bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Camel milk consumption patterns and perceptions in the UAE: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cheikh Ismail Leila , Osaili Tareq M. , Mohamad Maysm N. , Zakaria Hala , Ali Aaesha , Tarek Asma , Ashfaq Alizeh , Al Abdouli Mohamed A. , Saleh Sheima T. , Daour Rameez Al , AlRajaby Radhiya , Stojanovska Lily , Al Dhaheri Ayesha S.
Published: July 2022

Camel milk has been consumed for centuries due to its medicinal and healing properties. The present study aims to investigate the consumption patterns of camel milk and perceived benefits and risks among adults in the United Arab Emirates. A self-administered online questionnaire was developed in English and Arabic languages and was completed online by 852 adults. Socio-demographic characteristics, camel milk consumption patterns and perceived knowledge of the benefits and risks of camel milk were investigated. About 60 % of the participants have tried drinking camel milk, but only a quarter (25⋅1 %) were regular consumers. The most consumed camel milk products after fresh milk were yoghurt and flavoured milk. The most popular additions to camel milk were honey, turmeric and sugar. Most consumers had less than one cup of camel milk per day (57⋅0 %). Camel milk consumers preferred it over other types of milk due to its nutritional value (66⋅4 %) and medicinal properties (39⋅3 %). Among consumers, 58⋅4 % reported consuming unpasteurised camel milk. Reasons included the belief that it is fresher (87⋅2 %), better for the immune system (41⋅6 %), and higher in nutrients (39⋅2 %). Overall, participants had inadequate knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk (7⋅11 ± 5⋅3 out of 25). Males and camel milk consumers had a significantly higher knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk compared to females and non-consumers (P < 0⋅05). Although positive perceptions were common, misperceptions appear to be prevalent among non-consumers. Consuming unpasteurised camel milk is a major public health concern, thus national regulations are essential.
Transcatheter closure of main pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm using atrial septal occluder device in an infant
Authors: Al-Ata Jameel , Rakha Shaimaa
Published: July 2022

We present a case of percutaneous closure of main pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm using an atrial septal occluder device in a seven-month-old infant. The infant had tetralogy of Fallot repair followed by transcatheter left pulmonary artery stenting. The occlusion of the wide neck of the pseudoaneurysm was performed successfully using the atrial septal occluder with no detected complications in his six-month follow-up post-catheterisation.
A Mongol in the Cairo Mint?
Authors: KOLBAS JUDITH
Published: July 2022

The name Ilqāy appears on small monetary weights for 1251 and 1252 in Cairo at the beginning of Mamlūk rule. This person was a high official in the treasury, responsible for regulating monetary transactions. However, the name is not Arabic but Mongolian—and at this point, the Mamlūks and Mongols were contesting the Middle East. This article traces the meaning of the unique name and its appearance in Mongol history. It then discusses the hypothetical way in which Ilqāy developed Mongol coinage in his early career. The violent purges of the Mongol civil war may have forced him to escape and enter Egypt's financial system. This biography is hypothetical since there is no literary evidence for mint activity and personnel at this time. Nevertheless, the unusual name and timing create a mystery that invites special consideration.
How May the Choice of Downscaling Techniques and Meteorological Reference Observations Affect Future Hydroclimate Projections?
Authors: Rastogi Deeksha , Kao Shih‐Chieh , Ashfaq Moetasim
Published: July 2022

We present an intercomparison of a suite of high‐resolution downscaled climate projections based on a six‐member General Circulation Model (GCM) ensemble from Coupled Models Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The CMIP6 GCMs have been downscaled using dynamical and statistical downscaling techniques based on two meteorological reference observations over the conterminous United States. We use the regional climate model, RegCM4, for dynamical downscaling, double bias correction constructed analogs method for statistical downscaling, and Daymet and Livneh datasets as the reference observations for statistical training and bias‐correction. We evaluate the performances of downscaled data in both historical and future periods under the SSP585 scenario. While dynamical downscaling improves the simulation of some performance evaluation indices, it adds an extra bias in others, highlighting the need for statistical correction before its use in impact assessments. Downscaled datasets after bias‐correction compare exceptionally well with observations. However, the choice of downscaling techniques and the underlying reference observations influence the hydroclimate characteristics of downscaled data. For instance, the statistical downscaling generally preserves the GCMs climate change signal but overestimates the frequency of hot extremes. Similarly, simulated future changes are sensitive to the choice of reference observations, particularly for precipitation extremes that exhibit a higher projected increase in the ensembles trained and/or corrected by Daymet than Livneh. Overall, these results demonstrate that multiple factors, including downscaling techniques and reference observations, can substantially influence the outcome of downscaled climate projections and stress the need for a comprehensive understanding of such method‐based uncertainties.
How Forest Structure Drives Productivity
Authors: Lee Jack
Published: July 2022

Data from northern Wisconsin forest sites uncovered that vertical heterogeneity metrics are the most influential factors underlying rates of photosynthesis.
Could Kı̄lauea's 2020 Post Caldera‐Forming Eruption Have Been Anticipated?
Authors: Segall Paul , Anderson Kyle , Wang Taiyi A.
Published: July 2022

In 2018 Kı̄lauea volcano erupted a decade's worth of basalt, given estimated magma supply rates, triggering caldera collapse. Yet, less than 2.5 years later Kı̄lauea re‐erupted. At the 2018 eruption onset, pressure within the summit reservoir was ∼20 MPa above magmastatic. By the onset of collapse this decreased by ∼17 MPa. Analysis of magma surges at the 2018 fissures, following collapse events, implies excess pressure at the eruption end of only ∼1 MPa. Given the new vent elevation, ∼11–12 MPa pressure increase was required to bring magma to the surface in December 2020. Analysis of Global Positioning System data between 8/2018 and 12/2020 shows there was a 73% probability that this condition was met at the onset of the 2020 eruption. Given a plausible range of possible vent elevations, there was a 40%–88% probability of sufficient pressure to bring magma to the surface 100 days before the eruption.
Direct Determination of Geomagnetic Baselines During Quiet Periods for Low‐ and Mid‐Latitude Observatories
Authors: Haberle V. , Marchaudon A. , Chambodut A. , Blelly P.‐L.
Published: July 2022

The geomagnetic field is composed of a variety of sources that act on a wide range of timescales and amplitudes. The separation of magnetic storm effects from quiet variations is needed to accurately quantify impacts of space weather events. The extraction of such quiet contributions within geomagnetic measurements is achieved by the determination of baselines, which, ideally, is done by a simple algorithm which captures quiet sources suitably well, while being applicable to an extensive network of magnetic observatories independent of the period of time. In this work, we apply signal filtering techniques on the horizontal components of geomagnetic field measurements from low‐ and mid‐latitude observatories to determine baselines. The variations within the baseline are investigated for magnetically quiet periods between 1991 and 2019, focusing on long‐term trends, seasonal and local time dependencies, and day‐to‐day variability. The analysis confirms that the contributing quiet sources include the secular variation and the solar quiet (Sq) current system. The non‐negligible day‐to‐day variability, that is typical for Sq in low‐ and mid‐latitudes, is embedded within the baseline. Thus, the filter approach extracts quiet magnetic field variations well. Comparisons with other baseline methods show good agreements. We conclude that the filter approach can be used to determine baselines automatically during magnetically quiet periods without the need of further apriori information and is applicable on a wide network of magnetic observatories. It marks the first step for deriving magnetic indices for (near) real‐time space weather applications.
Evaluating the role of common risk variation in the recurrence risk of schizophrenia in multiplex schizophrenia families
Authors: Ahangari Mohammad , Gentry Amanda E. ,   Irish Schizophrenia Genomics Consortium, Riley Brien P. , Morris Derek W. , O’Dushlaine Colm T. , Cormican Paul , Kenny Elaine M. , Wormley Brandon , Donohoe Gary , Quinn Emma , Judge Roisin , Coleman Kim , Tropea Daniela , Roche Siobhan , Cummings Liz , Kelleher Eric , McKeon Patrick , Dinan Ted , McDonald Colm , Murphy Kieran C. , O’Callaghan Eadbhard , O’Neill Francis A. , Waddington John L. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Gill Michael , Corvin Aiden , Nguyen Tan-Hoang , Kirkpatrick Robert , Verrelli Brian C. , Bacanu Silviu-Alin , Kendler Kenneth S. , Webb Bradley T. , Riley Brien P.
Published: July 2022

Multiplex families have higher recurrence risk of schizophrenia compared to the families of sporadic cases, but the source of this increased recurrence risk is unknown. We used schizophrenia genome-wide association study data (N = 156,509) to construct polygenic risk scores (PRS) in 1005 individuals from 257 multiplex schizophrenia families, 2114 ancestry-matched sporadic cases, and 2205 population controls, to evaluate whether increased PRS can explain the higher recurrence risk of schizophrenia in multiplex families compared to ancestry-matched sporadic cases. Using mixed-effects logistic regression with family structure modeled as a random effect, we show that SCZ PRS in familial cases does not differ significantly from sporadic cases either with, or without family history (FH) of psychotic disorders (All sporadic cases p = 0.90, FH+ cases p = 0.88, FH− cases p = 0.82). These results indicate that increased burden of common schizophrenia risk variation as indexed by current SCZ PRS, is unlikely to account for the higher recurrence risk of schizophrenia in multiplex families. In the absence of elevated PRS, segregation of rare risk variation or environmental influences unique to the families may explain the increased familial recurrence risk. These findings also further validate a genetically influenced psychosis spectrum, as shown by a continuous increase of common SCZ risk variation burden from unaffected relatives to schizophrenia cases in multiplex families. Finally, these results suggest that common risk variation loading are unlikely to be predictive of schizophrenia recurrence risk in the families of index probands, and additional components of genetic risk must be identified and included in order to improve recurrence risk prediction.
CpG-binding protein CFP1 promotes ovarian cancer cell proliferation by regulating BST2 transcription
Authors: Yang Liu-Qing , Hu Han-Yin , Han Yao , Tang Ze-Yi , Gao Jie , Zhou Qi-Yin , Liu Yi-Xuan , Chen Hao-Sa , Xu Tu-Nan , Ao Lei , Xu Ying , Che Xuan , Jiang Ya-Bo , Xu Chun-Wei , Zhang Xian-Chao , Jiang Yu-Xin , Heger Michal , Wang Xiao-Min , Cheng Shu-Qun , Pan Wei-Wei
Published: July 2022

Epigenetic alterations have been functionally linked to ovarian cancer development and occurrence. The CXXC zinc finger protein 1 (CFP1) is an epigenetic regulator involved in DNA methylation and histone modification in mammalian cells. However, its role in ovarian cancer cells is unknown. Here, we show that CFP1 protein is highly expressed in human ovarian cancer tissues. Loss of CFP1 inhibited the growth of human ovarian cancer cells, promoted apoptosis, and increased senescence. CFP1 knockdown resulted in reduced levels of SETD1 (a CFP1 partner) and histone H3 trimethylation at the fourth lysine residue (H3K4me3). RNA-sequencing revealed that deletion of CFP1 resulted in mRNA reduction of bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2). Bioinformatics analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that CFP1 binds to the promoter of BST2 and regulates its transcription directly. Overexpression of BST2 rescued the growth inhibitory effect of CFP1 loss. Furthermore, depletion of cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases 4 (CRL4) components ROC1 or CUL4A had significantly inhibited the expression of CFP1 and BST2 similar to MLN4924 treatment that blocked cullin neddylation and inactivated CRL4s. In conclusion, CFP1 promotes ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis by regulating the transcription of BST2, and the expression of CFP1 was affected by CRL4 ubiquitin ligase complex.
SerpinB7 deficiency contributes to development of psoriasis via calcium-mediated keratinocyte differentiation dysfunction
Authors: Zheng Huaping , Gu Linna , Zhao Fulei , Zhang Chen , Wang Zhen , Zhou Hong , Hu Zhonglan , Wei Xiaoqiong , Liu Xiao , Luo Feng , Zeng Fanlian , Zhao Qixiang , Hao Yan , Hu Yawen , Wang Xiaoyan , Hu Jing , Yu Jiadong , Wu Wenling , Zhou Yifan , Zhou Pei , Yue Chengcheng , Huang Nongyu , Cui Kaijun , Li Wei , Li Jiong
Published: July 2022

Defective execution of proteases and protease inhibitors that mediate abnormal signaling cascades is emerging as a key contributor to skin diseases, such as psoriasis. SerpinB7 is identified as a skin-specific endogenous protease inhibitor, but the role and underlying mechanism in psoriasis are poorly understood. Here we found that SerpinB7 is highly expressed in psoriatic keratinocytes of patients and imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions in mice. SerpinB7-/- mice showed abnormal epidermal barrier integrity and skin architecture in homeostasis, and aggravated psoriatic lesion with inhibiting terminal differentiation and increasing inflammatory cells infiltration compared to SerpinB7+/+ mice after Imiquimod treatment. Mechanistically, SerpinB7 deficiency results in excessive proliferation and impaired differentiation, as well as increased chemokines and antimicrobial peptide expression in normal human epidermal keratinocyte and mouse primary keratinocyte. Transcriptomics and proteomics results showed that the SeprinB7 deficiency affected keratinocyte differentiation and proinflammatory cytokines, possibly by affecting the calcium ion channel-related proteins. Notably, we demonstrated that SerpinB7 deficiency prevented the increase in intracellular Ca2+ influx, which was partly eliminated by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. Our findings first described the critical role of SerpinB7 in the regulation of keratinocyte differentiation and psoriatic microenvironment mediated via keratinocytes' intracellular calcium flux, proposing a new candidate for therapeutic targets in psoriasis.
PCDH1 promotes progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via activation of NF-κB signalling by interacting with KPNB1
Authors: Ye Zhihua , Yang Yingyu , Wei Ying , Li Lamei , Wang Xinyi , Zhang Junkai
Published: July 2022

Uncontrolled growth, distant metastasis and chemoresistance are critical characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and they result in high mortality; however, the mechanisms triggering these effects have not been fully investigated. In this study, we analysed a dataset in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified PCDH1, a rarely studied transmembrane protein, as a novel prognostic marker in PDAC patients. We demonstrated that PCDH1 expression was upregulated in PDAC tissues, and its expression levels were associated with the depth of tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis. Patients with high PCDH1 levels showed poor overall survival (OS). We also investigated the biological significance of PCDH1 in PDAC cell growth, metastasis, and side population (SP) phenotype acquisition and explored the internal molecular mechanisms of PCDH1 action. Our results demonstrated that PCDH1 enhanced p65 nuclear localization by interacting with KPNB1, a well-characterized nuclear transporter, thereby activating the NF-κB signalling pathway and increasing its functional effects during PDAC progression. Hence, our results indicate that PCDH1 can be used as a negative prognostic marker and may be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC patients.
Model-guided engineering of DNA sequences with predictable site-specific recombination rates
Authors: Zhang Qiuge , Azarin Samira M. , Sarkar Casim A.
Published: July 2022

Site-specific recombination (SSR) is an important tool in synthetic biology, but its applications are limited by the inability to predictably tune SSR reaction rates. Facile rate manipulation could be achieved by modifying the DNA substrate sequence; however, this approach lacks rational design principles. Here, we develop an integrated experimental and computational method to engineer the DNA attachment sequence attP for predictably modulating the inversion reaction mediated by the recombinase Bxb1. After developing a qPCR method to measure SSR reaction rate, we design, select, and sequence attP libraries to inform a machine-learning model that computes Bxb1 inversion rate as a function of attP sequence. We use this model to predict reaction rates of attP variants in vitro and demonstrate their utility in gene circuit design in Escherichia coli. Our high-throughput, model-guided approach for rationally tuning SSR reaction rates enhances our understanding of recombinase function and expands the synthetic biology toolbox.
Spectral signatures of excess-proton waiting and transfer-path dynamics in aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions
Authors: Brünig Florian N. , Rammler Manuel , Adams Ellen M. , Havenith Martina , Netz Roland R.
Published: July 2022

The theoretical basis for linking spectral signatures of hydrated excess protons with microscopic proton-transfer mechanisms has so far relied on normal-mode analysis. We introduce trajectory-decomposition techniques to analyze the excess-proton dynamics in ab initio molecular-dynamics simulations of aqueous hydrochloric-acid solutions beyond the normal-mode scenario. We show that the actual proton transfer between two water molecules involves for relatively large water-water separations crossing of a free-energy barrier and thus is not a normal mode, rather it is characterized by two non-vibrational time scales: Firstly, the broadly distributed waiting time for transfer to occur with a mean value of 200–300 fs, which leads to a broad and weak shoulder in the absorption spectrum around 100 cm−1, consistent with our experimental THz spectra. Secondly, the mean duration of a transfer event of about 14 fs, which produces a rather well-defined spectral contribution around 1200 cm−1and agrees in location and width with previous experimental mid-infrared spectra.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) safeguards the developing mouse cortex
Authors: Sapir Tamar , Kshirsagar Aditya , Gorelik Anna , Olender Tsviya , Porat Ziv , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Goldstein David B. , Devinsky Orrin , Reiner Orly
Published: July 2022

HNRNPUencodes the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U, which participates in RNA splicing and chromatin organization. Microdeletions in the 1q44 locus encompassingHNRNPUand other genes and point mutations inHNRNPUcause brain disorders, including early-onset seizures and severe intellectual disability. We aimed to understand HNRNPU’s roles in the developing brain. Our work revealed that HNRNPU loss of function leads to rapid cell death of both postmitotic neurons and neural progenitors, with an apparent higher sensitivity of the latter. Further, expression and alternative splicing of multiple genes involved in cell survival, cell motility, and synapse formation are affected followingHnrnpu’sconditional truncation. Finally, we identified pharmaceutical and genetic agents that can partially reverse the loss of cortical structures inHnrnpumutated embryonic brains, ameliorate radial neuronal migration defects and rescue cultured neural progenitors’ cell death.
Automatic question answering for multiple stakeholders, the epidemic question answering dataset
Authors: Goodwin Travis R. , Demner-Fushman Dina , Lo Kyle , Wang Lucy Lu , Dang Hoa T. , Soboroff Ian M.
Published: July 2022

One of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly growing and changing stream of publications to inform clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and patients about the health, socio-economic, and cultural consequences of the pandemic. Managing this information stream manually is not feasible. Automatic Question Answering can quickly bring the most salient points to the user’s attention. Leveraging a collection of scientific articles, government websites, relevant news articles, curated social media posts, and questions asked by researchers, clinicians, and the general public, we developed a dataset to explore automatic Question Answering for multiple stakeholders. Analysis of questions asked by various stakeholders shows that while information needs of experts and the public may overlap, satisfactory answers to these questions often originate from different information sources or benefit from different approaches to answer generation. We believe that this dataset has the potential to support the development of question answering systems not only for epidemic questions, but for other domains with varying expertise such as legal or finance.
Rapid and sensitive detection of ovarian cancer biomarker using a portable single peak Raman detection method
Authors: Moothanchery Mohesh , Perumal Jayakumar , Mahyuddin Aniza Puteri , Singh Gurpreet , Choolani Mahesh , Olivo Malini
Published: July 2022

Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a widely used non-destructive technique for biosensing applications because of its ability to detect unique ‘fingerprint’ spectra of biomolecules from the vibrational bands. To detect these weak fingerprint spectra, a complex detection system consisting of expensive detectors and optical components are needed. As a result, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method were used to increase the Raman signal multifold beyond 1012 times. However, complexity of the entire Raman detection system can be greatly reduced if a short wavelength region/unique single spectral band can distinctly identify the investigating analyte, thereby reducing the need of multiple optical components to capture the entire frequency range of Raman spectra. Here we propose the development of a rapid, single peak Raman technique for the detection of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC)s through haptoglobin (Hp), a prognostic biomarker. Hp concentration in ovarian cyst fluid (OCF) can be detected and quantified using Raman spectroscopy-based in vitro diagnostic assay. The uniqueness of the Raman assay is that, only in the presence of the analyte Hp, the assay reagent undergoes a biochemical reaction that results in product formation. The unique Raman signature of the assay output falls within the wavenumber region 1500–1700 cm−1 and can be detected using our single peak Raman system. The diagnostic performance of our Raman system had 100.0% sensitivity, 85.0% specificity, 100.0% negative predictive value and 84.2% positive predictive value when compared to gold standard paraffin histology in a proof-of-concept study on 36 clinical OCF samples. When compared to blood-based serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels, the Raman system-based assay had higher diagnostic accuracy when compared to CA125, especially in early-stage EOCs.
A numerical analysis of buckle cable force of concrete arch bridge based on stress balance method
Authors: Liu Zengwu , Zhou Shuixing , Zou Kairan , Qu Yinghao
Published: July 2022

It is difficult to calculate the buckle cable force for the cantilever casting concrete arch bridge. Relying on the 180 m-span Jiming Sansheng Bridge, this paper put forward one method to calculate the initial buckle cable force based on the stress balance method. Firstly, the stress balance equation considering only tensile stress was derived for the first time, and the feasible region of the initial cable force was calculated by the allowable tensile stress of the arch rib, which improved the original stress balance method. Then, using the influence matrix, the initial buckle cable force was optimized by reducing the allowable tensile stress of concrete in stages, and finally the optimal initial cable force was obtained. The practical engineering results show that it is feasible to calculate the initial buckle force. The maximum tensile stress of concrete arch during the cantilever casting process is 1.52 MPa, meeting the specification requirements. The deviation between the calculated and measured stress is less than 12%. The calculated cable force agrees with the measured cable force, and the deviation is less than 2%. The initial cable force is only tensioned once, improving work efficiency. The method and experience of this paper can provide a reference for the arch bridge constructed by cantilever casting.
Integrating a dynamic central metabolism model of cancer cells with a hybrid 3D multiscale model for vascular hepatocellular carcinoma growth
Authors: Lapin Alexey , Perfahl Holger , Jain Harsh Vardhan , Reuss Matthias
Published: July 2022

We develop here a novel modelling approach with the aim of closing the conceptual gap between tumour-level metabolic processes and the metabolic processes occurring in individual cancer cells. In particular, the metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell lines (HEPG2 cells) has been well characterized but implementations of multiscale models integrating this known metabolism have not been previously reported. We therefore extend a previously published multiscale model of vascular tumour growth, and integrate it with an experimentally verified network of central metabolism in HEPG2 cells. This resultant combined model links spatially heterogeneous vascular tumour growth with known metabolic networks within tumour cells and accounts for blood flow, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling and nutrient/growth factor transport within a growing tumour, as well as the movement of, and interactions between normal and cancer cells. Model simulations report for the first time, predictions of spatially resolved time courses of core metabolites in HEPG2 cells. These simulations can be performed at a sufficient scale to incorporate clinically relevant features of different tumour systems using reasonable computational resources. Our results predict larger than expected temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the intracellular concentrations of glucose, oxygen, lactate pyruvate, f16bp and Acetyl-CoA. The integrated multiscale model developed here provides an ideal quantitative framework in which to study the relationship between dosage, timing, and scheduling of anti-neoplastic agents and the physiological effects of tumour metabolism at the cellular level. Such models, therefore, have the potential to inform treatment decisions when drug response is dependent on the metabolic state of individual cancer cells.
Characterization of the biosynthesized intracellular and extracellular plasmonic silver nanoparticles using Bacillus cereus and their catalytic reduction of methylene blue
Authors: Alfryyan Nada , Kordy Mohamed G. M. , Abdel-Gabbar Mohammed , Soliman Hanan A. , Shaban Mohamed
Published: July 2022

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been studied in detail using two different approaches. For the first time, Bacillus cereus is used for one-pot biosynthesis of capsulated Ag NPs, using both intracellular and extracellular approaches. To discriminate between the produced nanostructures by these two approaches, their structures, nanomorphologies, optical properties, hydrodynamic sizes and zeta potentials are studied using different techniques. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the bioactive components responsible for the reduction of Ag+ ions into Ag and the growth of stable Ag NPs. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images displayed spherical and polygon nanomorphology for the intracellular and extracellular biosynthesized Ag NPs. For intracellular and extracellular biosynthesized Ag NPs, a face-centred cubic structure was observed, with average crystallite sizes of 45.4 and 90.8 nm, respectively. In comparison to the noncatalytic reduction test, the catalytic activities of intracellular and extracellular biosynthesized Ag NPs were explored for the reduction of highly concentrated MB dye solution. Extracellular Ag NPs achieved 100% MB reduction efficacy after around 80 min, compared to 50.6% and 24.1% in the presence and absence of intracellular Ag NPs, respectively. The rate of MB reduction was boosted by 22 times with the extracellular catalyst, and by 3 times with the intracellular catalyst. Therefore, the extracellular production process of Ag NPs utilizing Bacillus cereus bacteria might be applied in the industry as a cost-effective way for eliminating the toxic MB dye.
Shift of dietary carbohydrate source from milk to various solid feeds reshapes the rumen and fecal microbiome in calves
Authors: Hartinger Thomas , Pacífico Cátia , Poier Gregor , Terler Georg , Klevenhusen Fenja , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: July 2022

The transition from milk to solid diets drastically impacts the gut microbiome of calves. We explored the microbial communities of ruminal fluid and feces of Holstein calves when fed milk on d 7 of life, and when fed solid feeds based on either medium- or high-quality hay with or without concentrate inclusion (70% in fresh matter) on d 91. Ruminal fluid and feces had distinct microbial compositions already on d 7, showing that niche specialization in early-life gut is rather diet-independent. Changes between d 7 and d 91 were accompanied by a general increase in microbial diversity. Solid diets differed largely in their carbohydrate composition, being reflected in major changes on d 91, whereby concentrate inclusion was the main driver for differences among groups and strongly decreased microbial diversity in both matrices. Fecal enterotyping revealed two clusters: concentrate-supplemented animals had an enterotype prevalent in Prevotella, Succinivibrio and Anaerovibrio, whereas the enterotype of animals without concentrate was dominated by fibrolytic Ruminococcaceae. Hay quality also affected microbial composition and, compared to medium-quality, high-quality hay reduced alpha-diversity metrics. Concluding, our study revealed that concentrate inclusion, more than hay quality, dictates the establishment of niche-specific, microbial communities in the rumen and feces of calves.
Almost complete solution for the NP-hard separability problem of Bell diagonal qutrits
Authors: Popp Christopher , Hiesmayr Beatrix C.
Published: July 2022

With a probability of success of 95% we solve the separability problem for Bell diagonal qutrit states with positive partial transposition (PPT). The separability problem, i.e. distinguishing separable and entangled states, generally lacks an efficient solution due to the existence of bound entangled states. In contrast to free entangled states that can be used for entanglement distillation via local operations and classical communication, these states cannot be detected by the Peres–Horodecki criterion or PPT criterion. We analyze a large family of bipartite qutrit states that can be separable, free entangled or bound entangled. Leveraging a geometrical representation of these states in Euclidean space, novel methods are presented that allow the classification of separable and bound entangled Bell diagonal states in an efficient way. Moreover, the classification allows the precise determination of relative volumes of the classes of separable, free and bound entangled states. In detail, out of all Bell diagonal PPT states $$81.0\% \pm 0.1\%$$

81.0
%
±
0.1
%

are determined to be separable while $$13.9 \pm 0.1\%$$

13.9
±
0.1
%

are bound entangled and only $$5.1 \pm 0.1\%$$

5.1
±
0.1
%

remain unclassified. Moreover, our applied criteria are compared for their effectiveness and relation as detectors of bound entanglement, which reveals that not a single criterion is capable to detect all bound entangled states.
Hidden loss to follow-up among tuberculosis patients managed by public–private mix institutions in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hyung Woo , Park Sohee , Min Jinsoo , Sun Jiyu , Shin Ah Young , Ha Jick Hwan , Park Jae Seuk , Lee Sung-Soon , Lipman Marc , Abubakar Ibrahim , Stagg Helen R. , Kim Ju Sang
Published: July 2022

In South Korea, public–private mix (PPM) was launched in 2011. This retrospective cohort study sought to determine the rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients in all nationwide PPM institutions, and the risk factors for LTFU. National notification data for DS-TB patients diagnosed between August 2011 and July 2014 in PPM institutions were analysed. Determination of LTFU included detection of instances where patients were transferred out, but when they did not attend at other TB centres in the following two months. Univariable and multivariable competing risk models were used to determine risk factors for LTFU. 73,046 patients with 78,485 records were enrolled. Nominally, 3426 (4.4%) of records were LTFU. However, after linking the multiple records in each patient, the percentage of LTFU was 12.3% (9004/73,046). Risk factors for LTFU were: being foreign-born (3.13 (95% CI 2.77–3.53)), prior LTFU (2.31 (2.06–2.59)) and greater distance between the patient’s home and the TB centre (4.27 (4.03–4.53)). ‘Transfer-out’ was a risk factor in patients managed by treatment centres close to home (1.65 (1.49–1.83)), but protective for those attending centres further (0.77 (0.66–0.89)) or far-away (0.52 (0.46–0.59)) from home. By considering the complete picture of a patient’s interactions with healthcare, we identified a much higher level of LTFU than previously documented. This has implications for how outcomes of treatment are reported and argues for a joined-up national approach for the management and surveillance of TB patients, in nations with similar healthcare systems.
Epigenomic insight of lingonberry and health-promoting traits during micropropagation
Authors: Sikdar Arindam , Sharma Umanath , Barua Rajesh , Igamberdiev Abir U. , Debnath Samir C.
Published: July 2022

Epigenetic variation plays a role in developmental gene regulation and responses to the environment. An efficient interaction of zeatin-induced cytosine methylation and secondary compounds has been displayed for the first time in tissue-culture shoots/plants of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) cultivar Erntedank in vitro (NC1, in a liquid medium; NC2, on a semi-solid medium), ex vitro (NC3, node culture-derived plants; LC1, leaf culture-derived plants) and its cutting-propagated (ED) plants. Through methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) assay, we observed highest methylated sites in leaf regenerants (LC1) from all primer combinations (108 bands), along with the highest secondary metabolites. The four types of tissue culture-derived shoots/plants (NC1, NC2, NC3, LC1) showed higher methylation bands than cutting propagated donor plants (ED) that exhibited 79 bands of methylation, which is comparatively low. Our study showed more methylation in micropropagated shoots/plants than those derived from ED plants. On the contrary, we observed higher secondary metabolites in ED plants but comparatively less in micropropagated shoots (NC1, NC2) and plants (NC3, LC1).
Spammer detection using multi-classifier information fusion based on evidential reasoning rule
Authors: Liu Shuaitong , Li Xiaojun , Hu Changhua , Yao Junping , Han Xiaoxia , Wang Jie
Published: July 2022

Spammer detection is essentially a process of judging the authenticity of users, and thus can be regarded as a classification problem. In order to improve the classification performance, multi-classifier information fusion is usually used to realize the automatic detection of spammers by utilizing the information from multiple classifiers. However, the existing fusion strategies do not reasonably take the uncertainty from the results of different classifiers (views) into account, and the relative importance and reliability of each classifier are not strictly distinguished. Therefore, in order to detect spammers effectively, this paper develops a novel multi-classifier information fusion model based on the evidential reasoning (ER) rule. Firstly, according to the user's characterization strategy, the base classifiers are constructed through the profile-based, content-based and behavior-based. Then, the idea of multi-classifier fusion is combined with the ER rule, and the results of base classifiers are aggregated by considering their weights and reliabilities. Extensive experimental results on the real-world dataset verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Assessment of Eurasian lynx reintroduction success and mortality risk in north-west Poland
Authors: Skorupski Jakub , Tracz Magdalena , Tracz Maciej , Śmietana Przemysław
Published: July 2022

Despite recent local reintroductions of the Eurasian lynxLynx lynxin central and north-eastern Poland, the increase in its population was not followed by its westward expansion. To address this problem and restore the lynx population in north-western Poland, 61 captive-born individuals of Baltic population origin were released in the province of Western Pomerania in 2019–2021. Prior to their release, all the animals underwent an adaptation training phase. They were then set free according to a hard-release protocol and subsequently monitored by means of GPS telemetry. In order to assess the short-term reintroduction success, the survival and causes of death of the released individuals were studied as a function of sex, age, training time, and release time and place. The overall survival rate was 71.15%, the median survival time 202 days. Most mortality, due to environmental factors, i.e. scabies (> 200 days) or traffic collisions (< 200 days), was recorded during the first 300 days following release. Age, year of release and training time were significantly related to survival, indicating that the older the lynx was when released, the better its survival changes. In contrast, the longer the training time, the poorer were the chances of survival. There was no evidence of any effect of sex, month of release or place of release. Based on these results, recommendations were made for the planning of further releases and measures to manage the restored population.
The effect of metformin on the survival of colorectal cancer patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tarhini Zeinab , Manceur Kamelia , Magne Julien , Mathonnet Muriel , Jost Jeremy , Christou Niki
Published: July 2022

Evidence from previous studies suggests a protective effect of metformin in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to examine the associations between metformin use and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in CRC patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We retrospectively included patients who underwent surgery for CRC at Limoges’ University Hospital between 2005 and 2019 and diagnosed with type 2 DM. Data on the characteristics of patients, CRC, comorbidities and drug exposure were collected from the electronic medical records. The exposure was the use of metformin and the outcomes were OS and DFS. We identified 290 CRC patients with type 2 DM. A total of 144 (49.7%) of them were treated with metformin. Metformin users were significantly younger, with higher body mass index and less diabetes-related complications compared to non-users. The 2-year OS was significantly higher in metformin users than in non-users (86.9 ± 2.9% vs. 71.0 ± 4.0%, p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, metformin use was associated with better OS (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR] = 0.45 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.21–0.96) and better DFS (aHR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.18–0.54). In conclusion, the use of metformin may improve OS and DFS in CRC patients with type 2 DM.
Demonstration of a new entity of non-perforated appendicitis through studying cluster of appendicitis
Authors: Guo Yitian , Ye Deqiang , Yang Guifang , Liu Guozhen , Cui Xiaochen , Tan Shiyun , Guo Yi
Published: July 2022

Differential diagnosis and management for perforated appendicitis and non-perforated appendicitis are current hot topics. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a new entity of non-perforated appendicitis, “acute hemorrhagic appendicitis” through studying cluster of acute appendicitis among Tibetan students at a high school in central China. Over the 11-year period, there were 120 patients with more female patients (102 of 499, 20.4%) than male patients (18 of 474, 3.8%) among 973 Tibetan students. 117 patients’ clinical data were available. Clinical manifestations were identical to classic appendicitis. However, axilla temperature, white blood cell counts and neutrophil level were elevated mildly in 12 (10.3%), 19 (16.2%) and 12 (10.3%) patients respectively. Pathologically, the resected appendices exhibited focal or diffuse hemorrhages in mucosa and/or submucosa, and infiltration by eosinophil and by lymphocytes. No patients had perforated appendicitis. The median time from the onset to surgery was 3 days (IQR, 2–4). All patients were discharged with full recovery. In conclusion, “acute hemorrhagic appendicitis” represented a new entity of non-perforated appendicitis with unique cause and pathogenesis, which might be treated with antibiotics alone or self-limited. Studying the cluster is a reliable method to find new entity of appendicitis.
Propensity score matching analysis comparing radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy in locally advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Lu Yu-Cheng , Huang Chao-Yuan , Cheng Chia-Hsien , Huang Kuo-How , Lu Yu-Chuan , Chow Po-Ming , Chang Yi-Kai , Pu Yeong-Shiau , Chen Chung-Hsin , Lu Shao-Lun , Lan Keng-Hsueh , Jaw Fu-Shan , Chen Pei-Ling , Hong Jian-Hua
Published: July 2022

To compare clinical outcomes between the use of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiotherapy (RT) with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in locally advanced prostate cancer (PC), 315 patients with locally advanced PC (clinical T-stage 3/4) were considered for analysis retrospectively. Propensity score-matching at a 1:1 ratio was performed. The median follow-up period was 59.2 months (IQR 39.8–87.4). There were 117 (37.1%) patients in the RP group and 198 (62.9%) patients in the RT group. RT patients were older and had higher PSA at diagnosis, higher Gleason score grade group and more advanced T-stage (all p < 0.001). After propensity score-matching, there were 68 patients in each group. Among locally advanced PC patients, treatment with RP had a higher risk of biochemical recurrence compared to the RT group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, treatment with RT plus ADT significantly decreased the risk of biochemical failure (HR 0.162, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in local recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival (p = 0.470, p = 0.268 and p = 0.509, respectively). This information supported a clinical benefit in BCR control for patients undergoing RT plus long-term ADT compared to RP.
Aqueous dispersions of oxygen nanobubbles for potential application in inhalation therapy
Authors: Odziomek Marcin , Ulatowski Karol , Dobrowolska Katarzyna , Górniak Izabela , Sobieszuk Paweł , Sosnowski Tomasz R.
Published: July 2022

Inhalation is a non-invasive method of local drug delivery to the respiratory system. This study analyzed the potential use of aqueous dispersion of oxygen nanobubbles (ADON) as a drug carrier with the additional function of oxygen supplementation to diseased lungs. The suitability of the membrane-based method of ADON preparation and, next, the stability of ADON properties during storage and after aerosolization in nebulizers of various designs (jet, ultrasonic, and two vibrating mesh devices) was investigated. The increased oxygen content in the aerosol generated in two mesh nebulizers suggests that the proposed concept may be helpful in the oxygen supplementation during drug delivery by aerosol inhalation without using an additional oxygen source. This application can increase the overall effectiveness of lung disease treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation.
A preliminary investigation of a two-step, non-invasive process to determine chronological deposition order of fingerprints and printed ink on paper
Authors: King Roberto S. P. , McMurchie Beth , Wilson Richard , Kelly Paul F.
Published: July 2022

While traditional techniques have long allowed forensic investigators to positively identify fingermarks on documents of interest, understanding the chronological sequence of events that led to their deposition is still seen as a ‘holy grail’ for forensic examinations. By way of example, the question of whether a mark is above or below printed text is crucial. The work herein reveals that a novel application of a recently established fingermark development technique readily allows such differentiation. The process in question allies forensic gelatin lifters with RECOVER, a development system that hinges on the polymerisation of disulfur dinitride. While the latter was specifically developed in its current form for the retrieval of prints from metal surfaces exposed to extreme conditions or washing, its ability to target surface effects allows for visualisation of surface interactions on forensic gelatin lifts. Crucially, in doing so the order in which the lifted material was originally deposited is also revealed. This, therefore, permits clear elucidation of the order of deposition of printed text and fingermarks—and does so both rapidly and in a non-invasive way. This long sought-after capability has the potential to revolutionise forensic document examinations.
Super-resolved fluorescence imaging of peripheral nerve
Authors: Hernández Iván Coto , Mohan Suresh , Minderler Steven , Jowett Nate
Published: July 2022

Traditional histopathologic evaluation of peripheral nerve employs brightfield microscopy with diffraction limited resolution of ~ 250 nm. Though electron microscopy yields nanoscale resolution of the nervous system, sample preparation is costly and the technique is incompatible with living samples. Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) comprises a set of imaging techniques that permit nanoscale resolution of fluorescent objects using visible light. The advent of SRM has transformed biomedical science in establishing non-toxic means for investigation of nanoscale cellular structures. Herein, sciatic nerve sections from GFP-variant expressing mice, and regenerating human nerve from cross-facial autografts labelled with a myelin-specific fluorescent dye were imaged by super-resolution radial fluctuation microscopy, stimulated emission depletion microscopy, and structured illumination microscopy. Super-resolution imaging of axial cryosections of murine sciatic nerves yielded robust visualization myelinated and unmyelinated axons. Super-resolution imaging of axial cryosections of human cross-facial nerve grafts demonstrated enhanced resolution of small-caliber thinly-myelinated regenerating motor axons. Resolution and contrast enhancement afforded by super-resolution imaging techniques enables visualization of unmyelinated axons, regenerating axons, cytoskeleton ultrastructure, and neuronal appendages of mammalian peripheral nerves using light microscopes.