bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid Induced Vibration Response Characteristics of the Oxygen Pump Case-volute
Authors: Huo Shihui , Yuan Zhe , Gao Yushan
Published: July 2022

The oxygen pump is a complex component of liquid rocket engine, and is also one of the main vibration sources of engine. In this paper, the unsteady fluid exciting load was studied considered the coupling of gap flow and main flow. The results were verified through test of liquid rocket engine. Modal characteristics of oxygen pump case-volute with different liquid medium filled was tested. The Rayleigh damping parameter was derived by considering the frequency characteristics of fluid excited. Thus, a complete transient dynamic model was established. The transient dynamic response of oxygen pump case-volute under unsteady fluid excited was studied. At the same time, the time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of vibration response were revealed. The analysis method was verified by comparing with the statistical distribution of test results. The vibration response of oxygen pump case-volute mainly shows frequency doubling of rotational speed, among which the 12X and 18X frequencies are prominent.
Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage and Blood Stream Infection among Conventional Hemodialysis Patients in Thailand: a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Techasuphaboon Tanyanop , Vasiksin Vasin , Varothai Narittaya , Sil Navee Rak Nai , Nasomsong Worapong
Published: July 2022

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage screening among hemodialysis patients is not a standard practice in Thailand, because of lacking data in prevalence and the correlation with subsequent infection. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage and its association with blood stream infection among hemodialysis patients. In this prospective multicenter cohort study, each participant was screened for S. aureus nasal carriage once weekly for two consecutive weeks. Incidence of S. aureus bloodstream infection within 12 months after the last sample collection was observed.Results: The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage was 11.67%. Incidence of S. aureus bacteremia among participants presenting S. aureus nasal carriage and non-carriers were 7.1 % and 3.8%, respectively. The odds ratio for nasal carriage to develop bacteremia was 1.96 (95% CI 0.04-21.79; p=0.553). Survival analysis showed that time to bacteremia among participants with and without nasal carriage did not significantly differ (p =0.531). Prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among hemodialysis patients in Thailand was low. Patients presenting S. aureus nasal carriage did not have increased risk of S. aureus bacteremia after 12-month follow-up. Nasal S. aureus screening and decolonization should not be encouraged in this setting.
High-gradient Magnetic Fields and Starch Metabolism - Results from a Space Experiment
Authors: Hasenstein Karl H. , Park  , SP John , Ajala Chitra
Published: July 2022

Directing plant growth in weightlessness requires understanding the processes that establish plant orientation and how to manipulate them. Both gravi- and phototropism determine directional growth and previous experiments showed that high gradient magnetic fields (HGMF) can induce curvature in roots and shoots. Experiments with Brassica rapa verified that that gravitropism-like induction of curvature is possible in space and that the HGMF-responsive organelles are amyloplasts. We assessed the effect of space and HGMF based on 16 genes and compared their transcription with static growth and clinorotation. Amyloplasts size in root tips increased under weightlessness but decreased under clinorotation but not in response to magnetic fields. Amyloplast size changes were correlated with reduced amylase transcription in space samples and enhanced transcription after clinorotation. Mechanostimulation and weightlessness have opposite effects on the size of amyloplasts. The data show that plants perceive weightlessness, and that their metabolism adjusts to microgravity and mechanostimulation. Thus, clinorotation as surrogate for space research may lead to incorrect interpretations.
Combination effect of Daphne extract and Imatinib on Anti proliferation of the K562 cell line
Authors: Khorshid Alireza , Nojadeh Jafar Nouri , Takanlu Javid Sabour
Published: July 2022

Background
Modern and ancient medical sciences should be used to treat cancer. Herbal medicine is well known among the ancient medical sciences. Healing properties have been observed in some species of Daphne. The effect of Daphne plant extract on the k-562 cell line has been previously studied, and Gleevec is a well-known and effective drug in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Material and Methods
In this study, the simultaneous effect of using herbal medicine and a targeted therapy drug on the k-562 cell line was investigated. The presence of some species of Daphne in Iran motivated us to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of Daphne mucronata on human leukemia cancer cells. Anti-proliferative activity of the dichloromethane extract of daphne mucronate (Thymelaeaceae) as a new anticancer medicinal plant was evaluated. Apoptotic and necrotic changes in cells membrane were examined using the flow cytometry method. Changes in Bax and Bcl2 gene expression were investigated using real-time PCR. The MIC and IC50 concentration of Daphne extract combine with Imatinib were tested on the K-562 cell line.
Results
The K-562 cells responded to extract treatments in a dose-dependent manner, and the MIC and the IC50 of the crude extract were calculated. The cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay.
Conclusion
Daphne extract could effectively decrease the viability of the cell line. The necrotic effect of Daphne extract was evaluated by Flow cytometry of Annexin, P.I., and an increase in gene expression of Bax and Bcl2 was observed in cells exposed to the Daphne extract. The combination of Daphne extracts with Imatinib shows enhancement in the cytotoxic effect of Imatinib.
Adipose tissue function and insulin sensitivity in syndromic obesity of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
Authors: Baig Shanat , Wanninayake Subadra , Foggensteiner Lukas , Elhassan Yasir , Manolopoulos Konstantinos , Ali Sadaf , Lassen Pierre Bel , Clément Karine , Steeds Richard , Tomlinson Jeremy , Hiwot Tarekegn
Published: July 2022

ContextBardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare autosomal recessive syndromic obesity of childhood onset among many other features. To date, the excess risk of metabolic complications of severe early-onset obesity in BBS remains controversial. In-depth investigation of adipose tissue structure and function in link with detailed metabolic phenotype has not been investigated yet.ObjectiveTo investigate adipose tissue function in BBSDesignA prospective cross-sectional study.Main outcome measureTo determine if there are differences in insulin resistance, metabolic profile, adipose tissue function and gene expression in patients with BBS compared to BMI-matched polygenic obese controls.Method9 adults with BBS and 10 controls were recruited from the national centre for BBS, Birmingham, UK. An in-depth study of adipose tissue structure and function along with insulin sensitivity was performed using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies, adipose tissue microdialysis, histology and RNA sequencing, and measurement of circulating adipokines and inflammatory biomarkers.ResultsAdipose tissue structure, gene expression and in-vivo functional analysis between BBS and polygenic obesity cohorts were similar. Using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and surrogate markers of insulin resistance, we found no significant differences in insulin sensitivity between BBS and obese controls. Furthermore, no significant changes were noted in an array of adipokines, cytokines and pro-inflammatory markers.ConclusionAlthough childhood-onset extreme obesity is a feature of BBS, detailed studies of insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue structure and function are similar to common polygenic obesity. This study adds to the literature by suggesting that it is the quality and quantity of adiposity not the duration that drives the metabolic phenotype.
NURBS Interpolation Algorithm to Minimize Chord Error in 5-Axis CNC Milling Operations of Turbine Blades
Authors: Soori Mohsen , Arezoo Behrooz
Published: July 2022

5-Axis CNC machining operations are added to create complicated items with free form surfaces, such as turbine blades. Virtual machining systems are used in machining processes to improve the precision of manufactured products. Chord errors can be caused by cutting tool paths with a set feed rate in 5-Axis machining processes of turbine blades with free form surfaces. As a consequence, chord errors should be studied and eliminated in order to obtain the appropriate precision in machined products with free form surfaces. The research work proposed a virtual machining system to reduce chord error in 5-Axis milling of free form surfaces. To obtain the NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) profiles of cutting tool paths with abilities of control points modification along machining operations, the curved surface interpolation algorithm during turbine blade five axes milling processes is implemented. Then, a NURBS interpolation algorithm with restricted chord error and control of acceleration is developed in the study to minimize chord error in machined parts with free form surfaces. Finally, the sample turbine blade is machined by using the 5-Axis CNC milling and the chord error along machining paths are measured by using the CMM machine. As a consequence,, the proposed virtual machining system can provide an efficient device for boosting the machined components accuracy with free form surfaces by employing 5-Axis CNC milling machines.
Different particle flow from exhaled air after gradual increase of PEEP during mechanical ventilation
Authors: Broberg Ellen , Pierre Leif , Fakhro Mohammed , Malmsjö Malin , Lindstedt Sandra , Hyllén Snejana
Published: July 2022

Objectives: Detecting particle flow from the airways by none invasively online analysing technique might serve as an additional tool to monitor mechanical ventilation. In the present study we used a customised Pexa (Particles in Exhaled Air), which is an optical particle counter for airway monitoring of particle flow in exhaled air. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is often used as a tool during recruitment manoeuvre and the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different levels of PEEP on particle flow in exhaled in an experimental setting.Methods: Five animals received a gradual increase of 5 PEEP to a maximum of 25 PEEP during VCV. Measurements were done before every increase in PEEP in fully anaesthetised domestic pigs. The particle count along with vital parameters and ventilator settings were collected continuously. The particle sizes measured was between 0.41 µm and 4.55 µm.Results: All animals had a significant increase in particle count going from all increased levels of PEEP and back down to baseline PEEP of 5 cmH2O. Here shown with PEEP 15 that had a mean particle count of 401 ± 122 particles compared to after release of PEEP back to 5 with a mean particle count of 5968 ± 1784 (p<0.001). A significant decrease was seen in blood pressure in the higher levels of PEEP compared to PEEP 5 cmH2O.Conclusions: In the present study significant increase in particle count was seen when releasing PEEP back to baseline compared to all levels of PEEP. This finding may indicate that this technique can give diagnostic possibilities for monitoring lung function during mechanical ventilation.
One century of food adaptation: Sarikoli wild food plant uses in the Wakhan Area, Northern Pakistan
Authors: Aziz Muhammad Abdul , Ullah Zahid , Adnan Muhammad , Sõukand Renata , Pieroni Andrea
Published: July 2022

The plant-centered biocultural heritage of diasporas have been explored in a number of ethnobiological studies, in order to mobilize policymakers to design strategies for fostering their social sustainability. The present study aimed to record the biocultural heritage of wild food plants (WFPs) among the Sarikoli diaspora and the dominant Wakhi in Broghil Valley, North Pakistan, to understand their intercultural assimilation, mainly by looking through the lens of food adaptation. We recorded twenty-nine locally gathered WFPs, most of which were used as cooked vegetables and raw snacks. The local communities quoted fewer plants than other cultural groups from NW Pakistan they have historically been pastoralists, whose traditional food system mainly consists of meat, dairy products, and local food ingredients readily available to them. The local plant nomenclatures and wild food ethnobotanies of the two studied groups were completely homogenized which could be attributed to the cultural assimilation where Sarikoli led to mixed marriages with the Wakhi which may have homogenized kinship relations. In addition, the remarkable social change in nearby regions is also threatening the local biocultural heritage among the two communities, and the growth of legal restrictions on accessing local natural resources the sanctions imposed on cross-border trade are posing serious challenges to cultural resilience in the valley. Most importantly, the cross-border movement of the Sarikoli is creating serious challenges for those who have cross-border kinship relations. It is advisable for policymakers to put in place certain measures to restore cross-border movement to promote and celebrate the local biocultural heritage.
Gasdermin D Mediates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by FAM134B to Regulate Cardiomyocyte Autophagy and Apoptosis in Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Ge Junbo , Qu Ya-Nan , Gao Rifeng , Wei Xiang , Sun Xiaolei , Yang Kun , Shi Huairui , Gao Yang , Hu Shiyu , Wang Yiwen , Yang Ji'e , Sun Aijun , Zhang Feng
Published: July 2022

Cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis play a vital role in the pathophysiology of several cardiovascular diseases. Our recent study revealed that Gasdermin D (GSDMD) can promote myocardial I/R injury via caspase-11/GSDMD pathway. Furthermore, we also found that GSDMD deletion attenuated myocardial I/R and MI injury by reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and pyroptosis. However, how GSDMD mediates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and protects myocardial function remains unclear. We here evaluated that doxorubicin (DOX) treatment resulted in significantly increased apoptosis instead of pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, GSDMD overexpression promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and GSDMD knockdown attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Notably, GSDMD overexpression exacerbated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) injury, impaired cardiac function in vitro and in vivo, and enhanced DOX-induced cardiomyocyte autophagy. Mechanistically, GSDMD regulated the activity of FAM134B, an endoplasmic reticulum autophagy receptor, by pore formation on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane via its N-terminus, thus activating endoplasmic reticulum stress. In turn, FAM134B interacted with autophagic protein LC3, thus inducing cardiac autophagy, promoting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and aggravating DIC. These results suggest that GSDMD promotes autophagy and induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating the reaction of FAM134B and LC3, thereby promoting DIC injury. Targeted regulation of GSDMD may be a new target for the prevention and treatment of DIC.
“It’s about being healthy”; A Novel Approach to the Socio-Ecological Model Using Family Perspectives within the Latinx Community
Authors: Korom Bethany , Malloy Meghan , Remmers Caroline , Cevilla Mari , Dione Kelly , Papanek Paula , Condit Jeff , Nelson David
Published: July 2022

Background. The Latinx community is at risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Culturally appropriate, community facing physical activity (P.A.) and nutrition programs may provide the basis for families to improve their health status. Our objectives are as follows: 1. To investigate synergistic factors within this type of program that play a role in creating an environment for participants to learn and practice healthy behaviors. 2. To apply factors into a novel model of components that support health and wellness. 3. To design an intervention for future implementation and evaluation.Methods. A two-year P.A. and nutrition program, Families Inspired Together 4 Youth Empowered to Succeed (FIT 4 YES), took place in Milwaukee, WI. with Hispanic families from 2018 to 2020 through a community-academic partnership. A pair of interviewers spoke with families who provided insight into the impact of the program. A grounded theory qualitative approach to code the transcripts guided the team to identify overarching themes.Results. Twenty-four interviews with 45 total participants spoke about the program. Common themes indicated that children had a stronger belief in their abilities and confidence in peer support. Parents noticed their children increasing self-directed healthy behaviors. All families grew in their implementation of health and wellness.Conclusions. Three main components of FIT 4 YES contributed to its success: opportunities for engagement, supportive relationships, and the interplay of components that emerged from the interviews. Effective programs could include these components to make their outcomes more cohesive within the family. A novel model emerged that builds on the social-ecological model that emphasizes the dynamic interactions between these main components. Additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects and response by the community.
Pancreatic Adenosquamous Carcinoma: A Population Level Analysis of Epidemiological Trends and Prognosis
Authors: Huang Zhihao , Wang Jiakun , Zhang Rongguiyi , He Aoxiao , Luo Shuaiwu , Wu Rongshou , Li Min , Xiong Jianghui , Jin Tao , Li Enliang , Wu Linquan , Liao Wenjun
Published: July 2022

Background
The incidence and mortality of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) have received little attention. The goal of our study was to explore the overall epidemiological trend of PASC at the population level.
Methods
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to collect the incidence, incidence-based (IB) mortality, and patient details for PASC from 2000 to 2017. The Joinpoint regression tool was used to examine the trends in incidence and IB mortality. The Kaplan–Meier approach was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the independent prognostic factors.
Results
We included 815 patients with PASC in the study. The incidence of PASC continuously increased from 2000 to 2017, with an annual percentage change (APC) of 3.9% (95% CI: 2.2–5.7%, P < 0.05). IB mortality also increased continuously, with an APC of 5.0% (95% CI: 2.5–7.6%, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, treatment, regional lymph node involvement, and tumor size were independent prognostic factors. Nomograms were created for PASC to predict 1- and 2-year survival probabilities, respectively.
Conclusions
The incidence and IB mortality of PASC had a sustained and rapid increase, indicating that the preventive and treatment measures for PASC were not ideal. We must identify the significance of this condition as soon as possible, and commit greater attention and resources to PASC research.
Hyaluronic acid addition to collagen reduces the trismus and swelling after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars: A Split-Mouth, randomized controlled study
Authors: Kokash Moemeneh , Darwich Khaldoun , Ataya Jawdat
Published: July 2022

Background: Removal of impacted third molars is associated with postoperative complications such as pain, swelling, ecchymosis, trismus, infection, and hematoma. Thus, contemporary surgery aims to reduce complications by applying collagen or hyaluronic acid in the socket after extracting the impacted mandibular third molars.This study aimed to study the efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) addition to collagen, compared to collagen application alone, on the magnitude of swelling and trismus following impacted mandibular third molar surgery.Methods: About 20 patients underwent impacted bilateral lower third molars surgery (n = 40). Opaque envelopes carried out randomization; two materials were applied topically in the socket collagen alone or with hyaluronic. The post-operative mouth-opening limitation and swelling rate were assessed on the third and seventh days after the extraction. Results: The mean age was 22.7 ± 3.079 years (75% female, 25% male). A statistically significant difference was detected for the trismus between the two treatment groups on the seventh (p= 0.005) but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant on the third day (p= 0.061). The swelling scores of the hyaluronic acid addition group were significantly lesser than those of the collagen alone group on the third and the seventh days (p<0.05) except for lateral canthus to angulus mandibulae on the third day (p= 0.133).Conclusion: Adding hyaluronic acid to collagen could effectively reduce the severity of facial swelling and trismus following surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.Trial registration: The trial was registered in the Isrctn.com database (06/07/2021, ISRCTN16820104).
Prospective Cholestanol Screening of Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis Among Patients With Juvenile-onset Unexplained Bilateral Cataracts
Authors: Fernández-Eulate Gorka , Martin Gilles C , Dureau Pascal , Speeg-Spatz Claude , Brassier Anais , Gillard Perrine , Bremond-Gignac Dominique , Thouvenin Dominique , Pagan Cecile , Lamari Foudil , Nadjar Yann
Published: July 2022

BackgroundCerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare genetic disorder related to CYP27A1 biallelic mutations, leading to decreased synthesis of bile acids and increased cholestanol. Juvenile bilateral cataracts are one of the most common findings in the disease, frequently occurring before the onset of neurological manifestations. While early treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid can prevent the onset of neurological impairment, poor awareness of CTX accounts for a markedly delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of plasma cholestanol analysis at the moment of cataract diagnosis and before the onset of neurological impairment in CTX.MethodsMulticenter prospective cohort study of patients with juvenile-onset unexplained bilateral cataracts recruited from seven French ophthalmology departments. Plasma cholestanol analysis was performed at diagnosis from January 2018 to January 2020. CYP27A1 genetic testing was performed at the ophthalmologist’s discretion. Cholestanol levels were compared with those of a similar population of patients without cataracts (control cohort).Results30 patients were finally recruited, with a mean age at cataract diagnosis of 7.1 years (±4.8 SD, range 1-19 years). One patient had a very high cholestanol level (68 μmol/L, reference < 10) and carried two pathogenic heterozygous mutations in CYP27A1 confirming CTX. This patient was a 19-year-old female, reporting chronic diarrhea only in childhood, and diagnosed with bilateral posterior cataracts with cortical fleck-like opacities. Therefore, the incidence of CTX in our cohort of patients was 3.3%. Five further patients (5/29; 17.2%) had moderate elevations of cholestanol level (between 10.3 and 16.5 μmol/L), compared to 14/288 (4.9%) in the control cohort (p=0.007).. Conclusion Our study argue for the relevance of plasma cholestanol CTX screening in all patients with juvenile-onset unexplained cataracts, even without other CTX identified manifestations. Whether moderate elevations of plasma cholestanol unrelated to CTX may be a risk factor for bilateral cataracts occurrence needs further examination.
A simple surgical solution for the treatment of persistent postoperative hypotony after PRESERFLO MicroShunt implantation
Authors: Aguilar-Munoa Soledad , Tham Yih-Horng , Barton Keith
Published: July 2022

Background/Objectives: PRESERFLO MicroShunt implantation is a relatively new and increasingly popular treatment for recalcitrant glaucoma. Though relatively uncommon, persistent, or severe postoperative hypotony may occur and its treatment presents a significant challenge.Subjects/Methods: Interventional case series of the first 7 consecutive patients who underwent the insertion of a rip-cord suture to treat severe or persistent postoperative hypotony. Results: In 6 patients, the hypotony resolved and vision was restored (table 2). The 7th patient had suffered a severe supra-choroidal haemorrhage with a poor visual recovery and limited follow-up, so success was more difficult to assess.Conclusions: Stenting the PRESERFLO MicroShunt with a rip-cord suture is a simple technique to correct persistent or severe postoperative hypotony.
Study on prevalence and identification of livestock tick by sex ratio and host in Tehran province
Authors: Abbasi Ebrahim
Published: July 2022

Ticks are one of the most dominant forced ectoparasites of vertebrates, belonging to the arthropods, which transmit pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites to humans and animals in Iran and worldwide. Given that, sex ratio factors can affect the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, this study aimed to identify and determine the ticks' sex ratio and host type (camels, sheep, cattle, dogs, chickens, and pigeons) in different areas of Tehran province. This descriptive cross-sectional study took samples from different animal body parts in four seasons from 20 villages in 2019, in which 685 hard ticks and 121 soft ticks were caught from 1623 studied livestock and poultry. Regarding sex segregation among all caught ticks, 42.01% were male, and 57.99% were female. It is noteworthy that in both mountain and plain environments, R. sanguineus species of hard ticks had the most elevated sex ratio. Most ticks were collected from sheep hosts with 60.04% and the lowest from cattle hosts with 0.62% in tick infestation.
Multidrug resistance genes screening of pancreatic cancer based on sensitivity profile to chemotherapeutic drugs
Authors: Zhao Bangbo , Qin Cheng , Li Zeru , Wang Yuanyang , Li Tianhao , Cao Hongtao , Yang Xiaoying , Li Tianyu , Wang Weibin
Published: July 2022

Backgrounds
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancer types and chemotherapeutic drug resistance is a stumbling block in improving the overall survival of PC patients. The nature of specific drug resistant subpopulation within pancreatic cancer is believed to be partly attributed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell stemness. Various PC cell lines show various degrees of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents including gemcitabine (GEM) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In-depth understanding of drug resistance mechanisms and profile heterogeneities could lead to the development of novel and precise therapeutic strategies for addressing the chemo-resistant dilemma in PC patients.
Methods
Cytotoxicity assays were performed by CCK8 in ten common PC cell lines including AsPC-1, BxPC-3, Capan-1, CFPAC, HPAFII, MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1, Patu-8988, SW1990 and T3M4. RNA-seq data of the ten cell lines were downloaded from Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) database and subsequently analyzed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Based on first-line chemotherapy regimens of pancreatic cancer, intersections were taken among the DEGs of the five drugs and the expression level of genes in the intersections between resistant and sensitive cell lines were validated by qRT-PCR. Enriched pathways of differentially expressed genes between the resistant and sensitive cell lines were acquired by Metascape database.
Results
We found that the top two toxic drugs for PC cell lines were paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Among the ten PC cell lines, SW1990 was the most resistant PC cell line with the highest IC50 levels for three drugs, while MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 were the most sensitive PC cell lines. Differential expression analysis revealed the highest number of DEGs associated with cisplatin sensitivity up to 642 genes, of which 181 genes were upregulated and 461 genes were downregulated in cisplatin-resistant cell lines. The least number of DEGs are associated with gemcitabine sensitivity, of which 37 genes were highly expressed in gemcitabine-resistant PC cell lines and 25 genes were lowly expressed. Enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed that pathways associated with drug resistance were mainly extracellular matrix and cell-cell junction related pathways.
Conclusions
PC cell lines showed diverse sensitivities to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, which was caused by differential gene expression between the resistant and sensitive cell lines. The heterogeneity and its associated genes were enriched in extracellular matrix and cell-cell junction related pathways. Our study first portrayed the sensitivity profile to chemotherapeutic drugs of PC, which would benefit the chemoresistance mechanism study by reemphasizing the vital role of extracellular matrix and cell-cell junction related pathways and helping the selection of suitable PC cell lines.
Unified Master Equation for Molecules in Phonon and Radiation Baths
Authors: Ooi C. H. Raymond , Chia K. J. Cedric
Published: July 2022

We investigate the dissipative mechanisms of an impurity molecule in crystals using quantum optical master equation. Our unified theory applies generally to polyatomic molecules where several vibrational modes give rise to intramolecular vibrational redistributions. The usual assumption on identical shapes of the nuclear potentials in ground and excited electronic states and the rotating wave approximation have been relaxed, i.e. the vibrational coordinates are different in the ground and excited states, with counter-rotating terms included. Linear vibrational coupling to the lattice phonons accounts for dissipations via non-radiative transitions. The coupling to the electromagnetic field includes Herzberg-Teller interactions in the non-Condon approximation where the transition dipole matrix elements depend on vibrational coordinates. We obtain new cross terms as the result of mixing the terms from the zeroth-order Condon and first-order non-Condon approximations. The corresponding Lamb shifts for all Liouvilleans are derived explicitly including the contributions of counter-rotating terms. The absorption and emission spectra for carbon monoxide computed from our model is in good agreement with experimental data. We show that our unified model is capable of incorporating all typical dissipative relaxation and decoherence mechanisms. The molecular quantum master equation is promising for studies of molecular quantum memory.
RGB color textile-based flexible and transparent OLEDs considering aesthetics
Authors: Choi Kyung Cheol , Lee Junwoo , Choi Seungyeop , Lee Tae Woo , Park Yongjin , Hwang Yong Ha , Jeong So Yeong
Published: July 2022

Recently, as state-of-the-art displays, wearable electronic devices and free-form displays have begun to attract attention, so that much research on textile-based organic light-emitting diode (textile OLED) displays as their ultimate platform has been actively conducted. However, although many studies have reported textile OLEDs with high current efficiency and maximum wearability, most research has left for the future improvements that require the use of transparent OLEDs to improve aesthetics and applications in various fields such as fashion displays and military products. Herein, RGB full color transparent organic light emitting diodes (trOLEDs) were designed using a dielectric-metal-dielectric transparent electrode to overcome the limitations of previous works and improve the aesthetic elements of textile displays. Opto-electronic performance and mechanical characteristics of textile RGB trOLEDs were analyzed; furthermore, to quantify the normalized acquisition rate of information that can be obtained from the textile substrate when transparent OLEDs on textile substrate are not operated, this study suggests a new method and novel equation for optical analysis.
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial community in Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea) larvae: Response to antibiotics in trace concentration
Authors: Dai Wenfang , Ye Jing , Liu Sheng , Xu Hongqiang , Liu Minhai , Lin Zhihua , Xue Qinggang
Published: July 2022

Background: Antibiotic is regarded as an emergency measure to avoid disease occurrence of aquatic animals during metamorphosis in an aquaculture system, which is very common in hatcheries of bivalve mollusc larvae. However, it is still unclear how and to what extent the antibiotic addition affect the prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities of marine bivalve larvae. Methods and results: We profiled the community compositions and dominant taxonomies of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiota of Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea) larvae exposed to seawater with antibiotics in trace concentration. A total of 500,664 16S rRNA and 501,933 18S rRNA gene fragments were selected for classification, resulting in 714 prokaryotic OTUs and 47 eukaryotic OTUs. Antibiotic exposure altered the structure of the larval microbiome, and increased the prokaryotic but decreased the eukaryotic microbial diversity. The larval microbiota were sensitive to antibiotics, as evidenced by the alternations of the dominant bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Chlamydiae, and Actinobacteria, and eukaryotic phyla Streptophyta, Cercozoa, Chlorophyta and Haptophyta. Similarly, significant effect was observed at the family and genus level, especially the increased bacterial Devosiaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Halieaceae, Vibrionaceae family, and Devosia, Stappia and Vibrio genus, and eukaryotic Isochrysidaceae and TAGIRI1-linage family and Tisochrysis genus. Conclusions: These results indicate that antibiotics may induce a shift in the larval microbiome, which may cause an unstable community structure and in turn affect the oyster health.
Respiratory virus infections of the lower respiratory tract elevate bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil fraction: a clinical retrospective study and case review
Authors: Nabeya Daijiro , Setoguchi Michika , Ueno Shiho , Kinjo Takeshi
Published: July 2022

Background: Eosinophilic airway inflammation caused by respiratory virus infection has been demonstrated in basic research; however, clinical investigations are lacking. To clarify the extent to which respiratory viral infection induces airway eosinophilic inflammation, we reviewed the results of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and respiratory virus testing performed at our hospital. Methods: Among the BAL procedures performed at our hospital from August 2012 to September 2016, we collected cases of acute respiratory disease in which multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to search for respiratory viruses. The effect of respiratory virus detection on the eosinophil fraction of BAL was analyzed using statistical analysis. A case study of respiratory virus detection in which the eosinophil fraction of BAL was elevated was also conducted. Results: A total of 95 cases were included in this study, of which 17 were PCR-positive. The most common respiratory virus detected was parainfluenza virus (eight cases). The PCR-positive group showed a trend toward a higher eosinophil fraction in BAL fluid than the PCR-negative group (p=0.030), and more cases had a BAL eosinophil fraction >3% (p=0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that PCR-positive cases were associated with BAL eosinophil fractions >1% and >3%. There were nine PCR-positive cases with a BAL eosinophil fraction >1%, of which two cases with parainfluenza virus infection had a significantly elevated BAL eosinophil fraction and were diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia.Conclusions: A trend toward an elevated eosinophil fraction in BAL fluid was observed in cases of viral infection of the lower respiratory tract. The degree of eosinophilic fraction elevation due to respiratory viral infection was mild overall, whereas some cases showed prominent elevation and were diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia. Respiratory viral infection is not a rare cause of elevated BAL eosinophilic fraction and should be listed as a differential disease in the practice of eosinophilic pneumonia.
Incidence, accuracy, and barriers of diagnosing healthcare-associated infections: A case study in southeast Iran
Authors: Nasiri Naser , Sharifi Ali , Ghasemzadeh Iman , Khalili Malahat , Karamoozian Ali , Khalooei Ali , Beigzadeh Amin , Haghdoost AliAkbar , Sharifi Hamid
Published: July 2022

Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a threat to patients. Accurate surveillance is required to identify and prevent HAIs. To estimate the incidence rate, report the accuracy and identify the barriers of reporting HAIs using a mixed-method study.
Methods
In this quantitative study, we externally evaluated the incidence rate and accuracy of the routine surveillance system in one of the main hospitals by an active follow-up of patients from September to December 2021. We used in-depth interviews with 18 experts to identify the barriers of the routine surveillance system.
Results
Among 404 hospitalized patients, 88 HAIs were detected. The estimated rate of HAIs was 17.1 (95% Confidence Intervals 95: 14.1, 21.1) per 1000 patient-days follow-up. However, in the same period, 116 HAIs were reported by the routine surveillance system, but the agreement between the two approaches was low (sensitivity = 61.4%, specificity = 82.6%, negative predictive value = 89.7%, and positive predictive validity = 46.5%). The minimum and maximum positive predictive values were observed in urinary tract infection (32.3%) and surgical site infection (60.9%). The main barrier of reporting HAIs was lack of cooperation in reporting HAIs by infection control link nurses and laboratory supervisors.
Conclusions
The discrepancy between the longitudinal study findings and the routine surveillance might be related to the inaccessibility of the surveillance system to clinical information of patients. In this regard, decreasing the barriers, increasing the knowledge of infection control nurses and other nurses, as well as the development of hospital information systems are necessary.
A Novel GPS based soldier health monitoring and position tracking system
Authors: Muthusamy Suresh , Pandiyan Santhiya , Paramasivam Muneeshwari
Published: July 2022

The safe future of our country mainly hangs on armed forces and a fundamental role is played by each of the soldiers. Soldiers tend to face death when they are fighting for us in the war field. He never diminishes his duty. He secures us guards our nation in the most difficult topography on hills, mountains, plains and forest excluding weather conditions and also in the most difficult situations. The protection of our nation is the primary work of them. The principle and key duty of the soldier is to protect people. In most situations they lost their lives for our Nation. It is the responsibility of all of us in the world to help our soldiers and make a contribution for them. Our proposed method will be useful for the soldier who is struggling for us in the war field for our lives. This proposed method by us will be helpful to find the spot of the armed soldiers using GPS and also it is helpful for us to observe all the physical health status of the soldiers using specific sensors. With the help of this method, communication will be made between the soldier in the war field and the person in the base unit.
Hepatic venous pressure gradient and rebleeding risk of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis after variceal bleeding
Authors: Shi Yiqi , Shen Wenyong , Xu Gang , Wang Xunzheng , Ning Bo
Published: July 2022

Background & AimsHepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) has a strong predictive value for variceal rebleeding in cirrhotic patients, but the accuracy of an HVPG may be compromised in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of an HVPG for predicting rebleeding in NASH cirrhosis after initial variceal bleeding.Patients and MethodsThirty-eight NASH cirrhosis patients and 82 hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis patients who experienced variceal bleeding for the first time were included in this study. We compared the HVPG levels in NASH cirrhosis and HBV cirrhosis. The prognostic value of an HVPG for variceal rebleeding was evaluated.ResultsCompared with HBV cirrhosis, NASH cirrhosis demonstrated a lower portal pressure (26.3 ± 6.1 vs. 30.1 ± 4.7; P <0.001), lower wedge hepatic venous pressure (24.1 ± 5.3 vs. 27.6 ± 5.5; P = 0.001) and lower HVPG (15.3 ± 3.8 vs. 18.0 ± 4.8; P = 0.003). HVPG was proven to have promising prognostic value among NASH cirrhosis patients (AUC = 0.82; P = 0.002). The optimal baseline HVPG threshold for predicting rebleeding in NASH cirrhosis was 17 mmHg. Multivariate analysis also indicated that an HVPG ≥17 mmHg was a significant predictor of variceal bleeding (HR 9.40; 95% CI 1.85-47.70; P = 0.007).ConclusionsPatients with NASH cirrhosis had lower HVPG than those with HBV cirrhosis. However, the prevalence of rebleeding was similar between the two groups. HVPG measurement is still an accurate way to assess the risk of variceal rebleeding in NASH cirrhosis.
Effects of population age structure on parenteral antimicrobial use estimations
Authors: Koizumi Ryuji , Kusama Yoshiki , Asai Yusuke , Tsuzuki Shinya , Aoyagi Kensuke , Ishikane Masahiro , Muraki Yuichi , Ohmagari Norio
Published: July 2022

Antimicrobial use (AMU) is conventionally reported as unadjusted defined daily doses (DDDs) or population-adjusted DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). However, DID ignores temporal changes in population age structure. Thus, we examined the effects of population age structure on DID estimates of parenteral AMU in Japan, and predicted future trends in DDDs based on population projections. Parenteral AMU data from 2013 to 2018 were acquired from a national claims database. We assessed temporal trends in parenteral AMU by age group (children aged < 15 years, working-age persons aged 15–64 years, and older persons aged ≥ 65 years) using both DID and DDDs. In addition, we modelled DDD predictions based on age-specific population projections from 2019 to 2030. DID values for older persons were 8.08–10.15 times and 5.43–5.63 times higher than in children and working-age persons, respectively. DID was relatively stable, but DDDs increased in older persons. The prediction models showed that DDDs will continue to increase until 2030 if DID remains unchanged, but can be lowered if DID rates are reduced by ≥ 1%. DID estimates were skewed by the older population. More rigorous antimicrobial stewardship efforts targeting geriatric care are needed to counter the aging-associated increase in AMU.
Association between left ventricular geometry and global myocardial work in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: assessment using strain-pressure loop
Authors: Lin Mingming , Qin Yunyun , Ding Xueyan , Zhang Miao , Zhu Weiwei , Wang Jiangtao , Leng Chenlei , Lu Xiuzhang , Cai Qizhe
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims: Concentric LV remodeling and hypertrophy are common structural abnormalities in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and tend to be accompanied by impaired LV function. Assessment of global myocardial work (GMW) using strain-pressure loop may provide more comprehensive assessment of LV myocardial function, overcoming the limitations of the conventional parameters. We investigated the value of GMW in patients with HFpEF and assessed the relationship of GMW with concentric remodeling and hypertrophy.Methods: Consecutive patients with HFpEF (n=107) and sex-matched healthy controls (n=32) were prospectively enrolled. Clinical and conventional echocardiography variables were obtained. Further analyses of offline data were performed to obtain GMW indices including global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE). Association of concentric remodeling and hypertrophy with GMW was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: HFpEF patients showed lower GWE (94% vs 96%, P<0.001) and higher GWW (136 mmHg% vs 87 mmHg%, P=0.003) than control group, while GWI (2111 mmHg% vs 2146 mmHg%, P=0.877) and GCW (2369 mmHg% vs 2469 mmHg%, P=0.733) were comparable in the two groups. HFpEF patients with relative wall thickness (RWT) >0.42 had reduced GWE (93% vs 94%, P=0.015) compared to HFpEF patients with RWT≤0.42, while GWI, GCW, and GWW were comparable between these two subgroups. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association of RWT with GWI, GCW, and GWE, respectively.Conclusion: Impaired global myocardial work was detected in patients with HFpEF. Impaired LV GMW may be associated with increased RWT.
Renal vessel extension with cryopreserved vascular grafts: overcoming surgical pitfalls in living donor kidney transplant
Authors: Fallani Guido , Maroni Lorenzo , Bonatti Chiara , Comai Giorgia , Buzzi Marina , Cuna Vania , Vasuri Francesco , Prosperi Enrico , Odaldi Federica , Bertuzzo Valentina Rosa , Tondolo Francesco , Busutti Marco , Zanfi Chiara , Gaudio Massimo Del , Manna Gaetano La , Ravaioli Matteo
Published: July 2022

Background: LDKT is crucial to unburden waiting lists for renal transplant. Although the choice of the graft should be based on “leaving the better kidney to the donor”, right kidneys and kidneys with anomalous vascularization are often deferred because of concerns on complications and vascular reconstructions. To date, only few reports have examined renal vessel extension with cryopreserved vascular grafts in LDKT. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of renal vessel extension on short-term outcomes and ischemia times in LDKT, especially in recipients of right kidney grafts or grafts with multiple vessels.Methods: From 2012 to 2020, recipients of LDKT with renal vessels extension through cryopreserved vascular grafts were compared with recipients of LDKT with no vascular lengthening. The primary endpoints were perioperative complications and DGF; secondary endpoints were warm and cold ischemia times.Results: Recipients of LDKT with (n=54) and without (n=91) vascular extension experienced similar hospital stays, surgical complications and DGF rates. For grafts with multiple vessels, renal vessel extension granted a faster implantation time (44±5 vs. 72±14 minutes), which resulted comparable to that of standard anatomy grafts. Right kidney grafts with vascular extension had a faster implantation time compared to right kidney grafts without vascular lengthening (43±5 vs. 58±9 minutes), and a comparable implantation time to left kidney grafts. Renal vascular extension resulted protective from prolonged implantation time.Conclusions: Renal vessel extension with cryopreserved vascular grafts allows a faster implantation time in right kidney grafts or grafts with anomalous vascularization, maintaining similar short-term surgical and functional outcomes.