bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exosomal CircRNA-MANBA Mediates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Sorafenib Resistance via miR-1290/CD109/p-STAT3 Axis
Authors: Peng Dingzhong , Lu Jiong , Nie Guilin , Wang Yaoqun , Wen Ningyuan , Xiong Xianze , Li Bei , Cheng Nansheng
Published: October 2023

Background
Sorafenib remains the cornerstone chemotherapeutic treatment for patients with late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, resistance to this drug in the context of the disease is frequent, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this regard, exosome-contained noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been proven to participate in various diseases. Here, we aimed to identify the exosomal circular RNA (circRNA)-mediated mechanism by which sorafenib resistance develops in HCC.
Methods
Differential expression of exosomal circRNAs from parental and sorafenib-resistant HCC cells were examined by microarray. Cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and TUNEL assays were performed to determine HCC drug resistance following siRNA treatment. Exosomes from sorafenib-resistant HCC cells were harvested and incubated with parental cells. Bioinformatics analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot, were performed determine the downstream targets of circRNA.
Results
CircRNA-MANBA was overexpressed in sorafenib-resistant cell lines, and present in high concentrations in exosomes secreted by resistant cells. Inhibition of circRNA-MANBA significantly increased the cell-killing effect of sorafenib. Analysis of tissue samples from sorafenib-treated HCC patients revealed an association between circRNA-MANBA and poor overall/disease-free survival. The sensitivity of parental HCC was substantially impaired after co-culture with exosomes from resistant cells, and transfection of siRNA targeting circRNA-MANBA could partially reverse the attenuation of sensitization to sorafenib. Mechanically, circRNA-MANBA acted as an “miRNA sponge” to absorb miR-1290, preventing it from interacting with CD109, and therefore upregulating STAT3 phosphorylation (S727). Targeting miR-1290 activation with an inhibitor or mimic could strengthen or reverse the effect of si-circRNA-MANBA on drug sensitivity, respectively.
Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate the unique role of exosomal circRNA-MANBA in the regulation and transfer of resistance to sorafenib and propose a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance in progressive HCC.
Reaction of Stylosanthes spp. 'Campo Grande' to Pratylenchus brachyurus and Meloidogyne javanica and analysis of the histopathology and histochemistry of their interactions
Authors: SILVA MONIQUE THIARA RODRIGUES E , Miamoto Angelica , Calandrelli Angelica , Rinaldi Luanna Karoline , Dias-Arieira Claudia Regina
Published: October 2023

In an integrated nematode management system, the best results are generally obtained by rotating crops with resistant plants, antagonists, or bad hosts of parasites. Some reports indicate that Stylosanthes spp. have the potential to control nematodes. Thus, this study aimed to assess the reaction of Stylosanthes spp. 'Campo Grande' to Pratylenchus brachyurus and Meloidogyne javanica penetration and reproduction at different inoculum levels and examine the histopathology and histochemistry of parasitized plants. Stylosanthes did not prevent P. brachyurus penetration in roots. However, the number of penetrated nematodes was lower than that in soybean from 17 days after inoculation onwards. The numbers of second-stage and third-/fourth-stage juveniles of M. javanica in Stylosanthes roots were close to zero, and no females were observed. Assays conducted using increasing levels of inoculum (P. brachyurus or M. javanica) showed that Stylosanthes was resistant to parasites, with a maximum reproduction factor of 0.59 for P. brachyurus and 0.07 for M. javanica. Histopathological analysis showed the presence of P. brachyurus in Stylosanthes, but without rupture of plant cells. M. javanica individuals were not observed. Histochemistry revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in the epidermis of Stylosanthes and proteins in plant cells. These results show that Stylosanthes spp. 'Campo Grande' can be used in crop rotation programs in fields with mixed infestation of P. brachyurus and M. javanica.
Evaluating the Effect of Action-Like Video Game Play and of Casual Video Game Play on Anxiety in Adolescents: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gradi Naïma , Bavelier Daphné , Shechner Tomer , Pichon Swann
Published: October 2023

Background
Adolescence is a critical period for the onset and maintenance of anxiety disorders, which raises the importance of intervening early; one possibility of doing so is via digital interventions. Within that research field, at least two important research paths have been explored in the past years. On the one hand, the anxiolytic effect of casual video games has been tested as such gaming activity may distract away from anxious thoughts through the induction of flow and redirection of attention toward the game and thus away of anxious thoughts. On the other hand, the bidirectional link between weak attentional control and higher anxiety has led to the design of interventions aiming at improving attentional control such as working memory training studies. Taking stock that another genre of gaming, action video games, improves attentional control, game-based interventions that combines cognitive training and action-like game features would seem relevant.
Objective
This three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and the efficacy of two video game interventions to document how each may potentially alleviate adolescent anxiety-related symptoms when deployed fully on-line.
Methods
The study aims to recruit 150 individuals, 12 to 14 years of age, with high levels of anxiety as reported by the parents online form of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders questionnaire. This trial contrasts a child-friendly, “action-like” video game designed to improve attentional control abilities in a progressive and stepwise manner (Eco-Rescue), a casual puzzle video game selected to act as a positive distraction tool (Bejeweled) and finally a control group with no assigned training intervention to control for possible test-retest effects (No-training). Participants will be assigned randomly to one of the three study arms (i: Eco-Rescue attentional control training, ii: Bejeweled distraction training, iii: No-training). They will be assessed for main (anxiety) and secondary outcomes (attentional control, affective working memory) at three time points, before the training (T1), one week after completing the 6-week training (T2) and four months after completing the training (T3).
Discussion
The results of this RCT will provide evidence of the feasibility and the efficacy of two online video game interventions at improving mental health and emotional well-being of adolescents with high levels of anxiety. This project will contribute unique knowledge to the field, as there are few studies that have examined the effects of video game play in the context of digital mental health interventions for adolescents.
Trial Registration
The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05923944, June 20, 2023.
Knowledge and Perception of Stroke Management Practices Among Middle Aged Residents of Otolo Community in Nnewi North LGA, Nigeria
Authors: Okonkwo Uchenna Prosper , Fortunate Chidera Chibuikem , Obiekwe Sochima Johnmark , Chukwuemeka Uchechukwu Martha , Okafor Christiana Nkiru , Igwe Augustine Asiduba , Daniel Jovita Ada
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:In Nigeria, stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability, due to a non-communicable disease. The mortality rate of stroke in Nigeria is also on the rise. This has given rise to the need to ascertain factors that can aid improve the health seeking behaviors of Nigerians.
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perception of middle-aged residents of Otolo community in Nnewi North LGA to stroke management practices; and to identify certain sociodemographic factors that may influence the knowledge and perception of this residents.
METHOD: A total of 191 middle-aged residents of Otolo community in Nnewi North LGA, participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to the participants, which were later collected. Analysis of the collected data was done using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS) version 26.
RESULT: The findings of this study revealed that the research participants had a better knowledge of medical stroke management than traditional stroke care. Majority of the participants had a positive perception of medical stroke care. Age, educational status and occupational status were found to have statistically significant association with the participants’ knowledge, while the educational attainment and occupational status were the major demographic variables found to be associated with the respondents’ perception of stroke management practice.
CONCLUSION: The middle-aged residents of Otolo community had a fair knowledge of medical management of stroke and a poor knowledge of traditional stroke care. Majority of the research respondents had a more positive perception of medical management of stroke as compared to traditional management. Some of the sociodemographic factors found to impact knowledge and perception of this management practices includes age, educational attainment and occupation.
Comparative genomics and transcriptome analysis of two Colletotrichum scovillei strains revealed genes involved in fungal virulence on pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Authors: Wei Jiayu , Li Yue , Wang Jubin , Zhang Xi , Qiu Yuguang , Xu Zhencheng , He Xin , Li Feng , Deng Yingtian
Published: October 2023

Colletotrichum scovillei causes anthracnose in pepper (Capsicum annuum) and other crops worldwide, however little is known about its pathogenic molecular mechanism. In this study, the C. scovillei C1 and CD strains were found and shown different virulence against pepper, with C1 displaying a marked virulence defect compared to CD. To decipher the genetic variation between these two strains, and identify genes associated with C. scovillei virulence, comparative genomic and transcriptome analyses were conducted. The results showed that C1 has a large number of gene insertions and deletions compared with CD at the genome level. Meanwhile, analysis of DEGs (differentially expressed genes) between C. scovillei C1 and CD at the transcriptome level revealed 106 DEGs, including 3 potential upregulated effectors in CD, which may be the reasons for the high virulence of CD. In summary, our study revealed the genomic and transcriptomic background involved in Colletotrichum scovillei virulence in pepper, which contributes to the understanding of pepper anthracnose pathogenicity.
Effect of Counseling Model on Diabetic Women Regarding Sexual Dysfunction: A quasi-experimental research design (pre-test and post-test one group)
Authors: Awad Nermen , Ramadan Soad , Ibrahim Seham Shehata , Elhoda Nour
Published: October 2023

Background: Complications of diabetes in women has adverse effects on their self-image, quality of life, health and other social relationships, thereby leading to sexual dysfunction. The maternity nurse care can play a critical role to assess the knowledge about needs for sexual health.
Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of counseling model on female patients with diabetes regarding sexual dysfunction.
Method: A quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct the study at the diabetic and obstetric outpatient clinic in 2 hospitals (Al salam Port said general hospital, Elzohor general hospital), and in five centers in Port Said city (El-kwait center, Othman Ibnafan center, El-arab 1 center, El-manakh center and El-arab2 center). A purposive sample of 178 female diabetic patient was included in the study. Two tools were used for collecting data consisted of; (1) A structure interview questionnaire sheet include personal characteristics, medical history and present sexual problem of the studied female patients, (2) female sexual function index (FSFI).
Results: the current study revealed that there was high statistically difference between female sexual function in post with mean ±SD (23.3±4.1) compares to pre-educational intervention with mean±SD (19.5±3.7), while there was high statistically significant difference among pre & post program application regarding female sexual function index (p>0.001).
Conclusion: the counseling model had a positive effect in improving the sexual function among female patients with diabetes.
Trial Registration Number (TRN)
The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University (code number: NUR 12/9/2021) (6).
Regional scaling of sea surface temperature with global warming levels in the CMIP6 ensemble
Authors: Milovac Josipa , Iturbide Maialen , Fernández Jesús , Gutiérrez José Manuel , Diez-Sierra Javier , Jones Richard G.
Published: October 2023

Sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface air temperature (SSAT) are commonly used as proxies for investigating the impact of climate change on oceans. These variables have been warming since pre-industrial times and are expected to continue to warm in the future under all Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). However, they are warming at different rates in a spatially heterogeneous way, even with some cooling spots. In this work, we provide a general overview on the regional scaling of SST and SSAT with global warming, based on a 26-member CMIP6 ensemble. We use global warming level (GWL) as a climate change dimension, and analyze the slope of the linear fit (β) between decadal sea temperature anomalies and the corresponding GWLs during the 21st century. This analysis is done globally, regionally, and also grid-point by grid-point. The results show that SST and SSAT scale linearly with GWL at global scale, with scaling factors 0.71±0.001 K/K and 0.86±0.001 K/K, respectively. These results are quite robust, with small differences between seasons, SSPs and horizontal model resolutions. However, large differences appear at regional scale, and the scaling of the two temperatures are strongly affected by sea-ice. The lowest values are obtained for the Southern Ocean region, β = 0.54±0.005 K/K, projecting the mean SST to increase half as fast as the global mean temperature. These results provide relevant information for a refinement of ocean reference regions, taking into account the spatial homogeneity in terms of regional response to global warming.
mNGS Analysis of Virus and Colonized Bacteria in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Authors: Yang Xiaoxuan , Wang Wei , Zhou Tianyu , Wang Ping , Li Guigang
Published: October 2023

Purpose
To analyze the correlation between the onset of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and viral infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as ocular surface colonized pathogenic microorganisms.
Methods
Three patients who were clinically diagnosed with OSSN and underwent ocular surface tumor resection combined with amniotic membrane transplantation from March 1, 2023 to June 1, 2023 were selected as the study group. Specimens were collected during surgery for pathological examination and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of pathogenic microorganisms. Another three patients diagnosed as corneal leukoplakia who were tested negative for viruses by mNGS after penetrating keratoplasty during the same period were selected as the control group.
Results
Among the 3 OSSN patients, 1 was male and 2 were female, with an average age of 71.3 ± 4.0 (69–76) years. The OSSN in all 3 cases invaded both the cornea and conjunctiva. In this group, mNGS suggested no detection of viral pathogens in the specimens. However, suspected colonized bacteria were detected in the 2 cases of corneal and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN): Propionibacterium acnes, Moraxella osloensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Prevotella melaninogenica, and in the 1 case of squamous cell carcinoma of conjunctiva and cornea (SCC): Propionibacterium acnes. Among the 3 cases of corneal leukoplakia in the control group, mNGS indicated no viral pathogens, but detected suspected colonized bacteria of Propionibacterium acnes, Lactobacillus inerta, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli.
Conclusion
The occurrence of OSSN of the patients in this paper was not related to HPV infection. Nevertheless, the increased presence of colonized bacteria of Moraxella osloensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Prevotella melaninogenic, as well as the decreased presence of Lactobacillus inerta, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli may be the high-risk factors for OSSN.
Immunological Characterization of Differentially Extracted Whole Cell Bacterial Protein derived from Salmonella Typhi and invasive Non Typhoidal Salmonella
Authors: Khan Khairunnisa Abdul Lateef , Kader Zainoodin Sheik Abdul
Published: October 2023

The diagnosis of typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is complicated due to their non-specific symptoms that overlap with other febrile illnesses. Conventional diagnostic methods such as culture isolation are time-consuming and expensive, while serological tests have lower sensitivity and produce false positives. Protein depletion has been shown to enhance low abundant proteins. Therefore, our study aims to expand upon this approach by analyzing differentially extracted protein fractions to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of diagnostic methods. In this study, the immunological properties of differentially extracted protein fractions derived from S.Typhi and S.spp were analyzed using dot Enzyme Immunoassay (dot EIA) with pooled sera from typhoid patients, healthy subjects, vaccinated subjects, subjects with other diseases, and invasive non-typhoidal patients. The results showed dynamic profiles of humoral immune response against the arrays of protein fractions, revealing their antigenic properties. The comparative analysis of the differentially extracted protein fractions demonstrated that the use of sdWCP along with WCP and CSP was the most suitable for the serodiagnosis of typhoid fever. The experiment also confirmed the separation of protein upon fractionation and the presence of O and dH antigens in different protein fractions. The findings of this study can be useful in developing a vaccine and improving the accuracy of serodiagnosis for typhoid fever and iNTS infections.
Characterization and identification of rice genotypes based on the microsatellite SSR marker for varietal purity assessment
Authors: N Aarthi , V Alex Albert , K Sujatha , K Thangaraj , R Renuka
Published: October 2023

Microsatellite markers prove highly valuable for both assessing genetic purity and diversity. Moreover, efforts have been made to identify an alternative to the Grow-Out-Test, a traditional but laborious and time-consuming method used for seed genetic purity testing in the history of quality seed multiplication. The primary objective of the present study was to examine genetic purity and diversity among ten distinct rice varieties recently released from TNAU i.e., ADT-53, ADT-54, ADT-55, ADT-57, MDU-6, TKM-15, CO-52, CO-55, TRY-5, VGD-1.The results of the experiments revealed that, out of the 50 SSR primers examined, 28 were identified as polymorphic and were subsequently employed in the analysis of these ten rice varieties. Among the primer pairs used for molecular profiling, namely RM 60, RM 3345, RM 5463, RM 205, and RM 512, RM 60, RM 3345, RM 5463, RM 205, and RM 512 emerged as particularly effective in revealing discernible and predictable patterns of polymorphism for genetic purity testing. Major allele frequencies varied from 0.18 (RM 3345) to 0.66 (RM 520), averaging at 0.42. A dendrogram, constructed through cluster analysis based on microsatellite polymorphism, showcased the relationships among the ten rice varieties. These findings have practical implications for the monitoring of purity, genotype identification and the protection of plant varieties.
Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis in children: a multicentric, emerging country perspective
Authors: Cleto-Yamane Thais Lira , Gomes Conrado Lysandro Rodrigues , Koch-Nogueira Paulo Cesar , Suassuna Jose Hermogenes Rocco
Published: October 2023

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening condition, particularly in patients at the extremes of age and when kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is required. Worldwide data report 10% and 63% mortality rates in pediatric patients undergoing KRT.Methods Throughout a 13-year study period this study analyzed data from 693 patients with AKI in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Results Most patients were male (59.5%), younger than one year of age (55.6%) and were treated at private governance hospitals (76.5%). Sixty-six percent of the subjects had one or more coexisting conditions. Upon admission, pneumonia was the most frequent primary diagnosis, followed by congenital heart disease (21.5% and 20.2%, respectively). The mortality rate was 65.2%, with lower mortality observed in patients over 12 (50%). Older age was a protective factor against death (HR: 2.35, IQR [1.52–3.62] for neonates). Primary kidney disease was associated with at least a three-fold lower mortality rate. Additionally, the experience of the ICU team was associated with lower mortality (HR: 0.74, IQR [0.60–0.91]), when the hospital treated 20 or more patients over the study period. Among the patients who died, 40% died within 48 hours of KRT initiation.Conclusions This study confirms the high mortality rate associated with dialytic AKI in pediatric patients, in middle-income countries. It also highlights early mortality, which may indicate late referral or futility of treatment. These results provide essential data on the main aspects of this disease and may contribute to the planning of measures to improve the outcomes of this condition.
PF-127 Based Niosomal In-situ gel for Intranasal Delivery of Lurasidone Hydrochloride by Surpassing Blood Brain Barrier
Authors: Shikalgar Rais , Deshmukh Vinay , Rathod Sonu , Bangale Ganesh , Pore Yogesh , Pawar Deepak
Published: October 2023

Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder stand as intense and persistent mental illnesses. This research emphasizes targeted drug delivery through intranasal route via the olfactory lobe by surpass BBB using niosomal thermoreversible gel for precise drug administration. Utilizing a 32 factorial design, Lurasidone hydrochloride niosomes were fabricated through the thin film hydration method. The niosomes underwent assessment to determine their encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index whereas thermoreversible niosomal in situ gel based on PF-127 in conjunction with HPMC K4M were characterized for pH, gelation time, temperature responsiveness, in vitro release and rheological characteristics. The results indicated that the optimized batch (F4) illustrated a particle size of 171.4 ± 5.12nm and an encapsulation efficiency 94.67 ± 0.73%. Optimized niosomal gel (Poloxamer 17%) characterized with gelation at 37 ºC, pseudoplastic flow and virtuous structural integrity. Both in vitro and ex vivo drug release exhibited sustained release through in situ gel. These finding concluded that Lurasidone HCL loaded intranasal niosomal in situ gel embraces significant potential to improve inclusive effectiveness of Lurasidone.
Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Evolution of Echovirus 25
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Cun Jianping , Li Shikang , Shi Yong , Liu Yingying , Wei Haiyan , Zhang Yong , Cong Ruyi , Yang Tingting , Wang Wenhui , Xiao Jinbo , Song Yang , Yan Dongmei , Yang Qian , Sun Qiang , Ji Tianjiao
Published: October 2023

Echovirus 25 (E25), a member of the Enterovirus B (EV-B) family, can cause aseptic meningitis (AM), viral meningitis (VM), and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). However, systematic studies on the molecular epidemiology of E25, especially those concerning its evolution and recombination, are lacking. In this study, 18 strains of E25, isolated from seven provinces of China between 2009 and 2018, were collected based on the Chinese hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) surveillance network, and 95 sequences downloaded from GenBank were also screened. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of 113 full-length VP1 sequences worldwide, globally occurring E25 strains were classified into 9 genotypes (A-I), and genotype F was the dominant genotype in the Chinese mainland. The average nucleotide substitution rate of E25 was 6.08×10− 3 substitutions/site/year, and six important transmission routes were identified worldwide. Seventeen recombination patterns were determined, of which genotype F can be divided into 9 recombination patterns. A positive selector site was found in the capsid protein region of genotype F. Recombination analysis and pressure selection analysis for genotype F showed more multiple recombination patterns and evolution characteristics, which may be responsible for it being the dominant genotype in the Chinese mainland. This study provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent prevention and control of E25.
Potential Association Between COVID-19 Infections and the Declining Incidence of Lung Cancers
Authors: Yayan Josef , Saleh Diana , Franke Karl-Josef
Published: October 2023

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on global health and has prompted many studies exploring its effects on various diseases. Recent reports suggest a possible correlation between COVID-19 infection and decreased incidence of lung cancers. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by examining whether there is a significant association between COVID-19 infection and reduced lung cancer cases.
Material and Methods
A retrospective study of medical records from Clinic Lüdenscheid, Germany, was conducted from 1st January, 2018, to 31th December 2021. Data included lung cancer diagnoses during these time periods; the number of lung cancer cases as the initial diagnosis before and during COVID-19 appearance was identified and compared. Patient demographic characteristics and lung cancer stage were also assessed.
Results
A total of 523 patients with suspected lung cancers were examined at Märkische Clinics Health Holding Ltd., Clinic Lüdenscheid, Witten/Herdecke University in Germany during 1st January 2018 and 31th December 2021. Among them, 269 (51.43%) patients were during the pre-COVID (2018 and 2019) years, and 254 (48.57%) were during the COVID (2020 and 2021) years. There were 309 (59.08%) more men than women affected by lung cancers, without a statistical difference. The people affected with lung cancers were about one and a half years younger in the COVID years, without statistical difference. Remarkably, more patients in lung cancer stage IVB were found in the COVID years, with a statistical difference (P = 0.0431).
Conclusion
This retrospective study contributes valuable insights into the decline in the number of lung cancers, although without statistical significance, and the increase in the number of advanced cancer stages during the COVID years with statistical significance.
Anatomical and Functional Reflections of Vascular Changes in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: ALTAS Fatma Busra , DOGUIZI Sibel , ONDER Elıf Gamze , SEKEROGLU Mehmet Ali
Published: October 2023

Purpose: Investigating the retinal vascular changes of retinitis pigmentosa patients in order to determine the anatomical, functional effects and the correlation between them, comparing them with healthy volunteers.
Methods: One eye of 25 RP cases and 25 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional, comparative clinical study. After routine ophthalmological examination, pattern electroretinography (pERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) examinations were performed.
Results: Significant thinning was observed in all quadrants in the RP group (p<0.05 for all values) in foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal macular thickness measurement, In pERG analysis, prolonged P50 and N95 wave implicit time and decreased wave amplitudes were determined in patients with RP (p<0.05 for all values).
Superficial and deep capillary network vessel densities measured by OCTA were significantly lower in the RP group in all quadrants (p<0.001); FAZ parameters (area, perimeter and acircularity index (AI)) were higher in the RP group (p=0.042, p=0.001, p=0.014) and vascular density (FD) around FAZ was lower in the RP group compared to control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Vascular damage contributes to pathological process in RP patients. This vascular damage also affects the anatomical features of the retina. Using OCTA, a non-invasive imaging technique, we can estimate the stage, progression and prognosis of the disease in RP patients. İn non-advanced RP patients, the pERG waves are unsuitable for evaluation. Therefore pERG may not be suitable for functional evaluation in RP patients.
Treatment outcomes of elective neck dissection in intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Lee Dong Hoon , Lee Dae-Neung , Jang Hye-Bin , Lee Joon Kyoo , Lim Sang Chul , Yun Ju Sik , Na Kook Joo
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVE:
We investigated the outcomes of elective neck dissection in intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
PATIENTS and METHODS:
From January 2016 to December 2022, a total of 195 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma at our institution. Among them, 21 patients who underwent esophagectomy and elective neck dissection (both neck level IV) for intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled.
RESULTS:
Of the 21 patients, 19 patients were male, and 2 patients were female. A total of 11 patients received treatment before surgery, and all of them received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). As a result of elective neck dissection at both neck level IV, neck occult metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 3 cases (14.3%), all of which involved left neck lymph nodes. Preoperative CCRT, T stage, and N stage were risk factors for neck occult metastasis of intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.05). A total of 16 patients (76.2%) had been under follow-up without disease recurrence after the completion of treatment. However, 3 patients died of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 patients were alive with esophageal carcinoma. The follow-up period was 19.2 ± 18.4 months.
CONCLUSION:
Three-field lymph node dissection may be necessary for intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Preoperative CCRT, T stage, and N stage were risk factors for neck occult metastasis of intrathoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Is the Schwinger correction to the electron magnetic moment unique?
Authors: Golovko Vitaly
Published: October 2023

The Schwinger correction to the magnetic moment of an electron is proportional to the fine-structure constant and is due to the vacuum polarization. In quantum electrodynamics, the Schwinger correction is calculated by considering the electron placed in a constant magnetic field. In the present paper, the electron is considered to be in a hydrogen atom and it is demonstrated that the Schwinger correction is equal to zero in this case. Therefore, the Schwinger correction is not unique and depends upon the field in which the electron is located.
Non-linear effects of meteorological factors on COVID-19: an analysis of 440 counties in the Americas
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wang Jian , Liang Zhong , Wu Yuting
Published: October 2023

In the last three years, COVID-19 has inflicted severe damage on human health and economic stability. Analyzing the causes and mechanisms of COVID-19 has significant theoretical and practical implications for its prevention and mitigation. The role of meteorological factors in the transmission of COVID-19 is crucial, yet their relationship remains a subject of intense debate. To address the problems of short time series, large study units, unrepresentative data and linear research methods in previous studies, this paper used Pearson correlation analysis, generalized additive model (GAM) and distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to analyze the relationship and lag effect between the daily new cases of COVID-19 and meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, surface pressure, precipitation, wind speed) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 in 440 counties or districts from seven countries in the Americas. The results indicated that, the linear correlations between daily new cases and meteorological indicators of temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation are not significant. However, the non-linear correlations are more significant. There are two thresholds for the relationship between temperature and risk of infection, 5°C and 23°C, with a negative correlation between 5 and 23°C and a positive correlation below 5°C and above 23°C. Relative humidity and solar radiation were negatively correlated, but there was a change in slope at about 74% and 750 kJ/m2, respectively. The results of this study provide a new and more reliable basis for exploring the mechanisms underlying the development of COVID-19.
Optimal Decay Rate of Solutions to Compressible Quantum Navier–Stokes–Poisson System in R3
Authors: Deng Qinqin , Fu Shengbin , Sun Rui , Wang Weiwei
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we investigate the optimal decay rate of solutions to the Cauchy problem of the compressible quantum Navier–Stokes–Poisson (QNSP) equations, which had been used in the modelling of semiconductor devices on the nanometre scale. In particular, the quantum effect in the QNSP equations is described by the third-order spacial derivatives of density. Unfortunately the third-order spacial derivatives result in some essential difficulties in the investigation of the optimal decay-in-time rate of solutions by the spectral analysis method. To avoid the essential difficulties, we use the method of pure energy estimates to substitute the spectral analysis method as in [16], and thus establish the decay-in-time rates of the solutions. In particular the decay-in-time rates are optimal, since they are consistent with the ones of the linearized equations.
Exploring the Diagnostic Potential of miRNAs: A Comprehensive Analysis of miRNA Expression Profiles and Their Correlation with Target Genes in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ham-Karim Hersh Abdul , Ahmad Narmeen , Shwan Alan , Ilyas Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Background: Recently studies reported that miRNAs play vital roles in pathogenesis of many human diseases including cancer, which may serve as diagnostic, prognostic markers and may provide means for cancer treatment. The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using miRNAs as molecular markers for colorectal cancer detection.
Methods: Paired tumour/normal tissues of 81 CRC patients were investigated to measure the expression level of six miRNAs (miR-20a, 21, 29a, 31, 92a and 224), evaluate mRNA and protein expressions in a further six genes (SMAD4, PTEN, TGFBRII, BCL2, KLF4 and RASA1) genes using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry analysis respectively.
Results: In relative to the normal tissue mucosa, statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in the tumour expression level of (miR-20a (p=0.007), miR-21 (p=0.0003), miR-29a (p=0.001) and miR-31 (p=0.0003) with a decrease in the mRNA expression level of TGFBRII. Spearman’s rank order correlation demonstrated that high miR-20a expression was inversely correlated with PTEN-mRNA level (r= -0.238, p=0.033) and PTEN-protein level (r= -0.253, p= 0.023). High miR-21 and miR-224 expression were associated with low expression of TGFBRII-mRNA [(r= -0.358, p=0.001), (r= -0.276, p=0.013)] and TGFBRII-protein [(r= -0.328, p= 0.003), (r= -0.319, p=0.004)] respectively. In addition, over expression of both miR-29a and miR-31 inversely correlated with RASA1-mRNA level [(r= -0.217, p=0.014), (r= -0.276, p=0.013)] and RASA1-protein level [(r= -0.222, p=0.046), (r= -0.209, p=0.010)] respectively.
Conclusions: The presence of a high degree of correlation between upregulated miRNAs and downregulation of some of target genes involved in different signalling pathways, indicated that miRNAs may have roles in CRC carcinogenesis. Additionally, upregulation of (miR-20a, 21, 29a and 31) may be suitable to differentiate CRC with a high degree of accuracy from a normal mucosa of CRC patients and can play a critical role on screening CRC in general population.
Interplay Of Serum Bilirubin and Tobacco Smoking with Lung and Head and Neck Cancers in a Diverse, EHR-linked Los Angeles Biobank
Authors: Venkateswaran Vidhya , Petter Ella , Boulier Kristin , Ding Yi , Bhattacharya Arjun , Pasaniuc Bogdan
Published: October 2023

Background
Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant with a protective role in many diseases. We examined the relationships between serum bilirubin (SB) levels, tobacco smoking (a known cause of low SB), and aerodigestive cancers, grouped as lung cancers (LC) and head and neck cancers (HNC).
Methods
We examined the associations between SB, LC, and HNC using data from 393,210 participants from a real-world, diverse, de-identified data repository and biobank linked to the UCLA Health system. We employed regression models, propensity score matching, and polygenic scores to investigate the associations and interactions between SB, tobacco smoking, LC, and HNC.
Results
Current tobacco smokers showed lower SB (-0.04mg/dL, 95% CI: [-0.04, -0.03]), compared to never-smokers. Lower SB levels were observed in HNC and LC cases (-0.10 mg/dL, [-0.13, -0.09] and − 0.09 mg/dL, CI [-0.1, -0.07] respectively) compared to cancer-free controls with the effect persisting after adjusting for smoking. SB levels were inversely associated with HNC and LC risk (ORs per SD change in SB: 0.64, CI [0.59,0.69] and 0.57, CI [0.43,0.75], respectively). Lastly, a polygenic score (PGS) for SB was associated with LC (OR per SD change of SB-PGS: 0.71, CI [0.67, 0.76]).
Conclusions
Low SB levels are associated with an increased risk of both HNC and LC, independent of the effect of tobacco smoking. Additionally, tobacco smoking demonstrated a strong interaction with SB on LC risk. Lastly, genetically predicted low SB (using a polygenic score) is negatively associated with LC. These findings suggest that SB could serve as a potential early and low-cost biomarker for LC and HNC. The interaction with tobacco smoking suggests that smokers with lower bilirubin could likely be at higher risk for LC compared to never smokers, suggesting the utility of SB in risk stratification for patients at risk for LC. Lastly, the results of the polygenic score analyses suggest potential shared biological pathways between the genetic control of SB and the risk of LC development.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction Following Repair of Ventricular Septal Defects in Infants
Authors: Faraji Ehssan , Bolin Elijah H. , Bond Elizabeth G. , II R. Thomas Collins , Greiten Lawrence , Daily Joshua A.
Published: October 2023

Background
Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is frequently observed following repair of ventricular septal defects (VSD), although little is known about its incidence, time course, or risk factors. Among infants undergoing VSD repair, for postoperative LVSD, we sought to determine (1) incidence, (2) predictors, and (3) time to resolution.
Methods
We queried our institution’s surgical database for infants who underwent repair of isolated VSDs from November 2001 through January 2019. The primary outcome was postoperative LVSD, which was defined as a shortening fraction of < 26% by M-mode. Postoperative echocardiograms were reviewed and measurements were made using standard methods. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was generated to determine the preoperative left ventricular internal dimension (LVIDd) z-score most predictive of LVSD. Multivariable analysis was conducted to determine associations with LVSD; covariates in the model were weight percentile, genetic syndrome, preoperative diuretic, VSD type, and preoperative LVIDd z-score.
Results
Of the 164 patients who met inclusion criteria, 62 (38%) had postoperative LVSD. 58 (94%) of patients had resolution of LVSD within 9 months of surgery. Preoperative LVIDd z-score of > 3.1 was associated with both an increased incidence of postoperative LVSD and prolonged time to resolution. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed only preoperative LVIDd z-score was independently associated with postoperative LVSD.
Conclusions
LVSD following VSD closure is common, but nearly all cases resolve by 9 months postoperatively. Elevated LVIDd prior to surgery is associated with postoperative LVSD. These data suggest VSD closure should be considered prior to the development of significant left ventricular dilation.
First large-scale assessment of snow leopard population in China using existing data from multiple organizations
Authors: Li Xueyang , Wei Chunyue , Chen Xier , Li Peiyun , Liang Shujie , Jikmed Awang , Gao Yufang , Zhao Xiang , Chu Moyan , Sharma Koustubh , Justine Alexander , Lu Zhi , Xiao Lingyun
Published: October 2023

Accurate population data of large carnivores is essential for their effective conservation planning, yet estimating population size is challenging due to their elusive and wide-ranging nature. China is estimated to encompass 60% of the snow leopard Panthera uncia habitat, marking it a crucial pillar for global snow leopard conservation. However, no large-scale population assessment has been conducted despite scattered survey effort accumulating rapidly in recent years. This study combined and standardized existing camera trap survey data from 12 sites collected by four organizations during 2015 ~ 2021 to estimate snow leopard population in an area of 0.36 million km2. The representativeness of existing survey was evaluated based on habitat stratification to achieve unbiased population estimation. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models were applied for density estimation and the most optimal model only included habitat rank as density covariate, showing a significant positive correlation with density. An average snow leopard density of 0.90/100 km2 (0.68 ~ 1.21/100 km2) and a population size of 1,002 individuals (755 ~ 1,341) was estimated for the entire region. Two more conservative estimates of 971 and 978 individuals were generated within two defined survey regions, in which our data has higher representativity. This study presents a practical approach to synthesize existing population survey data for large-scale population assessments of individually identifiable species. The estimated number represents 11 ~ 21% of the global snow leopard population, indicating high conservation value of this region.
Research on map construction based on ORB-SLAM2 algorithm with improved keyframe selection
Authors: Zhou Feng , Li Nan , Yao Kaiwen , Hu Xinli , Wang Rugang
Published: October 2023

Aiming at the problems that the traditional ORB-SLAM2 algorithm has too little keyframe information in dynamic scenes, which leads to the loss of tracking and localization, the error generated by the camera trajectory, and the constructed sparse point cloud maps can't be directly applied to navigation and path planning, an ORB-SLAM2 algorithm based on the improvement of keyframe selection is proposed. Firstly, on the basis of the original ORB-SLAM2 framework, the key frames are screened by adding the corner factor and translation transition factor of the relative motion amount between frames in the neighboring image frames, and the new feature point tracking is added to improve the accuracy of the key frame selection. Then the dense map building and OctoMap threads are added to the three threads of the original system, and the ORB-SLAM2 algorithm with improved keyframe selection is used to build a dense point cloud map and converted and compressed into OctoMaps, and finally the effectiveness of the algorithm is verified on the TUM dataset. The experimental results show that the ORB-SLAM2 algorithm with improved keyframe selection can effectively select keyframe information, the tracking and localization accuracy is significantly improved under the premise of guaranteeing the real-time performance of the system, and the maximum absolute trajectory error is reduced by 49.1% on average in different datasets, and the constructed OctoMap can be stored in a much lower amount of memory and can be used directly for the navigation planning of the robot.
Nonlinear geometric decomposition of airfoils into the thickness and camber contributions
Authors: Torres George Lucas Souto , Marques Flávio Donizeti
Published: October 2023

In the thin airfoil theory, the camber line and the thickness distribution of general airfoils are mainly extracted by a linear combination of the upper and lower surfaces, giving rise to geometric distortions at the leading edge. Furthermore, despite the recent effort to obtain analytic expressions for the zero-lift angle of attack and quarter-chord moment coefficient, more analytic generalization is needed for the camber line component in the trigonometric series coefficients. This paper presents a straightforward algorithm to extract the camber line and thickness distribution of general airfoil shapes based on a finite differences method and the Bézier curve fitting. Integrals in the thin airfoil theory involving a Bernstein basis are performed, leading to series coefficients involving Gegenbauer polynomials. The algorithm is validated against analytical expressions of the NACA airfoils without introducing or adapting geometric parameters, and the results demonstrate good accuracy. In addition, the present work indicated a significantly different geometric behavior for the SD7003 airfoil camber slope at the leading edge obtained by the proposed algorithm and the classical linear approximation. Moreover, the method can be coupled conveniently in recent reduced-order models established on the thin airfoil theory to obtain expressions in closed forms for general airfoils.
Keywords: Airfoil camber; Geometric decomposition; Thin airfoil theory; Finite differences method; Bézier curves; Gegenbauer polynomials.
Gravitational variation through magnetic fields for particles in fluids
Authors: Cabrera-Booman Facundo , Plihon Nicolas , Bourgoin Mickaël , Cal Raúl
Published: October 2023

A magnetic field (MF) is generated to modify gravity in a laboratory. The MF produces a vertical force that counteracts the gravitational field on a magnetic sphere. The perpendicular spin of particles is blocked, thus allowing spin solely around the direction of the MF.The settling of spherical magnets in a quiescent flow with a particle density of $8200$~kg/m$^3$ and Galileo number (Ga) in the range $[100,280]$ was studied experimentally. The results obtained by varying Ga via gravity modification to those obtained with non-magnetic spheres where Ga is modified by varying viscosity are compared. Findings showed that there is no significant difference in the trajectory angle between magnetic and non-magnetic cases, suggesting that the method for compensating gravity does not produce any spurious effect and that particle spinning has no significant effect on this aspect of the dynamics. Subtle differences in trajectory planarity were observed hinting at a possible dependence on particle spin. Results prove the validity of the method introduced here to change the gravitational strength on particles in fluids.