bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Candidate Genes in QTL Regions for Biochemical Traits Underlying salt Response in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) at the Seedling Stage
Authors: khakshoor elina nazari , azadi amin , Frozesh Peyman , Etminan Alireza , Hervan Eslam Majidi
Published: December 2023

Salinity stress is one of the most important environmental limiting factors in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production and developing new salt-tolerant varieties is extremely important. Identification of genes and mechanisms involved in salinity tolerance for molecular modification of this plant is essential In the present study, 186 F12 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) populations were evaluated to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for phenotypic and biochemical characteristics in seedling stage under salt-stress conditions. In total, 21 main-effect QTLs were identified using composite interval mapping (CIM) analysis for antioxidant activity, total protein content and proline, 21 QTL including different traits were detected on 1A1, 4A, 1B, 2B1, 2B2,2B3,3B, 5B1, 6B1, 6B2, 1D and 2D. Candidate genes were identified within QTL regions and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was performed. In total, 10976 candidate genes (CG) were grouped into 99 GO terms (including 59 GO terms involved in the biological process category). Gene prioritization led to the determination of 236 CG, which were involved in hydrogen peroxide catabolic، antioxidant activity، hydrogen peroxide metabolic process، reactive oxygen species metabolic process، metabolic process، catabolic process، monocarboxylic acid metabolic process، regulation of biological quality oxidative stress ، regulation of the biological process, etc. This approach may be proposed to identify new CGs whose corresponding QTL is responsible for complex traits.
Exome sequencing on 20 probands with early-onset high myopia: identify variants in Retnet genes and interacting of genes in the candidate genes
Authors: Li Hui-Ping , Ren Ying-Hua , Wang Xiaoguang , Ma Mei-Jiao , Lian Yuan-Yuan , Rui Xue , Cheng Wan-Yu , Huang Xiao-Yu , Yang Shang-Ying , Fang Xin-He , Ke Fa-Yong , Sheng Xun-Lun
Published: December 2023

Purpose To expand our knowledge of the genetic basis of early-onset high myopia (eoHM), we performed a whole exome sequencing (WES) study to analyze the pathogenic gene variants in patients with eoHM.
Methods 20 probands from unrelated families with the first sign of eoHM as well as their parents were enrolled in this study. All participants received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Variants were detected by WES. The candidate pathogenic variants were selected by multistep bioinformatics analyses. The protein-protein interaction (PPIs) network analysis with STRING and k mean clustering was applied for detecting the interacting of genes in the candidate genes and the ClusPro Server was used for protein-protein docking.
Results Pathogenic variants were detected in 12 Retnet genes including EYS, ABCA4, USH2A, RP1, CYP4V2, BBS7, RHO, CRB1, CNGA1, RP2, CACNA1F, RPGR, all which were related to eoHM with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Among them, the variants in X-linked genes accounted for 45%, including RPGR, RP2, and CACNA1F, of which variants in RPGR (30%) were the most common. Of 20 probands, 5 showed simple eoHM, 13 RP with eoHM and 2 syndromic RP with eoHM. The PPIs network analysis revealed that among the 12 candidate genes, 7 genes belong to the hub genes including EYS, ABCA4,USH2A, CRB1, CNGA1, CACNA1F, and RPGR. Among them, RPGR was the most important gene that connects 11 nodes in 13 nodes of STRING network with ARR3 gene, a well-known gene to be associated with eoHM, being included. The clustering analysis showed that 13 nodes belong to 3 clusters. Cluster I was G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway interacting with cluster II enriched in microtubule organization and responsible for regulation of transport in primary retinal cilia. Protein-protein docking showed the protein encoded by ARR3 bind to the protein encoded by RPGR and Rho genes.
Conclusion High myopia was considered as an earlier feature of RP patients from variations in some known genes responsible for RP accompanied by HM. PPIs network analysis revealed important modules of gene interacting and RPGR-ARR3-Rho complex was potentially related to high myopia development. Our study presented a new perspective on the pathological mechanism of eoHM and provided new insight and enlightenment for the future research on the molecular genetics of eoHM.
The Prolonged Impact of Early-Life Antibiotics Exposure on 81 Common Diseases: Evidence from Epidemiology, Genetics, and Causality
Authors: Jiang Yuhan , Guo Ju , Yao Xueming , Wang Zixuan , Xia Ruiwen , Li Jun Mulin , Wang Hongxi , Zou Yingxue
Published: December 2023

Background:
The widespread administration of antibiotics to children has prompted concerns regarding the potential adverse effects associated with their use. Early-life exposure to antibiotics has been linked with various health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological conditions, and asthma. However, previous studies exhibit certain constraints regarding its scope and ability to establish causal relationships between early-life antibiotics exposure and health complications. This study aimed to systematically investigate the long-lasting effects of antibiotics on various systemic diseases, providing epidemiological and genetic evidence.
Methods:
Leveraging electronic hospital records, questionnaire data, and genotype data in UK Biobank, we examined 158,391 individuals with documented early-life antibiotics exposure to comprehensively analyze the associations between early antibiotics exposure and systemic diseases. We initiated an observational study scrutinizing the links between antibiotics usage and various diseases. Subsequently, eight Mendelian randomization methods were employed to meticulously account for confounding variables and investigate potential causality. Moreover, genetic correlation analyses were conducted to validate these associations from a genetic perspective. Eventually, colocalization analyses were performed to identify shared genetic structures among them.
Results:
In our observational study involving 81 common diseases, our findings revealed significnat associations between the exposure to antibiotics during early life and 45 diseases, after correcting the false discovery rate. Among these, 11 diseases demonstrated causal evidence. These diseases include type-2 diabetes (OR = 1.27 [1.18,1.36], P = 4.8×10− 11), depression (OR = 1.77 [1.67,1.89], P = 2.2×10− 72), inflammatory bowel disease (OR = 1.28 [1.14,1.45], P = 6.2×10− 5), polymyalgia rheumatica (OR = 1.28 [1.07,1.53], P = 6.4×10− 3), giant cell arteritis (OR = 1.55 [1.12, 2.14], P = 7.5×10− 3), chronic tonsil and adenoid diseases (OR = 2.13 [1.73, 2.62], P = 1.3×10− 12), other upper respiratory conditions (OR = 1.4 [1.24,1.59], P = 9.7×10− 8), hordeolum and other deep inflammation of the eyelid (OR = 2.13 [1.32,3.41], P = 1.80×10− 3), sciatica (OR = 1.54 [1.35,1.76], P = 8.30×10− 11), cystitis (OR = 1.51 [1.31,1.74], P = 8.10×10− 9), and bronchiectasis (OR = 2.7 [2.37,3.06], P = 9.7×10− 52), and 5 of these had genetic correlations. Additionally, we identified common pleiotropic genetic loci linking antibiotics exposure to these 5 diseases.
Conclusions:
The study unveiled the enduring and detrimental effects of prolonged antibiotic usage during early life, which can potentially result in the development of diseases across multiple bodily systems, either directly or indirectly.
Involving Lived Experience in regional efforts to address gambling-related harms: going beyond ‘window dressing’ and ‘tick box exercises’
Authors: Jenkins Catherine L. , Mills Thomas , Grimes James , Bland Colin , Reavey Paula , Wills Jane , Sykes Susie
Published: December 2023

Background
Lived Experience (LE) involvement has been shown to improve interventions across diverse sectors. Yet LE contributions to public health approaches to address gambling-related harms remain underexplored, despite notable detrimental health and social outcomes linked to gambling. This paper analyses the potential of LE involvement in public health strategy to reduce gambling-related harms. It focuses on the example of a UK city-region gambling harms reduction intervention that presented multiple opportunities for LE input.
Methods
Three focus groups and 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted to hear from people with and without LE who were involved in the gambling harms reduction intervention, or who had previous experience of LE-informed efforts for reducing gambling-related harms. People without LE provided reflections on the value and contributions of others’ LE to their work. Data analysis combined the Framework Method with themes developed inductively (from people’s accounts) and deductively (from the literature, including grey literature).
Results
Four themes were identified: (1) personal journeys to LE involvement; (2) the value added by LE to interventions for reducing gambling-related harms; (3) emotional impacts on people with LE; and (4) collective LE and diverse lived experiences. Two figures outlining LE involvement specific to gambling harms reduction in the UK, where public health efforts aimed at reducing gambling-related harms coexist with industry-funded programmes, are proposed.
Conclusions
Integrating a range of LE perspectives in a public health approach to gambling harms reduction requires local access to involvement for people with LE via diverse routes that are free from stigma and present people with LE with options in how they can engage and be heard in decision-making and operate in relation to industry influence. Involving LE in gambling harms reduction requires enabling people to develop the affective and critical skills necessary to navigate complex emotional journeys and a challenging commercial and policy environment.
Improved model predictive control of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on lumped disturbance compensation
Authors: Huangfu Liqun , Cen Chen , Zhang Tao
Published: December 2023

This paper proposes an improved finite control set model predictive current control (FCS-MPC) for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), including the use of a sliding mode observer for full electromagnetic parameter disturbance compensation and duty cycle control. First, a PMSM prediction model containing lumped disturbances was established. Second, a sliding mode observer is designed to estimate the lumped perturbation and compensate it to the reference voltage. The reference voltage is obtained based on the deadbeat principle and requires further constraints to obtain the optimal basic voltage vector. Then, a voltage-based cost function is constructed to calculate the duration of the non-zero optimal voltage vector and output the amplitude of the duty cycle adjustment voltage. Finally, experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed FCS-MPC in improving robustness and steady-state performance.
Numerical results and dynamics of chaotic attractors through fractal-fractional derivatives with power law kernel
Authors: Panda Sumati Kumari , Velusamy Vijayakumar , AkgülAkg¨Akgül Ali , Khan Ilyas , Niazai Shafiullah
Published: December 2023

This work analyzes the chaotic system dynamics based on a circuit design using the recently established Fractal-Fractional derivative with a power law kernel. The fractal-fractional derivative with a power law kernel generalizes the traditional nonlinear, coupled ordinary differential equations that are used to model the problem. In addition, a number of theoretical analysis have been computed, including the existence, uniqueness, and numerical analysis of the system. Thereafter, a numerical method employing MATLAB software is used to investigate the non-linear fractal-fractional order system. Three-dimensional phase portraits and two-dimensional graphs are used to illustrate the graphical solutions.
Preliminary Study on Hand Dimensions as Potential Predictors of Ethnicity of Female Populations in the Forest and Savanna Zones of Ghana
Authors: Bimpong Samuel , Abaidoo Chrissie Stansie , Tetteh Joshua , Sarkodie Francis Kofi , Adjei-Antwi Collins , Nketsiah James , Appiah Atta Kusi , Diby Thomas K.
Published: December 2023

Background: The hand is a versatile structure that performs numerous tasks, ranging from exertion of great force such as grip, pinch and torque to execution of precise fine motor skills.
Objective: The aim of current study was to undertake a preliminary study on hand dimensions as potential predictors of ethnicity of female populations in the forest and savanna zones of Ghana.
Methods: A total of one hundred (100) female students aged between 17 – 24 years were recruited into this study, comprising of 53 Akans from the forest zone and 47 Northerners from savanna zone of Ghana between 12th June to 27th July, 2023 at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Results: Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between left hand length and right hand length (R = 0.923, p = 0.000). Binary regression model indicated that right hand breadth was nearly two and half folds likely to predict Akan ethnicity (OR=2.46, 95%CI [0.29, 20.93]).
Conclusion: The study observed significant differences in right and left hands breadths dimensions among the Akans and Northerners from the forest and savanna zones of Ghana.
Effects of robotic-assisted early mobilization versus conventional mobilization in intensive care unit patients: The MobiStaR trial
Authors: Huebner Lucas , Warmbein Angelika , Scharf Christina , Schroeder Ines , Manz Kirsi , Rathgeber Ivanka , Gutmann Marcus , Biebl Johanna , Mehler-Klamt Amrei , Huber Jana , Eberl Inge , Kraft Eduard , Fischer Uli , Zoller Michael
Published: December 2023

Background
Approximately one in three survivors of critical illness suffers from intensive-care-unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW), which increases mortality and impairs quality of life. By specifically counteracting one of the known risk factors of immobilization, active mobilization may mitigate ICUAW and its negative effects on patients’ outcomes. In this single-center trial, the effect of robotic-assisted early mobilization in the intensive care unit (ICU) on patients’ outcomes was investigated.
Methods
We enrolled 16 adults scheduled for lung transplantation to receive 20 minutes of robotic-assisted early mobilization and verticalization twice daily during their first week in the ICU if deemed feasible by the treating team (intervention group: IG). A control group (CG) of 13 conventionally mobilized patients after lung transplantation was recruited retrospectively. Outcome measures included the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, muscle parameters evaluated by ultrasound, and quality of life after three months. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and linear mixed models.
Results
During the first week in the ICU, the intervention group received a mean of 5.6 (standard deviation ± 2.9) robotic-assisted sessions of early mobilization and verticalization. There were no statistically significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation (IG: median 126 vs. CG: 78 hours), length of ICU stay (IG: 14 vs. CG: 8 days), muscle parameters evaluated by ultrasound, and quality of life after three months between the IG and CG.
Conclusion
In this study, robotic-assisted early mobilization was successfully implemented in the ICU setting. No significant differences in patients’ outcomes were observed between conventional and robotic-assisted mobilization, a new option for early mobilization in the ICU. However, randomized and larger studies are necessary to validate the adequacy of robotic mobilization in other cohorts.
Trial registration
This single-center interventional trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05071248 on 27/08/2021.
Effect of catechol/polyamine modification of waste brick powder followed by grafting of epoxy elastomers on natural rubber composites
Authors: Zhao Meng , Duan Hao , Zhang Su , Han Linfeng , Peng Keyu , Jing Yuan , Lin Guangyi
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to explore a method for modifying waste brick powder (WBP) in order to reapply it to rubber products for effective resource recycling. Firstly, we use the auto polymerisation of catechol/polyamine (CPA) on the surface of WBP to form a poly catechol/polyamine (PCPA) coating as an intermediate reaction platform. And then the macromolecular modifier, epoxy-functionalized elastomer (ethylene vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer) (EVMG), is further grafted onto the PCPA coating to prepare the WBP@EVMG hybrid materials. During the preparation of the WBP@EVMG hybrid materials, a ring-opening reaction between the amine group of PCPA and the epoxy group of EVMG occurs. The NR/WBP@EVMG composites are prepared by mechanical blending. The interfacial interactions between WBP@EVMG and NR are analyzed and verified in detail by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and rubber process analyzer (RPA). It is shown that the modified NR/WBP composites show increased vulcanization rate and better mechanical properties, and the tensile strength, abrasion resistance, cracking strength, and wet slip resistance of NR/WBP@EVMG-15 are increased by 29%, 6%, 16%, and 11%, respectively, compared with that of NR/WBP composites, which provides a unique idea for the reuse of waste brick powder in rubber.
A topological analysis of the bonding interaction within the tri-nuclear heterometallic cluster [CoMoRu(µ3-S) (CO)8(Cp)COOCH3],(Cp= η5-C5H4)
Authors: Al-Karaawi Ali Abdulhasan Rasool , Al-Ibadi Muhsen Abood Muhsen
Published: December 2023

The tri-nuclear heterometallic tetrahedral cluster [CoMoRu(µ3-S)(CO)8(Cp)COOCH3], (Cp = η5-C5H4) in question was studied using the atoms in molecules quantum theory (QTAIM) to examine bonding interactions such as M-M, M-S, M-CO, and M-Cp. The electron density of bonding interactions within the cluster has its topological properties calculated based on this theory. Interestingly, the local topological parameters calculated for the Mo–Ru bond differ considerably from those of Mo-Co, and Ru-Co interactions, for which bond critical points and bond paths were not observed. Bridging sulfide ligands significantly impacted the electron density distribution of Mo…Co, and Ru…Co interactions more than Mo-Ru bond. The topological properties of the latter bond were characteristic of open-shell metal–metal interactions, with small positive values of ρb and ∇2ρb, and small negative values of Hb close to 0. The core part, [CoMoRu(µ3-S], was found to have a multicenter 4c–6e interaction. In this core, the three M-S bonds between the metal atoms and the sulfide ligand showed similar topological parameters that were typical of open-shell (covalent) interactions. A significant CO to M π-back donation was found by performing the Source Function and δ(M…OCO) delocalization index calculations.
ACL-DUNet: A tumor segmentation method based on multiple attention and densely connected breast ultrasound images
Authors: Zhang Hao , He Liang , Guo Wenjia , Ma Jing , Sun Gang , Ma Hongbing
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Breast masses are one of the distinctive signs for diagnosing breast cancer, and ultrasound is widely used for screening as a non-invasive and effective method for breast examination. The accurate measurement and characterization of different breast tumors play a crucial role in guiding clinical decision-making. The area and shape of the different breast tumors detected are critical for clinicians to make accurate diagnostic decisions. In this study, a deep learning method for mass segmentation in breast ultrasound images is proposed, which uses densely connected U-net with attention gates (AGs) as well as channel attention modules and scale attention modules for accurate breast tumor segmentation .The densely connected network is employed in the encoding stage to enhance the network's feature extraction capabilities. Three attention modules are integrated in the decoding stage to better capture the most relevant features. After validation on two publicly available breast ultrasound datasets, the experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves favorable performance compared to other deep learning approaches.
A Turnpike Result for Boundary Control Problems with the Transport Equation under Uncertainty
Authors: Schuster Michael , Sakamoto Noboru
Published: December 2023

Turnpike results hold a central position in the area of applied mathematics, offering profound insights into the long-term behavior of optimal control systems. They play an important role in guiding decision-making processes in dynamic systems. Often dynamic systems depend on uncertain data and/or parameters.
In this paper, optimal boundary control problems for the transport equation with random initial data and random source term are considered. The paper commences with a presentation of a novel direct proof for a integral turnpike result for the optimal control and the corresponding optimal state in the deterministic setting, that does not require any restrictions on the source term of the transport equation.
Further the analysis is extended to the stochastic setting, where the initial data is perturbed by a Wiener process and the source term is multiplied with a random variable. Integral turnpike results for the optimal controls and the corresponding expected optimal states are presented for this setting as well and the turnpike constant is further specified for Gaussian and uniformly distributed random variables.
Research Proposal for the Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating the Impact of School-based Influenza Vaccination Programme on Absenteeism and Outbreaks at Schools in Hong Kong
Authors: Miao Chuhan , Lu Qingyang , Wang Yingli , Bo Yan , He Jianxun
Published: December 2023

Background: Seasonal influenza causes annual school breaks and student absenteeism in Hong Kong schools and kindergartens. This proposal aims to conduct a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of a school-based influenza vaccination (SIV) programme on absenteeism and outbreaks at schools in Hong Kong.
Methods: The study will compare schools that implemented the SIV programme with schools that did not. The data will be sourced from school records, encompassing absenteeism records, outbreak reports, and vaccination rates. We will recruit students from schools in 18 districts of Hong Kong starting June 2024.
The primary outcome measures will include absenteeism rates due to influenza and school influenza outbreaks. Secondary outcomes will consist of vaccination coverage rates and the impact of the SIV programme on hospitalisations due to influenza-like illness. We will conduct a t-test to compare the outcomes between schools with and without the SIV programme.
Discussion: Evidence gathered from this proposed study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SIV programmes in reducing absenteeism and preventing school outbreaks. The results will inform Hong Kong’s public health influenza prevention and control strategies. Furthermore, this proposed study is expected to contribute to the existing knowledge on the impact of SIV programs and provide evidence to support the implementation and expansion of such programs in Hong Kong and other similar places.
Sustainable Resource Practices: a Study of Non-timber Forest Product Dependency in the Bijagoi Community, Bau District, Sarawak
Authors: NOWEG TONGA , KELEMAN ALFRED , NELSON JULIA
Published: December 2023

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important components of ecosystem services offered by the forest and one of the resources that have a comparative advantage and are in direct contact with communities living around the forest. The study was conducted in Bau District, Sarawak to determine the BiJagoi community’s utilization and dependency on the NTFPs. Preliminary investigation and consultation were conducted with the presence of community leaders, followed by community group discussion and household interviews. The results show that BiJagoi depends on the NTFPs as secondary sources of medicine, firewood, food, and materials for handicrafts. They mostly use NTFPs for personal use. They also mostly collected the NTFPs from outside of JHF and collected the NTFPs only when needed. It was also found that only the frequency of firewood collection is influenced by age. The study concluded that although the BiJagoi depends on NTFPs in their daily life, the pattern utilization is influenced by the age factor. Hence, there is a need for traditional knowledge documentation to preserve the NTFPs' utilization knowledge, thus helping in managing the natural resources.
Mechanical properties of polyurethane foam reinforced with natural henequen fibre
Authors: Pech-Can G. E. , Flores-Johnson E. A. , Carrillo J. G. , Bele E. , Valadez-Gonzalez A.
Published: December 2023

Fibre-reinforced polyurethane (FRPU) foams with natural henequen fibres were investigated. Pull-out tests were performed with 10-mm fibres and various foam densities to identify the optimal density of 100 kg/m3. Thus, FRPU foams with this density and fibre contents of 1, 2 and 3 wt% were manufactured for mechanical testing. Compression tests showed an increase in the elastic modulus of the FRPU foam specimens compared to the unreinforced PU foam. The FRPU foams also exhibited higher yield stress attributed to the reinforcing effect of the fibres on the cell walls. A maximum increase of 71% in the compressive yield stress was observed for the FRPU foam specimens with a fibre content of 2%. In addition, FRPU foam specimens absorbed more energy for any given strain than the unreinforced PU foam. Flexural tests showed the FRPU foams exhibited increased flexural strength compared to the unreinforced PU foam. A maximum increase of 40% in the flexural strength was observed for the FRPU foam with a fibre content of 1%. The flexural strain to failure was lower for the FRPU foams than for the unreinforced PU foam, attributed to the increased fibre agglomeration with increased fibre content. These results suggest that FRPU foams incorporating natural henequen fibre exhibit promising potential as sustainable materials with enhanced mechanical properties.
A Simple and New Chromone Congeners Promote Anticancer Activity: Synthesis, Bioactivity Assessment and molecular docking study with ADME profile
Authors: Abo-Salem Heba M. , Souda Sahar S.M. El , Shafey Heba I. , Zoheir Khairy , Ahmed Khadiga M. , Mahmoud K. , Mahrous Karima F. , Fawzy Nagwa M.
Published: December 2023

In consideration of the chromones' therapeutic potential and anticancer activity, a new series of chromanone derivatives have been synthesized through a straightforward reaction between 6-formyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone (2) and various organic active compounds. The cytotoxic activity of the newly synthesized congeners was investigated against MCF-7 (human breast cancer), HCT-116 (colon cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), and normal skin fibroblast cells (BJ1). The obtained data indicated that compounds 14b, 17, and 19 induce cytotoxic activity in the breast MCF7, while compounds 6a, 6b, 11 and 14c showed highly potent activity in the colon cancer cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrate that the potential cytotoxic effects of the studied compounds may base on their ability to induce DNA fragmentation in cancer cell lines, down-regulate the expression level of CDK4 as well as the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and up-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes p53 and Bax. Furthermore, compounds 14b and 14c showed a dual mechanism of action via apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induction. The docking studies were found to be consistent with the experimental results owing to the stronger binding affinity of the most active cytotoxic compounds within the active pocket of the CDK4 enzyme through hydrophobic and H-bonding interactions.
Protective effect of puerarin esters against oxygen and glucose deprivation-reoxygenation- induced microglial cells damage
Authors: Mo Lan , Zhao Guang-lei , Li Xiao-feng , He Ning , Xiao xing-long , Xu Hai-xia , Yu Yi-gang
Published: December 2023

Puerarin esters (PAES) modified by puerarin (PU) are a novel isoflavone. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that PAES with medium-long chain lengths may exert a neuroprotective effect against ischemic stroke through NF-κB signaling, TNF signaling, and other apoptosis-related signaling pathways. To clarify the protective effect of PAES on ischemic stroke, this present study was carried out by using a typical cell model-oxygen and glucose deprivation-reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced microglial cells model. Results showed that pretreatment with PAES (25 µM) remarkably increased oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell viability and promoted the polarization of these cells to the M2 phenotype. In addition, PAES (25 µM) decreased OGD/R-induced cell death via suppressing cleaved-caspase 3 expression and decreasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. We further demonstrated that PAES, by activating the Nrf2/Akt pathway, up-regulated SOD1 expression and inhibited the oxidative stress response. A further analysis revealed that PAES significantly decreased OGD/R-induced TNF-α and IL-1β levels and downregulated MMP2 and MMP9 expression, which was related with NF-κB translocation and P38-JNK signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study reports that PAES effectively antagonize OGD/R-caused inflammation damage and oxidative stress in microglia cells, thereby offering a new direction for ischemic stroke-induced cell damage.
Transcriptome analysis of antioxidant system response in Styrax tonkinensis seedlings under flood- drought abrupt alternation
Authors: Chen Hong , Han Chao , Cui Luomin , Liu Zemao , Yu Fangyuan
Published: December 2023

Background
Styrax tonkinensis (Pierre) Craib ex Hartwich is a promising oil species with excellent fatty acid composition, making it a potential candidate for biofuel production. However, its expansion in the south provinces of Yangtze River region has been hindered by climate extremes such as flood-drought abrupt alternation (FDAA), which is caused by global warming. This species has low tolerance to waterlogging and drought, further restricting its growth in this region. To investigate the antioxidant system and the molecular response related to peroxisome pathway of S. tonkinensis under FDAA, we conducted FDAA and drought (DT) experiments on two-years old seedlings. We measured various growth indexes, reactive oxygen species content, the activity of two antioxidant enzymes and analyzed transcriptome of its seedlings under FDAA and DT conditions.
Results
The results displayed that the reduction in fresh weight was mainly observed in the leaves under FDAA condition. Through transcriptome analysis, we assembled a total of 1,111,088 unigenes (1,111,628,179 bp). We analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant system. Generally, SOD1 and SOD2 genes in S. tonkinensis seedlings were upregulated to combat abiotic stresses. Our findings revealed that ROS accumulation was predominantly observed in leaves rather than roots under FDAA. Under FDAA circumstance, Protein Mpv17 (MPV17) showed the opposite reaction in leaves and roots with upregulation and downregulation, respectively.
Conclusions
The ROS generation triggered by MPV17 genes was not the main reason for the eventual mortality of the plant. Instead, plant mortality may be attributed to water loss during the waterlogging phase, decreased root water uptake capacity, and continued water loss during the subsequent drought period. This study establishes a scientific foundation for comprehending the morphological, physiological, and molecular facts of S. tonkinensis under FDAA conditions.
Study on deformation and structural characteristics of the M w 7.4 earthquake fault zone in Maduo, Qinghai Province by combining optical, InSAR and seismic data
Authors: yu shuyuan , Zhang Shubi , 赵 德政 , 骆 佳骥 , Yang Yuanyuan
Published: December 2023

By means of D-InSAR and weighted least square method, the coseismic deformation field of the Mw7.4 earthquake in Maduo, Qinghai Province on May 22, 2021 was solved by using Sentinel-1A data of ESA. The horizontal deformation field of earthquake was extracted from Sentinel-2 optical data, and the vorticity field, divergence field, and shear strain field were introduced as operators to obtain the special surface deformation mode associated with surface rupture geometry. On this basis, the singular value decomposition algorithm was used to fit the point cloud data of the aftershocks so as to obtain the geometric structure parameters of the seismogenic faults. The fine structure characteristics of coseismic slip distribution were inverted with the constraint of InSAR deformation field in ascending orbit. The results show that the length of surface rupture trajectory of the Maduo earthquake reaches 166 km, and branch ruptures occur at both the head and the end. The movement of seismogenic faults is mainly left-lateral strike-slip; the main rupture occurs in the depth range of 0 ~ 10 km. There are 8 ruptured concave-convex bodies along the fault strike, with the maximum slip amount reaching 5 m, and the moment magnitude being Mw7.42. The area where static Coulomb stress increases on the seismogenic fault is consistent with the distribution of aftershocks, indicating that aftershocks are triggered by static Coulomb stress loading. Combined with field investigation, geological data and geodetic data, it is concluded that the seismogenic fault is a fault in its early evolution process, and the rupture of the main fault F3 may excite the immature F2 fault.
Validation of parameters selection of aluminium busducts welding with micro-jet cooling by using Method of Fundamental Solutions
Authors: Szczucka-Lasota Bożena , Uściłowska Anita , Węgrzyn Tomasz , Węgrzyn-Wolska Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Aluminum alloys are lightweight and resistant to corrosion in the natural environment, which is why they are a proper material for responsible structures (in the civil engineering structures, automotive industry, electric conductors). Purpose of the paper was coupling MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding process with parameters of micro-jet cooling just after aluminium busducts welding. There are given the main information about parameters of aluminum welding with the micro-jet cooling process. There were also put down information about the influence of various micro-jet parameters on the metallographic structure. After that, there were tested metallographic and some physical properties of welding structures (mechanical resistance, electrical conductivity). Welding with micro-jet cooling could be treated as a very promising process with high industrial applications. In addition, using Method of Fundamental Solutions, the influence of the heat flow process in WMD (weld metal deposit) after welding with micro-jet cooling was checked. The effect of micro-jet cooling on the grain refinement of weld metal deposit was carefully investigated. Controlled influence of the heat flow process in the welded joint will allow for proper selection of micro-jet cooling parameters. The article focuses on the mechanical and especially electrical properties of busducts welds made with innovative micro-jet cooling.
The influence of a new operative channel on water dynamics and its related factors in unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery: An in vivo human study
Authors: Wang Qian-liang , Chen Jian-peng , Peng Yu-jian , Dai Jun , Liu Xiao-feng , Yan Jun
Published: December 2023

Background In recent years, unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgery has become one of the most popular minimally invasive spine surgeries. Unlike traditional open surgery, UBE surgery is performed in isotonic saline solution. Therefore, comprehending the water dynamics involved in UBE surgery is crucial.Methods This prospective study involved 29 patients with single-level lumbar instability or degenerative disk disease who underwent UBE surgery between April 2021 and March 2022. Water flow pressure was measured using a disposable pressure transducer. Multifidus muscle MRI images were analyzed by ImageJ software at intervertebral disc levels. Perioperative blood loss was estimated by the Gross formula. The obtained data were then analyzed with independent t tests, chi-squared tests, and Pearson’s correlation.Results Height and weight were risk factors for increased water flow pressure during UBE surgery (r = 0.424, P = 0.022, r = 0.384, P = 0.040). The phenomenon of low water flow pressure led to escalations in perioperative total blood loss, hematocrit loss and hemoglobin loss (r=-0.369, P = 0.049, r=-0.424, P = 0.022, r=-0.405, P = 0.029). An excessive water flow pressure can worsen postoperative multifidus swelling and elevate the patient's leg pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 week (r = 0.442, P = 0.016, r = 0.394, P = 0.034).Conclusion Both low and high water flow pressures can have deleterious effects. The water flow pressure should be controlled within a reasonable range during UBE surgery.
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models versus allometric scaling for prediction of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor exposure from adults to children
Authors: Centanni Maddalena , Elhad David , Zaher Omar , Karlsson Mats O. , Friberg Lena E.
Published: December 2023

Purpose
Model-based methods can predict pediatric exposure and support initial dose selection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of allometric scaling of population pharmacokinetic (popPK) versus physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models in predicting the exposure of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for pediatric patients (≥ 2 years), based on adult data. The drugs imatinib, sunitinib and pazopanib were selected as case studies due to their complex PK profiles including high inter-patient variability, active metabolites, time-varying clearances and non-linear absorption.
Methods
Pediatric concentration measurements and adult popPK models were derived from the literature. Adult PBPK models were generated in PK-Sim® using available physicochemical properties, calibrated to adult data when needed. PBPK and popPK models for the pediatric populations were scaled from the models for adults and were used to simulate concentration-time profiles that were compared to the observed values.
Results
Ten pediatric datasets were collected from the literature. While both types of models captured the concentration-time profiles of imatinib, its active metabolite, sunitinib and pazopanib, the PBPK models underestimated sunitinib metabolite concentrations. In contrast, allometrically scaled popPK simulations accurately predicted all concentration-time profiles. Trough concentration (Ctrough) predictions from the popPK model fell within a 2-fold range for all compounds, while 3 out of 5 PBPK predictions exceeded this range for the imatinib and sunitinib metabolite concentrations.
Conclusion
Based on the identified case studies it appears that allometric scaling of popPK models is better suited to predict exposure of TKIs in pediatric patients ≥ 2 years, likely due to the capacity of the modeling method to account for complex PK characteristics. In some instances, both methods performed comparably. Understanding where discrepancies between the model methods arise, can further inform model development and ultimately support pediatric dose selection.
Fibroblast activation protein and disease severity, progression, and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Prior Thomas Skovhus , Hoyer Nils , Davidsen Jesper Rømhild , Shaker Saher Burhan , Hundahl Malthe Pallesgaard , Lomholt Søren , Deleuran Bent Winding , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Kragstrup Tue Wenzel
Published: December 2023

Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressive fibrosis in the lungs. Activated fibroblasts play a central role in fibrogenesis and express fibroblast activation protein α. A truncated, soluble form (sFAP) can be measured in blood and is a potential novel biomarker of disease activity.
Objectives
The aim was to study the association between sFAP and clinical, radiological, and histopathologic measures of disease severity, progression and survival in a prospective, multicenter, real-world cohort of patients with IPF.
Methods
Patients with IPF were recruited from the tertiary interstitial lung disease centers in Denmark and followed for up to three years. Baseline serum levels of sFAP were measured by ELISA in patients with IPF and compared to healthy controls. Pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk test and quality of life measures were performed at baseline and during follow-up.
Results
The study comprised 149 patients with IPF. Median sFAP in IPF was 49.6 ng/mL (IQR: 43.1–61.6 ng/mL) and in healthy controls 73.8 ng/mL (IQR: 62.1–92.0 ng/mL). Continuous sFAP was not associated with disease severity, progression or survival (p > 0.05). After dichotomization of sFAP below or above mean sFAP + 2 SD for healthy controls, higher levels of sFAP were associated with lower FVC % predicted during follow-up (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Higher than normal serum levels of sFAP were associated with longitudinal changes in FVC % predicted, but sFAP did not show clear associations with other baseline or longitudinal parameters. sFAP may be used to identify patients with IPF having a progressive disease course.
Causal role of metabolites in Non-small cell lung cancer: Mendelian randomization (MR) study
Authors: Li Qian
Published: December 2023

On a global scale, lung cancer(LC) is the most commonly occurring form of cancer. Nonetheless, the process of screening and detecting it in its early stages presents significant challenges. Earlier research endeavors have recognized metabolites as potentially reliable biomarkers for LC. However, the majority of these studies have been limited in scope, featuring inconsistencies in terms of the relationships and levels of association observed.Moreover, there has been a lack of consistency in the types of biological samples utilized in previous studies. Therefore, the main objective of our research was to explore the correlation between metabolites and Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Thorough two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we investigated potential cause-and-effect relationships between 1400 metabolites and the risk of NSCLC.The analysis of Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) revealed a significant causal impact of 61 metabolites on NSCLC.To ensure the reliability and validity of our findings, we perform FDR correction for P-values by Benjaminiand Hochberg(BH) method, Our results indicate that Oleate/vaccenate (18:1) levels and Caffeine to paraxanthine ratio may be causally associated with an increased risk of NSCLC [Oleate/vaccenate(18:1)levels: OR = 1.171,95%CI: 1.085–1.265, FDR = 0.036; Caffeine to paraxanthine ratio: OR = 1.386, 95%CI:1.191–1.612,FDR = 0.032].
Pharmacological network-based study on interventional mechanism of Baitouweng Decoction for treatment of colitis-associated cancer
Authors: Cao Qianqian , Zhang Kaiyu , Yao Dan , Chen Peiyao
Published: December 2023

Background Baitouweng Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula prescribed for the treatment of colitis-associated cancer, has shown promising efficacy. However, the bioactive components and mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods Obtaining the components included in Baitouweng Decoction through the TCMSP, TCMID, TCMIP component database of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and combined with literatures. Predicting targets of the components included in Baitouweng Decoction through PharmMapper Server platform. Verifying relationship between the targets of Baitouweng Decoction and colitis-associated cancer by comparing the disease targets from GeneCards with chemotherapeutic molecular target of colitis-associated cancer from DrugBank; Building networks of "herb-component-target" and "component-target" by Cytoscape; Finally, analysing the pathway of Baitouweng Decoction in the treatment of colitis-associated cancer, which based on DAVID database.
Results Getting 98 components and 87 targets (including 12 key components and 11 main targets) from the "herb-component-target" network of Baitouweng Decoction in the treatment of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer; KEGG pathway mainly involves Cancer pathways, prostate cancer, proteoglycans in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, etc. GO are mainly related to oxygenate response, protein tyrosine kinase activity, cytoplasmic vesicles, etc. The results of molecular docking showed that limonin, candotoxin A and fraxin had good binding ability with HRAS, IGF1, MAP2K1and HSP90AA1.
Conclusions Analysing with literature reports and forecast result, Baitouweng Decoction can induce the progression of colitis-associated cancer and promote tumor cell apoptosis at multiple levels and in different ways by mediating EGFR and its downstream signal pathway.
The symptom cluster and core symptoms of early recovery in patients after esophageal cancer surgery: A network analysis
Authors: Ji YongZhi , Zhang Yunfang , Shi Ziyue , Wang Panpan , Chen Tingzi , Fan Zhibo , Jiang Enshe
Published: December 2023

Background
Patients with esophageal cancer, one month after surgery, undergo a transitional period before discharge, which may trigger a range of emotional and physical adjustments, including physical and psychological symptoms. Although current research examines individual symptoms in isolation, it is crucial to comprehend the relationships between symptoms and the core symptoms for effective symptom management.
Objective
Our study aims to describe symptoms in patients in the early stages of postoperative recovery from esophageal cancer, identify symptom clusters, and explore core symptoms and the relationship between symptoms.
Methods
This study was a cross-sectional investigation utilizing convenience sampling to select 281 postoperative esophageal cancer patients from two hospitals in Henan Province, China. A self-administered general information questionnaire and Anderson's Gastrointestinal Tumour Symptom Evaluation Scale were employed to survey the symptoms. Symptom clusters were extracted via exploratory factor analysis, and a symptom network was constructed using R. Network analysis was used to estimate correlations among symptoms.
Results
Our study identified difficulty swallowing(86.8%), pain (86.8%), and feeling of sad(83.3%) as the most prevalent symptoms. Four symptom clusters were extracted: the eating-related symptom cluster, the fatigue and sleep symptom cluster, the difficulty swallowing and psychological symptom cluster, and the digestive reconstruction symptom cluster. In the symptom network, feeling of sad (rs = 0.979) and fatigue (rs = 0.845) had the largest value of strength centrality.
Conclusion
Multiple symptoms and symptom clusters are apparent in patients in the early stages of postoperative recovery from esophageal cancer. Feeling of sad and fatigue are the core symptoms in patients in the early stages of postoperative recovery from esophageal cancer. Healthcare professionals can design accurate interventions based on these core symptoms, reducing the role of sadness and fatigue in the symptom network and improving patients' quality of life.