bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase contributes to spontaneous regression of liver fibrosis by interacting with suppressor of cytokine signaling1
Authors: Zhao Hui-zi , Zhu Hong , Zhang Yuan , Ding Yu-hao , Feng Rui , Li Jun , Huang Cheng , Ma Taotao
Published: April 2022

Quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs), activated to myofibroblasts, produce the fibrous scar is an essential event during liver fibrogenesis. Clinical and experimental fibrosis undergoes a remarkable regression when the underlying etiological agent is removed. Some myofibroblasts revert to an inactive phenotype (iHSCs) during regression of fibrosis. However, the mechanism of HSCs activation and reversal is still obscure. The present study demonstrated the expression of Lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) was increased in fibrotic liver but decreased after spontaneous recovery in vivo and in vitro, and this was correlated with the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Type I collagen (COL-1). Further investigation indicated that specific knockdown of LCK by hepatic-adeno-associated virus (AAV9) in C57BL/6 mice ameliorated liver fibrosis. Co-incubation of TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 with LCK-siRNA inhibited the cell proliferation and activation. Over-expression of LCK hindered MDI-induced HSC-T6 inactivation. Interesting we found LCK interact with suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and influenced the expression of p-JAK1 and p-STAT1/3. And LCK has a nagative effect of SOCS1 in liver fibrosis. These data suggest that LCK may play a regulatory role in liver fibrosis by inhibiting SOCS1 and implied LCK as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis treatment.
Use of Photo Methods in Research Studies with Cancer Survivors and Their Caregivers: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lanoye Autumn , Cai Lillian , Thomson Maria D. , Hong Susan
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Photo methods such as photo-elicitation and photovoice have traditionally been implemented as knowledge-generation techniques; however, they have also been conceptualized as interventions. We performed a scoping review to document the use of photo methods in studies of cancer, to describe participant populations such as cancer survivors versus caregivers, types of cancers involved, and to identify opportunities for future directions.Methods: An a priori search strategy was implemented across health-related databases with the following inclusion criteria: 1) study participants were diagnosed with cancer and/or were caregivers of those with cancer; 2) study participants were asked to take and/or respond to photographs as part of the study protocol; 3) articles were published in peer-reviewed journals; 4) articles were written in English. Results: Eighty non-duplicative articles were identified; of these, 30 articles describing 24 individual studies were included for review. All but one (95.8%) of the studies utilized photovoice solely as a knowledge-generation technique without participant outcome measurement or analysis. Across all included studies, participants were largely women with breast cancer; other demographic and cancer-related variables (e.g., race, cancer stage) were not consistently reported. Caregivers were included in 37.5% of studies. Conclusion: Photo methods are an effective method for eliciting rich qualitative data in cancer populations; however, there are missed opportunities in their lack of use for intervention and systemic change. In addition, inconsistent reporting of demographics and cancer characteristics limit our ability to synthesize these data across studies.
Remote sensing and 1D geoelectric surveys for the characterization of basement aquifers in a Pan-African orogenic belt, Akak/Cameroon
Authors: AMBASSA ETIENNE DESIRE , Ndibewu Peter , Wolkersdorfer Christian , Nkoungou Gregory
Published: April 2022

This study demonstrates the importance of using a holistic, multidisciplinary approach involving remote sensing, structural field studies and vertical electrical soundings for the identification and hydrogeological characterization of lineaments in a Pan-African orogenic belt exemplified by the Akak peri-urban area, in the North-East of Yaoundé in Cameroon. Remote sensing analysis was carried out using shaded relief images and principal component analysis on bands 6,5,1 of Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images to obtain lineament maps. Results show that major orientations are NW–SE and NE–SW, supplemented by NNE–SSW, ENE–WSW, N–S and E–W, which was validated by structural field surveys. The lineament density map indicates the presence of a higher lineament density in the north-eastern and south-western part of the study area.Fourteen vertical electrical soundings were conducted along six profiles using a Schlumberger configuration. Results obtained highlight five to six vertical geoelectric successions, with topsoil, follow by a nodular clay layer, a semi-conducting sandy clay, a resistant weathered gneiss and a conductive fractured gneiss. This characterization suggests that semi-conducting sandy clay represents the upper aquifers found in ≈ 20 m depth with ≈ 25 m thickness, and the basement aquifer is ≈ 56 m deep with a thickness of ≈ 55 m. Drilling and pumping proved that potable water exists in the 120–140° fracture direction located in the North-East and South-West of the study area (Q = 5–10 m3/h).
Scalable High Yield Exfoliation of Monolayer Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Zhuyuan , Yan Xue , Hou Qinfu , Liu Yue , Zeng Xiangkang , Kang Yuan , Zhao Wang , Li Xuefeng , Yuan Shi , Qiu Ruosang , Uddin Md Hemayet , Wang Ruoxin , Xia Yun , Jian Meipeng , Kang Yan , Gao Li , Liang Songmiao , Liu Jefferson Zhe , Wang Huanting , Zhang Xiwang
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Astrocytic NDRG2 is a potential guarder for diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction via regulating complement C3 cascades
Authors: Jiang Tao , Li Yansong , He Shuxuan , Du Mengyu , Zhai Qian , Pu Kairui , Wu Meiyan , Yan Chaoying , Ma Zhi , Wang Qiang
Published: April 2022

Background
Diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD), which mainly had three different cognitive characteristics, seriously affect the self-glycemic management and even lead to critical complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemic hyperosmotic coma and ketoacidosis. As most serious stage of DACD, dementia had gradually risen to second leading cause of death in diabetes, indicating the urgency to clarify the integrative pathophysiology of DACD.
Methods
Here, Y maze and Morris water maze were used to evaluate the learning memory. Based on quantitative transcriptome sequencing and TMT proteome sequencing, we performed WGCNA analysis and GSEA analysis to demonstrate activation of complement cascades induced neurotoxic astrocyte to injury neuronal synaptic plasticity in diabetic mice. Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, golgi staining and electrophysiology were used to verify the reliability of sequencing data.
Results
The deficiency of NDRG2 aggravated activation of complement C3 by accelerating the phosphorylation of NF-κB, ultimately lead to synaptic injury and cognitive dysfunction. Conversely, the overexpression of NDRG2 promoted remodeling of neurotoxic astrocyte by inhibiting complement C3, attenuated synaptic injury and cognitive dysfunction. Meanwhile, C3aR blockade rescued dendritic spines loss and cognitive deficits in diabetic mice. Moreover, we estimated cognitive function in diabetic or normal patients by DSST scores, which was negatively correlated with blood glucose, the level of C3 and HOMA-IR in serum.
Conclusion
Our findings illustrated the effectiveness and integrative mechanism of NDRG2-induced improving cognition from a multi-omics perspective, confirmed the expression of NDRG2 was closely related to cognitive function of diabetic mice and C3 may be a biomarker to predict the progression of DACD in human, which provided a new alerting or therapeutic strategy for patients with cognitive impairment.
Trial registration
The clinical protocol was registered and approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (ID: ChiCTR1900021720).
Effect of a four-week isocaloric ketogenic diet on physical performance in very high-altitude: a pilot study
Authors: Chiarello Nicolas , Leger Bertrand , De Riedmatten Mathieu , Rossier Michel F. , Vuistiner Philippe , Duc Michael , Rapillard Arnaud , Allet Lara
Published: April 2022

Background: Ketogenic diet (KD) reduces carbohydrate (CHO) daily ingestion replacing majority of calories by fat. KD is of increasing interest among athletes for evidence about VO2max increment. This is the principal performance limitation in high altitude. We so examine the tolerance of a 4-week isocaloric ketogenic diet (ICKD) under simulated hypoxia, the possibility of evaluating participant’s ICKD performances benefit by a maximal graded exercise bike test in hypoxic condition and assess data on its effect on performance markers and arterial blood gases.Methods: Using a randomised single blind cross-over model, 6 recreational mountaineers (24 to 44 years) completed a 4-week ICKD either followed or preceded by a 4-week habitual mixed western diet (HD). Performance parameters (VO2max, lactate threshold (LT), peak power (Ppeak)) and arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2, pH, HCO3-) were measured at baseline under two conditions (normoxia and hypoxia) as well as post 4-week HD and post 4-week ICKD under hypoxic condition.Results: We analysed data of 6 participants. Hypoxia led to a decreased performance in all participants. ICKD diet decreased their PaO2 by -14.5% and increased their VO2max by +7.3% and Ppeak by +4.7%.Conclusion: All participants except one could complete the ICKD. VO2max improved with ICKD under the hypoxia condition. ICKD is thus an interesting alternative to CHO dependency for endurance performances at high-altitude (1500-3500 m) including high-altitude training sessions and high-altitude races. Nevertheless, the PaO2 decrement with ICKD remains a significant limitation of ICKD in very high- to extreme-altitude (>3500 m.). Trial registration: CER-VD, 2020-00427. Registered 18.08.2020 - Prospectively registered
Application of the fluorescent protein mCherry to study the inducible promoter rd29A under low temperature conditions in Arabidopsis
Authors: Su Min , Wang Zechen , Li Limei , OUYANG LEJUN , Zhang Yanxiang , Liu Yali
Published: April 2022

In this study, we investigated the application of mCherry, a fluorescent protein, to evaluate the inducible promoter rd29A in Arabidopsis under low temperature, using the Arabidopsis genome as a template to amplify this promoter by PCR. Overlapping extension PCR was used to ligate the rd29A promoter and the mCherry gene to initiate the expression of mCherry through construction of a pHDE-rd29A-mCherry plasmid. Competent Agrobacterium cells were transformed with the recombinant plasmid, and Agrobacterium-mediated transfect Arabidopsis to obtain the progeny which was identified containing rd29A-mCherry in the transformed plants. Positive transgenic T1 seeds were planted in 1/2MS medium, and the seedlings were subsequently cultured at 34, 24, 14, 4 and 0°C for 20 h. Expression of the mCherry gene was then determined using an inverted fluorescence microscope. The results showed that fluorescence intensity was significantly higher in seedlings grown at 4°C compared with those grown at other temperatures. Furthermore, the rd29A promoter was induced to express low-levels of mCherry expression. Quantitative PCR assay indicated that mCherry expression was high under the 4°C condition, which was consistent with the results obtained by microscopy. These findings indicate that mCherry can be used as an exogenous marker to investigate spatio-temporal promoter activation.
Role of Local Governing Institutions in Community-Based Management of COVID-19 Pandemic in Two States of South-India: Mixed Method Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gafurjiwala Seema M , Nagapurkar Srinath , Chary Janani S , Kona Chandralekha , Kannuri Nanda Kishore , Shukla Rajan , Singh Samiksha
Published: April 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that community engagement and health governance are critical for mitigating the impact and enhanced preparedness. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among elected Gram panchayat representatives (Sarpanches) and volunteers. The study explores enablers and barriers for community-level management of COVID-19 and vaccination in two states of South India – Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana (TS). In addition, the availability and utilization of COVID-19 related care and other Primary Healthcare services including Non-COVID clinical care, Maternal and Child health services was also studied.Methods: A mixed-method cross-sectional study consisting of 183 semi-structured interviews and 15 in-depth interviews from two districts of AP and TS. In depth interviews were conducted with 10 COVID-19 recovered patients and 20 lactating mothers were conducted. Results: Quantitative findings suggest a significant association between socioeconomic status and educational level with knowledge. 74% of participants practiced wore masks and 59% washed hands whereas 91% were vaccinated. Sarpanches ensured community compliance and supported the COVID-19 control activities. Most of the COVID-19 patients reported being stigmatized even after recovery. Lactating mothers were dissatisfied with services in government hospitals and high expenditures in private hospitals.Conclusion: The study established the crucial role of sarpanches and volunteers in COVID-19 response. It is important to build their capacities further for better community-based preparedness. Primary health care services should be strengthened for uninterrupted access during such pandemics.
Palladium Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrophosphination of Internal Alkynes: Access to Phosphine-Functionalized Axially Chiral Olefins
Authors: Ji Danqing , Jing Jierui , Wang Yi , Qi Zisong , Wang Fen , Wang Yong , Li Xingwei
Published: April 2022

Palladium-catalyzed atroposelective hydrophosphination of sterically hindered internal alkynes with secondary phosphines has been realized, affording C-N axially chiral trisubstituted olefins (vinylphosphines) in excellent regioselectivity, (E)-selectivity, and enantioselectivity. The axial chirality was constructed via integration of hydrophosphination and dynamic kinetic transformation of the alkynes, with both symmetrical and nonsymmetrical secondary phosphines being applicable.
Decision-analytic health economic evaluation of preventive digital public health interventions: A systematized review
Authors: Lange Oliver
Published: April 2022

Objectives: Digital public health (DiPH) provides novel approaches for prevention, potentially leading to long-term health benefits in resource-limited health systems. However, their cost-effectiveness is unclear. This systematized review investigates the design and results of decision-analytic health economic evaluations associated with assessing the reporting quality of primary prevention and health promotion interventions using digital tools. Methods: Studies of decision-analytic economic evaluations of digital interventions in primary prevention or health promotion were eligible. The search, on December 4, 2020, included PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. First, this study extracted selected items based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) and on additional items. Second, ICERs were extracted and price-adjusted to compare the economic evaluation results. Third, this review assessed the included studies’ reporting quality by building a score using CHEERS. Results: The database search produced 1,938 hits. Duplicates were removed. 1,161 titles and abstracts were screened. Ten of 78 studies met the full-text inclusion criteria. The most common targets were physical activity (4) and weight loss (3). Digital applications are text messages, web-based inventions, app-based interventions, e-learning devices, and the promotion of smartphone apps. The mean of the eight ICERs that use QALY is €31.143 per QALY (min −€1.616; max €114.211). The mean of reported CHEERS items is 82% (min 59%; max 91%).Discussion: This review only includes primary prevention and health promotion and excludes other DiPH fields (e.g., secondary prevention). It focuses on decision-analytic models, excluding study-based economic evaluations. Included studies report a lack of evidence of these interventions’ effectiveness or download rates in the case of smartphone applications. Different applied models and assumptions might influence the results. Nevertheless, the review demonstrates that, using common thresholds, digital public health provides a new field for prevention that contains cost-effective interventions.
High-throughput screening of BAM inhibitors in native membrane environment
Authors: Rath Parthasarathi , Hermann Adrian , Schaefer Ramona , Agustoni Elia , Vonach Jean-Marie , Siegrist Martin , Miscenic Christian , Tschumi Andreas , Roth Doris , Bieniossek Christoph , Hiller Sebastian
Published: April 2022

The outer membrane insertase of Gram-negative bacteria, BAM, is a key target for urgently needed novel antibiotics. Functional reconstitutions of BAM have so far been limited to synthetic membranes and with low throughput capacity for inhibitor screening. Here, we describe a BAM functional assay in native membrane environment capable of high-throughput screening. This is achieved by employing outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) to present BAM directly in native membranes. Refolding of the model substrate OmpT by BAM was possible from the chaperones SurA and Skp, with the required SurA concentration three times higher than Skp. In the OMVs, the antibiotic darobactin displayed up to tenfold higher potency than in synthetic membranes, highlighting the impact of native-like conditions in antibiotics development. The assay was successfully miniaturized for 1536-well plates and upscaled using large scale fermentation, resulting in high-throughput capacities to screen large commercial compound libraries. Our OMV-based assay thus lays the basis for discovery, hit validation and lead expansion of novel antibiotics targeting BAM.
iMUT-seq: high-resolution DSB-induced mutation profiling reveals prevalent homologous-recombination dependent mutagenesis
Authors: Bader Aldo , Bushell Martin
Published: April 2022

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most mutagenic form of DNA damage, and play a
significant role in cancer biology, neurodegeneration and aging. However, studying DSB-
induced mutagenesis is limited by our current approaches. Here, we describe iMUT-seq, a
technique that profiles DSB-induced mutations at high-sensitivity and single-nucleotide
resolution around endogenous DSBs. By depleting or inhibiting 20 DSB-repair factors we
defined their mutational signatures in detail, revealing remarkable insights into the
mechanisms of DSB-induced mutagenesis. Notably, we found that homologous-
recombination (HR) is highly mutagenic, inducing prevalent base substitutions and
mononucleotide deletions at distance from the break due to DNA-polymerase errors.
Simultaneously, HR reduced translocations, suggesting a primary role of HR in specifically
preventing genomic rearrangements. The results presented here offer new fundamental
insights into DSB-induced mutagenesis and have significant implications for our
understanding of cancer biology and the development of DDR-targeting chemotherapeutics.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Station Based on Pythagorean Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analysis Modified Expression Difference
Authors: Cheng Zhongwei , Wu Shaotong , Yang Lifeng , Li Xueyan , Chen Feiyu
Published: April 2022

With the popularity of lithium-ion battery (LIB) vehicles, End of Life-lithium-ion batteries (EoL-LIB) pollute the environment, but their recycling has great economic value. Therefore, service efficiency and location of EoL-LIB recycling station (ELRS) have become a concern. Aiming at the comprehensive evaluation of the service efficiency of ELRSs, this study constructed an evaluation index system of the service efficiency of ELRSs, including 5 first-level indicators, such as incentive factors of system sound, economic benefit, social effect, technological innovation and management innovation. In this study, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), the fuzzy processing of 7-granularity language variables and the intuitionistic fuzzy weighted mean (IFWA) operator aggregate quantitative evaluation matrix were adopted. Based on the prospect theory, a weight correction model of individual expression tendency index was constructed. Secondly, we used Maximum deviation method (MDM) and Shapley fuzzy measure to build a two-stage optimization model, and then determined the optimal weight. Thirdly, according to performance function and accuracy function, we used Partition normalized weighted Bonferroni mean (PFPNWBM) operator to calculate the optimal ranking of ELRSs. Finally, an example was given to analyze the difference between the first-order linear optimization model and the two-stage optimization model, and the practical value of using Shapley function-based two-stage linear optimization model to evaluate the comprehensive service efficiency of ELRSs was verified.
Sensitive Seismic Sensors Based on Microwave Frequency Fiber Interferometers in Commercially Deployed Cables
Authors: Bogris Adonis , Nikas Thomas , Simos Christos , Simos Iraklis , Lentas Konstantinos , Melis Nikolaos , Fichtner Andreas , Bowden Daniel , Smolinski Krystyna , Mesaritakis Charis , Chochliouros Ioannis
Published: April 2022

The use of fiber infrastructures for environmental sensing is attracting global interest, as optical fibers emerge as low cost and easily accessible platforms exhibiting a large terrestrial deployment. Moreover, optical fiber networks offer the unique advantage of providing observations of submarine areas, where the sparse existence of permanent seismic instrumentation due to cost and difficulties in deployment limits the availability of high-resolution subsea information on natural hazards in both time and space. The use of optical techniques that leverage pre-existing fiber infrastructure can efficiently provide higher resolution coverage and pave the way for the identification of the detailed structure of the Earth especially on seismogenic submarine faults. The prevailing optical technique for use in earthquake detection and structural analysis is distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) which offers high spatial resolution and sensitivity, however is limited in range to a few tens of km. In this work, we present a novel technique which relies on the dissemination of stable microwave carriers along optical fibers in a closed loop configuration, thereby forming an interferometer that is sensitive to deformation. We call the proposed technique Microwave Frequency Fiber Interferometer (MFFI) and demonstrate its sensitivity to deformation induced by moderate-to-large earthquakes from either local or regional epicenters. MFFI signals are compared to signals recorded by accelerometers of the National Observatory of Athens, Institute of Geodynamics National Seismic Network and by a commercially available DAS interrogator operating in parallel at the same location. Remarkable agreement in dynamical behavior and strain rate estimation is achieved and demonstrated. Thus, MFFI emerges as a novel technique in the field of fiber seismometers offering critical advantages with respect to implementation cost, maximum range and simplicity.
A 9T-ST SRAM Cell with Reconfigurable Negative Bit Line Collapsed Supply Write Assist
Authors: ch Ganesh
Published: April 2022

This paper presents Reconfigurable Negative Bit Line Collapsed Supply Write driver circuit for 9T-ST SRAM Cell, significantly improving write performance for real-time memory applications. In deep sub-micron technology, increasing device parameter deviations significantly reduces the writeability of SRAM cells. The proposed 'RNBLCS' Write Assist technique for 9T-ST SRAM cell has 0.84×, 0.48×, 0.27× optimized write access delay and 1.05×, 1.08×, 1.19× improvement in Write Static Noise Margin (WSNM), 1.05×, 1.13×, and 1.39× improvement in Write Margin (WM), 0.96×, 0.89× and 0.72× minimum Write Trip Voltage (WTP) from Tran-NBL, CCS, and conventional write circuits respectively. The proposed ‘RNBLCS’ is functionally verified using Synopsys Custom compiler with 16nm BSIM4 model card for bulk CMOS.
Self-reported versus physician-reported severity of hand eczema - Concordance analysis based on data from the German CARPE registry
Authors: Bentz Philipp , Apfelbacher Christian , Akst Wilhelm , Molin Sonja , Bauer Andrea , Elsner Peter , Mahler Vera , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Schmitt Jochen , Weisshaar Elke
Published: April 2022

Background and Objective:Self-assessment of general health status includes a variety of verifiable objective and subjective criteria and shows a significant influence on patient-related outcomes such as quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate how patients assess the severity of their chronic hand eczema compared to physicians.Patients and method:Data for 1281 patients and their physicians from the German registry “CARPE” was available at baseline. At a 2-year follow-up, the remaining 788 cases served as a comparison. Concordance analysis was performed using Bangdiwala's B.Results:Only 16.62% (baseline) and 11.47% (follow-up) of the severity ratings showed complete concordance. The baseline shows a more pessimistic, the follow-up a more optimistic assessment from the patients compared to the physicians. Women and older patients had lower agreement. Bangdiwala's B value lies at the lower border of a substantial agreement (B̂ω(baseline)=0.573, B̂ω(follow-up)=0.498).Conclusion: The assessment of the severity of hand eczema often differs between physician and patient. To ensure successful therapy and adherence, dermatologists should inquire about their patients' individual perception of the severity of the hand eczema, especially in older patients and women.
Multilocus species delimitation analyses show junior synonyms and deep-sea unknown species of genus Gaidropsarus (Teleostei: Gadiformes) in the North Atlantic/Mediterranean Sea area.
Authors: Barros-García David , COMESAÑA ÁNGEL SEBASTIÁN , BAÑÓN RAFAEL , BALDÓ FRANCISCO , ARRONTE JUAN CARLOS , FROUFE ELSA , DE CARLOS ALEJANDRO
Published: April 2022

Gaidropsarus Rafinesque, 1810 is a genus of marine teleost characterized by a high ecological diversity and by species inhabiting from the intertidal zone to the deep-sea. Several taxonomic conundrums have been historically present in this taxon due to its conservative morphology and the lack of available specimens. Species delimitation analyses were carried out in multiple datasets combining both mitochondrial (COI, CytB, ND2) and nuclear (Rho, ZIC1) genetic markers. Despite some incongruence between mitochondrial and nuclear data, the analyses supported the synonymy between Gaidropsarus biscayensis – Gaidropsarus macrophthalmus and the existence of a putative undescribed deep-sea Gaidropsarus species in the North Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, recent speciation events can explain the close relationships among several Gaidropsarus species, including Gaidropsarus granti – Gaidropsarus vulgaris and Gaidropsarus argentatus – Gaidropsarus ensis. These results support previous findings highlighted through DNA Barcoding analyses. The first evidence of a complex evolutionary scenario has arisen between Gaidropsarus guttatus and Gaidropsarus mediterraneus, but further analyses will be necessary to unravel the phenomena related to it.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with pulmonary hypertension: a retrospective study in China
Authors: Lv Chengtian , Huang Yuwen , Liao Guangyuan , Wu Lichan , Chen Dunjin , Gao Yuanmei
Published: April 2022

Background: In recent years, with the development of monitoring conditions and the promotion and application of pulmonary vascular targeted drugs, the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have been improved, but the rate of maternal mortality is still high. The purpose of this study was to describe the Maternal-fetal outcomes in pulmonary artery hypertensive pregnant women.Methods: The clinical data of 154 pregnant women with PH, who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to December 2020 were collected and analyzed comprehensively.Results: Among patients diagnosed as PH with transcardiac color Doppler ultrasonography, 6 (3.9%) had idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (iPAH), 41 patients (26.6%) of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) , 45 patients (45.2%) of pulmonary arterial hypertension (oPAH) related to other diseases, and 62 patients (40.3%) of pulmonary arterial hypertension (LHD-PH) related to left heart disease. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was 36-49mmHg in 53.2% of patients, 50-69mmHg in 22.1% and ≥70mmHg in 24.7%. Five (3.2%) pregnant women died within 1 week after delivery; iPAH had the highest mortality rate (3/6, 50%); the incidence of heart failure during pregnancy was 14.9%, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was 10.4%, and cesarean section accounted for 70.1%, iatrogenic abortion 14.3%, premature infants 42.9%, low birth weight infants 44.8%, birth asphyxia infants 14.9%, fetal mortality 5.2%, neonatal mortality 1.9%. The average birth weight of perinatal infants was 2334.9±814.6g.Conclusion: There are significant differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension caused by different etiologies (iPAH, CHD-PAH, oPAH and LHD-PH). In general, iPAH got the worst prognosis, LHD-PH got the second, and then oPAH. CHD-PAH has the best prognosis relatively. Therefore, PH patients will be advised to avoid pregnancy; standardized, whole-process, and multidisciplinary assisted maternal management is the key to improving the maternal and fetal outcomes of such high-risk pregnancies.
Rolling Microswarms along Acoustic Virtual Walls
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Sukhov Alexander , Harting Jens , Malgaretti Paolo , Ahmed Daniel
Published: April 2022

Rolling is a ubiquitous mode of transport utilized by both living organisms and engineered systems. Rolling, on the microscale, has become particularly interesting for the manipulation of microswarms, since enacting such motion does not require special prefabrication techniques. However, rolling motion has to date been restricted by the need for a physical boundary to break the spatial homogeneity of surrounding mediums, which limits its prospects for microswarm navigation and cargo delivery to locations with no boundaries. Here, in the absence of real physical boundaries, we show that chain-shaped microswarms can undergo rolling motion along virtual walls in the aqueous medium, impelled by a combination of magnetic and acoustic fields. A rotational magnetic field causes individual particles to self-assemble and rotate, while the pressure nodes generated by an acoustic standing wave field serve as virtual walls. The acoustic radiation force pushes the rotating microswarms towards a virtual wall and provides the reaction force needed to break their fore-aft motion symmetry and induce rolling. We develop an experiment-supported theoretical model to quantify the net displacement generated by rolling. Finally, we demonstrate that rolling can be achieved along arbitrary trajectories by dynamically switching the orientation of the virtual walls and the rotational directions of the magnetic field. Consequently, the concept of reconfigurable virtual walls developed here overcomes the fundamental limitation of a physical boundary being required for universal rolling movements.
Impact of kinematics on the efficiency and safety of an engine-driven file for glide path preparation in MB2 canals of maxillary molars
Authors: Araújo Larissa B. B. , Calefi Pedro H. S. , Alcalde Murilo P. , Gavini Giulio , Vivan Rodrigo R. , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro
Published: April 2022

Introduction:
To evaluate the influence of different kinematics on the efficiency and safety of an engine-driven file for glide path preparation in second mesiobuccal canals (MB2) of maxillary molars. In addition, the torsional resistance of the file was assessed after use.
Methodology:
Thirty-six maxillary first and second molars with two canals in the mesiobuccal root were selected and the anatomy of the canals was verified by micro-CT. The teeth were divided into 4 groups (n = 9) according to the kinematics used for glide path preparation: continuous rotation (CR), 30°/150° reciprocation (REC 30°/150°), 30°/90° reciprocation (REC 30°/90°), and 90° optimum glide path motion (OGP 90°). The duration of the procedure, number of canals in which the file reached the full working length (RFWL), canal volume before and after the procedure, rate of file fracture, and file torsional strength after use were evaluated. The ANOVA and Tukey tests or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results
No significant differences among the groups were found for procedure duration, success at reaching the FWL, distance from the file to apex, and number of fractured files (P > 0.05). The CR group showed a significant decrease in rotation angle compared with REC 90° and OGP 90° groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in canal volume among the groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
The type of kinematics used did not affect the efficiency, success rate, and shaping ability of the file during glide path preparation. CR seems to induce more torsional stress than the other kinematics.
Clinical Relevance:
The glide path preparation of narrow canals such as the MB2 is difficult and accidents such as file fracture may occur. This study showed that reciprocation with different file angulations can be safer during this challenging stage.
Extraskeletal Osteosarcoma in the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Ge Xin , Wang Minglei , Zhai Xuefeng , Ma Jian , Liu Wenxiao , Wang Minxing , Wang Xiaodong
Published: April 2022

Background: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a rare malignant soft tissue neoplasm. Notably, there are few reports on primary EOS in parotid gland and we report the highly malignant one.Case presentation: A 51-year-old man came to our hospital with a quickly growth mass in the left face discharge for 3 weeks. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a 4.0 × 3.2 × 4.5cm mass in the left parotid area with significantly contrast enhancement. Unfortunately, recurrence of the lesions occurred after surgery in short time. Following magnetic resonance (MR) scan revealed a soft mass smaller than first one in the left maxillofacial and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) scan showed increased focal uptake in the lesion. Further, microscopic examination revealed a spindle cell malignant neoplasm with osteoid matrix. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for stabilin-2 and MDM2. The tumor was confirmed as a high-grade EOS in the parotid gland. The patient recovered well and no tumor recurrence was identified by MRI examination 7 months after operation. However, two subsequent chest CT examinations demonstrated a metastatic nodule in his upper lobe of the right lung and died in April, 2021 (13 months after radical surgery), due to lung metastatic complications.Conclusions: EOS in the parotid gland can quickly grow to giant proportions with no obvious symptoms initially. Radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy may be curative and need to further investigation. Clinicians should also pay attention to distant metastasis for such patients and need to timely deal with the complications if necessary.
Comprehensive analysis of the landscape characteristics of m6A regulators in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Liao Xinai , Chen Ling , Liu Jingru , Hu Haoran , Hou Diyu , You Ruolan , Wang Xiaoting , Huang Huifang
Published: April 2022

Background: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor prognosis and low overall survival (OS) rate owing to its heterogeneity and the complexity of its tumor microenvironment (TME). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a potential role in the initiation and progression of haematopoietic malignancies. Nonetheless, compressive analysis of RNA m6A modification is rare in AML.Methods: Based on somatic mutation and copy number analysis, differential expression analysis, survival analysis, function enrichment analysis, spearman correlation analysis, gene set enrichment analyses，and a series of experiments (western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry), data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to assess the value of m6A regulators in the development and prognosis of AML.Results: Compared with normal samples, five m6A regulators were significantly differentially expressed in AML samples. Among them, methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), zinc finger CCCH-type containing 13 (ZC3H13), RNA binding motif protein 15 (RBM15) and YTH domain-containing 2 (YTHDC2) were associated with the OS of AML patients. Notably, they were successfully validated in clinical samples. Besides, three distinct m6A modification patterns were determined, and remarkable differences were observed in the expression of m6A regulators, TME infiltration characterization, functional enrichment and survival outcome among these patterns. We further found 122 m6A phenotype-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were closely relevant to metabolism. Based on 28 prognosis-related DEGs, m6Ascore system was established to evaluate patient prognosis, patients with high m6Ascore had higher survival rates than those with low m6Ascore. Importantly, m6Ascore may serve as a potential predictor independent of TMB. Conclusion: This work provided new insight into the potential functions of m6A regulators in the initiation and progression of AML. It indicated that some m6A regulators may serve novel biomarkers to predict the prognosis of AML.
Changes in hepatic circadian genes and liver function caused by sleep deprivation
Authors: Su Yongjun , Chen Ting , Ke Peng , Liu Shengfeng , Zheng Chengjie , Wu Han , Wu Xiaodan
Published: April 2022

Background. Sleep is an essential physiological activity for human beings, while sleep deprivation (SD) has become a public health concern and causes damage to multiple organs. Circadian rhythms generated by endogenous circadian clocks play an important role in human activities and have become one of the hot spots of research in life sciences. However, there is still a lack of studies on the role of circadian genes and liver function after SD. Here we aimed to investigate the changes and relationship of circadian genes and liver function after SD, providing strategies for preventing liver injury caused by SD.Methods. Datasets GSE92913 from Gene expression omnibus (GEO) were used to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, Gene oncology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were performed to explore the function of DEGs and differentially expressed circadian genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was employed to identify important circadian genes, with their relationship determined by the Pearson correlation analysis. The transcript level and protein level of circadian genes in liver were verified. Besides, after SD, the expression of circadian genes was investigated. Moreover, CIBERSORT was performed in R software to analyze the immune environment in the liver after SD.Results. The quality of datasets GSE92913 met the criteria for further analysis. Functional analysis on DEGs showed that metabolic process and circadian rhythms in liver were significantly suppressed after SD. MCODE analysis obtained 16 most important circadian genes, most of which shared a high correlation. Seven kinds of immune cells changed after SD, such as CD4 naïve T cells and M2 macrophages. Six circadian genes exhibited a relationship with immune cells. Finally, DEGs based on Cry1, one of the most important circadian genes, showed an association with metabolic function and circadian rhythms.Conclusions. Liver metabolism and circadian rhythms are impaired after SD. Disorder of circadian genes is a factor in suppressing metabolism after SD. Also, six circadian genes play crucial roles in the immune environment. These findings provide potential strategies for the treatment of liver injury after SD.
LncRNA TUG1 contributes post-stroke NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis via miR-145a-5p/TLR4 axis
Authors: Yu Jian , Yao Meiling , Luo Ying , Li Hongjie , Liao Songjie
Published: April 2022

Objective: Pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death illuminated by inflammasomes and active caspases, is implicated in post-stroke inflammation. Our previous study showed that lncRNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) sponging miR-145a-5p modulated microglial activation after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). However, the role and mechanism of TUG1 on post-stroke pyroptosis is not fully clear.Methods: Photo-thrombosis stroke mice and OGD-treated BV-2 microglia were established respectively. TUG1 knockdown or overexpression was achieved by intraventricular infusion of AAV-shTUG1 in vivo, or transfection of siTUG1 and pcDNA3.1-TUG1 in vitro. Neurological function and infarction volume were evaluated. Meanwhile, pyroptosis-associated proteins (IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase-1 and GSDMD-N), TLR4 and p-p65/p65 as well as TUG1 and miR-145a-5p were detected 24 hours after photo-thrombosis or 4 hours after OGD by qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. The correlation between TUG1/miR-145a-5p/TLR4 axis and pyroptosis was explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay and functional gain-and-loss experiments. Results: Photo-thrombosis or OGD caused neural injury and upregulated pyroptosis-associated proteins, TUG1, TLR4 and p-p65 as well as downregulated miR-145a-5p, which was prevented by TUG1 knockdown in vivo and in vitro. TLR4 gene, putatively binding with miR-145a-5p by bioinformatics analysis, was found to be a direct target of miR-145a-5p with negative interactions. Furthermore, miR-145a-5p inhibitor abolished the inhibitive effects of siTUG1 on TLR4 and p-p65 as well as pyroptosis-associated proteins, whereas miR-145a-5p mimics abrogated the enhanced effects of pcDNA3.1-TUG1 on that, suggesting an involvement of TUG1/miR-145a-5p/TLR4 axis on pyroptosis.Conclusion: TUG1 contributes NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis through miR-145a-5p/TLR4 axis post stroke, providing a promising therapeutic strategy against inflammatory injury.
Modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age adults - A rapid review and meta-analysis
Authors: Singh Hunny , Kolschen Jonathan , Samkange-Zeeb Florence , Brand Tilman , Zeeb Hajo , Schüz Benjamin
Published: April 2022

Background
Health literacy comprises the ability to identify, obtain, interpret and act upon health information. Low health literacy is a major risk factor for hospitalizations, use of emergency care and premature mortality among others. Known risk factors for low health literacy such as lower educational attainment, migration history and chronic illnesses overlap with those for long-term unemployment – in itself a risk factor for low health literacy. These factors are difficult to address in interventions to support health literacy. Therefore, the objective of this review is to identify potentially modifiable predictors of HL in populations potentially affected by long-term unemployment.
Methods
Rapid review (PROSPERO registration number: 290873) in Pubmed and SCOPUS including quantitative studies on potentially modifiable predictors of health literacy in working-age populations following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Where possible, reported effect sizes were transformed into r, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted where appropriate to pool effect sizes for the association between modifiable predictors and health literacy.
Results
In total, 4765 titles and abstracts were screened, 114 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 54 were included in the review. 41 effect sizes were considered for 9 different meta-analyses. Higher language proficiency, higher frequency of internet use, using the internet as a source of health information more often, being more physically active, more oral health behaviours, watching more health-related TV and a good health status were significantly associated with higher health literacy. Significant heterogeneity suggests between-study differences.
Conclusions
Improving language proficiency and/or providing information in multiple and simplified languages, together with reliable and accessible health information on the internet and in linear media are potentially promising targets to improve health literacy levels in working-age populations.
Histological and histomorphometrical evaluation of Bio-Oss, Cerabone, and i-PRF for bone regeneration in critical bone defects: An in vivo study
Authors: Boia Juliana Ribeiro de Albuquerque , Soares Lélio Fernando Ferreira , Passos Gustavo Patrício , Neves Juliana dos Santos , Mariano Ronaldo Célio , Junior Noé Vital Ribeiro
Published: April 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the bone regeneration performance of the xenografts Bio-Oss and Cerabone, isolated and associated with i-PRF, in critical bone defects in rat calvaria. Materials and Methods: Surgical defects were performed and filled with different materials, according to the referred groups: clot (CG), autogenous bone (AG), Bio-Oss (BO), Cerabone (CB), i-PRF homogenous (i-PRF), Bio-Oss associated with i-PRF (BOPRF) and Cerabone associated with i-PRF (CBPRF). The animals were euthanized for histological and histomorphometric analysis after 4 and 8 weeks. Statistical analysis for bone neoformation assessment was performed by ANOVA and complemented by Tukey's test. Results: The AG group exhibited the highest mean for bone neoformation (37.83 ± 7.96) in this study. Among the bone substitutes, CBPRF group (18.79 ± 5.98) exhibited highest means (p<0.05) compared to BO group (10.20 ± 2.82) and CG group (6.96 ± 3.29). i-PRF group (17.07 ± 4.95), BOPRF group (16.86 ± 6.14), BO group (10.20 ± 2.82), and CB group (16.15 ± 4.72) were not significant among them (p>0.05). Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, it was observed that Cerabone® and Bio-Oss®, associated with i-PRF, exhibited a satisfactory applicability to fill critical defects, favoring the bone regeneration process. Clinical Relevance: To the authors' best knowledge, no study in the literature has been found so far, in animals or humans, that compares and associates the materials cited in this study.