bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered Placental Insulin Signaling in the Absence of Systemic Insulin Resistance in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy among South Indian Tamil Population
Authors:   PhD Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India., Jeba Malar Abraham Angelin , Bobby Zachariah ,   Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India., Chaturvedula Latha ,   Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India., Vinayagam Vickneshwaran ,   PhD Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India.
Published: January 2024

A cross sectional study was conducted to explore the possible derangements in placental insulin signaling and also to investigate the presence or absence of maternal systemic insulin resistance in different types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Study Design: Healthy pregnant women (n=32) and pregnant women with gestational hypertension (GH) (n=18), late onset Pre-eclampsia (LP) (n=18) and early onset Pre-eclampsia (EP) (n=19) were recruited for the study. Maternal venous blood and placental samples were collected from the study subjects at 35±7 weeks of gestation. Insulin resistance parameters such as fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, beta cell function and insulin sensitivity and glycated hemoglobin were estimated in the maternal venous blood samples. Placental protein expressions of insulin signaling molecules were analyzed by western blotting method. Results: Maternal venous blood insulin resistance parameters were not significantly different between the study groups. However, placental content of phospho insulin receptor beta was significantly decreased in GH, LP and EP groups in comparison to controls. We also found a significant decrease in placental protein expression of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase p85 alpha in LP group when compared to other groups.
A Cross Sectional Study on Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in Preterm and Term Labor
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basaveshaswar Medical College, Chitradurga 577502, Karnataka, India,, Shivalingappa Sowmya , Rajgopal Monica ,   Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chamrajnagar Institute of Medical Science, Chamrajnagar 571313, Karnataka, India,, Shivalingappa Jayanth ,   Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chamrajnagar Institute of Medical Science, Chamrajnagar 571313, Karnataka, India,, Shivalingappa Bhavana ,   Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bhavana Hospital, Chintamani 563125, Karnataka, India.
Published: January 2024

Background: The aim is to examine bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women with preterm and term labor, explore the link between bacterial vaginosis and preterm labor (PTL), and analyze complications for both mother and baby related to bacterial vaginosis. Design: Hospital based cross sectional study. Materials and Method: We had conducted an observational study at Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, involving 100 pregnant patients with preterm and term labor (50 patients in each group). Eligible patients attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Department (OBG OPD) and inpatient department will be included. Bacterial vaginosis will be determined using Amsel's criteria, which include evaluating discharge characteristics, vaginal pH, amine odor with KOH test, and presence of clue cells under microscopic examination. Additionally, vaginal swabs will undergo Gram staining. Results: The percentage of patients meeting Amsel's criteria for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis was significantly higher in the preterm labor group compared to the term labor group, with a statistically significant difference. According to Amsel's criteria, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 30% in the preterm labor group and 2% in the term labor group. Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis is a significant risk factor for preterm labor. Hence, conducting tests for bacterial vaginosis and promptly treating it can help reduce the risk of preterm labor.
DINÂMICA ESPACIAL E TEMPORAL DO USO E COBERTURA DA TERRA EM COMUNIDADES QUILOMBOLAS DO CERRADO GOIANO
Authors: Araújo Jorge Vanessa , Clementino Ferreira Nilson , Do Espírito-Santo Filho Kleber
Published: January 2024

O Cerrado é a savana mais biodiversa do mundo e há décadas vem sofrendo degradação ambiental, principalmente em decorrência do desenvolvimento agropecuário. Considerando que comunidades quilombolas ocuparam historicamente locais de difícil acesso, o estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a dinâmica do uso e cobertura da terra em comunidades quilombolas rurais de Goiás e verificar se estas podem contribuir para a conservação do Cerrado. Foram avaliadas 27 comunidades quilombolas e o território quilombola Kalunga. Foram utilizados dados de uso e cobertura da terra de 1985 a 2020 do MAPBIOMAS e integrados espacialmente aos dados de meio físico (solos e declividade), além de cicatrizes de fogo para o mesmo período. Os resultados indicaram que as comunidades são majoritariamente cobertas por vegetação nativa, com predominância de solos e declives inapropriados para o desenvolvimento de agricultura mecanizada. Concluímos que, baseada na avaliação da dinâmica espacial e temporal, as comunidades podem integrar estratégias de conservação do Cerrado.

 

 
 

 
O Cerrado é a savana mais biodiversa do mundo e há décadas vem sofrendo degradação ambiental principalmente em decorrência do desenvolvimento agropecuário. Considerando que comunidades quilombolas ocuparam historicamente locais de difícil acesso, o estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a dinâmica do uso e cobertura da terra em comunidades quilombolas rurais de Goiás e verificar se estas podem contribuir para a conservação do Cerrado. Foram avaliadas 27 comunidades quilombolas e o território quilombola Kalunga. Foram utilizados dados de uso e cobertura da terra de 1985 a 2020 do MAPBIOMAS e integrados espacialmente aos dados de meio físico (solos e declividade), além de cicatrizes de fogo para o mesmo período. Os resultados indicaram que as comunidades são majoritariamente cobertas por vegetação nativa, com predominância de solos e declives inapropriados para o desenvolvimento de agricultura mecanizada. Concluímos que, baseada na avaliação da dinâmica espacial e temporal, as comunidades podem integrar estratégias de conservação do Cerrado.
Electro-Thermal and Thermal-Stress Coupling Optimization Design for Coaxial Through Silicon Via
Authors: Wang Xianglong , Yang Yintang , Chen Dongdong , Li Di , Li Gaoliang
Published: January 2024

In this research, based on the back propagation neural network (BPNN) model and particle swarm optimization with linear decreasing inertia weight (PSO-LDIW) algorithm, an electro-thermal and thermal-stress fields coupling optimization design method for coaxial through silicon via (CTSV) is provided. The irregular and complex relationship between the parameters (height of CTSV, radius, thickness of SiO2, BCB and coaxial annular) and indexes is investigated by COMSOL Multiphysics and HFSS software. According to the simulation data of COMSOL and HFSS, the BPNN models are used to express the corresponding relationship between the parameters and indexes of CTSV. According to the desired indexes of CTSV, the multi-objective optimization function is formulated. Then, the PSO-LDIW algorithm is applied to optimize the parameters of CTSV. Finally, the simulation experiment is used to verify the effectiveness of the optimization design strategy. The simulated indexes (-40.28 dB, 366.31 K, 115.21, 74.14 and 23.16 MPa) well consent to the desired ones (-40 dB, 360 K, 110, 70 and 25 MPa), which indicates that the parameters of CTSV can effectively optimized by the developed design method to control the indexes. Therefore, the developed electro-thermal and thermal-stress fields coupling optimization design method can effectively design CTSV for manufacturing high-performance Chiplet-based microsystem.
NEUROPLASTIC EFFECTS OF MUSICAL LITERACY ON READING SKILLS:
Bilateral word processing predicts enhanced proficiency
Authors: Proverbio Alice Mado , Pantaleo Marta , Arcuri Giulia , Manfredi Mirella
Published: January 2024

Considerable evidence suggests that musical education induces structural and functional neuroplasticity in the brain. This study aimed to explore the potential impact of such changes on word-reading proficiency. We investigated whether musical training promotes the development of uncharted orthographic regions in the right hemisphere leading to better reading abilities. A total of 60 healthy, right-handed culturally matched professional musicians and controls took part in this research. They were categorised as normo-typical readers based on their reading speed (syl/sec) and subdivided into two groups of relatively good and poor readers. High density EEG/ERPs were recorded while participants engaged in a note or letter detection task. Musicians were more fluent in word, non-word and text reading tests, and faster in detecting both notes and words. They also exhibited greater N170 and P300 responses, and target-non target differences for words than controls. Similarly, good readers showed larger N170 and P300 responses than poor readers. Increased reading skills were associated to a bilateral activation of the occipito/temporal cortex, during music and word reading. Source reconstruction also showed a reduced activation of the left fusiform gyrus, and of areas devoted to attentional/ocular shifting in poor vs. good readers, and in controls vs. musicians. Data suggest that music literacy acquired early in time can shape reading circuits by promoting the specialization of a right-sided reading area, whose activity was here associated with enhanced reading proficiency. In conclusion, music literacy induces measurable neuroplastic changes in the left and right OT cortex responsible for improved word reading ability.
The impact of heavy metal tolerant bacterium and Sargassum ilicifolium as organic fertilizer on growth and antioxidant enzymes of sunflower under lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) stress
Authors: Rahman Afshan , Shaikh Nawal Gul , Naseer Fouzia
Published: January 2024

Heavy metal pollutants i.e. lead and nickel are introduced to cultivable land through many sources and get accumulated in the soil profiles and contaminate water bodies which affect the growth and production of several crops. Seaweeds are rich in nutrients and have the ability to improve soil fertility by adding nutrients and organic contents to soil. In this study, S. ilicifolium was used with and without plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) P. aeruginosa which showed heavy metal biodegradation capacity of 99.06% for lead and 98.8% for nickel against said metal stress. The individual and combined treatment of Sargassum ilicifolium as soil amendment and P. aeruginosa improved sunflower growth under 0.5 mM lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) contaminations. The morphological characteristics of plants including shoot and root length and fresh weight were improved under stress and non-stressed condition. The biochemical analysis of proline, total phenols, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and DPPH-radical scavenging activity also indicated that plant tolerance was improved under heavy metal stress.
Hydrogeochemical appraisal, groundwater quality, and health risks through potential toxic elements around municipal solid waste dumpsite Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Butt Nabeel Afzal , Khan Muhammad Younis , Khattak Seema Anjum , Rashid Abdur , Ali Liaqat , Jehan Shah
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates groundwater quality, and management tools in the vicinity of the Chowa-Gujjar dumpsite around Bara River, Peshawar, Pakistan. Therefore, groundwater samples (n = 30) were collected to investigate physicochemical and potential toxic elements (PTEs), to assess the distribution patterns and potential health risks. The findings of this study indicate that the dumpsite serves as the principal contributor for groundwater contaminants such as Mn, Co, Cu, Na, K, Fe, Zn, Ni, and Pb. Groundwater type shows mixed Ca-Mg-Cl2 and NaCl type representing reverse ion exchange and dissolution of evaporite minerals in the area. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) identified three clusters determining lowest pollution 33.3%, moderate pollution 43.3%, and severe pollution cluster accounting 13.4% contribution. Thus, cluster C3 showed potential vulnerability and caused health concerns in the residents. The principal component analysis (PCA) analysis indicated that groundwater contamination was attributed to geogenic, anthropogenic and mixed sources. But, PMF-model suggested five factors solutions to treat groundwater contamination I the study area. The fitting results of PMF-model was found better and accurate compared to PCA. Thus, PMF-model showed leaching of solid waste, industrial waste, geochemical processes, surface runoff, and agriculture practices to be major contamination sources. Groundwater quality indexing (GWQI) is used to assess groundwater quality and its suitability for domestic purposes. Here, GWQI reflected low pollution and medium risk for Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ca in the groundwater. Here, human health risks showed that children are more susceptible to contamination than adults in the area. The results of this study help minimize groundwater contamination by employing sustainable water management tools.
Investigation of CO2 emission from soil and farm inputs in different farming systems in wheat-maize rotation
Authors: bougari Eisa , Asoodar Mohammad Amin , Marzban Afshin , kazemi navab
Published: January 2024

In this study, the amounts of greenhouse gas (equivalent to CO2) emitted from inputs consumption and CO2 emission from the soil in the various wheat-maize farming systems for one year were evaluated in an experimental design. In the studied systems, the CO2 eq emission from the inputs for wheat and maize ranged from 258 to 365 kg.ton− 1 and 140 to 313 kg.ton− 1 respectively, which electricity, fertilizer and fuel inputs had the largest share. By changing the agricultural systems, there was a potential to reduce CO2 eq emission from the inputs by up to 29% per ton of wheat and up to 55% per ton of maize. Results showed that residue management, irrigation method, and tillage had significant effects on CO2 emission from the soil, while planting method showed no significant effect. Systems with residue (R1) had about 28% higher CO2 emission from the soil, by changing the tillage method from conventional tillage (T1) to no-tillage (T3) and changing the irrigation method from flood (I1) to drip (I2), a reduction of approximately 20 and 12% in emission was observed, respectively. Among the studied systems, the highest amount of CO2 emission from the soil was observed in the system with residue, conventional tillage, flood irrigation, and flat planting (R1T1I1P1) with a rate of 7.35 kg.ha− 1 per day. The highest total CO2 emission from inputs and emission from the soil were observed in R1T1I1P1 system with a rate of 6129.47 kg.ha− 1 per year, which decreased to 4471.28 kg.ha− 1 per year in R2T3I2P2 system.
Configurational Effects for Enhancing the Social Acceptance of Cultural Heritage Virtual Humans
Authors: Li Jia , Kim KieSu
Published: January 2024

In the era of digital intelligence, virtual humans (VHs) play a pivotal role in human-computer interaction and the digital exploration of cultural heritage. However, challenges persist in enhancing the social acceptance of cultural heritage VHs. This article, grounded in Computers-are-Social-Actors (CASA) paradigm, identified five crucial factors influencing social acceptance: character setting, cultural clues, visual image, voice interaction, and dynamic design. To investigate these factors, we analyzed 28 cultural heritage VHs on the Douyin short video platform. By employing the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we explored configurations conducive to enhancing the social acceptance of cultural heritage VHs. The findings reveal three effective configurations for achieving high social acceptance, including the "emotionally-oriented" model, the "technologically-oriented" model, and the "all-factor-coordinated" model. From the consistency and raw coverage of the configuration, the "all-factor-coordinated" model is the optimal combination to enhance the social acceptance of cultural heritage VHs. It is worth noting that cultural heritage VHs perform well in conveying cultural clues, and dynamic design is the basic condition for achieving high social acceptance configurational effects. This research not only extends the conceptual boundaries of the CASA paradigm but also provides valuable practical insights for applying VHs in the realm of cultural heritage.
Associations of serum S100A9 with severity in obstructive sleep apnoea patients
Authors: Tian Ting-Chao , Ma Chang-Xiu , Zhang Ying , Xu Yan-Yan , Wang Yong , Fu Lin , Zhao Hui
Published: January 2024

Objectives
S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) is secreted by activated neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, platelets, and airway epithelial cells. S100A9 is implicated in many pulmonically inflammatory diseases. However, the role of S100A9 was unknown in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients.
Methods
All 173 patients diagnosed with OSA were enrolled. Fasting peripheral blood were collected. Demographic information and clinical characteristics were obtained from hospital records. The level of serum S100A9 was detected through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results
Serum S100A9 was gradually elevated in parallel with the increased scores of AHI, STOP-BANG, and ESS, as well as apnea duration in OSA patients. Spearman correlation coefficient or Pearson rank correlation analyses indicated that serum S100A9 was strongly associated with many clinical characteristics in OSA patients. Multivariable linear regression found that serum S100A9 was positively correlated with AHI score, STOP-BANG score, ESS score, and apnea duration. Moreover, multivariable logistical regression revealed that the tertiles of serum S100A9 were positively related with the odd ratios (ORs) of AHI score, STOP-BANG score, and average heart rate in OSA patients. Serum S100A9 combination with severity scores elevated the predictive capacities for severe patients compared with single serum S100A9 or OSA severity scores.
Conclusion
There are significantly positive dose-response relationships between serum S100A9 with the severity scores, indicating that S100A9 is involved in the progression of OSA. Serum S100A9 may be regarded as a biomarker for severity in OSA patients.
Long term effect of intraarticular adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma in dogs with elbow joint disease
Authors: Bergström Annika , Granström Miriam Kjörk , Roepstorff Lars , Alipour Mohammad Jaber , Pettersson Kjerstin , Ljungvall Ingrid
Published: January 2024

Background
Autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) with platelet rich plasma (PRP) may be used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs, but there is a lack of evidence regarding long time follow up after treatment. The aim of the current study was to examine long-term effects of a single intra-articular injection of SVF and PRP in dogs with confirmed elbow OA using orthopaedic lameness scoring and kinetic and kinematic gait analysis. For comparison of normal long-term variation of gait over time, a group of healthy control dogs (CD) was also evaluated.
Study design: Prospective longitudinal clinical study of 19 client owned dogs with elbow OA (OAD) treated with SVF and PRP and 8 CD not receiving treatment. Orthopaedic examinations, goniometry and seven kinetic and kinematic variables were evaluated before and six- and 12-months following treatment with SVF and PRP in the OAD group and twice with six months interval in the CD group. Orthopaedic examination variables (lameness, pain, range of motion) were scored and conflated to one out of three grades (normal, mildly or moderate/severely affected).
Results:
The OAD had an increase in fore-hind peak force symmetry 12 months after treatment (p< 0.05), but no other objective variables changed over time. Orthopaedic scores improved at six month follow up (p<0.05). None of the investigated gait variables had changed at six month follow up in the CD group.
Conclusions:
The current study did not show a clear benefit from SVF and PRP treatment in dogs with elbow OA.
Non super-Clausius-Clapeyron scaling of convective precipitation extremes
Authors: Silva Nicolas Da , Haerter Jan
Published: January 2024

Short duration precipitation extremes pose a risk to human lives and infrastructure and may be strongly affected by climate change. In the last two decades, several studies reported extreme rainfall intensity to increase with temperature at
rates exceeding the thermodynamic Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) rate. Two explanations were given for this so-called “super-CC rate”: (i) convective precipitation — arising from thunderstorms — might be strongly invigorated with temperature; (ii) a statistical shift from low-intensity stratiform to higher-intensity convective-type rainfall might accentuate the super-CC scaling rate with temperature. Here we use high spatio-temporal resolution lightning records in Europe to revisit the super-CC hypothesis at the storm-scale, that is, within 5 km spatially and 10 min temporally. We show that the statistical shift in rain type alone accounts for the super-CC rate and both stratiform and convective precipitation extremes increase merely at the CC rate — thus refuting hypothesis (i). Harbouring a statistical superposition of rain types, mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), which play a dominant role in generating precipitation extremes, do feature a super-CC rate as a consequence of a dramatic increase in their convective fraction with dew point temperature above 14 degrees Celsius.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Meningomyelocele Resolves as a Mature Cystic Teratoma in the Thoracolumbar Region
Authors: Chen-Carrington P. Annie , Leonard Dean , Goodreau Adam , Rhodes Jennifer , Tye Gary
Published: January 2024

A mature cystic teratoma is a mass with heterogeneous appearance, consisting of adult tissue with two or three layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. It is a rare, benign transformation of somatic tissue most commonly found in the sacrococcygeal region and may resemble an uncomplicated spina bifida on prenatal ultrasonography. In this case report, we describe a female newborn with an extremely rare mature cystic teratoma in the thoracolumbar region. She presented prenatally with a preliminary diagnosis of meningomyelocele, diastematomyelia, and Chiari II malformation and a possible teratoma. However, a mass containing solid glandular tissues and bony calcifications approximately 3 x 4 cm in size was observed in the thoracolumbar region upon birth. During surgical resection, no nerve roots were found in the associated meningocele. The patient retained full lower body function postoperatively following surgical excision of the thecal sac and teratoma.
Perinatal outcomes after admission with COVID-19 in pregnancy: a UK national cohort
Authors: Knight Marian , Engjom Hilde , Ramakrishnan Rema , Vousden Nicola , Bunch Kathryn , Morris Edward , Simpson Nigel , Gale Chris , O’Brien Pat , Quigley Maria , Brocklehurst Peter , Kurinczuk Jennifer
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND
There are few population-based studies of sufficient size and follow-up duration to have reliably assessed perinatal outcomes for pregnant women admitted to hospital with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
METHODS
The United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) includes all 194 consultant-led UK maternity units. From March 2020 to March 2022, pregnant women admitted with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test within seven days before or during admission were included and categorised by dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, severity of maternal COVID-19 and vaccination status.
RESULTS
In total, 16,351 infants were born to 16,627 women; women with symptomatic COVID-19 contributed 7,116 (43.3%) births, 111 of which were stillborn. Infection during the delta variant period was associated with increased risk of stillbirth irrespective of infection severity compared to mild wild-type infection (mild wildtype 0.8% vs. mild delta 3%, adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66 to 7.67; vs. moderate to severe delta, 1.9%, aRR2.41; 95%CI 1.03 to 5.60). All variants were associated with increased risk of preterm birth in women with moderate to severe infection compared to women with mild infection in the wildtype period. After introduction of vaccination during pregnancy, 91.2% (83/91) of stillbirths and 92.1% (422/459) of preterm births < 34 weeks’ gestation were in symptomatic women with no documented vaccination or with unknown vaccine status.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 variant, severity, and no or unknown maternal vaccinations were key risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes. There is strong evidence for continued recommendation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy to protect women and their babies.
CO2 emission, Performance analysis study and the feasibility of a PV pumping system installed at URER.MS Adrar Case study: ADE Adrar -Algeria
Authors: Allali Malika , Mouhadjer Samir
Published: January 2024

Energy production is a challenge of great importance in the years to come. Indeed, the energy needs of industrialized societies are increasing ; Algerienne Des Eaux (ADE) is one of the largest consumers of energy in Algeria; for the city of Bechar the energy consumption in the year 2010 was 15 536 615 kwh and in the four years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 studies the total real consumption was 58 035 312 kwh; for another share an overall consumption was 68 795 624 kw, the latter has twenty three subscription contracts with the Company of Distribution of Electricity and Gas of the West (SONELGAZ) and for Adrar’s city the energy consumption in the year 2010 was 3 847 355 kwh and in the four years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 studies the total real consumption was 15 654 117 kwh; otherwise an overall consumption of the four years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 20 222 249 kw, in the year 2010 was 5 033 401 kwh it is rather significant especially for CO2-emission, where it has fourteen subscriptions contracts with SONELGAZ . This paper presents the analysis of results obtained from continuous monitoring of 400Wp, 300Wp and 100Wp solar pumping photovoltaic system installed on the Renewable Energy Research Unit in the Saharan Region (URERMS-ADRAR) 27°52'46" North, 0°16' 27" West, The system was monitored between 14th-27th July 2017, 01st-14th August 2017, 04th-31st October 2017 and 01st − 27th November 2017. Indeed, the principal aiming of this research is to reduce the CO2-emission by the integration of renewable resources.
Analysis of the economic burden associated with comparing biological therapy to traditional conventional therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
Authors: WANG xueling , LI zhen , WU Xiaoxiao , XU hao , CHEN jialin , SHI xiaoxuan , GAO yanqing , SUN wen , WEI li , LIU yun , LIU hong , ZHANG furen
Published: January 2024

Background:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and pruritic inflammatory skin disease with a high incidence rate, posing a considerable challenge for patients, society, and the healthcare system due to its chronic nature. In China, there is a scarcity of cost-effectiveness evidence concerning AD treatment. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of two prevalent treatments for moderate-to-severe AD—traditional conventional therapy (CT) and biological therapy (BT).
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study involving 97 patients with moderate-to-severe AD was conducted. Data were collected from a public tertiary dermatology hospital in Shandong Province, China. Primary outcome measures included total economic cost and treatment efficacy evaluated using the Severity Scoring of AD (SCORAD) index. The sustained treatment effect over six months was analyzed from a societal perspective.
Results:
This study included a total of 97 participants, with 47 receiving BT treatment and 50 receiving CT treatment. The entire treatment duration was 6 months, and the endpoint evaluation was the skin SCORAD score of the patients after 6 months of treatment. The average cost per person for BT was ¥28719.23, and for CT it was ¥8020.78. The cost-effectiveness ratio for BT was lower (¥34,609.82), signifying a lower cost per unit of effect gained. Patients utilizing CT incurred an additional expenditure of ¥31,853.56 for each additional unit of effectiveness compared to BT. Additionally, one-way sensitivity analysis underscored the cost of BT and its effectiveness as the most sensitive parameters in the model.
Conclusion:
BT emerged as the most cost-effective choice in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD based on cost-effectiveness analysis. This research investment aids decision-makers in determining first-line treatment options for moderate-to-severe AD.
De novo genome assembly of a high-protein soybean variety HJ117
Authors: Liu Zhi , Yang Qing , Liu Bingqiang , Li Chenhui , Shi Xiaolei , Wei Yu , Guan Yuefeng , Yang Chunyan , Zhang Mengchen , Yan Long
Published: January 2024

Objectives:
Soybean is an important feed and oil crop in the world due to its high protein and oil content. China has a collection of more than 43,000 soybean germplasm resources, which presents a rich genetic diversity for soybean breeding. However, this diversity poses great challenges to the genetic improvement of soybean. This study reports on the de novo genome assembly of HJ117, a soybean variety with high protein content of 52%. These findings will prove to be valuable resources for further soybean quality improvement research, and will aid in the elucidation of regulatory mechanisms underlying soybean protein content.
Data description:
We generated a contiguous reference genome of 1041.94 Mb for our sample using a combination of Illumina short reads (23.38 Gb) and PacBio long reads (25.58 Gb), with high-quality sequence coverage of approximately 22.44× and 24.55×, respectively. The assembly was further assisted by 114.5 Gb Hi-C data (109.9×), resulting in a contig N50 of 19.32 Mb and scaffold N50 of 51.43 Mb. Notably, Core Eukaryotic Genes Mapping Approach (CEGMA) assessment and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) assessment results indicated that most core eukaryotic genes (97.18%) and genes in the BUSCO dataset (99.4%) were identified, and 96.44% of the genomic sequences were anchored onto twenty pseudochromosomes.
Fault Detection and Tolerance in Wireless Sensor Networks: a Study on Reliable Data Transmission Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: KONDURU TANUJA ALEKHYA
Published: January 2024

This research addresses the challenge of enhancing fault detection and tolerance in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to ensure reliable data transmission in adverse conditions. Through simulation, experimentation, and modeling, the study develops techniques and algorithms for improving WSN fault resilience. Key evaluation criteria include Detection Accuracy, Response Time, Energy Efficiency, and Scalability. Redundancy-based methods, such as node and path redundancy, are explored as effective fault tolerance techniques. Results demonstrate lower response times, improved detection accuracy, energy efficiency, and scalability. The findings contribute to WSN technology by enhancing data accuracy, network resilience, and energy conservation, though challenges and limitations persist.
Congested traffic patterns of lattice hydrodynamic model in a connected mixed traffic environment with overtaking effect
Authors: Cong Zhai , Wu Weitiao , Zhang Jiyong , Ping Xiao Ying
Published: January 2024

In the presence of Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technologies, connected automated vehicles (CAVs) can extend the drivers’ perception ranges and obtain more abundant road vehicle information to regulate the vehicle status in real time. Nevertheless, promoting CAVs is a long process, and there will be both artificially human-driven vehicles (HDVs) and CAVs on the road during this transition era. Besides, as one of the basic microscopic driving behaviors, overtaking is relatively rare in the traffic flow model, especially in mixed-traffic environments. To fill this gap, we propose a novel heterogeneous traffic flow accounting for the HDVs and CAVs with passing effects from a macroscopic perspective. Subsequently, we conduct the linear stability analysis to determine the stability norm corresponding to the new model. When the above stability criterion is not established, we investigate the nonlinear phenomenon of the proposed model, and the modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) equation and its existing conditions are obtained separately. When the overtaking ratio is adequately low such that the existence condition is met, the entire phase space consists of two parts, no jam and kink jam; when the passing ratio surpasses the threshold and the existence condition is not satisfied, the original unstable region can be further subdivided into kink jam sub-region and chaotic sub-region, and the density wave gradually evolved from kink-Bando traffic wave into the chaotic phase with the increasing of penetration rate. The results of the numerical examples verify the theoretical derivation.
PANoptosis‑related signature for clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the context of monocyte and based on a 101‑combination machine learning computational framework
Authors: wang guojun , pu xiaofeng , feng bimin , huang gang , fan chao , luo zhiming , wang xin , zhang zhengji
Published: January 2024

Background
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a common cancer type, is significantly impacted by PANoptosis, an inflammatory-programmed cell death. A key research gap is the role of PANoptosis and mRNA in ccRCC, particularly from a single-cell perspective.The lack of a reliable prognostic biomarker undermines the efficacy of its predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM/3PM) approach.
Method
We used scRNA-seq datasets from the GEO database to annotate ccRCC cell types based on marker gene expression and pan-apoptotic activity scores. Using various analysis techniques, including machine learning, we investigated single-cell level regulatory mechanisms. This enabled the development of new immune-related prognostic indicators by pinpointing specific markers in targeted cell populations.
Results
We developed a nine-gene monocyte-related score (MRS) that predicts overall survival in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC). MRS outperforms traditional clinical variables and molecular characteristics in accuracy, reflecting key prognostic information such as age, staging, metastasis, and mutations. Our comprehensive analysis provided numerous insights, enhancing our understanding of the interregulatory roles in PANoptosis progression in KIRC. Our conclusions are consistent with prior research on PANoptosis and KIRC. MRS is seen as an effective tool for benefiting KIRC patients.
Conclusion
Our study constructed the PANoptosis progression-related signature that can serve as a promising tool for prognosis prediction, targeted prevention, and personalized medicine in ccRCC. Incorporating PANoptosis into the PPPM framework
will provide a unique opportunity for clinical intelligence and new management approaches.
Craniotomy in Semi-Sitting Position: A 4-year Single Institution Experience
Authors: Karmakar Arunabha , Khan Muhammad Jaffar , Saracoglu Ayten , Ergenc Merve , Hussein Mogahed Ismail Hassan , Janish Mohammed , Saracoglu Kemal Tolga , Gangineni Kishore Kumar , Kumar Neeraj
Published: January 2024

Objectives
The aim of our study was to determine patient outcomes after surgery performed in the semi-sitting position in our institution in the previous 4 years. Primarily we aimed to quantify our experience in terms of surgical and anesthesia (clinical) outcomes. Secondarily we sought to evaluate any major complications that may have occurred.
Background
We are an academic hospital where the neurosurgical case load on average exceeds 1000 surgeries annually, with strong adherence to internationally determined clinical quality metrics. A multidisciplinary team comprising dedicated neuroanesthetists, neurophysiologists and surgical nurses, delivers care for every neurosurgical patient. As part of our neuroanesthesia departmental self-review, we retrospectively sought to assess the outcomes of patients undergoing craniotomy in sitting position from 2019 to present. The study focused on perioperative outcomes and complications associated with craniotomy in sitting position.
Method
The electronic medical record database was retrospectively reviewed. Beginning from 2019, all adult patients who underwent craniotomy in sitting position were included. Individual patient charts were examined for significant events during the intraoperative and postoperative period. Any critical or adverse events were recorded. Demographic and clinically important findings were tabulated in an excel sheet. The study dataset was descriptively analyzed with the quantitative data represented as mean ± standard deviation and the qualitative data as valid percentages from the total cohort. A possible parametric comparison of gender vs length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay and duration of was done using student T-test were found be non-significance at 95% confidence level. All the analysis was carried out using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) ® Edition 22.
Results
A total of 10 patients underwent craniotomy in sitting position from 2019 till date. Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia were accomplished with total intravenous anesthesia using target-controlled infusion with remifentanil and propofol. The patients’ demographics, diagnosis and complications were evaluated. Nine of 10 patients had pneumocephalus with one patient developing severe manifestations. One patient had clinically significant venous air embolism with severe manifestations including massive pleural effusion. Except for one patient, all were extubated at end of surgery.
Conclusions
During the last four years our neuroanesthesia team recorded 10 craniotomies in sitting position. Ninety percent of patients were managed without any major long-term sequelae. We concluded that sitting position for craniotomy is not without its challenges. However, a dedicated and experienced team can manage possible complications and improve patient outcomes.
Vasopressin increases Cerebral Perfusion Pressure but not Cerebral Blood Flow in Neurosurgical Patients with Norepinephrine-Refractory Hypotension: A Preliminary Evaluation using the non-invasive Quantix ND in Comparison to the Literature
Authors: Bele Sylvia , Bründl Elisabeth , Schmidt Nils Ole , Kieninger Martin
Published: January 2024

The maintenance of sufficient mean arterial pressure (MAP) to sustain perfusion and oxygen delivery to all major organs is important patients in intensive care but for neurosurgical patients after SAH or TBI it is essential to avoid secondary brain damage or delayed ischemia. So far most neurosurgical intensive care units use intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) as therapy guidance for those patients. Use of fluid resuscitation and norepinephrine is standard to achieve CPP between 50–70 mmHg. But sometimes norepinephrine-refractory hypotension occurs. In those cases, arginin-vasopressin (AVP) is often the drug of choice. AVP and its synthetic analogies are widely used in modern medicine and gained interest in treatment of septic shock or refractory hypotension after cardiac surgery or hypovolemic shock. Recent papers also showed a significant impact of AVP in resuscitation of after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and influence on CPP in TBI patients during ICU treatment. But little is known about the effects of AVP on cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. The present preliminary study was carried out to examine the influence of vasopressin administration on cerebral blood flow by using the non-invasive QuantixND® device. We found significantly increased MAP and CPP but no concomitant elevation in CBF. In contrast, in most patients the CBF even decreased despite elevation of CPP. We conclude that AVP is an alternative drug to maintain MAP and CPP but must be used with care in patients with already compromised cerebral perfusion.
Impact of the annular solar eclipse on December 26, 2019 on the foraging visits of bees
Authors: Sinu Palatty Allesh , Jose Athira , Varma Sangeetha
Published: January 2024

Solar eclipse has remarkable effect on behavior of animals. South India experienced a 97% magnitude annular eclipse on December 26, 2019 during 0804 h-1104 h with the totality phase appeared during 0925–0930 h. We investigated the effect of this eclipse on foraging activity of bees to understand how a group of insects that rely the Sun, the sunlight, and the sun rays a lot for their navigation and vision behave to the eclipse. We opted to watch the bees in their foraging ground, and selected the natural flower populations of Cleome rutidosperma, Hygrophila schulli, Mimosa pudica, and Urena sinuata – the major bee-friendly plants – to record the visitor richness, visitation rate on the flowers on eclipse and non-eclipse days and during the hour of totality phase and partial phase of the eclipse. The plants received visits of nineteen and eleven species of bees, respectively on non-eclipse and eclipse days, but in the period of totality only three species of bees were active, but only in one population of C. rutidosperma. Visits of honey bees and stingless bees are affected most, but not that badly for solitary bees and carpenter bees. Bees, particularly the social bees use sun for navigation and deciphering information on food availability to fellow workers. The eclipse like for many other animals may hamper bees’ orientation, vision, and flight.
Genome assembly of Medicago truncatula accession HM078 provides insight into spring black stem and leaf spot disease resistance
Authors: Botkin Jacob , Farmer Andrew D. , Young Nevin D. , Curtin Shaun J.
Published: January 2024

Medicago truncatula, model legume and alfalfa relative, has served as an essential resource for advancing our understanding of legume physiology, functional genetics, and crop improvement traits. Necrotrophic fungus, Ascochyta medicaginicola, the causal agent of spring black stem (SBS) and leaf spot is a devasting foliar disease of alfalfa affecting stand survival, yield, and forage quality. Host resistance to SBS disease is poorly understood, and control methods rely on cultural practices. Resistance has been observed in M. truncatula accession HM078 with two recessively inherited quantitative-trait loci (QTL), rnpm1 and rnpm2, previously reported. To shed light on host resistance, we carried out a de novo genome assembly of HM078. The genome, referred to as MtHM078 v1.0, is comprised of 23 contigs totaling 481.19 Mbp. Notably, this assembly contains a substantial amount of novel centromere-related repeat sequences due to deep long-read sequencing. Genome annotation resulted in 98.4% of BUSCO fabales proteins being complete. The assembly enabled sequence-level analysis of rnpm1 and rnpm2 for gene content, synteny, and structural variation between SBS-resistant accession HM078 and SBS-susceptible accession A17. Fourteen candidate genes were identified, and some have been implicated in resistance to necrotrophic fungi. Especially interesting candidates include loss-of-function events in HM078 because they fit the inverse gene-for-gene model, where resistance is recessively inherited. In rnpm1, these include a loss-of-function in a disease resistance gene due to a premature stop codon, and a 10.85 kbp retrotransposon-like insertion disrupting a ubiquitin conjugating E2. In rnpm2, we identified a frameshift mutation causing a loss-of-function in a glycosidase, as well as a missense and frameshift mutation altering an F-box family protein. This study generated a high-quality genome of HM078 and has identified promising candidates, that once validated, could be further studied in alfalfa to enhance disease resistance.
Horizontal cortical connections shape intrinsic traveling waves into feature-selective motifs that regulate perceptual sensitivity
Authors: Davis Zachary , Busch Alexandra , Steward Christopher , Muller Lyle , Reynolds John
Published: January 2024

Intrinsic, ongoing fluctuations of cortical activity form traveling waves that modulate the gain of sensory-evoked responses and perceptual sensitivity. Several lines of evidence suggest that intrinsic traveling waves (iTWs) may arise, in part, from the coordination of synaptic activity through the recurrent horizontal connectivity within cortical areas, which include long range patchy connections that link neurons with shared feature preferences. In a spiking network model with anatomical topology that incorporates feature-selective patchy connections, which we call the Balanced Patchy Network (BPN), we observe repeated iTWs, which we refer to as motifs. In the model, motifs stem from fluctuations in the excitability of like-tuned neurons that result from shifts in E/I balance as action potentials traverse these patchy connections. To test if feature-selective motifs occur in vivo, we examined data previously recorded using multielectrode arrays in Area MT of marmosets trained to perform a threshold visual detection task. Using a newly developed method for comparing the similarity of wave patterns we found that some iTWs can be grouped into motifs. As predicted by the BPN, many of these motifs are feature selective, exhibiting direction-selective modulations in ongoing spiking activity. Further, motifs modulate the gain of the response evoked by a target and perceptual sensitivity to the target if the target matches the preference of the motif. These results provide evidence that iTWs are shaped by the patterns of horizontal fiber projections in the cortex and that patchy connections enable iTWs to regulate neural and perceptual sensitivity in a feature selective manner.
Medication Administration Errors Among Children Admitted at a Regional Hospital in Northern Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wuni Francis Kwaku , Saanwie Aiden Suntaa , Dzotsi Emmanuel Kofi , Aborah Samuel , Amoateng Saffoh Samuel , Yakubu Zakaria , Anyoka Catherine
Published: January 2024

Background: Errors in medication administration have a number of detrimental effects, including delayed healing, drug resistance, morbidity, and even mortality, particularly in children.However, there are limited empirical data on the incidence of medication administration errors experienced by children admitted to healthcare facilities in Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to obtain data from 399 sick children admitted to the Upper East Regional Hospital in Ghana to assess medication administration errors. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses such as Pearson chi-square tests and binary logistic regression,were also conducted.
Results: The incidence of medication administration errors was 65.9%. The intravenous route of medication was the most common route involved in medication administration errors (48.1%). An incorrect frequency of drug administration (41.9%) was the most common type of error. However, there were significant correlations between the occurrence of medication administration errors and hospital ward (p<0.001), age (p<0.001) and patient weight (p<0.05).
Conclusion:Children admitted to healthcare facilities are more likely to receive medication administration errors.