bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efflux pump in genomic island GI-M202a mediates transfer of Polymyxin B resistance in Pandoraea pnomenusa M202
Authors: Gao Wenhui , Li Congcong , Wang Fengtian , Wang Zhongxue , Chen Xi , Tan Meixia , Fu Jiafang , Zhang Peipei , Cao Guangxiang , Zong Gongli
Published: February 2023

Background
Polymyxin B was thought to be last-line therapeutic options against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, especially in COVID-19 co-infections or other serious infections. The risk of antimicrobial resistance and its spread to the environment should be brought to the forefront.
Methods
P. pnomenusa M202 was isolated under selection with 8 mg/L polymyxin B from hospital sewage. The genome of M202 was sequenced by PacBio RS II and Illumina HiSeq 4000 platforms. MFS transporter recombinant E. coli strain Mrc-3 was constructed by transferring encoding gene FKQ53_RS21695, a gene in Genomic islands (GIs) of M202, to E. coli 25DN. Mating experiments were performed to evaluate transfer of MFS transporter to Escherichia coli 25DN. And influences of efflux pump inhibitors on MICs were determined. The mechanism of polymyxin B excretion mediated by FKQ53_RS21695 was investigated by Discovery Studio 2.0 based on its homologous model.
Results
MICs of multidrug-resistant bacterial strain P. pnomenusa M202, isolated from hospital sewage, for polymyxin B is 96 mg/L. Genomic Island GI-M202a with major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter encoding gene and conjugative transfer proteins encoding genes of type IV secretion system was identified in strain M202. The mating experiment between M202 and Escherichia coli 25DN reflected the transferability of polymyxin B resistant GI-M202a. Efflux pump inhibitor and heterogeneous expression assays also suggested that MFS transporter gene FKQ53_RS21695 in GI-M202a was responsible to polymyxin B resistance. Molecular docking revealed that polymyxin B fatty acyl group insert into hydrophobic region of transmembrane core with Pi-alkyl and unfavorable bump interactions, and then polymyxin B turns over around Tyr43 to left the peptide group to outside during efflux process, accompanies with conformation change of MFS transporter from inward to outward. Additionally, verapamil and CCCP demonstrated significant inhibition by competing binding sites.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrated that GI-M202a along with MFS transporter FKQ53_RS21695 in P. pnomenusa M202 could mediate the transmission of polymyxin B resistances.
Research of fault information fusion based on ICEEMDAN and PSO- SVM algorithm for rolling bearing diagnosis
Authors: Bie Fengfeng , Zhang Hanyang , Lyu Fengxia , Lu Yi , Peng Jian , Miao Yi , Shu Yu
Published: February 2023

As a key component of mechanical system, the extraction and accurate identification of fault characteristic information of rolling bearing is very important to ensure its normal operation. The diagnosis accuracy is occasionally low due to the limitation of information collected by a single type of data source. In this paper, the bearing vibration signal and acoustic emission signal are employed as analysis sources, a novel method based on ICCEMDAN (improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise) with optimized SVM (support vector machine) is presented for the fault information fusion, feature extraction, and fault pattern recognition of rolling bearing. Firstly, ICEEMDAN algorithm is developed to decompose the rolling bearing vibration signal and acoustic emission signal for a series of IMF (intrinsic mode function) components. Secondly, the valuable components that can characterize the original signal status are selected based on the correlation coefficient-variance contribution criterion. Thirdly, the singular spectral entropy of the reconstructed component is calculated as the eigenvalue and the two signal eigenvectors are fused as a new eigenvector set. Finally, the feature vector set is input into the optimized SVM classifier model based on PSO optimization for training and pattern recognition, in which the accuracy and efficiency of the classifier model and SVM classifier model are compared. Study of model simulation and fault simulation experiments show that the presented model based on the singular value entropy fusion of ICEEMDAN and PSO-SVM can effectively extract the fault characteristics of rolling bearing signals and has a desired performance in the accurate pattern recognition.
Students’ game-based actions in abstract strategy board games: opening the black box
Authors: Sunay Merve Atasay , Erdogan Abdulkadir
Published: February 2023

Abstract strategy board games, which do not involve elements of luck and specific context, have potential to develop players’ mathematical skills, especially reasoning. In this study, the actions performed by the students in the reflected games, which aim at strategy development and implementation, were examined within the concept of milieu of the theory of didactical situations. An abstract strategy board game with a winning strategy (the square game) was chosen, and the game-playing process was designed as intra-group and inter-group games according to the main characteristic of an a-didactical milieu. Eight 7th grade students participated in the study and their games related actions were analyzed according to the reflected game functions. 13 indicators of reflected game functions were identified: 8 in the heuristic function, 3 in the explanatory function, and 2 in the checking function. The interactions between these indicators were analyzed in terms of transition between perceptual and theoretical levels to observe the evolution of the game milieu. The findings of the study showed that a number of the indicators of reflected game functions (predicting a winning move or the winner, analyzing possible moves, and perceiving a winning puzzle for the heuristic function, expressing a strategy orally or by playing for the explanatory function; generalizing strategies for the checking function) played a key role in the development of a strategy. These indicators were found to be critical in the evolution of the milieu as they allowed transitions between theoretical and perceptual levels.
Diminished PDE4D7 Expression is Associated with Treatment-Resistant, Lethal Prostate Cancer and Manifests with Impaired Androgen Response, Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Alterations in DNA Repair
Authors: Gulliver Chloe , Huss Sebastian , Semjonow Axel , Baillie George , Hoffmann Ralf
Published: February 2023

Androgen signalling remains the seminal therapeutic approach for management of advanced prostate cancer. However, most tumours eventually shift towards an aggressive phenotype, characterised by androgen-independence and treatment resistance. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes, with the phosphodiesterase PDE4D7 being a vital modulator of cAMP signalling in prostate cancer cells. Our study provides evidence that loss of PDE4D7 expression represents a pivotal switch driving the transition from an androgen-sensitive state to hormone unresponsiveness and neuroendocrine differentiation. Additionally, we demonstrate that PDE4D7 loss results affects DNA repair pathways, conferring resistance to poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Reinstating PDE4D7 expression sensitises prostate cancer cells to anti-androgens, DNA damage response inhibitors, and cytotoxic therapies. These findings provide significant insight into the regulatory role of PDE4D7 in the development of lethal prostate cancer and the potential of its modulation as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Determinants of Low Birth Weight Among Babies Born at Gabiley General Hospital, Gabiley District, Western Somaliland. Unmatched Case Control Study
Authors: Mohamed Hamse , Abdurashid Neil , Sema Alekaw
Published: February 2023

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is the weight of an infant at birth of less than 2,500 grams. It remains a major issue of public health concern globally with a disproportionate burden on low and middle income countries that leads to fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, poor cognitive development and an increased risk of chronic diseases later in life.
As low birth weight relates to survival, growth and wellbeing of infants throughout the life and to the investigator’s knowledge, no study has yet been done to elucidate the determinants of low birth weight in Gabiley district, Western Somaliland. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of low birth weight among babies born Gabiley General Hospital.
Methods: Facility based unmatched case control study was employed from July 1 to August 31, 2022. A total of 291 participants were included in the study of which 97 were cases and 194 were controls. The data were collected using structured and pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. The first live births of less than 2500gm in the hospital were selected as case and succeeding babies with weights of at least 2500gm as control. Data were entered using Epi-data software version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 25. The data were presented using frequency, cross-tabs and percentage. Variables with p-value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were entered in to multivariable logistic regression and statistical significance was considered at p-value < 0.05.
Results: Over all 291 mothers with their respective newborns (97 cases and 194controls) were included in the study making the response rate of 97%. Gestational age of <37 weeks (AOR=2.18; 95 % CI: 1.11–4.29), previous history of low birth weight (AOR=2.17; 95 % CI: 1.12 - 4.21), 1st trimester hemoglobin level of <11g/dl (AOR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.06–3.50), meal frequency of two times and 3 times (AOR=4.70; 95% CI: 1.38-15.97), (AOR=4.47; 95% CI: 1.50-13.34) and MUAC <23cm (AOR=4.04; 95% CI: 2.19–7.45) were the factors significantly associated with low birth weight.
Conclusion: Factors like gestational age, previous history of low birth weight, hemoglobin level, not having additional meal during pregnancy and maternal MUAC were found to be associated with low birth weight. Therefore; nutrition education for pregnant women and strengthen antenatal care service and nutrition campaigns are needed to address the identified risk factors.
Gaze estimation using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Karmi Rawdha , Rahmany Ines , KHLIFA Nawres
Published: February 2023

Numerous investigations on gaze estimate techniques for analyzing human behavior have been made in recent years. The majority of which have focused on gaze tracking techniques. This article proposes a new method for gaze estimation. The proposed system is divided into three phases: (i) Estimation of head position using Con-volutional neural networks CNN (VGG16, Resnet50, InceptionV3), (ii) Detection of eyes area using Viola Jones’ algorithm, and in phase (iii) gaze estimation using three different models: pre-trained CNN, CNN from scratch, as well as Bilinear Convolutional Neural Networks (B-CNNs). Columbia gaze database is used in the validation experiments. When compared to earlier efforts, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method produces a more exact outcome.
Effects of micro-drilling parameters on the drilling force and pore morphology of Sapindus mukorossi seeds
Authors: Zhao Suxiao , Bai Xiaopeng , Xu Daochun , Cao Wan
Published: February 2023

Sapindus mukorossi seeds are commonly drilled and processed into strings and other craft products. To improve the machining qualities of micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds, the effects of these drilling parameters on the drilling force and pore morphology were found. The mechanism behind these changes was further analyzed. The drilling parameters (feed rate, drilling speed, and drill diameter) and machining process for the micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds were optimized. Results indicated that each drilling parameter influenced the drilling force and hole-machining quality by affecting the amount of cutting, the working conditions of the drill bit, chip formation, and the generation of drilling heat. Moreover, the feed rate and drill diameter are main influence factors that influence the drilling force, and the drilling speed plays a leading role that influences the hole-machining quality. Interestingly, for the drilling of S. mukorossi seeds, a feed rate of 0.03 mm/r, a drilling speed of 6 m/min, and a drill-bit diameter of 0.9- or 1.5 mm resulted in a hole with high accuracy, good pore morphology, and minimal wear on the drill bit. This study facilitates the selection of suitable drilling parameters and processing technology for the micro-drilling of S. mukorossi seeds to improve the processing accuracies and qualities, and provides a theoretical basis for the improvement of related drilling processing equipment.
BMSC-derived Exosomes Attenuate Rat Osteoarthritis by Regulating Macrophage Polarization, and PINK1/Parkin Signaling May Be Involved
Authors: Li Beibei , Wu Zhiwen , Shen Enpu , Qi Hui , Wu Cheng’ai , Liu Danping , Jiang Xu
Published: February 2023

Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-Exos) may modulate the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages during osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying mechanisms of BMSC-Exos in this process still need to be elucidated. In this study, the effects of BMSC-Exos on macrophages after induction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were determined. The protein expression of Akt, PINK1, and Parkin in macrophages were tested. We prepared an OA model by resecting the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus of SD rats. BMSC-Exos could reduce M1 and promote M2 macrophage polarization, inhibit mitochondrial membrane damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Akt phosphorylation was downregulated but significantly recovered after treatment with BMSC-Exos (P<0.01). PINK1/Parkin signaling was crucial in mitochondrial damage and subsequent M1 macrophage polarization. The protein expression of PINK1 and Parkin was significantly inhibited by BMSC-Exos (P<0.01). Histological analyses revealed that BMSC-Exos alleviated cartilage damage, inhibited M1 polarization, and promoted M2 polarization in the synovium. The expression of PINK1 and Parkin in the synovium was decreased when BMSC-Exos were used. ELISA results revealed that BMSC-Exos also changed the systematic inflammatory state. These data suggest that BMSC-Exos ameliorate OA development by regulating synovial macrophage polarization, and one of the underlying mechanisms may be through inhibiting PINK1/Parkin signaling. Therefore, BMSC-Exos are a potential useful therapeutic approach for OA.
Connectivity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the north-east Mediterranean: implications for local conservation.
Authors: Gaspari Stefania , Dooley Charlotte , Shreves Kypher , Silva Cátia S. E. , Chapman Natasha , Genov Tilen , Gonzalvo Joan , Holcer Draško , Moura Andre E.
Published: February 2023

Accurate description of population structure and genetic connectivity is essential for efficient conservation efforts. Along the European coastline, Tursiops truncatus typically shows high site fidelity to relatively small areas, often semi-enclosed waters, but patterns of genetic connectivity among such areas are often poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the patterns of genetic structure and connectivity of Tursiops truncatus in the Adriatic Sea and contiguous Mediterranean, where photo-ID studies suggest the occurrence of local ‘resident communities’, and a complex pattern of geographic population structure has previously been suggested. Our results are consistent with the occurrence of communities with high site fidelity to the Gulf of Ambracia, Croatian island systems and the Gulf of Trieste. Dolphins in this region do not fit a model of complete panmixia, but neither do they exhibit multiple discrete population units. Even for the community in the Gulf of Ambracia, which is well separated by several population genetic estimates, we can unambiguously identify individual dispersal to the most distant area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. We suggest that the population structure patterns in these animals might be best described as a stable metapopulation and discuss the implications of such a model for regional conservation efforts. The critically endangered Ambracian sub-population is particularly well differentiated and is therefore at high risk of local extinction due to relatively small size, high degree of isolation and exposure to several anthropogenic pressures. The exact geographic boundaries of individual sub-populations cannot always be determined due to lack of sampling and low resolution of the methods used. Nevertheless, our results have important implications for effective conservation of local communities showing strong site fidelity.
The role of reoperation in paediatric cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma
Authors: Kameda-Smith Michelle Masayo , Green Katherine , Hutton Dana , Jeelani Owase N , Hargrave Darren , Aquilina Kristian
Published: February 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Adding Value to Low-value Eucalyptus Wood by Glulam Production: Evaluation and Prediction of Its Properties by Non- Destructive Tool
Authors: Oliveira Ramon Ferreira , Segundinho Pedro Gutemberg de Alcantara , Silva João Gabriel Missia da , Gonçalves Fabrício Gomes , Silva Jeferson Pereira Martins , Lopes Nayara Franzini , Mastela Leonor da Cunha , Paes Juarez Benigno , de Souza Clara Gaspar Fossi , Lahr Francisco Antonio Rocco
Published: February 2023

Eucalyptus-based glued laminated timber (glulam) was produced to determine the feasibility of a non-destructive method (drilling resistance) to predict the properties of structural elements and add value to low-value hardwood species. Glulam was manufactured with both formaldehyde and bio-based adhesives in two assembly schemes. The shear strength of the glue line (fv0), compression perpendicular to grain (Ec90 and fc90), delamination (DL), main and extended glue lines thicknesses were evaluated. Our findings indicated that the assembly schemes did not statistically influence properties and linear regression models adjusted for drilling resistance satisfactorily estimated the Ec90 and fc90.
An experiment of the light with contradictory formulas
Authors: Louiz Akram
Published: February 2023

Motivated by the appearance of a previous article about the light in the very useful Book titled the worldwide list of alternative theories and critics (edition 2023), I tried to propose this experiment that tries to trap light beams in a rotating environment.
I presented also the related formulas in this work and I could even guess some recurrence relations if the trapped Light-Beam is reflected several times from the moving wall of mirrors. However, the work exposes a contradiction concerning the reflected light beams velocity vectors and this made us suspect the correctness of some formulas when dealing with moving mirrors.
This proposed experiment is very interesting, but the most important are the remarks that can be made by observing the contradictions exposed in this article.
Surgical management of cancer of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction after neoadjuvant therapy: the experience of the MRRC and literature review
Authors: Skoropad V. Yu. , Kudryavtsev D. D. , Sokolov P. V. , Ivanov S. A. , Kaprin A. D.
Published: February 2023

Itroduction. Gastric cancer incidence and mortality rates remain very high worldwide, including the Russian Federation. More than 50 % of gastric cancers are locally advanced at presentation [1]. Perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy is a standard treatment for gastric cancer patients. The use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is considered very promising.

Material and Methods. We present the analysis of the results of surgical treatment of cancer of the stomach and gastrooesophageal junction after various options of neoadjuvant therapy: chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and their combinations. The experience of the Medical Radiological Research Centre (MRRC), including 5 clinical prospective studies and one randomized multicenter clinical trial, was analyzed. A total of 237 patients with histologically proven locally advanced cancer of the stomach and gastro-oesophageal junction were included into the study. Of these patients, 202 received neoadjuvant therapy. Our treatment outcomes were compared with those of randomized trials published over the last 15 years.

Results. Of 202 patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, 190 (94 %) underwent surgery (R0 resection: 184 patients). In the early postoperative period, complications were observed in 62 patients (32.6 %). Re-surgery was performed in 11 (5.8 %) patients. Postoperative mortality was 1.6 % (3 patients). Multicenter randomized studies and meta-analyses, as well as the long-term experience of MRRC, have shown that neoadjuvant therapy does not increase the number of postoperative complications and mortality, increases the rate of R0 resections and improves long-term treatment outcomes in patients with resectable locally advanced cancer of the stomach and gastro-oesophageal junction.

Conclusion. Analysis of long-term clinical studies conducted at the MRRC as well as the treatment results published by other authors show that in some cases neoadjuvant therapy can lead to soft tissue changes in a surgical area and may complicate surgical management; however, it does not have a negative impact on the rates of postoperative complications and mortality.
Results of multicomponent treatment of patients with progression of primary brain glioma
Authors: Sarycheva M. M. , Vazhenin A. V. , Domozhirova A. S.
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the most effective approach to the treatment of patients with continuous growth of brain glioma.

Material and Methods. The study included 200 patients with progression of primary brain glioma, who were treated at the Chelyabinsk Regional Center of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine in the period from 2001 to 2021. The average age of patients was 47.86 ± 11.47 years. The ratio of men to women was 1:1. The continuous growth of high-grade glioma was detected in 125 cases. The progression of lowgrade glioma was observed in 40 patients. Transformation of low-grade glioma into high-grade glioma was found in 35 patients. Re-surgery was performed in 92 patients. Repeated radiation therapy was given to 140 patients. Chemotherapy as the method of choice was administered to 60 patients.

Results. The median overall survival (OS) time was 36 months. The 1and 2-year survival rates were 96.0 % and 59.4 %, respectively. The method-specific overall survival time was 15 months. There was a tendency towards an increase in OS in all subgroups of patients who underwent re-surgery. The highest method-specific overall survival rates were observed in patients who received stereotactic radiation therapy (STRT) and combined photon-neutron therapy (CPNT): 23 and 47 months in patients with high-grade glioma and 60 and 72 months in patients with continuous growth of low-grade glioma, respectively (p>0.05). In patients with the transformation of low-grade glioma into high-grade glioma, the method-specific OS was higher in patients who received combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy compared to those who received chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone: 32, 12, and 24 months, respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusion. Repeated surgery is the optimal treatment approach for patients with continuous growth of primary brain glioma. In cases with repeated radiotherapy courses, CPNT or STRT can be the methods of choice. Treatment of patients with transformation of low-grade gliomas into high-grade gliomas should include repeated course of chemoradiotherapy.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of solid tumors in HIV-infected patients: is it worth the risk?
Authors: Degtiareva E. A. , Protsenko S. A. , Imyanitov E. N.
Published: February 2023

Objective. To present the available data regarding the tolerance of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients with concurrent HIV.

Material and Methods. A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and UpToDate up to February 2022.

Results. The article outlines the background and experience of using ICIs for the treatment of malignant tumors in patients with concomitant HIV infection.

Conclusions. Until recently, the presence of chronic infections, including HIV infection, was one of the key contraindications for prescribing immunotherapy. However, the recent scientific publications demonstrate the efficacy and good tolerability of ICIs in cancer patients with concurrent HIV. Future prospective clinical trials will help to predetermine the potential of immunotherapy in clinical practice in this patients.
Immediate and long-term results of the treatment of patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Kit O. I. , Gevorkyan Yu. A. , Soldatkina N. V. , Kolesnikov V. E. , Bondarenko O. K. , Khabzhokov E. K. , Tolmakh R. E. , Dashkov A. V. , Petrov D. S. , Savchenko D. A. , Kolesnikov E. N. , Snezhko A. V.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the study was to analyze rectal resection outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

Material and Methods. A retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes of 251 patients with stage cT3–4aN0–2M0 rectal cancer, who underwent transperitoneal resections of the rectum with mesorectumectomy from 2015 to 2020, was carried out. The age of the patients ranged from 27 to 90 years. Considering the extent of rectal tumor spread, 143 (56.9 %) patients underwent neoadjuvant prolonged conformal radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy.

Results. The failure of the colorectal anastomosis was observed in 11 (4.4 %) patients, repeated surgery was performed in 8 (72.7 %) patients (Grade C). During the follow-up, disease progression was detected in 58 (23.1 %) patients, tumor recurrence in the rectum occurred in 2 (0.8 %) patients, and distant metastases were found in 56 (22.3 %) patients. Statistical analysis showed that the parameters, such as the age, localization of the tumor in the rectum, tumor grade and T stage did not significantly affect the disease progression. A statistically significant relationship between the disease progression and pN2 stage was revealed. Patients with pN2 stage were 4.1 times more likely to have disease progression. The 75th percentile survival time was

51.2 months. Patients with pN2 stage had a 3.6-fold increase in the risk of lethal outcome.

Conclusion. The study demonstrated good oncological and surgical outcomes in the treatment of stage II–III rectal cancer with high survival rates. Resection of the rectum in patients with rectal cancer is a safe and predictable surgical procedure accompanied by a low incidence of anastomotic leaks and disease recurrence. The pN2 stage in rectal cancer patients significantly worsened the oncologic outcomes and survival of patients.
Experience in the use of olaparib poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in maintenance therapy of BRCA-associated ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhurman V. N. , Nechushkina V. M.
Published: February 2023

Aim to study the frequency of BRCA1/2 gene mutations , the efficacy of ovarian cancer therapy depending on the presence of BRCA1/2 mutations as well as the efficacy of olaparib maintenance therapy in BRCAassociated ovarian cancer.

Material and Methods. The retrospective analysis included 355 patients with high-grade, stage I–IV serous ovarian cancer. The examination for a mutation in the BRCA1/2 gene was carried out within the framework of the program “Improvement of molecular genetic diagnostics in the Russian Federation in order to increase the effectiveness of antitumor treatment”.

Results. Mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes were detected in 98 out of 355 (27.6 %) patients. Mutations of the BRCA1+ gene were detected in 62 out of 230 patients with ovarian cancer of stages IIIC–IV (27.0 %), the BRCA2 gene – in 9 out of 230 (3.9 %). In ovarian cancer of stages III–IV, BRCA gene mutations were absent in 159 of 230 (69.1 %) patients. The median time to progression in stages III–IV of the disease with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene was 22.0 months, in the BRCA2 gene – 27.0 months, in patients without mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes – 17.0 months, median life expectancy – 70.0; 65.0 and 45.0 months, respectively. Patients with serous ovarian carcinoma of high-grade I–IV stages with the presence of mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes were divided into two groups. The first group (6 out of 26 patients, 23.1 %) consisted of patients with stage IIIC–IV high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, who received olaparib as maintenance therapy after the 1st line of chemotherapy, the second group (20 out of 26 patients, 76.9 %) were patients with stage I–IV high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, who received olaparib in maintenance mode after 2 or more lines of chemotherapy.

Conclusion. The presence of BRCA1/2 gene mutations significantly increased the median life expectancy of patients with stage IIIC–IV serous ovarian cancer, and primary cytoreduction significantly improved both overall survival and survival to progression in this group of patients. Maintenance therapy with olaparib is more appropriate after the 1st line of treatment than after subsequent ones.
Automatic transformation of irreducible representations for efficient contraction of tensors with cyclic group symmetry
Authors: Gao Yang , Helms Phillip , Chan Garnet Kin-Lic , Solomonik Edgar
Published: February 2023

Tensor contractions are ubiquitous in computational chemistry and
physics, where tensors generally represent states or operators and
contractions express the algebra of these quantities. In this context,
the states and operators often preserve physical conservation laws,
which are manifested as group symmetries in the tensors. These group
symmetries imply that each tensor has block sparsity and can be stored
in a reduced form. For nontrivial contractions, the memory footprint and
cost are lowered, respectively, by a linear and a quadratic factor in
the number of symmetry sectors. State-of-the-art tensor contraction
software libraries exploit this opportunity by iterating over blocks or
using general block-sparse tensor representations. Both approaches
entail overhead in performance and code complexity. With intuition aided
by tensor diagrams, we present a technique, irreducible representation
alignment, which enables efficient handling of Abelian group symmetries
via only dense tensors, by using contraction-specific reduced forms.
This technique yields a general algorithm for arbitrary group symmetric
contractions, which we implement in Python and apply to a variety of
representative contractions from quantum chemistry and tensor network
methods. As a consequence of relying on only dense tensor contractions,
we can easily make use of efficient batched matrix multiplication via
Intel’s MKL and distributed tensor contraction via the Cyclops library,
achieving good efficiency and parallel scalability on up to 4096 Knights
Landing cores of a supercomputer.
Perceptions of Gifted People on The Concept of Citizenship
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Fatih , AYBAR ERCAN Yıldız , YİĞİT E. Özlem
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Citizenship plays a crucial role in protecting the identity of states and societies. Citizenship becomes even more important for gifted people who make important contributions to the scientific and technological development of a country. From this point of view, this study aims to explore the perceptions of gifted people trained at Science and Art Centers (SAC) in relation to the concept of citizenship.
Method: The study was conducted using a phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs. The study group of the research consisted of 23 6th grade students, 13 boys and 10 girls, studying at Science and Art Centers (BİLSEM) in İstanbul in the academic year 2020-2021. The data of the study was collected using a structured interview form developed by the researchers. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data.
Findings: It was found that gifted students defined citizenship as a person living in a place and having some basic duties and rights to the place to which they belong. The students mostly defined themselves as good citizens and stated that a good citizen has responsibilities towards his environment and country. In the context of the view that the state is a political institution in which people live together, the understanding of a social and legal state dominates. The main responsibility of citizens is seen in being hardworking and respecting the country and society. The majority of students feel connected to their country, with the most important factor for this connection being culture and history. While the most positive aspect of being a citizen of Turkey is its historical heritage, it is noteworthy that some of the students wish to be citizens of the developed Western countries.
Discussion: The students’ views are largely consistent with studies in the literature on citizenship and state definitions and citizenship of other countries based on brain drain. However, unlike other studies, this one emphasized researcher personality, which is one of the distinguishing characteristics of gifted individuals, among the characteristics of citizens.
Презентация архетипа личности в семантических структурах
Authors: Склейнис Виктор А.
Published: February 2023

Введение. Статья посвящена решению задач поиска семантических коррелят архетипического пространства. Автор рассматривает архетипические структуры как системы значений, имеющие различные уровни презентации и соотносимые с трехслойной моделью структуры образа мира, предложенной В. П. Серкиным. Новизна исследования заключается в том, что в работе впервые осуществлено эмпирическое исследование сопряженности семантического пространства Ч. Осгуда (оценка, сила, активность) и архетипического пространства К. Пирсон. Методы. В исследовании приняло участие 320 испытуемых в возрасте от 19 до 66 лет. Определение ведущего архетипа личности осуществлялось при помощи метафорических архетипических карт «12 архетипов плюс», предложенных Т. В. Капустиной. Представления испытуемых о себе изучались при помощи личностного семантического дифференциала. Результаты. Сравнение межгрупповых показателей с использованием критерия Краскелла – Уоллеса показало наличие межгрупповых различий по каждому из факторов личностного семантического дифференциала (оценка, сила, активность). Корреляционный анализ с использованием критерия Пирсона показал наличие сопряженности осей архетипического пространства К. Пирсон и семантического пространства Ч. Осгуда. Так, ось «самопознание – принадлежность» демонстрирует сопряженность с факторами «оценка» и «сила», а ось «стабильность – изменения» – с фактором «активность». Кроме того, фактор «оценка» демонстрирует сопряженность со стадиями архетипического путешествия (подготовка, путь, возвращение). Обсуждение результатов. Наличие сопряженности факторов семантического пространства оценки себя и осей архетипического пространства позволяет рассматривать процесс воплощения архетипических структур в знаковых системах как частных случай проецирования структур ядерного слоя образа мира на семантический слой.
Effect of Art Therapy on Adolescents’ Mental Health
Authors: Mittal Shruti , Mahapatra Mamata , Ansari Shadab Ahamad
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Adolescent children continue to be vulnerable to issues of mental health. A significant population of these groups suffers from peer pressure, depression, anxiety and parental pressure. Many adolescent people fail to express their emotions to other people. As a result, they experience low self-esteem, fail to communicate effectively and sometimes even fail to appreciate their personalities. Theoretical Basis. A research study that employs the systematic review follows formulated questions. In this research, the formulated question guides understanding the relevance of studies in the matter under investigation. The method effectively identifies the research question using the PICOTS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Timing and Setting) framework. Results and Discussion. Research obtained from the American Art Therapy Association informs on the efficacy of art therapy. In various ways, researchers observe that it has a positive effect on general mental health regardless of the artistic experience. Thus, art therapy has a general benefit to the community at large while influencing the impact of mental and physical health. Researchers should plan to evaluate the extreme effects of art therapy on mental health diagnosis, treatment alternatives, and integration into learning environments in future studies. Art therapy is one of the important mental health interventions with significant benefits to these adolescents. The intervention tends to offer an integrated approach treatment that focuses on mental and emotional complications. Professional therapists argue that art therapy offers an innate communication and expressive chance for individuals with mental conditions. Additionally, the therapeutic intervention covers the needs of the patient, setting the creative engagement platform.
Sleep, Dietary Melatonin Supplementation, and COVID-19
Authors: Gasmi Amin , Semenova Yuliya , Noor Sadaf , Benahmed Asma Gasmi , Bjørklund Geir
Published: February 2023

Background:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people suffered from major
mental health problems. These include stress, anxiety, and confusion about the existing situation
of home confinement. Melatonin is a popular anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
molecule sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Objective:

This review discusses the indications for using melatonin in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic, including treatment.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of publications was conducted in electronic databases
focusing on the administration of melatonin in COVID-19.

Results:

Stress has a huge negative impact on sleep routines and the quality of life of individuals.
Sleep is considered an important modulator of the immune response. Thus, a
lack of sleep can weaken immunity, increasing organism susceptibility to infection. For
instance, shorter sleep durations are associated with a rise in suffering from the common
cold. The administration of melatonin protects against viral and other pathogens and
speeds clinical recovery.

Conclusion:

In patients admitted to intensive care units, melatonin decreases the risks of
severe complications, such as thrombosis and sepsis, and mortality rates. In addition, it is
efficacious in lowering vessel permeability, depression, and sedation, and improving the
quality of sleep, which could also help COVID-19 patients achieve better clinical outcomes.
Description and In silico ADME Studies of US-FDA Approved Drugs or
Drugs under Clinical Trial which Violate the Lipinski’s Rule of 5
Authors: Lohit Niyatha , Singh Ankit Kumar , Kumar Adarsh , Singh Harshwardhan , Yadav Jagat Pal , Singh Kuldeep , Kumar Pradeep
Published: February 2023

Background & Objective:

Christopher A. Lipinski, in 1997, formulated Lipinski’s rule of five
for drug-likeness prediction of potent molecules. It states that molecular weight (less than 500 Daltons),
octanol/water partition coefficient (not exceeding more than 5), hydrogen bond acceptor (no more than
10), and hydrogen bond donor (no more than 5) are important for good oral bioavailability. Many drugs
among various important classes such as antibiotics, anti-cancer, HIV and HCV protease inhibitors, immunosuppressants,
cardiovascular, antifungal, and other miscellaneous classes are approved by FDA or
other drug regulatory authorities as clinical use lie beyond the rule of five. In this review, beyond the rule
of 5 drugs belonging to these classes (which are either currently approved or under clinical study) are
explored and their ADME properties are analyzed.

Methods:

Data of 73 beyond the rule of 5 drugs, belonging to various classes, were collected and their
ADME properties were calculated using the Qikprop prediction program of maestro 12.9 module of
Schrodinger software.

Result:

Out of 73 drugs, 4 had at least 1 Rule of 5 (Ro5) violation, 16 had at least 2, 31 had at least 3 out
of which 22 drugs had 4, Ro5 violations.

Conclusion:

Drugs not obeying the rule of five may also serve as good clinical candidates and potential
candidates should not be discarded only on the basis of this rule.
Colorimetric Determination of Glucose based on BiVO4 Coupled with
Gold Nanoparticles as a Photoactivated Mimic Enzyme of Oxidase
Authors: Miao Lili , Sun Jing , Cai Hemeiling , Ma Zhichang , Di Junwei
Published: February 2023

Background:

The spectrophotometric detection of glucose usually requires the use of glucose
oxidase (GOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). These natural enzymes have specificity and can react
with substrates efficiently and quickly, but their performance is easily influenced by external factors, such
as humidity, temperature, and solution pH. In this study, no enzyme method was developed for the detection
of glucose.

Objective:

In this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and BiVO4 were calcined onto the glass surface,
offering excellent glucose oxidase-like activity under light irradiation. Coupled with silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs), it can be applied to the colorimetric detection of glucose without the use of any natural enzyme.

Methods:

The heterostructure of AuNPs and BiVO4 onto glass substrate (G/AuNPs/BiVO4) was synthesized
by deposition and calcination at 500°C. It exhibited oxidase-like activity towards glucose oxidation
in the presence of oxygen (O2) under light irradiation and then generated gluconic acid and hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2). The production of H2O2 could etch AgNPs, resulting in a clear color change of the solution.

Results:

A decrease in the absorbance showed a good linear relationship with glucose concentration in the
range of 20-400 μM, with a detection limit of 5 μM.

Conclusion:

An enzyme-free method is proposed for the colorimetric detection of glucose. The photoactivated
enzyme mimic of G/AuNPs/BiVO4 exhibited good recyclability with water rinsing. This is promising
for wide applications in various fields.
LPLSG: Prediction of lncRNA-protein Interaction Based on Local
Network Structure
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yongqing , Sun Bin , Liang Shihao , Liu Dong , Zhang Hongjun , Wang Xianfang
Published: February 2023

Background:

The interaction between RNA and protein plays an important role in life activities. Long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are large non-coding RNAs, and have received extensive attention in recent years. Because the interaction between RNA and protein is tissue-specific and condition-specific, it is time-consuming and expensive to predict the interaction between lncRNA and protein based on biological wet experiments.

Objective:

The contribution of this paper is to propose a method for prediction based on the local structural similarity of lncRNA-protein interaction (LPI) network.

Methods:

The method computes the local structure similarity of network space, and maps it to LPI space, and uses an innovative algorithm that combined Resource Allocation and improved Collaborative Filtering algorithm to calculate the potential LPI.

Conclusion:

AUPR and AUC are significantly better than the five popular baseline methods. In addition, the case study shows that some results of LPLSG prediction on the actual data set have been verified by NPInterV4.0 database and some literatures.
Advanced Multivariable Statistical Analysis Interactive Tool for Handling
Missing Data and Confounding Covariates for Label-free LC-MS Proteomics
Experiments
Authors: Rai Shesh N. , Srivastava Sudhir , Merchant Michael L. , McClain Craig J. , Rai Anil , Chaturvedi Krishna K. , Angadi Ulavappa B. , Mishra Dwijesh C.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Careful consideration is required for detecting significant features (proteins or
peptides) in LC-MS proteomics studies using multivariable regression analyses. In proteomics data,
missing values can arise due to random errors, bad samples, features below the detection limit in specific
samples, etc. Further, expression data are always prone to heterogeneity due to technical/biological
reasons. Missing values and heterogeneity in proteomics studies can confound important findings.
Moreover, there is additional information in these studies, such as pre-clinical and clinical information
(e.g., sex, exposure, etc.), which can be used to supplement the inference.

Methods:

We introduce a user-friendly web application SATP (Statistical Analysis interactive Tool for
label-free LC-MS Proteomics experiments) for differential expression analysis of proteomics data that is
scalable to large clinical proteomic studies. Appropriate normalization and imputation methods have
been provided. Apart from these, several statistical tests such as t-test, moderated t-test, linear fixed effect
model, and linear mixed model with adjustment of effect of extra covariates have also been provided
for users' benefit.

Results:

Our intuitive tool has several advantages over the existing ones, including an extension to multiple
factor comparisons after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusion:

This is a comprehensive tool for analysis of complex experiments with multiple covariates,
whereas most of the existing tools were developed for comparing simple experiments mostly with two
groups without covariates.

Availability:

The tool can be accessed freely by the users from https://ulbbf.shinyapps.io/satp/.
Potential of Black Seeds (Nigella sativa) in the Management of Long
COVID or Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and Persistent
COVID-19 Symptoms – An Insight
Authors: Pakkir Maideen Naina Mohamed , Hassan Jumale Abdurazak , Ramadan Barakat Ibrahim , Khalifa Albasti Ayesha
Published: February 2023

Background:

Some individuals may experience symptoms persisting for many months after
the recovery from COVID-19 and patients with Long COVID are managed mainly with symptomatic
treatment and supportive care.

Objective:

This review article focuses on the beneficial effects of black seeds (Nigella Sativa) in the
management of long COVID and persistent COVID symptoms.

Methods:

The literature was searched in databases such as LitCOVID, Web of Science, Google Scholar,
bioRxiv, medRxiv, Science Direct, EBSCO, Scopus, Embase, and reference lists to identify studies,
which evaluated various effects of black seeds (N. sativa) related to signs and symptoms of Long
COVID.

Results:

Black seeds (N. sativa) have shown potential anti-COVID, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antiasthmatic
properties in various clinical, animal, in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico studies, which would
help the patients recovered from COVID to mitigate Long COVID complications.

Conclusion:

Patients experiencing Long COVID may use black seeds (N. sativa) as adjunctive therapy
in combination with symptomatic treatment and supportive care to prevent further deterioration and
hospitalization. The safety and efficacy of N. sativa in patients with Long-COVID would further be
established by future randomized controlled clinical trials.