bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of the bacterial community structure of freshwater lakes located in the outer Himalayan Region of India
Authors: Panwar Abhaya Shikhar , Rana Babita , Sharma Sandhya , Rawat Nivedita , Khulbe Kapil , Singh Deepak , Joshi Gopal Krishna
Published: January 2023

Bacteria are one of the most abundant domains of life that are capable of surviving in different environments including the fresh water habitats like river, streams, lakes etc. Many fresh water lakes located in the outer Himalayan region within Indian territory are the important source of water for residents for various domestic and agricultural purposes. There is a cluster of such lakes located in the lower Himalayan region in the Kumaun area of Uttarakhand state in India that includes lakes like Nainital, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Sattal and Garurtal. These lakes are the sources of potable water for local population and their presence have also led to the development of these sites into famous tourist spots. Since the increased human intervention is fastly changing the natural ecosystem of these lakes, the study of their microbial population is very important not only to define the level of anthropogenic disturbances but also to draw ecological inferences in terms of biogeochemical cycles in such environments. The present work represents the first report to provide a comprehensive insight into the bacterial community composition of the above mentioned 5 freshwater lakes through next generation sequencing targeting V3-V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. This investigation highlights the abundance of different bacterial genera in these lakes as well as their relation with the anthropogenic activities. The presence of gut bacteria like Prevotella, Clostridium, Treponema indicate the contamination of fecal discharge in lake water and questions their potability in untreated form.
A Clustering of Castles: Multi-scalar Architectural Types to Examine Fortified Elite Residences within a House Societies Model
Authors: Kirk Scott D. , Sternberg Evan , Thompson Amy E. , O’Donnell Lexi , Machen Kristina , Kolb Michael , Boone James
Published: January 2023

Castles have certain universal, strategic functions embedded in both their architecture and their placement upon the landscape. These materialized functions allow the castle to: (1) serve as control points along important arteries of commerce; (2) provide protection for local communities; and (3) act as monumental territorial markers symbolic of social rivalries and inter-group competition. This paper uses a variation of the House Societies Model (HSM), in conjunction with statistical analyses, to explore the most basic relationships between society, architecture, and landscape within a cross-cultural framework, emphasizing functionality and behavioral practices in castle placement and design. Using a dataset of medieval European castles (c. A.D. 500–1500), Early Modern fortresses from colonial contexts (A.D. 1500–1900), and castle-like structures from around the world, we demonstrate how various iterations of “the castle” statistically categorize by function and their relationship to local topography rather than its regional or cultural contexts. These results suggest that the social roles castles fit cross-cultural patterns that must be more fully explored.
A Combined use of Hydraulic and Hydrological Model to Characterise Channel Hydro-Geomorphology of a Tropical River Basin of West Bengal, India
Authors: Nag Swetasree , Karmakar Sayak , Roy Malabika Biswas , Roy Pankaj Kumar
Published: January 2023

The present research work is intended to portray the changing nature of channel hydro-geomorphological properties from upstream to downstream of the Mayurakshi River located in a plateau fringe region of Jharkhand and West Bengal. An intensive field investigation has been done on 14 different cross-sectional sites to measure some important geomorphic parameters like channel depth, width, bank height, hydraulic radius, wetted perimeter, etc. during the post monsoon season of 2021. For more accurate locational information, a Post Processed Kinematic Survey (PPK) using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey and a Current Meter instrument have been done to measure the river bed profile and channel velocity respectively. The objective of this paper is to compare the field observed discharge data with selected hydraulic and hydrological models and to determine the scientifically accepted and cost-effective way of estimating lean period flow amount within a section of a tropical river like the Mayurakshi River. Here, Manning’s equation and Kinematic Wave Parameter (KWP) - two important geomorphic-based methods have been executed for computing the discharge amount, where the study reveals Hydraulic method of Manning’s equation provide better result in discharge estimation compared to the hydrological method. Moreover, the role fragmented nature of the flow pattern, human intervention in active river bed areas by continuous sand mining activity and installation of dams and barrages restrict the free flow of the river causing inadequate discharge and higher channel in-efficiency throughout the studied reach.
Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram model for HER2-positive male breast cancer patients
Authors: Zhao Lifeng , Nong Shitang , Lin Ziren , Li Caixin , Huang Shiqing
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to establish a nomogram model for predicting the prognosis of HER2- positive MBC patients.240HER2-positive MBC patients from 2004 to 2015 were retrieved from the surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) database. All patients were divided randomly into training and validation cohorts according to a ratio of 6:4. Cox regression analyses were used to determine the prognostic factors associated with HER2-positive MBC patients. A clinical prediction model was constructed to predict the overall survival of these patients. The nomogram model was assessed by using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA). Cox regression analysis showed that T-stage, M-stage, surgery and chemotherapy were independent risk factors for the prognosis of HER2-positive MBC patients. The model could also accurately predict the Overall survival (OS) of the patients. In the training and validation cohorts, the C indexes of the OS nomograms were 0.746 and 0.754, respectively. Calibration curves and DCA verified the reliability and accuracy of the clinical prediction model. In conclusion,The predictive model constructed had good clinical utility and can help the clinician to select appropriate treatment strategies for HER2-positive MBC patients. Subject terms: Breast cancer, Nomogram
The Inverse Problem for the Euler-Poisson-Darboux Equation and Shifted k-Plane Transforms
Authors: Rubin Boris
Published: January 2023

The inverse problem for the Euler-Poisson-Darboux equation deals with reconstruction of the Cauchy data for this equation from incomplete information about its solution. In the present article, this problem is studied in connection with the injectivity of the shifted $k$-plane transform, which assigns to functions in $L^p(\mathbb {R}^n)$ their mean values over all k-planes at a fixed distance from the given $k$-planes. Several generalizations, including the Radon transform over strips of fixed width in $\mathbb {R}^2$ and a similar transform over tubes of fixed diameter in $\mathbb {R}^3$, are considered.
Quality of life and its associated factors among women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse in Gynecology outpatient department Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region public referral hospitals, Ethiopia
Authors: tefera zewdu , getaneh temesgen , Arega Mikyas , Temesgen Belsity , belay aynalem
Published: January 2023

Background
Pelvic organ prolapse is an important public health issue that influences millions of women’s lives; through limitations on physical, social, and sexual activities as well as psychological distress. However, there were no reports on the quality of life for women with pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia. Therefore this study amid to assess the magnitude of quality of life and its associated factors among women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse in Gynecology outpatient departments in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region public referral hospitals; Ethiopia.
Method
An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region of public referral hospitals from May 1-July 4, 2022 among 419 diagnosed women with pelvic organ prolapse. A validated tool was used to collect the data. The collected data were entered into EPI data version 3.1 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was computed. The p-value of < 0.05 was used to declare the final statistical significance.
Result
A total of 409 women with pelvic organ prolapse were included in the study, giving a response rate of 97.6%. The overall poor quality of life was 57.5%. Regarding the quality of life domains; personal relationships (73.6%), were highly affected, and sleep/energy (24.2%) was the least affected domain. Stage III/IV prolapse (AOR = 4.61, 95% CI: 2.51, 8.48), menopause (AOR = 3.59, 95% CI: 1.85, 6.97), unmarried women(widowed, divorced) (AOR = 3.81, 95% CI: 2.02, 7.19), low-income level (AOR = 7.48, 95% CI: 3.67, 15.24), and longer duration of prolapse (AOR = 8.8, 95% CI: 4.81, 16.11), were significantly associated with poor quality of life.
Conclusion
More than half of women with pelvic organ prolapse had a poor quality of life. Stage III/IV prolapse, longer duration of prolapse, low-income level, menopause women, and unmarried women are statistically significant factors for the quality of life of women with POP. Therefore, the Ethiopian Ministry of health with its stakeholders should develop an early detection and treatment strategy, and financial support for women with pelvic organ prolapse.
A multiple regression based method for indirect compensation of HRG temperature error
Authors: Li Xinsan , Li Can , Shen Qiang , Wang Lixin , Li Shuanzhu
Published: January 2023

In order to improve the measuring accuracy of the Hemispherical Resonator Gyro under variable temperature, aiming at the problem of "external temperature is unavailable and internal temperature is unmeasurable," a multiple regression based method is proposed for compensating temperature error in the gyro. The relationship between the internal temperature and the resonant frequency of the gyro is analyzed theoretically. According to a constant temperature experiment, a linear relationship between them is derived based on the least square method. The analysis of a temperature-rising experiment shows that the correlation of the gyro output with the internal temperature is much higher than that with the external temperature. Therefore, taking the resonant frequency as an independent variable, a multiple regression model is established for compensating the temperature error. The compensation effect of the model is verified by temperature-rising and temperature-dropping experiments, which show that the output sequence before compensation is not stable, while it is stable after compensation. After compensation, the drift of the gyro decreases by 62.76% and 48.48%, respectively, and its measuring accuracy becomes equivalent to that at the constant temperature. The experimental results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the model developed for indirect compensation of temperature error.
Analysis of Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcome of Patients with Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: Azik Hoffman , Omri Nativ , Kamil Malshy , Miki Haifler , Shay Golan , Roy Mano , Yuval Freifeld , Barak Rosenzweig , Ben Shalom , Yariv Stabholz , Reuven Ben David , Gilad Amiel E
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumor (BGCT) is a rare disease that is considered to be more aggressive than unilateral germ cell tumors (GCT). Among BGCT, a synchronous disease is more aggressive than the metachronous presentation and results in lower CSS. Hence, our study aimed to perform a comparative analysis between unilateral testicular GCT, bilateral synchronous GCT, and bilateral metachronous GCT, aiming to verify the possibility that BGCT is a more aggressive disease form that may require more aggressive management.
Material and methods: In our multicenter retrospective study we reviewed medical records of 40 patients with BGCT (24 metachronous and 16 synchronous). Clinical characteristics, pathological features of the primary and secondary tumors, adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and sperm quality were evaluated as well as cancer-specific survival and overall survival. A cohort of 40 patients with unilateral GCT were used to determine risk factors for developing BGCT.
Results: Patients with BGCT were slightly younger compared to those with unilateral GCT and had more advanced disease. Despite similar T-stage distribution between the two groups, nodal involvement was nearly 2-fold more frequent in patients with bilateral disease (42% vs 22%, p=0.056). additionally, although similar histological subtypes distribution at presentation among the two groups, the synchronous disease was more aggressive. This biological difference was evident by a higher rate of local T-stage (OR=3.4), higher proportions of patients with elevated serum BHCG levels, and more frequent nodal involvement (OR=2.2). This more aggressive biology was later on translated into over 3-fold higher disease-specific mortality rate. The median time to develop contralateral GCT was 92 months. Pathological local T-stage (T2-T3) of the primary tumor predicted a shorter time interval to a diagnosis of a second GCT (HR 0.92, P<0.05).
Conclusion: BGCT presents at a younger age and as a more aggressive disease. Synchronous BGCT is diagnosed at a more advanced stage and has higher disease-specific mortality. Metachronous tumors have a longer time interval for the development of a contralateral neoplasm. The main predictor of developing an early metachronous disease is a high primary T stage.
Understanding the Role of Ca2+, Na+ on Swelling Behaviour of Natural Expansive Soils: A field Application Prespective
Authors: Re Peddireddy Sreekanth , Mohanty Bijayananda , Rao Bendadi Hanumantha , Reddy V. A.
Published: January 2023

Swelling behaviour is the prime hindrance for effective utilization of expansive soils as a geomaterial. To alleviate such behavior, stabilization with a suitable additive is essential. However, the current practice of additive and stabilization selection technique to treat the expansive soils predominantly relies on geotechnical properties, in particular on consistency limits. The present paper aims at demonstrating the role of chemical constituents on swelling properties in a comprehensive way. Elaborate tests to determine the swelling and chemical constituents are carried out and based on the obtained results, interrelations between them are developed. The analysis of results revealed the maximum swelling occurrence at NaTof 0.4–0.7%, CaTof 4-5.5%, total CEC of 45–70 meq/100g, and (Ca/Na)Tof 15.75 respectively. The results portray that swelling in clays is minimal when NaT<0.2%, CaT>5.5%, and total CEC < 20 meq/100g, delineating a fact that additive selection is highly effectual and economical for those soils that comprise constituents in these prescribed limits. The results provided in the study fetches two major benefits: first, likely avoidance of overdose usage of stabilizer content, and second, economization of the cost of stabilization by predicting the most appropriate additive. Such kind of in-depth studies is indeed imperative to decide the direct applicability or to choose an appropriate stabilizer to amend expansive soils such that the treated soil qualify as a geomaterial in the construction of earthen structures.
Access to Palliative Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer of the Uterine Cervix in the Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ooko Francis , Mothiba Tebogo , Bogaert Peter Van , Wens Johan
Published: January 2023

Background
Women with advanced uterine cervical cancer suffer from a combination of moderate to severe physical, psychological, social, and spiritual distress due to their disease and are in need of palliative care to improve their quality of life. Approximately 85% of the women live in the low- and middle-income countries. Whether these women and their families access palliative care is not known.
Objectives
To understand the geographic accessibility, availability, financial accessibility, and acceptability of palliative care by patients with advanced cervical cancer and their families.
Methods
We conducted a Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines in CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMed and Scopus for the core concepts: palliative care, access, advanced uterine cervical cancer. Eligible articles were published in English, contained original data on experiences of patients and/or caregivers including symptoms management, and discussed available resources, communication, satisfaction, and healthcare utilization.
Results
Overall there was limited access to palliative care with insufficient facilities located in cities away from the rural areas where most women lived. Pervasive poverty was common with poor affordability of healthcare, travelling, accommodation, and subsistence expenses. Misconceptions and poor knowledge of the disease, cultural beliefs and attitudes, and other health system insufficiencies also presented challenges for access.
Conclusion
Concerted effort should be made to improve availability of palliative care facilities. Health education to address misconceptions and other cognitive barriers that limit access among cervical cancer patients and their families should be urgently undertaken in the LMICs.
Starch Quality Matrix (SQM): An Analytical Model for Predicting Resistant Starch (RS) in Rice (Oryza sativa.L)
Authors: Rahaman Sohel , Goswami Deepanyeta , Kumar Sanjeev , Bollinedi Haritha , Anand Anjali , Dash Sukanta , Rao Mahesh , Singh Archana , Singh Ashok Kumar , Krishnan Veda
Published: January 2023

Fine-tuning of starch digestibility to have a superior digestion-resistant fraction, i.e., resistant starch (RS), is of great interest in the agriculture, food, and nutrition domains, as it not only limits the glycemic amplitude but is also good for gut health. Traditionally, RS quantification has been done using human digestion simulation assays, which are technically demanding, time-intensive, and expensive. Considering the correlation of starch digestibility with the structural milieu, bestowed due to components, as well as other attributes, the present study aimed to develop a fundamental link among the reported explanatory variables affecting starch digestibility (microstructure, gelatinization temperature, total starch, amylose, amylopectin, and RS) in the form of a prediction model, the starch quality matrix (SQM). SQM was created using Pearson's correlation and Cramer's V statistics, and a regression model was created using the most significant variables (total starch and amylose) for RS prediction. The correlation between RS and inherent glycemic potential (IGP) was further validated using in-house developed in-vitro starch hydrolyzation kinetics. This study demonstrated for the first time a perspective relationship affecting starch digestibility and developed the SQM tool, which will aid in future trials to breed high-RS rice varieties with a low glycemic index.
Ameliorating the drought stress tolerance of a susceptible soybean cultivar, MAUS 2 through dual inoculation with selected rhizobia and AM fungus
Authors: Revanna Ashwin , Bagyaraj Davis Joseph , Basavaiah Mohan Raju
Published: January 2023

Drought stress is currently the major and primary abiotic stress factor for crop loss throughout the world. Although drought stress reduces the yield significantly, crop species differ in their stress response with some tolerate the stress effect while others not. Soybean is one such crop species reported to be more sensitive to drought stress during flowering, pod set and pod filling stage leading to a significant yield loss. In several systems, it has been shown that the soil microbes ameliorate the stress effect and therefore, yield loss is minimized under stress conditions. Realizing the importance of useful soil microbes, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of selected microbial inoculants namely, N-fixing rhizobial bacteria, Bradyrhizobium liaoningense and P-supplying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Ambispora leptoticha on the growth and performance of a drought susceptible soybean cultivar, MAUS 2 under drought condition. Moisture stress was imposed at flowering and pod filling stage by withholding the irrigation and the results revealed that, dual inoculation with rhizobia, B. liaoningense + AM fungus, A. leptoticha has improved the physiological, biometrie and yield besides the nutrient uptake and utilization abilities of a drought susceptible and high yielding soybean cultivar, MAUS 2 under water stressed conditions. Under water stressed conditions, inoculation of plants with microbial consortia has increased number of pods and pod weight per plant by 19% and 34% respectively; while, the number of seeds and seed weight per plant increased by 17% and 32% over un-inoculated control plants. Further, the growth and yield data revealed that, the inoculated plants under stress were on par with the un-inoculated irrigated control plants suggesting that the dual inoculation of plants with useful microbes would alleviate the stress effects and thereby making the plants to grow normally. The study therefore, infers that, rhizobia and AM fungal inoculation seems to be necessary when soybean is cultivated under drought or water limiting condition.
Individualized PEEP without recruitment maneuvers improves intraoperative oxygenation: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Pan Lili , Yang Li , Gao Lingling , Zhao Zhanqi , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2023

Background
Individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) combined with recruitment maneuvers improves intraoperative oxygenation in individuals undergoing robot-assisted prostatectomy. However, whether electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-guided individualized PEEP without recruitment maneuvers could also improve intraoperative oxygenation is unknown.
Methods
Fifty-six male patients undergoing elective robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy were randomly assigned to either individualized PEEP (Group PEEPIND, n = 28) or control with fixed PEEP of 5 cmH2O (Group PEEP5, n = 28). Individualized PEEP was guided by EIT after placing the patients in Trendelenburg position and intraperitoneal insufflation. Patients in Group PEEPIND maintained the individualized PEEP without intermittent recruitment maneuvers and those in Group PEEP5 maintained PEEP of 5 cmH2O intraoperatively. Both groups were extubated in a semi-sitting position once the extubation criteria was met. The primary outcome was the arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) / inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) prior to extubation. Other outcomes included intraoperative driving pressure, plateau pressure and dynamic respiratory system compliance, and the incidence of postoperative hypoxemia in post-operative care unit (PACU).
Results
The intraoperative median PEEPIND was 16 cmH2O (ranging from 12 to18 cmH2O). EIT-guided PEEPIND was associated with higher PaO2/FiO2 before extubation compared to PEEP5 (71.6 ± 10.7 vs. 56.8 ± 14.1, P = 0.003). The improved oxygenation extended into the PACU with lower incidence of postoperative hypoxemia (3.8% vs. 26.9%, P = 0.021). Additionally, PEEPIND was associated with lower driving pressures (12.0 ± 3.0 vs. 15.0 ± 4.4 cmH2O, P = 0.044) and better compliance (44.5 ± 12.8 vs. 33.6 ± 9.1 ml/cmH2O, P = 0.017).
Conclusion
Individualized PEEP guided by EIT without intraoperative recruitment maneuvers improved perioperative oxygenation in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
Trial registration:
China Clinical Trial Registration Center Identifier: ChiCTR2100053839. Registered 01/12/2021. First patient recruited on 15/12/2021. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=141373.
The safety and efficacy of immediate post placental IUD insertion versus the post puerperal IUD insertion in women undergoing cesarean delivery
Authors: Dawoud Mariam Ahmed Mohamed , Helal Omneya Mostafa , Komy Rasha Omar El , Sherbini Moutaz Mahmoud El , Awad Mirna Osama , Moussa Manal Abd Rabo
Published: January 2023

Objective
asses the safety and efficacy of immediate IUD insertion following delivery of the placenta in women undergoing cesarean delivery.
Study:
Randomized clinical trial that included 66 women, were divided equally in two arms, where each arm included 33 patients. The first group had IUD inserted 10 min after delivery of the placenta (post placental group) and the second group had their IUD inserted at 6weeks following delivery (interval group).
Results
The complication rate related to post placental IUD insertion was comparable to that of interval insertion. The expulsion and displacement rates were the same in both post placental and interval groups at 6 weeks and 3 months follow up.
Conclusion
Post placental IUD insertion is a safe and attractive option for postpartum contraception that should be offered to all women undergoing elective cesarean section after proper counseling.
TREM-1 triggers necroptosis of macrophages through mTOR-dependent mitochondrial fission during acute lung injury
Authors: Zhong Wen-Jing , Zhang Jun , Duan Jia-Xi , Zhang Chen-Yu , Ma Sheng-Chao , Li Yu-Sheng , Yang Nan-Shi Yu , Yang Hui-Hui , Xiong Jian-Bing , Guan Cha-Xiang , Jiang Zhi-Xing , You Zhi-Jian , Zhou Yong
Published: January 2023

Background Necroptosis of macrophage plays an essential role in amplifying intrapulmonary inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI). However, the molecular mechanism that triggers macrophage necroptosis is still unclear. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is a pattern recognition receptor expressed broadly on monocytes/macrophages. The role of TREM-1 in macrophage fate during ALI needs further investigation.
Methods TREM-1 decoy receptor LR12 was used to evaluate whether the TREM-1 activation induced necroptosis of macrophages in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice. Then we used an agonist anti-TREM-1 Ab (Mab1187) to activate TREM-1 in vitro. Mechanistically, macrophages were treated with RIPK3 inhibitor (GSK872), GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) inhibitor (Mdivi-1), or the nutrient-sensing mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) inhibitor (Rapamycin) to investigate macrophage necroptosis induced by TREM-1.
Results We first observed that blockade of TREM-1 attenuated macrophage necroptosis in LPS-induced ALI mice. In vitro, TREM-1 activation induced necroptosis of macrophages. mTOR has been previously linked to macrophage polarization and migration. Interestingly, we identified a previously unknown role of mTOR in regulating TREM-1-mediated mitochondrial fission, mitophagy, and necroptosis. Moreover, TREM-1 activation promoted DRP1Ser616 phosphorylation via mTOR signaling, leading to excessive mitochondrial fission-mediated necroptosis of macrophages, and finally exacerbated ALI.
Conclusion In this study, we reported TREM-1 acted as a necroptotic stimulus of macrophage, which fueled inflammation and aggravated ALI. We also provided compelling evidence suggesting mTOR-dependent mitochondrial fission as underpinnings of TREM-1-triggered necroptosis and inflammation. Therefore, regulation of necroptosis by targeting TREM-1 may provide a new therapeutic target for ALI in the future.
Perspectives toward e-learning system during Covid-19 pandemic among medical Colleagues, Egypt: A Cross-sectional survey
Authors: Abdelmonem Hanaa , Hamam Khaled M. , El-Helaly Abdullah Ahmed , Mostafa Marwa Gamal , Elsalam Eslam Mohamed Abd , Mohamed Mostafa Ramadan , Abdelsalam Asmaa E. , Awad Ahmed K. , Abd-ElGawad Mohamed , Ibrahim Mona Hamed , Collaboration IMedRA E.Learning
Published: January 2023

Background: WHO declared the outbreak of COVID-19, which affected the educational system stopping it in Egypt. To maintain the educational process, E-learning was a suggested solution. This study aimed to assess students' satisfaction regarding e-learning experience and effectiveness of this system on medical education in Egyptian universities.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical schools in Egypt during 2020–2021. It was conducted through an online questionnaire composed of four sections: Demographic characteristics, quality of internet connection, the academic characteristics of the participants, and evaluation of the effectiveness of e-learning. We compared the effectiveness of e learning among the clinical and the academic students, and private and governmental universities.
Results: Among 90592 medical students in Egypt, 6393 students from 28 universities filled out the questionnaire with a 96.6% response rate. The age of participants ranged from 16 to 29 years old. Also, about 59.3% of them were females. The blended e-learning was the most applied by universities (43.1%), followed by partial type (33.4%), and full type (23.6%). About 73.7% of students had "always/often" constant internet connection. Forty percent of students were "dissatisfied/not satisfied at all", 38.3% showed "neutral" satisfaction, while 21.7% were "satisfied or highly satisfied". There was a significant difference regarding internet connection and availability favoring urban areas compared to rural areas (p<0.001). There was a significant difference favoring the academic education over the clinical education regarding the effectiveness of online learning (p<0.01) and private education over governmental regarding the effectiveness of online learning (p<0.001).
Conclusion: E-learning was better for academic education than for clinical education. It was better for private universities than governmental ones. Also, students in rural areas had worse availability and quality internet connection compared with those in urban areas.
Chandipura virus nucleoprotein interact with heat shock cognate 71 protein in Neuro-2a cells during replication
Authors: Kavathekar Vishal K , Sambhare Susmit , Anukumar Balakrishanan
Published: January 2023

To complete their lifecycle, viruses interacts with variety of cellular proteins. Identifying host proteins involved in the viral lifecycle is an excellent target for drug. In neuro-2a cells, we employed recombinant Chandipura virus (CHPV) nucleoprotein (N) as bait in a protein pull down assay to see which cellular proteins interact with nucleoprotein. A total of ten proteins interact with the CHPV N protein. Out of ten proteins, heat shock cognate 71 (HSC70) protein was investigated further. In CHPV-infected neuro-2a cells, confocal microscopy revealed that HSC70 co-localized with CHPV N protein, and that the expression was altered by viral infection. The association with HSC70 may help to mitigate the negative repercussions of misfolded proteins produced by viral polymerase's erroneous nature. More research on the role of these proteins in viral replication in infected cells is needed.
Long-Term Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy with Total Mesorectal Excision in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: An Institutional Analysis.
Authors: Gorken ilknur Bilkay , Alicikus Zumre Arican , Aydin Barbaros , Akturk Nesrin , Kuru Ahmet , Canda Emre , Unlu Mehtat , Somali İsil , Oztop İlhan , Obuz Funda , Alanyali Hilmi , Sokmen Selman
Published: January 2023

Purpose: We aimed to determine the long-term oncologic outcome for patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). In addition, we attempted to identify prognostic factors and the oncologic significance of a pathological complete response (pCR) on the patient's oncologic outcome.
Materials and Methods: Between February 1993 and January 2019, a prospectively maintained database of 357 consecutive patients with locally advanced (cT3-4 or any N1-2) primary rectal adenocarcinoma who received preoperative CRT followed by curative TME at our institute was analyzed.
Results: With a median follow-up of 72 (23–295) months, local recurrence occurred in 21 (5.9%) patients. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year locoregional free survival rates were 92.7%, 91.3%, and 91.3%, respectively. The median time to pelvic recurrence was 28 (12–103) months. Pathologic complete response was reported in 41 (11.6%) patients, and no patient with pCR developed local recurrence. Advanced pathologic T stage, pathologic nodal stage, and circumferential resection margin involvement were significantly poor prognostic factors for these patients.
Conclusion: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for rectal cancer significantly improved the down-staging and sphincter preservation rates of low-lying rectal carcinomas. However, some patients will continue to recur after 5 years of follow-up.
Study of the antioxidant and bacterial activity of the flavonic glycosides existing in the plant "Cynodon Dactylon (L) Pers" by the free radical DPPH and the reduction of iron
Authors: KHEDIDJA BENZAHI , BRAHIM LABED , RABIA BENZAHI , ABDELKADER HASSANI , AMEUR ZORAI , ABDELAZIZ BOUHOREIRA , MABROUK SERRAOUI , BATOUL BEN ACHOURA SABRINA
Published: January 2023

The phytotherapy use of Cynodon Dactylon "L" Pers plant in traditional medicine has led us to work on the evaluation of the heteroside extracts of this plant, as well as aiding in the performance of phytochemical screening and the assessment of this plant's antioxidant activity using the "FRAP" method for reducing iron and scavenging DPPH radicals. Furthermore, research on the flavonoid components found in the two plant extracts' antibacterial properties is needed.
The antioxidant properties were demonstrated by identifying the effective inhibition concentration IC50 compared by the antioxidant effect of quercitin. The results mentioned that the extract of Ethyl Acetate has a higher activity than that of the Butanol extract "Ethyl Acetate extract IC50 ≃ 0.014 mg/ml, butanol extract IC50 ≃ 0.019 mg/ml". Also, the reducing power at the concentration of 2.5 mg/ml of ethyl acetate extract of Cynodon Dactylon was much higher (Ab=1.376 nm) compared to the Butanol extract (Ab= 1.297nm).
On the other hand, the butanol extract exerted weak activity against the referential bacterial strains. However, the ethyl acetate extract of flavonoids exhibited moderately positive activity on only two strains of "Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes".
Modulation of mesenchymal stem cells protection against senescence during long-term expansion by the PI3K/Akt signaling
Authors: Luo Yi , Zhu Xinxin , Xiao Jian-Hui
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Therapies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show immense potential and provide a promising new paradigm for treating previously untreatable diseases. These therapies require direct transplantation of a large number of MSCs obtained by long-term expansion in vitro, resulting in inevitable senescence and a decline in MSC quality, characterized by the appearance of senescence signatures, loss of proliferation, and decreased differentiation potential. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying MSC senescence remains unclear. We investigated this mechanism using young (passage 4 [P4]) and aging (P10) human amniotic MSCs (hAMSCs).
Methods and Results: P10 hAMSCs showed a senescence phenotype in vitro, including G1-phase cell cycle arrest and increased β-galactosidase-positive staining compared to P4 hAMSCs. Senescence is accompanied by the degeneration of stemness properties, including decreased expression of stemness transcription factors and decreased ability to differentiate into osteoblasts. Further analysis showed that aging hAMSCs contained lower levels of phosphorylated PI3K and AKT proteins, and thus lower activity levels, than those in young hAMSCs. To clarify whether low PI3K/Akt signaling promotes hAMSC senescence, we treated young hAMSCs with a specific inhibitor of phosphorylated AKT, MK2206. The treated cells showed a senescent phenotype at 72 h, accompanied by G1-phase cell cycle arrest and a decrease in proliferative and osteogenic capacities.
Conclusions: These data suggest that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway protects against senescence during long-term in vitro expansion of hAMSCs and plays a central role in maintaining the hAMSC pluripotency.
In-Silico approach of the Mangrove Triterpenoids against SARS-CoV-2 Main protease (Mpro)
Authors: Purushothaman Ramamoorthy , Vishnuram Ganapathy , Ramanathan Thirugnanasambandam
Published: January 2023

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) complaint is a new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) found in 2019 at Wuhan city, China. Till date, there is no specific treatment against Covid-19 infection. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) is one of the new approaches for identifying the lead compound in drug development. In the present study, we performed an in-silico study of the Triterpenoid compounds from Mangrove plant as potential COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors, which are used as a potential medicine target. Mangroves are salt-tolerant plant, rich in secondary metabolites. Generally, more than 16% of triterpenes are present in the Mangrove plant and possess many Pharmacological activities. In this study we used Molecular Docking using Auto Dock software. The binding energies obtained from the docking of 6LU7 with Beta-amyrin, Betulin, germanicol, taraxerol, lupeol, lupane, simiarenol, Tirucallol, Ursolic acid, Oleanolic acid, and Alpha-amyrin were − 8.37, -8.73, -8.06, -7.71, -8.32, -8.49, -8.16, -8.99, -9.24, -8.87 and − 8.89 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, these results were also confirmed by drug-likeness properties by using Swiss ADME software. This study showed Triterpenoid compounds seemed to have the best potential to act as COVID-19 Mpro inhibitors and they have a potential lead compound for the development of drugs, which can be used against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, further research like in-vivo and in-vitro examines is necessary to investigate their potential medicinal use.
Couple-Based exercise program for post - PCI patients to improve cardiac rehabilitation exercise compliance
Authors: Zhang Mingyue , Huang Lihua , Cai Shasha , Xiang Xinyue , Fang Yong , Shao Rongya
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, and sudden death in post-PCI patients, restore physical strength, and allow them to return to society as early as possible. However, low participation and poor adherence to cardiac rehabilitation are prevalent across countries, with the poorest adherence among post-PCI patients in China. Given that the spouse is the primary caregiver of a patient after PCI, the health, behavior, and values of the couple are closely related. This study designed a couple-based exercise program based on the dyadic coping theory to promote the exercise of patients and their spouses in order to improve the compliance of patients with cardiac rehabilitation exercise, so as to improve the effect of cardiac rehabilitation.
METHODS
This study is a quasi-experiment, the dyads (N = 68) will be recruited to participate in a 12-week study. They will be recruited to the intervention group that will receive the Couple-Based exercise program and the control group that will receive routine exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. The primary outcomes were exercise adherence and exercise self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes were the 6-minute walk test, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Outcomes were collected at baseline and post-intervention (12 weeks). Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS V. 25.0 software.
RESULT
After a three-week follow-up, the results showed that there were significant differences in exercise adherence, exercise self-efficacy, 6-minute walk test and anxiety-depression in patients in the co-exercise binary group compared to the control group (p > 0.05), indicating that the intervention program of co-exercise for couples helped to improve exercise adherence, exercise self-efficacy, 6-minute walk test and anxiety-depression in patients compared to usual care depression.
DISCUSSION
Couples exercising together can change the conventional exercise interventions, with a shift occurring from the individual level to the dyadic level, an approach that optimizes the situation for both partners, as the physical and mental health of the couple is closely linked.
TRIAL REGISTRATION:
This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on April 12, 2022 under registration number ChiCTR2200058600.
Aesthetic Evaluation of Free Gingival Graft Applied By Partial De-Epithelialization and Free Gingival Graft Applied By Conventional Method: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study
Authors: Naziker Yonca , Ertugrul Abdullah Seckin
Published: January 2023

Objective:The aim of this clinical study is to compare the partially de-epithelialized free gingival grafts (d-FGG) with the conventional free gingival grafts (FGG) aesthetically with the help of photographic analysis and visual evaluation (VAS).Materials and Methods: A total of 30 defects were treated in 15 patients with attached gingiva insufficiency. In the split-mouth study, d-FGG were applied on one side (Test group), while FGG were applied on the contralateral side (Control group). Results of clinical periodontal parameters were evaluated in 6-month follow-up, and aesthetic evaluation results were evaluated in 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up.Results:Among the periodontal clinical parameters examined, only the keratinized tissue width (KT) was found to be statistically significantly higher in the test group compared to the control group. In photo analysis evaluation, a significant difference was found between both groups at the 3rd month. In visual evaluation, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the time periods examined.Conclusion:d-FGG and FGG are equivalent to each other in terms of aesthetic harmony and clinical parameters. d-FGG have become a preferable option in mucogingival surgery alone or in combination with other techniques, providing aesthetic success.Clinical Relevance:The free gingival graft has a whiter appearance that is not compatible with the recipient site, while the de-epithelialized gingival graft and connective tissue graft have a pinker appearance that is compatible with the recipient site.Partially de-epithelialized free gingival graft is a method with acceptable aesthetic results.
Ligand field tuning of d-orbital energies in MOF clusters
Authors: Diamond Brian , Payne Lillian , Hendon Christopher
Published: January 2023

Linker functionalization is a common route used to affect the electronic and catalytic properties of metal-organic frameworks. By either pre- or post-synthetically installing linkages with differing linker moieties the band gap, workfunction, and exciton lifetimes have been shown to be affected. One overlooked aspect of linker functionalization, however, has been the impact on the metal d-orbital energies to which they are bound. The ligand field differences should result in substantial changes in d¬-splitting. In this study we use DFT to study the energetics of d-orbital energy tuning as a function of linker chemistry. We offer a general descriptor, linker pKa, as a tool to predict the resultant d-splitting in MOFs. Our calculations reveal that simple functionalizations can affect the d-energies by up to 2 eV and illustrate the significance of this band modularity using four archetypal MOFs: UiO-66, MIL-125, ZIF-8, and MOF-5. Together, we show that linker functionalization dramatically affects d-energies in MOF clusters and highlight that linker functionalization is a useful route for fine-tuning band edges centered on the metals, rather than linkers themselves.
Demographics, referral patterns and outcome of neural tube defect patients in Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Punchak Maria , Najjuma Josephine Nambi , Razak Shahaan , BNS Zaina Nakaziba , Kasoba Amos Mbusa , Haglund Michael M. , Fuller Anthony T. , Kitya David
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Genetic diversity and population structure of sweet potato landraces based on phenotypic traits, carotenoid content, and SSR molecular markers
Authors: Chen Yihang , Tang Chaochen , Zhang Rong , Jin Jingwei , Wang Zhangying
Published: January 2023

Germplasm resources are an important basis for genetic breeding, and the study of genetic diversity is beneficial to the discovery and improvement of germplasm resources. In this study, 132 local germplasm of sweet potato were used as test materials, and 20 phenotypic traits were analyzed for genetic diversity using distribution frequency, coefficient of variation, and Shannon's diversity index; carotenoid contents in sweet potato tubers were measured by HPLC, and their genetic diversity was analyzed using the coefficient of variation, mean, and standard deviation. Meanwhile, the genetic diversity, as well as population structure, were analyzed based on 10 pairs of SSR molecular markers using Nei's genetic diversity index and Shannon's diversity index. The results showed that the 132 sweet potato landraces had high genetic diversity based on phenotypic traits, SSR molecular markers, and carotenoid content, respectively; based on population structure analysis, the 132 sweet potato landraces could be divided into five subgroups. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) showed that 84% of the variation existed within populations and 16% between populations. This study provides a basis for the selection of parental material for the genetic breeding improvement of sweet potato and for the mining of superior genes.