bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radio Emission from Supernova Remnants: Model vs. Observations
Authors: Leahy Denis Alan , Merrick Felicity , Filipovic Miroslav
Published: November 2022

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are an integral part in studying the properties of the Galaxy and its interstellar medium. For the current work, we explore the relation between the observed radio luminosities of SNRs and the physical properties of those SNRs. The physical properties of 54 SNRs are derived from their observed X-ray spectra. Then the observed radio emission is compared to predicted radio emission using the analytic model of . We find the model can be improved significantly by including an interstellar medium density dependence in the efficiency of particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification.
Analysis of Particle Variation Effect on Flexural Properties of Hollow Glass Microsphere Filled Epoxy Matrix Syntactic Foam Composites
Authors: Afolabi Olusegun Adigun , Kanny Krishnan , Mohan Turup Pandurangan
Published: November 2022

Syntactic foam has proven to be a good material with a strong structural strength. Understanding filler particle size variation is important in composite material formation especially in syntactic foam because of their numerous applications such as aerospace, marine and structural purposes. In this present work, the effects of particle variation in different sizes (20-24µm, 25-44µm, 45-49µm, and 50-60µm) on the mechanical properties of the syntactic foam composites with focus on flexural strength, modulus, and fracture surfaces were investigated. The particle sizes were varied into five volume fractions (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25vol%). The results shows that highest flexural strength is 89MPa at 5 vol% fraction of 50-60µm particles size variation which is 69% increase than the neat epoxy. This implies that the incorporation of HGM filler volume fraction and size variation has a strong effect on the flexural strength and bending modulus of syntactic foam. The microstructure of the fracture surfaces and the viscoelastic properties was determined and reported accordingly.
Risk Factors Related to HIV Infection among TB Patients in Luanda, Angola
Authors: Sebastião Cruz S. , Samulengo João , Pauxão Joana , Mateus António , David Zinga , De Vasconcelos Jocelyne Neto , Morais Joana
Published: November 2022

TB and HIV continue to increase and constitute major public health concerns worldwide, mainly in resource-limited countries, showing that we are not going to end HIV if we do not also end TB. Herein, we investigated the risk factors related to HIV infection among TB patients in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on the medical records of 117 TB patients from January to September 2016. Overall, the HIV/TB co-infection rate was 12%. The mean age of coinfected patients was 37.7±10.1 years. No statistically significant relationship was observed between sociodemographic or clinical features with HIV/TB co-infection (p>0.05). TB patients aged 30 years or older (OR: 4.13, p=0.072), female (OR: 1.08, p=0.898), residing in urbanized areas (OR: 1.90, p=0.578), with a history of treatment abandonment (OR: 3.74, p=0.083), with polyresistance (OR: 1.62, p=0.603), and MDR-TB (OR: 2.00, p=0.454), were more likely to have HIV/TB co-infection, while latent TB infection (OR: 0.63, p=0.559) and treatment-susceptible TB patients (OR: 0.56, p=0.616), presented a lower chance of HIV/TB coinfection. Our finding showed a slightly high HIV/TB coinfected rate, which suggests that the dual HIV/TB epidemic keeps evolving and poses a huge concern to the public health in Angola. Further studies on features related to HIV/TB coinfection and its impact on disease progression and clinical outcome in adults from high-risk Angolan communities, should be carried out to intensify and strengthen collaborative activities between national TB and HIV programs in Angola.
Tectonothermal Events Revealed by Zircon U-Pb Dating of the Cretaceous Sandstones of Jingbian, Shaanxi and Their Origin
Authors: Shi Hao , Yue Dapeng , Zhao Jingbo , Liu Rong , Wang Xiaoning , Zhao Yan , Liu Le
Published: November 2022

The Danxia landform area of Jingbian Wave Valley is located in the central part of Ordos Basin. The near-red Danxia landform consisting of sandstone in this area is a new discovery in geological circles at home and abroad, and its depositional age and genesis remain a hot topic of discussion at present. As the material basis for its development, red sandstone is of great importance to the in-depth study on its formation date and origin. The paper explores the origin, tectonic significance and paleogeographic pattern of the red sandstone through field geological investigation and zircon U-Pb dating analysis of the red sandstone of the Luohe Formation. The results show that the original materials of the red sandstone was formed in three main age intervals, 252~456 Ma, 1657~2084 Ma, and 2129~2538 Ma, and regional tectonothermal events in the origin area during the three periods were recorded, among which the events in Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic periods were the most active. The comparative analysis of zircon U-Pb age spectra shows that for the sediment of red sandstone, the early origin is near-origin and late origin is distant-origin. The main origin areas in the study area are the Xingmeng orogenic belt, the North China massif and the Alashan massif; the vertical section reflects that the origin area has the strongest erosion and transport in the upper deposition period, the smallest erosion and transport in the middle deposition period, and the moderate erosion and transport in the lower deposition period. With origins system dominated by the northern origins and the paleogeographic pattern of multi-period and cyclonic, the area mainly experienced four tectonic movement cycles, such as Wutai, Lvliang, Caledon and Haixi.
Serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein is unsuitable as a diagnostic marker of occult hepatocellular carcinoma in end-stage liver cirrhosis
Authors: Nagakawa Kantoku , Hidaka Masaaki , Hara Takanobu , Matsushima Hajime , Imamura Hajime , Tanaka Takayuki , Adachi Tomohiko , Soyama Akihiko , Kanetaka Kengo , Eguchi Susumu
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose
Serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) is a marker of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of WFA+-M2BP for occult HCC, which current diagnostic imaging tests fail to detect.
Methods
Patients who underwent hepatectomy for liver transplantation (LT) and whose whole liver could be sliced and subjected to histological examination between 2000 and 2018 were eligible for this study (n = 89). WFA+-M2BP levels were measured in samples collected before the LT. Comparison of the postoperative histological test results with the preoperative imaging data grouped the patients into no group (N), detected group (D), increased group (I), and decreased or same group (DS), and the results were compared with the WFA+-M2BP values.
Results
Irrespective of underlying hepatic disease conditions, there were 6 patients in the N group, 10 in the D group, 41 in the I group, and 32 in the DS group. The median of the serum WFA+-M2BP level for each group was as follows: N group, 8.05 (1.25–11.9); D group, 11.025 (1.01–18.21); I group, 9.67 (0.29–17.83); and DS group, 9.56 (0.28–19.44) confidence of interval. We found no significant differences between the pairings. Comparison of underlying hepatic diseases revealed that liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis B and C and non-B and -C liver cirrhosis had no significant differences.
Conclusion
Serum WFA+-M2BP cannot help diagnose occult HCC that is already undetected using imaging tests in decompensated liver cirrhosis patients requiring LT.
Molecular markers based phylogenetic inferences reveals cryptic lineage within Sepiella inermis species complex
Authors: Vargheese Sneha , Basheer V. S.
Published: November 2022

Over the last two decades genetic and phylogeographic studies in cephalopods around the world have identified many species complexes and cryptic species. Indian Ocean, in the tropical region remained least studied one. In the present study Sepiella inermis samples were collected from different landing centres along Indian coasts to investigate the distribution of these species in a phylogeographic context. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I gene and 16S rRNA gene.The currently described species consists of two genetically distinct clades (pair-wise genetic divergence varied in between 7.7 to 9.1%). One clade composed of individuals collected in Arabian Sea and the other from Bay of Bengal (northern and north-eastern part of Indian Ocean). The study led to the identification of potential cryptic speciation within Sepiella inermis. Mean intraspecific and interspecific nucleotide distances for COI were 0–2% and 2–7%, respectively, while these values for 16S rRNA sequences were 0–1% and 1–4%. Furthermore, this study also provides evidence of previously undocumented sub-population structuring in the Indian waters.
Spatial and temporal variation of zooplankton assemblage in Chiffa Wadi (North Algeria)
Authors: HAMIL Somia , Arab Siham , Baha Mounia , Arab Abdeslem
Published: November 2022

The spatial and temporal variation in the distribution, abundance, and assemblage structure of zooplankton were examined in the Chiffa Wadi River, north central Algeria. Samples were taken seasonally from autumn 2020 to summer 2022. Nine physical and chemical variables were recorded, and their relationship with the density of 39 zooplankton species was established using Canonical Correspondence Analysis. In order to study the structure of the zooplankton, Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H′), Margalef richness index (Dmg), Pielou evenness (E), and abundance were calculated. During the analysis, rotifera was the dominant group in the zooplankton community, represented by 27 taxa, followed by Cladocera (9 taxa), and Copepoda (3 taxa). The diversity index indicated the higher richness, abundance, and evenness of zooplankton at a eutrophic site (S2) compared with other sites. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the structure of zooplankton is influenced by local environmental factors. The present study demonstrates that anthropogenic activities including urban discharge and the construction of Algeria's Medea-Chiffa highway, which increased the nutrient load in the aquatic system, disrupted water quality. However, the distribution and quantity of zooplankton were dramatically impacted by these changes in water quality.
Understanding the impact of bioactive coating materials for human mesenchymal stem cells and implications for manufacturing
Authors: Couto Pedro Silva , Molina Sam A. , O’Sullivan Denis , O'Neill Liam , Lyness Alexander M. , Rafiq Qasim
Published: November 2022

Bioactive materials interact with cells and modulate their characteristics which enables the generation of cell-based products with desired specifications. However, their evaluation and impact are often overlooked when establishing a cell therapy manufacturing process. In this study, we investigated the role of different surfaces for tissue culture including, untreated polystyrene surface, uncoated Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP) and COP coated with collagen and recombinant fibronectin. It was observed that hMSCs expanded on COP-coated plates with different bioactive materials resulted in improved cell growth kinetics compared to traditional polystyrene plates and uncoated COP non-coated plates. The doubling time obtained was 2.78 and 3.02 days for hMSC seeded in COP plates coated with collagen type I and recombinant fibronectin respectively, and 4.64 days for cells plated in standard polystyrene treated plates. Metabolite analysis reinforced the findings of the growth kinetic studies, specifically that cells cultured on COP plates coated with collagen I and fibronectin exhibited improved growth as evidenced by a higher lactate production rate (9.38x105 and 9.67x105 pmol.cell-1.day-1, respectively) compared to cells from the polystyrene group (5.86x105 pmol.cell-1.day-1). This study demonstrated that COP is an effective alternative to polystyrene-treated plates when coated with bioactive materials such as collagen and fibronectin, however COP-treated plates in isolation was found not to be sufficient to support cell growth. These findings demonstrate the key role biomaterials play in the cell manufacturing process and the importance of optimising this selection.
The clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy revision for the recurrence of lumbar disc herniation after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy
Authors: Yuan Cuihua , Wang Qijin
Published: November 2022

Background
The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy of the UBE (unilateral biportal endoscopy, UBE) technique in treating lumbar disc herniation after the failure of PELD (percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, PELD).
Methods
From December 2019 to December 2021, the clinical data of 21 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation who recurred after PELD and revision with the UBE technique were retrospectively analyzed in our institution. To observe the clinical efficacy and imaging results of UBE in the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative and postoperative VAS scores (visual analog scale, VAS), intraoperative blood loss (assessed by preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin, Hgb); Postoperative re-examination of MRI to observe the space-occupying situation of the prolapsed nucleus pulposus spinal canal (assessed by preoperative and postoperative spinal canal area (cm2)); postoperative infection (assessment by preoperative and postoperative WBC and CRP levels), and finally statistical analysis. The time of revision surgery, the length of the surgical incision, the amount of sterile saline used during the operation, and the mean hospitalization time were also observed.
Results
The average hospital stay was 5.25 ± 3.35 days. The average surgical incision length was 2.45 ± 0.55 cm, the mean operation time was 50.25 ± 3.15 minutes, and the mean intraoperative sterile saline usage was 7125.50 ± 68.55 ml. The VAS score and Hgb of the patients before and after operation were significantly decreased, and the condition of the prolapsed nucleus pulposus and the space-occupying spinal canal was significantly improved in the postoperative MRI observation, all P༜0.05, the difference was statistically significant; the P values ​​of WBC and CRP changes before and after operation All were ༞0.05, and the difference was not statistically significant; No patient had an infection, nerve, blood vessel injury, cerebrospinal fluid leakage after surgery.
Conclusion
UBE can effectively treat the recurrence of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation after transforaminal surgery, but there are some shortcomings such as a large amount of sterile saline and anemia during operation.
Prevalence of five curable sexually transmitted infections among women in Lower River Region of The Gambia
Authors: Butcher Robert , Jarju Sheikh , Obayemi Dolapo , Bashorun Adedapo Olufemi , Vasileva Hristina , Bransbury-Hare Hannah , Agboghoroma Orighomisan , Drammeh Lamin , Holland Martin , Harding-Esch Emma , Clarke Ed
Published: November 2022

Background
The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly described. We aimed to determine the prevalence of five curable STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis [CT], Neisseria gonorrhoeae [NG], Trichomonas vaginalis [TV], Mycoplasma genitalium [MG], Treponema pallidum [TP]) in a sample of Gambian women from the general population.
Methods
Archived specimens from 420 women aged 15 − 69 years living in The Gambia enrolled in a clinical trial of human papilloma virus vaccine schedules were tested in this study. Urine samples were tested for CT, NG, TV and MG using a commercially available, open-platform multiplex PCR kit. A fragment of the ompA gene was amplified from CT-positive samples and sequenced. Serum samples were tested for TP using the Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen and Confirm test.
Results
Overall, 41/420 (9.8%) women had at least one STI. 32 (7.6%), 9 (2.1%), 1 (0.2%), 1 (0.2%) and 0 (0.0%) were infected with TV, CT, NG, MG and TP, respectively. ompA gene sequence was available from five CT infections: four were genovar D and one was genovar G.
Conclusions
STIs are endemic in The Gambia. Monitoring systems should be established.
Association of pre-pregnancy maternal overweight/obesity and dietary intake during pregnancy with the levels of persistent organic pollutants in the human milk of Brazilian women
Authors: Ferreira Ana Lorena Lima , Freitas-Costa Nathalia , Freire Samary da Silva Rosa , Figueiredo Amanda Caroline Cunha , Padilha Marina , Alves-Santos Nadya Helena , Kac Gilberto
Published: November 2022

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical compounds that can bioaccumulate, adhere to lipid matrices, and affect human health. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity or dietary intake during pregnancy and POPs concentrations in the human milk of Brazilian women. A total of 77 women were followed from the third trimester of pregnancy until 119 days postpartum. Pregnancy dietary intake, which was estimated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and pre-pregnancy body mass index were collected at baseline. Human milk samples were collected between 2 and 119 days postpartum, and POPs concentrations were analysed using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression and linear regression models were used to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, dietary intake during pregnancy, and POPs concentrations in human milk. The analysis was adjusted for the maternal age and schooling, total cholesterol serum levels, and time postpartum and corrected for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini–Hochberg test. Significant associations were observed in the adjusted models between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (ppDDE), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)74, PCB138, PCB153, PCB170, PCB180, total PCBs, total 4PCBs, total 2 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and total POPs concentrations; and higher daily lipid intake during pregnancy increased human milk hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Collectively, this study showed that pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and total lipid intake during pregnancy were associated with POPs concentrations in the milk of Brazilian women. To promote adequate nutritional status since preconception and surveillance and control of POP in the environment could be essential to ensure binomial mother-infant health.
MiR-122-5p regulates the mevalonate pathway by targeting p53 in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wu Xiao-wei , Zheng Yu-Kun , Zhou Zhong-shi , Tu Ji-yuan , Wang Guang-zhong , Cheng Huan-bo , Ma Shang-zhi , Ke Chang , Wang Yan , Jian Qi-pan , Shu Yu-hang
Published: November 2022

The 5-year survival rate of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is extremely low. microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the occurrence of NSCLC. miR-122-5p interacts with wild-type p53 (wtp53), and wtp53 affects tumor growth by inhibiting the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of these factors in NSCLC. The role of miR-122-5p and p53 was established in samples from NSCLC patients, as well as in human NSCLC cells A549 using the miR-122-5p inhibitor, miR-122-5p mimic, and si-p53. Our results showed that the inhibition of miR-122-5p expression led to the activation of p53, which in turn inhibited the progression of the MVA pathway in the NSCLC cells A549, hindered cell proliferation and migration as well as promoted apoptosis. miR-122-5p was negatively correlated with p53 expression in p53 wild-type NSCLC patients. The expression of key genes in the MVA pathway in tumors of p53 wild-type NSCLC patients was not always higher than that of their corresponding normal tissues. The malignancy of NSCLC was positively correlated with the high expression of the key genes in the MVA pathway. Therefore, miR-122-5p regulated NSCLC by targeting p53, providing potential molecular targets for the development of targeted drugs.
Fungal infection drives metabolic reprogramming in epithelial cells via aerobic glycolysis and an alternative TCA cycle shunt
Authors: Pellon Aize , Nasab Shervin Dohkt Sadeghi , Bidkhori Gholamreza , Vaga Stefania , Begum Neelu , Blagojevic Mariana , Singh Nitesh , Griffiths James , Kotowicz Natalia , Guennec Adrien Le , Henley-Smith Rhonda , Clasen Frederick , Miranda Pryce , Karimpour Nadia , Cook Richard , Richardson Jonathan , Thavaraj Selvam , Naglik Julian , Shoaie Saeed , Moyes David
Published: November 2022

Immunometabolic changes induced by the fungal pathobiont Candida albicans drive complex responses in innate immune cells. However, whether and how C. albicans causes remodelling of oral epithelial cell metabolism is unclear. Here, we use in vitro experiments and patient biopsies to demonstrate that oral epithelial cells (OECs) undergo a transient metabolic reprogramming towards increased aerobic glycolysis and decreased activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Pharmacological inhibition of glycolysis shows that this pathway supports cytokine release by OECs whilst increased glycolysis exacerbates disease in a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Hexose supplementation disrupts epithelial cell responses both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that increased aerobic glycolysis in OECs is detrimental. Transcriptomics data-based genome-scale metabolic modelling predicted changes in the TCA cycle and a novel role for glutamic-oxaloacetic aminotransferase 1 (GOT1) in response to C. albicans. Metabolomic and gene expression analyses indicated a partial shut-down of the TCA cycle, along with increased activity of pyruvate carboxylase and GOT1. Pharmacological targeting of GOT1 resulted in improved C. albicans infection outcomes. This study reveals a fundamental role for hexose metabolism, and identifies a novel GOT1-mediated TCA cycle shunt that drives OEC survival and immune responses during mucosal fungal infections.
Non-communicable disease burden among inpatients at a rural district hospital in Malawi
Authors: Olds Peter , Kachimanga Chiyembekezo , Talama George , Mailosi Bright , Ndarama Enoch , Totten Jodie , Musinguzi Nicholas , Hangiwa Dickson , Bukhman Gene , Wroe Emily
Published: November 2022

Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors is high in Malawi. However, resources and training for NCD care remain scarce, especially in rural hospitals. Current care for NCDs in the developing world focuses on the WHO’s traditional 4x4 set. However, we do not know the full burden of NCDs outside of that scope, like neurological disease, psychiatric illness, sickle cell disease, and trauma.
Objective: To understand the burden of NCDs among inpatients in a rural district hospital in Malawi. We broadened our definition of NCDs beyond the traditional 4x4 set of NCDs, and included neurological disease, psychiatric illness, sickle cell disease, and trauma.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all inpatients who were admitted to the Neno District Hospital between July 2017 and October 2018. We broke patients down by age, date of admission, type and number of NCD diagnoses, and HIV status.
Results: Of 2,239 total visits, 27.5% were patients with NCDs. Patients with NCDs were older (37.6 vs 20 years, p<0.001), had longer length of stays (7.9 vs 4.4 days p<0.001), and made up 40.2% of total hospital time. We also found two distinct populations of NCD patients. The first were patients 40 years and older with primary diagnoses of hypertension, heart failure, cancer, and stroke. The second were patients under 40 years old with primary diagnoses of mental health conditions, burns, epilepsy, and asthma. We also found significant trauma burden, accounting for 40% of all NCD visits.
Conclusions: There is a significant burden of NCDs in a rural hospital in Malawi, including those outside of the traditional 4x4 set. We also found high rates of NCDs in the younger population (under 40 years of age). Hospitals must be equipped with adequate resources and training to meet this burden of disease.
Biocontrol of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria in drainage water by locally isolated bacteriophage
Authors: Soliman Rabab M. , Othman Badawi A. , Shoman Sahar A. , Azzam Mohamed I. , Gado Marwa M.
Published: November 2022

In areas with limited water resources, the reuse of treated drainage water for non-potable purposes is increasingly recognised as a valuable and sustainable water resource. Numerous pathogenic bacteria found in drainage water have a detrimental impact on public health. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the current worldwide delay in the production of new antibiotics may make the issue of this microbial water pollution even more challenging. This challenge aided the resumption of phage treatment to address this alarming issue. In this study, strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their phages were isolated from drainage and surface water from Bahr El-Baqar and El-Manzala Lake in Damietta governorate, Egypt. Bacterial strains were identified by microscopical and biochemical examinations which were confirmed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The susceptibility of these bacteria to several antibiotics revealed that most of the isolates had multiple antibiotic resistances (MAR). The calculated MAR index values (> 0.25) categorized study sites as potentially hazardous to health. Lytic bacteriophages against these multidrug resistant strains of E. coli and P. aeruginosa were isolated and characterized. The isolated phages were found to be pH and heat stable and were all members of the Caudovirales order as recognized by electron microscope. They infect 88.9% of E. coli strains and 100% of P. aeruginosa strains examined. Under laboratory conditions, the use of a phage cocktail resulted in a considerable reduction in bacterial growth. The removal efficiency (%) for E. coli and P. aeruginosa colonies increased with time and maximized at 24 hr revealing nearly 100% reduction after incubation with the phage mixture. The study candidates new phages for detecting and control other bacterial pathogens of public health concern to limit water pollution and maintain adequate hygiene.
Study on the differential hepatotoxicity of raw polygonum multiflorum and polygonum multiflorum praeparata and its mechanism
Authors: Huang Chaowen , Jiang Yu , Bao Qing , Wang Lu , Tang Lin , Liu yanjuan , Yang Lei
Published: November 2022

Background： Polygonum multiflorum (PM), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine herb, is divided into two forms, namely raw polygonum multiflorum (RPM) and polygonum multiflorum praeparata (PMP), according to the processing procedure. Emerging data has revealed the differential hepatotoxicity of RPM and PMP, however, its potential mechanism is still unclear.
Methods： In our study, we investigated the differential hepatotoxicity of RPM and PMP exerted in C57BL/6 mice. First, sera were collected for biochemical analysis and HE staining was applied to examine the morphological alternation of the liver. Then we treated L02 cells with 5mg / mL of RPM or PMP. The CCK8 and EdU assays were utilized to observe the viability and proliferation of L02 cells. RNA sequencing was performed to explore the expression profile of L02 cells. Western blot was performed to detect the expression level of ferroptosis-related protein. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate ROS accumulation.
Results： In our study, a significant elevation in serum ALT, AST and TBIL levels was investigated in the RMP group, while no significant differences were observed in the PMP group, compared to that of the CON group. HE staining showed punctate necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and structural destruction can be observed in the RPM group, which can be significantly attenuated after processing. In addition, we also found RPM could decrease the viability and proliferation capacity of L02 cells, which can be reversed by ferroptosis inhibitor. RNA sequencing data revealed the adverse effect of PM exerted on the liver is closely associated with ferroptosis. Western blot assay uncovered the protein level of GPX4, HO-1 and FTL was sharply decreased, while the ROS content was dramatically elevated in L02 cells treated with RPM, which can be partially restored after processing.
Conclusions： The hepatotoxicity induced by RPM was significantly lower than the PMP, and its potential mechanism is associated with ferroptosis.
Association of Women-Specific Health Factors in the Severity of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mata Ignacio , Rao Shilpa , Li Yadi , Lapin Brittany , Pattipati Sreya , Galvelis Kamalini Ghosh , Naito Anna , Guitierrez Nicolas , Leal Thiago Peixoto , Salim Amira , Salles Philippe , De Leon Maria
Published: November 2022

Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurological disorder known for the observational differences in its risk, progression, and severity between men and women. While estrogen has been considered to be a protective factor in the development of PD, there is little known about the role that fluctuations in hormones and immune responses from sex-specific health experiences have in the disease’s development and severity.
Objective
We sought to identify women-specific health experiences associated with PD severity by developing and distributing a women-specific questionnaire across the United States.
Methods
We created a questionnaire that addresses women’s specific experiences and their PD clinical history and deployed it through The Parkinson’s Foundation: PD Generations. To determine the association between women-specific health factors and PD severity, we constructed multivariable logistic regression models based on the MDS-UPDRS scale and the participants’ questionnaire responses, genetics, and clinical data.
Results
For our initial launch in November 2021, we had 304 complete responses from PD GENEration. Univariate and multivariate logistic modeling found significant associations between major depressive disorder, perinatal depression, natural childbirth, LRRK2 genotype, B12 deficiency, total hysterectomy and increased PD severity.
Conclusions
This study is the first nationally available questionnaire for women’s health and PD. It shifts the paradigm in understanding PD etiology and acknowledging how sex-specific experiences may contribute to PD severity. In addition, the work in this study sets the foundation for future research to investigate the reasons behind the sex differences in PD.
A Drug Recommender System for the Treatment of Hypertension
Authors: Mai Arthur , Voigt Karen , Schübel Jeannine , Gräßer Felix
Published: November 2022

Background
One third (20–30%) of patients suffering from hypertension show increased blood pressure resistant to treatment. This resistance often has multifactorial causes, like therapeutic inertia and inappropriate medication but also poor patient adherence. Evidence-based guidelines aim to support appropriate health care decisions. However, (i) research and appraisal of clinical guidelines is often not practicable in daily routine care and (ii) guidelines alone are often insufficient to make suitable and personalized treatment decisions. Shared decision-making (SDM) can significantly improve patient adherence, but is also difficult to implement in routine care due to time constraints.
Methods
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), designed to support clinical decision-making by providing explainable and personalized treatment recommendations, are expected to remedy the aforementioned issues. In this work we describe a digital recommendation system for the pharmaceutical treatment of hypertension and compare its recommendations with clinical experts. The proposed therapy recommender algorithm combines external evidence (knowledge-based) – derived from clinical guidelines and drugs’ professional information – with information stored in routine care data (data-based) – derived from 298 medical records and 900 doctor-patient contacts from 7 general practitioners practices. The developed Graphical User Interface (GUI) visualizes recommendations along with personalized treatment information and intents to support SDM. The CDSS was evaluated on 23 artificial test patients (case vignettes), by comparing its output with recommendations from five specialized physicians.
Results
The results show that the proposed algorithm provides personalized treatment recommendations with large agreement with clinical experts. This is true for agreement with all experts (agree_all), with any expert (agree_any), and with the majority vote of all experts (agree_majority). The performance of a solely data-based approach can be additionally improved by applying evidence-based rules (external evidence). When comparing the achieved results (agree_all) with the inter-rater agreement among experts, the CDSS’s recommendations partly agree more often with the experts than the experts among each other.
Conclusion
Overall, the feasibility and performance of medication recommendation systems for the treatment of hypertension could be shown. The major challenges when developing such a CDSS arise from (i) the availability of sufficient and appropriate training and evaluation data and (ii) the absence of standardized medical knowledge such as computerized guidelines. If these challenges are solved, such treatment recommender systems can support physicians with exploiting knowledge stored in routine care data, help to comply with the best available clinical evidence and increase the adherence of the patient by reducing site-effects and individualizing therapies.
Using expert and spectral methods to assess visually attractive urban informal green spaces in Lublin, Poland.
Authors: Kamiński Jan , Soszyński Dawid , Trzaskowska Ewa , Stuczyński Tomasz , Siebielec Grzegorz , Głowienka Ewa , Poręba Ludwika
Published: November 2022

Context.
The paper concerns on measuring the values of urban informal green spaces. In times of new challenges importance of informal greenery for landscape ecology and quality of life in the cities increases.
Objectives.
The objectives of the study is to develop the criteria for expert assesment of visual attractiveness of informal green spaces and compare the results of expert assesment with indicators derived from spectral indexes and GIS data.
Methods.
The study area is Lublin in Poland, a medium-sized European city. Expert assessment includes: general assessment - defining overall attractiveness, naturalness, landscape contrast and uniqueness. We juxtaposed the results with spectral indexes: LST, NDVI, LAI and GIS data. The analyses were performed for the target areas and a 300 m buffer zones around them.
Results.
The spectral indexes largely confirm the results of the expert assessment. Clear relationship exists between overall attractiveness and temperature and between landscape contrast and temperature. Areas with greater landscape contrast also have a larger difference in index values between the area and the buffer. There is a positive correlation between overall attractiveness and land slope. Spectral indexes also indicated the value of some sites that received a lower expert assessment.
Conclusions.
We suggest that the most visually attractive areas be called “enchanted natural places" (ENPs). The concept of ENPs can be a tool for formalising the protection of these areas. Spectral indexes confirm the values of ENPs, but also shown the value of sites with lower expert assessment, more common “bushes and shrubs”.
Emergency Unit Assessment of Seven Tertiary Hospitals in Nepal using the WHO Tool: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kharel Ramu , Thapa Ghan B. , Voor Tamara , Pant Samriddha R. , Adhikari Samir K. , Bist Bimal S. , Relan Pryanka , Lin Timmy , Lubetkin Derek , Deluca Giovanna , Shilpakar Olita , Shrestha Sanu K. , Pokharel Yagya R. , Paudel Santosh , Thapa Ajay S. , Shakya Yogendra M. , Karki Achyut R. , Dhakal Nishant , Aluisio Adam R.
Published: November 2022

Background
In 2021, the Nepal national emergency care system’s assessment (ECSA) identified 39 activities and 11 facility specific goals to improve care. To support implementation of the ECSA facility-based goals, this pilot study used the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Hospital Emergency Unit Assessment Tool (HEAT) to evaluate key functions of emergency care at tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used the standardized HEAT assessment tool. Data on facility characteristics, human resources, clinical services, and signal functions were gathered via key informant interviews conducted by trained study personnel. Seven tertiary referral centers in the Kathmandu valley were selected for pilot evaluation including governmental, academic and private hospitals. Descriptive statistics were generated and comparative analyses were conducted.
Results
All facilities had continuous emergency care services, but differed in the extent of availability of each item surveyed. Academic institutions had the highest rating with greater availability of consulting services and capacity to perform specific signal functions including breathing interventions and sepsis care. Private institutions were found to have the highest infrastructure availability and diagnostic testing capacity. Across all facilities, common barriers included lack of training of key emergency procedures, written protocols, point of care testing, and ancillary patient services.
Conclusion
This pilot assessment demonstrates that current emergency care capacity at representative tertiary referral hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal is variable with some consistent barriers which preclude meeting the ECSA goals. The results can be used to inform emergency care development within the region studied and demonstrate that the WHO HEAT assessment is feasible and may be instructive in systematically advancing emergency care delivery at the national level if implemented more broadly.
Analysis of the difference between early-bolting and non-bolting roots of Angelica dahurica based on transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Wu Ping , Wang Xiaoyu , Guo Junxai , Zhang Songli , Li Qingmiao , Fang Qingmao , Luo Bin , Wang Hongsu , He Weijing
Published: November 2022

Angelica dahurica（Fisch. ex Hoffm.）Benth.et Hook.f.var.formosana（Boiss.）Shan et Yuan (A. dahurica) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in clinic, with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, antibacterial, whitening and other pharmacological effects. However, early bolting of A. dahurica compromises the quality of the roots and hence is a major limitation for yield of medicinal materials. To date, the molecular factors of early bolting occurrenc and its effect on the growth of A. dahurica are unexplored. Hence, we commenced a transcriptome study by using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 at two developmental types i.e. early-bolting and non-bolting (normal) roots of A. dahurica. Overall, 2,185 up and 1,414 down-regulated genes were obtained. A large number of identified transcripts were related to genes involved in early bolting. Gene ontology analysis highlighted differentially expressed genes that play a key role in various pathways. These pathways were mainly linked to cellular, molecular and biological processes. The morphological characteristics and coumarins content were also changed signifcantly in the early bolting roots of A. dahurica. This study lays a path towards understanding the transcriptomic control of early bolting in A. dahurica, which could be further applied to enhance the medicinal value.
Scientific Reports Shore Power Load Forecasting based on a Novel Transformer Method with Feature Selection
Authors: Li Weihao , Zuo Youhong , Su Tao , Zhao Weiyou , Ma Xiaoxue , Cui Guangkai , Wu Jiabin
Published: November 2022

Shipping plays an important role in transporting goods, but it also brings air pollution such as nitrogen and sulfur compounds. Meanwhile, shore power can provide daily work power for ships calling at ports, and it can reduce the pollution of the port. Load forecasting of shore power plays an important role in power decision-making. In this work, we proposed a load forecasting model based on the Transformer and the conditional generation. The Firefly Algorithm (FA) was designed to extract the represented condition features. The proposed shore power transformer (SP-T) method adopts the probability distribution of the target load as the prediction results. The two sub-models, SP-T-1 and SP-T-2, were used to predict the Gaussian distribution parameters μ and σ, respectively. It allowed decision-makers to set the confidence level to obtain the range of predicted values according to the actual situation. To evaluate the proposed model, we used 328 power load data (about 18568.4 hours) of different ships that berth at Zhenjiang Port with shore power. The experimental results showed that SP-T can effectively predict the load data of shore power, with an average P50RMSE was 46.997 and an average P90RMSE was 34.822.
TRIM36 regulates neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer via HK2 ubiquitination and GPx4 deficiency
Authors: Zhao Xusong , Zhou Tianren , Wang Yuhao , Bao Meilingling , Ni Chenbo , Ding Lei , Sun Shengjie , Dong Huiyu , Li Jie , liang Chao
Published: November 2022

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) arises from transdifferentiated prostate adenocarcinoma following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which belongs to the most lethal subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa). ADT paradoxically promoted the incidence of NEPC, with a mechanism awaiting to be clarified. Trigred motif 36 (TRIM36), a member of the trim protein family, participates in a variety of cellular processes. Our previous experimental results have confirmed that TRIM36 was highly expressed in PCa and inhibited the invasion and proliferation of PCa. In this study, we found that TRIM36 was associated with the neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) phenotype. TRIM36 was found to inhibit the NEPC of the PCa cell lines LNCaP and PC3. The autophagic degradation of HK2 (hexokinase 2), a crucial glycolytic enzyme catalyzing the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, was found to be involved in the regulation of glycolysis by autophagy. TRIM36 specifically bound to HK2 and inhibited the glycolysis of PCa cells through lysine 48 (lys48)-mediated ubiquitination of HK2. The degradation of HK2 reduced the expression of GPX4, a protein that inhibits ferroptosis, a novel form of nonapoptotic programmed cell death. Ferroptosis enhancement can further inhibit the NED of PCa cells. In conclusion, TRIM36 can ubiquitinate HK2, inhibit glycolysis in PCa cells, inhibit GPX4 activity, promote ferroptosis of PCa cells, and then inhibit their NED. Our study may design new strategies to retard NED and treat NEPC.
One-Pot Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers via Visible Light Regulated Switchable Catalysis
Authors: Zhu Shuaishuai , Zhao Maoji , Zhou Hongru , Wen Yingfeng , Wang Yong , Liao Yonggui , Zhou Xingping , Xie Xiaolin
Published: November 2022

Switchable catalysis promises exceptional efficiency in synthesizing polymers with ever-increasing structural complexity. However, current achievements in such attempts are limited to constructing linear block copolymers. Here we report a visible light regulated switchable catalytic system capable of synthesizing hyperbranched polymers in a one-pot/two-stage procedure with commercial glycidyl acrylate (GA) as a heterofunctional monomer. Using (salen)CoIIICl (1) as the catalyst, the ring-opening reaction under a carbon monoxide atmosphere occurs with high regioselectivity (> 99% at the methylene position), providing an alkoxycarbonyl cobalt acrylate intermediate (2a) during the first stage. Upon exposure to light, the reaction enters the second stage, wherein2aserves as a polymerizable initiator for organometallic-mediated radical self-condensing vinyl polymerization (OMR-SCVP). Given the organocobalt chain-end functionality of the resulting hyperbranched poly(glycidyl acrylate) (hb-PGA), a further chain extension process gives access to a core-shell copolymer with brush-on-hyperbranched arm architecture. Notably, the post-modification with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) affords a metal-freehb-PGA that simultaneously improves the toughness and glass transition temperature of epoxy thermosets, while maintaining their storage modulus.
Osteoclastogenesis of human peripheral blood, bone marrow, and cord blood monocytes
Authors: Vuoti Ella , Lehenkari Petri , Tuukkanen Juha , Glumoff Virpi , Kylmäoja Elina
Published: November 2022

Osteoclasts are multinucleated bone resorbing cells that can be differentiated from human monocytesin vitro. There are few studies comparing osteoclastogenesis of different monocyte sources. We compared monocytes from human bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB), and umbilical cord blood (CB) and their osteoclastogenic potential by culturing them with osteoclastogenic agents. We also cultured cells without growth factors, as umbilical cord blood monocytes have been reported to be able to fuse spontaneously into osteoclasts. After culture with RANKL and M-CSF, all types of cell cultures developed TRACP -positive multinuclear cells that were able to form resorption pits on human bone slices. Only occasional multinuclear cells and small infrequent resorbed areas could be found in PB and CB-derived cultures without growth factors. BM-derived cells formed greater resorption areas than PB- and CB-derived monocytes. The greatest monocyte population in BM samples were intermediate (CD14++CD16+) and in PB and CB classical monocytes (76.3% and 54.4%, respectively). Our data demonstrates that osteoclast precursor origin can effect the osteoclast function and that osteoclasts can be differentiated from CB samples. Therefore CB can be used in osteoclastin vitrostudies.
Assessing sustainability of transport system through index: A state-of-the-art review
Authors: Ayadi Hana , Benaissa Mounir , Hamani Nadia , Kermad Lyes
Published: November 2022

The transport is one of the most important sectors that affect the economic development. However, its sustainability may be disturbed due to the remarkable increase in the number of vehicles in city centers and its bad consequences, hence the importance of assessing the transport system and the performance of its different components. Therefore, several evaluation methods were introduced to help decision-makers assess sustainability and many indicators were developed to track the progress of sustainable transport system. This work provides a literature review about the existing approaches used to assess transport sustainability through composite indicators. It aims at analyzing the trends in the existing literature, identifying gaps in evaluating sustainability and suggesting future research perspectives. A total of 47 studies conducted in the period 2002–2022 are examined. The obtained results show that few researchers focused on freight transportand most researchers considered only traditional sustainability dimensions. In addition, the performed analysis demonstrates that the use of different methods of normalization, weighting and aggregation influences the result given by composite indicator. Finally, a set of recommendations for precise and correct sustainability assessment is presented in order to develop future research.