bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Value of Immune Genomic Signatures from Breast Cancer Cohorts Containing Data for Both Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Prognosis after Surgery
Authors: Zhu Yidan , Iwamoto Takayuki , Kajiwara Yukiko , Takahashi Yuko , Kochi Mariko , Shien Tadahiko , Taira Naruto , Toyooka Shinichi , Doihara Hiroyoshi
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPrevious studies of immune-related gene signatures (IGSs) in breast cancer have attempted to predict the response to chemotherapy or prognosis and were performed using different patient cohorts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive functions of various IGSs using the same patient cohort that included data for response to chemotherapy as well as the prognosis after surgery.MethodsWe applied five previously described IGS models in a public dataset of 508 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The prognostic and predictive values of each model were evaluated, and their correlations were compared.ResultsWe observed a high proportion of expression concordance among the IGS models (r: 0.56-1). Higher gene expression scores of IGSs were detected in aggressive breast cancer subtypes (basal and HER2-enriched) (P < 0.001). Four of the five IGSs could predict chemotherapy responses and two could predict 5-year relapse-free survival in cases with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumors. However, the models showed no significant differences in their predictive abilities for hormone receptor-negative (HR-) tumors.ConclusionsIGSs are, to some extent, useful for predicting prognosis and chemotherapy response; moreover, they show substantial agreement for specific breast cancer subtypes. However, it is necessary to identify more compelling biomarkers for both prognosis and response to chemotherapy in HR- and HER2+ cases.
Response Mechanism of Sediment Organic Matter of Plateau Lakes in Cold and Arid Regions to Climate Change: a Case Study of Hulun Lake, China
Authors: Wang Wenwen , Zhao Li , Li Wei , Chen Junyi , Wang Shuhang
Published: December 2021

Lake organic matter is one of the important forms of terrestrial carbon, and its sedimentary evolution is affected by many factors such as climate and source. However, few studies have been conducted on the bidirectional feedback mechanism between the sedimentary evolution of organic matter and climate change in cold and arid lakes. Historical variations of the sediment organic matter (SOM) and source construction of Hulun Lake, a typical lake in the cold and arid region of China, were studied by multiple methods. The interactions and feedback mechanisms between the sedimentary evolution, climate change, and source construction change were also discussed. Overall, the characteristic indexes of the SOM showed obvious and uniform characteristics of periodical changes. The indexes were relatively stable before 1920, and fluctuated from 1920 to 1979. Since the 1980s, the total organic carbon, carbon stable isotope, and fluorescence intensity of the protein-like component in the water extractable organic matter in the SOM has increased, while the carbon to nitrogen ratio decreased. The absolute dominant contribution of terrestrial source to the SOM had changed, and the relative average contribution rate of autochthonous source increased from 17.6% before 1920 to 36.9% after 2000. The increase of temperature, strong evaporation concentration effect, and the source construction change are the important driving factors of the sedimentary evolution of organic matter in Hulun Lake.
Screening the antifungal properties of essential oils against Phytophthora colocasiae
Authors: Kalhoro Muhammad Talib , Zhang Hong , Kalhoro Ghulam Mujtaba , Faqir Yahya , Wang Fukai , Nabi Farhan , Chen Tianhong , Gao Zhixian
Published: December 2021

Recently Microbicidal and micro-static activities of naturally obtained botanicals have been extensively explored, generally in response to the devastating apprehension of consumers towards the safety of edible products. However, scientists are paying more interest in using bio pesticides and phytochemicals that constitute environmentally favorable, non-toxic, long-lasting, and productive substitutes for preventing many hazardous plant pathogens. This research aimed to investigate the antifungal capabilities of sage and tea tree essential oils towards taro leaf blight, the most important cause of worldwide production losses. Using synthetic fungicides is a rapid and effective approach for controlling plant diseases, but it also creates human health risks, environmental threats, and chances of pathogen resistance. The essential oils of sage and tea tree were obtained by microwave-assisted hydro-distillation, and their chemical components were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. The main components of the oil were Thujone and Terpinen-4-ol, in sage and tea, respectively. A casual disease agent isolated from symptomatic taro leaves is used as a test fungus and identified as Phytophthora colocasiae. The antifungal properties of both essential oils were evaluated against mycelium, sporangium, zoospores, leaf necrosis, and corm lesions. Repeated experiments showed that the minimum concentrations for obtaining 100% inhibition of mycelium, zoospore germination, sporangia formation, and leaf necrosis were estimated at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL of sage and tea tree oils, respectively. Outcomes of this study provide an allusion for the prevention and curation of plant diseases promptly, economically, and environmentally by using phytochemicals and plant essential oil derivatives.
Converting the existing disease surveillance from a paper-based to an electronic-based system using District Health Information System (DHIS-2) for real-time information: The Lebanese experience
Authors: Youssef Dalal , Yaghi Ayat , Jouny Abbas , Abou-Abbas Linda , Chammaa Houssam , Ghosn Nada
Published: December 2021

Introduction:The Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon is in the process of converting the surveillance reporting from a cumbersome paper-based system to a web-based electronic platform (DHIS-2) to have real-time information for early detection of alerts and outbreaks and for initiating a prompt response.Objectives:This paper aimed to document the Lebanese experience in implementing DHIS-2 for the disease surveillance system. It also targets to assess the improvement of reporting rates and timeliness of the reported data and to disclose the encountered challenges and opportunities. MethodologyThis is a retrospective description of processes involved in the implementation of the DHIS-2 tool in Lebanon. Initially, it was piloted for the school-based surveillance in 2014; then its use was extended in May 2017 to cover other specific surveillance systems. This included all surveillance programs collecting aggregate data from hospitals, medical centers, dispensaries, or laboratories at the first stage. As part of the national roll-out process, the online application was developed. The customized aggregated-based datasets, organization units, user accounts, specific and generic dashboards were generated. More than 80 training sessions were conducted throughout the country targeting 1290 end-users including health officers at the national and provincial levels, focal persons who were working in all public and private hospitals, laboratories, and medical centers as well. Completeness and timeliness of reported data were compared before and after the implementation of DHIS-2. The unveiled challenges and the main lessons learnt during the roll-out process were discussed.ResultsFor laboratory-based surveillance, completeness of reporting increased from 70.8% in May to 89.6% in October. Timeliness has improved from 25% to 74%. For medical centers, an improvement of 8.1% for completeness and 9.4% in timeliness was recorded before and after training sessions. For zero reporting, completeness remains the same (88%) and timeliness has improved from 74% to 87%. The main challenges faced during the implementation of DHIS-2 were mainly infrastructural and system-related in addition to poor internet connectivity and limited workforce and frequent changes to DHIS-2 versions.ConclusionImplementation of DHIS-2 improved timeliness and completeness for aggregated data reporting. Continued on-site support, monitoring, and system enhancement are needed to improve the performance of DHIS-2.
Structural Basis for Control of Bacterial RNA Polymerase Pausing by a Riboswitch and its Ligand
Authors: Walter Nils , Chauvier Adrien , Porta Jason , Deb Indrajit , Ellinger Emily , Frank Aaron , Ohi Melanie
Published: December 2021

Folding of nascent transcripts can be modulated by the proximal RNA polymerase (RNAP) that carries out their transcription, and vice versa. A pause of RNAP during transcription of a preQ1 riboswitch (que-ePEC) is stabilized by a previously characterized template consensus sequence and the ligand-free conformation of the nascent RNA. Ligand binding to the riboswitch induces RNAP pause release and downstream transcription termination, however, the mechanism by which riboswitch folding modulates pausing is unclear. Here, we report single-particle cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of que-ePEC in ligand-free and ligand-bound states. In the absence of preQ1, the RNA transcript is in an unexpected hyper-translocated state, preventing downstream nucleotide incorporation. Strikingly, upon ligand binding the riboswitch rotates around its helical axis, expanding the surrounding RNAP exit channel and repositioning the transcript for elongation. Our study reveals the tight coupling by which small nascent RNA structures and their ligands can functionally regulate the macromolecular transcription machinery.
miR-424-5p Combined with miR-17-5p Has High Diagnostic Efficacy for Endometriosis
Authors: Lin Chunli , Zeng Saili , Li Miaojie
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Endometriosis (EMT) is a chronic benign disease with high prevalence. This study investigated the diagnostic value of serum miR-17-5p, miR-424-5p, and their combined expressions for EMT.Methods: A total of 80 EMT patients of reproductive age were included as the study subjects, and another 80 healthy women of reproductive age were selected as the control group. The whole blood samples of enrolled subjects were collected and clinical characteristics were recorded. The miR-17-5p, miR-424-5p, VEGFA, IL-4, and IL-6 levels in the serum were measured. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of miR-17-5p and miR-424-5p expressions for EMT. Pearson correlation was performed to analyze the correlation of miR-17-5p and miR-424-5p with clinical indexes in EMT patients.Results: miR-17-5p and miR-424-5p were significantly downregulated in EMT patients. For the diagnosis of EMT, the AUC of miR-17-5p was 0.865 and cutoff value was 0.890 (91.3% sensitivity and 85% specificity), the AUC of miR-424-5p was 0.737 and cutoff value was 0.915 (98.8% sensitivity and 61.2% specificity), the AUC of miR-424-5p combined with miR-17-5p was 0.938 and cutoff value was 2.205 (93.8% sensitivity and 88.7% specificity), with the diagnostic efficacy higher than miR-424-5p or miR-17-5p alone. The expressions of miR-17-5p and miR-424-5p were negatively correlated with dysmenorrhea, infertility, pelvic pain, and rASRM stage, but not with age, BMI, menstrual disorder, and nulliparity. VEGFA, IL-4, and IL-6 were remarkably increased in EMT patients, and both were inversely associated with miR-17-5p and miR-424-5p.Conclusion: miR-424-5p combined with miR-17-5p has high diagnostic efficacy for EMT.
The Impacts of Positive Psychology and Individualism on Mental Health Status of the Elderly in China: Evidence From Chinese General Social Survey Data
Authors: Zhang Yujie
Published: December 2021

Background

Many previous studies have proved that positive psychology can promote mental health. However, little is known about how and when it promotes mental health in older adults.
Methods

The data of this study were sourced from the 2017 wave of Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), involving 1,537 older adults aged 60 and above. OLS regression model was used to explore the impact of positive psychology on mental health of the elderly. Moreover, stata 16.0 was used to measure the moderating effect of individualism on the relationship between positive psychology and mental health.
Results

After controlling for demographic characteristics, socio-economic status and lifestyle factors, the regression results suggest that positive psychology was associated with mental health (coefficient = 0.112, p < 0.01). In addition, the positive relationship was significantly stronger for people who were older, married, lived in urban areas, with higher education and higher subjective social class position, and higher exercise frequency. Moreover, the moderating effect analysis results suggest that individualism strengthened the relationship between positive psychology and mental health.
Conclusions

This study reveals that positive psychology has a positive effect on mental health among the elderly, and the positive health effect shows significant age, marital status, living areas, education background, social class position and physical exercise inequalities. Furthermore, this study also provides new evidence indicating that individualism positively moderates the relationship between positive psychology and mental health. Promoting positive psychology can be a promising way for China to promote psychological care for the elderly in the future.
Rio1 downregulates centromeric RNA levels to promote the timely assembly of structurally fit kinetochores.
Authors: De Wulf Peter , Smurova Ksenia , Stancari Stefania , Irene Carmela , Berto Giovanna , Iacovella Maria , Perticari Giulia , D'Ambrosio Ilaria , Damizia Michela , Giubettini Maria , Philippe Réginald , Baggio Chiara , Callegaro Elisabetta , Casagranda Andrea , Corsini Alessandro , Polese Vincenzo , Ricci Anna , Dassi Erik
Published: December 2021

Kinetochores assemble on centromeres (CENs) via histone H3 variant CENP-A and low levels of CEN transcripts. RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity is restrained by the CEN histone code, while CEN RNA concentrations are reduced by the nuclear exosome. Using S. cerevisiae, we add kinase Rio1 to this scheme as it downregulates RNAPII, and promotes CEN RNA turnover via exoribonuclease Rat1. Transcription factor Cbf1 and the assembled kinetochore further restrain CEN transcription. CEN transcripts exist as long (up to 11,000nt) and short RNAs (119±40nt), which may underlie CEN identity and kinetochore recruitment. While also curtailed by Rio1, Rat1, and the exosome, periCEN RNAs (<200nt) accumulate at levels that are one order of magnitude higher than the CEN transcripts. Depleting Rio1 causes CEN and periCEN RNA buildup, kinetochore malformation, and chromosome loss. Depleting human orthologue RioK1 leads to CEN RNA accumulation and micronuclei formation, suggesting that Rio1/RioK1 activity at centromeres is conserved.
Genetic diversity of nuts traits and fatty acids of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) germplasm resources
Authors: Zhang Jiyu , Wang Tao , Zhang Fan , Li Yong-Rong , Liu Yong-Zhi , Wang Gang , Wang Xiao-Yong
Published: December 2021

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is the most economically valuable nut tree growing in many countries of the world. 10 nut quantitative traits and 15 fatty acid components of 112 pecan accessions were determined to analyze the morphometric and fatty acids genetic diversity in this study. The measured nuts traits of single nut mass, nut transverse, longitudinal and lateral diameter, nut aspect ratio, single nuts kernel mass, kernel yield and shell thinness were found highly variable. 15 fatty acids were detected among 36 tested fat acids in the nut kernel of pecan, and 14 fatty acids were found high variation except for the C12:0. Plenty of these traits are significant economic importance and could be used as breeding targets to improve the pecan variety. The positive correlations were observed between each pair of single nut mass, nut transverse diameter, nut longitudinal diameter and nut lateral diameter. Single nuts kernel mass is significantly positively correlated with single nut mass, nut transverse diameter, nut longitudinal diameter and nut lateral diameter. The 2D PCA plot successfully grouped the samples according to their phenotypic resemblance and morphological characteristics. 112 accessions were grouped into 4 and 3 major clusters according to the nut quantitative traits and fatty acids components and contents, respectively. Based on these results, we suggest that multidisciplinary research team should be set for genetic breeding of pecan to promote the conservation of local genetic diversity and improve the nuts production and commercialization in China.
R354X Mutation in PRPF31 Affects Its Capacity in Inflammation Response and Splicing
Authors: Deng Fang , Huang Shaofen , Xiao Xiaoqiang
Published: December 2021

Pre-mRNA processing factor 31(PRPF31) is a key component of RNA splicing and also a disease-causing gene of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Previously, we found that the nonsense mutation R354X in PRPF31induces RP in a Chinese RP family. In order to investigate the underlining molecular mechanisms of RP pathogenesis induced by this mutation, we generated cell lines stably expressing R354X mutant, wild type (WT) of PRPF31 and corresponding empty vector using HEK293T cells ,the resulting cell lines were used for Long non-coding RNA sequencing(LncRNA -sequencing). The results of LncRNA sequencing showed that, comparing to WT, R354X mutation changed the expression and splicing of coding and non-coding transcripts. Interestingly, in HEK293T and APRE-19 cells, inflammation-associated genes such as IFI6, OAS3and STAT3, enhanced their expression in response to the overexpression of WT PRPF31; however, in R354X mutation cells, those genes’ expression remained basal levels. Moreover, increased H2AFX expression and attenuated growth capacity were found in cells expressing R354X PRPF31. In contrast with WT, R354X mutant showed varied splicing model for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) in HEK293T , reduced CPSF1 and SORBS1 mRNAs binding in ARPE-19 ,and its binding with CTNNBL1 was also interfered in ARPE-19 cells. On the other hand, the R354X mutant also increased the level of transcripts read-through. Taken together, R354X mutation in PRPF31 affected cell survival, changed gene’s expression and splicing. Those findings indicate that inflammation and oxidation might contribute the pathogenesis of RP induced by the R354X mutation.
Microstructure and Hot Workability of Twin-roll Cast Dispersoid-strengthened Al- Mg-Si-Mn alloys
Authors: Qian Xiaoming , Zhang Yu , Wang Zhaodong , Chen X.-Grant , Li Yong , Xu Guangming
Published: December 2021

Dispersoid-strengthened Al-Mg-Si-Mn aluminum alloys were produced by twin-roll casting (TRC) and conventional mold casting (MC). An extra-low temperature homogenization was performed at temperature of 430 °C for 6 h, which was followed by uniaxial hot compression tests. The results showed that the as-cast TRC samples had a lower eutectic fraction with a smaller size and a higher solid solution concentration compared to the as-cast MC samples. During the extra-low temperature homogenization, a large number of α-Al(Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids precipitated, and the dispersoids in the TRC sample had a greater number density than those in the MC sample. Precipitation-free zone (PFZ) formed near the eutectic regions, TRC sample had a lower PFZ fraction than that of MC sample. The TRC samples yielded higher flow stresses of hot deformation than MC sample owing to the stronger dispersoid strengthening effect. Severe edge cracking occurred in the deformed MC samples due to the high fraction of coarse AlFeMnSi intermetallic particles, no edge crack formed in the TRC samples owing to its lower fraction and fine intermetallics which improved the hot workability of TRC sample.
Unsupervised Clustering of Continuous Ambient Noise Data to Get Higher Signal Quality in Seismic Surveys
Authors: Thangraj Joseph Soloman , Pulliam Jay , Sen Mrinal K.
Published: December 2021

Seismic interferometry has been shown to extract body wave arrivals from ambient noise seismic data. However, surface waves dominate ambient noise data, so cross-correlating and stacking all available data may not succeed in extracting body wave arrivals. A better strategy is to find portions of the data in which body wave energy dominates and to process only those portions. One challenge is that passive seismic recordings comprise huge volumes of data, so identifying portions with strong body-wave energy could be difficult or time-consuming. We use spatio-temporal features, calculated with data recorded by all receivers together, to perform unsupervised clustering. Using data recorded by a dense seismic array in Sweetwater, TX we were able to identify five clusters, representing a subsets of the complete dataset that contain similar features, and extract a 7 km/s body wave arrival from one cluster. This arrival did not emerge when we performed the same cross-correlation and stacking regimen on the entire dataset.
Relationship Between Epicardial Fat volume on Cardiac CT and Atherosclerosis Severity in Three-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sun Yu , Li Xiao-gang , Xu Kai , Hou Jie , You Hong-rui , Zhang Rong-rong , Qi Miao , Zhang Li-bo , Xu Li-sheng , Greenwald Stephen E. , Yang Ben-Qiang
Published: December 2021

Background
The ideal treatment strategy for stable three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) patients are difficult to determine and for patients undergoing conservative treatment, imaging evidence of coronary atherosclerotic severity progression remains limited. Epicardial fat volume (EFV) on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has been considered to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between EFV level and coronary atherosclerosis severity in three-vessel CAD.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled 252 consecutive patients with three-vessel CAD and 252 normal control group participants who underwent CCTA between January 2018 and December 2019. A semi-automatic method was developed for EFV quantification on CCTA images, standardized by body surface area. Coronary atherosclerosis severity was evaluated and scored by the number of coronary arteries with ≥ 50% stenosis on coronary angiography. Patients were subdivided into groups on the basis of lesion severity: mild (score = 3 vessels, n = 85), moderate (3.5 vessels ≤ score < 4 vessels, n = 82), and severe (4 vessels ≤ score ≤ 7 vessels, n = 85). The independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations between EFV level and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
Results
Compared with normal controls, three-vessel CAD patients had significantly higher EFV level (65 ± 22 mL/m2 vs. 48 ± 19 mL/m2; P < 0.001). In patients with three-vessel CAD, there was a progressive decline in EFV level as the score of coronary atherosclerosis severity increased, especially in those patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 (75 ± 21 mL/m2 vs. 72 ± 22 mL/m2 vs. 62 ± 17 mL/m2; P < 0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed that both BMI (OR: 3.40, 95%CI: 2.00 - 5.78, P < 0.001) and the score of coronary atherosclerosis severity (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26 - 0.93, P<0.05) were independently related to the change of EFV level.
Conclusion
Three-vessel CAD patients do have higher EFV level than the normal controls. While, there may be an inverse relationship between EFV level and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with three-vessel CAD.
Reconstitution of a telomeric replicon organized by CST
Authors: Cech Thomas , Zaug Arthur
Published: December 2021

Telomeres, the natural ends of linear chromosomes, are comprised of repeat-sequence DNA and associated proteins1. Replication of telomeres allows continued proliferation of human stem cells and immortality of cancer cells2. Replication begins with telomerase3 extending the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of the telomeric G-strand [(TTAGGG)n]; the synthesis of the complementary C-strand [(CCCTAA)n] is much less well characterized. The CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) protein complex, a DNA Polymerase α-primase accessory factor4,5, is known to be required for telomere replication in vivo6,7,8,9, and the molecular analysis presented here reveals key features of its mechanism. We find that CST uses its ssDNA-binding activity to specify the origins for telomeric C-strand synthesis by bound Polα-primase. CST-organized DNA polymerization can copy a telomeric DNA template that folds into G-quadruplex structures, but the suboptimality of this template likely contributes to telomere replication problems observed in vivo. Combining telomerase, a short telomeric ssDNA primer, and CST-Polα-primase gives complete telomeric DNA replication, resulting in the same sort of ssDNA 3’-overhang found naturally on human telomeres. We conclude that the CST complex not only terminates telomerase extension10,11 and recruits Polα-primase to telomeric ssDNA4,12,13, but it also orchestrates C-strand synthesis. Because replication of the telomere has features distinct from replication of the rest of the genome, targeting telomere-replication components including CST holds promise for cancer therapeutics.
Counteracting Forces of Introgressive Hybridization and Interspecific Competition Shape the Morphological Traits of Cryptic Lberian Eptesicus Bats
Authors: Horta Pedro , Raposeira Helena , Baños Adrián , Ibáñez Carlos , Razgour Orly , Rebelo Hugo , Juste Javier
Published: December 2021

Cryptic species that coexist in sympatry are likely to simultaneously experience strong competition and hybridization. The first phenomenon would lead to character displacement, whereas the second can potentially promote morphological similarity through adaptive introgression. The main goal of this work was to investigate the effect of introgressive hybridization on the morphology of cryptic Iberian Eptesicus bats when facing counteracting evolutionary forces from interspecific competition. We found substantial overlap both in dentition and in wing morphology traits, though mainly in individuals in sympatry. The presence of hybrids contributes to a fifth of this overlap, with hybrids showing traits with intermediate morphometry. Thus, introgressive hybridization may contribute to species adaptation to trophic and ecological space responding directly to the macro-habitats characteristics of the sympatric zone and to local prey availability. On the other hand, fur shade tended to be browner and brighter in hybrids than parental species. Colour differences could result from partitioning of resources as an adaptation to environmental factors such as roost and microhabitats. We argue that a balance between adaptive introgression and niche partitioning shapes species interactions with the environment through affecting morphological traits under selection.
Evaluation of Safety for Scanning Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy in Hemodialysis Patients with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Takakusagi Yosuke , Suga Makito , Kusano Yohsuke , Kano Kio , Shima Satoshi , Tsuchida Keisuke , Mizoguchi Nobutaka , Serizawa Itsuko , Yoshida Daisaku , Kamada Tadashi , Minohara Shinichi , Katoh Hiroyuki
Published: December 2021

Background/Aim
The efficacy and safety of carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for prostate cancer have already been demonstrated. The number of hemodialysis (HD) patients is increasing. Although the toxicity of CIRT in HD patients may be more severe, it has been insufficiently investigated. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the safety of CIRT for HD patients with prostate cancer in the present study.
Materials and Methods
Five HD patients with prostate cancer who underwent CIRT at the Kanagawa Cancer Center during November 2015–2020 were included in this study. CIRT was delivered by the raster scanning method (sCIRT). Adverse events were assessed using the CTCAE v5.0. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the target volume and normal organs were evaluated between initial planning computed tomography (CT) and in-room CT images.
Results
In the acute phase, Grade 1 genitourinary toxicity was recorded in 1 patient. In the late phase, Grade 1 genitourinary toxicity was recorded in 2 patients. No gastrointestinal toxicities were noted during the follow-up period. In-room CT analysis revealed no significant differences among all DVH parameters of the target volume and normal organs when compared with the treatment plan dose.
Conclusions
The safety of sCIRT for prostate cancer in HD patients was investigated in the present study. In-room CT analysis suggested the robustness of the treatment plan. According to the present results, sCIRT for prostate cancer can be safely performed in HD patients.
One-year Clinical Results of Restorations Using a Novel Self-adhesive Composite Hybrid
Authors: Rathke Andreas , Pfefferkorn Frank , McGuire Michael , Heard Rick , Seemann Rainer
Published: December 2021

This prospective study assessed the dual-curing self-adhesive composite hybrid Surefil one. The restorations were placed and reviewed by dental practitioners who are members of a practice-based research network in the United States. Seven practitioners filled 60 cavities (20 class I, 19 class II and 21 class V) in 41 patients with Surefil one without adhesive, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The restorations were evaluated using modified rating criteria at baseline and after 3 months and 1 year. Patients were also contacted to report postoperative hypersensitivity 1 to 4 weeks after placement. Recall rates were 98% after 3 months and 82% after 1 year. The only patient that showed moderate hypersensitvity after 1 year had previously reported symptoms that were unlikely associated to the class I molar restoration. One class II restoration in a broken maxillary molar was partially lost. The remaining 48 restorations were found to be in clinically acceptable condition resulting in an annual failure rate of 2%. The lowest number of acceptable scores (88%) was for color match. Self-adhesive composite hybrid restorations showed promising results in stress-bearing class I and II as well as non-retentive class V cavities at 1-year recall.
On Injectivity of an Integral Operator Connected to Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Adam Dumitru
Published: December 2021

In 1993, Alcantara-Bode showed ([2]) that Riemann Hypothesisholds if and only if the integral operator on the Hilbert space L2(0; 1)having the kernel function defined by the fractional part of (y/x), isinjective. Since then, the injectivity of the integral operator used inequivalent formulation of RH has not been addressed nor has beendissociated from RH.We provided in this paper methods for investigating the injectivityof linear bounded operators on separable Hilbert spaces using theirapproximations on dense families of subspaces.On the separable Hilbert space L2(0,1), an linear bounded operator(or its associated Hermitian), strict positive definite on a dense familyof including approximation subspaces in built on simple functions, isinjective if the rate of convergence of its sequence of injectivity pa-rameters on approximation subspaces is inferior bounded by a not nullconstant, that is the case with the Beurling - Alcantara-Bode integraloperator.We applied these methods to the integral operator used in RHequivalence proving its injectivity.
The Zoo of Fairness Metrics in Machine Learning
Authors: Castelnovo Alessandro , Crupi Riccardo , Greco Greta , Regoli Daniele , Penco Ilaria Giuseppina , Cosentini Andrea Claudio
Published: December 2021

In recent years, the problem of addressing fairness in Machine Learning (ML) and automatic decision-making has attracted a lot of attention in the scientific communities dealing with Artificial Intelligence. A plethora of different definitions of fairness in ML have been proposed, that consider different notions of what is a “fair decision” in situations impacting individuals in the population. The precise differences, implications and “orthogonality” between these notions have not yet been fully analyzed in the literature. In this work, we try to make some order out of this zoo of definitions.
Rheological Properties of Magnetic Field-Assisted Thickening Fluid and High Efficiency Spherical Polishing of ZrO2 Ceramics
Authors: Ming Yang , Huang Xiang ming , Zhou Dong dong , Zeng Qing , Li Hong yu
Published: December 2021

Shear thickening polishing technology using non-Newtonian polishing fluid is a low-cost, low-damage polishing method for the ultra-precision machining of complex curved surfaces. However, the shortcomings of traditional shear thickening polishing fluid in polishing efficiency and fluid viscosity controllability limit its further application., a novel weak magnetic field-assisted shear thickening polishing fluid (WMFA-STPF) containing carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) is presented in this study, which utilizes its weak magnetorheological effect to strengthen the shear thickening phenomenon. The rheological characteristics of the WMFA-STPF samples were investigated. The results show that WMFA-STPF has good fluidity in the low shear rate range and better thickening characteristics in the working shear rate range. In order to verify the high efficiency, high quality and high uniformity polishing ability of the weak magnetic field-assisted shear thickening polishing technology for the spherical surface of zirconia ceramic workpiece, the contrast polishing experiment was designed and finished. The experimental results show that the weak magnetic field-assisted thickening effect can achieve high efficiency and high quality polishing of hard and brittle ceramics. After 75 min polishing, the surface damage was effectively improved and eliminated, the surface quality and uniformity were greatly improved, and the material removal rate reached 7.82 μm/h, increased by 156%.
Association Between Early-Stage Juveniles of Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys, Loricariidae) and Floating Hydrophytes: Behaviour Supports Species Dispersal?
Authors: Tran Thanh Trung , Nguyen Vinh Thanh , Hoang Tuan Anh , Nguyen Thanh Nam
Published: December 2021

The vertical distribution of early-stage juvenile sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys, Loricariidae), an invasive species, were investigated in littoral habitats and the center of channel with floating hydrophytes from the Red River system in Vietnam. Sailfin catfish were sampled from the upper water column with associated floating hydrophytes of the invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and native water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic) and the bottom using hand nets (2-mm mesh sizes). Significantly higher numbers of early-stage juveniles were associated with floating hydrophytes compared to bottom sampling. The association between early stages of sailfin catfishes and floating hydrophytes, especially the free-floating invasive water hyacinth, supports the potential mechanism in the dispersal of an invasive fish.
The Role of Drug Resistance Causing lncRNAs in Breast Cancer: In-silico Analysis
Authors: Najafabadi Amirhossein Hajialiasgary , Khojasteh Mahdieh , Ghaedi Kamran
Published: December 2021

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. LncRNAs are non-coding RNAs that play an essential role in biological pathways. Many lncRNAs have been discovered to influence cancer medication resistance. As a result, identifying how lncRNAs may cause drug resistance is vital.Method: Breast cancer TCGA RNA-seq data was applied in this study. We used the PharmacoGX package to explore lncRNAs with drug resistance or sensitivity effect through GDSC and CCLE data. Differential gene expression analysis (DGE) was used to find dysregulated lncRNAs (P<0.01). Survival analysis was performed to identify lncRNAs associated with patient survival, and a model based on them was developed. Multivariate cox regression analysis and ROC curve analysis were applied to assess the model. The TCGA-BRCA and two independent datasets (GSE21653 and GSE20685) were used to study the relevance of lncRNAs in biological pathways. lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was investigated. The connections of lncRNAs with MRPs were analysed through the correlation test. Finally, lncRNA and MRP mRNAs attachment sites were analysed through the LncRRisearch tool.Result: According to our data, thirty-eight lncRNAs were associated with cell drug response in breast cancer cells. IL12A-AS1, AC137723.1, LINC00667, SVIL-AS1, CYTOR, and MIR4435-2HG linked to patient survival (P<0.05). AC137723.1 and LINC00667 were identified as good prognostic genes, while the others were discovered to have poor prognostic effects. Moreover, the risk score model separated patients perfectly, in which about 45% of high-risk patients were dead; by contrast, around 95% of low-risk patients could survive. ROC curve results proved that CYTOR, MIR4435-2HG, and LINC00667 are potential biomarkers in breast cancer with AUC >0.8. Pathway analysis revealed that CYTOR and MIR4435-2HG are highly correlated with the Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition pathway, while AC137723.1 and LINC00667 were negatively correlated with the pathway. AC128688.2, CYTOR, TDRKH-AS1 and LINC00667 can participate in lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Also, MIR22HG might influence drug resistance by attaching to MRP mRNAs.Conclusion: Our findings revealed 38 lncRNAs involved in cancer cell treatment resistance and sensitivity. They can participate in patients’ prognosis, diagnosis and cellular pathways. Also, they may influence cell drug response through connections with CSPs, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and MRPs.
In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Previously Neglected Oval Cells in Corneal Nerve Vortex: An Inflammatory Indicator of Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Jing Dalan , Jiang Xiaodan , Chou Yilin , Wei Shanshan , Hao Ran , Su Jie , Li Xuemin
Published: December 2021

To investigate association of a type of previously neglected oval cell that located in corneal vortex with dry eye disease (DED). Observational, prospective study of 168 patients with different degrees of DED. In vivo confocal microscopy was used to observe the corneal sub-basal nerves and Langerhans cells (LCs) in both corneal vortex and periphery. The bright and oval cells also be inspected in corneal vortex. An artificial intelligence (AI) technique generated the sub-basal nerve fibre parameters. Patients were divided into three different groups based on existence of inflammatory cells. Group 2 patients showed a significant increase in corneal peripheral nerve maximum length and corneal peripheral nerve average density. Patients in Group 3 had more LC numbers than others. A type of bright and oval cell was identified in the corneal vortex might be a type of immature LC and related to disease severity of DED.
Co-designing a Community Pharmacy Pharmacogenomics Testing Service In The UK
Authors: Rendell Tim , Barnett Julie , Wright David
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing services have been delivered through community pharmacies across the globe, though not yet in the UK. This paper is reporting a focus group study, the first stage of a participatory co-design process to increase the chance of a successful implementation of a PGx service through community pharmacy in the UK.Aim: To identify the barriers and enablers to implementing a community pharmacy based PGx service in the UK.Method: Three focus groups were conducted with community pharmacists (n= 10), prescribers (n= 8) and patients (n=8) in England. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using the Braun and Clarke six step reflexive thematic analysis approach.Results: The analysis identified five themes about PGx testing in community pharmacies: (1) In- principle receptiveness, (2) Appreciation of the benefits, (3) Lack of implementation resources (4) Ambiguity about implications for implementation and (5) Interprofessional relationship challenges.Conclusion: The identified enablers for implementation of a PGx service were at a macro health system strategic level; the concerns were more at a granular operational procedural level. Overall receptiveness was noted by all three participant groups, and both prescriber and pharmacist groups appreciated the potential benefits for patients and the healthcare system. Prior to implementation in the UK, there is a need to disambiguate health professional’s concerns of the guidance, resources, and knowledge required to set up and deliver the service and to resolve patient concerns about the nature of genomics.
Exosomal miR-143-3p Derived from PCOS Follicular Fluid Induces Granulosa Cell Apoptosis by Targeting BMPR1A and Suppression of Smad1/5/8 Signaling
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Pan Shuhong , Li Yunying , Wu Xiaohua
Published: December 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorders disease in women of reproductive age. The anovulation caused by abnormal follicular development is still the main characteristic of infertile patients with PCOS. Granulosa cells (GCs), an important component of follicular microenvironment, affect follicular development through GCs dysfunction. Increasing evidence indicates that exosomal miRNAs derived from follicular fluid (FF) of patients play critical roles during PCOS. However, which and how follicular fluid derived exosomal miRNAs play a pivotal role in controlling granulosa cells function and consequently follicular development remain largely unknown. Herein, we showed that miR-143-3p is highly expressed in follicular fluid exosomes of PCOS patients and can be delivered into granulosa cells. Furthermore, the functional experiments showed that the translocated miR-143-3p promoted granulosa cell apoptosis, which are important in follicle development. In terms of mechanism, we demonstrated that BMPR1A was identified as a direct target of miR-143-3p. Overexpression of BMPR1A reversed the effects of exosomal miR-143-3p on GCs apoptosis and proliferation by activating Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that miR-143-3p-containing exosomes derived from PCOS follicular fluid promoted granulosa cell apoptosis by targeting BMPR1A and blockading Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. Our findings provide a novel mechanism underlying the roles of exosomal-miRNA in follicular fluid of PCOS and facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for PCOS.
The Effect of Subdiaphragmatic Vagotomy on Heart Rate Variability and Lung Inflammation in Rats with Severe Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Khodadadi Fateme , Ketabchi Farzaneh , Khodabandeh Zahra , Tavassoli Alireza , Lewis Gregory F. , Bahaoddini Aminollah
Published: December 2021

Background
The role of the sub-diaphragmatic branch of the vagus nerve in mediating heart rate variability (HRV) and inflammatory reaction to long term hemorrhagic shock has not been determined prior to this study.
Methods
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of Sham, sub-diaphragmatic vagotomized (Vag), long term (130±2 minutes) hemorrhagic shock (LHS), and sub-diaphragmatic vagotomized with LHS (Vag+LHS). Hemodynamic parameters were recorded and HRV calculated during multiple phases of hemorrhagic shock. The expressions of TNF-α and iNOS were measured in the spleen and lung tissues at the conclusion of the protocol.
Results
Decreases in blood pressure during blood withdrawal were identical in the LHS and Vag+LHS groups. However, heart rate only decreased in the Nadir-1 phase of the LHS group. HRV indicated increased power in the very-low, low, and high (VLF, LF, and HF) frequency bands during the Nadir-1 phase of the LHS group and decreased power in the Vag+LHS group. There was metabolic acidosis partially compensated with respiratory system in the LHS and Vag+LHS groups. Increases of TNF-α and iNOS expression in the spleen and lung of the LHS group were reversed in the Vag+LHS group.
Conclusion
This study indicates that sub-diapragmatic vagotomy increases lung inflammatory reactions and blunts the cardiac vagal tone surge in response to severe hemorrhagic shock.
Spatial Mixture Copula Model For Multiple Correlated Responses With An Environmental Application
Authors: Abraj Mohomed , Thompson M. Helen , Wang You-Gan
Published: December 2021

In environmental monitoring, multiple measurements are often collected at many locations and these measurements depend on each other in complex ways, such as nonlinear dependence. In this research, a novel copula-based geostatistical modelling approach was developed to model multivariate continuous spatial random fields using mixture copulas that captures both spatial and joint dependence of multiple responses over two-dimensional locations. In a bivariate context, the mixture copulas were used to capture the joint spatial dependence of a bivariate random field and the spatial copula of the bivariate random field was constructed as the convex combination of mixture copulas. The proposed model was applied to real forest data and simulated nonlinear data. The performance of the novel method was compared with existing spatial methods, which included a univariate spatial pair-copula model, a multivariate spatial pair-copula model that utilises nonlinear principal component analysis (NLPCA), and conventional kriging. The results show that the proposed model outperforms the existing methods in the interpolation of individual responses and reproduction of their bivariate dependence.
The Impact of Geo-Political Socio-Economic Factors on Vaccine Dissemination Trends: A Case-Study on COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies
Authors: Chauhan Ritu , Varma Gatha , Yafi Eiad , Zuhairi Megat F.
Published: December 2021

Background: The world in recent years has seen a pandemic of global scale. To counter the widespread loss of life and severe repercussions, researchers developed vaccinations at a fast pace to immunize the population. While the vaccines were developed and tested through extensive human trials, historically vaccines have been known to evoke mixed sentiments among the generic demographics. In the proposed study, we aim to reveal the impact of political and socio-economic factors on SARS-Cov-2 vaccination trends observed in two hundred and seventeen countries spread across the six continents.Methods: The study had hypothesized that the citizens who have lower trust in their government would be less inclined towards vaccination programs. To test this hypothesis, vaccination trends of nations under authoritarian rule were compared against democratic nations. Further, the study was proposed with relevance and impacting factor that was considered for vaccine dissemination in comparison with the literacy rate of the nations. Another impacting factor the study focused on for the vaccination dissemination trends was the health expenses of different nations.Results: The comparison of trends showed that dissemination of SARS-Cov-2 vaccines had been comparable between the two-opposing types of governance. The major impact factor behind the wide acceptance of the SARS-Cov-2 vaccine was the expenditure done by a country on healthcare. These nations used a large number of vaccines to administer to their population and the trends showed positive growth. While the nations with the lowest healthcare expenses failed to keep up with the demand and depended on vaccines donated by other countries to protect their population.Conclusions: The analysis revealed strong indicators that the nations which spend more on healthcare were the ones that had the best SARS-Cov-2 vaccination rollout. To further support decision-making in the future, countries should address the trust and sentiment of their citizens towards vaccination. For this, expenses need to be made to develop and promote vaccines and project them as positive health tools. Trial registration: Not Applicable