: In this retrospective observational study performed in the obstetric ward in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, we ultimately included all women at37 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 6 days of gestation who underwent labour induction with vaginal dinoprostone between January 1st, 2019, and December 31st, 2021. The primary outcome was vaginal or caesarean delivery; the principal secondary outcome was influence for DT including several maternal complications and neonatal characteristics.
Results: A total of 1,562 women at or beyond term underwent labour induction, and 71% (1109/1562) delivered vaginally. The median delivery time (DT) was 740.50 min, with an interquartile range from 443.25 to 1264.50 min. A total of 29% (453/1562) of the women gave birth by caesarean section, and 11.9% (54/453) were multiparous. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that multiparity, advanced maternal age, foetal macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and having dinoprostone inserted during the day all significantly influenced DT. A mathematical model was developed to integrate these factors for predicting DT: Y=804.478–125.284 × multiparity + 765.637 × advanced maternal age + 411.511 × foetalmacrosomia-593.358 × dinoprostone inserted during the day - 125.284×PROM.
Conclusions: The DT with dinoprostone vaginal inserts was increased in women with advanced maternal age and foetal macrosomia, but decreased in multiparity, PROM, and dinoprostone inserted during the day.This study allows obstetricians to calculate a preliminary DT for pregnant women before placing a dinoprostone insert, which may be helpful to improve the management of patients and reduce the risk in busy maternity wards.
Tools for self-management of obstetric fistula in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative study exploring pre-implementation barriers and facilitators among global stakeholders
Authors: Ryan Nessa , Ganyaglo Gabriel Y.K. , Boden-Albala Bernadette , Yang Lawrence H. , Park Joonhee , Devanter Nancy Van , Peprah Emmanuel , Ayadi Alison M. El
Published: September 2022

Background:Obstetric fistula, a debilitating maternal morbidity, occurs in contexts with poor access to and quality of emergency obstetric care, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. As many as two million women and girls suffer from fistula, which results in urinary incontinence, vulnerability to stigma for women and families, and economic consequences for the household and the healthcare system. Surgical repair, the gold standard for treatment, remains inaccessible to many and success is not guaranteed. Non-surgical, user-controlled fistula management options are not readily accessible, although some technologies, like insertable devices, have been found to have some level of feasibility and acceptability and provide short-term control over incontinence. As evidence for the effectiveness of tools to support self-management grows, the determinants of their implementation within various contexts remain unknown. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore with key stakeholders, prior to implementation, those factors that could influence successful implementation of an innovation for self-management of obstetric fistula in a LMIC.Methods:Stakeholders were purposefully identified from sectors that address the needs of women with obstetric fistula in sub-Saharan Africa: clinical care, academia, international health organizations, civil society, and government. Twenty-one key stakeholders were interviewed about their perceptions of innovations for fistula self-management and their implementation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided data collection and analysis of transcripts from recorded interviews. Analyses were carried out within Nvivo v.12. Deductive coding focused on constructs within the CFIR, then inductive coding identified additional constructs relevant for implementation.Results:Potential facilitators to implementation included a clear tension for change for low-cost, accessible innovations for self-management and a relative advantage over existing tools. The development of partnerships and identification of champions could also support implementation. Barriers included the lack of evidence identifying the optimal beneficiary and the need for educational strategies that encourage acceptability among clinical providers. Inductive coding revealed an additional relevant construct of sustainability.Conclusions: Effectiveness and implementation of non-surgical tools for fistula self-management should be further examined in LMICs. Future research could inform comprehensive fistula care to reduce vulnerability to stigma and improve quality of life.
Estimation of the Neutrinos phase transition from relativistic to non-relativistic at redshift znr with the use of the non-minimal scalarﬁeld coupled to matter.
Authors: Riahi Rasoul , Salehi Amin , Sepahvand Reza
Published: September 2022

This work is a study of the nature of neutrinos, which are fundamental building blocks of the universe. Understanding their properties(mass, interaction,...) is vital to piecing together the evolution of the cosmos to the present day and the events leading up to our existence. We obtained the znr ( the redshﬁt at which a neutrino of massmν will become non-relativistic) using neutrino coupled to scalar ﬁeldand relation: znr = ( mν/5.28×10−4ev) −1. We ﬁrst estimate the total of neutrino’s mass Σmυ Using the coupling between the scalar ﬁeldand the neutrinos ,then we obtained znr . Observational data were used in this article are Pantheon and CMB, BAO, CC. We found neutrinos mass is about Σmυ < 0.26(95% conﬁdence level) and znr = 492 for Pantheon catalog and Σmυ < 0.16(95% conﬁdencelevel) and znr = 340 for CMB + BAO + CC + Pantheon .
Numerical investigation of the effect of driving forces on the weld pool convection and thermal stress in a GTAW process
Authors: MOUAD BENSADA , Laazizi Abdellah , Fri Kaoutar , Ouzouhou Itto
Published: September 2022

The present research article aims to obtain good weld integrity and avoid material fracture due to high welding temperature. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Method (FEM) were used to study GTAW process. The heat source distribution and the convection movement in the melted pool were taking into account. In fact, a two-dimensional (2D) numerical model has been developed for GTAW process and applied for 304L stainless steel. The effects of welding operating parameters were discussed such as voltage and current. The simulation showed that capillary force presented by Marangoni convection affects mainly the weld pool geometry. Therefore, as a result, increasing the welding power and specially the current intensity leads to the growth of the melted zone rapidly, which may induce high residual stress and risks of metal failure. Finally, comparing computed weld profile with the experimental results showed good agreement.