bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Apoptosis-related Specific Risk Model for Breast Cancer: From Genomic Analysis to Precision Medicine
Authors: li zhenghang , Wang Jianwei , Peng Qiling , Jiang Ning , Wei Yuxian , liu haichuan , zhang mingzhu
Published: May 2023

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women globally, and apoptosis plays an important role in its pathological process. However, studies on the relationship between breast cancer prognosis and apoptosis-related genes are scarce. This study aimed to construct an apoptosis-related specific risk model for breast cancer and preliminarily explore the immunological differences between the high- and low-risk groups of this model to improve the prognosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer.Methods: The Cancer Gene Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to analyze the correlation between apoptosis-related genes and differentially expressed genes. Apoptotic genes associated with prognosis were selected, and a risk model was constructed and validated using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO)analyses were used to predict potential mechanical pathways. Tumor lymphocyte infiltration was analyzed between the high- and low-risk groups. The CellMiner database, RNA: RNA-seq expression and Compound activity: DTP NCI-60 were used to assess the drug sensitivity of the model genes. Immunohistochemistry was used to validate the levels of risk model signatures in clinical samples.Results: Seventy-four differentially expressed apoptosis-related genes were screened between breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Immune infiltration analysis suggested that CD8-positive T-cells and natural killer cells was considerably higher in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group and that the immune effect was higher in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group. Drug sensitivity analysis showed a positive correlation between the model genes and the sensitivity of multiple drugs, such as vemurafenib, dabrafenib, PD-98059, and palbociclib. Immunohistochemistry results were consistent with the above-mentioned results.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the developed apoptosis-related specific risk model could be a novel predictive tool for use in patients with breast cancer and can serve as the basis for future breast cancer therapy.
The relationship between child neglect and secondary school students' quality of life: a study of the mediating effect of core self- evaluation
Authors: Zhou Mingwan , Dong Xueti , Wu Weige , Li Yun
Published: May 2023

Background
Childhood experiences of neglect hinder the healthy development of secondary school students and affect their quality of life. We aimed to assess the relationship between childhood neglect, core self-evaluation, and quality of life to provide reliable evidence to support secondary school students.
Methods
A stratified random sample of 1692 students from four general middle and high schools in Xiamen in June 2020 were surveyed using the Childhood Neglect Scale (CNS), the Core Self-Esteem Scale (CSES), and the Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (QLSCA), and the data were analyzed and tested for mediating effects using SPSS 23.0.
Results
15.1% of secondary school students experienced neglect in childhood, of which 19.7% had emotional neglect, 26.4% had safety neglect, 16.5% had communication neglect, and 27.7% had physical neglect. Child neglect was significantly and positively correlated with its factors, child neglect and its factors were significantly and negatively correlated with core self-evaluation, and core self-evaluation and quality of life were significantly positively correlated with quality of life. There was a partially mediating effect of core self-evaluation of secondary school students on the effect between child neglect and its factors (emotional neglect, safety neglect, communication neglect, and physical neglect) and quality of life, and the proportion of the mediating effect to the total effect was 45.73%, 49.61%, 46.59%, 54.64%, and 49.06%, respectively.
Conclusions
Core self-evaluation of secondary school students partially mediated the effect between child neglect and quality of life, and child neglect affected secondary school students' quality of life through core self-evaluation.
Adherence to Treatment According to Patients with Scleroderma: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Parniyan Razieh , Pasyar Nilofar , Rambod Masoume , Momennasab Marzieh , Nazarinia Mohammadali
Published: May 2023

Purpose: Scleroderma is a disease without definitive treatment. It has long-term complications, but is controllable. Patients’ adherence to treatment recommendations can prevent acute and chronic complications of the disease and delay its occurrence. This study aimed to explain adherence to treatment from the perspective of patients with scleroderma.
Patients and Methods: The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach. The research setting was Hafez Teaching Hospital, affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Fourteen patients with scleroderma was purposefully selected and participated in semi-structured interviews. To analyze the data, the conventional content analysis approach was used.
Results: According to the participants’ opinions, two main categories emerged.
For the category “the diagnostic-therapeutic regimen as the basis of adherence to treatment”, the data analysis revealed the following subcategories: the value of diagnostic methods and adherence to the drug regimen. For the category “adherence to a range of physical care”, the following subcategories emerged: persistence in monitoring one's weight, attention to skin care, comfort by keeping the body warm, selection of nutritional patterns appropriate for disease conditions and tendency to use complementary medicine.
Conclusion: Adherence to treatment can play a significant role in the self-management and control of scleroderma. The present study showed that patients with scleroderma adhere to the therapeutic regimen by following diagnostic and pharmacotherapy methods, performing skin care, choosing nutritional patterns, using complementary medicine and watching their weight.
The Effect of Percentage of Ideal Body Weight on Outcomes in Ileo-anal Pull Through for Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Huber Hans M , Slater Gary , Heimann Tomas , Bangla Venu
Published: May 2023

Purpose:
Ileo-anal pull through (IAPT) is a commonly-performed operation for the surgical management of ulcerative colitis. The effect of body weight on outcomes for patients undergoing this operation has not been extensively studied.
Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study at a single tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) center. A total of 457 patients who were operated on at the Mount Sinai Medical Center between 1983 and 2015 were included. Demographic characteristics, the patients’ body weight at the time of IAPT and post-operative outcome data were collected.
Results:
For each patient, body weight was calculated as a percentage of the ideal body weight (IBW) for that patient’s height. The mean percentage of ideal body weight was 93.9% with a standard deviation of 20%. The range for the population was 53.1% to 175%. 440 (96%) of the patients had a weight within two standard deviations of the mean, indicating a normal distribution.
79 patients developed a Clavien-Dindo Class III complication necessitating a procedural treatment. The most common of these were a stricture at the anastomotic site (n=54). Our study identified an association between a percentage of ideal body weight in the lowest quartile of our population and development of an anastomotic stricture. This association was statistically significant on multivariate analysis.
Conclusion:
Low body weight at the time of ileo-anal pull through for treatment of UC may be a risk factor for development of anastomotic stricture requiring dilation.
The clinical application of double reverse traction repositor in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures
Authors: Shao Jiashen , Zhang Huixin , Zheng Zhanle , Zhang Yingze
Published: May 2023

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of double reverse traction repositor (DRTR) in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures.
Methods
From November 2015 to July 2017, the patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures treated with the DRTR in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were included in the present study. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, the Rasmussen’s clinical and radiological scores, the value of articular surface depression and plateau widening, the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and posterior slope angle (PSA) were measured on the preoperative, postoperative radiographs and last follow-up radiographs.
Results
The average follow-up was 16.4 ± 3.8 months. The average operation time was 129 ± 40.4 min. Average blood loss was 210 ± 73.6 ml. At the last follow-up, the average step-off of articular surface and plateau widening were 1.60 ± 0.94 and 1.91 ± 1.73 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the average value of articular surface step-off and articular surface widening between the postoperative and the last follow-up (P2 = 0.067, P2 = 0.731). At the last follow-up, the average TPA and PSA were 88.47 ± 2.84 ° and 11.05 ± 4.31 °, respectively. There was no significant difference in the average values of TPA and PSA between the postoperative and the last follow-up (P = 0.761, P = 0.937). At the last follow-up, the average radiological Rasmussen score was 14.74 ± 1.48 (12–18). The average functional Rasmussen score was 27.00 ± 2.90 (19–30).
Conclusion
Our technique has the characteristics of limited soft tissue exposure, short operation time, and few complications.
Advanced (bio)fouling resistant surface modification of PTFE hollow-fiber membranes for water treatment
Authors: Taghavian Hadi , ČERNÍK MIROSLAV , DVOŘÁK LUKÁŠ
Published: May 2023

Membrane surface treatment to modify anti-(bio)fouling resistivity plays a key role in membrane technology. This paper reports on the successful use of air-stimulated surface polymerization of dopamine hydrochloride incorporated ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for impeding the intrinsic hydrophobicity and low anti-(bio)fouling resistivity of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow-fiber membranes (HFM), using pristine and polydopamine (Pdopa) coated PTFE HFMs with and without an air supply and added ZnO NPs. Zeta potential measurements were performed to evaluate the dispersion stability of ZnO NPs prior to immobilization, while morphological characterization and time-dependency of the Pdopa growth layer were illustrated through scanning electron microscopy. Pdopa surface polymerization and ZnO NPs immobilization were confirmed using FT-IR and EDX spectroscopy. Transformation of the PTFE HFM surface features to superhydrophilic was demonstrated through water contact angle analysis, and the stability of immobilized ZnO NPs assessed by ICP analysis. Anti-fouling criteria and biofouling resistivity performance of the surface-modified membranes were assessed through flux recovery determination of bovine serum albumin dead-end filtration and dynamic-contact-condition microbial evaluation against Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli., respectively. The filtration recovery ratio and antimicrobial activity results suggested promising surface modification impacts on the anti-fouling properties of PTFE HFM. As such, the method represents the first successful use of air-stimulated Pdopa coating incorporating ZnO NPs to induce superhydrophilic PTFE HFM surface modification. Such a method can be extended to the other membranes associated with water treatment processes.
Clinical features and prognosis of chronic natural killer cell lymphoproliferative disorders
Authors: Liu Donglin , Wang Yanjie , Qian Siyu , Ma Shanshan , Ding Mengjie , Dong Meng , Zhang Jieming , Zhang Mingzhi , Chen Qingjiang , Zhang Xudong
Published: May 2023

Objective
To analyze the current treatment status and prognostic regression of the rare disease: chronic NK cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CLPD-NK).
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed of the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of 18 patients with CLPD-NK who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between September 2016 and September 2022.
Results
Eighteen patients were included: three patients were treated with chemotherapy, five patients underwent immune-related therapy, one patient was treated with glucocorticoids alone, five patients were administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, blood transfusion therapy, or anti-infection therapy, followed by observation and follow-up, and four patients were observed without treatment. Fifteen patients survived, including two patients who achieved complete remission (CR) and seven patients who achieved partial remission (PR), of whom one patient progressed to Aggressive NK-cell leukemia (ANKL) and sustained remission after multiple lines of treatment; three patients were not reviewed, of which one patient was still in active disease, three patients developed hemophagocytic syndrome during treatment and eventually died, one of them had positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expression. The 5-years overall survival rate was 83%.
Conclusion
Most patients with CLPD-NK have inert progression and a good prognosis, whereas some patients have a poor prognosis after progressing to ANKL and combined with hemophagocytic syndrome. Abnormal NK cells invading the center suggest a high possibility of ANKL development, and immunosuppressants and hormones are effective treatments for this disease.
Ivermectin modulates lung toxicity induced by γ-radiation viaTLR4/ NF-κβ /MAPK pathways
Authors: elkiki shereen , Galal shereen , gazzar Eman el , Mansour Heba
Published: May 2023

BackgroundRadiation is pro-inflammatory in nature because of its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors with associated inflammatory cells. The current study aims to evaluate the pulmonary protective effects of ivermectin against the high dose of γ- irradiation in adult male albino rats by illuminating the effect of lung receptors toll-like receptors (TLR4), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κβ), as inflammatory mediators.MethodsMale albino rats were given ivermectin orally (3.7mg/kg/day for 14 days), then exposed to a high dose of γ-radiation (30 Gy) in 10 fractions, 5 fractions per week.ResultsGamma-radiation not only boosted the activity of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in lung tissue but also induced a significant disruption in the antioxidants that led to lung damage via a significant elevation of activities of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), prostaglandin 2 (PG2), TLR4, TGF-β, NF-κβ, and FGF levels. In the present study, ivermectin reduced pulmonary damage by suppressing ROS generation and reestablishing the activities of MAPK, LDHA, and levels of FGF, PG2, TGF-β, NF-κβ, and TLR4 to nearly normal in the lungs. The histopathological study confirmed the biochemical studies.ConclusionIvermectin modulates lung toxicity induced by γ-radiation via TLR4/NF-κβ /MAPK pathways.
Ligand Enabled ortho-Arylation of (hetero)Aromatic Acids with 2,6-Disubstituted Aryl Halides
Authors: Luo Xianglin , Li Zhewei , Zheng Yuzheng , Lin Yueping , Jiang Huanfeng , Gooßen Lukas , Lei Ming , Huang Liangbin
Published: May 2023

Directed C–H arylations have proven to be some of the most advantageous strategies for the synthesis of biaryls. However, their sensitivity towards steric hindrance is a key limitation. Couplings of 2,6-disubstituted aryl halides with arenes have so far been elusive. This weakness is overcome by a ruthenium 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline catalyst. It allows the selective ortho-C–H arylation of widely available (hetero)aromatic acids with bulky aryl halides in up to 95% isolated yield. 46 Examples of tri-substituted (hetero)biaryls, all outside the scope of established catalyst systems, demonstrate the efficiency of the protocol. Computational and experimental studies illustrate how this unique combination of carboxylate directing group and chelating N-ligand facilitate selectivity determining C–H activation step. The preference for oxidative addition of the aryl halide over competing benzoic acid coordination is decisive to suppress unwanted dehydrogenative homo-coupling.
Exploring the Relationship between Physical Activity and Body Composition Parameters in Office Workers: A Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Approach
Authors: Yilmaz Dursun Alper , Uzuner Kubilay
Published: May 2023

This research aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity levels and body composition parameters in office workers. The study was carried out with 60 individuals who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria, among the office workers who had sedentary jobs, at the Rector's Office of a university in the Eastern Region of the Republic of Turkey between June 2021 and January 2022. Informed Voluntary Consent Forms and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered to participants. Body compositions were measured with the TANITA MC-780 Bioimpedance Device. The study found a positive relationship between lean body mass (kg), muscle mass in the right leg (kg), muscle mass in the left leg (kg), muscle mass in the right arm (kg), muscle mass in the left arm (kg), and trunk muscle (kg) with all Phase Angle (PhA) measures (p<0.05). Moreover, the study determined a correlation between lean mass in the right leg (kg), lean mass in the left leg (kg), lean mass in the right arm (kg), and lean mass in the left arm (kg) with vigorous activity scores (p<0.05). The study's results add to the existing literature on body composition values in individuals with prolonged sedentary behavior. It is a pioneering study that explores the relationship between segmental phase angles, body fat ratio, and physical activity levels. The findings suggest the need for further research in larger populations and different workgroups to validate these results and explore this relationship in more depth.
The Relationship Between Different Fatty Acids Intake and the Presence of Depression: A Population-Based Study
Authors: zheng xin , liu tong , Lin Shi-Qi , Liu Chen-An , Chen Yue , Ruan Guo-Tian , Ge Yi-Zhong , Xie Hai-Lun , Song Meng-Meng , Shi Jin-Yu , Wang Zi-Wen , Yang Ming , Liu Xiao-Yue , Zhang He-Yang , Deng Li , Shi Han-Ping
Published: May 2023

Background Depression is a common psychological disorder worldwide. Previous studies have explored the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in depression; however, few studies have focused on the association between different fatty acids and depression. Therefore, we explored the effect of the intake of different fatty acids on the risk of depression. Methods The study was based on the data from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We used a nutrient residual model and multivariate nutrient density model. We calculated the nutrient density and residual in men and women separately, and the fatty acid intake was divided into quartiles based on the sex distribution. The relationship between depression and different fatty acids was examined using logistic regression; furthermore, we explored the relationships in men and women. Results Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and PUFAs, particularly n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, were associated with reduced odds ratios for depression, in contrast to total fatty acids (TFAs). The protective effect against depression of TFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, and n-3 and n-6 PUFAs was stronger in women. Conclusion A higher intake of fatty acids, including MUFAs and PUFAs, may protect against depression, especially in women.
Developmental sex-specific transcriptomic patterns can be altered by transgenic expression of Uty
Authors: Rock Kylie D. , Folts Lillian , Zierden Hannah C. , Marx-Rattner Ruth , Leu Nicolae Adrian , Nugent Bridget M. , Bale Tracy L.
Published: May 2023

The genetic material encoded on X and Y chromosomes provides the foundation by which biological sex differences are established. Epigenetic regulators expressed on these sex chromosomes, including Kdm6a (Utx), Kdm5c, and Ddx3x have far-reaching impacts on transcriptional control of phenotypic sex differences. Although the functionality of UTY (Kdm6c, the Y-linked homologue of UTX), has been supported by more recent studies, its role in developmental sex differences is not understood. Here we test the hypothesis that UTY is an important transcriptional regulator during development that could contribute to sex-specific phenotypes and disease risks across the lifespan. We generated a random insertion Uty transgenic mouse (Uty-Tg) to overexpress Uty. By comparing transcriptomic profiles in developmental tissues, placenta and hypothalamus, we assessed potential UTY functional activity, comparing Uty-expressing female mice (XX + Uty) with wild-type male (XY) and female (XX) mice. To determine if Uty expression altered physiological or behavioral outcomes, adult mice were phenotypically examined. Uty expression masculinized female gene expression patterns in both the placenta and hypothalamus. Gene ontology (GO) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) consistently identified pathways focused on transcriptional regulation, immune response, and lipid homeostasis as biological processes associated with UTY. Interestingly, adult females expressing Uty gained less weight and had a greater glucose tolerance compared to wild-type male and female mice when provided a high-fat diet. Utilizing a Uty-overexpressing transgenic mouse, our results provide novel evidence as to a functional transcriptional role for UTY in developing tissues, and a foundation to build on its prospective capacity to influence sex-specific developmental and health outcomes.
Rationale for increasing oncological vigilance in relation to clinical findings in accessory parotid gland- observations based on 2192 cases of the Polish Salivary Network Database
Authors: Wierzbicka Małgorzata , Bartkowiak Ewelina , Pietruszewska Wioletta , Stodulski Dominik , Olejniczak Izabela , Markowski Jarosław , Piernicka-Dybich Aleksandra , Wierzchowska Małgorzata , Czech Joanna , Amernik Katarzyna , Chańko Alicja , Majszyk Daniel , Bruzgielewicz Antonii , Gazińska Patrycja , Mikaszewski Bogusław
Published: May 2023

The accessory parotid gland (APG, Vth level) differs in histological structure from main parotid tissue. This gives rise to the hypothesis, mirrored in clinical observations, that the representation of tumours is different than in the rest of the gland.
Aim
To analyse the epidemiological and histological differences of parotid tumours located in regions I-V, with particular emphasis on the distinctiveness of region V. To define the epidemiological factors that will indicate the risk of histological malignancy from clinically benign appearance.
Material and Method
Multicentre prospective study conducted between 2017-2021 by five Head and Neck Surgery University Departments, cooperating within the Polish Salivary Network Database 1929 patients (1048 women and 881 men) were included. The age, gender, patient occupation, place of inhabitation, tumour size, clinical features of malignancy, histology, facial nerve (FN) paresis were analysed for superficial lobe (I_II), deep lobe (III_IV) and with special regard to the tumours affecting region V.
Results
28 tumours were located exclusively in region V (1.45% total) and 72 tumours in region V with extension to neighbouring regions (3,7% total), characterized by significantly younger age and less frequent in retirees. In I-IV regions approximately 90% of tumours were benign, pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and Whartin tumour (WT) predominance. In region V PA exceed 75% but TW were casuistic (2/28). Incidence of malignancies in region V was 40% but clinical signs of malignancy were evident only in tumours>4 cm or in the presence of FN paresis. In 19% of patients with a benign appearance, imaging revealed malignancy, however in 38% of patients, the result remained false negative both in terms of clinical and radiological features of malignancy. Logistic regression models in 28 patients with tumour located exclusively in region V vs 1901 other patients and the in 100 patients with V extension vs 1829 other patients showed no clinical symptoms of malignancy bind with final malignant tumor histology as a single variable or in combination with other variables. The logistic regression models obtained in this study shows strong linkage between tumor location and predictors (age, male gender and tumor diameter) and aimed to act as a good classifier.
Conclusion
Despite the very clear image of the mid-cheek tumour, easily accessible in palpation and ultrasound examination, it is necessary to improve the oncological vigilance and preoperative patient preparation.
A cardiac fibrosis determinative factor, Meox1, blocks direct reprogramming of cardiac myofibroblasts to cardiomyocyte-like cells
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Wu Jingdong , Zhu Shaoqi , Yang Xiaochun , Yang Yang , Tao Yanmeng , Zhou Bin , Tang Chao , Zhao Yang
Published: May 2023

Direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCMs) is a promising regenerative medicine therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) patients. CFs are activated and transition to myofibroblasts (MFs) after MI, which are abundant in the injured area. However, MFs show lower cardiac reprogramming efficiency. We identified Meox1, a TGF-β1 downstream transcription factor, which involved in cardiac fibrosis, as a barrier to cardiac reprogramming. In MFs induced with MGT (Mef2c, Gata4 and Tbx5) or MGT plus Myocd (MGTM), Meox1 knockdown results in significant increase in reprogramming efficiency. RNA-seq and CHIP-seq analysis showed the function of Meox1 in stabilizing a fibrosis-associated transcriptomic program. Furthermore, mutations disrupting the MEOX1 DNA binding domain or fusing it to a transcriptional repressor domain attenuate its inhibition of cardiac reprogramming. Dual recombinase tracing showed that iCM reprogramming efficiency is higher and cardiac function can be restored after MI with Meox1 knockdown. Finally, we found that Meox1 knockdown improved reprogramming efficiency in human CFs. These findings provide a potent target that can be further developed for direct cardiac regeneration.
Remotely imaging seismic ground shaking via large-N infrasound beamforming
Authors: Anderson Jacob F. , Johnson Jeffrey B. , Mikesell Thomas Dylan , Liberty Lee M.
Published: May 2023

Seismic ground motion creates low-frequency atmospheric sound (infrasound) that is detectable at remote sensor arrays. However, earthquake infrasound signal analysis is complicated by interference between multiple waves arriving at sensors simultaneously, reducing the accuracy and detail of ground motion detection. Here we show that individual waves in complicated wavefields can be resolved by recording infrasound on large-N arrays and processing with CLEAN beamforming. Examining both a local (M3.5, purely tropospheric infrasound propagation) and regional earthquake (M6.5, upper-atmospheric returns), we detect infrasound from tens of km away and up to several hundred km away respectively. Source regions span arcs of approximately 90°, indicating that although detection bias does occur (most likely from atmospheric winds) the recorded infrasound sources are widely dispersed and not simply epicentral. Infrasound-based remote detection of ground motion over wide areas can complement point measurements by seismometers and spur innovations in earthquake research and real-time hazard monitoring.
Differences in the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Suicidal Behavior Between Cargivers and People with Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abdullah Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin , Shari Nurul Izzah , Mohamad Mohd Afifuddin
Published: May 2023

Background: Caregivers of dementia patients and people with dementia are prone to exhibit suicidal behaviors due to difficulty to adjust to the initial caregiving role and emotional disturbance resulting from deterioration of functioning, respectively. This systematic review: [1] explored the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior, and [2] assessed the differences in the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior between caregivers of dementia patients and people with dementia.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search for research articles was carried out from 1950 to December 2022 using major databases, such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Medline.
Results: A total of 38 research articles were selected for review. A total of 12 research articles revealed that the prevalence of suicidal behavior among caregivers ranged from 4.7% to 26%. However, the risk of suicidal behavior among people with dementia was inconsistent as only 15 out of 26 selected studies reported risk of suicidal behavior among people with dementia. The risk factors associated with suicidal behavior among caregivers of dementia patients could be both self-related and care receiver-related factors, whereas risk factors in dementia patients are self-related factors. Moreover, caregivers with high resilience may bounce back to maintain their initial psychological functioning prior to caregiving and safeguard their mental well-being. Contrastingly, resilience among people with dementia was not reported, but greater cognitive decline which impaired their ability to carry out complex act and planning may lower their suicidal risk. Finally, assessment of risk of bias indicated that 95% of the selected studies had unclear risk.
Conclusion: Psychosocial interventions which are effective to enhance resilience should be provided to caregivers in the management of psychological impact of the caregiving role for dementia patients. In addition, we recommend evaluation of suicidal risk on dementia patients to be carried out in the early phase of dementia when cognitive decline is less severe. However, as majority of selected studies had unclear risk of bias, future studies with improve methodology are warranted to confirm our study findings.
Characteristics of Magnetic Elastic Abrasive Particles and Their Effect on Tool Passivation
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Yuan Yin , You Ke , Yin XiaoLong
Published: May 2023

Magnetic elastic abrasive particles are a new type of particle that combine the characteristics of magnetic abrasive particles and elastic abrasive particles by embedding magnetic media and abrasive particles in a particular proportion into a flexible polymer to form particles with a specific shape. First, a method for preparing magnetic elastic abrasive particles is proposed. A representative micro-unit model of magnetic elastic abrasive particles is established using 3DMAX software. The finite element software ABAQUS is used to analyze the micromechanical properties of magnetic elastic abrasive particles with silicon carbide (SiC) and alumina (Al2O3) particles as the abrasive phase, respectively. Secondly, based on the characteristics of double disk magnetic force passivation of magnetic elastic abrasive particles, a method is proposed to predict the life of magnetic elastic abrasive particles by predicting the surface roughness of the tool edge. The effects of particle size and abrasive phase on the wear and life of magnetic elastic abrasive particles are studied experimentally. Finally, the magnetic field force is analyzed, and a mathematical model of material removal for magnetic elastic abrasive particles is established based on the characteristics of the mixing phase. The effects of particle size and abrasive degree on material removal volume are studied, and the influence of magnetic elastic abrasive particle size on tool passivation is experimentally analyzed. A comparison is made with the vertical rotary passivation method. The superiority of the magnetic elastic abrasive particle passivation method is verified by examining the passivated tool's edge profile, surface roughness, and service life.
Machine learning algorithm predicts fibrosis-related blood diagnosis markers of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Zhao Wei , Wei Jinzheng , Ji Xinghua , Jia Erlong , Li Jinhu , Huo Jianzhong
Published: May 2023

Background
The fibrosis of intervertebral disc cells has been proven to be relevant to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). This study is devoted to screening fibrosis-related diagnostic genes for IDD patients.
Results
CEP120, SPDL1 were screened as diagnostic genes. NK cells, neutrophils, and MDSC represented significantly different proportions between IDD and control samples. It was indicated that AC144548.1 could regulate the expression of SPDL1 and CEP120 by combining hsa-miR-5195-3p and hsa-miR-455-3p respectively. Additionally, TFs FOXM1, PPARG, ATF3 could regulate the transcription of SPDL1 and CEP120. A total of 56 drugs were predicted to target drug prediction. The down-regulations of SPDL1 and CEP120 were validated as well.
Conclusion
This study identified two fibrosis-related diagnostic genes for IDD patients and found their potential regulatory network and target drugs, which could theoretical basis and reference for further study of IDD in the fibrosis-related gene area.
Present Geothermal Fields in the Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Zuo Guoping , Wang Hongping , Lan Lei , Zhang Yonggang , Zuo Yinhui , Yang Liu , Wang Chaofeng , Pang Xu , Song Xu , Yang Meihua
Published: May 2023

The Santos Basin, located in the southeastern waters of Brazil, is a passive continental margin basin with the most abundant deepwater petroleum resources in the world discovered to date. However, few studies have been conducted on the present geothermal fields of the Santos Basin, which severely restricts the oil and gas resource evaluation of the basin. This study first utilizes 35 temperature data from 16 post-salt drilling wells and 370 temperature data from 31 pre-salt drilling wells to calculate the post-salt and pre-salt geothermal gradients and terrestrial heat flows in the Santos Basin. Then, the basin simulation software BasinMod 1D is used to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of salt rock sedimentation on the present geothermal fields and the maturity of pre-salt hydrocarbon source rocks. The results demonstrate that the present post-salt geothermal gradient in the Santos Basin is 2.20–3.97 ℃/100m, with an average value of 2.99 ℃/100m, and the post-salt terrestrial heat flow is 54.00-97.32 mW/m2, with an average value of 73.36 mW/m2, while the present pre-salt geothermal gradient is 2.21–2.95 ℃/100m, with an average value of 2.53 ℃/100m, and the pre-salt terrestrial heat flow is 61.85–82.59 mW/m2, with an average value of 70.69 mW/m2. These values are characteristic of a low-temperature geothermal fields in a zone with a stable structure. The sedimentation of the salt rock causes a decrease in the temperature of the pre-salt strata, which inhibits pre-salt hydrocarbon source rock maturity, with an inhibition rate of up to 1.32%. The inhibition degree decreases with increasing salt rock thickness. At the same time, the salt rock thickness is positively correlated with the present surface heat flow. The unique distribution of the salt rock and related salt structures lead to present terrestrial heat flow differences among different structural units in the basin. This study is of great significance for evaluating and exploring the pre-salt oil and gas resources in the Santos Basin.
Enhancing urban resilience versus contagious diseases: An efficient clustering method for urban transportation networks
Authors: Gorji Mohammad-Ali , Boushehri Seyed Nader Shetab
Published: May 2023

Lockdowns in urban scale are shown to be a last resort during pandemics. Despite the effectiveness of this strategy in preventing the spread of disease, the economic necessities of citizens and the social and psychological difficulties created during lockdowns are severe challenges to their long-term implementation. Thus, officials pursue versions of lockdown that promote health-livelihoods dichotomy at the same time. This paper proposes a method for clustering cities such that, at the same time, the essential connections among residents and their basic sustenance (grocery and medical services) are maintained, and social bubbling is warranted. Clusters of a network are set of nodes densely connected to each other and sparsely connected to the rest of the network. Because the network is relatively sparse on the borders of clusters, they are cost-effective places for implementing control strategies such as regional lockdowns. As our clustering method is hierarchical, it allows different levels of clustering. As the number of clusters increases, the limitations get stricter, the physical range of trips gets shorter, and more social distancing is applied. The lower number of clusters results in more freedom but may result in higher virus spread risk. We apply our method to a large city (Isfahan, Iran). We assign a daily origin-destination matrix to our real network and use daily traffic flow among pairs of nodes as the proxy for their correlation and interaction. Results show that setting the minimum number of clusters (i.e., four) would ban 25% of daily non-work trips while increasing the number of clusters to 27 would ban 70% of those trips.
The practical and educational value of scleral buckling with chandelier illumination
Authors: Takesue Atsuhide , Yokoyama Toshiyuki , Koiwa Chihiro , Mayumi Miyako , Kasuga Toshimitsu , Ooya Hiroki
Published: May 2023

Purpose: To compare the surgical results in cases of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments between standard scleral buckling (SSB) and scleral buckling with chandelier illumination (SBC) and to analyze the differences in SBC surgical results between an experienced ophthalmologist and inexperienced ophthalmologists.
Methods: Consecutive surgical case series of 155 eyes that underwent scleral buckling were retrospectively reviewed and divided into four groups: SSB performed by an experienced ophthalmologist (n=54), SBC performed by an experienced ophthalmologist (n=52), SBC performed by inexperienced ophthalmologists (n=40), and SSB performed by inexperienced ophthalmologists (n=9). Then these four groups were compared.
Results: No significant differences were observed between SSB and SBC procedures both performed by the experienced ophthalmologist with regard to demographics, preoperative findings, contents of the surgery, intraoperative complications, retinal reattachment, postoperative findings and postoperative complications. Between SBC performed by the experienced ophthalmologist and SBC performed by the inexperienced ophthalmologists, no significant differences were found regarding intraoperative complications, retinal reattachment, postoperative findings and postoperative complications. Between SSB and SBC procedures both performed by the inexperienced ophthalmologist, a significant difference was found regarding intraoperative complications.
Conclusion: There were no significant differences in surgical results between SSB and SBC when both were performed by the experienced ophthalmologist. In addition, the surgical results were equal between the experienced ophthalmologist and the inexperienced ophthalmologist as far as SBC was concerned. Learning scleral buckling skills by using SBC is a reasonable course of action for inexperienced ophthalmologists.
Passive amplification of microwave pulses via temporal Talbot effect: Experimental demonstration and potential applications
Authors: Pepino Vinicius M. , Mota Achiles F. , Borges Ben-Hur V.
Published: May 2023

The temporal Talbot effect is a phenomenon that modulates the output pulse repetition rate based on the input period. As previously demonstrated, this effect enables innovative applications such as passive amplification. However, its observation in the microwave regime has been impractical due to the requirement for controlled propagation through a highly dispersive waveguide. To overcome this challenge, we employed an ultra-wide band linearly chirped Bragg grating within a standard microwave X-Band waveguide. By utilizing backwards Talbot array illuminators aided by particle swarm optimization, we achieved passive amplification with a gain of 3.45 dB and 4.03 dB for gaussian and raised cosine pulses, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated that with higher quality substrates this gain can be theoretically increased to over 8 dB. Our work paves the way for numerous applications of the Talbot effect in the microwave regime, such as temporal cloaking, secure communications, stealth technology, microwave pulse shaping, and microwave frequency combs.
The effectiveness of past wildfire in limiting reburning is short-lived in a Mediterranean humid climate
Authors: Davim David Andre , Rossa Carlos G. , Pereira José M. C. , Guiomar Nuno , Fernandes Paulo M.
Published: May 2023

Background
The study of wildfire interactions (i.e., spread limitation and reburns) is gaining traction as a means of describing the self-limiting process of fire spread in the landscape and has important management implications but has not been attempted in Europe. We examined to what extent previously burned areas restricted the development of large wildfires (>500 ha) in mainland Portugal.
Results
We analysed wildfire areas in Portugal (1984-2021) and (1) modelled the proportion of large wildfire perimeters that ceased spread at fuel-age transitions to younger fuels resulting from previous wildfires, and (2) characterized patterns of large wildfire preference (and avoidance) for fuel age. Only 4% of the large wildfires did not comprise edges intersecting past wildfires. Low fuel age (especially up to 8 years post-fire) resulted in a high probability of a large wildfire perimeter being limited at fuel-age transitions, further enhanced by high historical burn probability and proximity to roads and watercourses. Perimeter limitation was lowest for Summer
wildfires (and high fire-suppression preparedness). The response of wildfire preference to increasing fuel age was extremely variable and thus an overall weak pattern emerged, with avoidance of fuels < 3 years and equal preference for ≥ 6-year-old fuels.
Conclusions
Large wildfire growth was hampered by building-up fuel resulting from antecedent wildfires. The fuel-reduction effect is short-lived in the prevailing Mediterranean humid climate of the study region. Nonetheless, it should be considered when planning fuel-reduction treatments and can be used as an opportunistic fuel treatment during large wildfire suppression operations.
Natural Oil Lure Outperforms Trimedlure in Capturing Males of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Shelly Todd , Oehlschlager Cam , Kurashima Rick
Published: May 2023

Females of certain tephritid fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose an enormous agricultural threat, as they oviposit in commercially important fruits and vegetables. To mitigate potential losses, year-round trapping networks are often operated in fruit fly-free areas to detect incipient infestations. Trapping relies largely on male attractants, so-called male lures, with trimedlure (TML) being used to detect invasive Ceratitis spp. Operating large-scale surveillance programs incurs substantial costs for both supplies and labor, and the problem is exacerbated by the fact that trimedlure (as well as other male lures) is effective for relatively short intervals in the field (6–8 weeks). Because frequent servicing increases costs, there is considerable interest in modifying existing lures or developing new formulations to extend their effective field longevity. Here, we present results of a field study on a wild population of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), that indicate that a novel natural oil formulation, containing the natural plant product α-copaene, is a potent lure that is as effective as fresh trimedlure for as long as 24 weeks. Future work will focus on developing a dispenser for this formulation that is compatible with standard trap design and deployment.
Identification of a gene set that maintains tumorigenicity of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Li-7
Authors: Seyama Yusuke , Sudo Kazuhiro , Hirose Suguru , Hamano Yukako , Yamada Takeshi , Hiroyama Takashi , Sasaki Ryosuke , Hirai Masami Yokota , Hyodo Ichinosuke , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Nakamura Yukio
Published: May 2023

The identification and development of therapeutic targets in cancer stem cells that lead to tumor development, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance is an important goal in cancer research. The hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Li-7 contains functionally different types of cells. Cells with tumorforming activity are enriched in cancer stem cell-like CD13+CD166- cells and this cell population gradually decreases during culture in conventional culture medium (RPMI1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum). When Li-7 cells are cultured in mTeSR1, a medium developed for human pluripotent stem cells, CD13+CD166- cells and their tumorigenicity are maintained. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms of tumorigenicity in this sub-population. We compared gene expression profiles of CD13+CD166- cells with other cell sub-populations and identified nine overexpressed genes (ENPP2, SCGN, FGFR4, MCOLN3, KCNJ16, SMIM22, SMIM24, SERPINH1, and TMPRSS2) in CD13+CD166- cells. After transfer from mTeSR1 to RPMI1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum, the expression of these nine genes decreased in Li-7 cells and they lost tumorigenicity. In contrast, when these genes of Li-7 cells were forcibly expressed in cultures using RPMI1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum, Li-7 cells maintained tumorigenicity. A metabolome analysis using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry showed that two metabolic pathways, “Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism” and “Arginine biosynthesis”, were activated in cancer stem cell-like cells. Our analyses here showed potential therapeutic target genes and metabolites for treatment of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.
The mechanism of drag reduction performance depending on the secretion rate of biomimetic mucus for a bio-inspired surface
Authors: Zhang Yitong , Zhang Kaisheng , Zhang Jing , Zhang Baocheng
Published: May 2023

In order to better suppress the turbulent burst phenomenon on the surface of the underwater vehicle and improve the drag reduction efficiency of the bionic surface, in this paper, based on the turbulent boundary layer theory, a hydrodynamic model is constructed, and the strip structure and vortex structure of mucus with different secretion rates are obtained by simulation, and the comparative analysis is carried out respectively. The results show that when 1/um+ is 2, the bionic mucus is evenly distributed on the wall, and the strips number near the wall is the lowest and the intertwining degree is the lowest; the flow direction vortices have the lowest number and density, and the mucus pore vortices do not lead to the increased of drag. The research in this paper improves the drag reduction efficiency of the bionic surface to 36.79%, which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of the biomimetic mucus secretion rate in the drag reduction applications of underwater vehicles.