bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oblateness and mass variation effects on the Hill R4BP
Authors: Ansari Abdullah A. , Sahdev S. K. , Alebraheem Jawdat
Published: November 2022

The oblateness and mass variation effects are studied in the circular Hill restricted 4-body problem (R4BP). Here we assume two bodies as oblate in shape and third one as spherical in shape, these three bodies are at the vertices of a triangle. The 4th infinitesimal body varies its mass and moving under the perturbed gravitational forces in the plane of primaries. With these perturbations, we evaluate the equations of motion and quasi-jacobian integral using specific scales and transformations. Finally, the numerical presentations are given such as stationary points, regions of motion, surfaces of section, periodic orbits and basins of convergence.
Comparison of navigation-assisted single position oblique lumbar interbody fusion and minimally invasive surgical transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in L4 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Wen Haohui , Wang Min , Yang Dazhi , Yi Weihong
Published: November 2022

Background: Minimally invasive surgical oblique lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-OLIF) is an innovative anterolateral, retroperitoneal, and anterior psoas approach for L4 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). A single-position technique and the utilize of the navigation system improves surgical outcomes.
Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed successive patients treated with navigation-assisted single position oblique lumbar interbody fusion (NASP-OLIF) or minimally invasive surgical transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for L4 DLS. According to the surgical procedures, participants were divided into NASP-OLIF and MIS-TLIF groups. Operative duration times, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative first floor activity time, total screw placement time, per screw time, cage height, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), slipping distance (SD), segmental lordosis (SL), intervertebral foraminal area (IFA), intervertebral disc height (IDH), and spinal canal cross-sectional area(CSA) were compared between groups.
Results: Among 53 patients (NASP-OLIF: 25 vs MIS-TLIF: 28) treated for L4 DLS between September 2017 and June 2020. There were 212 pedicle screws insertion (NASP-OLIF: 100 vs MIS-TLIF: 112). In the NASP-OLIF group, according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale, screws were as follow: grade A with 90 screws, grade B with 6 screws, grade C with 3 screws, grade D with 1 screw, Grade E with no screw.There were no neurovascular injury. The satisfactory rate of screw insertion was 96%. The NASP-OLIF group showed significantly shorter the operative duration times, lessened intraoperative blood loss, higher cage height and shorter postoperative first floor activity time, and shorter total screw and per-screw placement times (P<0.05). On postoperative and last follow-ups,IDH and IFA were significantly improved in the NASP-OLIF group (P<0.05); VAS of leg pain (VASL), VAS of low back pain (VASB), and ODI were significantly decreased in the NASP-OLIF group (P<0.05). SL, SD, or CSA was no remarkably differences between groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions: NASP-OLIF was superior to MIS-TLIF in the aspect of the reduction of trauma and faster recovery. However, the two surgical techniques were comparable in many other aspects.
Magnetic and Resistivity Imaging of a probable Fault within the Precambrian Crystalline Rocks in Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Bayowa Oyelowo Gabriel , Fawole Olamide , Olorunfemi Martins Olusola , Ajagbe Sordiq Obafemi , Oni Ademakinwa George , Adelere Isaiah Oluwadara , Ajibade Monsur Olawale , Ajibola Febisola Esther
Published: November 2022

A linear geological structure which is suspected to be a fault within the Precambrian Basement Complex rocks of Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria is found in the geological map of Ogbomoso Southwest Sheet 222. The ground magnetic and electrical resistivity methods were used to investigate the structure and determine its physical characteristics. Five (5) traverses with lengths varying from 700–800 m and trending NNW-SSE (N338oW) were established perpendicularly (ENE-WSW, N68oE) to the suspected fault. Total magnetic field data were acquired at 10 m interval, corrected for diurnal variation and inverted using the Geosoft Oasis Montaj software package. Dipole-Dipole resistivity data were acquired on the traverses using a dipole length of 20 m with expansion factor n varying from 1 to 5 and modelled to generate 2D resistivity structures with the DIPPRO™ software package. Thirty-seven (37) depth sounding data were acquired, quantitatively interpreted and the results used to generate geoelectric sections along the suspected geologic features. Three (3) parallel linear features F1-F1, F2-F2 and F3-F3 characterized by peak negative (-110 to -20 nT) magnetic anomalies typical of thin and thick dykes (in low magnetic latitude) and low resistivity vertical discontinuities (˃ 188 m deep, 30–153 m wide) within 2D resistivity structures, were identified across the five traverses. F1-F1 coincided with the suspected fault, F1-F1. F2-F2 and F3-F3 are parallel and suspected to be syngenetic with F1-F1. The absence of a significant vertical displacement, typical of normal faulting, in the basement bedrock on the 2D geoelectric sections corroborated the inference of strike slip faulting from the geological map.
A Potential Predictive Marker for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma PD-1 Inhibitors Combined with Radiation: Expression of PD-L1 on Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Chen Jiali , Wu Zhenying , He Kun , Guo Lu , Rao Mingyue , Zhang Jianwen , Li Han , Su Ke , Xu Ke , Gu Tao , Wang Pan , Zeng Hao , Hu Lanxin , Han Yunwei
Published: November 2022

Purpose
In the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors has recently been shown to be highly effective when combined with radiotherapy. Furthermore, they have become the hotspot in cancer diagnosis and treatment for the detection of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, their predictive effect is not well established. Therefore, this study examined whether PD-L1 expression in CTCs can be used as a marker to predict treatment response in patients with advanced HCC.
Methods
Patients treated with both PD-1 inhibitors and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were enrolled in the study. After radiation therapy, PD-1 inhibitor treatment was administered every 3 weeks until disease progression. Peripheral blood (2 mL) was collected from patients before and after treatment, and CTC PD-L1 was detected using the Watson Biotechnology reagent (China).
Results
A total of 28 patients with HCC were enrolled in this study. The disease control rate (DCR) was significantly higher in patients with PD-L1(+) CTC enrichment at baseline than in controls (92.3% and 50%, respectively). Before treatment, patients with PD-L1(+) CTCs ≥ 2 had a higher median progression-free survival (mPFS) than those with PD-L1(+) CTCs ≤ 1 (3.50 vs. 3.35 months). After treatment, CTCs with PD-L1(+) ≤ 1 were significantly associated with longer mPFS than CTCs with PD-L1(+) ≥ 2 (4.20 vs. 1.90 months, P < 0.01).
Conclusions
The presence of CTCs expressing PD-L1(+) might predict efficacy and prognosis in HCC patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and radiotherapy.
Retrospectively registered
The study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2100044198).
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors suppress morphine-induced Straub’s tail via a centrally acting mechanism
Authors: Kitanaka Junichi , Kitanaka Nobue , Tomita Kazuo , Hall F. Scott , Igarashi Kento , Uhl George R. , Sato Tomoaki
Published: November 2022

We investigated morphine-induced Straub’s tail reaction (STR) in mice pretreated with or without glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors (SB216763 and AR-A014418) by using a newly modified, infrared beam sensor-based automated apparatus. Mice treated with a single injection of morphine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant STR with a plateau level at a time point of 20 min after morphine challenge. Pretreatment of mice with SB216763 (5 mg/kg, s.c.) or AR-A014418 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited morphine-induced STR and attenuated the duration of STR in a dose-dependent fashion. In the striatum and the nucleus accumbens, expression of pGSK-3βTyr216 but not GSK3β or pGSK-3βSer9 was slightly reduced after treatment with SB216763 (5 mg/kg, s.c.) in combination with/without morphine, indicating that the inhibitory effect of GSK-3 inhibitors on morphine-induced STR and hyperlocomotion might not depend on the direct blockade of GSK-3β function. In constipated mice after morphine challenge (30 mg/kg), the effect of GSK-3 inhibitors on gastrointestinal transit was examined to reveal whether the action of GSK-3 inhibitors on morphine effects was central and/or peripheral. Pretreatment with SB216763 (5 mg/kg) did not improve constipation in morphine-injected mice. The mechanism of action seems to be central but not peripheral, although the underlying subcellular mechanism of GSK-3 inhibitors is not clear. Our measurement system is a useful tool for investigating the excitatory effects of morphine in experimental animals.
Geniposide Augments Apoptosis in Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes by restoring Hypoxia-enhanced JNK-BNIP3-mediated Autophagy
Authors: Deng Ran , Wang Yan , Bu Yanhong , Wu Hong
Published: November 2022

Objective
As the main effector cells of chronic inflammation and hyperplasia of synovium, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) show abnormal proliferation and insufficient apoptosis in hypoxic microenvironment, which is due to the increase of BNIP3-mediated autophagy. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of geniposide (GE) on hypoxia-induced hyper-proliferative FLSs with a focus on autophagy and JNK-BNIP3 pathway.
Materials and methods
The dynamic changes of autophagy and apoptosis and the expression of hypoxia related proteins in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis and mitochondrial state of FLSs were detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, respectively.
Results
The excessive accumulation of BNIP3 in synovium of AA rats was accompanied by inhibition of apoptosis and increase of autophagy. GE inhibited the expression of BNIP3, enhanced apoptosis and decreased autophagy, and improved chronic inflammation and hyperplasia of synovium. The amount of autophagy under different oxygen concentrations was the key to mediate the different survival rates of FLSs, and the inhibition of autophagy triggered apoptosis. GE suppresssed the proliferation of FLSs, and down-regulated autophagy, leading to the accumulation of ROS and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), induced the increase of apoptosis, and suppressed the accumulation of BNIP3 and the hyperphosphorylation of JNK.
Conclusions
GE inhibited autophagy by restoring the hypoxia-induced activated JNK-BNIP3 pathway, inducing mitochondrial oxidative damage, augmented apoptosis and decreased survival rate of FLSs.
Microsurgical anatomy of the anterior cerebral artery and the arterial supply of the cingulate gyrus
Authors: Guner Yahya Efe , Comert Ayhan , Sayaci Emre Yagiz , Korkmaz Ali Can , Gungor Yigit , Guler Tugba Morali , Kahilogullari Gokmen , Savas Ali
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The cingulate gyrus is a potential surgical area to treat tumours, psychiatric diseases, intractable pain and vascular malformations. The aim of the study was to define the topographic anatomy and arterial supply of the cingulate gyrus located on the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere.
Methods: We studied thirty-six hemispheres, each hemisected in the midsagittal plane. The vertical thickness of the cingulate gyrus was measured at the anterior commissure (AC), posterior commissure (PC), and genu levels of the corpus callosum. The branches of the anterior and posterior cerebral arteries supplying each zone were noted separately. The arterial pathways were transformed to digital data in AutoCAD to identify the condensation and reduction areas.
Results: The mean AC-PC distance was 27.17±1.63 mm. The thinnest region was the genu level of the corpus callosum (10.29 mm). The superior internal parietal artery (SIPA), inferior internal parietal artery (IIPA) and pericallosal artery (PrCA) supplied all zones of the cingulate gyrus. The anterior zone received the greatest supply. The arterial condensation and reduction areas on both sides of cingulate gyrus and its x, y, and z coordinates specified.
Conclusions The target cingulotomy (TC) area was determined for anterior cingulotomy. The properties of the TC area are that the thinnest region of the cingulate gyrus is supplied relatively less than other areas and is close to the anterior cingulotomy areas in the literature. The arterial reduction area (ARA) was found to be suitable for corpus callosotomy in terms of avoiding haemorrhage.
Impact of Mhd on Couple Stress Fluid Flow Enclosing a Solid Sphere in a Porous Medium
Authors: Deo Satya , Maurya Pankaj Kumar , Maurya Deepak Kumar
Published: November 2022

This work concerns the Stokesian flow of an axisymmetric, incompressible couple stress fluid through a porous medium which encloses a solid sphere, under a uniform magnetic field. The problem is solved analytically by using separation of variables technique and expressions for stream function, velocity components, vorticity component, fluid pressure, stress tensors and couple stresses are obtained in terms of modified Bessel functions. A new result for drag force experienced by a solid sphere enclosed in porous medium under the applied uniform magnetic field is evaluated. Some special cases for flow past the impermeable sphere are obtained and validated by the existing results. Also, a well-known result of drag force for the Stokes flow past an impermeable sphere is reported. The profiles of tangential velocity, drag force and patterns of streamlines are plotted for different values of flow parameters.
MAP3K19 regulatory variation in populations with African ancestry is associated with severe COVID-19
Authors: Cheng Zhong-shan , Cai Yi , Zhang Ke , Zhang Jingxuan , Gui Allen , Luo Yu-Si , Zhou Jie , DeVeale Brian
Published: November 2022

Ancestry impacts the likelihood of hospitalization due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). To identify ancestry-linked genetic risk variants associated with COVID-19 hospitalization, we performed an integrative analysis of two genome-wide association studies (GWASs) evaluating genetic variation among ancestrally diverse cohorts. We resolved four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are more frequent in COVID-19 hospitalized patients with non-European ancestry than the general population. Among them, the COVID-19 risk SNP rs16831827 shows the largest difference in allele frequency between African and European populations. The minor allele frequency of rs16831827*T was significantly higher in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with African ancestry. SNP rs16831827 also associates with COVID-19 hospitalization in an independent GWAS from the UK Biobank wherein both the hospitalized and control patients are entirely of African ancestry. rs16831827 is an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) of MAP3K19. Apart from rs16831827, two rare SNPs of MAP3K19, rs186150828 and rs192473276, were also significantly associated with COVID-19 hospitalization among African populations in the Regeneron COVID-19 hospitalization GWAS (p < 5x10-7). MAP3K19 expression is induced during ciliogenesis and most abundant in ciliated tissues including the lung and testis. Multiple COVID-19 related single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that MAP3K19 is highly expressed in nasal multiciliated epithelial cells, nasopharyngeal ciliated cells, and airway ciliated cells. The COVID-19 hospitalization risk allele rs16831827*T is associated with reduced MAP3K19 expression. Hence, rs16831827 may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 by reducing baseline MAP3K19 expression.
Comparison of visual performance between bifocal and extended-depth-of-focus intraocular lenses
Authors: Tabuchi Hitoshi , Tanabe Hirotaka , Shirakami Tomoki , Takase Kosuke , Shojo Tomohiro , Yamauchi Tomofusa
Published: November 2022

We compared the visual performance of a bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) (ZMB00) and an extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL (ZXR00V) by evaluating postoperative parameters at 10 weeks after the last surgery in cataract patients who underwent bilateral ZMB00 or ZXR00V implantation between 2011 and 2020. The right and left lenses were implanted within 3 months of each other. The study enrolled 1536 eyes from 768 patients; the ZMB00 group comprised 1326 eyes of 663 patients (age: 67.0 ± 7.8 years; female/male, 518/145), and the ZXR00V group comprised 210 eyes of 105 patients (age: 67.8 ± 6.9 years; female/male, 39/66). A linear mixed-effects model using data for both eyes, with strict adjustments for sex, age, subjective refraction spherical equivalent, subjective refraction cylinder, corneal astigmatism, axial length, corneal higher-order aberrations and pupil diameter, ensured statistical validity. Uncorrected near visual acuity, corrected near visual acuity, and near spectacle independence were significantly better in the ZMB00 group (p < 0.00068, Wald test) than in the ZXR00V group. Contrast sensitivity (visual angle of the test target: 4.0°/2.5°/1.6°/1.0°/0.7°) and contrast sensitivity with glare (4.0°/2.5°/1.6°/1.0°/0.7°) were significantly better in the ZXR00V group (p < 0.00068, Wald test) than in the ZMB00 group. Uncorrected intermediate visual acuity, contrast sensitivity with glare (6.3°), and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) scores for General Vision were slightly but significantly better in the ZXR00V group than in the ZMB00 group (p < 0.05, Wald test). At high-performance levels, the two IOL groups had different characteristics regarding various visual performance parameters.
On the calibration of the cohesive strength for cohesive zone models in finite element analyses
Authors: Linke Max , Lammering Rolf
Published: November 2022

Cohesive zone models are commonly used to numerically model fracture phenomena on the microscale. Typical fracture processes are described experimentally via the Double Cantilever Beam test and the End Notched Flexure test on the macroscale. Analytical solutions, e.g. the LEFM-based beam theory, are used to evaluate these tests and to validate numerical models. However, some input parameters of cohesive zone models, i.e. cohesive stiffness and cohesive strength, are independent of the analytical solutions. In particular, the cohesive strength has a significant effect on the accuracy of the numerical model compared to the analytical solution and thus needs to be calibrated. This work extends the available literature by fitting the numerical to the analytical solution through calibration of the cohesive strength by using more suitable and generally applicable criteria. It considers the deformation, the applied load and the crack length of the specimen. The latter has been neglected so far in the existing literature. Via a parametric study, the derived criteria are minimised to find the best fit to the analytical solution. In addition, the effect of all input parameters and of the numerical element size on the calibrated cohesive strength is investigated. The obtained information can be used to qualify numerical models with coarse meshes to accurately compute fracture processes. Further, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the cohesive strength as a modelling parameter.
The impact of financial performance and firm characteristics on earnings management: Case of Tunisian Companies
Authors: Theiri Saliha , Kasraoui Naziha , Bouzaiene Nesrine
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to test the effect of financial performance on earnings management, with the presence of a firm’s specific characteristics, in a non-credible financial information context such as Tunisia. A panel data approach, namely multiple regression analysis, was applied on a sample of 30 firms operating in different sectors and observed over the period 2012–2021. Two estimation methods, the fixed effects and random effects models, are used. To choose the best estimation method, the Breusch-Pagan and Hausman tests were used.The results indicate, on the one hand, the financial performance measured by Tobin’s Q and Marris’ ratio, positively affects earnings management. On the other hand, the variables of firm characteristics, such as financial leverage, asset structure, growth rate and sectoral affiliation, decrease earnings manipulation, and firm size and managers’ ownership have no effect on earnings management. This means that managers of Tunisian firms manipulate their results to improve the level of performance and their financial sate. This manipulation is driven by goals other than those observed in other contexts and related to the financial market. This finding contributes to the literature on the association between several features of earnings management and firm performance, with the effect of firm characteristics.
Between the Elite Power and Women Subordination: Formulation of "Dana Desa" in Java Village Context
Authors: Sofyan M. Ali , Arenggoasih Rr. Wuri
Published: November 2022

Dana Desa is one of the new policies to realize development based on the needs of rural communities. In its implementation there is a role that is often overlooked, it is women. This paper discusses the process of formulating dana desa policies in Pengalusan Village. In addition, the main focus is on the role of women when formulating these policies. Applying gender approach this study found that the planning process for the formulation of dana desa policies is carried out with the musrenbangdes which is carried out before the APBDes decision is agreed. But from the planning through evaluation processes there is no specific discussion related to the ideas, interest, and the role of women in the development processes in the village. The elite as decision makers are men, and village development policies are more masculine, one of which is demonstrated through physical development. Women's ideas have not received enough attention.
“Poor but Happy”: Life Struggle and the Meaning of Happiness among the Poor in Yogyakarta
Authors: Muthia Lu'lu' Husnul , Isbah M. Falikul
Published: November 2022

Results from the 2019 Indonesian National Socioeconomic Survey showed that the poverty rate in the Special Region of Yogyakarta was 11.44 %, higher by 2.22% than the 9.22% national average. However, the National Human Happiness Index in 2014 and 2017 showed that the residents were among the top ranks. This study aims to describe the poor empirically and the meaning of happiness for them. The argument is that the poor perceive themselves as happy for different reasons. This research applies a qualitative-narrative approach to answer two questions: ‘how is your life currently?’ and ‘how do you deal with poverty?’ to reveal the relationship between poverty and happiness. The results showed that the respondents were not happy living in poverty but were content with their lives for reasons attributable to the belief system and local culture. In the Javanese language, this attitude is called ‘nerimo’, which translates into ‘accepting the situation’. They practice this to improve their psychological well-being.
Using vibration data to classify conditions in disk stack separators
Authors: Merkelbach Silke , Afroze Lameya , Janssen Nils , von Enzberg Sebastian , Kühn Arno , Dumitrescu Roman
Published: November 2022

Mounting sensors in disk stack separators is often a major challenge due to the operating conditions. However, a process cannot be optimally monitored without sensors. Virtual sensors can be a solution to calculate the sought parameters from measurable values. We measured the vibrations of disk stack separators and applied machine learning (ML) to detect whether the separator contains only water or whether particles are also present. We combined seven ML classification algorithms with three feature engineering strategies and evaluated our model successfully on vibration data of an experimental disk stack separator. Our experimental results demonstrate that random forest in combination with manual feature engineering using domain specific knowledge about suitable features outperforms all other models with an accuracy of 91.27 %.
Informe sobre aves raras en Euskadi en 2021
Authors: Arizaga Juan , Belamendia Gorka , Calleja David , Cañadas Javier , De Dios, Carmelo , Gainzarain José Antonio , Gorospe Gorka
Published: November 2022

A través de este documento, el Comité de Rarezas de Euskadi (CRE) recopila la homologación de citas de aves raras en 2021 en el territorio de Euskadi (Comunidad Autónoma Vasca). Este Comité, creado al amparo del Comité Ornitológico de Euskadi (COE), ejerce su actividad para recopilar, estudiar y publicar todas las citas de especies o subespecies cuya presencia en Euskadi es accidental o irregular. A lo largo de 2021 se evaluaron un total de 130 citas, además de otras 11 citas pendientes de 2020. De todas ellas, 62 fueron homologadas, 9 se asignaron a categoría C, 7 a categoría D, 3 a categoría E, 42 fueron rechazadas (no homologadas) y 18 quedaron pendientes de evaluación. Por otro lado, dado el alto número de citas registradas durante los últimos años, se elimina de la lista de aves raras, desde el 1 de enero de 2022, el pato mandarín Aix galericulata. Se incluye en el listado, desde el 1 de enero de 2022, la subespecie Motacilla flava cinereocapilla.
Effect Of Introducing P-Fluorophenylalanine And Multiple Tryptophan Residues In A 13-Residue Antibacterial Peptide
Authors: Bikshapathy Erugurala , Sitaram Narasimhaiah , Nagaraf Ramakrishnan
Published: November 2022

The effect of introducing tryptophan residues and p-fluorophenylalanine on the biological activities of the 13-residue antibacterial peptide PKLLTKFLKSWIG was investigated. Introduction of one and two Trp residues and replacement of Try and Phe by p-fluorophenylalanine resulted in enhanced antimicrobial activity as compared to the parent peptide
Unfolding and Disassociation of the FlgM/ σ28 Complex are Thermodynamically Coupled
Authors: Daughdrill G. W.
Published: November 2022

FlgM and cr28 regulate the transcription of flagella and chemotaxis genes in E. coli and S. typhimurium. In an attempt to determine the strength of the interaction between FlgM and cr28 thermal unfolding studies were performed using circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). A single, cooperative, melting transition was observed for the FlgM/cr28 complex suggesting that unfolding and disassociation of the complex occur simultaneously.
Inverse Peptide Synthesis In Solution Using Free Amino Acids As Amino Components
Authors: V Mitin Yu. , M.G Ryadnov
Published: November 2022

We have realized inverse peptide synthesis in order to exclude deprotection reaction at every synthesis stage. This became possible using high solubility of free amino acids in dimethylformamide containing Ba(ClO4h, Ca(ClO4h or Ca(NO3)i. The developed method was tested on synthesis of(Leu5]-enkephaline, pentapeptide (1- 5) of cholecystokinin, pentapeptide (1-5) of indolicidin, hexapeptide of phekellistatin 7 and caeridin 1.1
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Of The Bzip Domain Of The C-Jun Homodimer
Authors: Jung Seunho , Choi Yong-Hoon , Yang Chul-Hak , Kim Hyun-Won
Published: November 2022

Molecular dynamics simulation of the bZIP domain of the c-Jun homodimer has been performed. The conformational analyses of leucine zipper domain showed high consistency to the solution structure obtained from NMR spectroscopy [2]. The basic domain of homodimer exhibited a Gaussian distributed inter-domain wagging motion. Constant wagging motion of the basic domain was proposed to "grope" for DNA major grooves to recognize a specific sequence
Shuffling Alghorithm For Protein Design
Authors: Zielenkiewicz Piotr , Kaczanowski Szymon , Kierzek Andrzej M.
Published: November 2022

A new algorithm producing a large number of divergent sequences which can adopt a defined structure is proposed. The algorithm can be applied to proteins of any size. This is achieved by constraining the amino acid composition to the native one and minimising the pseudoenergy function by "shuffling" the sequence. The algorithm is tested by sequence design for five different protein structures. Modelling by homology with the use of resultant sequences produces "proper" protein structures as judged using several different methods
The Risk Factors of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Young Women:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Siagian Sisca Natalia , Christianto Christianto , Angellia Phoniex , Holiyono Ho Indra
Published: November 2022

Background:

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been one of the leading causes of
mortality in the world. Despite common understanding regarding ACS as an older population’s or
man's disease, the number of young women affected by this condition is increasing. Many studies
have assessed the risk factors of ACS, but only a few studies focused on this subpopulation. Therefore,
this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the risk factors predisposing to ACS
in the young women population.

Methods:

Nine online databases were screened from the date of inception to September 2021,
where the acquired studies were evaluated using the PRISMA statement. The inclusion criteria
were a case control study with women age cut-off of <50 years. The risk factors of acute coronary
syndrome were analyzed using a random-effect model, expressed as summary statistics of odds ratio
(OR) for categorical variable and standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous data with
normal distribution, with 95% confidence interval (CI). Quality assessment was conducted using
the STROBE statement.

Results:

Seven studies with the total of 7042 patients met the inclusion criteria of this metaanalysis.
Diabetes mellitus, high BMI, obesity, hypercholestrolemia, hypertension, smoking, and
family history significantly increased acute coronary syndrome risk in young women. Other risks
such as heavy alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and postmenopausal state were associated
with higher risk of ACS.

Conclusion:

The independent risk factors which are strongly related to ACS in young women were
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia with odd ratios of 6.21, 5.32, and 4.07.
Other risk factors which may be associated with an increased risk of ACS in young women were
heavy alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and postmenopausal state. Health promotion
and effective intervention on this specific population regarding these risk factors can decrease
young female cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as improved quality of life of women.
Computational Search for Potential COVID-19 Drugs from Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants to Identify Potential Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 Targets
Authors: Alagarsamy V. , Solomon V. Raja , Sundar P. Shyam , Kulkarni Vishaka S. , Sulthana M.T. , Aishwarya A. Dharshini , Narendhar B. , Murugesan S.
Published: November 2022

Background:

To date, very few small drug molecules are used for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has been discovered since the epidemic commenced in November 2019. SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and spike protein are essential targets for drug development amidst whole variants of coronaviruses.

Objective:

This study aims to discover and recognize the most effective and promising small molecules against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and spike protein targets through molecular docking screening of 39 phytochemicals from five different Ayurveda medicinal plants.

Methods:

The phytochemicals were downloaded from PubChem, and SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and spike protein were taken from the protein data bank. The molecular interactions, binding energy, and ADMET properties were analyzed.

Results:

Molecular docking analysis identified some phytochemicals, oleanolic acid, friedelin, serratagenic acid, uncinatone, clemaphnol A, sennosides B, trilobine and isotrilobine from ayurvedic medicinal plants possessing greater affinity against SARS-CoV-2-RdRp and spike protein targets. Two molecules, namely oleanolic acid and sennosides B, with low binding energies, were the most promising. Furthermore, based on the docking score, we carried out MD simulations for the oleanolic acid and sennosides B-protein complexes.

Conclusion:

Molecular ADMET profile estimation showed that the docked phytochemicals were safe. The present study suggested that active phytochemicals from medicinal plants could inhibit RdRp and spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.
Prevalence and Transmission of Multi Drug Resistance Gene in Staphylococcus
aureus
Authors: Patra Bijayata , Chakraborty Tamalika , Ghosh Sutripto
Published: November 2022

Antibiotics are antimicrobial substances that are commonly used to treat humans, ani-mals, and fish, as well as to research susceptibility patterns in a variety of bacteria. With the rising number of diseases and the emergence of new infections, many drugs for humans, animals, fish, and plants are being developed. However, with the development of pharmaceuticals came the advent of a phenomenon known as drug resistance, which has alarmed scientists and researchers all around the world. The building of resistance in genes that code for specific drugs, plasmids, or transposons, the action of multidrug efflux pumps, changes in chromosomal genes, or the Staphylococci cassette chromosome can all produce it. Staphylococcus aureus, the most common Gram-positive bacteria, has a multidrug-resistant phenotype that reveals its pathogenicity. Staphylococcus sp. possesses a variety of transmissible genes that cause them to be resistant to treatments such as antibiotics. The discovery of antibiotics by Alexander Fleming has long been a boon in the fight against bacterial illnesses. Drug-resistant bacteria have emerged as a result of antibiotic overuse and suboptimal us-age, attracting the attention of scientists throughout the world. Therefore, as a first step in combat-ing drug-resistant bacteria, it is obvious that widespread efforts to curb antibiotic abuse are required. This review focuses on and brings to society the prevalence of different multidrug resistant genes in Staphylococcus aureus and their transmission.
A Comprehensive Review of Quba and Its Correlation with Dermatophytosis
Authors: Shahid Arisha , Quamri Mohd Aleemuddin , Riyazuddin Mohd
Published: November 2022

Background:

In the Unani text, the disease described by the name Quba matches the conventional description of Dermatophytosis, commonly referred to as Tinea or Ringworm. Although there is a slight variation in the disease etiology and pathogenesis, the clinical picture and the individual manifestations are by and large the same. This review elaborates on the Unani description of dermatophytosis (Quba) and highlights the relationship between the two entities.

Methods:

This review article was compiled after surfing thoroughly the available classical Unani literature and published articles in reputed journals.

Result:

This article comprehensively analyses both Quba and dermatophytosis as per their etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management. Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection whereas Quba is identified to be caused by viscid humours (Ghaleez Ratubaat) and morbid matter (Fasid Mawaad). As per the Unani principles of treatment, the disease Quba is treated using purgatives of black bile (Mukhrij Sauda), resolvent (Muhallil), and moderator (Muaddil) drugs along with some physical modalities like Leeching (Irsale Alaq) and Venesection (Fas’d), which is entirely different from the conventional treatment modality which includes the fungistatic and fungicidal antifungal agents for systemic as well as topical use

Conclusion:

This article tries to elaborate on various aspects of the disease Quba and dermatophytosis and to establish a correlation between the two terms. It also puts forth a potential alternative to the conventional treatment of dermatophytosis (Quba), provided by the Unani system of medicine.
Freeze Drying: A Versatile Technique for Fabrication of Porous Biomaterials
Authors: Khan Shaukat , Aslam Khan Muhammad Umar , Ullah Zahoor
Published: November 2022

The freeze-drying process involves solvent sublimation under vacuum from
pre-frozen solution resulting in porous materials. Pore volume, pore size, and density
depend on several variables, including freezing temperature, solute and solvent type,
solution concentration, and freezing direction. Researchers have investigated aqueous
and organic solutions, supercritical CO2
solutions, and colloidal solutions to produce
various porous structures. A more recent process involves freeze-drying of emulsions,
which leads to controlled pore volume and pore morphology, and porous organic
nanomaterials. Directional and spray freezing are used to produce aligned porous
materials and porous particles. In this chapter, we describe the basic principles of the
freeze-drying process, the factors affecting the porosity of freeze-dried biomaterials,
and their biomedical applications. The freeze-dried porous biomaterials are discussed
in detail based on their morphology: porous structures, micro- nanowires, and micro.nanoparticles. We have summarised the current status and given some directions for
future research in this field.
Fabrication of Photosensitive Polymers-based Biomaterials through Multiphoton Lithography
Authors: Javed Khan Mohammad Sherjeel , Manan Sehrish , McCarthy Ronan R. , Wajid Ullah Muhammad
Published: November 2022

The use of polymers in the development of biomaterials for various
biomedical applications has become increasingly important in recent decades. To
match the innate properties of biological tissues, the polymer-based tissue scaffolds
must have the desired structural and functional properties. However, the polymer-based
hydrogels prepared by conventional methods are often delicate and fragile and require
pre-stabilisation. This necessitates the exploration of bio-friendly cross-linkers that
promote kinetic or reversible crosslinking in the polymer network of hydrogels and
must be nontoxic to cells and tissues. The light initiators with well-organized
multiphoton cross sections that are reactive at specific wavelengths could be ideal
candidates. This chapter reviews the fabrication of solid or viscoelastic biological
scaffolds by multiphoton lithography (MPL) of liquids. It describes the similarities and
differences between conventional and MPL photo polymerization of biological
scaffolds in terms of synthesis chemistry, properties, and their relevance to biological
applications. These photosensitive scaffolds could be useful biomaterials for their
biomedical applications.
Particulate Leaching (Salt Leaching) Technique for Fabrication of Biomaterials
Authors: Hasan Nurhasni , Putranto Aliyah , Sumarheni  , Arjuna Andi
Published: November 2022

The most important characteristic of a scaffold used in tissue engineering is
the possession of appropriate physical and mechanical properties to support or restore
the biological function of damaged or degenerated tissue. Pore size, porosity, pore
interconnectivity, and mechanical strength are all physical and mechanical properties
that must be considered. Various fabrication techniques have been investigated to
create a scaffold suitable for tissue engineering. One example is the particulate leaching
(salt leaching) technique. The type of polymers and salts used, the particle size of the
salt, and the fabrication technique all affect the desired physical and mechanical
properties of salt leaching scaffolds. Over the past decade, there have been numerous
studies on the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering. This chapter reviews the
different types of materials used, the basic salt leaching process, and its new
modifications. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the salt leaching
technique and its future prospects.
Solvent Casting and Melt Molding Techniques for Fabrication of Biomaterials
Authors: Fatima Atiya , Ahmed Wasi , Wajid Ullah Muhammad , Manan Sehrish , Khan Shaukat , Wazwaz Aref Ahmad , Ul-Islam Mazhar
Published: November 2022

Biomaterials are receiving tremendous attention, especially in the
biomedical field, due to their impressive structural, physiological, and biological
properties, such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Numerous
biomaterials have been used to fabricate scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine, where they are used as wound dressings, grafts, organs, and
substitutes. To date, a number of techniques have been developed for the fabrication of
scaffolds from biomaterials. This chapter focuses on the fabrication of scaffolds by
solvent casting and melt-casting techniques. It examines the solvent casting and melt.casting techniques in terms of their application in the fabrication of biological scaffolds
with tailored micro- and nanostructures for their use in tissue engineering. The merits
and limitations of these techniques in fabricating biological scaffolds for desired
biomedical applications are also discussed. Finally, various challenges faced by solvent
and melt casting techniques are described, and solutions are proposed for future
research to develop biomaterials for advanced biomedical applications.
Rhythm instruction to improve ESP students’ fluency A study of pausing
Authors: Quesada Vázquez Leticia
Published: November 2022

The present work is aimed at examining how efficient it is to teach language rhythm to enhance English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learners’ fluency. 298 Spanish/Catalan speakers participated in the experiment, among which 42 students fulfilled treatment and were examined as subjects of the study. For ten weeks, participants took pronunciation instruction within their regular lessons. The pronunciation sessions lasted thirty minutes and followed a communicative framework. Students were divided into an experimental group, with explicit rhythm training, and a control group, without it. The total number of pauses and unfilled pauses were counted and compared to assess their frequency performing ANOVAs and t-tests. Descriptive analysis shows that the experimental group tends to pause less and make fewer unfilled pauses after training. However, statistical significance is only reached for the independent-samples t-test of the effect sizes of the number of unfilled pauses. Therefore, these findings suggest a greater command over pausing when rhythm is explicitly taught, and a consequent improvement of fluency in the second language, despite statistical results not always being significant.
Particularidades semânticas das expressões temporais com até e desafios de tradução entre português e inglês
Authors: Móia Telmo
Published: November 2022

This paper addresses the semantic analysis of Portuguese temporal adjuncts headed by the polyvalent connective até and its English – also polyvalent – counterparts (chiefly, until and by), and discusses problems in translation between English and Portuguese, documented in the website linguee.com. Curious data obtained in machine translation services (Google Translate [GT], Systran Translate [ST] and DeepL Translator [DT]) is also briefly discussed. The semantic values under discussion include two modes of temporal location (durative and inclusive, the latter often marked by Portuguese até-phrases, but not by their prototypical counterparts, until-phrases), and a combination of temporal location with (explicit) quantification over eventualities. A seldom discussed discourse connective, até que, not exclusively temporal in meaning, is also explored, to a certain extent. The long-debated issue of the English construction not...until is revisited: a comparison with Portuguese data shows that this form of until does not have até as its perfect counterpart. The semantic analysis is made with the logic of the Discourse Representation Theory, elaborating on my previous work (Móia 1995, 2000, 2015, 2016).
Medical Text Simplification Using Reinforcement Learning (TESLEA): Deep Learning–Based Text Simplification Approach
Authors: Phatak Atharva , Savage David W , Ohle Robert , Smith Jonathan , Mago Vijay
Published: November 2022

Background

In most cases, the abstracts of articles in the medical domain are publicly available. Although these are accessible by everyone, they are hard to comprehend for a wider audience due to the complex medical vocabulary. Thus, simplifying these complex abstracts is essential to make medical research accessible to the general public.

Objective

This study aims to develop a deep learning–based text simplification (TS) approach that converts complex medical text into a simpler version while maintaining the quality of the generated text.

Methods

A TS approach using reinforcement learning and transformer–based language models was developed. Relevance reward, Flesch-Kincaid reward, and lexical simplicity reward were optimized to help simplify jargon-dense complex medical paragraphs to their simpler versions while retaining the quality of the text. The model was trained using 3568 complex-simple medical paragraphs and evaluated on 480 paragraphs via the help of automated metrics and human annotation.

Results

The proposed method outperformed previous baselines on Flesch-Kincaid scores (11.84) and achieved comparable performance with other baselines when measured using ROUGE-1 (0.39), ROUGE-2 (0.11), and SARI scores (0.40). Manual evaluation showed that percentage agreement between human annotators was more than 70% when factors such as fluency, coherence, and adequacy were considered.

Conclusions

A unique medical TS approach is successfully developed that leverages reinforcement learning and accurately simplifies complex medical paragraphs, thereby increasing their readability. The proposed TS approach can be applied to automatically generate simplified text for complex medical text data, which would enhance the accessibility of biomedical research to a wider audience.