bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Musculoskeleton Pain among occupational motorcyclist and its impact on work efficiency and long term health care in Peshawar: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ullah Qazi Farhan , Shah Sayed Naeem , Adil Syed Shehzad , Javed Sunil , Baqir Muhammad , Naqvi Syed Muhammad Shabbir Ali
Published: August 2022

Objective
Motorcycle has been one of the vital modes of transportation worldwide. It is quite difficult to identify the musculoskeletal disorders among the occupational motorcyclists that affect muscular discomfort among motorcyclist due to not much research having been carried out on the motorcyclist. The purpose of this study was to have a better understanding of the musculoskeletal disorders among occupational motorcyclist due to motorcycle riding.
Methods
Research based on cross sectional studies and keywords that related to the musculoskeletal disorders might cause discomfort among occupational motorcyclist. The research screened covered male population over 18 years of age. In order to identify and classify research studies, specific keywords were identified and used in order to guide the discovery of relevant studies.
Results
As overall research shows that from age 25 to 40 years the ratio of motorcyclists are having more musculoskeletal disorders up to 82% of population riding a motorcycle during work time.
Conclusion
This review was done to relate musculoskeletal disorders among occupational motorcyclist, as 28 years old are more prone to have musculoskeletal disorders while riding a motorcycle.
In vitro Complete Differentiation of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells to Morphologic Spermatozoa Using a Hybrid Hydrogel of Agarose and laminin
Authors: Jabari Ayob , Gholami Keykavos , Khadivi Farnaz , Koruji Morteza , Amidi Fardin , Gilani Mohammad Ali Sadighi , Mahabadi Vahid Pirhajati , Nikmahzar Aghbibi , Salem Maryam , Movassagh Sepideh Ashouri , feizollahi narjes , Abbasi Mehdi
Published: August 2022

Background
Spermatogenesis refers to the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) located in the basal part of seminiferous tubules into haploid spermatozoa. Prerequisites for in vitro spermatogenesis include an extracellular matrix, a culture medium containing factors influencing the survival, proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells, and testicular somatic cells that play a supporting role for SSCs. Accordingly, in this paper, the potential of co-culture of Sertoli cells and SSCs embedded in a hybrid hydrogel of agarose and laminin as one of the main components of the extracellular matrix of the basal compartment of seminiferous tubules in the presence of culture medium containing growth factors was investigated.
Methods
After three–week conventional culture of the cellular suspension of enzymatic digestion of human testicular tissue, the cells were cultured in agarose hydrogel alone or hybrid hydrogel (agarose/laminin) for 74 days. Then, the presence of spermatogonial cells and other cells of the different stages of spermatogenesis were analysed by immunocytochemistry, real-time PCR, electron microscopy and morphological staining.
Results
The results showed that colonies with positive spermatogenesis markers were observed in both culture systems. The presence of different levels of spermatogenesis in two groups media was confirmed, but morphological spermatozoa were observed only in hybrid hydrogel group.
Conclusions
Based on the results of this paper, it can be concluded that an agarose and extracellular matrix-based scaffold which maintains the mechanical strength of the scaffold during culture and also increases the biological activity of the scaffold, can support from all physiological activities of SSCs such as survival, proliferation and differentiation.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation analysis from a cohort of 1,267 high-risk breast cancer patients in Brazil
Authors: Villela Darine , Mazzonetto Patricia , Milanezi Fernanda , Andrea Mariana , Martins Sylvia , Monfredini Priscilla M. , Silva Juliana dos Santos , Perrone Eduardo , Schnabel Beatriz , Nakano Viviane , Palmero Edenir , Braggio Esteban , Cavalcanti Thereza Loureiro , Guida Gustavo , Migliavacca Michele Patricia , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , Zalcberg Ilana
Published: August 2022

We determined the frequency and mutational spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in a series of high-risk breast cancer patients from Brazil. A total of 1,267 patients were referred for BRCA genetic testing, and no obligation of fulfilling criteria of mutation probability methods for molecular screening was applied. Germline deleterious mutations in BRCA1/2 (i.e. pathogenic/ likely pathogenic variants) were identified in 156 out of 1267 patients (12%). We confirm recurrent mutations in BRCA1/2, but we also report three novel mutations in BRCA2, not previously reported in any public databases or other studies. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) represent only 2% in this dataset and most of them were detected in BRCA2. The overall mutation prevalence in BRCA1/2 was higher in patients diagnosed with cancer at age > 35 years old, and with family history of cancer. The present data expand our knowledge of BRCA1/2 germline mutational spectrum, and it is a valuable clinical resource for genetic counseling and cancer management programs in the country.
Effectiveness and security analysis of 577nm subthreshold micropulse laser in the treatment of aCSC with full coverage of serous detachment area
Authors: Nie Xiaomei , Liang Qian , Bi Yege , Li Mingbo , Ma Hong , Liu Hongtao , Shanjun Cai
Published: August 2022

Objective
5X5 matrix thick method of 577 nm substituting micropulsive lasers (SML) was used to treat acute central serous chorioretinopathy (aCSC) with leakage essence within 500µm of the fovea to perform full coverage of the serous detachment area. The effectiveness and safety of this method was evaluated.
Methods
Patients were enrolled and treated with 577 nm SML by the same physicianwith unified operation procedure. 577nm SML was applied to aCSC to treat subretinal fluid (SRF) including PED area without full coverage of the spot interval. These are contrased that the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retina thickness (CRT), choroidal vascular index (CVI). SPSS 18.0 was used to perform repeated measures analysis of variance on LogMAR BCVA and CRT. Paired t-test analysis for CVI was performed with SPSS 18.0.and Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to observe the anatomical structure and retinal destruction .
Results
23 patients with 24 eyes were collected and followed up. The results showed that LogMAR BCVA and CRT of 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment, compared with baseline had statistically significant(p < 0.01);1w after treatment compared with 1m after treatment, which has statistically significant༈p < 0.01༉༛1m, 3m after treatment compared with p > 0.05, which was not statistically significant. In addition, baseline CVI compared with 3 months after treatment, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no retinal neovascularization (CNV), and only 3 eyeballs had granular hyperreflective deposition under the neuroepithelial layer, but CRT is normal and no subretinal fluid (SRF), macular edem.
Conclusion
577 nm SML is effective in the treatment of aCSC with less side effects. It is the first choice for aCSC within 500um from the fovea. On this basis, it is safe to fully cover the serous detachment region, and it can accelerate the soaking up of serous liquid under the neuroepithelial layer. It is a good choice for aCSC with insignificant leakage points or multiple leakage points.
Impact of interventions scenarios targeting three main vascular risk factors on the future burden of dementia in France.
Authors: Jacqmin-Gadda Hélène , Philipps Viviane , Guillet Florian , Tzourio Christophe , Helmer Catherine , Joly Pierre
Published: August 2022

The epidemiological and societal burden of dementia is expected to increase in the coming decades due to the world population aging. In this context, the evaluation of the potential impact of intervention scenarios aiming at reducing the prevalence of dementia risk factors is an active area of research. However, such studies must account for the associated changes in mortality and the dependence between the risk factors. Using micro-simulations, this study aims to estimate the changes in dementia burden in France in 2040 according to intervention scenarios targeting the prevention of hypertension, diabetes and physical inactivity. Accounting for their communality and their effects on mortality, the results show that the disappearance of hypertension, diabetes and physical inactivity in France in 2020 could decrease dementia prevalence by 33% among men and 26% among women in 2040 and increase the life expectancy without dementia at age 65 by 3.4 years (men) and 2.6 years (women). Among the three factors, the prevention of hypertension would be the most efficient. These projections rely on current estimates of the risk of dementia and death associated with risk factors. Thanks to the R package developed they could be refined for different countries or different interventions and updated with new estimates.
Revealing the phase evolution in Fe-based polyanionic cathode materials for low-cost and high-performance sodium-ion batteries: the case of Na4FexP4O12+x (2≤x≤4)
Authors: Zhao Along , Liu Changyu , Ji Fangjie , Zhang Shihao , Fan Haiman , Ni Wenhao , Fang Yongjin , Ai Xin , Yang Hanxi , Cao Yuliang
Published: August 2022

Fe-based polyanionic materials are one of the most promising cathode materials for practical sodium-ion batteries due to their rich-resource, low cost, and excellent electrochemical performance. Although great achievements have been gained on a series of Na4FexP4O12 + x (2 ≤ x ≤ 4) materials such as Na2FeP2O7 (NFPO), Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) and NaFePO4 (NFP), the structure and phase evolution characteristics on these Na4FexP4O12 + x are still lacking, making it difficult to synthesize these materials with pure phase and optimal electrochemical performance. Herein, seventeen Na4FexP4O12 + x samples with varied x are investigated via both experimental and computational methods to disclose the phase evolution properties. It reveals that only three phases of NFPO, NFPP, and NFP exist in the Na4FexP4O12 + x system, and Fe-defects tend to form at Fe2 sites in NFPP, resulting in a highly pure phase of Fe-defective NFPP (x = 2.91). The NFPP (x = 2.91) exhibits the best electrochemical performance among the seventeen Na4FexP4O12 + x samples. The pouch cells assembled with the NFPP (x = 2.91) cathode and hard carbon anode show excellent rate capability, superior low-temperature performance, high over-discharge endurance, and decent cycling stability. We believe that this work not only clarifies some important issues regarding the phase evolution in Fe-based polyanionic materials, but also serves as an indispensable reference to promote the practical application of low-cost sodium-ion batteries.
ABT-737 reverses cisplatin resistance through ROS-ASK1-JNK MAPK signaling pathway and Ca2+ signaling in human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Li Xiaoning , Xing Zihan , Gong Tao , Yang Lijun , Yang Tao , Chang Bingmei , Wang Xiaoxia , Yu Baofeng , Guo Rui
Published: August 2022

ABT-737, is a BH3-only protein mimetic, which can effectively inhibit the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. A large number of studies have shown that ABT-737 can induce a variety of tumor cell apoptosis, and also enhance cisplatin induced tumor cell apoptosis. However, the mechanism of ABT-737 enhances the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin is still unclear and needs further study. Our results showed that ABT-737 can significantly increase the sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells to cisplatin. We detected that ABT-737 could significantly increase the activation levels of JNK and ASK1 in A2780/DDP cells induced by cisplatin. Inhibition of JNK and ASK1 pathway could significantly reduce cisplatin sensitivity increased by ABT-737 in A2780/DDP cells, and inhibition of ASK1 pathway could significantly reduce the activation level of JNK. We further detected that ABT-737 could ovbiously increase the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A2780/DDP cells induced by cisplatin, and the inhibition of ROS could significantly reduce the activation levels of JNK and ASK1, as well as could significantly reduce cisplatin sensitivity increased by ABT-737 in A2780/DDP cells. Moreover, calcium chelators can significantly reduce cisplatin sensitivity increased by ABT-737 in A2780/DDP cells, the result is consistent with the current reports. These results suggested that ROS-ASK1-JNK signaling axis and calcium signaling play an important role in ABT-737 reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. This might be a novel molecular mechanism of ABT-737 enhances the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin through regulating ROS-ASK1-JNK signaling axis.
Using patient storytelling to improve medical students’ empathy in Japan: a pre-post study
Authors: Kagawa Yumi , Ishikawa Hirono , Son Daisuke , Okuhara Tsuyoshi , Okada Hiroko , Ueno Haruka , Goto Eiko , Tsunezumi Aiko , Kiuchi Takahiro
Published: August 2022

Background
Empathy for patients is now internationally accepted as one of the competencies of physicians for patient-centered medical practice and an essential component of medical education. Recently, “patient storytelling” has attracted attention in empathy education for medical students to understand patients’ experiences, feelings, and perspectives. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate how patient storytelling enhanced undergraduate medical students’ empathy in Japan to the extent that they sustained it for six months.
Methods
Participants were 159 undergraduate medical students in Tokyo in academic years 2018 and 2019. The questionnaire surveys were conducted three times: at the beginning of the class, immediately after the class, and six months after the class. The Japanese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version was used in this study. Gender, age, and clinical orientation were also obtained through the self-reported questionnaire. We invited a male patient storyteller who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease to the classes on “Professionalism.” The title of his storytelling was “The Power of Medical Professionals’ Words.”
Results
JSE-S scores improved significantly immediately after listening to patient storytelling. The scores remained improved six months after the class. Interest of specialty was significantly positively associated with an immediate change in JSE-S scores. However, gender had no significant association with changes in JSE-S scores either immediately or six months after education.
Conclusions
Our findings may suggest that patient storytelling would be useful to cultivate empathy among undergraduate medical students. Involvement of patients and citizens in the curricula of humanistic and professional education in medical school should be promoted.
Joint Antenna Selection and Waveform Design for Coexistence of MIMO Radar and Communications
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Wang Xiangrong , Wang Xianghua
Published: August 2022

As the problem of spectral congestion is becoming severe, the coexistence between two primary spectrum users, radar and communications, has spurred extensive research interest. To reduce the mutual interferences between the two functions, MIMO radar waveform design needs to consider the compatibility in both spectral and spatial domains, where the former is achieved by null forming in the frequency domain and the latter is achieved by shaped beampattern synthesis. Additionally, high power efficiency and low system overhead are two desirable characteristics for MIMO radar system design. To this end, we first introduce a new realistic waveform constraint, peakto-valley-power-ratio (PVPR) constraint per antenna to improve the power efficiency. Then, combined with PVPR constraint, we propose a switchable individual antenna power control (SIAPC) scheme to jointly optimise waveforms and antenna locations. We adopt a max-min beampattern matching criterion and impose the ` l_{2,1}-norm penalty on the waveform matrix to promote the sparsity of the array. To solve the resultant non-smooth and non-convex problem, we develop a modified alternating directions method of multipliers, where a surrogate subproblem over primal variables is solved instead of the original problem, and its local convergence is analyzed. Finally, numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method over counterparts, especially obtaining the lowest sidelobe level and deeper spectral nulls using much fewer antennas.
Effects of a Ketogenic Diet on the Evaluation of Biochemical and Clinical Parameters of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a Preclinical Study
Authors: Fausto Lilian Leite , Alberti Adriano , Kades Gabriela , de Carvalho Risoní Pereira Dias , Freiberger Viviane , Ventura Leticia , Dias Paula , Zanoni Eliton Marcio , Soares Ben Hur , Dutra Matheus Luchini , Martins Daniel Fernandes , Comim Clarissa Martinelli
Published: August 2022

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the X-linked recessive progressive muscular dystrophies, characterized by progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle and multisystemic involvement, including the central nervous system (CNS). To investigate the effects of DCet on biochemical and clinical parameters in a mouse model with DMD. Methods: Young adult mice (50 days old) were fed DCet for 14 days; control groups received a standard diet for the same period. On the 14th day of exposure to diets, each mouse was submitted to memory and behavior evaluation tests. After the behavioral tests, the animals were sacrificed for biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress and levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Body weight, feed intake and BDNF levels were also evaluated. Results: mdx+DCet mice had less mass (0.2g ± 2.49) and presented memory retention (p <0.05) in relation to the control group. There was reduction of oxidative damage in muscle tissue and CNS, and significant decrease in cytokine levels (p <0.05). This protocol increased the level of hippocampal BDNF and mitochondrial respiratory complex activity in both muscle tissue and CNS, although it only decreased creatine kinase activity in the striatum.
Molecular Survey and Genetic Characterization of Hard Ticks from Chongming Island of Shanghai, China, Based on Mitochondrial Genome Fragments
Authors: Fei Si-Wei , Zhao Han-Qing , Yin Jing-Xian , Zhang Wen-Ge , Wang Li , Zhang Yan , Dong Ke , Lv Shan , Guo Xiao-Kui , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Kassegne Kokouvi
Published: August 2022

Background
Ticks have been reported across China, but information on ticks from Chongming Eco-Island of Shanghai is lacking. Understanding the distribution and genetic evolution of ticks on the island is crucial for tick-borne infection control.
Methods
Ticks were collected from eight towns and four protected areas of Chongming Island during April 2021-March 2022 and were morphologically identified under microscopy. Molecular characterization of the ticks was performed by PCR amplification and sequencing of 12S rRNA and co1 mitochondrial genes. Homology analyses with published sequences obtained from GenBank were conducted for genetic relationships based on neighbor-joining (NJ) analysis of the 12S rRNA and co1 gene loci. To assess genetic evolution, intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances and barcoding gap were assessed based on NJ-K2P analysis of the 12S rRNA locus. Furthermore, genetic diversity and neutrality tests were performed on 12S rRNA sequences.
Results
A total of 1417/1933 ticks were successfully amplified by PCR of the 12S rRNA and co1 loci. Sequencing and homology analyses revealed four species of ticks, including Haemaphysalis flava (1376/1417 [97.11%], Ha. longicornis (37/1417 [2.61%]), Ha. doenitzi (3/1417 [0.21%]), and Ha. japonica (1/1417 [0.07%]). The intraspecies identity was 100% for Ha. longicornis, 99.11% for doenitzi, and 96.17%, while Ha. japonica had 83.48% intraspecies identity. Phylogenetic analyses showed species specificity, which clustered with homologous sequences. The average K2P distances between and within the species were 0.1351 (range 0.0723–0.1960) and 0.0145 (range 0-0.0946), respectively. The maximum K2P distance within species was in Ha. japonica (0.0946), while the maximum interspecific K2P distance was 0.1960 between Ha. hystricis and Ha. japonica. Genetic diversity indices and neutrality tests revealed that Fu and Li’s D and Tajima’s D values were negative for all species (mean values − 0.9360 and − 1.0310, respectively), suggesting evidence of recent population expansion.
Conclusions
This study is the first to report the genetic characterization of ticks from Chongming Eco-Island of Shanghai. We identified four species of Haemaphysalis ticks that were genetically similar to other congeners reported in China or worldwide. The knowledge gained from this study serves as a basis to support intervention deployment for effective control of tick-borne infections.
Alteration in coracohumeral ligament and distance in people with symptoms of subcoracoid impingement
Authors: Ting Deng Siang , Yang Jing-lan , Lin Kwan-Hwa , Wang Tyng-Guey , Lin Jiu-Jenq
Published: August 2022

Background
Differentiation between subacromial impingement versus subcoracoid impingement are important for the treatment target. We evaluated the correlations between coracohumeral ligament (CHL) thickness and distance (CHD) and characterized the CHL and subscapularis (SSC) in subcoracoid impingement subjects.
Methods
An observational, cross sectional study was carried out. Twenty subcoracoid impingement subjects and age/gender matched controls were assessed in 4 different shoulder positions by ultrasonography.
Results
Moderate correlations between CHL thickness with CHD (r = 0.455 in neutral rotation, p = 0.044; r = 0.483 in interior rotation, p = 0.031) were found in subacromial subjects. Subcoracoid impingement subjects had greater CHL thickness (difference = 0.3 mm, effect size = 0.85, p = 0.006), SSC tendon thickness (difference = 0.7 mm, effect size = 0.92, p = 0.01) and SSC/CHD occupation ratio (difference = 8%, effect size = 0.95, p = 0.005) compared with the control.
Conclusions
Coracohumeral distance is related to ligament thickness, especially in subacromial impingement subjects. Increased CHL and SSC thickness as well as decreased SSC/CHD occupation ratio are characterized in subcoracoid impingement subjects. These quantitative measurements can be useful in identifying patients at risk of subcoracoid impingement from subacromial impingement.
"I've got a spring in my step" a qualitative study on participants experience of action observation therapy and eccentric exercises, a telehealth study for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Ryan Deirdre , Rio Ebonie , O'Donoghue Gráinne , O'Sullivan Cliona
Published: August 2022

Background: Quantitative research has dominated the field of Achilles Tendinopathy (AT). The use of qualitative research allows in-depth exploration of participants’ perspectives, offering great insight in the evaluation of a trial’s processes, particularly when exploring a novel intervention such as Action Observation Therapy (AOT) combined with eccentric exercises which has not been previously researched.Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively explore participants experiences of partaking in a telehealth study including the acceptability of the intervention, motivators for participation, and perspectives on the trial processes. Method: A thematic analysis as guided by Braun and Clarke was used to analyse the semi-structured interviews. The study adhered to the criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines (COREQ).Results/Discussion: Sixteen participants were interviewed. The five themes identified were: (i) The impact of AT is commonly not prioritised with The acceptance and minimisation of pain as a sub-theme (ii) Therapeutic alliance has the greatest impact on support (iii) Factors which influenced adherence (iv) AOT is valued and recommended (v) Recommendations for future interventionsConclusion: This study provides insightful recommendations around; exploring the use of AOT in AT, the relative importance of therapeutic alliance rather than mode of therapy delivery, and that people with AT may not prioritise health seeking for this condition.
Ecofriendly Bioremediation of Water: Repurposed Macroalgae Removes Eliminates and Neutralizes Heavy Metals
Authors: Dong Jessie Sage , Yung Maxx
Published: August 2022

As pollutant contamination in water becomes more and more common, the adverse effects of water pollution is increasingly perceptible, as demonstrated by the destruction of various aquatic ecosystems and pollutant-caused illnesses in humans. Thus, it is pertinent to discover a cost-effective and efficient method that is able to reduce concentrations of water-based pollutants. Current systems in place to remove heavy metal contaminants from the water include chemical chelation, coagulation, and ion exchange, but each have their own pitfalls and are all relatively expensive. Previous research has demonstrated that specific species of seaweeds can absorb water-based pollutants; however, there are limited studies that have tested whether certain species of seaweeds can naturally metabolize and thus neutralize such pollutants after being absorbed. Therefore, this study aims to study the seaweed Sargassum and its ability to metabolize and neutralize iron, a common heavy metal water-based pollutant. Sargassum seaweed was cultured with and without iron, and at varying concentrations of iron, for two weeks to allow for Sargassum growth and thus absorption of the iron. A brine shrimp lethality bioassay was used to compare the cytotoxicity of the water treated with Sargassum against water untreated with Sargassum, thus indirectly measuring relative iron toxicity and concentration. Artemia cysts were put into 24 well plates, and the hatch rate and survival rate of Artemia was calculated in 12-hour increments up to the 48 hour mark. The brine shrimp lethality bioassay demonstrated that Artemia within Sargassum treated water have an increased hatch rate and survival rate compared to Artemia within water untreated with Sargassum. Artemia fed with Sargassum also demonstrated similar survival rates as Artemia within Sargassum treated water. This indicates that Sargassum can absorb iron contaminants from the water and naturally metabolize the iron into a non-toxic form. As Sargassum is readily cheap to obtain and grow, Sargassum serves as a promising cost-effective and efficient alternative to conventional methods of water-based pollutant absorption.
Characterization of a Novel Rabbit Model of Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Mauney Joshua , Gundogdu Gokhan , Nguyen Travis , Namasivayam Aarthi , Starek Stephanie , Gelman Joel
Published: August 2022

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a debilitating pathology which is associated with penile curvature and erectile dysfunction due to the formation of fibrotic plaques in the penile tunica albuginea. In the present study, we developed a novel rabbit model of PD via subtunical injection of recombinant transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 protein and characterized erectile function and histopathological endpoints following plaque formation. Ten adult male, New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 3 experimental groups including nonsurgical controls (NSC, N = 3) and those receiving subtunical injections of vehicle (N = 3) or TGF-β1 protein (N = 4). Following 1 month post-op, focal fibrous plaques composed of disorganized collagen type I and III bundles as well as fragmented elastin fibers at TGF-β1 injection sites were observed in contrast to control groups. Cavernosometric and cavernosographic evaluations revealed no significant differences in maximum intracorporal pressures or substantial curvature during papaverine-induced erection in either the vehicle or TGF-β1 cohorts. Immunohistochemical and histomorphometric analyses demonstrated significant increases in elastase 2B expression in TGF-β1-induced plaques as well as significant declines in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and − 9 expression relative to control levels. Our results demonstrate that PD-like fibrotic plaques can be created in the rabbit penile tunica albuginea following TGF-β1 injection.
3D Printing of Unsupported Multi-Scale and Large-Span Ceramic via Near-Infrared Assisted Direct Ink Writing
Authors: Zhao Yongqin , Zhu Junzhe , He Wangyan , Liu Yu , Sang Xinxin , Liu Ren
Published: August 2022

Auxiliary supports are commonly introduced to avoid collapse in three-dimensional (3D) ceramic printing with low-angle structures, which could bring concerns of complex process and unsatisfying material utilization, limiting the improvements of printing efficiency. To overcome this limitation, this paper presents a simple ceramic printing method, which realizes printing of unsupported multi-scale and large-span ceramics through the combination of direct ink writing (DIW) and up-conversion particles-assisted photopolymerization (UCAP) process under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. This printing technology enables in-situ curing of multi-scale filaments with diameters ranging from 410 µm to 3.50 mm, and successfully constructed ceramic structures of torsion spring, three-dimensional bending and cantilever beam through unsupported printing. This method will bring more innovation space to the high-throughput and unsupported 3D manufacturing of complex shape ceramics.
Peptide and Protein Cysteine Modification by Virtue of Highly Chemo-, Regio- and Stereoselective Hydrosulfuration of Ynamide
Authors: Wang Changliu , Zhao Zhenguang , Ghadir Reem , Ding Zhe , Cao Yuan , Li Yuqing , Qiu Frank , Zhang Yujie , Zhao Yongli , Metanis Norman , Zhao Junfeng
Published: August 2022

Chemoselective modification of peptides and proteins has wide applications in chemical biology and pharmaceutical development. A highly efficient chemo-, regio- and stereoselective hydrosulfuration of ynamide was developed and identified as an efficient strategy for peptides and proteins Cys modification. It proceeded efficiently in a slightly basic aqueous conditions (pH 8) to provide exclusively the Z-isomer of the corresponding conjugates with superior stability. All the reactive peptide side chain functional groups such as amino, carboxyl, primary amide, and hydroxyl groups, as well as the unprotected imidazole and indole NH are compatible. This method displayed a broad substrate scope including linear and cyclic peptides, proteins and antibody. The potential application of this method in peptide and protein chemical biology was further exemplified by Cys-bioconjugation with ynamides containing functional molecules including small molecular drugs, fluorescent and affinity tags. In addition, this strategy was also compatible with click chemistry (performed in one-pot), which remarkably extended its application. Furthermore, the chemoselective biotinylation of ubiquitin(G47C) variant with a biotinylated ynamide, as well as the regioselective modification of Cys14 and Cys38 in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), Cys34 of BSA and the antibody (Trastuzumab), could be accomplished readily without perturbation of the other disulfide bonds. This method offered a novel and robust platform for peptides and proteins Cys modification and opened new horizons for the production of peptide/protein/antibody-drug conjugates.
Strategic leader attributes for clinical leaders in an HIV healthcare system: Perspectives of healthcare providers in AMPATH clinic, at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,Kenya
Authors: Cherop Felishana , Wachira Juddy , Korir Michael , Bagire Vincent
Published: August 2022

Background Healthcare institutions strive for better healthcare systems with clinical leaders to provide excellent patient care. However, there is paucity in the literature on what strategic leader attributes should clinical leaders have to perform clinical and leadership functions in an HIV health system. Methods We explored healthcare providers' perceptions regarding the strategic leader attributes of clinical leaders in AMPATH-Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret Kenya. We conducted (n = 22) in-depth interviews with healthcare providers including clinical officers, nurses, social workers, counselors, retention officers, and, pharmacists who were purposively sampled from the AMPATH-MTRH HIV facility between September 2019 to May 2020. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results The findings identified 4 domains of strategic clinical leader attributes.Training and expertise: clinical competence, informed, and knowledgeable.Personality traits: team leader, trustworthy, honest and integrity, flexible and swift, impartial and mentor.Interpersonal skills: approachable, good listener and understanding, good communication skills, good relationship, interaction, and respect.Managerial traits: good planner, accountable, disciplined, dedicated and hardworking, innovative, problem-solver, organized, and vocal. Conclusion Clinical leaders require strategic leader attributes to lead HIV health systems, manage patient dynamics and provide excellent HIV care. The leadership and management of the HIV facility should develop the capacities of the clinical leaders to a more strategic leadership approach so that they become dynamic and responsive in their leadership and clinical roles.
Angiotensin blockade enhances motivational reward learning via enhancing striatal prediction error signaling and frontostriatal communication
Authors: Becker Benjamin , Xu Ting , Zhou Xinqi , Kanen Jonathan , Wang Lan , Li Jialin , Chen Zhiyi , Zhang Ran , Jiao Guojuan , Zhou Feng , Zhao Weihua , Yao Shuxia
Published: August 2022

Adaptive human learning utilizes reward prediction errors (RPEs) that scale the differences between expected and actual outcomes to optimize future choices. Depression has been linked with biased RPE signaling and an exaggerated impact of negative outcomes on learning which may promote amotivation and anhedonia. The present proof-of-concept study combined computational modelling and multivariate decoding with neuroimaging to determine the influence of the selective competitive angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan on learning from positive or negative outcomes and the underlying neural mechanisms in healthy humans. In a double-blind, between-subjects, placebo-controlled pharmaco-fMRI experiment, 61 healthy male participants (losartan, n = 30; placebo, n = 31) underwent a probabilistic selection reinforcement learning task incorporating a learning and transfer phase. Losartan improved choice accuracy for the hardest stimulus pair via increasing expected value sensitivity towards the rewarding stimulus relative to the placebo group during learning. Computational modelling revealed that losartan reduced the learning rate for negative outcomes and increased exploitatory choice behaviors while preserving learning for positive outcomes. These behavioral patterns were paralleled on the neural level by increased RPE signaling in orbitofrontal-striatal regions and enhanced positive outcome representations in the ventral striatum (VS) following losartan. In the transfer phase, losartan accelerated response times and enhanced VS functional connectivity with left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex when approaching maximum rewards. These findings elucidate the potential of losartan to reduce the impact of negative outcomes during learning and subsequently facilitate motivational approach towards maximum rewards in the transfer of learning. This may indicate a promising therapeutic mechanism to normalize distorted reward learning and fronto-striatal functioning in depression.
Genomic Insights of Bruneian Malays
Authors: Azmi Mirza , Chen Lie , Idris Adi , Abdullah Muhammad Syafiq , Lu Zen H.
Published: August 2022

Background: The Malays and their many sub-ethnic groups collectively make up one of the largest population groups in Southeast Asia. However, their genomes, especially those from the nation of Brunei, remain very much underrepresented and understudied. Results: Here, we analysed the publicly available whole genome sequencing and genotyping data of two and 39 Bruneian Malay individuals, respectively. Next generation sequencing reads from the two individuals were first mapped against the GRCh38 human reference genome and their variants called. Of the total ~5.28 million short nucleotide variants and indels identified, ~217K of them were found to be novel; with some predicted to be deleterious and associated with risk factors of common non-communicable diseases in Brunei. Unmapped reads were next mapped against the recently reported novel Chinese and Japanese genomic contigs and de novo assembled. ~227 Kbp genomic sequences missing in GRCh38 and a partial open reading frame encoding a potential novel small zinc finger protein were successfully discovered. Although the Malays in Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia share >83% common genetic variants, principal component and admixture analysis looking into the genetic structure of the local Malays and other Asian population groups suggested that they are genetically closer to some Filipino ethnic groups than the Malays in Malaysia and Singapore.Conclusions: Taken together, our work provides the first comprehensive insight into the genomes of the Bruneian Malay population.
Concordance rate amongst electronic databases regarded the information on potential drug interactions between warfarin and antimicrobials: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Meregalli Rosana Thalia , Pizzol Tatiane da Silva Dal , de Oliveira Luciana Mello
Published: August 2022

Background: Although not always avoidable, drug-drug interaction (DDI) is an example of a predictable adverse event. Warfarin is a narrow therapeutic window oral anticoagulant that has been described to interact with antimicrobials (AM), affecting therapy efficacy and/or safety of anticoagulant and/or antimicrobial treatment. Aim: To evaluate the intrarater agreement on information about potential DDI between warfarin and AM present in the Municipal Essential Medicines List of Porto Alegre (REMUME/POA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between different electronic databases (EDB). Method: This descriptive analysis evaluated the EDB UpToDate®, Drugs.com®, Medscape®, and Micromedex® on information about DDI mechanism, severity classification, and clinical management. Results: Amongst the 20 AM listed, 17 had a potential DDI with warfarin described in at least one EDB. Total agreement rate between EDB regarding classification of DDI was 30%; as for partial concordance, rates among 2 and 3 EDB were respectively 25% and 45%. Most concordant EDB were UpToDate® and Drugs.com® (85%). For mechanism of DDI, the overall concordance rate was 12%; partial agreement was 35% and 23.5% on two and three EDB, respectively. Overall agreement rate for clinical management of DDI was 18%; partial agreement between 2 and 3 EDB was 29% and 53%, respectively. Conclusion: Overall concordance rate is relatively low, considering the information obtained for the three aspects evaluated. The partial concordance rate, however, is higher, reaching 45% of the drugs with concordant DDI classification for three out of four EDB. Further studies are needed to evaluate the robustness of the evidence employed by EDB.
Activated Neuron Group Based Extract-Remember Model for Humanlike Object Recognition
Authors: Duan Tong , Yi Peng
Published: August 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) exhibit similarities to the human visual cortex, such as in structure and response to images. However, when it comes to the learning process, CNN and visual neural network are quite different: CNNs are generally trained by complex mathematical analysis based gradient descent algorithms, while the human brain seems to learn how to recognize objects in a more intuitive way: extract and remember the features of the object. This difference raises an interesting question --- could CNN recognize objects in a more humanlike way? In this work, a straightforward but novel ''extract-remember'' model (ERM) is proposed: first, we observed that different image classes can stably trigger the activation of different neuron groups even in a randomly weighted CNN, which means that the activated neurons jointly represent the core features of the stimuli; then, the simple remember operation is involved: try to identify the commonly activated neuron group (CANG) related to a specific object during the training process, instead of adjusting the huge amount of values of the weights. After mapping different object classes into different CANGs, the CNN can directly recognize the object in a new image by determining whether its response contains the remembered CANGs, and recognition results on different image datasets show the significant efficiency of ERM. The proposed ERM has high interpretability, suggesting a new direction for artificial neuron network design, which may in turn, also help to understand the object recognition process of human brain.
Neonatal intensive care unit occupancy rate and probability of discharge of very preterm infants
Authors: Beltempo Marc , Sargi Elyonora , Patel Sharina , Lacroix Guy , Lapointe Anie , Taylor-Ducharme Sharon , Morin Stéphane , Bizgu Victoria , Piedboeuf Bruno
Published: August 2022

Objective
To assess the association of NICU occupancy with probability of discharge and length of stay (LOS) among infants born < 33 weeks gestational age (GA).
Study design:
Retrospective study of 3388 infants born 23–32 weeks GA, admitted to five Level 3/4 NICUs (2014–2018) and discharged alive. Standardized ratios of observed-to-expected number of discharges were calculated for each quintile of unit occupancy. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between LOS and occupancy.
Results
At the lowest unit occupancy quintiles (Q1 and Q2), infants were 12% and 11% less likely to be discharged compared to the expected number. At the highest unit occupancy quintile (Q5), infants were 20% more likely to be discharged. Highest occupancy (Q5) was also associated with a 4.7-day (95% CI 1.7, 7.7) reduction in LOS compared Q1.
Conclusion
NICU occupancy was associated with likelihood of discharge and LOS among infants born < 33 weeks GA.
Multi-Scenario Radiative Human Body Cooling with a Selective Emission-Transmission Textile
Authors: Wu Xueke , Li Jinlei , Jiang Qinyuan , Zhang Wenshuo , Wang Baoshun , Li Run , Zhao Siming , Wang Fei , Huang Ya , Lyu Pei , Zhao Yanlong , Zhu Jia , Zhang Rufan
Published: August 2022

Radiative cooling (RC) is a promising sustainable human body cooling technology. However, there still lacks a RC material that can simultaneously enable efficient human body cooling in both outdoor and indoor hot scenarios. Here, we propose a selective emission-transmission (SET) RC model, which is featured with selective high emission in the atmospheric window waveband (8-13 μm) and high transmission in the remaining mid-infrared wavebands, to guide the design of multi-scenario RC materials. Assisted with designs at molecular and nano-scale, we demonstrated a polyoxymethylene (POM) nano-textile, which selectively exhibits high emittance of 75.7% in the 8-13 μm waveband, high human radiation transmittance of 48.5% (4-25 μm), and also a high solar reflectance of 94.7% (0.3-2.5 μm). As a result, the POM nano-textile exhibits superior human body cooling performance in various scenarios including sunny outdoor (2.6-8.8 ℃ cooling), cloudy outdoor (0.7-3.6 ℃ cooling) and indoor (0.5-1.2 ℃ cooling), compared to existing RC materials and commercial cotton. In addition, the POM nano-textile also possesses good wearability. When the POM nano-textile is tailored onto a protective clothing, it provides better cooling performance than its commercial counterpart. This work provides an alternative pathway towards multi-scenario personal thermal management.
Attention-based Bi-Prediction Network with Knowledge Distillation for Versatile Video Coding (VVC)
Authors: Choi Young-Ju , Lee Young-Woon , Kim Jong-Ho , Jeong Se-Yoon , Choi Jin-Soo , Kim Byung-Gyu
Published: August 2022

In video coding, inter bi-prediction contributes to improve the coding efficiency significantly by producing precise fused prediction block. Although block-wise bi-prediction methods, such as bi-prediction with CU-level weight (BCW), are applied in Versatile Video Coding (VVC), linear fusion-based strategy is still difficult to represent diverse pixel variations inside a block. In addition, a pixel-wise bi-prediction method called bi-directional optical flow (BDOF) has been proposed to refine bi-prediction block. However, non-linear optical flow equation in BDOF mode is applied under assumptions so this method is yet unable to accurately compensate various kind of bi-prediction block. In this paper, we propose an attention-based bi-prediction network (ABPN) to substitute the whole existing bi-prediction methods. The proposed ABPN is designed to learn efficient representations of the fused features by utilizing attention mechanism. Furthermore, the knowledge distillation (KD)-based approach is employed to compress the size of the proposed network while keeping comparable output as the large model. The proposed ABPN is integrated into the VTM-11.0 NNVC-1.0 standard reference software. When compared with VTM anchor, it is verified that the BD-rate reduction of the lightweighted ABPN can be up to 5.89\% and 4.91\% on Y component under random access (RA) and low delay B (LDB), respectively.
A Comparative Study of Particle Filter Resampling Techniques for Power Systems State Estimation
Authors: Abolmasoumi Amir Hossein , Heydari Somayeh , Farahani Ali , Ghadimi Ali , Bayat Mohammad
Published: August 2022

The effect of the resampling stage on the overall performance of the particle filter state estimation for power systems is investigated. As each general particle filter algorithm includes three steps of the prediction, update and resampling, the resampling step is essential to avoid the sample degeneracy problem. In this paper, the standard particle filter is applied to the problem of the decentralized state estimation in power systems. Various existing resampling techniques are described, tested, and evaluated in different power systems with different fault scenarios. The resampling methods are compared based on their mean square error, their needed computation time and their performance against various data quality issues such as delays, missing measurements, etc. More efficient resampling methods are then determined for three cases of the power system cases: a single-machine-infinite-bus system, the medium size two-area four-machine system and the large-scale New-England system considering different fault scenarios.
Integrated hydrobulging of prolate ellipsoids from preforms with multiple thicknesses
Authors: Zhang Jian , Tang Yinhui , Zhan Ming , Wang Fang , Zhao Xilu
Published: August 2022

The integrated hydrobulging of stainless-steel prolate ellipsoids from preforms with two thicknesses was investigated. The produced ellipsoids were closed with two 16-mm-thick closures and had nominal semiminor and semimajor axes of 89 and 125 mm, respectively. The ellipsoidal preforms comprised eight conical segments inscribed inside the target perfect ellipsoid. The four end and middle segments of the preforms had nominal thicknesses of 0.67 and 0.83 mm, respectively. The hydrobulging of these preforms was explored analytically and numerically and was compared with that of prolate ellipsoids with constant thickness. Two nominally identical ellipsoidal preforms were fabricated, measured, and hydrobulged to confirm the theoretical predictions. The results indicated that varying the preform thicknesses is an efficient method of overcoming insufficient hydrobulging of the ends of prolate ellipsoids in other methods. Moreover, hydrobulging instability can be effectively monitored by measuring geometric dimensions, such as axial height.