bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective bioremediation of clarithromycin and diclofenac in wastewater by microbes and Arundo donax L.
Authors: Ercoli Laura , Rossetto Rudy , Giorgi Sabrina Di , Raffaelli Andrea , Nuti Marco , Pellegrino Elisa
Published: February 2023

Bioremediation of pharmaceuticals (PhCs) has gained large research efforts, but there is still a need to improve the performance of bioremediation systems by selecting effective organisms. In this study, we characterized the capability to remove clarithromycin (CLA) and diclofenac (DCF) by the bacterium Streptomyces rochei, and the fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trametes versicolor. Growth and content of the PhCs and a DCF metabolite (MET) by the energy crop Arundo donax L. were also evaluated under hydroponic conditions. The removal rate (RR) by S. rocheiincreased from 24 to 40% at 10 and 100 µg CLA L-1, respectively, averaged over incubation times. At 144 h, the RR by P. chrysosporium was 84%, while by T. versicolor was 70 and 45% at 10 and 100 CLA µg L-1. The RR by S. rochei did not exceed 30% at 1 mg DCF L-1 and reached 60% at 10 mg DCF L-1, whereas approached 95% and 63% by P. chrysosporium and T. versicolor, respectively, at both doses. Root biomass and length of A. donax were strongly affected at 100 µg CLA L-1. CLA concentration in roots and shoots increased with the increase of the dose and translocation factor (TF) was about 1. DCF severely affected both shoot fresh weight and root length at the highest dose and concentration in roots and shoots increased with the increase of the dose. DCF concentrations were 16-19 times higher in roots than in shoots and TF was about 0.1. MET was detected only in roots and its proportion over the parent compound decreased with the increase of the DCF dose. This study highlights the potential contribution of A. donax and the tested microbial inoculants for improving the effectiveness of bioremediation systems for CLA and DCF removal.
Comparing Classic and Genomic Selection for Iranian water buffaloes simulated population in the Khuzestan region for milk trait
Authors: Dezfouli Bahareh Taheri
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-income and genetic progress in a simulated buffalo population by implementing classical and genomic selection programs with different ratios of artificial insemination. The target buffalo population was simulated based on the progressive process in 10 replications and a genome consisting of 4 chromosomes with 2500 markers and 100 QTLs, using QMSim software. A population with an effective size of 1500 animals was created in order to make a linkage disequilibrium between markers and QTLs. From the last generation of the base population, two populations were considered: buffalo cows with artificial insemination and those with natural mating. Five evaluation and selection methods were examined for 5 generations: progeny testing with 100% artificial insemination, 20% milk recording and 4 superior buffalo and genomic selection with 20, 50, 80 and 100% artificial insemination and 4, 5, 6 and 7 superior bulls. Comparing two genomic and classical evaluations with 100% artificial insemination, the results showed that genomic evaluation can enhance the genetic progress and also lower the average of inbreeding in the studied buffalo population. Also, comparing the cost of genomic evaluation programs with different levels of artificial insemination showed that increasing the level of artificial insemination elevated the program costs. The highest cost and income were obtained for the genomic selection program with 100% artificial insemination. Results showed that despite the high investment and maintenance cost, genomic evaluation is more economical in terms of profit than classical evaluation in the selection of buffalo bulls.
Outcome of three dose of Intra articular PRP in OA Knee
Authors: Chaubey Ankit , Jha Amit Kumar , Singh Santosh Kumar , Patel Swaroop , Singh Amit
Published: February 2023

Background
Osteoarthritis of knee develops after induction of cytokine and enzyme mediated damage to the articular cartilage. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been found to have high concentrations of growth factors which serve to promote local angiogenesis, modulate inflammation, inhibit catabolic enzymes and cytokines.
Methods
Total of 76 patients (100 knees) of OA Knee were studied. Functional outcome were analyzed after giving 3 doses of PRP one month apart, on the basis of VAS, Lequesne Index and WOMAC Score. At first visit patients were analyzed with WOMAC score, VAS Score, K-L grading and Lequesne Index. At second visit after one month, they were checked for WOMAC and VAS score. On third visit after 8 weeks, we checked for WOMAC score VAS score and. After receiving 3 injections one month apart, patients were called after 6 months for clinical evaluations through WOMAC, VAS, and Lequesne Index.
Results
It was found that there was significant change of WOMAC Score pre-injection (56.175) to post-Injection follow-up at 6 months (38.581). The VAS Score changed significantly from 6.76 pre-injection to 2.15 at 6-month follow- up. The Lequesne Index changed significantly form pre-injection 7.20 ± 0.789 to 4.60 ± 0.966 at 6 months and results were significant in both KL grade 2 as well as KL Grade 3.
Conclusions
6 months follow up of 3 doses of PRP injection has been shown to yield promising results in terms of pain and functional outcomes in mild to moderate grade of OA Knee.
Xuanfudaizhe Decoction Alleviate Reflux Esophagitis through Inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway
Authors: liu ju , Wang Yi , Dai Lu , Miao Jiameng , Liu Yating , Liu Yuan , Guo Manman , Qi Jingtian , Yuan Hongxia
Published: February 2023

Background: Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a clinically common digestive disease, and the main pathological manifestation of RE is esophageal mucosa inflammatory damage. Xuanfu Daizhe (XFDZ) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal compound that is famous for RE treatment, but the pharmacological and molecular mechanism of XFDZ remains largely unknown.
Methods: The active ingredients of XFDZ were detected using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). The rat model of RE was established with pylorus clamp and 2/3 fundus of stomach ligated. XFDZ (8.55 g/kg) and Omeprazole + Mosapride (1.35 g/kg) were orally administered for 14 days. Pathology of esophageal mucosal inflammation was evaluated under microscopy by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. In vitro, by inducing cellular inflammatory response with glycocholic and taurocholic acid mixture (PH 4.7 acid medium added 500 μmol/L concentration of mixed bile acids) in human esophageal epithelial cells(HEEC). The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using JC-1 fluorescence mitochondrial imaging. The mtDNA copy number was determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to detect ROS. The relative fluorescence expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was determined by high-intension cell imaging and quantitative fluorescence techniques. ELISA was used to detect and quantify inflammatory cytokines related to the NLRP3 inflammasome. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate proteins that are associated with the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Results: Twenty chemical components such as alkaloids and flavonoids were identified in the analysis of XFDZ, which may be the material basis for XFDZ to exert its effect. XFDZ can significantly reduce the contents of Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in serum of rats, and down-regulate the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in esophageal tissue. The simulated reflux could decrease the membrane potential, increase the ROS production, decrease the relative expression of mtDNA and activate the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway in vitro. XFDZ had no obvious protective effect on the membrane potential and mtDNA, but could inhibit ROS production and the activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.
Conclusion: We concluded that XFDZ could reduce the inflammatory damage in RE by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway both in vitroand in vivo, indicating the capability of XFDZ as a promising drug for the treatment of RE.
Leveling the Playing Field: A Cost Comparison of Various Hourly-Reliable, Net-Zero Hydrogen Production Pathways
Authors: Bracci Justin , Sherwin Evan , Boness Naomi , Brandt Adam
Published: February 2023

Hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier may play a role in various hard-to-abate subsectors, but to maximize emission reductions, hydrogen must have minimal life-cycle GHG emissions. One challenge is that different hydrogen production pathways have varying sources of emissions (onsite vs. upstream or embodied). These pathways can also have differing production schedules requiring storage to align hydrogen delivery with the operation needs of end-use facilities. Here we build a model that enables direct comparison of the cost of producing net-zero, hourly-reliable hydrogen from electricity- and fossil-based pathways assuming next-decade technology. To reach net-zero targets, we assume upstream and residual direct facility emissions are mitigated using negative emission technologies. The optimization-based techno-economic model developed for electrolysis production pathways suggests electricity-based solutions that are grid-tied will be lower cost (about $3.50/kg) than fossil-based pathways with upstream natural gas leakage greater than 4% (over $5.45/kg). Considering a next-decade business case where US Inflation Reduction Act tax credits are included and net-zero emission constraints are omitted, results suggest fossil-based production is lower cost compared to electricity-based alternatives, albeit at a higher emission intensity.
The inhibition of FKBP5 protects β cell survival under inflammation stress via AKT/FOXO1 signaling.
Authors: Liu Na , Li Rui , Cao Jing , Song Yao , Ma Miao , Liu Li , Liang Rui , Zheng Xiu , Wang sen
Published: February 2023

The FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51, encoded by FKBP5 gene) has emerged as a critical regulator of mammalian endocrine stress responses and as a potential pharmacological target for metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, in β cells, which secrete the only glucose-lowering hormone—insulin, the expression and function of FKBP5 has not been documented. Here, using human pancreatic tissue and primary human islets, we demonstrated the abundant expression of FKBP5 in β cells, which displayed an responsive induction upon acute inflammatory stress mimicked by in vitro treatment with a cocktail of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). To explore its function, siRNAs targeting FKBP5 and pharmacological inhibitor SAFit2 were applied both in clonal βTC-6 cells and primary human/mice islets. We found that FKBP5 inhibition promoted β cell survival, improved insulin secretion, and upregulated β cell functional gene expressions (Pdx1 and NKX6.1) in acute-inflammation stressed β cells. In primary human and mice islets, which constitutively suffer from inflammation stress during isolation and culture, FKBP5 inhibition also presented decent performance in improving islet function, in accordance with its protective effect against inflammation. Molecular studies found that FKBP5 is an important regulator for FOXO1 phosphorylation at Serine 256 and the subsequent nuclear translocation; Combining with the abundant expression of FKBP5 in β cells, this finding explains, as least partially, the unique constitutively cytoplasmic sub-cellular localization of FOXO1 protein. Meanwhile, silencing of FOXO1 abrogated the protective effect of FKBP5 inhibition, suggesting that it is the key downstream effector of FKBP5 in β cells. At last, taking advantage of pancreatic specimens from T2D patients and non-diabetic organ donors, we found a reduction of FKBP5 expression in β cells in T2D, which may indicate a FKBP5-inhibition mediated pro-survival mechanism against the complex stresses in T2D milieus.
Gastric-specific Drug Delivery With Ph-sensitive in-situ Gels: a Novel Approach to Targeting Oseltamivir Phosphate
Authors: Thirugnanasambandham Indhumathi , Pachiyappan Jey Kumar , Roychowdhury Parikshit , sengodan Senthil Periasamy , Kuppusamy Gowthamarajan
Published: February 2023

Oseltamivir phosphate (OP), which with its potential activity
competes with new generations on the market, was the most effective
influenza molecule. Researchers have created different forms of
modified-release dosage for OP in order to address the main
physical and chemical limitations and how the drug is metabolized
in the body, such as its low solubility, low absorption rate, the
short period of effectiveness, and high dosage requirements. This
study was aimed at creating a gastro-retentive in-situ
gelling system for OP that would enhance its duration of action and
bioavailability when taken orally. The formulation was developed
using the central composite statistical design approach and
consisted of sodium alginate and HPMC K 100 M combined with a
pH-sensitive in-situgel using a simple gelation process.
The sol-gel system was optimized through characterization methods
such as rheology, swelling, and gelling strength. The results
showed that a sustainable drug release at 60% for eight hours with
a non-fickian diffusion mechanism is achieved. The OP
in-situ gel was found to be an efficient drug delivery
system that remains buoyant in the gastric fluid and continues to
release the drug in the absorption window through an
in-vivofloating behavior study. The statistical
significance of the trial formulations demonstrated that this
dosage form design effectively achieved the desired drug
release.
RLV Integrated Guidance and Control Based on Adaptive High-order Sliding Mode
Authors: Li Zhiyu , Tian Bailing , Zhang Xiuyun
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a novel integrated guidance and control algorithm based on adaptive high-order sliding mode is proposed for reusable launch vehicle (RLV) subject to unknown disturbances and actuator faults. We propose a time-varying barrier function-based adaptive control law to offset the effects of uncertainties. The remarkable feature of the developed algorithm is its ability to track the reference commands in finite time despite unknown disturbances and actuator faults, without designing the guidance law and attitude controller separately. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by the simulation results.
Structured diagnostic scheme clinical experience sharing:a prospective study of 320 cases of fever of unknown origin
Authors: Jiang Lin , Wu Han , Zhao Sen , Zhang Yu , Song Ning
Published: February 2023

Background

There has been little research on the long-term clinical outcomes of patients discharged due to undiagnosed fevers of unknown origin (FUO). The purpose of this study was to determine how fever of unknown origin (FUO) evolves over time and to determine the prognosis of patients in order to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Methods

Based on FUO structured diagnosis scheme, prospectively included 320 patients who hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from March 15,2016 to December 31,2019 with FUO, to analysis the cause of FUO、pathogenetic distribution and prognosis, and to compare the etiological distribution of FUO between different years, genders, ages, and duration of fever.

Results

Among the 320 patients, 279 were finally diagnosed through various types of examination or diagnostic methods, and the diagnosis rate was 87.2%. Among all the causes of FUO, 69.3% were infectious diseases, of which Urinary tract infection 12.8% and lung infection 9.7% were the most common. The majority of pathogens are bacteria. Among contagious diseases, brucellosis is the most common. Non-infectious inflammatory diseases were responsible for 6.3% of cases, of which systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)1.9% was the most common; 5% were neoplastic diseases; 5.3% were other diseases; and in (12.8%) of cases, the cause was unclear. In 2018–2019, the proportion of infectious diseases in FUO was higher than 2016–2017 (P < 0.05). The proportion of infectious diseases was higher in men and older FUO than in women and young and middle-aged (P < 0.05). According to follow-up, the mortality rate of FUO patients during hospitalization was low at 1.9%.

Conclusions

Infectious diseases are the principal cause of FUO. There are temporal differences in the etiological distribution of FUO, and the etiology of FUO is closely related to the prognosis. It is important to identify the etiology of patients with worsening or unrelieved disease.
Association between the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and hysterectomy from the National Health Insurance Database
Authors: Yuk Jin-Sung , Yang Seung-Woo , Yoon Sang-Hee , Kim Myoung Hwan , Seo Yong-Soo , Lee Yujin , Kim Jungbin , Yang Keunho , Gwak Geumhee , Cho Hyunjin
Published: February 2023

Background
Thisretrospective cohort study analyzed the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in patients who underwent hysterectomy due to a benign gynecologic disease in comparison with the no hysterectomy group using Korean health insurance data.
Methods
This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using insurance data provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2020. The hysterectomy group included 40- to 59-year-old women who underwent hysterectomy with uterine leiomyoma or uterine endometriosis from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014. The control group included women aged 40 to 59 years who visited medical institutions for medical examination from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014.
Results
The hysterectomy and no hysterectomy groups comprised 66,204 and 89,768 subjects, respectively. The median ages in the no hysterectomy group and hysterectomy group were 48 (range: 43–53) and 46 (range: 44–49) years, respectively. In the unadjusted results of the analysis, all colorectal cancer (CRC) increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.222, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.016-1.47, p = 0.033), sigmoid colon cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.073-2.724, p = 0.024), and rectal cancer increased in the hysterectomy with adnexal surgery group (HR 1.924, 95% CI 1.073-2.724, p = 0.002). The adjusted results showed that all CRC increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.406, 95% CI 1.057-1.871, p = 0.019), colon cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 1.523, 95% CI 1.068-2.17, p = 0.02), and rectal cancer increased in the hysterectomy with adnexal surgery group (HR 1.933, 95% CI 1.131-3.302, p = 0.016). The all-cause mortality of GI cancer increased in the hysterectomy alone group (HR 3.495, 95% CI 1.347-9.07, p = 0.001).
Conclusions
This study showed that the risk of all CRC increased in women who underwent hysterectomy compared with women who did not. In particular, the risk of rectal cancer was significantly higher in the women who underwent hysterectomy with adnexal surgery than in the controls.
Reliability classes in inventory models
Authors: Adrián Diego , Badía F. Germán , Sangüesa Carmen
Published: February 2023

In the present paper we study generalizations of some of the inventory models with non-linear costs considered in Rosling (2002). In particular we unify several models presented in the previous paper, by considering a random lead time and also by considering both discrete and continuous demands. In the unified model, we study conditions on the leadtime and the demand distribution guaranteeing the quasi-convexity of the cost function (and therefore the existence of optimal (s,S) policies), which will particularize to specific well-known models. Concretely, we study the case in which there is no cost per time period with backlogging, thus giving more general conditions than the existing in the literature for specific models. Moreover a random leadtime for the compound renewal model with periodic review is considered for first time. Our results rely mainly on reliability properties of the random variables under consideration.
2000 Mathematics subject classification: 62E10; 60E15
Controlling period-doubling route to chaos phenomena of roll oscillations of a biased ship in regular sea waves
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Mitra Ranjan Kumar
Published: February 2023

Dynamics, control, and stability of roll oscillations of a biased ship in regular sea waves are investigated. The ship under roll oscillation is modeled as the classical Helmholtz-Duffing oscillator with strongly nonlinear asymmetric restoring moment characteristics. The incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method, amended with a pseudo-arc-length continuation approach, is employed to obtain the uncontrolled and controlled frequency responses. The primary and subharmonic responses of the uncontrolled system are examined through the period-doubling route to chaos path. The same ship roll model is then investigated under state feedback control with time delay. In the control scheme, a moving weight is actuated by the delay controller to generate the anti-rolling moment. The stability of periodic responses is studied using the semi-discretization method with extended Floquet theory. Bifurcation points on periodic response branches are identified from the eigenvalue study. The effect of gains and time delay in the feedback loop in controlling the primary and subharmonic responses is investigated. Several chaotic responses obtained through period-doubling route to chaos paths are successfully controlled. Stable, periodic, and steady-state solutions obtained from the IHB method are verified by numerical integration (NI) of the equation of motion as and when applicable. Solutions are aided with phase portrait, Poincaré map, time history, and Fourier spectrum for better clarity. It is shown that appropriate selections of control parameters can effectively reduce the roll amplitude to a great extent with the improved measure of stability.
Design and study of a novel thermoelectric tool cooling system for turning applications
Authors: P Jayaprakash , D Arulkirubakaran , R Malkiya Rasalin Prince , I Darwin Immanuel
Published: February 2023

Tool cooling is an essential process in machining which is usually carried out using cutting fluids with different application strategies. Thermoelectric effect can be considered as the confined manipulation of organic principles such as the conversion of heat energy to electrical energy and vice-versa in various configurations, depending on the entity applied. The stream of manufacturing is fastly moving towards sustainability, stressing the requirement of an innovative cooling system that would not provoke undesirable consequences while being disposed of. The attempts of rectifying this chronic issue in manufacturing has produced apparently feasible solutions such as Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) and Cold-air cooling (CAC) that have produced surface characteristics in workpieces similar to those while using conventional tool cooling techniques. The current work is based on the experimental investigation of the performance of a newly designed compact thermoelectric cooling system in improving the machinability of a superalloy specimen under different machining conditions.
Effect of growth rates on hormonal and pubertal status in Nellore heifers early weaned
Authors: Junior Marcos Vinicius Castro Ferraz , Santos M.H. , Oliveira G.B. , Polizel D.M. , Barroso J.P.R. , Nogueira G.P. , Gouvea V.N. , Carvalho P.H.V. , Biava J. , Ferreira E.M. , Pires Alexandre
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to determine the effect of growth rates on the hormonal status and puberty onset. Forty-eight Nellore heifers weaned at 3.0 ± 0.1 months old were blocked according to BW at weaning (84 ± 2 kg) and randomly assigned to treatments. The treatments were arranged in 2 x 2 factorial according to the feeding program. The first program was high (H; 0.79 kg/day) or control (C; 0.45 kg/day) ADG from 3rd to 7th month of age (growing phase I). The second program was also high (H; 0.70 kg/day) or control (C; 0.50 kg/day) ADG from the 7th month until puberty (growing phase II), resulting in four treatments: HH (n = 13), HC (n = 10), CH (n = 13) and CC (n = 12). To achieve desired gains, heifers in high ADG program were fed ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI), and the control group was offered around 50% of ad libitum DMI of high group. All heifers received a diet with similar composition. Puberty was assessed weekly by ultrasound examination, and the largest follicle diameter was evaluated every month. Blood samples were collected monthly to quantify leptin, IGF1, and LH. At 7 months of age, heifers in high ADG were 35 kg heavier than the control. Heifers in the HH had greater DMI compared with CH in phase II. The puberty rate at 19 months old was greater in the HH treatment (84%) than in the CC (23%), but there was no difference between HC (60%) and CH (50%) treatments. Heifers from HH treatment had greater serum leptin concentration than others at 13 months old, and serum leptin was greater in HH compared with CH and CC at 18 months old. High heifers in phase I had greater serum IGF1 concentration than the control. In addition, HH heifers had a greater diameter of the largest follicle than CC. There was no interaction between phases and age in any variable relative to the luteinizing hormone (LH) profile. However, the heifers` age was the main factor that increased the frequency of LH pulse. In conclusion, increasing ADG was associated with greater ADG, serum leptin and IGF-1 concentration, and puberty onset; however, LH concentration was affected mainly by age of the animal. The increasing growth rate at younger age made heifers more efficient.
Effect of mRNA vaccination and previous infections on SARS-CoV-2 transmission across four variants: adjusted analysis of 111’432 declared contacts
Authors: Mongin Denis , Bürgisser Nils , Laurie Gustavo , Schimmel Guillaume , Vu Diem-Lan , Cullati Stephane , Courvoisier Delphine
Published: February 2023

The immunity conferred by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and infections reduces the transmission of the virus. But it is not clear how the effect of immunity is shared between a reduction of the contagiousness and an increased protection against infection. To answer this question, we used a register of >50’000 SARS-CoV-2 positive index cases and their >110’000 declared contacts to estimate the association between secondary attack rate and immunity status (natural infection, vaccine, or both). Analyses were stratified per four SARS-Cov-2 variants and adjusted for index cases and contacts socio-demographic characteristics and the propensity of the contacts to be tested.
The reduction of the propagation conferred by immunity was mainly a protection of the contacts against infection rather than a diminution of the contagiousness of the index cases. The largest immunity effect was conferred for both by natural infection, especially when recent for the contacts. Although of smaller amplitude, the effect of vaccination for index, i.e. the reduction of contagiousness, was less affected by SarS-CoV-2 variant and time since vaccination than the effect for contacts, i.e. the increase of protection against infection. Indeed, vaccination offered protection against infection only if given less than 6 months before and only for the variants preceding omicron, while the vaccination kept moderately reducing the index infectivity during the omicron wave, even when given more than 6 months ago. Hybrid immunity (vaccination and infection) did not have increased effectiveness than recent infection. These findings support the idea that vaccination also protects others, and highlight the need for the implementation of non-personal interventions reducing Sars-CoV-2 propagation, such as ventilation or air filtration.
Kilohertz-frequency interferential current induces hypoalgesic effects more comfortably than TENS
Authors: Park DaHoon , Kim Yushin
Published: February 2023

This study aims to demonstrate the hypoalgesic effect of the tibial nerve using transcutaneous interferential-current nerve inhibition (TINI), which injects the kilohertz frequency produced by the interferential currents. Thirty-one healthy adults participated in this cross-over repeated measures study. The hypoalgesic effects of TINI were compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The washout period was 24 hours or more. Stimulus intensity was set at the pain threshold level. TINI and TENS were applied for 20 minutes each. The ankle passive dorsiflexion range of motion, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and tactile threshold were measured at the baseline, pretest, test (immediately before ceasing intervention), and posttest (30 min after ceasing intervention) sessions. After the interventions, the participants evaluated the level of discomfort for TINI and TENS on a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). As a result, PPT significantly increased compared to baseline in test and posttest sessions of TINI, but not in those of TENS. Also, participants reported that TENS was 36% more discomfort than TINI. In conclusion, we found that TINI inhibited mechanical pain sensitivity and that the inhibitory effect persisted long after electrical stimulation ceased. Our study also shows that TINI provides the hypoalgesic effect more comfortably than TENS.
Respective roles of Pik3ca mutations and cyproterone acetate impregnation in mouse meningioma tumorigenesis
Authors: Peyre Matthieu , Comes Pierre-Cyril , Van Tuan Le , Tran Suzanne , Huard Solène , Abi-Jaoude Samiya , Venot Quitterie , Marijon Pauline , Boetto Julien , Blouin Antoine , Bielle Franck , Ducos Yohan , Teranishi Yu , Kalamarides Michel
Published: February 2023

Despite their rarity, PIK3CA mutations in meningiomas have raised interest as potentially targetable, ubiquitous mutations owing to their presence in sporadic benign and malignant tumors but also in hormone-related cases. Using new genetically engineered mouse models, we here demonstrate that Pik3ca mutations in post-natal meningeal cells are sufficient to promote meningioma formation but also tumor progression in mice. Conversely, hormone impregnation, wether alone or in association with Pik3ca and Nf2 mutations, fails to induce meningioma tumorigenesis while promoting breast tumor formation. We then confirm in vitro the effect of Pik3ca mutations but not hormone impregnation on the proliferation of primary cultures of mouse meningeal cells. Finally we show by exome analysis of breast tumors and meninges that hormone impregnation promotes breast tumor formation without additional somatic oncogenic mutation but is associated with an increased mutational burden on Pik3ca mutant background. Taken together, these results tend to suggest a prominent role of Pik3ca mutations over hormone impregnation in meningioma tumorigenesis, the exact effect of the latter still to be discovered.
On the continuous mechanics first- and second-order formulations for non-equilibrium nucleation: Derivation and applications
Authors: Ferreira I. L. , Moreira A. L. S.
Published: February 2023

Nucleation and growth are phenomena that can be applied to several fields of science and technology. On the other hand, nucleation depends on the cooling rate, dislocating the equilibrium, as surface energy depends on the created and deformed surface area. The crystalline/glassy transition limit dependence on the thermal gradient is also analyzed. In this paper, under the continuum mechanics, first- and second-order non-equilibrium nucleation formulation models are derived, and a phase-change moving interface is considering the thermal field. Nucleation important variables will be plotted against the cooling rate for several nucleation angles. It will be coupled with a theoretical model for the molar-specific heat capacity of solids to analyze its dependence on nucleation kinetics.
Mutual Modulation of Gut Microbiota and the Immune System in Type 1 Diabetes Models
Authors: Rosell-Mases Estela , Santiago Alba , Corral-Pujol Marta , Yáñez Francisca , Varela Encarna , Egia-Mendikute Leire , Arpa Berta , Cosovanu Catalina , Panosa Anaïs , Mora Conchi , Verdaguer Joan , Manichanh Chaysavanh
Published: February 2023

Objective Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been associated with alterations of the gut microbiota. Here we investigate the cross-talk between the immune system and the intestinal microbiota in murine T1D.
Design To evaluate the modulation of T1D by gut microbiota, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were cohoused with the 116C-NOD B-cell transgenic model. To further explore the influence of the adaptive immune system of NOD and 116C-NOD models on their fecal microbiota, we studied the immunodeficient variants NOD.RAG-2-/- and 116C-NOD.RAG-2-/-, as well as a non-T1D-prone mouse control. The role of B and T cells in modulating the gut microbiota composition was analyzed via intravenous injection of lymphocytes. Only female mice were studied.
Results NOD cohoused with 116C-NOD exhibited a reduction of T1D incidence. This incidence decrease was associated with a shift from a Th1 to a Th17 immune response and was driven by intestinal microbiota changes. Moreover, T1D could be predicted by different gut bacterial signatures in each group of T1D-prone mice. The proliferation of segmented filamentous bacteria, known as immune modulatory organisms, was enabled by the absence of T lymphocytes in young NOD, 116C-NOD, and immunodeficient NOD.RAG-2-/- and 116C-NOD.RAG-2-/- at all ages. Conversely, Bifidobacterium colonization required the presence of lymphocytes and was boosted in a non-diabetogenic milieu. Finally, 116C-NOD B cells enriched the gut microbiota of 116C-NOD.RAG-2-/- in Adlercreutzia.
Conclusion Together, these findings evidence the reciprocal modulation of gut microbiota and the immune system in rodent models of T1D.
Life stage affects prey use with fitness consequences in a zoophytophagous mirid bug
Authors: Ma Ruo-han , Gu Jia-min , Jaworski Coline C. , Xue Zheng-xuan , Li Xue-ling , Wang Pei-ling , Han Peng , Desneux Nicolas
Published: February 2023

Omnivorous insects make foraging decisions between plant and prey resources depending on their accessibility, availability, and nutritional value. This shapes the stability and complexity of foodwebs, but also pest control services in agroecosystems. The mirid bug Lygus pratensis is a common cotton pest in China, but it also feeds on a variety of prey species. However, little is known about how different types of available resources affect its fitness and foraging behaviour. In laboratory experiments, we measured the fitness (survival, longevity and fecundity) of L. pratensis fed with bean pod only, bean + Aphis gossypii nymphs, or bean + Helicoverpa armigera eggs, and we also conducted focal observations of its foraging behaviour when provided the latter two. Adding H. armigera to its diet increased its fitness (both survival and fecundity), while adding A. gossypii was marginally detrimental. The different diets did not affect the time spent walking (searching for food resources) or preying, but significantly affected the time spent sapping bean tissue depending on L. pratensis life stage. Nymphs spent more time sapping plant when provided with H. armigera than A. gossypii (possibly through higher efficiency of handling prey). In addition, adults spent less time sapping plant than did nymphs (possibly through good efficiency of handling A. gossypii mobile prey and due to higher protein requirements). This special case of life-history omnivory highlights the complexity of natural foodwebs, where a major pest at the juvenile stage may reduce pest damage by preying on other pests species at the adult stage.
Levels of Interpretation of Positive Maternal Mental Health and Its Association With Obstetric and Psychosocial Factors: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: MONTERROSA-CASTRO ALVARO , ROMERO-MARTINEZ SHAIRINE , MONTERROSA-BLANCO ANGELICA
Published: February 2023

Objective: to estimate the frequency of Positive Maternal Mental Health (PMMH) interpretation levels in pregnant women who attended prenatal consultation and to identify their association with obstetric and psychosocial factors.
Methods: a cross-sectional study that included pregnant women who attended prenatal care at 12 or more weeks of gestation. The following scales were applied: Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ), Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale.
Results: 702 pregnant women were evaluated; 634 (90.3%) had flourishing PMMH, and 68 (9.7%) had non-flourishing PMMH. Among the latter, all were at an intermediate level, and none were languishing. Flourishing PMMH was more frequent in adults (91.2%) than in adolescents (75.0%) and those with higher education (93.0%) than in those with basic education (83.9%). The PMHQ factors and global score correlated positively with maternal age and negatively with anxiety, depression, emotional, social, and general loneliness. Associated with a higher frequency of non-flourishing PMMH were: general loneliness OR:6.32[CI95%:3.38-11.82], social loneliness OR:5.98[CI95%:3.42-10.42], adolescence OR:3.47[CI95%:1.61-7.45], emotional loneliness OR:3.12[1.83-5.32], anxiety OR:2.14[CI95%:1.27-3.60], and depression OR:1.88[CI95%:1.09-3.25]. Less frequently: work occupation outside the home OR:0.41[CI95%:0.24-0.68], technical/technological studies OR:0.22[CI95%:0.08-0.60] and university OR:0.27[CI95%:0.10-0.71]. Preconception consultation, desired pregnancy, cesarean section, and fetal or neonatal death were not associated. In the adjusted model: general loneliness OR:3.02[CI95%:1.10-8.31], social loneliness OR:2.82[CI95%:1.38-5.79] and anxiety OR:1.93[CI95%:1.02-3.67], retained statistical significance.
Conclusion: nine out of ten pregnant women had flourishing PMMH, and none had languishing PMMH. None of the obstetric factors were associated with non-flourishing PMMH, but they were associated with general loneliness, social loneliness, and anxiety.
Transparent dynamic infrared emissivity regulators
Authors: Liu Dongqing , Jia Yan , Jin Yizheng , Chen Desui , Cheng Haifeng , Tao Jundong , Cheng Baizhang , Zhou Shen , Chen Chen , Wang Xinfei , Liu Tianwen , Meng Zhen
Published: February 2023

Dynamic infrared emissivity (DIE) regulators, which can efficiently modulate infrared radiation beyond vision, have emerged as an attractive technology in energy and information fields. However, current DIE regulators are usually visibly opaque, which limits their applications involving broad-spectrum requirements or multispectral compatibility. Therefore, it is necessary to propose new DIE mechanism and develop the desirable fully transparent DIE regulators for dynamically regulating infrared emissivity and solar spectral properties independently, although highly challenging. Here, we demonstrate DIE regulators based on a novel DIE mechanism with high visible transparency (84.7%), large emissivity regulation (0.51 in 3–5 µm, 0.42 in 7.5–13 µm), fast response (< 600 ms), and long cycle life (> 104 cycles). This excellent performance is achieved by the reversible injection/extraction of electrons into/from aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanocrystals to modulate infrared plasmonic in a capacitive-type device, and the DIE regulation is attributed to variation of carrier concentration in the depletion layer near the surface of AZO nanocrystals. This novel DIE regulation method and fully transparent DIE regulators provide great opportunities for the on-demand smart thermal management of buildings and spacecrafts, multispectral display and adaptive camouflage, and may in other infrared radiation related technologies.
A comparative correlational study of Jordanian Nurses' Perceptions of Job Security and Performance: Governmental versus Private Hospitals
Authors: Oweidat Islam , Abushosha Ghada M. , Al-Harazneh Raghad , Al-Saeed Hana , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: February 2023

Background
Job security is one of the basic needs of nurses, and it significantly impacts their willingness to work. The effectiveness of job performance among nurses will reflect on the organization's performance by providing high-quality health services.
Aim
The main purpose of this study is to identify Jordanian nurses' perceptions of job security and employee performance and to compare these variables between governmental and private hospitals.
Method
The study utilized a descriptive, comparative cross-sectional design. It was conducted in two governmental and two private hospitals. A sample of 156 nurses was recruited conveniently to participate in the study. The Job security questionnaire and The Six-Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance were used to collect data.
Results
The mean value of the job security score was (3.26), reflecting a moderate level of job security. The employee performance score average was (2.68) reflecting a high level of job performance. Nurses working in private hospitals had significantly higher scores in terms of overall job security (t = -5.53, p < 0.001) and employee performance (M = 2.53, SD ± 0.53) than nurses working in governmental hospitals.
Conclusion
Nurses with moderate job security levels obtained high job performance scores. Private hospitals had higher job security and employee performance than governmental hospitals. Future research can look into the characteristics of Jordanian nursing work environments that might have contributed to the observed differences between job security and employee performance.
The Ethical Views of Turkish Researchers and the Ethics Committees on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation
Authors: Tokaç Mahmut , Yıldırım Erol , Kaç Beyzanur , Oğuz İbrahim Atıf , Çelik Serra , Hanoğlu Mine , Aydın Fatma , Otrar Mustafa , Başpınar Adem , Hanoğlu Lütfü
Published: February 2023

Background: Clinical and research use of transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation are becoming more common in Turkey. However, the opinions of the researchers and ethics committees about the ethical dimension of the issue differ. The aim of this study is to examine the ethical views of the researchers and committees and to review the legal procedures of the clinical and research NIBS applications in Turkey.
Methods: The data were collected from researchers working with NIBS, ethics committee representatives and official regulatory agency. The surveys prepared by researchers were sent to them, and an interview was conducted with the TİTCK-KAD representative. Quantitative analysis was performed for multiple-choice and short-answer questions, while thematic analysis was performed for open-ended answers.
Results: In the first survey, 99 researchers with a mean age of 38.9±10.5 years and most of them being female (65.65%) participated. 44.4% of the researchers were medical doctors, 21.21% were psychologists, 24.24% were other health professionals (mostly physiotherapists), and 10.10% were from other fields (engineers, educators, etc.). 94% of the researchers stated that the NIBS practitioner should undergo a standardized training. Different rates were obtained in the items related to the effectiveness of NIBS, self-administration, ethical and legal issues. It appeared that 94.37% of the researchers applied to the Clinical Research Ethics Committees in Turkey.
Conclusion: Researchers in Turkey agree on the clinical use and efficacy of NIBS. However, when it comes to improving cognitive and physical performance in healthy people, they are largely hesitant both in terms of efficacy and morality. This attitude is very similar to that of other researchers around the world. In terms of ethics committees, it is observed that local ethics committees are not sufficiently aware of the issue and that there are some differences in practice.
Imaging risk factors for predicting postoperative complications of intramedullary nailing for tibial fracture
Authors: He Miao , Fu Xufei , Zhang Xiaoxing , Hu Jianhua , Li Jie
Published: February 2023

Objective
The objective of this study was to analyze the ratio of fracture site diameter to tibial isthmus diameter (RFTI) as a predictor of postoperative complications, including malunion and delayed union, after tibial intramedullary nailing for middle and lower tibial fractures.
Methods
Data were collected from all adult patients older than 20 years of age who underwent tibial intramedullary nailing for middle and lower tibial fractures between January 2015 and January 2022 and were followed up for at least 1 year. Diabetes history, smoking history, fracture type, injury mechanism, surgical method, surgical approach, diameter of the medullary cavity at the fracture site, and diameter of the tibial isthmus were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the variables affecting the occurrence of complications. RFTI was used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the parameters, and ROC curves were generated to establish RFTI thresholds for predicting complications.
Results
A total of 123 patients with middle and lower tibial fractures were treated with intramedullary nails. The mean age of the patients was 43.72 years (range, 21–81 years); 89 were males and 34 were females. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that fracture type, open reduction surgery, superior patellar approach, and RFTI value were significantly correlated with postoperative complications after intramedullary nailing of a tibial fracture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the RFTI value was an independent risk factor for complications (P = 0.001*). By using the RFTI values as predictors of complications, a ROC curve was generated to establish a threshold. The ROC curve showed that a RFTI value ≥ 1.31 had a sensitivity of 0.89, a specificity of 0.71 and an area under the ROC curve of 0.82 for predicting complications.
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that a wider intramedullary diameter and a shorter fixed length at the fracture site are associated with a higher incidence of complications after tibial intramedullary nailing. The RFTI value may be used as a reliable parameter for predicting complications after such surgery. For patients with a high RFTI (≥ 1.31), additional reduction and fixation techniques may be required to obtain and maintain fracture reduction.
Electro-optical properties of strained monolayer boron phosphide: A tight-binding study
Authors: Nobahari Mohammad Mortezaei
Published: February 2023

This paper uses tight-binding approximation and linear response theory to study the electronic and optical properties of strained monolayer boron-phosphide (h-BP). Using previous DFT results, we propose a theoretical tight-binding approach to investigate the strain effects on the electronic and optical properties of the h-BP. Furthermore, we investigate the intra-band and inter-band optical conductivity of pristine and strained h-BP. The isotropic intra-band and inter-band optical conductivity of pristine h-BP are similar to graphene but applying uniaxial strain exerts anisotropic behavior in the system.